The World of Galdork

The Blogs are Dying

2008-04-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

Today I emailed the Sweet Stitchin' Betties group to try and get a take on what has happened to blogging lately. Almost every one of my regular reads hasn't been updated in quite some time. I'm not one to point the finger, I know, but alot of the blogs I used to read have just sort of died. No one seems to update them anymore, and I miss them.

On that note, it's time for me to do some catching up. Since my last post I travelled with Robbie and his kids to Helen, GA, Stone Mountain, Ruby Falls, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Pigeon Forge, TN and Gatlinburg, TN. While in Gatlinburg I went to the Smoky Mountain Spinnery and finally learned exactly how spinning is done. I also bought some great handspun yarn. The lady who owns the shop was SO nice!!

The mountains were BEAUTIFUL although I have to admit that my running suffered during the ten days we were gone. I took off to go running when we were in Helen, GA and I soon found out that trying to run down a mountain is almost as bad as trying to run up a mountain. On the way up I was jogging so slow it was basically a fast walk, and on the way down I had to fight to not build up speed and wind up rolling down the hill. I took to just walking while I was there ... even with this, being a native Floridian, I wasn't completely relaxed because I kept thinking there was going to be a bear around ever turn. Just for the record we never saw ANY bears, not even one. In fact the most exotic wildlife we saw on our trip was a lone beaver. They're really cute, I might add.

It was very cold while we were up there so I finally got an opportunity to pull out my handknit scarves and hats. I, of course, wore them almost constantly. Here's a dorky picture of me at Ruby Falls:

Our cabin was at the very top of a mountain and had an awesome view:

Other than that I've just been trying to get into a regular, varied exercise routine since I quit roller derby and seem to have lost my interest in roller skating. I still think I'd like skating outdoors through parks, etc. but just haven't done it yet. I still run twice a week, but have also been doing a lot of yoga, pilates and workout videos. I also found a few yoga places I want to check out. I know myself well enough that I won't go all the time, but I do want to get out and take a class twice a month, and then do daily yoga poses at home. I used to be really into yoga when I lived in Miami and I want to get back into it.

This weekend I went to Wild Oats with my mom. It's an awesome health food store in Miami and it inspired me to get back into that as well. I used to do almost all my shopping there but now with no health food supermarket really close to me, I've kind of gotten away from it. I miss eating all that healthy food!!

On the knitting front I'm presently working on a Chevron Scarf made out of Koigu wool. I love the wool and the pattern and can hardly wait to finish this one so I can make one out of Socks that Rock wool. I want to make the Watermelon Tourmaline/Farmhouse combination that is very popular on Ravelry and is SO pretty!! I'm also working on a scarf for my cousin, a dishcloth for my sister and my second Clapotis!!

School starts again on May 9th, but sad to say that if my tax check doesn't come before then it looks like I'll be waiting until next semester to start. My job pays tuition, but doesn't cover books and they can be quite expensive. Just can't swing it right now.

Catching Up

2008-02-13T19:14:00.000-08:00

Since I haven't posted in so long, I have some time tonight so I thought I'd catch up a little bit.

On Halloween Robbie and I stopped by and surprised Tony at work. I had on my costume shown here. Then we went to The Field on a whim and had SO MUCH FUN!!

On Thanksgiving Tony, Robbie, mom and I ate dinner at Tropical Palms. Service sucked, food was okay, but we still had fun.

During December Robbie and I went to a boat parade party that was right on the Intercoastal and met up with the roller derby grrls afterwards for a goodbye party at Howl at the Moon for Mazel Tov Cocktail (Sara). Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera that night because it was quite an evening. Very fun and alot of indulging in alcohol!!

Christmas Eve I spent part of the day with Tony opening his gifts ... then I spent Christmas Eve night with Robbie, his kids, his mom, his sister and her husband. Christmas day I drove down to my mom's and spent the day and evening with her, but forgot my camera. We had a great day though ... eating a home cooked meal, drinking wine, opening presents, relaxing.

For New Years Robbie and I went to a party at my boss's house. That's my boss in the black shirt. Then we went to another party and met up with Robbie's brother. New Years was ALOT of fun!! We had a really good time.

Other than that I resigned from the Broward County Derby Grrls at the end of January. It was a shame, but I decided it just wasn't for me after all. I was the oldest and also the smallest derby grrl and I was getting my ass beat! I will pat myself on the back and say that I proved to myself that I can still skate really well. I'm just not good at getting hit really hard by girls alot bigger than me!!! I'm now in an underground group of EX derby girls that get together and just have fun!! We are going to skate, have dinner, do crafty stuff, etc. I think this group will be a better fit for me.

The good news about all of this is that since I don't have derby practice on Monday nights anymore, I'm back to hanging with my knitting group on Mondays. This makes me very happy!! :)

Robbie and I took my mom out to dinner a couple weeks ago. She wanted to go to the old Steak N' Ale by her house. It was only okay, that's for sure. They need to update the place. God love her, my mom is very chatty. Here's a pic of her telling Robbie a (probably very long winded) story. As you can see, he was riveted ...

One more thing: I found this picture that Tony took of himself. I really like it. It's just .... cool.

Finished Clapotis

2008-02-06T22:13:00.000-08:00

So much to catch up on, but not enough time. Of great importance to me right now though is that I finished my Clapotis!! I love the pattern and love the finished project. I want to make another one and have a few different yarns already set aside, but I'm going to finish a charity pet blanket first, and maybe also squeeze in a few dishcloths before I "clap" again.

Months Pass Like Weeks

2007-11-26T20:18:00.001-08:00

I would sware that it had only been maybe three weeks since I last posted ... but NO, it's been over a month again! Damn!! Anyway, I've made progress on my Clapotis.

Here's a pic from Halloween Horror Nights weekend. I went with Robbie and met up with my sister and her girlfriend, Christine. We had SUCH a good time!

This is a pic from roller derby practice a couple weeks ago, and a dorky picture of my 1st derby bruise. I'm too tired (after a VERY hard derby practice tonight) to write much more. I'm going to go soak in the bathtub, read, knit a little and go to bed!! (I hope these pictures line up right ... damn, it's so frustrating!)

Tony's Picture

2007-10-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's the picture of my son at his visit to Full Sail. God, I love him.

Clapotis, Full Sail, Roller Derby ...

2007-10-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

Since my last post I've continued to work on my Clapotis and am getting there, slowly but surely.

I finished my sister's wrap that I've been working on since March of 2006!! It turned out more like a lap blanket and has some mistakes, but it was made with love and I know she'll find warmth in it ... even if it's spread out on her lap instead of around her arms! lol I vow that the next thing I knit for her will have any mistakes frogged, but frogging on this lace thing was near impossible.

I took Tony to visit a school in Winter Park that he is interested in attending called Full Sail. He really loved the school and it's so nice to see him excited about his future. Now we have to cross our fingers that either he can get Financial Aid or I can get a loan ... or here's a novel idea, maybe his father will come through for him for once in his life and help him out!! That would really be pushing it, but stranger things have happened, right? (I have the best picture of him at the orientation, but Blogger seems to be having problems and won't upload it. I'll put it on the next post!)

