Teri's Fiber Arts & Textiles

PIF & ABC's and a rant

2008-01-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

I joined a couple of things this week and you can too if you want to..........

PAY IT FORWARD

Here are the rules:

“I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog"

So if you wanna play, just send me an email to reno_rainy at yahoo dot com or you can also leave me a comment with your contact info.

ABC-Along 2008

I joined the ABC-Along 2008 that Vicki at Knitorious is hostessing. If you love to take pics, you should join us. Just click the link above. Sign-ups end on January 19th.

Okay, now for the rant.......

I was at work today and there was a couple in the waiting room waiting to be called back for a medical procedure. While they were waiting, the husband starts clipping his fingernails. This totally disgusted me. I wanted to say..."Hello!....You are in a public place which happens to be a medical facility and you are clipping your nails and letting them fly everywhere! I can't believe that someone would think this was okay to do. Come on.....go outside or do it at home or something!

Tap, Tap, Tap.......Hello, is anyone out there?

2008-01-02T19:08:00.000-08:00

Well 2007 turned out to be an exciting year in more ways than one. Here is a recap:

Celebrated my 40th birthday on April 18th.
Got my Ravelry invite on June 21st.
Celebrated my 6th wedding anniversary with my wonderful hubby on June 29th.
Had my appendix and an ovarian cyst removed in July.
Built a retaining wall on the south end of our property in August.
Found out that my hubby and I are going to be grandparents in June 2008.
Spent a couple of days in the hospital due to a heart condition and started heart meds on December 11th.
Got a new puppy on December 17th (see pics below)

What an eventful year! Some of it was good, bad, and ugly!

So in 2008 I already know that I will be turning 41, not that big of a deal. My hubby and I will become grandparents for the first time by my hubby's daughter. We will celebrate our 7th anniversary. We are planning a trip to Texas to visit my family this spring. We are going to sell our Expedition and get a more fuel efficient car (we are thinking about a Prius). I will be seeing a cardiologist in Eugene the beginning of February. And the biggest life altering thing that will happen to me in 2008 is........I am getting braces! I have needed to get braces since I was in high school but it was something that my parents couldn't afford to do. My husband and I have great dental coverage right now that includes orthodontics plus I have great benefits through work that reimburse me for my medical and dental expenses, so we just couldn't pass up the opportunity.

I know I haven't mentioned anything about knitting yet. Well in 2007 I did complete a pair of socks! I had a ton of WIP's. Some will be frogged and some will get finished this year. I will post pics and the line up in a future post. I plan to do much more knitting and crocheting this year. 2007 seemed to have too many distractions.

And now for what you all have been waiting for.........I introduce to you........

Gracie

Gracie is half Chocolate Lab and half Weimaraner. She was born on October 27, 2007. She just turned 9 weeks old. She is very smart. She is completely house broke and knows the commands; sit, stay and down. My hubby is planning to train her to be a bird dog for hunting (we'll see how that goes).

I hope to be a much better blogger this year.

No Wonder I Am So Tired

2007-10-18T16:05:00.001-07:00

No wonder I am so tired at the end of the day! I'll bet you will feel the same after watching this video.

Did you miss me?

2007-10-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe its been over a month since I last posted on here! Where have I been, you ask?! Well do you remember when I posted about this?........
Click the picture to read my first post about it

Well now it looks like this......

With the help of our neighbors and a couple of friends with the trade skills needed to build a wall like that, we built that wall ourselves. There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears put into that wall.

We have also been busy working on the house and doing some landscaping to prepare to refinance our home.

Thank goodness that is finished and I can finally get back to my knitting!

My hubby and I also went on a hike last weekend to scout out his hunting location for this year. This is the view from the top of the bluff we hiked to. We were on the Oregon and California border. Isn't it just breathtaking?

That is Mt. Shasta in the background to the left. Click on the picture to make it bigger.

Back and better than ever

2007-08-12T21:02:00.000-07:00

I am back and better than ever. I had my post-op appt. with the surgeon and it turns out that my appendix was the major problem and the cyst was just a bonus. Apparently, I have been suffering from a chronic appendicitis. The surgeon said that I have probably been suffering from it for the past 3 or 4 years.

Last week was my first full week back at work. It was good to be back but also exhausting at the same time. I played a little golf this week too just to get my game back. I would say that it is coming along quite nicely as I shot a 51 yesterday for 9 holes. Not quite Tiger Woods or Anika Sorenstam but pretty good for me since I just started playing in May.

I really haven't been doing much in the way of knitting lately. I think it's because it has been so hot. I do have one sock finished and I started the second one. I will post pics later in the week. I am going to hurry up and get the Indigo Ripples Skirt finished. I have totally neglected it. I also have something really cool to share with all of you. My daughter took wood shop class last spring and made me a really cool chest for me to store my yarn in. Take a look!

Isn't it cool?! This thing is huge! She even made a tray that slides back and forth so I can see all my yarn.

Recovering

2007-07-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

Well I am home now, recovering from my day surgery. Everything went well. The only complaint I really have, is that they rushed me out of there so quickly. I think I can still hear them saying "NEXT!" The day after surgery was really rough. I was really nauseated and ended up getting sick. Hubby made a call to the surgeon's office and they called in a script for an anti-nausea med. I am doing much better today. I am off the pain medication and only taking Tylenol and ibuprofen for the pain.

They did take my appendix and they found the culprit of my pain and agony for the past couple of weeks. It was a HUGE cyst on my right ovary. You can see a picture of the cyst by clicking the word cyst in this post. Yes, they took a picture of it for my scrapbook.

Updated on Monday, July 23, 2007.

I scanned the photo of the cyst today and you can see it by clicking here--------> CYST

Appendectomy

2007-07-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update because I feel absolutely lousy. I went to the OBGYN yesterday and she said that I am not having problems with my ovaries due to cysts. She felt it was my appendix and referred me to a surgeon. I saw the surgeon today and he felt it was my appendix also. I am scheduled for surgery on Thursday at noon. He will also do some exploring while he is in there.

It's not a boy....

2007-07-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

It's not a boy, it's not a girl, it's an..............ovarian cyst! That was what was found during the CT. I have to see my OBGYN on Monday to find out what the plan of action is going to be. Surgery is not out of the picture yet. I will know more on Monday.

Just wanted to give everyone an update.

I'm a Mystery

2007-07-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't been feeling very well for the past few days. It started with a pain in my lower right abdomen. The pain comes and goes and is accompanied by nausea and fever that comes and goes.

I have been spending the past couple of days in the urgent care to figure out what is going on. My white blood cell count jumped from 7000 to 10000 and back down to 7000 today. I had a limited Appy CT Scan on Tuesday that said that everything looked okay, I still have pain in my LRQ (lower right quadrant). I am going in for a complete abdominal/pelvic CT study with contrast this afternoon. Hopefully this will tell us what is going on.

I just wanted to let everyone know what was going on so you all knew why I haven't been posting on here for a while.

SP10 Reveal

2007-07-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

My SP10 reveal package arrived yesterday! I couldn't wait to find out who had been sending me all the awesome yarn and goodies. My pal loves Elvis! This is sooooo cool because I love Elvis too! My pal this time around was Sandi of Hunka Hunka Burnin' Yarn. Here is what I found in my reveal package.

I had asked my pal if she could possibly send me another skein of the Romni Wools Angora Silk that she had sent me previously. She not only sent me one more skein, but two skeins of it and the Interweave Knits Summer issue that I haven't been able to get my hands on. I am overjoyed beyond words. She also sent me some really nice sock yarn and size 1 dpn's, a lens cloth for my specs, gardening gloves and some cute decorations for my kitchen window.

Thank you Sandi for being such a generous pal!

The Best Way To Contact Me

2007-06-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

I have had a couple of comments left recently that required my response. Unless you leave your email address, I have no way to get back to you unless you have a blog that I can comment on. So, the best way to ask me a question that requires my response, is to send me an email or click on the marquee that says "Click here to contact me" that goes across the screen at the top of my blog. That marquee automatically pops up an email window.

If you are wanting to sign up for the Indigo Ripples Skirt KAL, I need your email address and I also need your blog URL if you have one. Again, to sign up just send me an email.

My email address is: reno_rainy at yahoo dot com

You can also Skype me. My Skype handle is: renorainy

Skype for those who don't know what it is, is a voice chat/IM chat program that is free to download. There is a huge knitting/crochet community on there now and we are having a blast! Come join us!

That's all for now, hope everyone is having a great week!

(Betty, you left me a comment and wanted to join the KAL, but I have no way to contact you. Please send me an email.)

A FO and Ravelry!

2007-06-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

I got my invite to Ravelry a couple of days ago, so if you are in Ravelry look me up and add me to your friends. I am an organizational freak, so I think it's pretty cool.

I started going through my stuff and my stash and organizing it so I can post it all on Ravelry and I realized that I never posted about this FO.

This is the free pattern from Patons called City Wrap. I used Patons Decor yarn in the Secret Garden Variegated colorway on size 11US needles. This was extremely easy to make and knit up really quick. The hardest part was finding the buckle. I searched everywhere, including on the internet and when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere! My daughter finally suggested that I look for a belt in the accessories department at Walmart and this is what I found.

