Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Sockret Pal Questionaire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The basics:
How long have you been knitting? I’ve been knitting for almost 2 years.
Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep? I knit my first pair of socks this August, so I’m a very beginner but I’m pretty comfortable with it!

The measurements:
While your pal may ask for some additional info to ensure a great fit, please provide your shoe size, or any other fitting related info you think is pertinent.
Size 9 foot, I’m not a big fan of pointy socks or long socks. Most of my socks are ankle length
.
(fiber related) Favorites:
What colors do you love? I love all colors actually. I guess I would not prefer neon colored socks however unless the colorway was just too cool to pass up.
Do you prefer solids or variegated? I’m a big fan of variegated yarn because of the wide variety of colors and I am a color fanatic.
What fibers do you most love to knit with? Cotton, wool, superwash is amazing; merino- I’m not picky
Who do you consider your favorite yarn vendors? I like sweet Georgia yarns, I’d like to try Trekking XXL, I like lorna’s, Koigu is amazing; I haven’t tried Lion Brands magic stripes yet.
What projects (other than socks, of course*S*) do you most enjoy knitting? I like knitting tanks or sweaters in the round. I have also knit quite a few pair of mary janes in Noro yarn. I love that stuff

(fiber related) Dislikes:
What fibers can you not stand to knit with? To wear? I am not picky; haven’t discovered anything horrible yet (well, I’m not a big fan of fun fur and most novelty yarn because I don’t know what to do with it...)
What colors would you never wear? I wear everything; I don’t have the “some colors wash me out,” problem so I’m pretty adventurous the only objection I have is to like seriously acid neon colors (it’s gotta be pretty awesome for me to go there)

The Tools:
Plastic or Metal? Bamboo or wood? I knit my first pair on pony pearls dpn’s and loved it.
Circs or Straights? I knit my first pair on tiny size 1 straight pony pearls but eventually I’d like to try knitting socks on circs or using the magic loop method (No, I am not currently equipped to do so).
DPNs or Magic Loop? (see above)
Are there any knitting accessories you don't have in your collection but would like?

The Extras:
Do you have a wish list? If so, please share the link! No wish list
Do you like sweet, sour or salty? (or all of the above? *S*) I love nuts! (get ur minds out of the gutters) I mean peanuts, cashews, pistachio’s, almonds, walnuts, pecans etc. And I don’t care if they are smoked, honey roasted, salted, all natural/organic (my favorite), chocolate covered, etc. etc. I also really like runts, pixie sticks, banana laffy taffy, gum- etc etc.
Do you have any allergies your pal should know about? (Certain foods, smoke, pet hair, etc)
Favorite scents? Scents you can't stand? I love anything coconut, pina coloda, or tropical scented. No allergies that I know of.
Do you collect anything (other than yarn and knitting toys of course)?
When is your birthday? (month and day is fine!) Sept. 30th
Do you spin? Dye your own yarn? TBD :-)
Your favorite author/band/vacation spot, anything you think will help your pal know you better...
I love going to tropical places to vacation; our last vacation was to Hawaii. I’ve been to Cancun, Mexico twice, Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, St. Thomas, and Anna Maria Island-Florida. I love the sunshine and summer. I love to swim/be in the water. I love going to new places and discovering new cultures; eating new food etc.
I like almost all kinds of music. I know way too much 80’s music for someone my age. I like Mary J Blige, Aerosmith, old Guns n’ Roses, India Arie, Yellowcard, Linkin Park, Tupac, Nas, JZ, Omarion, Danity Cane, Pink, Switchfoot, Pigeon John, Fred Hammond, Crystal Lewis; I guess it’s easier for me to say who I absolutely don’t like: Eminem ( Stan was disturbing but clever), Marlyn Manson, Britney spears( I did like Toxic though).
I read a lot of poetry, I like the Harlem Renaissance era. Langston Hughes is great. Recently I’ve read books by Pearl Cleage and Judy Blume (it was different reading an adult book by Judy Blume; she was my favorite when I was a kid)
I read a lot of fitness mags and books too. I will be studying to get my personal training certification soon. Weightlifting has become a passion of mine; running ain’t so bad either!

