I need to try to keep up more...

I know, I just don't post often enough here. Well, I need to work today. But I also have a bunch of pictures to share... But I need to resize them. I'm also in the process of saving all my pictures to disk. Just getting nervous about the possibility of losing them.

Besides, it's about time I freed up some computer space!!

I also want to get back into the retrospective of my blog posts - see how far I've come in the few years since I started it. Been thinking a lot about time - what with having that "milestone" type birthday. I figure, barring accidents, that I've got about 20 good years left in me. (My father died of cancer in his fifties, my mom hung on till into her 70's. Between the advances made since Dad died, not to mention, my general health and awareness of possible problems, etc., I still figure I've got a good 20 yrs - possibly more, but still...) So, I want to not waste any one of them. Which kind of frustrates me...

Some things are not so frustrating... Some things are great, even. Like, last time I posted here, I mentioned that my life will get interesting.... That is because the yarn store where I work is going "Worker's Co-Op". Which, in a nutshell, means the people who work there have been given an opportunity to buy the store... as a co-op, we all would own equal shares. Interesting, indeed!!

I really need to push, now, on finishing the baby items. The baby is due end of March - which means, really, anytime after the 15th. Factor in that it is a first baby, that it is quite large... well, I might not be an expert, but the words, "anytime now" are niggling at my brain...

After that, I really want to work on some stuff "just for me". Mind you, I need to get cracking on my second hosted KAL - I had hoped to start that before Christmas, but was having some creative issues on what to do with the start... I'm doing a square shawl based on the Bogart movie, "The Maltese Falcon". (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BogeyShawlKAL for updates - which I will do this week)

Ok, so - all I know about my work schedule at this moment, is that I work today. I also know I'll be working a few, if not most, Saturdays this month (teaching a sock class for a few weeks). Otherwise, I'll find out more once I get there today.

But I'm sure I'll be free a few days this week, and I'll try to get some pictures done, and updates...

One of the reasons, too, that I had trouble posting last month - it was the one year anniversary of Spud's passing, and I still totally miss that dog.... :(

Hm, long time again....

Funny how time flies by like that.... I mean, I keep planning to post - I even come up with ideas, such as random thoughts like how duct tape is pourous.... and why I know that. But then, I'm on the puter in the wee hours of the morning, then the gk's show up, then I forget about posting...then, I think of it, but either I have to get ready to go to work after the kids leave, or I try to catch up on emails, then next thing I know it is noon, and I have other things I should be doing, like dishes or errands or housework, or some such stuffs. So, I never really get around to posting.

I'm glad that I'm planning some house renovations. Some will come sooner than others. I've never had a faucet erode before. Sure, the tap part - spigot, or the part that you hold onto to turn water on or off might leak, or a washer need replacing to stop a drip. But the spout part - the part where the water comes out - never had a problem with that before. Oh, OK, yeah - that part can spring leaks at the base, where it pivots over the pipe - again, a washer or o-ring needing fixing. And the open end of the spout, where the little screen piece is, that you can take off to replace with a hose - yeah, that sometimes needs work. But for the piece between those two ends to sprout holes - now *that* was/is a new experience. So, next time I go shopping, I need to remember to run to the hardware store and pick up a new one. In the meantime, I had a rag tied around the holes, so that instead of spraying all over the kitchen whenever I turned on the water, it only drips into the sink. (oh, and at least it only leaks when the water is turned on, too....) Anyway, thought that since I was doing a dinner party, that I'd make it look a little neater by wrapping it with duct tape. Looked nice - all silver, though not shiny - but water came out from all over the place!!! So, I rewrapped it with a rag.

One of the reasons I haven't done any painting is the dinner party. I've done it, and blogged about it, in the past. I like to do a full, from scratch, Chinese food dinner, and invite a guest or two, for my birthday. Well, since I was hitting one of those "big" numbers - not just big because it is higher (yes, the definition of birthdays kind of imply each one is bigger than the last one) but also because it is one of those milestone types - I went and invited 9 people. So that meant, 11 people in my little ol' 900 or so square foot house.... Well, fortunately (or unfortunately, really) two people couldn't make it. I do/did truly miss them. But in hindsight - there wouldn't have been room....

