TiNKer Belle

The Best Daily Deals in Fandango: Two Movie Tickets

2011-06-09T12:55:00.000-04:00

The Best Daily Deals in Fandango: Two Movie Tickets

This is a good deal for 2 tickets if you're a movie goer!

Cathy

Dog House Yarns & More ... trip to Culpeper

2010-08-02T12:28:00.001-04:00

Two Saturdays ago, I went to Culpeper for (yarn) shopping and luncheoning with some TNK friends (Barbara 2, Christina, Issy, Linda, Mary and Renny). We took the quick route up I95 and then out Route 17 (I think) toward Culpeper - it was uneventful which was fine because we all just wanted to be there and see the new shop our friend had opened!

Dog House Yarns & More is located in a little strip shopping center on Sunset Lane (there are good directions on their website as well as background info about Culpeper too). Culpeper is a really, really quaint little town and I had no idea it was so doggone cute! I definitely want to go back and explore on a more comfortable day. The temperature in downtown Culpeper at 3 pm was 109 F - yes - it actually read 109 !! I guess that was just the heat index - but hot enough that smart people should have all been inside and, as you can see in my photos of Davis Street (looking each way outside the restaurant we ate in), most folks were relatively smart!

view to the left down Davis Street


view to the right down Davis Street

Outside the restaurant looked like these two photos (do you see any people?) while inside was cool and interesting (see photos below). But I have sped up and skipped over the visit to the shop - so I will back up a little.

I don't know why the photos are formatting so oddly, but please bear with me!

On to the actual shop visit, Dog House Yarns & More has a comfortable feel and the owners could not have been more accommodating to our group.

There are comfy arm chairs to curl up and knit in, tables to hold the many pattern books to peruse, and bin after bin of yarn to fondle and dream about!

It was a wonderful visit and meal and I am looking forward to going up again soon, but I do think I will wait until the weather is cooler - at least below 90 F !!!

So, you wanna see the results? Dyeing to know?

2010-07-29T18:32:00.000-04:00

Here is my special skein - one photo in hank form:

and one wound into a ball:

What do you think?

My plan is to knit this up into EZ's Rib Warmer a la 1956 or 1972 (or is it 1984)? Either way, it's a classic. I recently purchased SO17 from the School House Press website - have you been there? A pattern sheet for $1.00. That's right, one whole dollar. Can't beat it with a stick!

Last weekend, I went to Culpeper with some fellow TNKers to visit Doghouse Yarns & More - report on that yarn crawl to come another day!

Dyeing to post again

2010-07-20T15:56:00.000-04:00

Because Andrea is a dear (or maybe because she didn't want to hear me whine), the photos of the RCK dye workshop were posted on the group's private Yahoo group site. Here is a shot of my rainbow yarn:

Neat, huh? How I just have to wait to touch it!

July is almost gone, but where did June go?

2010-07-19T13:35:00.000-04:00

It's been hectic in my little world lately, but I'm still out here, doing something, trying to get by and have fun while doing it!

This month, River City Knitters' meeting consisted of a dyeing demonstration facilitated by Andrea McGee. Here are a couple of photos - I had not planned to get my hands dirty per se, but ended up getting drawn in anyway!

The second photo is another member's dye-job - mine turned out looking like a rainbow - it will be real interesting to see how it comes out once it is 'cooked' and dried. Andrea took our works home with her, and we'll have to wait until August to see them!

Interestingly, Clothos Handspinners also had dyeing on their July agenda... I attended with some friends, but did not participate actively b/c I had not signed up. Here's a photo of Olivia (see Virginia Knits) 'helping' a fellow dyer!

Now, being a curious person and having attended two dyeing workshops, I was itching to give it a go. At the RCK meeting, one member described how she'd made up some food coloring paste dye and put a commercially produced wool skein in the dye and let the dye wick up into the skein - it came out soooo cool that I knew this is what I had to do. So, I grabbed a skein of

and mixed up some food coloring paste dye. Here's a photo of it cooking in my crockpot - I cropped it a little b/c the white of the yarn came out REALLY too white even though the yarn started out more cream in color....

The skein and the loose yarn is home now, dripping and drying. I'll still have to unwind the skein and rewind it into a new ball. Now, you're just going to have to wait with me to see how it all turns out!

Keep your fingers crossed.

MS&W 2010 and the Prom

2010-05-06T10:41:00.005-04:00

Since I was not able to attend MS&W this year (see below), I have been avidly reading descriptions and seeking out photos from this year's festival. This blog, Araignees Tangled Web, has a great description and wonderful photos - almost makes you feel like you're there (without the heat LOL).

And on this famous knitter's site, you can even see a fellow TNK'r Barbara 2 (Barb is way down in the MS&W post in a blue festival t-shirt in a photo labeled as a 'fan' whose name the author could not remember)! Friend of the acquaintance of the famous - that's me!

The third blog on which I enjoyed reading about the festival is here, on the Knitter's Review website. Again, good photos and great descriptions.

I could not go to Maryland because my son T, a senior in H.S., was attending his prom the same night. Here is my son and his girlfriend M in her parent's front yard prior to the prom... don't they look lovely and so grown up? I think so. You can't tell from this photo, but M's dress sparkles too.

Spring Fiber Fest!

2010-04-16T09:22:00.003-04:00

Since the James River H.S. prom is the same day as both Maryland Sheep & Wool and my BF's daughter's wedding shower, I have volunteered to work at the Sedalia Fiber Festival on May 15 - to make sure I get to go! If you attend, please come by and say hello - I should be at the Green Tent working the raffle. Click the word raffle to see exactly what WONDERFUL things are available to win.

Where does the time go?

2010-03-30T14:23:00.003-04:00

Is it just me or is time just passing much too quickly?!

I have finished the side to side vest - except for the button band and buttons. I am working on a spring knitted tee-shirt for myself in a pretty pink (Lion Brand Cotton Ease) as well as a traveling scarf... right now I have Michelle's scarf and Suzanne has mine. I'll find and post a photo of my 'seed scarf'. Michelle's pattern is called the Sock Remnant Scarf and it's cute.

Tom and I traveled to Connecticut to visit and tour Lincoln Technical Institute on a bus with other parents and students from all over Virginia -- the bus driver got lost both on the way up and on the way back... there's something to be said about a professional driver and I guess we got the discount version! LOL What a long 36 hours we had.

Happy Easter all - enjoy your family, the spring and the gifts we have been given -

In a word

2010-03-16T15:22:00.004-04:00

In (w)one word, Wicked was wonderful! After work on Thursday I met El and Va at St. John's United Church of Christ and enjoyed dinner in fellowship with El's cousin, her children, and others.

Once dinner was done, we walked the few blocks over to the Landmark Theater (FKA The Mosque) just in time, basically. Lots of people continued to mill about but the staff shut the entry doors promptly at 7:30 - lots of people missed the opening number of the show because they had not returned / found their seats yet. We were told when we handed our tickets to the ticket-takers that the show would start promptly at 7:30 and it did. I have put two links to the theater on purpose - the first one is a site set up years ago and includes lots of interesting info about the theater itself; the second one - The Mosque - is the 'real' one which reflects current shows, speakers, etc.

Wicked was 3 full hours but it went by really quickly - this show does not drag and keeps your interest throughout. Now I want to see it in other venues and compare!

On the knitting front, I am almost done with the vest (Nov. 07 Creative Knitting) I have been working on (yay) . Here's a photo borrowed from Creative Knitting:

... and I sent out a 'seed' scarf today... what the heck is a seed scarf they ask -- well, a seed scarf is the beginning of a group effort. A group of folks agree that they will each knit on each others project and then pass it along to the next person in the chain. For example, I sent my fledgling Lengthwise Scrappy Scarf to Suz. Suz sent her fledgling scarf to someone else. I will receive Michelle's scarf this week. I will knit on M's scarf then send it along to Suz, and so on until all the scarves have made the trek around the circle - which is actually around the USA because all of us live in different parts of the county. Below is a photo borrowed from that pattern also:

Don't you love pattern photos?! I do - they inspire and challenge me. I hope mine is as pretty as this one - doesn't it look like it was woven instead of knitted?

Something Wicked this way comes!

2010-03-11T17:07:00.003-05:00

I am going to see the road show of Wicked with some girlfriends tonight! I have not read the book but have listened to the soundtrack on the official website so I won't be totally unfamiliar.

On the kneedles: working on a jacket (for moi), a vest (also for moi) and several other things... check Ravelry to see what.

Workin'

2010-02-22T11:43:00.004-05:00

Knitting, working; working, knitting...

That's about all I have to report! I feel like that's all I do - go to work, come home, fix dinner for my men and 'mules, knit some while watching TV, go bed and do it all over again the next day!

That is not to say, though, that I don't enjoy my weekends, no-sir-ee-bob! Saturday morning, Chris and I decided to go to a movie. Because I don't like crowds, we went early - we saw a 12:30 pm showing of Shutter Island - can you say - whew?!

One article I read said that it was over long... I disagree; both of us enjoyed it and were caught off guard by the twist at the end (no, I won't divulge it here so no worries). Another article (or maybe the same one, I don't remember) said that since Leonardio diCaprio always played off his boyish charms, he could not pull this one off... again, I disagree. If suspense and psychologogial thrillers are not your thing, don't see this one.

On the knitting front, I have several FO's to report: (1) the purgatory sweater (aka Chris's jacket) is complete. Yay! It fits great (yeah, just like someone knitted it just for him) and is warm. Here he is wearing it the second I got the zipper installed. Gave it to him as an early Valentine's present (instead of the really late Christmas gift that it really was).

Also, on Ravelry, I am participating in a scarf swap and I have completed my partner's scarf ... are you ready for this...?... ten days early! Yes! It turned out lovely, and I so hope she enjoys it. I am not going to post a photo yet, but I will once she receives her package.

Happy knitting all to all.

Purple and Green... i like those colors

2010-01-29T14:45:00.001-05:00

Your fairy is called Thorn Goblinglitter

She is a bringer of riches and wealth.

She lives in brambles and blackberry bushes.

She is only seen in the light of a shooting star.

She wears purple and green like berries and leaves. She has gentle green wings like a butterfly.

Get your free fairy name here!

What the heck is MangoMinster2010?

2010-01-19T16:23:00.003-05:00

This is

Go check it out... ok?

Ask me about the spring cleaning a little early (you know me, gotta strike when the iron is hot!).

2010

2010-01-04T15:03:00.005-05:00

Yikes! Where has the time gone!? Wow.... Does everyone feel like that?

My days and weeks are going by so fast that I just cannot believe. I used to hear folks (and when I say 'folks' - I mean older folks - the category I now find myself moving into) say "Life is like a roll of toilet paper - the closer you get to the end of the roll, the faster you use it up" and I didn't really get it - I mean, I understood what they said plainly enough, but I did not 'get' the concept of time flowing by like a flooding river rushing to the sea. Now I do.

I finished up all the Christmas presents I was working on except for Chris's sweater/jacket... I made progress on it, but no, it is not completed yet. My sister liked her gift (Burgundy poncho with VT colors scarf) and my SILs2b seemed to like their aprons too... I still have a bag and tote to sew, but I needed input from the giftee before I could start on that project b/c I wanted her to pick the fabrics herself. We shopped a Joanne's sale yesterday, so I will start on it soon.

I have lots of photos to share but I haven't taken them from my camera yet... I will post again soon, when I can get the photos up. Until then, Happy New Year - may 2010 be everything we want and need it to be!

FOs - knitting and sewing

2009-12-07T12:10:00.004-05:00

Many, many FO's to report upon, but no photos yet. I completed my sister's Christmas project (!) and did manage to show it off over the weekend at our annual Christmas guild meeting and luncheon. This year Sharon cooked up a FashionKnit fashion show featuring both garments knit up by we guild members and by the local knitting shops. So many pretty things and so few pictures, alas. I will edit or repost at some point when I can borrow some photos from other members of the guild!

