I actually have a post that is supposed to go before this one, but I am in Charlotte at my parents house for the weekend and I don't have it with me. The dogs started barking at 7am ET at the neighbors walking their big hunting dogs so I will not be getting any extra sleep this weekend. I am excited though because my Mom was able to get the second skein matches of the Red Heart sock yarn that we had originally bought over 4th of July but you need two balls and they only had one skein in each color at Hobby Lobby because it was a new item.
I finished the seafoam shawl last night. Now all my Mom has to do is add the fringe on and it will be ready to go. I also started a new shawl using the Cobalt blue Homespun that I bought with my 25% off everything coupon at AC Moore on Thursday. My mom has discovered the art of knitting socks now and was very excited when i brought her down a pair of bamboo size 2 DPNs. All she had were metal ones and those tend to slip out and make a big clinky noise on her hardwood floors.
So since my Amazon order FINALLY arrrived, I have been dutifully watching Season 3 episodes of Project Runway. Watching all the Project Runway episodes has given me a boost of creativity and I have found myself sketching outfits in my notebook which is not something I normally do, it's just fun and i make little stories to go with them and it's a good excuse to play with my colored pencils.
Mom and I are going to make the trek later to Kohls (fiestaware on sale, holla!) and Hobby Lobby, since I have every other craft and yarn store available to me in the Triangle except for that one. I think we might also be going to the post office to mail this big ass box of school supplies that we are sending to my sister. My mom bought this box that is like 18 inches tall and on the wide side. I am not really sure how I am going to lug that thing out to the car. It is on the heavy side and I really wish she would have bought two smaller boxes instead because she bought my sister a lot of paper and heavy stuff. Anyways, since my sister's classroom supply budget is $35 for the ENTIRE YEAR and she has students that are major kleptos and deviants, my mom and I scoured the sales for her. Hence the big box. I'm not sure how my sister is going to get it in the townhouse. She is a big wuss so I could totally see her opening it up outside and carrying stuff in by the pile. LOL.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Defying Gravity
I heart Idina forever! I was fortunate enough to see her concert here in town tonight and it was fantastic. It didn’t matter that it was humid and like 200 degrees outside or that I will probably wake up with fifty bug bites tomorrow. It was completely worth it. She has the most amazing vocal range. The concert was just really really special. I got to here a lot of my favorite songs from her latest album and she sang a song from RENT and TWO SONGS FROM WICKED!!!!!! She sang Defying Gravity from Wicked as the encore and I was so excited I seriously am amazed that I didn’t wet my pants. I had lawn seats but I was so close to the stage I could see her mascara! She really knows how to work the crowd and she made this really dirty sausage joke and told all these stories. She even sang a song in Hebrew! She also told us that a true diva can walk down the steps of a stage without having to look down and then she did it and it was so cool. If I would have tried that I would have fell flat on my ass. I also enjoyed her covers of Roxanne and Embraceable You.
It was just a really special experience because this was her first tour and it’s only 20 shows. Did I mention that I saw her hottie husband Taye Diggs in the crowd?!!! He was working the front row before she came on stage so it was like an extra bonus.
The venue was really cool. The amphitheatre is nestled in the trees and you look up into the sky and all you see is the glow from the stage lights and the tiny stars in the sky. It was just magical.
So there wasn’t a ton of merchandise at this event. All the t-shirts were like pink themed and some of on the tiny side. Just when I had given up hope, I saw this black long-sleeved thermal t-shirt with the Idina logo in hot pink. I fell in love with it so it ended up coming home with me even though I won’t be able to wear it outside until like November or something. It’s really comfortable too. I am wearing it as I type (I cranked the air conditioner too) because I wanted to make sure that it fit (surprisingly it actually does) and I am still on this big concert high.
On a side note, I couldn’t resist and started listening to the Kathy Griffin cd before the concert tonight and the Woz jokes (about Steve Wozniak, Apple GENIUS) were so hilarious I thought I was going to fall out of the recliner. I really should be going to bed because I have to work tomorrow but I am so wired there is no way I am going to fall asleep right away.
It was just a really special experience because this was her first tour and it’s only 20 shows. Did I mention that I saw her hottie husband Taye Diggs in the crowd?!!! He was working the front row before she came on stage so it was like an extra bonus.
The venue was really cool. The amphitheatre is nestled in the trees and you look up into the sky and all you see is the glow from the stage lights and the tiny stars in the sky. It was just magical.
So there wasn’t a ton of merchandise at this event. All the t-shirts were like pink themed and some of on the tiny side. Just when I had given up hope, I saw this black long-sleeved thermal t-shirt with the Idina logo in hot pink. I fell in love with it so it ended up coming home with me even though I won’t be able to wear it outside until like November or something. It’s really comfortable too. I am wearing it as I type (I cranked the air conditioner too) because I wanted to make sure that it fit (surprisingly it actually does) and I am still on this big concert high.
On a side note, I couldn’t resist and started listening to the Kathy Griffin cd before the concert tonight and the Woz jokes (about Steve Wozniak, Apple GENIUS) were so hilarious I thought I was going to fall out of the recliner. I really should be going to bed because I have to work tomorrow but I am so wired there is no way I am going to fall asleep right away.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The Mini Flood
So the water heater at the apartment across the hall from me started to break late Friday night and it semi-flooded the apartment below where the lady with the little dog that smokes outside all the time lives. In fact, I think she was the one who noticed it first and reported it. Anyways, there has been a flurry of golf carts in front of our building Saturday and this morning. I woke up this morning because I could hear this giant vacuuming sound outside and so I peeked out the window and it was one of those carpet restoration vans with giant hoses running through to the smoker’s apartment. Saturday when I came back from the mall, they had a long garden hose running down the stairs draining the water out of the old water heater. The maintenance guy was trying to drag the old one out this morning down the stairs without a dolly and he about dropped it, because I heard a “oh shit” with a southern accent and I about spit out my mountain dew because my recliner is right by my front door and I was reading the ads. It’s one of those situations that isn’t funny but it is.This is one of the reasons why I decided it was actually better to have the top level apartment with no one above me.
I made two and a half more preemie hats last night while I was watching episodes of My So-Called Life. I did end up going to Borders and buying more of the mini-clothespins for my inspiration board and they had Kathy Griffin’s new cd on sale so I bought it because I needed something to listen to on the LONG drive to Charlotte. Three hours isn’t that bad but it seems like it takes longer when you don’t have someone to ride along with you. I’m going down to visit my mom so I can pick up my doll and we are going to mail off all the classroom supplies we bought for my sister. It’s my contribution to society and I absolutely love school supply shopping even if I no longer have a need for them anymore.
Tonight is the Idina Menzel concert and I have been listening to the Wicked soundtrack in my car all weekend in anticipation. Even if she doesn’t sing any of her Broadway songs and just sings her solo material, I will still be happy because she has such an amazing voice and stage presence. Cross young fingers and knock on wood that it doesn’t rain because the concert is at an outdoor amphitheatre and it rained last night for a little bit. Plus I will be wearing my funky new ballet flats and my party shirt so I really don’t want to be sopping wet.
I just walked outside to take the trash out to the dumpster and the maintenance guy drug that old water heater all the way over to the dumpster and set in on the curb next to it. Lovely. I would think there would be restrictions on dumping those but maybe there isn’t or it will just stay there for a couple of weeks until someone else takes it away. Anyways, it complements the old mattress standing up to the old dumpster very well.
I made two and a half more preemie hats last night while I was watching episodes of My So-Called Life. I did end up going to Borders and buying more of the mini-clothespins for my inspiration board and they had Kathy Griffin’s new cd on sale so I bought it because I needed something to listen to on the LONG drive to Charlotte. Three hours isn’t that bad but it seems like it takes longer when you don’t have someone to ride along with you. I’m going down to visit my mom so I can pick up my doll and we are going to mail off all the classroom supplies we bought for my sister. It’s my contribution to society and I absolutely love school supply shopping even if I no longer have a need for them anymore.
Tonight is the Idina Menzel concert and I have been listening to the Wicked soundtrack in my car all weekend in anticipation. Even if she doesn’t sing any of her Broadway songs and just sings her solo material, I will still be happy because she has such an amazing voice and stage presence. Cross young fingers and knock on wood that it doesn’t rain because the concert is at an outdoor amphitheatre and it rained last night for a little bit. Plus I will be wearing my funky new ballet flats and my party shirt so I really don’t want to be sopping wet.
I just walked outside to take the trash out to the dumpster and the maintenance guy drug that old water heater all the way over to the dumpster and set in on the curb next to it. Lovely. I would think there would be restrictions on dumping those but maybe there isn’t or it will just stay there for a couple of weeks until someone else takes it away. Anyways, it complements the old mattress standing up to the old dumpster very well.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Big Day
Today was a lot of fun. I went to the mall in Raleigh to meet up with a bunch of local people from Ravelry. It was cool to actually meet people in person since I had only PMed or read their posts previously. I finished the second placement for my sister. I had to rip it out and start over because I had made one placement before I left Oklahoma and when I originally made the second one I had left the first one behind so the second placement wasn’t the same size. So my sister brought them both back with her over 4th of July and so I ripped the 2nd one out last night and then restarted it and finished at the meet-up today. I am happy to say that they are both the same size and length now.
Earlier in the week I finally bought a copy of My So-Called Life on DVD. I loved that show when it first came out and was really mad when they cancelled it because I thought it accurately captured what high school was like (or at least it did for my high school experience). My American Girl doll is slated to arrive on Tuesday so I will pick it up when I go down to my parents house next weekend. My amazon order hasn’t shipped yet but it was a big order and I made the stupid mistake of clicking the “as few shipments as possible.”
I am almost finished reading A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel. She is really funny and will be coming to my new fav indy bookstore in Raleigh at the beginning of August so I might go to that.
I did survive Crate & Barrel without spending too much. I bought this amazing can opener because the one that came with the kitchen starter set my mom bought me at Wal-Mart when I moved out here is one of those crappy silver ones and it is a real pain in the ass to use. Since I eat a lot of stuff from a can, I thought this was worth the plurge. I could have bought other stuff but honestly I was just in total awe how cool their stuff was so I brought a catalog home with me so I could look at things later and not feel so overwhelmed. I also picked up some body butter at the Body Shop. My legs have totally dried out since I moved out here and I don’t know why and I was fresh out of body butter and then I bought some Fekkai shampoo at Bath & Body Works to try out. I am such a shampoo freak. I am always trying out different kinds. I also bought a new hairbrush at the Body Shop and it is amazing and it didn’t get stuck in my hair. I have thick coarse curly hair so, comb/brush shopping is always a crapshoot.
I ended up making a total of five preemie hats this week for the Preemie Project. They are so tiny and cute! It’s a good way to use up scrap yarn because it doesn’t use much of it.
Earlier in the week I finally bought a copy of My So-Called Life on DVD. I loved that show when it first came out and was really mad when they cancelled it because I thought it accurately captured what high school was like (or at least it did for my high school experience). My American Girl doll is slated to arrive on Tuesday so I will pick it up when I go down to my parents house next weekend. My amazon order hasn’t shipped yet but it was a big order and I made the stupid mistake of clicking the “as few shipments as possible.”
I am almost finished reading A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel. She is really funny and will be coming to my new fav indy bookstore in Raleigh at the beginning of August so I might go to that.
I did survive Crate & Barrel without spending too much. I bought this amazing can opener because the one that came with the kitchen starter set my mom bought me at Wal-Mart when I moved out here is one of those crappy silver ones and it is a real pain in the ass to use. Since I eat a lot of stuff from a can, I thought this was worth the plurge. I could have bought other stuff but honestly I was just in total awe how cool their stuff was so I brought a catalog home with me so I could look at things later and not feel so overwhelmed. I also picked up some body butter at the Body Shop. My legs have totally dried out since I moved out here and I don’t know why and I was fresh out of body butter and then I bought some Fekkai shampoo at Bath & Body Works to try out. I am such a shampoo freak. I am always trying out different kinds. I also bought a new hairbrush at the Body Shop and it is amazing and it didn’t get stuck in my hair. I have thick coarse curly hair so, comb/brush shopping is always a crapshoot.
I ended up making a total of five preemie hats this week for the Preemie Project. They are so tiny and cute! It’s a good way to use up scrap yarn because it doesn’t use much of it.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Finish Line
So I managed to finish the bag for the Going Green Swap 2 late Saturday afternoon but I didn’t finish it in time to mail it at the post office so I ended up mailing it after work at the far away post office that is open until 6pm ET unlike the closer one which is only open to 5pm. On the upside, post office #2 is really close to Whole Foods in Cary. Oh darn, I just had to stop. I’m glad I did because I discovered the most amazing croutons! Oh my god, I could eat just the croutons plain and I have only recently started liking the taste of croutons in general.
I also managed to make three preemie hats for The Preemie Project. They are so tiny. I made three out of them out of one skein of Wendy’s Peter Pan and I still had a little scrap yarn left. I also worked on the seafoam shawl and the shawl that I started knitting at my mom’s house over the 4th. My mom sent me home that weekend with a crapload of yarn which I am totally grateful for but it’s bugging me that I have no place to put it all, so it’s stacked up in my re-usable Whole Foods bags. I’m not sure if I want to buy some cubes to put it in or just leave it be and hope it inspires me to knit like the wind so that I can use it up! The Bud crate, the knitting basket and the big orange tub are all full! I realize that this is a pitiful stash size for many but this is the largest amount of yarn that I have had on hand in almost two years.
I managed to watch Sense and Sensibility this weekend and I also made it through all of Big Love: Season 2 on dvd while I was working on projects. This weekend is going to be busier. Saturday is knitting group and Sunday is the Idina Menzel concert (YAY!!—I’m so glad I decided to go). Knitting group on Saturday is at the big mall in the city and it should be interesting. I have never knitted or crocheted in a food court before. After is group is done then I am going to go shopping which could be bad. They have a Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, an Apple store and a Crate and Barrel and plus they have a MAC cosmetics store and Sephora. I really should leave my debit card at home. LOL. Honestly though, most of that will just be window shopping. I just bought an itouch, so I have my Apple fix for now. I’m not really sure which project I am going to take with me either. Probably a smaller one, because I don’t want to haul a big project around the mall with me.
I also managed to make three preemie hats for The Preemie Project. They are so tiny. I made three out of them out of one skein of Wendy’s Peter Pan and I still had a little scrap yarn left. I also worked on the seafoam shawl and the shawl that I started knitting at my mom’s house over the 4th. My mom sent me home that weekend with a crapload of yarn which I am totally grateful for but it’s bugging me that I have no place to put it all, so it’s stacked up in my re-usable Whole Foods bags. I’m not sure if I want to buy some cubes to put it in or just leave it be and hope it inspires me to knit like the wind so that I can use it up! The Bud crate, the knitting basket and the big orange tub are all full! I realize that this is a pitiful stash size for many but this is the largest amount of yarn that I have had on hand in almost two years.
I managed to watch Sense and Sensibility this weekend and I also made it through all of Big Love: Season 2 on dvd while I was working on projects. This weekend is going to be busier. Saturday is knitting group and Sunday is the Idina Menzel concert (YAY!!—I’m so glad I decided to go). Knitting group on Saturday is at the big mall in the city and it should be interesting. I have never knitted or crocheted in a food court before. After is group is done then I am going to go shopping which could be bad. They have a Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, an Apple store and a Crate and Barrel and plus they have a MAC cosmetics store and Sephora. I really should leave my debit card at home. LOL. Honestly though, most of that will just be window shopping. I just bought an itouch, so I have my Apple fix for now. I’m not really sure which project I am going to take with me either. Probably a smaller one, because I don’t want to haul a big project around the mall with me.
Stuff
What a busy day. Everyone is severely cranky at work right now for a multitude of reasons, so I am really glad that I am going to be attending a Sales and Use Tax Seminar tomorrow. In order to inspire me to stay awake, I bought a new pink Hello Kitty pen with scented ink!, and I finally bought the special insulated Starbucks cup that looks exactly like the clear cups that your iced drinks come in. I am currently hooked on their blended lemonades. It is the perfect thing for when it is hot and really humid out. Since it was pay day, I ended up running a bunch of errands after work. I bought A’s birthday present and I had coupons to AC Moore and Michaels but there wasn’t any big ticket items that I had to have (and neither place carries Sock-Ease) so I ended up using it to buy baby yarn for my preemie hats that I am making.
I did order the American Girl Ruthie doll. I had it shipped to mom’s for safe keeping. American Girl dolls are nice and if the box doesn’t require a signature they just leave it on your doorstep so I just have important stuff sent to my Mom’s house and then I pick it up when I come visit. I did place my Amazon order too, I am getting the Mary Jane Farmgirl Lifebook by Mary Jane Butters, Project Runway Season three, the Raising Sand cd, and Margaret Cho’s movie Bam Bam and Celeste. I already know that I am going to watch Project Runway Season Three over and over again because that is what I have been doing with the first two seasons. Anything with Margaret Cho is a winner. Even my sister likes watching her dvds. I really like to watch dvds or crap reality shows while I am working on craft projects.
I am making progress on the seafoam shawl. I have used up the two smaller balls already and now I am starting the gigantic skein. It came in the pound of mill end yarn that I bought at AC Moore, so sometimes the yarn is skeined nicely and other times it is just a hot mess. I think it will go faster now since I have now crocheted farther on it then what I had to rip out the first time.