So - this year, I made (from scratch - literally everything - even the chicken stock that was the base for some soups and sauces was fresh out of the stockpot last Monday):

Egg rolls, Plum sauce, Hot and Sour soup, Wonton soup, chicken balls, pineapple sweet and sour sauce, beef stir fry, curry sauce, squid stir fry, white rice, shrimp fried rice, lemon chicken, lions head meatballs, sweet and sour ribs, deep fried shrimp, shrimp sauce (cocktail sauce), and fortune cookies.

Everything from scratch.... even grated the horseradish for the shrimp sauce!!

So. I've made it to fifty. Seems to me, that people used to make a big deal about fifty - that it was "over the hill", that it was a signal to the end of some quality of life or other. Yet, I don't feel those things. I feel like my life is just getting started. Ok, so, in some ways it is. I've been through a lot of changes over the last several years. The next several years will be very interesting. I'm quite looking forward to where my life is, and where it is going. I'm especially looking forward to the changes I'm going to make to my house - I can hardly wait to start painting :)

I promise - before and after pictures. Warts and all.... Meaning, of course, that the current state of some of the rooms - clutter especially - will not be hidden. One of the wisdoms that comes with age... I am who I am - and I shouldn't be ashamed. I should only be ashamed if I am content to stagnate - not to learn and grow. In other words, yeah, OK, I'm a packrat. I have stuff. I will always have stuff. I have no intention of tossing all of my stuff. But, I realize I have excess, and I have things I've outgrown one way or another. So, I shall continue to grow and move forward, and dispose of the things that no longer have a place in my life.

Well, then, on that note.... I do have some things to accomplish today. And, I guess I should take the before pic of my bedroom - the room I plan to start with.

And for the past...well, the closer I get to Feb. 7, the harder some things are.... For an obsessive cat person, I sure do miss a certain little doggie.....

Updates on stuff

The dryer arrived - and I love it :) It has temperature controls; the cool down cycle does exist, but doesn't turn the clothes into ice cubes - just tones it down from hot to warm; and it has a buzzer for the end of the cycle!!! I'm so very happy :)

The book that I bought arrived. My sister guessed the title - no she didn't have any extra information than the rest of you - her only advantage is genetic, and she is my "big" sister, so she's know me my entire life.... A friend of mine, from my knitting group, took a guess. She was only half right though - she figured out what inspired the purchase, but didn't know the title....

So - I'll reveal it now.... I bought: T.S. Elliott's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats", which is what Andrew Lloyd Weber used as inspiration for the musical "Cats".

Haven't seen hide nor hair of mice for over a week. The girls have had to settle for their toy mice. And the bugs from the basement... YUCK. Every so often, they bring the bugs upstairs to play. I've learned not to leave my purse or my yarn on the floor.

Baby blanket: back to the halfway point. :) Baby sweater: almost finished the front - more than halfway. Sweater/pant set: ready to cast on. Replacement mittens: Ug. I seem to have misplaced my notebook.... I have a few notebooks, but this one has my notes from the pair of mittens I made a couple years ago (and blogged about - go back to Oct. of 06 if you are interested....) with paw prints on the palm. Last winter, I was asked to fix the thumb - and this winter, they were on their way for another thumb fix, when they were stolen from the owner at a movie theater.... So, I need to do a complete re-knit. Need to get busy - this is the worst part of winter... But I misplaced the book, so I guess I have to redesign from the ground up.... Can't put them off too much longer... Also, I bought myself a new winter jacket. Nothing really wrong with the one I had - except it was somewhat bulky... and I've had it a couple winters already, and I'm honestly a bit tired of it.... Need a change. So, now I need a new scarf to match ;) So, I will be making one. The kitty afghan: I started making little blocks for the second big block. I keep telling myself to start weaving ends, but I somehow manage to put that off....

