~~there's something happenin' here
what it is ain't exactly clear~~

with apologies to Buffalo Springfield which sang it much better. And yes, I was of age during protest songs. They helped shape who I am, I think, and often old lyrics pop into my head during the appropriate moments.

I seem to be past my SSS moments although that may be because I haven't worked on my sock. :-o But all around me, tempers and emotions seem to be on edge. In real life, in the blogiversary, it must have to do with the moon.

I have hope though, brought to me by Pink. No, not the singer, although I really like her..but the color pink and the person in my life most associated with that color. Because look what arrived in my mail box! A total surprise inside a shiny blue envelope. Look at all of these treasures. A Hello Kitty pouch now resting in my sock bag for the things I reach for most often. A new little notebook and a pen. How clever since I'd just used the last page in my old one. Sticky notes (can you ever have too many? Nope, especially since I use them to mark my place on patterns) Handmade stitch markers. Just the right size and not really dangly so they won't get stuck on the yarn. And nail clippers...much safer than rummaging in the bag for pointy scissors. Chocolate! There were two, the other one isn't pretty any more.

And, OMG, a hat for me. Knitted by a real person! It's my very first knitted gift. And..it fits! Yay me! The color is off in the picture but I can't seem to capture it. It's a very dark grape-y purple. And ever so soft. A gorgeous card. It really looks like you should be able to reach out and feel the petals.

And last, but by far from the least, Stickers! Except for The Girl, most think I'm too old for stickers. But I disagree. And obviously, so does Cookie. Thanks so much! You made my day!

And so, I smile. I have somewhere to live. I have things to do that I love. I can walk and talk and think. I have the most wonderful friends. And, I have new shiny stickers!

SSS

Second sock syndrome or Stupid Susan Syndrome? I just can't decide.

Happy that it was time to start the second Monkey sock, I got all comfy on the loveseat. Cats properly arranged. Pattern by side. TV tuned to Sunday morning news shows which require no actual watching. And I proceded to totally screw up the ribbing! WTF? How can you screw up ribbing? Well if part of the time you knit into the back of the stitch and part of the time you knit into the front it really doesn't look good. Honestly, I messed with this all morning and finally put it all back into the sock bag.

Afternoon arrived, and I switched to fabric mode. I got all the squares sewed up and attached to each other and discovered that I am still short. Not by much. I can't decide whether I want to order another packet of squares or figure out some sort of border that takes up about 8 inches. Or something. Only problem with a border is that I would have to cut it. And I hate cutting. I find it odd that using a guide and a new blade on the cutter I can still screw up stuff. However, it is farther along. And folded up neatly and back in the drawer.

Evening arrives. There is NOTHING on tv. I'm not a big fan of the Academy Awards, and besides I would have to keep looking up to look at people's dresses, or the lack thereof. A book on tape seems the answer. The batteries in the radio thingy are dead. I change batteries. It still won't work. I investigate. I put them in all backwards. That fixed, I settle in. I've listened to this book so many times that I can practically repeat it along with the reader. So no distraction, just some company.

Shazamm, the ribbing is done and correctly. I happily knit the first row. All is well. I start the second row. I screwed it up so many times that I finally just cut the yarn. I knit slowly and carefully. And still, I messed it up. Finally, in tears, I cut the yarn; stuffed it into an envelope and sealed it and put it at the bottom of the bag in case I need it later. I thought about smudging it, but figured I'd burn down the house. I thought about blaming it all on cough medicine. But that doesn't work for the morning fiasco.

Moving on, I tidied up the desk. Oh great. The checks I wrote for bills are still stacked neatly for mailing. And it's a short month. And they will probably all be late. :-0

At this point, my goofy mind was scaring me so I went to bed. And before I went to sleep, I realized that in spite of having a functional vehicle, the only place I'd been was to Walmart! Maybe I am turning into a hermit! But even so, it had been a fun weekend. I do love weekends!

Smoky Sky for Saturday

Hi, sorry to have been among the missing. I really wasn't, I just couldn't think of anything to say. Fortunately, this pic was really taken on Thursday. A planned grass burn that got a bit carried away with itself. No structures, or people or animals were injured. It did, however, impact my work as I spent a lot of time taking pictures outside. Grass fires=spring in Oklahoma. The wind today is a major problem. Wayyyyyyyyyyyy windy, but clear and in the 50s.

