Friday, December 28, 2007
What I Got For Christmas
My brother and Carla gave me a tea kettle with apples painted on it. I think that was probably a little bit more than a stocking stuffer, but maybe they were figuring that if each of them had given a $6.00 item it would have made up to that. Anyway, I really like it, since apples are the motif in my kitchen. They also gave me a bottle of their home made wine.
My brother Ross gave me a set of very nice salad spoons from Ikea.
My brother Robb gave me a really good quality can opener. He was over for Thanksgiving and had had to use my crappy can opener. Next time he can use this good one! He also added a few nifty $1.00 sewing toys.
My mom gave me an insulated lunch bag. And a box of flavored herbal tea. And a pair of socks. And $30.00 to buy something I wanted.
I took that money and bought a cute Christmas tea pot (on sale 75% off) and everything I needed to make myself a rag rug for my livingroom.
That's a list of things I got. Material things. The real gifts were the hours I spent with Ross wandering around downtown Fargo looking at the cute shops that have started down there. It's the relief that all the family members got along for 6 hours. It's being sad that Gina, Bill and Abbey, and our nephew Joshua couldn't come because of bad roads in the Cities, but happiness that they were able to get back home safely after nearly going in the ditch several times. It's watching the old home movies from thje 50s and 60s and hearing my mom say "Oh, that's your Cousin Sophie" and "Do you remember your dad's Uncle Joe?" Stange, look how young and attractive my parents were before they had 6 kids. It's the look of interest and appreciation on Carla's face when the kitchen cordial book was unwrapped. Why is it that the least expensive gift is always the favorite? I had debated whether or not to give that little book, since I had picked it up for 99 cents in Canada. Same thing happened a couple years ago when I gave Ross a 25 cent cup with a goat on it. It just goes to show that it's not how much money was spent that makes a gift special. It's how well it matches the recipient.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Happy Dance!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A-Ha! Success!!
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Knit News
Monday, December 03, 2007
I Can Smell!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Autumn Carolinas Finished!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
A Whole, Glorious Week Off
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Breathing -- Is It Too Much To Ask For?
I was doing pretty well until the middle of September, even though I lost my sense of smell last summer. At first I thought my misery was allergy related. Although I'm not really allergic to anything except mold and cats, it was a bad allergy season and my ENT once told me that I was probably sensitive to various things. In October I was using my albuterol inhaler 4 or 5 times a day. I was coughing loud enough to wake the dead. My nasal passages are swollen shut. Every now and then I blow a large, dark thick wad of something disgusting out. What fun. My head hurt. My throat was sore. Well, when I called my GP to make an appointment I found out she is going to another clinic and won't be seeing anyone there until the 1st week of November. So I went to another doctor at the clinic and she said it didn't look like a sinus infection. I asked for a Kenalog shot and she said she didn't give out steroids for any reason. She perscribed Singulair for my wheezing. Well, that was really good. I don't wheeze much anymore. But it cost a lot and did nothing for anything else. Now my gums ache and I just want to be able to breathe through my nose. Really, I'm pretty sure it's a sinus infection. After 15 years and $75,000 I consider myself an expert. I called my ENT for an appointment. The earliest opening is Dember 13. Good grief.
So next payday, when I can afford it, I'm going to see if I can get in to see my regular doctor and get taken care of. She'll give me a kenalog shot and some antibiotics that might help.
Sometimes life just sucks, ya know?
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Autumn Carolina
Saturday, October 13, 2007
I've Been Busy!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Baby Sprout Hat Free Knitting Pattern
BABY SPROUT HAT
1.5 – 2 oz bulky weight yarn (I used Lamb’s Pride Bulky)
Set of 4 double point needles, size 11
Yarn needle, scissors
Cast on 48 stitches, divide onto three needles, 16 stitches per needle. Join.
Knit every stitch for 4 or so rows. This makes a rolled brim
Purl 1 row to keep the rolled brim from rolling too far
Knit 10 or 12 rows. It should be maybe as wide as your palm depending on baby’s head.
