What a freakin' weekend!

Let me just say right now, this was a weekend that I never want to repeat in my life! Just annoyance after annoyance with dabblings of depression, anxiety and lots of WTF!! If you read my Friday posting you pretty much know that night ended in emotional upheaval loaded with tequila. *uggg, my stomach quivers just at the word*I spent Saturday sweltering in my house because the AC went out *does her best Wicked Witch impression... I'm meeelllttttiingggg*. The depression from Friday night seems to be dragging on with every little things that reminds of me of Mr. X and has me in tears. I seem to be getting slightly worse with that instead of better. I think I know why too *I'm mean, besides the fact that he squashed my heart and it hurts the a MoF**ker*

These last few months I have engrossed myself in completed my portfolio and studying for the assessment test for National Board Certification *and the main reason why I was going for that was because I THOUGHT I was going to be moving to the Chicago area... color me stupid!* This weekend marked the ending of my over-saturation with technology, collection development and literature. Now that I have no studying to really fill up my alone time those memories are hitting me really hard. I'm usually OK when I'm at work, out with friends or family, or hanging with my knitting groups. It's those moments when I'm alone that are the toughest. It sucks! I know my therapist is probably going to suggest medication for the depression, but I don't want to go there. One reason is because I want to get through all this pain so that I can remember to be on guard and not such a trusting dumb ass in the future. Secondly, I don't want to deal with the sexual side effect *yeah, not like I'll be getting any of THAT anytime soon either* or the weight gain. I have enough problems with my weight, I certainly don't need to add to it!

Anyhoo, I spent Sunday cleaning my little house because I had invited my older sister and her family over for a grill out. Nothing spectacular, but I had a craving for lamb chops and my potato salad *I make a mean potato salad* And since I needed to be home Monday for when the AC man came out it just made sense to invite them over. So this gave me an excuse to give the house the detailed cleaning I've been neglecting because I have been putting so much energy in National Boards, and it gave me an excuse to clear off all my portfolio stuff from my dining room table and take it back! Frisco tried to help, but was easily distracted.
That is one of his favorite toys.
So Monday I grilled lamb and chicken legs *yummy* and I made my potato salad along with baked beans, corn and mandarin orange salad. Almost a good day, I put the beans on the grill to soon and by the time the chicken was done the beans were burned! *grumble-grumble* Luckily I had another can in the pantry that I was able to pop in the microwave. Had to, my niece called me earlier that day and asked for them! After dinner I tried to teach Gabriella how to knit *heaven help me* I was not easy considering every two seconds she was up and in front of the TV watching the Amanda show *apparently prime time entertainment for the kiddies*. By the time they left, I think she got the hang of knitting. We'll see what the working piece looks like next time I'm at her house.

As if that wasn't enough, this morning was the morning of the BIG test. Some higher power really did NOT want me going to testing center this morning. *Here's where the WTF factor comes into play* My alarm clock goes off, but the time isn't lit up. *You would think that would have set off alarm bells, but nooooooooooooooooooooooo* I hit the snooze button and rolled over. Thankfully, the alarm rang again and this time my brain registered the fact that the time was not flashing on the clock and that my room was unusually warm. I attempt to flip on the TV to watch the Weather Channel. No TV *brain still not fully functioning* I try to turn the fan on... nothing. Flip the light switch... nada *brain screams WTF!?* My first thought was "what the hell did the AC man do to my electricity." I stumble out of bed and into some clothes and walk around the house to try every light switch and racking my brain for where I might have a working flashlight. (my house can be like a cave, not much natural light due to lots of trees). I find a flashlight *Alleluia! It worked too!!* Nothing from the breaker box. Try looking around the neighborhood, but can tell much. Dig out the cell phone and call BGE. That's when the brain goes berserk! *Oh my god, did I pay the electric bill? I know I have been severely preoccupied, but I'm sure I paid it.... didn't I?? And of course I can't check my online banking because I have no electricity!* Turns out the whole block was out. No idea why. But when I get back from taking the test everything was working again. *yes, I paid my BGE bill, of course I checked after that panic attack*

So, after the test we all went out to lunch to celebrate. We needed it after that test. That was another WTF! for the list. I'm pretty confident that I did OK, but I was pretty confident about other things in my life and boy did they blow up in my face! Unfortunately there is nothing I can do but sit and wait. Results from the whole process don't get announced till sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas! Then I have to decide... well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I'm still shooting for not having to decide anything because I will have earned enough points to not have to think about that bridge!