I have the yarn to make two crochet along items. There is a Yahoo group that I belong to - called "Crochet Talk". If you are a member there, then you can join the Crochet Talk Crochetalong group. I have probably mentioned them before - as one of the alongs, we made the kitties in a row afghan, and the bear afghan, which I've posted about in the past. We did some tote bags... few other things that I know I blogged about. Well, anyway, I had sort of lurked and not kept up for a while, since I was doing far more knitting than crochet anyway. But, I'm back into the crochet now. The group was having some troubles, and lack of participation. So, I decided to volunteer to help out. Since I'm helping, I kind of need to participate... We did a 12 inch afghan block, to practice a "new" stitch.... the popcorn. I guess I should give a bit more detail: The group votes on projects. Each month has been assigned a theme - January being wearables, and a holiday alternate project - Valentine's. Then, the members vote on a selection of possible projects. The winner is the "crochetalong" - those who wish make the projects together, and some people make the second place, others make their favourite anyway, and some just sit by and wait for the next month. The winners were a shrug and a heart tote bag. I'm not going to do the shrug, but will make the second place winner - a pair of wristlet things. And the tote bag.... Besides the voted on members' choice, there is a "moderator's choice" project - a stitch how to is posted, and a project that uses that stitch. To help people stretch their skills. So, I found a popcorn how-to, and a popcorn stitch afghan square. I'm going to try to make all the projects afghan squares, and at the end of the year, people can have a nice afghan :)




I also knitted a hat for a friend... think I told you all about that - it was done over Christmas....And the fingerless WWII broadcast mitts... I took pictures. :)










Of course, I couldn't find the ripple bag when I took pictures the other morning... Found it later in the day, right where I'd put it, except instead of exactly where I'd put it, it was on the floor beside, where the cats had knocked it. So, I'm not totally losing my mind or memory. It would have been where I thought it was, if the girls had left it alone!!

I'll do a picture of that later. :) Along with the WIP's....

Now, though, I have to go do some cleaning up. I am inviting a bunch of people over to help me celebrate my birthday, so I need to make room!! (I have a few weeks, fortunately, lol)

Then, right after that, I start clearing up ready to paint. I am determined!!!!!!!!!

Happy Gnu Year.

Ok, I had a moment of silliness with the title :)

Just wanted to wish everyone and anyone who reads this a prosperous and peaceful 2009.

I'm making progress on the baby sweater, the baby blanket, and the kitty blanket. I successfully executed my first ever two colour granny squares last night. Oh, I knew how they were made, and figured I'd have no trouble with them. I just never got around to making them before. I laid out the little squares (2.75 inch each) in place, to see how the kitty would shape up. This blanket is going to be HUGE!!!! I know, when I sew them together, they won't be quite as big as when they were just set beside each other on the floor. But I was surprised how fast the little squares added up to a big square, lol....

Ok, that is one of my weaknesses - I have problems visualizing spacial things. I have no real concept of space/size. Honest - I can imagine all sorts of things - have a vivid imagination even. But when it comes to real-space things - I have to have a template drawn out in some way. I can handle scale, or real size templates, but I just can't envision where something will fit or what it will look like size wise. You know, like when you look in a catalogue, and it says something is so many inches or centimeters wide by so many long... I go get a ruler and lay it down, move it around, to get an idea of the size....

Ok, bared the soul a bit - it remains to be seen if that is a good way to start a new year or not :0

So, the kitties were finding so many mice, that we decided to help them, by setting a mousetrap. Suddenly, there seems to be no more mouse activity.... guess they realized that their friends/family weren't coming home anymore, so maybe our house wasn't a good place to hang out.... Well, that is a good thing - means the girls are earning their keep :)

Well, guess that is a good enough quick post. I'll try (again) to post more often here. Maintenance - my mantra for '09.

So, I was asked....

What sort of New Year's resolution I am making this year.

Last year was a pattern diet - didn't last long at all. (side note: I'm using Foxfire instead of Internet Explorer for a while - just because. It automatically does spell check for me - and for some reason, it is indicating that there is a problem with the word, "didn't".)

