Schrodinger's Kittie

Moved

2008-07-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

Now blogging at http://www.schrodingerskittie.com

Come visit, I'd love to see you.
~K

Good-bye Kenny

2008-04-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

My cousin died, today.

He was a year and a half older than me.

No, he wasn't ill. No, we had no warning. He had a massive heart attack, and died. Just like that.

He's gone.

The kid who tormented me, who played with me, who ran through the family barn laughing with me. The kid whose eyes sparkled with laughter and life...and who I could beat regularly in the face making contest (don't ask - let's just say it involved not yet ripe American gooseberries).

He's my family, he's my age, and he's dead. Snuffed out in a moment. Laughing and full of life and then an empty husk that's been left behind.

His parents must be devastated - I haven't been able to get in touch with them. But to out live your child...it breaks my heart to even contemplate. And his wife and children...the pain they must be going through.

For the first time in my life, I want to go to a funeral. Not for Kenny - he's gone on to where ever it is that he's going. But for my family. For me.

I keep falling to tears at work in spurts. I have so many projects on my plate. I have my dogs that need to be taken care of. I can't just up and leave. I wish I could. I ache to do it.

Goodbye, Kenny. You were my cousin, and I loved you. You are my cousin and I love you. Walk softly between the worlds...dance with the stars upon the holy ground...and know that you are loved.

Zikhrono livrakha

Edit: It looks like my boss is willing to work with me about time off...

I am leaving, now, to sit shiva. Maybe it's supposedly only for those in your immediate family - but, for me, it's what I need to do. He is my family.

Police shoot and kill [naked] man in dispute

2008-04-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

I don't care how you slice it.

There is no way in hell that a naked man could over power three - count them THREE - grown men. Not only that, but these men had pepper spray as well. I guarantee you - that spray on the privates or in the eyes - or both, for fuck's sake - would have completely incapacitated the man.

This man had no deadly weapons on him of any sort other than his own body. Not even a place to conceal one, unless he planned to shit out a gun/knife. What call did these officers have to shoot?

This is not a case of excessive force...this is a case of homicide...pure and simple. These officers were not in fear of their life. At most, they were worried about black eyes, broken noses and ripped uniforms.

I should sure as hell hope they are on administrative leave and I hope to all that's holy that they stand trial for murder. It sure as hell wasn't manslaughter. The NAKED man was shot several times...that's not unintentional act of homicide...that's a freaking "let me kill this dude" act of homicide. And there is no way in hell they could even begin to justify emotional duress...this is part of their JOB...to be cool in emotionally hot situations.

And if we can't trust our officers with their guns...Shooting in self defense or when absolutely necessary I can fully support. Slaughtering a NAKED MAN? They better get more than a stupid slap on the wrist

Interesting

2008-04-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

You know...I don't get out a whole lot. I'm not really a social person. I don't particularly care for the press of people. Being jostled and tossed about bothers me. I like quiet, intimate gatherings if I go anywhere. That kind of thing. And, yet, people talk to me.

Wherever I go...if I'm in public for any length of time...I wind up with people just rambling at me. I don't get it. I mean, I find their stories fascinating and the fact that they will tell me the things they tell me - a total stranger - pretty interesting. However, I don't understand it.

I'm not the most...outgoing person. I certainly would not identify myself as overly friendly or approachable. Most guys will not hit on me unless they are smashed out of their minds or insufferably egotistical.

So, imagine my surprise when over the course of the last few weeks, I've had to leave my abode for various reasons...one was to chase down the UPS driver who failed to deliver my package at the specified time. After threatening the wrath of G-d and other and sundry things, I got his itinerary and met him at the grocers down the road.

Since I knew I'd arrive a bit before he would, I decided to do some shopping while I waited. Now...I don't often do it, but from time to time I allow myself to splurge on sweets. Not just any sweets...but Piroulines. A very thin wafer rolled around a cream center. This center can be fudge, chocolate, vanilla, hazelnut - any such thing. Quite tasty.

While I'm digging through the Pirouline tins at the market, this guy asks me about them and I try to explain what they are - really doesn't do it justice until you try one. Then he walks away. Then I see him as I'm checking out - he's right behind me. Interesting, but not unusual. He starts to chat with me and we spend the next 15 minutes beside my bike chit chatting. Nice fellow, Jim.

Then he does something that no guy does sober (or sans mega-ego) and complimented me. Told me how lovely my eyes were and then asked if I were taken. I nearly fell over in shock.

Simply put - guys don't do that. And this was the second time in a week it had happened. Though, honestly, the other one was a bit more amusing...I had pulled into the petrol station to top up the tank and snag some drinks. This older gentleman pulls up on a very nice bike. I give him a nod as I walk in - can't help it, that bike was SWEET. I make my purchases and leave. He's out fiddling with his bike...and he straightens up and says, "Could you do me a favor?"

I kind of smiled and said, "What do you need?"

He grins at me - such a wicked and most lighthearted grin that I couldn't help but respond - and he says, "Run away with me."

I couldn't help myself. I laughed. He grinned at me and I thanked him for making my day. He chuckled and waved as I drove off.

Random things like this...or like the lady who sat down beside me at the local coffee shop and just started nattering at me...I have absolutely no idea why. I was just sitting there - on my computer. Not even knitting or crocheting. And she sits down and just starts talking to me.

Or the British couple who wandered up and asked me directions...and then stood and talked to me for nearly 25 min before wandering off. I think I know more about them than I probably should, at this point...*chuckles*

Sky...seriously...I'm not radiating "come chatter at me" am I? I actually thought it was pretty much the opposite.

Ironically, I enjoy it (most of the time). I just don't understand it.

Speaking of knitting, btw, yes, I still knit! *laughs* I'm currently working on a smoke-grey Flower Basket Shawl. I literally just started it, but I'll pull it out tonight and try to get a photo to post for you.

Insanity...

2008-03-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

So, I have a few interesting dental issues going on, lately.

Myself...

I was eating some pistachios a while back and cracked a tooth. Hurt like all get out, but eventually the pain subsided and life went on. Then I was flossing one evening and out comes a huge piece of tooth...broken below the gumline. Hello, Mr. Bridge. Yeah $1500 worth of work...after the tooth is pulled. Then there's the root canals I still need done (two of them) at $200 each and then the crowns for each at $800/ea.

Anyone feeling the palpitations of minor financial panic, yet?

Yeah.

Then let's move on to...

Bartleby...

Let me just paste what I sent to PAWS of Austin:

Hello.

I have a dog that is needing serious dental care and I'm afraid that the prices I'm being quoted to get some teeth cleaned and pulled along with some antibiotics are well outside my reasonable range to handle.

Do you know of any facilities in the Austin area that can handle this kind of work without breaking me financially? My dog has a gum infection and a couple of teeth that need to be pulled and I'm worried that his already weakened jaw (from a previous break - prior to my adoption of him) will not withstand this infection for long...as well, he's started having sinus issues and I'm concerned that the gum infection might have spread to his sinuses. At the very least, I'd like to get him on a round of antibiotics to help with the infection until I can save up for the prohibitive cost of the dental work. Do you think this is possible? Are there pet denists around Austin who might do this kind of step by step thing? or let me make payments per month or something?

I'm really worried about my sweet pup.

Thanks for your time.

Yeah...palpitations moving on toward potential panic attack.

Then we deviate from dental work a bit - though not fully.

Loki...

Needs a deep cleaning to avoid winding up where Bartleby is. $350. Plus he has these masses growing on his skin that are not cancerous and are pretty typical of cokerpoos. They don't hurt him, though the one near his eye will cause him problems eventually - but one on his leg really needs to be removed. They get snagged by the clippers when I trim him and I feel so bad about it. The removal of these requires surgery - I've been too scared to even ask for an estimate.

Valkyrie...

Is golden except for her wheezing from time to time that really seems to be allergies. Though she could use getting a once over on her teeth.

All of us - need our annual checkups (and they need their shots). My insurance covers my checkup....but theirs is going to be painful - particularly including their preventative meds.

I need a paper bag to breathe into - I think I'm going to hyperventilate...

Thought my potential bonus this summer would go to paying off debt. It seems it's already been spent elsewhere, however.

Do you catch it all?

2008-03-19T07:25:00.001-07:00

London Broil w/ Yorkshire Pudding

2008-02-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

My dinner tonight if I can scoot out of work early enough to hit the grocer's before the raid. I, honestly, should have gotten the ingredients yesterday so the meat could marinate overnight; but, I'm craving it now...so now it will be.

Ingredients:

Flank steak
½ Cup flour
½ Cup milk
2 eggs
Vegetable oil
Worchester sauce
Garlic

Directions:

Take out your frustrations of the day upon the unsuspecting meat before you. Mallet in hand, lay waste to every moment of frustration that has dared to cross your path. If anything resembling a solid mass remains...

Place the flank steak in a container big enough to hold it comfortably. Crush the garlic and toss in with the meat. Pour the Worchester sauce over the meat and garlic. Place in fridge. Let sit overnight.

Preheat oven to about 425°F. Take a muffin tin (a pie tin works as well, by the way, if you want one large one instead of several small) and fill each cup with vegetable oil about ¼ way full. Place into the oven to heat.

In mixing bowl, dump the flour into the bowl. Crack the eggs and mix in with the milk in another bowl or measuring cup. I, personally, use a four cup measuring cup and just beat the eggs then add the milk and mix together (I like to save myself as much clean up as possible). Mix the egg/milk mixture into the flour. When thoroughly mixed, remove the tin from the oven and pour the batter into each cup to about half filled. Place back in the oven and let bake for about 15 min, or until they begin to brown.

Turn on the broiler and remove the meat from the marinade. Place on a broiling tin and slide into the broiler. Let cook for about 3 min and then flip. You do not want the meat to cook past medium rare. This generally takes about 10 min with a "standard" size "London Broil" cut from your local butcher. This is why you should start this step after you have placed your puddings in the oven to bake.

You may find that your oven does not allow you to broil and bake at the same time. If this is the case, that is ok. So long as you have preheated the oven, when you switch it over to broil, the oven will retain its heat and cook the puddings.

The meat should finish up about the same time as the puddings do. Turn the oven off and let the meat sit in the broiler (with it slightly cracked). Allow it to sit while you remove the puddings and pat the excess oil off.

If you have made one, large pudding, place it on the plate. Slice your London Broil diagonally across the grain (it's really important to do this, or your jaw will be most displeased with you). Place the slices of meat inside the pudding on the plate.

I generally serve this with a rich, brown gravy and green beans or peas. If you have made the large pudding all of this goes inside.

If you have made the individual ones, they tend to do something really neat. You get a little hole at the top. I pipe (using a pastry bag) the gravy into them and serve them beside the meat and beans. When you slice into the puddings, the gravy pours out.

No matter how you care to serve this simple meal - it's a classic that tops the charts.

Enjoy!

Matralinial progression

2008-01-29T11:16:00.003-08:00

So, I don't know how many have ever given consideration to Matralinial family trees; but, let me just be really clear about this...

Given how patriarchal record keeping tends to be - it's a bear to actually track these women down.

For instance...prior to 1840, only the head of the household's name mattered. Records indicating the woman's maiden name are few and far between - and often the woman is rarely regarded as being worth mentioning except in passing.

And the older census don't even bother to show the names of the people in the house - just a 5 year age block and if they are male/female.

Right now, I am trying desperately to find Elizabeth Parker's parents.

So, right now it goes (in reverse order):

i. Grandma
ii. Lydia Carol Ellison
iii. Mary Francis 'Fannie' Wynne
iv. Caroline Elizabeth Kerr
v. Elizabeth Parker
DEAD END

Fun times, eh?

Dad's mom's side is just as frustrating:

i. Granma
ii. Dora Catherine Bushue
iii. Anna May Donnelly
iv. Margaret Laughlin (b. 1826 Ireland m. William Donnelly)
DEAD END ARGHH!!!

Dad's side of the family hates me. I know it *sniffles and pouts*

WHAT THE...

2008-01-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

Posted this to the Editor in Chief of the National Post of Canada, regarding this post.

I am astounded and dismayed to read such a false post on your paper. Was it slow for subscriptions? Did you need to post something sensational to boost sales? What reason could you possibly have to allow such an unfounded story to be posted? Why on this green earth would you want to have tensions between America and Canada escalated? What possibly possessed your writer to post something that is so completely NOT based in fact?

My family is from the South. Not just "the" South but the DEEP SOUTH. My family is in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. You can't get much more Southern than my family is...and I can guarantee you, Dear Sir, this is NOT a valid article. The comments in it are nothing but pure sensationalistic journalism and it is a DISGRACE to you and your publication that you allowed such a slanderous and unfounded article to be posted.

Admittedly, this could be a yellow rag for all I know - but that post put my back up like you would not believe.

Tuna Casserole

2008-01-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

It had totally slipped my mind that I had promised to post this. So, now that I've remembered, here it is.

Ingredients:

2 packages Tuna in water (or three tins)
1 can French cut green beans (I just prefer how they mix in, as opposed to the other types of cuts)
2 cans condensed Cream of Mushroom soup
2 cups rice (I generally use brown)
4 cups water
1 pound cheddar (I, personally, prefer sharp cheddar)
Black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (176.6°C). In a medium pot pour in the rice and the water. Do not cover. Bring to a boil and stir occassionally to keep the rice from sticking to the pot and burning. If you bought a block of cheddar instead of pre-shredded, I'd suggest grating it now while the rice is cooking.

After the water has evaporated, your rice is ready to use. Some prefer to do the "cover and ignore" for rice making and my friend prefers his steamer. All methods work, though I find mine is better for holding itself together when dishing it out the next day. This is a great recipe for leftover eating, by the way.

Dump the rice in a casserole dish. Mix in the condensed soup, do not add water. You want it in its condensed state. Open and drain the green beans and add them to the rice and soup. Open and drain the tuna and add it into the mixture in the casserole dish. Occassionally sprinkle in some black pepper. Mix it all up, and then smooth it relatively flat.

Grind a layer of black pepper over the top. Not so much you can't see through it, but a moderate amount.

Cover the mix with the cheese. All of the cheese.

Place it in the oven until the cheese begins to brown.

Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack for 10 minutes before serving. You'll burn the dickens out of yourself if you don't wait.

This, really, doesn't need anything with it. However, when I was at mom's and made it, she sliced up some fresh tomatoes and they complimented it really nicely.

Ponderings, Musings and General Chatter

2008-01-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

I spent a good bit of time on the phone with my cousin, Fred, up in Dallas on Saturday. It was absolutely wonderful to get to talk to him. He's got tons and tons of information and stories to share and I'm just flat out tickled to have family so close. Ok, maybe a lot of people might think that people who belong to my father's mother's father's side of the family are a bit far removed to consider family; but, I disagree. In my mind, they are very much family.

Heck, one cousin I consider as close as a sister is a bit more distant than that in the family tree. Let's see....my eleven times great-grandaddy had two wives. The first wife's children is who she is descended from and I am from the second. Or is it the other way around? I'll have to go look. Needless to say, it amused us no end to find that out, since we'd been friends for years before we realized it. Even more amusing is that she is most likely a cousin to my son from both my side of the family and his father's side of the family. Closer on his father's, but still. What can I say? I'm easily entertained.

On a totally different subject...There is this homeless man who stands on the corner with a little sign that says "Lear jet out of fuel". It always makes me chuckle when I see it. That man is always there. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of days I've headed to work and he's not been there. And, every time, I worry about him. Is he ok? Did he have difficulty? Has he gotten sick? He's by no means young. He always has a smile and a kind word. And always nary a whiff of alcohol, nor a glaze in his eye. I don't ever recall having seen him smoking, either. He's always so sweet. And...he's always there. Day in and day out, he is there.

Today, it is cold and rainy out. Nasty weather. Yet, he walks up and down that little stretch of road with a smile and a kind word for everyone who takes the time to see him. Just see him. I'm not the only one won over by this gentle, old man. I saw someone the other day do something I do for him from time to time. She gave him her lunch. I, sometimes, stop for coffee on my way in to work in the morning. Almost every time I do so, I get him one too. Especially on days like today.

I want to make him this big, toasty scarf to be able to wrap up around his ears and lower face to help keep him warm - maybe brown with a darker brown jet worked into the end of it. Just because I want to do something for this man who inspires me. And, he does - if that man can be on that corner every day...in weather like this...at the age he is. I can sure as heck manage to survive in my comfortable office, sitting on my arse.

You know the one reason I hesitate to do such a thing for him, though? And, I find myself so ashamed of the comfortable people for this...but, if he had a nice scarf on, along with other warm clothes so he could more readily withstand the weather he braves every day...the thought that would go through people's minds who see him (and I dare any of you to deny it) is that he has money enough to afford something nice and how stupid would it be to pander to him even more?

Maybe he could get a job - even at his age - I don't know. I do know, if he did, whoever his employer was would have one of the most reliable employees they had ever had the good fortune to employ.

_{**Photo: Portait of Homeless Man in a Pensive State By: Leroy Skalstad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin,USA, Formerly Homeless. This photo looks much like the gentle man I am speaking of.}

Sources, Sources, Sources...

2008-01-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

So, in doing my research, of course, I am digging into various sources from the past.

My great, great, yeah many great grandfather Piercifor was fostered in Uniontown, PA. Family history has it that he and his family came over from Wales to the Philadelphia harbor. His parents died either en route or in quarantine. The lovely man, of course, goes and puts that he was born in Pennsylvania on every bloody census. I swear, if I ever meet him I'm going to kill him.

Anyway, the lovely people at Great Bethel gave me the list of ministers back through the centuries and I found the Rev. William Brownfield. Per the census of 1820, he was the proud head of the household to one child. That one child was between the ages of 10 and 15. Piercifor would have been 13 on that census. Lovely people that they were in the 1820s, the only person whose name mattered was the head of the household. So I cannot know for certain that it was Piercifor; but, the evidence seems to indicate that it very well could have been. I'd give it a 3 out of 5 for source. Certainly nothing to build bridges on...but enough to keep me poking around.

Along that vein, I contacted the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. They will happily poke around records that I can't get to (since I'm so far away) for a fee, of course. Almshouse records, Orphan Court records, cemetery records, etc. Though they then point out that the Almshouse records do not cover the 1820s. Of course not, that would be too easy.

Right now, my only real shot at tracking this blasted ancestor down is the Orphan Court - or maybe church records. The church records really depends on the church and what they considered pertinent to their parish.

I have found a copy of the passenger arrivals to Philadelphia over that period at the local University library. I hope to get over there this weekend to poke around. Passenger arrivals, 1819-1820; a transcript of the list of passengers who arrived in the United States from the 1st October, 1819, to the 30th September, 1820. by United States. Dept. of State. If I am right and the 1820 census of William Brownfield is indicating Piercifor as the child, and if family history is correct...then my ancestor would have arrived prior to the census and prior to the cut off of the book's listing (30 Sep 1820).

On to a different branch all together, and it appears I've found a source for the arrival of Hans Gartner in 1752. HACKER, WERNER. Auswanderungen aus Baden und dem Breisgau: Obere und mittlere rechtsseitige Oberrheinlande im 18. Jahrhundert archivalisch dokumentiert. Stuttgart [Germany]: Konrad Theiss, 1980. Page 342. Now, if I could get a hard copy of the book, I'd be thrilled. An English version would be even nicer since I develop a rather nasty headache about 10 minutes into trying to decipher German.

