Totally Random

http://canadiancountrygal.blogspot.com/ check out this site for a chance to enter for a great Halloween sign, although if you are like me and really like witches and witch things you may want to keep it out all year.

I have been over at Vera Bradley's site again and I love the Cafe Latte Fabric and the Yellow bird fabric too.

Thanks to Nan who helped me find Dee and I noticed another person finished the Comforting Hearts Shawl on Ravelry If you are on Ravelry check out ILoveCats' its very pretty!

Franklin at Panopticon posted about a knitting theft in Chicago, an apalling and dastardly thing to do!

Debb needs positive thoughts as once again she is trying to get an apartment, and we all know what a persuasive bunch we bloggers can be!

Tom's new truck has decided to be a drama queen and needs to have some work done on Saturday, I swear it (any of his trucks) knows which months have the 5 instead of 4 paydays and always finds a way to eat up the extra. I was going to pay some bills yesterday with this month's slight windfall but good thing I didn't.

Want to have fun with your photo? Want to add some pizazz to your blog? Check out Photofunia for some great ideas.

More may be added as I think of it!!!!

KNIT ON

2008 ABC ALong Q is for/Pay It Forward Update

I was originally going to do Quilt (this is my gift from Martina and I love it--it hangs over this desk) but someone already beat me to it I was going to do Quickie but figured it may be a little off-color, and I didn't take the photo
So I submit Quintuplets for your Q viewing pleasure!!!
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I have my 3 Marissa from Maine, Darcy in California and Channon in Virginia. I am not sure when I will be sending out your gift but it will be when you least expect it, Now don't forget to post it to your blog and find your 3.

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If you missed my little doll shawl in THE DAILY KNITTER remember they archive them for two weeks (so click the link below) or for the pattern click the link on the left.

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Where is everyone? Comments have taken a nose dive in the last few posts. My 2nd year blogaversary is coming soon and I am toying with ideas for a contest, and for prizes, if anyone has any really good suggestions please let me know.

Work is very slowly progressing on Mystery Shawl 9 I don't even know if it has a real name yet, and the Ice Queen---loving the Ice Queen more at the moment, but I doubt either will be done by the end of the olympics ---4 out of 6 WIP isn't too bad .

KNIT ON

My Own Personal 10 on Tuesday

Tuesday is usually 10 on Tuesday but I am not a huge Olympic follower and I can not think of the 10 greats Olympians ever although I do remember names like Greg Luganis, Mark Spitz, Michael Phelps, Olga Korbut, Nancy Kerrigan and Scott Hamilton. So I am doing my own 10 on Tuesday

1. Another shot of Lake Erie, above from Cleveland

2. What Olympians I mentioned above

3. Yesterday was a particularly horrible day with 3 bad panic attacks and 5 severe bone crushing leg cramps---my hormonies are once more in an uproar (and yes that says hor moan ies like the aunt in Big Fat Greek Wedding)

4. I am on my next to last project for Ravelympics

5. Tom is in a post vacation depression and sore from not working for 4 days.

6. Jeannie is moving out of our complex and into a whole different town

7. While we all anxiously await for Tom to block Alison I thought I would fill you in on a few of the details. I did design her myself -- with the wonderful inspiration of Alison Jeppson Hyde, thus the name, The yoke is in a stitch called Fleck, and the body is in easy lace pattern. I will knit it again soon (aka after Ravelympics) in a solid because I think it will show up better, although blocking will definitely help. The Yoke was done on size 6 US needles, the body On size 8. there is a picot bindoff. The yarn is Opal Sock in Neon Lollipop and used about 750 yards. Its going to be lovely just like its name sake so check back after next weekend and hopefully it will be blocked.

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8. Meme:

Nan at Nannybird Crafts well she tagged me with a little MeMe, and also gave me an award I want to share and pass on, first of all the MeMe:These are the rules which need to be passed on:1). Link to the person who tagged you on your blog.2).Post the rules of the tag on your blog.3).Write 6 random things about yourself.4).Tag 6 people at the end of the post.5).Let each of the people know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.6).Let tagger know that your tag entry has been posted.