I also joined the Broward County Roller Grrls and have been going to practice twice a week. I am having such a good time skating and laughing with these girls. They are a lot of fun! No pics yet, but I'll have some soon. I still need to think of a roller derby name. So far this is what I have ...

Bipolar Roller

Misty Meaner

Veggie Roll (since I'm a vegetarian)

Wheels-A-Go-Go (my mom came up with this one ... )

My mind is constantly working on this, but none of them really "grab" me. My boyfriend, of course, loves Bipolar Roller, because he thinks I am ... lol ... but I'm not. My sister hates that one, but loves Misty Meaner. Eventually a name will stick ... and voila, my alter ego will emerge. Stay tuned ...

Henry Rollins!!

2007-09-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

Henry!!
He's intense, he's intellectual, he's inquisitive, he's angry, he's out there, he's provocative, he's tattooed, and gosh darn it, he's HOT!!

Tony!!
Tony (my son) and I went to see Henry Rollins do his "Provoked" show tonight at The Theatre in West Palm Beach. It was a very small venue so I got to see Henry up close. It was an awesome show.

My First KAL

2007-09-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

After two and a half years of knitting, I've finally joined a knit-a-long. 10 or more of the other Betties have also joined to make a Clapotis. It's nice to be knitting something with other people in my knitting group so we can all see each others progress!! I'm using Jamaica yarn by Katia. Here's what I've knit so far ...

Where Does the Thyme Go?

2007-09-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me an email nudging me to post something on my blog. Little did I realize, it's been THREE MONTHS since I posted anything!

Well, I've been very busy. I finished a very hard Accounting class with a B+, so I'm one class closer to my degree!! The bad news is that I'll only be able to take one more class between now and March of 2008. My job has a limit to the amount they'll cover and I'm almost there. At least in the course of a year I'll have managed to get through six classes. By this time next year I'll be very close to being done. My son also wants to take some college courses which I'm very excited about.

I spent a weekend in the keys with my boyfriend, his son, his nephew and his brother in July. We went rafting behind Robbie's boat and he and his brother did everything they could (like going REALLY fast) to get me to fall off the raft. They wanted to see how long I'd be able to hold on. Mean, right? Well, I managed to hold on long enough to really impress them without getting hurt. Robbie ended up hurting his arm. See how Karma works?

We went to Robbie's Marina and fed the tarpon and ate dinner at Island Fish Company:

Also in July we took Robbie's kids up to Orlando for the weekend. Unfortunately it rained really hard almost the entire time so we weren't able to go to any of the parks. We decided to drive to Cocoa Beach and hit Ron Jon Surf Shop. Unfortunately while trying to turn around in a tight space, Robbie "dented" the new truck he had just purchased ... two days before.

A couple of weeks ago we took a road trip to Bethany Beach, Delaware. One of our first stops was at South of the Border where I was in hysterics when Robbie put on these glasses. Ha Ha Ha!!!!

I was also very excited to take my picture with Favio. So excited in fact that I put my purse on the floor to pose and then forgot about it. I didn't realize until we were about an hour down the road. We had to turn back (Robbie WAS NOT happy) and thankfully someone had gotten it and saved it for me!!

We went to Oriental, NC where I almost stepped on this snake in the woods, posed with this fantastic horse made out of driftwood, rode a ferry to the Outer Banks of NC and saw wild ponies and beautiful landscapes in Beaufort.

Arrived in Bethany Beach, Delaware, where

I met Robbie's relatives. This is his niece's

daughter, Naya ... Is she cute, or what?!

We went crabbing, caught lots of crabs and

ate them:

We went to Ocean City, Maryland before we

headed back home.

AND I knit a Mason Dixon ballband dishcloth!!!!

Father's Day 2007

2007-06-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

Another great weekend to report. I drove up to Palm Beach this weekend and went horseback riding with my boyfriend's sister-in-law (who is also my new friend). We had SUCH a good time!! We're usually with the guys on the Harleys, so this time it was just me and her on the horses ... good fun, lots of girl talk. Very cool!!

Other than that, it was a very rainy weekend so my boyfriend, his kids and I hung out alot at his house. We watched Norbit and Night at the Museum, ordered pizza, I got to do a lot of knitting, and then while my boyfriend took a nap his kids and I decided to let the dog AND the pig in the house so they wouldn't get wet. lol

Pugsley and Chinka.

Isn't his pitbull, Chinka, cool looking? He has awesome amber eyes and is almost as sweet as my Weezy.

Weezy

Chinka

Blogging with Pictures is a Nightmare

2007-05-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

I spent close to two hours trying to get the spacing right around the pictures in the post below, to no avail. Every time I moved one thing into the right position it screwed up something else. I finally threw in the towel. Definitely need to educate myself on inserting pictures correctly!!

Mother's Day 2007

2007-05-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

What a great Mother's Day I had!! I drove down and picked up my mom in Miami. Our first stop was Elegant Stitches where I bought some awesome cotton yarns ... a step up from Peaches N' Cream, for my new fascination with knitting washcloths. Then we ate at Outback and went shopping at T.J. Maxx (my mom bought me a gothic-looking black cross ring there). We finished off the night at Cold Slab Creamery (I think that's what it's called), went back to her house, had some wine and did word puzzles together and then watched Mad T.V. and I knitted.

Today we (I) got up VERY LATE and my mom wanted breakfast at Wagon's West. We got there and it was closed. So we went to this bagel place down the street and it was closed. So we went to the Bagel Emporium and they were closing and we could only order takeout, so we went to JJ's Diner and they're air conditioning was broken and it was about 100 degrees in there so we left. We wound up eating Mother's Day late lunch at Denny's and it SUCKED!!!

So we took a drive through Coconut Grove since neither of us had been down there in years, then we drove to Crandon Park and went walking through the park that used to be the old zoo. It was awesome!! There were hardly any people around and lots of areas to explore.

There are all kinds of birds that will actually let you get pretty close to them, like this one.

There are also TONS of iguanas, so if you don't like them, this is probably not the place for you. My mom hates them, but was SUCH a trooper!! I was told that if you go during the summer you have to be careful that you don't step on them because they're EVERYWHERE! Needless to say my 77-year-old mom probably won't want to join me when I go back this summer.

Okay, so I drag my mom way back into the zoo, off the walkways and we turn the corner and find these!! They're not real, they're from the old zoo, but when we first saw them they scared the hell out of us! By the way, at the entrance there's a sign that tells you to watch out for crocodiles (meaner than alligators) which I didn't see on the way in (woops)! We probably shouldn't have been back in these areas, because there probably are real ones, but it was some good explorin' fun!

This is my mom wandering by the old cages that used to house some of the animals at the zoo. If you used to go to Crandon Park Zoo as a child, I recommend going here. It brought back so many memories and seeing it now was sort of surreal. Very cool ...

My awesome mom and I back at her house trying out the new beer called "Chill". It's a new light beer made by Miller with the taste of salt and lime. It is SO good!! Definitely my new beer of choice.

Finally ... Knitting Pictures!!

2007-04-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

I started this blog to post pictures of my knitting, but never have. So tonight's FINALLY the night. I have been in school and my knitting has suffered because of the time I have to spend doing homework, but I did manage to finish a dishcloth and am now working on another one.

Some knitting is better than no knitting, right? :)

Plus I really love knitting these, they're quick, easy and useful!