With a pair of pliers it went from this to this......

I think it looks much better on the wrap don't you?

Black Sheep Gathering and Nenah

2007-06-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

I think I died and went to heaven. Yesterday I went to Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene. I was like a kid in a candy store. There was sooooo much yarn and woolly goodness, it was hard to contain myself. Here is my loot!

A spinning kit complete with 3 balls of roving, a spindle and instruction book, 2 mill end skeins of Socks That Rock and a free pattern. And that's not all! Here is the best part of going to Black Sheep Gathering.

I have been trying to knit socks unsuccessfully for the past year. Just about everyone that I have talked to said that since I don't have a LYS that I should get the DVD's by Nenah. Well guess who just happened to be at BSG!! Nenah of Knitting Korner herself! I was so excited to be able get the DVD's and meet Nenah too. She is the nicest lady and I was flabbergasted to find out that she only lives about an hour away from me. She invited me to come down to Grants Pass and visit her anytime and told me to call her anytime if I had any questions.

This was the best part of the loot I brought home.

Socks

2007-06-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

I just finished my first sock! Well okay, its kind of a sock. See....

Okay, I know its not an actual sock that I can wear, but my soda sure is enjoying it.

I have tried several times to knit a pair of socks without success. I am extremely determined to complete a pair of socks. I have met Erin of Damn Knit, Ariel of Stariel Knits, Shannon & Stephanie of SSK, Charles of Stitch Stud and His Bride, and Patricia on Skype and they are going to get me through this pair socks. Stephanie and Shannon of SSK podcast started a Skypecast virtual SnB a couple of weeks ago on Skype and it is a total blast! You should come join us on Skype. My handle on Skype is renorainy so give me a buzz sometime and I will introduce you to everyone!

Here's a couple of pictures of my first sock in progress.

On another knitting topic, I have joined the Summer KAL-CAL Purse Round-Up. Marly of Yarn Thing and Jill of Woolcrafting started this KAL-CAL. They are going to be giving away some great prizes. Go check it out and join us!

Cha-Ching...Whoo We're Havin' Fun

2007-06-01T20:53:00.001-07:00

Okay, it's June 1st and you know what that means don't you? It's bill paying time! Whooohooooo!

So I sat down at my desk today after work and pulled out the bills and the checkbook and then pulled up my budget spreadsheet (yeah, I'm kinda anal, I mean analytical like that) on the computer. The next thing I know, Willow has just jumped up on the desk in all the excitement and climbs into my lap as she meows, "Wait up for me, if money is going to be spent, I want to help! Whoot!!"

So, we proceed to spend my money (pay bills) and all is going fine until.....uh oh......"Hey Willow, you selected the wrong bank account! That account has no funds in it right now!" Luckily I was able to cancel the payment and resubmit it with the correct account info. Disaster averted!

At least I didn't let her balance the checkbook!

"Hey, what are you looking at, haven't you ever seen a cat pay bills before?"

7 Random Things

2007-05-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

The rules: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog those 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven other people and list their names on your blog. Then you leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1. I was born in Eugene, Oregon and then when I was 5 months old my mom and I moved to Brussels, Belgium to live on the army base with my dad. We lived there until I was almost 3 years old. I came home speaking French.

2. I am employed doing the same type of work (Medical/Hospital Administration/Medical Assistant) my sister received her bachelors degree in and I never attended college.

3. I met my husband on the internet. We were both trying out ICQ at the time and he accidentally messaged me. We messaged each other a few more times and its all history from there.

4. I love the ocean but I have a fear of water that I cannot see to the bottom. Something might grab me and drag me to the bottom or touch my legs as it swims by. Yikes!

5. I love to go rockhounding. Someday I hope to find huge diamond.

6. I just learned to drive a stick shift a year ago this last January. Now I just need to learn to fly a plane!

7. I have owned a guitar for over 10 years and I have never learned to play it. I used to be a sound tech for a band and thought that I would try to learn to play the guitar....lets just say that my ears are better than my fingers!

I am not going to tag anyone in particular. If you want to do this and post it on your blog, go right ahead!

Indigo Ripples Skirt in Progress

2007-05-26T19:37:00.000-07:00

Well here is my progress so far on the skirt. I don't have nearly as much done as I would like to have done. I have a few more rows of increases and a ton of straight stockenette....ugh....before I start in on the lace part of the pattern.

It really is going quickly as long as I don't get side tracked with other things such as golf. Yes, you read that right! My family got me golf clubs for Mother's Day and I have been busy learning to play. We have a superb golf course here in town (Oak Hills Golf Club). After spending an hour every day for a week at the driving range, my hubby decided that I was ready to hit the fairways! He says that I am doing really good for a beginner and that I caught on really quickly. I am really enjoying playing and have been out there everyday so we decided to purchase an annual membership. My oldest daughter is on the high school golf team and she is doing really well. Her team won the state championship last year. She was their #2 player this year and is going to be their #1 player next year.

SP10 Struck Again!

2007-05-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

I have been really bad about blogging lately, but I am back in full swing again!

I received package #2 from my SP10 earlier this week. She had sent me an email to let me know that she was going to just send two packages and that the second package would be larger than the first one and would arrive in June. Well, she changed her mind and sent me all of this!

The hank of yarn that is hiding in the middle is an Angora and Silk blend by Romni Wools. It is sooooo soft and Willow has taken kindly to it too.

The pin is from the "No Sheep For You" launch party which was held at Lettuce Knit. She also picked up the "love to knit" magnet from there too. She also sent me this cute coin purse.

Thanks SP10....You're The Greatest!

Okay, Who Left Their Breast Implant on the Beach?

2007-05-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

I was going through all of my pictures on my computer this evening and came across this one.

It struck my funny bone because as I was skimming through all the thumbnail photos it reminded me of a breast implant. So if anyone is missing a breast implant, I think I saw it laying on the beach!

I have been a bad blogger lately, but I promise there is some good things coming tomorrow!

SP10 Package arrived!

2007-05-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

When I arrived home yesterday afternoon, this was waiting for me! I am really surprised that the postal service allowed this to be sent with the gift wrap on it, how cool is that?!

So, I carefully unwrapped it (tore into it) and this is what I saw.

I opened the card and this was the message from my SP10......

"Hi there Teri!
Hope this secret pal package finds you well and that you dig all of the groovy goodness!! Happy knitting, etc......Your SP10"

She sent me some awesome yarn, two patterns, some toys for Willow, some chocolate (which is already gone), a sugar cookie scented candle, a cute cat magnet, a pen with my name (spelled Terri) on it with a note from her saying--you never know when you might need an extra 'R' (I can never find things with the correct spelling of my name), and the coolest stitch markers that she made!

Thank you SP10! This package was awesome! I already wound the hank of yarn into a cake, Willow has been playing with her toys, the magnet is on my fridge, the chocolate was delicious and the stitch markers are being used in my Indigo Ripples Skirt!

Look What I Got!

2007-05-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

I finally got a yarn swift! I am so excited to finally have one of these. I used some of my birthday money to purchase this. I have sooo many hanks of yarn that are just waiting to be turned into yarn cakes! My kids thought it was pretty cool too and took turns trying it out.
I Have A FO!

I also wanted to show off a FO! I finished this scarf about a month ago but just haven't gotten around to posting about it. I used size 13 needles and CO 18 stitches and worked it in garter stitch (very simple I know). I used 2 skeins of Noro Tidiori yarn. The fiber content of this yarn is 60% Rayon, 35% Nylon, 5% Cashmere, so this scarf is pretty soft. This was fun to knit up just to see the color changes.

My Cat is a Dork

2007-05-03T16:25:00.000-07:00

I was busy minding my own business working on the Indigo Ripples Skirt and watching TV in my bedroom last night when my cat decided that she needed immediate attention. So she jumped up on my lap without warning, nosed her way under my arms and the knitting needles and snuggled up as close as she could. She then readjusted herself and placed both of her paws on each of my hands and sat there while I knit away. I couldn't believe what I was seeing so I hollered to my hubby to grab the camera and come take a picture. By the time he got there she had readjusted herself again but the pictures are still cute.

Sometimes I just don't know what to think about my cat, she is such a dork.

Indigo Ripples Skirt KAL is Here!

2007-05-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

Click on this picture to be taken to the offical blog!

And if you are joining, here is a button for you to take!

Now go tell all your friends!

Indigo Ripples Skirt Knit-Along

2007-05-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

I just picked up a copy of the Spring 2007 issue of the Interweave Knits magazine. There are soooo many cute things in this issue that I want to make, but the first thing I am going to make is the Indigo Ripples Skirt by Kat Coyle. Unfortunately this is not a free pattern on the Interweave Knits website, so you will have to pick up a copy of the Spring issue.

Click here to see an up close picture of the skirt.

I am going to start a knit-along! Please leave me a comment or click the marquee at the top of the page to send me an email if you would like to join the KAL. I will start up a blog for the knit-along for everyone to post their progress and their finished Indigo Ripples Skirt.

