Or at least, I found the picture of Ms C's socks! Whoo hoo!
All the other Christmas Gift Socks I made using the easy-to-use and (might I say?) scarily magical Lion Brand Magic Stripes yarn. But I couldn't find these "desert sunset" colors I wanted to use for Ms C's socks in that brand so I had to hunt and hunt until I found a different yarn (*brand of which will be inserted here once brain is tracked down again!*):
I think they came out pretty cool. Definitely funky ... but cool. And ... they fit her! Whoo hoo!
My brain appears to be MIA. Not quite sure how that happened ... but it has. So there will be NO pictures of Ms C's socks today. Those pics are hiding out with my brain somewhere .... quite possibly on my home computer. And had I had my brain WITH me last night, I would have grabbed them from there and uploaded them. Both of them. But no, alas, it was not meant to be .....no brain ... so no more sock pictures. Perhaps tomorrow?
BUT, I DO have pictures of the Toddler Booties. (A miracle, I know!) So here they are ... without further ado ..... the before and after the felting* shots.
*p.s. Kudos to the Knit One, Felt Too book. This bootie pattern is from there and I just loved the simplicity of the directions in the pattern. Talk about explaining every little thing! Perfect for me! The only flaw I've noted is not emphasizing for those of us without brains that "Toddler" does NOT equal "Infant". Oh, and that whole "check your gauge" instruction ... yeah, that should probably be DOUBLE bolded. Just sayin'! :)
Here is a group photo of the socks for my mom and sisters:
Hi Sock-Socks! Are you okay in your new homes?? Are your new owners treating you with the respect you deserve? You know, framed and displayed over the mantle for all to see?
No? What's that? They might actually try to wear you?? (*gasp*)
My poor Sock-Socks. I'm sorry. Well, if they do wear you, please remember to try your darndest (ha!) to not unravel. Errr, at least on the first wearing. If they're fool enough to try to wear you more than once than I figure they deserve what they get after that. Right? Right! :)
Also completed were the two hats: one for my sister A's boyfriend and one for my brother-in-law*.
Granted, neither hat is spectacular but I'd like y'all to note that rumor has it both fit their respective recipients. It's a miracle, I tell ya .... MIRACLE!!!!
Also completed were a pair of socks for my friend Ms C. Which ... I have a picture of somewhere ... I swear. Just apparently not with me right now. Sigh. So I'll post that tomorrow. As well as a picture of the finished I-Was-Supposed-To-Be-Baby-But-Am-Now-Toddler Booties.
Hope y'all had a great Christmas! I'm back in town now and will try to post "Christmas in Laughlin" pictures later this week! Happy Thursday, everyone!
*"brother-in-law" as in "my sister J's husband" not my sister A's. Just to clarify! ;)
Hallelujah, we have hit Winter Solstice!! That means we are on the upswing and each day we have just that more sunlight! I love that because the dark winters really affect me. So to know that I've made it to the worst ... and now each day just gets brighter (hehe). Yay! Bring it on! Means spring can't be that far behind. Where are my gardening gloves??
I am finished with the Christmas knitting!!!! Whooo hooooo! 4 pairs of socks, 1 scarf and 2 hats! Yay! Plus I've knitted up a quick scarf for me just cuz I liked the yarn (what?) and a pair of baby booties which turned into toddler booties (hey, who knew yarn weight and gauge mattered so much??? ;)). So now I think I will splurge and buy $50+ worth of yarn to knit up a scarf for me. Yep, $50 for supplies plus hours of my time to make a scarf I could probably buy in the store for $10. That's Knitter-Logic for ya!
I have managed to avoid wearing any Christmas sweaters, accessories, and Santa hats so far this year. That's right ... bah humbug ... what of it?? :)
Have I introduced you yet to my coolest Christmas gadget? No? Well, check this out. It's an ornament you hang on your tree that you can water your tree via. You know, so you don't have to crawl under the Christmas tree each morning and, hence, go to work with tree needles sticking outta your hair (not that that's not a good look, oh fellow employees)
Mine is a boot (granted, not the BEST looking ornament on my tree ... but .... at least looks better than that big ole blank spot I've got showing here (perhaps alcohol was involved with the tree trimming? Would that explain the lousy job?? If so, let's go with that, shall we? :)))
(oh, and that rooster ornament next to the boot ... that was a gift. Just preemptively sayin' is all!)
The "tree watering" ornament is just a little hollowed out plastic boot with an opening on the bottom which connects to clear plastic tubing.
The clear plastic tubing then runs down through the tree and into the tree stand.
So each morning you just pour water into the boot and ....voila ...the tree gets watered. No needles in hair! No tree limb scratches on face! And no sap! It's like magic!