So there we all are at the Olney Grille. All expressing our "WTF was that test" and of course drinking. *yes, amazingly after Friday I was able to down three beer at lunch - well shit, I wasn't going back to work after THAT test*

Afterwards, I was seriously drained and needed a pick me up. So I went to the local Borders and guess what section I ended up in?

*Shame on those of you that thought I would be in the sexual content area! ... I was too drained for even those stories *wink* not to mention not really in that playful state-of-mind*

Here's what I came home with:

I even went next door to JoAnne's and picked up fabric to line my Larger Than Life bag with... when I get done with crocheting and putting all the pieces together that is. I still don't know how I want the straps. And I managed to walk out without spending a dime on yarn! *definitely a miracle for me* I am looking forward to summer, knitting and mindless reading.

Larger than Life squares

Note to self - you really shouldn't blog while intoxicated. Hopefully I remember that in the future. Damn, I still miss him *sigh*

Moving on...

I have finished my squares for the Larger than Life bag. Here they are!! I finished last night and blocked them! I have no idea which squares I will put together. If you have a suggestion let me know! I have started on the sides and bottom piece last night, so needless to say I will not be sewing in the lining this weekend liked I had hoped, but my sister did say she would help me with that part!

I'm sweltering in my house right now. The AC went out yesterday. I can home Friday night from Girls' Night Out and turned on the AC for the first time this year. Luckily, it worked fine that night *thank goodness since I seem to get extra heated when I drink* Yesterday, I got up, lounged around for a bit then went out to the cut the grass. When I came in from cutting the grass... no air! So I made my phone call and luckily they are sending someone out tomorrow afternoon! Yipee.

DAMN HIM!!

Girlfriends and tequila (*too mucch tonight*) are the things that get me through when the feelings become too much... and not always in that order.

Can someone please tell me when does the hurt and crying end? My therapist keeps telling me that loss is a three month ordeal. Well, it's been three months! And I still cry when I think of him and what we had together. And what he threw away! How does a man ask you to be his wife in August and then in February, call everything off. I mean everything - the engagement, the relationship, and the friendship - everything. I still don't understand how someone can just totally turn off their emotions like that. He threw away the best damn thing he had as if it was one of his cigarette wrappers.

Some days I have such rage inside me over what Mr. X did that all I want to do is smash stuff. I just want to pick up my glass or the bottle (and there were... ok, ok still are, plenty of empty ones around my house) and throw it against the wall in a fit of anger and watch the smashed bits scatter. I feel like nothing else will calm this rage. I know some people can walk, run or bike off their anger. Not me. Nope. I want to smash things. Of course my waist line would much prefer that I turn to physical activities to relieve anger - maybe I should take up boxing! Then I can put Mr. X's picture on the bag and pound away... *the wheel begin turning as I try to figure out where I can hang one of those punching bags* Unfortunately, that's not really me either, too bad. I haven't felt this kind of rage inside of me since I was in high school. The asshole wrote me a "Dear John Jane" email and send it to my work email address! And yes, I was AT WORK when I read it, so I'm sure you can image what the rest of my day was like! He didn't even have the freakin' courage to do it over the phone. It was a long distance relationship, so face-to-face really wouldn't have happened, of course I wonder if he would have had the cahones to do that had we been living within driving distance of each other.

Then there are days when my mind just wonders to the times we spent together. The conversations we shared. The laughter. The hopes. The secret smiles. The winks that warmed me. The touches that tightened my belly. The plans we had made... and then the pain starts and the tears follow. Like now. Damn him! Damn, damn, damn, damn!