I am going to be using Lion Brand Cotton Ease in the Violet colorway.

Crazy Aunt Purl wrote a book!

2007-04-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

Crazy Aunt Purl (aka Laurie) wrote a book! If you haven't been to her blog then you should becuase she is the funniest person I know! Her book, Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair, comes out in October but you can pre-order it here! I am so excited for her! Congrats Laurie!!!!

I just can't say it!

2007-04-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

I just can't say it! Because I just don't feel it! We celebrated my 40th birthday tonight. John and my girls planned a surprise birthday party for me at my favorite restaurant, Si Casa Flores, and we had a great time. I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that I am 40. I definitely don't feel 40. I feel like I am 25.

I have to say that I have had an absolutely great birthday and I definitely won't forget it. I got an adapter for my I-pod so I can play it in my car.I also got some yarn, and some new clothes and of course a 40th birthday wouldn't be the same without some adult disposable underwear.

The waiters came and sang "Happy Birthday" to me in Spanish and English. They also brought me a special birthday shot I had to drink.

40 isn't old if your a tree!

2007-04-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

Today is my 40th birthday. It's kind of hard to believe. I certainly don't feel 40 and I definitely don't act 40. Just ask my kids, they will tell you how I listen to rap and hip hop and sing with it. It's only when I start singing songs from the 80's that they tell me that I am old. This is a picture of my mom holding me the day I was born.

I have had a great birthday so far. Both of my girls woke me up to wish me a "Happy Birthday." My oldest daughter is taking a wood shop class and made me a photo frame. I got up and indulged for breakfast. I had bananas with Nutella on them (this is very very good, you really should try it sometime). I got myself ready for work and I have to say, I am having a very good hair day (this is very important on your 40th birthday). I am wearing all black today because it is very slimming, not because of the death of my youth. When I got to work there were balloons waiting for me on my desk from the girls in the office. They even bought "Birthday" donuts! The doctor I work for even bought us all lunch (Mexican-my favorite) in honor of my birthday. I only had to work for a few hours today and now I am home relaxing. Hubby just asked me what I wanted to order in for dinner (I am thinking Chinese sounds really good).

There has been a lot of secret meetings in my house the past couple days and I have been told that there is something being planned for Saturday. Life just doesn't get any better than today!

Mammogram results are in!

2007-04-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

I had my repeat mammogram of my left breast yesterday and the good news is that the spot they needed to recheck was just normal breast tissue.

I was very nervous about getting the results of this mammogram, in fact I would say that I was actually dreading hearing the results.

This mammogram was much more painful than the first one. They use a special plate that really squishes the area of the breast that they need to look at. I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. After it was over the tech asked me to have a seat while she went to talk to the radiologist to make sure she got a good picture. While I was waiting I thought about what would have happened if I had passed out. Let me tell you, the picture in my head was not pretty. Imagine my limp body hanging by my left breast that was being held by the mammography machine like a vice. Anyway, the tech came back and told me that she got a good picture and proceeded to tell me what the radiologist said, and I quote "he said that he thinks the spot they were looking at was just normal breast tissue." Excuse me?!!! "He thinks?!!" I asked her to go back to the radiologist and get clarification. She came back and told me that he said "the spot is just normal breast tissue and we will be sending a report to your doctor within 3 days."

I was very relieved after hearing this news. I urge everyone to do regular self breast exams and even though the mammograms are uncomfortable(painful) to get theirs done. For more on breast cancer awareness visit the Susan G. Komen website at http://www.komen.org/index.htm

FO's as promissed!

2007-04-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

I know I am a couple days late getting these pictures posted, but better late than never. This last week has been kind of crazy for me. I received some not such great news on Friday. My mammogram came back abnormal and I have to go back in for another one. They spotted a change in my left breast since my previous mammogram 2 years ago. So on the 17th I get to have another mammogram. I am trying to stay positive about this and I am not going to dwell on it. There isn't really anything I can do right now anyway.

Here is the finished Kitty Pi, pre and post felted. I had to have a stern talk with Willow and was finally able to get her to agree to use it. She is getting used to it now and I think she actually likes it.

I have been working on some preemie beanies for Julie. She is sending them to the St. Charles Hospital NICU. Here are the ones I made and sent her.

Knit, Knit, Knit

2007-04-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

Thats what I have been up to lately. I have finished several things in the last month. So much so that I think I wore out a pair of circular needles.....LOL

Here is just one of the things I have been working on. There will be more photos later today of the finished Kitty Pi and other finished objects.

Click on the picture to make it bigger.

WIP's, Computers, Weather & Willow

2007-02-28T11:30:00.000-08:00

As I promised a long while back, here are some WIP's!

I am working on the City Wrap pattern by Patons and I am using their Decor yarn as suggested in the pattern. It is worked up using 2 strands of yarn held together. I love the color of this yarn and the colorway is called Secret Garden and it is 75% Acrylic - 25% Wool . It is working up really fast. I started it the night before last and only worked on it for about an hour yesterday. Click on the picture to get a better look.

And this is what I am calling Green With Envy. My oldest daughter loves the color lime green and she wanted a funky scarf to go with her lime green ski jacket. It is almost complete. I am using size 13 needles. The yarn is Lion Brand Fancy Fur in the Spring Garden colorway and I'm using 4 skeins. I cast on 18 stitches using the long tail cast on and I am just working it in garter stitch.

And here is the Irish Hiking Scarf I started a while back. I made a bit more progress on it but not much. This is a project that requires a block of time to work on because of the cable pattern. Its not like the other projects that can be put down in mid row so it is slower going.

My hubby surprised me this morning by telling me he was going to order me a laptop for my birthday. He let me pick out the features with his help (since he is the computer expert in our household--he builds desktops from scratch for a hobby.) We were on Dell's web page putting it all together and when we were finished we clicked on the order button which took us to the order screen. We were just about to click the finalize order button when I noticed there was a place to put a coupon code. I said "Hold on, I think I have something on my blog that takes you to a list of Dell coupon codes." So I checked my blog and sure enough there was. So I clicked it and low and behold there was a coupon for the laptop we were ordering. The coupon code gave us $400 off the laptop! My hubby was really impressed and excited with the fact that he got to save $400. So if anyone is in the market for a new laptop and are going to make a purchase from Dell, just look on the right hand side of my blog and scroll down to where it says "Look Who's Watching" and click on the Dell Coupon Code link.

This is what it looked like when I got up this morning. Pretty to look at but not enough to keep the kids home from school. We are supposed to get more snow this evening. The weather service is predicting about 1-3 inches of snow for this evening.

1st Blogiversary

2007-02-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

Today is my 1st Blogiversary! I can't believe it has already been one year since I started this blog. Time flies when you are having fun!

I want to thank everyone that has visited and everyone that keeps coming back. Thank you for all your kind comments and encouragement! I have enjoyed sharing a little part of me and I hope you have enjoyed it too. Thank you again and I hope you keep coming back.

I have put together a slide show of my fiber expeditions over the past year. It is amazing to see everything together. I really did do quite a bit of knitting and crocheting this past year. I am looking forward to another year of blogging. Again, thanks to everyone! Enjoy the slide show!

SP10 ?'s

2007-02-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

The Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love to knit with alpaca yarn, it is sooooo soft. Acrylic is not my favorite.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? My straight knitting needles are stored in a vase and circs are draped over my craft light. My crochet hooks are stored in a case.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? My great-grandmother taught me to knit when I was about 6 years old but I gave it up quickly. It hasn't been until the last couple of years that I took it up again and I am obsessed with it. I just wish I could find a knitting group to join locally.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No I don't have a wish list, but if you ask me I will tell you what I would love to have.

5. What's your favorite scent? Vanilla and raspberry

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Do I ever! I love chocolate....any type except Palmer's. Especially like Dove chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I don't spin. I sew and crochet and knit that is about it although I dabble in a little bit of everything when it comes to crafts.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like just about any type of music except classical or opera.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Favorite colors, that's easy.....Purple and Blue. I can't stand Yellow and Orange.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married and we have lots of teenagers. I have one cat that I absolutely adore and treat her better than I treat my children. Her name is Willow

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes I wear scarves, hats, and mittens. I don't know if I wear ponchos because I have never had one.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I would have to say scarves and hats, because they are so easy and fast.

13. What are you knitting right now? I am working on a scarfs and a hat. I am crocheting a purse and an afghan.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes I love handmade gifts...they are the best!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Depends on what I am knitting and what type of yarn I am using. But I can say that I hate plastic needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I own a yarn winder. I don't have a swift but I really want one.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? I have been working on the crocheted afghan for a couple of years now.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Cats

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I don't have any subscriptions to any knitting mags. I would love a set of Denise interchangeable needles.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? There are lots of techniques I would love to learn. I have been broadening my horizons by self-teaching knitting and I am always taking small steps to learn new techniques and stitches.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am definitely not a sock knitter. I have tried several times and failed. I have a hard time working with dpn's, especially very small ones.

23. When is your birthday? I will be turning 40 on the 18th of April.

Kissing is not a crime!

