10 hours and 41 minutes to go, but who's counting?
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
I'm such a two-timer! (psst actual knitting content)
Well, actually, it would be more accurate to say 5 or 6 timer with the number of UFO's I have going right now. Yep, this is a knitting blog and I actually have knitting content! Will wonders never cease? tee hee.
Oh yeah, back to my scandalous ways. So, remember when Ashley recently tempted me with this beauty?. Well, actually I first started to notice Ashley's designs when this first came out. I thought "Wow, that's hot!" albeit a bit impractical for a 40ish suburban mom with that big peek a boo back. I was contemplating it sans said hole but not enough to actually begin it. Then in this month's Magknits we saw Ashley again with this. Once again, it caught my eye but not enough to put me over the edge.
But then. . . . . .
Then there was Cherie Amour. Oh, my. I just went into my best Stevie Wonder when I saw this one.
ahem.
Anyway. I fell and I fell hard. So hard that I went out immediately and purchased (yikes, I know I know) the yarn for it. Now in my defense, I searched my stash but alas I had no yarn in sufficient quantity and correct gauge for this one. So, purchase it was. Thankfully I still had some credit on the gift certificate that DH got me for Christmas last year (yep! I can show restraint when I want to, see?). I did have to purchase a 24" size 13 circular but, that's beyond the point.
So, cast on I did and after just 3 knitting sessions, this is where I am:
Isn't she beautiful? (uh, the sweater I mean). I love it. I would be much further along had it not been for some snaffoos I had yesterday in the neckline decreases. I had to knit and unknit a total of 12 rows (knit 2 1/2 - realize a mistake - unkit 2 1/2 - knit 4 1/2 - find mistake - unknit 2 1/2, etc.) That's what I get for knitting while watching college football I guess. But, I'm happy with the results and glad to have fixed all my mistakes. I'm so close to the end I can't stand it.
Specifics: Cherie Amour
Fall 2007 Knitty
24" addi-turbo circulars in both US 9 and US 13
Manos del Urugay kettle dyed wool
Color 107
My goal is to have her done before the start of Secret of the Stole. I think I can do it. What do you all think?
Oh yeah, back to my scandalous ways. So, remember when Ashley recently tempted me with this beauty?. Well, actually I first started to notice Ashley's designs when this first came out. I thought "Wow, that's hot!" albeit a bit impractical for a 40ish suburban mom with that big peek a boo back. I was contemplating it sans said hole but not enough to actually begin it. Then in this month's Magknits we saw Ashley again with this. Once again, it caught my eye but not enough to put me over the edge.
But then. . . . . .
Then there was Cherie Amour. Oh, my. I just went into my best Stevie Wonder when I saw this one.
"My cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore. You're the only one my heart beats for. How I wish that you were mine. . . . . . . ."
ahem.
Anyway. I fell and I fell hard. So hard that I went out immediately and purchased (yikes, I know I know) the yarn for it. Now in my defense, I searched my stash but alas I had no yarn in sufficient quantity and correct gauge for this one. So, purchase it was. Thankfully I still had some credit on the gift certificate that DH got me for Christmas last year (yep! I can show restraint when I want to, see?). I did have to purchase a 24" size 13 circular but, that's beyond the point.
So, cast on I did and after just 3 knitting sessions, this is where I am:
Isn't she beautiful? (uh, the sweater I mean). I love it. I would be much further along had it not been for some snaffoos I had yesterday in the neckline decreases. I had to knit and unknit a total of 12 rows (knit 2 1/2 - realize a mistake - unkit 2 1/2 - knit 4 1/2 - find mistake - unknit 2 1/2, etc.) That's what I get for knitting while watching college football I guess. But, I'm happy with the results and glad to have fixed all my mistakes. I'm so close to the end I can't stand it.
Specifics: Cherie Amour
Fall 2007 Knitty
24" addi-turbo circulars in both US 9 and US 13
Manos del Urugay kettle dyed wool
Color 107
My goal is to have her done before the start of Secret of the Stole. I think I can do it. What do you all think?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Finally finished.
I finished my Mother's Day project stitching today. It will be in the mail in the morning to become part of the tote bag. As I stitched I was thinking of what took me so long to finish this. I picked it up because I received notice of the deadline. I HAD to finish it now. I wouldn't fail Linda Villar. It would be completed.
What had taken me so long? Why had I not completed it straight away? It is such a small piece of stitching. 1.7 inches long and about .4 inches tall. Miniscule. 12 letters with a single period after her middle initial. That's it. What could have possibly prevented me from finishing it in a more timely fashion?
Was it forgetfulness? No. I had the hoop with the partially stitched name on my dresser. I saw it almost every day. I thought of Linda J. Villar. Pictured her photo in my mind quite often since receiving her name and looking her up. It was definitely not forgetfulness.
Was it apathy? On the contrary. I felt myself sigh every day as I looked at her name staring back at me. I had completed "Linda J. V" and stopped but I saw the red of the finished letters and an anger would rise in me that I couldn't prevent. So, nope, not apathy either.
Was it inability or lack of time? Thinking back on the time that has passed since beginning this project, there have been plenty of times when I could have picked up the stitching to complete those last precious 5 letters. I almost picked it up many a time but then would just touch the fabric, say a prayer and leave it there unfinished and waiting once more. I've done needlework almost all my life and have the ability to complete this and I knew it would take 20 - 30 minutes to do. Not this either.
So, what exactly was IT that kept me from completing it until I absolutely had to? I wasn't sure at first but as I sat on my couch and slowly stitched the remaining 5 letters I thought about it. I stitched and thought of Linda. I stitched and thought of all the other names that will be on this tote. I stitched and thought of all the soldiers who will come to perish and not have there names on this tote. I prayed a little too.
Then I looked down and it was done. The last 5 letters. I added a little floral detail to the end of her name. Still all in red for her shed blood. But a little something else to honor her. Like flowers on a grave. And that was that. Done.
THEN I knew. I knew why I hadn't completed this earlier. Why I stared at it and left it on my dresser. Why I wouldn't finish the stitching without the prompt of a deadline. . . . . .
I didn't finish because completing her name was so final. Like her death. I wouldn't be stitching this anymore and her name would be on a tote that she should have never been on. Finishing it was like her dying all over again in my mind. A part of me deep down inside didn't want her name to be on the tote. Didn't want it to have to be on the tote. And yet, it needs to be. She is part of the loss in this war and she earned her place on the tote. I just didn't finish because I was wishing she hadn't had to.
What had taken me so long? Why had I not completed it straight away? It is such a small piece of stitching. 1.7 inches long and about .4 inches tall. Miniscule. 12 letters with a single period after her middle initial. That's it. What could have possibly prevented me from finishing it in a more timely fashion?
Was it forgetfulness? No. I had the hoop with the partially stitched name on my dresser. I saw it almost every day. I thought of Linda J. Villar. Pictured her photo in my mind quite often since receiving her name and looking her up. It was definitely not forgetfulness.
Was it apathy? On the contrary. I felt myself sigh every day as I looked at her name staring back at me. I had completed "Linda J. V" and stopped but I saw the red of the finished letters and an anger would rise in me that I couldn't prevent. So, nope, not apathy either.
Was it inability or lack of time? Thinking back on the time that has passed since beginning this project, there have been plenty of times when I could have picked up the stitching to complete those last precious 5 letters. I almost picked it up many a time but then would just touch the fabric, say a prayer and leave it there unfinished and waiting once more. I've done needlework almost all my life and have the ability to complete this and I knew it would take 20 - 30 minutes to do. Not this either.
So, what exactly was IT that kept me from completing it until I absolutely had to? I wasn't sure at first but as I sat on my couch and slowly stitched the remaining 5 letters I thought about it. I stitched and thought of Linda. I stitched and thought of all the other names that will be on this tote. I stitched and thought of all the soldiers who will come to perish and not have there names on this tote. I prayed a little too.
Then I looked down and it was done. The last 5 letters. I added a little floral detail to the end of her name. Still all in red for her shed blood. But a little something else to honor her. Like flowers on a grave. And that was that. Done.
THEN I knew. I knew why I hadn't completed this earlier. Why I stared at it and left it on my dresser. Why I wouldn't finish the stitching without the prompt of a deadline. . . . . .
I didn't finish because completing her name was so final. Like her death. I wouldn't be stitching this anymore and her name would be on a tote that she should have never been on. Finishing it was like her dying all over again in my mind. A part of me deep down inside didn't want her name to be on the tote. Didn't want it to have to be on the tote. And yet, it needs to be. She is part of the loss in this war and she earned her place on the tote. I just didn't finish because I was wishing she hadn't had to.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Sunday, September 09, 2007
She's really outdone herself this time
Alright, so you all know how much I LOVE my friend Amy's knitting bags? I own 3 myself and have gifted quite a few as well. They are just great project bags and are very well made.
Well, she's got some new ones that are so so cool! She's starting a retro inspired "Jetsons" Series with "Daughter Judy" and "Jane his Wife" which are darling. PLUS, "Jane his Wife" supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation as she is donating part of the profits to the foundation. Go take a gander and check them out.
Well, she's got some new ones that are so so cool! She's starting a retro inspired "Jetsons" Series with "Daughter Judy" and "Jane his Wife" which are darling. PLUS, "Jane his Wife" supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation as she is donating part of the profits to the foundation. Go take a gander and check them out.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Fun, fun and more fun
I've been pretty negligent in my posting. I received my "Pay it forward" gift last week and never posted about it. Moriah really outdid herself with my package:
Look at what a great graphic she came up with:
I think I might just have to steal that for my PIFs! And the soap was so wonderful! Thanks again Moriah!
I've been working on assorted dishcloths myself in preparation for my part of the dishrag tag. Y'know, finding a pattern that is interesting yet quick to knit. However, my team's box seems to have gotten lost on it's way to me from California! Ugh! Oh well, the race is over - Congrats to the winners! - but I still want to get the box so that everyone in my team gets a turn at it. Hopefully it will turn up soon. No pictures of the cloths I've made as I have gifted them to ladies at work.