And while I've been gone, knitting has been happening. Behold Monkey #1. It still needs one more repeat to finish the leg. I can't tell you how much fun I am having with this pattern and this yarn. Dave..you really outdid yourself this time! I'm not going to set any speed records, but that's ok, because that just means I get to enjoy them longer. Hopefully this evening, I will get that last repeat done, and then start Monkey #2.

There's been other SUKCC going on also. I've been made aware that the hat I made for The Girl using some sort of cheap camo yarn has become a pawn in a power struggle between her and her older brother. So I thought I should make him one even though it's not really cold enough now to wear it. But I didn't have any appropriate yarn. Only worsted I had was turquoise. Or just left overs from other things. And since I've been without transportation, shopping wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Yes, I could have ordered something, but the night I decided to do it...I wanted to start it RIGHT THEN. I'm like that. So delving into the good yarn stash, which is mostly sock yarn, I realized I had some lovely varigated browns dyed by the infamous Dave. And, it was already wound into two yarn cakes. So...using two strands of sock yarn I started this hat. 2x2 ribbing and then plain stockinette. Hopefully it will fit him. As soon as it gets a bit bigger, I'll check it and try to figure out how far to go before the decreases start. And it's really really soft and pretty.

Today though, it's going to be sewing time. Way back some time ago, I stitched together some precut squares to make a summer quilt top. It wasn't quite big enough but I put off buying more squares because other things demanded my check book. This week, though, I discovered that the place I'd ordered them before Fat Quarter Shop had them on sale. So I ordered some and very quickly they arrived in the mail. And this morning, several more rows have been stacked for sewing. Originally, I tried to make sure that there weren't like colors touching. This time, I dumped them in a sack and just picked them out randomly. The colors and the simplicity of this quilt (in my brain, at least) sing to me of summer naps with that soft, soothing fan noise.

And there's another sewing project that I haven't quite figured out yet. I want to make a bag for my swift. Since it has to stay in a small closet, I don't want to risk damaging it by it tumping over. And besides...the fabric is here. I don't know what it was supposed to be originally but I think it will work well for this.

There's yarn in the mail, or so I'm told, so it's all quite exciting around here. And once I balance the checkbook and pay the latest batch of bills, I may have to go back to Walmart because I discovered an ever-so-cute Rubber Ducky bathroom trash can LOL

But, wait! Really important news! My vehicle is running again!!! I asked my friend Richard to call the mechanic and see when he could get to it. (Mechanic talks over my shoulder. If there isn't a male standing behind me, he talks to the wall! But he's very good and reasonable and I have other wars to fight). He said that it would be Tuesday or Wednesday before he could start it but in the meantime, could Richard check the solenoid which is somewhere under the car. This had been discussed before, but apparently, if it goes out...it goes out. The car isn't going to not start one day and start the next. But Richard checked and guess what. There's a wire that goes to it, and it was barely connected. Apparently on the days it wouldn't start, it had wobbled itself away from contact. And then, maybe because I was stomping and cursing inside, it wobbled itself closer and would start later. Until recently when it wouldn't even try. He tightened it up and so far, I have driven home from work and to the store this morning. And, on the way home I discovered that gas has gone up 20 cents since the last time I bought any. :-( That's just not fair!

Now off to the sewing machine. What are you going to do today??

Smoky Sky for Saturday

Hi, sorry to have been among the missing. I really wasn't, I just couldn't think of anything to say. Fortunately, this pic was really taken on Thursday. A planned grass burn that got a bit carried away with itself. No structures, or people or animals were injured. It did, however, impact my work as I spent a lot of time taking pictures outside. Grass fires=spring in Oklahoma. The wind today is a major problem. Wayyyyyyyyyyyy windy, but clear and in the 50s.

And while I've been gone, knitting has been happening. Behold Monkey #1. It still needs one more repeat to finish the leg. I can't tell you how much fun I am having with this pattern and this yarn. Dave..you really outdid yourself this time! I'm not going to set any speed records, but that's ok, because that just means I get to enjoy them longer. Hopefully this evening, I will get that last repeat done, and then start Monkey #2.