2007-02-19T19:12:00.000-08:00

Well I received the phone call from the police officer and I asked him my questions. Apparently there are some major flaws in Oregon's age of consent laws. It is not illegal for an adult male (over the age of 18) to kiss a young girl (under the age of 18) in the state of Oregon. I was told that a kiss is not a crime because it is not sexual in nature. If it were a crime then fathers and grandfathers would be going to jail. It only becomes a crime if it is unwanted and forced upon the young girl. She then becomes a victim.

I was like HELLO......a kiss from a father is totally different than a kiss from a man that is pursuing a romantic relationship!

Thank goodness my ex-husband is on the same page I am in all of this and so is this guy's mother.

I believe the dilemma is over finally. Thank goodness!

Watching My Hair.......

2007-02-17T19:48:00.000-08:00

turn grey as I speak. That's what teenagers do to you, you know. They make your hair turn grey.

My daughter who is 16 years old is sending me to my grave early. Let me just step back in time about 6 weeks. A male acquaintance who will be 20 in May took it upon himself to contact my 16 year old daughter and asked if she could "hang out" with him. This all happened while my daughter was visiting her dad. She told him "sure." So he went over to her dad's house and hung out for a couple of hours and then at the end of the night they kissed.

When I found this out, I went sideways on my daughter and told her that she could not date him. I explained to her that he was too old for her. Then 2 weeks after this discussion with my daughter I find out that she is still trying to spend time with this guy. So I removed her driving privileges for disobeying me.

The problem with this is that there is 3 1/2 years difference in age, he is an adult and she is under the "age of consent." In Oregon the age of consent is 18.

Okay, now it has been 6 weeks since the first incident and guess what arrives in the mail.......my phone bill. And on this phone bill there are numerous calls to this guy's cell phone. After further investigation I find out that he has been calling my daughter's best friend and doing 3 way calls and vise verse.

I confronted my daughter with said evidence and she didn't deny any of it (she is now grounded from the phone and the computer for the next month and still cannot drive.) I then call her friend and tell her that the gig is up and I know everything and asked her to stop being the go between and she completely understood and is very willing to comply with my request. After that call I called "the guy's" number that was on the phone bill and requested that all contact stop at once. He then said that he could do whatever he wanted to do and that I was harassing him and if I called him again he would pursue legal action against me. I told him that he was not to call my home or make contact with anyone in my home or I would do the same.

I next called the police department to find out what the laws are and if there is anything that can be done if he continues to pursue a relationship with my daughter. Here is what I was told, "the kiss between my daughter and this guy is not a crime." Well my understanding is that any "intimate contact" with someone under the age of consent was a crime. Does that mean that adult men can go around kissing girls under the age of 18 and it is alright? I posed this question to the dispatcher and she is going to have a police officer call me back.

Now how screwed up is that? I can't wait to hear what the police officer has to tell me. In the meantime, if any of you out there have gone through something like this already and have any advice for me, please tell me!

1st Day on the New Job

2007-02-08T20:49:00.000-08:00

The first day of work was great! Everyone in the office is very nice and very welcoming and the doctor that I am working for was very enthusiastic about having me work for him. He even had a note waiting for me inviting me to the Christmas Party that they have already planned for this next Christmas (he wanted to make sure I put it on my calendar). Apparently he loves/lives for Christmas. They are having it in the Camas Room at Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort and if you have never been there I have to tell you it is very VERY nice (we are talking super fine dining! Five course meal and everything. They even bring the main entree to the table with a silver dome covering it).

Well that's it for today. I am headed to bed. I worked out at the gym for about an hour today after work and I am exhausted and I have to get up at 5 a.m. tomorrow because I have to be at work at 6:30 a.m.

My Celebrity Look-alikes

2007-02-07T19:28:00.000-08:00

And results from another photo. You can try this too at www.myheritage.com

I was surprised by the results!

Terminated?

2007-02-07T17:43:00.000-08:00

I accepted the job offer from the doctor's office for the medical assistant position on Monday and I submitted my letter of resignation giving 2 weeks notice. In my letter I stated that my last day of employment would be effective February 15th.

Today I received a call from my boss that she was terminating my employment as of today. I am assuming that just means she is letting me off the hook and I don't have to complete my last 2 weeks of work ( hence letter of resignation means I quit and you can't fire me because I quit). I let my co-workers know that today was my last day and their response was "We're surprised she let you continue working as long as she did. She never lets employees continue to work after they give notice."

So on my lunch break I called my new employer to notify them that I could start tomorrow instead of the 16th. They were very excited to hear my news. Their exact words were "We are very excited to have you work with us and we are glad to hear that you are able to start earlier than expected." So I will report to work at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow and I couldn't be happier. One of the benefits of this new job is that every 8 weeks, the doctor takes 10 days off and I get one week off during the time he is gone. How cool is that!

Now that I have updated you all on my work life, I wanted to give an update about my knitting life. Sunday was the Super Bowl and Knitty Gritty was having a Knit In. I worked on a couple projects and learned a new knitting stitch (the butterfly stitch). I will post pictures of my works within the next couple of days. I would do it now but I am just not feeling in the mood to take pics right now.

Anyway, I will let you know how my first day at the new job goes tomorrow.

Enough Is Enough!

2007-02-03T08:53:00.000-08:00

What would you do if your boss called you up from home asking you to read some emails to her over the phone that she had received and then during that call she starts screaming at you and insulting and belittling you? You try to explain that you are just the messenger in the whole ordeal but you continue to receive the insults.

Well this is what happened to me a week ago yesterday and it happened not once, but four times that day. My boss called me up four separate times during the day and started screaming at me over the phone. I finally said "I am not sure what you are expecting of me. You asked me to read you your emails and I did. I am not the one that sent the emails. I am just the messenger in all of this and I refuse to continue to be treated with such disrespect." There was dead silence on the other end of the phone. Then she politely hung up and about 5 minutes later called back to tell me "I think I have the information I need here at home." There was no apology or anything! Now granted she had just had surgery and is at home recovering and I would normally just chock this up to her being in pain and on pain meds, but this is not the first time this sort of thing has happened. This is just her way of dealing with things and I am not the only one in the office that has experience this sort of abuse from her.

Well I said enough is enough and went into full action looking for another place of employment. I had an interview yesterday for a position at a doctor's office/GI Endoscopy Center as a medical assistant. I hadn't been home more than 2 minutes last night when the phone rang and it was the doctor's office calling to offer me the position. I thanked them for the offer and asked them if I could discuss it with my husband and give them an answer on Monday. They said that was fine. I have sat down and gone through all the pro's and con's about taking the position and the only con I can come up with is the fact that I would have to get up at 5 a.m. every morning to be at work at 6:30 a.m. The pay is the same as my current pay and after 90 days I would get an increase. The benefits are better and every 8 weeks I would get a week off.

This has been a very stressful few months for me and I dread going to work every morning. I am not getting any younger and I would really like to enjoy my place of employment. It's time to move on. No one should have to endure abuse at work. I am going to give my notice on Monday. Who knows, maybe Monday will be my last day. I am ready to hear the screaming again and have my speech prepared. Wish me luck.

I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me

2007-01-25T20:15:00.000-08:00

I know you're there, I can see you. You're sitting there peeking into my world. Trying to see if the grass is greener on the other side or possibly just trying to get to know me by hanging around in the distance, trying to keep your identity hidden. Well it's time to come out and tell me who you are. I'm curious.....

Who are you?
Where are you from?
Do you have a blog too?
What are your thoughts?
What do we have in common?

So go ahead, leave me a comment. Inquiring minds want to know. It's okay, I don't bite. And besides that, you don't want my cat to go hungry do you?

UTI's Suck

2007-01-25T19:49:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling under the weather for about a week so, I decided to go to the doctor yesterday morning. I explained my symptoms to my doctor and he did a urinalysis and it was positive for a UTI (urinary track infection). I went ahead and went to work afterwards, but I was miserable all day and by the time I got home it was all I could do to eat dinner. After dinner I went straight to bed and turned a movie on and I think I remember watching about the first 15 minutes of it before I fell asleep. Thank goodness I am feeling better today.

Now I Can Relax

2007-01-20T16:25:00.000-08:00

I left the first weekend of January for a week long class on Life & Health Insurance and I spent all of last week studying for the exam. I took the exam today and I passed! Now I can relax and have some fun.

Speaking of fun, I have been working on the Irish Hiking Scarf with the purple alpaca yarn India sent me. I didn't realize how easy cabling was. Take a look at my progress.

Here is a picture of the crocheted afghan I have been working on. This is going to be one of those projects that I work on a little here and a little there. My attention span won't allow me to just sit and work on it until its done.
Now maybe I can get back to some knitting adventures now that I have completed all my studies.

I almost forgot! I joined the local gym and I have been working out 6 days a week using the "Body For Life" plan. So far it is working and I have lost 2 inches from my waistline. Goodbye size 16, here I come size 8!