And on toward another branch, I got in touch with a cousin the other day. It was really neat getting to talk to him. Actually, I've gotten in touch with two cousins in the last week. One is in Texas, and the other in Illinois. Both are genealogy buffs. I only got to actually speak with one cousin. The one in Texas and I are playing phone tag at the moment. However, the cousin in Illinois had all sorts of fun facts, and I loved listening to him talk about the family. He's 77 and is the nephew of one of my great grandmothers. He is searching around for a copy of the last revision of the Bushue family book and is going to send it to me. This makes me very happy.

So, all in all, it's been pretty productive. Even if Piercifor is making me want to pull my hair out...

Ok. I must be a masochist, I know. But, really - it's a lot of fun.

Pomegranate Ginger Chicken dinner

2008-01-06T12:31:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

1 Pomegranate
1 small Ginger (fresh)
2 Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
½ cup 2 tbsp Honey
¼ cup White Wine (Pinot Grigio is my favourite for cooking)

Mixed Baby greens (spinach, fancy leaf lettuce, celery leaves, mustard spinach)
1 small lemon

1 cup Couscous
1 ¼ cup Chicken stock
1 tbsp Butter (optional)
1 tsp Tumeric
1 tsp Basil
½ cup Morel mushrooms

1 cup Carrots

Directions:

If you get the mushrooms dried, get them softened and ready to use before beginning the rest. Chop them to bite sized pieces after they are softened. Set aside.

Warm about 2 tbsp water and mix in the 2 tbsp of the honey. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Squeeze half the lemon for its juice and strain. Mix the lemon juice in with the honey and water. Grate in about 1 tsp ginger. Stir. Set aside.

Seed the pomegranate. Be sure to wear something you do not mind ruining with pomegranate juice and an apron...they are messy! Once you seed it, fill the bowl holding the seeds with cold water. Stir the seeds around and the ones with pith still attached will tend to float to the top. You really want this pith gone because is has an astringent, bitter taste. Drain the seeds and set aside.

Pre-heat oven to 350° F(176.6° C).

Rinse baby greens and rip with your hands into a salad bowl. Squeeze half of the lemon into about a 1/2 cup of water and toss the salad with the water. Drain the salad. Set aside.

Put the stock for the couscous on to boil.

In a small mixing bowl, mix the ½ cup honey with the wine. Shred about ½ tsp ginger into the mixture and about ⅛ cup pomegranate (crush the seeds). Stir. Set aside.

Trim the chicken so there is no chicken fat. Oil down baking dish and place chicken within. Brush the chicken with the honey mix. Let cook for 10 min and flip the chicken. Brush with honey mix. Repeat until the chicken is cooked through - moist, but not dry. Generally 20 minutes works for me, but climate and elevation can change this, so just keep an eye on it.

The stock should have come to a boil by now, so put the butter, couscous, tumeric, basil and mushrooms into the water. Stir, cover and remove from the heat.

Toss the greens with the rest of the pomegranate seeds and the honey-lemon mix.

Now, I tend to quick stir fry my carrots so that they are barely heated through. I get baby carrots because I'm lazy like that. However, any carrots will work. If you choose to go with larger ones and want to boil them - you will need to start their boil about the time you mix the greens for the salad. If, however, you choose to stir fry them like I do, pull out your wok or frying pan and drizzle a little oil in it (I use garlic infused sesame, but any will work). A very, very tiny bit of oil. Toss the carrots in the pan until they are just heated through.

Remove the lid from the coucous and fluff with a fork. Place some on each plate in a small mound.

Remove the chicken from the oven and place a breast on each mound of couscous. Sprinkle some of the pomegranate seeds over for garnish.

Serve with the salad and carrots.

Simple Empanadas

2008-01-04T17:14:00.000-08:00

Seriously, the simplest recipe in existence, just about.

Ingredients:

Ground meat of your choice / TVP (I used ground beef at my parents')
Taco Seasoning
Picante
Cheese - shredded
Biscuit mix (I use the already made stuff in the tins, and just go with it - so much faster)
Flower (just enough to sprinkle on the counter top)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350° F (176.6° C).

Cook ground meat/tvp with taco seasoning per seasoning instructions. After meat is finished cooking, sprinkle the counter with flour and roll out the biscuit dough so it is fairly thin. Place a line of meat across the center of the biscuit dough and add in picante and cheese to taste. Then fold over the dough to form a crescent. Press the edges together with a fork and place on a baking sheet (I place tin foil or parchment paper under them just to minimize clean up).

Sprinkle cheese over the top and place in the oven. Bake around 15 min or until dough begins to brown. Remove from oven and serve.

Cousin found

2008-01-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

Ok. So, Fred Sr published a book on our family way a while back. I've been using it to help me track down stuff, and I knew he was rather on in years when I first started digging into things.

I was never able to quite track him down...but, today, I found his obit in The Idaho Statesman. I figured he would have passed on by now, but it was still sad to read. However, I did decide to try a white pages search for his son and found him...well, his wife. I left my information since he was out and about and look forward to hearing from him.

It's really pretty neat. Even as far removed as we are from each other - it's family. And that's just nifty.

Tangled Past

2008-01-03T08:27:00.000-08:00

For those not in the know, I've been digging around my family tree for years. I enjoy doing it; but, I find I have to really pace myself. You know, people say that online games can be addicting...to me, they aren't nearly as addicting as genealogical research.

Right now, I am combing the Philadelphia Harbor records trying desperately to find my so many times great grandfather's family. See, when they came over from Wales, his parents died. Either en route or in quarantine afterward. The kids (a twin brother - questionable, another brother and two sisters) were split off to various foster homes and lost track of each other.

I know he was fostered to the Baptist minister in Uniontown, PA in the early 1820s; but, of his siblings, parents or life before America there is this void. I don't even know the name of the Baptist minister at the time. However, I have a call in to the local historical society in Uniontown and I hope to verify the number of Baptist churches that were present in that time frame. If it was only one - I have their historical pamphlet of ministers and will be able to pinpoint who the minister was who took my ancestor in. Anecdotal information, but information worth adding to the family records, I reckon.

I think I've found his brother Samuel in Iowa in the 1880 and the 1885 census. It may or may not be him, since family stories have him potentially winding up in Tennessee before the civil war. If it is the one in Iowa, then he met and married his (much younger) wife in Wisconsin. Only reason I'm fairly certain of that is because the youngsters listed in the 1880 census show Wisconsin being their place of birth - and the birth place of their mother as WI, and their father as Wales. We'll see.

I'm trying to crawl down that side of the tree and see if I can find any living cousins who might have a bent for maintaining the family archives. Maybe they will have information about the Richards family that I cannot locate. Even if they don't...it's always a great thing to find new relatives.

23 Auburn - 20 Clemson

2007-12-31T20:28:00.001-08:00

Certainly wasn't pretty. But Auburn pulled it off in the first ever overtime for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

I'm a happy kitty. Even if the quarterback running in for a touchdown merited a squeal from me that got me dirty looks from three dogs. *sniffs* They just don't understand...*giggles*

Another Year Gone

2007-12-30T14:44:00.000-08:00

My company closes down for the last 10 days of the year, so I actually got to be home for the holidays this year. It's not happened for 14 years...the year my grandmother passed from this terrestrial realm.

As we came down county road 28 into Grady...turning onto the street that is now known as Meriweather Trail...The train tracks came into view and on the otherside stood a church. I told my son, "There's my Great-grandaddy's church."

A bit further down the road, "There's my Great-grandaddy's house. There's Memaw's house..." Pointing them all out. Houses of people long gone from this mortal coil. Houses that still retain, forever in my mind, the imprint of those who had gone before. My cousin Karen now inhabits the home that once sheltered that wonderful man, my great-grandfather. My Aunt Helen and her husband in the home that once housed my mother's mother with warmth and strength. The places where the family would gather, the cows would moo and the fields would grow.

It was, and always will be, home.

Farther down the road, we turned off onto the drive that winds back through the trees leading into my parents' property. This place removed from the rest of the world. Every hectic worry, every stress filled moment dropped away and I breathed deep in a new world the second the trees closed in on us.

It was three in the morning, and a soft rain was falling. The moon would peek out from time to time, playing peek-a-boo with the world below and a soft haze filled the land around the house. Its glow lighting up the area as if it were a midnight sun, glinting off of the falling rain.

My family gathers at my Aunt's and spends hours with each other, plays games, opens gifts, eats and strengthens the ties that bind. I never really realized how very much I miss that, until I was there.

My mother's paintings displayed beautifully on the wall, the tree dripped ornaments and twinkled with lights, the laughter and chatter fluttered about on the air, the whimper of my newest cousin (my favorite cousin's new baby) wafted about from time to time...and everywhere, love.

I cooked while I was at home. Mom loves to clean, I love to cook - it works like a charm.

She asked that I post two recipes that are pretty simple and quick to make, but are pretty tasty, so I will be working on those over the next few days. One is a Tuna Casserole, the other is simple Empanadas. I also made the little cakes I mentioned. I went with devil's food cake and caramel. They seem to have been a hit.

Anyway, I'm back at my house...dogs much spoiled by the adventure, and finding myself wishing I were back home.

I made a few baby wash cloths for my newest cousin - and, of course, forgot to take photos. I really do need to get better about that.

Ah well, life calls and I must answer. I hope you all have been having a delightful time.

Decisions, decisions

2007-12-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

So, I've decided I'm going to make some special cakes for the parties this season.

No, not fruitcake, thank you muchly for the kind thoughts, though. *chuckles*

Indeed, these are a little off the beaten path for holiday cakes, I do believe.

One that I really like the idea of is devil's food cake with caramel and fudge in the center, wrapped in rolled fondant and ribboned in chocolate.

Another is red velvet cake with rich chocolate and brandied cherries in the center, wrapped in rolled fondant and ribboned in chocolate.

I'm also considering making a white cake with a fudge center, wrapped in rolled fondant and ribboned in chocolate.

The thing is - which to make...or should I make one of each? See, none of these will actually be cake size. More like 4" (10.16cm) squares. Little "presents" that are quite delightful...someone could even take two - so they could have their cake and eat it, too! Ok ok...yeah, that was bad.

Anyway...suggestions on which to run with?
There are two types of fondant. There is French fondant which is a sugar syrup that is poured over the cake - you'd recognize it if you saw it. It makes a beautifully smooth, generally shiny coating over the cake/pastry and is oh so yummy.

Then there is rolled fondant. Rolled fondant is also known as sugarpaste (not nearly so lovely a name). It is an icing that gets rolled out into sheets and then can be molded or formed or cut out. Most wedding cakes and other fancy pants cakes are made with fondant icing.

Fondant in its liquid form is also often used to smooth out cakes so that more decorative icing can be applied over the top of it with a much smoother finish.

You can cut rolled fondant into shapes and airbrush them with food colouring to make decorations for your cakes as well. The bows I plan to make for the cakes will be done in fondant. And, I could make the ribbons in fondant, too...especially if I wanted to make the ribbons various colours. I could just knead in the colour I wanted until it was thoroughly mixed through the fondant, roll it out into thin strips and trim it up to be neat and then lay it in place and apply the "bows". The "bows" will be "stuck" on with corn syrup.

You can see a picture of (and instructions for) the kind of bow I'm going to attempt...well, if I have enough fondant!...at BakeDecorateCelebrate.

There are also great pictures that show French fondant, and rolled fondant at that site. I love it muchly...probably too much. *laughs*

[edit: I decided to make a holiday picture as well, instead of using one that was so premade, since I put the effort into the others...I'll tweak it when I get home and have access to my actual editing tools. My knitter friends should be amused. I hope, anyway ;-) ]

The Best Thing I've Done With My Life

2007-11-08T08:44:00.001-08:00

The one in the middle. He's with his little brother and sister. I love that kiddo so much.

That's all...I have no life to report upon at this point in time.

One Foot in Front of the Other

2007-08-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost.

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Baby Blanket in Progress

2007-08-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

So, I'm making progress on the baby blanket, finally. I changed up how I wanted to do in and ripped it all out and started over. I'm doing a garter stitch border with a single ss heart that I will embroider around when I'm done.

I'm doing it Orenburg style, which I will get into another time.

I will do a ss center pane with random (and I mean random, I'm not charting placement at all) reverse ss hearts scattered around.

I think it will be nice, solid and cozy. I just hope it's big enough. I wanted it to be a wubby, not a full blown cradle blanket....if you know what I mean.

Needles: Lantern Moon 9US/5.5mm

Yarn: Wick in cream

Pattern: my own design

Start: Well, guess that depends. I've ripped and redesigned so many times. But this iteration started on the 12th of August 2007.

How Lovely!!

2007-08-13T07:25:00.000-07:00

So, I was sitting at home on Saturday - dithering about facing the horrendous allergy attack I knew awaited me should I finish mowing the front lawn. Nothing horribly exciting happening in my life at all. A very quiet, typical day.

Finding excuses to avoid doing laundry (I am so bad)...playing with the dogs and playing my game. Speaking of the game, I managed to get Enheduannah* to level 53, yesterday, due to the help of some new friends. It's so nice when you meet just genuinely nice people.

And, out of the blue, my doorbell rings. I think to myself, as I walk to the door, "I didn't order anything. Who the heck is ringing my bell?" Muttering to the dogs, threatening to buy muzzles and shock collars if they don't stop barking. The threats they, of course, ignore knowing they are totally idle.

I open the door.

And, lo and behold, there is this huge bouquet of flowers. Beautiful, gorgeous, amazing bouquet with the most delightful scent. I look at the young man (almost as gorgeous as the flowers he held) and said, "What in the world?!? People don't send me flowers!" He laughed and asked if I was the person on the invoice. Sure enough...there was my name, big as day. A friend of mine and I had been talking the day before and I'd mentioned I was feeling down. So, out of the blue, just because he wanted to cheer me up...he sent me flowers. I got all teary eyed over it.

But wouldn't you, with flowers like these?

*As for who Enheduanna was in the real world...she was a priestess of ancient Nanna in ancient Akkad (previously Sumer) and came to love and adore Inanna above all the other gods (one has to wonder at the conflict there) and wrote many hyms to this goddess. She is known as the first known author (by name). I've been fascinated with Sumer for a long time, and particularly fascinated by this intriguing woman. Enheduanna, daughter of Sargon of Akkad.

From About.com: Over 53 other hymns survive that are attributed to Enheduanna, including three hymns to the moon god, Nanna, and other temples, gods, and goddesses. Surviving tablets are copies of the hymns from about 500 years after Enheduanna lived, attesting to the survival of the study of her poems in Sumer.

What it is I do for a living

2007-08-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

I've had a few people ask me over the last couple of weeks what it is, exactly, that I do.

Currently, I am a DVT Engineer for a company that manufactures storage area network (SAN) hardware in the form of chips, host bus adapters, switches, storage services platforms and routers for iSCSI and fibre channel.

What this means is...

After development thinks they have a viable product, we get prototypes sent to us for testing. We make sure it:

a) works
b) performs within specifications
c) is reliable
d) is compatible with various vendors (including our competitors)
e) meets all compliance criteria
f) meets OEM requirements
g) meets standards

DVT stands for design verification testing.

We do this every time a driver, firmware or bios is updated, or a new product is released. And, you know those wonderful drivers that come in your Windows, Red Hat, SuSe, MAC, etc operating systems? Guess who gets to test to make certain that the ones my company makes work? Yeah - my team. So, yes, we have to be conversent in most operating systems - some the "normal" user would never interface with like Xen Source, VM Ware, Solaris and AIX.

Right now, I'm working on a beta operating system that is to be released soon. Verifying that the drivers work, that the boards do what they are supposed to do, that nothing hangs up or crashes the system. What I am not doing is testing their complete operating system - that's for them to do.

What I am doing is testing our driver and hardware with their operating system installed to make sure the stuff we are responsible for works. Now, if I run across bugs in their operating system while I do this, then I will submit a trouble to them for them to fix...but that's not part of my job if it doesn't conflict with our product and is solely an operating system issue. But, I use those products myself, when they hit the market - I kinda like them working. *grins*

Also, the two worlds overlap in a lot of places, so many times I can't verify that my stuff is working until their stuff gets straightened out. And sometimes, it's a combination of the two and how they are talking (or not) to each other that is the issue.

I live in a world of bits and bytes...

A world you come into every day if you use things like Flickr, Blogger, GMail, Google, Yahoo or play any online games (World of Warcraft anyone?)...everything that requires massive amounts of storage.

Your company (if it is of a fairly good size) probably even has a SAN setup somewhere to store all the backups of data, email, etc. And in that SAN, I can just about guarantee you will see the name of my company somewhere.

Busy weekend

2007-08-07T15:11:00.001-07:00

Well, I've been out running around a bit like a crazy woman the last week because I was heading to Blizzcon last weekend. I mostly went to see my friends, but have to admit the forums were really interesting.

I got to see snippets from the upcoming release of the Lich King and for Starcraft II. Really nifty stuff. Then got to see L70ETC perform after Jay Mohre. Jay does great at playing off the crowd....really brings his audience into his performance.

But, as I said - mostly, it was to see my friends.

Felada, Ook, me and Hyp

We wandered around Downtown Disney and...on Saturday...I got to witness a proposal. It was sooooooooo sweet. Particularly since I'd been in on it since way back in April. It had been so hard keeping my mouth shut the whole time. But as I told my gal friend...some things are too important to spoil by giving away.

I didn't want to say goodbye when Sunday rolled around, but alas - work, dogs and responsibility called me back to Austin. It was, however, quite a delightful time - and nearly not one stitch of knitting got completed (off the plane). I did finish the second jaywalker sock, but wound up giving them away before snapping a photo. So sorry about that.

So Much Cooler Online

2007-07-30T10:11:00.001-07:00

This just cracks me up:

For so very many reasons.

Happy puppies!

2007-07-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

Just had to share - two of my "babies" having a good time while I knit and play with friends.

And, just what am I working on, you ask? The Mystery Stole 3. I'm working it in black alpaca fino with dark, dark blue beads. I'm not sure I am happy with the colour combination - but I'm far enough along now that I'm letting it go and we'll see what we see. *grins*

I also just found out that my favorite cousin is getting ready to have an addition to his family. This puts me into a frenzy of digging through baby patterns. Hey, I have none of my own to knit for, so I gotta have my fun somewhere, right? *chuckles* I think I've found the layette set I want to make. Now it's just getting the yarn and getting started. I'm looking forward to it.

No Hippy and His Boatload of Animal Friends - Yet

2007-06-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

Just to let my friends who are not in the area know...

No, I'm not getting flooded out. I live fairly close to downtown Austin, and am not in a floodplain.

We are expecting another heavy storm today, yes. And there have been lives lost. We do expect to have another week's worth of rain ...at least. However, for the time being, myself and my pups are doing just fine. I have never been more happy for that Jeep than I was this morning, though. Hit a bridge on my way in to work that had a good 8 inches of water over it. My previous car rode so low that that would have been....interesting. The Jeep just moved right on through.

Interestingly surreal moment of the day:

Walk out the door and stay in my perpetual state of oblivion that lasts until at least my second cup of coffee. Yawn. Stumble into the Jeep and head for the main road. Yawn and stretch. Turn onto main road. Drive three feet and *blam* hit a solid sheet of water. My brain stuttered and sputtered and groggily took notice that I had just driven from a perfectly dry, clear spot to a torrential downpour - in less than half a city block.

