Cheesehead with Sticks

New blog address

2007-11-19T12:38:00.000-06:00

The blog has a new address. I figured it was best to make the move now, since I nearly dropped off the face of the Earth for a bit - see you there!

Observations from the road

2007-10-31T21:23:00.000-06:00

When you are driving across the country - an atlas is your friend - try to have one before you get lost the first and second times.

When in doubt, spend the 20 bucks on 4 maps instead of the one for the next state you will enter after you get unlost.

No - you should not re-enter Illinios 4 hours after you left it the first time.

When you ask directions at a gas station - try one that isn't run down and in the middle of B. F. Egypt. Also, heading towards Memphis is a mistake, esp. if you want to head east instead of west.

When you plan on passing a truck and your mind says "no, wait a minute" and 2 seconds later you see a deer litterally flying across the road into the lane you would have been in had you started to pass the truck - you cannot deny a greater being looking out for you.

Highway 64 has an insane amount of dead deer in the lanes of traffic.

A 3 year old can and will stay awake until 2am on a car trip if he thinks he is going to get to watch another movie on the screen attatched to a seat in front of him "in a little while", so don't even try that lie to get him to be quiet.

It seems that the state of Alabama does not believe in things called "road signs" (Sorry if you)live there, but they were not to be found when needed. Also, even if you are 5 miles from the state border, it will take you an hour to find it.

Do not place bets on how many times ya'll can get lost - seriously lost. You will all be wrong, you will get lost at least twice as much as the highest number.

A soldier will want and ask many times about 3 things before leaving base: his ipod, his new laptop, and where is the nearest gas station to buy a Monster Energy Drink.

Things That Make Me Smile

2007-10-26T22:18:00.000-06:00

Little bits of joy - the bottom 2 are my favorite

Jingly Jangly joy - again, the bottom 2

and this, just because

Titles are Overrated

2007-10-26T06:26:00.000-06:00

I remembered my camera today. Yee haw!

I thought I had pictures of some knits in progress - but it seems I am imagining things. I do have a few yarny photos that we will get to in a minute.

First, while I was away a few weekends ago in the great northern woods, Mr. CH took the kids to a local zoo. I left the camera with them for the weekend. I finally got around to looking at the pictures. It seems that Little Miss got hold of the camera and took pictures of *very important things* like:

the back of her brother's head

an alien that must have stowed away when they left the zoo - I wonder if she has him stuffed under her bed

a masterpiece of a lego car

the great pumpkin on its way home

I love seeing the pictures Little Miss takes and seeing the world through her eyes. It also helps that, unlike when I was a child, it doesn't cost me tons of money to see the pictures.

I remember when I got my first camera and was allowed to take pictures. I was 9 or 10. It was not digital. My poor parents had to shell out LOTS of money for pictures that mostly contained my dad hangliding - up so high that he looked like a black dot in a vast blue sky. In the first 6 weeks that I had my camera I used 9 rolls of 36 exposure film - at least 162 black dots on blue sky.

So anyway, the yarny goodness.

See, I haven't bought any more yarn. Just skeins with assembly required - and they don't count; right?

There was this sweater. I couldn't leave it there. I wish I could get a closeup of the yarn for you, but the camera won't cooperate. It's really more like 6,000 pieces of white and black and grey cotton thread held together and not even twisted really. It is nightmare waiting to happen as I knit, I know. This yarn is like the bad boy on that Harley your mother warned you about. You fall in love, he causes trouble and breaks your heart, but you can never let him go. I'm sure that is what this will be, but I still can't stop myself from jumping off the cliff.

I sat down to disassemble the sweater. Here's a hint - start from the top! Work from the shoulder seams down. I don't even know how much time I wasted with the mess I created. One hour and 600 times repeating the words "NO, it isn't ready for you to unravel yet" finally left me with 1 back, 2 fronts, and two sleeves.

From there I put Little Miss to work as I wound up the yarn on my new niddy noddy. 1 front got me a low estimate of 170 yards. I will easily have 685 yards of this yarn. Not bad for $2.99!

(It also seems someone may have licked my camera lens - or maybe it's slime from the alien fogging things up!)

At least if it doesn't work out with the knitting it can be used for "old lady hair"!

Of Love and Heartache

2007-10-22T15:51:00.000-06:00

Scene 1 - Knitter meets Math

Hello Math!

I seem to have never met you before. I am so sorry that I didn't notice you at the party yesterday. I was all excited about that celebrity Emerald that I failed to notice you in the corner.

Scene 2 - The Lesson

Math talks to Knitter in the background while the narrator talks.

Narrator -

You see fellow readers, our knitter has made a huge error. She was so excited about finding THE pattern for her COVETED yarn at the party - she overlooked the guest named Math. The astute among you will notice that this pattern calls for 1500 yards of yarn in the required size. You will also notice that our Knitter mentioned holding the yarn double to get gauge - 3 stitches per inch, versus a more likely 6 with The Yarn. Math explained to Knitter that if she takes the 1500 yards of yarn Knitter likely has and hold it double, this will take The Yarn's yardage down to 750 yards. A shortage of 750 yards.

Knitter falls to the ground sobbing upon hearing Math's point of view.

Scene 3 - Coping

Knitter peels herself up off the floor. Knitter contemplates purchasing more of The Yarn. Knitter weighs the cost of upcoming trip to see her nephew. Knitter goes to Plan B in hopes of a miracle because she is in love with Emerald now. Knitter formulates Plan C in her head.

To Be Continued

2 for 1

2007-10-22T15:30:00.000-06:00

Since I don't really want to edit the last post, but I must tell you something. You get another post today whoo hoo!