I also finished 1.5 sewing projects I am working on - both are also Christmas gifts so I cannot show them yet, either!

I am still working away on Chris's sweater. I am hopeful I can get it done (or almost done) for Christmas enjoyment (please cross your fingers for me here, ok?).

Hope you all had a good weekend- ours was wet on Saturday and nice and cold on Sunday - 18 more shopping / knitting days until Christmas - O M G!!! `

Friday at long last

2009-11-06T13:04:00.003-05:00

Saturday, this weekend, looks to be a busy one -- just keeping up with obligations while trying to have a little fun too! The fun includes an arts and crafts show at a local high school 9am - 3 pm (TG Designs participating) and a craft-y meet-up (10 am - 2 pm) organized by another friend - of course both events happening simultaneously.

The weatherman is calling for seasonal weather, which in Virginia means anything goes from cool and windy to humid and sticky to you name it! I hope it's on the cooler side b/c I really dislike humidity and have had enough. Visually, the leaves here in central Virginia are still pretty and hanging onto the trees - that means the color parade is still on!

I have not done any more weaving this week, but I have been giving it a lot of thought... though I have not come to any conclusions about how I am going to proceed (go back and reweave or forge on ahead).

On the knitting front, I am trying to get C's sweater / jacket finished up so I can proceed on some other gifting projects. Between errands and personal taxi-ing services, I have not gotten much done any evening this week! I think the dogs have missed me, too!

Week-end update...

2009-11-02T16:06:00.003-05:00

It rained. It rained a lot.

Saturday started with me oversleeping and getting to Cherri's studio late; sigh. What can I say?

I listened, watched and did as instructed from 9:20 am to 9:00 pm (quick lunch break and about 1.25 hours dinner break). I learned a lot - I learned practical things about warping and measuring and about how different looms produce different results.... my Penelope is a Tapestry Loom - one is meant to weave a tapestry on it. She is not a 'regular' loom - (table or floor). She will not, nay can not produce the same type of patterning that a multi-heddle (? is that a term?) loom can.

For the amount of time the four of us students put into preparing our warps and the looms to weave, their products (we all intended to made scarves) came out prettier. Now, I know, granted - it was a first effort and no, I was not making a tapestry (which is what I should have gotten Cherri to work with me on). But, I am afraid that my expectations were not in the correct realm, for lack of a better term; therefore, I was disappointed. But I am learning - I remind myself. again.

I have not decided whether I am going to persevere and complete what I started or if I am going to unweave some really unattractive weaving and start again. I'll have to let you know.

Here I have just gotten the warp onto the loom and tied up:

Halloween, Thanksgiving then Christmas ... oh where has the year flown?

2009-10-30T15:37:00.007-04:00

Tomorrow, Halloween, I am taking an introductory weaving class with The Maidens Weaver, aka Cherri Hankins, fellow member of Virginia Knits. She will teach me (hopefully I will learn) to dress my loom and start to weave something. My friends Robin C., Alice (aka Lady of the Loom) and the blogless Cathy L. have inspired me with tales, photos and actual pieces of fabric they have lovingly woven (?) on their looms. Cathy and Alice are veteran weavers where Robin, like me, is a novice. But, fiber is fiber, right?! Of course right!

About a month ago, I ran across a LeClerc Penelope loom on Craigslist that needed a new home. The owner had had no nibbles so when I offered a lower than listed price, she accepted, much to my surprise and pleasure! As it turned out, she too is a downtown Richmond legal employee so we were able to meet pretty quickly and sort out details. Since the Penelope is a table top loom, it wasn't that big a deal logistically, but it was fun to get it so quickly! My loom looks alot like the below Penelope II.

But what about my knitting, you wonder? I'm still knitting away on several projects simultaneously:

- the man sweater: still in the works, about half done

- Beautiful Ishbel: languishing... due to attention being taken by gift knitting..

- Beige Alpaca Coin Lace Clapotis: coming along fine - probably also about half done

- gift Main Morning Mitts (fingerless): 1 down, second one almost finished!

- gift outwear team-colored garment: starting nicely, moving along quickly (vagueness necessary, sorry)

Chris, Tom and the furbabies are all doing pretty well. We lost one of our older dogs recently, though I have not blogged about it because I just didn't want to. She was very, very old (we're not even sure how old b/c she was old when she came to us) and was past ready to go to doggie heaven and chase butterflies and chomp on bones all day long.... she was not happy that she was not able to be a 'good girl' inside anymore and we were not happy cleaning floors several times a day.... sometimes it stinks to be the grown-up, doesn't it?

Thanksgiving will be upon us soon, and I hope everyone enjoys readying their homes and hearts for the holidays.

Missing Tech Student

2009-10-22T11:43:00.003-04:00

Today, Thursday, new details emerge - the young lady who mistakenly left the concert while looking for a bathroom, ended up outside of the Arena - she could not get back into the concert because of a no re-entry policy... while I understand the philosophy for the policy, what are folks thinking leaving a teenager (and a FEMALE one at that) outside in a strange town while her friends are inside attending a university sponsored event?? Click here for original article on Richmond TV station website.

TNK, WIPs and FOs and other things not alphabetical

2009-10-21T11:08:00.006-04:00

Last night was TNK - one of my favorite nights during the work week! The group was relatively medium this week - only about 16 of us! I was going to say 'small' but once I counted, I realized that it wasn't a small group after all... Barabara #2 had celebrated a birthday over the week-end and brought a stack of books to share with us - and lots of chatter - as her family had been quarantined over her birthday-day due to both children having the H1N1 flu!

Christina returned (after quite a lengthy absence I might add), and it was nice to see her. I did not get to catch up with her much, but I am sure we will soon. Mary and Alice were handspinning and knitting (respectively) ... we are a diverse group. I did not (remember to) bring my camera, so sadly no photos to post... sorry :( Renny showed off a lovely shawl (Rav link) made from Tilli Thomas and a linen yarn alternated... the sheen was amazing!

I have not an FO in sight and too may WIPs! Chris' sweater is still in progress, as are my Ishbell and Coin Lace Clapotis shawlettes.

Do you see Jetta's little face up there at the top of the photo? She is almost touching the project ... a whisker might even be doing it (I bet she's thinking she's gotten one over on me!)! Kids!

I vote for dogs too; a WIP and a FO

2009-09-23T16:14:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, my dachshund daily desk calendar (say that five times fast) contained the following statement:

I saw a bumper sticker that said: I love DOGS and I vote.
I want one that says, I vote for DOGS.

... just when you thought I was getting political! LOL

Knitting and working both continue. Since my 9/11 post, I attended a wonderful knitting retreat in Staunton (see review here on Virginia Knits) and I have completed a new shawlette -- it is a combination of 2 ideas/patterns, so I guess I have come up with a new design... ? What do you think - can you guess what two popular patterns on Ravelry it is based on?

I have also been busily knitting on Chris' jacket/cardigan/sweater -- here's a wip photo:

Can you tell that the sleeves are on waste yarn waiting for me to finish the body? I think it is coming along nicely and will fit grreeaatt! The fabric is so soft and will be really warm (wool and alpaca both) - and manly too!

9 - 11

2009-09-11T08:53:00.001-04:00

Never forget.

'ears to Tico and Joe, too!

2009-09-01T14:53:00.005-04:00

Doesn't he have the cutest ears and the sweetest expression? Doesn't he look like a little 'huahua? Well, he's not! Tico (short for Taquito) is a sato, which is a stray from Puerto Rico, and he is a 'huahua mixed with something terrier-like.

I am posting Tico's photo (again) because the folks over at Munchkin Memoirs are having a contest. If you go to their blog post, you can play too!

After re-reading above, I decided that Joe needed some cheering up so here's one of Joe sitting in the cart at PetsMart (which is truly unusual if you know Joe) after having seen the resident veterinarian (*who was great with him btw). It is difficult to see, but Joe is wearing an Elizabethan collar to keep him from chewing his rump (which you can't see in this photo b/c it is covered by a towel to hide the wound which had just been debrided! ugh). His sweet ears are tucked by his head, little lovey boy! Doesn't he look pitiful?!? The photo was taken on Aug. 28, Friday evening. He is doing much better today - yeah!!

Chan and Sue are at fault, I mean responsible, for passing the contest along to me, so I want to give credit where due!

I hope everyone is doing well. I am looking forward to school starting back up on the 8th (yes, it is late this year) and I think DS is too. He's a senior and I just can't figure out where the years have gone....

I have a couple of FOs that I have not passed along lately (and I have some frogged projects too alas). This one is my second attempt at this particular pattern (BYOB), and, frankly, it stretches too much, even knitting it MUCH smaller than the first one. It is pretty though, yes?

Last Tuesday we were at Virginia Beach

2009-08-11T12:27:00.009-04:00

Last week, we spent two nights at Virginia Beach. Chris got a great deal through Priceline, and we stayed at the Cavalier Hotel.

The Cavalier is a local icon, a grande dame in the best grande-ole-hotel tradition. There were rooms available, which surprised me given the great rate we were given online.... The beach is private for hotel patrons, there are tennis courts, an outdoor pool, a kiddie pool, a gazebo, lawn chairs strategically placed for however many folks want to gather and visit or not gather and just sit and read / drink / think / what have you. Years and years ago, in the days of Prohibition, legend has it that bootleggers met folks out behind the Cavalier to peddle their wares... can't you just see it?

Walking on the beach we saw dogs having fun with each other and their owners, folks sitting and sunning, surf boarders, swimmers, shells, some jelly fish, boats - military types and commercial shipping, sea gulls, crows, peligans, dophins... all the things you want to see as well as others you had not thought of!

About Cats

2009-07-30T16:28:00.001-04:00

Refrain from becoming a crazy cat lady: divide your age by 12. You should own no more than that number of cats. Example 2 for a 24 year old. You can have 5 at 60!

Quoted from Rules of Thumb. Lots of really, really interesting things here. Check it out.

What's going on?

2009-07-20T10:28:00.004-04:00

So many things non-knitting related have been happening that I don't even know where to start!

Mid week (last week) the house was not really cooling which was annoying since the humidity had settled back in (had been on a little tiny hiatus which was most welcome). By Thursday evening it was apparent that the outside unit (as opposed to the unit in the attic) was not whirring correctly (the fan blades were not turning despite the machine's best efforts - which is what clued me in - an unnatural sound from the side yard). Friday morning I called the repair guys to see if they could come and take a look at it. They were able to come Friday afternoon! What a coup for us ... usually it is a day or two before anyone can come out but I guess humidity's hiatus was lucky for us and bad for the hvac business.

In the meantime we had no telephone or internet service... what's going on?!? Friday evening I got on the phone with Verizon so they could walk me through some steps to determine if the problem was in the house (our fault-we pay for service call) or outside (their fault-no charge). Despite our best efforts to find something easy, nothing seemed to be wrong inside (yeah / boo ... yeah b/c it would not be something they'd charge us for / boo because that meant that we'd have to wait days until someone could come out and see what the problem actually was). Sunday a nice young man come by in a Verizon van and determined that somehow a line must have been cut b/c service was not getting from the box to the house. He rigged us up a line and put in a request for someone to come over and bury the new line.

Saturday evening, I cut up leftover pork roast to make BBQ (for you non-southerners that means I cut the roast up to cook it down into shreds of pork and seasonings to make sandwiches out of). I crockpot cooked it overnight and the house smelled great when we got up on Sunday morning. Also Saturday evening I made a frozen lime pie for Chris's dad who'd had a birthday during the week. Both dishes were more than worth the effort involved... yum!