I also bought Penelope on DVD. I had seen the previews for it on other DVDs for the longest time and it finally came out and it has a preview for the Twilight movie (based on the Stephenie Meyer novel) so I am stoked about that too. I would have watched it tonight but by the time I came home from errands and Starbucks all these people called and I didn’t want to start the movie at 10 pm because I knew I had this seminar the next day and I have major problems paying attention at those things.
I did order the American Girl Ruthie doll. I had it shipped to mom’s for safe keeping. American Girl dolls are nice and if the box doesn’t require a signature they just leave it on your doorstep so I just have important stuff sent to my Mom’s house and then I pick it up when I come visit. I did place my Amazon order too, I am getting the Mary Jane Farmgirl Lifebook by Mary Jane Butters, Project Runway Season three, the Raising Sand cd, and Margaret Cho’s movie Bam Bam and Celeste. I already know that I am going to watch Project Runway Season Three over and over again because that is what I have been doing with the first two seasons. Anything with Margaret Cho is a winner. Even my sister likes watching her dvds. I really like to watch dvds or crap reality shows while I am working on craft projects.
I am making progress on the seafoam shawl. I have used up the two smaller balls already and now I am starting the gigantic skein. It came in the pound of mill end yarn that I bought at AC Moore, so sometimes the yarn is skeined nicely and other times it is just a hot mess. I think it will go faster now since I have now crocheted farther on it then what I had to rip out the first time.
I also bought Penelope on DVD. I had seen the previews for it on other DVDs for the longest time and it finally came out and it has a preview for the Twilight movie (based on the Stephenie Meyer novel) so I am stoked about that too. I would have watched it tonight but by the time I came home from errands and Starbucks all these people called and I didn’t want to start the movie at 10 pm because I knew I had this seminar the next day and I have major problems paying attention at those things.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Raising Sand
I just literally came home from the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss concert in Raleigh. IT WAS SOOOOO AWESOME!!! I am wired all night, I can tell you that already. Robert Plant has always been one of my music icons. I have been a huge fan of his since my angsty teen years. He came onto the stage and with a dirty wink he said “have you been behaving?” and I was lost in his world. Alison Krauss is awesome. I wasn’t sure what she would be like without Union Station but she is awesome and I wish I could walk in boots that are taller than my knees and play the fiddle. They sang really well together and played their new songs, and some older songs from their perspective careers with new twists. I can’t even begin to describe how alive I felt inside. I was standing there, on my own, doing something I love dearly and I just felt completely free. Their opening act Sharon Little was really awesome too. I really liked her voice and I will have to see if her music is out on itunes because she is a new artist.
I am really proud of myself for making it to the arena and back without getting lost or having a nervous breakdown in the parking lot. PEOPLE WERE DRIVING OVER MEDIANS IN THEIR AUDIS!!! What the hell!!! They didn’t have a whole lot of merch, so I ended up buying the $40 souvenir program but it was hardcover and told about their creative process and the songs on their album and the photography and styling in it was great. I am going to keep it next to the Wicked book that Sunshine bought me when he went to see Wicked. I was so jealous that he has seen Wicked twice and I haven’t seen it all but then I found out Idina Menzel who was the original Elphaba is coming to town and I was able to get a ticket and it’s next weekend so now I think we are even. I am guessing she will mostly sing from her latest solo album but I am hoping for a song from Wicked or Rent. I just feel so fortunate that I am living in an area where I can see performances like these and not have to drive five hours or worry about having to stay in a hotel overnight.
The funny thing is that the one time I go to a concert without Sunshine and my sister, I have a completely normal concert experience. No smoke, no pot being passed around, it was indoors, air conditioned, you could hear clearly and there wasn’t any obnoxious people sitting next to me. I was in the lower balcony so I had a great view and I liked not being crammed down with the mess of people on the floor. I am really glad that I convinced myself to go because this was honestly the best concert I have attended. You never know what a musician is going to sound like live in concert but Robert Plant and Alison Krauss exceeded my expectations.
In some non-musical news, I received my Red Heart Swap package this week. She sent me some really pretty colors of TLC Essentials which I don’t have so I am looking forward to trying them out. Yay! It is like Christmas whenever I get a swap box in the mail. I am almost done making the bag for the Going Green 2 Swap and I would have finished it tonight but I had a date with Robert Plant and his tight jeans instead. LOL. So I am going to finish it tomorrow morning. I came home from work and my 64 peg extra-fine gauge sock loom from Décor Accents was waiting for me by my doorstep. Mom and I have been wanting to try one out so I went ahead and ordered one. I was so excited that I rushed in the door and called Mom to tell her about it. She is one of the few people in my life that can appreciate the joy of receiving a sock loom in the mail. I am going to try it out once I finish the Going Green bag.
I can’t believe that it is after midnight and I am still wound up like a corkscrew. Anyways, I highly suggest cranking up the music and dancing like nobody’s watching after you finish reading this post. It’s okay, really. I can’t dance or carry a tune either.
By the way, Sunshine, if you're reading this can you send up a flare or something so that I know you're still around and locked in the band closet or something?
I am really proud of myself for making it to the arena and back without getting lost or having a nervous breakdown in the parking lot. PEOPLE WERE DRIVING OVER MEDIANS IN THEIR AUDIS!!! What the hell!!! They didn’t have a whole lot of merch, so I ended up buying the $40 souvenir program but it was hardcover and told about their creative process and the songs on their album and the photography and styling in it was great. I am going to keep it next to the Wicked book that Sunshine bought me when he went to see Wicked. I was so jealous that he has seen Wicked twice and I haven’t seen it all but then I found out Idina Menzel who was the original Elphaba is coming to town and I was able to get a ticket and it’s next weekend so now I think we are even. I am guessing she will mostly sing from her latest solo album but I am hoping for a song from Wicked or Rent. I just feel so fortunate that I am living in an area where I can see performances like these and not have to drive five hours or worry about having to stay in a hotel overnight.
The funny thing is that the one time I go to a concert without Sunshine and my sister, I have a completely normal concert experience. No smoke, no pot being passed around, it was indoors, air conditioned, you could hear clearly and there wasn’t any obnoxious people sitting next to me. I was in the lower balcony so I had a great view and I liked not being crammed down with the mess of people on the floor. I am really glad that I convinced myself to go because this was honestly the best concert I have attended. You never know what a musician is going to sound like live in concert but Robert Plant and Alison Krauss exceeded my expectations.
In some non-musical news, I received my Red Heart Swap package this week. She sent me some really pretty colors of TLC Essentials which I don’t have so I am looking forward to trying them out. Yay! It is like Christmas whenever I get a swap box in the mail. I am almost done making the bag for the Going Green 2 Swap and I would have finished it tonight but I had a date with Robert Plant and his tight jeans instead. LOL. So I am going to finish it tomorrow morning. I came home from work and my 64 peg extra-fine gauge sock loom from Décor Accents was waiting for me by my doorstep. Mom and I have been wanting to try one out so I went ahead and ordered one. I was so excited that I rushed in the door and called Mom to tell her about it. She is one of the few people in my life that can appreciate the joy of receiving a sock loom in the mail. I am going to try it out once I finish the Going Green bag.
I can’t believe that it is after midnight and I am still wound up like a corkscrew. Anyways, I highly suggest cranking up the music and dancing like nobody’s watching after you finish reading this post. It’s okay, really. I can’t dance or carry a tune either.
By the way, Sunshine, if you're reading this can you send up a flare or something so that I know you're still around and locked in the band closet or something?
Sunday, July 06, 2008
The Big Rain
I’m kind of tired. I feel like I need a day to recover from the weekend. I had a really good weekend but I had the big drive and we did a lot of things over the weekend. Thursday after work, I made the Big Drive down to SC to see the folks. It’s about a three hour drive because of two bottlenecks – 1. Leaving the Triangle and 2. Concord/Kannapolis (NASCAR country and home of the big outlet mall. Leaving the Triangle wasn’t as bad as it could have been. It helped that I was heading West and not East towards the beaches. Concord is always bad and it doesn’t matter when I drive through there. There always seems to be some sort of traffic hold-up. I don’t recall doing much Thursday night. It was mostly show and tell time since my little sis had flown in on Tuesday. Friday, my sister and I ran some errands and that night we went to the Charlotte Knights/Durham Bulls baseball game. We had lawn seats which reminded us of the lawn seats we had at the DMB concert in 07. There were some interesting people sitting in front of us- the parents, the two sons and the girlfriends and they were all inappropriately dressed and groping each other periodically and throwing popcorn at each other. It was like having our own episode of The Real World only live and right in front of us. The coolest part of the whole thing was the fireworks show after the game. Those were some serious fireworks. Smiley faces, hearts, noisy ones, sparkly ones. It was really impressive and since we had lawn seats we had the best view in the stadium. The downside was that we didn’t make it out of the parking lot until 12:30 am, so I was really tired Saturday morning.
Saturday was mostly tv watching and a little more shopping. Since I don’t have a Hobby Lobby in my area (the closest one is like 1 ½ away) and Mom has one down the road from her house, we decided to go there for fun. It was a usual trip until we rounded the corner and saw a few balls of the new Lion Brand Sock-Ease and Red Heart’s Heart and Sole sock yarns! Holy Cow! This was the first time either one of us had seen it in stores and I let out the little joy squeal. It was kind of picked over and they only had one ball left of the colors but I bought one skein of Sock-Ease and three skeins of the Red Heart. I have decided that I am fired from shopping. I didn’t realize how much yarn I had accumulated since I arrived here until I came home this evening and had to start storing yarn in my vintage wood Budweiser crate. Oops! So I think I need to go on a spending diet because I still have plenty of money, but I did realize that I am shopping way more than I need to. So no more yarn buying until I use some of it up. When I was at Michael’s I did find these really cute Amy Butler fabric tags that I am going to use to decorate my Inspiration Board. It is really blank because I took it all off before I moved so I wouldn’t lose anything and I like to change the items out every few months or so. I also have mini clothespins and little binder clips with faux typewriter keys on them that I am going to use to hang stuff up on the Inspiration Board. I am going to try and work on it this coming weekend because the only event I have this weekend is the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss concert Friday night and that’s in the Triangle so I will have plenty of free time. I had a lot of quality crafty time with my mom and I got to see my little doggies so that was a good thing.
This morning (Sunday) I went to church with my Mom and then we went to the movie Kit Kitteredge: An American Girl. Yes, I am an American Girl doll fan. I still have my dolls and even though I don’t have them out on display now I still take them out every once in awhile to brush their hair and change their outfits. The movie was really good. Kit is the doll from the Great Depression era and a lot of the themes and situations in the movie parallel what our country is currently experiencing it. The kid actors were great and Julia Ormond (hello—Legends of the Fall) and Chris O’Donnell (uber hottie) played the parents and Stanley Tucci and Joan Cusack played the villain types and they were hilarious! Every once in awhile, I do break my rules, going to a kid’s movie is not my usual fare but I will always make an exception for an American Girl movie or movies like Nancy Drew last summer.
After the movie, it was time to load up the car. It was a torrential rain storm the entire way home and it is still raining hard as I type this. It took me an additional 30 minutes to get home because there were some parts where you could only see a car length ahead of you and people were going like 45 miles an hour on a major highway, that is how hard it was raining. There were several people that had pulled off the side of the road to wait it out and motorcyclists taking shelter under overpasses. It was no fun driving in that storm but I carried on because it looked like the rain wasn’t going to stop anytime soon and I wanted to make it home before it was night.
The temperature has cooled off because of the storms. It is sad when 70 feels cold. I think I am going to read for awhile before I go to bed because that is one of my favorite activities when it is storming. I have also decided that having my itouch on road trips is one of the coolest things ever. I was constantly using it to look things up and adding stuff to my calendar. So tiny, yet so much fun!
Anyways, I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. I know I won’t be the only one hitting the snooze button tomorrow morning.
Saturday was mostly tv watching and a little more shopping. Since I don’t have a Hobby Lobby in my area (the closest one is like 1 ½ away) and Mom has one down the road from her house, we decided to go there for fun. It was a usual trip until we rounded the corner and saw a few balls of the new Lion Brand Sock-Ease and Red Heart’s Heart and Sole sock yarns! Holy Cow! This was the first time either one of us had seen it in stores and I let out the little joy squeal. It was kind of picked over and they only had one ball left of the colors but I bought one skein of Sock-Ease and three skeins of the Red Heart. I have decided that I am fired from shopping. I didn’t realize how much yarn I had accumulated since I arrived here until I came home this evening and had to start storing yarn in my vintage wood Budweiser crate. Oops! So I think I need to go on a spending diet because I still have plenty of money, but I did realize that I am shopping way more than I need to. So no more yarn buying until I use some of it up. When I was at Michael’s I did find these really cute Amy Butler fabric tags that I am going to use to decorate my Inspiration Board. It is really blank because I took it all off before I moved so I wouldn’t lose anything and I like to change the items out every few months or so. I also have mini clothespins and little binder clips with faux typewriter keys on them that I am going to use to hang stuff up on the Inspiration Board. I am going to try and work on it this coming weekend because the only event I have this weekend is the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss concert Friday night and that’s in the Triangle so I will have plenty of free time. I had a lot of quality crafty time with my mom and I got to see my little doggies so that was a good thing.
This morning (Sunday) I went to church with my Mom and then we went to the movie Kit Kitteredge: An American Girl. Yes, I am an American Girl doll fan. I still have my dolls and even though I don’t have them out on display now I still take them out every once in awhile to brush their hair and change their outfits. The movie was really good. Kit is the doll from the Great Depression era and a lot of the themes and situations in the movie parallel what our country is currently experiencing it. The kid actors were great and Julia Ormond (hello—Legends of the Fall) and Chris O’Donnell (uber hottie) played the parents and Stanley Tucci and Joan Cusack played the villain types and they were hilarious! Every once in awhile, I do break my rules, going to a kid’s movie is not my usual fare but I will always make an exception for an American Girl movie or movies like Nancy Drew last summer.
After the movie, it was time to load up the car. It was a torrential rain storm the entire way home and it is still raining hard as I type this. It took me an additional 30 minutes to get home because there were some parts where you could only see a car length ahead of you and people were going like 45 miles an hour on a major highway, that is how hard it was raining. There were several people that had pulled off the side of the road to wait it out and motorcyclists taking shelter under overpasses. It was no fun driving in that storm but I carried on because it looked like the rain wasn’t going to stop anytime soon and I wanted to make it home before it was night.
The temperature has cooled off because of the storms. It is sad when 70 feels cold. I think I am going to read for awhile before I go to bed because that is one of my favorite activities when it is storming. I have also decided that having my itouch on road trips is one of the coolest things ever. I was constantly using it to look things up and adding stuff to my calendar. So tiny, yet so much fun!
Anyways, I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. I know I won’t be the only one hitting the snooze button tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Touch Me
So this morning I decided to buy an itouch to replace my desktop computer that was stolen. I paid the extra money and got the 16gb because I like to watch tv shows and movies on my ipod when I travel and the itouch has a bigger screen then the ipod. I bought this hard plastic clear case for it and now I can’t get it back off so that will be kind of interesting. Anyways, I turned it on and this girly gasp came out of my mouth. Now I understood why Sunshine bought his. It is just amazing. I was able to sink my calendar and my contacts with Mackie to the touch, which I have named Saffron. I am totally going to have to crochet a cozy for her.
I just drank a venti iced vanilla latte so I am sure I am going to be up late tonight. Lol. More time to crochet and play with my itouch! I blame my love of gadgets on my father. he always made me set up the computers and vcrs when I was younger and half the time he didn't give me a manual (typical engineer!).
Last night was more of a reading night. I read my new books while watching episodes of Ballykissangel Season 1 on dvd. Did i mention how much I love the BBC?
OMG! So I am sitting at my table in the corner at Starbucks and this family of little hellions comes in to sit down. One of the little boys flung his nasty flip flop in the air and it almost hit Mackie and I!!! I gave them the stink-eye because that little brat was not apologetic at all. Rolls her eyes. i am so NOT a kid person.
Anyways, I will probably post more after the holiday weekend when I am sure I will have more interesting stories to tell.
I just drank a venti iced vanilla latte so I am sure I am going to be up late tonight. Lol. More time to crochet and play with my itouch! I blame my love of gadgets on my father. he always made me set up the computers and vcrs when I was younger and half the time he didn't give me a manual (typical engineer!).
Last night was more of a reading night. I read my new books while watching episodes of Ballykissangel Season 1 on dvd. Did i mention how much I love the BBC?
OMG! So I am sitting at my table in the corner at Starbucks and this family of little hellions comes in to sit down. One of the little boys flung his nasty flip flop in the air and it almost hit Mackie and I!!! I gave them the stink-eye because that little brat was not apologetic at all. Rolls her eyes. i am so NOT a kid person.
Anyways, I will probably post more after the holiday weekend when I am sure I will have more interesting stories to tell.
Happy July!
This summer is just flying by so fast. Last night after I came home from Starbucks and the mall, I ended up working on the seafoam shawl a little bit but my elbow was bothering me a little so I didn’t work on it for that long. Instead I ended up reading Candy Everybody Wants by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. This was a really easy read. It’s hilarious and I found it the indy bookstore this weekend. I was walking down the fiction aisle and saw the shiny metallic silver color and picked it up off the shelf. I liked it so much that I think I am going to look for a copy of his memoir to read. I’m not sure what I’m going to read next. I have six left that I have bought this summer so I really need to read them before I go and buy more but any serious reader knows that it doesn’t work like that. Especially, now that I live within 20 minutes of three huge bookstores.