It seems that I have finally found the perfect pattern for my lovely, soft, sweet, delicious Alpaca yarn I bought at Wisconsin Sheep and Wool. Remember it?

I'm going to make Emerald!

I don't have quite enough yarn though. I'm a couple hundred or so yards short. (Let's all hope it's closer to the 100 than 300 count short!) In the months long search for the perfect pattern I have seen a few things knit up on Ravelry where the button band uses another color of yarn for accent. Now, what if I worked the sweet pink handspun I bought into the ribbed button band as well? Don't you think they make a nice pair?

And if worse comes to worse - because I don't really know off hand how many yards of the handspun I have either - I can find another brown yarn that goes with the alpaca to fishish it off.

What do you think? It's a raglan construction even - no sewing of seams people! Now - let's see if I can get guage with 2 strands together, cuz of course the yarn the pattern is written for is bulky. I shall keep thee posted. The ballwinder and I have a date tonight.

Don't believe what you hear...

2007-10-22T14:00:00.000-06:00

The rumors going around town are not true. I am abiding by my yarn diet just fine, thank you very much. Remember, I have all the yarn I need - except some nice girly worsted yellow washable stuff - right at home in my stash. While it is true that I have gone into a yarn store, with the intention of buying yarn - I did not purchase any. Besides that, the kids need mittens - would I have bought the wool, it wouldn't have been a "yarn" purchase. It would have been a "winter clothing" purchase. So what if "some assembly" was required? (Fine, I bought the Ball Winder - it is a necessity and was only 34 bucks - cheaper than anywhere else I've seen them!)

Also, I will admit to desperately wanting to make it to the Troll's Cove to have a look around. It's the nearest thing to a yarn shop to my house. I will maybe even admit to aiming the car in it's direction on Sunday and then making a U-turn. And then maybe making ANOTHER U-turn after traveling 5 blocks, but then I quickly snapped out of it and went around the block to head in the opposite direction yet again. (It is times of indecision like this when you really wish you had out of state plates on your car!)

And fine, it is true that I searched far and wide to find a yarn shop in Wisconsin Rapids when I was there this weekend for training at the Girl Scout Camp. I didn't find one. And if I did, wouldn't that be considered "souvenir" yarn? I did find a Goodwill though. I may have bought a sweater that absolutely will not fit anyone in the family. It may have been made out of a nice wool and silk blend yarn. It just might happen to be some nice boyish blue colors. Yes, it even has decent seams, not surged seams where the yarn is cut up. What's your point? I picked up a sweater a few weeks ago that won't fit anyone either and I didn't hear anyone saying anything about that!!!!

In other news, Mr. CH made me a PVC niddy noddy this weekend. Well, kind of. I mean, I guess I went to Fleet Farm and bought the PVC and T's and drove back with it hanging out of the car window, and drew out the plan and measurements. He used the cutter thing though. Close enough. Now I can frog a few things that I need to start over.

He's gonna make me a swift when I get him plans too. Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh ya - and Sock Wars? I am DEAD. Deader than a doornail! My plan of attack was thwarted by those things called family members and their obligations. Oh well - I got some wonderful soft alpaca purple socks out of the deal! When else do you get a full pair of socks for the work of less than one? :)

Once upon a time there were three little pigs...

2007-10-17T07:12:00.000-06:00

** If you are reading this in bloglines or whatever, you may want to click through to the actual post to see text formatting so you don't get confused ** Also, no knitting content.

Once upon a time there were three little pigs...

no, that won't work..

Hello Slothen Pigs.. no..

Dearest Family,

Upon awakening you found that the house was absolutely spotless as clean as it can get with all your piles of stuff here and there (fine I have one pile as well, note it is stuff yet to be unpacked, not stuff just tossed in a heap- I'm allowed as long as yours outnumber mine). Please note that little elves or brownies did not visit the house while we all peacefully slumbered. Also, the maid I am always wishing would come did not finally make her first appearance. Someone was up until after midnight even though they had to get up at 4:45am. I do thank fits being pitched you for your inspiration in order to encourage my speedy cleaning - had I not been fueled with such anger passion, I would have been up all night.

From this point forward the table and counter in the kitchen are a NO PARKING ZONE. Any items parked on the counter or table in excess of 4 hours or after 9pm, whichever comes first, WILL BE TOWED at the owners expence.

No Littering Laws will strictly be enforced. Anyone who casually discards wrappers, juice boxes, used napkins, opened envelopes, etc. will be fined and put on work detail.

All items used must be returned to their proper place. Violators will be prosecuted.

I expect that you know your way around the house by now, so a trail of crumbs is not necessary. If you find you are having trouble remembering where you were please let me know so we can have your head examined.

If you fail to see the messes you leave, rest assured, I will be happy to point them out loud enough for you to hear in case your hearing is also ailing. A visit to the optomitrist or Ear Nose and Throat Dr. can also be arranged should you feel it is necessary.

By the end of the day a complete task list will be posted for each family member. Negotiations will be available for those in command, however the rookies will do as they are told. Violations will be dealt with on a case by case basis, and rewards may be given for a job well done without me shouting at you to do it.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and your cooperation. Now if you don't mind, I will get back to my busy life and maybe ya'll will let me watch an hour of TV tomorrow night by following the previous rules.

Aw Frickafracka$#$@#$%#

2007-10-13T21:33:00.000-06:00

GAh!

Knitting feverishly on my Sock War Socks. I pop into the group and end up looking at some pictures, I TOTALLY missed the 11 rounds of ribbing in the start.......the day WASTED! WASTED! Now I have to rip it all out and bah.......