Did I tell you guys about Chris putting in some new plumbing fixtures because we needed some upgrades? No? Well, here's a photo of The New Thinker posed upon an outgoing fixture.

Didn't want to have an entirely photo free post, now did we?

Honest Scrap Award

2009-07-14T08:00:00.004-04:00

Honest Scrap Award

Sandra has honored me with this award and as honoree I am supposed to tell readers ten things they may not know about me. Relatively easy (maybe) . . . and then I have to tag 10 other people with this award, let them know they have received it, and then let Sandra of Thistle Cove Farm know I'm on board. I say relatively above because Sandra has an adventurous streak in her!

OK - 10 things you may not know about me -

1. I was born in Kansas - Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in fact. For most folks, when they hear Fort Leavenworth or Leavenworth - they immediately think of the federal prison...

NO, I was not born in prison (despite my sister's assertions that I was)! Fort Leavenworth is the location of an Army college. My father was a student and since they have family quarters on post, my mother (me in utero) and sister had accompanied him to school.

In order to put my being born in our nation's heartland into focus, I have to mention that my sister just happened to be born in Paris, France, which naturally brings to mind haute couture, divine food and champagne.

2. I love yellows and oranges -- they make me happy. I can't wear them, but I love them... so I have a yellow and white kitchen!

3. Joe, my dachshund, is my I-have-wanted-a-dachshund-all-my-life-dog. He has filled in those shoes wonderfully, too. He is a darling little guy.

4. I threw myself a 40th birthday party a few (ahem, be nice) years ago.

5. I worked in NYC for 2 years after college and lived upstate on the Hudson River in Ossining and Peekskill, New York. Each day I commuted in on the Metro North train. I loved learning about the area and riding the train to work remains the best way to go! The Hudson River in the morning is one of the most beautiful sights ever.

6. While I lived in close proximity, I never got to visit the Statue of Liberty. I did go up in the World Trade Center (don't remember which Tower). A friend, Avril, was a clerk typist for a law firm and she took me and another friend up to their offices to see the incredible views up there. It was quite a magnificent view of the Statue.

7. Speaking of New York, almost four years ago (September 30, 2009) I had the pleasure of accompanying three good friends to see Paul McCartney live at Madison Square Gardens. It remains the best show I have ever seen, even topping the thrill of seeing Yule Brenner in The King and I on Broadway.

On that same trip to NYC, we visited the 9/11 site. This collage hung in the little church adjacent to the site:
8. The house I live in now is the place I have been the longest ever... since dad was in the Army, we did not settle anywhere. I have lived in this house for 15 years, for me a world record.

9. I love leather furniture but not leather upholstry in cars...

10. I'm engaged.

I don't want to tag anyone or put anyone on the spot, but I'd love some of my fellow bloggers to do this too... how about it, Robin C., Chan, Roseann, CJ, Alice, KSee, Jane, Christina, Beth, Robin H. if you have time... and anyone else too, please!

Happy Birthday to TOM

2009-07-13T11:24:00.006-04:00

My son is 17 today... wow. Seems like it was just the other day he was running around elementary school wrecking havoc and drawing up a storm! Whew.

I love you, bud, and I am proud of you.

Honk !! Chan is 40 ...

2009-07-01T15:27:00.005-04:00

What better place to announce a friend's entry into real-live-adulthood than on the world wide web ... I mean, what are friends for?

And I'm too far away to honk in person so.... without further adooo...

I know she knows they put me up to it... (they being S and G)

DOT - Tico - cutie pie, speed enforcer, general nuisance

2009-06-25T11:54:00.003-04:00

This is Tico ... you may have met him before ... I don't remember if I have posted about him lately.... Tico is a sato - a Puerto Rican stray - who we adopted in 2004. He's sweet, loving and a good kisser when he is in the house!

He is also the neighborhood's general nuisance number 1... when Tico escapes (b/c there is NO other word for it) he chases cars (speeding cars, that is - the county should put a radar gun and ticket book on him), barks incessantly and won't come to anyone ... he'll run toward you only to slow down and then dart off to the left or right... ARGHHHH

When he gets hungry enough or thirsty enough, he will deign to come in the house and risk incarceration. He eats, slurps gallons of water then sleeps for a day or two ...

Then we have to patrol the doors again in an effort to keep the little darling from escaping yet again!

If you live near me - I apologize for him. If you don't, then go ahead and enjoy his tale!

Coming along

2009-06-23T07:10:00.002-04:00

Progress marches slowly on.

Remembering Nate

2009-06-12T11:23:00.005-04:00

A year ago today, we lost our Nathan.

Talented, funny, annoying, handsome, sweet and sour all rolled up into one.

We miss you, we love you, we will never ever forget you.

Facebook page.

Clapping et cetera

2009-06-10T09:04:00.004-04:00

My clapotis is coming along - it's all I have been working on - it is semi-mindless knitting and sometimes that's what you need.

Also on the knitting front, I have been gathering 'stuff' for my other hobby swap partner on Ravelry. It is a secret swap so none of us know who will be sending us goodies. I bought some wonderful handspun my friend Patsy made as well as some fabric and other sewing goodies since my pal is a seamstress , sewer (?). We are to send out our packages no later than the 20th, but no earlier than today.... With my procrastination skills, you can bet mine won't go out this week (sorry secret pal).

Chris's mom is doing well; thank you for all the well-wishes and prayers - keep 'em coming though because there's a good deal of recovery yet to come. Today is a week since the surgery, and she is doing laps around the ward where her room is (in the brand-new Critical Care Hospital at VCU Health Center). Yes - well, ok - a lap each time she is up - but I was amazed at how quickly they get the patients up post-surgery. Her cheeks are pink and she is getting a little grumpy - both good signs!

This is the last week of school for Chesterfield County and I think my son T is looking forward to not having to get up early every day - he works evenings - making pizza and taking orders at a local Papa John's. I am looking forward to not having to wake him up early every day! The kid is a bear in the morning!

Clap, clap, clap-o-teee

2009-06-03T10:10:00.009-04:00

Clapotis
- it does not look like an easy word to pronounce, but go ahead and pronounce it like it appears in my title (without the first 2 'clap's though) and you've got it. Try it, it's kinda fun to roll it around in your mouth.

What is it? Knitters know, don't you? For non-knitters everywhere, it is a wrap, a shawl-type garment that is wider than a scarf, but definitely not a coat or cape. Here's a photo from Knitty when the pattern premiered:

After a couple of false starts, I decided to used a different yarn than what I'd originally started with. I am using The Shearer's Yarn in Turquoise. The wonderfully talented and prolific but unfortunately blogless Issy brought her second clap to TNK last night and I examined it (b/c mine looked odd to me). She advised me that once I start dropping stitches, it will look more like it should and that also, once I was done and had conditioned it and blocked it, it would look better to me. Whew! because I love the color of this yarn and I hope, hope she's right (no pressure Is! lol)

Today, right now actually, my dear Chris's mom is undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth from her stomach.... please keep them in your prayers, ok? Thank you.
(10 pm update: the surgery went well; the docs think they got all the cancer, but they also got all her stomach. Everyone is optimistic. Again, thanks for good wishes.)

Wool - a gift from the East

2009-06-01T09:50:00.009-04:00

My cousin recently spent three months working in Baku, Azerbaijan. Each time someone in the family goes any where cool, I ask them to bring me some yarn, if they go anywhere yarn / wool / cotton / etc. is processed or sold (which, as any knitter knows, is basically everywhere in the world - but not everyone is game to seek out such a prize).

During her time there, K went to an area of the country where Persian rugs are made by hand. While there, she toured a studio (?) and bought me some beautiful wool! This link shows the types of wool and rugs produced where she visited. I don't know if this is the exact place she toured, but it is very similar from what my aunt and uncle described to me. K and I talked via email and she added this about the tour: "... The area is famous for both Persian and Caucasian rugs (very similar in quality, just design is different). The workshop I went to was definitely geared towards Caucasian-designed rugs but did use Persian methods of hand-dying the wool..."

I haven't seen K yet, but when I stopped by to visit her folks over the weekend, they had the yarn for me! What a treat. My wool looks a lot like the below photo (which shows yarn that has been spun but not dyed) except one ball is a lovely pale green and one ball is a rosey pink. Take a look at the link above, and I'll update you guys as I explore what I will make with the wool, etc.

People

2009-05-29T20:54:00.007-04:00

As many of you know, if you need something and I have extra, you're welcome to it, whatever it is. If I don't have it, I offer what I do have: sometimes an ear, sometimes a shoulder, sometimes just a cup of coffee or chocolate kiss.

If you know me, you know then that I like to suggest things to do, ideas to talk about or places to go. No one needs to run anything; no one needs to lead. If you want to do, talk or go -- you do; if you don't, then you don't. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If I change my mind or something comes up, I go my own way and I expect others to behave in a like manner. Sounds like adult behavior, eh?

I am sorry for the rant, guys, but my feelings got hurt and sometimes I get FED UP. I often take crap [for lack of a better word] from people to avoid a confrontation or because it's just not worth arguing over. BUT I HAVE HAD ENOUGH this week.

You get to work late. You misplace your keys. Kids get in trouble. Strangers screw up your stuff - why? because they can. The roof leaks. The toilet is broken. People get sick. Cars break down. Spouses cheat. Pets die. Taxes come due. Life happens.

So,

take a breath. look outside. regain perspective, girl.

I welcome, love and cherish my friends; but, I will wave goodbye to anyone who does not want to be my friend or behave like a friend. I have done it before, and I can do it again. Sometimes life makes me sad, but that's the way it works.

Onward and upward to all. And to all a good night.

Guild, Birthday and Ripped

2009-05-22T17:04:00.004-04:00

Last Saturday we had a really nice guild meeting - several members worked with other members to teach / learn crochet basics. Having learned to crochet as a child, I thought, No problem - I'll sit in with the group learning to read a crochet chart...

... HA!

Boy was I wrong - I just could not get it, despite Linda D's best efforts.

I passed a knitting milestone this week, though. I knit Chris, my DearManFriend (DMF for short) a pair of socks. Yes, 2 socks, an entire pair! I was so thrilled as I completed sock number two that I almost missed that I had
knit
the
toe
wrong.

Yes, you read that correctly! I had to frog the toe portion of sock number two and re-knit it! I learned a lot (how to correctly rip out a toe and how to figure out where I went wrong so I could do it right) - so I guess it is still a good thing.

Today is his birthday. I left the toes un-woven-in so that if the socks are too short, I can rip the toes out again and make the socks longer!

Tune in tomorrow for another episode of ...

how the heal turns
or
how to deal with a frogged sock...!
(not!)

Wooly & Wet Weekend Weport ...

2009-05-04T20:30:00.005-04:00

Friday we drove up to Maryland and had dinner at a cute little place called Stella Notte.

MS&W was good; overnight Friday/Saturday it rained, so Saturday dawned wet and puddly. About an hour into the festival (around 10 am) the skies opened up and poured for a while, but fortunately we were indoors in the main building shopping and visiting & visiting and looking.

Handknitted item worn: Stained Glass 'Anne' Shoulder Shawlette.

Friends found in Main Building: Mary (who reported Robin H & Bess sightings - I only saw Robin for a quick second, and Bess not at all), Cathy & Richard L (Cathy is the other Cathy at my Tuesday knitting group), and Lawre of Lawre's Laine (wonderful bags and pouches, oh my!), who is Jane's sister.

We got a little damp leaving there so we headed for the building where Boy Scouts (and the American Lamb group of some sort) were selling food and drink. Chris got some coffee and I sipped water, all while sitting down for a little while.