Shit, I walk around my house and there are little things all over the place that remind me of what we had together. I go grill out on the deck and I can picture him fixing the gate that swings off my back deck. I go to the basement and I remember him playing with Frisco and fixing the closet doors. I sit down and watch TV and remember him dragging me to Best Buy so he can buy a bigger TV for me because my ex-husband got the big TV in the divorce settlement. I sit on the couch and remember us snuggling together watching the new TV. Hell, I can't even sit in my bathroom and not think of him because he installed the toilet paper holder for me and he bought me these great, thick bath towels. And when I'm in my bed... that's the hardest... I remember all the intimate times we shared there.

How did something that felt so right, I mean more right than anything else in my life, go so wrong? I tend to be a pretty good judge of character and my gut (woman's intuition, 6th sense - whatever you want to call it) is pretty dead on when it comes to people. Now granted, I don't always listen to it. There have been times were I would swear it was wrong and ignore it, but in the end... IT was always right... except this time. This time... I don't know what happened, but IT was so wrong. So very, very wrong. I don't know how else to explain it.


Back when he was starting to get more serious about his feelings, I was very hesitant. I was living in my sister's basement, looking for a house to buy, going through therapy, and waiting for my divorce. Needless to say, I was not out looking for love, or a relationship, just a friend that I could talk to and wasn't trying to give me "divorce advice". I was worried about how I was going to survive a mortgage payment and bills in an outrageously priced living area on my measly teacher salary! But one night I had this dream, I was house hunting (go figure since that was what consumed most of my time when I wasn't at work... ok, so I'm no saint and yes I searched for house in the Internet while I was at work too! You happy now?) and the set up of the house was really weird, but that's not the important part. Mr. X was in this dream and he knew my affinity for horror movies. Anyway, he grabbed my hand, "I want to show you something," and he pulled me toward this huge painting hanging on the wall. He took his finger and slide it over a portion on the frame and then pushed an area... (now if you were paying attention to the fact that I admitted I like horror movies you can see what's comin')... A secret passage was revealed behind the painting and before I could take it all in, Mr. X tightened his grip on my hand and took off running down the passage. As we were running, I could feel something (yes, something, and no I did not look behind me to see what it was) tapping at my shoulder. But Mr. X was running and he had a grip on my hand, so I was running behind him laughing. He was holding my hand as if he would never let it go. Shortly after that I woke up, but when I woke up I had this overwhelming feeling that I was safe, that I was protected, that he would protect me. That he would never let go of me. That dreams and that sense of security and sureness I felt when I woke up that morning (and no, that was some adverse affect from drinking or drugs) is what made me take the chance and open up my heart to him.



*dramatic pause here....*


.....



DUMBASS!! Color me stupid!

Wow, apparently my IT and my dreams conspired against me!


Of course, now I wonder how will I ever trust IT again. Hell, how will I ever trust another person again. I trusted him with my heart and this is what I have to show for it...

My mom keeps telling me "You have to let it go" and how come I didn't cry this much when I ended my marriage. Yes, I ended it - a story for another time perhaps. What she doesn't know is that I cried in my marriage for years. Her and I just never had that kind of relationship where I felt very comfortable sharing that kind of stuff with her. Of course in her mind, she doesn't understand why I wanted out of that marriage to begin with - and I won't go into that now either, let's just say my mother is very old world when it comes to the idea of marriage. But for fuck's sake the ex and I had been legally separated for almost 2 years and divorced now for 6 months. It doesn't get more over then that without a funeral!


The purpose of relationships is to learn to know someone, really know them and love them. I know that sometimes, we can never really know a person, that sometimes there is something that we just never see, because we love them. Sometimes I think I knew him better than he knew himself. Sometimes I wonder if that is what scared him...

Time to crawl in to bed and pass out. I'm going to regret all that tequila in the morning.

Crocheting and Plants

Crocheting
Hello everyone in Blogland! Here's a quick look at what I have been working on with the crochet personality. *having muliple craft personality disorder can be a real biotch sometimes* My crochetting personality has been the dominant personality this week, so not much news on the knitting front.

