Saturday, February 20, 2010

Sock Progress

I have been dutifully working on my socks and watching some of the olympics.   I don't typically watch figure skating because I find it too stressful . . .  will he/she fall when coming down?  Trip on an ice rut?   You get the picture.   I can however apparently watch ice dancing and the faster a skiier goes, the better in my book.   I guess in their book too huh?

So yesterday morning as I was rushing out the door to catch the bus I realized I needed a knitting project.   Grabbed the socks.   Well maybe I can I thought.   Of course these are the same socks I've never made before, started two at a time on two circular size US0.   I also need my reading glasses for these and my ott light.   What?  Am I really that optomistic?   Apparently.    So I'm slowly knitting along, sans glasses becuase of course they are next to my knitting chair, very glad the sun is shining brightly.    Then the bus took the turn too fast.   In my effort to not slide off the seat I grabbed the bar I was so smartly sitting next to.   I also dropped 5 stitches.    Off those US 0.   That I'm trying to knit really tight because I'm still on the toe - yes after almost a week, I'm still on the toe.  Get over it.   Arggggg

I actually was able to pick them up after a few starts and stops and move on.   I was told by my wonderful sister to mark where you start and never stop a row until you get back to that spot, no matter what.   So I knitted two rounds, checked that I had picked up all the stitches successfully and put it in my bag.  

On the way home I was really optomistic.   I pulled my knitting out knowing I could get at least one round done.   I started and got the first quarter done, grabbed the yarn for the second toe . . .  yep.   In my eagerness to get morning knitting done, I used the same yarn for both socks.   Somehow I don't think they make shoes that can be connected by socks.  Nor have they figured out how we can successfully walk with our feet linked by 1 inch of yarn.    I seriously tried to figure out if I could cut the yarn, and somehow make it so it didn't unravel and just stayed together.  seriously?  

So away it went back into the bag and when I got home, before my wonderful glass of wine, I knitted back very carefully and started again. 

Off this morning to the jewelry show.  will pick those suckers up this afternoon and post picture tomorrow of progress.  

Monday, February 15, 2010

So, everyone is over with the snow.  It is beautiful, well except on the sides of the road where is is all black and icky looking.   but for the most part, while I'd be glad to see more, I'm done complaining about bad drivers, incompetent snow plow operators, oops.   said I'd stop.  sorry

SO, I didn't sign up for any ravelry olympic conteste (too much pressure) but I did promise my sister I'd participate anyway.   I've finished some fingerless gloves.  and I started my first ever pair of toe up socks.   Pattern by Wendy D. Johnson.   Two at a time but on two needles not one giangantious needle.   Don't think I'll get them done in a week, but I've got a lot of other projects to start too.   



YLS was having sale today, so I got the yarn to make baby hats for a friend of mine, and then I bought a shawl pattern and of course the yarn to make it.   One good size shawl, one skein sock yarn.   Plus I started on some mittens for me, because I need to make for me.   Ordered some yarn for the throw my son's team leader wants, arggggg

Jack and Stanley aren't speaking to me anymore becuase they can't go out  (see snow above).  They also aren't eating as much, so maybe this will be the winter Jack finally slims down a bit.   He can hear a can open, or smell fresh chicken from across the house when he's fast asleep.  It is amazing.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Snow, Snow and More Snow

Okay, if you don't live in the mid-atlantic and are from the north or mid west you don't care about snow.  You know snow.  You laugh in the face of snow.   Here, we don't get that much.   The genral population panics at the mere word and mayhem immediately reigns.   So, the Federal Government was closed today, day off from one job, but not the other which is cool.   It looks like they are closed again tomorrow, but that is because the subway trains that run above ground won't.   So really how can people get to work in the "City"?   Drive?  yeah, well even on a good day that's a bad idea.   and there won't be much street parking becuase of snow.  the garages will fill fast, it would be a nightmare.   But I've sent my piece to the boss and said if they want me I'm there.  afterall I have a husband to decided to retire last month.   He can drive me.