So I sent off one of the pairs of the socks I knitted to one sister and one of my knitted hats to her boyfriend last Saturday. Man, I was packaging them all up and it was like I was parting with a child, I tell ya. My babies ... heading off into the world on their own. To end up where one wonders?? Goodwill? Garbage dump? Ebay? One never knows. Be well, my little knitted babies. Your mama misses you already (Who me?? Crazy?? What makes you say that??! ;))
For those of you with children (or who know children) who still believe in Santa … this is a really, really, really cute site put on by NORAD in which they “track” Santa on Christmas Eve. They even have an 877 number that kids can call to find out where Santa is at any given time. Santa sighting pictures and everything supposedly. Oh so cute. Check it out ... I know I will be!
And with that, I will wish all y'all a very Merry Christmas! I am heading out of state to join up with family and friends for a few days. I may or may not have a chance to blog. If I don't, be sure to check in with Ms C. She'll be there too and certainly will be sharing some stories! Happy holidays, be safe ... and even more importantly, remember that calories don't count on major holidays! So pass the eggnog, please!
So Buck and I went to see the movie "Fun With Dick and Jane" last night (shut it!) and we* found this on the marquee.
Don't you think they should have come up with a better abbreviation for this movie title? I mean, what with it being a family theater and all? Certainly it couldn't be THAT difficult. Just sayin'....
*when I say "we" ... I actually mean "Buck". In this case. But I'm only 'fessing up because it's Christmas and Christmas is supposed to be all about the givin'. So please let the holidays end soon so I can get back to The Selfish! ;)
While browsing the news this morning I found an awesome example of some great Christmas spirit:
A "Parking Ticket Santa Claus" has been spreading cash as well as Christmas cheer around the English city of Birmingham, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
The mystery Santa has placed Christmas cards containing 30 pounds ($53) on the windscreens of drivers who have received parking tickets, the Daily Telegraph said. "Don't let this ticket spoil your Christmas," declares a note in each card. "Here's #30 to pay it off. Merry Christmas - Parking Ticket Santa."
How fabulous is that???!!! Now doesn't that just warm the cockles* of your heart?! * hey! That wasn't snickering I heard because I used the word "cockles", was it??!
Folks, I thought I'd have today off. I mean, normally I would schedule my birthday off but what with lots of vacations and err ... a surgery... this year ..... not much vacation time left. So I grudgingly resigned to the fact that I would work on my birthday. Until yesterday.
Yesterday Portland got blanketed with snow and ice. And when I say "blanketed" ... I mean at least a 1/4 of an inch!! (hey y'all ... shut it!) And that just shuts this here city down. I think because the majority of us are all from Southern California .... ya know, Home of the 362 Days Of Dry Pavement On Which To Drive! But shhhhh, don't tell any Native Oregonians that I'm from SoCal because they tend to get a bit cranky about us being here. What with our driving skills. Or lack thereof. Best just to tell 'em I'm from Canada .... Eh.
So anyway, ice yesterday! And snow! And the city was shut down. Flights were cancelled. Our metro rail system shut down some lines. The busses were all chained up. Schools were listing closures. And all the weather folks were predicting that we would get even MORE ice while we slept. Yep, freezing rain predicted and thus we were supposed to wake up to much worse than we already had.
And since I already had this at my house ............
(hang on, little Dogwood ... hang on!!!)
... I figured there was NO way I'd be coming into work today. At least til the better part of the afternoon.
And so the cats and I stayed up and partied* last night til like 2 a.m. Again, thinking there would be much time to sleep today.
Uh yeah.
All that predicted freezing rain?? .... not one splatter in the Portland Metro area. When will I LEARN people ... when will I learn??
And so here I sit, at work, on my birthday. Which would have been okay had I not had that glimmer of hope yesterday, that little ole ray of sunshine, that I'd have the day to happily putz around the house.
Ah well. At least I have my Starbucks peppermint mocha (mmmmm) and this....
...... to see me through until I head out to meet friends for margaritas and grub at my favorite Mexican restaurant tonight!
And THEN ..... after the margaritas .... comes The Bono!!
That's right, some friends and I are some of the lucky few to have managed to purchase U2 tickets at face value! Whoo hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So let's recap ..... chocolate cake, peppermint mocha, favorite Mexican restaurant, time with friends, Bono. Hmmmm. Sounds like a pretty good birthday to me! Even if I had to show up at work! :)
And so I leave you with this .... lyrics from one of my favorite Bon Jovi** songs... from me to you ... on this day ... in which I am Just Older.