Place your bets on how late I manage to stay up tonight!

Oh, and Helen, dear - the package - 'twas sitting in a corner of our mailroom. New staff, me gone a few days, missed my email about it at the office when I did a mass delete of unread emails. I am personally dropping it off at the P.O. on MONDAY! Very sorry! I'll make it up to you :)

Back to the war! TTFN

Sliced Bread ain't got nothin' on this!

2007-10-10T08:29:00.001-06:00

So, I was over at Beth's blog the other day. (Aren't I always?) She insists on taking all the rest of the ravelers down with us I guess. She made sure to point out their new Radar tab in the forums section. Under radar you can watch posts come up as they are posted - no matter the group.

Now when I saw this, I knew it was uber cool. I like being a fly on the wall, and I like not having to click to get to different things. Then I saw IT! After reveling in IT I went back to Beth's to tell her how much I love her for pointing it out and then kinda hijacked the comments.

IT = a post about putting patterns on your ipod! Hello! I have an ipod! Hello! I am always stalling cuz I can't find my pattern printout. Also, I have several things I want to knit, but am apparently too lazy to actually write in my little knitting book what I need to knit them. This is not good - it will turn out that I decide to by 1600 yards of Alpaca when I need about 2000 so I will be in constant debate to spend more on alpaca, or find another pattern. (Wouldn't an alpaca coat would be sweet in this Wisconsin weather? I don't have a coat. I should just buy more of the alpaca before it's gone - oh ya, Beth, you were right about the booth - I found their card the next day!)

Bet ya can't guess what I spent a good part of yesterday doing? Searching the internets for patterns I want to knit that don't involve charts. (You can only put text in the ipod. Well, you could put charts in the photos folder, I haven't tried it yet though, laziness and all) I also made a file for pattern info (yarn requirements, etc.) for things I want to make. No more trying to remember if that Thneedling calls for worsted or DK and one ball or two!

I searched for easy to read instructions to link ya'll to, but failed to find any.

Long story short - You can save .txt (text) file in the notes folder of your ipod if it is enabled as a storage device. (Don't know how to do that? Google or read you ipod manual) Here ya go!

1. Open up the pattern you want and then open up Notebook (for windows users).

2. Copy and paste your pattern, or type it in if you only have a hard copy - which kind of defeats the laziness factor here. (If you copy text from a pattern and it has pictures in it, they won't paste into Notebook - so no need to try not to select them.)

3.Now save it as a text file on your computer. I believe the rule of thumb is that it can only be about 150 lines per file. You may have to break this up if it is a large pattern.

4. Open up the file folder for you ipod just like it was another disk and open up the Notes folder. (did I mention to connect your ipod to your computer? No? I make a horrible pattern writer!)

5. Drag your .txt files to the Notes folder

6. Eject your ipod and you are good to go. To view you pattern go to the Extras category, then notes. It may take a minute or so for them to load, but they should be there.

See, it's better than sliced bread!

Hola!

2007-10-08T16:05:00.000-06:00

Hey ya'll!

How have things been in blogland? I haven't been around much - my bloglines is up to an insane number. I may just mark everything read and start over.
Guess what - there has actually been knitting!
Look!

A finished little Inca Hat

finished little baby mittens

and a finished little Pumpkin Head!

The hat patterns are from Itty Bitty Hats. I'm not officiall part of the knitalong, but by linking you there, you can see all the greatness that this book holds. I'm sure you are all smart enough to know where to buy it. The mittens, well, Beth loaned me books, but I ended up winging it because knitting something 4 times before it looks right is SOOO much easier than doing math that is required when your yarn is thicker than the yarn called for in the patterns so your guage is different. Oh, you disagree with that theory? Well, it's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Right now I am working on some socks for the Little Mr. in some of my Greenwood Fiberworks yarn.

Math again eludes me and they are too large. Just a bit. Well, maybe by 3/4 of an inch around. They are cotton, so maybe they will shrink? If not, surely his feet shall grow!

I wanted mindless knitting, and ripping once for math failures is all that is allowed unless said item is too small. For the record, 6 x 7 = 42 - not 44 (shush! I'm pathetic, I know!). This really isn't a huge problem unless you also decide not to account for negative ease because you know how fast some little people's feet grow and you really would like them to wear their socks more than the time it took you to make them.

I am eagerly awaiting my Sock Wars Dosiere. I am going to knit from stash. I was very very tempted to buy more yarn from Greenwood Fiberworks as she listed some "thicker" sock yarn that would most likely get me guage. I resisted though! My target shall recieve two tone socks and that is that!

I'm still pretty busy. Won't be back down to 2 jobs until November, but I shall try to post decent cheerful content in the meantime!

Now, if I missed anything of great import - please do let me know!

One more thing - if you happen to stumble on this blog, knit, live near Waupaca, Weyauwega, or Wautoma (Gosh I wish I could hear all of you not from the area trying to figure out how to pronouce those names!) and want to get together to knit on a weekend - let me know!!! I can't make the weekday knitting groups here, and it is making me sad. Well, maybe not quite so pathetic, but I would enjoy a get together.

Sock Wars and such.

2007-10-01T15:03:00.000-06:00

Okay - some stuff is going on right now, so unfortunately this little blog break is going to be a bit longer than expected. I can't blog about it - as public as I am, there are some things that must remain out of blogland. At least this "stuff" doesn't involve me or my immediate family this time - directly anyway.

I shall try to pop in and at least post a little tidbit here and there when I can for the next weeks or so.

Also, I can't BELIEVE I almost missed this!!