I was going to give the completed one to my mom but it does have a couple mistakes in it, so I might just keep it for myself. If all goes well with the second one I'll probably give it to my mom, or maybe my sister.

No Post Since November!!!!

2007-03-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, but for a while there I think I just forgot that I even had this thing! So, here's an update.

I started school in December to get my degree in Microcomputer Applications. So far, I've completed two classes and have a 4.0!! I'm even on the Dean's list and LOVE being in school and learning. It's great to have a focus and be striving towards something!!

I'm still knitting and still love that and my Monday night knitting group although I haven't been able to go as often as I'd like to due to school and having pneumonia for the last three weeks!! I don't feel bad, just have a terrible cough!!

The holidays were nice (other than the night after Thanksgiving ... explained below). I spent Christmas Eve with Robbie and his kids. He convinced me that he's crazy about me and asked me to stay with him. He said the divorce would be final very soon. He even explained the situation to my mom and my sister which was pretty stand up of him ... the only problem now is that he's STILL married. And deep inside I'm still VERY angry about that. Anyway, Christmas Eve with him and the kids WAS very nice. I spent Christmas Day with my mom and sister ... and my sister moved to Minneapolis to live with her girlfriend the next day. We miss her but she's very happy there so we're happy for her. In fact, she said that Ft. Lauderdale pretty much sucks compared to Minneapolis. There's live music everywhere they go, lots of little artsy places, lots of parks with waterfalls, etc. I can't wait to visit.

For Valentines Day Robbie sent me roses at work and then gave me chocolates and a really powerful vacuum that I wanted (and needed with my 4 dogs and 2 cats!) We went to Le Tub for dinner since that's where we had our first date. The wait for food was like 2 hours so we just had a drink and then went out to Hollywood Beach. We got pizza and ate it out on the boardwalk and then did some people watching. It was really fun!!!

Other than that here are some new pictures:

My sister and I when she visited in February.

My son, my mom, my sister and I at Mom's Birthday dinner at Rustic Inn - Feb. 20, 2007.

Weezy yawning!!

The most awesome dog ever!! I love her SO much!!

Wastin' Time

2006-11-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

Okay, I created myself an avatar during my marathon computer session.

Angry, Very Angry in Dania Beach

2006-11-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm home tonight trying to keep myself occupied. Luckily I just started school yesterday so I have been busy reading and doing assignments because last night I found out that my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years, who has told me all along that he was divorced, isn't.

Last night he asked me to look up a case number for him on a ticket he had gotten for keeping a fish he caught that was too small. I found the case number but not too much information so he asked me, "Is that all you can find?" So I began to delve deeper into the website looking under his name and such and found some legal documents having to do with the sale of his home, etc. and kept noticing that they all mentioned him as a married man. So I kept questioning him, thinking it was strange because the documents were very recent. I won't go into the entire story but after becoming more and more convinced that he was still married and believing his denials less and less, he finally admitted that he was still married. As you can imagine, I was furious, told him off, hung up on him and haven't spoken to him since.

I have brought the fact of him being divorced up to him a few times during the course of the relationship and he has ALWAYS insisted that, "of course" he was divorced and "why would you even question me about it?". Well, now I know why I felt the need to question him.

I feel like such an idiot. I believed this man for all this time and have conversed with his WIFE (thinking she was his ex-wife) many times. I even went out and bought a purse for her that she really wanted after seeing mine. This is such a blow. As much as I love this man I have always had reservations, such as he wanted me to live with him (in the house he bought in he and his wife's name. Ugh.) and I always hesitated for many reasons, but now I see that it was for the best. Somehow I guess I knew something wasn't right.

But, like I said, I'm trying to keep myself entertained. This quiz is probably the first of many online timewasters I'll take part in tonight.

Your Language Arts Grade: 100%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).

Are You Gooder at Grammar?
Make a Quiz

Chia, Weezy, Tony Pictures

2006-11-09T20:19:00.000-08:00

Originally I started this blog to post pictures of my knitting projects. Since I don't seem to take a lot of pictures of my knitting projects (yet) I'm posting some recent pictures of my animals, just for a little interest.

This is my new pug, Chia. She did belong to my boyfriend but she didn't like him very much. My boyfriend is very loud and they weren't bonding, so he was going to give her to my boss, but when my boss saw her he didn't want her. I don't understand how you can look at that face and not want her!! Is she the cutest thing, or what? And she's SO good!! She's really funny. I couldn't love her more.

My pit bull, Weezy, has the patience of a saint because although Chia doesn't annoy me, she continually "tries" Weezy. I mean she NEVER leaves her alone. Here she is in action.

And speaking of my pit bull. Here's a picture of Weezy in her rasta hat on Halloween.

Speaking of Halloween, when I got my box of decorations out I found this wig. I've had it for years and it's always good for some laughs. Here's my son with it on. If you knew what he looked like without it on, you'd be laughing too. Way funny.

August, September, October

2006-11-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

Since I haven't written anything since July I figured I'd take a few minutes and do a quick update.

Tony got his high school diploma and is working as a waiter at the Moonlite Diner. YEA!!! I love that kid/man!!

I'm still with Robbie and we're getting along pretty well!! He moved to Royal Palm Beach about two months ago and we really only see each other on the weekends so maybe that's why. Whatever it is, it's working. Things are good. He bought a Rottweiler puppy named Rocko and a baby Chinese miniature pot-bellied pig named Pugsley. Both are very cute. He wasn't bonding with his pug, Chia, so I now have her and I love her to death!! She is about as cute as they come!!

Robbie and I took his kids to Disneyworld and Animal Kingdom last month. That was alot of fun ... we definitely had some good laughs on that trip. Two weeks later Robbie and I went to Universal Horror Nights and went through EVERY single haunted house which I never thought I'd do. I'm usually very scared, but it was fun!!

I got my orange blossom tattoo finished in August. My tattoo artist, Dee Dee, does SUCH pretty tattoos. It looks awesome and I love having a tattoo on the top of my arm ... almost makes me want to do a partial sleeve. We'll see.

What else?

I'm starting online college classes to get an AA in Microcomputer Applications.

I'm a fanatic for computer Scrabble and am up to the Pro Level which, to me, is quite impressive.

I'm still knitting, although not as much as I used to ... see above paragraph for a partial explanation of why. I do continue to work on my sister's wrap and Tony's afghan though. My sister's wrap has been discouraging because I've messed up on it a few times and it makes me very frustrated. I think once I'm done with her wrap I'll be back on a knitting roll. Right now I feel pressure to get hers done in time for Christmas.

Robbie and I went out this past Friday for my sister's 52nd birthday at Jazzits at Hard Rock. Her girlfriend, also named Christine, surprised her and flew down from Minneapolis for the festivities. Tom, Peter, Logan and my mom were also there. I had an awesome orange martini, sesame crusted seared tuna and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. Good stuff.

Pop

2006-07-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

I'm at a loss for a title for today's entry so I chose the word "pop". Why? Because I noticed last night that the English like to use the word "pop" to mean many things. "I'll be right over as soon as I pop into the store and buy some tea." "Let me just pop this last bite of biscuit into my mouth." "Yes, I'd like a cherry pop please." Just one of my many useless observations.