There's been other SUKCC going on also. I've been made aware that the hat I made for The Girl using some sort of cheap camo yarn has become a pawn in a power struggle between her and her older brother. So I thought I should make him one even though it's not really cold enough now to wear it. But I didn't have any appropriate yarn. Only worsted I had was turquoise. Or just left overs from other things. And since I've been without transportation, shopping wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Yes, I could have ordered something, but the night I decided to do it...I wanted to start it RIGHT THEN. I'm like that. So delving into the good yarn stash, which is mostly sock yarn, I realized I had some lovely varigated browns dyed by the infamous Dave. And, it was already wound into two yarn cakes. So...using two strands of sock yarn I started this hat. 2x2 ribbing and then plain stockinette. Hopefully it will fit him. As soon as it gets a bit bigger, I'll check it and try to figure out how far to go before the decreases start. And it's really really soft and pretty.

Today though, it's going to be sewing time. Way back some time ago, I stitched together some precut squares to make a summer quilt top. It wasn't quite big enough but I put off buying more squares because other things demanded my check book. This week, though, I discovered that the place I'd ordered them before Fat Quarter Shop had them on sale. So I ordered some and very quickly they arrived in the mail. And this morning, several more rows have been stacked for sewing. Originally, I tried to make sure that there weren't like colors touching. This time, I dumped them in a sack and just picked them out randomly. The colors and the simplicity of this quilt (in my brain, at least) sing to me of summer naps with that soft, soothing fan noise.

And there's another sewing project that I haven't quite figured out yet. I want to make a bag for my swift. Since it has to stay in a small closet, I don't want to risk damaging it by it tumping over. And besides...the fabric is here. I don't know what it was supposed to be originally but I think it will work well for this.

There's yarn in the mail, or so I'm told, so it's all quite exciting around here. And once I balance the checkbook and pay the latest batch of bills, I may have to go back to Walmart because I discovered an ever-so-cute Rubber Ducky bathroom trash can LOL

But, wait! Really important news! My vehicle is running again!!! I asked my friend Richard to call the mechanic and see when he could get to it. (Mechanic talks over my shoulder. If there isn't a male standing behind me, he talks to the wall! But he's very good and reasonable and I have other wars to fight). He said that it would be Tuesday or Wednesday before he could start it but in the meantime, could Richard check the solenoid which is somewhere under the car. This had been discussed before, but apparently, if it goes out...it goes out. The car isn't going to not start one day and start the next. But Richard checked and guess what. There's a wire that goes to it, and it was barely connected. Apparently on the days it wouldn't start, it had wobbled itself away from contact. And then, maybe because I was stomping and cursing inside, it wobbled itself closer and would start later. Until recently when it wouldn't even try. He tightened it up and so far, I have driven home from work and to the store this morning. And, on the way home I discovered that gas has gone up 20 cents since the last time I bought any. :-( That's just not fair!

Now off to the sewing machine. What are you going to do today??

I'm Purple Too

Found this over at Sara's place and of course, I had to find out what color I was also.

Your Brain is Purple

Of all the brain types, yours is the most idealistic. You tend to think wild, amazing thoughts. Your dreams and fantasies are intense. Your thoughts are creative, inventive, and without boundaries. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking of fictional people and places - or a very different life for yourself.

What Color Is Your Brain?

Now back to try and finish another Monkey repeat before I tump over for the night.

Things of Beauty

3 things here today that really, really made me smile.

First, was my swift. You have no idea the adventures I've had using chair backs, chair arms, my arm bent..the list goes on. To actually have it is wonderful, but besides that it's such a pretty thing. I was really impressed with the quality. Not that I've compared, but the wood is lovely and smooth and it works and I adore those wooden screws that hold it to the table and hold it open. Too pretty.

Second was my orchid. The sun was shining on it and it just glowed. I think it needs to be in a bigger pot but I'm kind of scared to mess with it. It looks as though it's potted in sphagnum moss in a plastic drink cup. But I can see it's roots winding their way through the little styrofoam peanuts they used for drainage. I'll have to read up.