Last year was a lot of fun for me. The people near the list on me were all active participants and I even got to get 1 person out - or was it two? I forget. The last one was close either way. If you want to play you must sign up at the yahoo group by today! (Yes, I would encourage those who have not knit socks before to gain experience before taking part. :) )

THE RULES OF SOCK WARS
-The first rule of Sock Wars is: You must talk about Sock Wars.
-The second rule of Sock Wars is: You MUST talk about Sock Wars. (no really, for this to be a success we need as many combatants as possible)
-Two socks to a fight.
-One fight at a time.
-No shirts, no shoes, just socks

Fights will go on as long as they have to.THE NITTY GRITTY Sign ups close by 23:59 on 1st October 2007. To sign up as a participant go here now!

Either I'm Brilliant or Overly Optomistic

2007-09-26T14:58:00.001-06:00

[still on "break" - no knitting to speak of - there is no time for blogging that yet]

Okay - all bets are on!

How long do you think this system will last this time?

Exhibit A

Will it be hours, days, or weeks before Carefree Self manages to get out of that closet and wreak havoc, reducing Organized Self to a drooling pile of catonic mush?

[And if you are stalking me, man, your life just got way easier!]

Gimme A Break

2007-09-25T14:42:00.000-06:00

This unexpected blogging break brought to you by:

The inability to say, "No"

Broken Dial-up Modems

and

Too Much on my Plate Syndrome

Is this anyone else's life?

If I'm not back within 10 days - send out a search party!

T.G.I.F!!

2007-09-21T06:52:00.000-06:00

Alas! It is Friday! Tomorrow is Saturday. I still have to get up at 5:30am tomorrow just so the rest of the family can go run in a 5k - but I am now filing that thought back into the darkest corner of my being. There, it no longer exists.

I could post about how when Party A was really sick for the first 3 days of the week, and has put in like 3 12 hour work days the last 3 days and they don't get to bed until 11pm and Party B starts rousing Party A out of bed at 4:30am (because they really do need to get out of bed and get going already so they aren't too late for work AGAIN) and they are violently protesting that life just isn't fair and why, for the love of god, is it so much to ask for a small miracle that time just stops for a few hours so they can get some more sleep already; that it is just RUDE for Party B to be so darned awake and happy that they are DOING THE DISHES! Before 5am! After 5 some odd hours of sleep! When they do not even have to wake up to go to work or ANYTHING! But I won't.... Oh, I just did? OOps.

Okay - maybe I'm just jealous. I feel like being 3 today and laying in my bed throwing a royal fit that would wake the dead just so I can stay in bed. I've been up for 3 1/2 hours, gotten 2 kids off to daycare, driven 60 miles, am on my 2nd huge arse travel mug-o-coffee and just now slightly starting to try to open my eyes completely. One at a time.

Instead I shall stare at my sock yarn and little knitting bag I got from my Football Along Pal on Wednesday. It makes me happy! It will also serve as a nice little pillow should a miracle in the form of a several hour long power outage at work this afternoon. I'm smart and did not choose a desk in the aisles hooked up to the generator. (And yes, whenever they mention rain, I pray for power outages at work.) Don't worry - she also sent lots of chocolate and gummy bears (The good ones even! Love. Gummy. Bears!) in case I get hungry and the vending machines don't work during said power outage. Thanks Pal!

I'll take pictures this afternoon if I can manage the walk to my car to get the camera so you all can see. Don't hold your breath though - by now you should know me.

Stash Enhancement and Being Green Blues

2007-09-17T08:22:00.000-06:00

Bah Bah Black Sheep - Have you any wool?

Yes Sir, Yes Sir - Three bags full...

This was the first purchase at Wisconsin Sheep and Wool. Beth of Chocolate Sheep picked up a couple bags of fleece from a black sheep named Wookie. There was a third bag. I picked it up because it was the last bag, and I had intended on learning how to use a drop spindle sometime this year. If I didn't get to it before Beth needed more Wookie to spin, then I would sell it to her. Kind of like a layaway program of sorts.

Um, sorry Beth - I'll probably be gone through Wookie before you get the chance to claim what's left.

I bought that spindle on Sunday. Actually, there was a man from the Handspun by Stefania booth demonstrating a drop spindle to another group of ladies. The spindles he had were beautiful. I was taken - I nearly handed him my 45 bucks for a spindle right there - but I only had 40 dollars in my pocket. I left the booth before I got to give it a go and thought about going and breaking into my "emergency funds" money. I ended up deciding that I really wanted to purchase something else that day, and the spindle purchase would not let me get it. I did find this one at Mielke's booth though; and it was priced just right. I figured I could start with this puppy and save up for a nicer one later *if* I actually got around to trying it.

Now, someone may try telling you that I was home 20 minutes later than planned because when I stopped to get out of the car and get a snack and stretch I may have broken into the bag of wookie and whipped out the spindle right there in the gas station parking lot. I am here to tell you that there is absolutely no proof of such rumors! Who's to say that some of that roving didn't get tangled onto the spindle by sharing the same bag?

So, what else was it I had to get on Sunday? The second skein of heaven - that's what!

This was the softest, dreamiest, most fabulous Alpaca I laid hands on all weekend! And it was cheaper than any of the other alpaca fleece as well. I bought one bunch on Saturday. I couldn't resist. I figured I would make a hat and mittens with it. When I got back to my motel room and started petting it, I just knew it had to be something more! I picked up the other bunch on Sunday. Now I have about 1400-1500 yards. I am hoping it will be enough to make a lacy cardigan or wrap of some sort to keep me warm at work.