Monday, September 25, 2006

Top 9 (because Top 10 is so cliche')


1. Been working slowly but surely on the Danica scarf. I hate weaving in ends-obviously this was not a very smart project choice. Whatever.....

2. I knit 3 dishcloths. These are for Meme (Hubby's grandma on mothers side) for Christmas. I just need to find some cute soap and call it a day. I signed up for the dishcloth along but for some reason I don't think I'm hardcore enough. Those people are pushing out the dishcloths like, "whoa!" I've got sets of 3's to knit for another grandma and like 3 aunties on my hubby's side of the family. These were quick so it's cool.

3. I still need to turn the heel of my 2nd ankle sock for my MIL. I decided that I'm going to rip and redo the heel of the first sock too. Mainly I didn't like the ribbing- it was too tight. I also thought my wraps were a little ugly in a couple of spaces and Wendy has inspired me not to be a slacker. I might include just a tiny bit more rib work too. Can't wait to have these over in the done pile.

4. Matty leaves on Saturday. We celebrated my birthday early this past Sunday and it was wonderful. We ate at Mike's American Grill. I had a 7 oz filet steak and crabcake with a salad. Not exactly on the diet but not so bad either. I'm going to miss my honey but I'm a lot better than I was. I'm kind of excited about the prospect of him coming home to a new me when he's done with this first camp, which brings me to #5.....

5. I'm still dieting and exercising for my show and I'm doing amazing (if I don't say so myself). I've got a little over 7 more weeks to go. I'm terrified that I won't make it to be were I need to but I'm content in the fact that I've done the absolute best I can possibly do and the progress I've made has been amazing. I see my nutritionist on Friday and I'll probably be giving updates then.

6. It has been killing me not to buy new clothes and new yarn. I use to believe I was an emotional eater and shopper. But now I'm convinced that these are simply just activities that I enjoy...a lot. I like to shop if I'm happy or if I'm sad it really doesn't matter. I also realize it doesn't matter a lot what I happen to be shopping for- I even like shopping for groceries (I do favor shoes, clothes, & yarn the most) I've made a lists of boots/shoes, yarn, clothes, accessories. I believe I have a problem. I haven't shopped in a while and I'm scared the binge is going to be horrendously beyond ugly levels. Let's not even go there on how tempting it is to buy some new things when you know you'll be wearing a smaller size but the the little voices in the back of your head keep reminding you that it would be a pointless waste because common sense tells you that you'll be losing more weight...such an inner struggle....Hmmmmm, except for on shoes and accessories- they always fit. Hmmmm

7. I'm turning 26 on September 30th. I'm almost 30 dudes. Thirty used to seem a long ways off but now it's only four years away. I think I'm suppose to be having some kids soon or something. Hmmmm
PS.--I think I'm going to be ok with 30; I feel like I did when I was 20 only better. Plus, this chick is a lot older than me.

8. I cannot wait to quit my job. The people I work with are great, that part of leaving will be devastating. I've been working there for over 7 years. BUT I'm tired and I'm ready for something new. Hmmmmm, Personal training anyone?

9. This is a basket full of the yarn I'm supposedly knitting Christmas gifts out of. Talk about stash busting! I'm feeling a little anxious about my Christmas knitting list. Maybe I'm not being reasonable about this. No, of course I am. Crazy girl, don't doubt yourself.....

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Hey everyone!
I haven't fallen off the earth and I haven't been drowning in depression over my hubby leaving. Been a little busy but still managed to make a little progress on things here and there. I will post more later this week.
BTW, I usually try to comment back to everyone in the comment section. There reasoning for this is pretty much because I'm being lazy and this is the easiest method for me. So check the comments if you're looking for responses from me, K?