Purl 1 row
Knit 1 row
Purl 1 row
Knit 1 row
To make crown:
Row 1: Knit 6, knit 2 together. Repeat. You should have 42 stitches left
Row 2: K nit
Row 3: Knit 5, knit 2 together. Repeat. 36 stitches left
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit 4, knit 2 together. Repeat. 30 stitches left
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: Knit 3, knit 2 together. Repeat. 24 stitches left
Row 8: Knit
Row 9: Knit 2, knit 2 together. Repeat. 18 stitches left
Row 10: Knit
Row 11, Knit 1, knit 2 together. Repeat. 12 stitches left
Row 12: K nit 2 together. Repeat. 6 stitches
Row 13: Knit 2 together. Repeat. 3 stitches left.
Work 4 inches of I cord
Cut yarn, and thread it thru a yarn needle. Pull through hat at the same place as I cord begins to make a loop and fasten off. Weave in ends.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Gimli Was Great
I taught a sock knitting class so the Baby received a couple baby socks too. I wasn't surpised that Ceri caught on right away, but I was pretty impressed with Ravenna, who hadn't knitted since she was eight, and had never purled, or decreased before.
The only thing that would have made the weekend better would have been seeing more friends, some of whom had to cancel due to money or passport issues, and others were having fun at Travis and Jen's wedding.
Now it's back to work. We are once again strongly encouraged to put in 10 hours of overtime a week, although we are not required to put in more than five. Sigh. Well, it means some larger paychecks, and that's always a plus. And it's only thru Sept 30. So if I can just hold on that long, I can have Meritcare Clinic, Mayo Clinic and one of my credit cards completely paid off by by October 15. Well maybe not one of the credit cards. Still, I'll be furtbner ahead than I was. It just means I don't get to go to Coronation this weekend, or CeCil's Siege, and that's a bummer.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Marvelous Day!
Hamburgers were great. And my oldest brother has a peach tree that had a bumper crop this year, so we ate those for dessert. I doubt that peach trees are all that common in North Dakota, but I could be wrong. These peaches were quite small but very juicy and soft, and so sweet they didn't need sugar. Yum. Then all four of us (me, my mom -who could care less about baseball- my older brother Steve and my youngest brother Robb) headed out for the RedHawks baseball game. It was a good game. The opposing pitcher took a no-hitter into the 9th inning. Our pitcher did a decent job, but gave up 6 hits that translated into 4 runs. Then we had a very exciting rally in the bottom of the Ninth, with some close plays. We got 2 runs, which was exciting, and lost by 2 runs which was disappointing. Still, a very good game. The weather continued to be cool, probably in the mid 70s, with a light breeze and overcast skies, so that was nice too.
As soon as the game was over I drove immediately to Island Park to hear the Jazz In The Park Concert. I got there about 15 minutes after it started and had a bit of trouble lugging my chair, blanket, purse, knitting bag and two bottles of water from the parking lot, through the park to where my friends had set up their chairs. Boy, I could tell right away that they weren't my SCA friends, because not a one of them offered to help me get my stuff settled. I had called from the parking lot to ask where they were set up, and one came out to lead me in, and never even offered to carry any of my stuff. Hm. Like I said, I could tell right away that this was not an SCA event... But it was a really nice concert. I liked all the music, especially the first band (I missed half their set, pooh). The park was beautiful
And now I'm home, kinda tired but still so happy that I had such a good day. I'm really bad about getting out to see friends and doing things with them. This is something that my counselor tells me I need to find a "happy balance" of. Some time for me, and some time for friends and things outside me. I tend to be a home body and once I get home from work I'm too tired to want to go out. I am one of those people that enjoys my own company and I can happily spend days at home reading or writing or knitting. But when my friends do things without me I tend to feel left out and pout. Which makes no sense, really, since when my friends call me up and invite me over I often say thanks but I'm too tired.
But this weekend I've been a good girl. Yesterday I spent several hours devouring Stephenie Meyer's latest book Eclipse, (that counts for "me" time) then had a church friend and her daughter come over in the evening to work on a knitting problem, and then out all day today. See? Balance.