1. I had meningitis as a 6 week old infant


2. I won the American Legion Award in 8th grade


3. I won the History Award in High School


4. I was a VIP Seller of Longaberger baskets from 1998 to 2003


5. I have an uncanny knack for directions

6. My first dog ever was a beagle named Flipper, my last was an Akita named Brindle.

Tagged: Darcy, Nichole, Leslie, AllyB, Alana, and Kathy B (all of their links are on the left)

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9. An award

These are the rules:1).Paste the award logo onto your blog.2)Add a link to the person who nominated you.3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs ( a bit tricky this bit).4)Put links to your nominees.5)Leave a message to your nominees about the award.

1. theRainey Sisters

2. Passing Down Crazy

3. Arabian Knits

4. Musings from a Knucklehead

5. Baa Baa Black Sheep

6. A day in the Life of 5 3 1

7. Ann in Vermont

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10 Another Award

Here are the rules as taken from Allison Boon's wonderful blog(and JenW also gave me the award - go visit you'll love it.Please take accept this award from me and ...1. Please put the logo on your blog.2. Link the person from whom you received your award .3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.4. Put the links of those blogs on to your blog.5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them!

1. Cassady

2. Ellen

3. Jennifer

4. Trish

5. Bets

6. Melanie

7. Tea Mouse

KNIT ON

PS Go see Holly's first lace shawl!!!
PSS Dee from The Daily Stitch --- where are you, my link to you doesn't work anymore!
PSSS I was selected to day on the DailyKnitter
check it out before the day is over!

Pay It Forward Revisited

Anyone remember this from last August, I thought since its been a year I would do it again and wonder this year who the first three people from the old USA (hate to be cheap but postage is ridiculous) to sign up will be. last year I did washcloths this year I think I will take my time and be a bit more ambitious!!!

"It’s based on this movie with Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey in it called ‘Pay It Forward’. With all of the things happening to me these days, I thought it was exactly what I needed, something entirely positive.
How many of you out there have had a chance to watch it? I myself have not. So I guess I need to do so. But anyway this is what the PIF Exchange is all about……(Copied from Jen W's blog, which was copied from Pony Knits blog which was copied from…..you get the picture---the links don't necessarily work the whole post was copied from last year ) “Here is how it works! I’ll 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…LOL… but you will receive it within 365 days, that’s a promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog…”So the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog, I can’t wait to see who you are! I have some great treats in store for you all, just you wait and see!"

Knit On

Manic Monday # 130

Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?

Traveling back to Germany, going to Ireland and Tuscany---the first reason is money, the second, the fear of flying

If you could make any fictional character come to life, which one would it be?

Skye O'Malley from the author Bertrice Small---that lady had some great adventures, intrigue, sexual and familial----she was a survivor, it took 7 books for her to finally die and her family went on for 6 or 7 more!

If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be and how long would it take you to spend the $10,000?

Raymour and Flanigan---I have wanted a bedroom set that matches and is beautiful for 35 years so I would buy that and a beautiful recliner. Probably less then hour!

Name three things you wanted as a child but never got.

My own beautiful bedroom furniture (so make the above post 53 years)

a Ken doll (I had Barbie and Skipper and Scooter but no Ken)

and new clothes instead of the neighbors hand me downs. (and a 4th would be the painting of White Castle in Verona---I have asked Santa for that for Christmas since I was a teen but still no luck)

Whoa I am pathetic

Home Again

We had a good trip but it was fast, we didn't sleep well, I am so exhausted I can barely string a thought together and right now when I should be sleeping I can't

