Today's quip from Thoughts for a Good Life
The day you do not sweep your house, unexpected visitors will come.

Boy, they hit the nail on the head with that one.

Weekday Burnout leads to a Restless Saturday
After going at a furious pace all this past week, I've come to a complete halt today. I can't seem to get up the energy to do anything---I've gone from reading to knitting some socks to cleaning the linen closet to taking the dog for a walk to working on the handle for Suki to fixing some windchimes that were broken in a Spring storm earlier this year. Now I'm overcome with need for a nap. Phil Collins is singing "In the Air Tonight" on the stereo. It's only (ONLY?) going to hit 80 degrees today, which is close to perfection (which is, in my opinion, 72F), and it would be perfect to go for a drive, but the car is still in the shop. I've gone through some of my yarn stash. Yikes. So many odds & ends. I found some baby blankets of the boys when cleaning out the closet. Dear, soft little blankets. Should I keep them? Save them for grandkids? Give them to a shelter? Do you ever get entirely tired of making decisions? The voice inside my head says "Now Kim, you're talking Communism here," but that's not what I mean. It's tough to explain. Maybe I'm just lonesome. Don't get me wrong---this isn't a pity party. Maybe I just need to shut up & knit. Thanks for listening to my disjointed chatter. You people are a Godsend.

a big leap for gibknitkind...
After Alissa's words of encouragement, I took a big leap. I've now got a shop at CafePress. How weird is that??

Thursday night with the boys
They go back to their dad tomorrow for their week with him. The house goes from complete chaos to silence. Good thing I've got some knitting projects lined up, eh? I'm going to get a handle on Suki this weekend if it kills me!

Car Talk
Todd from the garage called today. He's been inspecting my beautiful little car. Let's see...I think his precise words were "this is a very interesting machine you have here." Hmmm. Seems that there are 4 bolts that bolt the differential to the drive train. Two of the four were gone. Long gone, he said--there was dirt in the holes where they had been, so they've been gone awhile. And the other two? Well, seems they were three threads away from being gone as well. Holy toledo. Seems Gib narrowly missed having one helluva mechanical mishap while zooming from one end of town to the next. Thank goodness for that angel on my shoulder.

Thought for today
It is good to rub and polish our minds against those of others.

Suki Closeup
I've not been able to get to the store for the snaps I want for Suki's handles, so it is still handleless. Now that Sandy has put handles on her Suki I'm feeling a bit of pressure....!

Here is a closeup of the whole bag and the D-hooks--click on the pictures to enlarge them, and you should be able to see the slight color variance and the way the wool felted around the hooks. I love the way it turned out, and I'm ready to start the next one! I'm not much of a striper, but I'd like to figure out a slip-stitch pattern or some sort of plaid--I think that would be cute. Any ideas?

From Thoughts for a Good Life
Life is a voyage that is homeward bound.

Memorial Day Madness
The day started out innocently enough. The boys were sleeping in, so I got up early, showered & foo-fooed, and hopped into the Beemer to go to a neighboring town & get my nails done. An hour later with beautiful, fancy nails I got back into that adorable little car & headed back home, stopping off at Walmart to get some milk & donuts for the boys. It was only 10:00 am, and I was feeling great about not having to go to work, humming to myself and looking forward to having family & friends over later on that day. Putting the milk and donuts in the back seat, I get behind the wheel of my new-found mechanical soulmate and turn the key. Click-click-click. No vroom-vroom. I tried it again. Click. Click-click. #@!&. I tried two more times. Same result. So...taking the milk and the donuts, my purse and my daytimer (yeah, I'm one of those who carries that thing everywhere), I begin hoofing it towards home, which was just a mile away. No biggie. Uhhuh.

I get home at 11:00, after having crossed several high-traffic roads (we are NOT a pedestrian-friendly area), and being stopped by one lady asking directions to a place I'd never heard of before, even though I grew up here. The boys were up, and still in their jammies, playing Playstation. They missed me terribly, I could tell. Michael took the donuts from me, Joey took the milk. I thought they were being chivalrous, and was kind of proud of them for a moment there. Then Michael grabbed one donut, shoved the whole thing into his mouth, took another, hopped over the sofa and started playing the game again. Joey patted my back and told me good morning before grabbing two donuts and heading back to the playstation. (He's not quite a teenager yet, so he still has moments of kindness towards his mom.)

Turns out the car needed a new battery. To try and condense an already long story, I bought a new battery, had my dad install it, and got home by 1:30. The boys were still playing on the Playstation. The donuts were gone. The milk was almost gone. And there was a whole 2 1/2 hours until company arrives. Thankfully the folks coming over have known me my whole life, so I didn't feel too much pressure to play Martha the Hostess with the Mostess. Thank goodness, becuase they wound up with Glib Gib, the Girl with the Grill. It's a good thing.

So what does this all have to do with knitting? Nothing! That's exactly the point....I didn't get to knit ALL DAY.