I've been working on my chevron scarf and it's coming along nicely. I'm more than half way through the yarn and should have a finished product relatively soon. I'm waiting until that time to take a final picture and then post. It's going to be so pretty! Question is, do I keep it or gift it? Not sure yet. We'll see when it's done.
Lastly, I was playing around on knitter crack and somehow came across this pattern. How could I resist? Let me start off by saying that I used stash yarn to complete it and it just took 1 1/2 days. So quick and easy too! Wanna see mine? OK. . . . . .
I used a pale green Paton's Grace - it took less than a skein to make. Really this was such a fun, quick and entertaining knit. The fact that the yarn I used is a cotton yarn actually makes it, dare I say, wearable. Let me tell you, the fit is really nice and it's comfortable. I was really surprised as I thought it would never work as a garment. HAHAHAHAHA. I was thinking that I would make an I-cord and use elastic thread in the center of the I-cord to make it more wearable (vs. the ribbon).
Whodda thunk it?
ADDED 9/9/07
Click here to create your own painting.
Look at what a great graphic she came up with:
I think I might just have to steal that for my PIFs! And the soap was so wonderful! Thanks again Moriah!
I've been working on assorted dishcloths myself in preparation for my part of the dishrag tag. Y'know, finding a pattern that is interesting yet quick to knit. However, my team's box seems to have gotten lost on it's way to me from California! Ugh! Oh well, the race is over - Congrats to the winners! - but I still want to get the box so that everyone in my team gets a turn at it. Hopefully it will turn up soon. No pictures of the cloths I've made as I have gifted them to ladies at work.
I've been working on my chevron scarf and it's coming along nicely. I'm more than half way through the yarn and should have a finished product relatively soon. I'm waiting until that time to take a final picture and then post. It's going to be so pretty! Question is, do I keep it or gift it? Not sure yet. We'll see when it's done.
Lastly, I was playing around on knitter crack and somehow came across this pattern. How could I resist? Let me start off by saying that I used stash yarn to complete it and it just took 1 1/2 days. So quick and easy too! Wanna see mine? OK. . . . . .
I used a pale green Paton's Grace - it took less than a skein to make. Really this was such a fun, quick and entertaining knit. The fact that the yarn I used is a cotton yarn actually makes it, dare I say, wearable. Let me tell you, the fit is really nice and it's comfortable. I was really surprised as I thought it would never work as a garment. HAHAHAHAHA. I was thinking that I would make an I-cord and use elastic thread in the center of the I-cord to make it more wearable (vs. the ribbon).
Whodda thunk it?
ADDED 9/9/07
Click here to create your own painting.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Fabulous and AMAZING video
My mom sent me this link. The site isn't youtube so I can't get the video on here directly but it is SO worth a look.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
It's about that time again
Jannett XXXXXX -- [noun]: A master of storytelling 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com |
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I can't help falling in love
I really can't. I am hopelessly in love with my chevron scarf. It's SUCH a pleasing, relaxing and rewarding knit. I took new photos to show the progress here and on Ravelry. So, without further adieu my chevron scarf as of this morning:
How can I resist this?
How can I resist this?
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Crazy, CRAZY I tell you!
Yep, that would be me. Crazier than a LOON! So, not only did I already have too many UFO's on the needles throughout this house, not only am I expecting my team's box from the Dish Rag Tag this week, not only do I need to complete my Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 sock. . . . . .I started a Chevron Scarf. I don't usually fall prey to the "it" project (I still have not knit a jaywalker or a clapotis) but this one, I just couldn't pass up AND it's from stash yarn. Bonus!
I know, I KNOW. I stink. I can't help it though. Everyone has all those beautiful scarves everywhere on the blogosphere and in Ravelry. Have you seen these things? How could I resist?
So, want to take a looksy? Here it is:
You can see a couple of more shots of it on my Flickr page. It's about 3 or 4 times longer now and I can't put it down. It's an addictively easy and fun knit. I see a couple or more of these at some point in the future but hopefully not before I finish a couple of other things.
Hopefully.
Now, don't you want to make one too? C'mon, you know you do!
I know, I KNOW. I stink. I can't help it though. Everyone has all those beautiful scarves everywhere on the blogosphere and in Ravelry. Have you seen these things? How could I resist?
So, want to take a looksy? Here it is:
You can see a couple of more shots of it on my Flickr page. It's about 3 or 4 times longer now and I can't put it down. It's an addictively easy and fun knit. I see a couple or more of these at some point in the future but hopefully not before I finish a couple of other things.
Hopefully.
Now, don't you want to make one too? C'mon, you know you do!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Six degrees of. . . . . . DRACO?
So, over at my Hogwart's sock swap they are having a contest about connecting certain characters to Draco Malfoy ala "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon". You can read all about it on this post.
So, anyway, I love playing these kind of silly games so here goes:
I decided to start with Mad Eye Moody
1. Mad Eye Moody is ordered to protect Harry Potter by the Order of the Phoenix.
2. Harry Potter is Sirius Black's godson.
3. Sirius Black's cousin if Bellatrix LeStrange
4. Bellatrix LeStrange tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom (couldn't find a picture of them)
5. Frank and Alice Longbottom are Neville Longbottom's parents
6. Neville Longbottom is a classmate of Draco Malfoy
Tee hee. That was fun. It will be interesting to see how many different paths are taken to connect the characters. . . .
Speaking of the swap, I have cast on and knit past the cuff (yeah I'm going cuff down this time) on sock #2. . . . .but I spent some time on the crack site last night and now I want to cast on for a chevron scarf (I have 2 koigu's picked out already) AND Flair. All the stores and magazines are showing trapeze cropped jackets and I think Flair would fit the bill. Problem being, what yarn to use? I have some black cotton ease that I was thinking of and I also have some malabrigo in this color. The black would probably be better for a fall and winter cardigan though, huh?
So, anyway, I love playing these kind of silly games so here goes:
I decided to start with Mad Eye Moody
1. Mad Eye Moody is ordered to protect Harry Potter by the Order of the Phoenix.
2. Harry Potter is Sirius Black's godson.
3. Sirius Black's cousin if Bellatrix LeStrange
4. Bellatrix LeStrange tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom (couldn't find a picture of them)
5. Frank and Alice Longbottom are Neville Longbottom's parents
6. Neville Longbottom is a classmate of Draco Malfoy
Tee hee. That was fun. It will be interesting to see how many different paths are taken to connect the characters. . . .
Speaking of the swap, I have cast on and knit past the cuff (yeah I'm going cuff down this time) on sock #2. . . . .but I spent some time on the crack site last night and now I want to cast on for a chevron scarf (I have 2 koigu's picked out already) AND Flair. All the stores and magazines are showing trapeze cropped jackets and I think Flair would fit the bill. Problem being, what yarn to use? I have some black cotton ease that I was thinking of and I also have some malabrigo in this color. The black would probably be better for a fall and winter cardigan though, huh?
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Oooh an interactive quiz
So, I found this on Angela's blog and, you know me and a good quiz. Thing about this one is that if you know me well enough, you can alter the results of my daemon by answering the questions. This is supposedly so that my true daemon can be determined. Let's see what happens:
Sunday, August 12, 2007
PIF exchange
OK,so you all know that I am in the Dish Rag Tag right? So, we are off and running and I was reading my team's forum so that I could participate with my team mates and find our just where we are in the race. So I started to do a little blog surfing among my team mate's blogs. I found information on the PIF Exchange from Alicia who found it from Alaina who got it from Jody. I was able to join in from Moriah's blog. So, just reading that last couple of sentences should give you a 'sense' of what it's all about. Here is the gist of the exchange (taken blatantly from Alaina's blog).
PIF Exchange
This exchange is based on this gorgeous movie with Helen Hunt in it called 'Pay It Forward'. How many of you out there have had a chance to watch it? O.K. If you've yet to see the movie, this is what the PIF Exchange is all about......
"Here is how it works! I'll send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange! I don't know what that gift will be yet, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week...LOL... but you will receive it within 365 days, that's a promise! and it will be something yummy!! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog..."
So the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog, will get something made for them by me! I can't wait to see who you are! I should be able to come up with something good for you all, just you wait and see! Let me know you want in and if you are among the first 3, you'll be in! I'll need your email address when you comment so that I know how to reach you to obtain your address, ok?
Join in and then just pay it forward!
PIF Exchange
This exchange is based on this gorgeous movie with Helen Hunt in it called 'Pay It Forward'. How many of you out there have had a chance to watch it? O.K. If you've yet to see the movie, this is what the PIF Exchange is all about......
"Here is how it works! I'll send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange! I don't know what that gift will be yet, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week...LOL... but you will receive it within 365 days, that's a promise! and it will be something yummy!! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog..."
So the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog, will get something made for them by me! I can't wait to see who you are! I should be able to come up with something good for you all, just you wait and see! Let me know you want in and if you are among the first 3, you'll be in! I'll need your email address when you comment so that I know how to reach you to obtain your address, ok?
Join in and then just pay it forward!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Fortunes. . . .
First, Thanks to all of you for the kind words and well wishes regarding the recent anniversary. It was so nice to open my email and find your congratulations there. What a pick me up! Thanks again.
So, I originally had had this grand idea of posting a different fortune every week. At the time, I was going to my FAVE sushi lunch spot weekly so, it was a plausible idea. And then, my summer got really, really busy. So, the weekly sushi lunches went by the wayside. Sigh.
So, I have a new fortune to share and I guess that this will be a sporadic thing rather than weekly but, it makes for good blogging content (at least I think it does). So, I will add it periodically.
'Nuf said.
Today's fortune?
"The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything."
Amen to that.
So, I originally had had this grand idea of posting a different fortune every week. At the time, I was going to my FAVE sushi lunch spot weekly so, it was a plausible idea. And then, my summer got really, really busy. So, the weekly sushi lunches went by the wayside. Sigh.
So, I have a new fortune to share and I guess that this will be a sporadic thing rather than weekly but, it makes for good blogging content (at least I think it does). So, I will add it periodically.
'Nuf said.
Today's fortune?
"The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything."