First up: The Larger Than Life Bag. Here are the squares that I have so far. I'm not totally crazy about them and considering frogging a few to start over. Can you tell I really liked the green yarn? *laugh* I think that's what's throwing me off, too much of one color. I also need to figure how to tone down some of the brighter colors with a complimentary darker color to that my bag doesn't turn into the Louder-than-Life bag *laugh* I'm using KnitPicks Merino for this project. I reworked some of the squares last night, but didn't take an updated photo because I was feeling lazy. I am hoping to finish the squares off by Friday so that I can go pick out fabric and a zipper this weekend. Then I'm going to bribe my older sister with a pitcher of Margaritas to help me with the sewing and lining *giggle*



Next up: Stained Glass Afghan from Vanna's Afghans A to Z: 52 Crochet Favorites. Here's the reason to call me crazy *giggle* I have to make 357 of these squares! 357!! But it looks Oh-so-pretty. I have been wanting to make this afghan for years and actually had the yarn for YEARS! I've had the yarn so long that they no longer make most of the colors! So, I guess it's good that I'm a stash ho :) *LOL* Did I mention I have to make 357 of these little squares!

Here's how many I have so far...


6 down, 351 more to go *falls over* I'm pretty sure it's safe to say it will be a while before I post an update on the blanket *giggle*

Plants
My Lipstick Plant has bloomed!! I get so excited each year when this plant blooms. This plant requires such little maintenance and it producing the cutest looking flowers.

I'm sure it helps that I have huge windows in my library and we get lots of natural light! I have lots of houseplants in my library and the kids love 'em! Here's my Purple Passion *I just love that name*

7 Random Things

TAG YOUR IT! *boy does that bring me back to my childhood*giggle*

I have seen the randoms list on so many people's blogs over the last few days. It really is amazing to see how things travel around the Internet. I have been tagged by PHD Knitter

The Rules: Each person tagged gives seven random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs seven facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and need to read your blog.

1. I have lived in three different states. I grew up in New York, just outside the Big Apple, and lived there till I was 25. Then I moved to Carrollton, Georgia *you seriously learn to spell h-u-m-i-d-i-t-y when you live there*. I moved to Maryland in 2001. I was suppose to move to Illinois next, but that's a story for another day.

2. Between the ages of 5 - 17, I visited Westchester Medical Center ER more times then I care to remember. Here's the list of why -- I was 5 and didn't exactly listen to my dad. *go figure* Dad was putting new shingles on the roof and I ran by the ladder he was on. Just as I was approaching the ladder, it wobbled a little and my father let go of the shingle packet in order to hold on to the ladder, not realizing I was inches away until I screamed when the heavy packet of shingles hit me. I have no idea how it fell on my leg and not my head. I remember getting off my swing set to go talk to a neighbor and then I don't remember anything till after the doc put the cast. All I remember of that hospital visit was screaming "Don't kill me!" when the doc was approaching me with a knife to cut the cast around my toes so I could wiggle them. Yeah, my father turned 7 shades of embarrassment and I think the doctor started laughing. Other visits include stitches in my forehead when I ran into a wall corner and split my head open - stitches under my chin when I slipped and smacked my jaw on the cast iron sink that was in the basement room - a loose tooth that wouldn't stop bleeding and I refused to let my parents put their fingers in my mouth to pull it out *which is all the ER doc did and when I asked for my tooth back for the tooth fairy the doc laughed and said this tooth already cost the tooth fairy $85! I almost had to pick my mother up off the floor* - a sprained ankle from slipping on some water in the stairwell in middle school - a sprained wrist from breaking my fall when an ex-bf was being stupid and pulled me off a train station bench by my legs! I think that about covers it... for ER visits that is, not necessarily my accident proneness *grin* I just refused to go to the hospital later on.

3. I love horror movies! Not the icky, gory crap they put out these days, but the classic horror movies. When I was little, I used to hide in the little hallway just outside the living room and watch whatever horror movie my father was watching... till I got caught when I gasped or screamed. I was suppose to be in bed asleep. *heehee*which I think is why I thought the doc was going to kill me in the ER (referring to #1. It was the day after I had watched one of those old horror movies*

4. I have a thing for collecting fairies. I have always had an affinity for whimsical creatures, gnomes, dragons, dwarfs, but fairies are tops. Nena Brown fairies are my favs followed by Amy Brown Fairies.