Welcome To My Wonderland

2007-01-16T14:34:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas all over again! This is what I woke up to... and then it gets better. I got a parcel from my SP9! Look at what she sent me. The yarn is just fab and super soft and I love the color. I am definately going to try the Irish Hiking Scarf pattern using this yarn. She also sent some note cards, cable needles, a comic book, lotion, some salt scrub, some beads and some yummy butter tablet. I have to say the butter tablet she made is ten times better than the store bought tablet she sent to me last time. I might have to get the recipe for this...its soooo good. Thank You India!

This is What We Got for Christmas

2006-12-25T17:42:00.000-08:00

This is how much it has rained so far...........

3 miles NW of Roseburg, Douglas County. Heavy rain 1.84 inches, reported by co-op observer. 24 hour rain fall ending at 1200 PM PST.

And this is what we got for Christmas due to this weather....
Our neighbor knocked on our door at about 3 p.m. to let us know that our/their retaining wall was giving away. Our neighbor did some excavation this past summer to create more parking. As you can see from the pictures below, he removed a ton of earth (3 feet high and from his shed to the cement pad). He then put some railroad ties in as a retaining wall. (don't ask me why he thought a wall of railroad ties would support a cement retaining wall.) Then to make matters worse it rained about 2.20 inches in the past 24 hours. Too much rain and no support created this nightmare. We are just hoping that it doesn't give out totally. Our neighbors are going to get some boulders in the morning to put in underneath the retaining wall to support it until things dry out and it can be fixed properly. They are also going to try to file a liability claim with their insurance company. I am greatful that they realize that this is due to the excavation they did this last summer. Click on the pictures to get a closer look at the damage. Our boat was falling into the fissure and when John pulled it out the tire came off the rim.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-23T08:46:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a safe and very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Comment Graphics

I Passed!

2006-12-12T20:01:00.000-08:00

I took my state Property, Casualty, Law & Ethics licensing exam on Saturday and I passed! The test was worse than I thought it was going to be. When I started the exam, the first question was one that was worded in such a way that when I read it I thought to myself "I don't remember reading anything about this in my books! Boy am I in trouble! Am I taking the right test?" I answered the question and moved on to the next one and was relieved to see something I knew. I am so glad I passed and never have to take that test again!

I have one more class the beginning of January and then I take the Life & Health licensing exam. I will be so relieved when I am finished!

New Blogger vs. Beta

2006-12-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

Well I switched to the new beta version of Blogger and I don't know if I like it. When I go to view my blog I can't see any of my previous posts. Although there is a list of the previous posts, when I click on them they don't appear. This sucks!!!

Ta Dah!

2006-11-26T11:33:00.000-08:00

This is the triangle shawl I mentioned before that I was working on. I finished it last night. This pattern was super easy and I probably would have had it finished within a couple of days if I hadn't had so many distractions. Speaking of distractions....here is one of the distractions that kept me from finishing the shawl.

I was shopping with one of my co-workers and we came across these adorable felted purses. Well they were adorable until I saw the price tag. They wanted $80 for one of the purses. I was like "holy cow, I can whip one of these puppies out in no time flat and it will only cost me about $8". My co-worker really liked the purses and she said that her daughter would love one. So I offered to make one for her. Off to my stash I went in search of the perfect yarn. Yarn found and I was off to knit one of these babies. Everything was going great the purse was looking very much like the ones we saw in the store. Now to felt it. I dropped it into the washer and sent it through one cycle and checked it. It hadn't felted enough so I put it through cycle #2. I pulled it out to check it and "Holy crap!" It had shrunk about 3 sizes. I started laughing which caught my husband's attention. He wanted to know what the comotion was about. I showed him the purse and he just cracked up laughing because he saw what it looked like pre-felted. It is so small you might be able to get your wallet into it but that is about all. Now when my hubby sees me knitting something, the big joke is "what are you knitting now....a towel to shrink into a washcloth?" "Very funny Hun," I told him. This is the first time I have had a felted project go haywire.

I am leaving later today and will be gone until next Saturday evening. I am taking the state insurance property, casualty and law licensing classes this week and then a week from Saturday I will take the state licensing exam. So I don't fry my brain, I am taking a crochet project with me to work on in the evenings. I will post my progress when I get back. Hope everyone has a great week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

Yes, I call turkeys into the yard and feed them. I haven't been able to get them to eat out of my hand yet, but I am working on that. My family is quite amazed that I am able to call them in without a turkey call. I guess I just know how to talk turkey. Have you ever seen a turkey look over the fence? Well now you have!

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump,
May your yams be delicious,
May your pies take the prize,
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

1st SP9 Parcel

2006-11-11T12:35:00.000-08:00

I went to my mailbox yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find a parcel inside. It was sent airmail and the return address is in Scottland. I ran inside and put the bills and junk mail aside and immediately opened the package to see what was inside. It was full of "jewels". I love jewel tone colors and wool yarn. My SP9 pal sent me 7 skeins of wool yarn. There was also a pair of Addi Turbo circulars, which I have on my wish list. She also sent a package of Butter Tablet. I have never heard of or tried butter tablet. I was very curious about it so I opened it right away and tasted it. It kind of reminds me of short bread but much much more sweet. It is very rich and I am thinking it would be great with tea. My family had to try it too. I don't think they liked it as much as I did...must be my Scandinavian heritage. The card she sent with my parcel was very cute too, it has a picture of sheep hanging from a clothesline and it says "Hand wash only".

Thank you SP9 :-)

Supermarket

2006-11-07T20:45:00.000-08:00

The new supermarket near our house has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.

When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and witness the scent of fresh hay.

When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.

The veggie department features the smell of fresh buttered corn.

I don't buy toilet paper there any more.

Just thought you all could use a good laugh!

I'm Back.....

2006-10-28T15:42:00.000-07:00

I am such a bad blogger. It seems like I have been constantly on the go for the past couple of weeks. I really don't have any really good excuses for not blogging other than I have been busy with work, running kids to sporting events and getting my husband ready for Elk hunting season. I did my own hunting trip last weekend. Every year when my husband and his boys go hunting, I plan my own hunting trip with my girls. This is becoming an annual event for us. We pick a new place in Oregon to explore and we go bargain hunting. This year we headed up to Woodburn and went to the outlet mall.

I spent this last Tuesday and Wednesday in Florence, which is on the Oregon coast, for a sales training retreat for work.

I have been working on a lacy knitted shawl and I am getting very close to being finished with it. I would post a picture of my progress, but my hubby has our camera. He will back home late tonight, so maybe I will be able to post a picture tomorrow.

Note to SP9: Yes, jewel tones are perfect!

SP9--My List of Favorite Things

2006-10-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Here's my list of Favorites..........

Actor - Tom Cruise
Actress - Sandra Bullock
Animal - Cats
Band - Nickelback
Book - The Chronicles of Narnia
Bubble Bath - Bath & Body Works Raspberry
Candy - Dove milk chocolate
Color - Purple
Drink- Diet Coke
Flower - Yellow Roses
Food - Anything Mexican
Lip Balm - Avon Moisture Therapy
Lotion - Bath & Body Works Plumeria
Movie - Top Gun
Place - The beach
Song - Nickelback-Far Away
TV Show - Gray's Anatomy
Yarn - Cascade Wool--for felting
Vacation Spot - The beach

Funky Scarf is Complete

2006-10-08T22:46:00.000-07:00

The Funky Scarf is complete. I found the perfect shell beads for it too. Thanks everyone for your thoughts, advice and compliments! I sure hope my pal likes this scarf. The beads really finished this off.

SP9 Questionnaire

2006-10-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like just about any type of yarn, although I detest Red Heart Acrylic. I love using wool for felting. Caron Simply Soft is the only acrylic yarn I will use. Besides that, anything goes!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Here, take a peek…..

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting for a couple of years. I would say that I am beginning intermediate. I taught myself to knit using books and watching online knitting videos.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes I have an Amazon wish list.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) I like vanilla, plumeria, peach. I love Bath and Body Works products.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Yes I have a sweet tooth. I love anything chocolate! I especially like Dove milk chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I sew and crochet and have done some jewelry making.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes my computer plays MP3’s. I like just about any type of music (yes including rap....this is a must when you have 6 teenagers) but not opera.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? My favorite color is purple. I love all jewel tone colors. I wear a lot of red and black and of coarse my favorite color purple. I don’t like yellow or orange.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I work full-time in a State Farm Insurance office. I am married to a wonderful guy. We each have 3 children from previous marriages. I have one cat who thinks she is part human and part dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear scarves a lot all year round. In the summer I wear long skinny scarves as accessories. I wear hats and mittens in the winter and while downhill skiing. I have never worn a poncho, but I do use shawls.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? My favorite item to knit is a completed project! But I would have to say that I love knitting purses and scarves come second. I also love felting.

13. What are you knitting right now? Right now I am finishing up a scarf for the Funky Scarf Swap. My next project is going to be a purse. I am trying to stick with one project at a time right now.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I love to receive handmade gifts!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I prefer circulars over straights. As far as bamboo, aluminum or plastic…I would have to say I don’t care for the plastic needles. I really don’t have a preference over bamboo or aluminum needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I have a yarn winder but I don’t have a swift, although I would love to have a swift.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? I have an afghan I started crocheting a couple of years ago that I need to finish.