Amen to that.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Finally some more knitting
OK, OK, so I am finally feeling better and can't sit down to a proper post. I have been up to some knitting during this brief run-in with a summer cold. I've worked on my Hogwart's Sock Swap and have almost completed sock number 1. Unfortunately, b/c this time around the swap isn't a secret one, I can not post progress pictures (RATS!) The time will have to wait until the pair is done and I ship them on to their new home. I need to keep up the pace so that they are done quickly and so that I will be ready for the race!
I need a quick but nice dishcloth pattern. Any suggestions ladies?
Lastly, my last Hogwarts Sock Swap pal had forgotten to include my needles in my package (oops!). Well, last week I got my needles and they were SO WORTH the wait. I got Lantern Moon Ebony DPNs. Wanna see? Take a look!
Beautiful, no?
Thanks so much Sandy!
I need a quick but nice dishcloth pattern. Any suggestions ladies?
Lastly, my last Hogwarts Sock Swap pal had forgotten to include my needles in my package (oops!). Well, last week I got my needles and they were SO WORTH the wait. I got Lantern Moon Ebony DPNs. Wanna see? Take a look!
Beautiful, no?
Thanks so much Sandy!
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Thanks for a great 18 years!
Don't we look like such babies? It's hard to believe that it's been 18 years since that wonderfully happy day. There have been, of course, ups and downs but I wouldn't trade a minute of it. How else would we have gotten where we are today? I firmly believe that each of life's journeys, both happy and sad or trying, lead us to the places we are and I am VERY HAPPY where I am right now.
Thank you honey. You are my best friend, my lover, my provider and caretaker. You watch over our little family better than anyone could ever do and I thank God every day for you in my life.
Happy Anniversary Sweetheart! Here's to the next 18, 28, 38 and so on years to come.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
I feel crappy
My body is shaky, I'm sick to my stomach (on & off) and I have the headache from Hell. My nose is stuffy, my throat it scratchy, I have a crappy cough AND I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in a couple of nights. Had to stay home from work (after being cancelled on Monday and probably having to call off for tomorrow- crap we need the $$) and did NOT step foot out of the house for a single thing today AND it didn't drive me crazy! (Normally I would at least have to walk out on the deck or in the yard at some point.
BUT. . . . .
I DID start on the first sock for my pal's HP sock for Hogwarts Sock Swap 2. I would show you a picture of them except that this time around we KNOW who are pals are (we are doing a direct swap - she knits for me and I knit for her). Therefore, if I post a picture, there's a good likelihood that she'll see them and that would be no fun. . . . .
I can say that I knit the cuff and about 1 1/2 inches of the leg (so about 2 1/2 inches) which doesn't seem like a lot but I WAS after all sick and everything. . . .
I won't go too much into detail except to say that the beautiful Rio de la Plata in my last post will be the body of the socks and there is an alternate yarn for the cuff, heel and toe. Is it bronze? Is it silver? Is it variegated? I can't say. SOMETHING has to be a surprise, right?
I am surprised that I went cuff down. But, I found THE pattern and feeling sick and all I didn't want to think about how to convert it from cuff down to toe up. Oh well, that means that I will probably have some yarn left . . . . . maybe for opposite socks?
We'll see.
Oh, in other knitting news, I FINALLY found a new knitting group since moving. I foudn them through meetup and I FINALLY got to go to a get together on Tuesday night. What's nice is that this is a new group so it's not like I'm joining an already established group, y'know? They had only had 2 meetings prior to this one so everyone is still getting to know everyone.
It will be good for me. I missed having that.
OK, I'm getting dizzy again so I am going to go call off for tomorrow and lay down.
UGH!
BUT. . . . .
I DID start on the first sock for my pal's HP sock for Hogwarts Sock Swap 2. I would show you a picture of them except that this time around we KNOW who are pals are (we are doing a direct swap - she knits for me and I knit for her). Therefore, if I post a picture, there's a good likelihood that she'll see them and that would be no fun. . . . .
I can say that I knit the cuff and about 1 1/2 inches of the leg (so about 2 1/2 inches) which doesn't seem like a lot but I WAS after all sick and everything. . . .
I won't go too much into detail except to say that the beautiful Rio de la Plata in my last post will be the body of the socks and there is an alternate yarn for the cuff, heel and toe. Is it bronze? Is it silver? Is it variegated? I can't say. SOMETHING has to be a surprise, right?
I am surprised that I went cuff down. But, I found THE pattern and feeling sick and all I didn't want to think about how to convert it from cuff down to toe up. Oh well, that means that I will probably have some yarn left . . . . . maybe for opposite socks?
We'll see.
Oh, in other knitting news, I FINALLY found a new knitting group since moving. I foudn them through meetup and I FINALLY got to go to a get together on Tuesday night. What's nice is that this is a new group so it's not like I'm joining an already established group, y'know? They had only had 2 meetings prior to this one so everyone is still getting to know everyone.
It will be good for me. I missed having that.
OK, I'm getting dizzy again so I am going to go call off for tomorrow and lay down.
UGH!
Monday, July 30, 2007
CRAP!
As IF I needed another sock yarn to fall for. . . .along comes this beauty. Now, when it comes to kettle-dyed worsted, I am all about my malabrigo or manos. They are amazingly soft and FABULOUS with their colorways. Rio de la Plata hadn't really impressed me with the texture of their worsted or their colorways. So, I had never really thought of purchasing them for any worsted projects. Now, today I am at the LYS (don't even think it, I can't believe that I had ANY reason to be there - but I did so there!) looking for sock yarn to make my pal her Ravenclaw socks (blue and silver or bronze seem to not be in my color repertoire) and I came across THIS:
I thought to myself "Self, THAT is the perfect blue for Ravenclaw socks!" So, I grabbed it and upon closer inspection of the tag, I noted that it was from Rio de la Plata.
"Huh?" I thought to myself. It MUST be scratchy & blotchy. I felt it. It was soft. I looked the color over. It's a "semi-solid" but doesn't have any glaring areas of stark white anywhere to be found. I was intrigued. Then the shop owner noticed what I had in my hand and said "I just got that in. I'm knitting these out of one of the multi-colors." Then she proceeds to show me a pair of embossed leaves socks she is working on in a great moss, palish orange, mint and cream colorway. PERFECT for embossed leaves!
I asked if I could feel the sock. She agreed and I felt it. It was soft. It was sturdy. It was. . . . .GOOD! So, I now have the blue sock yarn and I think I know what pattern I am going to make but I need to find a corresponding silver or bronze sock yarn. Sigh. I wanted to stay away from that and really wanted to try to do a variegated or self patterning colorway since she got a pair with stripes and alternate heels in the Hogwarts Sock Swap #1 but I couldn't resist this yarn. I think there might yet be ANOTHER sock yarn for me to obsess over. God help me (uh, help us all - wait until you see this stuff you guys).
So, the question that now stands before me and therefore YOU, how should I do these so that they aren't the same as her first pair? Here are my thoughts. . . .
#1) Use bronze instead of silver (book colors vs. movie colors)
#2) Attempt (notice I say attempt) to do a lace sock. sigh. I should write her now and tell her that I am going to be late already if I take this option.
#3) I don't know of any other options. . . . .
So, HELP?????!!!!!?????
I thought to myself "Self, THAT is the perfect blue for Ravenclaw socks!" So, I grabbed it and upon closer inspection of the tag, I noted that it was from Rio de la Plata.
"Huh?" I thought to myself. It MUST be scratchy & blotchy. I felt it. It was soft. I looked the color over. It's a "semi-solid" but doesn't have any glaring areas of stark white anywhere to be found. I was intrigued. Then the shop owner noticed what I had in my hand and said "I just got that in. I'm knitting these out of one of the multi-colors." Then she proceeds to show me a pair of embossed leaves socks she is working on in a great moss, palish orange, mint and cream colorway. PERFECT for embossed leaves!
I asked if I could feel the sock. She agreed and I felt it. It was soft. It was sturdy. It was. . . . .GOOD! So, I now have the blue sock yarn and I think I know what pattern I am going to make but I need to find a corresponding silver or bronze sock yarn. Sigh. I wanted to stay away from that and really wanted to try to do a variegated or self patterning colorway since she got a pair with stripes and alternate heels in the Hogwarts Sock Swap #1
So, the question that now stands before me and therefore YOU, how should I do these so that they aren't the same as her first pair? Here are my thoughts. . . .
#1) Use bronze instead of silver (book colors vs. movie colors)
#2) Attempt (notice I say attempt) to do a lace sock. sigh. I should write her now and tell her that I am going to be late already if I take this option.
#3) I don't know of any other options. . . . .
So, HELP?????!!!!!?????
Monday, July 23, 2007
OMG!!!!!!!!! I loved it!
Don't worry - no spoilers here:
I just finished HP and the Deathly Hallows! I can't believe all that just happened. The story weaved by Rowling is amazing. Looking back at the whole series, it's amazing how things from book 1 matter (and come up) in the final book. It's an incredible book and although it took me longer to read than it took others - it was the quickest reading of any book EVER for me. EVER!
What do we all read now?
I just finished HP and the Deathly Hallows! I can't believe all that just happened. The story weaved by Rowling is amazing. Looking back at the whole series, it's amazing how things from book 1 matter (and come up) in the final book. It's an incredible book and although it took me longer to read than it took others - it was the quickest reading of any book EVER for me. EVER!
What do we all read now?
Sunday, July 22, 2007
It's about time don't you think???
$3805.00The Cadaver Calculator - Find out how much your body is worth. From Mingle2 - Free Online Dating
BTW, I'm locking myself away for the rest of the day with Harry. I worked yesterday and I didn't get to spend as much time with him as I had wanted to.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
I'm so excited!
Yeah, I got my Hogwarts Sock Swap package today - just in time to see the movie tomorrow! Did I tell you all that I am seeing it in IMAX and that the last 30 minutes are in 3D? It was worth waiting until tomorrow for me. . . . anyhow here are my lovelies. . . . .
Here are the detailed pictures:
Sandy did a great job matching them up, don't you think? Well, she did a great job overall. I LOVE everything in my package. Here are some more goodies:
I REALLY can't wait until tomorrow (and of course Friday) now. I am so excited! Thanks again to Sandy for a great package and Rebecca for a fab swap!