Bill and Gail live about 27 minutes outside of Cleveland, in a beautiful development. Its just the 2 of them and one dog (who was not at all happy we were there) and 2 cats (who live in the master bedroom suite only) and they have a huge beautiful home. From the way they and Tom's folks talked we thought the yard was much bigger but it is average sized an very tastefully landscaped. They are on a cul-de sac and have wonderul taste in decor. Gail is into clean clear lines but she likes Victorian too so lots of silk flowers everywhere and some wonderful Kinkade paintings, it was all very well put together. I only had true envy once, and that is their TV A hugeplasma or whatever, with surround sound and such a sharp clear picture. We spent Friday night at Bonefish Grill (no sushi this weekend) and then their house watching Transformers, we spent Saturday watching TV then we went to see Lake Erie, we drove by the Browns and the Indian's stadiums and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I loved going out on the pier at the lake although the walking was very hard on me, and I even had a panic attack but luckily only Tom knew, then we went to Hard Rock Cafe, and the food was so good, we were so impressed. We went back to their house and watched Shooter and I am Legend and then called it a night. We left early yesterday and stopped at Perkins on the way home for breakfast and then Tom slept all afternoon, I dozed and knitted and caught up on my soaps from Thursday and Friday, we had pizza for dinner and that was about it. Tom is convinced we will go back again soon but if we do we find another hotel. Even though we were on a no smoking floor the hotel reeked of smoke and pets and the air conditioning was faulty at best, we sweat and were just so uncomfortable more like allergic then anythng, and definitely not enough noise. From now on we need to put a fan in a bag and bring it with us when we travel

Oh yeah we had perfect weather the whole 3 days, they said we would hit rain on the way out Friday but not a drop, anywhere at all. The temperatures were quite cool for the most part and there was a constant gorgeous breeze. '

I came home to my computer acting out again, but I did a system restore on it and right now its okay.

On the knitting front I finished the Alison Shawl I have been designing and the blanket for Megan. I have a little less then one more week of the Ravel/Knittinglympics and a shawl and a hat to do.

before and after

Little Friday (right Chan?)

Ravelympics/Knittinglympics Object 2 finished --the dress for baby Grace due Sept 5th, just needs blocking and buttons. 4 skeins of baby Georgia, size 3 circulars and dpns, elimated the collar and did the same sleeves as JenniferC on her baby dress, fast knit really, enough extra;s to break up the SS, but I think if I make it again I will put an eyelet row between bodice and body and thread a pretty ribbon in.
Found this at Michaels yesterday when I went to get the size 3 DPN's Thought it was appropriate for a knitter!

Summer of Yarn Love Swap package # 3 and the big reveal was mailed today along with another package for Hope Lodge. Tom is home today, a bonus day off. He tells me to go on about my business as if he wasn't here and then sits and talks my ear off about philosophical things, right now he went to clean the bathroom --he means well but drives me nuts!! nuts I tell you.

Tomorrow early (as Cass likes to say ---at the ass crack of dawn) we will be in the car for an 8 hour drive to Ohio to visit his sister who we haven't seen in 5 years. We will be home Sunday afternoon early so a whirlwind trip

I won't be blogging again until Sunday, and hopefully will have a couple of finished objects for the 'lympic events. I am getting to see my first ever Great lake and Cleveland ---Cleveland Rocks!!!! Any good yarn stores in the area? Have a great couple of days and I will catch up on Sunday.

Knit on.

Insert Your Own Title

I typed up and sent off the pattern for the Flowers Vines and Hearts Shawl, it will be test knit and then if they like it, it will be published as a freebie on their site. I am keeping my needles crossed that it works out just right!!

Part of my Ravelympics/knittinglympics WIP Wrestling Projects is a shawl I am designing called Alison--- I like it, I am through the yoke and into the body, easily memorized patterning, also good for the upcoming 7 hour car drive so it will go in the bag too.

We never did get to the store yesterday for size 3 dpns, why ----he fell asleep. I am sure you have all heard of the statement PICK YOUR BATTLES, (in fact Alison above had a post recently titled that) I learned this a very long time ago---with him and with the kids and for the most part it has always worked. But sometimes I have to bite my tongue to keep from asking some questions

Like:

Why is his version of cleaning the kitchen heaping everything into a huge pile in the sink when the dishwasher is empty or has dirty dishes in it and he can add them too it?

Why if he is the last one to use the bathroom before we go to bed can't he turn the nightlight on?

Why does he throw all of his loose change on any table he sees when the bowl where we keep loose change is in plain site?

How can he watch the same movie every night but can't sit through a commecial at all?