I battle my way in to work...and about a block or so before work...the rain lets up. Totally dry ground. I look up and notice the oddest looking scene. Stormy, dark clouds billowing all around - except for one area that looks like someone took their fist and punched a hole in the sky. Solid, clear, blue sky above my work. Maybe quarter to a half block in diameter.

So I managed to get from my front door of my house to my desk at work - walking through open areas, not sheltered - with nary a drop of rain touching my person.

Makes the mind boggle.

Knitting wise, it's the girl's meeting tonight at Borders. I find myself wondering if it's going to happen. I'm also worried about the ones further north. Here's hoping for them and praying for them.

I'm starting my second skein of yarn on the Everyday Tweed sweater. I believe I am really going to like this when it is finished. Ironically, I'm using yarn that I will never be able to get my hands on again. Thankfully, I should have enough to keep "patch" amounts after it's completed.

I have, indeed, started the second of my three Jaywalker socks. I really am not focusing on it too much. I don't care when they get done and I'm enjoying the absolute mindlessness of the sweater. Knit - knit - knit. Knitting stockinette in the round has got to be the most mindless process in existence. It's wonderful for just chillaxing.

Edit: For those of you curious ... a friend of mine did a post with a few photos of the wet stuff: http://chikuru.livejournal.com/180642.html

Another Day in the Life

2007-06-27T14:56:00.001-07:00

There really is not a whole lot going on in my life, right now, outside of the norm.

Get up
play with the dogs
scramble to get ready
crate the dogs
ignore the whining and howling of the dogs getting used to being crated
scoot out the door
battle through traffic*
stumble in the door to work
sit down
....
get up
stumble out the door to home
play with the dogs
eat (if I remember)
toss a load in the washer
log in to WoW and play
afk to change clothes to drier (play with dogs on the way)
play some more
read some email while playing
watch a movie while playing
realize it's bed time
run the dogs outside and ride herd on them until they've clearly done their business
pile into bed
pass out
....

rinse
repeat

Yeah, my days are getting horribly predictable.

Well, except for the occassional curveball I throw myself - like running up to Brownwood cuz I can. Or hightailing it to Anaheim. Or visiting with my son. Or going to the coast for a weekend. Or highjacking a friend and going to the park and watching her dogs and mine terrorize everyone in the vacinity.

But

For the most part...yeah...I have my ritualistic, little scenario that I go through every day.

It's almost comforting.

While I would like to have a relationship...would like to have someone to come home to and share my life with....

Honestly?

I'm comfy as I am, as well.

I like me. I like my days. I love my dogs and love it when my son drops by to visit.

I get to spend time with real life friends who are nowhere near me any longer. I get to entertain myself for hours on end for much less than it would cost me to do many other things (and cost is a huge issue right now)...and, overall, it's a quiet, enjoyable way to blow an evening.

_{*I knit while on my way to work. Pull up to a red light - out comes the knitting. It turns green, down goes the knitting. I get a surprising amount of knitting done in the scant 8 miles it takes to get from my door to the parking garage at work. Let's not forget all the time eating dirt in my games waiting for life to be restored to my mutilated corpse....that's premium knitting time, my friend!}

Moments - Days in the Sun

2007-06-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

The last several months I've been dealing with a deep exhaustion. Not a phyiscal exhaustion, understand. It's more like an exhaustion of the soul. This weariness that permeates you so deeply and completely it's like that's all you are. Walking exhaustion. Every ounce of life or vitality just gone from your being.

Some of you know one of my deep, dark secrets is my proclivity for listening to country music. Oh, hush.

Anyway, I was listening to KASE 101 on my way home, yesterday, and heard a song that I've heard a few times before - but this time it kinda really struck me...I'm not sure why it hit so hard - ok, I am, but I don't feel like going into it. However, I did want to share...

Moments
_{by:Emerson Drive}

_{I was coming to the end of a long long walk
When a man crawled out of a cardboard box
Under the E. Street Bridge
Followed me on to it
I went out halfway across
With that homeless shadow tagging along
So I dug for some change
Wouldn't need it anyway
He took it lookin' just a bit ashamed
He said, You know, I haven't always been this way

I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like that plane ride coming home from the war
That summer my son was born
And memories like a coat so warm
A cold wind can't get through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments

I stood there tryin' to find my nerve
Wondering if a single soul on Earth
Would care at all
Miss me when I'm gone
That old man just kept hanging around
Lookin' at me, lookin' down
I think he recognized
That look in my eyes
Standing with him there I felt ashamed
I said, You know, I haven't always been this way

I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like the day I walked away from the wine
For a woman who became my wife
And a love that, when it was right,
Could always see me through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments

I know somewhere 'round a trash can fire tonight
That old man tells his story one more time
He says

I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like that cool night on the E. Street Bridge
When a young man almost ended it
I was right there, wasn't scared a bit
And I helped to pull him through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
Oh, lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments}

Not Everything is Always What is Seems to Be

2007-06-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

Realize - I abhore reality TV. Loathe it. Detest it.

Paul Potts is a horse of a different colour. I sat enraptured and listened over and over and over again...and I don't particularly care for opera.

Wow. Just. Wow.

Spinach Leaf Wrap

2007-06-12T09:02:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I posted one of my recipes, and I thought - with the hot weather approaching (and here for some of us) - that a nice, cool finger food would be just the thing.

Kili's Spinach Wrap

1 bundle Fresh spinach (not the baby stuff, the real stuff)
1/2 pound Twaróg (any soft, creamy goat cheese will work, though)
2 tbsp heavy cream (might want more, or less - this really depends on how creamy your goat cheese starts out)
7 ounces Kalamata olives
6 sundried tomatoes
Handful of pine nuts
2 garlic cloves
1 sprig fresh dill
1 bundle of fresh rosemary (if you grow your own, a couple of sprigs will do)
6 ounces Prosciutto (thinly sliced smoked Salmon works as well)
White Wine (Pinot Grigio is my preference)
toothpicks

**my measurements here are educated guesses as I've always made this "by the seat of my pants"**

Wash the spinach thoroughly, trim, stem and pat dry. You want to be absolutely certain all the sand and grit are off of the leaves. If the leaves are very large, you may consider cutting them in half for easier use later.

In a food processor, place half of the "leaves" off the dill (if you don't have fresh, a pinch of dry will do), "leaves" off of one sprig of rosemary, the tomatoes, garlic (having peeled it first), about 7 olives (pits removed), and pine nuts^*. Blend until a paste forms. Then add the cheese and mix until well blended. At this point, begin to add the cream and just a splash of white wine. You are aiming for a mixture that is spreadable and creamy.^**

Lay a spinach leaf out flat, spread a thin layer of the cheese mix over the leaf, place a thin slice of Proscuitto/Salmon on the cheese and then roll the leaf to make a "wrap" - leaf side out. You can use a toothpick to hold the wrap closed if you desire. I generally just place it seal down on the platter.

Repeat this until one or all of your ingredients run out. I generally have enough of a snack here to make a nice, light meal. I suggest chilling this for about 30 minutes before serving so that it is nice and chilled.

Lay a sprig or two of rosemary on the side of the platter and sprinkle with chopped Kalamata olives for presentation.

Serve with the rest of the wine, good music and great company.

If you are using this as an appetizer for a dinner party, I would follow it with:

Smoked leg of lamb
Asparagus (tossed in a wok with a quality basalmic vinegar and EVOO and maybe a sprinkle of lemon salt - just long enough to warm the asparagus through, no longer)
Couscous (spiced with dill, rosemary, garlic and tarragon ...and I'm a mushroom fanatic so I'd prolly toss in some morels as well)
Rolls w/ honey butter
A nice Merlot

^* Note: I've occassionally tossed capers into this mix. If you do - be sure to reduce the number of olives or you over salt yourself big time.

^** Note: I would avoid using a red wine for this. However, if you do not wish to use wine, a nice EVOO will work as well.

^*** Note: This cheese mixture also tastes great as a spread for crackers.

1 + 1 = 3?

2007-06-12T07:27:00.001-07:00

So, I was making the latest pair of socks...doing my normal try them on as you go along thing. You know? I knit toe up, so I try them on as I go along. Always get them to be perfect length and such. Well. The foot is great. The leg is great. However, right over the top of my heel (if you've ever knit socks, you know exactly where I mean) is tight. Not so tight I can't get the sock on - but tight enough I don't want to wear them. **pouts** Thankfully, I make short socks. I refuse to rip all the way back. Which means....I'll be making three this "pair" instead of just two...The nice thing about the Jaywalker pattern, though, is that it is utterly mindless so it takes no time at all to do.

I am making modifications to it, of course. Working 60 stitches over the foot and then increasing to 68 for the leg. No, not because I have some wonky size differential, but because the stretch factor of stockinette is significantly more than that of the ripple pattern. The problem is that I should have started my increasing about 4 to 6 rows before the heel. Most of the time, I increase right after putting in my afterthought heel. Due to how snug this is, I need to increase before the heel so that it fits snug, but not too tight over the top of the heel.

I love how the yarn looks and the sock looks great except for that one location. So, I know that I will love the final product...now to go make two more socks.

Astro Fun

2007-06-07T12:19:00.000-07:00


	Sun Sign: Taurus Sun 17° Taurus 02'	Taurus Horoscope for today »
	Moon Sign: Libra Moon 22° Libra 12'	Libra Horoscope for today »
	Rising Sign: Aquarius Ascendant 24° Aquarius 24'	Aquarius Horoscope for today »
Get your own astro stats Powered by Tarot.com

Your Sun Sign:

Taurus

Sun 17° Taurus 02'

Element:
Earth

Key Planet:
Venus

You aren't necessarily like a Bull in a ring with a toreador. You could be more like peace-loving Ferdinand, seeking the gentle meadows filled with flowers, sunshine and natural beauty. It's only your stubbornness that can make you angry enough to charge at someone who is disturbing your peace. You Bulls are noted for your determination. You get to where you are going, not because you are exceptionally fast or clever, but because you will not be distracted from your goals.

Motto: "Take care of the senses and everything else will take care of itself.”
Greatest Strength: Your sensible outlook on life
Possible Weakness: Accepting less than you can achieve

Your Moon Sign:

Libra

Moon 22° Libra 12'

The Moon in a mental air sign like Libra tends to bring objectivity to the mysterious world of emotions. This can give you a clarity about feelings that keeps you from getting swallowed up in them… but it can also make it harder to tune into your own needs. You're so conditioned to making others feel at ease that you may not deal with what's going on inside of yourself, especially if you can't put it into words. The peace and harmony that you desire is very positive as long as you're not stifling yourself to achieve it. Fairness is not just something you give to others… it's something that you need for yourself to have the kind of relationships that you want.

Motto: "I'll compromise my needs to fulfill yours."
Greatest Strength: Being objective about your emotions
Possible Weakness: Avoiding emotional commitment

Your Rising Sign:

Aquarius

Ascendant 24° Aquarius 24'

Aquarius Rising gives you an open-minded outlook on life. You're not one to get stuck with traditions that don't make sense to you. That's because you're an original, a person who's looking to make her or his own mark rather than following in anyone else's footsteps. And no matter how strong your feelings are, you tend to use your mind to help you back up and see things from a broad perspective. So you tend to look cool, maybe a little detached, even when you're steaming inside. There's a friendly way you have about you that makes you very likable. But when it comes to matters of principle, you're capable of digging in your heels and stubbornly standing up for your beliefs.

Motto: "I'm friendly, but not really like to rest of you."
Greatest Strength: Understanding what's best for the group
Possible Weakness: People don't see your passion

Your Chinese Sign:

The Pig

The PIG … THE PRISTINE PIG
Mantra: Honesty opens all doors.

The Pig is true to his goals and beliefs. Their natural simplicity makes Pigs popular and loyal - once a friend, they'll be your friends for life. Pigs can be stubborn, but they will give in for the sake of peace. A Pig is happy to share what he or she has but needs to be the one taking the initiative in giving and wants to be rewarded for it. Sensual and energetic, she is persuasive and perceptive. The Pig sees and remembers everything.

Random update

2007-05-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

So, my car finally gave up the ghost. It was going to cost me well over $6.5k to get fixed and...well...I just don't have that kind of cash sitting around.

All things considered, taking out a loan for that kind of repair on an 11 year old car with 160k miles on it just made no sense. The maintenance on it was getting worse and worse as it got older. That is only to be expected, I know. However, I felt it was time to investigate a new vehicle. Enter TJ.

I contacted a company and got a very reasonable deal on an auto loan, with zero down, 5 years and a fairly low interest rate. Then I went for a drive around town to various dealerships.

As I zipped into one, TJ caught my eye. I zero'd in on it, spotted the sticker stating it was - indeed - for sale and made a beeline for the door. Understand - this is how I shop. One of the many things about myself A saved me from when we were together.

I walk in, snag a sales guy, tell him, "I have a pre-approved loan, all the paperwork you will need and I want that Jeep. Get me out of here in under two hours." He just looked at me - I think I temporarily shut down his brain functions.

I said, "Well, I could get someone else?"

He snapped to, and only three minutes over two hours later, I walked out the door owning a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Sport...with only 10k miles on it, and only one previous owner....a man in his late 70s.

I justify my purchase (gas consumption wise) by rationalizing that I ride my motorcycle the majority of the year....well, that and my TerraPass.

I've been knitting away at a pair of Jaywalker socks (toe up) in this really sweet yarn. I am nearly done with one sock and should be starting the other in a couple of days. No picture, right now; but, I'll have one up when I finish the first sock.

I took a break from knitting for a while when life was rather insane. Just buried myself in other and sundry things and ignored the world around me. Happens from time to time, but I'm back now. Watch out. *grins*

Gloria's shawl is still a WIP^*, and I can honestly say I have no idea when I will finish it...though it is lovely. It just takes so much attention; and, I'm seriously lacking that, right now, since I'm knitting in rush hour traffic and while laying dead in my game waiting for the fight to end so I can come back alive and kick some more cartoon butt. Yeah, phear me.

I was in Aliso Viejo last week for work (I really do dig my current job). So, I hooked up with a friend while I was out there and we went to this restaurant called Claim Jumper. When we arrived, there was a fairly significant wait, but we were in no rush and just kicked back and chit chatted.

A while later we were taken to our table and ordered fire roasted artichokes. My first experience with this particular food, and I have to say that while it was not a bad experience...I can't make myself rave over it. It was tasty, but nothing to "write home about".

We ordered our main course and noshed more on our appetizer, not paying a lick of attention to the time ticking by.

The next thing we know, someone is coming up to our table and apologizing profusely. It was the restaurant manager. It seemed our meals were just then being prepared and they were just horribly contrite over the length of time it was taking to get our food to us.

We were startled, to be honest. We had not realized much time had passed and we still had more than half our appetizer left. We told them not to worry about it, and went back to our conversation.

We wound up with two people checking up on us from then until we were ready to leave - the meals themselves were tasty and very filling. I wouldn't have kept the name of the restaurant in mind, though, had it not been for how very solicitous they were and how excellent the service was...and...this is the kicker.

As we were preparing to leave, we asked for the bill and got informed that the restaurant was absorbing the cost. **blinks** We had run up at $120 bill...and they were covering it. Neither of us felt comfortable leaving without paying something since we'd enjoyed ourselves and experienced absolutely no discomfort whatsoever from the "unexcusable delay" in receiving our main course.

As a matter of fact, our main course arrived perfectly timed in our opinion, as we had just finished our appetizer when they arrived at our table. We left a significant tip and agreed that the restaurant deserved a visit again the next time we were in town.

Saturday, I went to see Shrek the Third. Oh my goodness! I want a plushy Dronkey. They are soooooo cute!!

It was an adorable movie, though there are aspects of it that I find myself wishing had been not so "moral of the story" oriented. But, as usual, Shrek had me laughing and enjoying myself throughout.

It doesn't hurt that I'd watched the "making of" a few weeks prior and so was spending a huge amount of time eyeing the movie and picking out various aspects that had been mentioned. It isn't a bad thing that I had some very nice company for the movie, either.

Overall, life is going well. I love my job, love my hobbies, love my friends and am comfortable in my skin (for the most part - need to tweak the whole workout thing again). It's a good place to be.

Maybe that's why I can't sleep - I keep waiting for the bottom to fall out from under me. *laughs* There's something wrong with a person when they panic when things are going well, and sleep like a baby when all hell is breaking loose.

Oh! By the way. I'm considering various ways of decreasing the inflow:outflow ratio of my finances (buying a car, no matter how well priced is expensive) and have cut a lot of things out of my budget. If it doesn't help alleviate the differential as much as I'd like, I may have to consider a roommate (per my landlord's approval and my ability to reduce my clutter at home). Any suggestions or such on how to go about finding a reliable, tolerable individual to share my space with would be greatly appreciated. *grins*

_{* WIP = Work in Progress}

Help Make my Daemon Suit Me

2007-05-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

Amazing what a little lawsuit can do

2007-04-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

Collectcorp has been the bane of my existence for the last couple of weeks. Now, I read up on FDCPA quite a while back when I was without a job for three years. I knew what they were doing was illegal. I kept trying and trying to talk to the woman harrassing me AT WORK...you know, AT MY NEW JOB...she wouldn't shut up. She wouldn't pay attention. All she would do was degrade me, mock me and otherwise abuse me.

I asked time and time again that they not call me at work or they would make me lose my job and that they were violating federal law in doing so. At least...I said it - but I doubt she heard over all the abuse she continued to heap on me in an ever ending tirade. I told her she needed to stop calling me or she would be hearing from my lawyer.

I have had more than enough of that in my life from people I care about a hell of a lot more than I care about her.

Still...

I was willing to try and find a way to get my point across in a civil manner.

Until she called my landlord.

Eff that.

I lost my ever lovin' mind. Then she has the cajones to call AGAIN. Not once, not twice but FIVE TIMES in 20 min. Finally, the last time, I told her: "Look, you can speak with my lawyer because you obviously aren't getting it." And, of course, I had to say this over her tirade at me.

She finally pauses and says, "What, that imaginary lawyer of yours, just like that imaginary modeling you've done or that imaginary...." I hung up at that point.

I then called Dana and said, "Let's do it."

So...

Indeed...

I am setting the lawyers loose on Collectcorp in a suit against them for violation of FDCPA. It will actually cost them quite a bit more than the bill they were calling me about (which, as an aside has been being paid on every month religiously as my credit report shows). I'm sure they will counter sue for the debt they claim I owe, but at that point I really don't care. I will negotiate the payments I was already making, wave a few papers in front of the judge who - if they are as brilliant as most are - will realize what's going on and smack Collectcorp for being so stupid.

And, if I can find a way to do it, "Ms" Ranotta of Collectcorp will be receiving a lawsuit against her personally. I'm checking a few things out, but she pushed too hard and too far without pausing long enough to realize she was on the phone with someone who originally wanted to get things straightened out.

I'm generally not one for lawsuits. As a matter of fact, out of all the nastiness I've dealt with in my life, this is the first time I've been pushed this far. But, I'm done. I'm fed up. I love my job too much to lose it to this stupidity and I love myself too much to tolerate being degraded daily.