Anyway - pattern diet did not work. I started out all right; thought twice about what patterns to save. Started going through folders and saved files, deleting some that I really didn't need to keep. But new books and pattern leaflets at work... finding ones while familiarizing myself with our stock... *sigh*. BUT - I do think I've reached a certain saturation point. I'm beginning to see the same patterns over and over, with simple colour changes, or basic stitch pattern changes. So, I have invested in a few "stitionaries" and a few basic "how to" books. Yes, I have a ton of knitting experience, and a half-ton of crochet experience; but I'm not so arrogant as to believe that I know it all or can't learn something new. I'm doing a crochet afghan right now, using "granny" type motifs (for those of you who follow the Annie's Attic Free Pattern of the day, it was last Saturday's cat afghan) to make like patchwork squares. For the first round, the join isn't done by chaining, but with an hdc. Now, why on earth no one thought of that before, I really don't know.... But I think I'll try to remember and use it from now on... Makes a much neater beginning to the next round. See what I mean? I can always learn something new.

On the "what's on my needles/hooks/etc" note: I'm working actively on a baby blanket (don't want to talk about how many times I've started it); a sweater for same baby, but will be for 1 yr size; going to start a sweater/pants outfit, 6 mth size for same baby - friend's first grandkid due in March. Have recently finished (knit in a day and a half over Christmas Day) a hat for co-worker of DH by request. Last winter, or maybe the one before, I shared a pic of the hat I made for DH, black with grey stripes. Same hat, same stripes, different yarn.... I'm also going to start cleaning up current projects - meaning ones I've started or bought all the yarn ready to make.

Which brings me to this year's resolution: I'm going to focus on MAINTENANCE. Maintaining what I already have. In all areas of my life. House work (which I've done so little of, since being angry about the condition of the house itself); house "maintenance" - the kind like the painting and repairing of what needs doing; craft projects already started; junk collected; computer files bursting at the seams; etc. I'm going to seriously see about what all I have, what I really need, what I don't need- and get rid of the excess/worn out/old/broken/outdated/outlived/etc.

I mean, really.... I'm approaching my fiftieth birthday. Not a bad thing - I think it is great that I've made it this far :) BUT - the reality is, I have a limited time left. My whole life is behind me, not ahead of me anymore, lol.... NO, I don't mean that in the depressed depressing pessimistic way - I mean it in the reality way. I'm thinking "bucket list". I'm thinking, I want to LIVE the rest of my life - not be held back by outlived outdated dreams that really won't enhance my life anymore. One of the weirdest, least sensible things: You buy something, but can't get rid of it, even though it has outlived its usefullness to you. BUT - you have no problem throwing out that tube of toothpaste that is empty, the worn out whatever... Ok, not greatest examples, but I'm suddenly blanking here.... Anyway - if something is not "used up", you can't seem to get rid of it, even though you'll never use it again. Fine, if it is still useable by someone, give it to a thrift store or something... but don't keep it "just because". Like, for example, I needed something that will help me carry/tote things from point A to point B. So, I bought some really cheap (they won't last long, really) laundry baskets from the dollar store. They will have a purpose - while I'm working on this maintenance thing, they'll help me lift and carry. Then, I can get rid of them, because they will have served their purpose to me. Why can't I get rid of other stuff that has outlived their purpose? Because they cost money.... that really is why. I've had that ingrained in me for so long - DON"T WASTE MONEY - that it is the hardest one to fight back. But - I can do it with the dryer (don't care what it cost, it isn't worth the pain it causes)* so I can do it with other stuff. If it doesn't bring me pleasure anymore, out it goes. I've learned that one about the knitting (and crocheting etc.) too... I used to feel really down if I messed up a project and had to rip it out - felt like a big waste of time, etc. Now, though - I can rip pretty much anything out, with an "Oh, well - it wasn't working this way". I can restart any project, knowing that the first time was a "learning experience". (no, I'm still not saying how many times I started the blanket. LOL)

*New dryer is coming on Saturday. I'm spending the rest of this week making space in my basement for it to be delivered. I work Saturday, but that's OK. I could have had it delivered today, but we bought it Sunday, and I worked yesterday. No where near enough time to move things around!! Oh, and the new one has all sorts of better features. I am going to like it. Still has a stupid cool down cycle (clothes coming from the dryer should be warm and fluffy, not stiff and ice cubey.) ("didn't" isn't acceptable, but "cubey" is???)