Running lately has been a chore. I've been running for 26 years and I don't ever remember it being as hot as it has been lately. I usually take Weezy (my pitbull) with me. Lately I have only been able to take her for 10 minutes or so because she gets WAY too hot. I took my greyhound the other day and I think he almost suffered heatstroke. I'm serious. That night I almost took him to the animal emergency clinic. He was still panting (about 2 hours after we had gone running), had a blank stare and was walking like he was drunk. No more running with the dogs until it cools off in this God forsaken state.

I'm currently working on knitting about 20 different things. It's completely out of control. I know I have knitting A.D.D. For some reason I always have to be starting a new project. I have 6-7 scarves on the needles, 2-3 shawls, 2 afghans, a cat blanket, a baby blanket, a washcloth. I had to put my sister's wrap on hold AGAIN because I screwed it up AGAIN. I've been writing the next row on a piece of paper that I put on the needles so I know the next time I pick the wrap up which row to knit and I still messed up somehow!! So now I have to pull out about 5 rows again!!! God, I hate that. But God, I LOVE TO KNIT!!!

I'm getting more work done on my orange blossom tattoo at the Coral Springs Tattoo Convention in August. I'm pretty excited about that.

My son has been gone for almost 2 weeks. He's in Asheville, NC visiting his dad. I'm hoping that when he gets back home he'll get his act together. He's supposed to be working on finishing his high school diploma, but he's been very bad about it and it's getting extremely frustrating. It's like he just doesn't care.

What else? I would really like to get a degree. I would also like to be completely bilingual. These are both easily obtainable goals. The hard part is getting myself to actually do it. I need some inspiration.

Postcrossing is a new thing I'm into. Sending postcards out to different countries and receiving them in return. I absolutely love it. I've only received 4 so far and out of those 4 2 were pretty cool but the other two were awesome and perfect for me. One person sent skeletons that looked very Grateful Dead-ish and the other one is like a smart ass sign.

Other than that the subject of moving in together came up the other night with Robbie and the thought of it absolutely terrifies me. I love him, but wonder if I'll ever be able to live with him. I feel that he would instantly expect me to be a housewife and I don't want that to be expected of me. If it could just happen when I want it to happen that would be great, but he is a person that sort of demands stuff and I'm not ready for that. I'm 43. Will I ever be ready to be expected to be a housewife? House-girlfriend? Probably not at this stage of the game. I wonder how other women my age would handle this sort of situation. If only he didn't expect so much. His belief is that he pays for everything so in return he should sort of be waited on at home. Ugh, I sound bitter and don't want to sound bitter. Never before have I experienced loving someone but being very scared to live with them ... never. He says he is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me. Shouldn't I be the one to decide that?

I'm Forcing Myself to do This!!

2006-05-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

I don't know where the time goes. Every time I get on here to add something a month has gone by!! So, right now I'm forcing myself to do write something. (Watch though, once I get started I'll think of a thousand things to write ...)

On the knitting front I continue to work on a wrap for my sister. It's a really easy pattern but it's taking me a long time because it's wide and really long. I'm making it with Rowan Summer Tweed and the yarn is SO nice. It's silk and cotton. I have a few other things on the needles but am trying to discipline myself to finish this for her, foregoing all other knitting pleasures until it's done.

Robbie bought an RV. It's a 26 foot GMC Palm Beach from the 70's. It's green and we call it The Pickle. This weekend we're taking it to Big Cypress RV Park for our maiden voyage. Big Cypress is a Seminole Indian Reservation in the middle of the Everglades. Once in the RV park you can't venture too far out of the park on foot because there are bears, alligators and wild boar frequently near the outskirs of the park!! How fun!! Seriously!! I'm looking forward to making coffee in the morning, sitting outside and looking for wildlife. There are also a lot of deer in the area so I'm hoping to see one.

Other than that my life is pretty much just working, running, taking care of my house, reading, knitting and hanging out with Robbie. My son is 20 and so he does his own thing with his friends and OCCASIONALLY hangs out with me a little bit, which is nice.

I would really like to get to knit nights at least twice a month because I'm starting to feel like I have no life. Robbie gets so weird when I mention venturing off to knit. It's like he gets jealous or something and to avoid any confrontations about it, I just don't go. I know this isn't healthy in a relationship.

Anyway, my sister is moving to Minneapolis so I won't have her around to do things with, and I don't hang out with my other friend anymore since she and her new boyfriend have taken up swinging and drugs!! God, aren't you supposed to be over experimenting with drugs once you get in your forties? I just can't be around it and so I can't be around her.

So, even though I probably sound like "woe is me", I'm not. I love my job, I love my dogs, and running and knitting and all my other "things" ... I just need to get out a little more, with other people, that's all.

Crikey, She's a Big One!

2006-04-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have a thing about iguanas. It started about six years ago. I became intrigued with them for whatever reason. Everyone who knows me, knows this, including the people I work with. Frequently there are big iguanas outside the building at work and whenever someone sees one, they let me know. This means that I go outside and look at the iguana and try to catch it. I have never been successful until yesterday. There was a 3 1/2 footer outside in the parking lot basking in the sun. I went out there with two people I work with, snuck up on it from behind a car and tried to grab it. The first try was unsuccessful ... she whipped me with her tail and then rolled and got away but as soon as she stood back up I grabbed her. Here's a couple pictures. I am truly an iguana wrangler ... and the people at work think I have entirely lost my mind. Tee hee ...

P.S. - I caught her while wearing a long skirt and heels which makes it even funnier.

Tampa Tattoofest

2006-03-29T07:31:00.000-08:00

I'm back at work after a great weekend. Robbie and I drove up to the Tampa Tattoofest. I've gone for the last three years and it's always a good time. We left Friday morning and stopped at an alligator farm in the Everglades, hit an antique mall, had lunch at the Sebring Diner (best food we'd eaten in a long time ... if you ever pass it, stop in and eat!!), went to an outside iron work gallery somewhere near Brandon (also awesome), stopped in for coffee at Starbuck's, bought a couple shirts at Harley Davidson of Brandon, spent two hours in Target and finally got to our hotel.

Saturday we cruised around the Tattoo Convention and hotel all day until it was time for us both to get tattooed. Robbie filled in an empty spot near his neck with a really nice water flower and I got orange blossoms tattooed on my arm. It starts at the top of my shoulder and goes about halfway down my arm. It's not finished yet, but so far it looks awesome! I love it! After getting tattooed we were starving so we went for late night french toast at the local Village Inn ... went back to the hotel, watched a show about the girl who went missing in Aruba and went to bed.