I am please by the amazing silence of my phones today and all I can think is that she's sitting at her desk today thinking, "Oh, shit...that lawyer wasn't so imaginary after all."

Damn skippy she wasn't.

Pet Food - Real Food

2007-04-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

Food recalls suck. Particularly ones that affect those you love. In this case, I am worried about my puppies. I fed them Nutro. Nutro dry is not one of the foods being recalled; however, it has just spurred me on to break away from the whole dog food thing. I've never been a huge fan anyway.

So, at least I will start eating right, again.

How do those two go together? Well, I'm really bad about getting to the grocery store to feed just myself. I tend to just grab something quick and not worry about it. This, of course, means I don't eat correctly...not like I do when I have someone to cook for. I love to cook for others, for myself I tend to be really blah about the whole cooking thing. I just don't eat enough to make it worthwhile.

However, now that I'm going to be shopping for the boys and cooking for them anyway...well, you see how that works.

So, what will I be putting in their "custom" meals? Ground meat, veggies (carrots, peas, potato), cottage cheese, rice and sardines. Yup - talk about not something I'd want to eat. However, it's healthy and nutritious for them.

And, since I'll get the meat from a local butcher who only carries meat from local people and the veggies from the local fresh market...I'm pretty content that it will be healthy for them...and what do you know, it will wind up being healthy for me too.

Well, how do you like them apples?

2007-03-12T21:03:00.000-07:00

So, update time.

I have a new job with QLogic as a DVT Engineer. It's going to be challenging and I just hope I can do the job to meet my expectation - and theirs. They are taking a chance on me and I seriously appreciate it.

As for news in my current (soon to be old) job...they decide to give all the Converged group their walking papers....and then expect us to train their lackies that they send down from Denver in a week's time frame. *eyeroll* Yeah...This network is complicated, people. What part of that aren't they understanding? It's not just "MPLS". It's not just "VPLS". It's not just "frame". It's not just "IP". It's not just "ATM". It's not just "POS". It's all of it and more...in one big, Gordian nightmare. The device is flaky on a good day, the "solutions" we have in place are cludgy and horrific to follow...and you know what? I don't give a flying fig about if they are trained or not. It was their infinite wisdom that had them lay off the whole team - they can suck it up and learn it the hard way, in my opinion. I'm certainly not going to go out of my way to impart the knowledge in my head when they obviously felt it wasn't necessary to the wellbeing of the company to keep it.

And, if they don't like it - well, I really don't have to be here the next week.

Sour grapes, much? Hell yeah.

But, I'm bouncing off the walls excited about QLogic....nervous as all get out - but excited too. It's just such a grand opportunity and I don't wanna mess it up.

Happy Time

2007-03-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

An tUasal suffered through a modern day B movie escapade with me last night.

I loved it. But...I love horrid movies. We've discussed this in the past. He knows it. He'd heard the reviews of Ghost Rider and he's not exactly the most "bad movie" kinda person - unless it's kung fu bad movies. That's another story all together.

Anyway, even with all the crap going on with the integrations at work and the layoffs and all that, we found time to hit the movies. That's something that hasn't happened in a long while, and is greatly appreciated.

Sun on Snow - or Life at Its Worst

2007-03-06T05:02:00.000-08:00

When I start gearing up to really hate the world, there are people who jump out to surprise me.

An tUasal showing up with some exceptionally lovely flowers - completely unexpectedly. It made me all gooshy inside. See? Aren't they lovely?

And then I get up and leave the house tonight to find a note taped to my door from my landlord. A note that made me sniffle and realize that all those times I've talked about how great my landlord is just didn't do him justice. It's times like that - just when I'm gearing up to curse and blast all of humanity, only to have my legs cut out from under me by such amazingly sweet and uncommon gestures - that I realize...

Life is like a fabulous mountain range. Peaks and valleys. Lights and shadows. Highs and lows. Beautiful in areas. Ugly in others. And while it may take your breath away from time to time with it's beauty and majesty...never once doubt that it is always deadly. Yet, the experience if it all thrown out before you in a grand panorama, with the sun glinting off the snow on the peaks and the deer running through the brush in the valleys...that experience is what makes it all worth while. And people like An tUasal and my landlord...they are those things that take your breath away...those moments of splendor in a world of gloom that make you appreciate the world around you. Even when it's doing its best to be its grungiest worst.

Thank you two for being the wonderful people you are.

So That's That

2007-03-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Got my severance package today.

Need to make up my mind to sign it or not.

Can't say I'm too horribly surprised. Level3 never was the brightest about who they choose to retain and who they choose to let go.

Given the people who got their walking papers today...yeah...they are living up (or is it down) to expectation.

Some things never change.

I have to say that Broadwing management has been the best at handling these things out of all the ones I've heard/experienced.

Days of Decision

2007-03-05T04:55:00.000-08:00

Well, today is the day I either get my relo package or my work through date...

Yeah, day of joy and excitation.

It's also the day I nag WEBS and find out where my yarn is.

Sorry, not really feeling social or chatty, right now. I tend to turn into a major hermit when my life is in the balance.

Name that Price

2007-01-18T04:06:00.000-08:00

Wow. So, I've decided to finally make a knitted afghan. In the past, they've always been crocheted. However, I've found this delightful aran pattern on CanadianLiving.com and I just can't pass it up.

So. The lovely act of yarn selection comes in to play. The suggested yarn is a nicely priced one, in the median range. Patons Classic Merino Wool. Joann's sells it for $4.49/skein. Not a bad price at all. Not really. But...it's wool. That means I'd use it maybe one or two months out of the year. And, well...it's wool. Handwash, lay flat, wool. Afghan. Um...no. So, I did some digging at one of my favorite places to shop...Webs. Oh la la. I found my yarn. This stuff is absolutely lovely. The yarn is a cotton silk blend that comes in one pound cones and is a little bigger than what is called for in the pattern...but it's an afghan...

I've wanted to use Everet Silk for a while, now. And, of course, when I finally get around to being able to do so...it's being discontinued.

However! This means that I get an excellent price and do get the chance to make a delightful pattern in a wonderful yarn. I think the tweedy factor will add a very nice quality to the afghan and I'm really, really looking foward to seeing how this works up. With it being mostly silk...well...the cables might not pop like you'd really want them to. I'm hoping the cotton helps alleviate that and gives me a nice "pop" for the cable. We'll see. I got it in the "dusty" colourway.

The ironic thing? I paid $10 less on the Everet Silk than I would have on the Patons.

Progress, life and so on

2007-01-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

Request to any friends here in Austin who know good vets. The boys need dental work desperately. Bartleby in particular has a serious dental infection and needs dental surgery. I just cannot afford the $637 quoted me by the vet in one lump sum. Not to mention the near $300 they say Loki will cost. The boys need the work, but I need a vet willing to work with me on payments. If y'all know of any, please let me know.

Now. Before you read any further...Get comfortable. Have your drink? Don't drink it. Have a paper bag handy? You might want to go get one, then. Hyperventalation is quite possible to those of you who are as enamoured of STR as I am. What am I blathering on about? Read this link: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2007/01/11/freakin_muggles.html

Yeah...Exactly.

Got your breath back? Feeling a bit more stable? Alrighty...take a moment more. I totally understand.

...

Now, on to the rest of my blathering.

Icarus is moving along slowly. However, since discovering one of the girls at my Saturday knitting group is at relatively the same location in the pattern I am, I feel it only my duty to continue along. Particularly as this is her very first lace piece and she's counting on me to be able to answer any questions she has about the pattern! I'm making it out of Alpaca With a Twist Fino in....ready for it?....black. What's with me and black, lately?

I managed to get one of An tUasal's socks completed. Believe it or not. I mean it, his feet are huge! Ok, not as big as my brother in law's size 13...but still. A man's size 12 wide is pretty large. Particularly compared to my woman's size 7 narrow.

I showed him one of my socks up against one of his...it was amusing.

I'll pull out the camera tonight and do my best to get a picture to show the difference. There's nothing, really, to show concerning his sock in particular.

It's black...100%, unrelieved black. It knit up at ~9½ stitches to the inch on size 0 bamboo DPNs in Lanett Superwash Black.

The toe to beginning of the heel is 9¼ inches of pure stockinette stitch. Worked an afterthought heel. The leg is 5 inches of 3x2 ribbing and then 1½ inches of 2x1 ribbing. The circumfrence is 10 inches, spot on.

He says it fits great...I think it's a tad too long. But he's determined they are perfect "around the house" socks. I give it a day or two of wearing them and he'll be treating them just like any other sock. **grins**

The first round of layoffs happened last Friday...they will continue until they stop. Yup...that definitive. I don't want to relocate...My son is much closer with me here, and it's a lot cheaper to pay for gas back and forth to Sugarland than it is airfare back and forth to wherever they would relocate me. Also, An tUasal is just a bit too big to fit into my bags. Not to mention, comtemplating attempting to haul his dead weight around is rather daunting. Plus, I have a couple of people here in Austin, Houston and Sugarland that I'd prefer to stay in relatively close proximity to...and relocating to some place hours and hours and hours away just really isn't "relatively close proximity". Hard to please, aren't I?

On the school front, I'm finishing up my Organizational Behavior class with a paper titled "Ethical Transitions in Takeover Times: A Look at Ethical Management During a Hostile Takeover"...colour me odd, but it seemed quite apropos. It was, of course, after I got the topic approved that it dawned on me that this is only a 5 page paper. A double spaced, five page paper. That's a lot to get into what is basically two pages of text. It should be interesting.

I also have started Statistics and my Ethics class will begin the first Monday in February.

Oh yeah...life's getting a tad full. The only reason I'm getting away with all the schoolwork is that starting Monday the 15th, I go to third shift at work (11pm to 7am). Well, for as long as I have my job.

I really want one of these ones I've been talking with to snap me up, PDQ.

Big Feet!

2006-12-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

In making An tUasal's socks, I have discovered just how big my man is. I am just boggling at how much yarn it is taking to make his socks. I kid you not. It is taking as much yarn to make his socks as it does to make myself a halter top.

**blinks**

It makes my brain hurt to contemplate. I mean....I knew he was big. I just...wow.

So sorry there has been next to no posting, lately. But I've been working on this one project.....

Yes. Just the one.

It's black.

It's frustrating.

It's not going to be done in time for Christmas.

However, I did manage to get him a full set of Anton Chekov's work as well as another Turgenev - the novel "First Love". I know he's going to love those.

So. I'll shove the sock on his foot and see how poorly it fits, make adjustments and then complete the pair. I figure finishing them will be his Valentine's present. **snickers**

He took me to lunch today. We needed that. He's such an amazing guy. I've been blessed with the men in my life. My son is just amazing. A child that just blows stereotyping right out of the water. And An tUasal is just...he's such a "macho man" in so many ways...yet quite a bit deeper than that. Even if he does earn the title Captain Oblivious from me from time to time. He's a good bloke with a great heart and always willing to listen when you knock him upside the head for missing the "obvious".

Happy holidays to you all, in whatever form or fashion you choose to participate - that includes attempting to ignore all the "holidaying" going on around you.

Nothing much

2006-12-06T19:51:00.000-08:00

Camera's USB port's busted so I have a card reader on order. I was going to go to WalMart and get one, but the price online was $20 cheaper and I just couldn't justify the additional expense just for instant gratification.

So...not like I had too much to photograph, right now, anyway. Absolutely all projects are on hold until this pair of socks gets completed. Yes, you read that correctly. No other projects will be worked until this pair of socks is completed.

Why? Well, because they are for An tUasal and ... well ....I just don't knit fast enough to work on anything else and get a pair of size 12 men's socks completed in time for the holidays. Size 12 men's socks knit on size 1 needles. Sad, but too true.

They're black Lanett Superwash, by the way, so photographs of them in progress would have been unilaterally uninspiring anyway. Am I the only one who doesn't think twice about using "baby" yarn to make socks? **grins**

I did, however, take time out tonight from my knitting to make an orange gingerbread cheesecake for tomorrow. The boys at work have an appetite that I very much enjoy feeding.

Yup, you know it. I love the man something silly. **toddles off to knit some more**

Wonderful Saturday

2006-12-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

I got to spend a great Saturday with a wonderful gal today.

My day started like most any other Saturday. Getting up at 6:30 to let the pups out - no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get them to understand that weekends means I get to sleep in. Puttering around the house until 9:30 am and then getting ready and heading to my knitting group at Cafe Caffiene. The gals there are always wonderful.

One that I always look forward to seeing in particular is Erika ((waves)) who has joined in on the Dulaan project ((YAY!)). Not that I don't enjoy all the ladies there, several in particular, but Erika is one I keep chattering with about hooking up outside of our knitting meetings.

After playing "show and tell" with some non-knitters at the coffee shop who wanted each of us to show them what we were working on, and a couple of hours of great conversation with the rest of the knitters, Erika went home to gather one of her spawn and I hit the corner shop to pick up a quick bite and some molasses. ((I'm gearing up to make orange and gingerbread cheesecake next week))

We took her oldest to "Ninja Camp" and then headed up to Bluebonnet Yarn Shoppe. She'd never been and I was really looking forward to introducing her to my favorite yarn shop in the area. She ooh'd and aah'd appropriately and behaved herself ((as well as can be expected when faced with such temptations)). She's promised to attempt to make the Lover's Vine socks following my pattern. I guess we'll see how badly I messed up as she struggles through my rather...not so intuitive....pattern.

She also got some absolutely lovely yarn to start a Clapotis. I can't wait to see how it works up for her.

Me? I was ((gasp)) a good girl. I had gone there to get a 42" or so circular in size 0s since my current set is occupied on another project. I ripped out the mister's sock that I had started...Why? Well, I found some great, black superwash at the shop. So...three balls of superwash black, a set of needles and I'm good to go to start my two at once. I'm hoping I can get them finished by Christmas, but if not - they'll be a great V-day present.

Erika's oldest is just adorable. She held my hand on the way in to "Ninja Camp" and chattered and joined in on the conversation and just overall enforced her mom's stories of what a great kiddo she is. I almost wanted to take her home with me.......though I think Erika might have taken exception to that idea. ((grins)) What a great kiddo.

On that note. I'm dosing myself heavily with ibuprofen and going to go lay down. I appear to be working on a mother of a headache....

But.....it was such a great day.

Next Stop - The Twilight Zone

2006-11-27T19:09:00.000-08:00

I sent dad one of my recipes earlier via email.

He'd asked for a copy of it...my Grand Mariner Cheesecake recipe.

He wrote back telling me if I didn't want to share that was fine - but stop teasing the man with the weak heart....

I'd left out the ingredients and just sent the instructions.

Yeah...it's been one of those weeks.

Somebody save the girl.

I'm begging you.

Dream a little dream

2006-11-26T16:20:00.000-08:00

Price: $75,000
City: Oregon City
County: Clackamas
Zip: 97045
Gross SQFT: 1200
Prop Type: INCOME
Yr. Built: 1986

ML Number: 6094134
Area: Oregon City, Beavercreek, Canby, Molalla, Mulino Construction: WOOD
Stories: 1 Lot Size: 0-2,999SF
Acres: Zoning: comm
Heat/Fuel: FOR-AIR / GAS Cool:
Water: PUBLIC Sewer: PUBLIC
Road Frontage: 20 Roof: METAL
Parking / Desc: 2 / ASSIGND Tax/Yr: 0

REMARKS:
Here's your opportunity to own a great existing business in the heart of Oregon City. All inventory to be part of sale. Two parking spaces available but lots more provided. Large amount of drive by traffic, close to 99W. All you need to do is open the doors. Call for more details.

List Agent: Cheri Evan Office: John L. Scott/Town Center
E-mail: cherie@johnlscott.com Website:
Agent Phone: 503-652-8429 Office Address: 8495 SE Monterey Ave Suite 300
Office City/State/Zip: Portland, OR 97266
Office Phone: 503-653-9720

...and more photos to tease a gal.

Too bad I'd have to make a significant profit right off the get go (and I mean significant) and find some way to foot the bill to relocate. Which I really don't want to do, anyway - I'm kinda partial to Austin and a certain man here....but - a girl can dream.

FO's

2006-11-23T08:42:00.000-08:00

So, I'm now moving a bit more freely. I still feel the pinch, but it's not got me crying rivers or cursing like a sailor. Therefore, I deem myself much recouperated.

As promised, here are the projects from last weekend.

First up is the second Harald Watchcap. My son snagged the first, so I had to make a second since this was originally intended to be a gift for my father. I made it out of Cascade Pastaza on size 8US Addi Turbos and Surina size 8US dpns. I like it, even if I did mess up big time and have to rip all the way back to the ribbing when I was almost done. **grimace** The pattern is from Elsebeth Lavold's Viking Patterns for Knitting. There are several very nice patterns in this book. They are well written and very easy to follow. The hardest thing is finding yarn substitutions. Like this pattern. It called for Lord of Aran yarn. Yeah. Not exactly jumping off the shelves, that yarn. Enter a wee bit of digging and contemplating and out comes Cascade Pastaza. I'm happy with the results. Very much so.

Next up is a Dulaan project. Item one of my target 5 items. This is just a simple knit plain hat. I worked it in wool-ease and mohair. I love the halo it has and the mixed effect is really nice. I just hope it's warm enough. Goodness knows that simple things like hats and socks for children knit up fast enough that it's not any real time lost at all on other projects to make one a month or so. My next one will be made with two strands of wool-ease held together. It gets downright frigid there. I think Buddha is modeling it quite nicely.

Then there is the scarf and hat set I knit up for myself. I did this scarf in one morning, flat. Kid you not. If you really like the yarn, you can find more excellent stuff along this line if you keep an eye out on the spinner's blog. As for this particular yarn...it's most improbable that you (or I) could be getting anymore. The Redhead spun it up a couple of years ago for a competition. Both the pink and the beaded white. The woman spins like a dream.
They are 100% angora and a fingering weight. With angora the way it is, I felt a little better by working the white with a strand of Karabella Lace Mohair and the pink was worked with KnitPicks Shimmer FlowerGarden on size 15US. I know. I never use anything large you say. I agree. It felt so absolutely wrong using those needles. But I wanted the big, loopy effect like that and size 15s is what it took to achieve it. Then I was shocked to discover I still had quite a bit of the beaded white left and a whole skein and a half of the pink left. So....I made a partner.

Enter the matching cap. Again, both sections were worked with supporting yarn. I started off with a k2,p2 rib and then stepped it down to a k2,p1 rib over 6.5 inches. I then switched to the pink and knit plain for another 6 inches and then did a simple every other row decrease. I like how it turned out. It's warm, fuzzy and fits perfectly.

I'm now ensconded at work making a wee bit of progress on my Random Log Cabin and the Icarus....twitching to get finished so I can begin Heere Be Dragone....which looks something like this, as you may recall from my previous post:

Unbelievable

2006-11-20T18:23:00.000-08:00

I actually have knitted stuff.

I finished my first hat of the year for Dulaan, knit a scarf and the watchcap for my dad.

I even got halfway through a hat to match the scarf I knit.

Then I hurt my neck and don't feel like screwing with the camera to take all the photos...

So, I'll do that when I stop hurting.

Slacker

2006-11-17T07:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know I haven't really been posting much, lately. I suck the biggest toad toenails. I grant you permission to flagellate me with a cat of nine, soggy noodles. No, smarty pants, not flatulate, flagellate. **shakes head** Some people's children. I tell you what.