While resting and refreshing, a lady from Illinois (I think) came up to me and asked for the name of my shawl pattern. I told her and indicated it was in Ravelry. Ravelry? she asked. Yes, I responded. Are you on Ravelry yet? No, I have heard several people talk about it though. I offered to send her the pattern if she gave me her email address. She gave me her husband's address, so I'll be forwarding my typed notes along to her. We are so computer-oriented now that I forget that many, many people (probably older people?) still are not tied to technology. Unimaginable, I know, but they're out there.

Friends found post-morning-rain: River City Knitters Guild buds!

Back to the Day: Chris and I viewed and visited Buildings 2 and 3 as well as several animal barns - I have some great photos of goats and sheep, only a few of whom are photographed here.

Getting tired out again (remember, my back is still messed up, not even to mention the recently healed sprained ankle), we headed for the car to have a little lunch (Panera bagels, cream cheese, cookies and water).

Carrie calls on the cellie and drops by the car on her way back into the festival from her noon break. She and I leave Chris to doze and head off for some more adventure. We find that lots more folks have arrived and proceeded to clog up all the open spaces! We wiggled our way through several more buildings, then headed over to the Wild Fibers booth to work on the Worlds Longest Scarf Project. If you are unfamiliar with this effort to benefit Heifer International, please go to either website and find out more. While knitting I meet fellow Raveler PixiePam (pictured below in pink MSW ball cap - she'd been volunteering at the Merchandise booth all morning and was so happy to sit and knit for a little while. She reported that it was a blast working the booth and that she'd be willing to do it again next year (note to self: why not?).

We also ran into Barb #2 (TNKer, waving below), Linda (standing with Chris) and Isobel. None of these three folks are bloggers, but they should be posting their photos ... at least two of them I know are good photographers...

Blue Moon and Sox that Rock are on the agenda (talk about a traffic jam!). Carrie somehow managed to actually get in to touch the yarn (see head in below photo with visor? that's Carrie) - I admired it from afar since I was not buying at this point.

Next, on to the Merchandise area

- where Carrie bought something I can't remember and I bought a MSWF euro-style sticker. I had previously purchased a yellow 2009 festival t-shirt at the T-shirt Express Tent the organizers had intelligently placed at the entrance to the fair this year, so I was not in the market for any more schtuff.

Fiber report: My only yarn goodies were purchased in the first half of the day ... a 30% discounted hank of Twist from Dancing Leaf Farms and 3 skeins of a new yarn from Autumn House Farm (one of my new favorite places to get yarn fix).

in 48 hours I will ...

2009-04-29T14:51:00.005-04:00

In 48 hours, I will be checked in at (or checking into) the hotel in Maryland where we are staying for MS&W.

In 72 hours, I'll probably be pooped out from six + hours of walking & talking and talking & walking! I plan to see lots of people I know - either in the real world or the cyber world of Ravelry - either way I know I'll have a wonderful time. Chris is looking forward to it too, having enjoyed it last year (yes, I am a lucky woman).

I have a brand-spanking-new BYOB in Peaches N Creme variegated blues to carry (sorry it has not been photographed yet since its completion) all my goodies home in! I am hoping to finish my younger-sister of BYOB (in a lovely raspberry Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, yarn suggested by designer) so it can come along too.

Pure contentment

2009-04-24T08:46:00.007-04:00

THE ROW NOT TAKEN...

Oh, dear Robert Frost, forgive me for free-ranging the title of your famous poem...

I like to think that I live in the moment, that I savour every minute of every day while I trot around the globe visiting glorious sights and immersing myself in the culture. I take every road offered and seek many more besides as if I can't get enough travel. Today, however, I have a little confession to make: sometimes I simply don't care where I am. I don't need a plane to be transported. I don't need another road or a heart-breaking vista. In fact, I'm often very happy to be home. Why, you ask?

Because I'm knitting ..., of course.

Here's what I mean. In early March, I gave a workshop in San Capistrano, California, where I and a group of knitterly souls indulged in two days of all the things we collectively love (knitting, yarn, food, laughter, great company). Following that blissful interlude, my husband and I drove along the coastal route 1 from San Capistrano to San Francisco, including Big Sur named as one of the most beautiful coastal drives anywhere. We gave the reason that my birthday needed celebrating but if it hadn't been March, I'd have found another excuse. I just love to travel. I love to move. Besides, we were in California, not Nova Scotia...

...where the blizzards and ice storms whirled without us to keep them company while California put on a show of achingly beautiful proportions -- sunshine, seascapes, gasp-able vistas. You'd think I'd notice, right? But, as my husband drove past the stunning coastlines, I only occasionally peered out the window, being far too busy in my inner world to tear myself away. When deep in that inner realm of total absorption and contentment, externals don't seem to matter. I don't need the scenery, the stimulation. I was busy.

Please, I'm knitting.

For my friends who are ill or unable to travel for one reason or another, remember that your most perfect place on earth is still within. We knitters, crocheters, painters, writers, even readers -- anyone, in fact, who becomes fully engaged in something they love -- travel inward. Location is an enhancement, perhaps an elevation of inspiration or an accessory to our ultimate happiness by way of a goal, but the true perfect destination always begins very close at hand. Find that first and the best is sure to follow.

For knitters, it's all about the row not taken as much as the ones we knit in paths across our lives. I have many places yet to experience, many roads I hope to travel and rows yet to knit. All will elevate me in some way as long as I'm open to change and yet the ultimate best destination always starts inward. Find your peace there first.

***************************************
I hope Jane Thornley doesn't mind, but I borrowed the above from her newsletter which I received via email this morning.

Why, you ask, did I feel compelled to share it with you guys? If you ask why, then you may not be fortunate enough to have an outlet that is a passion, a need, something that calms and soothes while nurturing your creativity and desire to be useful, all rolled up into one. Hopefully, then you will read the above again, keeping your mind open to discovering more about me as a "knitterly soul" and knitters as a community.

I often struggle to find the right words to describe what or how I feel; I want to write, but not to just write, but to write -- to take you with me through my words. When I read Jane's newsletter this morning, I thought "WOW - that's me! I feel like that about knitting too!"

Thanks Jane for giving words to my feelings.

DOT - sad news indeed -

2009-04-23T00:01:00.001-04:00

I just don't understand it.

Back in 2007, a national figure, local hero, a Virginia university football player (who will remain nameless here but we all know who I am talking about), was arrested and convicted on dog fighting charges. That's bad enough.

Now, this month, a local police officer, someone who our children should be able to look up to, has been arrested on DOG FIGHTING charges (and these charges may be upgraded to more heinous ones). There was a 20-dog fight last week in a suburban neighborhood that neighbors report went on for over an hour ... ! What is WRONG with these people that they think, that anyone thinks, these behaviors are right, moral, good??? Do they want to be treated this way?!? Here is a link to an article about the incident(s). Below is some text from the first article I read and, within that text, there is a link to the Style Weekly article.

It just makes me sad.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Update: Dog Fight Investigation
Updated: 4/20/09 6:44 p.m.
The deputy charged in connection with a Henrico County dogfight is only facing misdemeanors, but tonight we're learning the charges may be upgraded.

Police pulled over 20 pit bulls and what can be considered dogfighting training equipment from the home in Varina.

That equipment is very damaging evidence.

Not only that, two dogs have died and four are now under the care of a veterinarian for injuries consistent with dogfighting. Police seized dogfighting paraphernalia like dog rings, pulling sleds and harnesses, breaking bars and medical equipment and drugs. Michelle Welch, a well-known prosecutor in animal-fighting cases, says she's won many animal-fighting cases on paraphernalia. Welch says, "One thing isn't going to build a paraphernalia case. What is going to build a case is all the things that go along with dogfighting- dogfighting training videos, videos of dogfights themselves, bite-sticks to break apart the dogs- treadmills."
Welch says new laws- which make Virginia the toughest state in the nation for dogfighting- have many prosecutors in the state taking careful time with investigations.

She adds, "Dogfighting cases aren't your typical assault cases thatyou get everyday- most jurisdictions don't get a lot of them."

For now- Robinson remains out on bond. He's posted several no trespassing signs around his home.
In the coming days- not only could the charges against him be upgraded, but he could have several new charges against him.

Updated: 4:48 p.m. 4/18/2009
A second pit bull connected to a dogfighting investigation in Henrico County has died.
22 dogs were removed from the backyard of a home on Miller Road in Varina last night, after a neighbor called police and reported the animals were fighting with each other.
One of the pit bulls was found dead in the yard, another was euthanized. Of the 20 surviving animals, two are still in the care of a veterinarian, while the other 18 are being kept at the Henrico County Animal Shelter.
Sources tell CBS 6 that the police are now investigating whether the pit bulls have any ties to professional dogfighting.

Update:
CBS 6 has learned that Robinson has been arraigned and given $2,000 bond.
He's been a member of the Richmond Sheriff's Department since March 2003.

Original:
Update: Dog Fight Investigation - CBS 6 - WTVR, Richmond Va - http://www.wtvr.com/

Style Weekly is reporting new information at this hour, on a dog fight that happened in Henrico County Thursday night.
The pit bulls were in the backyard of a home on Miller Road in Varina and apparently started fighting with each other. A neighbor reported the chaos, alerting police to the not only dangerous situation, but also exposing a kennel of fighting dogs.
Style Weekly has confirmed that the owner of the animals, David William Robinson, was arrested and charged with the following: animal cruelty, torture and planning to promote or engage in animal fighting.
In addition, the weekly paper has learned that Robinson is a Corporal for the Richmond Sheriff's Office.
And according to Henrico Sheriff, Mike Wade, whose department made the arrest, Robinson is being held without bond Friday after threatening to harm himself during the arrest.
The dogs have been taken into the custody of Henrico Animal Control. One of the animals was killed as a result of the fighting.

All content © Copyright 2000 - 2009 WorldNow and WTVR Digital Media. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
04/21/2009 10:57 AM

Happy Birthday to me, Ann and everybody else born today!

2009-04-21T11:32:00.007-04:00

On my 21st birthday, something cool happened - my youngest first cousin Ann was born - today she turned 27... but I only turned 35... wonder how that happened?? LOL

In addition to that coincidence, Ann and I were born on her maternal grandmother Margie's birthday ... so we have always been in lovely company on our special day.

Anyhow, I am having a nice day today. The rain has abated for a while (supposed to be back tonight). My co-workers put cards and some goodies (see little chinese-food box next to basket in 2nd photo) on my desk -

and yesterday another friend at work had left me this

because she wasn't going to be in the office today.

I am lucky to have such caring co-workers and thoughtful friends!

Thank you all!

Ooops! and BYOB

2009-04-15T16:34:00.010-04:00

Back a few weeks ago, I posed a question to you guys - when should I celebrate my blogiversary... well, since I have now oops-ed by two days, I guess I'll have to wait a little longer if I want to extol the virtues and benefits of blogging.... I am such a ding-dong sometimes (I was born a blond).

Oh well. Onward. I have been working feverishly on my BYO Bag. It is almost done (see?).

It is a little different from the original (the blue and lime ones below were knit by the designer, Moira Ravenscroft),

but I like to think of my changes as improvements, variations. Or, I like to stray from the pattern so as to imprint my own sense of style? Ok, so you don't buy any of that? Here's my rationale: (1) I used stash which did not include enough of the suggested yarn to make an entire bag and I did not want to spend any money right now (2) I like variegated yarns; and (3) what the heck? I went for it! LOL. I decided to introduce subtle changes by moving from seed stitch to stockinette to show differences in texture instead of changes in color. It is really hard to tell in this photo though, so once I get it completed, I'll post another photo so we can see if my changes work. Either way, it will be a useful bag and one I will enjoy for a long time to come.

Happy Tax Day, fellow Americans!

This is neat - Knitting Blogger's Favorite Recipes

2009-04-06T16:20:00.005-04:00

This link will take you to the above site:

http://www.k1p1k2tog.typepad.com/knitting_bloggers_favorit/

am I?