Sunday we took a very leisurely drive back home. We stopped at Barnes and Noble for coffee and bagels and shopped around for a little while. Got back on the road and about 20 minutes later I realized I didn't have my backpack with me. So, in a frenzy I called Barnes and Noble ... sure enough I had left it in the cafe and we had to turn around and drive all the way back!! Robbie wasn't pleased, but handled it well. This is the typical type of situation that would have sent us into a brawl months ago, but doesn't now (after all our therapy ... lol). We stopped for boiled peanuts at a little place somewhere in Okeechobee called J and S Fish Camp. There were a lot of bikes there and it was really nice. We sat outside by the water, had a beer and enjoyed our boiled peanuts. They were damn good!! We proceeded down the road through parts of Florida I didn't even think existed anymore. There was lots and lots and lots of land and open spaces. It was really beautiful and reminded me of how it must have been when my parents moved down to Florida in the 60's. I loved it!! At one point we got lost on a detour on 441 where it ended into Pahokee. No offense to anyone who may be from Pahokee, but it looked pretty rough there. We turned around as quickly as we could and got the hell out of there. The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful and I got a lot of knitting done. I'm working on a beautiful wrap for my sister. It's made from Rowan Summer Tweed and I can't wait to finish it. It feels really nice and has an awesome drape. We got to Robbie's house, unpacked everything and watched The Soprano's. To me the show is a little bit lame this season but Robbie's really into it and it gives me the opportunity to do even more knitting, which is a good thing.

So now I'm back ... back to the daily routine of working, knitting, cleaning my house, running, spending time with Robbie and my son, etc. Doesn't sound like much, but I'm happy.

Also, Robbie and I started watching Lost last night. I ordered the DVD's from Netflix. We watched two episodes so far and it is SO good. I can't wait to watch the next one. Also, we got Cirque Du Soleil tickets for Apri 22nd. We're going with my mom and my sister ... should be fun. Idol sort of sucked last night. I didn't think anyone was that great although I basically like Taylor and Elliott regardless of what they sing or how they perform because they're just great no matter what.

I Feel Like a New Person!!

2006-03-21T06:56:00.000-08:00

Well, I did it. I've been thinking about chopping off my hair for a long time. I'm 43 years old and my hair has been at least below my shoulders for probably 41 of those years. At times it was down to my waist, at one point it was touching the crack of my butt, and most recently it was down to my bra strap. I was reading the Pixiestikz weblog and kept noticing how cute Heather's haircut was. I found myself going to her weblog daily just to check out her cool haircut. I pondered and pondered, and made myself nervous with the thought of it ... but I was also getting strangely excited about the thought of being able to do all sorts of fun things with my hair like put wax in it and make it really piecey and play around with little barrettes, etc. Anyway, when I was just on the verge of making the decision I read Mimi's weblog, Skulls N' Bats, and lo and behold she had just cut her hair really short and was talking about how good it felt. That was it. I was convinced that it was some sort of sign. I made an appointment and went last Saturday and cut it all off. I LOVE it!! I'm still adjusting to not being able to just brush it and put it in a ponytail, but it looks really hip and fun and I'm so glad I just did it!! When I get a picture of the new "do", I'll post it.

Finally ... a picture!!

2006-03-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

I am definitely a newbie to the blogging stuff ... I learned tonight how to post a picture. So this is a picture of me from when I went to Aruba with my boyfriend in January. I plan on posting more pictures of my knitting, my animals, etc. now that I know how. Yep, that's me!!

A Resolution Not Kept

2006-03-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

I had to laugh when I just read my post from January 3rd ... "One of my New Years resolutions is to be better about posting to my blog." Well, I see how well I've stuck with that!! I've literally posted only one time each month in 2006!! And the sad thing is that Robbie (my boyfriend) gave me an awesome camera for Christmas. I could be posting all my cool pictures from Aruba, pictures of the things I've knit, pictures of the dogs, the cat, the iguana, the son.

I'm very inspired by other people's blogs, especially the knitting blogs. All the girls are SO cool and have such interesting blogs. In fact it causes me trouble at work because sometimes I get so into reading them that I have a hard time pulling myself away. I really need to learn more about how you add all the neat links, etc. to the blog to make it more interesting. Mine is definitely boring at this point, but I will make it better.

Another F.O.

2006-02-21T10:56:00.000-08:00

New Knit Addict

This blogging isn't going too well ... I'm not very good about keeping up with it. Anyway, last night I finished my Daikeito Diameusse scarf. What great colors!!! It looks awesome. The only problem is that it is knit in mainly stockinette stitch so the damn thing rolls into a tube!! I still like it though.

What's Been Up ...

2006-01-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

One of my New Years resolutions is to be better about posting to my blog. It's been quite a while.

Anyway, I spent four days in Key West with my sister and my mom for Christmas. We rented a cottage and a little electric cart and drove all over the place checking stuff out at all hours of the night. Christmas Eve my sister and I were actually out in the cart in our Christmas pajamas cruising around in the cart!! Ha! It was definitely the non-traditional Christmas and one that we will always remember. We had SUCH a good time!!

New Years started out to be pretty uneventful. Robbie and I couldn't decide what to do ... stay in and watch movies or go out. I had a craving for a sandwich from Primanti Brothers on Ft. Lauderdale beach so we dressed really casual and headed down there. We ate and then decided to drive down Ft. Lauderdale strip before we went home. Well, it was probably about 10:30pm or so ... we turned the corner from Las Olas onto A1A and it opened up into a gigantic crowd of people. It was packed down there and everyone looked like they were having a lot of fun so we ended up parking and hanging out. We sat out front of Blondie's and had a drink and waited for midnight. When midnight came the Elbo Room had a machine blowing confetti onto everybody and everyone was going crazy. They shut A1A down for about 10 minutes and people were running around in the streets. It was really fun!! So for an evening when we had nothing planned, we ended up having a really good time.

Last night we met my sister and her girlfriend at Tatu, the restaurant over at the Seminole Village at the Hard Rock. The food was good but the service was terrible. After we ordered drinks it took about a half hour to get them. Robbie and I's meals came out at one time and my sister and her girlfriend's came out about a half hour later. We had gotten there in plenty of time to hang out and eat dinner and they ended up scarfing down their sushi and rushing out the door because they were late to their concert because it took so long. The place looks really cool, but the waitress and the manager really had big attitude problems and I don't think I'll probably ever go there again. For the price, the service isn't what it should be by any means!!

So, that's about it ... other than Robbie is taking me to Aruba. It was my birthday present. We are leaving this Sunday. We are in therapy ... have been for about a month or so now. It is helping ... things are better. Not perfect ... not even close ... but better and we're working on it.

OH, and I'm STILL knitting ... of course. No interest lost. I have about 17 projects going right now and I just finished an awesome cranberry colored scarf Sunday night.

Mimi if you read this, thanks for inviting me out to knit night. I will get there one night. Monday nights seem to be really difficult for me, but I will get there eventually and I appreciate you thinking of me!!!!

It is not perfect, but still awesome!!

2005-11-28T11:31:00.000-08:00

I dyed some wool with Kool Aid last night and it was SO fun. I used pink lemonade, black cherry and grape and it looked SO dark while I was actually putting the dye on, but when I steamed the wool to set the dye it lightened up and turned out so pretty. As of this morning it was still not completely dry so I can’t wait to check it when I get home. I know I’m going to immediately want to start knitting something with it. I’m also definitely going out today to get more Kool Aid since I still have two skeins of wool left!!