Hey, man, it's been a while Do you remember me? When I hit the streets I was 17 A little wild, a little green I've been up and down and in between After all these years Can you believe I'm still chasing that dream But I ain't looking over my shoulder
Chorus: I like the bed I'm sleeping in It's just like me, it's broken in It's not old -- just older Like a favorite pair of torn blue jeans This skin I'm in it's alright with me It's not old -- just older
It's good to see your face You ain't no worse for wear Breathing that California air When we took on the world When we were young and brave We got secrets that we'll take to the grave And we're standing here shoulder to shoulder
Chorus: I like the bed I'm sleeping in It's just like me, it's broken in It's not old -- just older Like a favorite pair of torn blue jeans This skin I'm in it's alright with me It's not old -- just older
I'm not old enough to sing the blues But I wore the holes in the soles of these shoes You can roll the dice 'til they call your bluff But you can't win until you're not afraid to lose
Solo
Well, I look in the mirror I don't hate what I see There's a few more lines staring back at me The nights have grown a little colder Hey man, I gotta run Now you take care If you see coach T. Tell him I cut my hair It's been all these years Can you believe I'm still chasing dreams But I ain't looking over my shoulder
Chorus: I like the bed I'm sleeping in It's just like me, it's broken in It's not old -- just older Like a favorite pair of torn blue jeans This skin I'm in it's alright with me It' s not old -- just older
*everyone defines "partying" as knittin', watching movies and reading, right??
** haHA ... bet you thought I'd be quoting some U2 lyrics here, didn't ya?! But no, no, folks ...you're dealing with me ... and hence there is no logic to be seen here, folks. Just move along! ;)
Holy cow, folks! I am FRIGHTENED. So I logged back onto the brainteaser website from which I found yesterday's puzzle and was reading through some of the answers that other folks submitted. Y'all ...... there are some STUPID people in the world ... just sayin'.
So since I have not done any Craigslist bashing in awhile .... I thought I'd do some Brainteaser Stupid Answer bashing.
Again, please note that none of the following submissions were from any of my 2 or 3 blog readers.
Let me say that again: none of the following submissions were from my blog readers.
My blog readers are highly intelligent folks. These other people clearly ARE NOT!
Case in point: not only do they submit stupid answers .... but they do so without HAVING to do so. I mean, not solving the puzzle is no big deal. Really. But these folks went out of their way to submit answers. And even proudly signed their names* to what they submitted! WHY??
You'll note that many of them prove that they can't read and comprehend simple instructions (hello? there is NO "7" in between the numbers "1 to 6".)
Others prove they cannot add. At all. And lord knows I'm no math genius. But we're talking basic addition here folks.
So read the following at your own risk. You may become disheartened by the stupidity that abounds. It certainly amazed me!
Those that felt the need to submit an answer stating that they believed there was no answer:
Impossible! Carlos Q - 13 Dec, 2005
Impossible vvrmohan - 14 Dec, 2005
there is no possibility bhanuchander - 16 Dec, 2005
there is no solution to this puzzle. i tried all the combinations with 6 numbers and you will find there is no answer. arunkumar s - 11 Dec, 2005
this is immmposible:( vemuri suman c - 11 Dec, 2005
[and my favorite of this group.......]
there is no answer. DO NOT GIVE SUCH TYPE OF WRONG QUESTIONS. rajkumar - 15 Dec, 2005 [angry much??]
Those that felt the need to submit a long-winded answer (in an attempt to sound intelligent) as to why they believe there is no answer:
There is no answer. 1 + 5 = 6, but the leftover numbers have no working combinations: 2 + 3 = 5, 2 + 4 = 6, 3 + 4 = 7. 2 + 4 = 6, but again, the leftovers don't work: 1 + 5 = 6, 1 + 3 = 4, 3 + 5 = 8 This occurs no matter where you start off. Akusu - 11 Dec, 2005
using 6 digits i.e 1,2,3,4,5,6 steps involving the equation balencing let us assume the balencing equation as AB(+)CD =EF Now choose the 'B' values from 1 to 6 if B=1, then D=2, B+D=3=F Then A=4 , C=5, A+C=9=E in this case AB+CD=EF, 41+52=93!=63, so we can't get the distinct values of A,B,C,D,E,F. then go for B=1, D=3,B+D=4=F.Then A=2, C=5, A+C=7.in this case digit 7 comes to our sum. this is not possible since we use 1,2,3,4,5,6. similarly not Balence if B=1,D=4,B+D=5=F if B=1,D=5,B+D=6=F if B=1,D=6,B+D=7=F(not happen this case) In this case if B=1, we have seen possible values of D=2,3,4,5,6. Even though the equation not balenced. Simillarly if we take B=2, D=1 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 then in this case also we can't get different values of A,B,C,D,E,F satisfying the equation AB+CD=EF Simillarly if we take B=3,then D=1 or 2 or 4 or 5 or 6. Then in this case also we can't get different values of A,B,C,D,E,F satisfying the equation AB+CD=EF. Similarly when B=4, then D=1 or 2 or 3 or 5 or 6. Here also we can't get the values satisfying AB+CD=EF. Similarly when B=5, then D=1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 6. Here also same as above. But in last case if B=6, then in this case D=1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5. if D=1 then B+D=7 .This is never happens.In This case we never balence. All possible cases choosing the values of B=1,2,3,4,5,6 we have seen.no one case balenced in the given problem. Therefore my conclusion is we can't balence in this equation using 1,2,3,4,5,6. K.N.V.U - 15 Dec, 2005