Oh, well - I still know I'll like it much better than the junk that I'll have to use one more time....

I almost signed off, then remembered - I was thinking about a no prize contest... sort of a guessing game.... See, I had this experience at a book store. I went in to browse, pick up some magazines, and maybe buy one of the books on my wishlist. Well, there used to be terminals, and you could access your wishlist from the terminals. Turns out, the new upgraded terminals you can't get to your wishlist anymore. So, I wracked my memory, trying to remember what was on it. A different book popped into my head. I checked - not in stock, but available to order.... Several different options.... three possibilities: All trade paperback. One was $9.50, one $10.50, and one $11.50. Ok, why the difference??? So, I hunted up a clerk to ask. She pointed out the 9.50 one was a children's publisher. Otherwise, couldn't tell me any othe reason. I mentioned that I likely would stay away from the children version, lest it be an abridged version, I wanted to be sure to get unabridged. Well, she said, "What does that mean, "unabridged"? I've never heard of that before".

Keep in mind, she works at a bookstore....

So, I explained it to her. During this explanation, I made reference to Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I could tell by the look on her face, that she may not even be familiar with that author and/or title....

She *does* work in a bookstore.....

Anyway - I ordered the book, and as I was leaving the store, I was just through the door, when the title of the book I wanted next from my wish list finally popped into my head!!!

So - the "contest" guessing game.... Leave a comment on this post, guessing which book I thought of in the store.... I'll give you one more hint (besides trade paperback, could be a kid's book) it is something that has been on my mind of late....

So, that is likely my last post for this year. Next year, I'll be continueing my retrospective of my blog by the month.... and I'll try to get posting pictures - I owe a few, and I really need to update my photo album, and update my Ravelry stuff.... (am I the only one who's over the "honeymoon" with Ravelry? I mean, I still like it, and will still use it, but I find I spend way less time there than I did....)

So - that's it for '08. May all my readers (all two of you??? Nah, I know there are more!) Have a Prosperous and Peaceful 2009.

Some finishes

Ok, so I got a major pita project done. Only pita because it was on a timeline, and I don't like pressure when I knit or crochet or whatever. I enjoy the process, more than the product. But, life being what it is, I know that sometimes, we must face deadlines. So, I was making some WWII era wrist warmer things for our local museum. I will take a picture before I turn them over. I just haven`t done that yet (getting lazy on the picture taking, I know).

My other completed project (also no picture - especially dumb because I should have done a before picture - oh, well...) is a felted tote bag. If you want to see it sooner than me getting a picture up - it is in the Fall `08 Knitters Magazine, called 'Ripple Me This'. Turned out quite lovely!!!

So, I finished the two main projects that I`ve been working on, and suddenly, don`t know what to do next! I will, of course, go back to working on a baby blanket for a baby due in March. Gives me two months to knit it... I think I`m going to rip it back, and start it over, though. See, it is really a small blanket, pram cover style, not a good ol' wrap 'em up snuggly warm thing... and, since it turned out that the mom-to-be had to go in for an ultrasound because they thought she might be having twins... well, I am a little concerned that it will be a big baby... I know, I know - the extra might not be all baby, it could be water, fluid, etc. etc. But I would rather be safe than sorry. Besides, it turns out that the yarn I am using is a discontinued colour. :( I am using a pattern that has a blanket, matching sweater and pants, and hat. I was thinking about doing the whole set. So, I bought extra yarn.... then, when I tried to get more, turned out it was discontinued. I have enough yarn to make the blanket as is, and the hat, and the pants. But not the sweater. I don't have enough for the sweater and blanket as is, and the grandma to be specifically wanted to have the hat as well as the blanket.... so - I might as well use the extra yarn to make a bigger blanket.

And I found another suitable pattern for another sweater and pant set, that I can do instead. :)

Since I've decided that I really want to stop buying lots and lots of yarn, and since I have lots and lots of UFO's, I am going to try to restrain myself, and get some of those projects done. I just don't know which one to start working on next....