When I stopped to take a picture of the guy doing the needle felted jackets I also picked up a little skein of handspun in pinks and browns. It's 70% wool and 30% collie. Yes, Collie, as in the dog. I know, I never thought I would wear dog fur either, but it was really soft and pretty! I will use it as an accent with my alpaca maybe. Oh, the booth was the Jehova Jerih Farm. You can see more of the felted jackets there.

So, all summed up, it doesn't look like much, but it's all good stuff!

My next project is deciding what kind of washing machine to buy. We've decided to go ahead and charge a washing machine on the credit card instead of waiting. The energy and money it's costing to do 8 loads of laundry a week at the laundromat is crazy. A used cheap washer is not to be found. We will be able to pay it of in January, so the current cost and trouble vs. the interest kind of weigh each other out.

I really wanted a front loader, cuz they're cool. I just can't seem to justify the price though. I can get a new top loading washer and dryer for less than the cost of just a front loading washer, and we need a new dryer too. The water savings won't financially help us, we have a well. I'd be running the thing every day anyway. I would rather do 7 smaller loads than 3 big ones, because I hate folding laundry THAT much and smaller bouts are more tolerable.

Right now I am feeling very "ungreen" because my biggest criteria for a washer, besides price, is that it's matching dryer doesn't have the lint filter at the top! I HATE that - it gets dryer lint all over EVERYTHING when you empty it out.

Oh, one more thing before I go - I should have KNOWN that Knitpicks would come out with something new for the interchangable needles once I had everything I think I need. These wooden tips are beautiful! I think I need a set of 4's for my Mystery Shawl when it comes back out of hibernation. The nickel ones I am using now are a bit slipery for knitting with thread.

Maybe a title would be good?

2007-09-14T13:11:00.000-06:00

Just stopping in to share more fibery goodness links.

While searching for hat patterns on Ravelry lately I noticed that all of my favorite hats were made by nearly one person. She lives at the Cosymakes blog. I saw that she has a book due out in spring as well. I do have to admit I find it odd that you can pre-order a book that isn't due out for months. That sort of thing could get me in huge trouble forgetting what I ordered and all. Anyway, keep an eye out for the book. From her work I bet there will be some good ideas for making that knitted precious even more precious.

If you want to see a really nice arty video - click here. Maybe you've seen it. Maybe not.

The music that accompanies it steals my heart. It's a cello. I played the cello at one time (way back when I was a youngster), and so very much would love to get back into it if I ever find the time. Anyone got one sitting in their attic they don't want? ha ha!

Other than that, it's supposed to get pretty darn cold tonight. My appologies to my fellow Wisconsonites, but I hope we get one helluva good frost tonight!!!! (With an immediate warming trend as soon as the sun comes up of course - I do have to go to Quarry Quest after all! Which reminds me, I better cast on for another easy project to work on while waiting in those loooong lines. Also better make "dog tags" for the kids in case they get lost with all those people.) I am at the end of my rope with these allergies! It's nothing short of a miracle I haven't sneezed any grey matter out or scratched a cornea from rubbing my red burning eyes. The claratin is doing nothing for me.

Besides Quarry Quest this weekend, I need to finish unpacking, take yarn pictures, and sort through my 800+ photos from the last 6 months (not including blog images - I KID YOU NOT) to see which 400 I need to get developed first.

Also, thanks to everyone with the offers for advise and emails yesterday. You calmed my nerves! I'm still waiting for the lady at the council office to email me back with at least the girls' names - which is slightly annoying at the least. I may be contacting you! I went and bought the leader handbook, and the brownie handbook last night and spent too much time browsing the net. My SIL also shook me out of "please everyone" mode by expaining that I am the one offering my time, and I matter most to me, so do what works for me and the parents can follow or not - as far as meeting times and days. I was about ready to poll everyone. She reminded me to not be such a giver of my soul - from experience.

Ciao!

I'm a slacker baby

2007-09-13T06:35:00.000-06:00

...totally a slacker. If by slacking you mean deciding to get some sleep instead of taking pictures in bad lighting. Not that my camera can take a decent picture of yarn up close in good lighting. Bad lighting would only mean tragedy. Yes, that is my excuse, and I am sticking to it.

I haven't even knit in two days!

I have some fun stuff to show you, but darnit, I can't. Also the fact that it would take 10 years to upload photos on dial-up at home is thwarting my motivation. Saturday? Can we agree on that? The sun should be out, I will be home during daylight hours, and I can skip out to find some highspeed access while I take the clothes to the laundromat. (Why is it used washers are a dime a dozen unless you are actually LOOKING for one?!?)

One more thing? Anybody know anything about being a Girl Scout or Brownie leader? I had applied to be a Brownie leader since there wasn't one for Little Miss's age group. Tuesday I heard from other parents that I was, in fact, going to be the leader. Glad they informed me! I finally got confirmation this morning that what they say is true, but NO information on training, yada yada yada! I did email back and told them that I would appreciate some direction as I have NO idea what I am really doing. I don't believe I would get a response before next week though.

I wouldn't worry so much, but Cookie sales start in 9 days!!! Maybe it would be nice to have a meeting ASAP because of that - but I don't even know where I can have one of those.

Good thing I really enjoy challenges and detective work!

Here, let me lead you to a few places with fun things to look at since I obviously have nothing.

Fabulous fused glass and goodness from Shoozles on Etsy. (Do you see the charms that I want for stitch markers?)

I found that link from a budding artist at the Charmed Life blog (I almost minored in metals you know - her workshop reminds me of all my favorite things! Anvils, hammers, pickle, a TORCH...). I can't wait to see more of her work as well!