Here are the detailed pictures:
Sandy did a great job matching them up, don't you think? Well, she did a great job overall. I LOVE everything in my package. Here are some more goodies:
I REALLY can't wait until tomorrow (and of course Friday) now. I am so excited! Thanks again to Sandy for a great package and Rebecca for a fab swap!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Yarn p0rn pictures
That there would be the vacation haul in it's entirety. See? I told you my hubby was too good to me. Individual yarn shots:
I didn't even photograph all the yarn individually. . . . . so much for the summer of stash more like the summer of stash enhancement over here.
I'm in again!
So, I mailed my Hogwarts Sock Swap Socks and package yesterday. It'll be there no later than Thursday - woo hoo! So, I went to the Hogwart Sock Swap Blog and I found this:
Yep! I'm a glutton for punishment - er, or maybe just for Harry??? Anyhow. Why don't you join in? You know you want to. Go look at all the cool packages that people have been receiving on the first swap. Don't you want in on some of that action? Yeah, I thought so. . . . . go on over and join in on the fun. sig-ups began on July 14th but they are still openings left. Hurry up before the classes are all full! tee hee!
Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 Questionnaire
Second Years
1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
I remain a Gryffindor. Different test - same result. Go Red and Gold!
2. Shoe size? Foot length? Foot circumference?
Size 8 - 10 inches long - Circumference is 10 inches
3. List your three favorite sock yarns.
a. Cherry Tree Hill
b. Socks that Rock
c. my all-time fave - Koigu
4. Would you like to try a new brand of sock yarn? If so, which brand? ADDED 7/18/07: WOW! I just found this pattern and I want to try some of the sockpixie sock yarn to make it now. LOVE IT!!!!!
I would LOVE to try Scout’s Swag sock yarn. Or, hmmmmmm, ooh, ooh I would love to try Fleece Artist - I’ve tried other yarns from them but not their sock yarn. But, really, I like trying new yarns especially from the little, local yarn dyers.
5. Do you prefer variegated or solid sock yarn?
I have few solid sock yarns so I wouldn’t mind trying some of the “semi-solids” that are out there (Sunshine yarns on Etsy - oooooh). But I usually go variegated. I prefer patterned or striped over true variegated. I have “pooling” issues. I like repetitive sequencing. (My OCD rears it’s ugly head)
6. What colors would you like to add to your sock yarn stash?
Um, how about some fun semi-solids like apple or lime greens, warm yellows (not bright), or some deep (jewel-like) purples.
7. What kind of sock patterns do you gravitate toward? Lace? Ribbed? Fair Isle?
Anything but Fair Isle. I’m not into color work especially on something as small as socks.
8. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, animals, etc.)
Nope, but I can smell smoke a mile away.
9. Will your socks be exposed to cigarette smoke or animals as you knit them?
Nope. I have a dog but she doesn’t get up on my bed or furniture so they won’t have dog hair on them.
10. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?
Sure! I think it would be awesome!
Oh so, DS is at a cool hands-on kids camp this week that is doing all sorts of activities with them. Anyhow, they are going to see "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" get this. . . .on IMAX! So, I asked if parents could attend as well and they said Yep! So, I will be seeing it in IMAX (the last 30 minutes on IMAX is in 3D!!! How cool is that????!!!???)
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Knitter's vacation
Ok, Ok, so it wasn't REALLY a knitter's vacation but, boy oh boy, did I ever get spoiled by my husband on this trip! First of all, let me say that I have a great hubby. Before trips and/or vacations he always looks for available knit shops. He's done this kind of stuff for as long as we've been together. When I was a cross stitcher, he would find the XS shops for me. Now that I am a knitter he finds the yarn shops. Oh, and he know that yarn shops vary and has become familiar with the correct terminology necessary in successfully finding quality yarn shops. He knows the names of the yarns I adore (Koigu, Mountain Colors, Manos del Urugua, etc.), he knows that I am a sock knitter, he knows that I enjoy hand-painted yarns and he knows that I like to knit with natural fibers especially merino, alpaca, etc.
So, anyhow, he scouted out yarn shops and find 1 in Williamsburg and 2 in the Outerbanks. Funny thing is, I asked around the blogsphere and only heard of a single shop in the Outerbanks but he found a second one. And he took me to each one of the three. So, let's have a shop review and discuss my take, er purchases, at each shop.
First up: Williamsburg - Knitting Sisters. Here is a shop that is open, spacious and welcoming with pleasant eye-catching displays, a helpful staff and plenty of room to spread out and knit for a while. There is also a corner with seating and magazines for your non-knitters while you shop/knit. Many shops samples that entice as inspire. Oh, and they have their very own colorway from Claudia's handpainted yarns!
So, souvenir yarn? Yep, that would be the Knitting Sisters colorway in the sport weight - 2 skeins no less (well, I might want a small shawl, right?) The colors are so pleasing and I thought this is great. I can make a couple of pairs of instant gratification socks OR I can make a smaller shawl/stole. BTW, any pattern suggestions for said shawl/stole would be greatly appreciated.
So you might think that since I found the souvenir yarn so quickly, I was done, right? Er, that would be a negative. Remember the shop samples I was talking about earlier. Yeah, I fell. So I got 3 balls of baby alpaca brush in the orange color #1004. I am going to make this capelet. I know, I know, you look at the pattern picture and say "Really? She's going to knit that?" but I saw the sample and it looks completely different and was gorgeous. Interestingly enough, I made this plymouth yarn company poncho into this. Again, I didn't like the pattern but I saw a sample in a shop and HAD to make it. I still get comments on it when I wear it. So, anyhow, someday I will be making the capelet and posting about it. Someday. Overall, Knitting Sisters was a great all purpose yarn shop. . . spacious, good variety of yarns, plenty of needles, gadgetry, welcoming staff, multiple classes offered and they were even organizing a knitter's retreat. . . . . Definitely a place to visit if you are ever in Williamsburg.
Next up is Knitting Addiction in Southern Shores, NC - Outerbanks. You want a spacious shop? Then you need to visit this shop. Wow! Open and spacious doesn't begin to describe it. But, it didn't look empty or cold at all. It was a warm welcome shop. The owner was great (and she's a volunteer firefighter - you go girl!) and she showcases heirloom knitted pieces (her mom's baby sweater) knit by her grandma behind the register. Gotta love that! There is a HUGE sit ' knit area when you enter the shop with 2 full sized sofas facing eachother with a big coffee table in between and a rocking chair (or 2?). There are again lots and lots of great shop samples which highlight many Knitting Addiction patterns. The owner designs around the yarns in her shop and then you can either purchase the patterns ($2.50 - $5 a pattern) OR the patterns are free with the purchase of the yarn needed to complete the project. Great way to move stock don'tcha think?! This shop offered many novelty yarns that were showcased with samples using these specific yarns. It helps to see how these yarns were meant to be used - mostly as accent yarns - when trying to sell (as a shop owner) and invision the yarns in use (as a customer). Knitting addiction has a very laid back atmosphere that is extremely inviting (the owner was walking barefoot the day I was there - tee hee). She was a school teacher prior to owning the shop so there are toys and lots of kid friendly books in a variety of age ranges. Extremely kid friendly shop which helps when on vacation or for moms in general. OK, enought about the shop - let's get to the purchases. Here I got the following: a skein of Southwest trading company's "Tofutsies" sock yarn (50% Superwash Wool, 25% Soysilk (hence the tofu references), 22.5% cotton and 2.5% chitin (made from shrimp and crab shells-how cool!) in "Wild Kat" limited edition colorway. Pink and black - you gotta love it. Plus, it was limited edition, right? OK, I needed to get a regular colorway too, right? In comes #731 also known as the "Ten Foot tall" colorway - look for it here. Great color eh? Fuschia, pink, hot pink, pale pink and white. Yeah for pinks. So, 2 skeins of sock yarn enough? NOPE! I picked up a couple of other things. Specifically, Interlacements Toasty Toes in this great blues colorway. Yummy! And lastly I got the coolest thing ever that I had not known of before. Did you all know that Cherry Tree Hill makes supersock yarn in "Potluck" colorways that are one of a kind dye lots??Apparantly, every so often the dyers at CTH get to "play" with the established colorways and make these potluck colors. Well, Knitting Addiction carries these and I just had to get one. So I got a skein in the jeweltones. . . . . it's got mauves, golds, yellows, greys, blues, etc. Beautiful and unique. Yeah! I got 4 knitting addiction patterns for free with the purchases of my yarns.
My last shop review is a second Outerbanks shop located in Manteo, NC - Fine Yarns at Kimbeeba which is a shop unlike any other I've been too. The owner was there and she was so neat. She was a free spirit who talked to you the moment you walk in. The shop had the most amazing smell of lavender the moment you walked in and there was soft nature sounds music playing. Sybil (the owner) greets you and offers coffee, tea, hot chocolate or ice water. I had the best chai latte! The shop is small but there was still a table to sit out which was flanked by her spinning wheel and weaving loom. She had everything from Sugar 'n Cream dischcloth cotton to cashmere from Italy (I think it was Italy. . . .) Anyhow, anything anyone would want at any price range or taste is there. She even had "jelly" yarn that can be used to make waterproof shopping or beach bags. Kinda cool really - but I didn't get any. Instead I got two (2) sweater quantities of yarn.
I first got 8 skeins of Hempathy in #011 Navy Blue enough to make something like this sweater.
Isn't that beautiful? I didn't get the pattern but I got enough skeins so, someday (yeah I know) I could make this or something else. This yarn is so soft yet durable. I think I am really going to enjoy this yarn eventually. We'll see how long this languishes in the stash.
Next I got 10 skeins of Ella Rae Silkience in 06 color (lavender). I loved the feel and sheen of this yarn especially when I saw the shop sample of this:
It was gorgeous. So I got enough yarn for that (or something like that). If nothing else, I have enough yarn to make a great cardigan. I let my hubby pick out the colors for both of the sweater quantities and I think that he did a great job. BTW, the shop offers back issues of magazines at $2.50 an issue - great deal huh? Especially when back issues include the last issue - yep, one issue is a back issue and is down to $2.50. At least that's how it was for Interweave Knits. AND, you get 15% off your entire purchase when you buy 10 skeins of yarn or more. Woo hoo!
So, 1 week, 7 days and 3 shops. I would say that all these shops are worth visiting and that I got WAAAY spoiled.
I will get the camera and put together the whole lot of stash enhancement for your viewing pleasure. It's been a busy time since our return but maybe I will do that tomorrow. . . Now that I've written about it all I want to pull it out and play with it again.. You guys want to see it all anyway, right?
So, anyhow, he scouted out yarn shops and find 1 in Williamsburg and 2 in the Outerbanks. Funny thing is, I asked around the blogsphere and only heard of a single shop in the Outerbanks but he found a second one. And he took me to each one of the three. So, let's have a shop review and discuss my take, er purchases, at each shop.
First up: Williamsburg - Knitting Sisters. Here is a shop that is open, spacious and welcoming with pleasant eye-catching displays, a helpful staff and plenty of room to spread out and knit for a while. There is also a corner with seating and magazines for your non-knitters while you shop/knit. Many shops samples that entice as inspire. Oh, and they have their very own colorway from Claudia's handpainted yarns!
So, souvenir yarn? Yep, that would be the Knitting Sisters colorway in the sport weight - 2 skeins no less (well, I might want a small shawl, right?) The colors are so pleasing and I thought this is great. I can make a couple of pairs of instant gratification socks OR I can make a smaller shawl/stole. BTW, any pattern suggestions for said shawl/stole would be greatly appreciated.So you might think that since I found the souvenir yarn so quickly, I was done, right? Er, that would be a negative. Remember the shop samples I was talking about earlier. Yeah, I fell. So I got 3 balls of baby alpaca brush in the orange color #1004. I am going to make this capelet. I know, I know, you look at the pattern picture and say "Really? She's going to knit that?" but I saw the sample and it looks completely different and was gorgeous. Interestingly enough, I made this plymouth yarn company poncho into this. Again, I didn't like the pattern but I saw a sample in a shop and HAD to make it. I still get comments on it when I wear it. So, anyhow, someday I will be making the capelet and posting about it. Someday. Overall, Knitting Sisters was a great all purpose yarn shop. . . spacious, good variety of yarns, plenty of needles, gadgetry, welcoming staff, multiple classes offered and they were even organizing a knitter's retreat. . . . . Definitely a place to visit if you are ever in Williamsburg.
Next up is Knitting Addiction in Southern Shores, NC - Outerbanks. You want a spacious shop? Then you need to visit this shop. Wow! Open and spacious doesn't begin to describe it. But, it didn't look empty or cold at all. It was a warm welcome shop. The owner was great (and she's a volunteer firefighter - you go girl!) and she showcases heirloom knitted pieces (her mom's baby sweater) knit by her grandma behind the register. Gotta love that! There is a HUGE sit ' knit area when you enter the shop with 2 full sized sofas facing eachother with a big coffee table in between and a rocking chair (or 2?). There are again lots and lots of great shop samples which highlight many Knitting Addiction patterns. The owner designs around the yarns in her shop and then you can either purchase the patterns ($2.50 - $5 a pattern) OR the patterns are free with the purchase of the yarn needed to complete the project. Great way to move stock don'tcha think?! This shop offered many novelty yarns that were showcased with samples using these specific yarns. It helps to see how these yarns were meant to be used - mostly as accent yarns - when trying to sell (as a shop owner) and invision the yarns in use (as a customer). Knitting addiction has a very laid back atmosphere that is extremely inviting (the owner was walking barefoot the day I was there - tee hee). She was a school teacher prior to owning the shop so there are toys and lots of kid friendly books in a variety of age ranges. Extremely kid friendly shop which helps when on vacation or for moms in general. OK, enought about the shop - let's get to the purchases. Here I got the following: a skein of Southwest trading company's "Tofutsies" sock yarn (50% Superwash Wool, 25% Soysilk (hence the tofu references), 22.5% cotton and 2.5% chitin (made from shrimp and crab shells-how cool!) in "Wild Kat" limited edition colorway. Pink and black - you gotta love it. Plus, it was limited edition, right? OK, I needed to get a regular colorway too, right? In comes #731 also known as the "Ten Foot tall" colorway - look for it here. Great color eh? Fuschia, pink, hot pink, pale pink and white. Yeah for pinks. So, 2 skeins of sock yarn enough? NOPE! I picked up a couple of other things. Specifically, Interlacements Toasty Toes in this great blues colorway. Yummy! And lastly I got the coolest thing ever that I had not known of before. Did you all know that Cherry Tree Hill makes supersock yarn in "Potluck" colorways that are one of a kind dye lots??Apparantly, every so often the dyers at CTH get to "play" with the established colorways and make these potluck colors. Well, Knitting Addiction carries these and I just had to get one. So I got a skein in the jeweltones. . . . . it's got mauves, golds, yellows, greys, blues, etc. Beautiful and unique. Yeah! I got 4 knitting addiction patterns for free with the purchases of my yarns.
My last shop review is a second Outerbanks shop located in Manteo, NC - Fine Yarns at Kimbeeba which is a shop unlike any other I've been too. The owner was there and she was so neat. She was a free spirit who talked to you the moment you walk in. The shop had the most amazing smell of lavender the moment you walked in and there was soft nature sounds music playing. Sybil (the owner) greets you and offers coffee, tea, hot chocolate or ice water. I had the best chai latte! The shop is small but there was still a table to sit out which was flanked by her spinning wheel and weaving loom. She had everything from Sugar 'n Cream dischcloth cotton to cashmere from Italy (I think it was Italy. . . .) Anyhow, anything anyone would want at any price range or taste is there. She even had "jelly" yarn that can be used to make waterproof shopping or beach bags. Kinda cool really - but I didn't get any. Instead I got two (2) sweater quantities of yarn.
I first got 8 skeins of Hempathy in #011 Navy Blue enough to make something like this sweater.Isn't that beautiful? I didn't get the pattern but I got enough skeins so, someday (yeah I know) I could make this or something else. This yarn is so soft yet durable. I think I am really going to enjoy this yarn eventually. We'll see how long this languishes in the stash.
Next I got 10 skeins of Ella Rae Silkience in 06 color (lavender). I loved the feel and sheen of this yarn especially when I saw the shop sample of this:It was gorgeous. So I got enough yarn for that (or something like that). If nothing else, I have enough yarn to make a great cardigan. I let my hubby pick out the colors for both of the sweater quantities and I think that he did a great job. BTW, the shop offers back issues of magazines at $2.50 an issue - great deal huh? Especially when back issues include the last issue - yep, one issue is a back issue and is down to $2.50. At least that's how it was for Interweave Knits. AND, you get 15% off your entire purchase when you buy 10 skeins of yarn or more. Woo hoo!
So, 1 week, 7 days and 3 shops. I would say that all these shops are worth visiting and that I got WAAAY spoiled.
I will get the camera and put together the whole lot of stash enhancement for your viewing pleasure. It's been a busy time since our return but maybe I will do that tomorrow. . . Now that I've written about it all I want to pull it out and play with it again.. You guys want to see it all anyway, right?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Safe and Sound
Aaah. Back home after vacation. Made it early enough to even be able to pick the puppy up for the Vets (they board her for us). Had a great time.
There WAS knitting.
There WAS yarn shopping (OMG - it was bad. Hauls. 3 shops. Sock Yarn and sweater quantities (yep plural) and patterns. OH MY!)
There will be pictures. But not now. Now there is unpacking and laundry and lunch making (tomorrow is after all a work day - bleck!)
Glad to be home.
There WAS knitting.
There WAS yarn shopping (OMG - it was bad. Hauls. 3 shops. Sock Yarn and sweater quantities (yep plural) and patterns. OH MY!)
There will be pictures. But not now. Now there is unpacking and laundry and lunch making (tomorrow is after all a work day - bleck!)
Glad to be home.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Let Freedom (and gratefulness) Ring!
Happy 4th of July. I am off celebrating the summer, my family and the freedom that we are all so priviliged to live under. My brother was in the Army. My cousin is in the Air Force. My Father-in-law served in the Air Force in Vietnam. Thank you to them and to all that have served and fallen to give us our freedom. I only wish I could do something like Kaziah Hancock to give thanks to all that have lost someone. If the story touches you like it's touched me, won't you consider helping Kaziah continue her cause?
Monday, July 02, 2007
Where have I been??? (photo heavy)
I can't believe that it's been close to a month since I have posted. WOW! Even though, that post really doesn't count as it was just passing on info rather than a true post. What can I say? It's summertime and the living is busy! DS has been swimming in the neighborhood swimteam. Practices everyday except Fridays and Sundays and swim meets every Tuesday. That takes a chunk of time but it's so fun! Plus, it keeps him physically active which is a huge plus. I only wish that I knew how to swim. Sure, I can save my life but do a butterfly stroke? Hahahahahahaha!
This was at his first swim meet. He so excited, can you tell? The participants have their swim team numbers written on their arms and it was ironic that DS's was 10 (his age - well they do that for everyone so that they swim in the proper age group) and 65 (his individual swim team number - also the year of a VIP's birth - um hum we WON'T mention whose! >wink< 'nuf said.) So that's reason number 1 for the busyness of this summer. Next, we've been going on quite a few weekend drives. As a family, we all enjoy drives. Long, lazy, strolling rides where you go off and "explore" your local areas. If we had been a family in the 50's, you would have been able to see us in one of those Chevrolet commercials. Y'know the ones I mean . Yep, that would be us driving around on an "adventure".
You may recall the trip to New Bern where I ran into Lolly? That would be an example of our adventures, just getting into the car and going. We recently visited Wilmington, NC and had a great day there as well. While there we walked around and saw the sites and found an amazing Italian Ice/Gelato shop. Mia's Italian Ices & Gelato on Front Street is quaint and cozy and has a FABULOUS Mango italian ice. So good, that after getting some and walking around, we went back for more! Funny thing is that the folks ahead of us the first time at the shop? They had come back for more too! So here are a few shots of our visit to Wilmington.
That same day we stopped at Carolina Beach on the way back from Wilmington. I got a few of my fave pix of the summer (so far) while we were there.
So, anyways, as you all can see we've been very busy. Knitting? Well, I do knit as we drive so there has been knitting. The HP Sock Swap socks should be in the mail this afternoon or tomorrow at the latest. I will photo the swap contents prior to mailing. I've picked up an old friend or two that have been patiently waiting to be worked on and I whipped up a couple of CE baby hats for a coworker's wife expecting twins (I forgot to photo those - darn it!).
We have had more adventures and my family just left yesterday after visiting for a week so, hopefully I will post again later today or tonight. We will be leaving EARLY on the 4th (Happy B-Day USA!) for our summer vacation - Williamsburg, VA and Outerbanks, NC so, if I go MIA that's what's up! DH has already found out shops in both areas for me. Yeah! Any suggestions of shops from you guys?
Hopefully I'll be back on today. . . . .
This was at his first swim meet. He so excited, can you tell? The participants have their swim team numbers written on their arms and it was ironic that DS's was 10 (his age - well they do that for everyone so that they swim in the proper age group) and 65 (his individual swim team number - also the year of a VIP's birth - um hum we WON'T mention whose! >wink< 'nuf said.) So that's reason number 1 for the busyness of this summer. Next, we've been going on quite a few weekend drives. As a family, we all enjoy drives. Long, lazy, strolling rides where you go off and "explore" your local areas. If we had been a family in the 50's, you would have been able to see us in one of those Chevrolet commercials. Y'know the ones I mean . Yep, that would be us driving around on an "adventure".You may recall the trip to New Bern where I ran into Lolly? That would be an example of our adventures, just getting into the car and going. We recently visited Wilmington, NC and had a great day there as well. While there we walked around and saw the sites and found an amazing Italian Ice/Gelato shop. Mia's Italian Ices & Gelato on Front Street is quaint and cozy and has a FABULOUS Mango italian ice. So good, that after getting some and walking around, we went back for more! Funny thing is that the folks ahead of us the first time at the shop? They had come back for more too! So here are a few shots of our visit to Wilmington.
That same day we stopped at Carolina Beach on the way back from Wilmington. I got a few of my fave pix of the summer (so far) while we were there.
So, anyways, as you all can see we've been very busy. Knitting? Well, I do knit as we drive so there has been knitting. The HP Sock Swap socks should be in the mail this afternoon or tomorrow at the latest. I will photo the swap contents prior to mailing. I've picked up an old friend or two that have been patiently waiting to be worked on and I whipped up a couple of CE baby hats for a coworker's wife expecting twins (I forgot to photo those - darn it!).
We have had more adventures and my family just left yesterday after visiting for a week so, hopefully I will post again later today or tonight. We will be leaving EARLY on the 4th (Happy B-Day USA!) for our summer vacation - Williamsburg, VA and Outerbanks, NC so, if I go MIA that's what's up! DH has already found out shops in both areas for me. Yeah! Any suggestions of shops from you guys?
Hopefully I'll be back on today. . . . .
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Fortune #2
Fortune for the week of June 11th:
"Conquer your fears. Otherwise, your fears will conquer you."
Gotta love those fortune cookies. So, my fear that I am going to attempt to conquer is my fear of failing to live up to the expectations of others. I mean, really? The people that love me are going to love me no matter what. They know the real me and accept me, faults and all. The people with all the "expectations"? Yeah, they don't really count so much in the long run . . . . .
So, what fears are you planning on conquering? I'd love to hear.
"Conquer your fears. Otherwise, your fears will conquer you."
Gotta love those fortune cookies. So, my fear that I am going to attempt to conquer is my fear of failing to live up to the expectations of others. I mean, really? The people that love me are going to love me no matter what. They know the real me and accept me, faults and all. The people with all the "expectations"? Yeah, they don't really count so much in the long run . . . . .
So, what fears are you planning on conquering? I'd love to hear.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Yes God, I'm listening. . .
Every once in a while, I'll have a day where I feel like God is slapping me across the head saying "What are you complaining about?!?" - Either that or "Really, you have a fabulous life y'know!" - I know that these days happen to everyone but as a nurse, these days happen a whole hell of a lot more often and to a higher degree.
Today was one of those days. Thankfully my patients were relatively "stable" (used loosely here). Both post car wrecks, one still wearing a Halo for a broken cervical vertebra (i.e. broken neck) and the other a paraplegic as a result of the accident. One is 3 weeks post accident (the paraplegic) and the other is 1 week out and still needs a cervical fusion (the Halo patient) but stable. That can be enough some days to make you realize how lucky you really are but the kicker today has really sucked every bit of emotional reserve out of me.
The shift started with one of our nurses having been called in early to go take a trauma patient off the unit to have examinations/tests done - BAD car accident. VERY. VERY. BAD. 4 hours, 2 "in the ICU room" open belly surgeries (yep, right there in the room), over 2 dozen (and counting at the time) blood products and one trip to the actual OR later. . . . the patient died of massive internal injuries on the OR table. Less than 10 months after an older sibling had died. Leaving a twin sibling as an only living child and a set of unbelievably distraught but wonderful parents with another child loss way to early. VERY. VERY. BAD. ACCIDENT.
1 1/2 hours later we got the call about a second "disaster patient" (i.e. severe trauma). Another car accident. Another BAD accident. Patient who was in the 24th week of a pregnancy. Severe internal injuries, severe head injury and multiple, multiple fractures. Loss of the fetal heart tones at the scene of the accident. No responsiveness since the wreck. Massive hemorrhaging. EVERYWHERE. A second destroyed family in the blink of an eye and in the span of a single 12 hour shift. The patient was still there when we left. . .well, in the physical sense (not sure about spiritually).
So, all day long I just kept thinking of how precious and fleeting life can be and how things that seem to drive us crazy and get under our skin REALLY don't matter that much in the end. . . .
SIGH.
Wear your seatbelts, kay?
Today was one of those days. Thankfully my patients were relatively "stable" (used loosely here). Both post car wrecks, one still wearing a Halo for a broken cervical vertebra (i.e. broken neck) and the other a paraplegic as a result of the accident. One is 3 weeks post accident (the paraplegic) and the other is 1 week out and still needs a cervical fusion (the Halo patient) but stable. That can be enough some days to make you realize how lucky you really are but the kicker today has really sucked every bit of emotional reserve out of me.
The shift started with one of our nurses having been called in early to go take a trauma patient off the unit to have examinations/tests done - BAD car accident. VERY. VERY. BAD. 4 hours, 2 "in the ICU room" open belly surgeries (yep, right there in the room), over 2 dozen (and counting at the time) blood products and one trip to the actual OR later. . . . the patient died of massive internal injuries on the OR table. Less than 10 months after an older sibling had died. Leaving a twin sibling as an only living child and a set of unbelievably distraught but wonderful parents with another child loss way to early. VERY. VERY. BAD. ACCIDENT.
1 1/2 hours later we got the call about a second "disaster patient" (i.e. severe trauma). Another car accident. Another BAD accident. Patient who was in the 24th week of a pregnancy. Severe internal injuries, severe head injury and multiple, multiple fractures. Loss of the fetal heart tones at the scene of the accident. No responsiveness since the wreck. Massive hemorrhaging. EVERYWHERE. A second destroyed family in the blink of an eye and in the span of a single 12 hour shift. The patient was still there when we left. . .well, in the physical sense (not sure about spiritually).
So, all day long I just kept thinking of how precious and fleeting life can be and how things that seem to drive us crazy and get under our skin REALLY don't matter that much in the end. . . .
SIGH.
Wear your seatbelts, kay?
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Fortune
Y'know something that I love? I love fortune cookies. I also love reading the fortunes. Always have. So, I thought I would share:
Fortune for the week of June 4th:
"Don't stop dreaming, otherwise sleep will get awfully boring."
Yep. I'd agree with that one.
Fortune for the week of June 4th:
"Don't stop dreaming, otherwise sleep will get awfully boring."
Yep. I'd agree with that one.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
I'm getting boring, huh?
Sheesh! I am getting so boring that reading my own posts puts ME to sleep! Sorry guys. I just haven't gotten back into the swing of things. I guess that happens to a lot of bloggers but I did like getting comments and now, barely any. Hmmmm. I know, I know the comments aren't the reason I blog. Truly they aren't. I know that you all are out there and that is comforting. I blog to feel a sense of self, to understand what's going on in my world, to record today and what my life is like and about. But. Still. It was nice to see all the different people and their blogs that were including themselves in my little world. . . .ok, no more of that. On to what blogging is really about.
Hey, lookee, there ARE pictures to be shared:
First up is a photo of my Hogwarts sock swap socks. Almost done! Whoopee! I am knitting them in tandem because I decided to add some increases at the calves. They are a simple 3X1 rib until above the ankle and then I slowly increased to a 3X2 rib. Question for you all out there. . . How would you finish these off? Just, bind off? The ribbing is already there so I guess so but, I wanted them to look, y'know, finished. Can I picot edge with ribbing? Should I just bind off and not worry about it? Your suggestions are respectfully requested (how's that for comment begging? ;-> ) I am making them from Lorna's Laces Sheperd Sock in the "bee stripe" colorway. That swirly yellow stripe thing going up the foot of the sock was purely the colorway. I noticed that that was the point where they switched from gold to black. Seems they had a bit of extra gold. I kind of like the effect though. Don't you?
Now onto a spoiling for me! Here's the totality of my package from my FABULOUS Knitter's Tea Swap 3 spoilee, Jessica:
And again:
Thank you so much for your generosity Jessica, it was amazing to have you as my pal. Hopefully you will like my package as much as I enjoyed yours!
Last, but not least, I leave you with a gratuitous family picture of us during Memorial Day weekend while out geocaching. This is a picture of us after finding our 100th cache:
We had so much fun that weekend!
Hey, lookee, there ARE pictures to be shared:
First up is a photo of my Hogwarts sock swap socks. Almost done! Whoopee! I am knitting them in tandem because I decided to add some increases at the calves. They are a simple 3X1 rib until above the ankle and then I slowly increased to a 3X2 rib. Question for you all out there. . . How would you finish these off? Just, bind off? The ribbing is already there so I guess so but, I wanted them to look, y'know, finished. Can I picot edge with ribbing? Should I just bind off and not worry about it? Your suggestions are respectfully requested (how's that for comment begging? ;-> ) I am making them from Lorna's Laces Sheperd Sock in the "bee stripe" colorway. That swirly yellow stripe thing going up the foot of the sock was purely the colorway. I noticed that that was the point where they switched from gold to black. Seems they had a bit of extra gold. I kind of like the effect though. Don't you?Now onto a spoiling for me! Here's the totality of my package from my FABULOUS Knitter's Tea Swap 3 spoilee, Jessica:
Isn't that some wonderful stuff? I got 3 different loose teas from the English Tea Store, many, many tea bags of assorted Stash teas, some organic honey lemon sticks, 3 different typed of tea cookies/treats, some dark chocolate (heaven) covered pretzel bits AND. . . . .my very first, ever Claudia's handpainted sock yarn. Woo Hoo! Here it is closer up:
And again:
Thank you so much for your generosity Jessica, it was amazing to have you as my pal. Hopefully you will like my package as much as I enjoyed yours!Last, but not least, I leave you with a gratuitous family picture of us during Memorial Day weekend while out geocaching. This is a picture of us after finding our 100th cache:
We had so much fun that weekend!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Geocaching and family visits make for a boring knitting blog
Well, of course I KNOW that this is a (supposed) knitting blog. Yes, I know that I haven't talked about knitting much for weeks.
Yes, yes I have been knitting.
On what? Well, I've been knitting on my Hogwarts sock swap pal's socks. No, really. I have. Pictures you ask? Uh, well, let me explain. . . . . . .
Yeah, I suck. I really need to do something to get my blogging mojo back. But I guess it's better to lose your blogging mojo than your knitting mojo right? So, I'm 2/3 of the way done with the first HWSS sock and about 1/2 of the way with the second. I decided that I wanted to add some increases to make the calf more comfy for my secret pal. I'm knitting them toe-up and want to make them a bit longer so I want them to be comfy and not a pair of tourniquets. I started off with a 3X1 rib and am increasing on every other purl to a 3X2 rib and after a few rows of that adjustment will finish off the remaining necessary increases so that they end in a overall 3X2 rib. I started the second sock so that all the increases occurred at about the same spot in the socks (as I am CERTAINLY not counting rows here). So I will be living the in the land of ribbing for a bit now but they are almost done and that makes me happy b/c I am NOT going to be late. Hurray!
I also pulled out one of my oldest (if not THE oldest) WIPs and knit on that for a while. It was like visiting with an old friend and I've truly enjoyed it. I don't want to go on too much about it b/c I don't want to disturb the tenuous relationship we have just re-established but if there is significant progress then I just might let you see who and how much, kay? I got the most beautiful drop spindle from a contest over at Liz's blog and it really is a crime that I haven't posted a picture of it yet. It's a Golding Solid Purpleheart spindle and it's beautiful and all mine! I need to get some plain jane roving to get myself into it again. I had started drop spinning months and months ago but I let it go by the wayside. This spindle though, it calls me to spin it, y'know? It's beautiful and it feels "right" in my hands. . . . .Uh, oh. . . . . .
I have had true distractions to the knitting though (one unfortunate and one fortunate). DS broke (yep another fracture - 2 in fact!) his right little (pinky) finger. No big deal right? Wrong! We had just started practices for swim team and he is in the middle to the end of his baseball season. Bottom line?
No ball sports for at least 2 weeks (almost the end of the season) and no swimming either! UGH! So the poor kid who was just getting into the swing (no pun intended) of things with the swim team in now benched. Sigh. He's taking it well though so I guess that's all that matters.
The fortunate thing that happened was that my cousin flew up from Florida on Friday and spent Memorial Day weekend with us. She came up to visit and for us all to attend GeoWoodstock 5 together! DH, DS and I have been loosely geocaching for 3 years now but my cousin is a die-hard geocacher. It was fun to go to our first organized geocaching event with her and it was a blast to cache all weekend long.
Prior to her coming up to visit, we had a total of 57 finds. We have gone above 125 (I think) this weekend. Woo Hoo! Very fun.
We got to explore our new home state and found parks and naturally beautiful areas, lakes, etc. that we would have never found without the caching. It's truly such a great way to get outdoors, explore the land, get some fresh air and exercise and enjoy eachother's company. It's good for the competitive streak in you too. Nothing like being the one in your group to be able to yell "I found it!" - tee hee.
I was supposed to work today but I got cancelled (probably retribution for cancelling myself on Friday to take DS to the orthopedist for his finger - oh well) today. So, I am watering the lawn (it will therefore rain tonight!), finishing and putting away (ugh) laundry and. . . .KNITTING!
woo hoo.
OK, OK, I will pull out the camera next time. SHeesh! You don't have to yell, y'know! ;-)
Yes, yes I have been knitting.
On what? Well, I've been knitting on my Hogwarts sock swap pal's socks. No, really. I have. Pictures you ask? Uh, well, let me explain. . . . . . .
Yeah, I suck. I really need to do something to get my blogging mojo back. But I guess it's better to lose your blogging mojo than your knitting mojo right? So, I'm 2/3 of the way done with the first HWSS sock and about 1/2 of the way with the second. I decided that I wanted to add some increases to make the calf more comfy for my secret pal. I'm knitting them toe-up and want to make them a bit longer so I want them to be comfy and not a pair of tourniquets. I started off with a 3X1 rib and am increasing on every other purl to a 3X2 rib and after a few rows of that adjustment will finish off the remaining necessary increases so that they end in a overall 3X2 rib. I started the second sock so that all the increases occurred at about the same spot in the socks (as I am CERTAINLY not counting rows here). So I will be living the in the land of ribbing for a bit now but they are almost done and that makes me happy b/c I am NOT going to be late. Hurray!
I also pulled out one of my oldest (if not THE oldest) WIPs and knit on that for a while. It was like visiting with an old friend and I've truly enjoyed it. I don't want to go on too much about it b/c I don't want to disturb the tenuous relationship we have just re-established but if there is significant progress then I just might let you see who and how much, kay? I got the most beautiful drop spindle from a contest over at Liz's blog and it really is a crime that I haven't posted a picture of it yet. It's a Golding Solid Purpleheart spindle and it's beautiful and all mine! I need to get some plain jane roving to get myself into it again. I had started drop spinning months and months ago but I let it go by the wayside. This spindle though, it calls me to spin it, y'know? It's beautiful and it feels "right" in my hands. . . . .Uh, oh. . . . . .
I have had true distractions to the knitting though (one unfortunate and one fortunate). DS broke (yep another fracture - 2 in fact!) his right little (pinky) finger. No big deal right? Wrong! We had just started practices for swim team and he is in the middle to the end of his baseball season. Bottom line?
No ball sports for at least 2 weeks (almost the end of the season) and no swimming either! UGH! So the poor kid who was just getting into the swing (no pun intended) of things with the swim team in now benched. Sigh. He's taking it well though so I guess that's all that matters.
The fortunate thing that happened was that my cousin flew up from Florida on Friday and spent Memorial Day weekend with us. She came up to visit and for us all to attend GeoWoodstock 5 together! DH, DS and I have been loosely geocaching for 3 years now but my cousin is a die-hard geocacher. It was fun to go to our first organized geocaching event with her and it was a blast to cache all weekend long.
Prior to her coming up to visit, we had a total of 57 finds. We have gone above 125 (I think) this weekend. Woo Hoo! Very fun.
We got to explore our new home state and found parks and naturally beautiful areas, lakes, etc. that we would have never found without the caching. It's truly such a great way to get outdoors, explore the land, get some fresh air and exercise and enjoy eachother's company. It's good for the competitive streak in you too. Nothing like being the one in your group to be able to yell "I found it!" - tee hee.
I was supposed to work today but I got cancelled (probably retribution for cancelling myself on Friday to take DS to the orthopedist for his finger - oh well) today. So, I am watering the lawn (it will therefore rain tonight!), finishing and putting away (ugh) laundry and. . . .KNITTING!
woo hoo.
OK, OK, I will pull out the camera next time. SHeesh! You don't have to yell, y'know! ;-)
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
ooh, ooh, I hadn't done one in SOOOOO long!
You scored as Sarabi. You are Sarabi! Regardless of your gender, you have a warm spot in your heart for all things small and fuzzy. You tend to work well with kids, and they seem happy to oblige. You place a strong emphasis on family relations and chances are one of your closest bonds is with a familial figure of some sort. You're willing to give everyone a chance to prove themselves, even if they falter a few times. However, you do NOT tolerate agression well, and it's a big turn off for you in terms of finding a mate. And while you believe everyone deserves a second chance if they mess up, if their attitude is poor, you're less willing to accept them. Overall, though, you're very upbeat and personable - the perfect best friend!
Which Lion King Character Are You?
created with QuizFarm.com
Tee hee! yeah. (As you all know) I LOVE doing these quizzes. Thanks Knit Wit!! Now to figure out just who Sarabi is. Was that Simba's mom???
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Random Meme
OK, so I got picked for the 8 random things meme by Katherine from Fuzzy Love so, without further delay here they are:
#1) I HATE to read newspapers. I've never been able to hold them right and turning the pages is a pain in the arse. Let's not even start talking about the ink all over your hands or your clothing (if it's white - fuggedaboutit!). YUCKO! (except for the comics. Comics are cool)
#2) The only saving grace for the newspaper (except the above mentioned comics) are the coupons. I love me my coupons. Ooh, and if I can score a sale item with a coupon on a triple coupon day (my grocer always doubles) I am happier than I really should be. (I know, I'm weird)
#3) I can double cross my legs and it's so comfortable to me. I don't know how I do it, I just do.
