I been tagged, and I'm going to deal with it.

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”

Ok, so - (what amazed me, is who tagged me - I read her blog a lot, and never realized she read mine!!!)

Wierd thing number 1: I can do peel and stick labels, putting them on to things, but I can't take any label off of anything. Not jar labels, not price tags, not sticky anything. Makes me feel quesy in my tummy... grosses me out.

Weird thing number 2: When I eat fried eggs, I eat the whites first, then I scoop up the yolk part and swallow it whole. But it must be runny - I don't like solid cooked yolks. But I don't like when they break and leak everywhere - I have to be able to put the whole thing in my mouth, so I can swallow it whole.

Weird thing number 3. I love and own cats, but I'm allergic to them. Really.

Weird thing number 4. I'm not fond of little kids - not into babies at all. But, I trained to become a teacher. Which I enjoy doing. When the kids get to be around ten years old. Then they are human beings.

Weird thing number 5. I talk to my vehicle. I talk to the truck. Tell it that it is a good truck. I pet the dashboard. I treat it more like a pet.... Then again, I treat teh "pets" (dogs and kitties) more like family. Of course, when I was thinking about this one (and trying to come up with the six) I heard on the radio that a large number (can't recall, but it was into the tens of thousands) of people give their vehicles personalities. So maybe it isn't so weird after all. Maybe number five should be that I insist on washing bath towels after each use. Well, I don't want to end up drying my face on the same spot that DH just used to rub all over his butt....

Weird thing number 6. I can't kill anything. Ok, like, I like to go fishing. I can bait a hook, but can't even kill the worm, so I use lures instead. I can catch the fish. I can clean the fish. (and do a darn good job of filleting it, too). I can cook the fish. But, I have to get DH to kill any fish that are caught, while I go for a walk. I can't even be around when he kills it. And, much as I love wild game meat - deer etc. - I doubt I could ever go hunting. I mean, I know how to fire a gun - those targets wouldn't stand a chance with me around. But I don't think I could kill an animal. Eat it, sure, but kill it? Even though I'd love to live on a farm, raise my own food, I'd probably end up becoming a vegetarian, 'cause I wouldnt' be able to kill a pig or a cow.... Mind you, cows *are* rather ugly, and pork *is* my favourite meat, along with chicken....

From the sister - she thinks it is weird that I make everything from scratch, especially the things that are cheaper to buy ready made. She also thinks it is weird that I own a breadmaker, even though I make everything from scratch. Of course, the breadmaker was DH's idea....and a very good friend of mine, who thinks like I do about making from scratch, actually has one that she uses, as well. We let the breadmaker do the first part, the mix and first kneading, then we finish off with another kneading, and bake in the oven. Sort of half and half. And Dear Sister thinks it is weird that I won't dye alpaca (drool) yarn or fibre. I think it is a shame - they come in such gorgeous natural colours. She thinks I'm weird, because I dye things such gorgeous colours. I'm flattered, but I still don't have the heart to dye alpaca (drool)
And finally, she thinks it is weird that she is the older sister, but that I'm a grandma and she's not....especially considering that she *is* into kids....

So. There we have it. Now, I need to tag 6 people....
http://ccspinsandthings.blogspot.com/
http://craftycarole.blogspot.com/
http://cats-n-lace.blogspot.com/
http://creativepopoffs.blogspot.com
http://mimis-knitting-corner.blogspot.com/
http://knittinghomeschoolmom.blogspot.com/

Hm. The rules don't say whether or not I can continue with a post and pictures....
Well, since I still can't upload the snowflakes picture...I'll try again later.

Ok, I admit it, I've been hiding.....

I got tagged. Which shocked me. Surprised me. Especially as the one who tagged me - I read her blog, and I didn't know she read mine!!!! Anyway, after I got tagged, I had to figure out how to respond.... Then, I have to tag some other people.... I need to compile a list of victi...bloggers to tag, then I'll respond. Actually, it took me a while to make the first list - I needed 6 weird things about me. I was nervous - what if what I think is weird is really normal??? What if what I think is normal, you would all think is weird? So, I made a list.... Then, I asked my sister. Interestingly, she listed a few that I already had written down. Then she gave me some more.... I will, soon - I promise not to hide, do my tag post. But, since I disappeared for so long, between the break around the holidays, then the (over?) thinking of the tag thing, I figure the least I can do is update with some pictures....