5. I'm an avid reader, especially vampire novels. *I have a whole horror theme going, don't I* It all started with Lestat and right now it's all about Jean-Claude, Richard and Anita Blake. I also enjoy fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and the occasional chick lit. Not much for heavy romance.

6. I'm very eclectic when it comes to my musical tastes. I pretty much run the gamut from classical to hip-hop to some punk. I'm not a huge listener of country, but I do have a few songs here and there that I do like. I also listen to Italian folk songs as well as some of the popular artist of today *no, I don't totally understand, but more of the folk songs I grew-up and have learned to know what the song is talking about* Me, my sisters and all my 1st cousins are first generation Americans.

7. I worked in a movie theater for 8 years when I was in high school and college. Working at the Multiplex gave me to opportunity to meet numerous famous people who lived in the Westchester area. Vanessa Williams (post Miss America scandal but pre-Ugly Betty), Gene Simons and Shannon Tweed, Ron Howard, James Mitchell a.k.a. Palmer Cortlandt from AMC, Wayne Gretzky, Heavy D, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and others

Tag: Cats and Yarn, Knits in Public, Cass, Liz, Megan, Gretchen, Danielle,

A contest, a contest!

I was reading through Dysfunctional Knitter's blog where she posted her summer knitting goals along with a link to a summer knitting contest hosted by Skeins Her Way. I was just talking to KozyKitty yesterday about needed to figure out what I wanted to make over the summer and do some stash busting! Must be carma that led me to this site.


So here goes....

1. Collect and put together donated squares for Rebuilding Greensburg-Block-by-Block
2. Teach my niece Gabriella how to knit *Lord, give me patience with her*
3. Start and complete the Beachcomber Tunic from IC for my sister
4. Finish the afghan I started *bleep* ago for my parents
5. Put my knitting down each evening at 5 PM for a nice glass of wine or a cold beer (or two, or three...)
6. Complete my Arm Cozies
7. Complete My So Called Scarf
8. Complete the Braided Cable Scarf
9. Put my knitting down for Midnight Margaritas *you put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up*
10. Finish the sock I started *bleep* ago AND make its twin
11. Finish (and start) the Babette Blanket from IC
12. Start a lace project
13. Start on Christmas project presents and finish a few of them
14. Finish the Larger Than Life Bag

Kids say the darndest things!

OK, here is a story that I just couldn't pass up on sharing. I am an elementary library media specialist and at this level you learn to realize that kids get so excited about knowing an answer, or thinking they know the answer, that they tend to blurt it out. Of course there are some kids that do this more than others and you learn to live and teach through these.

Soo.....

I am currently introducing a research project with my kindergartners. This week I am introducing them to the research process that we use in my county. One of the steps in the process is Organizing Information. I have this simple PowerPoint that I use with the kids that goes through each step.

I get to the slide that asks "What do you think the O stands for" and I prompt the kids the use their thinking skills on what they think the next step would be, keeping in mind that the word has to start with the letter O. I then start sounding to word out to give them a hint and get them thinking along the right sound path...

oooorrrrr...... *kids blurting out various wrong words, or following my lead and sounding it out with me hoping it will come to them* I love watching them as they try to figure out what I'm hinting at, because you can see the faces light up when they think they have the right word.


ooorrrgggg......


ooorrrggggaaaaa.... *do you see where this is going to go wrong yet?*

Then, one of the girls who was sitting right next to where I was blurted out...

"ORGASM!" *yes, oh yes, you read that right. Of course my mind is realing with thoughts of.... How the heck does a freakin' 5 year old know that word! Keep cool, keep your composure, don't act like anything is wrong, don't draw ANY attention to that*

Luckily, other kids were also blurting out, so they didn't catch it. Now, I have been doing this for 8 years and that was a first! Being I have learned to ignore blurts (when they are done innocently) I kept right on rolling with my lesson, not giving this word any type of attention. Mainly because I was NOT going to be the one to have to explain why this was not the right word OR what this word really means to a bunch of 5 year olds!