See more progress on: Try dyeing yarn with Koolaid

Lots of Time to Think

2005-11-09T22:17:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while since I've written anything on here ... mainly due to Hurricane Wilma. I finally got power November 6th. Two weeks without electric made me realize that I can be pretty happy with very little. I did have a generator which provided light and allowed me to hook up my TV and DVD player and finish watching the 4th season Six Feet Under DVD's. The main thing the generator did was allow me to make coffee in the morning ... most important of all. Anyway, while I had no power I wasn't seeing my boyfriend because the hurricane pretty much did us in. The first few nights after the hurricane he came over to my house in a bad mood. He was mad about everything and I just couldn't deal with it. So, while he wasn't here I knitted, read, or did crossword puzzles either with one light on, or by candlelight and I was fine ... and I felt content. More content than if he had been here and had been a pain in my ass.

I did finish a pretty drop stitch scarf and my Stitch Diva poncho. And I got a lot done on all my other knitting projects. I'm trying to finish up the things I already have on the needles and not start any more projects until those are pretty much done. I did start a scarf to give my mom for Christmas though. And I'd like to make something for my sister, but we'll see how it goes.

Anyway, I went to my first therapy appt. last night at 7pm. Robbie went at 3pm. The therapist's recommendation is for us to take a week off from talking or seeing each other so we can both think. I think this is a great thing even though tonight, for the first time, I felt a little lonely. I think one night this week I have to go out with a friend and do something. I have spent so much time in the house since the hurricane. I would like to go to Stitch N' Bitch this Saturday morning and finally make it to the one on Monday night that I've been talking about going to for months. I'm also going to yoga tomorrow night.

I'm trying to really think about if I want to stay with Robbie or not. That's pretty much going to be determined in therapy where I can safely speak my mind without worrying that he's going to get so mad. I guess our appt. together next Wednesday night will shed some light on where this relationship is or isn't going. I sure hope so anyway ...

Saying this at age 42 !! ??

2005-10-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking that I need to make some friends for a LONG time, but I have enough guts to come out and say it on here after reading how many other people feel the same way. The sad thing for me though is that the majority of people seem to be very young and I’m 42!! Seems like I should have become better at making friends by this time. I have someone that I’ve considered my best friend since 1978, however she’s gotten very involved in things I’m not into anymore so I don’t really hang out with her anymore, plus my boyfriend basically told me if I hang out with her at all he’ll break up with me. Anyway, other than her I have one friend that moved to Mississippi so I never see her anymore although we do email each other. Other than that I have my mom and my sister but really no other friends. I find it to be very disheartening and sad and I’m going to change it and learn how to make some friends!!

See more progress on: Make new friends

43 Things?

2005-10-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

Unpack This!!

2005-10-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot ... I have something I need to bitch about. It seems that this blog winds up being not only about knitting, but an outlet for things I need to vent about also.

I mentioned previously that I went to Disney this past weekend ... I went with my boyfriend and his two kids, one girl and one boy, aged 9 and 10. Anyway, things were going great and we were getting along and then all of the sudden when we checked into the hotel my boyfriend got mad at me because I unpacked all of my own stuff, but didn't unpack for him and his kids. He was sitting at a table reading, the kids were hanging out in the bed watching TV and somehow I wind up being faulted because I didn't unpack for them. I fail to see why a grown man of 40 and the two kids who packed their own stuff are all of the sudden unable to UNPACK!! I can only attribute his attitude to the fact that he was married for 14 years and obviously his wife waited on him. He said that never in his life has he been expected to unpack for himself!! And he doesn't believe that the kids should have to unpack for themselves either. He says this is something he expects the woman to do. By the way, he is a very old-school thinking Italian man!!

Other than that I found out Tuesday night that since he can't fix his own food (he's started a new diet to lose weight) he is paying his ex-wife to fix his food for him. Not only that she drops it off to his office for him every morning. How sweet ...

Also he is in the process of selling his house so he is not able to have a dog there because apparently when you are selling a million dollar home, people frown upon it if they come into the house and there's any sign of you owning any sort of animal!! So he is on the hunt for a dog and guess where he wants to keep it? At my house!! I have a very small house and already have 3 dogs inside and 3 cats outside. He owns a 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom house on 3 acres but wants to keep the dog at my house!! Wouldn't it make sense to just wait until the house sells and THEN get a dog? I mean that's what I think, but he doesn't agree. It's easier to keep it at your girlfriend's house so she can feed it, walk it, etc. Oh also, one more thing, he CANNOT pick up poop. If any dog goes to the bathroom, he cannot pick up the poop because it will make him throw up. So, let's see, he wants to get a new dog and keep it at my house. I would imagine that if the dog is young, it will probably have some potty accidents. Who do we think is going to end up having to clean up all the poop? Me, I bet, right? I need to put my foot down about this.

When I read all the things I write about him I realize that all the things he expects from me are just ridiculous. Or is it just me? If anyone reads this, please let me know what you think. Thanks.

Not Alotta Knittin' Time

2005-10-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

I hate it when I have a really strong urge to knit, but I can't. Like right now ... I'm at my job ... I lit my "indigo spice" candle and I have music playing to help get me into the mood to work but all I can really think of doing right now is knitting. I would be SO into it right now. I can't knit during lunch time today because my son's car got towed last night and we have to get it out. And sometimes it's hard for me to knit at home because it seems there's always something else to be done. I'm going to try really hard tonight to sit and get some knitting done. Last night I could have knit but I was watching "Six Feet Under" and when I watch that I don't like to do anything but get under the covers and give it my complete attention. It's probably the only show I watch that I truly, truly, truly enjoy ... like when one episode ends, I can hardly wait to watch the next one.

Anyway, I was in Disney last weekend and I managed to get my boyfriend to take me to the town of Celebration because I heard they have a yarn shop. The shop is called "Hopskotch" and it's really a clothes store with a little bit of yarn in the back. I was actually sort of disappointed because it wasn't very inspiring, but I did buy some Ironstone yarn ... I think it's called "Pizzazz" that I started making a really cool shawl with. The lady at the shop didn't know how to use the yarn winder so I ended up winding it myself in the hotel room. Funny but my ball of yarn looks nothing like the nice compact little squarish balls that the winder makes. It seems to be working though ... so no big deal.

Other than that I really want to make the shrug that is on the Yarn Tree website. It is made with Ironstone Island Cotton and I've seen a few of them made and they are really, really cute. I'm trying to make myself wait though because I have SO many other projects on the needles right now. Monday I finished a drop stitch scarf (it is 82" long ... very dramatic) that I made out of Rowan Polar. I love it ... now I just hope it gets chilly at some point in the future so I can actually wear it.

Also I went to see Phantom of the Opera Tuesday night. Wow ... the costumes and the stage sets were unbelievable. There was a little too much singing in it for me though. I'm glad I went and saw it, but would never choose to sit through it again.

Alright, that's it ... I really need to get busy here.

LYS's mean good times!!

2005-09-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

Well, after getting home and finding my house sparkling clean on Friday (my new cleaning lady did an AWESOME job!), I decided that I would take my Saturday (the day I usually spend cleaning the entire house) and go up to the yarn store at the Festival Flea Market. I went there and had so much fun!! I bought over $100 of bamboo yarn and Zen ribbon to make a couple really pretty drop stitch scarves for my mom and sister for Christmas ... and I bought some extra yarn to use in a surprise triangle shawl for moi. I sat and knitted with Tina and Roz for a little while. They are just so nice and I had such a good time. Tina inspired me to make a long sleeve shrug that's going to be next on my list. Other than that I did get a lot of knitting done this weekend on my Stitch Diva poncho and one of my ponchettes (pattern from The Yarn Tree website). I'm on such a roll right now because I have two projects that are SO CLOSE to being done ... too bad I have a real job and can't knit right now ... I would SO get both projects finished today!!

I Live for Cafe Con Leche - Grande y Ozcuro, Por Supuesto!

2005-09-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

I'm at work right now and all I can think about is a big, strong cup of cafe con leche. I may have to take a drive to Sedano's at lunch time. Sedano's is one of the few places where you can still get a large, strong cup of coffee for almost nothing. Even the Barney's that is in the local Publix has upped it's price for a large cup of cafe con leche to over $3.50!!

Anyway, I haven't been doing as much knitting as I would like to. Tuesday night after work I went to the Yoga Warehouse in downtown Ft. Lauderdale for a class, and it was awesome. I immediately bought a card for 10 more classes!! I love how the place is open and airy and warm and right by the railroad tracks so you can hear the trains! From there I went straight to Wild Oats to stock up on some healthy food and drinks. By the time I got home that night, talked to Robbie on the phone for a while and showered, it was pretty much time to go to bed.

Wednesday after work I came home, went running and then proceeded to entirely redo my spare bedroom. I moved all the furniture, cleaned everything, got rid of a bunch of stuff (well, packed it up to be donated) and then rearranged everything. It was fun because now it's super clean and looks like a new room, but it was pretty exhausting and again, I showered and then pretty much went to bed.

Last night I had to get my house ready because I have a new cleaning lady starting today. I had to make lists of what I need her to do, and where everything is, etc. and as silly as it sounds, I sort of straightened up the house for her!! I don't want my new cleaning lady to think I'm a slob!! After that Robbie came over and proceeded to sit on the sofa and channel surf. It's very frustrating that when he comes over and we sit together and start watching something on TV he randomly changes the channel without asking. So we're watching Diane Sawyer interview Barbra Streisand and all of the sudden we're watching Criminal Minds ... then I start to get into that and all of the sudden we're watching Hurricane Rita coverage ... all of the sudden back to Diane and Barbra ... wait, back to Criminal Minds ... Hurricane Rita ... finally I just give up on trying to spend time with him and interact with him ... I go get my knitting and stop trying to watch TV.

We did get along good last night though ... he surprised me by even inviting my little pitbull "Weezy" to come up on the bed and sleep with us. Usually it seems that he doesn't like her AT ALL, but last night for some reason he seemed pretty sweet and in a good mood. Hopefully this will last because it's so nice when we're getting along.

I'm a Wannabe ... I Wanna Be Happy

2005-09-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

I find it sad that often times the first thoughts I want to write here are negative ones. Maybe that's not such a bad thing if I can get them out of the way and then move onto positive thoughts afterwards.

I continue to have constant problems getting along with my boyfriend. We fought all last week and didn't see each other, and then ended up going to the Poker Run in the Keys over the weekend and having a really good time. He wasn't at my house 5 minutes last night and already he was having a problem with something I did ... a look that I gave him because he peeled a cucumber in the sink that I had just cleaned and left all the peels there. I didn't SAY anything, I just gave him a look ... he said, "I'll clean it up" ... I said "Okay, good" and then he got all bent and said that if I was crazy about him and really loved him I would have just picked up the cucumber peels and thrown them in the garbage without giving him a look. With us it's just that the minute the stage is set by a look or a comment, the whole evening winds up going downhill, and sure enough it did.

Okay enough about that. Presently I'm working on a Stitch Diva poncho made from California yarn that is beautiful. I'm also working on 2 ponchettes and a couple of scarves, a washcloth ... I've always got quite a few things going ... in fact if I listed everything I have on needles right now, I would appear to be out of control with my knitting. Tee hee ... I am, so what? I also bought a digital camera and as soon as I figure out how to get the pictures into my blog, I will be adding those to make this a little more exciting.

I haven't been to yoga in quite a few months and I think I'm going tonight. Hurricane Rita is here and I don't think it's going to be a good night to go running. Plus I feel like I need to do something positive for myself.

How Do They Do It?

2005-09-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly amazed when I look on other people's blogs and see the volumes of knitting these people manage to complete. On one blog in particular it seems that almost everyday "the girl" has a new sweater finished. I have been working on my little ponchette for almost three weeks now. It has to be 45 inches long and I measured it yesterday and it's ALMOST 20!! So I'm not even halfway done!! I don't get it. Okay, so obviously I can't knit at work unless it's during my lunch hour. I knit at home but only when I can after taking care of the dogs and the house and doing laundry and all that typical day to day stuff. Then if my boyfriend is there I knit but only for a little while because I wind up feeling guilty ... like I'm ignoring him or something even though he is totally engrossed in channel surfing. So can someone out there let me in on the secret?

My boyfriend and I went to Nick's on Hollywood Beach Tuesday night with my sister and her new girlfriend, Christine. The new girlfriend is from Minnesota and is a Dakota Indian. She's in a band and plays guitar. My sister is 50 and I'm guessing this girl is in her 30's ... they are crazy about each other which is good, but I just don't get how you make a relationship work when one person lives in Ft. Lauderdale and the other lives in Minneapolis. Of course, I have a hard enough time making my relationship work when he lives in Parkland and I live in Dania Beach ... so I guess proximity isn't what makes or breaks it. What does make or break it? That's what I want to know. I'm really in a dilemma at this point with my boyfriend. We have some really good laughs and alot of fun, but we also fight alot ... and there's alot of stress and tension. Blah blah blah ...

Anyway, I ordered some stitch markers from Zephyr and they arrived yesterday. They are SO cute but don't fit onto the needles I'm using for my poncho, so I'm a little disappointed. I purposely knit as fast as I could last night to get to the point where I could take out the old stitch marker and insert the new one, and alas, it wouldn't fit. I may just have to start a new project on the right sized needles just so I can use them!!

As usual, gotta get to work!

Two Accomplishments!!

2005-09-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

I am always so impressed when I read other people's blogs and see how they are so faithful about getting on and writing almost every day or so. Sometimes weeks go by before I get on and update!!

Anyway, I finally made it to my first Stitch N' Bitch. I wasn't too impressed, but it was basically my fault. I got there at 7pm when it starts at 6:30pm, so all the chairs were taken and I had to sit in the back room (by myself) which wasn't too great. I quickly got over that and began wandering around the yarn shop. I ended up buying a "Knitting Queen" t-shirt. So next time, if there is a next time, I will make sure and get there early enough to get a chair. There is another Stitch N' Bitch on Monday nights at a different location that I'm still trying to make it to. I have a feeling that one is probably a bit friendlier and more fun.

I also completed my first knitting class. It was an advanced beginner class and I learned alot. There were six women in the class, they were all super nice and I really enjoyed it. I'm waiting for them to offer a sock knitting class because I really want to go to that.

Other than that I am very inspired every time I go to the yarn shop. They have SO many cute projects sitting out!! I am presently working on two ponchettes and a shawl (my first project on circular needles). I am using a yarn that is called "California" and I love it!! It is hand dyed and beautiful to work with. I can't wait until I'm done with these projects so I can wear them!! I actually (no lie) have about 20 different projects going. I work ALOT on the above mentioned three and then pick up the other ones and work on them little by little. I also just got some linen in the mail yesterday to make a couple of dishcloths with. I've also realized that I probably will never work with cheap yarn again. I get so much joy out of the quality of the yarns from the yarn store. I figure if I'm going to take the time to make something, it might as well be made out of the best, most beautiful yarn I can afford to buy.

Back to work ...

Feeling Blah ...

2005-08-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

Although I started this blog to talk about knitting, today I have other things on my mind. I do want to say though that I need to get with it with this blog. All the other blogs I visit have pictures and all kinds of cool little things and mine sucks. Little by little I'll get it going ...

Anyway, today I woke up feeling so frustrated with my life. There are so many things I want to do ... finish more knitting projects, read more books, fix all the little things that are broken around my house, take some classes, start going to yoga again, ... on top of that I have a boyfriend that needs a lot of attention. He's what he calls a "high maintenance" boyfriend and NEVER in my life did I think I would end up with one of those!! When he comes to my house he says it's too hot, he complains because I don't have cable, the tags on my dogs' collars bother him when they clang together and the latest thing is that my bed is totally uncomfortable and "we" have to do something about it. He doesn't even live with me!! We've been going out for almost a year and honestly I don't know if I could ever live with him. He's SO difficult!! Everything bothers him ... how I answer him, how I greet him when he gets there, etc.

I wish I could vent somewhere other than here but my mom and my sister have basically said he is how he is and he's not going to change and it's up to me to deal with it or not. Sometimes I just wonder if it's me or what? I mean I think he's selfish, demanding, ... what am I really getting out of this relationship?

Okay, I have to move on to another topic ... knitting. The only thing I finished recently was a red and white dishcloth for my kitchen. I'm almost done with my polar wool dropped stitch scarf and have started some new projects ... a scarf to give my mom for Christmas, another couple of dishcloths, nothing too hard. I want to attack something more challenging. I REALLY want to learn to make socks. I'm going to a knitting class this Saturday that I'm very excited about.

Gotta get back to work ...

New Knit Addict

2005-07-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

New Knit Addict

Have finished the Koigu wool hat and it is very cute, although I should have made it just a tad larger. I want to make another one to wear when we go riding, although I've been trying to be good and wear a helmet. I feel a lot safer wearing my helmet, but I also feel like I look like a dork. I have an internal struggle back and forth over safety versus looks. I think anyone with a brain would realize that the safety factor is so much more important. So why do I have such a hard time with this?

Anyway, also finished a purple Fun Fur scarf and have since heard that there is a recall on Fun Fur due to the fact that it goes up in flames if you get a lighter near it. I am a smoker so that could be dangerous if I were wearing it while out having a couple drinks!! Yikes!

WIPs are: Pink rayon shrug, Polar wool dropped stitch scarf, antique red shawl, a few dishcloths, ... probably have (no lie) about 15 different projects going right now. That's the way I have to do it though to avoid getting bored!!

Okay, have to end this ... I'm at work and need to be doing work.

List of Projects

2005-05-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

I've decided that I need to limit my website visits and my pattern search. I have SO many WIPs right now that I'm becoming overwhelmed. Last night I bound off a grey and white scarf I was making and made it into a beverage cozy. I decided that I didn't really want to spend more time on that scarf. It was sort of ugly and boring.

Anyway, the projects I have going now are:

Black boa scarf
Black hairy yarn scarf
Candy colored fun fur scarf
Seafoam green dishcloth for my sister
Red and white dishcloth for me
Antique red shawl
Grey and white scarf on giant needles for ... mom?
Variegated acrylic yard scarf for ... me?

I ordered some Koigu wool in a beautiful color to make a hat with. I'll start that when the yarn arrives. I'm also waiting for some really pretty colored needles that I ordered to arrive.

Anyway, this is what I've decided.

I DEFINITELY prefer working with natural fibers as opposed to acrylics.
I want to dye some wool with Koolaid.
I don't really like knitting with size 35 needles although it sure does go fast!!
I wish I had someone to go to a Stitch N' Bitch with. As a new knitter I'm intimidated to go alone.

Stupid, stupid stuff ... that's about it for now.

My First Time

2005-05-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Since I became interested in knitting, I'm always ardently searching for new easy patterns, new colorful yarns, etc. which has led me to visit MANY, MANY knitting websites. I started to notice that almost every website had a blog on it and I started reading them. Then I found that there is a website for people who knit to hook up with secret pals. I thought this would be awesome so I went to the site and in order to take part, you had to create a weblog ... thus the beginnings of New Knit Addict.

Secret Pal 5

2005-05-18T11:26:00.000-07:00

Secret Pal 5

Questionnaire
This is the Secret Pal questionnaire that has been used in past events.You can fill out this set of questions, post it to your blog so that your SP buddy can know what you're all about and get helpful ideas to spoil you. Feel free to add questions - anything your pal might need to know about you!Please wait until the end of May to post this on your blog. That way your buddy will see it and not have to go searching through archives.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

**** It depends on what color it is and how it feels, etc. If it's pretty and feels good I don't care what it is.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

**** No, neither but would like to learn how to crochet.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

**** No

4. How long have you been knitting?

**** Since March 12th of this year.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

**** No, but may in the future.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

**** I like patchouli, lavender, ... anything sort of earthy and hippy-ish. And I LOVE good incense.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

**** Sometimes, but not really.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

**** All my life I've been doing other crafts hoping to find something that "stuck", something creative that I really enjoyed, but have never found it. I do like to play computer Mah Jongg and love doing crossword puzzles.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

**** I like ALL types of music other than jazz, country and that pop stuff they play on the radio like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, etc. HATE THAT!! And no, I can't play MP3's.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

**** I like all colors ... really like purples, pinks, blues

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

**** I live in my own home with my 19 year old son. My boyfriend doesn't officially live there but he might as well ... he's there every night. I have 3 dogs (a beagle named Ellie Mae, a greyhound named Vern and a pitbull named Sugar Bean). I have 2 iguanas - Phineas and Ramona.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

**** To own a Harley and a Airstream trailer ... travel throughout the United States, park the Airstream, jump on the bike and go!! Also to create lots of beautiful knitted things, live the simple life, read a lot and be happy!!

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

**** So far, cotton.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

**** I don't mind the acrylic fun yarns, but don't really like a yarn that looks like cotton, but isn't. Hope that makes sense.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

**** My dream right now is to knit a shawl and a cute little poncho thing. Also want to make hats and socks.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

**** So far washcloths because I love being able to use something I made.

17. What are you knitting right now?

**** 5 different scarves and 2 washcloths.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

**** Like 'em as long as they're sort of lacy looking.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

**** Have never used circular yet, so don't know.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

**** So far aluminum.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

**** Not yet, but want to be.

22. How did you learn to knit?

**** From reading Stitch N' Bitch Nation and old books that were my mom's in the 60's.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

**** Only about a month.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

**** Pit bull or iguana.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

**** Not really crazy about any of them. I like all days and any day.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

**** YARN!! NEEDLES!! Also some iguana stuff.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

**** None yet.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

**** Would like to get Blankets and Throws to Knit and a bunch of good knitting magazines.

posted by The Fearless Knitter @ 6:29 PM 2 comments