Any other goodness out there? Leave a link in the comments.

Nine Eleven

2007-09-11T15:10:00.000-06:00

There will be no yarn pics today. I was not thinking when I posted that.

Today, it is not appropriate to celebrate in excess yarn purchases.

I've written 3 posts today and can't settle on any of them.

I guess I'll just say my point and be done with it.

Today, of all days, is a day for remembering, for hurting, crying, letting go. It is also a day for looking forward, for healing, for loving, and embracing.

As I drove in to work this morning and watched the sky turn from black, to pink and orange and blue I cried. I remembered the most vivid, blood red and pink inspiring sunset on 9-12-01. It was a sign that no matter what happens here on Earth or in our lives that the universe goes on. The sun rises the next day, with or without us. We humans are not what life is all about.

Please go forth from this day trying to find a way to tolerate those you disagree with and maybe even learn to respect their differences. Understand that in the end, everyone is exactly the same. It doesn't matter if they worship trees, or rocks. It doesn't matter what color you see them as, what language they speak, what kind of soup they like, or if they stink. It doesn't matter if they talk too much, or talk to little. It doesn't even matter if they crochet or knit continental.

I have studied many religions (toaism, buddism, paganism, christianity, wicca, yada yada yada), even practiced several of them for one time or another. In the end, it's all pretty much the same. Little bitty us, and that great life force. Let's not fight over the details.

Treat everyone kindly, no matter what you think of them or their actions. Always reach out to your neighbors, enemies, and strangers with open arms.

Just go out and love one another and above all, treat everyone how you would like to be treated.

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool - Part 1

2007-09-10T09:24:00.000-06:00

This will be spread out over at least 2 days. There are lots of pictures :)

Bright and early Saturday morning I hit the highway, just as the sun was coming up. Traffic is so non existent at 6am on a Saturday morning. Sweet!

Even though I was on a main road, the drive was scenic. There were lots of farms.

Some neat old cemeteries. I didn't get a picture of the best one - I couldn't whip out the camera fast enough while zooming down that portion of roadway

Finally, two hours later I arrived.

I had just enough time to get to my class. Dolls with Bones. It was a class on how to build art dolls starting with armatures.

You start with plain ole wire and make something like this (note it doesn't have it's arms or ribs yet)

Then you pad it and build it up to look like something, and then you add the skin and clothes to get something like this.

This is as far as I got in 6 hours.

My only complaint about the class is that it really wasn't long enough. Spread out over 2 days with homework maybe woulda worked out better. I really don't know how I'm going to get the "skin" on neatly. Sewing - not my forte!

I did have fun and learned a whole lot. I shall certainly try it on my own! Mary was very nice and a good teacher.

After that Beth from Chocolate Sheep and I hooked up. We had an hour to run through the booths - it was a successful shopping venture.

I don't have pictures of what I bought yet. It's raining outside so I couldn't take any this morning. For now you just get to wonder what the heck I could have bought! Let's just say that I am now going to officially have to knit from my stash until 2008! I used up my allowance for the next 4 months. Pictures to come tomorrow.

After that I went and checked into the Bates, er I mean, Hilltop Motel.

Okay, it was better than camping - but next time I will surely spend the extra 15 or 20 bucks. That extra money gets you thicker walls to drown out the guy on the phone in the room next to you complaining about life and bail money and whatnot AT 7 AM, a room that isn't so thick with incense that you choke when you walk in, towels that aren't stained (God, I hope they were stained - there was no way I could avoid a shower on Sunday morning! For the sake of me not jumping in a vat of bleach, lets just say they were for sure stained, no doubt about it), window tracks that aren't filled up with dead bugs, and no mystery black sludge around the edges of the non-slip shower mat. The "clean" that is advertised on the sign is definitely a relative term. Sure, maybe clean to the old Indian man who runs the joint. Not clean to me. (Thank you Peaknit for telling your criminals to behave! :) We will all most definately have to hook up next year!)

After I ran in the motel room and made sure the doors and windows locked I headed off to Beth's new rental house a few minutes away. I watched as she wrangled kids and cooked dinner. We showed our WIP's and I did a little magic loop demo for her. (DPN'S are evil in my book) We also shared some Funky Llama. One more glass and I may have started doing the Funky Llama for everyone to see. (I'm sure that is a dance, no?)

On Sunday I woke up nice and early thanks to the guy next to me. I lounged around and finished the knitting portion of the Inca Snowflake hat. Then I cast on for the Pumpkin Hat - 3 times before I realized that the 64 stitches I was being told to cast on was not going to work out with 7 repeats of a 9 stitch pattern. I decided to go eat breakfast and head to the festival.

I went to the office to check out. No one was there but a sign saying to call a number. I picked up the phone to call and must have answered as someone was calling to get info on rates. It took me a couple explanations to get him to understand that I wasn't an employee and I was a guest trying to check out (I couldn't just hang up on the guy). I did mention to him that it was cheap, but he did not want to stay there. He would be better off at another place. Muahaha!!

After breakfast I went back to the festival and shopped some more. I watched a guy to a drop spindle demo and nearly threw my wallet at him right there in exchange for one of his lovelies! I did not. I can't deny circling around at least 5 more times though...

I talked with this man who was felting a design on a wool jacket. He had two of them hung up by him. I didn't get a better picture, but they are works of art. I will put a link up to their website when I dig through my bags later today.

After that I went and sat to watch the herding dog demo. The dog was running ducks in figure 8's around cones. It was a sight to see. I also cast on for a 4th time for the pumpkin hat and knit on it for a while before going to wander around and look at fuzzy things.