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Moment of suckage

I may have mentioned that my Matty (honey/husband) is going away to military training on my birthday (Sept.30th).
He graduated from college in May of this year and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Army. He has been Goldbarring (recruiting) at the college he attended until he could make it to BOLC II (Basic Officer Leadership Course). BOLC II training is located in Ft. Benning, Georgia. I will be moving down to Georgia at the end of the year. He will be attending several training schools after BOLC. His training schools won't be over until around summer of next year and then we head off to Vicenza, Italy!
Now Italy, I'm pretty excited about- Georgia not so much. Actually, I have nothing against Georgia, it's just the initial leaving my house, (we own it and put a great deal of time and effort into making it our own) leaving my friends and family, and leaving my way of life that is freaking me out.
I actually do pretty good with change and I am definately the type of person who tries to suck things up and not whine about them. I'm actually a pretty tough cookie if I don't say so myself but on the inside I have to admit there is a tiny part of me that is in an uproar over all the change.
Mainly, I don't want to be without my honey. There is that weak part of me that wants to throw myself around his ankles and scream, "DON'T GO HONEY!" :-( I feel like a bad wife, I know it's his dream, I know it's his job, I knew and have always known what we signed up for. I'm partially a military brat myself. I fully support him and his goals and I'm very proud of him and I want to be 10000% supportive but I'm having a moment of suckage here. I'm pretty much being selfish and whiny. Stay tuned tomorrow for something better than this; dude, I totally feel like I want to go buy something new or eat something...LOL.
No worries, I won't.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Got my ColorSwap Pkg!


Look at the cute earth tone themed packaging. Of course with my love of receiving things in the mail you can only imagine my excitement to receive a package on Saturday morning. Here is what was inside:


Sock Yarn! Chocolate! Beads! Buttons! Sock Help (Lord knows I needed those) Novelty Yarn! Soft Bijou Yarn!



Could I use this for that anthropology inspired shrug? I've been wanting to knit it for some time but couldn't decide on a yarn. This may be a winner. It has little flecks of gold in it and I have a broach that will set this baby off perfect if I do make the shrug...things that make you go HMMMMMMMM..... You can see my very bountiful bag of glass beads in the background ever so slightly; I can make about a ton of stitch markers with all of those. It will give me plenty of opportunity to get better at it, I'm still chuckling at the sight and drama it took me to make my very first ones (lol sorry Anne you were my guinea pig!)


Now looka here...I know I shouldn't have this stuff in the house- I'm begging for trouble but look. Those raisinets have less fat in them and dark chocolate is actually good for us now. Surely these treats in moderation won't be the end of me! Abigail you've spoiled me girl. That dark chocolate was the best I've ever tasted (promise I only had a tiny bit)
Thank you so much Abigail. It was a blast colorswapping with you. August went by so quick but surely we'll be seeing each other around the blogosphere and of course we'll keep in touch! Thanks for all the wonderful treats!

Thursday, September 07, 2006

O Happy Day...

Oh happy daaaa-e-yay....when Jesus washed
(choir sings softly) ....when Jesus waaaaashed
He washed my sins away
I'm talkin' 'bout a happy day!

.....What? Have you never seen Sister Act?

It does seem that whenever I'm in a good mood or something good happens I end up busting out in song.

Today, I got at the very least a pound of alpaca in the mail from Kristin. I won a little contest she was having over at her blog last week. Now mind you I don't have a wheel or any of that jazz but I do have a drop spindle that I have been "GETTIN' IT" on whenever I have the chance. It will take me many moons to work a whole pound of soft luxurious alpaca out on the spindle but ask me if I care....
See, see my alpaca?
I've never known a love like this. It is sooooooooooo soft.
Iono, I might just have to take a spinning lesson or two. O, and it's smells REALLY good- really good. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Thank you Kristin. You have given me a happy day; especially after interval cardio training and pop squats! :-(

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Apparently, I'ma sock knitting pimp....


I not only turned the heel I finished the sock!
I have to admit it was touch and go there for a minute but the short row heal came out pretty good.
As you can see this is just a little footie type sock so I only knit 1 inch of ribbing. I love the length and theY fit like a dream. The only problem is that it's a little tight to get into. I may have to rework the bind off in larger needles. The good thing is that now that I've knit one I am fully confident I can do the other and make improvements- I feel like I know what I'm doing now! :-)
Since this sock didn't have much ribbing I actually had quite a bit of my one skein of Lorna's left. I'll see how much it takes to knit the 2nd sock but this might be the case where I can knit two pair from these two skeins. How awesome would that be...I mean, with all my trying on of the sock I came to like it quite a bit...why not have a pair for myself? ;-)

BTW, I LOVE knitting from the toe up. I did it!
(Better pic when I can get hubby to shoot some for me. I took others but they were all awkward looking...)

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Will I be able to turn the heel? I'm kinda nervous....