I do think I am going to have to place another order from Amazon.com. I want to buy Season Three of Project Runway on dvd and all the places I shop at around here just have Seasons 1 and 2. I also hope that they release Season 4 on DVD soon because Christian is on that season and he is one of my favorites. I’m such a big fan that I ended up joining the pool on Ravelry for Season 5. Season 5 is the last season on Bravo and then it moves to Lifetime. Lifetime is better for me because it’s not a specialty channel but I hope they don’t tame the show for Lifetime otherwise it won’t be as funny.
I do think I am going to have to place another order from Amazon.com. I want to buy Season Three of Project Runway on dvd and all the places I shop at around here just have Seasons 1 and 2. I also hope that they release Season 4 on DVD soon because Christian is on that season and he is one of my favorites. I’m such a big fan that I ended up joining the pool on Ravelry for Season 5. Season 5 is the last season on Bravo and then it moves to Lifetime. Lifetime is better for me because it’s not a specialty channel but I hope they don’t tame the show for Lifetime otherwise it won’t be as funny.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Purse Love
So late last night we ended having this big thunderstorm and the power flicked off twice but nothing was ruined and the Subaru got a nice wash as a result.
I ended up finishing the green apple shawl and re-started the seafoam one last night. I will probably work on it some more tonight. I am sitting at the mall Starbucks because my sister mentioned that she has worn out all the hand me down purses i've given her and would i help her buy a new one? I was suspicious already. then she tells me about a really cute Dooney and Burke purse that she saw at Belk's with swimsuits on it but she has no clue how much they cost other than she knows that I have one so they are probably not cheap. LOL. That was literally a direct summary of the conversation. So we have a Belk's out here at the mall so I decided that I would investigate them after work. I got there and right over the Dooney and Burke section was a direct sign from God that read "40% off!!!" I rush over to the clerk and ask her if it's a joke and she said it was a special one day unadvertised sale. Now, this purse is way over her $50 limit I set for her so this is definitely going to be part of her birthday present since her birthday is August. I guess I was just so excited that she took an interest in any purse at all, but I am not buying her any Coach purses anytime soon. she has to prove she can take care of this one first. Anyways, it is a cute purse and if she decides she hates I will totally adopt it for myself. I just couldn't deny her, she actually asked me very nicely and she had a really shitty weekend so it didn't take much effort on her part.
I have also come to the conclusion that I could drink tall skinny iced vanilla lattes all year round. I have finally found my signature drink and I only had to move across country to discover it.
Anyhoo, scroll down after this post because I just posted two other posts that catch up on the month of June.
I ended up finishing the green apple shawl and re-started the seafoam one last night. I will probably work on it some more tonight. I am sitting at the mall Starbucks because my sister mentioned that she has worn out all the hand me down purses i've given her and would i help her buy a new one? I was suspicious already. then she tells me about a really cute Dooney and Burke purse that she saw at Belk's with swimsuits on it but she has no clue how much they cost other than she knows that I have one so they are probably not cheap. LOL. That was literally a direct summary of the conversation. So we have a Belk's out here at the mall so I decided that I would investigate them after work. I got there and right over the Dooney and Burke section was a direct sign from God that read "40% off!!!" I rush over to the clerk and ask her if it's a joke and she said it was a special one day unadvertised sale. Now, this purse is way over her $50 limit I set for her so this is definitely going to be part of her birthday present since her birthday is August. I guess I was just so excited that she took an interest in any purse at all, but I am not buying her any Coach purses anytime soon. she has to prove she can take care of this one first. Anyways, it is a cute purse and if she decides she hates I will totally adopt it for myself. I just couldn't deny her, she actually asked me very nicely and she had a really shitty weekend so it didn't take much effort on her part.
I have also come to the conclusion that I could drink tall skinny iced vanilla lattes all year round. I have finally found my signature drink and I only had to move across country to discover it.
Anyhoo, scroll down after this post because I just posted two other posts that catch up on the month of June.
Sunday the 29th
I can’t believe that June is basically over. Where did this month go by or my weekend for that matter. I did go to the yarn store in Raleigh yesterday. It had a nice selection but I think that the one in Hillsborough carried more of my personal favorite yarns. I also went to the Whole Foods next door. They had these adorable locally grown Venus Fly-Traps and I really wanted to buy one but I didn’t because I have no clue at all how to care for them. Next door to Whole Foods is Quail Ridge Books and Music, which is a really cool independent book store. It’s nice going to indy book stores because you will find more small press books and a more diverse selection then what you will find at the big box stores.
Today I ended up going to Jo-Anns and I bought two Simplicity patterns from their Project Runway series (how cool is that?!!) and some odds and ends craft supplies. Then I went next door to World Market to buy some more Dr. Pepper Jelly Bellys (theirs come in a faux plastic pop bottle that is perfect for collecting sand) and it turned out that it was free tote bag day. Then on my way home, I decided to stop by the Borders because I hadn’t been into that location before. Seriously, people I can only visit them once a month. They have a HUGE selection of Paper Source products and some really cool magazines. I found this magazine called BBC Music, which is run by my favorite BBC people and it is essentially a magazine for classical music buffs and included a free cd, so I couldn’t resist buying it for Sunshine to put in his next box. I like classic music but I am a rock n roll girl to the core. I buy Rolling Stone magazine about every third issue because I don’t like to buy the ones with politicians or plastic chicks on the covers.
When I was not out stimulating the economy, I was working on the green apple shawl (I am almost finished with skein 2) and watching old episodes of Project Runway. I am so annoyed that I would have to get satellite tv to get the Bravo channel. I only have seasons 1 and 2 so I need to see if seasons 3 or 4 are out on dvd yet.
Anyways, I am excited that this is only a 4 day work week. YAY! The worst part about 4th of July weekend is that my idiot neighbors (and yours too probably) think it is fun to shoot off fireworks at all times of the day in the apartment complex parking lot in a state that is still in a drought and still on fire in some parts of the state. I enjoy fireworks from a safe distance with a ample water supply near by that are set off by pyrotechnic professionals. It scares me when they are set off carelessly because one of my worst fears is becoming engulfed in flames. It sounds like thunder outside but I peeked out my window and it is not raining yet so it is a big tease. I don’t like being wet either but I like the fact that the rain washes the dust off my car and makes the temperature about three degrees cooler.
I also did boring chores today. I managed to vacuum, clean the bathroom and do dishes. Yay for me! I hate chores. They interrupt precious crochet and reading time. I was mainly motivated to vacuum because I hadn’t vacuumed the areas where I had all the moving boxes piled up yet since they finally picked them up this past week.
It should be an interesting week. Hopefully work goes smoothly. We are short two people in my department and soon we will be short a third so that has made things sort of hectic around there. It is definitely making things interesting.
Today I ended up going to Jo-Anns and I bought two Simplicity patterns from their Project Runway series (how cool is that?!!) and some odds and ends craft supplies. Then I went next door to World Market to buy some more Dr. Pepper Jelly Bellys (theirs come in a faux plastic pop bottle that is perfect for collecting sand) and it turned out that it was free tote bag day. Then on my way home, I decided to stop by the Borders because I hadn’t been into that location before. Seriously, people I can only visit them once a month. They have a HUGE selection of Paper Source products and some really cool magazines. I found this magazine called BBC Music, which is run by my favorite BBC people and it is essentially a magazine for classical music buffs and included a free cd, so I couldn’t resist buying it for Sunshine to put in his next box. I like classic music but I am a rock n roll girl to the core. I buy Rolling Stone magazine about every third issue because I don’t like to buy the ones with politicians or plastic chicks on the covers.
When I was not out stimulating the economy, I was working on the green apple shawl (I am almost finished with skein 2) and watching old episodes of Project Runway. I am so annoyed that I would have to get satellite tv to get the Bravo channel. I only have seasons 1 and 2 so I need to see if seasons 3 or 4 are out on dvd yet.
Anyways, I am excited that this is only a 4 day work week. YAY! The worst part about 4th of July weekend is that my idiot neighbors (and yours too probably) think it is fun to shoot off fireworks at all times of the day in the apartment complex parking lot in a state that is still in a drought and still on fire in some parts of the state. I enjoy fireworks from a safe distance with a ample water supply near by that are set off by pyrotechnic professionals. It scares me when they are set off carelessly because one of my worst fears is becoming engulfed in flames. It sounds like thunder outside but I peeked out my window and it is not raining yet so it is a big tease. I don’t like being wet either but I like the fact that the rain washes the dust off my car and makes the temperature about three degrees cooler.
I also did boring chores today. I managed to vacuum, clean the bathroom and do dishes. Yay for me! I hate chores. They interrupt precious crochet and reading time. I was mainly motivated to vacuum because I hadn’t vacuumed the areas where I had all the moving boxes piled up yet since they finally picked them up this past week.
It should be an interesting week. Hopefully work goes smoothly. We are short two people in my department and soon we will be short a third so that has made things sort of hectic around there. It is definitely making things interesting.
Where I've Been - The Big Recap
Damn near everywhere. Work all day and play all night. Lounging on the beach on the weekends. I finished a prayer shawl and started another one. I crocheted on the beach near Wilmington for WWCIP day. I crocheted at Myrtle Beach State Park and in the Subaru (when I wasn’t driving). I discovered another couple of yarn shops. I bought a ticket to the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss concert on July 11th. I had a blast the last week or so while Sunshine was visiting. I was completely SPOILED ROTTEN while he was out here. He supervised the delivery of my furniture, did chores, made spaghetti and cleaned the inside of my Subaru and made it sparkle inside. He is just so much fun to be around and manages to handle all my quirks. He is the only person I would get up at 4am eastern time to drive to the airport. I’m not even sure I would willingly do that for my sister.
I did finish reading the book Bonk by Mary Roach. This book is probably not for everyone but I was completely engrossed by it. You will definitely learn a lot about sex and the study of it from reading this book in a humorous and non-gross way. I have read a pile of magazines. I can’t help it, they last longer than newspapers and the good ones are like little flat books.
Wilmington was a lot of fun, but I think I would pick Myrtle Beach State Park as being my favorite beach. While in the Wilmington area, we went to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. We walk in the front door of the Aquarium and this photographer pulls us over in front of a green screen and all of a sudden, he’s taking our picture without even telling us to say cheese. Sunshine hates the pictures but I honestly know we have taken worse pics and I am a sucker for souvenir. Right next to the Aquarium, is a nice state park beach (with free parking). Sunshine spent most of the time in the water and I spent most of the time sitting on my Little Mermaid beach towel crocheting the teal prayer shawl.
The day after Wilmington, we went to a newer yarn store in Hillsborough. I went a little nuts there, but it was all in the name of creativity and stimulating the economy. I bought Noro sock yarn, Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet and Brown Sheep Prairie Silk, some heart shaped stitch markers and a tiny tiny crochet hook the size of a tooth pick.
This past weekend, I rocked my world at the Hard Rock Café and the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach. I rode the Led Zeppelin roller coaster and drank a rockuccino at the KISS Coffeehouse. The Hard Rock Park is really cool. The first time I rode the Led Zeppelin roller coaster I was scared shitless but the second time I was more prepared so I loved it. Our favorite ride though, was Moody Blues: Nights in White Satin – The Trip. You sit in a little car with 3D glasses on looking at all these optical illusions while listening to Nights in White Satin. Words cannot due justice to the awesomeness of this ride. You just kind of relax and are lost in the moment of it all and it is really peaceful. I think we rode it at least 4 times.
The Hard Rock Café in Myrtle Beach is really unique. It is in the shape of a pyramid and I had the world’s best Caesar salad there and the photographer there took one of the best pictures of Sunshine and I ever. Right around the corner is the KISS Coffeehouse. I love their French Vanilla Kiss Rockuccinos. Yum. They had a Cabbage Patch doll by the cash register that had full KISS face paint on and it was so awesome. I would totally do this to my old Cabbage Patch dolls but my mom would kill me.
We went to Myrtle Beach State Park and it is really pretty and you can find the biggest seashells there. I am not a huge fan of popular crowded beaches. Beaches are supposed to be pretty and peaceful. It also has a nice pier that you can walk out on and you can fish off the far end of the pier. I finished the teal shawl and started the seafoam one. Later on that week, I ended up frogging the shawl that I started at Myrtle Beach State Park. I was trying to gauge how much yarn it was going to take and I laid it out and realized it was the size of a couch cover and not a shawl, so I ripped it out and now I have a giant ball of seafoam green yarn sitting on my desk. I was so made that I started another shawl with the green apple Homespun that I had purchased on sale at AC Moore. I will use the seafoam green yarn eventually.
It really sucked to leave Myrtle Beach. I really felt like I was on an actual vacation there even though we only spent one night there. On the way down there we listened to Margaret Cho’s Revolution cd and it was absolutely hilarious. She is one of my all time favorite chicks and a true inspiration.
When we weren’t at the beach, I was at work or we were unpacking my furniture that finally arrived. We did a lot of shopping, I introduced Sunshine to the joy of Whole Foods and we found cool bookstore and club in downtown Raleigh. We also watched a couple of cool documentaries. This Thursday, I went to TJ Maxx for fun and they had a ton of Converses there and it was really hard not to buy a pair because I was really looking for new work shoes. Then on the last rack in my size range I found a pair of size 8 ½ Borns! Normally I don’t wear 8 ½ unless I am wearing arch supports or socks but they are narrow enough that I can keep them on without them slipping too much. So I bought $100 shoes for under $30 and I fully understand why my Mom and my sister love them so much. They are so cushy. These are brown leather squared off ballet flats with corset stitching on the heels and thin leather bow ties on the toes. They are hawt. I am wearing them to work today even though it’s casual day and I could wear Converses. I just have to wear new shoes right after I buy them. The funny part is that while Sunshine was here, we spent all this time looking at shoes for him, and I didn’t really see any that just had to come home with me. Then he leaves and I just find these cute little Borns that just called out to be adopted.
Prior to the shoes, I had gone to the Suncoast Video store in the mall in hopes of finding something to watch this weekend. I ended up finding a used copy of Big Love Season 2 and The Vicar of Dibley: A Holy Wholly Happy Ending. It was like 100 degrees out and I am pretty sure it is going to be like that here all weekend because when it rains it is only for a couple of hours and then sometimes we get a bunch of humidity afterwards.
So tomorrow, I am going to the post office to mail off swap stuff and post cards. I am also going to try and go to the yarn store in Raleigh. I don’t need more yarn but I am determined to experience everything possible while I am out here. 4th of July weekend I am driving down to Charlotte to see the parents and my sister who is flying in for the week. I am such a book slut and bought a copy of The Importance of Music to Girls, which is a memoir by Lavinia Greenlaw. It looked good flipping through it and it reminded me of my angsty teenage years lying on my bed listening to Nirvana and Pearl Jam and Led Zeppelin. I plan on working on the green apple prayer shawl and watching dvds for the majority of the weekend. It is just really hot again and I don’t like going to a ton of places when it is hot out because I become uber cranky very fast.
I did finish reading the book Bonk by Mary Roach. This book is probably not for everyone but I was completely engrossed by it. You will definitely learn a lot about sex and the study of it from reading this book in a humorous and non-gross way. I have read a pile of magazines. I can’t help it, they last longer than newspapers and the good ones are like little flat books.
Wilmington was a lot of fun, but I think I would pick Myrtle Beach State Park as being my favorite beach. While in the Wilmington area, we went to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. We walk in the front door of the Aquarium and this photographer pulls us over in front of a green screen and all of a sudden, he’s taking our picture without even telling us to say cheese. Sunshine hates the pictures but I honestly know we have taken worse pics and I am a sucker for souvenir. Right next to the Aquarium, is a nice state park beach (with free parking). Sunshine spent most of the time in the water and I spent most of the time sitting on my Little Mermaid beach towel crocheting the teal prayer shawl.
The day after Wilmington, we went to a newer yarn store in Hillsborough. I went a little nuts there, but it was all in the name of creativity and stimulating the economy. I bought Noro sock yarn, Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet and Brown Sheep Prairie Silk, some heart shaped stitch markers and a tiny tiny crochet hook the size of a tooth pick.
This past weekend, I rocked my world at the Hard Rock Café and the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach. I rode the Led Zeppelin roller coaster and drank a rockuccino at the KISS Coffeehouse. The Hard Rock Park is really cool. The first time I rode the Led Zeppelin roller coaster I was scared shitless but the second time I was more prepared so I loved it. Our favorite ride though, was Moody Blues: Nights in White Satin – The Trip. You sit in a little car with 3D glasses on looking at all these optical illusions while listening to Nights in White Satin. Words cannot due justice to the awesomeness of this ride. You just kind of relax and are lost in the moment of it all and it is really peaceful. I think we rode it at least 4 times.
The Hard Rock Café in Myrtle Beach is really unique. It is in the shape of a pyramid and I had the world’s best Caesar salad there and the photographer there took one of the best pictures of Sunshine and I ever. Right around the corner is the KISS Coffeehouse. I love their French Vanilla Kiss Rockuccinos. Yum. They had a Cabbage Patch doll by the cash register that had full KISS face paint on and it was so awesome. I would totally do this to my old Cabbage Patch dolls but my mom would kill me.