18. What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love decorating. I have started collecting ornaments and other Christmas items that have to do with the Nativity.

19. Is there anything that you collect? I love cats including Garfield, tropical items (bamboo, palm trees, sea turtles). My kitchen is decorated in a coffee theme (blacks, browns, and reds).

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I would love to try Addi Turbos. I would also love to have a copy of the Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting book. I don’t subscribe to any magazines but I often purchase the Interweave Crochet, Interweave Knitting, Creative Knitting and Crochet magazines. I would love to have a subscription to any of those magazines.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I view myself as a beginner when it comes to knitting, so I am learning lots of new techniques. I would love to learn to do cables.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I have tried several times to knit socks but have not succeeded yet. My foot is 10” long.

23. When is your birthday? April 18^th. (I will be turning 40 this next year)

The Last Knit

2006-10-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

When knitting becomes an obsession.......

You gotta go watch this video, I think most of us can relate.

Click Here

Just one more row, just one more row, just one more row............

Surprise From KKex SP

2006-09-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

I got home from work on Friday and there was a package waiting for me to open. It was from my KKEXnMore Secret Pal. This was the revealing package from my SP Lisa. Look at all the goodies she sent me.

I love the knitting bag. I needed a new one and had planned to buy one this weekend, but Lisa beat me to it. And of coarse his Majesty is really cute too. (if you haven't figured it out, I love Garfield)
Thanks Lisa for everything! You Rock!!

Funky Scarf Update

2006-09-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

I posted earlier in the week that I would post some pictures of the progress of the funky scarf I am working on. So here they are! I am using Patons' Nuance in Cedar Rose. I haven't decided if I am going to use fringe or string some beads on the ends. I think the person I am making this for will really like it or at least I hope she does. I created it based on her questionnaire.

Tuesday's Question #4

2006-09-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

Well this may be the last Tuesday question since I haven't really had much response to my previous questions. So here's this weeks question:

Should I continue posting a question each Tuesday for my blog readers to answer?

No answer from me this time....I will give you my answer after the results are in.

Information Overload

2006-09-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

Today was day 3 at my new job. So far I am really enjoying it. Right now though I am dealing with information overload. I am learning soooooo much! I am taking online classes while I am working and learning the functions of my position. I will be heading to Portland the last week of November to take a week long class and then I take the state exam to become licensed in Property and Casualty and this is just the beginning of the licensing process. Right now I am working on getting licensed in Bank Securities. I should be fully licensed by the end of January.

The thing that has been the hardest for me with this new job is having to get up so early in the morning to get ready for work. I am NOT a morning person! I am a night owl and I am having to force myself to go to bed at a decent time which really isn't that bad because I am actually pretty tired by the time 10:00 p.m. rolls around. The problem is that my body/internal clock is so used to staying up late that once I go to bed I lay there and toss and turn for a couple of hours. Last night I decided to take a sleeping aid (tylenol pm) which did help me sleep but it took too long to kick in and then this morning I felt drugged. So tonight I am just going to go find something really boring on TV and see what happens.....LOL

Funky Scarf Swap Update.....

I have been working on the scarf for this exchange. I found the perfect yarn, but deciding on a pattern was a different story. I have started and frogged the scarf about 10 times because I just haven't liked the patterns. I finally found a pattern and modified it a little. I will be posting a picture of my progress later this week.

Tuesday's Question #3

2006-09-12T21:55:00.000-07:00

What is your single worst fear?

My single worst fear is of spiders.

Success Is The Best Revenge!

2006-09-11T20:06:00.000-07:00

Today I completed step 4 of the hiring process for the insurance sales position. No that is not a mistake....I had a 3rd interview this morning. When I got home from work this afternoon I had a message from the insurance office. I immediately got on the phone and called them back and I was offered the position. I go in on Wednesday to finalize everything such as hours, salary, benefits, etc. I am totally ecstatic right now!

This employment search has been a complete emotional roller coaster.

I lost my job at the doctors' office back in January due to the fact that one of the doctors that I was working for was diagnosed with cancer and they made some major changes and down scaled their office and my position was eliminated. The job market where I live is very competitive and there really are not a lot of job openings. I spent the first four months collecting unemployment and searching for work. I was getting to the point of desperation so I took the position at our local pizza restaurant back in May just so I could get out of the house and make more than I was getting on unemployment. Well this job was working out just fine for a while, but it really wasn't what I wanted to be doing for a career plus it was running havoc on my feet. So at the beginning of August I put my career search in overdrive. I can't tell you the number of positions I applied for. I was called to a couple of interviews but for the most part never heard anything back from any of the employers. I take that back, I did receive one letter from one employer saying thanks for your resume but we have decided to hire someone else. Then I heard from a friend that works for a mortgage company that she knew of a position that the insurance office was interviewing for. I called their office to get more information and they asked me to drop off my resume and scheduled an interview.

So that is how I got to this point.

I plan to become very successful in this new career and I hope my name becomes well known. And then I will sit back and smile and think about my favorite motto...

"Success Is The Best Revenge!"

Sometimes You Just Gotta De-stress

2006-09-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

When life gets overwhelming sometimes you just gotta de-stress. John and I took a trip up the North Umpqua today to do some sightseeing. We visited Fall Creek Falls. (click on the name of the falls for more information) It's about a one mile easy to moderately difficult hike to the bottom of the falls from the parking area. John and I hiked to the top of the falls. One of the neat features of the trail to the falls is where the trail narrows between two very large rocks. There is a picture of John and I between these rocks in the slide show. We plan to do more hiking to various falls along the North Umpqua River this fall. We would have visited Susan Creek Falls today, but John was feeling a little under the weather. Enjoy the slide show!

The Need for Speed

2006-09-09T22:26:00.000-07:00

I'm a Lotus Elise!

You believe in maximum performance and minimum baggage. You like to travel light and fast, hit the corners hard, and dance like there's no tomorrow.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

I can't believe how accurate this quiz was....this car is totally ME!

FO's

2006-09-09T16:03:00.000-07:00

I actually have been working on projects and managed to get some finished. The scarf on the left was knitted with a nobo novelty yarn, the one in the midde was crocheted with one of Red Hearts new self striping yarn and the one on the right was loom knitted with Red Heart Kooky. My favorite is the one on the right. I love the texture of the yarn and the pattern the yarn made.

On another subject, I got a call yesterday from the insurance office and they asked me to come back on Monday for a 3rd interview. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but this is looking very promissing.

Life's To Do List

2006-09-07T18:53:00.000-07:00

The items in purple are things I have done and all the other ones, well we will just have to see what happens next!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen an eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 10 provinces or all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Dead River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in aisles at Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistols
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read their books.
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life

And you?

Tuesday's Question

2006-09-05T22:26:00.000-07:00

What is your favorite breakfast cereal?

Mine is Cap'n Crunch Berries

Step Three

2006-09-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

I got good news today. I passed step two in the hiring process for the insurance sales position. I was told that I did very well on the exam and they asked me back for a second interview. I will have this interview late Thursday afternoon. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Step Two

2006-08-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

The interview for the insurance sales position went very well. So well infact that they have selected me to complete step two of the hiring process. They would like for me to take there prospective personnel exam on Friday (tomorrow). This exam, I was told, takes approximately one and a half hours to complete. Part of the exam involves taking the Wonderlic exam. It is a 12 minute timed exam with 50 questions that is kind of like an IQ test. If I do well on the exam, they will call me back for a second interview which will involve meeting all of the other sales team members. I am excited and nervous at the same time. As soon as I complete the exam, the results are faxed to the insurance office for review at which time they will decide whether or not to call me back for the second interview.

I felt so good about yesterday's interview, that afterwards I went out and purchased a whole new work wardrobe and all the pieces mix and match.

Maybe this is what I needed to get me out of my funk.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know.....

2006-08-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

And I want to know too!

I am going to spice up my blog with a weekly question. I will post a question each Tuesday. To answer the question just post a comment with your answer to the question. I too will be answering the questions.

So here it goes.....The first question is:

If you were the eighth dwarf, what would your name be and why?

And my answer is: Witty, because I have a quick sense of humor and I love to joke around.

Now its your turn to answer!

In A Funk

2006-08-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

I have been in a bit of a funk for the past few days. Okay, Okay, so I've been in a funk for about 3 weeks. I think it must be the end of summer blahs. Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons and it really disturbs me to know that summer is coming to an end in a few very short weeks. I feel like Summer has come and somehow I missed it. We didn't even do much camping this year. While in this funk I haven't been inspired to really work on my knitting or crocheting. I have been feverishly trying to get out of this funk by looking at all my pattern books and scouring the internet for inspiration. I even ordered two more books to add to my library. I ordered Felted Crochet and Scarf Style. If anyone out there has these books, let me know what you think of them and what projects you have enjoyed the most.

