08 March 2006
Poor Sydney
I could cry. Sydney is fewer about 5 teeth and I'm fewer about $500. My poor, gummy man only has 3 teeth left.
I took him in this morning, they weren't sure they were going to do dental work because Sydney has been having trouble getting up from a lying position since Friday night. Fortunately that turned out to be a severely pulled muscle and nothing more. But when they got him on the table and knocked out, they found out that his poor, smiley mouth was in worse shape than expected. Almost all of his teeth were abscessed (I really wish I could remember how to spell that). On the bright side, they did clean and polish the remaining 3 teeth.
Now he's home, quiet, and giving me sad eyed looks. He's also drooling a bit when he sleeps. I had to feed him oatmeal by him licking it off my fingers, he really won't eat anything else. (The vet was the one who suggested I give him oatmeal.) Conan is really worried about him, he keeps going to him and sniffing his mouth and trying to snuggle with him a bit. I can't tell him enough how sorry I am. Poor Gummy Gummerson.
22:36 Posted in Doggie-poo | Permalink | Comments (31) | Email this
01 March 2006
Yes, I'm back
I'm home. I got in at midnight, home by 1 a.m., in bed around 2. I'm bushed people. Yet I did work today. I must be crazy.
The trip was great. Now that I'm home I'm cold, because it was, like, 70 degrees every day there. And on Tuesday, when it rained a bit, it was still warmer than it is here. Alicia, my best friend, looks great, especially only 1 month after having a baby. She's amazing. 4 kids. Not easy. The new baby is so handsome, he's my new boyfriend. And yes, there's pictures, I've just been too tired to download them. And Alicia took a lot too, so I'll post what she sends me when I get them. The kids (from now on refered to as things # 1 through 4) are brilliant, all of them. Thing #2 (her eldest son) was getting over a cold, but he's just the most amazing 3 year old I've ever met. How many of you know a 3 year old who can actually hit a thrown baseball, and we're talking that he can connect, hit it straight, and FAR. He can also throw a football - spiral and everything, and catch one too. And tell you all about dinosaurs, and count, and he can do almost the whole alphabet in sign language. Plus he's just cute. Thing #1 is too smart for her own good. I did start teaching her how to knit. We got her a book/kit at Barnes and Noble on Monday night, and I showed her a few things. By Tuesday morning before school she was casting on, on her own. Thing #3 is jealous of her new baby brother, and tries on a fairly regular basis to "take him out." But she's still a charmer. And is using sign language to tell you what she wants, and she's not even 2 yet. (They hired a lady, who I met and really like, to come in 3 days a week in the mornings to help Alicia get everyone off to school and stuff, and this lady is teaching #3 sign language.) I mean, hell, its only possible to do so much when breast feeding and that kid eats like every 1/2 hour!
I did get quite a bit of knitting done this trip. I'm almost finished with a pair of Bearfoot Mountain Colors socks, I just have to put in the afterthought heels. And I started another pair of toe-up 2 socks on 2 circulars with afterthought heels in Lorna's Laces Jungle Stripe on the plane home. I have decided to name these socks, The Socks that Barney Shat. You'll understand when I post pictures.
I came to the realization that I have seen more movies while travelling than I have at home. So I've decided to start Sarah's Unplanned Travelling Movie Review. I'll use a set of 5 double-points to rate. Never mind what size! Recently seen: Cinderella Man (on the bus-twice to New York) and Walk the Line (to and from Las Vegas). Originally I hadn't planned on seeing either of these movies. I don't like Russel Crowe or Joaquin Phoenix. But I give them both 5 DPs. I haven't stopped singing Johnny Cash songs yet! Needless to say, Walk the Line made me realize EXACTLY what I want for my birthday - the entire Johnny Cash (and Johnny Cash/June Carter) collection on CD, and an I-Pod. I'll go into further filmular detail tomorrow, when I'm not cross-eyed with jetlag.
Must sleep again. Now.
23:40 Posted in Blog , Doggie-poo , Film , Knitting , Leisure , Travel | Permalink | Comments (5) | Email this
22 February 2006
This I have decided
1) Most importantly, that by the end of this year I will have enough hand-knit socks that I will never have to wear store bought socks again. Now, this doesn't mean that I need to knit them all, so any sock-knitting fairies out there....get to work.
2) I am going to make enough money this year to be able to afford a house-keeper to come in at least once a month to clean that which I don't want to.
3) I'm going to lose some weight. Just some. I'm not fooling myself.