2009-04-03T15:29:00.000-04:00

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

DOT 040209 Dog Adoptions

2009-04-02T05:35:00.003-04:00

Last week, I wrote about my sister and family who were thinking about adopting a doggie girlfriend for the family. Sunday they did drive out to Cumberland County and visited a lovely foster home to meet BB (for Big Blue eyes)... everyone seemed to like each other, so BB came home with them to see how it all works out. Beth, my sis, reports that Mrs. BB is coming along nicely. She is a shy girl and has evidently been mistreated by some menfolks in her past. She's warmed to Beth more than D and J, but they are calm types so it shouldn't take her too long to figure out they are good guys. Below is a photo of BB in her first few hours at her new home. What a sweet girl! I am looking forward to meeting her soon.

DOT 03.26.09 Petfinder

2009-03-26T18:35:00.010-04:00

This is not my usual kind of Dogs on Thursday post. Dogs on Thursday celebrates each of our relationships with our dogs, our friends dogs, our parents dogs, and dogs in general. We love them; all of us; and they love us.

In order to keep the chain of love growing, Petfinder.com connects needy dogs (cats and other pets too) and humans.

You may remember a few months ago when I said goodbye to my sister's lovely Lady. Lady had been a comforting member of the family for a very, very long time. Well, I think they are ready to let another doggie girl (or boy) into their hearts and home. DS (dear sister) sent me a Petfinder link to a pretty little doggie girl with a note stating that they hoped to meet her this upcoming weekend! I am happy for them and for whoever they bring home with them. I don't want to identify the specific pup in case it does not work out for some reason. I know you understand. Once they bring their new fur-baby home, I'll get a photo posted of my new dog-niece or -nephew ... hey, that may be next week's post! Cool!

Here's a link to the shelter they are going to visit. This is one that I am not familiar with (which is kind of strange because I like to keep up with things like this). New Journey Animal Rescue in Cumberland County, Virginia.

Joe, my dachshund, came to me through Petfinder. I have a soft spot for them.

Blogiversary

2009-03-21T19:09:00.005-04:00

Chan's post about her anniversary of blogging got me thinking: how long have I been blogging? I looked back and find that I actually have two milestones I can celebrate.

I started my blog on April 13, 2005. I am born, so to speak, to quote David Copperfield and Charles Dickens. 2005 is significant because I restarted my grown-up, single life in February when my divorce became final.

I actually figured out what to do and how to blog in earnest, though, on June 5, 2007. I think the 2007 date is more significant b/c it is after I joined TNK and continued on my path of finding myself (no, I won't digress).

So, the question is: which should I celebrate? Please comment - you guys decide and let me know.

DOT031909

2009-03-19T07:15:00.005-04:00

This is Sampson:

Well, he looks a little scary up there, but below is another shot of the whole dog, the complete dog.

Looks a little less scary here, eh?
Sam is a rescued Boxer. Chris's family adopted him several years ago. A year or so before they got him, he was involved in attempting to apprehend a speeding automobile ... ok, he was chasing a car. It stopped and he ran into it, full tilt! You can't see it in either of these two photos, but Sam's muzzle is lopsided due to doggie facial reconstruction. Yep, his sweet face leans to the left when you hold his muzzle in your hands. He is a very sweet boy and thoroughly enjoys his belly rubs!

Like many boxers, he suffers from problems with his hips. Sam gets accupuncture treatments about once a month to manage the pain and increase his mobility.

Wild Violet Homespun and a Contest **

2009-03-12T15:59:00.003-04:00

What's prettier than that?! Just something knitted or crocheted with that!

It is called Wild Violet and it is homespun and can be found here on Etsy. If you are not familiar with Etsy, you may not want to go there!!! Your wallet will be happier.

Dani is giving away a sample and you can read about the contest here. I met Dani on Ravelry and followed her to the blog. I hope my blog entry about her yarn gets picked b/c I love love love the colors! They are just my colors, don't cha think??

DD&DOT031209

2009-03-12T07:54:00.008-04:00

Domino, Daffodils and Dogs on Thursday

It's about 52 degrees right now (8 a.m. EDT); yesterday it was 80... welcome to spring in central Virginia!

So many photos, so little time to sit down and plan a blog post. I was trying to let my photos speak for themselves, but then I started editorializing.

First up we have Domino, our kitty - she says, "Whaaaat?!"

Next is a photo I snapped of some of my daffodils that line the driveway; even though it is overcast, they still make me happy. What is it about yellow?

Last but not least is Lady. Miss Lady came to visit and basically never left. Her 'real' parents got divorced; she was unhappy living with just her mom so her dad took her, but then the adult daughter moved in (with her dog - another story in itself). New dog, being an aggressive sort, bullied poor old Miss Lady big time, so I said she could stay with us for a little while (thinking that when the daughter got herself together and moved back out, Lady could go back). Almost two years later, daughter just moved out recently, but Lady would be unhappy back with dad ... he's never there and she'd miss her fur-step-siblings... What's a kind heart (read sucker) to do?

On a final note, please click the Dogs on Thursday button on the sidebar and visit some of the other fur-families!

Don't you love a good Give-away?

2009-03-10T13:19:00.003-04:00

I ran across this blog just last week and began following it. I added it to my side bar too. They're doing a cool give-away this week and I wanted to post about it so I could qualify for 2 entries - if you're not a fiber addict, just hang on and I'll post about something else (hopefully interesting) soon!

Thank you for stopping by here and please go read about the Desert Garden line of cool fiber schtuff!

DOT March 3, 2009

2009-03-05T11:28:00.005-05:00

What a ball o' fire!

Here's lil Missy Jetta - sleeping, exhaustedly. By her nose is a piece of her stuffed cow (cow is now gone, having suffered the fate of many doggie toys - terminal toy disease known as Stuffednomore), where she can grab it and run if necessary! Her pillow? Joe, of course!

Snow!

2009-03-04T00:10:00.003-05:00

This is / was the view out the 2nd bathroom window, looking toward the west (and please excuse the screen you can actually see in the foreground):

I took this photo late Monday afternoon. Pretty, isn't it?

February Lady Sweater, River City Knitters and Coordinated Colors

2009-03-03T12:55:00.003-05:00

Saturday, February 28, we had a charity-wear-your-pjs-knit-in for our Guild meeting. You can imagine! Ok, picture in your mind a public library. Next, pajama clad knitters with knitting paraphernalia, trooping into a public library... got that image ... well, you're almost there then! Some folks came out totally decked in pajamas, others arrived decorously clad in goin' to meetin' clothing. We were an unusual ensemble this month!

Unbeknownst to me, several other members of RCK were also knitting the February Lady Sweater! I was wearing mine. Oh, didn't I mention yet that I

FINISHED HER?

I received lots of positive comments (thank you all!). Five of us, I think, were posed for a photo - 2 completed projects and three WIPs. RC, one of the group who is a professional photographer, took some photographs.

After the meeting Chris and I headed east toward Newport News and Yorktown. Destination? Coordinated Colors! I had not been by to see Sherri and her wonderful array of yarns in a while, and I wanted to buy some specific yarn for the Regional Yarn Swap (Ravelry). The day was overcast but it had not started to rain when we hit the road, but as we passed out of the metro area, it started as a drizzle. As we headed east, we went into it. Evidently the rain was coming west as we were driving east. I spent about an hour wandering about the shop touching yarn and reading labels. I purchased 2 different yarns for my swappee and some other schtuff. I don't want to say too much b/c I have not mailed the package yet. It is still in the assembly stage. CC has such a variety of yarns it is difficult to choose among them! Please go see the shop in person or if you can't, you can always call or email to see if they carry what you are looking for. They ship...! Also, Sherri was working up her own little March Madness sale while I was there!

Below is an addition -- River City Knitters in PJs & street clothes - all bearing February Lady Sweaters:

DOT 022609

2009-02-26T15:17:00.007-05:00

Spring is coming --> I am sure it is!

That is what this photo says to me.

If you are unfamiliar with her work and/or you love doxies, you need to check out Terry Pond's artwork. I hope she doesn't mind me posting this photo - it does contain her copyright info and I am including a link to her website, www.wiener-dog.com.

I wanted to find a good one of Tico, the Bad, to post today, but I did not have one handy right now. I will post about the speed limit enforcing little fella another time. The lil darlin'.

KnitKnote:
I am soooooo close to completing my February Lady - right on time I might add. It was my own personal challenge to complete her this month. I am down to the bottom few repeats of lace pattern, then the garter border, and I do not have enough yarn. Yes, you read it right, I have to wait for the nice folks at Cestari to mail me one (1) skein of yarn!!!

FYI, Cestari Sheep & Land Co. is having its Wool Fair the weekend of April 25-26, 2009. Last year they had demonstrations by the Virginia Percheron Draft Horse Association, animals for petting, wool and food to nurture whichever need you had at a particular moment, and lots of other interesting things to do and see. I will post more when I get the brochure they are working up as I type.

Homespun Yarn Party - Savage, MD, March 15, 2009

2009-02-25T00:20:00.001-05:00

Click on the link at the top of my right sidebar to see all the details about this unique event - I am hoping I can find a way to get up there for it!

I love how cool this yarn looks!

Terrific Tuesday

2009-02-24T11:44:00.005-05:00

It seems that all I blog about is my February lady sweater, but that is where my efforts have been lately. She is coming along nicely - one sleeve is done and I have one to finish (almost done there too). Once that is done, I can go back and finish the bottom edge. I was afraid that I'd run out of yarn (oblique reference to my not having the latest version of the pattern, doggone it), so I decided to do the sleeves and go back to the bottom! Here's her most recent photo:

Since this was taken, I have done about 3 or 4 more inches on the left sleeve. :) yeay!

On another fibery note, I ran across a deal and could not resist - look at this skein - lovely, eh? I bought Kaleidoscope's last 3 skeins for a steal and then was able to get 2 more from the producer. I have enough for a good size project when I decide how to best show it off!

Today is Tuesday, actually Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday, but it is also knit night - I hope nothing comes up that will interfere with my attending. It seems that about all I can manage lately is every other or every third week... I miss the folks!

Also, today is Jane's birthday - go by and wish her a happy one, ok? Her post today talks about some meetings she's been to lately and about getting to meet Marc Brown, author of the wonderful Arthur books that spun into a great PBS cartoon series. We loved Arthur in my house and I still do (although the almost 17 yo man-child would probably not admit it).
Just for fun, here's a pic for you!

DOT 021909

2009-02-19T12:33:00.006-05:00

Hi, I'm Joe, the dachshund. As you can see, I am a handsome fella and my mommy adores me. I don't know quite why she got Jetta for me; Jetta wears me out! Have you tried to keep up with somebody one-16th your age? Whew! She's cute, though, and warm so I guess it's ok. She snuggles good.

A guy I met at a dachshund meet-up in December had emergency back surgery yesterday - please send Mikey your thoughts and prayers - he's gonna need 'em, I am afraid. I got mom to post the photo below - you can see Mikey's mom talking with folks about the "chip shot" (we're not talking golf here). [Mom got me and Jetta one that day.] That's Mikey under the table by his mom's feet (don't you love his cool coat? Mom forgot to put ours on that day; boy was it chilly! ) Oh, and by the way, that"s me again with the red collar walking along at the bottom of the photo! I do have a striking physique, don't I?

Wow - time flies!

2009-02-13T12:37:00.012-05:00

Time does fly when you're at home with your foot in a temporary cast and you can't walk without crutches.

How, you ask, can time fly when you're stuck at home and can't walk around? Well, first, due to the pain and swelling, you have meds from the doctor. Second, you knit. You knit a lot when you're awake! Below is a photo of the progress made on my February Lady. I am so looking forward to finishing it up so I can wear it this spring.