Today's Thought
It is hard to put old heads on young shoulders.

Speaking of which....

Suki Stories
What *is* it about Suki and kids? The first thing Michael did when he saw the bag hanging on the statue was take it off & put it on his head. Sandy's son Derek did the same thing! They're hilarious. (You can see my lovely statue in the picture too---the bowl was *perfect* for placing Suki on to dry!)

When Joey saw me brushing the felted hat he asked if he could do it too. He happily brushed away, saying he was "just like a haircut person". Let's hope he doesn't get out the scissors.

Home for the holiday
Today is Memorial Day in the States, a day in which we remember those loved ones who have gone before us. There is an old cemetery up on a hill here where 4 generations of my family rest. It's always interesting to go up there with the boys & talk with them about our family history---the little that I know of it. What really surprised me the first time I took the kids up there was how interested they were in the stories. They were quiet and respectful, but truly interested. I realize now how important it is for them to know where they came from. It seems to give them a sense of belonging. Then later on this afternoon it's barbeque time. The whole fam is coming over and we'll cook up some steaks and chicken. Which makes me wonder--how do vegetarians have barbeques??

Suki all felted up
After sewing the D-rings about 2" from the top inside edge of Suki, I tossed it into a pillowcase, tied it tightly with a rubber band and agitated the heck out of it for about 20 minutes in hot water with a dash of dishsoap and a four pairs of my boys jeans. It turned out wonderfully! The blue and black variances are very muted. I love the effect.

The black eyelash yarn that I crocheted to the top edge of the bag came partway undone--I must've missed tying a knot somewhere. You can see the a strand hanging from the bag. I'll cut it off when it's all dry.

It's a nice breezy day so I thought I would dry Suki outside. I have this rather dorky garden statue of a cherub holding a bowl (what the heck was I thinking when I bought that thing, I have no idea), and the bowl is a perfect size for hanging the bag on, upside down. After fitting it onto the statue I brushed it out with a stiff natural bristle hairbrush, removing the little fuzzies and pieces of lint from the outside of the bag. I've not done the handles yet (ala' Sandy-a), but when I do, I'll crochet them onto buckle snaps using a double strand of the black Cascade 220, then felt them & snap them onto the D-rings in the body of the bag.

From the book Thoughts for a Good Life, published in 1959
Too much idleness fills up a man's time much more completely, and leaves him less his own master, than any sort of employment whatsoever.

Suki progress
Last night I stayed up late and finished Suki. Today I'll work the strap, and get some D-hooks to stitch into the body, then it will be time for felting. Woohoo! I'm hoping you're able to see the color variations in this picture (click to enlarge it). I love the way it's turned out, and can't wait to see the colors once it's felted.

Today's Thought
None is fool enough to choose war instead of peace. For in peace sons bury fathers, but in war fathers bury sons.

Somber thought, especially considering current events.

Cross-Country Book Swap
The mailman brought me a wonderful package from Sandy yesterday! Inside were two..count'em TWO books and a *surprise* lovely skein of Opal sock yarn. Yipppie! Thank you so much, you sweetie, you! Apparently the mail service isn't quite as efficient going West to East as it is from East to West....because I mailed your book a WEEK ago. If that isn't enough to hack a gal off, I don't know what is. It's on its way, Sandy..honest! Oh, and Kerstin? Your editor wanted me to tell you--the royalty check is in the mail.

Suki Progress
Suki is sailing right along. Since I'm not changing colors there isn't much for me to worry about, other than slipping or otherwise messing up a stitch. I'd take another picture of it, but the colors are so dark that I'm not sure you could see it. Did you see the last one, Pioneer Gal? Probably not! Well fire up that solar power generated computer system that you have, girlie, and adjust the settings! Okay, maybe that won't help. The colors *are* pretty dark. More photos to come--maybe the rest of you can see the color variance.

From the "I know I shouldn't blog this, but...." files
All the schizzolating that was going on yesterday was providing plenty of comic relief throughout the day. There was also one nagging thought I couldn't get out of my mind. Remember H.R. Pufnstuf? Well, for awhile yesterday, in my own little world, I was I.M. Gibnshit. Fitting, no?

Shizzolated Thought for the Day
Remember that da sky is not less blue because da blind mutha does not see that shiznit n' shit.

Yeah, I know, it's a repeat from May 20th. But I had to use it again, know what I'm sayin'?

Suki so far
Click on the black box at the left, and you'll see a larger graphic of my tweedy Suki. If the larger graphic still looks like a black box, for heavens sake, adjust the brightness setting on your monitor! :) I love the way it looks--I think it will be very pretty & subtle when felted. I'm still hesitant over the black eyelash on the top edge--I'll crochet some in before I felt the bag, and if I still don't like it, I'll rip it out. I've also got a different idea for the handles, as I'm a utilitarian kinda gal, and like metal rings and hooks n'shit. (Sorry, I couldn't resist). So instead of sewing the handles in, I'm going to stitch in two D-rings prior to felting, crochet a wide strap out of the black Cascade 220, attaching a snap to each end, and then felting the strap. When both are done...snapping strap to the bag. Voila! That shiznit will look bomb diggity, indeed!