My assistant on the other hand.... you could have knocked her over with a feather - her eyes popped so far out of her head. Here I am, moving on, ignoring the comment as if I never heard it and trying to draw attention away from it... and my assistant is over there, repeating "Did you hear what she said? Did you hear what she said?" My assistant obviously missed all the looks that I gave her that were saying... Please shut up and ignore it! Let's NOT draw attention to it!

The poor little girl had no idea what the word meant and when she heard my assistant repeating the question to me started asking "Why, What does it mean? What does it mean?"

Luckily, at this point, another child called out organize. I was then able to turn to this little girl and explain what organize meant! Phew! Imminent disaster avoided!

REBUILDING GREENSBURG - BLOCK BY BLOCK

I am sure that many of you have heard of the devastation that the tornado caused in Greensburg, Kansas. Sugar Bunny Boulevard has started a wonderful, charitable event for the people of this town. I emailed her and asked her permission to assist and promote her efforts. She is collecting 8" knitted/crocheted squares to join together to make afghans for the families of this town. The perfect stash buster!

I told her I would also collect squares and join together as many as I can since school will be out soon. This will help me from having idle hands over the summer :) ( I know, like a crafter's hands are ever really idle!) You can send squares to me at:

Librarian Dorothy
c/o JRES Media Center
900 Jackson Road
Silver Spring, MD 20904

Here's is a re posting of what she is asking for and you can check her blog (Sugar Bunny Boulevard) for updates and frequently asked questions::

What: 8" garter stitch squares
Pattern: knit from corner to corner on the bias (pattern specs below)
Fiber: Worsted Weight - wool, superwash wool, wool blends
Color: Any color - solid or variegated yarn
Mailing Deadline: to be announced - will update when estimated home construction completion date is known

Pattern Specs: cast on 4 stitches, increase one stitch* at the beginning of each row, knit in garter stitch (knit on every row) until one side measures 8", k2tog at the end of each row until 5 stitches remain, cast off.

*the increase stitch that I am using is kfb (knit into the front and back of the first stitch)

Designs or various stitch patterns or stockinette can be incorporated if you wish but the basic pattern is intended to simplify seaming for the various people who may be helping with seaming. If we collect more squares than we need for one family we will continue assembling afghans to be given to other families.

If any one would like to include a note or postcard sending good wishes to the family who receives your afghan square we will keep those messages together with the square(s) you send. We're looking forward to being able to get these afghans and messages to the families!

MAIL BLOCKS TO THIS ADDRESS:
Laura Spradlin
El Dorado First Baptist Church
315 West Central
El Dorado, KS 67042

Please email her at sugarbunnyblvd@aol.com if you have any questions at all.

Knitting Joke

A blonde was driving her car when a police officer pulled up alongside her. He noticed the blonde was knitting while she was driving. He turned on his lights, and gestured at her to pull the car over, but she didn't understand him. So, she rolled down her window to hear him better.

"PULL OVER!" said the policeman.

"NO," replied the blonde. "CARDIGAN!"

All you knitter drivers keep your eyes out for that cop! *laugh*

Monica Tank

YEAH!

I finally finished the Monica Tank for my niece tonight. Too tired to take pictures right now, not to mention that Frisco would not be a good model for this top and the teddybear is upstairs and I'm too lazy to go get him. So pictures will have to wait. I will post some soon!

Happy Mother's Day and other ramblings

The Weekend
Well, Mom & Dad came down for the weekend. It was nice to see them again. My nieces' birthdays are around this time as well, which is mainly why Mom and Dad came down. I have to remember to invite them down next year for MDS&W. My parents grew up around animals back in Italy, so they would get a real kick out of seeing all of them. My younger sister(Stefania) and her husband (Eric) came down for the weekend as well. Sunday afternoon, while my Mom went to Gabriella's soccer game, my sister, hubby and Dad came over to my place. While they were over, Eric took a look at the lawn mover for me and got it working. Now I can cut what little grass that grows in my yard! Of course dad started in on the fact that I need to cut the trees down in my back yard. I have tiny backyard, but I have 6 freakin' trees back there. Six! Six tall ass trees that drop enough leaves in the fall that it looks like I have a brown blanket covering my backyard! I don't know what moron decided to plan 6 trees back there, but they did - and poorly!

Knitting
I am almost done with 1 niece's Monica tank from Knitty. Between finishing up my National Boards portfolio and studying for the test I fell a little behind. The front piece is done and the back is 90% done. I should have it done this week, thank goodness. Then I will take the other niece to the yarn shop with me so that she can pick out what colors she wants her tank in. Here is a photo of the two munchkins with my mother.

Wouldn't you know it, just after I make my pledge to knit from my stash...

While I was hanging out with the folks at my sister's house this weekend I was working on the Monica tank. My younger sister started flipping through my Interweave Crochet magazines and picked out tops she wants me to knit for her. One for her birthday (August) and the others for whatever. Then my older sister joins in and picks out a top she wants me to make her for her birthday (next month!). Here are the patterns she picked out and I think in order of preference:

And of course I don't have any of the yarns called for in the patterns. I might be able to substitute, but I have to take a closer look at my stash. I certainly hope there is something in there that I can sub at least one of those projects! If not, I hope to find a suitable substitute from Knitpicks.

Oddities
I have to wonder what possessed people to create this. I mean, who wakes up and says "Let's knit a Giant Pink Rabbit!" Seriously. Can someone tell me what where they smokin' and why aren't they sharing! *laugh*

Kitty

Of course no post would be complete without Frisco. Sunday morning I went over to my older sister's house... Yes, I am the middle child, and yes, there is definately something special about the middle child - just depends on what your definition of "special" is *laugh*... anyhoo, I went to Mary's for Mother's Day breakfast and afterwards I came home to clean the house and do laundry. I found Frisco on the dinning room table on top of my blocking pad.


I asked him if I should pin him down, spray him with water and shape him up a bit. Something tells me his response was less than favorable...

Or maybe it was his "I'm not listening to you babble at me mom" yawn. What do you think?

Knitting from my stash...

OK, now that MDS&W is over I climbed aboard the "Knit from Your Stash" bandwagon. I know, I know, a little late, but better late than never as the saying goes. For myself, I will extend it through the end of the year. I have 1 more order coming to me in the mail and then I'm done... till Stitches East that is. That will be my one allowable stumble :) Well... for a yarn addict such as myself, I hope that will be my only stumble *grin*

The last purchased package I am waiting for is for some Cascade 220 Superwash I ordered to make the Babette Blanket from Interweave Crochet Spring 2006 edition.


I just love how vibrant this blanket is. I tried very hard to find all the right colors. I would love to make it with the same yarn that is called for in the pattern, but I couldn't seem to find all the right colors. Not to mention that it would have cost a pretty penny to make it in the Koigu Wool Designs KPM yarn. What I really like about the yarn used in the pattern is that it is hand dyed so there are subtle variations in the solid colors and I think that adds a little something to the blanket's appeal as well.

I had debated back and forth between using wool or some sort of a cotton blend. Wool won for the sheer fact that by the time I finish this blanket it will probably be close to winter (if not) and I'd be able to use it. It's a fairly easy pattern to follow and the different sized squares is something I have been wanting to do for a while, I just never had the energy to sit down and figure out the math behind it *laugh* Anyway, if it turns out nice and goes smoothly, I may make a 2nd one with a light cotton blend. Who knows where the tides will take me this summer.

Another crochet project I am considering is the Larger than Life Bag from the current issue of Interweave Crochet.


I have plenty of leftover yarn so I should be able to whip up these squares in no time (once I get the magazine that is). Hey! This can be my 1st "Knit from My Stash" project! I'll have to get some help when it comes to lining the inside with fabric. I'm not much for sewing. I think I would probably add a zipper so that whatever I put in it will stay secure. Who knows? I'll have to see how it turns out before I make that decision :)

I seem to be teetering back-and-forth between crocheting and knitting. Sometime soon I need to start making a list of what I am making for who for Christmas and get started! That will certainly be one way to start using up all this yarn in my stash. Not to mention getting a jump start on holiday gifts. I know, what crazy person is thinking of winter holidays when summer has only just arrived! *points to herself* Call me CRAZY! I just don't want to get stuck rushing through projects or worse yet, having to go shopping a week before Christmas because I know I won't get all those items made in time! I really am someone who tries to stay away from malls and unnecessary shopping around that time of the year.