The balancing of this equation is not possible given the constraints (using the digits 1,2,3,4,5,6). Reason: The logic is pretty simple: given the set of numbers (1,2,3,4,5,6) the final result must contain the largest numbers. => 5 and 6 for 6 addition results are 2+4 or 1+5. But once used either of these 2+4=6 and 1+5=6 it is not possible to get the desired result from the other two sets 1,3,5 or 2,3,4 resectively. Since the equation can't be proved for number 6 and 6 must be in the result hence this equation can't be logically possible. D. Chaitanya K - 16 Dec, 2005
This grouping I call "HUH??":
well this problem needs 6 numbers total. so i tried to have the VERY last number be six. so i just basically tried problems to come up with 6 as the last digit and i came up with 64+12=76 [it needs 6 numbers and so you made the last number be “6”??? What does that MEAN, Megan???] megan - 11 Dec, 2005
Well 1+5=6 right so you have used each of the numbers once! John - 11 Dec, 2005
first find 2 numbers that = a number 6 or below and the awnser and it will be 2+3=5 jake - 11 Dec, 2005
14 + 25 = 39 Here '9' is made by rotating '6' by 180 [are you KIDDIN’ ME?!! You’re seriously submitting an answer in which you ROTATED a number!!?!!?!!?!!! WTF?!!] Shamsunder - 14 Dec, 2005
Those that can’t comprehend basic english:
1+2=3 Mohit A - 12 Dec, 2005
3+1=4 Jaclyn - 13 Dec, 2005
14+12=26 Dwight L - 13 Dec, 2005
01+03=04 chad - 14 Dec, 2005
24 + 37 = 61 Rob - 15 Dec, 2005
-21+53=32 ravi - 15 Dec, 2005
cause 11+11=22 and all them numbes are two digit and are between 1-6 retta - 15 Dec, 2005
11+15=26 TANGUTURI.R- 16 Dec, 2005
12+34=46 harika - 13 Dec, 2005 12+34+56= if i can only use each number only once why not this answer? billy - 15 Dec, 2005 [uhhh, maybe because your answer makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE. AND it’s not following the guidelines of the puzzle. Sigh]
you can put 5+1=6. mary loo - 11 Dec, 2005
48+23=71 chad - 14 Dec, 2005 61+16=77 [two 6’s, two 1’s and not one but two 7’s. By jove, Kia, I think you’ve got it!] Kia - 11 Dec, 2005
12 plus 53 equals 65. No steps were taken, but i knew that the answer was most likely high number. I tried some numbers and they were right..lucky guess Amanda - 14 Dec, 2005 [yes, very lucky guess. You should definitely go forth and procreate.]
From those who felt the need to explain their stupid:
the teacher writes an equation on the board he then tells the students to write two numbers on each line and they can only use 1-6 only once. so if you only use 1-6 once you would have come up with 12+34=56. see you only use each number one time and the answer is correct. [Brandy, please tell me that you’re still under 10 years old. Cuz uh …. 12+34 <> 56 in my world] brandy - 11 Dec, 2005
2+3=5 i dont have an explanation because i just though of this off the top of my head! sherri - 13 Dec, 2005 [appreciate the effort there, Sherri. Nice of you to stop by. Move along]
12 + 46 = 58 It was easy actually. The Adding up digits could be anywhere between 12- 53 . 12 becuase it had to be greater than 9 being 2 digit. I could not be 10 because adding anything to 10 gives you the same digit in the unit place. could not be 11 because it has repetation of digits. Same way , you realize that the Addition could be anywhere between 46 - 65. In this case, adding both the lower limits gave the answer. There might be other solutions also, but I did not really check. Akash J - 11 Dec, 2005 [sigh]
Assuming the equation is ab + cd = ef, as all the digits have to be unique and ranging from 1 to 6. I guess the equation cannot be satisfied by whole numbers because only e or f can be the digit 6. and even if either of them is 6 then one of the other digits gets repeated. Now if we think of using decimal point numbers then, I guess there is only one solution as follows: 1.6 + 3.4 = 5.0, where one should consider 5.0 as two digits but disregard the 0 in 5.0 as it is after the decimal point. Aysha S - 14 Dec, 2005
And last but not least, those from folks who simply can't add (only a sampling ... too many to list):
21 + 34 = 65 or 12 + 43 = 56 numbers used are only from 1 to 6 shivu - 15 Dec, 2005 [perfect, Shivu! You’ve proven your brilliance not once but TWICE!!!]
21+43=65 Meenakshi - 11 Dec, 2005 13+42=65 P V S A - 16 Dec, 2005
21 + 43 = 65 maddy - 10 Dec, 2005
23+45=61 bmcgee - 15 Dec, 2005
well, it seems to me that the number 12 + 34 = 56. simple Ryan - 15 Dec, 2005 [well sure, simple for you, Ryan. Because you’re a genius! But not everyone can be a member of Mensduh …. Errr, I mean, Mensa!]