First, socks. Well, sock. Well.... Almost sock.

From the six sox knitalong group - Chain Link socks. There were supposed to be seven bands of chains, not four, on the leg. But I left it at four. The yarn is called "Cool Crochet" by Bernat. I love that stuff... you can see in the picture, it is sort of glittery. Probably from the nylon content - it is a blend of cotton and nylon. And it is about fingering, or sock weight yarn. Same yarn I used for the other socks from the six sox group - the ones I started toe up..... I haven't finished those ones, yet, either.... :( I think I'm about socked out for now.... I only work on them for "take along" projects - they don't get knit on much in the evening craft time anymore....

I finished, a while ago, the nature socks....

They look sort of grey, here... the way the colouring worked out, was one round of "oak" brown, one round of "mystery bush" olive, so they blended into a kind of peaceful taupe (my understanding is taupe is greyish brown....) Anyway - DH loves them. Also, for some reason, on the second sock (didn't happen on the first, don't know why at all) there was some "crocking" of the dye - I ended up with brown on my hand after each knitting session. So, to prevent DH from getting brown on his feet, I soaked the socks in vinegar water after I finished them.... Sadly, this caused a little leaching of the colour into the white bands. They don't show up as distinctly anymore, like they did in this picture.....

I have so many pictures to catch up on.... tsk tsk. Ok, next is some snowflakes. Blocking, where you can't see them well because they are white (something different for me - I usually make them in blue or sparkly or something) on a white blocking "sponge" - then layed out on a dark background, to show them off better :)

Ok, it is happening again... my pics aren't loading.....

Rats. I wanted to show the snowflakes. There are 8 of them - the group is snowflakes88. The list mom ( a very nice lady, btw) is posting 8 snowflake patterns a month, for 11 months. That way, we crochet along together (in case anyone has trouble, they can ask the group) and have 88 snowflakes for our tree next year. :) I got all the January ones done.

I also wanted today to show off pictures of some thread coasters I crocheted. I did an exchange in one of the groups I'm in. I made a "Star Flower Coaster" from a pattern on the net to send, and I also finally got around to designing a second in a series of coasters I'm doing.... I need to find my notes from the first one.... I made several of that in the past, gave 'em all away, though....long before I got smart enough to take pictures. But, I did scan the first prototype, and saved it on a floppy disk - but for some reason, didn't label the disk and now I'm not sure where it ended up..... I need to find the notes. Anyway, I made two coasters to send, mailed them, and she got them already, so it would be safe to post a picture. IF I can, that is....

On the left, is StarFlower, on the right is Amethyst.

Now, can I get the snowflakes to load????

Nope.....

Well, let's try.... Nope. Won't let me show you a picture of yarn, either.... I wound three of the ten balls of wool I bought to make a sweater for myself last night.

I have a lot more pictures to share - will likely have to do it later. :( But, I'm going to try one more......

Bear, the Goof!! :)

Alice in Wonderland....

I'm late!!! I'm late!!!! Oh, dear...I'm late!!!!

Ok... so that proves I've read the classics. Or at the very least, that I'm familiar with them. I *have* read Alice in Wonderland...but not the sequel yet. But I know what a "Jabberwock" is... :)

Seriously - I'm still sick. Really. This nasty flu bug has been hanging on and hanging on. It all started on Boxing Day. For those who are not part of the British Commonwealth, Boxing Day is the day after Christmas. Mind you, if you are a retailer, then Boxing "day" lasts up to a month. That's it!!! This flu is the "Boxing Day Retailer Flu".... LOL.... Hey, when I'm sick and miserable, I'll take any joke I can get.

But, the point about me being late.... It is already the 8th of January, and I haven't posted to my blog.... It is a whole new year, and I am finally posting.....

So, what have I been up to? Not a whole lot.... being sick really takes a lot of energy - wind out of my sails, etc. So, I have mostly been feeling miserable and sorry for myself. But still trying to keep up with the necessary day to day routines. It helped, but in some ways not, that the first week of the month was unseasonably warm. It lifted my spirits to know that winter was a week shorter this year, but I wasn't up to being out and about enjoying it. Then, we got a light snowfall at the end of the week, which covered the dog stuff..... which I hadn't gotten out like I should have to bag..... BUT - fortunately, it was a light snowfall, and I have a good idea where to "dig".... lol.... UNfortunately, however - the cold weather has returned, so it won't be as much fun to do.... not that picking up dog stuff is fun....