I'm bushed!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
It's Too Hot To Wear Wool Socks
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
My New Job
First of all, my access to the computer systems was changed so I could access more systems. Unfortunately, a goof was made, and I had no access to adjust claims at all. It took them two days to fix that. Since the other regular corr girl is on vacation this week I have to learn my new job and continue to do my old job. Of course, that's pretty tricky if you can't use the computer. On Tuesday morning I was hustled into a company wide meeting for writing documentation. It will be a year long project, and the group had begun their training last week. I had been told that I would be working with that. But since I had missed the previous training meeting I was totally lost. Way to make a good impression, huh? I'd like to blame my team leader for not sending me to the training even tho I wasn't officially in my position yet, but I suppose she has to follow the rules. Got access for the computer back today. Gee, I'm only about a week's worth of work behind, plus I have my new job to learn... Tomorrow I get to go to another meeting that is run by someone who really doesn't like me. I bet I'll have a lot of fun there.
I'm figuring that I'll end up really enjoying this new job. Once things get settled down I'll catch up on what I'm supposed to be doing. Meanwhile, I really need to knit. And maybe spin a bit too. I want to make a baby sweater out of this really nice alpaca top that I have half spun up. A baby girl can wear brown can't she? You betcha.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Cat Box
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Baby Socks Are So Cute!
A friend of mine is having a baby any day now. She was actually due on the 4th of July, so it really is any day now. All of us friends are checking out email every hour or so, hoping for news of labor. It's possible that she is more anxious than we are...
I knitted a pair of baby socks for her. Rotten pic, I know. The toes are a bit more pointy than I had planned for them to be, and they probably won't stay on. Baby socks never stay on. I'm about to start a matching little cap, but I was hoping to find out if it was a girl or a boy, so I would be able to decide on a lace bonnet or a little stocking cap. They think it is a girl. But if I make a little lacy bonnet it is sure to be a boy. So I will wait to start. It's a quick project either way.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Moorish Tavern
I love henna. Of course, when I got to work on Monday morning at 7 am I had a voice mail from HR telling me I had an interview for the PA position I had applied for that morning at 8am. Hm. Wish I would have known that before I put on a pair of capri pants and a T-shirt... And of course I had to explain about the henna to them, which led to a discussion of the SCA. It helped to break the ice, but I'm not sure it did my job search any good.
I wore my new Viking apron dress for the day on Saturday and found out that the two front panels were too narrow. So I guess this coming weekend I'll be sewing a new one. Darn. I just finished the Byzantine tunic for Andronikus today (it looks really good, by the way. Wish I would have taken a picture before sending it off with Hrodir)and I was sort of looking forward to not having to sew for the SCA for a little while. But we have the Viking demo on July 21--Yes, the same day the last Harry Potter comes out. Oh, the pain. I'm giving my old dress to a new lady in our shire, whose father is a wood turner and is going to make me another spindle in exchange. Good deal, I say.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Too Darn Hot
It's not that I want winter back. Really. I like not having to bundle up or driving on ice or shoveling snow. I would just like to feel comfortable enough to be able to enjoy a hot cup of coffee.
Off to try to get some work done.
Anyone know how to get sweat off a keyboard?
Monday, June 18, 2007
Works in Progress
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Harry Potter Trivia
"Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies."
This was a tough one! At first I thought it was Dumbledore who said this. A friend suggested Lupin, and I thought that was it. Remember after Harry saw a vision of his dad and Sirius being mean to Snape? I remember that Lupin had said something rather wise to Harry then. But no. This was said by...
Voldemort!!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Hogwarts Trivia
Trivia - May 27 through June 2
Who are the two people speaking in this quote and what book is it from? 5 House Points to those who post the correct answer to their blogs.
"I'm not trying to say what she did was sensible. I'm just trying to make you see how she was feeling at the time."
"You should write a book, translating mad things girls do so boys can understand them."
This is Ron and Hermione, from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Book 5
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Stars & Moons Socks
Monday, May 21, 2007
Hufflepuff is losing!
Here are a few pics from the movies: Mad Eye Moody--creepy looking feller, what?
Viktor Krum and Hermione. Sappy sigh. I love Viktor Krum and the way he falls for Hermione. The big lunk.
Harry Potter Trivia
Violet
2. When the Fat Lady was attacked by Sirius Black and fled her portrait, who took over for her as guard of Gryffindor Tower? Sir Cadogen
3. Usually when Harry is in Dumbledore's office, what are the portraits of previous headmasters doing?- Snoozing
4. Which one of the Triwizard champions did not go to the World Cup? Fleur Delacour
5. Who did Harry give his Triwizard winnings to? Fred and George Weasley
The next two are anagrams. Rearrange the letters to get the correct words.