All trivial, all not worth mentioning and possibly upsetting him but every now and then they do consume me, trying to think of the answers.

~~~~~~~Master Blocker cooked last night, after his 3 1/2 hour nap ---he made grilled salmon with Tiger Sauce on it (bottled) and grilled pineapple with harvest grain rice, he also poached another piece of salmon for salmon salad sandwiches and made a carrot and daikon salad to go with that. I love the carrot and daikon salad at the Sushi restaurant ---they serve it as a garnish with the Shumai and I always ask for extra so he decided to make it at home. And yes the Peppers in the previous post he made too. I can COOK, I am a very good cook, I was a food editor for many years of TASTE OF HOME but its something he just took over because he decided he is a better cook----another one of those pick your battle things, but sometimes I miss some of my recipes. I am a hale, hearty, hearth and home cook and he is a bit grandiose but its always palatable so I can't complain unless its about all of the dishes in the sink.

Oh well---enough husband bashing, we all know I still think he is a keeper, but today he was also great blog fodder.

KNIT ON!

Ten on Tuesday/ABC Along 2008 P is for

Ten On Tuesday ---- 10 Favorite Villains from the Movies

1. Ricardo Montalban THE WRATH OF KHAN

2. Wilford Brimley THE FIRM

3. Kathy Bates MISERY

4. Glenn Close FATAL ATTRACTION

5. Alan Rickman DIE HARD

6. Gabrial Byrne END OF DAYS

7. Faye Dunaway MOMMY DEAREST

8. Louis Zorich FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

9. Lional Barrymore ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE

10. Al Pacino DEVIL'S ADVOCATE

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ABC Along 2008 P is for Peppers
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Knitting Content/Health Update

I finished the body of the baby dress, I have to get out today and buy size 3 dpn's for the sleeves. I have every size but....... I still shouldn't drive so I will wait till Tommo gets home which should be early and we will go get them but things are improving. This is good for many reasons-- one is I have to sit and type a pattern for a company and haven't been able to yet and of course the fact that it really can stop, after 62 days I was beginning to worry it couldn't! And yes I am on iron supplements which bring a whole 'nother category of problems with it!

I put aside the afghan to bring with me when we go to Ohio, I know the pattern inside out in my head so it will be easy car knitting and sitting at Gail's house knitting, so now I am working on the 2 shawls.

Our first morning in the 50's in a very long time!! Of course its only temporary but delightful none the less.

Knit On.

Finished Objects and Manic Monday

first ravelympic project finished NEREIDES with picot edging
hat that went to Nichole
not finished but well on its way, afghan for niece's birthday

I also put in a good effort on the baby dress and have reached the bodice, still have 2 shawls I haven't touched but I will perservere

My health issues appear to be resolving, anyone else out there dealing with menopause, and the unpredictability that brings and still has their uterus as I unfortunately do Raspberries are a wonder food for regulating hormonal health, between raspberry tea, the actual fruit and raspberry acai juice I have had significant improvement, of course the feet up bit hasn't hurt anything either. I did go out last night for a couple of hours to see the sister recovering from the hysterectomy, she had a laproscopic procedure and has a couple of tiny stitches. Have I mentioned I envy her. The doctor said though that there is a good chance I will never have one, because charity care doesn't usually cover it unless my immediate health is in danger, sometimes it s*cks to be me!

Manic Monday
Fillins!

How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you? A large fluffy woman with greying hair and a youthful face and gorgeous blue eyes, always smiling!

Do you trust anyone to protect you? Absolutely, my husband, I'd like to think my children, a couple of my sisters. who and Why? Who I answered why well he loves me and has always protected me, I hope thats the same for the others too!!

If you died or went missing, who would miss you? I am pretty positive TOM would, and my friends at the Spa especially Denise, and my cyber friends--especially all of my knitting buds. Every place I have ever eaten at I have become really good friends with all of the wait staff and bus boys, etc. I always figured when I die all the diners etc would close so they could all come to my funeral. ('cept my final plans include no funeral)

off to my version of the Ravelympics, there is knitting to be done!