We went to Myrtle Beach State Park and it is really pretty and you can find the biggest seashells there. I am not a huge fan of popular crowded beaches. Beaches are supposed to be pretty and peaceful. It also has a nice pier that you can walk out on and you can fish off the far end of the pier. I finished the teal shawl and started the seafoam one. Later on that week, I ended up frogging the shawl that I started at Myrtle Beach State Park. I was trying to gauge how much yarn it was going to take and I laid it out and realized it was the size of a couch cover and not a shawl, so I ripped it out and now I have a giant ball of seafoam green yarn sitting on my desk. I was so made that I started another shawl with the green apple Homespun that I had purchased on sale at AC Moore. I will use the seafoam green yarn eventually.
It really sucked to leave Myrtle Beach. I really felt like I was on an actual vacation there even though we only spent one night there. On the way down there we listened to Margaret Cho’s Revolution cd and it was absolutely hilarious. She is one of my all time favorite chicks and a true inspiration.
When we weren’t at the beach, I was at work or we were unpacking my furniture that finally arrived. We did a lot of shopping, I introduced Sunshine to the joy of Whole Foods and we found cool bookstore and club in downtown Raleigh. We also watched a couple of cool documentaries. This Thursday, I went to TJ Maxx for fun and they had a ton of Converses there and it was really hard not to buy a pair because I was really looking for new work shoes. Then on the last rack in my size range I found a pair of size 8 ½ Borns! Normally I don’t wear 8 ½ unless I am wearing arch supports or socks but they are narrow enough that I can keep them on without them slipping too much. So I bought $100 shoes for under $30 and I fully understand why my Mom and my sister love them so much. They are so cushy. These are brown leather squared off ballet flats with corset stitching on the heels and thin leather bow ties on the toes. They are hawt. I am wearing them to work today even though it’s casual day and I could wear Converses. I just have to wear new shoes right after I buy them. The funny part is that while Sunshine was here, we spent all this time looking at shoes for him, and I didn’t really see any that just had to come home with me. Then he leaves and I just find these cute little Borns that just called out to be adopted.
Prior to the shoes, I had gone to the Suncoast Video store in the mall in hopes of finding something to watch this weekend. I ended up finding a used copy of Big Love Season 2 and The Vicar of Dibley: A Holy Wholly Happy Ending. It was like 100 degrees out and I am pretty sure it is going to be like that here all weekend because when it rains it is only for a couple of hours and then sometimes we get a bunch of humidity afterwards.
So tomorrow, I am going to the post office to mail off swap stuff and post cards. I am also going to try and go to the yarn store in Raleigh. I don’t need more yarn but I am determined to experience everything possible while I am out here. 4th of July weekend I am driving down to Charlotte to see the parents and my sister who is flying in for the week. I am such a book slut and bought a copy of The Importance of Music to Girls, which is a memoir by Lavinia Greenlaw. It looked good flipping through it and it reminded me of my angsty teenage years lying on my bed listening to Nirvana and Pearl Jam and Led Zeppelin. I plan on working on the green apple prayer shawl and watching dvds for the majority of the weekend. It is just really hot again and I don’t like going to a ton of places when it is hot out because I become uber cranky very fast.
Friday, June 27, 2008
HOT HOT HOT!
So I'm still here. I am working on several mega posts but work was INSANE this week so I am not finished with them yet. I had so much fun with Sunshine last week that there is a crapload of stuff and funny stories for me to post about. I am hoping to finish the posts while I am at my parents for the big 4th weekend. LOL. Plus did I mention that as soon as Sunshine left the temperature returned to a 100 bazillion degrees? Yuck!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Random Crazy Talk
My home state is beyond flooded, my newly adopted home has wildfires and water usage restrictions. What is going on the world this summer?
THE MOVERS SUCK MONKEYS! Not the company just the driver. He failed to tell anyone that he wasn't going to make it until 4pm so now he has to load tomorrow morning. I am not a happy camper at all and don't even want to go into all the drama but if my stuff isn't picked up tomorrow and delivered on monday I am going to have a good ol' hissy fit of diva proportions.
In other news, my BFF Sunshine arrives tomorrow. I can't wait. It will be very nice to have company and show him the important things like my favorite Starbucks.
I started skein 3 of the prayer shawl tonight and plan to make more progress tonight while I am watching Project Runway Season 2 and Army Wives Season 1. Damn Barnes and Noble DVD sales. I am also a giddy dork because New Kids on the Block has released their new single Summertime and it takes me back to the days when I was young and beautiful and skinny and optimistic.
Other than that, I am mainly doing some last minute chores and trying to deal with the relocation BS in a calm manner. i have been reading several books too lately.
THE MOVERS SUCK MONKEYS! Not the company just the driver. He failed to tell anyone that he wasn't going to make it until 4pm so now he has to load tomorrow morning. I am not a happy camper at all and don't even want to go into all the drama but if my stuff isn't picked up tomorrow and delivered on monday I am going to have a good ol' hissy fit of diva proportions.
In other news, my BFF Sunshine arrives tomorrow. I can't wait. It will be very nice to have company and show him the important things like my favorite Starbucks.
I started skein 3 of the prayer shawl tonight and plan to make more progress tonight while I am watching Project Runway Season 2 and Army Wives Season 1. Damn Barnes and Noble DVD sales. I am also a giddy dork because New Kids on the Block has released their new single Summertime and it takes me back to the days when I was young and beautiful and skinny and optimistic.
Other than that, I am mainly doing some last minute chores and trying to deal with the relocation BS in a calm manner. i have been reading several books too lately.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Vanilla Latte Heaven
I am happily addicted to iced vanilla lattes now. I blame it on the heat, the high gas prices and the change of place. They are actually really good and I have a tall one once a week. LOL.
I am also blaming the heat for going to Target and buying a new comforter, a throw pillow and a portable bed. the comforter is plain white but I decided it would be easier to save the color for the accent throws and pillows so that if I wanted to change my style I could.
I started skein 2 on the shawl yesterday afternoon and I have made it 3/4 of the way through of that skein. It is going fast, so I might be chaining on another one sometime this week.
Work is wonderful and the movers packed my stuff up back in Oklahoma and I didn't receive any frantic phone calls from my sister which was a good sign I think. I am also loving my pedal pushers that I bought at the mall this weekend. They turned out to be a good thing after all.
I am also blaming the heat for going to Target and buying a new comforter, a throw pillow and a portable bed. the comforter is plain white but I decided it would be easier to save the color for the accent throws and pillows so that if I wanted to change my style I could.
I started skein 2 on the shawl yesterday afternoon and I have made it 3/4 of the way through of that skein. It is going fast, so I might be chaining on another one sometime this week.
Work is wonderful and the movers packed my stuff up back in Oklahoma and I didn't receive any frantic phone calls from my sister which was a good sign I think. I am also loving my pedal pushers that I bought at the mall this weekend. They turned out to be a good thing after all.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Sunday Morning
So last night and this morning I started listening to some back episodes of Brenda Dayne’s Cast-On from the summer of 2006 just to have something to listen to while I was working on the prayer shawl. I have found that I crochet faster when I listen to her podcasts because her voice is steady and entertaining and I achieve a really nice rhythm. I also put down the last of the drawer liner that I bought in Charlotte last weekend and organized my yarn stash out here a little. I told myself that I was just going to use up the yarn that I packed to come out here and I wasn’t going to buy anything new. I kind of failed on that one but it’s not my fault that there is an LYS like a mile away and a Joann’s, Michaels and A.C. Moore within a three mile distance of me.
Tonight is baseball game #2 and this time I have a box suite ticket. I am dreading the driving and parking thing because this time I have to drive myself. At least it will be daylight so that it will be easier to find exits and such.
I haven’t made much progress on the decorating front and I think that a lot of it is that I want to see how my current furniture and possessions fit into the apartment before I make decisions on new stuff to buy. The other problem is that I am really picky and things end up either being overpriced or I find that I just don’t love them enough to buy them.
Tonight is baseball game #2 and this time I have a box suite ticket. I am dreading the driving and parking thing because this time I have to drive myself. At least it will be daylight so that it will be easier to find exits and such.
I haven’t made much progress on the decorating front and I think that a lot of it is that I want to see how my current furniture and possessions fit into the apartment before I make decisions on new stuff to buy. The other problem is that I am really picky and things end up either being overpriced or I find that I just don’t love them enough to buy them.
Technically a Saturday Post
It is so stinking hot. I honestly thought I would have a couple more weeks before it hit above 90. This is full sun too, it has rained twice since I have been here, but not heavy rain, just enough to wash the layer of dust off the car. I can’t believe I spent Friday at the ballpark and lived to blog about it. It was a good thing that it was a night game but those first couple of hours were miserable hot. I had a blast though. It was my first time to see the Durham Bulls play (AAA baseball) and it was a good game and it was fun spending time outside the office with my new co-workers.
I heard from the movers this past week. They pack on Monday, load on Thursday and my stuff will allegedly be out here on the 16th but that won’t be confirmed until they load my stuff up. It’s mixed feelings because I will be glad to have my stuff again but the whole unpacking process is going to potentially suck a lot and poor Sunshine will be here that week. I am apologizing in advance for the box pile. It’s a small price to pay for living in such a nice area and having a job that I love now.
Today I ventured out and discovered Whole Foods and the yarn store that is like a mile from my house. Karma has been very good to me lately. Whole Foods was fun. I didn’t realize that you could actually eat there. You can buy chocolate in like pound bricks. I didn’t buy any because it would’ve melted in the car on my errands.
The yarn store was probably the best part of the day. They carry hooks!!! Like Addi hooks and Brittany hooks and a few aluminum hooks. I was slap-happy because a lot of yarn stores only have knitting needles and the lone hook for weaving in ends. So I replaced the Brittany size H hook that was stolen over Christmas and I bought two skeins of Patagonia Nature Cotton color 212 to use for a swap and then I bought a skein of Colinette JitterBug in Kingfisher. The Patagonia is a aqua/seafoam blend and the Kingfisher is a black/purple/blue/green mix that just popped out at me. They even sell back issues of Vogue Knitting (some from the early 90s even) and it was so tempting to buy a bunch but I am supposed to be saving money so I resisted. Anyways, the store is in an old house and it is covered from floor to ceiling in yarn and it is a small square of heaven. I walked in the front door and I was like damn, this is better than an old lady’s attic! I spent an hour there and I know I only saw about ¼ of the yarn there. They even carry tatting supplies and they have a couple of spinning wheels in the back. I was in a major crafty mood today because I used my 15% off coupon at BN to buy Amy Butler’s Sew-It Kit. It has some really cool patterns and I am a huge fan of her fabric.
I am still working on the shawl for my mom’s prayer shawl ministry at her church. I think I have finished about a foot so far. I would be making faster progress but I was dumb and started this in single crochet and it’s some Red Heart Plush that was donated to the group so it doesn’t frog easily, so I decided to just keep going with the single crochet. Their goal is to have 59 shawls completed by Christmas so that they can give one to each resident of a local nursing home that her church has adopted. It’s a nice summer project because it doesn’t cover your whole entire lap so you don’t get as hot but you can finish them a lot quicker than an afghan.
Hell also froze over for a little bit because I bought a pair of pedal-pushers at Lane Bryant that cost more than my jeans. The problem was that I wanted long shorts made out of a reasonable quality material that were plain and did not have a bunch of wild colors, sequins, embroidery or weird washes. Anyways, they are the perfect fit and a nice shade of khaki and now I won’t sweat to death going to the beach and baseball games this summer. I looked at swimsuits and said hell no. Anything that was remotely cute was a bikini and you couldn’t pay me enough to go out in public in a bikini or even a tankini for that matter. I also found a waterproof wristlet that I can snap on to my pants when I am at the beach or the amusement park because I am not taking my beloved Coach purse to the beach and get sand all over it. It’s really cute and it’s big enough to fit my chapstick, cell phone, keys and chapstick in. Plus it was 50% off at Aeropostale so it was only $5 which made it even better.
I heard from the movers this past week. They pack on Monday, load on Thursday and my stuff will allegedly be out here on the 16th but that won’t be confirmed until they load my stuff up. It’s mixed feelings because I will be glad to have my stuff again but the whole unpacking process is going to potentially suck a lot and poor Sunshine will be here that week. I am apologizing in advance for the box pile. It’s a small price to pay for living in such a nice area and having a job that I love now.
Today I ventured out and discovered Whole Foods and the yarn store that is like a mile from my house. Karma has been very good to me lately. Whole Foods was fun. I didn’t realize that you could actually eat there. You can buy chocolate in like pound bricks. I didn’t buy any because it would’ve melted in the car on my errands.
The yarn store was probably the best part of the day. They carry hooks!!! Like Addi hooks and Brittany hooks and a few aluminum hooks. I was slap-happy because a lot of yarn stores only have knitting needles and the lone hook for weaving in ends. So I replaced the Brittany size H hook that was stolen over Christmas and I bought two skeins of Patagonia Nature Cotton color 212 to use for a swap and then I bought a skein of Colinette JitterBug in Kingfisher. The Patagonia is a aqua/seafoam blend and the Kingfisher is a black/purple/blue/green mix that just popped out at me. They even sell back issues of Vogue Knitting (some from the early 90s even) and it was so tempting to buy a bunch but I am supposed to be saving money so I resisted. Anyways, the store is in an old house and it is covered from floor to ceiling in yarn and it is a small square of heaven. I walked in the front door and I was like damn, this is better than an old lady’s attic! I spent an hour there and I know I only saw about ¼ of the yarn there. They even carry tatting supplies and they have a couple of spinning wheels in the back. I was in a major crafty mood today because I used my 15% off coupon at BN to buy Amy Butler’s Sew-It Kit. It has some really cool patterns and I am a huge fan of her fabric.
I am still working on the shawl for my mom’s prayer shawl ministry at her church. I think I have finished about a foot so far. I would be making faster progress but I was dumb and started this in single crochet and it’s some Red Heart Plush that was donated to the group so it doesn’t frog easily, so I decided to just keep going with the single crochet. Their goal is to have 59 shawls completed by Christmas so that they can give one to each resident of a local nursing home that her church has adopted. It’s a nice summer project because it doesn’t cover your whole entire lap so you don’t get as hot but you can finish them a lot quicker than an afghan.
Hell also froze over for a little bit because I bought a pair of pedal-pushers at Lane Bryant that cost more than my jeans. The problem was that I wanted long shorts made out of a reasonable quality material that were plain and did not have a bunch of wild colors, sequins, embroidery or weird washes. Anyways, they are the perfect fit and a nice shade of khaki and now I won’t sweat to death going to the beach and baseball games this summer. I looked at swimsuits and said hell no. Anything that was remotely cute was a bikini and you couldn’t pay me enough to go out in public in a bikini or even a tankini for that matter. I also found a waterproof wristlet that I can snap on to my pants when I am at the beach or the amusement park because I am not taking my beloved Coach purse to the beach and get sand all over it. It’s really cute and it’s big enough to fit my chapstick, cell phone, keys and chapstick in. Plus it was 50% off at Aeropostale so it was only $5 which made it even better.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
It's 95 degrees and I am in a coffee shop
Well, Mackie and I decided to try out the atmosphere at the Starbucks by the new apt. I really like the setting especially once the creepy old guy stopped staring at my boobs. Seriously? It was beyond obvious. Anyways, since it was hotter than hell, I decided to not buy my usual hot cocoa and I bought a mint mocha chocolate frapp. It's like someone stuck a Thin Mint in your frapp. Pretty tasty, but I still taste the coffee part. I am trying really hard to become a coffee addict, but it is slow going. I love the music they play in the store too. Anyways, I got a little wifi account so now I have internet access and I don't have to commit to either dsl or cable. I just hate setting up all that when I am going to be moving at least 2 times within the next three years because of the rotational program that I am. Plus, if I had internet in my apartment, I would never leave and since I live in a metro area now, I feel like I need to take advantage of the opportunities.
I did make it to my parents' house outside of Charlotte this weekend. It took me three hours and I did not get lost once, so that was good. I met my aunt's canadian fiancee for the first time so that was cool. The best part was seeing Sex in the City the movie. I ended up buying the movie book and the tv show episode guide. I definitely want to see it again. I ended up getting some apartment stuff while I was there and it took me forever to get it all back in the house when I came home saturday night.
I did finally get a date from the movers. I have bribed my sister into handing the whole thing. all I have to deal with is when my stuff finally gets out here. Anyways, I about dropped the phone when my moving coordinator said they were coming to Oklahoma to pack on Monday the 9th. yes, that is June. Hence sister bribery. Hello Apple. Buying her a little Nano video was a lot cheaper then buying a last minute plane ticket.
I did order Sunshine's plane ticket today and it was way cheaper than I had budgeted for. YAY!!! Anyways, he has this crazy idea that we are going swimming in the ocean and doing beachy stuff. I don't mind going to the beach or getting in the ocean but the whole swimsuit in public thing is a totally different story. We will have to see. I will add that to my list of things to do when I go to the mall next. I really want to go to the brand new Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach so that I can ride the Led Zeppelin roller coaster. I think we will do the Outer Banks too since he will be here for two weekends. I've kind of left the schedule up to him. He is the planner. I might be a planner at work but when it hits 5pm ET, all planning stops and I just do whatever.
Anyways, I will post more soon.
I did make it to my parents' house outside of Charlotte this weekend. It took me three hours and I did not get lost once, so that was good. I met my aunt's canadian fiancee for the first time so that was cool. The best part was seeing Sex in the City the movie. I ended up buying the movie book and the tv show episode guide. I definitely want to see it again. I ended up getting some apartment stuff while I was there and it took me forever to get it all back in the house when I came home saturday night.
