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!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)