#4) I have to figure out how to help my DS make a scale model, no bigger than 2 feet tall, of This lighthouse. It's a great one and it will be fun but I only have a week and a half to get it done. Augh! Did I say that there are only 3 1/2 weeks left of school? (we did go and get a styrofoam cone today at Wally World)
#5) I have to drink a can of coke each night at bedtime or I can't fall asleep well. It's weird but it works for me.
#6) Bananas cut up in tomato soup is one of my fave things that comforts me and takes me back to my childhood. YUMMY! (Hey, don't knock it without trying it first, kay?)
#7) Aneurysmectomy is my favorite word, nursing or not. Don't ask me why. Don't know. Just like saying it.
#8) 8 is my favorite number.
Okey, dokey. I tag Erin, Jeanne and Jessica.
#1) I HATE to read newspapers. I've never been able to hold them right and turning the pages is a pain in the arse. Let's not even start talking about the ink all over your hands or your clothing (if it's white - fuggedaboutit!). YUCKO! (except for the comics. Comics are cool)
#2) The only saving grace for the newspaper (except the above mentioned comics) are the coupons. I love me my coupons. Ooh, and if I can score a sale item with a coupon on a triple coupon day (my grocer always doubles) I am happier than I really should be. (I know, I'm weird)
#3) I can double cross my legs and it's so comfortable to me. I don't know how I do it, I just do.
#4) I have to figure out how to help my DS make a scale model, no bigger than 2 feet tall, of This lighthouse. It's a great one and it will be fun but I only have a week and a half to get it done. Augh! Did I say that there are only 3 1/2 weeks left of school? (we did go and get a styrofoam cone today at Wally World)
#5) I have to drink a can of coke each night at bedtime or I can't fall asleep well. It's weird but it works for me.
#6) Bananas cut up in tomato soup is one of my fave things that comforts me and takes me back to my childhood. YUMMY! (Hey, don't knock it without trying it first, kay?)
#7) Aneurysmectomy is my favorite word, nursing or not. Don't ask me why. Don't know. Just like saying it.
#8) 8 is my favorite number.
Okey, dokey. I tag Erin, Jeanne and Jessica.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Linda J. Villar, 41
disclaimer: the start of this post and parts of it are 'bummers' but there is light and hope interspersed throughout. Hang in there while reading, kay?
It's been so long since I have blogged regularly or with any substance really. Those of you who have followed me for a while now know that I have these times. Usually it's because I am in the midst of a depressive episode. I 'retreat' into myself and then when it's time, when it's passed, I resurface. It's a cyclical pattern that is triggered by anything, or nothing at all. I've been 'away' again because of another 'black' period. Not so horrible this time as others, but bad enough. I've given up on trying to analyze and pinpoint what set these episodes off. It's too much work and frankly, is of no use to me. The reasons are so varied and random that I can't really use the information to prevent this so, I just do what I must to get through it and then push on.
Thankfully, I am on the upswing. I have done a lot of selfish self-preservation, thinking, and praying to get back on the upswing. I questioned why this is so hard for me and why I am the way that I am. It usually (eventually) comes back to my realization that I am the sum of all my parts and this disease is one of the parts that MUST be there for the whole to be what it is. Just like in everything else, you must take the good with the bad. There are no free rides in life are there?
So, what is the name above you might ask? Well, it's my part in contributing to the Mother's Day Project. Have you heard of it yet? You might have so I won't go into too many details. If you haven't, it's all described here.
I read about the project, contacted Anne and was put on the list of contributors. Last week I got my name.
That is my casualty for the project. I started reading through blogs of others that have joined this project. Someone brought up a good point. Why do we use the word "casualty" when describing the death of someone in a war? What's so "casual" about war or death at all for that matter? There are many words in the English language that enrage me for their callousness in how they are used. Example: I am a nurse. I HATE when people at work speak of a patient having 'expired' - Milk expires, library book loans expire, magazine subscriptions expire. . . . people DIE. We aren't something that gets 'used up' or goes 'bad'. Someones passing is not a passive act - it's an action. A verb. They die. A death actively affects others - their parents, spouses, children, friends. . . . they all feel the loss ACTIVELY. For me, using such a passive term (expires) somehow lessens the significance of the loss, of their LIFE. It is one of the banes of my nursing existence and enrages me each time I hear it used.
It's been so long since I have blogged regularly or with any substance really. Those of you who have followed me for a while now know that I have these times. Usually it's because I am in the midst of a depressive episode. I 'retreat' into myself and then when it's time, when it's passed, I resurface. It's a cyclical pattern that is triggered by anything, or nothing at all. I've been 'away' again because of another 'black' period. Not so horrible this time as others, but bad enough. I've given up on trying to analyze and pinpoint what set these episodes off. It's too much work and frankly, is of no use to me. The reasons are so varied and random that I can't really use the information to prevent this so, I just do what I must to get through it and then push on.
Thankfully, I am on the upswing. I have done a lot of selfish self-preservation, thinking, and praying to get back on the upswing. I questioned why this is so hard for me and why I am the way that I am. It usually (eventually) comes back to my realization that I am the sum of all my parts and this disease is one of the parts that MUST be there for the whole to be what it is. Just like in everything else, you must take the good with the bad. There are no free rides in life are there?
So, what is the name above you might ask? Well, it's my part in contributing to the Mother's Day Project. Have you heard of it yet? You might have so I won't go into too many details. If you haven't, it's all described here.
I read about the project, contacted Anne and was put on the list of contributors. Last week I got my name.
LINDA J. VILLAR
That is my casualty for the project. I started reading through blogs of others that have joined this project. Someone brought up a good point. Why do we use the word "casualty" when describing the death of someone in a war? What's so "casual" about war or death at all for that matter? There are many words in the English language that enrage me for their callousness in how they are used. Example: I am a nurse. I HATE when people at work speak of a patient having 'expired' - Milk expires, library book loans expire, magazine subscriptions expire. . . . people DIE. We aren't something that gets 'used up' or goes 'bad'. Someones passing is not a passive act - it's an action. A verb. They die. A death actively affects others - their parents, spouses, children, friends. . . . they all feel the loss ACTIVELY. For me, using such a passive term (expires) somehow lessens the significance of the loss, of their LIFE. It is one of the banes of my nursing existence and enrages me each time I hear it used.
"Casualty of War" - that's another one of those terms. I am sure that Linda's husband & family did not find anything casual in their loss in early June of 2005 especially when I am sure they were planning her homecoming party - she was due to come home July 13th.
I do not find anything 'casual' in the intertwining of Linda and myself. There are so many commonalities between us that can NOT be the cause of just 'casual' circumstances. She was 41 at the time of her death - my age now. We both have husbands and children. Her daughter was 11 at the time - my DS will be 11 this year. She adopted New Orleans as her home after moving there during high school - DH and I lived there for 3 years and still feel it is a part of who we are. She was a CIVILIAN at the time of her death serving as support staff to the US Army troops there - my cousin Ana is a civilian in the US Air Force and her job very closely follows along the lines of what Linda did (Ana is also a USAF reservist (Sergeant no less) after having served full time in the USAF right out of high school - she's my hero even if she is 4 years younger than me!). So, as you can see, Linda and I have quite a bit in common and I truly feel that it is not coincidental that I got her name. This is what the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count page notes about Linda:
U.S. Dept. of the Army Civilian Linda J. Villar
Age: 41
From: Franklinton, Louisiana
Assigned To: Field Support Command
Based In: Fort Stewart, GA
Fatality Date: Friday, June 03, 2005
Fatality Cause: Hostile - hostile fire - mortar attack
Fatality Location: Baghdad, Iraq
Here is what the US Army Materiel Command said about Linda in the commentary about the Villar Memorial Room:
Linda was a Master's educated woman who chose to put herself in harm's way in order to serve and support the men and woman who serve and support our country and our freedom. By all accounts that I have read she was a remarkably kind, compassionate and giving human being. So much so that Fort Stewart dedicated a room in her honor in December of 2005. That was the month I turned 40 years old. I was surrounded by family and friends honoring my life in a happy, joyful manner while Linda's family and friends honored her life in a deeper and sorrowful way. Two families honoring woman at virtually the same time in such meaningful yet contrasting ways. How often does that happen? How much of our joy and elation is 'countered' in this universe by someone else's sorrow and pain?[Villar, acting chief, 3rd Infantry Division logistics support element, Baghdad, Iraq, was killed when an insurgent
mortar round struck Camp Liberty, June 3, 2005. She was the first AMC civilian killed while serving in Iraq. “Linda leaves behind a reputation of excellence; she leaves behind a reputation that serves for all of us that wear this uniform, whether you’re a civilian or military. Linda Villar is a tremendous example for all of us to look up to and remember,” said Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin, AMC commanding general and host of the ceremony. Villar, 41, spent most of her 24 years of civilian service with AMC, including the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center, the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, and the U.S. Army Field Support Command. Her awards include the Defense of Freedom Medal, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Army Achievement Award. “Anyone that didn’t meet her really missed a great opportunity. She really touched everybody, and anyone that crossed paths with her knows what I mean,” said Villar’s husband David, a logistics assistance representative, Fort Stewart, Ga.]
So, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about Linda and her family this past weekend. I took the opportunity to thank God that I am so fortunate for all that I have and to feel blessed that I am here to see my son grow up and to grow old with my husband. I prayed for my family, my friends and for all those who serve and died serving this country. I thought about how I would pay tribute to Linda with the project and I decided to stitch her name in RED for the project. Red to symbolize my anger and rage. Red to symbolize the heart of this woman that gave her life so selflessly. Red to symbolize the LOVE this woman had for life and her family. Red to symbolize the blood that she shed for this cause.
I will stitch and I will pray and I will cry and I will be thankful for my life and all my blessings.
Thank you Linda and may you continue to rest in peace.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Happy Birthday Love
My sweet, love of my life, rock of Gibraltar, best friend hubby turns 40 today.
How'd that happen? He is too smokin' to be 40. Love you babe!
Oh, and here's some proof that I still knit AND finish projects!
Fibertrends Felted Clogs
Cascade 220 in Orange and Green (can't remember which ones)
Knit/felted in less than 10 days as a gift for my FIL post Cardiac Surgery.
GO CANES!!
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