I like this lace pattern - it goes quickly and mistakes are easy to spot, thereby making fixing them quick and painless too!

Post updated: 3:32 pm - what have you done to yourself now, Cathy? is a question I have received a lot lately! Good question. If you may recall, on January 6, I sprained my right ankle/foot - I stepped off a curb onto Main Street near my office only to step directly onto the side of a pothole (City of Richmond needs to work on these - might just be the subject of another post) and I went ... down...! Fast, wham, onto my bottom, but not before I'd twisted my foot but good. Last week (Feb 2-6) I'd worn a real shoe to work each day - woo hoo! Monday morning (Feb. 9) one of the dogs woke me up to go outside for a potty break early. It was still dark. Moving around the bedroom, I tripped over one of the 2 black dogs and I went ... down...! Fast, wham, onto my bottom, but not without a little shriek and not without twisting my foot again but good! I went back to Patient First since they'd x-rayed the foot the last time and would have something to compare with. They put me in a temporary fiberglass cast with instructions to go to an ortho doc on or before the 12th. On the 12th I was seen at the ortho group who advised that while they don't think it's broken, it is definitely sprained again and I need to wear a big ole black walking boot for about four weeks.... The bone in question is on the top of my foot and inside so if there is any change other than for the better, they'll see me in four weeks. Sigh. Now you have the rest of the story!

If it's Tuesday, this must be ...

2009-02-03T10:48:00.015-05:00

Belgium would be the response if this were a 1960's movie starring Suzanne Pleshette, but this is not a '60's movie, and I am definitely not in Belgium, although we did have a nice dusting of snow overnight! Jetta was thrilled and ran all around like a little nut, not having seen such a wonder before; the other dogs just looked outside and tried to do the back-up thing.... oh, no, not me, I'm not going out there! (especially Joe, the dachshund - low carriage there and all). I wish I had taken a photo, but I did not. I lost track of time and had to hurry to catch the latest express bus to work (yesterday I missed the last express morning bus and had to take the local...). I ramble (sorry!).

Tonight is Knit Night - I so enjoy going and have made so few over the last few months. We meet at Ukrops now instead of Barnes & Noble; they allow us to use their "celebration room" if it is not booked by a paying customer - which is really nice of them. It is also nice to meet there because if you work downtown like me and don't have time to get home, cook / eat dinner before going out, you can get something relatively healthy already prepared and eat prior to knitting with the group. If you are unfamiliar with our local super market chain, you can click the above link and become envious that Ukrops is not in your area!

Knitting update: I finished George's MDDS (which I named Woody after the yarn used) and gave it to him on Sunday - he was thrilled... I was really touched that he had asked Chris if I would make him a scarf (in manly colors). He allowed that it was sufficiently manly when I presented it to him. Here's a photo of it hanging out of my Fred Duncan market basket (on left):

And next to Woody above is a photo of C's mom's MDDS (warning: tangent coming). Oma's scarf is knitted with yarn she gave to me. This yarn was purchased either by her or by her mother for a project that was never started; it was all bagged up together, all the colors, ready to become ... something for someone. I thought it would be nice if it really did become something, so I knit her scarf with it. I think she liked my intent.

Anyway, progress continues on my February Lady Sweater (aka Blackberry Twist sweater): I am almost done with the yoke - Yeah!

Happy Knitting all ---

DOT 012909

2009-01-29T12:05:00.004-05:00

Happy Dogs on Thursday!

While I don't have any new photos to post of my babies, I learned today that my baby-baby (Jetta, who is 7 months old) has 2 new siblings... evidently, her mamma Pepper Ann thought that because she was nursing she could not conceive (old wives' tale you know)! I thought everyone knew that was false.

And, while I do not have a photo of the 2 week old pups, I do have a 1 day old photo of Jetta and her litter mates. Aren't they sweet? Jetta is the one in the foreground with the pointy marking on her left, front shoulder.

On the knitting front, I have been making progress on two of the three current projects: my Blackberry Twist February Lady Sweater and George's Wood Scarf (done in multi-directional diagonal pattern). If you're on Ravelry, look 'em up!

River City Knitters Guild Meeting

2009-01-26T13:23:00.018-05:00

Saturday was our monthly guild meeting.

It is SOOO nice to see folks at the meetings ... I wish we could get together more often and knit together... some of the folks come to my Tuesday night group and others have invited me to attend their knit nights... I guess that is the best we can do, we working, knitting, mommy-friends!

Sharon, our president, shared knitted Valentine ideas including a cute scarf / necklace type item with knitted hearts strung together on an i-cord. The below photo gives you the idea, but Sharon's was knitted with 'fluffy' yarn that had a halo and she used different shades of red and pink!

Jan. 27, 2009: I have edited this post to upload a photo of Sharon wearing the Heart Scarf she knitted -->

*thank you to JW from RCK for use of photo of Sharon

10 things that I like that begin with an 's' **

2009-01-23T15:48:00.026-05:00

1. Spaghetti - I mean, it's pasta, right?! what's not to like!

2. Summertime - kids are out of school, folks can dress business casual, time to go away for a week (or a day or two) ... aahhh ... I can feel the sun now, not too hot, and very little humidity... (I must be on vacation b/c I know I am not describing a summer day in central Virginia!)

3. Sliding boards that propel one into a swimming pool... (I am detecting a theme here)

4. Salad - I love salad and I love a good salad bar! When I was in college (many many years ago), the closest (and least expensive) salad bar was out 29N - the Wendy's across from Fashion Square Mall ... we'd pile in a car on any given Sunday and have the salad bar - it was all you could eat (not that mamby-pamby term they use now, "all you care to eat")! I tried to find a photo of a 1980's vintage Wendy's Salad Bar, but since they died out in fast food restaurants a while back (I guess because of sanitary reasons), it is near impossible to locate one, darn it!

5. Sleep-overs! Even now, I love when I have overnight company or when I go to someone else's house... breakfast is just better with a crowd!

6. Scary movies ... not slasher movies, but suspenseful, tense movies ... where you know there is someone lurking, but he is just out of camera range and the heroine should know he's there, but she doesn't, and we do and ....!!!

7. Seagram's Seven --- oh, baby, a good 7 and 7 on a warm day (or a cool day)(or any day for that matter)

8. Slippers... they just feel soo good on chilly toes - they just say, 'hello, make yourself at home!'

9. Syrah, Petite Syrah - un vino molto bene!

10. Seaweed. Yes, seaweed. If there is seaweed, then there is ocean. If there is ocean, then there is relaxation. Waves lapping (or crashing upon) the shore. Breeze - not a land breeze (which brings flies) but a nice cooling breeze. Lazy days and nights spent with friends and family, singing, playing music, cards, whatever seems right at the time.

**OH! and if you want to play along, like I did with Chan, please leave me a comment that you'd like a letter to write about.

DOT 012209

2009-01-22T21:00:00.000-05:00

It is cold in central Virginia... when we have many nights in a row at freezing or below, it is cold in central Virginia!

That said, this morning I was greeted by the sight of Lady (elderly border collie and maybe corgi mix who never gets 'in' anything even resembling an enclosure) was inside Tico's medium sized kennel box and Tico (photo to left; who doesn't usually like to get 'in' anything such as an enclosure - always a fight to get him into his own box much less anyone else's) was inside the CAT's (yes, feline variety) carpeted kitty-condo (picture in your mind a rectangular stand - the top part is a lookout area with short sides for hanging out on; the middle part is a platform with a kitty-toy on a string hanging down; the bottom section is enclosed on all sides except for one so said feline can presumably hide and pounce on some unsuspecting creature). It kinda looks like the one below, but the center part is open and the toy is suspended inside the open part, not outside the condo.

I wish I had a camera handy b/c I am not sure I will see either of these sights again!

Interviewed by Chanknits

2009-01-21T17:00:00.010-05:00

Okay, Chan says:

1. You have a houseful of pets. If you could add another species to your household (no worries about vet bills or special food or...), what and why? I will also assume that the county won't have any problems with another species too! I would love to have some alpacas - they are so cute, have the sweetest faces and they produce loverly wool.

2. Surprise! You get to have an all-expense paid vacation home anywhere in the USA. (And the time off to use it, free airfare, whatever...) Where would it be? I would like to have a little house/cabin/cottage that is not too far from where I really live ... it would be in the woods with water running through it, ponded on it or situated near the ocean or bay. I enjoy the mountains, so perhaps a mountain cabin, with amenities of course, like a 'real' home - with a pretty field stone fireplace, a self-stocking woodbox, a wrap around porch - one part screened in, one part al fresco.

3. You're a single mom. What one trait of yours to you wish your son DIDN'T have? Tom seems to have the knack of getting himself in trouble when he did not intend to... I too can sometimes not think something through enough and end up coming out short... ;)

4. Where do you see yourself in ten years? In 10 years, I would like to be in a stable, committed relationship with a kind, loving, understanding man. I would like to be living in a different house - one with a little bit of wiggle room around it, not in a planned development. I am happy to be working, but would like to perhaps be working at my profession part time and at a passion part time (passion could be knitting, weaving or anything else creative). I also want to be financially stable - I am not a greedy woman and I have said that many times before. I just want to be comfortable and not have to think out (and over-think) every purchase I make.

5. You've been awarded a grant for your favorite non-profit. What lucky organization gets the funds, and why? I would give my grant to an organization that works with needy children as well as animals - rehab through furry-love? I don't know the name of it, but I am sure there is one or two or ten out there somewhere.

Knitting at the Lake 2009

2009-01-20T10:46:00.004-05:00

Please visit my flickr page to see photos from the weekend. Once I catch up at work and home, I hope to post some observations, etc. about the weekend! (and don't you go a-commentin' that it will be a cold day in he!! before I am caught up...)

I think we all had a really good time.

What HAVE you done? or What have YOU done?

2009-01-17T14:57:00.005-05:00

I saw this on a cool blog I happened upon and am glad I did. The things I've done are bold. How about you? What have you done?

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world - does Epcot count?
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (indoor)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

**no, I did not write this while at KATL and the Eiffel Tower has nothing to do with Clarksville, VA -- I saw the list and wanted to post it soon, so I scheduled it to post while I'm away playing with yarn!

DOT - wanted!

2009-01-15T06:25:00.003-05:00

In case anyone wants to know (or needs to know, for that matter!), I need one of these:

can't you just see a little long haired doxie embroidered onto it? or a little rattie? or a border collie mutt mix?! LOL

On the furbaby-front, I am going away this weekend. Chris (aka D(ear)M(an)F(riend)) is going to be brave and stay at the house with the critters and my 16.5 yr old son... I am not sure who is watching who, but at least there will be one official grown-up present for the weekend! It is going to be really cold here in Virginia for the first time in a while, so I hope he remembers to put Jetta into a sweater before sending her outside for business! Everybody else has enough body weight and/or fur to be able to handle a few minutes' jaunt out for potty breaks.

Knitting at the Lake

2009-01-14T11:02:00.003-05:00

Only 2 more days till Knitting at the Lake in Clarksville, Virginia. 50 knitters, yarn, one hotel, knitting needles, one big conference room, yarn, snacks, beverages, yarn, patterns, vendors, yarn - sounds like the making of a great weekend! I am planning on dining here one evening and keeping it simple the rest of the time.

Sweater <-> Knitting Basket

2009-01-13T10:00:00.001-05:00

This is so cool - go here to see how it's done!

Crash, Court and Continuation

2009-01-12T10:14:00.005-05:00

The driver who hit us (and ran away) on Thanksgiving went to court on Friday morning. He was found guilty of dui, driving w/out a license and something else like that. The felony hit and run charge was removed to circuit court. He has appealed the 3 charges he was found guilty of so all 4 matters will be heard together in circuit court at a later date (March or April I have been told). Chris continues to not be able to hear from left ear and experiences buzzing and numbness - he goes back for to the doctor this week. T. and I continue to be pretty good - no ill after-effects from the accident.