6. Live gong cram la man (two words) Give up
7. Owl or video I'm no good at these things
8. What author's name appears on the book "Quidditch Through the Ages? Kennilworthy Whisp
9. What does the Keeper do in a game of Quidditch?- Guards the goal-
10. In the Goblet of Fire why did the Mad Eye Moody imposter put Harry's name in the goblet?- He wanted Harry to be killed during the tasks-
Sunday, May 20, 2007
The Neighbors
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Hogworts Trivia
#1What's the name of this potion?This potion has the colour of molten gold, and while exposed to the air, large drops will leap like goldfish above the surface without spilling. Felix Felicitous (Good Luck Potion)
#2Which book is this line from?"Harry and Cho were now too embarrassed to look at each other, let alone talk to each other; what if Ron and Hermione started going out together, then split up? Could their friendship survive it? Harry remembered the few weeks when they had not been talking to each other in third year; he had not enjoyed trying to bridge the distance between them. And then, what if they didn't split up? What if they became like Bill and Fleur, and it became excrutiatingly embarrassing to be in their presence, so that he was shut out for good?" I think this must be book 5
#3Who utters these words?"Oh I am glad I'm not on duty. I wouldn't fancy having to go and tell the Irish they've got to stop celebrating." Mr. Weasley
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Reading Romance
No, not really. Not in love or happily ever after. For one thing, the warrior prince beats her. Repeatedly. Not a spanking. NO. Chains her to a post in front of his merry men, tears off her clothes and whips her until blood runs down her legs. My. How romantic. No wonder she falls for him. How could she possibly resist such charm? Especially since that seems to be his response to her every defiant act. Of course, he weeps while he does it. He thinks it hurts him more than her to whip her, but it's all for her own good, to teach her to love him. uh-huh.
After six month of marriage he decides that she is obviously barren and since he needs a son to rule after him he is forced to take a second wife. She weeps and begs him to not abvandon her bed. He beats her. Yeah. True love, without a doubt. At the end of the book he is is killed in battle and the princess drinks poison so she can be with him forever. Unfortunately, she doesn't die. The poison was switched and she is smuggled back to her homeland where she falls into a decline until she finally decides she must live to find her slain love's reincarnated soul and be with him forever.
Good grief. There are to be sequels! Apparently in each book she will find a man who holds the soul of her beloved prince. She will fall in love all over again.
Gag me. Don't think I'll bother to buy the sequels. The author does not deserve to rewarded for this trash.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap Underway!
Trivia Questions:
"You will have your reward, Wormtail. I will allow you to perform an essential task for me, one that many of my followers would give their right hands to perform..." Who is speaking? 5 House Points Awarded
VOLDEMORT
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Being Positive
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap Questionaire
1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Hufflepuff, which is sort of convenient, since gold and black are also the colors of the kingdom of Northshield.
2. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. I prefer shorties, especially in the Bryspun size 2 & 3. Also the Brittany 1, 1.5 and 2. Nothing wrong with clover size 4 & 5 either. Living here in North Dakota means that a nice thick pair of worsted weight socks are very welcome, especially when you walk to work when it's 20 below zero. But I also like finer gauge socks too.
3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? I would LOVE to try some Addi's, size 1 or 2 in the short 4 or 5 inch length. But they are not cheap, and I don't expect anything that expensive.
4. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference? Nope. Hufflepuff.
5. If your pal decides to send candies or chocolates are there any that you don't like? I love jordan almods amnd turtles. And milk chocolate is my favorite.
6. What are your favorite scents? I really enjoy vanilla or sweet floral scents.
7. Do you have any allergies? I'm allergic to cats, dogs and aspirin, but since I doubt my swap partner will be sending any of those it shouldn't be a problem. :)
So that is my questionnaire. I hope it's lucid enough, dear swap partner, for you to understand.
Friday, April 27, 2007
My Inner Daemon is Albus (as in Dumbledore...?)
Please follow the link and take the quiz so I can see what sort of inner D I have.