I did finally get a date from the movers. I have bribed my sister into handing the whole thing. all I have to deal with is when my stuff finally gets out here. Anyways, I about dropped the phone when my moving coordinator said they were coming to Oklahoma to pack on Monday the 9th. yes, that is June. Hence sister bribery. Hello Apple. Buying her a little Nano video was a lot cheaper then buying a last minute plane ticket.
I did order Sunshine's plane ticket today and it was way cheaper than I had budgeted for. YAY!!! Anyways, he has this crazy idea that we are going swimming in the ocean and doing beachy stuff. I don't mind going to the beach or getting in the ocean but the whole swimsuit in public thing is a totally different story. We will have to see. I will add that to my list of things to do when I go to the mall next. I really want to go to the brand new Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach so that I can ride the Led Zeppelin roller coaster. I think we will do the Outer Banks too since he will be here for two weekends. I've kind of left the schedule up to him. He is the planner. I might be a planner at work but when it hits 5pm ET, all planning stops and I just do whatever.
Anyways, I will post more soon.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Life in the Enchanted Forest
I need to give a little shout out to Sunshine and let him know that this entry is proudly posted from the Barnes and Noble by my new apartment. LOL. I heart wi-fi. Anyways, I am living in my apartment now. I have slept there for two nights and yes, it is completely undecorated and has like no furniture but I still love it. I am supposed to talk to the moving people on Tuesday after the holiday.
I have discovered the Barnes and Noble, the Target, Michaels, grocery stores, and AC Moore. Once I am done at BN, I am going to visit Bed Bath and Beyond. All of this is within a five mile radius from work and home. I have died and gone to some sort of nerd heaven. I filled up on Sunday and it is Saturday and I haven't even used a 1/4 tank of gas yet. I am still in shock.
I don't have cable or internet set up at home yet. That is on my list of things to do after payday and before Sunshine visits. he has informed me that normal people have things like tv and internet and furniture and silverware. I do have silverware, it is just made out of recyclable plastic. I guess my main concern is finding a way to decorate the white walls without violating the apartment's long list of decorating no-nos. I did see some stuff I liked at target last night so i am going to keep that in mind for when I get paid and I can decorate. I have money still but I am squirrling it away because I spent so much in apartment costs and hotel and gas to move out here that my debit card hates me. Luckily, now that I don't have to spend a bazillion dollars on gas for my commute I can use that to buy fun things. YAY FOR ME!
Lucky for me, Lime N Violet has put out two podcasts within the last week or so, so I am not bored and I have something to listen to while I am hanging out in the new apartment.
I just thought I would wave hello, so that people know that I am still alive, I have just been busy relocating and learning the new job.
P.S. Did I mention that the climate out here is turning my hair into a hot mess of spiral curls? Is this good or bad? I'm not sure yet but my co-workers seem to think it looks great. I just wish people would stop touching my hair when I have it down. I don't know where your hands have been people!
I have discovered the Barnes and Noble, the Target, Michaels, grocery stores, and AC Moore. Once I am done at BN, I am going to visit Bed Bath and Beyond. All of this is within a five mile radius from work and home. I have died and gone to some sort of nerd heaven. I filled up on Sunday and it is Saturday and I haven't even used a 1/4 tank of gas yet. I am still in shock.
I don't have cable or internet set up at home yet. That is on my list of things to do after payday and before Sunshine visits. he has informed me that normal people have things like tv and internet and furniture and silverware. I do have silverware, it is just made out of recyclable plastic. I guess my main concern is finding a way to decorate the white walls without violating the apartment's long list of decorating no-nos. I did see some stuff I liked at target last night so i am going to keep that in mind for when I get paid and I can decorate. I have money still but I am squirrling it away because I spent so much in apartment costs and hotel and gas to move out here that my debit card hates me. Luckily, now that I don't have to spend a bazillion dollars on gas for my commute I can use that to buy fun things. YAY FOR ME!
Lucky for me, Lime N Violet has put out two podcasts within the last week or so, so I am not bored and I have something to listen to while I am hanging out in the new apartment.
I just thought I would wave hello, so that people know that I am still alive, I have just been busy relocating and learning the new job.
P.S. Did I mention that the climate out here is turning my hair into a hot mess of spiral curls? Is this good or bad? I'm not sure yet but my co-workers seem to think it looks great. I just wish people would stop touching my hair when I have it down. I don't know where your hands have been people!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Finally!!!!
So after a few delays, everything is finally straightened out and I got my apartment. I get to pick up the keys on my lunch break tomorrow. I was going to do it after work today but then the IT guy at work brought over my new computer at like ten minutes til 5pm (eastern time) so I didn't leave on time. Then we were walking out of the office and it just started pouring like the sky was going to fall and I knew that there was no way I was going to make it to the grocery store to get a money order and make it over to the apartment office before they closed at 6pm. It would be different if I knew my way around here but I don't and there is a ton of crazy drivers and trees around here. I did manage to get my renter's insurance taken care of and electricity set up.
I finished my pink placemat and I think the 2nd one for my sister is basically finished but I am not sure if it is the right length or not because the first one I made is at the Oklahoma house. I started another RH Mexicana scarf with a skein from my stash here just so I would have something to take my mind off things while I was waiting on the apartment stuff.
I'm not planning on going anywhere for Memorial Day weekend other than doing some exploring around my neighborhood. After all of this traveling it will be kind of nice to stay in one place. Hell, I might even decorate a little. That's a big maybe on that.
Anyways, once I check out of the hotel it might be a week or two before I can post again because they are picky at work about using the internet and I am waiting until payday before I set up the internet because I just spent a bejesus amount of money on the trip out here and rent.
I finished my pink placemat and I think the 2nd one for my sister is basically finished but I am not sure if it is the right length or not because the first one I made is at the Oklahoma house. I started another RH Mexicana scarf with a skein from my stash here just so I would have something to take my mind off things while I was waiting on the apartment stuff.
I'm not planning on going anywhere for Memorial Day weekend other than doing some exploring around my neighborhood. After all of this traveling it will be kind of nice to stay in one place. Hell, I might even decorate a little. That's a big maybe on that.
Anyways, once I check out of the hotel it might be a week or two before I can post again because they are picky at work about using the internet and I am waiting until payday before I set up the internet because I just spent a bejesus amount of money on the trip out here and rent.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Finally Here!
I am sooooo tired. We didn't make it to the hotel until 2am last night because of all the time we spent at Cooter's Place (Dukes of Hazzard Museum) and Dollywood but it was completely worth it. It was sunny the whole entire trip right up until a couple of minutes ago when it started raining. My sister is currently on her way back to Oklahoma (flying of course). My mighty Subaru was a trooper and held strong the whole trip even when we were winding through the Great Smoky Mountains. I died a little inside when I tallied up all my gas receipts because with our detour to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN it was a grand total of 1200 miles one way which makes me really glad that I got an oil change before I left.
We took I-40 all the way out there. I think every bug in Oklahoma and Arkansas died on my car windshield. We drove past 52 Cracker Barrels (we might have missed a couple but pretty close). By the time we made it to Little Rock, the sun had already gone down and so there wasn't much to see but I did see a couple of signs for Bill Clinton's Presidential Library. We drove through Memphis and it really sucked because it was late at night and they had two lanes of I-40 closed due to construction. We made it through and stopped for the night at a Hampton Inn in Jackson, TN. Even though we didn't get there until 2am it was worth it because then we had less of a drive on Saturday and more time to do stuff. Plus this Hampton Inn had only been open since the beginning of this year and IT WAS AWESOME. Big plasma tv, granite shower, a bed that we had to take a running leap to get into and it was really nice to stay there after such a long day.
Driving through Tennessee was GORGEOUS. I still can't get over all the trees that are in TN and NC. It is like some big enchanted forest. I had promised my sister that we would be able to stop along the way and do some touristy things. One of my old co-workers had told me that Ben "Cooter" Jones from Dukes of Hazzard had a museum called Cooter's Place. My sister and I grew up watching Dukes of Hazzard on tv (i saw some of them when they originally aired) and so when I told her about it she said we had to stop. By a twist of fate we happened to go there on a day when Cooter himself was going to be doing an autograph signing. I was a little nervous waiting in line due to the excitement of it all but it was all worth it. He is one of the nicest people and nicest celebrities you will ever meet. He talked to us and even posed for pics and signed our souvenirs and even gave me directions to Raleigh! I am going to frame my autographed picture and proudly display it when I move into my apartment. It was a neat place. there is a gift shop and memorabilia to see and a good representation of the vehicles are on display.
Next door to Cooter's Place was a little musuem called Willie Nelson and Friends Museum Showcase. It was started with some memorabilia purchased at Willie Nelson's tax evasion auction. It had some cool stuff in it. it was one of those things where we were like why not and I don't think that either one of us wanted to get back in the car right away. there was a Wax Museum next door but we didn't go through it because it was going to be $9 each and it looked like it wasn't going to be that fancy.
Finally we were on our way again. We took a slight detour so that we could go to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Neither one of us had ever been there before but I am a huge Dolly fan, so I knew that we had to stop since we were going to be so close. Pigeon Forge is like a mini Branson. It seemed like we constantly had to stop for stoplights and there was a lot of traffic. It is one of the prettiest theme parks I have ever been to. It's nestled in the Smokies and there are trees everywhere which was nice because then it wasn't as hot. We only got to spend a couple of hours there since we got there just before closing but it was so much fun. There was a lot of craftsman demonstrations that were interesting and I was able to get some pins at the pin shop. I definitely plan on going back.
Driving through the Smoky Mountains wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but we did drive through a couple of tunnels and there were some places where we had to slow down to 45 and 50 mph because of the steepness and curves. We drove by Asheville, NC but it was pitch black by then and late at night so I didn't really see much driving through there. By the time we made it to my temporary home aka the hotel it was 2am and all we wanted to do was hit the sack.
This morning we slept in. the whole Eastern time is really messing with me. It feels like i am getting gipped an hour but I finally got all my clocks changed over so that I knew what the hell time it was. We watched some tv and then we headed over to the apartment office as soon as it opened since I wasn't going to have much time before I had to take her to the airport. The apartment complex is gorgeous and clean and QUIET. I actually got to tour the actual apartment and it is really nice and very white. No 70s decor here. everything is painted white and I have a light beige kitchen and a balcony and a walk in closet. it is a very pretty area with lots of trees, sand volleyball, tennis, a pool and fitness center. Unless it turns out that I have some criminal background that I don't know about then I should be able to move in on Tuesday which would be great because then I could check out of the hotel early and hopefully save a little money. It is all electric so that saves me from having to call another utility.
Anyways, tomorrow is the first day of work so hopefully everything goes well. i think it will be fine, it's just kind of the big scary until I get there and meet my department.
We took I-40 all the way out there. I think every bug in Oklahoma and Arkansas died on my car windshield. We drove past 52 Cracker Barrels (we might have missed a couple but pretty close). By the time we made it to Little Rock, the sun had already gone down and so there wasn't much to see but I did see a couple of signs for Bill Clinton's Presidential Library. We drove through Memphis and it really sucked because it was late at night and they had two lanes of I-40 closed due to construction. We made it through and stopped for the night at a Hampton Inn in Jackson, TN. Even though we didn't get there until 2am it was worth it because then we had less of a drive on Saturday and more time to do stuff. Plus this Hampton Inn had only been open since the beginning of this year and IT WAS AWESOME. Big plasma tv, granite shower, a bed that we had to take a running leap to get into and it was really nice to stay there after such a long day.
Driving through Tennessee was GORGEOUS. I still can't get over all the trees that are in TN and NC. It is like some big enchanted forest. I had promised my sister that we would be able to stop along the way and do some touristy things. One of my old co-workers had told me that Ben "Cooter" Jones from Dukes of Hazzard had a museum called Cooter's Place. My sister and I grew up watching Dukes of Hazzard on tv (i saw some of them when they originally aired) and so when I told her about it she said we had to stop. By a twist of fate we happened to go there on a day when Cooter himself was going to be doing an autograph signing. I was a little nervous waiting in line due to the excitement of it all but it was all worth it. He is one of the nicest people and nicest celebrities you will ever meet. He talked to us and even posed for pics and signed our souvenirs and even gave me directions to Raleigh! I am going to frame my autographed picture and proudly display it when I move into my apartment. It was a neat place. there is a gift shop and memorabilia to see and a good representation of the vehicles are on display.
Next door to Cooter's Place was a little musuem called Willie Nelson and Friends Museum Showcase. It was started with some memorabilia purchased at Willie Nelson's tax evasion auction. It had some cool stuff in it. it was one of those things where we were like why not and I don't think that either one of us wanted to get back in the car right away. there was a Wax Museum next door but we didn't go through it because it was going to be $9 each and it looked like it wasn't going to be that fancy.
Finally we were on our way again. We took a slight detour so that we could go to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Neither one of us had ever been there before but I am a huge Dolly fan, so I knew that we had to stop since we were going to be so close. Pigeon Forge is like a mini Branson. It seemed like we constantly had to stop for stoplights and there was a lot of traffic. It is one of the prettiest theme parks I have ever been to. It's nestled in the Smokies and there are trees everywhere which was nice because then it wasn't as hot. We only got to spend a couple of hours there since we got there just before closing but it was so much fun. There was a lot of craftsman demonstrations that were interesting and I was able to get some pins at the pin shop. I definitely plan on going back.
Driving through the Smoky Mountains wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but we did drive through a couple of tunnels and there were some places where we had to slow down to 45 and 50 mph because of the steepness and curves. We drove by Asheville, NC but it was pitch black by then and late at night so I didn't really see much driving through there. By the time we made it to my temporary home aka the hotel it was 2am and all we wanted to do was hit the sack.
This morning we slept in. the whole Eastern time is really messing with me. It feels like i am getting gipped an hour but I finally got all my clocks changed over so that I knew what the hell time it was. We watched some tv and then we headed over to the apartment office as soon as it opened since I wasn't going to have much time before I had to take her to the airport. The apartment complex is gorgeous and clean and QUIET. I actually got to tour the actual apartment and it is really nice and very white. No 70s decor here. everything is painted white and I have a light beige kitchen and a balcony and a walk in closet. it is a very pretty area with lots of trees, sand volleyball, tennis, a pool and fitness center. Unless it turns out that I have some criminal background that I don't know about then I should be able to move in on Tuesday which would be great because then I could check out of the hotel early and hopefully save a little money. It is all electric so that saves me from having to call another utility.
Anyways, tomorrow is the first day of work so hopefully everything goes well. i think it will be fine, it's just kind of the big scary until I get there and meet my department.
Friday, May 16, 2008
East Bound
Okay, so I lied. I decided to post today just for kicks. My entire life is in a ziploc bag. Lol. well several of them. Snacks, candy, tolietries, computer cords. It is a little crazy, but this is what happens when you move out of state and not just across town. I updated the maps on TomTom the GPS so we will not be led astray. He is snug as a bug in a rug in his hot pink felted Malabrigo case. It kind of coordinates with Mackie the laptop's pink sleeve.
Yesterday, I ran a bunch of errands and watched Project Runway Season 1 on dvd. I needed something to keep me occupied since I fidget too much when i am at home all day. I have been busy printing off all my hotel reservations and maps and addresses to places. It is kind of crazy. I have two folders and a ziploc bag full of important papers.
I know it will be fun, it will just be interesting because I have never driven cross-country east before past Memphis anyways. I feel like I am taking a ton of stuff but most of it is stuff the movers won't take or stuff I don't want to get lost in the move. I think i will be able to fit it all in the trunk with the cover pulled over it.
Happy Trails!
Yesterday, I ran a bunch of errands and watched Project Runway Season 1 on dvd. I needed something to keep me occupied since I fidget too much when i am at home all day. I have been busy printing off all my hotel reservations and maps and addresses to places. It is kind of crazy. I have two folders and a ziploc bag full of important papers.
I know it will be fun, it will just be interesting because I have never driven cross-country east before past Memphis anyways. I feel like I am taking a ton of stuff but most of it is stuff the movers won't take or stuff I don't want to get lost in the move. I think i will be able to fit it all in the trunk with the cover pulled over it.
Happy Trails!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Covered Wagon
So today was my last day at work locally. I start at the new unit on Monday and hopefully I am as smart as everyone says I am. It was really sweet. My co-workers took me out to eat at one of our favorite places and they bestowed me with lots of nice gifts and cards and gave nice speeches. I think i have been hugged more times today then I have in the last year. The sis and I leave friday afternoon to make the big trek out east. I feel like I should be loading up the covered wagon and saying good-bye to Pa. Okay, maybe not that dramatic because the covered wagon is really a Subaru.
I did receive a package from my spoiler in the Swap on a Budget. The highlights include stitch markers, MALABRIGO (YUMMY!), Eucalan, pure Maine maple syrup, candy, and the tiniest bamboo crochet hook I have ever seen, and a little felted case that just happens to fit my Tomtom perfectly. So I was really excited to receive all the goodies and managed to eat the candy and shove the rest into my knitting basket that I am taking with me as one of my "necessities" in the Subaru.
For the road trip, I purchased the new issues of Interweave Knits, Creative Knitting and the book knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together. I also found a used copy of Loving Frank by Nancy Horan which is the fictionalized love tale of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney. This is also intended to help me bide the time until I am into an apartment and my stuff is moved in. Plus, the tv lineup for this summer really blows, so this might just be the push I need to read more. I also downloaded Pearl Jam's Ten album. it is my all time favorite cd and around a year ago, i accidently shut it in my dash lid and it broke in half, so I downloaded it on itunes so I could have some good tunes to accompany us on the long trip.