On another note, I have been having a lot of pain in my feet. So I went to the doctor and explained to her that I work 4 to 5 hours a day standing on concrete floors working at our local pizza restaurant. So she prescribed some foot orthotics and instructed me to find other employment. I am still trying to decide what is worse, the padded inserts for my shoes or standing on the concrete or both. I have several job prospects right now and I am just waiting to hear back from them. They range from school district secretary, legal assistant, medical office receptionist, medical billing clerk and insurance sales receptionist. I actually have an interview for the insurance office position tomorrow and out of all the positions that I have applied for, it has the best pay and benefits and room for growth. So wish me luck cause my feet need it!

Happy Mailday...I mean Monday

2006-08-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

I received a package in the mail on Saturday from my KKEXnMORE Secret Pal! Look at everything she sent me. I love the dishcloth in the tropical colors with the peace sign. How did you know that I need some peace in my life? And the keychain calendar is really cute too. Thanks Secret Pal!

Then today I received another package and it was from Jami, also from the KKEXnMORE group. She angeled me for the Christmas in July exhange. She sent me one of the dishcloth rakes from Markman Farms. The package also contained some cotton yarn and a pouch with a loom tool, yarn guides and a cool pair of scissors with my name on them.

Check out the close up of the scissors.
By the way, Jami just finished a really cool purse and you can see a picture of it on her blog, Jami's Loom and Boards.
Thanks again Jami for everything, you're an angel!

Australia or Bust!

2006-08-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, well I am not headed to Australia, but this scarf is.

I did another trade with my friend Tammie.
She wanted one of my scarfs and I wanted this neckace.

I still can't get over what a great job she does on these necklaces. Thanks again Tammie for doing the trade!

Funky Scarf Swap Questionnaire Answers

2006-08-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

Are you allergic to any fibers? Not that I am aware of although some wool is just too scratchy.

Do you prefer any fibers over others? I prefer very soft fibers, so as long as its soft it's all good.

Thinking back to Scout’s post about what funky means to you, post an image of something that you think is funky! Okay its not an image but its a link to an image of a sweater that I think is funky...click here

Would you prefer funky yarn or a funky pattern? Hey, why not both?!!

What are your favorite colors? My favorite colors are purple, blue and black (sounds like a bruise...LOL)

What is your favorite piece of art? Van Gogh's Starry Night

What colors would you never have up close to your pretty face? I would never wear green, yellow or orange up close to my face.

Would you prefer an actual scarf or a cowl? I prefer scarves over cowls

When you wear a scarf do you prefer a wider/shorter scarf or a thin/long scarf? Depends on the purpose of the scarf.....if its for dressing up then I prefer long/thin scarves....and if its for function such as being out in the cold then I prefer a wide but not too short of a scarf.

What is the climate like where you live? The climate is fairly mild, but we do get a couple of months of very cold weather in the winter, usually December and January

Would you prefer a functional scarf (to keep you warm) or one just to funk-up your wardrobe? I am great with either, but looking at my scarf wardrobe.....it is lacking in the area of functionality.

What else would you like your partner to know about you? I love to downhill ski and I love bright colors. You can also find out more about me by reading the post "Four Things" on July 30th

Yarn Miser The Edited Version

2006-08-08T16:02:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just hate Blogger! It has been brought to my attention that this previous post was, well to put it bluntly, screwed up. The font was not viewing correctly for everyone, I had several people ask me what was up with the ambulances (this was thanks to the font Webdings). So I am posting it again so everyone can have the pleasure of reading what I wrote. Oh, and if you are using Internet Explorer I am sorry you have to view my blog in such a screwed up format. Apparently Blogger is not IE friendly.

So what is the big deal. You would think I was being asked to give away my first born child. I mean come on, what in the heck am I ever going to use this skein of yarn for? If I try to make a scarf out of it everyone will think I have lost my mind. Picture me in a green sweater wearing the scarf around my neck and a pair of those jingle bell earrings and christmas bulb necklace on. The kids in the neighborhood will be whispering to their moms...."Mom, why is that lady decorating herself like a Christmas tree?"

So that is why I have decided that I am a yarn miser. Please tell me that I am not alone. I really am beginning to think I have a sickness.

My First Felt

2006-08-06T19:55:00.000-07:00

Look what I did this weekend. I made this purse following the pattern in the One Skein book. It was super easy. It was so easy that I finished it in one day and that included felting it. I was a little nervous after I finished knitting it about how the whole felting process would go.

This picture was taken when I was about halfway finished knitting it.
And this next one was after the seams were sewn and just before I dropped it into the washer.
Look at how pretty it turned out. I found this cool appliqué at Walmart and it really finished it off. I just love it and plan to make many more.

Daydreams

2006-07-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

I have been spending a lot of time daydreaming lately about being on the slopes. I guess it must be because our weather has been sooooooo hot! It was 108 degrees this last week.

My husband and I took up downhill skiing 3 years ago and our goal is to ski just about every ski resort we possibly can. We have spent a lot of time at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon and have made a couple of trips to Mt. Shasta in California. That is were these pick were taken. I would consider myself to be and intermediate moving up to advanced in my skiing abilities. This run happens to be a black diamond which for those of you who are not skiers is a very difficult ski run.

Here we are at Heavenly in Lake Tahoe. We took these pictures while riding the lift to this slope. We spent my 38th birthday here and skied for 4 days. The views were absolutely breathtaking. On the last day of skiing after finishing one of our runs and getting ready to hop on the lift again we happened to spot a bear and her cubs sitting under a tree just a few yards away from the lift. This was a reminder to us that we are really in the wild when we are on the mountain.

This next year will be a landmark year for me. I am going to be 40. This is hard for me to believe because I certainly don't feel my age. So as I sit here in the heat I daydream about which mountain I will conquer when I am 40. Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort in Whistler BC, Canada is looking like my next challenge.

Four Things

2006-07-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

Okay here are my answers for the Four Things About Me meme. I was tagged by Rebecca at Socks-For-Mum.

4 Jobs I Have Had

Model
Photographer
Legal Assistant
Medical Assistant

4 Movies I would watch over & over

Top Gun
Pretty Woman
How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Hope Floats

4 Places I have lived

Brussels, Belgium
Virginia
Oregon
Yet to be known

4 TV shows I watch

Knitty Gritty
All My Children
Desperate Housewives
Gray's Anatomy

4 books I love

Chronicles of Narnia
Left Behind Series
The Bible
All of Frank Peretti's books

4 places I have been on vacation

Paris, France
Houston, Texas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Lake Tahoe (Heavenly Ski Resort)

4 of my favorite foods

Anything Mexican
Mongolian Beef
Fried Chicken
Chicken Fettucini Alfredo

4 places I would like to be at right now

The Cook Islands
The Spa
Hawaii
Disneyland

Okay, if you just read this then consider yourself tagged. Tell us about your 4 things!

A New Friend

2006-07-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce you to Tammie, one of my newest friends. Tammie and I met on the Yahoo KKEXnMORE group. Tammie lives in Australia and does some amazing work. We recently did a trade for one of her handmade items for some worsted weight yarn. Here is what she made for me.
Tammie crochets these necklaces. Yes I said crochet....isn't it amazing! She is a very talented lady. You can see more of her work on her blog, What My Looms Have Bloomed. She also loom knits.

Yarn Miser

2006-07-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I am a yarn miser. I was recently going through my stash looking for yarn to part with for a yarn swap and I came across this skein of yarn......now wait a second am I sure this is a skein of yarn or is it tinsel garland for my Christmas tree? Yes it is a skein of No Boundries yarn from Walmart and the name of it is Cher! I don't know what possessed me to buy this yarn but something in me just won't let it go. Why is that? Anyway, I continued looking through my stash looking for yarn to swap and I am having a heck of a time trying to part with any of my yarn. Its not that my stash is so small that if I trade some of it it will really make a difference.(yes I said trade.....so I will end up with the same amount of yarn I started with). And its not like I can't afford to go out and replace what I give away.

So what is the big deal. You would think I was being asked to give away my first born child. I mean come on, what in the heck am I ever going to use this skein of yarn for? If I try to make a scarf out of it everyone will think I have lost my mind. Picture me in a green sweater wearing the scarf around my neck and a pair of those jingle bell earrings and christmas bulb necklace on. The kids in the neighborhood will be whispering to their moms...."Mom, why is that lady decorating herself like a Christmas tree?"

So that is why I have decided that I am a yarn miser. Please tell me that I am not alone. I really am beginning to think I have a sickness.

Today's Daily Fiber

2006-07-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Today's daily fiber is a fiber of a different sort. I know I usually post about knitting a crocheting, but I have been working on this fleece blanket for my great niece. My nephew and his 8 month old daughter are staying with us for a few weeks and all she had were small receiving blankets to sleep with. I just happened to have all this fleece laying around and I thought this would be a great project to use it up. The other side of the blanket will have fringe where all the seams are when it is finished. I will take pics of the finished blanket and post them at a later time.

Lookout Hollywood!

2006-07-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

This is my version of the "Boy Beanie" from the SNB Happy Hooker Crochet book. I was trying to copy the cap that Britney Murphy is wearing in the Paul Okenfold video Faster Kill Pussycat.I love how this hat turned out and so does my daughter. As soon as I had it finished she had it on her head and won't take it off. I guess I will have to make one of these for myself. I used Lion Brand Micro Spun and Berroco Crystal FX, one strand of each held together.