Ok, so I have the baby blanket to do; a pair of bamboo yarn socks for DH; I need some warm mittens or gloves for this winter; I need a replacement scarf 'cause I'm sick of the one I have (don't have yarn for this yet, though); and I have a request to make a hat for a co-worker of DH. That is a small project - shouldn't take more than a couple days.... (famous last words, right?)

Maybe I'll just go sort out the mess around my chair, and see what UFO's are hanging around waiting for me.... :)

I know, I should be getting ready to paint. But life reared its ugly head, and I might not be getting any painting done for a while yet. Not happy about that at all. But sometimes, no matter what, there are some things you cannot control. But I still have some basement clearing to do... that is one I am NOT backing down on. Not that I am backing down on the paint, just delaying it, but the dryer - I am NOT backing down on one bit. I still have way too much anger, that gets refreshed every Wednesday....

Anger takes precedence

*Sigh*.... Anger. It can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Good, if it is focussed in one direction and gets people up and moving and doing something instead of becoming complacent and apathetic.

Bad if it lashes out in all sorts of directions, and accomplishes nothing except damage.

I like to think that mostly, last week's anger was the good focussed kind. Like I mentioned, I have paint chips all properly selected and organized and ready to run back to the store and get paint.... However, the lingering anger caused me to forget to blog yesterday about the bright spot in the week....

Sunday I went to Cats. :) I LOVED it. Can't say enough good things.... Can't get some tunes out of my head, either, lol... Not that it is a bad thing, these tunes. But yeah, I got them roaming around inside.... :) Wish I could remember *all* the words, so I don't have to have the same phrases/phrains of tune going through over and over, kind of like a record with a skip in it (anyone too young to remember that??)

I have a VHS tape of Cats. I know I watched it once. (would watch over and over if I still had a tape machine/TV that worked decently). But to see it in person - So much better!!!! Get to look where you want to look, not where the director/cameramen think you should look. Though, it is tough to pay attention to everything going on, on stage, at once. Sometimes, during certain parts, some of the Cats were sitting off from the main focus, but still being catlike - scratching an ear, rubbing/grooming a companion - And I'm so impressed with the dancers. Flowing, fluid movement - very catlike. And even though I've read "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats", somehow, hearing it changes the nuances - hadn't realized just how cat-like some of those stories are.... Many bits reminded me of bits of life around our house - I saw/heard Roxy, Mica, Bone, Ashleigh, among others....

All in all a thoroughly great time, and Yes, I would go again to see it. I`m not sure how many years since it was in our city last, but for sure, if or when it comes back, I`ll be there.

Speaking of my kitties - I have to be quicker on the reactions to grab our camera. I need to get a picture or movie of something that has been going on for a while, but I have only recently begun to be aware of. DH says he's seen it before....

Ashleigh climbs up to the counter, and digs around, until she finds the box of Milkbones. She reaches in, either with paw or mouth, and pulls out a dog treat. Picks it up with her teeth, and takes it down to the floor, where she starts trying to eat it. Bear gets the funniest looks on his face - confusion, interest, uncertainty.... Then he approaches.... sneaks up, sticks his long nose in from the side, and takes the dog treat. Ashleigh looks up, trots over to where Bear is crunching away on the Milkbone, and tries to catch the crumbs and bits that fall out of Bear's mouth.

When the treat is done, the process often repeats - Bear ends up with two dog treats, and Ashleigh ends up with a chunk or two....

What makes this especially humourous, is the fact that if I offer Bear a Milkbone, he is not interested in it. He'll take it, sometimes, and drop it on the floor. He'll only eat it if the cats are interested in it....

Now, Dog Cookies are another matter all together! There is a store brand dog cookie, not dog biscuit, that Bear really does like. They come in carob chip, peanut butter, vanilla wafer, and banana biscotti. He'll really gobble any one of those up!! Bear also likes the soft chewy type- 'Beggin' Strips' for example...

Anyway - must get off the 'puter now - I work today..... :)