And there you have it, folks. People who are out and about loose in our society. Now isn't that a comforting thought?? :)
*please note that I have removed the last names to protect the ....errr ... well, to protect them from themselves. Many proudly displayed both first and last name on the other site. (*head shake*)
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
T1 and I went to a Stitch N Bitch last night in which, one would think, much knitting would get done. Especially being that Christmas is a mere 11 DAYS AWAY (!!!!) ... and there are Christmas projects still to be knitted.
So I'm sitting there working on my last gift sock ... the final one ...... and (for me ... the Slow-Ass Knitter)... socks simply take a hell of a long time. They just do.
And so, I get kinda bored with my project and my eyes start to wander ... to what other people are knitting. And ya know, the yarn they are using. And another friend was there last night ... to learn to knit. And I had helped her pick out some REALLY cool yarn .... something easy and bulky with which to make a simple scarf.
And so I sat there ... diligently knitting away on my sock .... and really ... not making much progress because (have I mentioned?) ... they take a HELL OF A LONG TIME. But still putting in my time. But my eyes kept wandering over to her yarn. And by the end of the SnB I simply HAD TO HAVE IT. Resistence was futile!
And so I bought some. Ya know, for future projects ... once all the Christmas knitting is done.
(Uh yeah ... right. Anyone else buying that I would have such willpower? Yeah, the Yarn Gods neither.)
So here's the yarn ...............
And here's the scarf I started. (Looked how cool those colors are!!!).
Though I was just knitting it up real quick in garter stitch (on super huge needles!) to get a feel for it and so really need to frog it and redo in some other sort of fancier stitch. I'm just not sure which at this point. Any suggestions?
And, of course, the frogging and reknitting will occur AFTER all my Christmas knitting is done.
That's right .... it can't possibly get any crazier than this! Underwater hockey. That's right ... you heard me correctly, U-N-D-E-R-W-A-T-E-R H-O-C-K-E-Y. Apparently it's an actual sport!
Each team, outfitted with fins, snorkel, diving mask, gloves, polo caps, and hockey sticks, has 6 members ... no goalie. Yep, they play hockey on the bottom of the pool ... while holding their breaths. No, no ... really. See? These Hockey Players Have To Hold Their Breath
And a quote from player that proves The Crazy:
"When you run out of air, you know it," said Anthony Hemingway, a junior on Roger Bacon's team. "You get the gagging feeling. But when you're close to the goal, you're like, 'Do I want to score a goal or breathe?' Most of the time I say, 'Score.'"
Uh ... yeah.
Folks, I couldn't come up with crazier stuff on my own if I tried!!
So I go back to Michaels at lunch today figuring that if the Patons Twister yarn I want is still not there (yes, yes ... I held out the slight hope that it would magically have been restocked during the night) then I would be able to peruse the tons of yarn they have and find something else with which to knit this Gift Scarf. This time buying more than I think I'll need, of course!
So I look ... and the bin is still empty. Sigh.
I look at some of the other yarn but don't really find anything that speaks to me right away.
Even with all this yarn to look at..........
But then ... ah ha ..... I spot a Workerbee. So I ask if perchance they have any of the yarn I need hiding out in the stockroom. To which she replies that any extras are stored for all to see uptop the yarn bins.
SWEET, I think. And excitedly start to scour the yarn up top in the hopes of finding the one measly little skein of yarn I need.
To no avail.
Workerbee had looked with me when she came upon the brilliant idea of using her Snazzy Techno Gizmo Thingamabob (STGT) to see what IT says they have in stock for my yarn. She checks and says "it says we have two........ so we're probably out".
Now Peeps ... most normal folks here would think "I'm sure the Workerbee knows what's she's talking about. They're out". But I'm not Normal Folk. Or perhaps I am kinda Normal Folk .. .but just really optimistic. Or insane. Whatever. Because all I could focus on was that the Snazzy Techno Gizmo Thingamabob said "we have TWO". And if the STGT says they have two ... why wouldn't there still be two hiding somewhere in the store? For there not to be two ... they'da had to have been shoplifted. Right? And though I know shoplifting occurs ... who would shoplift yarn?? Knitters?? Oh, I don't think so. We knitters are good peeps.
And so I began to hunt the mass of yarn bins with only one thought in mind ..........."come to mama, my little two skeins of Patons Twister Regal"
So I search and search and search ... looking in all bins to see if my little skeins are misplaced. And voila......... I spot this ... and my heart skips a beat....
Could it be?? Is it possible??? I look closer and find ..............
.It is! It is!!! The Snazzy Techno Gizmo Thingamabob was right! There ARE two left! WHOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! For once my insanity paid off! I was sooo happy I almost bought both. But then thought perhaps another knitter was going through the same trauma and so placed one back safely in its bin and purchased the other!
Happy days are here again, folks! Don't think they aren't! :)
This guy ... who admits to beating this two month old baby (which caused fractures in 20 of the baby's little bones!!!!) .... received .... (*insert drum roll here*) ... less than four years!