I found this

and this - isn't this the most puffball of a rabbit you have ever seen. It sure looked regal with all that fluff blowing in the breeze!

And who could forget these!

These are Srgt. I Forget His Name's actual underwear as displayed in the Wool in War exhibit. Seriously, I never knew people were tortured so by such undergarments. It's a wonder men were even able to pass their genes along in hot underwear like that!

Shortly after that I happened to see Beth getting out of her van and walked on over. We ran through the other building of booths that we didn't see on Sunday. Beth got to absorb a bit of the spinning demo while I took the Wonder Twins to see the dogs and walk around a bit. This is not Beth, but it is the demo.

We also saw sheep, of course! None of them would pose nicely for me, but here is what I got.

You can also see more pictures at Molly B's blog. She apparently picked up a wheel, lucky gal!

Okay - enough rambling for now. Pictures of aquisitions tomorrow and a few more details. See ya then!

T minus

2007-09-07T22:06:00.000-06:00

T minus 6 hours and 56 minutes until take off time.

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures to report back.

If I don't post by Tuesday, send out a search party - I've found out my motel is quite the nice living spot for those on the other side of the law. I should have known at the rate I got it for.

Eh, I'm a big girl and can take care of myself. Now, to get to bed.

Oh, and is it normal to pack more fibery stuff than clothes?? hehe. I'm gonna be gone for a whole day and a half you know!

I will also try to answer all questions in the comments. Blogger doesn't let me email you, and I don't like that.* Each and every one of your comments are precious little gems to me (yes, I need sleep, but they are!) and I don't want you to think I'm ignoring you :)

Oh yes, don't let me forget to blog about what I got in the mail today also...
*Expect a blog move within the next month.

Pictures as promised.

2007-09-06T07:03:00.000-06:00

Some of you come for the yarn. Some of you come for the kids.

For those of you here for the kids, here's the traditional first day of school picture for Little Miss's first day back at her "original school". My cute back to school ensemble was rejected for the coveted shirt from kindergarten with all her classmates names signed on it. Also notice the pink and purple alternating nail polish. She's taking after me all ready.

And now for the yarn.

One good thing about the apartment fiasco is that I did not have to pay a full month's rent for August. Most of the extra money went towards eating out for 21 meals the week of packing and school clothes. What was left went to Me Me Me.

I got some books. Yee Haw. All though, I was a bit shocked to realize that I know most of the information in the "When Bad Things Happen to Good Knitters" book. It is all very valuable information, but I have managed to retain any slight hint for fixing knitting that I have seen thrown out the last 2 years. However, when it comes to seaming, I don't know my foot from my knee, so the book will still be useful.

And yarn to make some Itty Bitty Hats.

I started on one of them already. The Inca Snowflake Hat. I'm not sure about the stripe widths, but it's gonna be that way no matter what. I already spend a pretty penny on this yarn and I'm not changing my mind at this point.

Can you guess what other hats I want to make from that selection of yarn?

I also ordered up a set of each cable length available from 32" on up, and a few more needle tip sizes I didn't have.

And some (okay, a bunch) of this:

What will become of this bare yarn? Hopefully some Green Bay Packer colored Sock yarn - once I manage to buy the dye I want. Knitpicks didn't have the darker green color that I want.

And guess what else the mail lady brought me?

Cotton Lycra Sock yarn from Greenwood Fibers on Etsy. I had seen Grumperina's opinion of it way back, and have been stalking the shop for many months now. Finally I had money when new yarn was available and I could buy some. Actually, these are remnants, but I picked them up for cheap. Perfect for a pair of socks for each kid.

I unwound the first ball and gave it a bath. It looked stressed out in the ball it came in. It had been sitting there a while and I didn't know how long it would be before I could get to knitting it up. I didn't want to eventually knit the socks and then have them shrink right up on me (cuz cotton will do that ya know). I'm glad I did this because the hank shrunk right up during it's bath. I unwound the blue and green ball last night (after it's photo shoot) with the same results. Now they are looking all relaxed and refreshed.

Which means I also have to buy me a ball winder to wind them back up. Darn!

***Edited to share this with ya'll - How on earth have you people not made a huge deal out of this knitted Thneed?? I stumbled on it in Ravelry looking for mittens i like. I sooo must have one!

Numero Uno

2007-09-05T15:06:00.001-06:00

First order of business to panic about - Wisconsin Sheep and Wool!

I am in the process of BEGGING my niece to take the kids for the weekend. Of course Mr. Cheesehead is put on mandatory overtime for the weekend. On third shift. Badness can only come from this. I know his work found out that I had plans on him being the sole provider for the weekend and thus scheduled the presses to run in order to spite me. Now I have to bribe my 15 year old niece - and pay her a good whack of greenbacks - to take them for 36 hours.

Second reason to panic - I looked at the materials I need to take to my Dolls with Bones class - and EVERYTHING is packed still. It looks like I will be scaling Mt. Cardboard and doing a mad rummaging through boxes this evening instead of folding the 4 loads of laundry. Wrinkles add character, yes? I need to find my glue, and scissors, and what other else embellishment I can find. I have no time to run to the craft store between now and then to by new stuff, nor is that monetarily responsible (ha! Ya, I just about choked on my coffee too when I typed that).

And, I must take pictures of yarn pron tonight. Must. Hold out there Mr. Sun. Hopefully the goats haven't sprung themselves again and decide to join the party.

Okay - so really, it isn't all that bad now that I got it out of my system. Good thing Organized Self put you know who in the closet or who would know what would have happened!