Anyway, life here has been rather disheartening. Work is a definite state of limbo.

"How's that?", you ask. Well, amazing what buyouts can do to the company being purchased. And, of course, none of us know how much longer we will be employed. And, if we are allowed to keep our jobs, it is 90% likely that we will have to relocate to Denver.

Now, I have nothing against Denver. I enjoyed the time I spent there. However, I don't live there any longer. I have a lot of friends here, not to mention a most wonderful man that is a wee bit too large to fit into my luggage...not to mention the interesting idea of accomplishing the monumental feat of managing to manhandle his 275 pounds of deadweight. Yeah.

Then, there is my son to consider. He lives in Houston. Admittedly, I could fly him up every summer. But, I kinda like having him that "close".

So, I've been putting my CV out and hoping for a nibble. I got one last night from Ntelicore. Now, I really like the job that I'd be doing - goodness knows I'm certainly qualified for it. And, the pay is certainly something to be happy about. However, it's a 5-6 month contract (with possibility of extension). I'm not huge on contracts, but you know what? "Permanent jobs" aren't so permanent anymore. The pay on the job would be great, it's with the state, etc. Ntelicore is based out of Dallas, so far as I can find and I really don't want to take jobs in Dallas. However, if they do a lot of contracting with the state, I'm sure quite a few of the jobs would be here in Austin. I was looking into getting HUB certified anyway so I could do exactly this, so - I responded that I would be highly interested in the position and filled out the forms. We'll see where that goes, eh?

As for knitting....

I'm working on the random log cabin as the mood strikes, so I figure it will be finished around my 80th birthday. I am working on the Vogue Knitting braided scarf - in silky wool. I am loving how it is turning out.

And for my main project.

The one consuming all of my time.

I am working on an Icarus Shawl in Alpaca with a Twist Fino (black) for Gloria.

It's so odd. I mean, it's a laceweight yarn; but, it feels so solid. I keep fiddling with it thinking, "Gee, this is aweful thick." And my friends laugh at me, because it really isn't. As one friend said, "You are just used to it being like a cloud and this just has more substance."

She's right.

Gloria really isn't a "shawl person", but I'm hoping she likes the shawl, anyway. I'd make her something else, but not knowing her dimensions makes it a wee bit problematic.

After Gloria's shawl, I'm making his father an aran lap blanket out of lightweight yarn. I hope he likes it.

On that note, I'm off to do what it is my company is paying me to do...which, oddly enough, is not blogging.

Toodles!

Lover's Vine Pattern

2006-11-14T14:23:00.000-08:00

As promised, here is the pattern for Lover's Vine:

Lover's Vine sock pattern:

Lace pattern 9 + 4
Cable pattern 4 + 2

Yarn: STR Lover's Leap
Needles: Celtic Swan Forge brass dpns size 1, set of 5
Scrap yarn in contrasting colour

Pattern:

Cast on 10 stitches

Pick up 10 stitches from the cast on edge so that now two needles have 10 stitches on each needle.

Knit 5 stitches, change to new dpn, knit 5 stitches, change to new dpn, knit 5 stitches, change to new dpn, knit 5 stitches. 20 stitches total over 4 dpns.

You are now set up.

Row 1: kfb,knit to end of needle one. Knit to last two stitches on needle two, kfb. kfb, knit to end of needle 3. Knit to last two stitches on needle four, kfb.
Row 2: knit
repeat in these two rows until number of desired stitches are on your needles (for me, it was 60 stitches - I wear a size 7 in US women's shoes)

Set up your stitches by sliding one stitch from needle three to needle two. This will put 31 stitches on the "top" of the sock and 29 on the sole.

Begin pattern:

Row 1: k2, *yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1* repeat from *, end k2 (this pattern ends on needle two). Knit plain across needles 3 and 4.
Row 2 and 4: knit
Row 3: k3, *yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1* repeat from *, end k1 (this pattern ends on needle two). Knit plain across needles 3 and 4.

Repeat this pattern until sock measures desired length for the sole. For me, it was 6 inches from the toe to the heel.

When you have reached the desired length for the sole**, work across needles one and two in pattern. Drop your working yarn. Pick up a contrasting colour scrap piece of yarn and knit across needles three and four. Return back to the working yarn and knit across the scrap yarn you have just worked. This will leave you a clear indication of where your heel will go.

Knit in pattern across needles one and two.
Knit across needles three and four.
Knit in pattern across needles one and two. On needles three and four, increase 5 stitches to a total of 65 stitches. 31 across needles one and two and 34 across needles three and four. This allows for two 4 stitch cables (purl stitch on each side) and two pattern repeats of the lace across needles three and four.

Hopefully, at this point, you are at row one of the lace pattern. If you are not, work in pattern (lace over needles 1 and 2 and plain over needles 3 and 4) until you are back to row one of the lace pattern.

When there do the following:

Row 1: k2, *yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1* repeat from *, end k2 (this pattern ends on needle two). Purl first stitch on needle three, knit the next four stitches through the back loop, purl, k2, yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k3, purl, knit the next 4 through the back loop, purl.
Row 2: knit the knits, purl the purls.
Row 3: k3, *yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1* repeat from *, end k1 (this pattern ends on needle two). Purl first stitch on needle three, knit the next four stitches through the back loop, purl, k3, yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k2, purl, knit the next 4 through the back loop, purl.
Row 4: knit across needles one and two. Purl, place two stitches onto a stitch holder and bring them to the front, knit the next two stitches through the back loop, knit the two stitches from the holder through the back loops, purl, knit to the next purl. Purl the purl, place two stitches onto a stitch holder and bring them to the front, knit the next two stitches through the back loop, knit the two stitches from the holder through the back loops, purl.

Work until the sock is as high as you want it to be. I like ankle socks, so only went with 8 repeats up the leg.

Stop working the pattern on a "row 3" row.

work the cuff of the sock:

Row 1: Purl
Row 2: knit
Row 3: Purl

Cast off by purling one stitch, slip it back to the original needle, p2tog, slip it back over to the original needle, and repeat across until all stitches have been cast off.

Go back to where the contrasting yarn is and carefully pick it out, slipping the live stitches onto your dpns. You will notice a bit of open area around each side of the opening. Simply pick up the yarn in these areas as if you were M1. Make sure that you have an even number of stitches across your needles.

Then work the heel as follows:

Row 1: knit
Row 2: k1, ssk, knit across to last three on needle 2,k2tog, k1. Repeat same across needles three and four.

Repeat these two rows until you have the number of stitches you want for the base of your heel. I work down to 24 stitches.

Slip your stitches so they are across two needles (needles 1 and 2 to a single needle. Needles 3 and 4 to a single needle). Hold the needles together and graft the heel closed just like you would the toe of a cuff down sock.

**how to determine the length of your sole: Measure your foot, tip of your longest toe to the end of your heel. Subtract two inches from this length and that is where you will place your scrap yarn for the afterthought heel.

If you make these, I'd love to see photos of them and make a gallery with a link from the sidebar.

Between the Worlds

2006-11-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

We all begin, somewhere, some when.
The mysterious force we name Life
Calls us forth from the Beyond,
And out of the womb we emerge,
Hail and Whole,
Screaming our triumphant return

Life calls to us, and we answer
Challenging and brave, timid and scared
Loving and peaceful, hating and spiteful
Every emotion known to humanity swarms
Through the mercury of our souls, and
We scream our response to the Call of Life.

Then the forces turn, and the
Beyond shows that it has not loosened its hold
From within the folds of the ether
Comes that One. Beauty unrivaled,
Compassion and Grace defined.
The One who dances with Life and
Endures and Exceeds all Time

As we pass through this world,
We experience and learn,
Taking our knowledge with us to
The Summer Lands.
As Death entices us over
The Threshold, we enter the ether

Becoming fully one with the Cosmos,
Experiencing everything and nothing,
Perfect balance, and
Beginning again, we enter Life,
Screaming our triumph
Howling our challenge.

I have returned unto Life -
That great and wondrous force.
I have passed through Death -
That equalizing balance.
I have continued. I will endure.

For, are not my sisters and brothers
None other than Ra, Kali, Chronos,
Athena, Diana, Apollo, Zeus, Lugh
The Gods and Goddesses
Walk between the worlds.

And I?
I walk amongst them.

Poem by: Kilsharion C GreyMoon
(Yes, it is copyrighted all nice and legal like. Ask for permission to use it.)

The art was gracious allowed to be used by Jeanne Robinson of the Stardance Project. If you haven't heard of this or taken time to read about it, give it a look. The Stardance Trilogy written by Jeanne and Spider Robinson was something I much enjoyed when it first came out - check it out, it's worth the time. It's fascinating. I sincerely hope to see the film project come to fruition.

Politics Warning

2006-11-01T05:16:00.000-08:00

Departure from your regularly scheduled blog....I'd apologize, but it's my blog and this is what I'm feeling like posting about, right now. **grumpy face**

Kerry said, "Education, you know, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

I call shenanigans. I cannot begin explain to you how badly this perturbs me.

My father wound up in Vietnam and retired as a disabled veteran...was he uneducated? Did he not do well? Was he not smart? Did he not do his homework?

How about me? Am I uneducated? Do I lack grey matter? Did I not do my homework? Did I not do well? Yet, I wound up in the desert. Not once, not twice, not three times, but four times....and was honorably discharged, thank all that is that I was not disabled or otherwise wounded gravely. But for the grace of all that's holy go I.

What about all the men and women with bars and stars that are "stuck in Iraq"? Did they not do well? Did they not do their homework and study hard to get those bars and stars? Brass does not just fall from the sky to land so softly upon their lapels.

What about all those others like my father and myself who wore stripes instead of brass, yet have degrees? Are they just slackers who deserve nothing better than Iraq?

What about those like my mother who never got a high school diploma, yet can run circles around Kerry (and many officers or other political ass holes) with her mental acuity? Is he saying she would deserve to be in Iraq because she chose a different path in life?

No one deserves to be "stuck in Iraq" - and it certainly should not be used as a boogie man with false statements and generic threats.

Our soldiers don't deserve to be in that situation. The poor Iraqis don't deserve to be in this situation. No one deserves it. And, they certainly don't deserve it just because they couldn't get a good grade in school, or because they chose a different path than higher education.

There is some knitting content, actually. I finished Kate's socks last night. They are drying right now. I'll take some photos of them this evening and post the particulars. I like how they turned out. The pink one I made just a wee bit longer than the purple because of foot size differential. The purple was really snug on her smaller foot, so I figured it would be wise. Here's hoping I wasn't too far off on my estimations.

Knit Out 2006

2006-10-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks, ladies, for the fun time. Here are some photos from later in the day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34398075@N00/

I loved meeting the "bloggals" as I think of you. *grins* I realized when I got home that only the two knitters had given me their blogs. What about you, Ms. Crochet? *grins*

Sorry that I pretty much stayed stuck in my chair with the exception of the quick run to get caffeine, or show off my Lover's Vine Sock. I wasn't very sociable. *hangs head* I do thank you all for the sweet and kind comments about my shirt and sock. You all are the best bunch of gals.

I had a lot of fun, even if I was half-snoring through the day. I got a bit of spinning done, though not a whole lot...and not much knitting at all. But it was a blast. Next year, hopefully, it will not be happening the day after (or of depending on how you want to look at it) a network upgrade.

Audrey made a lot of progress on starting her first sock, then ripped it all out and decided to give it a go with larger needles and yarn. You go girl!

Chris is going to make the Generic Toe-Up Sock. I have faith in her! She's got half the process done with short rows, and I know she'll get the other half done. Just remember, Chris....don't think so much. There's a rhythm to knitting, and once you find it, it all falls into place.

Judy A. is gonna rock dah house...man, I loved that yarn she is using for the cuff down. I may have to go get myself some. I don't know how much she's goin to get done over the next few weeks. She's a short term nanny and the next few weeks is full of newborn and toddlers.

I got to spin a little bit and visit a lot. I went home, and contrary to my intended homework time, I passed out hard. Slept through until 6 this morning! Twelve hours of sleep. Wow.

It looks like Friday Night Knits (knitting/crocheting) will happen at Borders in the Westgate shopping center (Austin, TX)around 6:30pm until we find the name & location of the knitter owned cafe down on Old Manchacha. I considered my place, but after poor Judy A left with half of Bartleby attached to her clothing last time....maybe that's not such a good idea.

I promise, gals, all those patterns will be written...here's the pending list:

Easy as Pie Toe-up Sock
Lover's Vine Sock
Midnight Flair Skirt
Rusted Paneled Tunic

Lover's Vine

2006-10-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

Sock 1 is completed. I have a few areas that need tweaking. Overall, though, I'm very pleased:

Premonitions

2006-09-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

I don't have any reasonable explanation. None at all. All I can say is that I have a deep and certain feeling something is getting ready to happen. For good or ill, I don't know; but, it's going to be big. And, I don't like not knowing. This is a very uncomfortable place to be.

Call me insane, that's ok. I don't know why I am so sure - but my gut is adamant. Something is coming.

Kate's sock

2006-09-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

I've finished one of her socks! The other will be exactly opposite of this one colourwise. But, I really like it. The additional two stitches between patterns adds to it, I think.

The real bonus? She likes it. YAY!

Randomness Begun

2006-09-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

So my Random Log Cabin has begun. Each colour has been assigned a number via a random number generator. Cast on stitches randomly generated and each section's number of garter stitch ridges is randomly assigned.

Here's the pertinent information:

Yarn: Knit Picks Palette - one of each colour (30 colours)
Needles: Addi Turbos size 2 US 39"
Gague: 10 stitches to the inch

Order:

1 Apricot
2 Hyacinth
3 Tan
4 Sunlight
5 Blush
6 White
7 Blue
8 Black
9 Green
10 Yellow
11 Orange
12 Ash
13 Pool
14 Mint
15 Sky
16 Wood
17 Bark
18 Fog
19 Nutmeg
20 Twig
21 Red
22 Petal
23 Grass
24 Purple
25 Lilac
26 Fawn
27 Peach
28 Mist
29 Lemon
30 Cream

I've been outted!

2006-09-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

Kittie: sweet!!!
Her Sweetie: that's knitted?
Kittie: yeah
Kittie: I'm ordering the pattern right now LOL
Her Sweetie: neato
Her Sweetie: that's some skills.
Kittie: yeah - AND, I happen to have enough of the recommended yarn to make it without having to buy more yarn **bounces happily**...not that I'll ever really complain about buying yarn LOL
Her Sweetie: hehee...crackfiend

Seriously, though...you cannot tell me this isn't worth getting bouncy about:

I stumbled onto this scrumptious find at Dave's blog via Cassie's.

Yup, yup...I sooooo want to make this shawl. Once I do, how much you want to bet I sit down and try to figure out how to make a tiger shawl? I know the perfect person to give one to.

For my own memory - Barking Ordinance

2006-09-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

Barking ordinance

§ 3-2-2 NOISY ANIMALS.
An owner or handler may not keep an animal that makes frequent or long, continued noise that is disturbing to a person of normal sensibilities.
Source: 1992 Code Section 3-3-6; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11.

South Austin Contacts:

311

Police Department: Officer Anthony Valderas 974-4508. Tell him the situation and he will make arrangements with his officers to monitor the situation better.

Animal Control Supervisor: Chris Robles 972-6024. He might go out and talk to the owners and explain the situation and regulations. They may want to know about the lack of interaction, though there are no regulations about interaction, other than food, water and proper medical care. Let them know that the dogs are in my yard pretty regularly and have no indication of vaccinations. Also let them know that the dogs jump the back fence (ie. are not securely contained).

For those of you who are not a part of my daily life - I'm having serious issues with lack of sleep lately, and not due to a return of my insomnia. My neighbors got some puppies a few months back and spend literally no time with them. The dogs are never allowed in the house, get no play time with their owners. The smaller one has figured out how to climb/jump the back fence and the fence into my yard so is inadequately contained. And...the icing on the cake is that around 10:30pm like clockwork, they start barking...and continue barking on and off all night long.

My bedroom window is about 15 feet from their yard. The windows are thin (not up to date triple pane or anything - these are like 1980's windows at best) and I might as well be laying out in the yard listening to them bark...all...night...long. My dogs are snoring logs and I'm tossing and turning. I've tried white noise. What didn't keep me awake, didn't block the dogs' barking or distract me from their barking. I'm exhausted by the time the weekend comes and wind up sleeping the entire day Saturday and feeling completed wiped Sunday. By the time I get my energy back, the week has started again and it's more of the same. I'm too old to be able to survive on around 4 hours of interrupted sleep a night.

Knitting content:

I received the Palette Sampler from Knit Picks last night, along with the rest of the Fleece Arist for Kate's socks, Bare for my socks and Alpaca with a Twist "Fino" in a lovely grey colour for Gloria's shawl (making her an Icarus Shawl). I really like how the Fleece Artist colourways of Raspberry and Periwinkle are working together. (I'll update this post with photos later, when I get home to where the photos are ;-)).

I got started on Kate's socks last night. One will be Raspberry toe, heel and cuff and the main portion Periwinkle. The other one will be exactly the opposite. It's got a figure 8 toe and will have a shortrow heel (maybe an afterthought, we'll see when I get there) and will be a lace pattern leg. Most likely feather and fan with an extra stitch on each side of the pattern repeat per needle since it's worked over 18 stitches and I have 20 per needle (80 around). I'm hoping 80 around will be large enough. I may have to go up to 84 around, though it seemed to be ok when I did the preliminary check this morning. I do have to say, I really like Fleece Artist, though not quite as much as I like Socks that Rock.

My Friend Cracks Me Up

2006-09-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

I have a gal pal who totally doesn't knit, but loves what I do and has recently asked me to make her a pair of socks (waiting on the yarn at this point).

About a year ago, I was sipping on some wine while knitting a baby blanket. The following morning I had proof that I was rather intoxicated even though I hadn't thought so. Kate was highly amused at the proof of the saying I had told her the night before while laughing..."Friends don't let friends knit drunk."

I had a conversation with her tonight that made me laugh:

Me: got to figure out how I want to do this sock
Kate: yay socks :-)
Me: LOL
Me: wrote out the pattern. Now, to see if it will work
Kate: You should start a friday night knitters club
Kate: I was going to say, "You could all drink!" but then I remembered drinking & knitting do not mix

The pattern I'm referring to is a modified Lover's Vine. I'm going cuff down this time, and will be doing arch shaping (if it works right)...this could be a really nice sock...if it turns out. *laughs*

Comment to the Yarn Harlot

2006-09-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

In reading the Yarn Harlot's blog today, I was stunned by a couple of things:

a) the photo of her shawl with the morning glories...I can so see this being my computer background for a while.

b) The idea of 300 knitters. In one place. Amazing. Makes me thinke we need a shirt made up like the old magazines used to do for the kids...where they'd hide images inside others....have knitters hidden inside various elements of an every day scene, where you really have to look to see them...have them /everywhere/ and have the caption say "We are everywhere"

c) I am completely loving the geurnsey she's making. I can't wait to see it completed! Putting me of the mind to actually finish spinning this 7 pounds of BFL and make one with it. I haven't spun in way too long. *hangs head in shame* I even have some ideas for patterning. Who knows, I might actually plan this pattern out before I begin instead of doing it on the fly. What's the world coming to. But, when the guy I'd be making it for is 6'2" and roughly 270 pounds...I really don't want to make it only to have to rip it all out and start over!

d) Socks have kinda been holding me hostage...they do have a bit more advantage in the pointy bits over your standard circular/straight knitting. Makes one pay a wee bit more attention when they get aggressive like this, you understand.

Speaking of which, I had to rip out the Lover's Vine socks. **sobs** I turned the heel poorly, which should have been indicative of the fact that this was not meant to be in the fashion in which I was attempting to force it to be. The pattern started shifting and wiggling and basically giving me the sock version of "the finger". Alas, I caved in to the inevitable and sent the sock to the frog pond. Now, to decide if I'm going to go back with this particular yarn to make the pattern, or if I am going to use the only two skeins of Lover's Leap that I have and make a shawl...I think I can make the Flower Basket shawl with the (almost) 800 yards of Socks That Rock.

Thoughts?

Lover's Vine

2006-09-12T19:57:00.000-07:00

I'm totally digging this colourway (Lover's Leap) from Socks That Rock. I so wish I'd purchased more than just two skeins when I ordered this.

The pattern I'm doing is working lovely with this and I think I'm falling in love. **grins**

---
I want to see your face in every kind of light
In fields of dawn and forests of the night
And when you stand before the candles on a cake
Oh, let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make

What are you doing the rest of your life?
North and South and East and West of your life
I have only one request of your life
That you spend it all with me

All the seasons and the times of your days
All the nickels and the dimes of your days
Let the reasons and the rhymes of your days
All begin and end with me

I want to see your face in every kind of light
In the fields of dawn and the forests of the night
And when you stand before the candles on a cake
Oh, let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make

Those tomorrows waiting deep in your eyes
In the world of love that you keep in your eyes
I'll awaken what's asleep in your eyes
It may take a kiss or two

Through all of my life
Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall of my life
All I ever will recall of my life
Is all of my life with you

~Frank Sinatra

Watchcap Fini

2006-09-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

I finished my father's birthday present tonight. I am really amazed at how fast the pattern went, and I really like how it turned out. I will make a couple of modifications to the pattern when I work it again. Most notably, the p2tog at the top of the cable pattern that just ... well, annoys me. Otherwise it's great. I am contemplating actually making one for myself.

		Cascade Pastaza Colour #: 006 Dye Lot: 8820 Size: 100g/132yds Composition: 50% llama, 50% wool
		Size 8 US Surina custom set of 5 DPNs Addi Turbo 24" circular
		Harald Watchcap from Elsebeth Lavold's Viking Patterns for Knitting.

Nervous Wreck

2006-09-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is the day that the Kiri Shawl goes to its intended recipient. For those of you who don't remember, this is the finished product:

I see all the errors in it with glowing neon brilliance and on more than one occasion tried to convince my sweetie to just burn the thing. He just laughed at me and said he was sure she would love it. I just know this is a huge occasion and it's a 15 year old receiving it...and I'm being my typical panic ridden self and worrying like mad that she'll think to herself, "What the hell?" **laughs** Yup, I'm not going to calm down about this until I have his affirmation that it was well received...and a picture of her wearing it and not looking highly pained would be nice as well.

I've made some progress on the Harald Watchcap, but I have to say that the instructions for the cables had me doing a wee bit of research. I'm liking how it's looking in the grey, though - absolutely.

Pallete sampler is on its way to my domicile as I type. Looks like I'll be starting the log cabin before month's end.

I've finally determined what I'm doing with my skirt and may start on it again this weekend, I'm not certain...and am back to a whopping row 6 on the WRS. After having to start over twice on ths project, I have to say I'm losing some of my enthusiasm for it. However, I keep reminding myself how much I'm going to adore the final project.

My lace panel shirt is to the decrease stage for shaping. I'm trying to decide if I want to take it down to the hip area as a tunic or if I want to keep it standard length. I have a ways to go before I have to make that final decision, and goodness knows I've got more than enough yarn no matter which choice I make. **grins** I still shop for knitting projects as if they were crochet projects. In other words: I always have a lot of yarn. It's very, very rare that I push to the edge of my available yarn, and never have I run out. **snickers**

I have Kate measuring her feet so I can get started on her socks. She bought some lovely Fleece Artist that I look forward to using. Yup - a massage and her buying the yarn = handmade socks. **grins**

Anyway - back to the insanity that is my job, today. I slept so tense last night (yes, I really am nervous about her liking the shawl) that I have a headache that is making my stomach rebel...and we have 9500 circuits to rebuild manually today...yup...it's gonna be a long day.

Randomness

2006-09-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

So, January One started this thing where she's making a completely random log cabin blanket. She labeled her colors and then used a random number generator to tell her how many rows/etc to do for each section.

I'm going to change it up a bit and make it totally random. I'm going to buy one ball each of every Pallete colour that Knit Picks has and label them 1-30 and then go to a random number generator and have it select the numbers for me which will assign the order in which the colours will be used. I truly need the practice in letting go. I have no idea if I will like the finished product or not...but you know...that's not the point.

I am not going to allow myself to rip back and start over just because I don't like the colour or the way the logs are shaping up or anything. It's going to be completely out of my hands (so to speak).

I have to wonder what this will turn into!

What have I been up to?

2006-09-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

I figure I'll take the time in this post to make up for all those posts I've done sans pictures, so prepare yourself. *grins*

On Thursday night, I gathered at Borders with the wonderful gals of the Lonestar State Knitters (pictured to the left). They are an absolutely wonderful group of ladies. Very chatty, very supportive. I went home from the Borders meet up and flopped on the couch, as is standard and my two helpers immediately joined me.

I kinda blew through Friday without really being cognizant of the day existing, though I had a few amusing emails and txt messages that I remember. They still make me giggle. A rather heated fight with someone I considered a friend and really doesn't merit mentioning, but it was a significant portion of the night, so...anyway...Saturday morning found me gearing up to meet my best friend, Debbie, at our regular hang out, Kerbey Lane Cafe. I got to finally give her her birthday present and she gave me mine. **grins** We won't get into how far removed our birthdays are. I absolutely love mine. A wonderful cell phone case.

Chilled and watched the Auburn vs. WSU game. War Eagle!

Later that night I hooked up with Kate, Chris and Christina for dinner at Curra's. A fun time, indeed. I wouldn't have minded hitting downtown with them, but I guess I just don't keep up with the Joneses so well anymore. I went home and knitted a bit more and then crashed out for the night.

Got up Sunday for my dose of PowerBlock and more knitting. Yup, you read that right. PowerBlock and knitting. They go well together. **snickers**

I finished up the second sock and started on the Harald watchcap for my dad (this guy looks so much like my dad it's downright scary). Right around row two of the cap, Kim from Duncan Ryan out of New Zealand called for an interview. Just as we started talking, the rain started coming down. Delightful!

The interview lasted about an hour and then I called my dad and, as most of our conversations go, we talked for a couple of hours. It was a good night. I headed to bed at a decent time and got up to head to work this morning...*sighs*

This morning. Do I have to remember this morning? I suppose I do. I finally did what I knew I was going to do ever since my landlord's mother moved in with him. I hit her car (SUV) while backing out of the drive this morning. I hardly did anything to her SUV, but my car got a nice dent in the hood and the RH light unit busted out. I can most likely fix the body work without too much pain, and the unit I managed to find for $50 instead of the $120 I was afraid of. A huge relief.

My landlord's mom said that the damage I saw on her car had been there before, with the exception of a small dent. So, I'm sanding it down, doing a touch of body work and painting it for her. She's cool with that and that's the extent of it. But what a way to start the morning. On the way in to work, my transmission started slipping bad too. And the hits keep coming. *grimace*

I got to spend a little time knitting at work today on the Harald Watchcap so it wasn't a completely horrid day. I hope to have it done by the end of the week. It's being worked in an absolutely lovely yarn that I plan on using again someday. I had the hardest time finding any information on the yarn used by the author, Elsebeth Lavold, in Viking Patterns for Knitting. However, digging around I found some Cascade Pastaza. It's 50% llama and 50% wool and very, very soft. I'm using a really nice, iced grey and I adore it. I'm seriously considering making a ribbed shell out of it.

It was only a matter of time....

2006-09-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Crocodile Hunter dead at the age of 44. One of his beauties took him out.

At least he died doing what he loved. If only we are all so blessed.

PS: Will have a real post later today about my weekend and Labor Day morning. *grimace* With pictures and everything.

Sock Class in Austin

2006-09-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

Alrighty...I've had a few requests for sock classes so I figure I'll put one together and see how many responses I get, then decide where to have it based on that number.

What I would teach in this class is a basic sock on 5 dpns. I don't do circular sock knitting as it completely does not appeal to me.

I would instruct on:

Cuff down with heel flap
Toe up with short row toe and heel
Toe up with turkish toe and afterthought heel
Creating your own sock

This should offer the student the ability to mix and match parts to create their own styles for the final sock.

Either leave a comment or email me privately if you would like to be part of this series of classes. I don't feel you have to know how to knit in the round to join this series. If anything is well suited to learning how to knit in the round, socks certainly are.

Kili's Stuffed Beef Tenderloin

2006-08-28T08:50:00.001-07:00

Kili's Stuffed Beef Tenderloin
Servings vary depending on tenderloin size

1 whole beef tenderloin
1 cup feta
20 ounces fresh, chopped spinach
3 sundried tomatoes in oil
1 handful of black, Greek olives
1 handful morel mushrooms
Basil
Thyme
Rosemary
Toothpicks

Crust:
1 egg
Italian bread crumbs

Marinade:
1 cup merlot
1 diced yellow onion
3 crushed garlic cloves
crushed Black pepper

Garnish:
A sprig of rosemary
chopped black olives

Directions:

MARINADE: Combine merlot, onion, garlic, black pepper. Slice tenderloin lengthwise in a spiral cut to lay open. Place in container and cover with marinade. Let stand for 1 hour in refridgerator. Turn over, let stand another hour.

FILLING: Crumble feta into medium bowl. Add spinach. Dice the sundried tomatoes, olives and morels. Mix in with the feta. Add one pinch basil, thyme and rosemary.

In a small bowl, whisk egg.

Take tenderloin from the marinade and lay on a broiler safe baking sheet. Place filling along the center of the tenderloin, lengthwise. You are going to roll the tenderloin closed and "pin" the edges together with the toothpicks. I, personally, use a long, metal sheeskabob skewer just for safety's sake since this is going in a broiler.

Coat tenderloin in egg and roll in the bread crumbs. Place tenderloin on the baking sheet and place in broiler. After two minutes, turn tenderloin over and let broil another 3 minutes.

This gives you a medium rare tenderloin...at least in my oven. Oven broilers vary, and you may need to cook slightly longer depending on your range.

Remove from broiler, carefully remove toothpicks/skewer and place on serving plate with sealed side down.

Place a sprig of fresh rosemary to the side and sprinkle chopped olives over the top.

Serve immediately.

Peaches and Chocolate Fini

2006-08-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

I finished the second sock for mom. The photo is once again crappy due to cell phone photography. After tomorrow, however, I should be able to provide much better photos.

These were supposed to be a Christmas present for my mom. However, given the fact that I've finished them a bit more than a week before her birthday (unexpected), I will pack them up and ship them off as soon as they dry to be a birthday present for my mom. I'm just hoping they fit ok, and she likes how they feel. One is slightly taller than the other, which is puzzling, considering my gauge and number of rows was consistent. I'm confounded about that one. They aren't ridiculously off, just a wee bit - like the difference between on row or so. My mother will never notice and I'm convincing myself I don't mind (as anal retentive as I am - that's hard work), as I'm not about to rip them out. The wool fulled a bit already with just the first washing and getting the tail out and undoing the bind off would be...nighmare inducing. In all honesty, I doubt mom will wear them anyway. She has a bad habit of putting stuff I make on display saying it's too pretty to use. *sighs*

The yarn I spun up for her sits in a bowl that my dad turned. I kid you not. It sits in the bowl on display. **shakes head** I love her dearly. I just hope one day she realizes I make this stuff to be used, not just admired. *laughs*

Those curious can find the specifics about the yarn/pattern/etc in this post.

Now, I'm liking this...

2006-08-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through Amazon for books on Needle Lace and Knotted Lace today and stumbled across this interesting book. For those of you who haven't read me for very long, let me explain that I've crocheted for many, many, many years. I only recently started knitting, in the grand scheme of things. So this book is certainly something that had me perking up. I went ahead and preordered Amazing Crochet Lace: New Fashions Inspired by Old-Fashioned Lace as it's not due out until November 2006. But, I certainly want it. I am an "old fashioned" girl in a lot of my design preferences and this certainly has me perking up in interest.

In addition to this book, I snagged the following:

Mediterranean Knotted Lace - by Elena Dickson

and

Hispanic Lace and Lace Making - by Florence L. May

Inside the Room of My Soul

2006-08-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are a warm hearted and open minded person. It's easy for you to forgive and forget.

You are a grounded person, but you also leave room for imagination and dreams. You feet may be on the ground, but you're head is in the clouds.

You believe that people see you as a bit small and insignificant. People pay more attention to you than you think.

Your near future is calm, relaxing, and pretty much what you want. And it's something you've been anticipating for a while now.

For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

Illness = Sock frenzy?

2006-08-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what is going on with all this illness I've been fighting. Generally when I'm ill I have no desire to work on anything. I know it's strange, but I tend to feel that my mental/physical state is absorbed into my work...especially when it's stitch work. However, this latest bought of illness has been odd. I don't feel bad. I just can't stop coughing. My lungs hurt, but that's about it...other than the frustration.

I made the fastest sock I've ever made during this time frame. I'm generally pretty slow knitting because I am so not project monogamous. I have so many projects going it's surreal.

		Steinbach Wolle Strappaz Cotton Effekt Colourway: 1 Dye Lot: 63482 Size: 50g/140m Composition: 45% cotton, 42% wool, 13% polymide
		Size 0 US Clover Bamboo set of 5 DPNs
		Wendy's Feather and Fan toe up sock. One skein of yarn makes one sock.

I do better on socks when I alternate, so I started another set for my mom for Christmas (yeah, early start). This one actually went faster than the feather and fan above. I got it finished within a day (started the day of this post and finished Saturday). It's all stretched out on my foot because my mom's is smaller than mine, but you get the idea.

Friday

Saturday

		Nature's Pallete Colourways: Chocolate (NP114) and Odd Duck#5 Dye Lot: 316 and 216 Size: 50g/185yds Composition: 100% merino wool
		Size 0 US Clover Bamboo set of 5 DPNs
		My own. Garter stitch toe and afterthought heel. Toe and heel and cuff are done in the chocolate. The rest in the Odd Duck.

So, yeah, that's what I've been doing all week. Oh, I attempted to go to work, yesterday....my boss made me go home. I'm still waiting to hear from my doctor on if there are any cancelations for today so I can get in to see them to figure out what's going on. The last time this happened, I wound up with bronchial pneumonia. I'd really rather avoid going through that again. Nasty stuff.

So, I'm going back to my knitting and figure I'll leave work to its own devices.

All sorts of interesting things

2006-08-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

Life is very full of crazy and interesting developments. Once I get to a place where I'm at liberty to discuss them, I definitely will.

After having to rip to projects out altogether and spilling coffee all over my WRS and having to start over...please, don't tell me I could have just put coffee over the whole thing - I don't want a coffee stain coloured shawl....let's just say that knitting is on a temporary hold. Right now even looking at the needles is enough to instigate a hissy fit. I'm sure that by tomorrow I'll be fine with it again - but for today, I need a break.

Frog Pond Visit

2006-08-04T06:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I doubt many of you remember the Clover Socks I was working on. Suffice to say, they were a tad too small so they had to visit the frog pond last night. **weeps** Oh well. I've never had to make socks bigger around that 64 stitches, but there's a first time for everything. I should have known better, but I didn't. So, it looks like I need to make filler sections for each side of the sock...about 5 stitches each side should do it, I believe.

The surprise project I'm working on is moving along nicely. The WRS shawl has stalled out. The last thing you want to do when you are hacking up a lung is work on something that fine. You want something mindless (or fairly mindless) and gossamer silk work is anything but mindless.

I've been very ill the last couple of weeks, but seem to be overcoming it - for which I'm extremely greatful.

I've also resumed my affair with DAoC. I had disappeared from the game for quite some time, but I'm back now - for a little while anyway. I got a private message in game, last night...someone asking if I were the "real Dremmavae". I nearly responded with, "Well, as real as any of us get in a fantasy world like this." Instead I just laughed and said yes. I feel particularly frustrated because they then proceded to ramble at me for some time and shower me with great and grand praise (admittedly, my shaman used to have quite the name on the server)...it wasn't the showering of praise that made me frustrated....it was the fact that I could not, for the life of me, place who the heck the person was who was talking to me. **shakes head** Oh well.

My guy has been super busy, lately, doing data center moves and such. He's also about to take over a project that's going to "kick [his] ass" to use his terms. I know it sounds selfish, but it has me wondering how much of the already rare time I get with him will be lost. I know he will still try to make time for me, and I'm just being selfish, right now...I'm sure I'll get over it - and once he's settled into the new project things will most likely right themselves. I hope.

On a positive note, I got a promotion at work. Not exactly sure WHAT kind of promotion, since I never got any form of official communication or anything. Have to just love a company that takes over a year to approve a promotion - and then never tells you about it....and I have no idea when the pay increase will show up in my paycheck - or if I even got a pay increase. How do you like them apples? **laughs** Ah, well...cest la vie.

For a bit of amusing oddity:

Reading Stuff

2006-07-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

1. One book that changed your life:

I Will not Die an Unlived Life: Reclaiming Purpose and Passion by Dawna Markova

This was the very first book I wrote a professional review for, and I have to say that it still impacts me today. I was inspired by this book in so many ways.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once:

The Deed of Paksenarrion: Sheepfarmer's Daughter by Elizabeth Moon

It's the first book in a series (and yes, I've read the series a ridiculous number of times). I've purchased this book and given it away so many times that I've long since lost count. I rarely can re-read books without several years going by; however, this series is one that I can enjoyably read at least once a year.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island:

Well, it's not one...unfortunately...but:

Primitive Wilderness Living & Survival Skills: Naked into the Wilderness by John McPherson, Geri McPherson

and

Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places by Steve Brill

I've never found one, definitive, book for all. However, these two books together would give a good guide for the beginner. If it absolutely, positively, had to be just one, I would go with the Primitive Wilderness book.

4. One book that made you laugh:

Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

5. One book that made you cry:

An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison

6. One book that made you think:

Alpha and Omega: The Search for the Beginning and End of the Universe by Charles Seife

7. One book that you wish had been written:

The Rebirth of the Sun by yours truly.

The one in my mind....yup, it's still not finished....two whole chapters **gasp**
**laughs at herself** The Great American Novelist I am not.

Oh, you wanted one by a real author? Alrighty...

How about The Young Dresden by Jim Butcher

8. One book that you wish had never been written:

The Lost Boys by Orson Scott Card

Absolutely and completely the most frustrating book I've ever read. It went flying across the room when I was done with it. It was so obvious he was rushing to finish the book. The last 20 pages cover what could have easily (and should have been) another 100 pages of information. Very, very frustrating read, indeed.

9. One book you’re currently reading:

Marker by Robin Cook

10. One book you’ve been meaning to read:

MPLS and VPN Architectures, Vol. 1 by Ivan Pepelnjak, Jim Guichard

11. One book by a classic author that you enjoyed:

The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

Good or Bad? Only Time Will Tell

2006-07-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't picked up on it, I enjoy MMORPGs (when I have friends playing them with me). I currently have accounts on DAoC, WoW (really don't like that game, but my friend does - so...) and Eve Online.

My friends from DAoC are making noises about bailing to Warhammer when it comes out the Fall of 2007. I can see this as being a fun thing, as I've played the board game and the computer game....MMORPG would be a natural progression. However....

In reading up on the game, I came across this tidbit (given I work right down the road from EA, it really caught my attention)......EA is slated to aquire Mythic. I'm not at all certain how this will play out. While the realtively small Mythic could do wonderfully if left "alone" and given the financial backing of EA, I have to wonder what effect EA will have on the "quality" of Mythic. This could be a good thing, bringing about radical changes and helping the team to actually meet the demands of their customer base (ie. the players) or it could spiral downhill really quickly.

Given the fact that EA is the leading interactive gaming company in the world, I'm hoping and praying for the latter. However, as we all know - bigger does not necessarily mean better.

Anyway, to tantalize those of you who care....

Check it out here: http://www.warhammeronline.com/english/media/video/easterEggs/WAR_Promo_797869.swf

Cheesecake recipe

2006-07-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

Please excuse the crappy photo. Still don't have a real camera.

Crust:

1 C flour
1/4 C Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate and Cocoa
1/4 C sugar
1 t lemon zest
1 t mandarin zest
1/2 t Villa Vanilla pure vanilla extract
2 egg yolks
1/3 C Irish unsalted sweet cream butter (softened)

Filling:

5 pkgs (8oz) cream cheese
1 3/4 C sugar
5 T all purpose flour
1 1/2 t lemon zest
1 1/2 t mandarin zest
1/4 t Villa Vanilla pure vanilla extract
5 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 C vanilla yogurt
1 shot Grand Mariner
Juice from two mandarin oranges

Topping:

½ bar Ghirardelli dark chocolate (grated)
1 Terry’s Chocolate Orange

....Additional items....

9.5 inch (24.13 cm) spring pan
Rolling pin
Extra flour

Instructions - crust bottom:

Preheat oven to 400° F (204.5° C).

In a small bowl mix all crust ingredients with finger tips until it forms a smooth round ball. Wrap in wax paper and chill for ~30 min. Break off one third of the dough and place the remaining back into the chiller. I always have issues getting my dough from the table top to the bottom of the pan, so I use the following method.

Lightly flour the working surface and the rolling pin. Flatten the dough and lightly roll until about 1/4" ( .635 cm). Place the dough onto the bottom of the spring pan and slightly coat the rolling pin again with flour. Roll out the dough on the bottom of the pan until it is even with the lip. Then, using your fingers, lightly stretch the dough until it completely covers the bottom of the spring pan.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the crust is slightly crisp.

Remove and place on cooling racks. Let cool completely.

Instructions - Filling:

Preheat the oven to 500° F (260° C)

In a large bowl alternate mixing the creamed cheese, the eggs and egg yolks, the flour and the sugar. Somewhere in the process add in the zests, mandarin juice and Grand Marnier. Once the mixture is thoroughly mixed (but with a few lumps) add the vanilla and yogurt.

Instructions - construction:

Now that the bottom sections are completely cooled, place the spring form on the bottom of the pan and lock down.

Take the remaining dough and roll out fairly thin. Cut into 2 1/2" (6.35 cm) strips and fit to the sides of the spring form, sealing the sides to the bottom. Pour in the filling and place in the center of the oven.

After 10 minutes reduce the temperature to 250° F (121° C) and bake for an hour, or until the center just jiggles. Remove to a cooling rack for several hours and chill thoroughly.

Just before serving, grate the dark chocolate bar over the top of the chessecake and then place slices of the Terry's Orange around the center.

This recipe should comfortably serve 12.

Introspection - ridiculously long

2006-07-20T22:16:00.000-07:00

1. I don't trust easily
2. I don't let people close
3. I have control issues - some of them follow:
     a. I do not let other people drive my car (very, very few exceptions)
     b. I do not let other people control my finances
     c. There are more, I am just not gonna get too far into them
4. I feel a driving need to be able to support myself
5. I don't accept help graciously; I tend to feel I should be able to do it on my own
6. I feel I should be able to give to those for whom I care, and beat myself up when I can't due to finances, situational issues, or other extenuating circumstances
7. I have difficulty accepting gifts from those for whom I care
8. I have difficulty believing someone when they compliment me. My first thought tends to be: "What do they want?"
9. I feel I am lacking
10. I tend to push people away who have become 'too close'
11. I find ways of sabotaging my relationships/life by pushing buttons - I will come clean, right now, and say - this is a subconscious thing that I do
12. Due to #1, I have difficulty believing people mean what they say. I expect everyone to fail to mention something, to outright lie, or some such thing
13. Because of #9, I tend to not truly believe that my relationships are as wonderful as they are. I keep waiting for the person I'm with to realize I'm not "all that" and to get tired of me. That gets annoying for them - in the extreme, I am sure. A self-fulfilling prophecy in the making

Why?

Oh, I am certain that there are all sorts of fascinating reasons tucked away in my psyche. My background is riddled with all sorts of stuff. None of which is of such import as to have affected a permanent influence on my psyche. Nothing so horridly traumatic. My father, mother, uncles, aunts didn't sexually or physically abuse me. I was loved and cherished - and still am - by my family. I know that no matter what happens in my life, my parents will be there to help me. They may be disappointed in some of my life choices; however, they would still be there for me. There are some reasons I can think of. One or two little piddly things that don't merit much attention. We all experience things like that in our lives. I would hate to believe that such minor incidents would make such a deep impact on my emotional psyche.

All but two of my boyfriends - my first and Andre - have been abusive. Why did I invite that into my life? Physically, emotionally, spiritually and sexually abusive men with no regard to me as a person, much less someone deserving of love. Did I bring them into my life to reflect the negativity that I had toward myself but wasn't allowed to express? Did I feel, at some level, that I deserved what was happening to me? I don't know, to be honest. I would like to say that I woke up one day and realized I was this totally awesome person and they were the scum of the earth. I can't, though. Most of them were perfectly wonderful men in other relationships. It was when they got with me that they became raping, beating, rampaging maniacs. I have to believe it had something to do with me. And I have to wonder why I brought that into my life.

Somehow, I managed to not only get out of it. Which I did quite abruptly, and which cost me the house I loved. But I managed to rise above where I had been, and made a success of myself. I have friends in my life who truly care about me and want to see me do well. I had a job that rocked. I loved it, and made a good living doing it. I lost that job, and am now in a job that is not quite paying the bills. It looks like I'm not getting a raise or promotion any time in the near future and so I am having to start to explore options.

Since two weeks after I was 16 and moved out of my parent's house, I have been on my own. Not only on my own, but for the first five years of my son's life, I was on my own and a single mother, in the military working rotating 12 hour shifts making around minimum wage in a foreign country with no friends or family around me. When I have offered to do things for friends, I always did so out of my own pocket. When I wanted something, I bought it. And, I have held my emotional walls in place and not let them down, until my ex started working on them, got me to start opening up and then put things on 'hold'. Now, I am having to let go. In more ways than one.

As my sis has said repeatedly..."Stop following your logic and intellect, and start following your heart." My heart has been so wrong in the past. My trust has been so misplaced. Those with whom I have been involved, whether through platonic or sexual relationship, have tended to be manipulators and liars. Quick to leave as soon as they had what they wanted. I don't believe those in my life, now, are like that. And still I struggle with the ghosts of the past. With this stupid emotional baggage that comes, in part, from the first day I set foot on American soil at the age of four...and extends through my last fouled relationship. And it is stupid, and ridiculous and is close to driving me insane that I have to struggle so hard with ghost and phantoms. Reality is so beautiful and loving and caring and accepting. And I let the specters of the past shadow that beauty in foulness.

Sometimes, I get really, really pissed at myself.

Why can't it be as easy as saying: "OK, I know this, now. So you phantoms, ghost and specters can just take a hike"? Why can't you just decide, this is how it is gonna be, and it be that way? I quit smoking at a time when I was smoking two packs a day. I quit cold turkey. Made up my mind and did it. Simple. Same with drinking. Went on a two year binge, realized that wasn't a good thing. Stopped. Cold turkey. Simple.

Fucking up everything beautiful and wonderful in my life because I can't see it without wondering what the catch is....know it is stupid....decide not to do it anymore.....and still can't stop myself, completely. Oh, it doesn't happen, everyday. Don't get me wrong. It happens less and less. Over the last few months, especially, I have come to begin to truly appreciate the beauty and truth and openness around me. Yet, still, I have those moments when the doubts assail me. When the ghost swarm through my mind. Moments of extreme weakness that make me want to shake myself senseless for allowing to happen.

And then, then is when I get pissed at myself.

Well, to those brave souls who made it this far - bless you, you have more stamina than I would have had.

Please, return to your regularly scheduled lives, and forgive me for this time of introspection and partial self-flagellation.

Out of it

2006-07-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm way too out of it to post a real post today. How out of it? So out of it that I sent an email to the wrong distribution list today, and then got grumpy with the guys for saying X when I "hadn't said X".....**sighs** let's not get into how big a fool I looked, eh? Yeah...definitely a day I'll be happy to see the tail end of.

So...since I have nothing worthwhile to say:

Friday Five

1. What about you makes you unique?

Egads. I have absolutely no idea. What makes me unique to you?

2. What aspect of your physical appearance do you think makes you stick out from the crowd?

I don't know...pretty much just how the package is put together, and how it's carried, I'd suppose.

3. What do you always have with you while out in public (for example: earings, purse, wallet, watch, etc.)?

My piercings.

4. Is there anything about your body that you think isn’t normal?

Nope. I'm pretty average/normal all around.

5. What are you complimented on (looks, smarts, anything) the most? Why do you think that's the case?

Oddly enough, my looks. And, I have no idea.

Progress - or lack thereof

2006-07-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

I can honestly say I've made next to no progress on my projects. The fair isle socks have come forward a whopping four rows and the wedding ring shawl has stalled out at row 78. I've seemed to have lost my momentum for much of anything.

I did, however, get the yoke section of my lace side shirt completed. Not that you can really see anything with this photo; however, it's got a seed stitch neck line, simple raglan seems down to the cast off for the armhole shaping. The cast off was an interesting one. I knit one stitch, slipped it back over to the left needle and then knit two together. Then slipped the stitch back over and knit two together, etc. It gave a really interesting edge that I like a lot and has nice elasticity to it. Only about 240 rows left to go on the body. **chuckles** Even my standard, carry around cuz it doesn't take any brain power projects haven't been getting worked on. It's like I have zero enthusiasm for anything, right now. Like my whole life has kinda gone into some sort of cosmic limbo.

I really hope I get out of this funk soon. Really soon.

I did work out, however....my legs are being quite sure to remind me of that today. It's a good thing, and something I need to do much more often. I have been slacking off in that department as well.

Finals Finished - Whoot!!

2006-06-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

I finished my finals up on Sunday - they were due at midnight. My professor had my grade to me, yesterday. Yes, that shows you how chaotic my life has been lately that I am just now posting about it.

I managed to get a 100 on the final, which means I ended the semester with a 98.6 gpa. Not too shabby. Now, I get to gear up for my Business Law and Algebra classes. Technically, I don't need to take the math class as I already have the transfer credits, but I'm going to be taking Statistics soon and feel it would behoove me to brush up on my mathematical thinking. Then again, as a friend pointed out, knitting is very mathematical in many ways.

My sweetie contacted me last night and we chit chatted for a little while. That was very nice. I miss him, but am happy he's getting some time away from Austin - even if it is work time. I know he's been itching to get away for a while, and given his new job status and all, getting time off isn't easy.

Colour me Bitchy

2006-06-26T05:55:00.000-07:00

But, if I am chatting with you and you say you will be right back...don't not talk to me for thirty minutes and then log off without another word. That's just rude.

Yes, I'm completely and totally cranky about it still. Sue me. If they talk to me today (which they might not, since they're traveling) I'll most likely be cranky "to their face". Very cranky.

Of course, it doesn't help that I apparently have a gum infection and was told that I had to see my dentist to get an antibiotic 'script cuz the clinic doctors weren't able to do so. **eye roll** If they know it's a gum infection, why the hell can't they give me a 'script for antibiotics? Makes no sense. Tried calling my boss last night to get him to let me go straight to my dentist this morning and just sit there waiting for an opening so I could get the antibiotics...but, of course, he didn't answer his phone...which means, I'm here at work. I don't even really want to think about having to face down my dentist when he tells me what I already know. If I want to avoid infections, I really need to get the crown in place on this root canal. Tell that to my pocketbook so it will magically sprout the money I need for such a thing to happen, would you?

So, I'm here, in pain, cranky and really wanting to be far, far away.

On a happier note, Yarn Harlot will be here in Austin on Thursday, July 29th. (RSVP to Hill Country Weavers if you want to attend) and I'm totally going to go see her and get her to sign the books I have. I have also finished my Cultural Anthropology finals and started on a lace side shirt out of Butterfly 10 in a nice burnt orange colour. That's about it.

Changing link name

2006-06-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

Alright - those of you who are subscribed to me with my direct blogger name...it's changing. You should get this in your feed so will have the notification.

Most of you who read me are already coming to http://www.schrodingerskittie.com anyway, but I see that I have a few subscribers and want to give a warning.

I will be changing this to http://quantumkittie.blogspot.com

Ramblings and Mumblings

2006-06-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't see the LSSK KAL getting finished any time soon. I sat it aside last night having been talked out of ripping it out and just letting it sit for a while. I don't like it. The pattern is simple and straight forward, easy to remember and aside from not counting my repeats on the edging correctly so I was one repeat short, it's completely error free. The yarn is a lovely colour and holding the shape of the lace beautifully. And, I can't stand it. I don't know what it is, but...I just don't like it. Having been convinced to wait before I rip it out, it will sit along with several other languishing WIPs while I make up my mind if I'm just in a funk where it's concerned, or if I really do hate it.

The Orenburgh that I was making out of some Knit Picks Shimmer has visited the frog pond as has the knitted section of the combo-skirt I was working on.

In moving forward news, I made more progress on my ARK vest. Yup, believe it or not, it is still being worked on. Heaven knows it won't fit me when it's done with the weight I've gained, but I like how this is turning out. I actually really like it. Each row has a rhythm all its own and just clicks. I like that a lot.

I swatched last night and it looks like I am going to be making a very simple shirt out of some denim coloured laceweight linen on size 0 needles. I may be dropping down to size 00, but I think 0 will work just fine. It will be a little airy, but wearing a cami under it will make it appropriate. The drape of this stuff is wonderful. A simple SS shirt with maybe some minor cabling on the front. Given how tiny what I'm working with is, I may not do that...but I have a real yen to do a tree type cabling along the bottom portion of the shirt. Because of how tiny the work is, and the type yarn I'm using, the trees will be rather small and not obnoxious; but, would add a little sumin sumin the overall look.

I'm not sure how the drape would be affected by the cabling, though. I may just drop the cabling idea all together. This will be more tunic length than standard shirt length. I suppose that will be determined when I get there. I'm working top down and figure I'll take it to the top or middle of the thigh with it worked in the round until just below the waist, then having each side slit and working back and forth for those sections. I doubt I will leave it all pure SS as I get so bored with that. I just haven't figured out the last part of the design. It's like I have this half formed vision of what I would like in my mind, but I'm not sure if it is gonna happen or not. I guess only time will tell. For all I know, it could visit the frog pond like my other two projects.

The WRS went backwards a little bit last night, as well. I discovered a horrible mistake. Somehow I had shifted over a stitch and things were just way not right. Thankfully I only had to go back to the last lifeline (6 rows back). I'm really liking how this is looking overall.

I've been browsing cameras. Still can't find a decent one I can afford. I may try and borrow my sweetheart's camera for a day or two at some point. My laptop, along with all my graphic software is in the shop. I really don't want to get into how close I came to taking a sledge hammer to that piece of equipment. If I ever consider purchasing Sony again, just shoot me, k? K. Not even 6 months old and already being turned in for repair. Geez.

My Dell not only lasted 4 years before I started having issues, but I could purchase parts and fix it myself. Sony's a pain in the arse to do anything with. And, given that I a) have no money and b) have it currently under warranty...I suppose I just need to suck it up that they are going to reimage it back to the crap that was on it when I first bought it just to spite me for having walked in and telling them a, b and c are wrong with this, please fix it and leave my OS alone. This is a hardware issue.

So, I can pretty much expect that for them to fix my DVD rom (which, btw, was working just fine even after I got rid of that nightmare called Windows), figure out that my bios is fried and replace the motherboard that was flaking out they are going to reimage it to Windows with all the crap demos that they are determined all new users must be inundated with. If I didn't love the portability of my laptop so much, I'd dump it. Who needs three desktops and a laptop anyway?

Speaking of...I have decided that I am consolidating my devices to just one laptop and one desktop...don't look at me that way, you already knew I was a geek. I figure the next best computer can be shipped to my son. It's better than the one he has right now anyway. And the worst one I'm going to canabalize and then give the parts I don't want to a couple of my friends who are as geeky as me. I finally found a home for the IBM Netfinity server I had on hand, and the Cisco router and switch were relocated to loving homes as well. I'm really working on clearing out the clutter.

Oh...that reminds me, I need to get someone to take this gym off my hands, too. **laughs** Gah...I should just do a yard sale.

2006-06-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Silk Information

I've always loved Michael's work, and getting to see it on the telly was a great surprise!

You can see more of his stuff at http://www.wormspit.com

I ♥ BlueClearSky - she sends the best stuff

2006-06-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

(Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHoxDQoc8Nc )

I read another book last night, The Amber Wizard. It was ok. I enjoyed it, and I'm sure I'll read the rest in the series. Well, so long as the author doesn't go all Robert Jordan on me. But...I don't know...can't say I finished it and was itching to read the next one. I was pretty apathetic about it, actually.

I worked a bit more on the lace projects I have going on. Another row done on WRS, another four on the LSSK lace project. The other projects have kind of come to a stand still. Not sure why but my knitting fervor has partially died, for right now. My fervor for a lot of things has died, right now, actually. I'm feeling particularly uninspired about a lot of things, though others are stirring back up that have been dead for a while.

I mowed the lawn after work the other day. Wowsers. That wiped me out. The heat on top of a full day at work...I came in, took a shower, fell on the couch and didn't move for the remainder of the night. Well, until I went to bed, that is.

Finals are coming up. I've really enjoyed this class. I'm almost sad to see the end of it. Might have something to do with the fact that my next two classes are math and business law.

Anyway, I am really, really trying to save up for a camera so I can actually have some photographic content for this blog again. I know it can be aweful boring to just read text.

What to wear

2006-06-12T06:42:00.001-07:00

Not much knitting has been going on in my house. Some, but not a whole lot. I've been in a very strange place, mentally, and knitting just hasn't provided the outlet I need for where I'm at. I have spent a bit of time writing, a lot of time cleaning and even more time reading. I love to read.