On the knitting front, I have several FO's but need to photograph all of them. One of which is pictured here. It was made with some lovely Silky Wool and has a nice drape.

Friday, I go out of town for KATL (that would be Knitting at the Lake) '09! Woo hoo - girls, yarn, food, friendship, visiting ... what more can one knitting geek ask?!?

And, what you ask, is the significance of the below photo? That, friends, is the most excellent package received from Sarah R. my AACS upstream partner! The coffee was named 'cowboy' and was stong and delicious. There are two different kinds of yarn, and 3 different types of goodies to eat, as well as a cool ceramic coffee mug with built in heat deflector (see, I am a geek)! Can you feel my smile?

Jan0809 - Happy Dogs on Thursday

2009-01-08T10:00:00.006-05:00

Jetta (almost 7 month old ART, seen in photo using Joe the Dachshund as a pillow) is becoming very vocal at our house... she is not shy with the family and has taken to talking almost as much as the humans! It is a hoot when kept in moderation -- if you're eating something in the living room, she'll get eye level with you (accomplished by jumping gazelle-like onto an adjacent piece of furniture) and howl, growl and yip to advise that she'd like a bite, too, please. When she first started this behavior, we laughed - I mean, how cute? right? Now, though, I have remembered good advice I have read: don't treat little dogs any differently than big dogs just because they are smaller in stature and not as physically demonstrative as their larger counterparts. So, we let her have a say, then I shush her and make her go away, lie down or sit quietly (as all good dogs should when their humans are eating). I do wish I could include a sound bite, so I'll have to see if I can figure out how!

the resolution is carried...

2009-01-02T20:24:00.005-05:00

My name is TinkerBelle, and I am a pack rat. There. I said it. In public. For all the world to see, read, know.

1. Always my number one desire is to declutter and organize... I love organization, it is just that I so often lack the motivation to start... so, please help me get started ... I can't finish if I don't start, can I?
2. Make every penny count to quote a Chevy commercial I recently heard on television. Want or need what I spend money on. Don't take no wooden nickles. Quality, not quantity. Mantra, mantra, mantra.
3. Payoff, paydown or continue letting 'the man' take me (and I don't ever get to enjoy it). Again, make good choices, Cat - hear it, learn it, live it.
4. Eat more healthy, but when I can't, enjoy it immensely - decide if it's worth it... a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips...

Four is a good number; manageable. To quote yet another commercial, Just do it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!

Peace.

Once again, time is just flying on by!

2008-12-29T19:56:00.003-05:00

Since the last post, I worked a whole week of work, negotiated with the bank and car dealership (see photo taken by Chris of me and new car on Saturday prior to onset), and started getting ready for the holiday, only to be tackled on Sunday by 'the cold' ... not just any cold, but the mother of all colds: headache, body aches, sore throat, cough, runny nose - you name it! [imagine the sound of a TB ward and you'll get the idea]

I staggered through the beginning of last week, trying to get baking done, fudge made, final presents obtained, things wrapped, floors vacuumed, knitting finished, and and and.... On the eve of the eve (December 23rd, that is) I had gotten the black walnut fudge and 2 batches of pound cake made (black walnut recipe of my grandmother and English walnut/rum - my own variation). I had even managed to cool the little pound cakes and had wrapped them in foil bundles (labeled of course appropriately). So, I took myself into the bedroom to nap a little so I could cut the fudge later and separate it into bundles to be gifted. Upon return to the kitchen, I found that Tippy (former wearer of Elizabethan collar) had DEVOURED 4 of each - four little black walnut poundcakes and four little English walnut poundcakes - as well as about 1/3 of the fudge. What a scamp, eh? [I can joke now, but not last week...] Oh and the answer to the question is "yes, it did give her an upset tummy."

Christmas was lovely, despite the cold. Son T and I attended a Christmas bruncheon with Chris's family - all were present except for older brother's fiance and her kids (stomach bug at that house!). T met the other 3 teenagers of the family and enjoyed it, believe it or not! The kids are 19, 18, 17, 16 and 15. We spent an enjoyable several hours there and then headed back North to my sister's home for Christmas dinner with our family. We spent another enjoyable couple of hours dining and opening more presents.

We ended the evening a little early due to my cold, but it was a lovely day, despite the bittersweet memories this season. We miss Nathan so much. He was a vibrant, electric force and things are just a bit too quiet without him.

Cider

2008-12-15T12:48:00.002-05:00

You Are Cider

Your holiday personality is cozy.

The holidays are your favorite time to stay home, stay warm, and spend time with those you love.

You don't need a lot to make you happy over the holidays.

Seeing an old relative or favorite holiday film is enough to make your day.

What Holiday Drink Are You?

RCK Holiday Party and Elections for 2009

2008-12-15T11:03:00.004-05:00

Saturday was River City Knitters' end of the year holiday luncheon. I was rushed and harried that morning so instead of holiday attire, I decorated myself with my newest FO - The Anne! She is most lovely and received many compliments! Below is her photo with me as the mannequin! (Judy W. - you take good photos!)

Chris' son came over to see us at my house on Saturday afternoon (first time) - perhaps he wanted to check out the digs? I don't know - who can make sense of teenagers?! T. was at work, so Chris and I took A. out for Mexican. I am glad that he finally came by to see us. While I was at my RCK meeting, Chris got the icicle lights up outside and it really looks pretty. I am glad he did that so A. could see them too.

DOT121108

2008-12-11T07:12:00.003-05:00

This is Tippy - as you can see, she is oh so elegant in her Elizabethan collar! Tippy's ear is bandaged here because she'd had an aural hematoma aspirated... yeah, yucky and very painful.

This photo is actually about 2.5 weeks old; she is doing much better now. The bandages are off, the collar is off and she is not digging at that ear like before. It has swelled up again, but the vet tells me that happens often in dogs who have this problem. Poor babies.

Anne Shoulder Scarf

2008-12-10T11:26:00.001-05:00

1210081105a.jpg
Originally uploaded by casia-in-va

Anne Shoulder Scarf is really more of a Silk Garden Shoulder Shawl - pretty, isn't it?!

Insane? I don't think so!

2008-12-04T08:17:00.005-05:00

In case you ever wondered, in the late 1800's there were 125 reasons you might be admitted to an insane asylum... any of these look familiar to you? Fortunately, getting hit from behind (in your buggy?) is not one of them!

On the dog front, nothing is new! Tippy is recuperating from her aural hematoma, slowly, and everyone else is doing good. Jetta & Joe are wrestling right now, Tico is trying to nap and Miss Piggy is doing old dog stuff (snuffling on the floor eating dust or whatever she can find).

We are all still trying to get over the accident. The other driver was unlicensed (and hence uninsured) and the police report indicates that we flipped over twice before sliding quite a distance and stopping just short of the jersey wall in the middle of the highway.

Knitting - I have a new FO but can't post here due to possible readership by recipient (will put on Ravelry though when I get a chance b/c she does not go there). I have an almost FO for moi - almost b/c I ran out of yarn (gasp) and the color is discontinued (Noro Silk Garden #203). I found 2 skeins on Ravelry and the owner is willing to swap for 2 skeins of something I have so all is good; she's even a fellow Virginian! The project is one I had with me in the car (read accident) and I am looking forward to completing it and using it over the holidays.

Take care all and keep an eye in the rear view mirror for unlicensed, drunk, illegal aliens coming up fast behind you!

Accident update -

2008-11-30T23:35:00.004-05:00

The State Trooper who responded to our accident came back on duty today and called me. Come to find that the person who hit us was (1) intoxicated; (2) driving without a license and (3) an illegal alien! Oh, and it was not even his car. Will find out tomorrow of said car was properly insured....

Since this blog is supposed to be about knitting and other crafty things, I am pleased to report that my Omar bag (see photo insert) and 2 current projects made it back home intact, as did 2 FO's (my green top-down cardi and the shawlette made with yarn from The Mannings) that had gone along for the ride. The patterns for the 2 WIPS did not fare so well, but fortunately I was only toting around working copies of them. I think there were some other knitting papers in there too, but can't remember what.

yes, we did walk away - well, we walked from the hospital!

2008-11-29T20:58:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving defined

2008-11-29T11:41:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving is being thankful for all you have. We are thankful to be alive and relatively alright!

Thanksgiving evening a little before 9 pm, my son T, my friend C. and I were driving up Chippenham Pkwy. north toward our exit. All of a sudden there was a loud boom and the car started skidding then flipped over and skidded some more (I'm told we flipped over several times)! T kicked out the back window of the Blazer and got out of the vehicle - he ran around to my side to see how I was - all the glass was smashed and Chris and I were strapped in by way of our seat belts upside down. Chris called 911 and T wanted to get me out. When some good Samaritans stopped to help, T and some men caught me as I released the seat belt and pulled me gently out of the car and aside so they could see if they could get Chris out. His side was too smushed to get him out the passenger side of the car. They waited for the emergency folks so they could get him out.

We were all taken to VCU hospital (hospital formerly known as MCV) ER / trauma center and they did their thing. Chris and I were checked out, x-rayed, ct scanned and he got an MRI too. I was released after about 15 hours observation (bruised but no broken bones) but they have kept Chris and put him in a room. He was hit pretty hard on the head and has some numbness to his face and some hearing issues too. I am told the tests came back not showing any blockages or that kind of thing, which is good. T. is bruised and sore, but otherwise great - not to even mention brave and strong! Our kids show us what they are made of in dire circumstances, don't they? I am very proud of mine and how he handled himself.

I don't know any details yet regarding who hit us, what his 'status' was when he hit us, etc., but am waiting for the Trooper to call me and provide the report.

Anyone got a good line on a good car to buy? I am hearing there are some good deals to be had with the state of the economy and all....

Thank you for all the good wishes and prayers being sent to and fro - we three very much appreciate them. Keep 'em coming so we can get Chris out of the hospital soon.

Thankfully and fondly, Cathy

... just another Manic Monday. Wish it was Sunday...

2008-11-24T07:19:00.004-05:00

Name that tune (and artist too).

The weekend started off with chores - shopping - groceries - pet schtuff (darn furry babies gotta eat too). Saturday evening C. and I went to a blogless friends' home for dinner - the company and food were good! I got a tour of her studio and viewed her newest venture. (You'll have to wait for photos another time because I did not take my camera.) It was an early evening - we got there about 4:45 and left about 9:30.

Sunday I worked on Christmas presents and turned last week's leftover pork roast into bbq and let it cook all day in the crock pot. UMMM - turned out nice if I say so myself! Tippy (border collie mix #1) has an ear 'problem' - off to the vet for her today if I can just get them on the phone... it is swollen and hurts. On the advice of a nurse friend who has also worked for a vet, I gave her baby aspirin every few hours to maybe help the pain and swelling.... not sure it helped her, but at least I felt like I was doing something for her! She's eating and drinking, so that's a good sign, I think.

Off to start the day. More later / soon...

DOT112008

2008-11-20T14:54:00.002-05:00

This photo is of Lady - Lady was just that - a lovely little lady who loved and protected my sister and her family for many years after they found her at the Southside SPCA.

We will all miss you, ole girl.

Bag N' Tag (warning: lots of words ahead)

2008-11-17T13:16:00.012-05:00

I spent Saturday morning with the River City Knitters @ our guild meeting. There was a good program about I-cord as an edging / I-cords applied as, say, letters or a design.... Having not done that before, I was confused at first - then, I got it (kind of like a mini epiphany!). After lunch, several groups went out to lunch - I went to Melito's Restaurant with Linda, Diane, Heidi, Susan and Renee, all of whom are blogless bodies so I cannot link to them. Linda I have known for a while through TNK; Diane for about a year through RCK (with the added connection that she works downtown and is in the legal field too), but the 0ther three ladies are new to me and to RCK; I enjoyed getting to know them a little.