And last but certainly not least...and maybe at the top of the list is this sock. Kitchenered. A bit of tension adjustment could have been done but it's far and away the best Kitchener-ing I've ever done. Kudos to Susan, she rocks! And I am soooo excited! These printed out pages are already in sheet protectors and soon I'll be printing out another set for just-in-case.

Saturday Sky 02172007

Look! Blue skies! The sun wasn't really all the way up, but I was afraid if I waited, clouds would thicken. So far though, it's bright and sunny. Cold, with a north wind, but it's supposed to warm up later on. Even if it doesn't...the SUN IS OUT! After many days of overcast skies, it's a real treat! It's making me very happy.

Yesterday I arrived home to find the swift that I'd ordered from Joann's on my porch! Totally amazed, since the last time I ordered from them it took 3 weeks. Now if the Knitpicks order will get here, I can have some winding fun. Yay

This would have been here earlier, but I mistakenly posted it to Sunday Socks...guess I was anticipating a bit of knitting :-0

Saturday Sky 02172007

Look! Blue skies! The sun wasn't really all the way up, but I was afraid if I waited, clouds would thicken. So far though, it's bright and sunny. Cold, with a north wind, but it's supposed to warm up later on. Even if it doesn't...the SUN IS OUT! After many days of overcast skies, it's a real treat! It's making me very happy.

Yesterday I arrived home to find the swift that I'd ordered from Joann's on my porch! Totally amazed, since the last time I ordered from them it took 3 weeks. Now if the Knitpicks order will get here, I can have some winding fun. Yay

This would have been here earlier, but I mistakenly posted it to Sunday Socks...guess I was anticipating a bit of knitting :-0

Thursday In the Park with Susan

There's a lake here in town, and every year a lot of geese arrive to spend the winter. Along with a ton of ducks that hang out here. Occasionally they decide that it would be better to spend the day in the park. These aren't the greatest pics because they were a bit camera shy and I don't have the greatest telephoto capabilities. But I love it when they come to visit. And thanks to my friend Mac who drove me around to take pics.

Interrupted Knitting

Last night after a fun phone chat with Sara, I got all comfy with the one row scarf and Criminal Minds. Knitted happily through that and on to CSI NY. And that's when I discovered...Trace Evidence. At first I had no idea what it was, but I didn't have to call in a criminalist to discover that my needle was uhhh shedding?

I had noticed that one of them looked scratchy but I thought that was probably logical. I wasn't expecting this. I think a phone call to Knitpicks is in order. Or is this to be expected?

Love and a Challenge

I really do love y'all! Valentine's Day isn't a problem for me like the Christmas advertisements were. Sunday, at Walmart with The Girl and Mac, I picked up a pot of tulips that were still in bud and put them in my basket. The Girl confided that those were really for people to buy and give to their girlfriends or wives. And so...a bit of a feminist lecture ensued :-), the gist of which was that one should never wait for someone to buy them flowers. She appeared to think this was a good idea..or else she was being too polite to mention that once again Susu was being weird. /shrug.

But there is a Valentine's Day Challenge brought to us by that ever blonde Sprite! Go see! Her words are too good for me to paraphrase. My coworkers are getting pencils...with Cinderella on them! I do so love kiddie Valentines. If you, like me, are vehicle-less, or like Ann..snowed in (and I'm soooo jealous!) it's still a great idea. Can't deliver cookies (or can't bake)...doesn't matter. Call someone that you haven't talked to in awhile. Heck just smile at someone.

I had an interesting exchange at work yesterday. One of my duties is to go to the hospital several times a day to deliver or pick up stuff. My first run was a bit late and when I got to the lab, one of the lab people commented that she was afraid maybe I was sick or something. She said that she looked forward to seeing me every morning because I was so happy all the time. I laughed and told her that sometimes it was fake, but as the AA adage says, " Fake it till you make it" But then I realized and shared with her that I really am pretty happy most of the time and I think, in some part, it has to do with age. As I get ever older, I realize that I don't have as many days left as I did before, and I'd better enjoy each of them. And, since much of my hours are spent at work, I really do try to have a good time. Now, since most of you haven't been around me in rl, trust me...I can really throw a tantrum. And I can get really really pissy. And I can be quite snarky. No Pollyanna here. And I know that depression is a REAL disorder...trust me, I know this :-). but sometimes I think we get to choose. And I choose to laugh.

Jeez, this was supposed to be all about Sprite's challenge and I took off on a side path. Go read, go do, and remember...I love ya!

An evening out, and a wagging tail

Yes, me...out in the evening! Whoa! But lest you get too excited, let me just explain that it was an evening out with The Girl..at the library! It seems they have a tween book club thing but they also have the girls bring their mom, aunt, teacher, whatever female adult they choose. And she chose me reportedly saying "I'll bring Susu. She likes weird stuff" LOL. It wasn't weird at all, and I was glad that I had actually finished the book...umm while eating supper. The odd thing is that The Girl love the library, but says she doesn't like to read. ::shrug::: I dunno.

It was fun listening to the young ones discuss the book and relate it to their lives. The moderator, or whatever you call the leader, did a good job of asking leading questions. And The Girl somehow managed to tie her Dad into a book about a girl saving buffalo. His stay in Afghanistan has been extended for who-knows-how-long..certainly not him. And she's very upset about it. I really thought her silly social self paid little attention to the news but on this I am wrong. And she asks him questions, and apparently he answers truthfully but without a lot of details. I hate it that she has to worry about something other than what shirt to wear to school.

Anyway, we did that and since there wasn't a lot of knitting time left once I got home, I decided to work on the gusset for the Seriatim sock. It was gusset day. I didn't think I'd get it done, but I could at least start it. But before that, I sang to the dog. shut up...she thinks I sing beautifully!
And that's why I sing to her. Usually silly songs that I make up as I go along. So, I get out the sock and put it on my lap, and then start the singing. A song about a goofy dog that can't go to the library. And she's wagging her tail and either having a good time or being polite. But, it involves much tail wagging and she has a big tail. And unknown to me the sock falls off my lap, the needle falls out and the tail wagging catches the yarn. Enough said. but the heel flap is reknitted. *G*

I am getting such a kick out of this day-by-day tutorial. I think it would be fun to do a mystery quilt block sometime. What can I say...I'm easily entertained.

Oh there is a bit of big news. Yesterday I ordered a swift! Had a 40% off coupon from JoAnns and I decided it's time! Of course, now I'll have to order some yarn so I can try it out.

Anything new in your life?

In The Meantime..

I called my sort of LYS from work the other day, and they were willing to send me some #1 dpns through the mail, so Kalidescope went back into the bag for a bit.

Now, I could have knitted furiously on my scarf, but no. I was in sock mode, and stumbled into this rather brief KAL over at I'm Knitting As Fast As I Can . She's got to be a really nice person, since her name is Susan! And fun to think that while I was struggling with a yarn over that came right before an ssk (I kept losing it), maybe someone else was having the same trouble. Or not. At any rate, I finally got it together and I am all caught up. With only one sock because I didn't have enough of the right sized needles to knit 2 of these bad girls at the same time.

Yarn: A nice sort of khaki green wool whose name has been long forgotten (maybe Brown Sheep). Stash yarn, probably 3 years old. It was part of another project and I was sold a lot more than needed so it's languished in the bottom of the wool basket for some time just waiting for it's chance to see daylight again.

Needles: #6 dpns. I wonder why the less expensive needles only come 4 to a package? Hey maybe that's why they are less expensive!

Pattern: Susan's Seriatim

I spent much of yesterday housekeeping. I truly enjoy nesting. And when that wasn't being done, I was having a really good nap. It was a very tiring week both physically and mentally and it was ever so lovely having a day in which communication involved listening to the radio and occasionally talking to the animals.

I'd planned on making a trip out for groceries...well, milk and tea LOL and managed to talk myself out of even that. What was rather weird though was that I had some other things on my list. Not really needed things, but a couple of things I wanted. Like another binder. And some Little Smokies. Imagine my surprise this morning, when I discovered an empty binder that is just the right size in my bookcase. And, when getting out ice, I discovered that I had some Little Smokies in the freezer. Gee, if I stay in all day today, will milk appear?

During nap time, the mail man arrived bearing two bills and my needles. I think they almost cancelled out the bills as I wasn't expecting them to get here until Monday. And here is how far I've gotten on the new version of Monkey. Hopefully I will at least get the ribbing done today. This evening will have to be scarf knitting because I can't imagine trying to watch the Grammys and count stitches at the same time.

Hope your weekend is treating you well. Whatcha up to???

Helper (?)Kitty

One more repeat was accomplished with difficulty. Between Hershey, who apparently either likes the yarn or the pattern, and an intense Criminal Minds, it was a toss up as to whether I would go to bed with another round complete. I must be a real creature of habit. The cats were off on their own somewhere in the house, but the minute I picked up the knitting bag, here they came. Pick up bag=she'll be sitting there for a long time so we better stake out our spot quickly.

ShutUpAndKnitYourCabinCove

Part 1. Well not really. I started out thinking I was going to use one pattern, then switched to another pattern, but that one didn't show up well. So I settled on a 3rd. This is my first attempt at knitting something other than 2x2 ribbing and whoa is it ever fun! I'm knitting Monkey from the winter 06 Knitty. And it's also written in words instead of only having a chart. It took me all evening to get this far since I was going really slowly and carefully. And so far, no miscounts, no mistakes, no tinking. However, when I stuffed my foot through it to see how the pattern looked when it wasn't all scrunched up I made a rather important discovery. I think it's too big! Maybe it's too soon to tell? Maybe I need to do a swatch????? But even too big, it's surely pretty! I love the 1x1 twisted rib ribbing. I love how the colors shift sideways. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE this yarn. Absolutely no splitting or any other little traits that make knitting more difficult. It's a good thing there is no time limit on this KAL because it will, at this rate, be quite awhile before I have one sock, much less two. But it's just soooo much fun!

FOs and UFOs

Here is the scarf I started last night using the Yarn Harlot's one row scarf pattern. Every row is the same, so it will be good tv knitting, or just a couple rows of knitting before work. And since the yarn is chunky, maybe I'll get to wear it before Easter. Not that I know when Easter is this year. Perhaps I should check on that. Deadlines and all, you know.

Honesty may be the best policy but it's a bit embarrassing. After loving the last pair of fingerless mitts (and geez perhaps I should have taken their picture before I'd worn them the last five days or maybe I did) I decided that I should learn to make whole mittens. With thumbs and everything. Because I truly lust after Devorah's Fair Isle mittens. And because perhaps knowing how to make a mitten would be needed before I even considered learning Fair Isle. So...mittens here I come. I chose a little pattern that made practice mittens with small amounts of yarn. That I have. And obviously, I'm going to have to practice more. A video of me making these would score big on YouTube I'm afraid. At times I felt like a contortionist as I worked on the thumbs and the tops aren't much better. Can I say I was in a hurry??? No wait.... I did this in order to give all beginning knitters much courage. Surely they can do better than this! But hey, they are my first ones and will keep a teddy bears paws warm. And she can stash jelly beans in the thumbs. Did I tell you that I got a bag of jelly beans yesterday? Ha! I surely did, partially to console myself that once again Candyopolis didn't have BBBat suckers, and partially because I like jelly beans. All different flavors so every one is a surprise. Is it chocolate or watermelon or bubble gum or cherry? Such the adventure.

I started my Kalidescope Shut Up and Knit Your Cabin Cove socks this morning. Well I started one. But I'm still on the top ribbing, so I'll wait until I get into the pattern to show them off. At the last minute I totally changed my mind about the pattern I was going to use. Maybe because this one actually starts with ribbing, and I love 2x2 ribbing for some reason. It's just tidy. I can't knit more on them for awhile because my back really started throwing a fit. Sitting was no longer an option, but standing up wasn't bad so I tidied up the pantry and took out the trash and other assorted exciting things. Thanks to legal drugs though, it's much improved although I think I have about reached my sitting limits once again. I'm not sure though that my brain is entirely rational or functional. I baked one of those little cans of biscuits and happily loaded a couple with butter and what I thought was grape jelly. but umm, when I took a bite I discovered that I had loaded them with barbeque sauce. ewwww not the expected taste treat. But hey, the jelly and the bbq are both in squeeze bottles. Anyone could have made that mistake, right?

I think I'll go lie (lay?) down now and watch some more forensic stuff. laters....

Saturday, Sisters, and Shoes

It was a verrrry long week here on the prairie. Besides being end-of-month which means lots of addtitional things that have to be done now, one of our trio was gone. My dear friend and co-worker Jackie was at the bedside of her hubby who was having some time in the hospital. She actually said she'd rather be at work. And I don't blame her for that, and I wish she was there also. She does the bulk of phone answering, among a lot of other things. So I got that job. I always smile when I answer the phone as I've heard it makes your voice sound more friendly, but by the end of the days I was hoping that a grimace would work as well. I laughingly told someone I was going to change my answering blurb to Name-of-Business, this is Susan and would you just leave us alone???

Thursday night after I had my supper, I thought I would just stretch out on the loveseat and watch This Old House and then knit. It was 7 pm. I next awakened at 9:30, knitting still in my hand and no stitches lost. Up long enough to have a chocolate donut, a drink of water and off to bed where I slept until 5 the next morning!!

So, I was looking for a stay at home Saturday but that changed in a major way. Back at the first part of January, I mentioned that The Girl had been cyber-reunited with her dad (he's in Afghanistan). As the days went by, she also discovered that she had 3 sisters, all of whom had known about her for sometime. Thanks to My Space they were able to see each other and chat there as well as on the phone. A meetup was planned and replanned and replanned due to the winter storms. But yesterday here they came with their mom. One is a bit older than The Girl(from a prior relationship on Dad's part), one also almost the same age and sharing the same name, and a toddler. It had been decided that the plan would be to go out and eat and do a mall crawl. I mean...they are teen and tween and shopping is THE thing to do! So Friday evening The Girl calls and says "Susu, I really wish you'd go with us. They know all about you and want to meet you too" I was so honored to be included so Saturday morning, I got all slicked up..ok my jeans were clean, and went down the street to my friend Mac's (and The Girl's great aunt and where she and her brother spend most of their time) await their arrival. What a great group of kids and I adore their mom. She's a really good one, and lots of fun. The older girls were very friendly and included us grownups as if we were a real part of the day. I admit to being a bit scared of teenagers LOL. And the toddler is such a cutie and a real trouper at the mall.

While in Claire's, a jewelry/accessory store much loved by The Girl, I was happily checking out all the Hello Kitty stuff when the middle one called me over to check out a Hello Kitty skin for an iPod. I told her I didn't have an iPod yet, and without batting an eye she said "Well, just remember where you saw this so after you save up and get one, you can get one of these too" A number of times I would hear one of them remark about a price "Like I'm going to pay this much!" even when it was a fair amount so it wasn't one of those buy me, buy me sort of days.



I did make some purchases. A pair of shoes for only $14. Fit great and really comfortable. The ice and ice melt have played havoc with my shoes. I really, really wanted the Chuck Taylor navy pin-striped high tops though!!! Just not in my budget right now. And a new wallet thingy..on sale for $3. At least I should be able to see it in my bag. My other was black and would disappear and scare the heck out of me. And some Lion Brand Chunky Woolease on sale for $3 a skein so I'll make a scarf for me!. And, perhaps best of all, a new addition to my rubber ducky collection. Check this out! Lots of fun for $1.99. She's going to grow today although the instructions say it will take 72 hours for her to completely grow up. And then, when you take her out of the water, she'll gradually shrink back to little bitty.

The very best part of the day was watching the girls interact. They were delighted with each other and lots of giggling went on. As well as use of cell phones so that sister could talk to other sister's boyfriend. This whole thing had the potential for being an emotional disaster. And it was as far on the other end of the spectrum as one could imagine.

In the center of this mall was a children's area and they even had a carousel. I loved the colors on this rabbit, and couldn't pass up a pic of this self-sufficient kitty *G*

There is almost some knitting to show. I have to finish up one thing and then I'll be back later, so stay tuned for more excitement LOL