Might There Be Fairies

dancing in the park after dark? Oh I do hope so. The rains of the weekend have brought a plethora of toadstools. And so, lunchtime drivers got to view a woman of a certain age on her hands and knees with butt sticking up in the air taking pictures of them. Probably not the most scenic view for them, but there ya go. I thought for awhile that there was going to be a huge circle of them. But it curved around and then stopped. There were little groups all over the park but I liked this group in their curving row. I could imagine all the fun the fairies would be having after the sun went down. The rains have made the grass soft again, instead of crunchy. And the temperatures? Oh wonder of wonders it has cooled off! In the low 80s yesterday and this morning at dark thirty it was 64! After 38 days of 100+ temps this is the best thing ever!

I mowed and weed eated last night and didn't even feel like I was going to die! How fun is that?

Knitting, crafting, sewing. Well yes. The Harlot sock #2 is in time out since Monday evening. Mostly to protect it from me. I was just a wee bit upset LOL. So I've started a scarf using this pattern from straw.com that Ann shared with us. It's fun and perfect for tv watching. And I haven't screwed it up yet! I did have to send a HELP to Ann, because as she said, sometimes I think too much, but she very graciously explained that the pattern really would work LOL. I took a picture of it by itself but since it was still dark outside I used the flash and the colors changed completely. And yep, once again I am using a dpn with a rubber thingy on the end as my needles. After mostly knitting on socks, those longer needles feel very awkward.

And this weekend I sewed all those fabric squares together for the summer cover (before I lost them again.) I'll have to save up for the sashing and backing but at least maybe it won't disappear in the meantime.

And remember all that fabric I bought awhile back at the auction? Well, it's been in time out in trash bags until I got around to washing it. So that started last night. The first batch is in the dryer as I type and I think a lot of pressing is in my future just to get it ready to be put up again.

And so, life is good.

Playing in the dirt

Well, I am a red dirt knitter. And no yarn was injured in this adventure.

They are replacing the bridge over the creek down the street and they had all this dirt piled up, so disobeying all that yellow tape, me and my basket decided to have a photo op. The first time, I had a skein of brown/beige/white yarn where the berry yarn is now but it totally washed out in the harsh sunlight. So I came home and cooled off a bit and tried again. This worked better and besides a friend gave me a cold beer to celebrate success .

And just about the time that I finished the beer, it clouded up and it has just poured off and on all evening. So it's a good thing I didn't plan this for tomorrow. Somehow Red Mud Knitter just doesn't sound the same.

Cheatin' on the Saturday Sky

Cheating because I really took this picture on Friday evening on the way home from work. My workplace is in a park and even though there are a lot of trees, there's enough open area that you can really see the sky. I just thought that these clouds were cool. Today is bright and sunny, but rain is in the forecast for later. :::crossing fingers:::

Uhhh...oops?

Friday started out sooo nice. Our floors looked marvelous! Usually (because it's often one person doing it) when they mop and wax, they just mop and wax around everything. So water gets under filing cabinets and they rust, leaving icky looking places. Can't really tell around the tall filing cabinets, but the two-drawers by our desks have a tendency to scoot and if they are the least bit moved you can see the nasty bits. I learned tho that Bartender's Friend (I hope that's it's correct name) is really good at removing rust. So with the little cabinets out and tables out in the hall, they were able to clean all that up and everything just sparkled.

The guys came over to move things back and it was rather hilarious as we tried to figure out whose cabinet was whose. It was so nice to settle down to work in such a sparkling office.

Today was payday but there was a problem with the direct deposit thing so there wasn't any money deposited. Allegedly the money would be in our accounts by 5, but since the posting of the day ends at 3, I don't know if it's really there. Thank goodness I wasn't kiting checks!

I decided tho (gotta make something out of this) that it was a message that I wasn't to spend any money this weekend except maybe what's in my pocket, and that's not much. I'm good though...I have oatmeal and milk and hotdogs and chips (my weekend treat). And the kids have dog and cat food. And there is plenty of litter. Oh, and I have a whole package of trash bags! So I shall be a good girl and stay home and knit and sew and sort. *G*

It's Spreading Like Wildfire

So, yesterday afternoon time was spent moving anything movable into the hallway at work. And supposedly last night, plant services people were going to strip and wax our floors! Wooohoo! Amazing how many dead crickets and spiders were found when the guys with the dollies got done. Our office is right across from the golf course so there's lots of uhhh bugs and such in the environment. And they seem to like to come visit us. One of my job duties is spider removal. It would probably be cricket removal too, but I can't catch them.

We were told that they would come over this morning to put everything back together before we arrived, but I'm thinking that they are going to have no clue as to where things go. So it should be interesting. And the morning will pass faster because it will be different. And that's a very good thing because...it's Friday! Let the weekend begin!

It's All the Rage!

It's very strange. Oftimes I'll blog about something and discover that someone else is sorta thinking the same thing. Of course, more often than not, that's not happening.

But today I got finished with my work about 20 min before actual going home time. Well, there was still work, but nothing that could really be done in that length of time, so I took a break and read a couple of blogs. Everyone's talking about it, or doing it. Crazy Aunt Purl wants to. Ann, of Mason Dixon fame is doing it well. And I'm trying. And no, it isn't washcloths.

Decluttering! I don't have 18 bags full but I haven't been doing it full time this week. Tonight I just did a little bit. Cleared out one of the cabinets in the bathroom. A quick job since bill paying and playing with those little fabric squares were things I needed/wanted to do. But I was amazed at how much crap was in that cabinet. Gel with less than 1/4 inch in the bottle. 3 deoderant thingies that would have probably ripped me up had I tried to use them...there was barely a trace left. A bandaid box with one bandaid that seemed to be almost antique. LOL Oh and shampoo bottles with just a wee bit left and it wasn't as if they were really wonderful things that I wanted to keep forever..just dumb plastic bottles. But it's all gone now. I wonder what I was thinking. Revolution was gonna come and I was going to barter some congealed shampoo for yarn??? Who knows?

The Lost is Found!

yea!!! However before it got found I str8nd every drawer in my room, including the drawer that has all the odds and ends of life. I'm not sure why I was saving one blue glove considering that I didn't like them when I had two LOL.

Got all of that done and retired to the tub and had a nice soak. While I was in there, one of the cats sneaked into the closet to have a bit of a nap. When I opened the door all the way to put my shoes up, I scared her and she came flying out. And managed to knock down The Girl's bead box and the tissue paper that's in there for gift wrapping. It all landed between this little set of shelves and the giant ziploc that holds my winter jammies. And when I picked up the tissue paper, there was the little box of fabric, AND it was on top of the bead box so I guess Devorah and Cookie were both right! I'm not sure where it had been before...certainly not on the shelf it was supposed to be on, but maybe a cat had knocked it off before.

I'm still going to do all the sorting and cleaning though. Maybe even wash walls and shampoo carpet who knows. But now I have to go spread out fabric pieces *G*

That Does It...It's Time!

for some major decluttering around here! I wonder if Flylady would make a house call? It's not just one room, it's everywhere.

Early in the summer, I purchased some little charm packs from my local quilt shop. 5" square of fabric all from the same collection. The plan was to make a very simple summer cover. Just sewing the squares together, then backing them with muslin and tying. If there were any batting it would have to be something really thin and light. So I brought them home and spread them out and decided I really wanted something else in with them. I investigated and discovered that there was a charm pack of plaids that went with them. I waited to see if the LQS would get them too, but they didn't. The other day, while counting can money, I realized that I had enough $$ to order the plaid pack online. So I did. And today it arrived. Woohoo.

So I raced through supper and dishes while my regular cover was in the wash. The back of it is just white, so I thought I'd spread it out with the back side up for a neutral and have a lovely time arranging all the little squares just so, then kinda bundle them together for sewing. Cover got dry...I spread it out. Tossed the plaid squares on there and went to get the others....uhhhh where the ^$^&$$#@ are they? I knew exactly where they were! I'd made a pillow from some yardage of the same collection and those scraps were there. But the little charm squares? Nowhere to be found.

I consulted Cookie (just cause I ask her lots of questions about knitting, I thought I'd try). She said they were on top of my jewelry box. Nope. I thought maybe they were in the closet with my yarn. Nope. (but all the yarn is sorted *G*). I thought maybe it was on the shelf with some other fabric scraps left over from sewing projects. Nope, but that's all put away. They are just hiding very well!

And I realize that this place is a mess. Not really dirty but there is just too much stuff..or something. So, since several of my coworkers are on a diet and I'm not, I'll just put my house on a diet. And maybe, just maybe these little guys will turn up. :::crossing fingers:::

Now, I'm going to go knit on my socks. I DO know where they are. Thank goodness.

What a lovely morning

It's cooler here today. Here it is after lunch and it's only 90. What a nice, nice thing. Not that I've been outside much. Went out to get the paper and to take a picture and that's about it. Inside, I've been sewing and reading and baking. Quite the domestic one today.

I finished this bag that got cut out a long time ago. I figured that if I didn't finish it soon, I wouldn't get to use it until next spring as it's a bit too big for a sock bag. The socks know they get their pic taken on Sunday so they hopped up on it.

And now I'm playing with some fall fabrics. Not exactly sure what they'll be yet...but right now I'm having fun just moving them around..playing with the colors. You can see some of them in the basket..dang those socks are just everywhere. *G*

And I baked some zucchini bread. Ohhh it's just yummy! I was going to put a few blackberries in it, but this was a new recipe and I figured I should do it plain first.

Later today will be The Girl's family birthday party. She turned 12 yesterday. When did that happen? It wasn't that long ago that I could hold her and feel her breath on my neck as she slept..always clutching the tag in my..or her..shirt. She's remained just as sweet as ever although she is getting a bit of an edge. Which is as it should be.

To celebrate, I think I'll take a bit of a nap.

Saturday Sky

Saturday sky above my library. As you can see it was built in 1905 and was paid for by Andrew Carnegie. Fortunately nobody ever tore it down to build a modern one, because I love this one. There is a lot of marble in there, on floors, steps etc. The upstairs is the children's area and when I first visited the library that's where I headed. I thought it was the most magnificent building I'd ever seen. Well, it probably was since I grew partway up on a farm in Ohio, and then moved here when I was just old enough to go exploring on my own. It's not really old like buildings in the east, but we've only been a state since 1907 (the 46th). Brand new state...oh wait, you don't want to listen to me sing. *G*. Now the books are checked out by computer but until really recently I had a card...not like a credit card, but a cardstock card with my name on it and little boxes where they stamped the date due for however many books you checked out. Now if you want to see if a book is there, you check the computer. But not all of them are listed, so you can still use the wooden drawer card catalogs. I wish if they ever got rid of them, they'd give them to me. Fat chance!

I sometimes long for a big city library that had more books (especially knitting boooks) but I like that they know my name, and if something comes in that they think I'd like they'll tell me.
Life on the prairie.

Saturday without Sky

It's too early for Saturday Sky. I can see the moon in all it's sliveriness, and the sky is lightening, but not enough to show much in my viewfinder.

Soon, I will be outside weedeating. I am hoping that the physicalness of making things look a bit neater unlock my brain a bit. I sat down to knit on the socks last night and realized it was if I were sitting down to do a task. I don't want it to be like that. So back in their bag they went. The week was one of hurry up, and I want the weekend to be without deadlines.

I wish I had a month off to clean thoroughly and to have all the time in the world for projects. Alas, that's not going to happen so I'm going to pretend that I have all the time in the world this weekend and see what happens. Hopefully it doesn't turn into Nap Fest!

I want to do some sewing. I really WANT to sew, and I have some projects that it would be lovely to have complete. But I also want to experiment a bit with fabric for an idea I had. So that may go to the head of the list. Oh wait...there isn't supposed to be a list LOL.

We shall see. Now it's time to get into my grubbies and head outside before the sun warms things up way too much. Be back later!

Happy Thursday

Gee, I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted. I guess time flies when you're having fun. A stomach virus is making it's rounds at work, closely followed by a respiratory one. I had the pleasure of the first one Tuesday night and yesterday so not a lot has been accomplished except reading in the bathroom LOL. Feel just fine and dandy today though and a good thing as I'm sure my work is really piled up.

I did get the cuff knitted on sock 2, and a bit of the foot on sock 1 but they pretty much look the same. I suddenly have this need to try lace (probably in order to avoid Tay's hat...geez knitting with black yarn gets old fast) and Cookie gave me some ideas so maybe that will be the next slow moving project. I still love that shawl that I drooled over earlier but I think something smaller would be smarter for a first project.

We've had a bit of rain here this week. I took this pic at work, looking across the golf course. I liked this area better when it was just part of the park as there was a red fox that lived there and showed him/herself every once in awhile. Oh well, supposedly more money in the coffers with a golf course. Cool rain spout, eh? It was nice while it lasted but to be hot again the rest of the week. Maybe more rain on Sunday. Looks like early Saturday morning will find me outside doing just a bit of mowing. Both the front yard and the back still are barely there but the part between the sidewalk and street and the part between my driveway and the neighbors is pretty raggy looking. And goodness knows they won't mow it.

This is the Yarn that Dave Made

Wow! I picked this out Saturday morning, and it arrived at my house this afternoon, smelling lovely with the enclosed lavender. And can you believe this yarn? I had all intentions of picking out a multi colored skein but this one spoke to me. And I really do need blue socks! I took several pics but found it difficult to get one that shows the depth of color. I just hope maybe you got to see it at Cabin Cove. If I had more needles I think I'd start them right away. But perhaps it's better just to cuddle with it for awhile. And besides, I would really like to do something special (but not too hard LOL) with it.

Thank you Ann, and thank you Dave! Gotta run. We're having thunderstorms and it's cooler! Oh fraptious day!

I am a young rude thing, I guess

I spent breakfast time over at Laura's. Heh, it's good to know someone else loves these quizzes.

Here I thought I was quite well behaved and mature...well chronologically anyway.

I'd better work on the "lady" part so please excuse me, I have to go scoop litter. I'll get nicer as I get older, I'm sure.

You Are 28% Lady

You tend to make up your rules of etiquette, throwing all conventions aside. And while you try to be a lady (sometimes), your behavior is often quite shocking.

Are You A Lady?

You Are 22 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Weird Sunday

It started out normally enough. Then we had a waterline break in the street right outside so I got to watch giant equipment make big holes in the ground. And to learn just how thin streets are. And how you fix really old water lines. I feel redeemed since I used a similar tactic to fix plumbing in an old house I once lived in.

I needed to go to Walmart to get some ribbon so I could tie up my Favorite Color Pals package and all of a sudden the biggest truck and the digger thing left (must have been lunch time) so I scooted out and made a quick trip. Of course there was no help in the fabric dept. So off to automotive so they could page someone. On my way back to the cutting table I walked past a double stacked rack of fabric and a partial bolt of denim leapt off and hit me right in the nose! OMG I thought I was going to throw up. Nothing got broken, and I just have a red mark where my glasses dug in, but it feels like it's huge LOL. Left me with a nagging headache...well, nose ache...and a grumpy attitude so I didn't work on my 2nd sock. Instead I am knitting a "warshcloth" on sock needles cause it was too much trouble to go find long ones. And the reason for the pic is that I want you to see the nifty dpn holder Ann sent in my package. It was there in the pic but you can't tell what it is. There's elastic in between those green caps so it holds all the needles in a little bundle and no more will I find half my stitches in the bottom of the sock bag.

Time to finish watching the game and head for bed. Ya know, it's still hot...102 here this afternoon, but the light is changing. It's starting to at least look like fall is around the corner.

My Secret Pal

sent a package which I found tucked inside the storm door. There were eleventy seven stamps on it, and the return address was just a bit familiar. That mysterious person who was asking about Dave was the clever, tricky Ann! Was that just not too weird? I mean, out of all the folks in the swap that I didn't know, I was lucky enough to be hers. Must be karma, uh huh!

So...you wanna see all my newest treasures? Here ya go! That cool cloth bag is gonna be my latest sock bag...that means I have to start another pair *G*. Then we have some "rubber duckies" They have little suction cups on their bottoms so they'll stick anywhere or you can take the suction cup thing off and put them on top of a pencil. Now I'll really have my ducks in a row. In front of them are some ducky paper clips. To the left, on the blue card are charms...stars, butterflies, hearts and hopefully they'll become stitch markers although my wire wrapping sorta sucks. They are resting on a way cool mouse pad that's going to brighten my desk for sure! There is a little pink book on the right titled "The Woman's Book of Simple Delights (more than 20o everyday indugences). I've read it and they have really good suggestions for making every day a bit more special and you don't have to be rich to do them. Each page has 2 suggestions and it's going to be fun. Then in front, the yellow treasure is a washcloth. I remember when she made it and I admired it...little did I know. I have to go find out what kind of yarn it is...it's sooooo soft that I may just sleep with it! And just next to it is a bar of mango mandarin soap that has the best scent! Really fresh and clean. It was tucked inside the washcloth and the ribbon made it all snug.

Did I just luck out big time, or what??? Ann, you're a gem! And go tell her I said so!

Saturday Sky

An evening sky this time. The morning sky was really more of a picture of the sign outside the place where I had breakfast LOL

There's a Moose on my Desk!

Came home yesterday, scooped up the mail and put it on the desk. Did the feeding/watering/pet tending thing and checked eMail. Had an unsettling one to deal with and think about and then of course, there was the "milk run". So the mail slept quietly on the desk until this morning. As the computer booted up, I went through it. Cable bill, solicitation for 2 credit cards (not that they would approve me in reality..American Express, I don't think so LOL), information about a newly forming quilting group here, and.....an envelope with the famous Dave's addy on it. This is amazing. I even used the letter opener to slit the envelope! (I do that for really important stuff). And inside was this... how cool is that? Dave has sent me his business card! Aha, it's a fold-over card so I open it to read all the info fit to print and the first lines say.."Someone special has purchased a Gift Certificate for you" WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO

My color pal has come through in a really really big way. I'm gonna have me some Cabin Cove yarn!!!!!!!!! I'm so jazzed and feel like King Midas...err I guess that would be Queen Midas unless I get dressed up in some really butch clothing!

LOL I was going to scan the inside of the card so you could read it, but fortunately realized that my secret code number would be out there and someone else could get my loot.

I'm not sure when I will spend this. I love all of his yarns, but sometimes one just leaps off the screen and says "I want to be yours"! But until now, I wasn't able to grant that wish. So, I shall save it for that day. And in the meantime, I'll just look at the card and feel really, really smug. And wayyyyyy lucky!

k1p2 you are the best! And um, I'm thinking that you WILL tell me who you are????

It's So Wrong

I just came home from Walmart a few minutes ago. There was a need for milk, otherwise I would have not gone. But I waited until the sun was setting (It's 8:46 PM here) and the temp on the way home had dropped to 100.

I'm wondering if I can knit while soaking in the bathtub. No..probably not. Oh well.

Coffee and Thinks

I haven't done much, but I've thought about doing stuff. Does that count?

Thanks to a mention on Dave's blog, I visited Wildhorse Farm Designs and got this new sock pattern. It's called Hedgerow and I loved the look of it. Being a total klutz, I had a lot of trouble actually downloading the pattern but the person at Wildhorse was very nice and at last it's printed out and lying on top of the scanner. ::insert huge grin:: They have some super patterns and also feature Dave's yarn. LOL I feel like I know a celebrity.

I also love the Lorna's Laces Gold Hill yarn. I love the colors and I love the name because I used to have some penpals that lived on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset in England. A long story that, but I need to get ready for work and can save it for a day when I really have nothing to say. However, my budget doesn't allow for such a purchase right now:-( .

So I'm thinking of getting this from Knit Picks. They are both fingering yarns..so that should work, right? My only disappointment is that they are knit with 1 1/2 dpns and the newKnitpicks needles don't come in that size. I'm amazed at how much faster things happen with the cheap aluminum needles that I got at Hobby Lobby. But they don't come in 1 1/2 either. boo!It's called S'mores in the Memories line of yarn. Heh...makes me hungry just looking at it!

Another think. While in line to pay for groceries, I picked up an issue of Cottage Living magazine and was scanning through it. The line wasn't long enough so I bought it and brought it home. There was a really interesting article in it about Katrina cottages. One designer (Marianne Cusato) states "I wanted to create a more dignified version of the FEMA trailer" They are really innovative and attractive. I have this fascination about tiny houses...especially ones that were designed to be tiny, attractive AND functional. It's amazing what architects and designers can do...and what gets lost when you have big spaces to work in. Or, so it seems to me. My favorite of the ones shown is Katrina Cottage 2. It's on page 2 of that article. Buildable in 7 days, can withstand 140 mile per hour winds AND easily cleaned up after floods. You can remove your belongings and hose down the interior and then replace the electrical switches. Would give a whole new meaning (and one I would love) to spring and fall house cleaning. And switches are fairly inexpensive. And it's a cute creole style cottage. Go see it! And if you go to the main site check out that cool fridge ad on the lower right side. Nice!

I came home last night all enthused about sewing. I made a mistake though. After supper and dishes (doesn't take long to eat and wash up after oatmeal LOL) I took a bath...and started a library book. And that's as far as sewing went. But I had a lovely quiet evening reading and relaxing. I did manage to knit 4 rows on the sock while I watched a bit of news. The sock is going to report me to the Department of Sock Neglect. DSN ...a new acronym.

And last, but certainly not least, I found this over on Sprite's place and just had to take it.
And here I am...

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

They surely nailed me. I drink coffee from morning to night with iced tea and Dasani as a chaser LOL.

Are You Ready for Some Football!?!?!?

Yayyyyyyy tonight is the first preseason pro football game on tv. I LOVE football! I thought it was just the one game this week, but my tv guide says there are 5 games this week. Oh yessss...even if it's still hot, I can pretend it's a fall day (or evening) if I don't look or go outside!

I've only been to one game other than high school games. One time some friends took me to a Dallas/Redskins game. It was too funny. We were in nosebleed seats, and with my only football experience being on tv, it was hilarious trying to figure out who was doing what. Little bitty people way down there. And I was suprised that it was cold! But some hot chocolate fixed me right up..oh and my longggg Dallas socks helped too.

Once I had one of those really real dreams. The kind that after you awaken, you know it was a dream but stilll....it seems so very real. Anyway in this one, I dreamed that Boomer Esiason was my very best friend. I have NO idea where that thought wormed it's way into my subconscious. Such a goofy thing. I told a couple of friends about it and they'd hassle me if he wasn't doing well. "Susan, you need to call your friend Boomer and tell him ..yadda yadda." At Christmas time, I got some Jets keychains and such and put them under the tree, signing the gift tags as "Susan's friend Boomer" Maybe you had to be there! *G*

Been a fairly productive and, at the same time, relaxing afternoon. Sunday sock in it's bazillionth incarnation has a turned heel, and hopefully some gussets before picture taking time.

And now I've got to fix some supper so I'll be all ready for some FOOTBALL!

It Really Is a Saturday Sky

I didn't get dressed for photo taking until after lunch. I looked both ways for small boys on scooters, and then looked for something interesting in the sky. I found one teensy cloud. No wonder the thermometer looked like this.

I am soooo tired of this. I came back in the house; closed the curtains and put in a DVD of Murder She Wrote. I wanted to see Maine, or sea, or NYC or rain or anything but hot unrelenting sunshine! And I got my wish as most of the segments had either rain or wind or something. What you don't have the complete first year of that show on DVD? *G*

Damn him!

I wrote a rather long post full of nothing. Because that's about what I've accomplished lately. Mostly ripping out although the sock is still intact. Starting, frogging...dumping stuff. All I really managed to do last night was to watch Project Runway reruns since I wasn't sure what time the new episode came on. And then discovered Workout.

So after all of that, I went to bravotv.com so I could get links for those shows and of course the modem locked up. So I copied my post to put it in Word and save it...and Word locked up and I lost the post.

And, it's all Mel's fault! Phooey on you, Mel!