Sunday I awoke with Plans*. Clean the family room floor, help CH get his son's bday present, and work on my closet. My walk-in closet had become, well not a walk-in any more; more of a look in the door and reach in type of place! It really needed a fresh pair of eyes and since it had been so long since I did any maintenance in there, I had the fresh pair needed! I threw out 2+ bags of trash (shoe boxes, dry cleaning bags, broken hangers, etc.), packed up 3 bags of items for Goodwill and managed to get some of my knitting/crafting supplies in there. There is a good deal more to do, but I made significant progress, yes indeed!! (this was the Bag part)

Now, for the tag part. Chan tagged me on a recent blog post, so now it’s my turn. I’m to comment about the last ten persons who leave a note on my blog. If you’re mentioned below, consider yourself tagged. If you’re not mentioned, it’s just because you weren’t one of the last ten. I very much appreciate you stopping in!! Y'all come back now, ya hear!?

1. Well, there's Chan - we met via River City Knitters and found we have lots in common - how fun!

2. Crafty Gryphon - we met through several routes - several knit-a-longs (KAL for short for non-knitting friends) and through Virginia Knits, brainchild of Olivia and I. She works in the DC area, also a legal-type (pun intended). What is it about us ... maybe we office girls need our creative outlets? I think so, definitely!

3. Emmy - Emmy is a knitting friend I met through 2 of the Robins, Robin C and Robin H. Robin C. & Emmy were swap partners one time and I am not exactly how Robin H. and Emmy know each other except for knitting. Emmy knits with a group out of Colonial Heights which is on the way home for Robin H. when she is travelling between Richmond and Buffalo Junction. We met in real life last January at Knitting at the Lake in Clarksville, which is a lovely knitting retreat / event organized by Robin H.

4. Paula is a www friend from Dogs on Thursday. If you're a dog lover, you should check out the blog - many of us linked up there as a consequence of our puppymania!

(5) Soulbrush and (6) Serendipity visited my blog last week also by way of Dogs of Thursday. There are so many nice folks out there!

7. Amanda found me b/c I had found her via somebody's blogroll (and sorry, I just don't remember who!). This is truly the wonder of the web - people on different sides of the WORLD talking, visiting and having things in common. It is truly a small world.

8. Jill - Jill is a participant of the Amazing Autumn Coffee Swap I joined some weeks back. AACS is a nice way to meet new people and share projects, interests, and other things. Chan was a member first and I followed her there! One of our topics of the week was to visit other members' blogs and see if you have anything in common with them.

9. Jane! Jane is a real-life friend from TNK, Tuesday Night Knitting. She's a teacher at the elementary school where all my sister's boys started their education and knows my sis and knows of the boys (none of them were lucky enough to have her as their teacher). Jane is one of the most prolific knitters I know; and she is not just prolific, she is gifted - how she does it I just don't know!

10. Last but way not least is my good buddy Robin C. Robin I also met at TNK. Since I was invited to participate almost two years ago by Christina (poor blogless Christina, a situation we are going to work on remedying soon), I have met the best group of knitters and the loveliest of folks, Robin C. being one of them. We talk often and have dinner together now and then with our men (who actually like each other). She's a good friend and a good listener. Robin knits, quilts, sews, cooks, gardens, and does lots of other schtuff I like to do!

So, girls, consider yourselves tagged - get out there and POST!!

*plans with a capital P because the chores were some I did not want to procrastinate any longer!

Quizzical? Nah...!

2008-11-15T07:41:00.004-05:00

You Are a Dachshund Puppy

Loyal and playful - with a good hunting instinct.

You sometimes go a little crazy and need to chase down a rabbit or two.

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

I had not taken one of these online quizzes in a while and this one appealed to me for some reason (go figure, right?).

Knitting - oh yes - Christmas is just 40 days away and I hope I'll be ready. I am knitting up several things that I can't really talk about because the recipients may be reading along - let's just say that I have probably bitten off more than I can chew. By the way, does anybody have a pattern for an XBox 360? I figured not, unfortunately. I guess I'll have to find another way to procure one!

River City Knitters meets this morning. I missed last month, so I am looking forward to seeing folks I don't see or talk with often. Today we are going to get a tutorial on knitted edgings - something I have not really explored yet. I need to finish my swatch so that I will have something to knit an edge on, so I better get going.

Christmas / Holiday Cards

2008-11-14T15:19:00.003-05:00

The American Red Cross is sponsoring a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to service members and veterans both in the United States and abroad.

The goal is to collect and distribute one million pieces of holiday mail.

"As we enter this holiday season-a time to celebrate with family and friends-it's important to remember the thousands of men and women who serve our nation in harm's way and those who are recovering in military and veterans hospitals," said Army Col. Norvell V. Coots, commander, Walter Reed Health Care System. "The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a wonderful outreach effort and a great way to acknowledge the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform."

Holiday cards should be mailed to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

For more information, visit www.wramc.amedd.army.mil or www.redcross.org/holidaymail for Holiday Mail for Heroes program guidelines.Walter Reed is not accepting mail addressed to "A Recovering American Soldier."

If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these people, who have sacrificed so much, would get.

Peace.

DOT111308

2008-11-13T06:35:00.001-05:00

I am posting early this week because I don't want to forget and have a really cute dog photo to share.

This is Dakota - she is the apple of her dad's eye and is sporting a necklace which denotes her status as a member of his hunt club!

Wet Wednesday here in Richmond

2008-11-12T12:12:00.004-05:00

I woke up to dripping trees and wet leaves on the deck ... it's supposed to clear off --> in a day or three!!

Our homework for the AACS this week is to visit some other blogs and write a thing or two about someone whose blog you liked. I have been popping in on other members of the swap anyway so that was not a hard assignment! Since I had not visited everyone's blog yet, I dropped by Jill's Journeys and loved her mini Christmas widget - so much so that it now adorns the right side of my blog too! If you scroll down on Jill's page and see her kitty's photo (on the left side, down a bit), you'll see that hers looks a lot like Domino, my fussy puss.

I left her a comment, as instructed by our leader in coffee goodness, AM - this is fun. Thanks for letting me participate in this project!

Stitches 110808

2008-11-10T19:47:00.007-05:00

I woke up on Saturday about 4:15; a dog was whining and needed to go out (never ignore a dog who wants to go out). I got back in bed and hoped that everyone would settle down, but they didn't. I got up at 5 so I could get ready to meet Diane at 6:15. This photo isn't great, but oh well. The sun was trying to peek over the trees.

We boarded the bus and left Richmond behind about 7 am.

The trip to Baltimore took about 2.5 hours. Our driver, Reuben, was 'efficient' (euphemism for really fast). When we got off the bus, this is what we saw:

We practically ran in, and I insisted we take a couple of photos. It was a good thing I did, because those were the LAST photos I took that day. Stitches does not allow cameras into the auditorium.

Chan got a one or two before she left, quickly like me so as not to get run off. Check her blog to see them.

The day was long, the company was great and the legs were tired! Photos of purchases to follow.

hummm...

2008-11-06T20:06:00.005-05:00

Which witch is which?

DOT110608

2008-11-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

My puppies - are all sweeties.
These two cuties, however, are not mine - they are the darlings of my friends Susan & John. Venus (on the left) is a 3-legged wonder who captured Wiggles' (on the right) mommy's heart (much to Wiggles' chagrin). The girls are getting along pretty well and that makes Mommy-Susan very happy!

Coffee... first cup of the day ... need I say more?!

2008-11-04T08:21:00.004-05:00

Weekly topic for the AACS: What is it that you love about your first cup of the day? Are you a daily drinker? How do you take yours? Tell us how you love to enjoy your first cup!
Where to start? First, I love dipping the scoop into the grounds, aroma puffs up and drifts into my consciousness... ooohh, anticipation begins. As I fiddle around the kitchen, it begins to drip... and the whole house starts to smell like coffee, subtly. I reach for the milk (not cream or half and half), sprinkle in a little sugar and stirrrr. The first sip is, well, the first sip - it's hot, it's smoothe; I love the aroma probably as much as the taste. I love my coffee strong and somewhat bold, no bitter aftertaste for me! I hope I don't sound too much like a commercial for [insert your favorite brand here]! LOL I don't need to describe it to you because if you are a coffee lover, you know what I mean!

DOT103008

2008-10-30T07:11:00.002-04:00

DOGS ON THURSDAY - this is Joe, today is Thursday. That is about all I can muster at 7:12 am edt. (Joe is 'the dog' though, you must see it in his noble carriage.)

Weekly AACS topic

2008-10-28T21:02:00.004-04:00

Prologue: I forgot to post this... I hope nobody minds too much! (posted 11/3/08)

This/last week's topic:

With Halloween coming up this Friday, tell us what you think of when you think Halloween! Do you love it? Hate it? See it as a sign of Fall? Are you a total sucker for candy and little kids in cute costumes?

I like Halloween and I don't like Halloween. I love costumes - kids in costume, pets in costume - I mean, what's not to like? Right?

I don't like the way some older kids get nasty - they break open trashbags, they egg folks' homes, they waste perfectly good TP(!), they strew garbage along the side of the road... why do they think this is fun? The only good thing I can say about older kids (teenagers) and this particular Halloween is that my 16yo son did NOT participate in that type of behavior - he simply walked around the neighborhood with a couple of friends (male and femal), masked of course, checking out the festivities... he passed on an opportunity to go see a friend's older brother / party at VCU... maybe he's learning to make good decisions (keep your fingers crossed here, ok?!)

What next?

2008-10-27T12:23:00.001-04:00

DK, the Nautical Knitter, wants some help deciding what to knit next. So, if you will go and vote here, she will let us know what we decide! That's kind of fun....

D O T

2008-10-23T21:28:00.006-04:00

Here's Joe and new baby sister Jetta (4.5 mos old) for a Dogs on Thursday post - yes, it has been awhile since I posted!

Topic 'o week

2008-10-22T21:21:00.005-04:00

What says autumn to me?

Woodsmoke - the unmistakable of aroma of woodsmoke - hot dog! someone's got a fire in the fireplace! Where's that kindling...?
My neighbor's maple tree - they have a beautiful maple tree to the left of their driveway and each October it becomes a blaze of yellows, oranges, rusts, gold. It starts coloring on the tippy tops and works its way down the tree till the leaves start falling off.
Sweaters, jackets, socks, shoes (I am mostly a birkenstock sandal girl - so really the change is: with or without socks!)
The dogs finally stop shedding and the daggone fleas go away (has this been a bad year for anyone else? The southeast has been terrible with them; first time in about 10 or more years).

I love the dark mornings and the crisp days and evenings. The light seems to mean more during the fall and winter than it does in the spring and summer. The misty pools of cloud near the ground give way as the sun rises, and an amazing day ensues. I took this photo last October and still remember the feel of the day!

Quicky post re: Amazing Autumn Coffee Swap

2008-10-21T11:21:00.003-04:00

I got my swap partner email earlier today - I am really looking forward to both preparing my gift and receiving my gift! It is anonymous in that I don't know who has me, and the person I have doesn't know who they will receive a gift from ... therefore I better not say too much! I began researching my person already - we have some things in common and others not so much - how fun!

But, we have homework! Can you believe it?! LOL. This week's topic is: what makes a "Fall day" for you? How do you know it's here, and what do you love about the weather, the scenery, or something else that makes Autumn lovely? and includes this photo our swapmistress, Anne, took on her vacation: