Snaps for the Kidz

Me and my brother wilin' out at the Kanye concert. Yessir.

Been Writing.

Yes, it is ridiculous right now. Don't even ask me what I've been away so long doing. I have no idea- the time has been occupied somehow. So sad. I go to Cali in four days too. I wonder how many posts I can get in from here til there to feel better about myself- lol. I have been writing a lot lately; just not on this blog. I have not been knitting or crocheting so much. I stare at my beautiful yarn almost everyday and think of the stuff i could knit but i don't. I think i got a little burnt out so I've been burning myself out writing poetry, "short" stories (50 pages so far) and lots of journal entries/devotions and blog entries on bodybuilding.com.
I have no idea why I have so much to talk about. I am not working, been only just a tiny bit social, doing only a handful of stuff most days but I am full of words apparently. I haven't even been watching movies like I usually do (though I do have some backlogged reviews that I need to post on here).
What's funny is that I'm not one of those chicks that always has something to say...out loud...verbally. I don't always want my voice to be heard and I'm not always the one shouting out my unwarranted opinion to people. I'm pretty good at keeping things to myself but wow, I realized (I guess I knew it before too) that on the inside my thoughts are constant they are overwhelming. I feel everything and anything provokes or inspires my.....words.
And it's not like I have an extensive vocabulary. I like to look them (words) up in the dictionary but I couldn't really tell how much of a variety of words I truly remember to use--somehow the ones I do use come out in different combinations and life is ok. I guess using the same words repeatedly make things sound like me. Those special times when I can remember that new snazzy word I looked up a day ago I feel like "oh, no don't hurt it with the flava girl..." I'll read my special combination of new worlds real proud like.
I've written so many words and I feel fulfilled but hungry to write more at the same time. I write them any kind of way, avoiding most set rules yet with my own special set of regulations and pet peeves to avoid. I listen to other peoples words and wonder how they would sound in my own story. I've written words I'd be embarrassed for others to see while being vulnerable to maybe the only person who truly knows inside of me. Freaking words....
Anyway, movie posts later today or tomorrow other stuff to follow...holleration.

What a day

Boy today has been crazy. I have been on the go basically the whole day. I got in both my work out sessions and got my cpr/aed certification. Going thru that class really just hit me in a real emotional way. I really pray that if I am ever in that situation that God gives me the courage to do what I need to. I've never been a flight type of person in the past but I did get freaked out in the class once we started doing the compressions and I realized how easy--almost default it was to break ribs. Better broken ribs than unfinished life right?
Anyway, I got my taxes done today. What a freaking hassle. I got my Dexter swap package yesterday and have been dying to take pics and tell y'all about all the cool stuff I got. I didn't have much time today so I took my items with me to the tax office and took pics while I waited. I know those people thought I was crazy...whatev.
My swap partner is the absolute best. Everything she sent me was so thoughtful, snazzy/cool, and just plain great. I had so much fun with this swap. I can't wait to do the next one. This is def. my cup of tea as far as the knitting community swaps and KAL's go. Anyway without further ado...

My partner made me the coolest bag. I will have to take another pic so you guys can grasp the full scope of things. Nevertheless, its the coolest bag with little skulls all over it. Definitely my new knitting bag-permanently

Check out these stitch markers! They are body parts and the fingernails on the hands are even painted just like the ITK's victims. Note that the hands are black! love it.

My partner included a custom pouch that had not 1, not 2, not 3, but FOUR skeins of custom dyed merino wool (worsted-my favorite) inside. Do you know what colors those are? Ice Truck Killer colors my friends

Here's a shot of the other cool stuff that was in the package. She made me a custom Dexter flip book that included quotes and stickers from the show. She even sent me the barbie head keychain (in sistah version). Also included were cool stickers, a notebook, mints, earrings, not to mention a really heart felt and lovely necklace.

it's been a minute

I haven't forgot about ya'll over here. I've got 3 nearly finished objects and some stuff i can hardly wait to cast on for....just been busy over here.
I've finally gotten myself back on track over here. I'm exercising, eating right, studying, doing work to sell the house, visiting/traveling, and just getting myself together mentally/spiritually/physically. It's all good over here.

Girl put your records on

I don't know if I mentioned it here- probably not considered how I was out of blog mode for so long, I got a record player for Christmas. If you haven't somewhat guessed I love music. I mean LOVE it. I pretty much love all kinds of music too although old school jazz, blues, classic r&b, and 80's music hold a special place in my heart for some reason. Anyway, I ramble. I got a record player for Christmas. I informed my honey that I wanted to get into collecting because it's just my style. It reminds me of my childhood, now, don't get me wrong, I'm not that old and we had one of those big ol floor stereos with a tape player AND record player but I definitely remember my mother playing her Sade or Earth, Wind, and Fire records and my uncles DJ-ing and myself as a kid looking through several crates of hundreds of cool covered records while Luther or Atlantic star played in the background. I remember hanging in the basement searching through my uncle's crates of records just to see what he had. There is just something so authentic and organic and soul stirring to me about records. It makes me think of Smokey Robinson and Barry Gordy writing songs and cutting records at the hit factory in Tamla Records (I wrote a report about Motown and Barry Gordy when I was in the fourth grade)- what exciting/frustrating times they must have been. It makes me think of my mother. I know who she is through that music…through these records.

Anyway, you'll be seeing records make an appearance from time to time now and here's a couple that I found with Gudo and Weet a few weekends ago.

From L to R: David Sanborn, George Benson, Eagles, Compilation record w/ Ross, Stevie, and 'nem, Luther, and Smokey & the Miracles,.

How could I

have forgotten how great exercise feels and how important it is to my overall mental health? I have been so DOWN in a big way and getting back on the exercising has worked wonders for my mental state in just two pathetic days. I'm not blazing through two miles or bench pressing 100 (yet) but man it felt good just to go on a little walk/run and be out and a part of the Earth today. I did it in the morning too...my favorite time. I'm breathing deep today.

News Report from Dexter Swap

This is totally awesome and really made my day- morbid but the truth. I'm loving this swap!
I didn't know how to put the video on my blog so here's the link to a special report from my Dexter Swap Partner.

I don’t see nothing wrong…

..with a little leopard skin

Y'all can call me tacky if you want to but I saw this ribbon at Michaels and I couldn't pass it up. I was going to go all fancy schmancy to some superior and uppity ribbon-notion shop and pick out a couple of feet of the most exquisite imported black and white ribbon or maybe something else that was silk or embossed with diamonds and 14K gold and platinum (every time you come around my city BlingBling). But then I was in Michaels looking for tags (I'll tell you about it later) and happened to look at some of the ribbon they had just for giggles and I not only thought it was cute but it spoke to me. Maybe it's my way of paying homage to my sister…she loves leopard she even has a leopard baby bag (and it is actually very chic). Anyway, I figured it would all be hot when I wore my leopard earrings (yes I said it; I ain't never scared) and black pencil skirt and sexy peep toes- holler atcha girl- I mean seriously what are the odds of finding a leopard skin anything that matches those earrings so perfectly? It's like trying to match denim from memory (not that you should be matching denim….)

Mine as well face it I’m addicted to yarn..

sangin' "Mine as well face it I'm addicted to yarn…."

Clearly I can't be too ashamed of all my recent yarn purchases because I still have a mind to buy more. There are a couple of projects that I want specific yarn to knit with and not compromise. I bought myself one ball of Rowan calmer yarn back in the day when I saw the yarn harlot in Atlanta. Now I want to knit Hike out of Rowan mag #37. It requires like 11 or 13 balls. That's well over a hundred bucks for a sweater and I would have to sew in a zipper (not a good look). Also, I know that Universal tunic from this past Knitscene would be looking mighty fine too. I want to try the yarn they're hollerin' about in the pattern because I've heard good things about it. At least that yarn isn't too far off the charts in affordability (I found it for $4.99 at Royal Yarns online).

Then I've got all these other yarns that I'm constantly hearing about that I'm actually thriving to try out (but won't be because a sister does not have ends like that).

1. Dream in color smooshy,
   
2. Malabrigo,
   
3. Sundara (never gonna happen)
   
4. Scout's swag yarn.
   

I already know that Lisa Souza is no joke because I bought it for one of my swap partners a while back and almost couldn't give it up. Anyway, I know what I can afford though and that is $8.50. (I spend that at Panera in a day and I could definitely go without that for at least a day)Anyway, that's how much it costs to sample four yarns a month from the Yarn a Month club. I tell you what else doesn't sound bad either is a 6 month or one year subscription to Elann's little yarn sampling operation because I think the bottom line of all of this is I'M ADDICTED TO YARN. I had managed my addiction quite well for some time but now that there's a little extra $$ up in this mickieflick and no supervision…you know the rest.

I think a sister has some things to think about….