Well, best get off this topic - told you I felt miserable, still....

Upbeat - ok.... um, what to say.... Haven't got much accomplished craft wise. Plugging away on a few pairs of socks, designing a coaster in thread crochet, itching to get on with some tatting and quilting. But, the tatting shuttles are buried in the craft room, as is the fabric.... so, I need to get on with tidying up the craft room. BUT - I can't shake the guilt that I should get the rest of the house in proper order first, before "playing" in the craft room. But I've been too exhausted... but then again, I've been keeping up with the day to day cleaning - and I've pretty much decluttered most of the main floor of the house. So.... in some ways, I don't need to feel guilty. I mean, the house isn't that bad....

I was going to start a doily last week. I put out the thread that I wanted to use - a nice new ball of thread. That was a week ago - on Sunday morning. (Dec. 31) Monday morning, the ball of thread was gone. I searched the living room, the boxes leftover from Christmas (which, technically, is clutter, but they are out for two main reasons -1. because the cats love to play in them and 2. because I do still have a little clutter, and some things that technically aren't clutter but I think it is time to say bye-bye to, so I will box them up for removal), the kitchen, the bathroom, the back entryway, the bedroom, the basement - I still haven't found the ball of thread. I'm not searching quite as diligently, but every day, I re-look in places (because the ball of thread might get moved again) and I try spots I hadn't thought of earlier.....

Ashleigh is a thread junky. She'll take balls of crochet thread, carry them around, beat them up, chew them, hide them, stash them..... It is bad enough when she steals new or partly used (open) balls of thread, but she's even been known to grab and run with a ball of thread I'm USING!!!!

I joined a coaster exchange in one of my online groups. So, I decided it was time for me to get back to my plan to design coasters on a theme - I have a few that I've done, then the project got put on the back burner. It's time to bring it forward again, and get busy. So....I'm creating this one....which makes the crocheting slower, because I have to write down what I'm doing, and sometimes, frogging the round and trying something else....

I'm on a deadline, too....need to be ready to mail it by the 15th....

So, because I'm more into the idea of tatting and quilting, with the crochet and knit as "break" projects.... Well, I'm restless. Can't settle down to work on one thing for an hour. Can barely manage a round on a sock before I gotta put it down. I figured, well, maybe it was time for a bit of a break - I know, the coaster needs to be finished - so I finally picked up my latest Joe Grey mystery. I bought it in the fall, but didn't read it right away. I have, lately, taken to buying them in paperback in the fall when they are published in paperback form, but saving them to read on trips.... this year, I'm not taking a trip (that I know of, anyway) but this would be the time I would have gone, had we been able to. (We want to go back to Mexico - DH has been reading the travel section of the newspaper and talking to others about how to find best deals, etc.) Anyway, started reading the latest Joe Grey book. Well, the latest that I have - I'm sure the newest one is out in hardcover by now.... Read a bunch Saturday. Read a bunch more last night - I'm almost finished. Tried to stay up last night to finish - couldn't do it. But, it really is another fantastic read. There was only one of them that I found - how do I say it? Harder to read? Most of them - you start to read, and it grabs you, and you can't or don't want to put it down. One of them, however, didn't grip me as hard.... I had no trouble putting it down. I still managed to read it, but it just didn't have the same - I dont' know what word to use here - intrigue? interest? excitement? Well, anyway - I still love the books as a general statement. And this coming fall - I'll be buying the newest paperback :)

Oh - before I forget - the truck is going in tomorrow for repairs - finally. After two weeks of waiting, I phoned the dealership, to ask about how things were going..... Oh, the parts just came in... (Yeah, right) We're looking at next week some time to get you in (what? It's already been two weeks, when you said four or five days....) Well, we're really busy right now....(so, why didn't you say so in the first place, maybe we could have gone elsewhere) Tuesday.... (what time?) you can drop it off anytime after 8 am - that's when we open (THAT LATE???)

We are supposed to be entitled to a rental car, instead of the usual crappy "courtesy" car for the duration of the repair work - which will be a few days, because it involves a paint job.

It remains to be seen how that will all work out.....

Did I ever mention - I drive standard? I really *HATE* to drive automatic? I wonder if the rental car joint has standards......

Promise take and to download pictures for the next post :)