So let's recap ... violent criminal ... who beats a helpless 2 month old baby so severely that 20 bones are fractured ... receives 45 months.
A woman labelled the "Cool Mom" for providing* some alchohol, sex, drugs (and dare I say ... rock n roll?) to some willing-to-participate teenage boys .... 30 years.
Now folks, I'm good with The Math. And no matter which mathematical formula you plug these numbers into ... they don't add up to The Logic. There is simply something wrong here. Just sayin'.
*again, I in no way, shape or form condone her actions. But who would you rather run into in a dark alley? .... someone who offers to throw you a party ... or someone that will beat you to a pulp?? Yeah, I thought so.
Okay, folks. So I'm knitting up a scarf as a Christmas gift for a friend with two skeins of a yarn I purchased recently. (I know, I know ... I have all this sock and hat knitting to do ... but just wanted to cram this one more knitted gift in real quick like, ya know?!)
So I'm almost through the second skein and determined that I want just one more skein to make it the correct length. So I go to Michaels at lunch to grab it real quick and took this picture of all this lovely yarn. (True ... it's the funky kind of yarn ... but that's fun once in awhile, dontcha think?)
Look at all that yarn ... loads and loads of it, right?
And two whole columns of the type I need ... Patons Twister. See?
Uh yeah. So I'm guessing by now you see which color I wanted, right? No? Well let me enlighten you..........
That's right ... the ONLY one that does not have any!!!
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH! $%^#@ mother-^#@!%$$#. How can ALL the other colors be FULL of skeins ... and the one I need one measly little skein of .... completely empty! GAH!
So .... this means I need to:
1. Scour all surrounding Michael stores for this one skein (time consuming ... and I think I only know where one other Michaels is. Which I won't have time to get to it for a couple of days). Or... 2. Frog what I've done and redo it narrower so I can get further with the yarn I have. Or... 3. Finish with what I have and simply have the scarf shorter than I would like. Or... 4. Buy a different yarn and start from scratch.
Now normally, I'd nix option 4 right off that bat. But ...
1. I actually emailed a pic of this scarf in question (SIQ) to T1 earlier today to see whether she thought it was Butt Ugly or Funky Cool (cuz it's one or the other and I can't decide). She said she liked it ... but she has yet to see it in broad daylight (as I just did on my drive over to Michaels). And let me tell you ... the wearer of this scarf will be drawing some attention .... just sayin'. 2. It would mean I'd get to go shop for more yarn. So ... ya know ... there is that.
GAHHH! Dilemmas, dilemmas.
Dear Santa,
Can we push Christmas back a week .... or two ... this year, ya think? I've been good ....(sadly so) ... really ... check your list.
Great, thanks!
Oh, p.s. ... not to be a tattle tale or anything ... but those Yarn Gods ... not so nice. Just sayin'.
Well, not completely finished in that I need a topper and a few things to fill in. Especially the bottom portion of the tree ... aptly called "The Pet Zone". You know, that area on the tree that must be kept free of all "good" ornaments in preparation for the cat attacks. Of which there will be many. I'm thinkin' it's kinda bare because that's where I used to put the majority of Mr X's ornaments ... what with him only helping with the lights and then calling out his "tradition" of only hanging one ornament. (Really, over the course of so many years you'da thought he would have figured out why the pets only broke his stuff. ;) (what?? (*insert wide-eyed innocent look here*))
This year I've taken preemptive measures though to protect those ornaments I do have. It's called a Bungee Buddy and it works kinda like this:
(Thanks to Emma for the demonstration!)
I'm hoping this provides more enticing entertainment than any of the lower hanging ornaments. I'll let you know how it goes! ;)
Folks, I have been fine, I tell ya ... FINE so far this year dealing with this holiday season alone again.
Had a great Thanksgiving with friends which is what I would probably do with or without That Special Someone in my life (the difference being that he would have been there too). Christmas? ... got myself hooked up to fly outta state to meet with family for Christmas. Check ... got that covered. Even have a couple of friends going to be there to share it with me too which I'm pretty damn excited about. So only two holidays left to deal with before I can breathe free for a few months again. New Years and f'in Valentine's Day. Still haven't figured either of those out but not quite panicking.... yet.
So life is grand. Right? It's just weird ... because I remember distinctly thinking after surviving the holidays last year that "whew, well that's over now and there is certainly no way I'll STILL be single come the holidays again next year". And yet ... guess what? YEP. Me. Holidays. Single. STILL.
Now some might think that's pathetic. But really, usually I'm okay with The Single. Because I don't want to hook up with JUST anyone. So I would prefer to wait for that someone completely and utterly special. You know, Mr Right. (assuming he exists ... and I have yet to give up hope that he does). And normally I'm able to keep myself so busy that I don't have time to stop and dwell on it.