Unfortunately, I'm also a very fast reader. Um. Very fast. 678 wpm fast. Yah. So, it makes keeping up my reading habit even more expensive than keeping up my knitting habit, especially since I have around 87% recall. That means that once I read a story, it's very hard for me to read it again within any reasonably short (say two to three years) time frame. I have 13 boxes of paperback books in my garage just waiting to rotate back into the house to be read again at some point. And, that's after having purged my library three times in the last 4 years. I have 3 bookshelves pretty much crammed with books, books under my bed, in drawers, under and around the couch...Ok...you know how you and I stash yarn? Yah...same for books. Only they aren't so easy to cram into those really oddly shaped areas that open up and are perfect for shoving a 25g ball of laceweight into.

The latest books I'm reading - well...read, since I read them yesterday - are The Hidden Stars by Madeline Howard and Misquoting Jesus by Bart D. Ehrman.

Hidden Stars Was finished in just under 2 hours. It was an easy, fun read. Those who care to ensure they can verbally pronounce unusual words that were created for the world being written about might want to visit Ms. Howard's site to get it right. Me, I don't care. So long as my eyes recognize the words and my brain associates a certain rythm to them, I'm good to go.

As far as what I titled this post. Well, there really was a reason. You see, it appears I have enough clothing to clothe a small nation. And probably have some left over. My closet wasn't even beginning to look bare, and my dresser still had clothing stuffed in it...and I had to do 13 loads of laundry this weekend. Admittedly, I have one of those small, side loading washers so it would be more like 6 or 7 "normal" sized loads. But....still....that's an embarrassing amount of clothing, especially to still have more remaining. When you make your own, I suppose it's easy to accumulate a lot. I have casual wear, workout wear, work wear, clubbing wear, formal wear, etc.....Regardless, what single woman needs THAT many clothes? Really. So, it's time to go through the closet and seriously erradicate the overflow problem. We aren't even going to mention the fact that my winter clothes are still boxed up due to the incredibly mild winter we had this last year.

Also, I was reading Eunny's (I'm not worthy to even type this woman's name) post the other day about the types of clothes she likes. It was so wonderful to read that someone else had the same opinion as myself. I have piles and piles of 1920-60s era clothing patterns, knitting/sewing it doesn't matter. I just love how feminine they are. The baggy, just rolled out of bed, don't have time to brush my teeth much less my hair look has never been one I've understood or appreciated.

The guy I'm currently entangled with is someone who always looks sharp. Even when he's rumpled, he's looking sharp. It's hard to explain, but it's more than just the clothes. He keeps his hair trimmed, his face shaved, his body toned and his presence is just very "together". I think that's a huge turn on for me. I, myself, don't like to go out in public without looking at least partially together. I feel unkempt if I haven't brushed my hair (and that ratty look that I see a lot of people wearing may take hours to accomplish...but...um - no thank you) so that it is sleek, donned something reasonably wrinkle free and co-ordinating. Something that suits my body style, my personality and my coloring. Something that matches. For my particular body style, the nipped waisted, form fitted outfits of the 50s and 60s really suit well. I look good in the much older era outfits as well. By much older, I'm talking early 1800s. My long neck and difficult figure are actually well suited to that era.

Anyway...I just think that's one thing that I love so much about Eunny. Her stuff is classic. Not just nice, but classic. They are the kinds of patterns that will last through the years and my great grand-daughters will be able to look at them and say, "Wow, what utterly amazing craftsmanship. What style and class." There are fad fashions, and then there are the classic designs. Eunny is a classic, and so are her designs.

Senior Remembrances

2006-06-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

Then (1988)

Now (2006)

1. Who was your best friend? Jeanette and Myles
2. What sports did you play? um....let's not go there.
3. What kind of car did you drive? A Mazda hatchback that I grew up in. For graduation I received a Toyota Tercel.
4. It's Friday night, where were you at? Home most likely, or over at Jeanette's or hanging with Myles.
5. Were you a party animal? No.
6. Were you considered a flirt? No...considering they called me Freeway (the dog from Hart to Hart) I don't think I stood much of a chance there.
7. Ever skip school? Never.
8. Ever smoke? No.
9. Were you a nerd? Two years younger and valedictorian...you be the judge.
10. Did you get suspended/expelled? No.
11. Can you sing the Alma Mater? Nope. No clue what it was, even.
12. Who was your favorite teacher? Mrs. Lundberg and Mrs. Riley.
13. Favorite class? Math and English.
14. What was your school's full name? Life Christian School
15. School mascot? Eagle
16. Did you go to Prom? My school didn't have a prom. We had a senior dinner. Yes, I went.
17. If you could go back and do it over, would you? You have got to be kidding me.
18. What do you remember most about graduation? The snide comments from the other seniors about the number of awards I received.
19. Favorite memory of your senior year? I don't have one.
20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall? No clue what a senior wall is.
21. Did you have a job your senior year? No.
22. Who did you date? Myles
23. Where did you go most often for lunch? The school cafeteria - we were in the middle of nowhere.
24. Have you gained weight since then? Indeed.
25. What did you do after graduation? Went to Auburn.
26. When did you graduate? 1988.

Wedding Ring Shawl

2006-05-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I had gotten through the first pattern repeat and decided I didn't like working this on size 1s (US). So...**deep breath**...it visited the frog pond. I've now redone the provisional section, and am up to four rows of the garter stitch on my size 0s (US). A bit frustrating, but I'd much rather do it now than get mostly finished and decide it just isn't right. No photos - there is no way I'm taking pictures of this with my camera phone. I am also working it on 16" circs because they were the only size 0s (US) that I had in the house.

I'm working on a special project while waiting for the LSSK KAL to start, as well as tackling the Over-the-Knee socks. I'm really looking forward to how those turn out, but I'm being really sporadic about it. I've gotten another row or two done on my Ark vest, but I just can't seem to bring myself to be passionate about it.

I've found that I love knitting, and there are some patterns out there that I really like; but, when it's patterns that someone else has written, I tend to really, really take my time doing them. Whereas, when it's something I'm designing or making up on the fly, I tend to be a lot more dedicated to the finish line. What's up with that?

Anyone else experience this same phenomenon?

This isn't to say that I don't use or complete patterns made by others, as several of my finished objects show. It's just that they don't seem to take centre stage while the ones I'm making do. Like I have to finish the project I have in mind before the creative juices stop flowing or something.

Anyway - looks like the lawn guy is going to bail again this weekend, and with all the rain we've had, it seems I have to go and find someone who's lawn mower I can borrow to get the grass under control. Too bad no one in my cove has a kid and a lawnmower, I'd pay the kid what I generally pay my lawn guy....oh well, cest la vie.

In addition, I have to write a paper this weekend. It's not like I didn't know about this for two weeks. I'm just really, really bad about procrastination. It's due by midnight Sunday, along with a discussion board response. **grimace** I'll get them done, it just really cramps my knitting/crocheting time...especially because there's a derby bout this Sunday, too. **chuckles**

Moss Stitch Socks

2006-05-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I've finished them as much as I'm going to. I really like how the stitch looks with this yarn. Sorry the only camera I have, at this time, is not suited for real stitch defining photos.

I had, originally, planned on making them knee highs; but, I changed my mind on that. I'm already working on a set of over-the-knee socks and I don't wear really tall socks often, anyway. I tend to prefer ankle socks.

The only thing I'd consider if I made these again is to go down to a size 1 needle instead of a size 2. If I hadn't snapped all my size ones and been more interested in casting on than going and buying more needles in the monsoon blowing at the time I started these, these would have been done on size ones. **chuckles**

		Cotton-Lycra sock yarn Colour name: sherbert Size: 2.6oz/460 yards
		Size 2 US. Clover Bamboo set of 5 DPNs
		My own pattern. Short row toe and heal, moss stitch top/leg with ss sole and 2x1 1/4" ribbing at the cuff. Cast on 60 stitches for the toe, work down to 8 stitches, work back up to 60. Stitches divided evenly between all four needles. Moss stitch across top of foot (needles 2 and 3) and ss across sole (needles 1 and 4). Work until 3 inches from heel. Work short row heel - I took mine down to 8 stitches, but I have tiny heels, you might prefer more (don't forget the yarn stretches quite a bit). When heel is turned, decrease 4 stitches (56 stitches on needles). Work in moss stitch up to 1/4" from desired height. At that point, change to 2x1 ribbing. Cast off after 1/4" has been knit in 2x1 ribbing. If you want to take these up over the calf, remember you have to increase or decrease in sets of four for a complete pattern increase.

Meme

2006-05-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

1. How old do you wish you were?
The age I am...now, if I just didn't look it ;-)

2. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
At work watching it on webfeed and trying to wrap my mind around the fact that it wasn't a hoax...especially considering I had loved ones in NYC and the Pentagon.

3. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
Nothing much - maybe pop the machine if I'm in a mood...

4. What did you eat for breakfast today?
A bowl of oatmeal and a donut. Shhhhh!! Don't remind me that I've been griping about gaining weight...I'm already complaining to myself about my lack of self control.

5. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
Um...well...I'm already contemplating another one, which would be actually an extension/partial coverup of one I already have. It's on my left ankle.

6. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
Irish Gaelige and Spanish...yes, yes....I live in Texas and can't speak a lick of Spanish - shame on me.

7. Do you know your neighbors?
I sure do. When you live in a cove where all the houses have at least one motorcylce - you talk. **grins** We are actually making noises about a weekend neighborhood ride.

8. What do you consider a vacation?
A "real" vacation is me (and the person of my choice) away from work, home, phone, computer or any other ties to work or other such things in a place that was not picked by work, etc. Ie. Going to someplace on a business trip and taking my partner of choice along NOT a vacation. Going to Mexico/Belize/some place in the middle of nowhere with my partner of choice for no other reason than to get away and be WITH my partner of choice...that's a vacation

9. Do you follow your horoscope?
Not particularly - though I will read it from time to time and do have a rather unusual approach to the whole thing.

10. Would you move for the person you loved?
Yes

11. Are you touchy feely?
To a degree with friends and very much so with my sweetheart. I can't get enough physical contact with him...I'll find any excuse to touch him. ;-)

12. Do you believe that opposites attract?
Depends.

13. What is your dream job?
No idea. Once something becomes an actual JOB a lot of the enjoyment of doing it is kinda taken out of it...But if I went with what I thought I might be able to enjoy even after that leeching occured, it would have to be making drums.

14. Favorite place to go on weekends?
Moviehouse, lunch out with D and just hanging and talking, walks with the dogs...and the parks/lake

15. Do you prefer showers or baths?
Depends on what I'm wanting to accomplish.

16. Do you paint your nails?
occasionally, yes

17. Do you trust people easily?
Not particularly

18. What are your phobias (or fears)?
Spiders, bridges without shoulders

19. Do you want kids?
Have one...have to admit that the thought of adding to that isn't horrific. :-P

20. Do you keep a handwritten journal?
Yes

21. Where would you rather be right now?
With my guy, curled up in bed and teasing him awake - he does enjoy how I wake him up...he's so cute when he's grumpy in the morning (someone doesn't wake up on the sunny side)

22. Who makes you feel guilty?
Me. I'm really good at it.

23. Heavy or light sleeper?
Depends

24. Are you paranoid?
Should I be?

25. Are you impatient?
Indeed, I can be.

26. Have you been burned by love?
Repeatedly burned by infatuation.

27. What’s your main ring tone on your phone?
Fast Cars and Freedom

28. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping

29. What did the last text message on your cell phone say?
"Are you watching the game?"

30. Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
Mine - alone, unfortunately.

31. What color shirt are you wearing?
black

32. Most recent movie that you watched?
Thank You for Smoking

33. Name 3 things that you have on you at all times?
belly ring, and nipple rings (tattoos and nostril ring also :-P)

34. What’s the color of your bed sheets?
I have more than one set **chuckles** The ones on the bed at the moment are burnt orange.

35. How much cash do you have on you right now?
Zero

36. What's your favorite town/city?
Chipping Norton, UK

(This is the pub at the corner of the street that I lived on)

37. I can't wait to (til)...?
I refuse to answer this on the grounds that it could incriminate me

38. Who got you to start blogging?
BriarHill

39. What did you have for dinner last night?
I think I forgot to eat last night.

40. How long have you been at your current job?
A year

41. Who is the last person you spent over $50 on?
My sweetheart's niece (yarn for her shawl)

42. What's the last piece of clothing you borrowed from someone?
um...I really don't borrow clothing

43. What website(s) do you visit the most during the day?
http://www.ARIN.net
http://www.bloglines.com/ [all my feeds come here]
http://www.schrodingerskittie.com
http://www.gmail.com

44. Do you have an air freshener in your car?
No

45. Do you have plants in your house?
Yes. Several.

46. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
Not particularly - but that's because I've been a bad girl and avoided the gym the last couple of weeks. As of today, that changes.

47. What city was your last taxi cab ride in?
Chicago..wait, that was limo...does that count? Taxi...Oh, it was here in Austin like three years ago.

48. Do you own a camera phone?
Yes, only because trying to get one WITHOUT a camera means getting a cheap piece of crap that doesn't work for anything.

49. If you could choose, how would you die?
However it happens, I just hope it's quick.

50. Do you miss anyone?
Yah...

51. Do you know how to swim?
You betcha.

52. Do you know how to skate?
Yes.

53. Do you know how to snowboard?
um...well...I attempted to learn. I'll stick to skis, thanks all the same. :-)

54. Did you do sports in high school?
Yes - basketball and volleyball and raquetball.

55. If you could have one wish come true, what would it be?
I decline to answer this based on how very personal the answer would be.

Completely non-related to anything else

2006-05-16T05:50:00.000-07:00

But 100% pertinent:

Do you buy books online, use Google, or download to an Ipod? These activities will be hurt if Congress passes a radical law that gives giant corporations more control over the Internet.

Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon are lobbying Congress hard to gut Network Neutrality, the Internet's First Amendment. Net Neutrality prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you based on which site pays AT&T more. Amazon.com doesn't have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to work more properly on your computer.

Politicians don't think we are paying attention to this issue. Many of them take campaign checks from big telecom companies and are on the verge of selling out to people like AT&T's CEO, who openly says, "The internet can't be free."

The free and open Internet is under seige — can you sign this petition letting your member of Congress know you support preserving Network Neutrality? Click here: http://www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet

A list of all the ways you might be affected by Net Neutrality is located on the bottom of this link: http://civic.moveon.org/alerts/savetheinternet.html

You can see it has been verified as valid here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/neutrality.asp

Realize, this is your ISPs controlling access - not the hosts. This means, Road Runner, Texas.net, AT&T, Verizon, whoever your ISP is will control how fast you access your websites. Whether they are blogs, small businesses, personal sites, whatever...if you don't pay them a fee to provide you faster access - a fee most of us won't be able to afford...well - you can just toss it right out the window. I know I will be taking down all my sites and not bothering to blog as soon as they do that, if they win this. Why? Because, the only reason I come to the web lately has been to either go to ebay.com, etsy.com or (the majority) to my friends' blogs, knitty.com, magknits.com and other small, independent sites.

This isn't gonna cut it. Not in the least. Who is this person who says the internet can't be free? Since when has it been? Hello? I pay $60/mo for my internet access, and now I'm going to have to pay more just so that I can have people able to access my sites (not a small number) at the same speed as the big dogs like Verizon, AT&T, Amazon, etc? I so don't think so.

What a find! ... all over again

2006-05-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

I forgot I had this...How many of you subscribe to the "that space is big enough, let me shove this yarn in it" type of stash maintenance? I try really hard not to do that, but sometimes I succumb. Well, yesterday, Loki was looking out the window, which requires his perching on the back of the couch so he can see over the brick garden enclosure. He does this often, and it's adorable to see. He just loves the upper back of the couch, period. Anyway, he was looking out the window when the mailman came and Loki knocked over my lamp in his hurry to go protect the door from that vicious man in blue. **shakes head** What a goob.

He broke the lamp and I had to move the side table to pick up the pieces. When I did, guess what fell from between the couch and the side table? Yarn! Lovely, gorgeous, amazing lace yarn I had purchased ages ago and stuffed there because I had nowhere else to put it. I had totally forgotten I had it. It had sat there so long there was a serious layer of dust on the bag it is in. I think, maybe kinda sorta, that I have found the yarn I will be doing the KAL in, or a Pi shawl. It's multicoloured, so I'm not sure how it would work for the LSSK's lace project. But, mmmm I love this colourway!! **laughs** I would show it to you, but it's still sealed up and I want to keep it that way until I use it; and, I can't find it listed at the store, right now. However, they have very lovely stuff if you want to check them out. Head on over to San Felipe Santiago and browse around. It's worth the visit.

I just had to share...it's almost as good as buying it all over again.

Kiri Fini

2006-05-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

Kiri has been completed, my friends...Not without a little bit of a minor heart attack. As I was blocking it, the yarn on the castoff edge snapped. My heart stopped. I managed to patch it, but I just knew beyond a doubt that the shawl was ruined....I was wrong. The frustrating thing about mohair saved my heiny. Mohair doesn't like coming undone. Once it's been worked, it gets really happy with where it's at. This means it wasn't as catastrophic as it could have been.

If I were a type A knitter, well...the way it is now would not work. However, I'm not a type A knitter. I'm the type knitter that expects, anticpates and requires mistakes (at least one). If I want perfect, I'll get machine knitted items, tyvm. Hanging on the back of the chair like it is, now, I can't even see the patched area. If I looked at it to see what was done wrong, I'd find three glaring issues....a YO in the middle of SS that so totally should not be there, a missing YO in the spine causing the spine to take a jog, and the area that the cast off edge snapped and was patched.

I added the fringe to the shawl to help draw the eye away from the patched area - and wound up thinking that was a very, very good thing to do even if I hadn't had the patch. Funny thing is that I had literally just enough yarn left on the ball to do the fringe.

		Karabella Lace Mohair Colour #: 201 Colour name: snow white Size: 50g/500m - 1.75 oz/540 yards
		Size 7 US. Rosewood Latern Moon straights.
		Kiri by Polly with fringe added. Finished size (sans fringe) is 61"x28".

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

2006-05-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

And that's about all the Spanish you will get out of this Irish girl. **laughs** I suppose, given where I live, it would be a good thing to actually learn the language. One of these days.

I'm so happy happy.

Well, and kinda guilty, guilty.

Which to explain first?

**ponders**

Alrighty - the happy happy first....

Kate (she be aweseome) got me two most aweseome books from my wishlist:

Gossamer Webs by Carol R. Noble, Galina Khmeleva

Can I begin to even explain to you my happiness at this ?

Then we add to this wonderful gift the second book:

A Gathering of Lace by Meg Swansen

I'm soooo in heaven, right now.

As for my guilty feelings?

Well...I'm supposed to be on a yarn diet. But, I think I found the perfect yarn for the Honeymoon Cami from Knitty. It's an undyed rayon/silk blend from Interlacements and I think it would drape just wonderfully and it's in the ballpark for gauge. So...I had to make the order. It cost me a total of $23 and will make the entire cami from one hank - no joins!

Kiri is winding to a finish this weekend. I figure if I'm timing this right, I'll have it blocking by Sunday.

The WRS will then get underway for real. I have the provisional rows set up - yes, I'm running up a couple of rows of provisional yarn before starting the real deal as I like to have something to hold onto while I'm working. Odd, but there you have it.