4) I WILL get myself onto a yarn diet. At some point.
5) My sewing machine will come back out of hiding and actually get used.
These are the important decisions I have made. Life-changing aren't they?
In doggie-dog news. Sydney and I went to the canine cardiologist today (Conan stayed at Camp Auntie-Peggy). Our Sydney guy's ticker is status quo, which is better than the other options, and he is ok for anesthesia if needed. He's such a good boy with this cardiologist, just lies there and lets her take an EKG, while I pet his nose and talk to him. This means that by this time next week he will have at least one less tooth in his mouth, maybe more. I kind of wish they made doggie dentures, because the thought of his poor toothless smiley mouth just makes me want to cry. But it should also help his cough, so I guess its for the best. Oh yeah, and he lost some more weight! Our Sydney-potamus now weighs 24lbs and losing! Yay Sydney!
22:25 Posted in Doggie-poo , Knitting , work | Permalink | Comments (8) | Email this
16 February 2006
Oh Holy Snot!
I'm so tired its not even describeable. And I don't think that's a word. I've spent most of the beginning of the year out of town at trade shows. Most recently I was at Toy Fair, in New York this past Monday. Yes, up to NY and back to Baltimore in the same day. Why? Because of this.
That's my front yard. Sunday. Wanna see the back yard? I love my back yard. It's like a little piece of heaven. And here it is covered in snow.
Good thing I had finished these.
I made them from some handspun I bought from Lynnell at Yarn Rescue. Just a quick toe up and afterthought heel from worsted weight. I actually wrote down what I did, so I'll post a pattern. Yeah, I promise. I'll get to the damn ducky mittens too.
So anyway, because of the damn snow, I didn't get up to NY on Sunday. Missed the clown parade, my favorite part of Toy Fair. Poo. But I did finish another pair of socks out of Vesper Sock Yarn in Aquamelon. And I re-started a pair of Jaywalkers in Socks that Rock, Queen Rock. I'm not sure I like them though.
Now, there's been a lot going on in the news. I'm choosing not to comment on our esteemed Vice Accident shooting someone, or the completely odd opening ceremonies at the Olympics. Its just too much. But on the home front, Conan is now pneumonia free. And Sydney has developed an abcess on one of his teeth. And he only has like 6 left! The worst of it is that it is in one of his eye-teeth, where the root goes into his sinus cavity, which is why he is so sneezy, and the infection can affect his heart. So I have to go back to the doggy cardiologist with him as soon as I can. There's $400. Then they'll probably have to pull his poor doggy tooth, hoping we can avoid anesthesia, because of how it could affect his little oversized ticker. God knows how much that'll be. I'm thinking of taking up a collection.
This is what he thinks of it all. 
Sweet Sydney-potomus.
23:05 Posted in Blog , Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (6) | Email this
31 January 2006
I've got no title for this one....
Conan and Sydney have decided to celebrate the Mistake of the Union's (hey, did you see that they give his bio in Spanish too?) State of the Funyun Address by having a mutual hump fest. Everyone watch out, when they chase each other, nothing's safe. Fortunately, they only hump each other. I have decided not to comment on the State of the Funion, because it will only serve to get me in a tizzy. I will say that I spent a lot of time asking the television why he wasn't talking about here as opposed to over there, how he intends to pay for what he just said, and what world are we talking about again? And then Conan and Sydney decided it was time to go out and take a crap. Very apropos.
Here's a little bit of previously promised sock porn.
I did this using Queen Kahuna's Crazy Toes and Heels. I highly recommend this book. I'm currently working on another pair using Vesper sock yarn in Aqua-melon. I think I'm going to try an afterthought heel this time.
On an even more exciting note....I got my 1st Secret Pal gift yesterday!!!! Here are a few of the before shots. 
Action shots to come later.
Funny thing, I've actually been wanting one of those sheep tape measures for like, forever. I'd talk about what I'm preparing for my SP, but I'm not sure if she reads my blog....I'll take pics before I send it out and post them after the whole Secret Pal thing is over.
Now, let me see.....there has actually been quite a bit going on. At the Washington Gift Show, I ran into 2 yarn stores and a yarn distributor. The most exciting of which was Aylin, of Aylin's Woolgatherer. I'm such a fiber groupie, I knew who she was and had a small conniption when I met her. She invited me to a retreat in June. I'd love to go, but I'm not certain I'll be able to afford it. Then, this past Sunday at the New York International Gift Fair, I met Lexie Barnes! Do I ever love her stuff!!!
In closing, Conan's pneumonia seems to be on the mend. Here's some pictures of the boys I stole the other day.
Same bed, same day, same nap. Some sweetness.
22:15 Posted in Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (4) | Email this
26 January 2006
ergh...
Well, the Washington Gift Show is over, I go up to the New York International Gift Fair on Sunday (of course, I do get to come back the same day. Yay.). I'm sorry though. I do keep meaning to post some sock porn, but Conan is rather sick so I'm busy with him. I had to take him to the 24 hour vet on Tuesday night (around 2:30 in the am), but they couldn't figure out what was wrong. So I had to go to the last day of the gift show, and Peggy had to take him to our vet. He has pneumonia. Which is potentially fatal in dogs. And contageous, so I have Sydney on a preventative dose of antibiotics, while Conan is on 2 antibiotics. He looks so pitiful.
I've got to go now, he's been coughing again.
23:10 Posted in Doggie-poo | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
11 January 2006
I'm sorry Secret Pal! I'm sorry!
I am so sorry Secret Pal! I'm going to give you the answers to the Secret Pal 7 Questionnaire just as soon as I explain why I haven't already done them. Oy. First you'll probably laugh, but then you'll want to cry.
Here goes my week:
On Friday I was in a car accident. Actually, I was hit. It was a low impact thing, no one was hurt. I was in the left lane, advancing to turn, and the guy in the center lane decided he needed to be in my lane, where I was, but he didn't look before he turned. So he got my car on the passenger side, from the front all the way to the back.
I had to drive up to Ft. Washington, PA with my father to go to the Philadelphia Gift Show (which OBVIOUSLY isn't actually in Philly, but who's really paying attention) on Saturday. We came back the same day, so its a looooong day, with just me and dad, which usually leads to some sort of unpleasant fireworks. Fortunately there really weren't any, which is odd, considering I had a headache that had been around for days AND I got my period.
I spent Sunday doing paperwork that I had been putting off.
Monday, I was supposed to go to some customers, but I never made it out of the house. I was on the phone with the company I lease my car from, and the insurance people all day. I have to go to the Geico insurance adjuster NEXT WEEK. Sheesh. That and I had to get plane tickets and a hotel room so I can fly to Atlanta this weekend for the Atlanta Gift Show. Yes, I could've booked earlier, but my father didn't make his mind up until late last week that I was definitely going. It'll be Saturday to Sunday, but now I've lost yet another weekend. And there's basically trade shows every week from now until mid February, so I don't know when I'll see another.
Yesterday, I was everywhere, trying to make up for Monday. Which wasn't so bad. I just didn't get time to go to the grocery store, but hell, that'll wait.
Today. Today's the kicker. We went to bed late last night, I've been struggling with the Crusoe Socks. Had to frog them once, and I had finally casted back on with 60 stitches yesterday and started again. I'm using Fleece Artist merino for this and she originally used Koigu, so either Koigu is much stretchier than I give it credit for, or she has teeny tiny feet, because 40-44 stitches never made it past my toes when I tried to try the first go on. Anyhoo, we went to bed around 1:30 am and I was woken up by Conan around 4:30 am. Usually this means he just wants to get off the bed and get a drink of water. Well, around 5:30 am I was awoken to a horrific smell and an upset Conan. He had had an ass-splosion on the bed (he's done that only once before, both times I didn't get up when he tried to get me to, and both times he didn't mean it). So of course I get up, take EVERYTHING off the bed, clean clean clean the floor and take the dogs out. I start the washer and that's when I notice, WATER COMING FROM UNDER THE WASHING MACHINE. That's not good. So I check the hoses, I look everywhere, hoping its coming from the back, or something, because UNDER is never good. Nope, its coming from under the washer and its a fairly good amount of water. So I finally find someone who can come out tomorrow to look at it. Just the "diagnosis" is going to cost me almost $100. And on top of it all, I think to myself, oh self, maybe I should move the basket of clean laundry off of the floor and out of the way of the potential water. So I do, but somehow manage to poke myself in the eye with my laundry. So now my eye hurts too. Geez. And Conan has started coughing on top of everything, and he's a bit out of it, so I'm even more worried about him. I'll be sleeping light tonight, huh?
On the upside, I DID get that paperwork done finally, and faxed off to the people it needed to go to. But I didn't get to go to the post office, which I desperately need to do. And I still haven't sent off the crappy 2006 Pattern a Day Calendar that I promised to swap with this woman on the Knitlist. I received the handspun yarn she swapped for it today. Crap. So, now I have to do that tomorrow too.
So anyway, hopefully you are only on the laughing stage.
Now I'll post the SP7 stuff.
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
Yes. I admit it. I've been known to use acrylic stuff, but I much prefer natural fibers. Blends are ok, but more wool than nylon/acrylic/poly-crap please.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Yes. I do both, though mostly I knit. But I have a wheel and once in a while I'll spin something. Just not recently.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Storage? What's that? Actually I have a Circular Solution and a Double Point Solution, and my straights are kept everywhere and in some needle rolls.
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been seriously knitting for about a year now. I'd consider myself to be of an intermediate skill level.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
You bet yer bippy I do. Here.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Coffee. But I love white gardenia too.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Too much so. I'm trying to cut down. Momma's gotta diet. But you can't go wrong with chocolate. Or chocolate covered coffee beans....mmm. I also like Goldenberg's Peanut Chews. But who doesn't?
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Not much. I can fix things, and once in a blue moon I'll make a card or something, but mainly its fiber stuff.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I have an MP3 player and I'll listen to just about anything. I haven't been listening to much music right now.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love green. But if its bright or has a sparkly thing running through it, I'm hooked.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm single, with 2 fur children. Conan and Sydney. Both boys.
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Anything but ponchos.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
ALPACA ALPACA ALPACA. Did you get that? I'm in love with handpainted and/or handspun stuff.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Polyester. Rayon. Man made goo.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Socks and lace. This week.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything. I haven't found one that I don't like to knit yet. But I haven't tried everything, so I also don't have a favorite either.
17. What are you knitting right now?
3 pairs of socks and a lace shawl. Don't ask. Just know that I'm going to stick to Queen Kahuna's way of doing things, or I'm using dps from now on.
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
YES. I. DO. The more useful the better, because I like to show them off.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circs.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Give me my addis. Otherwise I'll use my Denise set, thank you.
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Both, but I'm looking to upgrade to a wood swift and a jumbo winder.
22. How did you learn to knit?
When I was about 6. My mother and my grandmother. But I had no concentration then, so I was never any good.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
I guess about 6 months. Maybe longer. Its the Bevin Tank.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I like my dogs. Otherwise, armadillos.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween, or the 4th of July.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Armadillos.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Interweave, Vogue Knitting
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I want Big Girls Knit when it comes out. And I want to add Elizabeth Zimmerman to my knitting library.
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to start doing intarsia and fair isle.
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I wear a 7 1/2 to 8 shoe. I have an almost 9" ankle, and the same with the ball of my foot. I have better measurements someplace.....
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
March 18th.
There you go Secret Pal! Hope that helps. Now stop crying about my day and get back to knitting!
21:40 Posted in Blog , Doggie-poo , Knitting , work | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
04 January 2006
A Public Service Message
Don't try to do Pilates floor exercises when you have 2 small dogs and they are on the floor too.
00:35 Posted in Doggie-poo | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
07 November 2005
What the !?!
The following from the Michael's website: This knitted dog sweater, made from Fancy Fur and Microspun yarn, is so adorable, you'll want one for yourself. Have the most stylish dog in town with this bright and colorful sweater.
Now the picture, are you sure you're ready for it?
Poor doggie.
I'm just sayin'.
10:13 Posted in Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
31 October 2005
Boo (nope, no knitting content here)
Happy Halloween.
We had 3, yes 3, trick-or-treaters. Good thing I bought candy I like....
22:12 Posted in Doggie-poo | Permalink | Comments (17) | Email this
15 October 2005
Are you ready? It's been a while since I posted!
This one's a no pic-er!
I had to go out of town last weekend. Left on Saturday, came back Tuesday night. Mind you, it was for business, so don't say you're jealous when I tell you it was to go to Las Vegas. There was a trade show, for scrapbooking, that I had to attend. And I had to leave the boys behind. But I did get to stay with my best friend and her husband and 3.3 kids (the .3 is for the baby boy to be - and I saw the ultrasound. Its DEFINITELY a boy! He made sure that they knew...yup, he flashed 'em). Their new house is in Henderson, NV, in this great neighborhood, and they are surrounded by parks and stuff. Very suburban. And they're like 10 minutes from UNLV where her husband teaches. So they're like 10 minutes from The Strip. Which is convenient for not a whole lot. I've discovered that I have no desire to gamble. And believe me, I had plenty of opportunity. I didn't check, but I think there are even slot machines in the bathrooms at the airport.
Anyway, I took a few pictures, the kids were showing me their halloween costumes, and then the batteries in the digital camera died. So I'll have to wait for her to e-mail me theirs. DD#1 is going to be a cowgirl, DS (soon to be DS#1) is going to be a pirate. And DD#2 is too young to care. I had a great time, its nice just to spend time with them. And we went out to eat at some great places.
The big breakthrough that happened while I was away is that Conan and Sydney now spend time with each other, they sleep next to each other or on top of each other and stuff, whereas before they would be in the same room, but wouldn't be closer than 4' apart. I don't know if the dog-sitter, yes the dog-sitter, had anything to do with it.
I was on the plane all day on both Saturday and Tuesday. I didn't bring books, just knitting. I discovered that with 2 naps on the way to LV I can knit 3 baby booties (I'm doing the ones from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, in alpaca - for the soon to be baby and some others). And I can almost finish one Tychus, with 3 naps on the way back.
Of course, now that I'm back I'm trying to get out from under work and knitting. So I'll have to post more later. Maybe by then I'll have some pictures, huh?
23:50 Posted in Doggie-poo , Knitting , Travel , work | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
25 September 2005
This post has yarny goodness. And dogs.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING PICTURES MAY CAUSE SPONTANEOUS DROOLING AND THE INTENSE DESIRE TO EITHER LICK OR CARESS THE COMPUTER SCREEN. Caution is advised.
Mmmmm......yumminess.
I got bored with the ribbing on Sprout on Saturday night and cast on for the Melody's Shawl that I bought at MDS&W. The colorway is ZESTY...as you can see. 840 yards of yarny goodness. I think I'm going to have to limit myself to only one Morehouse purchase a year, else I lose the house.
As I promised the other night, here is a picture of the yarn that I bought to make Madeline. Brace yourselves.
Here's another. 
Just in case it wasn't enough. Chocolate-y.
Lest you think I am ignoring the fur-kids, here is a picture of Yin and Yang.
We went for a walk this evening. The 3 of us. Actually it was a walk and a carry. Sydney and I walked, and his highness, senor stubborn, was carried. Can't get Conan to walk on a leash. Unless we're in another state. I'm not kidding.
Back to knitting. Ever notice how a project gets done quicker if there is more than one going at the same time? That's why I started the Morehouse shawl. Now I've only got about 1 inch to go on Sprout's ribbing and I'll be able to sew up. Ah, the power of multitasking.
Political side note: I can't remember which congressman I saw on tv this morning proposing that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting be cut in order to come up with money to fund beady-eyes' agenda. But I can say this. If it happens, you can expect me to collect every piece of dog doo in the yard, and I mean EVERY, and I will be mailing it to your office. In a box. (Our Sydney is a prolific pooper.)
Warning given.
23:35 Posted in Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
22 September 2005
Ok. So I may never pass creative writing....
I swear I think about blogging more than I actually do it. I have all of this great crap floating around in my head, but it likes to flitter away while I knit instead of blog. And I have no idea whatsoever which one should take precedence. You tell me. I had this great post all ready last night, I had typed it up and uploaded some pictures, and then I accidentally hit the wrong button and *poof* there it went into computer Never-Never land. I actually thought about crying. So I'll try to start again.
By the way, I am collecting patterns for baby boys. That's right, Auntie Sarah's Swirly of Love, which is currently OTN, but only being sporadically worked on until Sprout is finished (mainly its become my travel project, because I can stuff it into a bag, so it goes with me to doctors offices and such), will be going to a baby boy. 
I think I mentioned before that my best friend, yup the one who just moved to Las Vegas, is percolating baby #4. Who woulda thunk it? Look closely, you can see the gorgeous detail. I hid a little heart in there, but the picture is so blindingly red, that I don't think you'll be able to find it. I promise I'll have it done by the time I go out to Las Vegas next month.
And then here I am, with only fur-children, and nothing on the horizon. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys 
, but do I really have to say it? And as much as people say "Oh, you're only 30-whatever, you have plenty of time," or "there's nothing wrong with being a single woman over 30," its bullshit. They all jump to conclusions or look at you funny. I really don't mean to go on a self-pity thing, but for all of the rest of us out there you know what I mean. I kind of brought this one on myself tonight. I was reading the 2 blogs that I need to get my daily fix from, Knit and Tonic and Stitch Marker. Wendy and Larissa, I love you guys, but after reading about Girlfriend (I need one of her so I can knit cool stuff!) and Sebastian (just the babiest of babes), I really feel like I'm missing something. That, and you guys write so well, it well, makes me realize why I never got far in creative writing.
Ok. Back to random knitting. Almost done with 2nd side of Sprout (you may know sprout as Orangina. My Orangina #2 actually). I was going to take a picture of the big pile of yarn that will become Madeline, but the batteries in my digital camera died. I know! How very convenient! But its the truth. So I will have to post that gratuitous yarn pic later.
Meanwhile, I got an e-mail from Nick and Vivi and the kids yesterday. They made it to France ok and the kids are enrolled in school for about a month. 
Apparently, our Nina is the most popular girl in town! I am told that many of the boys have already declared their love for her and all the girls are inviting her to parties. (Nina is the one in the bottom, right-hand corner)
Wish I was there.
I'll close with some pictures of my fur-children. I have no life. Just knitting and my boys.
Conan Sydney
21:45 Posted in Blog , Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
13 September 2005
Pictorial updates
I promised pictures...so here they are...
Meet Sprout. Sprout is my 2nd attempt at Orangina. In green, obviously. This time I'm doing the large, I think. Whichever one it is that you cast on 130 stitches for.
Here's a close-up. Look ma, no lifelines!
Not too much focus either. Sorry.
Here's a picture of my Pi Shawl.
Can ya see it?
Here's another.
While I'm thinking about it, does anyone out there in blog-land have a good idea for a heavy-worsted yarn? Preferrably a cotton or alpaca blend. I'm going to make this. Or die trying.
Sydney says hi.
He also says, "leave me alone, I'm doing yoga!" This is his rug pose.
And as usual, Conan asks...
"do you love me?"
23:40 Posted in Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
23 August 2005
Happy birthday Conan Puppy!
I hope it was a good one.
Love,
The Puppy Momma
(and yer brudder, Sydney, the kissing bandit)
00:11 Posted in Doggie-poo | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
04 August 2005
Brother, for trade or sale
I have a brother for trade or sale. Best offer. I'm willing to take as little as a piece of boiled chicken. Every offer will be considered. Please take him off of my hands. My mom might pay too much attention to him. And he's bogart-ing my treats. Come get him soon! Please!
Conan
00:26 Posted in Doggie-poo | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
30 July 2005
Ahoy-hoy!
Well hello again! I know its been a long time, but I have a good excuse. I'm back, lighter one gall-bladder. Amongst other things. I had gall-bladder surgery on the 8th. Laparascopically (god only knows if I spelled that right...). I have 4 little scars on my stomach right now. The picture I put in my last post was only a few days after getting home. Its not so easy to take a picture upside down. I've had so many posts planned, but its been exhausting here in Puppy-topia.
Not only did I cast on for a sock pre-surgery, but I knit the little bastard in the recovery room and then in my room, until I got home. It was finished not long after, and so was its leetle friend.
Needless to say, I spent a lot of time knitting, or sleeping, mainly on my back. Which gave me the opportunity to take some of these pictures.
In the meantime, Auntie Peggie became a GRAMMA! So I had to knit up these for little Gwynneth.
I forgot to take pictures of the finished pair....poo.
I went back to working a bit too early, but no worries. But not a week after my staples were removed...and trust me, I had a whole SWINGLINE (that's a stapler brand for those of you who've never had to work in an office :) ) full of 'em, I had to go back to manual labor big time, for the Washington Gift Show. Trade Show from hell. Louise (and you know who you are..) if I had shat something up as well as you have this show, I'dve been fired long ago. We've been doing this trade show since I could stand, and now its a joke. But that was over this past Wednesday. Now I'll be working this weekend to catch up. I have to go out to 2 customers. But thank goodness for Sunday knitting group! I'm working on a Pi Shawl, but I'm prolly gonna have to frog it, because I screwed up the lacy part somewhere. So I'm not going to take pictures of it. But I will say that its being done in cream colored baby ull. Soft. Mmmmm. I did finally finish the Branching Out Scarf. And blocked it.
Now to package it up and send it off to Miss Glory, Duchess of Toys. Its a thank you for having my back and also the pink magic fairy wand (WITH MARIBOU!) that you see in the bottom of the picture. And yes, yes that is another Clapotis that you see there. I'm doing it in K1C2 2nd Time Cotton.
In newsier news, Conan is going to be a big brother! Actually, he's getting a big brother, but since he was here first, he'll be the big, little brother. See how that works? His name is Sydney
, and he's 10. We're getting him on Monday. So hopefully I'll have more updates soon!
In the meantime, I will leave you with what I call, MEDITATIONS ON A GREENIE.
Good night.
00:35 Posted in Blog , Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (4) | Email this
17 June 2005
And where have I been this time?
Ok. The reason I haven't been blogging this time is really cool.
(Excuse me while I fall off of my chair in hysterics for a second...I just watched Conan go into the yarn room and make himself at home on one of my knitting bags. Now he's just looking at me like I'm interrupting him, and what the HELL is all this yarn doing around him!)
Back to my excuses.
So the reason I haven't been blogging is because I made a little stop at the Hadassah shop around the corner (thats like a Goodwill for us Jews, which in my case the Goodwill is about 4 miles up the road, this was closer) to see if I could find a sweater or 2 to recycle. Everything in the store was 1/2 price! After I piled up about like a gazillion recycle-able sweaters on the counter, some of the old ladies there commented about how ready for winter I'd be. When I told them that I planned on ripping them all apart and knitting them into something else....well, you'da thought I just came up with proof of Cold Fission or something. They all thought it was incredibly neat that I was doing that, and then one of them said, "But we have yarn." BUT WE HAVE YARN!!! I had walked past this basket of yarn like 3 times and didn't see it! All of the yarn in there was at most $3.00 a bag, some was even 50 cents. And that was before taking 1/2 off. I bought it all. The whole escapade cost me like $44. Needless to say I've been spending time unravelling sweaters for the past few nights.
Plus I started 2 toe up socks. That's 2 socks, 1 each of 2 different types of yarn. One pair will be for me and one for my mom. I'm trying the Pom Squad pattern from MagKnits. Though if I have issues with that pattern, I'll try this.
Wish me luck!
10:05 Posted in Blog , Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
12 June 2005
Of Fireflies and Taxes...
I bet you're expecting a poem of some sort. But no. I was just thinking about the fact that I saw fireflies in the trees again tonight and that my quarterly estimated taxes are due.
Actually, I kind of miss the 2 trees that were taken down recently. Last year there were fireflies galore in them and I would sit outside and just look at the trees lighting up. It was beautiful. There's not as many fireflies this year. Maybe its the heat?
I'm not going to expound on taxes. Why bother?
In good news today, Conan started going up and down steps again. And running.
I finished the front (or maybe its the back?) of Orangina today, and cast on for the back (or is it the front?). I've finished 2 repeats of the lace pattern so far....
And yes, I know that Honfest was yesterday. And no, I didn't go. It was too hot. But I DID go to Cloverhill with Peggy and bought some SoySilk. And then we found a new bead shop nearby and I bought some beads for the Lace and Agate Scarf. Of course now I'll have to figure out what yarn I'm going to use for the scarf itself.
Anyway, its back to the grindstone tomorrow. Poop.
23:59 Posted in Blog , Books , Doggie-poo , Knitting , Leisure | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
05 June 2005
I had a whole great blog planned yesterday, and then the 'puter crashed
Yes, THIS IS WHAT YOU THINK IT IS...
Friday night I cast on for a sock. This would make my 3rd try. (Always got intimidated by turning the heel.)
You can't see it, but Conan is rolling his eyes at me. "Geez mom, ANOTHER sock?"
But, this time I was triumphant!!! My Everest has been climbed! The HEEL HAS BEEN TURNED! The gussett has been decreased! I'm on toward the toes!
I reached heel turning late yesterday afternoon. Happy dancing and general merriment ensued, along with a lot of phone calls to fellow knitters to alert them of said turned heel. Even NB (new boy...see previous posts) was proud of me. He saw it last night, after dinner, which it took us about an hour to get to. Wink wink, nudge nudge.
So all other knitting progress has been halted 
whilst I toil obsessively on THE SOCK.
Ignoring all else, and everything around me.
I wish I could say that I haven't eaten or had coffee, but who are we kidding? I can't live without my coffee. I did dream knitting last night though.
Oh yeah, by the way, meet Wendy!
11:05 Posted in Blog , Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
28 May 2005
Updates updates updates
Well, I got my boy back from the vet on Friday night. He was a bit doped up still, but happy to see his momma! It was a BITCH of a weekend though. First of all, he kept standing up and even walking, which the doctor said he'd never seen a dog do so fast after this kind of surgery. Of course I was freaking out every time he did this, so I hardly left his side. Plus I was so worried he would be in pain. I had to feed him by hand all weekend too, he was hungry, but didn't want to make too much effort. That whole process was kinda iffy, because the week before the surgery he had had colitis, which gave him the explosive diarrheas. The cost for that trip to the vet was the impetus for his new nickname, Conan of the Golden Anus.
So, anyway, back to the knees. Saturday and Sunday nights he didn't sleep through the night. Poor baby couldn't find a comfy way to sleep. Needless to say there were a few hours there where I was sleeping sitting up with him in my arms. I had created a little sick room in the living room, and I was sleeping next to him on the floor, since every time we tried to sleep in bed he would get distressed. Part of the distress was that he couldn't stand up to pee on his own, and since he HATES to mess in the house, he would hold it and hold it and hold it, even though I'd take him outside and support him. He'd pee all over himself while he was asleep, which made it hard to keep his bandages dry, let alone anything else, even with Depends mats and wee-wee pads all over the place. Thank god for my next door neighbors. They have been so wonderful, with him AND me, during this whole ordeal. Peg and Jerry, we love you!!!
I had to go to Delaware on Monday for work, and I didn't want Peggy to have to worry about taking care of him, so I took him to stay at the vet. Which was good, because I was worried about one of his incisions, his cough, and also he hadn't pooped since the surgery. They gave him an enema, how embarrassing! But ever since Monday night, everything has been so much better! Now I just have to keep him from trying to go up and down steps. His stitches come out on Tuesday night, and then we start physical therapy.
I didn't get too much knitting done, mainly just working on Bevin. But my new spinning wheel got here yesterday!!!!!!!!! Its a double-drive Ashford Traveller. I put her together tonight. I have named her Wendy. 'Cuz she's windey. Windey-wendy. Tee hee. I've already spun a little bit on her. Pics later.
22:25 Posted in Blog , Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
19 May 2005
Update
Surgery went well, but the dr. is taking Conan home with him so he can monitor him overnight. Apparently they are giving him morphine......WHAT ABOUT ME???
I'll be able to take him home tomorrow night.
19:45 Posted in Doggie-poo | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
I think I'm going to barf
As I type this, Conan is at the vet for his knee surgery. On both knees. I have to leave him there all day. I think I'm going to barf. Yes, I cried a little when I dropped him off, and yes, I even cried a bit last night. I know he's going to be ok, but I hate leaving him anywhere. Now I'm just trying to get SOME work done, and keep my mind off of my baby-dog. Ugh! Maybe I'll go take a nap. I've already tried knitting a bit. Didn't work. That says a lot....
11:33 Posted in Doggie-poo | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
11 May 2005
Lookie at my loot!
Check it out!
Lace weight from Morehouse Merino
It comes with a nifty pattern for a scarf/shawl, that is knit in the round, with drop-stitches, and then cut to create fringe. I'll post pics when I'm done.
I'll use this to close it with.
Then I bought some roving...
Look at those colors!
I plan on making beads with it, a la Lili La Malice...I love her stuff. I bought almost a full pound. But I may actually spin with it too. Yes, I am buying a spinning wheel! Weehee!
Ok, so I went to MDS$W both days. On Saturday I met up with my cousin and her friends (my cousin is actually about my father's age), and "shopped" with them. My cousin bought over $200 of Koigu at The Mannings, amongst other things. I crapped out after about 4 hours (granted, I got there when the gates opened, my cousin didn't show up until almost an hour later), plus Conan was home alone.
I went back on Sunday and met my mother there. She'd been giving me crap about wanting a spinning wheel, until she got a chance to try spinning, both with a wheel and with a drop spindle. Now she says I should make sure to buy a good one, that is also pretty. Needless to say, by the end of the weekend I was suffering from sensory overload, but I was happy! I don't know if Conan was.
And to top it all off, I stopped at All About Yarn on Sunday afternoon, to partake in their sale, but I ended up buying non-sale stuff. I'm going to wing a tank pattern with this....
On the flip side, Conan has had the flaming shits for the past 2 days. For those who don't know what that is, its really bad diarrhea. My poor boy's tiny tushie! Just as upsetting, he's also limping and I can't figure out why. I don't want to take him to the vet if I don't have to, since he's getting his knee surgery on the 19th. But he's been sleeping like a rock, and really listless....I can hear his poor tummy from here...
Just so you know...on this site, my stitching name is High Priestess of Costly Overdyes .
And you should look at this.
Ok. Goodnight.
00:00 Posted in Blog , Doggie-poo , Knitting | Permalink | Comments (3) | Email this