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Knit in Public

It's just around the corner! World Wide Knit in Public Day!! The Columbia Knitting group is organizing a knit in public event.

Invited: all kntting/crochetting enthusiasts!
Where: Lake Elkhorn (gazebo)
Date: Saturday, June 9th
Time: 2:30 PM
Bring: sunblock, lawn chairs or blankets, yarn-needles-or hooks!

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival

went to my first sheep and wool festival today. WOW! Oodles of yarns and oodles of animals. I went with my gf KozyKitty. She's the one who told me all about it! While we were at the festival we ran into PhDknitting and a friend of hers. Here she is petting one of the sheep. I do not remember which breed that one was, we saw so many! They were very friendly, very talkative, and a bit smelly when you first walk through the barns *laugh*

More sheep! No, I don't remember what breed these are either.

Isn't he cute! Check out how long that fleece is! It was incredible to see the way fleece grew off of the different sheeps.

Llamas! Llamas! Llamas! Aren't they beautiful! They seem so laid back and regal in their stances. They were both content to pose for the cameras!

Can you resist a face like that?

Next up... Alpacas! These two happened to be a bit skittish and didn't stand much for petting. You would touch them and they would jump and move away.

This guy below was not a happy camper at all. He kept mewing like he was scared. Poor thing.

We also saw angora rabbits! The woman had the rabbit sitting on her lap and she would pluck the hair right off the rabbit and spin it! Of course I didn't think to get a picture of that, but I'm sure KozyKitty got one and she'll have it up on her blog. :)

Believe it or not, I didn't do a whole lot of damage to my wallet while I was there! KozyKitty had a plan! She had us go through ALL the exhibits to look at everything before we purchased.The main stand we both liked was Tess Yarns. I ended up purchasing one skein of silk (middle of photo) in pretty variegated colors of purples and silver. From the same stand, I also bought 2 skeins of microfiber ribbon in the variegated colors of black, grey and white. There was a stand in the main building that had this large stash of discontinued yarns at discounted prices. I found a bag of 9 skeins of 80% alpaca/20% silk for $4 a skein! Look at the pretty mauvish color!

Black-Eyed Susan Paddleboat Cruise

Saturday was the official Black-Eyed Susan Cruise for my organization (Maryland Association of School Librarians - MASL). For those of you that do not know, the Black-Eyed Susan flower is the state flower for Maryland. MASL also conducts the Black-Eyed Susan Book Program. Each year the BES committee reads hundreds of books before making the final decision on the nominees for the different categories (Picture Books, Chapter books for grades 4-6, 6-9 & high school). Students read and vote for their favorite book. You can read more about the program here. Each year at the end of April all the votes from students across the state of Maryland are counted and the winner is announced. Four years ago, the board found the BES Paddle boat and we decided to host an event on the boat! So now, most votes are counted before the cruise and then the final tally is revealed while on the cruise. It's a fun time! Here are some pics of the boat.

The boat dock's at Baltimore's Fell's Point. Here's a side view of the boat. There are two decks to the boat.


And what a gorgeous day we had for this event!!


Here's the group of gals that were at my table. We all work in the same county, so it was loads of fun!

We were having so much fun and laughing so much that people wanted to join our table and find out what we were talking about! *heehee* That's me on the end in the official BES black polo.

The immediate past president of the organization sings in a barbershop quartet and we were able to invite them aboard as our entertainment. They are wonderful! We have had them as our entertainment for 3 years!

Here's another table of librarians from my county. They are enjoying the entertainment!

And here we are again, enjoying each others company!

When the 3-hour cruise was over we DID manage to make it back to land! *laugh*

Blogger Gathering!

Grab you needles! Grab your yarn! Grab your coffee.... Join us for some knitting!


Thank you OlgaJazzy for the great graphic! I'll have lots more to post about this weekend when I get home after the festival :)