The cats just aren't getting it though.   No outside for them.  they are NOT happy campers.   But my sister let her cat out yesterday, he was gone most of the day.   finally her son stood outside and called Max for about half an hour and he finally showed up.  half frozen.  His little feet were almost red from cold.    I'm wondering if he got lost and couldn't figure out how to get home with everything being white.   and I'd imagine the smell is really different too.   I told the Jack and Stanley  maybe April. 

here's the neighbor's tree down the street, beautiful picture even with my crappy little point n shoot.
from my driveway.   on the left is the sidewalk my son cleared with the snow blower.   on the right is the gutter in front of our house.   we learned 25 years ago, when it snows, if you don't keep in clean down the the sewer drain, the ice backs up the entire street and into our driveway.   I've already slipped on the ice once this year.   I'd rather not do it again.   plus it looks cool.

the view from my back porch.   the tractor man is a flag on a stick kind of thing.  when the wind blows, his wheels turn.   it is about 3 feet off the ground.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Snow!

Ah, a snow storm.   Haven't had a good one here for a long time, and we were past due.   Yes, I'm sick of the snow already, but boy is it pretty!   And because we are not completely environmentally "correct" while I do recycle, carry my own bags, and try to keep my carbon print low.    We own three trucks.   Heavy trucks.   the kind of truck that you curse when gas prices are high.   But we don't get stuck.  and my neighbors who are eldery or have small children know we're available for emergencies.   and what about the jerk across the street who won't be friendly or even say hi?   He took all his snow and covered the fire hydrant.   It wasn't bad enough that the snow plows were blocking it from the street.   Fortunately, we also have a big snow blower, so wonderful son dug right up to it last night.    No point in tempting Murphy now, is there?   and we didn't lose power so all is well for the day.  

Sun is shining today, the shoveled walks will melt - I hope because mine is a sheet of ice right now.   they plowed the roads well, but didn't treat which make perfect sense but apparently interstate is packed snow and ice, so idiots will be out today.   Wonder if there will be offices opened tomorrow?  

Stanley is done too.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Snow

We're getting a lot of it.   You'd think people had never seen snow before.   And yes, I am well aware that this part of the world doesn't get that much too often, and that people can't drive in 1 inch of it let along 2 feet but really.   I've turned off the television.   I can look outside and see what it is doing thankyouverymuch.

So, I've been working on a sweater that I'm not thrilled with, thinking about just tossing it aside and starting/finishing something else.  and oops, forgot to take the meat out for chili, better do that one!

Snow blower is gassed up, trucks are gassed up, and oh do we have food (and wine)   and this morning before the snow started we stopped at the store for powdered milk and right there at the door, staring me in the face was the best sale on TP I've seen in a long time.  I looked at hubby and said, I know.  we don't need it.   It would be embarrasing to buy today.   I can not pass up this price.   I only bought one but I did vow to go back tuesday (when we're suppose to get more snow) and buy 4 more giant packs.   At least it doesn't rot unless wet.

And now people are talking about loosing power.  I hadn't though of that.  I have lots of food, but most of it needs to be cooked.   Well, will cross that bridge when it happens I guess.  

The "boys" went outside this morning at 7 and when the first flakes started falling around 10 they were back in for the day.   No outside tomorrow either.  



Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Having one of those crappy weeks that is really interering with my happy face.   Then I read Norma's blog and went to urbandictionary.com and typed in my name:

The coolest person you will ever meet.  an aswome friend.  very gorgeous.

A person who's mom has got it going.

Probably the coolest, nicest most beautiful girl you will ever meet.  Ever.  The most awsome best friend you could ever have.  Ifyou don't know her, shame on you.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

So I put in daughter's name, both full and nick . . . I'll give you the best of both because some of it was good:

Sexxiest, adorable fun to be around.  Dates only one man at a time.

Good friend and very nice towards other people.  A lazy worker but gets the job done.

Kind and caring girl with exceptional natural beauty.  Someone you can trust.  Easy laughter.

and my favorite . . . to smack in the face with testicles in a decidedly femine manner.