Thought for Day
The old age of an eagle is better than the youth of a sparrow.

Almost-immediate gratification
The Fiber Trends hat for Russ is all knitted up. Can you believe it? I love this pattern--after taking a few weeks to make an ugly sock, it feels great to start and complete a project in just a few evenings.

Starting Suki
Hooray! My Suki yarn from Threadbear came yesterday! I'm going to work one strand of each color together in a houndstooth/herringbone kind of pattern. It'll look very cool when felted, I think. Can you see how vibrant the blue is? When worked with the black, it'll really stand out. Hmmm...wonder if I can call in sick today. Heehee. Nah. It'll wait until tonight.

Checking my calendar.....happy Thursday, everyone!

Thought for Today
Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing.

Ain't it the truth!

Too Ugly for the Beav.
Well, one of the Cascade Fixations socks is done. Now I'll freely admit that I'm not a small gal. But this sock...falls down around my less-than-svelte ankles. It's real comfy, though, even if it looks a bit like a Christmas stocking. Sheeeesh. Looks aren't everything, right? Hmmm. I always fall back on that saying when I've messed up my knitting. Maybe I should use "practice makes perfect" instead. So, to get some more practice I'll finish the second sock using the #4 (US) DPNs that I used on the first, and the remainder of my Cascade Fixations yarn. Then I'll tuck them away for chilly days. Perfect!

Hat again, hat again...jiggity jig.
Last night I worked up 13 rows on a felted hat for my brother Russ. I'm using a Fiber Trends pattern and Brown Sheep Company's Lamb's Pride bulky in Grey Heather. It works up very quickly on size 11 (US) bamboo circulars. This hat is being made at his request--he saw the first felted hat that I made, and he had to have one. I'll give it to him fresh from the washer so that he can form it himself. He wants to use it as a 'funky mountain hat'. For fishing, hunting, and other generally masculine recreational activities. It'll look great on him.

Performance Anxiety
Thanks to all the well-wishers regarding my performance review yesterday. Things went better than I thought they would. Whew! I've not been putting in all the overtime this year that I did last year (trying to have a life, you know), and I was worried that it would have a negative effect. Turns out I was worried for nothing. PLUS....I found out that I am being sent to Las Vegas for FREE...yes folks, all expenses paid, by a software firm that I've done some work for. They are having their big expo shindig down there this summer, and they're paying for my flight, my lodging, registration, etc. How cool is that?! Woohooo! I hear there are some *awesome* yarn shops in Vegas! Yeah, baby!

Wise Words for Today
Remember that the sky is not less blue because the blind man does not see it.

Toe Troubles
The first Cascade Fixation sock is nearing completion. There's a bit of gaposis on the right side of the toe decreases. I'm not sure what I did--the light where I was working last night wasn't so great, and I was tired, so I was trying to zoom along as quickly as I could. I would rip back a few rows, but I've done that once with this sock, and getting the stitches back was a real bear.

Daphne had a great idea of knitting both socks...on two sets of DPNs, and switching back & forth between the two. Why is it that the simplest ideas escape me? That's defintely what I'm going to do with the next pair! Hmmm. I'm looking at the picture of Daphne's Fortissima Mexiko socks, and they look so nice and even. My Cascade Fixation sock is rather wide and loose. Do you have to use a tighter tension when knitting with yarn that contains elastic? I know, I know, I should've swatched first. The sock fits me---and feels great. It just doesn't look so terrific. Oh well, onward and upward, right? I'll just keep these socks for myself. :)

Morning Breath
What on earth prompted me to schedule a 7:00 am dental appointment to have my teeth cleaned today is beyond me. Then later on this morning I have a performance review at work. UGH. I want to stay home under a blanket & knit. Okay girl...up & at 'em!

Thought for a chilly Monday
Monuments are superfluous: our memory will endure if our lives have deserved it.

Ready, Set, Rip!
The pink ribbon yarn tank is a no go. I ripped it out yesterday. I'll try it with a different yarn someday. It's a great pattern, and if any of you are working on it (I remember that some of you had also printed the Shapely Tank pattern out), please let me know--I'd love to see the result!

I've turned the heel and finished the gusset on the Cascade Fixations sock. Now I'm racing down the foot, hoping to finish up with it tonight. Then I'd better cast on for the 2nd sock right away, or I'll never finish it. Too bad 2 socks can't be worked at once. Hmmm. If I had a super-duper sock machine like SOME people I know, I wouldn't have to go through this torture! Actually, it's not *that* torturous. There are just other projects I want to get started on, doggone it.

One-half of the Garden Tour
Springtime is in full bloom here in southwestern Idaho. In keeping with several other blogging buddies, here is a portion of my lawn & garden tour. Only the front lawn for now, as I haven't had the time to put the page for the backyard together. There really isn't much to my lawn right now, but I've received some serious inspiration from Pioneer Woman's garden, so I'm hoping to make some real improvements over the summer months.

From the book Thoughts for a Good Life, entry for May 18th:
Take care of the minutes, and the hours will take care of themselves.

Creative Saturday
Yesterday was a busy day, full of creativity and energy. I got a lot done. The Cascade Fixation sock is coming along rather slowly, because I've been working on outdoor projects while the weather is good. I'm using a pattern from Michele Wyman's Classic Beginnings Socks for the Family with a 2x2 rib for 2 1/2", then a leg pattern of knit 4 rows/2 rows seed stitch repeat. I've got a ladder going where my needles come together, though. I should have moved a stitch from one needle to the next with each round, like I did with the Araucania. But this yarn is so elastic, that I guess I worry about stretching it *too* much (how weird is that?). Anyway, the pattern is great--the author does all of the math for you when calculating patterns based on shoe size. And oh how I love the yarn---this stuff is really great to work with, and I can't wait to feel the socks on my feet. Ahhh, the luxury!

My second project yesterday was a beaded wrap bracelet using a variety of glass and metal beads, and stone chips. I think it turned out nice. The memory wire is simple to work with, and it went pretty quickly. I think this would look smashing with a white cotton tank and jeans.

Mr. Right Into My Heart
My man came to the fabric store with me yesterday. He was so patient with me as I wandered up and down the aisles, taking my time and admiring different fabrics. He gazed at me adoringly when I took him into the yarn section. And when the clerk told me the total of my purchases, he blinked not once. His smile was genuine and steadfast. He is SO the man of my dreams.

Thank you everyone, for your car congratulations! I'm still breathless everytime I look at it. I took a drive yesterday, and found myself grinning the entire time. I feel another drive coming on today. My hands are itching to grip that wheel. Have a terrific Sunday!

Rethinking the Shapely Tank
When I started out working the Shapely Tank pattern, I thought it would look great in Berroco Zen pink ribbon yarn. After having worked up 10 rows or so, I'm thinking that yes, the tank in this yarn would be beautiful, but not on someone with my build (think Rosie O'Donnell). SO...I'm going to take back the remainder of the Zen and maybe pick up some dark cotton instead. OH well. It was nice while it lasted!

Tattoo You
Alllrightie. Someone seems to think that I would look good in purple. Well....who am I to argue?

Quip o'the Day
He prepares evil for himself who plots mischief for others.

Hear that, Pioneer Troublemaker? Heheheeee....

It was fate.
While I consider myself to be a pretty down-to-earth person, there are a few things I'm a bit of a snob about. I like my wine from a glass bottle with a cork. To knit I prefer bamboo needles to metal or plastic. And I like European cars. For years, I've admired little old BMW's and Volvos from afar. Until yesterday.

A friend from work and I were driving to a pizza place for lunch. Apparently we hadn't been to this particular restaurant for awhile, because a big "for lease" sign hung in the window. So I turned around in the parking lot and went down another road...one block over from the main street we'd driven to get there. While listening to my friend chatter away a cute little white car caught my eye. It winked at me---I swear, it winked! It was parked in an empty lot near the railroad tracks, with a sign on it that said "$1399---123-4567". Turning into the lot and parking next to the little car, I grabbed an eyeliner pencil out of my purse & scribbled the number on the back of a scrap piece of paper. We got out & inspected it. The body looked straight---the paint was good. Pressing my face against the passenger window I saw that the upholstery was in good shape, too. I had to drive it. When I got back to work I called and made arrangements to drive it later on that afternoon.

Our office closes at 4:30. I usually leave around 4:50 or 5:00. Yesterday I was out of there at 4:29, and met the gentleman who was selling the car. He handed me the keys & told me to have fun, and if I liked it, he'd take $1200 cash. Wow. (His eyes, by the way, were incredibly blue). And 'have fun' is just what I did! It sputtered and puttered a few times, but it felt solid and safe around me. I'd found my automotive soulmate. The car knew it, too. I drove straight to the bank & withdrew the cash from savings (drained it--ack!). Today I got the plates & the insurance. We're ready to roll, baby.

Sharin' the love
And now, a little gif-t for my dear blogging buddies. In 3 sizes, even! Wow, how cool is that? Hope you like them. Use them as you wish, just don't link them from my site--right click on them & select "save as" so you can upload them to your own server. Why am I doing this? Aw shucks...ask Kerstin. She knows.

Today's Thoughtful Quip
He has a very hard heart that does not love in May.

The end of a long search
Yesterday was a big day for me, having found and purchased something I've been searching for for years. I'll have pictures of my find tonight. This morning I've got to rush to work, and figure out what I can sell to help pay for this thing. :) Happy Friday, everyone!

A thought for today:
Marriage is a lottery in which men stake their liberty and women their happiness.

Don't look at me---I don't make this stuff up.

Suki yarn is on it's way
Five years ago I was the manager of the Customer Service department in the life insurance company I work for. It was the job from hell. Customer service and life insurance---can you imagine? Don't try--think of something pleasant instead. So anyway, my point is that ever since my service experience I've been ultra-sensitive to the level of service I receive from stores and salespeople that I deal with. I ordered my Suki yarn from Threadbear Fiber Arts Studio, and I've got to tell you---I'll defintely do business with them again...and again. Matt was so very helpful, and went out of his way to email me with information. His helpfulness was a breath of fresh air to this rather cynical, hardened consumer! Thank you Matt!

Oh! This means the UPS man will be stopping by soon. Muuuuhahahhaaa!

From Thoughts for a Good Life, circa 1959
What the superior man seeks is in himself: what the small man seeks is in others.

Slip sliding away
This weekend I had a great time working on a slip stitch sampler from my Knitting for Dummies book. Here are pictures of both the front and the back of the sampler--click on them to see a larger version. It was also my first time working with a chart, and it turned out to be *so* easy. The results look pretty complicated, but it really wasn't.

Mid-week Madness
The office is gearing up for a big Board meeting next week. This means the tension is high and folks are crabby. I've talked at length with Mr. Right about going to work so I can stay home and knit, but so far he hasn't been real responsive.

Thought for the day
Give us grace to listen well.

Hmmm. Nice thought. I'll carry this one with me today.

Cascade Fixations Sock
Is it just me, or does everyone knit sock legs inside out? I seem to do this until I begin working the heel flap, at which time I turn it right side out. You probably can't tell from the picture (I left it inside out just in case you *can* tell). The other 3 socks that I've made look okay, so this technique doesn't seem to effect the outcome of the finished product. But when I start doing more intricate sock patterns, will working inside out cause a problem?


Shapely Tank
The Shapely Tank has gotten started. The pattern was created by Joan McGowan-Michael, and I found it on the White Lies Designs site. and I'm using that wonderful Berroco Zen ribbon yarn I bought in March. It's amazingly easy to work with--I thought it might be slippery, but it's just fine. I'm using #6 (US) and #5 (US) Boya needles, and so far, so good. It's been awhile since I've knitted on long straight needles--I've been working a lot with circulars & DPNs lately, so this is a nice change.

Does anybody really know what time it is?
According to my spudwatch it's Tuesday. If that's really the case, then I'm taking the boys to see the movie "Holes" tonight. If it isn't Tuesday, then I'll just pretend that it is.

Today's Thought
If you would be loved, love and be loveable.


blogging and the well rounded knitter
Knitting provides a great deal of satisfaction and relaxation for me. It does not, however, define me. It's only a small facet of who I am. When I write to my blog, I write about many things, including knitting. If no one chooses to read it, that's okay. This isn't about building a quarry of readers. It's about sharing experiences. And in the process, I've obtained inspiration and friendship from a great group of knitters who also have many different interests. How cool is that? So if you've come here and are disappointed not to read only about my knitting projects, take heart. You'll find what you're looking for somewhere else.

New Beginnings
This weekend I ordered my yarn for Suki, and started two new projects. But...I'll have to write about them later, as it's time to get ready for work. AAargh! I officially protest the two day weekend! Have a great Monday, all!

A thought for Mother's Day
A man can become learned by asking questions.

Hmmm. Most men I know don't like to ask questions. That would lead me to believe that....oh well, come to your own conclusion. Ha!

Happy Mother's Day!
Our lives are filled with joy, pain, laughter and sorrow. But heck...all of that builds character, right? Right-o! And believe me....you'll find a lot of characters around here! May you all have a day filled with whatever you desire...and may your children get along with each other, if only just for today!

Toothy Suki?
Hmmm...I'm thinking of a black/blue houndstooth look for Suki...without stripes. This is subject to change, of course...

Unexpected Sunshine
It's been a rough week here, in several different ways. The skies have been dark and stormy, with many bursts of wind and rain. My mood has been much the same as the weather, for several different reasons. But early this morning the storm lifted, and sun has been shining brightly all day. When I went out to the mailbox this afternoon, and saw a parcel sitting atop my mailbox. I thought to myself "it's about dang time those buttons for my sweater got here!". But nope, it wasn't the buttons.

Every now & again someone really surprises me. This particular surprise came at a time when I really needed some good cheer. And good cheer it provided. Kerstin, thank you for your thoughtfulness. Your gesture slapped me alongside the head & made me remember that there really are some awesome people out there in the world. What is this awesome surprise, you ask? What, pray tell, was in said parcel? Michael said it best. "Dude, you got a man in the mail." I laughed so hard the entire culdesac could hear me! What a hoot! He talks! Fear of rejection and emotional baggage not included! But does he pass gas under the covers in bed? NO! Wahooo! Girl, you are what the doctor ordered! And Pioneer Gal, don't you think YOU get off scott-free on this! :) Thank you. So much. I'm simply beaming.

Sunrise, sunset....
swiftly go the years....
Tonight's the big night for Nick and his date, Angela. They came to my house for snacks and sodas before the prom. Angela sat and chatted with us like she's known the boys and I forever. Nick, on the other hand, stood and shuffled. Then shuffled some more.It was so cute. We talked at length about her corsage, which contained an orchid (my suggestion). Neither of them had ever heard of an orchid before. She suggested that we take pictures of him putting the corsage on her, and she pinning on his buttoniere. We all fluttered around, following her direction. It was hilarious.

How surreal---seeing this tall young man in front of me, holding hands with this lovely young woman, and blushing when I told him how handsome he looked. His uncle Russ was there too, and gave him a really bad time. It's hell being 16 and loved to pieces, ain't it?

His dad and I may have had our difficulties, but damn...we sure made purdy kids. Indulge me...just one more pic, okay??

Thought for today:
Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed.

He's a Dandy!
Is it just me, or do a lot of knitting bloggers have pet cats? Cat pictures, lots of cute cat pictures. While we don't have a cat, and therefore no pictures of cats, we do have a pretty cute dog. This is Dandy, our Springer Spaniel. Dandy came to us two years ago. That Christmas our outdoor Christmas lights had been stolen, and I was a bit aprehensive that someone had gotten that close to our house without my knowledge. The search for a dog began. There was an ad in the paper for a Springer, free to a good home. Free? I could afford that, so I called. The gentleman who placed the ad did so because Dandy had belonged to his wife, and she had passed away earlier that year. He wanted to give the dog away because he was such a reminder of his wife, and he had several other dogs. He sounded elderly and weak. How sad...how sentimental, I thought. So I made arrangements to come out that evening and take a look at the dog.

Being the middle of winter, the roads were icy as all get-out. Fourty miles of slippery highway stood between me and this *free* dog. I did what any redblooded woman would do--I called a man to come with me. My brother Russ fired up his old Bronco, and away we went. It was only 8:00 pm, but it was so dark it felt like the middle of the night, and we didnt' find the man's house until about 9:30. When we pulled up, two men were standing outside the home, under a pale glowing light over the driveway. It was so cold out that you could see the steam from their breath. Both were wearing coveralls and baseball caps, and one had a wad of chewing tobacco in his cheek, taking a big spit as we parked. Shades of Deliverance. Under his breath, Russ said, "Geezuz...I'm glad you called me." I was thinking the same thing.

The chewing tobacco-less man said "Hey--you here 'bout the dog?" and without waiting for our answer, gave a sharp whistle. Up bounded this beautiful black & white Springer, barking up a storm. The dog raced right up to my 6'6" brother and stopped in front of him, looking all excited and barking as if to say "wahoo! Let's go! Play with me!". Russ, ever the comedian, bent down to the dog and began a conversation.

Russ: "What, girl?"
Dog: "Woof!"
Russ: "Trouble? You say there's trouble?"
Dog: "Woof! Woof!"
Russ: "Is it Timmy, girl?"
Dog: "Rrrrruff!"
Russ: "You say Timmy is stuck in the well?"
Dog: "WOOF!"

I was rolling with laughter, watching the exchange. Then I realized Russ & I were the only ones laughing. Looking over at the two men...they were expressionless. GEEZ. "So...you want 'im?" Mr. NoTobacco asked. The second man spit again, juicy and loud, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Feeling nauseous, I asked a few key questions about the dog, receiving one syllable answers for each. After a bit, Russ leaned over to me and whispered..."Let's get the dog & get the hell out of here." And that's just what we did, laughing with relief and disbelief the whole way home.

It took a few days, but Dandy bonded with us, and is now truly a Gibson. He's great company when the boys are gone, and oh, does he love it when his Joey is home!

Feelin' Suki
For Suki, I'm thinking of a blue/gray stripe pattern with yarn from Threadbear. Can't wait to get started!

From Thoughts for a Good Life, excerpt for May 9th:
A good laugh is sunshine in a house.

Very appropriate, since my boys begin their week with me tonight. Yes!!

Look Ma, no purls!
While browsing the LYS for Suki yarn yesterday, I found this magical knitting book. Sally Melville's "The Knit Stitch - Inspiration & Instruction". Oh, the things this woman does with a single stitch! I'm a coat freak, and after the Suki knit along I believe I'm going to have to begin work on the Einstein coat pattern in this book. It's very, very va.

Tammy and the Bachelor----NOT!
Ahh, the weekend is so very close. I'm having a little soiree tomorrow afternoon for my oldest son and his date, as they're heading to prom. Nick is a sophomore, and his date is a senior *gulp*! She called me the other day, wanting to stop by and show me her dress. As a friend of mine said, "I want to show you the dress I plan on using to seduce your son." AAAACK!! This growing up thing is spinning wildly out of control! I want my babies back!

Because of my dear, albeit perverted blogging buddies, I am posting an Addendum to Today's Post: I am fully clothed while performing this housecleaning performance. Repeat, I am fully clothed while performing this housecleaning performance!

Today's thought:
Kindness is more binding than a loan.

Voila!
After a few toe-struggles, the mate to my first Araucania sock is finally finished! It feels faaantastic to finish a project--especially one that turns out to be pretty cool. These were my first socks. I used Terri Lee Royea's sock pattern, size #3 (US) bamboo DPNs, and light worsted Araucania Nature Wool. I cast on for the adult-sized sock, but this yarn is a light worsted, and no, I didn't check my gauge first...so....they'll fit 9 year old Joey just great.

June Cleaver had the right idea.
After working in a high-tech job all day, I love coming home and performing simple, mundane tasks (the Muffin of Wonder probably thinks that's about all I can handle these days....ha!). There's something very satisfying about digging in the flower beds, or cleaning the hall linen closet. It feels good to make my house a home. Do I wear pearls while doing housework? You bet--why not make it as fun as I can? It's great to put Robert Cray on the stereo, pearls around my neck, and belt out the blues while dusting, ironing and picking up. I can be anyone I want to be---June Cleaver, Aretha Franklin, or one of Mr. Cray's backup singers--while I sing and dance around the house. Sometimes Joey chimes in too (that kid can dance!), but Michael tends to avoid me during these housecleaning events/Vegas shows. Go figure, eh?

Okay, Buffalo Bob, what day is it today? Thursday! Hoooray!

Thought for the day:
Joy is like the ague; one good day between two bad ones.

Gimme an 'S'! Gimme an 'A'! Gimme an 'N-D-Y!' Rah, Rah, Rah!
Bloggin' cheerleader Sandy has never failed to give me words of support and ...need I say it?....cheer! It's really helped me to stay on task with those Araucania socks (I had to rip back the toe twice last night). It's made a big difference in my knitting exploits...the support & craziness that I find here in these blogs. Thanks, fellow bloggers!

Things at work have been way too hectic, and the stress is doing weird things to my brain. I thought yesterday was Wednesday....I was certain of it until sometime yesterday afternoon. Sorry for the confusion, folks. Seems to me I need more knitting time!

Ya'll have a good one, whatever day it is!

Thought for today:
An indolent man draws his breath but does not live.

Maybe I've brain-purged a few pieces of information over the years to make room for the algebra knowledge that I need in helping my 13 year old with his 7th grade math homework, but I had to look this one up. Definition courtesy of Merriam-Webster OnLine
Main Entry: in do lent
Pronunciation: -l&nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin indolent-, indolens insensitive to pain, from Latin in- + dolent-, dolens, present participle of dolEre to feel pain
Date: 1663
1 a : causing little or no pain b : slow to develop or heal
2 a : averse to activity, effort, or movement : habitually lazy b : conducing to or encouraging laziness c : exhibiting indolence
synonym see LAZY
- in do lent ly adverb

You can pick your nose, and you can pick your friends...but you can't pick your friends nose.
Picking up stitches is something I'm not yet comfortable with, and I find myself putting down the socks I'm working on when I get to that point (I'm the Queen of Avoidance). While surfing last night I found an animated graphic showing how to pick up stitches along a slipped stitch edge.

Is it Wednesday already? Where does the time go? It's cloudy and rainy here--perfect weather to stay home & knit. But...dang...I've got to get ready for work. Enjoy the day, everyone!

Today's thought:
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.


A great big Happy Birthday
To Melissa at Loose Ends! She's got one of the cutest blog buttons around...those bunnies are adorable. Have a great day, Melissa!

Knot my thing
The second Araucania sock is just about done--I stayed up late last night working on the gusset. I sure love the way the Araucania wool feels, and the color variations in the yarn. Fun, fun, fun! I haven't casted on for the second bulky sock yet--I need to get another skein of Woolease, and will cast on from the new skein. I don't want to have to tie on & wind up with a big knot anywhere in the sock. I struggle with knots.

It's a good thing, Martha
Last night I had dinner with some friends who have a farm West of town. In their living room sits the spinning wheel that my friends husband gave her for Christmas several years ago. It gathers dust, as she is always running the kids to & fro, and is involved in a myriad of other activities. That's one thing about my having a week at a time without my boys---I have quite a bit of time to play with my yarn. And that can be a really good thing!