But there are those rare occasions when I get a bit melancholy about not having a partner in crime. And I'm not sure if it's the longing for the Mr Right or simply the longing for a best friend that is single too that can share that Single Load sometimes. You know, tit for tat ... I'll help you with this project and you help me with this other one.
Ya know ... like this weekend ... when getting the Christmas tree. Which I decided to do this year even though I'll be gone for the actual holiday. I did it ... this weekend ....on my own .... and that's fine. But really .... there are a lot of things I CAN do on my own. And those I don't know how to do, I can usually learn. But sometimes ... just sometimes ... it would simply be nice not to HAVE to do them on my own. To have someone to do them with. Ya know, without having to pay them. And/or without having to feel as if I'm imposing on them.
I am woman, hear me roar ... I can get my own damn Christmas tree. But truth be told ... I didn't want to.
Because I have been dealing with the computer viruses all day at work (I know, I know ... I hear y'all grumbling about how jealous you are ... but these here viruses are all MineMineMine ... y'all get your own! ;)) ... I haven't had time to blog.
BUT ... the awesome guys in customer support have been enthralling us all week with mind puzzles .. (which I love ... cuz I'm crazy like that)...
...so just in case you are too ... here are a couple for you to enjoy. I'll post the answers in the comment section of the following post. K? K.
Now no cheatin' and have fun!
Mind Challenges
Ex: "CCCCCCC" as the puzzle would equal "7 Seas" as the answer. Get it? Ok, here we go....
The Portland media all week has been touting this huge snow storm to hit today. (Granted, when I say "huge snow storm", I mean less than 1/2 foot of snow. But trust me folks, 3-6 inches of snow is big news in Portland and just plain ole shuts this city down, don't think it doesn't! ;))
Here are some recent headlines and blurbs...
SPECIAL STORM COVERAGE Storm Team 12 will be "blogging the storm" as the Willamette Valley's first possible snow approaches Send us your storm pics! Email your snow photos to photos@kptv.com
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR 922 PM PST WED NOV 30 2005
ORZ006-WAZ039-011400- /O.CON.KPQR.WS.W.0003.051201T1800Z-051202T0600Z/ GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HILLSBORO...PORTLAND...OREGON CITY... GRESHAM...VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL 922 PM PST WED NOV 30 2005
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST THURSDAY...
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST THURSDAY FOR THE NORTHERN WILLAMETTE VALLEY IN OREGON AND CLARK COUNTY IN WASHINGTON.
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS.
A significant northern Willamette Valley snowstorm was predicted to dump as much as half a foot of snow from Salem to Portland and into Southwest Washington today.
"We are staffing up for it," said Dave Thompson, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Thompson said the agency will have 120 workers and 50 trucks capable of operating as plows, or as sanders and de-icers, strategically placed throughout the region.
Portland maintenance crews treated city streets Wednesday with an anti-icing chemical, concentrating on ramps, overpasses, structures and steep hills.
So all day yesterday I'm watching the reports (of which there were obviously PLENTY) and it all boils down to snow starting around 10am and not stopping til late evening. Which means, I can GET to work ... but getting home ... gonna be hell. Now I hear y'all Snow-Capable People out there saying "3-6 inches of snow a problem? ... are ya KIDDIN' me??" but please keep in mind that: 1) I drive a rear-wheel drive sports car which likes to fish-tail at the first sprinkle of rain (but damn if it ain't a hoot to drive on dry pavement though!); 2) that if it is going to snow anywhere in Portland it is going to snow where I work due to higher elevation. And getting in and out of this hilly place is a bitch in inclement weather, don't think it isn't; and 3) I am a Southern California girl who grew up driving in sunshine. The only ice I saw down there was in the trays in my freezer!
(Hey now, I will be the first to admit that I am Snow-Driving Challenged, you don't need to say it for me! ;))
So what with ALL the news channels and websites screaming:"SPECIAL STORM COVERAGE" and providing video on how to build a disaster kit (I kid you not), I actually got a wee nervous about being at work today. So much so that I actually caved last night and bought chains for my car tires ... just. in. case.! Now folks, I've survived 3 years without chains on this car but they had me SO convinced this time ... and what with the snow not predicted to start til after I was already at work. (I mean, trapping me at home so I can't get to work is one thing ... but trapping me at work so I can't get home ... well, yeah ... I'll buy me some chains, thankyouverymuch! ;))
So here I am ... at work ...car ready to go with cases of bottled water* in the trunk to weigh it down, the aforementioned chains, gloves, trash bag to lay on in case I need to actually put on the chains, ice scraper, cardboard for getting outta wheel spinning situations ..... and ....(*insert drum roll*) ....here is a picture of the major storm I am dealing with.....................
*I usually have bottles of water in my car anyway from when I play tennis during the summer. But added some extra specifically to make the rear end of my car heavier.
.... and because this here is a Knitting Blog ... (*snicker*) ... have I told y'all my latest knitting news? No?
Well then.....