Anyways, I don't know how much I will be able to post in the next couple of weeks. Assume that I am still alive, I am just going to be busy starting a new position and trying to find things like an apartment and knit nights.
I did receive a package from my spoiler in the Swap on a Budget. The highlights include stitch markers, MALABRIGO (YUMMY!), Eucalan, pure Maine maple syrup, candy, and the tiniest bamboo crochet hook I have ever seen, and a little felted case that just happens to fit my Tomtom perfectly. So I was really excited to receive all the goodies and managed to eat the candy and shove the rest into my knitting basket that I am taking with me as one of my "necessities" in the Subaru.
For the road trip, I purchased the new issues of Interweave Knits, Creative Knitting and the book knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together. I also found a used copy of Loving Frank by Nancy Horan which is the fictionalized love tale of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney. This is also intended to help me bide the time until I am into an apartment and my stuff is moved in. Plus, the tv lineup for this summer really blows, so this might just be the push I need to read more. I also downloaded Pearl Jam's Ten album. it is my all time favorite cd and around a year ago, i accidently shut it in my dash lid and it broke in half, so I downloaded it on itunes so I could have some good tunes to accompany us on the long trip.
Anyways, I don't know how much I will be able to post in the next couple of weeks. Assume that I am still alive, I am just going to be busy starting a new position and trying to find things like an apartment and knit nights.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Wicked Storms
So this weekend there was some bad storms in the region, but we lucked out and completely missed them and it was sunny with high winds all weekend. I did talk to Relocation on Thursday morning and received my relocation money on Friday so things are moving faster. My sister's return ticket is ordered and I am working on the apartment thing but it is really hard to apartment hunt when you are not on that side of the country. Friday morning I ended up selling my books back online, I keep forgetting to buy boxes but I plan on mailing them prior to leaving for NC on friday.
I did buy a GPS. It is a Tomtom like the one that Sunshine and Debbie Stoller have. I am such a follower! It's programmed but i keep forgetting to take it with me in the car! Maybe I will take it with me on my commute. I have purchased two books for the road trip--The Host by Stephenie Meyer (author of the Twilight series) and Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. Wicked Lovely is a YA book about faeries that I saw on the rack at Target and I thought what the hell, it's written by a Melissa and it is about faeries, so I think it will be good road trip reading. Road trips are supposed to be fun and carefree, so I didn't want to bring any serious literary-type books with me. I also bought P.S. I Love You and Living with Ed Season 1 on DVD and watched those while I was hanging out around the house.
I am almost finished with placemat #1 for my sister which is made from some orange/pink/yellow sugar n cream cotton. it was supposed to be for the new kitchen table, but when we brought it home from Kmart, one of the underneath pieces of the table top was broken and so we had to take it back to Kmart and it was such an ordeal in the first place that we didn't get another one. Note to self: do not let high-schooler stockroom boy jam a table into the back of your subaru. Sunday morning, we went to Wal-mart to get my sister a new bookshelf and we got this $18 bookcase and we get the back all nailed on and realize that it is like the leaning tower of pisa bookcase because of the way the pre-drilled holes and the crooked-cut back. So it is still upstairs because neither one of us thought we could take the back off in one piece and our dumpster is full right now.
I have decided that I am DEFINITELY NOT buying any furniture for the new apartment until sunshine comes to visit because A). he enjoys furniture shopping and B). he has handy-man skillz and likes assembling things and I am convinced that he has more patience than I do. My mother and Sunshine have started this little campaign to convince me to actually buy furniture for my place like a real bed (to replace my futon) and my mom keeps mentioning dirty words like lamps and end tables and a couch! I really that these are normal, basic ideas but I just honestly don't care about decorating and furnishing a home. I am not a nester.
It is amazing how fast time flies by. I am really not sure where the weekend went. My head keeps spinning with all the things I need to do for the Big Move. I'm sure everything will be all fantastic in the end, but I until I get to that point it is going to be all shades of crazy.
I did buy a GPS. It is a Tomtom like the one that Sunshine and Debbie Stoller have. I am such a follower! It's programmed but i keep forgetting to take it with me in the car! Maybe I will take it with me on my commute. I have purchased two books for the road trip--The Host by Stephenie Meyer (author of the Twilight series) and Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. Wicked Lovely is a YA book about faeries that I saw on the rack at Target and I thought what the hell, it's written by a Melissa and it is about faeries, so I think it will be good road trip reading. Road trips are supposed to be fun and carefree, so I didn't want to bring any serious literary-type books with me. I also bought P.S. I Love You and Living with Ed Season 1 on DVD and watched those while I was hanging out around the house.
I am almost finished with placemat #1 for my sister which is made from some orange/pink/yellow sugar n cream cotton. it was supposed to be for the new kitchen table, but when we brought it home from Kmart, one of the underneath pieces of the table top was broken and so we had to take it back to Kmart and it was such an ordeal in the first place that we didn't get another one. Note to self: do not let high-schooler stockroom boy jam a table into the back of your subaru. Sunday morning, we went to Wal-mart to get my sister a new bookshelf and we got this $18 bookcase and we get the back all nailed on and realize that it is like the leaning tower of pisa bookcase because of the way the pre-drilled holes and the crooked-cut back. So it is still upstairs because neither one of us thought we could take the back off in one piece and our dumpster is full right now.
I have decided that I am DEFINITELY NOT buying any furniture for the new apartment until sunshine comes to visit because A). he enjoys furniture shopping and B). he has handy-man skillz and likes assembling things and I am convinced that he has more patience than I do. My mother and Sunshine have started this little campaign to convince me to actually buy furniture for my place like a real bed (to replace my futon) and my mom keeps mentioning dirty words like lamps and end tables and a couch! I really that these are normal, basic ideas but I just honestly don't care about decorating and furnishing a home. I am not a nester.
It is amazing how fast time flies by. I am really not sure where the weekend went. My head keeps spinning with all the things I need to do for the Big Move. I'm sure everything will be all fantastic in the end, but I until I get to that point it is going to be all shades of crazy.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Things
Well HR blows. they screwed up my paperwork and that is what took so damn long. after several frantic emails and phone calls, it has been fixed and I should hear from relocation hopefully tomorrow. I am still starting the new job on the 19th. Little Sis and I are going to drive out starting on the 16th, in the Subaru (full o yarn) Thelma and Louise style sans Brad Pitt and we are not planning on driving off a cliff. New boss has found me an potential apartment so I might not have to crochet a house out of yarn. This is a plus. LOL. Isn't it good that I am maintaining a sense of humor? I just keep reminding me that they are PAYING ME to move to an awesome place.
I am not making much crafty progress this week. I started having allergy issues today. I think I am allergic to either the outdoors or my cubicle. It's muggy which I don't like. I am just cranky right now I guess. It's finals week too. It also doesn't help that they are tearing up two major streets downtown, so driving home takes longer and I never know which lane is going to be open today.
Anyways, I am taking another personal day on friday, so I can sell my stupid textbooks back, work on a Ravelry swap and visit the insurance people. I also need to figure out what I am going to take out there with me to tide me over until I am in an apartment and my stuff is moved in.
I am not making much crafty progress this week. I started having allergy issues today. I think I am allergic to either the outdoors or my cubicle. It's muggy which I don't like. I am just cranky right now I guess. It's finals week too. It also doesn't help that they are tearing up two major streets downtown, so driving home takes longer and I never know which lane is going to be open today.
Anyways, I am taking another personal day on friday, so I can sell my stupid textbooks back, work on a Ravelry swap and visit the insurance people. I also need to figure out what I am going to take out there with me to tide me over until I am in an apartment and my stuff is moved in.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Princess and the Purse
I finally did it! I bought my Coach purse! I am in my own little state of Nirvana. It is the Soho hobo small flap (camel color). it is the perfect fit for my shoulder and it holds everything I need with some spare room. I even bought the special cleaner for it to keep the fabric all nice and beautiful. I feel especially grown up carrying it around. I also stopped at the Origins store and bought a tube of their lip saver which is amazing!! I did go to Barnes and Noble and I bought a magazine and I bought the paperback edition of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. I originally checked out this book when it first came out in hardback at the library. There is just so much good information and it is really well written.
We also ate at The Cheesecake Factory. Even though they stuck us at the tiniest table there, the slice of cheesecake I had for dessert was completely awesome (and totally worth it even though I don't really tolerate dairy well). I would like to state for the record that Sunshine spoils me rotten! He is so patient with me when I drag him on all of my shopping and yarn expeditions. He taped a bunch of my Bravo shows for me so I got to watch them on his big new tv and crochet and it was just fantastic.
It was definitely a cultural weekend. I went to a band concert and an orchestra concert and listened to NPR (which I secretly love). Sunshine and I drove over to A's house to see her and L. That was a very interesting experience. I don't think I will be having kids any time soon.I think the best part of the visit was the light up crochet hook she gave me (it lights up really bright) and the brief trip to Jo-Ann's Etc store which is like the supercenter version of Jo-Ann's. I bought a skein of Debbie Mumm's Traditions yarn in Chocolate Raspberry because it was so pretty and soft and it is 75% acrylic and 23% wool. If it didn't say Debbie Mumm for Jo-Ann's on it you would mistake it for fancy yarn store yarn.
I finished a pink placemat made of Sugar n Cream. I started the Malabrigo purse but I don't see how in the hell one skein is going to make this purse, so I think I am going to have to call my mom and have her interpret the pattern for me. I am happy to report that Sunshine's cat loves her new kitty bed and that he liked the plarn bag that I made for him.
Anyways, now I am back home and have to go back to work tomorrow. Boo! I don't want to deal with annoying HR and Relocation people.
We also ate at The Cheesecake Factory. Even though they stuck us at the tiniest table there, the slice of cheesecake I had for dessert was completely awesome (and totally worth it even though I don't really tolerate dairy well). I would like to state for the record that Sunshine spoils me rotten! He is so patient with me when I drag him on all of my shopping and yarn expeditions. He taped a bunch of my Bravo shows for me so I got to watch them on his big new tv and crochet and it was just fantastic.
It was definitely a cultural weekend. I went to a band concert and an orchestra concert and listened to NPR (which I secretly love). Sunshine and I drove over to A's house to see her and L. That was a very interesting experience. I don't think I will be having kids any time soon.I think the best part of the visit was the light up crochet hook she gave me (it lights up really bright) and the brief trip to Jo-Ann's Etc store which is like the supercenter version of Jo-Ann's. I bought a skein of Debbie Mumm's Traditions yarn in Chocolate Raspberry because it was so pretty and soft and it is 75% acrylic and 23% wool. If it didn't say Debbie Mumm for Jo-Ann's on it you would mistake it for fancy yarn store yarn.
I finished a pink placemat made of Sugar n Cream. I started the Malabrigo purse but I don't see how in the hell one skein is going to make this purse, so I think I am going to have to call my mom and have her interpret the pattern for me. I am happy to report that Sunshine's cat loves her new kitty bed and that he liked the plarn bag that I made for him.
Anyways, now I am back home and have to go back to work tomorrow. Boo! I don't want to deal with annoying HR and Relocation people.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Same Old Song and Dance
I have now started stripe five on the stripy shawl and from the looks of it I am almost certain that it will need a sixth stripe at least. I've been working on it because I am hesitant to start any projects that might require thought at the moment. Plus, Rambo the co-worker loaned me his copy of Oil! by Upton Sinclair which was the basis for the movie There Will Be Blood. I have been reading it in between reality tv shows. I really like Upton Sinclair's style of writing, I had read The Jungle in gifted and talented class back in middle school and found it to be fascinating (and gross). So this book is sucking up my crochet time, but that's okay since this book needs to be returned by the time I move.
Not much is really going on right now. I have been sitting around waiting on the stupid Relocation people to call me back which is annoying me to no end. I should have more to report after this weekend's festivities are over
Playing on my ipod: Love Remains the Same - Gavin Rossdale (I heard this on last night's episode of The Hills and loved it so much I had to download it because I have always been a fan of Gavin's music).
Not much is really going on right now. I have been sitting around waiting on the stupid Relocation people to call me back which is annoying me to no end. I should have more to report after this weekend's festivities are over
Playing on my ipod: Love Remains the Same - Gavin Rossdale (I heard this on last night's episode of The Hills and loved it so much I had to download it because I have always been a fan of Gavin's music).
Saturday, April 26, 2008
I heart Malabrigo
So I was just going to edit today's earlier post and add on, but my experience with Malabrigo was so amazing that I thought it deserved its own post.
I went to Loops today because I needed a skein of yarn for the Swap on a Budget swap on ravelry. I had read a post earlier in the week saying that they had received a shipment of Malabrigo. For those of you that possibly live under a tree, Malabrigo is this AMAZING pure merino wool from Uruguay. This was my first time to see and touch it in person. IT IS SOOOOOO SOFT!!!!I bought one skein in this bright royal blue for my swap spoilee and one skein of black to make the bag I liked in my new crochet book. The colors are so bright and vibrant and amazing. the price wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I am definitely glad I was able to buy this in store and not online. I love how the name rolls of my tongue too. I was in yarn heaven.I just stood there staring at it like it was some jewel, I was completely drawn to it. If I wasn't buying a Coach purse this coming week I think I would have bought a hell of a lot more of Malabrigo.
then I bought two balls of Berroco Comfort DK in color #2813. this is Rainbow Brite colored and I was so drawn to the colors that I had to buy some.
I started a lime green dishcloth this afternoon and I finished color three on the stripy shawl and started color #4. I am really impressed with my color changing abilities.
I bought A-dolly's birthday present at Michaels today and I bought Knit-Aid, bitch magazine, and An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor. The Knit-Aid book is by Vickie Howell and it is really awesome! It is going to be really handy. The Patrick Taylor's book is supposed to be my plane book but I imagine I will be reading it before then.
Anyways, I came in on target for my budget so I am stoked. In fact, I think I was a tad under. YAY FOR ME!!!!
All in all, it was a pretty successful day. I felt the need to do a lot of this stuff this weekend since things are going to be really crazy with the whole move thing and this was my last free weekend.
I went to Loops today because I needed a skein of yarn for the Swap on a Budget swap on ravelry. I had read a post earlier in the week saying that they had received a shipment of Malabrigo. For those of you that possibly live under a tree, Malabrigo is this AMAZING pure merino wool from Uruguay. This was my first time to see and touch it in person. IT IS SOOOOOO SOFT!!!!I bought one skein in this bright royal blue for my swap spoilee and one skein of black to make the bag I liked in my new crochet book. The colors are so bright and vibrant and amazing. the price wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I am definitely glad I was able to buy this in store and not online. I love how the name rolls of my tongue too. I was in yarn heaven.I just stood there staring at it like it was some jewel, I was completely drawn to it. If I wasn't buying a Coach purse this coming week I think I would have bought a hell of a lot more of Malabrigo.
then I bought two balls of Berroco Comfort DK in color #2813. this is Rainbow Brite colored and I was so drawn to the colors that I had to buy some.
I started a lime green dishcloth this afternoon and I finished color three on the stripy shawl and started color #4. I am really impressed with my color changing abilities.
I bought A-dolly's birthday present at Michaels today and I bought Knit-Aid, bitch magazine, and An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor. The Knit-Aid book is by Vickie Howell and it is really awesome! It is going to be really handy. The Patrick Taylor's book is supposed to be my plane book but I imagine I will be reading it before then.
Anyways, I came in on target for my budget so I am stoked. In fact, I think I was a tad under. YAY FOR ME!!!!
All in all, it was a pretty successful day. I felt the need to do a lot of this stuff this weekend since things are going to be really crazy with the whole move thing and this was my last free weekend.
Scarfy Scarves
I have made three scarves this week. Two for the GLBT Inclusion Project and one for L at the request of her mother. L's scarf is a rainbow fun fur scarf because she likes to play dress up with them. The GLBT Inclusion scarves are made out of one skein each of Red Heart Mexicana. I mailed them off this morning. I felted the doggie bed this morning. The Bernat felting wool definitely felts up more then the Lion Wool did but I am really pleased with how both beds turned out.
My sister is at work this morning so I am waiting for her to get off work and then we are going shopping in Tulsa. I am stoked because we are going to Barnes and Noble. I could go there every single day and still get excited. I have made a shopping list so that I can stay focused. LOL. I need to find a good book to read on the plane and I need some yarn. Maybe I should say that I want some more yarn.
Anyways, I am really really really excited because I get to see Sunshine and we get to play hooky from work! It is going to be a blast.
On my ipod: After Tonight by Justin Nozuka
Lol. I will probably add to this post after I get back from T-Town to tell ya'll how bad I was.
My sister is at work this morning so I am waiting for her to get off work and then we are going shopping in Tulsa. I am stoked because we are going to Barnes and Noble. I could go there every single day and still get excited. I have made a shopping list so that I can stay focused. LOL. I need to find a good book to read on the plane and I need some yarn. Maybe I should say that I want some more yarn.
Anyways, I am really really really excited because I get to see Sunshine and we get to play hooky from work! It is going to be a blast.
On my ipod: After Tonight by Justin Nozuka
Lol. I will probably add to this post after I get back from T-Town to tell ya'll how bad I was.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
80 degrees and still playing with wool
How come when it is like 80 degrees outside all I want to do is crochet with WOOL? My sister and I are trying to resist the air conditioner for as long as possible (especially with all the hot/cool weather we have had recently) so we have not turned on the air conditioner yet in the house. I should be making little cotton dishcloths instead of planning out my next felting projects. I went to town on the dog bed and now I am halfway done with the last side. I am not sure if I will finish tonight or not. The cat bed is dry now and it looks really awesome with and without the sides folded down. The sides are folded down in the original pattern but I strayed from the pattern and added a final row of fun fur as the trim because it is a cat bed and it needed some flair and a little kick of color. My next projects are going to be felted purses from the crochet book I bought yesterday.
I thought about taking a picture of my stash, but I decided not to because it all fits in one of those orange plastic tubs so it doesn't really look that impressive. I was looking through it today to take inventory of it because I am in some more swaps on Ravelry. You have to fill out all these questionnaires about what you like or collect or use. it takes me forever to fill these out because i don't have a LYS in town so I don't really have fancy taste. Even if I went on a yarn buying spree, I would still have plenty of space for it even in the new apartment.
I dropped my sister off at the library this afternoon and came home with five books. One poetry book, two crafty books, one earthy book and one autobiography.
I am proud of myself because I actually did my online homework this morning instead of waiting until the very last minute tonight like I normally do. This is a good thing because my tv shows FINALLY RETURN this week. YAY!!!!
5 PM Update: I finished the dog bed! Kind of. It is all finished and seamed together except for the felting part. Our laundry is all done so I don't have anything to felt it with. it looks cool but I think it will look better once it is felted because it will stand up better. I used almost five balls. there is a tiny bit left from ball 5 of the Bernat Felting Wool. This yarn only has 84 yards compared to the 158 yards per ball of Lion Wool that I used for the cat bed which I ended up using 3 balls and a little bit of fun fur to make.
I thought about taking a picture of my stash, but I decided not to because it all fits in one of those orange plastic tubs so it doesn't really look that impressive. I was looking through it today to take inventory of it because I am in some more swaps on Ravelry. You have to fill out all these questionnaires about what you like or collect or use. it takes me forever to fill these out because i don't have a LYS in town so I don't really have fancy taste. Even if I went on a yarn buying spree, I would still have plenty of space for it even in the new apartment.
I dropped my sister off at the library this afternoon and came home with five books. One poetry book, two crafty books, one earthy book and one autobiography.
I am proud of myself because I actually did my online homework this morning instead of waiting until the very last minute tonight like I normally do. This is a good thing because my tv shows FINALLY RETURN this week. YAY!!!!
5 PM Update: I finished the dog bed! Kind of. It is all finished and seamed together except for the felting part. Our laundry is all done so I don't have anything to felt it with. it looks cool but I think it will look better once it is felted because it will stand up better. I used almost five balls. there is a tiny bit left from ball 5 of the Bernat Felting Wool. This yarn only has 84 yards compared to the 158 yards per ball of Lion Wool that I used for the cat bed which I ended up using 3 balls and a little bit of fun fur to make.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
F is for French and Felting
It was like 75 degrees today. Yesterday morning it was a breezy 50. I wish the weather would level out a little because it is driving my allergies crazy. I am very proud of myself because I finished the cat bed for Sunshine's cat today. It is drying on top of a box to keep its shape. It turned out better than I could have imagined. Now that it is finished, I have started the side piece for the dog bed version. I am using a bulkier wool for the dog bed so it might crochet a little faster but I don't know. I have been having issues sitting still long enough to crochet.
My movie streak continues. Last night I finally watched Into the Wild. I wish I could live that simply. Loved the book, the soundtrack and the movie. That rarely happens.In between films I have been watching Sex in the City Season 2 and tonight's movie is Paris, Je T'Aaime. Yes, they speak French in this movie and it is really fast but I am resisting turning on the English captions because I think they distract from the movie and the French language sounds really pretty.
I bought the book The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet. I don't really need another how-to book but this one had some really cool patterns that I want to try someday. Plus, I really liked the layout of the book too. I found a couple of things for my spoilee in the Swap on A Budget (through Ravelry) which is a good thing. I made very good use of the 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby this week.
These last couple of weekends have been fairly laid back and quiet which might possibly be a good thing because I know the month of May is going to be like a total tornado.
My movie streak continues. Last night I finally watched Into the Wild. I wish I could live that simply. Loved the book, the soundtrack and the movie. That rarely happens.In between films I have been watching Sex in the City Season 2 and tonight's movie is Paris, Je T'Aaime. Yes, they speak French in this movie and it is really fast but I am resisting turning on the English captions because I think they distract from the movie and the French language sounds really pretty.
I bought the book The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet. I don't really need another how-to book but this one had some really cool patterns that I want to try someday. Plus, I really liked the layout of the book too. I found a couple of things for my spoilee in the Swap on A Budget (through Ravelry) which is a good thing. I made very good use of the 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby this week.
These last couple of weekends have been fairly laid back and quiet which might possibly be a good thing because I know the month of May is going to be like a total tornado.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
It Smells Like Dead Worms
Yes, it ended up raining again today. This time it waited until i was driving through Talala on my way to Owasso. My audit class didn't meet today and since i had already worked my hours, I decided to go straight to Owasso from work (therefore conserving gas). Normally I park and walk to all the stores but I ended up driving from store to store since it was raining so hard. Old Navy turned out to be a bust. I made my final attempt to buy a pair of flip flops for my sister but since her feet are completely flat, their new flip flop design doesn't work for her. anyways, I can't wear this pair because it is a size ten so she is just going to have to deal.
Next stop was Tar-Jay. I ended up buying Juno on DVD with screenplay and bonus digital copy. Then I bought boring stuff like Flat Earth Chips and paper towels and allergy medicine. Last stop was Hobby Lobby where I bought two more skeins of the Bernat Felting wool to finish the dog bed and a couple of things for the Swap on a Budget swap.
I came home and ended up stopping at wal-mart. I made the stupid mistake of trying to buy frozen pizza two days after everyone and their dog had a payday. I ended up getting the Juno soundtrack for $9 and Sex in the City Season 2 for $19.99 with a voucher for a free ticket to see the movie. This was the only season that I wasn't able to buy during the infamous Christmas sale. So, I will be watching that this weekend and definitely watching Juno again. I watched it as soon as I came home and I just love it. It feels like I spent a boatload of money, but I really didn't. Everything WAS PLANNED!!!!
Anyways, Sunshine, I would just like to let you know that you are the cheese to my macaroni. WINK WINK!!! I hope that you have fun on your band trips this weekend and by the time you come back I will be finished with the bed for your cat.
Next stop was Tar-Jay. I ended up buying Juno on DVD with screenplay and bonus digital copy. Then I bought boring stuff like Flat Earth Chips and paper towels and allergy medicine. Last stop was Hobby Lobby where I bought two more skeins of the Bernat Felting wool to finish the dog bed and a couple of things for the Swap on a Budget swap.
I came home and ended up stopping at wal-mart. I made the stupid mistake of trying to buy frozen pizza two days after everyone and their dog had a payday. I ended up getting the Juno soundtrack for $9 and Sex in the City Season 2 for $19.99 with a voucher for a free ticket to see the movie. This was the only season that I wasn't able to buy during the infamous Christmas sale. So, I will be watching that this weekend and definitely watching Juno again. I watched it as soon as I came home and I just love it. It feels like I spent a boatload of money, but I really didn't. Everything WAS PLANNED!!!!
Anyways, Sunshine, I would just like to let you know that you are the cheese to my macaroni. WINK WINK!!! I hope that you have fun on your band trips this weekend and by the time you come back I will be finished with the bed for your cat.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
When I Come Around
The whole relocation thing is very exciting but it is really, really annoying. the paperwork won't be finished until sometime later this week or early next week and until it is finalized I can't buy plane tickets or seriously apply for an apartment. did I mention that I have to be there May 19th? LOL. I know that everything will work itself out but it just might drive me crazy in the meantime.
To top it off, there is all this family drama going on and none of it involves me but I get to hear about it all from everyone and they are all edgy.
All that aside, I am on the last side of Sunshine's cat bed. Once this side is done then I can stitch it all together, add the trim and then I get to felt it, which I think is the super fun part. I will definitely finish it this weekend if not a tad bit earlier. I am using black wool and I crochet slower with black yarn because we have no overhead lighting in our living room, so it makes it harder to see the stitches. I know, i know, I should buy a giant lamp but anyone that knows me right now knows that I really don't care about decorating stuff and I like the darkness.
Once I finish the cat bed, I will start working on the dog bed but I might have to buy more yarn for that because the pattern technically called for 6 balls of Bernat Felting yarn and my hobby lobby only had three in the color i wanted. The base piece took an entire skein so I don't think two skeins are going to do the sides. We will see. Hopefully they will get some more in because I don't want to have to drive to Owasso for it since gas decided to jump up to 3.19 this week and I am trying to conserve gas because of my soul-sucking commute that I will have until the end of May.
Anyways, tomorrow is pay day so after class I am going to the big box store to buy Juno on DVD and I am really excited about that. I did download new singles by Alanis Morrisette and Madonna this week, but I have found myself listening to Dookie-era Green Day. Grunge/alternative music is probably my most personal favorite type of music, if I was forced to pick just one type. Lord only knows what will end up on my ipod.
To top it off, there is all this family drama going on and none of it involves me but I get to hear about it all from everyone and they are all edgy.
All that aside, I am on the last side of Sunshine's cat bed. Once this side is done then I can stitch it all together, add the trim and then I get to felt it, which I think is the super fun part. I will definitely finish it this weekend if not a tad bit earlier. I am using black wool and I crochet slower with black yarn because we have no overhead lighting in our living room, so it makes it harder to see the stitches. I know, i know, I should buy a giant lamp but anyone that knows me right now knows that I really don't care about decorating stuff and I like the darkness.
Once I finish the cat bed, I will start working on the dog bed but I might have to buy more yarn for that because the pattern technically called for 6 balls of Bernat Felting yarn and my hobby lobby only had three in the color i wanted. The base piece took an entire skein so I don't think two skeins are going to do the sides. We will see. Hopefully they will get some more in because I don't want to have to drive to Owasso for it since gas decided to jump up to 3.19 this week and I am trying to conserve gas because of my soul-sucking commute that I will have until the end of May.
Anyways, tomorrow is pay day so after class I am going to the big box store to buy Juno on DVD and I am really excited about that. I did download new singles by Alanis Morrisette and Madonna this week, but I have found myself listening to Dookie-era Green Day. Grunge/alternative music is probably my most personal favorite type of music, if I was forced to pick just one type. Lord only knows what will end up on my ipod.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Hooks and Books
I finished the base for Sunshine's Cat bed today and I just started the second side while watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations Ireland episode on my Mac.He cracks me up and I lost track of the number of pints of Guinness he consumed during the episode.
Funny story about the felted boxes aka the doggie and cat beds. Since the actual pattern name is felted box, I assumed prior to seeing the pattern instructions, it would either be crocheted in the round or I would be making each individual piece and then seaming them together. So I made the base pieces for each bed and then I was going to start on the side pieces and I hit a wall. I was so confused, I had to call my Mommy and read the ENTIRE pattern to her out loud over the telly phone. It turns out that essentially you are making a scarf like piece that wraps around the base piece and then you fold the top down a little to give it a rolled look. Well, that is not what it sounded like when I originally read the pattern, so thank God for Mom's tech support. I don't usually make stuff from a pattern and this is probably one of the reasons why. These are going to turn out really awesome though, especially once they have been felted.
This morning I had to make an emergency run to wal-mart for more dryer sheets and some girly stuff. I really didn't want to go to Wal-Mart, but they are the cheapest place in town and we don't have a Target here. I was doing okay until I got in line and the cashier started scanning my stuff. She kind of had a surly dispostion and I really just wanted to get the hell out of there. She said some really rude things to me and if there weren't small children in line behind me I would have told her to go f-ck herself because I didn't ask her to talk to me and be all judgemental about my purchases (they were g-rated for the record).
So after that disaster, i decided to head to my little sanctuary, otherwise known as my local library. I checked out The Namesake and the Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. Her latest book ( i forget the title) wasn't on the shelves but I imagine that there is a big waiting list for it. Anyways, it took me forever to find them because someone had incorrectly shelved them in the midst of the "Left Behind" book series which I avoid like the plague. I had read The Namesake back when it first came out in 2003 but I hadn't read the Interpreter of Maladies which is her Pulitzer Prize winning collection of short stories. Since I had recently watched the movie adaptation of The Namesake, I wanted to re-read the book because I had noticed some subtle plot changes in the movie version but the movie basically follows the book. Jhumpa Lahiri has quickly become one of my new favorite authors.
I came back from the library and popped in Season 3 of Sex in the City (in preparation for the movie out May 30th) and spent the rest of the day in my big purple recliner reading and crocheting. I also watched a lot of Food Network shows. My idea of a good day off.
This week should be fun. Juno comes out on DVD which is also the series finale of Rob & Big (one of my guilty pleasures, i love sk8r bois). Work is kind of crazy but I don't have to work overtime, so I could care less.
Funny story about the felted boxes aka the doggie and cat beds. Since the actual pattern name is felted box, I assumed prior to seeing the pattern instructions, it would either be crocheted in the round or I would be making each individual piece and then seaming them together. So I made the base pieces for each bed and then I was going to start on the side pieces and I hit a wall. I was so confused, I had to call my Mommy and read the ENTIRE pattern to her out loud over the telly phone. It turns out that essentially you are making a scarf like piece that wraps around the base piece and then you fold the top down a little to give it a rolled look. Well, that is not what it sounded like when I originally read the pattern, so thank God for Mom's tech support. I don't usually make stuff from a pattern and this is probably one of the reasons why. These are going to turn out really awesome though, especially once they have been felted.
This morning I had to make an emergency run to wal-mart for more dryer sheets and some girly stuff. I really didn't want to go to Wal-Mart, but they are the cheapest place in town and we don't have a Target here. I was doing okay until I got in line and the cashier started scanning my stuff. She kind of had a surly dispostion and I really just wanted to get the hell out of there. She said some really rude things to me and if there weren't small children in line behind me I would have told her to go f-ck herself because I didn't ask her to talk to me and be all judgemental about my purchases (they were g-rated for the record).
So after that disaster, i decided to head to my little sanctuary, otherwise known as my local library. I checked out The Namesake and the Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. Her latest book ( i forget the title) wasn't on the shelves but I imagine that there is a big waiting list for it. Anyways, it took me forever to find them because someone had incorrectly shelved them in the midst of the "Left Behind" book series which I avoid like the plague. I had read The Namesake back when it first came out in 2003 but I hadn't read the Interpreter of Maladies which is her Pulitzer Prize winning collection of short stories. Since I had recently watched the movie adaptation of The Namesake, I wanted to re-read the book because I had noticed some subtle plot changes in the movie version but the movie basically follows the book. Jhumpa Lahiri has quickly become one of my new favorite authors.
I came back from the library and popped in Season 3 of Sex in the City (in preparation for the movie out May 30th) and spent the rest of the day in my big purple recliner reading and crocheting. I also watched a lot of Food Network shows. My idea of a good day off.
This week should be fun. Juno comes out on DVD which is also the series finale of Rob & Big (one of my guilty pleasures, i love sk8r bois). Work is kind of crazy but I don't have to work overtime, so I could care less.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Projects Galore
Yesterday I bought some felting wool and I finally found a copy of the Bernat Fun Felting leaflet so I am all set for a felting frenzy this weekend. I couldn't help myself and I have already started making the Felted Box aka the cute doggie bed. I think I have crochet ADD right now because I technically have three WIPs right now.
Today I was naughty and bought the Yarn Harlot's new book, the eco issue of Knit 1 and the latest issue of Rachael Ray's magazine. Oh, I almost forgot, I bought Jack Prelutsky's new book "Pizza,Pigs and Poetry: How to Write A Poem." Jack Prelutsky was one of the first poets that I discovered as a young book worm.
I have almost finished the base of the felted doggie bed. I am using Bernat Felting Natural Wool in New Iris and I think the color looks like the Gulf of Mexico. Lots of blues and aquas. I think tomorrow I might start working on the kitty bed. I like the felted box pattern so much that I am going to use that one for the kitty bed too. The kitty bed is going to be black with a red accent.
I am happy to report that my sewing machine manual and spare bobbins arrived from Mom's house today. I will add that to my project queue now. LOL. as if I need another craft project. The May issue of Esquire also arrived, so it was a very good Mailbox day.
I don't really have any plans for this week other than to lounge around and have crafty time.
Today I was naughty and bought the Yarn Harlot's new book, the eco issue of Knit 1 and the latest issue of Rachael Ray's magazine. Oh, I almost forgot, I bought Jack Prelutsky's new book "Pizza,Pigs and Poetry: How to Write A Poem." Jack Prelutsky was one of the first poets that I discovered as a young book worm.
I have almost finished the base of the felted doggie bed. I am using Bernat Felting Natural Wool in New Iris and I think the color looks like the Gulf of Mexico. Lots of blues and aquas. I think tomorrow I might start working on the kitty bed. I like the felted box pattern so much that I am going to use that one for the kitty bed too. The kitty bed is going to be black with a red accent.
I am happy to report that my sewing machine manual and spare bobbins arrived from Mom's house today. I will add that to my project queue now. LOL. as if I need another craft project. The May issue of Esquire also arrived, so it was a very good Mailbox day.
I don't really have any plans for this week other than to lounge around and have crafty time.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Singers and Shawls, Oh MY!!!
I kind of feel like I'm in Seattle or something. We had Glorious Sunshine all weekend and then this morning, I wake up to a thunder and lightning show that continued on my commute. I ended up taking an 1 1/2 nap this evening which is unheard of. My sister apparently checked to see if I was still alive and I didn't even flinch. As a result, I am pretty wired right now and wide awake! WOOT!!!
So last night I went to A the co-worker's house to see if we could figure out the sewing machine that I got from my Mom when she moved. Mom had the manual there so we didn't have a picture to look at and apparently this machine is slightly high tech because it has an automatic bobbin winder thingy and we couldn't figure out how to trip it. Well, we ended up going to A's mom's house and we all determined we were going to need a picture, so I ended up using her sewing machine to finally finish Sunshine's bag. Anyways, My mom is so tickled pink that I am busting out the sewing machine that she is sending me the manual and the spare bobbins.
I started stripe three on the stripy shawl and I think I have found the pattern that I like for the felted cat bed. I think I will attempt the cat bed this weekend. I haven't crocheted in the round in awhile so this could be interesting. I can do it, I just choose not to because it requires counting and use of stitch markers if I want it to end up looking right. I think it will look fierce when it is finished.
On My Ipod: Panic at the Disco and The Breeders (special thanks to The Breeders for putting out an awesome record!)
So last night I went to A the co-worker's house to see if we could figure out the sewing machine that I got from my Mom when she moved. Mom had the manual there so we didn't have a picture to look at and apparently this machine is slightly high tech because it has an automatic bobbin winder thingy and we couldn't figure out how to trip it. Well, we ended up going to A's mom's house and we all determined we were going to need a picture, so I ended up using her sewing machine to finally finish Sunshine's bag. Anyways, My mom is so tickled pink that I am busting out the sewing machine that she is sending me the manual and the spare bobbins.
I started stripe three on the stripy shawl and I think I have found the pattern that I like for the felted cat bed. I think I will attempt the cat bed this weekend. I haven't crocheted in the round in awhile so this could be interesting. I can do it, I just choose not to because it requires counting and use of stitch markers if I want it to end up looking right. I think it will look fierce when it is finished.
On My Ipod: Panic at the Disco and The Breeders (special thanks to The Breeders for putting out an awesome record!)
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Stuff
My poor Subaru. She has hauled 9 big black trash bags full o junk to the local Goodwill and only three of those were my sister's. There is another give away pile which is old toys that are going to little L up in KC. That is basically what I have been doing this weekend since it was nice weather. for some reason, nice weather peps me up and makes sorting and cleaning go faster.
I did walk to the post office to mail off a swap package for the Going Green swap and then i went back to the library. I picked up Ellie Krieger's new cookbook which has some nice recipes in it (with the nutritional breakdown) and I think they are not as complicated as some of the Top Chef recipes but still cool. I am never making panini in the Hello Kitty waffle maker again. It is a bitch to clean because you can't take it apart. L's mom A is supposed to keep her eye out for a cheap panini style thing. i looked at similar things here at the Wal-mart and I was not impressed. Plus, A cooks all the time and is cheap, so i know she will come up with some good options. Trisha Yearwood has also released a new cookbook that looks interesting.
While I was doing all that sorting, I came across my stash of yarn that I got for Christmas and found enough colors to make a striped shawl since I am going for fast and easy projects right now. I am please to say that my knitting basket and big orange yarn tub are only half fun. The wine box is full but those are mainly one skein specialty yarns that I have received in various swaps. I could fit it all in the orange tub if I wanted to.
Anyways, I got to read a sample chapter from Augusten Burroughs' new memoir about his father. I am on the e-mail list so they sent us a link to read the chapter and Tegan from Tegan & Sara wrote a song called His love that plays on the website for the book that sounds really cool. The book is called A Wolf at the Table and it comes out April 29th. I am lucky because some of my favorite authors are releasing new books this summer. I started reading Book Page at my library and that has really helped me find new books to read while I am waiting for the other books to come out.
My sister is spending the afternoon at the library grading papers so I am going to crochet on the striped shawl and watch Sideways because my sister hates that movie and I love it.
One last thing! They are opening an IKEA in Charlotte this Spring/Summer so I will end up being close to an IKEA after all.
I did walk to the post office to mail off a swap package for the Going Green swap and then i went back to the library. I picked up Ellie Krieger's new cookbook which has some nice recipes in it (with the nutritional breakdown) and I think they are not as complicated as some of the Top Chef recipes but still cool. I am never making panini in the Hello Kitty waffle maker again. It is a bitch to clean because you can't take it apart. L's mom A is supposed to keep her eye out for a cheap panini style thing. i looked at similar things here at the Wal-mart and I was not impressed. Plus, A cooks all the time and is cheap, so i know she will come up with some good options. Trisha Yearwood has also released a new cookbook that looks interesting.
While I was doing all that sorting, I came across my stash of yarn that I got for Christmas and found enough colors to make a striped shawl since I am going for fast and easy projects right now. I am please to say that my knitting basket and big orange yarn tub are only half fun. The wine box is full but those are mainly one skein specialty yarns that I have received in various swaps. I could fit it all in the orange tub if I wanted to.
Anyways, I got to read a sample chapter from Augusten Burroughs' new memoir about his father. I am on the e-mail list so they sent us a link to read the chapter and Tegan from Tegan & Sara wrote a song called His love that plays on the website for the book that sounds really cool. The book is called A Wolf at the Table and it comes out April 29th. I am lucky because some of my favorite authors are releasing new books this summer. I started reading Book Page at my library and that has really helped me find new books to read while I am waiting for the other books to come out.
My sister is spending the afternoon at the library grading papers so I am going to crochet on the striped shawl and watch Sideways because my sister hates that movie and I love it.
One last thing! They are opening an IKEA in Charlotte this Spring/Summer so I will end up being close to an IKEA after all.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Books and Booze
On my quest to discover food, I made panini for dinner tonight. I used wheat bread, hickory smoked turkey, hard salami and American cheese. I am sans the George grill and I lack a panini press so I squished them using the Hello Kitty Waffle Maker. It heats it up really nice but it makes the panini kinda goofy looking. I also discovered that it is a bitch to clean afterwards. For dessert, I had a low fat strawberry yogurt from Stoneyfield Farm. Yummy. Hopefully it doesn't make me sick, because I don't agree with dairy very well but I love dairy products (especially cheese and ice cream separately).
I have decided to keep the hat as is. the more I wore it the more it kind of grew on me once I decided that it looked like spilt Kool-Aid. Plus, my sister hates the colors, so that makes me like it more.
My sister's copy of Kurt Vonnegut's posthumous work Armageddon in Retrospect arrived today. I read several pages of it while she was at the gym this evening. There are more of his drawings, an intro by his son and the speech he was supposed to give but didn't because he died two weeks before the speech. I am a huge fan of his essays and of his work in general. He is one of the few authors that I consistently read over and over and one of the few that my sister and I jointly love.
Prior to the arrival of Vonnegut, I checked out Dress Your Family in Corderoy and Denim by David Sedaris, who is another one of my favorite authors. I can't wait for his new book to come out in June. Sometimes people ask me how I have the time to read so much and for me, I make the time. I read right before I go to bed every night even if it is just a couple of pages. It winds me down and it is relaxing. Reading a book is like a mental vitamin, only tastier.
I am supposed to be sorting through my crap, but I am not motivated at all. I just want to lay on the couch and read. I bought the puffin classics editions of The Wizard of Oz and The Secret Garden. I also want to read Bridge to Terabithia again. I was very naughty and bought the April issue of Food & Wine, which I have lovingly dubbed "the booze issue" because it features America's Best Wines. I am still working on the liking wine thing. Right now my favorite wine is Beringer's White ZInfandel. Lol. It is like $7-11 depending on the bottle size.
I have decided to keep the hat as is. the more I wore it the more it kind of grew on me once I decided that it looked like spilt Kool-Aid. Plus, my sister hates the colors, so that makes me like it more.
My sister's copy of Kurt Vonnegut's posthumous work Armageddon in Retrospect arrived today. I read several pages of it while she was at the gym this evening. There are more of his drawings, an intro by his son and the speech he was supposed to give but didn't because he died two weeks before the speech. I am a huge fan of his essays and of his work in general. He is one of the few authors that I consistently read over and over and one of the few that my sister and I jointly love.
Prior to the arrival of Vonnegut, I checked out Dress Your Family in Corderoy and Denim by David Sedaris, who is another one of my favorite authors. I can't wait for his new book to come out in June. Sometimes people ask me how I have the time to read so much and for me, I make the time. I read right before I go to bed every night even if it is just a couple of pages. It winds me down and it is relaxing. Reading a book is like a mental vitamin, only tastier.
I am supposed to be sorting through my crap, but I am not motivated at all. I just want to lay on the couch and read. I bought the puffin classics editions of The Wizard of Oz and The Secret Garden. I also want to read Bridge to Terabithia again. I was very naughty and bought the April issue of Food & Wine, which I have lovingly dubbed "the booze issue" because it features America's Best Wines. I am still working on the liking wine thing. Right now my favorite wine is Beringer's White ZInfandel. Lol. It is like $7-11 depending on the bottle size.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
C is for Crazy
Okay, this has week has been a little crazy. Sunday started off good. Sunshine made Eggs in a Hole from the Top Chef cookbook and we paired it with banana slices and bacon (i am hopelessly addicted to bacon, it is my favorite part of breakfast). Then we spent the majority of the day lounging around and watching Make Me a Supermodel. I heart Perry and I need Ronnie to take me clothes shopping. the prayer shawl is finished now except for the fringe part. I made myself a hat with the Reynolds Smile yarn that I bought in Joplin on Saturday, but the colors didn't stripe like I thought they were going to so I might rip it all out and use a different pattern.
It has been rainy and wet and misty all week and so my allergies are driving me crazy and I just want to chill on the couch with an epic novel.
The big news is that I found out where I am transfering to at the end of May. I get to go to North Carolina, to a suburb of Raleigh. I am excited because it is a promotion and there is so many things to do and see in that state, that I can't wait to start the adventure. I am sad about ditching my sister and Sunshine though. I plan on bribing them to come visit with plane tickets. Yes, I have already looked up yarn shops!
As a result, I will be spending this weekend consolidating all my stuff and getting rid of whatever i don't want or need. I forsee several trips to goodwill in the next month.
It has been rainy and wet and misty all week and so my allergies are driving me crazy and I just want to chill on the couch with an epic novel.
The big news is that I found out where I am transfering to at the end of May. I get to go to North Carolina, to a suburb of Raleigh. I am excited because it is a promotion and there is so many things to do and see in that state, that I can't wait to start the adventure. I am sad about ditching my sister and Sunshine though. I plan on bribing them to come visit with plane tickets. Yes, I have already looked up yarn shops!
As a result, I will be spending this weekend consolidating all my stuff and getting rid of whatever i don't want or need. I forsee several trips to goodwill in the next month.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
P is for Poetry and Panini
Just a reminder that April is just around the corner and April is National Poetry Month. Poets.org is my all time favorite site for finding a good poem and they have tons of things you can do to celebrate. Right now I am currently on an Emily Dickinson kick.
I was really naughty today. I bought a copy of Living Like Ed so I wouldn't have to keep checking it out and I bought the Top Chef Cookbook. Sunshine and I made a panini recipe for dinner today from it but we modified because there is just some stuff that is hard to find around here or we just don't like it. We don't have a panini press so we stuck them in the good old George Foreman grill which worked out just fine. The paninis turned out great. They are really easy and you have so many variations you can do depending on what you want to use.
We had lunch at the Red Onion Cafe and as we were walking to the cafe I saw a yarn store. Hot damn! I must have some kind of yarn radar. It is called The Needle Niche and it is really cool. It is a small store but it is full of yarn, and that is what counts. I bought a skein of Reynolds Smile yarn and an Addi I hook. They had a lot of Mission Falls and Rowan there which was really hard to pass up but since I bought two books this morning, I had to restrain myself a little. Lunch was good and so was the yarn.
I have just tied on my 4th or 5th skein for the shawl that I started earlier this week.I have purchased 7 skeins total, but I kind of lost track of how many I have left. I will have to check my portable stash. I still have a ways to go, but I am getting a lot closer. I just really love using this yarn. It is so soft and pretty. I might have to use this again when I have a good coupon. $3.99 seems cheap but it's not extremely cheap considering these skeins only have 103 yards. I will definitely have to post pics when I finish. I am still debating about whether or not I should put fringe on or not.
Hopefully our warm weather comes back soon. I like seeing the sun every once in awhile.
Songs of the Day:
Last Request - Paolo Nutini
Breakable - Ingrid Michaelson
I was really naughty today. I bought a copy of Living Like Ed so I wouldn't have to keep checking it out and I bought the Top Chef Cookbook. Sunshine and I made a panini recipe for dinner today from it but we modified because there is just some stuff that is hard to find around here or we just don't like it. We don't have a panini press so we stuck them in the good old George Foreman grill which worked out just fine. The paninis turned out great. They are really easy and you have so many variations you can do depending on what you want to use.
We had lunch at the Red Onion Cafe and as we were walking to the cafe I saw a yarn store. Hot damn! I must have some kind of yarn radar. It is called The Needle Niche and it is really cool. It is a small store but it is full of yarn, and that is what counts. I bought a skein of Reynolds Smile yarn and an Addi I hook. They had a lot of Mission Falls and Rowan there which was really hard to pass up but since I bought two books this morning, I had to restrain myself a little. Lunch was good and so was the yarn.
I have just tied on my 4th or 5th skein for the shawl that I started earlier this week.I have purchased 7 skeins total, but I kind of lost track of how many I have left. I will have to check my portable stash. I still have a ways to go, but I am getting a lot closer. I just really love using this yarn. It is so soft and pretty. I might have to use this again when I have a good coupon. $3.99 seems cheap but it's not extremely cheap considering these skeins only have 103 yards. I will definitely have to post pics when I finish. I am still debating about whether or not I should put fringe on or not.
Hopefully our warm weather comes back soon. I like seeing the sun every once in awhile.
Songs of the Day:
Last Request - Paolo Nutini
Breakable - Ingrid Michaelson
Highway Bound
Here I am again. I think Sunshine's house might be by unofficial vacation home. For some reason I woke up at 6:30 am this morning wide awake. So here I am, typing away. Last night we went to Chik-fil-a and it turned out to be crazy family night. It was Friday night and the kids were swarming all over the play place and everything. We probably should have gone through the drive through but we weren't thinking clearly. See, Sunshine is a gentlemen and he lets me pick and I have the most unrefined taste ever and I just love their tiny chicken nuggets and the waffle fries and their ice cubes. Anyways, I told him I was done with picking eating establishments this weekend.
Then we did our usual stop at Target. I bought more flavor packets for my water. Someone at work had accidently got a mountain dew instead of a pepsi in the vending machine yesterday so they gave it to me and I still haven't finished drinking it yet. It is my all time favorite beverage but since I have really cut out the pop and junk I have noticed that I am really sensitive to the taste of sugar. It's a very strange thing.
Next, I made us go back to Michaels. I had bought some Bernat Natural Blends Cashmere in Snow for a prayer shawl that I am making for one of my cousin's hospice patients. I made the mistake of buying three skeins (103 yards) each. Luckily, Michaels still had some left in the same dye lot so I bought four more just to be on the safe side. I just started skein three before I went to bed last night. It is so soft because of the 5% Cashmere but it doesn't fuzz, which is good. The color is so pure white that it reminds me of angel's wings. I am not really into praying, so I recite poetry in my head as I am crocheting because poetry is just as equally moving and thoughtful and April is National Poetry Month so I thought it was highly appropriate. I am making a lot of progress on it, but I don't know if I will finish it or not this weekend.
The final stop was at Office Depot. I ended up buying this really cool sketchbook which is a cross between a sketch book and a five star notebook. It's made by Mead. I keep running out of journals which is funny since I blog and hand journal but my hand journals are becoming more like art journals so I consider it to be two different things.
Then we did our usual stop at Target. I bought more flavor packets for my water. Someone at work had accidently got a mountain dew instead of a pepsi in the vending machine yesterday so they gave it to me and I still haven't finished drinking it yet. It is my all time favorite beverage but since I have really cut out the pop and junk I have noticed that I am really sensitive to the taste of sugar. It's a very strange thing.
Next, I made us go back to Michaels. I had bought some Bernat Natural Blends Cashmere in Snow for a prayer shawl that I am making for one of my cousin's hospice patients. I made the mistake of buying three skeins (103 yards) each. Luckily, Michaels still had some left in the same dye lot so I bought four more just to be on the safe side. I just started skein three before I went to bed last night. It is so soft because of the 5% Cashmere but it doesn't fuzz, which is good. The color is so pure white that it reminds me of angel's wings. I am not really into praying, so I recite poetry in my head as I am crocheting because poetry is just as equally moving and thoughtful and April is National Poetry Month so I thought it was highly appropriate. I am making a lot of progress on it, but I don't know if I will finish it or not this weekend.
The final stop was at Office Depot. I ended up buying this really cool sketchbook which is a cross between a sketch book and a five star notebook. It's made by Mead. I keep running out of journals which is funny since I blog and hand journal but my hand journals are becoming more like art journals so I consider it to be two different things.
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