There's tentative stuff for meet ups, but nothing solid. Any of you going and any ideas?

I know I have class all day on Saturday, but am free at lunch (12 I assume). Sunday Beth from Chocolate Sheep and I plan on hooking up at the festival (I think? - Oh, by the way, I spoke with her yesterday, she is loving the house and still alive :) Hoping to have a phone and such by Friday) any others?

If you're going drop me an email at wockin AT sbcglobal DOT net and we'll have to figure out a tentative something or other. I really don't like being the plan maker, so if you want to say something like "Hey, meet me here" - all the better, haha!)

We need buttons, flashing neon lights, yarn turban - something that advertises KnitBlogger.

Inside My Head

2007-09-04T20:28:00.000-06:00

Organized Self: Sit down, we need to have a chat.

Carefree Self: Um, sure ya, just a sec, let me just...

OS: Um, no, now!

CS: Ya, geez. What's the deal-ee-o? Haven't seen you all summer it seems.

OS: Well, um, the closet in the back of your head - seems as if you locked the door right after you shoved me it.

CS: I SOOO did not shove you in! I thought you wanted a nap. Some peace and quiet, ya know? And then, well, maybe I "forgot" about you.. ya, forgot. That's it.

OS: If I didn't have to live with you, I may be driven to drive you off a cliff, you know. Now sit down and listen.

CS: Sure, What up buttercup?

OS: I know you failed to realize this before 10pm last night, but, HELLO? McFly? School started today! Did you think that if you totally ignored it, it Fall would not come? Hey, stop petting the yarn and look at me!

CS: Well, I was hoping... You know how much I loath the winter and fall only means it's on its way. Besides, what is the big deal? The kid got every supply she needs except an eraser. I know there's one around here somewhere. In that mountain of boxes. So, what are we going to take to knit this weekend?

OS: Stop trying to change the subject. Do you really think that you can get away with flying by the seat of your pants all year? Heck, you even forgot to make sure the kid was ON THE BUS ROUTE. Which, she of course, was not even on the...

CS: Oh, she's on the list now. I called. I talked to the bus garage guy. Besides, the bus driver saw me driving in the kid this morning and had it handled before I could get the bus man to even answer the phone.

OS: Okay, fine. But seriously. Listen to me for a minute.

CS: Oh, FINE! Geez. You are such a stiff board!

OS: Ya, well, you're a wet noodle blowing in the breeze. How on earth do you think you are going to manage 3 jobs, a school schedule, your husbands weekly rotating shifts, babysitter scheduling, being a brownie leader, parent's group, and outreach committee without a schedule?

CS: Well, why don't you just whip something up and set it on the counter. Can I get back to knitting this hat yet? You can at least appreciate that it has a deadline, can't you?

OS: Whip something up? Are you crazy? You need detailed 15 minute time incremented scheduling for each person. You need databases and charts. You need colored keys on the huge arse wall calendar. You need to cross check the wall calendar with your personal calendar. You need a visual day by day agenda for everyone. You need chore charts, reward stickers, homework rules. You need a training manual for the family on the new organizational system. You need check points and fractal mapping!

CS: Whoa, whoa whoa! Habla ingles? fractal what?

OS: Ha - just seeing if you were paying attention. But seriously - if you want time to work on that hat you better just let me take charge for a bit, will you?

CS: Seriously, you worry too much! It'll work itself out.

OS: Ugh.. you are hopeless. Fine. Hey, while I was in that closet I saw some yarn. Not sure if it was any good or not. It was multi colored, and looked like sock yarn.

CS: Sock yarn?! Take me there! Show me!

OS: Sure. See, there, way back in the corner on that shelf.

CS: Oh ya - hey, hold the door open so I can see inside the closet. I'm gonna go get it.

OS: Sure thing. Take your time...

.....

.....

Slam! CLICK! Adios!

CS: Um, Organized Self?? Helloo??? Are you there? Seems you let go of the door? I think it's locked?! Organized Self??

....

.,,,

Are you there? Hey look. I'm sorry for shoving you in the closet all summer. Can you just let me out. I'll look at your charts and fractal mapping and whatever. Please???

.....
.....
.....

um, okay - but can you at least slide a size 1 - 36 inch circular needle under the door so I can knit that sock?

(yarn pics will be posted by Thursday night)

Random Sunday?

2007-09-02T07:21:00.000-06:00

Well, I had plans this weekend to do nothing but hang around the house and UNPACK and CLEAN. Ha!

We decided to go visit a bunch of friends who have gathered at a farm somewhat close to us (see, ya know you live in the sticks when you consider a half hour drive "close") to celebrate Labor Day. We had such fun we stayed until all hours of the night and will probably head back today for more visiting. We are also supposed to go to a family function, but um, well, we might not make it. I know - how very very very WRONG of us. Well, it is our lives, and darn it, we can do whatever we want.

So - looks like Monday is for unpacking and cleaning.

Also - I managed to forget to get the Little Miss put on a bus route for school. This presents a major problem - and hopefully I can rectify it early tuesday morning. How I could have forgotten, I don't know. I think I am in just such denial that summer is ending I shoved it way back in my head under the sofa cushions.

And, one more service I have to offer. If ye are large chested and need a good bra - get thee to Layne Bryant's website and get this bra. Get 4 if you can. It is all I can do to keep from raving about it's super gravity defying powers to everyone. If I had a dollar for everytime I told the huz, "Look at them! They're up where they belong!", I'd be eating lobster for dinner tonight!

And for those of you who believe that was too much information, (hi dad) just be glad you aren't here for me to tell you about it in person :) I am doing the world a civil service here!