...all three pairs of Christmas Gift socks are FINISHED! That's right ... THREE PAIRS .. FINISHED! Can you believe it?? Whoo hoooo! And it's still only November!!!!
I'd post pictures .. .but ya know ... Christmas gifts! So I'll post those in about a month!
Plus, with all the knitting time over this Thanksgiving weekend, I was able to crank out this grey hat for my brother-in-law ... (he doesn't read this blog so I can actually post a picture!)
I had to guess at his head size so we'll see if it fits! And it's actually a darker grey than it looks in the picture. Nothing too exciting, I know ... but really, hand knit... by me ... and potentially fitting .... I'm handing out miracles for Christmas, I tell ya!! :)
And the hat was so quick and easy (of course, relative to my knitting socks .. what doesn't seem "quick and easy"!?? :)) that as soon as I arrived home Sunday I frogged my boob hat and reknit it into this hat for me!
Which, now that I look at this picture, actually still looks kinda like a boob, doesn't it?! Sigh. Yeah, well, at least it doesn't look like one when on my head! Which is a very significant improvement, don't think it isn't! ;)
(Oh, and please ignore that patch of grey there in the bottom left corner ... that would be CJ coming over to see what I was up to. Nosy, nosy, nosy!)
I have since started on another gift hat. One in which I might try incorporating a stripe! (that's a doosey for this here remedial knitter being that it involves changing yarns (on purpose!)!! So wish me luck! :)). And maybe I'll do another pair of socks. Or I could finish a couple of scarves I already have on needles.
Hmmmm. What other suckers ...errr, I mean, loved ones.... can I give homemade gifts to for Christmas?? Ponder, ponder, ponder. Friends, I'd start averting your eyes if I were you to avoid getting picked!!! :)
Okay, by request ... some additional non-CJ (hrmph!) photos from this past weekend.
First off, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
We got SNOW, people! It was awesome! Here are a couple of "after" shots...
So we went out walking ... cuz ya know, we had SNOW!!! (Sorry. Please forgive the enthusiasm of a Southern California chicky who never actually saw snow fall from the sky until probably 20 years of age)
T1 and K with Friday and Penny. Buck.
Stella just lovedlovedloved the snow (though she's probably still scratching her head as to where those dang snowballs she was chasing kept disappearing to!)
And Penny, who didn't quite love the snow as much as she loved sucking on her blankie!
And, interestingly enough, what someone who never grew up with snow might not realize is that once the sun comes out the snow piled on your roof may come rumbling down off the roof in what one might think is a sudden avanlanche. Not that I thought that ... nope, not I .... tons of snow endlessly rumbling down the front window happens everyday for me ... but ya know ... someone could have, is all I'm sayin'! ;)
Here's the after shot...
So y'all, this group of folks knows how to stock up for a weekend away. We had SOO much food. And this cabin was pretty tiny. In fact, check out this oven .... ain't no way a turkey is roastin' in there!
And because we didn't know the "tiny oven" situation until we got there and SAW the "tiny oven" situation, we were stumped as to how to cook our turkey for all of about 30 seconds. Then Macyver (aka Jeff) took it upon himself to bbq it! In the snow! He he! The picture isn't very good (WAY too cold for this here photographer to wanna do more than poke her camera hand out the door and snap this shot!) but you get the idea.
And the turkey turned out great! Thanks, Jeff!
So as I said, we had MUCH food....
A couple of the desserts
....SO much food and drinks that we actually had to store some of the food and beverages outside the back door of the cabin in the snow. Which worked great. Until some little thieving teenager stole some! BASTARD!
T1 saw him on what must have been his third or fourth trip because we figured out we were missing a case of bottled orange juices, a case of diet Pepsi, and a case of Schmirnoffs (wine cooler things). CURSES! I mean, it wasn't like we were hurting for other drinks to be had (AT ALL) ... (here's a sampling of some that still remained at the end of our trip)......
Some of the leftover alcohol
..... I'm just sayin' the little turd is lucky we had other orange juice. Cuz you don't want to see this group of folks without their morning mimosas. Just sayin'! ;)
Anyway, so that was a bit of a downer. We're the types that if you simply come knock on the door and ask for something, chances are you'll receive it (albeit no alcohol to the minors). But really ... you want some sodas, juices, whathaveya .... I mean, we had A TON! But don't steal it. That ain't right.
Speaking of alcohol ... here's a cute pic of Buck!
hehe. Just kidding. I actually think Buck was completely sober here. But this was the beam I'da bet money that CJ was going to leap out to. She eyed it a couple of times but thankfully didn't. Instead choosing to enjoy the scenery out the window....
(what?? You didn't seriously think I wasn't going to post a picture of my precious kitty here, now did ya?? :))
Anyway, there ya have it ....a few pictures of our Thanksgiving weekend. We had a great time! Much food, drinks, Texas Hold 'Em poker, time spent in pajamas alternated with time spent in sweats, movies, and, of course, much knitting!