In honor of July's Project Spectrum

2006-07-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the flowers in my yard. I love the color purple, so I was really excited that it was July's color spectrum.

The photo to the left and below are of my hydrangias.

These are my purple verbina.
They make a great ground cover.

Aquamarine

2006-07-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

I have been working on projects that can be completed quickly lately. I made this scarf on the red Knifty Knitter loom with the simple E-wrap and then added fringe to each end.

Willow thought she would get into the photo shoot too. She is such a great model and easy to work with.

Trial run of the boy beanie

2006-07-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

This was a trial run of the Boy Beanie. I made it with Lily cotton yarn and instead of changing colors to make the stripes, I just continued with the pattern using the same color/yarn. This yarn is not as stretchy at an acrylic yarn so when I tried it on it was a little short. I think I am going to add a couple more rows of the single crochet.

Now the real challenge is to make it with some black sparkley yarn and I have just the yarn in mind........Katia Gatsby Yarn in black and silver held together with a worsted weight or chenille yarn.

One Skein, Two Skeins and More

2006-07-13T22:54:00.000-07:00

I received a package in the mail today from my One Skein Secret Pal. Not only did she send me one skein of yarn, she sent two! The skein on the right is actually navy blue. They are 100% Baby Alpaca and let me tell you they are soooooo soft. She also sent a pack of tea as an added bonus! I don't know what I am going to make with this yarn yet......might just keep it beside me to admire and play with since it is sooooooo soft. Did I tell you how soft it is yet?

Anyway, thank you very much secret pal!

Sweetpea Complete

2006-07-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

Sweetpea is finished and headed to my niece tomorrow.

I love how this sweater turned out and it was very easy to make. The pattern for this sweater can be found in the Spring 2006 issue of Interweave Crochet. It was made with Caron Simply Soft in the color Orchid.

I wish I could be there when my niece tries this on. My niece is 3 years old and she is totally a girly girl. She loves really frilly things and loves the colors pink and purple. I am sure that once she tries this on it will be all my sister can do to get it off of her.

My daughters are headed out in the morning to visit my side of the family in Houston. It has been 2 years since they have seen their grandparents and aunt and uncle. So tomorrow I get to look forward to driving for 3 hours to get to the airport. After my girls take off I plan to try to check out a couple of yarn shops in Portland before I head back on the road for another 3 hour drive back home.

I am looking forward to having nearly 2 weeks of peace and solitude and getting a break from being a taxi driver. I plan to work on some projects while my girls are gone.

Speaking of projects......the socks I started for KWC and I am supposed to have finished by the 9th, well lets just say that they are still in the same spot I left them a couple of weeks ago. So I guess that makes the score: Socks 10, Teri 1 or something like that.

On another note, this month's color is purple, which happens to be my favorite color. I have a lot of yarn in shades of purple so I have been trying to decide what to make in honor of this months color. I guess you could say that Sweetpea is my first project spectrum for this month.

I Love My Independence!

2006-07-03T19:21:00.001-07:00

Have a safe 4th of July
Enjoy the fireworks!

Unwanted visitor

2006-06-29T18:13:00.000-07:00

If you don't like reptiles, you won't want to read this post.

We had an unwanted visitor this afternoon. My daughter called me to the backyard to see what our cat was playing with. I was beckoned with, "Mom, come see what the cat is playing with.......it is HUGE!" I knew instantly what she was all excited about because we have had these in our backyard before. They are actually quite harmless even though they look terrifying if you don't like reptiles. I personally don't mind these creatures as long as I know they are there.

Okay if you have stuck around this long then you must not be too concerned about what I am about to post. So here it is.....we had a Kingsnake pay us a visit this afternoon and my cat, Willow, was in kitty vs. reptile heaven.

The Kingsnake is harmless and infact got its name because they are the king of snakes. Why are they the king of snakes?......Well it is because they actually will eat other snakes, and is most famous for eating rattlesnakes, copperheads and coral snakes. Since we live on the fringe of the forrest and actually do have rattlesnakes in the hills around us, I am quite happy to have these snakes around, just not in my backyard.

Here is a picture for your viewing pleasure.

Since my hubby despises snakes very much and doesn't care what their purpose is whether good or bad, he killed the snake. So for all of you that hate snakes, there is one less snake in this world.

5th Anniversary

2006-06-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend at the Oregon Coast to celebrate our 5th anniversary. We stayed at the Marina RV Resort at Winchester Bay. It was absolutely beautiful over there this weekend with temperatures in the 80's. The ocean was such a pretty color of blue/green. I don't think I have ever been over to the coast and seen it this color. This is the same beach we were married on 5 years ago.

It's hard to take pictures of ourselves without the kids around so we just held the camera out and took some pictures. This is the best one out of all the ones we took.

We went beachcombing and there were tons of jellyfish on the beach. The down side of this trip is that it had to come to an end. We arrived home to temps in the high 90's.

First Day of Summer Luau

2006-06-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

My youngest daughter had a Luau on Wednesday to celebrate the first day of summer and graduating 6th grade. We bar-b-qued hotdogs and pineapple rings and served baked beans, jello, watermelon and chips and for the beverage they had hawiian punch mixed with 7-up. The kids all had a great time playing the limbo game, 3 legged race and hula hoop contest. This was a lot of fun and it really put me in the mood for summer activities.

M.I.A

2006-06-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

Well I have been missing in action for the past week. Let me tell you it has been very hectic. My son graduated from high school and my niece graduated from college.

It seems like I have been on the go from the time I wake up to the time I finally crash at the end of the day. I have made some progress on my projects...key word being "some." I am getting ready to start the heel on my first sock and the sweater for my youngest niece that I started and have been neglecting is almost finished.

I also received a very large package from my KKex group SS. She was extremely generous again. Just take a look at all of the stuff she sent me. I especially love the Garfield coffee mug and warmer.

I have sent out my first skein of yarn to my secret pal for the One Skein exchange and can't wait to see the yarn I will receive. The suspense is killing me.

News Bulletin

2006-06-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

I started the socks and everything is going great!
The score today...
Teri -- 1 Socks -- 0

Button Created

2006-06-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

I finally took the time to create a button for my blog. Feel free to take one and use it on your site.

The Words of the Day Are....

2006-06-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

What more do I need to say. See all the reasons to continue to add to your stash at Amanda's site Clothesknit.

The Happy Hooker Chain Gang

2006-06-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

Well I just got the SNB The Happy Hooker book and what better way to delve right in and start something from one of the patterns in this book than to join this Crochet Along. Jill aka The Happy Hooker just started this crochet along. She has picked the Stripes(and Stripes)Forever Scarf pattern for the first project. This crochet along is open to crocheters of all skill levels but we will be working with the basics to get started.

Project Spectrum

2006-06-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

I'm always game for inspiration and what better than Project Spectrum to help you get inspired to use up some of your stash. I have had several WIM for the yarn in my stash and now I have a reason to get them started. This month's color is blue.

I love Soccer

2006-06-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

I love soccer so I joined the Knitting World Cup Squad 2006 at Yarn Monkey's site. The kickoff is June 9, 2006 and it ends on July 9, 2006. I am going to attempt to make a pair of socks. I previously started a pair and frogged them several times, but this time I have an awesome website/online sock knitting class to help me so I am feeling very confident about finishing them this time. And I also will have a project started to work on during the World Wide Knit in Public Day on June 10th.

Get Ready To Laugh

2006-05-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

On May 20th I posted that I had received a package from my Secret Sister and she wanted me to take pictures. Well the weather hasn't been cooperating until today. So as I promised, I set up the props and got into costume and had my personal photographer do a photo shoot. Now mind you, I don't always dress like this but if I could be swept away to a tropical paradise with white sandy beaches you might catch me looking something like this.

But first let me tell you about some of the props. I have to tell you I have the most creative SS and she went all out. She even sent me a white sandy beach and sea shells. Got ya'll trying to guess now don't I? Now no fair scrolling ahead and peaking! Now minus a knitting or crochet project, I am set to sit here and soak up the sun with tropical drink in hand and some snacks to keep me sustained. And if it gets too warm I just turn on my handy dandy little personal fan to cool myself down. If I decide that I have been sitting for a little too long and need to give my drink a break I have some wonderful Bird of Paradise seeds I can plant with my beach/garden tools. Then as the day goes by and the sun begins to set, I can light the citranella candle to set the mood and keep those pesky bugs away.

Thank you very much SS whoever you are!

World Wide Knit In Public Day

2006-05-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

June 10th, 2006

Find your local gathering here!

I am hosting the gathering in my area.

When: Saturday, June 10, 2006

Where: Sutherlin Central Park

Time: 11:00 a.m.

What to bring: A chair or blanket, lunch, projects, questions, new books & magazines, and whatever you want to share or swap.

All fiber arts are welcome.

If you have any questions, or would like to help in anyway contact me by clicking here.