It's hell getting old
Especially when you just can't see those stitches like you used to, unless you work on size 15 needles with bulky yarn. I graduated to bifocals two years ago, and I got new cool frames last month. You can click on the picture to see the whole face version of the picture, smudgy bathroom mirror & all...Ugh! I chose the lined biofcals, because I like to know where the reading area begins and where it ends. Plus, if I tilt my head from one side to the other, it's kind of like playing one of those airplane video games--you know, the ones where you are the pilot looking out over the horizon? Yeah, I know---it doesn't take much to amuse me sometimes.

Thoughts for a Good Life
In a recent visit to my favorite downtown used book store I found a treasure (for $2.00!!). A small book titled "Thoughts for a Good Life", published in 1959 by Peter Pauper Press. It contains a thought for each day throughout the year. Here is the Note prefacing the main content:

Because this is a time when so many
are led by their cravings for easy money,
easy pleasure, and easy living, it is good
to be reminded that there are other ways
to live, and to think about life.

This little collection of thoughts for a
good life is therefore dedicated to those
who still believe that the right way to live
is by simple honesty and charity, love for
one's fellow man, cheerful responsibility and work.


I would like to share each day's thought with you as the year progresses.

Today's thought for May 4th: A happy heart is better than a full purse.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just call me Ol' Square-Toed Gib
One of the bulky socks is finished. Most of it is just as I wanted it to be---heavy and soft, and very very comfortable. But the toe looks really square to me (click on the picture to enlarge). I've seen pictures of other socks, and their toes don't look so square. Perhaps it's the Woolease chunky weight yarn I'm using, or maybe it's the pattern (which I love other than this crazy toe). Any ideas?

Here's a picture of the whole sock.


Lovely, lazy Sunday
This is the view outside my back door. I get a kick out of watching the birds as they argue over the birdseed, and the lilacs smell wonderful. It's a lovely gray drizzly day today. I'm going to enjoy the morning, sipping coffee, reading blogs, and listening to Sunday Morning Coffee by Chip Davis, a nice piano jazz album. Maybe I'll even work on the second Araucania sock. But there's no pressure--it's not going anywhere.

For those of you who have this page on Change Detection, I apologize for all the changes this morning--I've been struggling with this birdhouse picture.

Life is good. Happy Sunday, all!

Thrum Stromond...or Str*m Thurm*nd? Only Sandy knows for sure!
Found this picture of Steek's younger brother, Thrum, in Sandy's photo album. Oh my, the men she has known! ;)

This afternoon I took some pictures of my bulky sock, the blooming lilacs, and a cute garden bunny that my friend Sharyn gave me for my birthday this year. My camera then gave me the "batteries are too low to download" error. I've ransacked the house for batteries (I thought the boys had more toys that used AA batteries?!), but was unable to find enough to power the camera back up. So I'll have to post them later. Damn. Just like Dear Pioneer said, it's the little things.

The bulky sock is coming along on #6 US aluminum DPNs. I've knitted it too tightly, I think---worried about keeping the stitches on those slippery needles, I guess. I need to get back to the Araucania socks & finish up that second one.

The boys are back with their dad now for a week. I saw them at Michael's 8:00 am soccer game this morning. They pulled up in a brand-new Ford F250 crew cab 1/2 ton pickup. That's got to have set the ex back $35,000 or so. I could just throw up. I'm the one who pays the child support in our situation, as on paper I make more than he does. (Here's a tip---never pay your mechanic in cash! Ha!). So why am I selling jewelry I make to buy yarn while he makes such massive purchases? Could this be part of why we're not married anymore? Hmmmm. I'm remembering back to the time that I quit work to stay home with our 2 year old and new baby. The company I worked for cashed me out of my retirement plan, giving me a check for $10,000 with the instructions that it needed to be rolled into an IRA or other such tax-qualified plan within 90 days, or the entire amount would be subject to taxes and penalties. The ex came home one day pulling a 20-ft. Weldcraft river boat. He had used my retirement plan cash-out to buy it. I had no idea he was looking at boats. I tried to explain that the IRS does not view a river boat as a viable tax-qualified plan. We wound up with one hell of a tax bill that year. Thank God I don't have to deal with such surprises anymore.

Okay, I feel a little better now. Thanks for listening. I'm going to go work on some socks.

Dating on the Prairie
Rumor has it that the talented, freshingly intelligent Pioneer Babe has never been on a date. Well my dear, it seems to me that you fell in love instantly...with the One Manley Meant for You, even. I've been on lots o'dates. (Refer to toothless blind date story in Comment written in Kerstin's May 2nd entry). I'll trade places with you any day. :)

Needing a 12 Step Sock Program
The big bulky sock is turning out pretty cool. I'm working the heel flap now. I took the day off work (thanks for filling in for me, Sandy!) so that I could go to Michael's band festival concert today. It's cold this morning and I wish these socks were done so that I could keep my piggies toasty warm. I'll post a picture of it later on today after this coffee thaws me out.

Speaking of coffee....
Close, but I prefer rainy afternoons to sunny ones...

You're not Coffee, you're Tea!


What Kind of Coffee are You?
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