Land of Misfit Knits

24 Hours of Chaos

2008-01-14T18:07:00.000-08:00

Let's just say it was an interesting weekend.

First, I passed the test...two posts in one week. Where's my medal???

Here is the schoop ( and I meant to say "schoop") from Saturday...knitting and all the tangled bits of weirdness...

1. Pretty sunset...actually this was either Thursday or Friday night in my backyard...

...okay, back to 24 hours...weirdness...that's where I was going with this, right?

2. Woke up Saturday...at 8am discovered a "leak" in the fish tank. Bad news.

3. Worked a writing job...five hours on the computer. Again, this is why I plummet into the abyss of twitching computer-driven madness and drooling....please, no more technology!! Need to knit! .....again, where's my medal???

4. Took children to Pet Smart...and now we have a new fish tank! Luckily, we had almost everything...just needed a new glass tank...and, of course....more fish. May I introdude: George, Melissa, Shadow, Zoom, Melon-Head, Pierre, Morty, and Clarence.

5. Husband went to visit an old friend in North Carolina...so I turned into a delusional, paranoid girl propping chairs under doorknobs...festering head case, you bet'cha!

6. Watched a great movie...I highly recommend it. "Once." The music...yiminey... John Mayer has nothing on this guy. Like a dirty, real version of Mayer. Like Howie Day, even dirtier. But I do mean dirtier in a good way... I mean "real." Anyone else madly in luv with Howie Day????

7. Started Laura's shawl design...don't get too excited yet, Laura...I was crazy with movie and paranoid until almost 3am. But it is coming along fine!

That's it. More to come.

Hugs, Bel

the one person you NEVER thought you'd hear from again...

2008-01-08T19:23:00.001-08:00

Yes, I am full of excuses. The short of short is this: I had a mind-numbing project on the computer that lasted more than a month...I could hardly stand sitting at the computer...period.

The short of the short of the short is this:
I miss you all. And I hope you still love me a little.

How ARE you, friends and knitters?? I won't ramble and make you wonder why you've embarked on yet more chaos...

Let me just share some highlights from recent life.

* First of all...check out the new blog "look!" And I added some side photos...check out my......

ChRiStMaS pReSeNt FrOm GiNa!!!!
~~~Lantern Moon Bag~~~You really humble me with this gift...I never expected something so grand. I saw how happy Jill was today about her scarf. I see how you look at others and see what makes them happy. I want you to know I appreciate you, and you are awesome. Thank you, and I love you.

Sandy also gave me a GREAT surprise for my birthday...four skeins of SWTC blue bamboo to make a lace shawl/shrug...soooo generous! She is definitely one to tone-down her own generosity and kindness...another person with has an amazing heart.

Mosaic people are so awesome. Some of the best people I've ever known.

Newsflash: I want to knit 24 hours a day!!

Here's some more news...I promised I wouldn't ramble, but I think I already did...

Newsflash: I love lace. Looooove it. This is my Chevron Scarf.

Here is more...I finished my sister's Hokie shawl out of Claudia Handpaints. I want to make more shawls!!

Mimi made this one, too, and I even got to see it in person...way beautiful.

Newsflash: I've let a lot of things go lately. The opening of the blog describes the beginning of an "epiphany."

I am on that road.

2008 will be a year of much revitalization...much recovery....much rebirth.

I am embarking on a quest to reclaim my life...mind, body, and spirit.

This is one of my paintings that my husband framed for me. I'm definitely not talented as Cher, but these are like the mountains...the long journey to get to where I want to be. I have lots of hiking to do before I get to that horizon.

Just a glimpse of things to come. Coming up this weekend: more knitting...and my test. See you in a few days.

Love with all my heart, Bel

1 in 166

2007-09-24T07:57:00.001-07:00

What's been going on?.....

One in just so many things. I sometimes escape. Sometimes I run to it with wide arms and smiles. I love it, and it terrifies me. It breaks me into pieces. It blesses me in so many ways...every single day.

It is autism.

In the last ten days, we have had:
* Parent Night...being the parent of the classroom's "difficult child." The child who suddenly becomes overwhelmed, breaks down and cries or throws his papers on the floor in the middle of class. Who can't stop making noises. And all I want to do is help people understand him...knowing I am a good mom.
* Crying episodes in the car on the way home from school...an eight-year-old wondering why he just can't keep it all together, calling himself a dummy, and in five minutes completely oblivious to the meltdown.
* Making yellow, wooden safety signs for the front yarn to try to remind the sweet little person with no concept of cars or safety that...even though Mom is sitting at the end of the driveway...he has to learn to watch for cars on his bike.
* Angry and mean...thinking he is a grown up. Sometimes having to literally pick him up from the floor to talk to him.
* Five to fifteen minutes collapsing in misery every morning before school because he has to wear socks and sneakers to P.E...socks that have ridges in the toes and hurt his feet. And long-sleeved shirts that must fit directly at the wrist...not a half-an-inch too long or too short.

It has been busy. Long talks with the Special Ed case worker. Sitting in the parking lot with him sobbing and talking through the afternoon meltdowns with his school aide. Communication logs. After school meltdowns. IEP meetings to come.

Sorry if I've been a little out of sorts. It is all good...really it is! It is something I am used to...but I need to re-get-used-to time and time again. But I remind myself that this is not severe autism at all. Asperger's Syndrome is still not as difficult as it could be. He is loving. He's way smart. And he is so talkative. But the challenges are staring me down every day.

And I just looooove this kid so much. I just need to veg out sometimes. Get my head straight. Eat some cookies. Knit a bit.

And, of course, I had to write all weekend...literally. But I'm taking a few days to mellow. And knit.

I'll fill you in on some knitting this week. I'm excited about some progress...slow, but steady.

Hugs to everyone! Just want you to know that everything is good here...we're just keeping the train on the track...one day at a time.

Luv, Bel

A Bit of Mindless Drooling

2007-09-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

This has been a messed up week...not entirely this week itself...more like the last seven days. Dog days.

This is why my sister's sweet and rather gigantic dog, Kobe, is here today.

I hope you are all well. Seems like I haven't seen anyone in quite a while...except for Gina, who shares my love for clean cuticles (please don't say anymore!!) and Sandy (with whom I've been working on another dance sensation.)

Besides looking rather svelte in my disco gown...and MY, MY! Did I grow some bodacious Ta-Tas or WHAT???.....Here are the top ten bizarre things that happened this week:

1. I danced with Sandy on video...and did I mention that I grew some BODACIOUS TA-TAS??
2. Was the horrible victim of a malicious and rather nasty smearing by a woman who decided that I would be the sacrifice so she could get what she wanted...sorry, can't elaborate...it's a non-Mosaic work thing.
3. Chopped my hair. No, no photos yet. The cut is good...but I'm still not comfortable with it.
4. Thinking about going back to school. Am I nuts?
5. Want to get a tattoo. Hubby is working on #3.
6. My husband cleaned the oven yesterday...the world may be ending soon.
7. Starting the flame scarf with Gina this week...she's becoming a bad influence! Heehee!
8. Saving up for delicious yarn...three words: Classic Elite Posh
9. Decided I have way too much back fat.
10. Met the Mom and Grandmother of the young man who lived with Cho.

...Which made me realize how our lives are so intertwined and that we have such a strong impact on each other...or that we hardly know the people we believe we know. It made me think about the friends from long, long ago...how it was so easy to forget me in my hours of need...and now those friends are all strangers. It makes me firm in my determination to be a valued friend...and makes me value the friends I have now, the ones who joy with me, console me, wave a kiss in my direction when I'm feeling down (you know who you are!), and promise to visit me in the funny farm one day...

Love you, Bel

PS....by the way....did you notice my new BODACIOUS TA-TAS in the Mosaic video??

Hello, Goodbye...???...And, No, I Don't Typically Resemble Edward Scissorhands

2007-08-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

Yes. I should have blogged earlier this weekend. But I had a writing order due on Saturday night, and it was a doozie.

Glad to hear everyone talking about hair. Gina (don't we look like sisters here??) and I talked about the "long" and "short" of it on Thursday at work. As it turns out, I have a

~~~HAIR APPOINTMENT~~~

tomorrow (Monday) at 1:00pm. So, here it is. I've been growing it for nearly 10 months. Now I need to make a decision........go short again...keep growing.... CHOP IT?? Or go LONG AS I CAN GROW IT...my hair...tangled in the trees...a hive for the bees...?? Sorry...flashing on the musical.

It is unruly. I agree there. I haven't had it cut in 4 months. To be honest, with the kids home for the summer and me working fewer hours, I spent the only extra $$ on yarn....what else!

I may not get any posts on this issue in time for the big event.....because in FIFTEEN HOURS I will either be.......

a.) a much tamer, less frizzy lion....or

b.) an ear-length cropped and somewhat spikey girl...with a lot more neck.

Hope I decide soon. It has been a 50/50 struggle all weekend!!!

Here is Pepper Jack...he looks as insecure as me! Can you tell he loves his toys?

Anyway...wish me luck. I've had short hair for over five years until this "growing" phase.

Love ya!!

~ Bel (off to the butcher!)

Feelin' BI-POLAR today

2007-08-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

A bizarre week.

How, you ask?

Well, for one...we have TWO posts in one week. Miracles do happen.

And I completed my own project: the "One Week, One Night Out" Bag. Couldn't really think of a name. I saw a picture of a circular bag and liked it...I bet I can figure out one. Basically, I cast on 106. Decrease every third row with a S1, K1, PSSO...knit a few...then K2Tog. I just tapered it in, which gave it that hippie swirl. Then I cast on 12 stitches and made a huge "U," joined at the bottom, seamed up the sides...the rest is the handle. Finished a project in a week...very bizarre, indeed!

Here is the kicker...another BI-POLAR moment...I lined the bag. Yes, ME. The sewing-impaired. Shocked even myself. It was actually not very hard...tedious, yes...but not very hard.

Here is the looooovely Stevie Kate, my glamorous model. She actually sat through literally nine photos since my camera BITES!

Okay...back to the BI-POLAR issues.

So, we want to sell our house...move into town. Husband is all geared up...looking at houses...find a very, VERY nice house...work out the price...can we afford it?? Then, he says..."no, we should wait...maybe in the spring..."

Can I smack him? He's making ME bi-polar! Blame HIM!!

ARRRRUGHHHHH!! It is so hard to find a house we can afford in B'burg. And then he gets all flakey on me. He's lucky he's cute...the stinker. So, I am bummed. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks.

Since I'm feeling like a festering head case, might as well be annoying, too. SO, for everyone interested in the first annual BI-POLAR quiz...here it is!

1. Potatoes....mashed or french fried?

2. Socks.....double point or magic loop?

3. Cravings.....salty or sweet?

4. Knitting Style....picking or throwing?

5. John Mayer.....puppy dog or "Ooooh, Baby!"

6. Amphibians.....cute or "ewwwww!"

7. Breakfast Cereal.....hot or cold?

8. the Beatles.....love 'em or hate 'em?

9. Airplanes.....the way to travel or "heck no, I'll drive."

10. Sweet Tarts.....yummy or "why would they do something like that to perfectly good sugar?"

I look forward to seeing your polar-preferences! Think positive thoughts that hubby will decide what he wants to do. He's afraid of change. Send us some good vibes...

Love!! Bel

Why I Am So Lame

2007-08-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

Where have I been? Good question. Unfortunately, I haven't a great answer.

Nevermind. We've been in the trees. Watching grass grow. I can say that we've had our "ho-hum" moments. The phone doesn't ring much in the summer, that's for sure! I haven't been out much, but this is a good thing sometimes. It has been just a vanilla summer. We just spend a lot of time...watching time go by. House hunting...home improvements...writing (after severe self-doubt...we'll see where this goes)...arts and crafts to keep the kids from destroying the house...you know...all those summer things.

I've been on a knitting frenzy...and, thanks to Gina, will be embarking on yet ANOTHER project in a mere two days. This one we'll be knitting together, as I LOVE what she just started. More to come...plus photos...

Speaking of photos, you know it took me thirty minutes to download THESE? My computer keeps freezing up. Wants to see the underside of a van, I suppose. Makes me crabby!

In other news, I will also start reading...yes, I did actually say that! Gina is lending me a book written from the perspective of an autistic person. I'm compelled! We talked today about the strange, fascinating, and wonderfully magical things about having a child with Asperger's Syndrome. My little electrical engineer and Nasa-robot-builder-to-be just turned eight years old. Where have the years gone?

Anyway, I am a bit of a bore. Was it better when I was away? Don't answer that!!!

Here is the one photo that sort-of worked. It's the Candle Flame Shawl pattern in Claudia Handpaints, color: "Hokies."

I did get the "wild hair" on Friday and started a free-form project. I will be finishing it tomorrow, I hope. Then I will have something exciting to say! I promise!

More this week...I'll try to be exciting for you.

Love, Bel

A Sincere Waste of Time, Trust Me....

2007-07-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

Wotcha think of me now? No camera tricks here...this is the real puss.

Anyways, want some exciting news? We got the FIRST "YES" confirmation that one of my oldest child's friends will be coming to his birthday party. I am soooo glad! You see, having a child with Asperger's Syndrome (High-Functioning Autism...in case you were wondering), you tend to have a child with very few friends. Socially, emotionally, and sensory-wise, we have issues. BUT we can check one name off the list! HOORAY!!

He also picked out a new color for his room...yes, the baby blue heating vent will be painted white to match the trim. He's tickled...he picked it out himself...the color is "HAPPY CAMPER!"

Here is the "Separation Sweater" from the book "Knits for All Seasons." I've actually made the arm holes already, so this picture is a few days old.

And my Schaefer Lola sock is nearly finished. I still need to close in the tootsies.

This is a completely boring post.

Completely mind-numbing.

These are things I find really boring for the most part.

1. Television...unless we're talking about "Lost." DO NOT get me started on "Lost." Love, love, love....

2. Reading...shame shame! You don't say! Yes, I admit it. I like to read short things, like blogs, poetry, etc. And being a professional writer (besides a relatively decent knitter and rather EXCEPTIONAL yarn shop employee...heehee), I should read more. But again, I can squeeze in two major hobbies/passions. These three are reading, knitting, or writing. I choose knitting and writing...we must have these priorities straight.

3. Dishes. How many dishes can two dogs and four people use in one single day? It's revolting.

Things I find VERY interesting but disturbing:

1. Wal-Mart at 11pm on a Friday night. People talk to themselves. People eat things out of their carts. I've seen a boy eat half a dozen Slim Jims in line to check out.

2. The concept of skiing. Why do people, and I admire those who have the guts to this, decide it would be insanely fun to buckle strips of slippery wood to themselves and leap down giant, ice-covered mountains? It's cold. There are many trees. It's cold. I don't get this one.

3. Eyeballs. Now, I am no scientist. Maybe you can help me on this one, Allison...how exactly do eyeballs work? They are mezmerizing and horribly creepy. Thus, I wear glasses and NOT contacts!!

Didn't improve much, did it? Sorry for the lamosity (my word again!)...maybe I'll go back to making up more words.

Love ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's was fun!!!!!!!!!!! Try exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Told you it would be a waste of time!

Did I say LOSER? Loser is merely a state of mind...

2007-07-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

...a state of mind that pivots precariously on that fine line between self-absorbtion and responsibility.

In the land of faithful bloggers... yes, you may call me a Loser. Hands thrown in the air... I give in... you are right... 'tis I... a looooo-zah.... unrivaled in lamosity...

(that is the state of being lame, by the way...I just made it up)

So, for these, my shortcomings, which I know are far-reaching and pleantiful, I say...

sorry

But in yet another realm of consciousness, another frame of perception, I am... I am.

No, I have no philosophical insight, per se... no insighful treasure hidden in my shoe. But I have been... are you ready???????

Happy.

Euphorically happy. Self-absorbed in "the satisfied." Smiling happy. Not to be mistaken for giddiness (or perkiness, as per Sheryl)... This is better. Oh, yes... I still have the insatiable need to please others before myself... for the most part, but I've rediscovered a Belinda left behind. Following a three day mellowing with Tiffany (love you, sister) in Charleston, South Carolina... no kids, no husbands, no pets, no schedule... I made some amazing discoveries...

Did you know that I can still sleep until 10am? I didn't know that!! Tiff thought I was dead... and I went to bed completely sober, trust me. Also, somewhere over the years I forgot how to breathe. I mean REALLY breathe, like deep breathing... like from your toes or somewhere. And I can really RELAX. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

I spend too much time freaking out... does this surprise anyone? (Don't laugh, Gina and Mimi!)
I mean, I am who I am, and I'm okay with that. I just think it is okay to be not okay...at least a little bit. Anyone with me on this?

Even knitting... I'm jumping right in. Decided in like two seconds to start a sweater (I should say another sweater besides my green Cathay, which is coming along... I need photos of this, don't I?) I love the "Separation Sweater" in the book "Knits for All Seasons." Frogged the Eco Wool poncho...we're doing the sweater.

I hope you're not mad at me for abandoning you. I've been thinking of you often, honestly, I have. I've just been wrapping my brain around the mellow side a bit, and I like how it tastes.

More experiments in nirvana and knitting to come... perhaps I should remove the "festering head case" intro for a while. Any suggestions?? Hee hee.

Peace, love, and flowers ~ Bel

i am NOT a loser!

2007-06-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

Finally...

photos from TNNA in Columbus. This was my first non-child,
non-husband getaway in nearly nine years.
It was...

AWESOME!!!

Dinner at the Hyde Park in downtown Columbus. Loren, Gina, me, Mimi, and Debbie on Friday night.

me and Gina at the Vogue Knitting 25th Anniversary cocktail party

Loren, me, Mimi, and Debbie

mi2 in awe.... weren't we all

Breakfast with international designer Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton... she was so much fun!

International designer Maggie Jackson and me... awesome designer and super sweet person. So nice to see you again, Maggie! Come to Blacksburg again... I loved your Irish comedy!

The amazing... humbling experience... Debbie Bliss herself...

Mimi, International designer Louisa Harding, me, and Debbie

crashed at the Hilton... watching YouTube...

...shoes... let's get some shoes...

Loren was ready to kill me... can we watch it? Please??

Ahhhh, the slide show is now over. Thanks for bringing me, Gina. You have no idea how good this was for me on soooo many levels!

A quick highlight of my week since last Friday. I know I've slacked... but I have my reasons!

You still love me, don't you?

And now... drum roll... highlights from these last several days...

1. Husband and I celebrated ten years of marriage on Friday... smiling...

2. After a weekend of extreme binging, I can still button my favorite capris (no comments about my last blog, please!)

3. ColdStone on Saturday night after Kabuki for dinner... did I mention binging?

4. My Father-in-Law had successful surgery on Friday morning and is recovering well... Love you, Poppy!

5. Cheryl called me "Peppy" on Monday... SEE?? The proper term is PEPPY. Not SPAZTIC.

6. I got a microphone from Channel 10 news stuck in my bra today.

7. Gina found a piece of my lunch on the table... a slightly smooshed cauliflower that looked like a booger. I put it on my nose.... I guess you had to be there.

8. I found my iPod... thought I left it at the Hilton... almost became SPAZTIC.

9. Figured out how to get these photos off the CD... thanks, Mimi and Debbie!

10. The Hokie Healing project will start to wrap-up this Saturday at the Inn at Virginia Tech. I hope you will all be there!! Look for me... I'll be the peppy spaz with tight-fitting capris and a smooshed cauliflower in my nose.

Just kidding.

Battle of the Addictions: Sugar VS. Fiber

2007-05-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

Debbie Bliss Cathay more delicious than Canoli? Definitely.
Schaefer Hand-Dyed Lola better than Ding Dongs? That would have to be a yes.

LET THE GLUTTONY BEGIN! That is, knitting my calories.

The worry has passed...now the accountability must begin. Time to get healthy and get real about this summer chubb. My husband forbid me to diet or exercise until we resolved the ticker situation. AHHHHH...food without guilt! Now that the heart issue is resolved, I need to refocus.
I've made a pledge...so if I waiver, feel free to slap me upside the head. Please don't restrain yourself. You have my blessing. Be my guest.

My Pledge:

I, Belinda, the compulsive, over-eating spaz, being of long-awaited, sugar-anesthetized mind and body, do hereby pledge to live an excuse-free and healthy existence with a normal relationship with sugar. I vow this before I plunge into an irreversible diabetic coma or completely rot my teeth and become brain-damaged, to bid farewell, so-long, and adios muchachos to those oh-so-sweet past compulsions. This night I part with the Three Muskateers and the Almond Joys, the Double-Stuff Oreos and the homemade chocolate icing, the Bens and the Jerrys...even the Wavy Gravy. This I promise to be free of the gluttony and compulsive eating that leave me a babbling, over-indulgent, and powerless jellyfish doomed to jelly belly and butt.
Hello, moderation! I commit myself to helping my heart... for life.

How was that??

And now for something completely different...

What'cha think of all them squares? Pretty darn COOL!! I can't wait to see what comes in tomorrow!
And, Gina, here is the BAG!! My purse is pretty, but REALLY boring (sunglasses, wallet, and a few scattered cosmetics). NOTHING else.
So, this is my knitting bag. More interesting by far.

1. Schaefer Lola socks... ahhhh
2. Three inches of another Hokie Square
3. Phone/Address Book
4. Pens/highlighters
5. Nail file...don't know why...I have no nails
6. A yellow wooden clothespin...I still haven't figured that one out
7. Ella Rae and my new SOCKS book! Love it!
8. Maytag recall information on the dishwasher I had fixed like a MONTH ago...
9. Hand sanitizer...tell me that this surprises anyone...
10. A teeny pair of scissors, and finally...
11. Hand cream: Kiss My Face Peaceful Patchouli (please don't say "eeewwwwwww!) and Planet Spa African Shea Butter (my sister gave me)

One final photo... this is my little sweetie scoring a goal at his final soccer game on Friday. He's the blondie in the blue shirt and the winning kick.

Hope you all have a great week back!

More to come before TNNA!!

Love ya, Bel

Cheers!

2007-05-24T18:12:00.000-07:00

First of all, and I sincerely mean this...

ThAnK YoU!! All you people who had such wonderful things to say, such warm wishes and words of encouragement. It made me all toasty-warm to feel the kindness of you all...

And forgive me for taking so long to write... it has been crazy.

So... now the news...

I am fine. Met with the cardiologist this week. He read the echo and the halter, and, although I do have a PVC condition (can't quite remember what this stands for again, but it isn't serious), it is benign. I do have to take Beta Blockers three times a day. Most people, evidently, have periods of this heart occurance for like fifteen, twenty minutes, and then it goes away for five, ten hours...

Mine can go for like two, three hours. Relax for an hour or two, and kick back in for a few more hours... so I need to have my "med"s handy and..

here is the funny part... I need to, and this is verbatim of Dr. Rivera, "very, VERY, seriously consider options to reduce anxiety." I am a walking "adreneline junkie." My body produces adreneline from stress and anxiety... so I need to chill out.

Okay, Mosaic people!! You are RIGHT! I am confirmed a serious and hopeless SPAZ!!!

But, and I must say it again, thank you all for the kind words.

Now for some FUN stuff. I received a hand-delivered bottle of wine and wonderful card from Mimi, who was sad for me freaking out a bit and made me so happy I cried...a lot. I spent some time Saturday in the yard with the kids... watching them draw with sidewalk chalk while I crashed on the ground and knit my Hokie squares, received a visit from Mimi on Saturday night, who hung out for a little chick hang-out. And, of course, NBC Channel 10 coming to the shop on Wednesday. Man, I really need to get my teeth whitened. Either that or give up coffee... yeah, whitening... that's it. And we've got TNNA coming up... and my best bud, Tiffany, and I have confirmed a three day weekend away in about four weeks to her parents' condo in Charleston, SC. Lots of good things coming up.

Hope you're all knitting away, and I know that most of this is relatively boring, but it is all good news. Even my fortune cookie recommended a "peaceful" way in order to have more power, right, Gina??

Next post... knitting. I am totally serious. Something fun. And knitting.

Thanks for putting up with me. Love, Bel

blinded me with science and the curse of the ticked-off ticker

2007-05-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

Wired. That would be me. Typical.
Work has been great, first of all. Tuesday we got a sqaure from Greece! Very cool. I love work...it is a happy place.
However, it has been a bit weird on the other side of life.
Let me tell you about my FUN week.

Sunday: Crabby people in my house. More sick people. Kid#1 crabby, and I'm worried about a relapse of strep throat. Luckily, we are catching it all really early.

Monday: Sick kid #1. Carting people off to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Realtor's checking my house...all over my house. Annual physical. Doc says we do an echocardiogram and a heart monitor. Also thinks we might need to reduce some stress. WHAT STRESS?? ME?? Don't answer that....

Tuesday: The beginnings of sick kid #2. Kid #1 crabby with his rash...the unique rash that only kid #1 gets with infections and baffles the doctors. Need to find the energy to wash dishes, pots, pans...

Wednesday: Kid #2 home sick. Husband taking a personal day to help during my many, many examinations today. Therefore, kid #3 (husband), very crabby. Echo at 11am, surreal and a bit disturbing. I evidently have some "leakage" in one valve. Sounds like a plumbing problem. This can't be great news. But otherwise he said it looks pretty decent in there. Then, doctor appointment #2...gyn. Ugh. So, I'm wearing paper robes from neck to knee, making jokes, and she listens......"okay, I thought I had a heart rhythm there, and then it went "bullallullalump!"" I'm sure this isn't technical terminology. And my blood pressure was 140 over 90. Way, way high for me. Might have some fibroid issues, too. Well, tickle me surprised!! Husband is helping with dinner...did you all hear that?????? BLINK! Show me you're alive! Breathe again!! It is TRUE!!! The man who means well but can't heat up frozen corn...helping me with dinner. See... chivalry is not dead.

Knitting...it is coming along. I've been tired, I'm afraid. But all is well, and I hope I don't strangle in my five dangling wires. Or that my wild dogs don't get lost between electrodes and blankets and accidently zap us all! Just kidding.

More this weekend. Lots of love, Bel

Mission: Incredible

2007-05-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, not only do I get to have the best time checking in all these squares arriving every day, but how often does one get the opportunity to be a stealth yarn commando! Free yarn...hiding out there...waiting to be found. Bet 'cha can hardly see me in my cammo....

And, I'm proud to announce, we have reached 20 states. I received squares today from California and Anchorage, Alaska! I'm not sure how many squares we have at the shop just now...tomorrow I will count and give Gina a total. At any rate...fret none, little fiber junkies, we still need many, many squares. I did mention "many," didn't I?

By the way...family and friends in the Lehigh Valley...where are you?? I know you are knitters and crocheters up there!! You guys!! I need you on the map!! Hugs to Pennsylvania.

Here are a few more photos from our recent vacation in Key West. Besides checking in some new yarn, filling up the "contributors" notebook, and pushing pins into the US map at the shop, it has been a relatively uneventful week. Gina bought me a frappucino today. Thanks, Gina. Yum yum!

Let's try something different... I have a question to my few but dedicated readers. I want to know who you are and where your dreams take you. I am Sagitarius; we are often described as "dreamers" and "wanderers." I like things to change. I like adventures, although I don't seem to have many. As the boys get older and life gets easier, thanks to family close by and a special needs fellow doing very well indeed, I hope I can do some soul searching in these next few years.

Here is your question. I hope to hear some interesting answers!

If you could live the "life of your dreams," what would it include? How would you re-write your existence?

By the way, I saw this little fellow on the street in Key West.

I liked him. Keep knitting! Meow, meow, meow!

Hip to be Square

2007-05-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

How are things, Hokie Friends? It has been an exciting week...and a miserable one, too! Stapled to my house with my two boys with strep throat. Poor little guys. More catering and cleaning than knitting, I'm afraid. But it has also been an exciting week...mainly the week prior, because of all the support the "Hokie Healing" project has gathered. And among the craziness, alas, my blogging priorities are still relatively pathetic. I need to keep to twice a week.

Come on, keep me on my toes, will 'ya?! I'm lame! Need HELP!

Teasing!! Here are my two Hokie squares so far. This project has amazed me to no end. I called churches and schools, distributed posters...and I took calls from probably twelve different states within the first few days. Hi there!!...all you friends who spoke with me...you guys were so great: Fort Bragg, NC; Littleton, CO; Michigan; Utah; New Jersey; NYC; Philadelphia, PA; Richmond, VA; St. Cloud, MN; Pasadena, CA...these are all I can remember right now...major cyber hugs and big sloppy kisses...you're the cat's meow.

Actually...Stevie Kate sends the big sloppy kisses, by the way. Oh, Thank You!!!

Yes, I have neglected telling you all about vacation. Too much going on around here! I decided to update on the "Hokie Healing" progress two or three times each week (nag me, please!)...but at the end of each post, I'll share a few photos and some highlights from my vacation in Florida. This was our first vacation in five years!! Now you all know how pathetic I really am!!

Top five Florida highlights for Today...this group of photos and highlights is from two days in Key West:

1. I was in the ocean when it was snowing in Blacksburg. Sorry...don't mean to rub it in.

2. Ocean from every direction... big time surreal.

3. Walking around Mallory Square eating a half a pound of European chocolate fudge all to myself.

4. Visiting Ernest Hemmingway's house and staying clear of the chickens...they say you can get arrested for messing with the chickens. They're from Cuba, so I understand. I only ate seafood...didn't want to upset the chickens.

5. Appreciating how long it takes to drive 128 miles from the start of the Keys all the way to Mile Marker Zero on US1. Trust me, I love the ocean, but between draw bridges, 30-45 mph limits, and nothing but water and sand to look at...128 miles is a loooooong time.

More this weekend. I have a little "assignment" from Gina for tomorrow evening. Adventure, anyone?? tee hee hee...

More this weekend...said that...mean it! Knitta, please! love, Bel

Back Home in Hokie Country

2007-04-24T13:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is officially my worst blogging faux pas to date. I've neglected you all. Shame, shame on me.
So, yes, we had a great two week vacation in sunny Florida, visiting the in-laws, having a two day adventure in Key West...this is all to come, I assure you.
These last eight days have been ones of unpacking, laundry, and...of course....intense sorrow. Shephard Smith of Fox News said it all best... that this is such a beautiful and serene town, nestled in the mountains...a place you would want to send your kids to school...and he went on to say how it deeply saddened him for this community.

This is a heartbreaking time. What an unthinkable cloud of saddness that has touched our community. Unspeakable. I cry for people I don't know. I cry for friends touched personally by this tragedy. I can't make sense of it, and I feel so badly for everyone hurting and lost. Until now, I just couldn't bring myself to write about any of it. Walking around for a week, seeing people stricken with confusion and grief and anger. How this could happen in this beautiful, wonderful place. What can anyone say.

I kept saying, "what do I have to offer?" "What can I do to help?" Prayer...yes, everyday. Other than that?? Hmmmm...nada.

And then Gina had the fantastic idea for a nationwide project to bring blankets together for the families.

Now, I feel like I can offer something! If you want to learn more, check out our blog for Mosiac. I love, LOVE this community. This is the most wonderful town with the most wonderful people. I am so proud to be a part of this area and part of this project.

I know that I've been away for a while, but I will fill you all in on my travel and knitting adventures over these past few weeks. I was on campus a few days with the memorial events and took photos...these will be back and posted here tomorrow. By this weekend, I will be sharing some photos and events from our trip...trust me, some of them are worth the wait!

Here is a quick preview of my knitted beach bag. I finished it just before the trip...whew!

Anyway, it is great to be HOME...and what a wonderful home we have here. May God's healing touch you all and give you strength.
Hugs and kisses to you all... Bel

The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on the Plain....

2007-03-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

My Fair Lady?.....hardly..... Fair?....well, now

that's a stretch. But, OH MY, those are some fine toes! Thursday I received more than thirty minutes of extreme pampering at the nail salon, courtesy of Gina, who was completely shocked that I had never, never had a pedicure. No more selling flowers on the corner, eh, Gov'ner! ~ Thank you again, Gina!~ And my bag is coming along dandy...I'll hopefully have it knitted and lined by Monday. Now I am also drooling over different "lace" patterns. Sandy showed me a beautiful shawl yesterday that I want to do with the Schaefer "Anne" yarn. And Virginia gave me some good pointers as I begin the green "oh-thank-you-Phyllis" yarn sweater. More photos to come!!

More culture shock? I even went to Kabuki for the first time. Poor Mimi had to help me order... totally clueless I am. What FUN! How tasty! I feel like the cultured woman. Is that tragic sounding? Haha!

Yes, perhaps I am a simple girl to a small degree. Perhaps not used to pampering...but I believe I could get used to a little extra "bliss" every now and again!
How about something to chew on?? Here are some other bizarre facts about me:

1. Besides having only my first pedicure, I've only ever had two manicures. Is this really that bizarre??
2. I won't let anyone watch me brush my teeth.
3. Mimi taught me how to knit. Love you, Mi2!

4. I'm a bit OCD about electrical fires and germs...and I particularly like seeing even numerical digits when displayed, like on microwaves, treadmills, etc.

5. Fine cheese, peanut butter, and real cream ice cream are my three guilty pleasures.

6. I despise hamburgers, gum, and spinach. Ewwwww.

7. Most times I feel like an eight year old: half the time feeling obnoxiously giddy and the other half worried that no one will want to play with me.

8. When I was little I believed that if you stuck your finger in your belly button you would unscrew yourself internally. I still don't like touching my belly button, and my husband still likes to freak me out by sticking his finger in his. ICK!!

9. I used to play the guitar and the violin when I was little.

10. I still have my favorite stuffed animals from when I was a child. I can never part with them.

Anyway, sorry it took so long to post. I'll be better, I promise!

Bags and Some Aqua Net Never Hurt Anybody

2007-03-21T18:12:00.000-07:00

I've decided that there is one thing of which you can absolutely never have enough...bags. I am bag-crazy. Now, mind you, I don't have many bags. I do admire them, however. Maybe I have three...the standard black purse of everything, a little night-time bag my sister gave me.....okay, my mistake....I have TWO bags. Well, 'tis about to change! I saw this type of cinch-type bag and thought, gee, that's easy enough! Stockinette around, some YOs, and a decrease around for the base. What could be simpler? So, I took some "Softwist purple just bought for the awesome color and sat here hangin'out at the house with nothing better to do" yarn and mixed with some fun Noro "hey, it is wicked cool and on sale so, of course I'm gonna buy it" yarn... and voila! Little cinch bag.

But the bag thing is just starting! Had some of this nature cotton "gee, maybe I'll make some potholders or something" yarn. Found two more in the sale bin. And I saw a free pattern that just said to knit a rectagle base and pick up stitches along thes side... again, easy concept. So, I'm going big and cotton! And I think I will line this one with a very cool fabric.

I have to finish this in just under two weeks... and then I start my sweater!! I tried to take a photo of the sweater I'll be knitting from the Lavold Celtic collection, but my camera isn't doing so good with close-ups. Phyl, I know you've seen it! Even my husband loves it, and, thank goodness, Sandy and Gina say that I can handle it. This is reassuring...you'll see what I mean when you see the sweater...cables, Celtic designs...a little intimidating!

AND...I found a photo from 1979, the same year as Gina's fun "Sufragette City" video. I tried endlessly to get it on my blog...so I'm sorry that you will have nothing to laugh at. But I will describe it to you: grown-out pixie haircut, a big acoustic guitar, and a lovely background of gold, cream, and 70's-ick green sofa cushions. Maybe I can figure this camera thing out. However, I'll bring this lovely photo to work tomorrow. I also have a rather embarrassing one that involves me, 1986, a perm, a rather goofy face, and an upside-down can of Aqua Net. I'll bring this in the shop, too, in case you're desperate for some hysterics... or I'm a glutton for punishment!

More to come ASAP! Got to figure out the camera close-up deal. Smooch!!

Didn't know how much OLIVE you...

2007-03-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, all my friends, the camera port has arrived! And there is sooooo much to share! First, I have to ask, is this the most beautiful, delicious thing? Debbie Bliss Cathay. Ahhhh...Just about 1980 yards. Thank you, thank you, Phyl. You are truly so kind and amazing. I am still in awe of this gift...especially after only knowing you for three or four weeks. Thank you, and it will be deeply loved for years and years to come.

Gina is so right...this is a group of wonderful, loving people, and how great it was to share the love on Wednesday! Gina (another amazingly generous person, no doubt) throws us all a pre-sale Zeppoli's lunch party (soooo yummy), and we all enjoy sharing patterns, chosing projects, and just "yacking it up." Each of you is an incredible treasure, and I really mean that.

What say you? Why, YES, I certainly HAVE been knitting! You are about to be bombarded with yarn and projects and exciting things! Let's begin...oh, yes! Put us out of our misery!

* I have the perfect pattern for my oh, so beautiful new yarn...the Lavold Collection of Celtic Designs. I am picking up the book tomorrow, and you will all then see the most amazing sweater in the world.
* Yummy hand-dyed...now what? I'm thinking about an over-sized cinch-bag for the beach. We have about 540 yards to play with...any thoughts?

* Could we forget the "Dream Swatch?" I still have a long way to go, but it is so easy and fun to knit.

* The Eco-Wool, Hand-Dyed Wool Poncho. This is the "can knit it in my sleep" poncho, but with the warmer weather, it is really hard to pick it up right now. Maybe with the cooler temperatures coming in this weekend.

* And this is our shark. He doesn't have a name yet. I bought him for my husband on Monday afternoon. He is called "the anger management shark," which will help with the random things that make us angry. If we feel ourselves getting crabby, we talk through the shark. It is really hard to be angry when you're wearing a blue and purple stuffed shark on your hand. Hubby has a really tough job sometimes and gets really stressed out. This is a relaxing way for all of us to discuss our frustrations. And the kids seem to really listen when Mom takes us the shark puppet and can say things like, "Mommy gets really frustrated when you don't treat each other nicely." Or, "Mommy needs you guys to help clean up your rooms!"

It is so wonderful to have a camera again!! I really want to post on all the other blogs this evening, but I am BEAT tired. Wiped out. I didn't sit at all today until the car ride back with the kids after school, and then I walked around the entire school from 5:30-7:00 this evening for Parent's Open House. My feet have had it, and I'm turning in.

Tomorrow I will spread more joy. G'night!

A Saturday in the Life of One Camera-less

2007-03-10T21:03:00.000-08:00

Camera has arrived...no port for the computer. While we wait for the bundle of joy and amateur shutter action, I've put together a little list of recent knits and happenings. I feel bad that I'm not upholding my blogger duties, and I assure you that this will be considerably dull and NOT knit-worthy, but since I am only a mediocre knitter as compared to Mimi and Gina and Loren...and most certainly the knitting royalty, such as Virginia and Sandy...but I'll share a few random slices of weirdness...just to make you all shake your heads and confirm your suspicions that I'm a fruitcake. By the way, Pepper Jack says hi...he will be one year old on Thursday!! Time for a new chewie!

Just so you know......

Fruitcakes, by the way, are good things. Jimmy Buffet says, "there's a little bit of fruitcake in everyone of us."

I now have five projects that I love equally... I'm working on each one a little at a time. These are: the Eco-wool poncho, the felted bag, my knit cinch bag, the dream swatch, and NOW....drum roll, please... the yumarific Schaefer Magic Loop socks, brought to life by Sandy, who introduced me to the Magic Loop concept. However, since I am doing only one sock at a time, I will need you all to nag me about starting the second sock once I finish the first. I'm afraid I won't want to do it...but the yarn is really so incredibly beautiful...hopefully that will keep me going.

The dishwasher people are STILL not here to fix my dishwasher. I am pruning up bigtime from washing up after four people, two dogs, and a cat.

Today we whisked one child to a birthday party, drove through half the county for the other child's playdate, baked a citrus chicken, worked a very bizarre writing assignment, battled the late night strangeness at the grocery store (which, by the way, has NO peanut butter to speak of...can all the peanut butter in the world be contaminated and removed from all the shelves? Even the masses have cleaned out the natural brands!), ate several cookies (for shame!).... and we are now enjoying "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Because....

"Life moves pretty fast...if you don't stop and look around for a while, you might miss it."

I hope you all have a great weekend (what still remains), and I will be back with photos early in the week. Sorry to disappoint everyone! ~ hUgS!

Your Introduction to the Bionicle Heroes

2007-03-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is strange. I admit it. But, alas, I am one without a camera. Dear husband returned the faulty camera this weekend AND purchased a new one for me! It won't be here until later this week (hope, hope), at which time I will fervently study and be up to speed by the weekend...if all goes well. You know how well technology and I get along...heehee.

Therefore, I present the Lego "Bionicles" for your entertainment. What say you? Never heard of Bionicles?? 'Tis only the very language of practically every little boy aged 6-9 right now. They look a bit ferocious to me, but my oldest, a rather timid nearly-eight-year-old, just loves them. Can't watch "Finding Nemo" because of the sharp-fanged angler fish in the ocean abyss (picture two little boys on a sofa suddenly screaming, "MOMMYTURNITOFF!!") And, yes, I admit that I have been the over-protective mom, exposing them to no violence or mean-type things, since we aren't really t.v. people anyway...but Bionicles rock. Seriously. My oldest wants to build robots when he grows up. So, he builds them, finds them each a safe little sanctuary in his room, and kisses many of them before going to sleep at night. Good thing I'm a Tom-Boy-Mom. I think they're cool, too.

Okay, are you still with me? Anyone still awake? WHAT?? This is a KNITTING blog?

Here's the scoop on the projects I've been working on, despite the camera weirdness.

1. Black Eco-wool wrap/poncho (not sure yet...just winging it) with hand-dyed blue and olive wool and some brown Noro Iro. Randomly putting things together. I love ponchos. They are easy, no sweat deals, and I love how they hide my squish tummy.

2. My fushia Lamb's Pride and Kureyon felted bag...finished and ready to felt. I'm ready to be done with it and may end up purchasing leather or bamboo handles...I just can't bring myself to

garter stitch the strap!

3. The Dream Swatch (THANKS, PHYL!) Saw it on your blog and it is soooooo cute! I'm making mine with only 18 rather than 24 cast on stitches for only three twisted stitches on the head wrap...I do actually have a puny head.

4. Dying...in pain...wanting to start the sweater. But... must... resist... desire... to... start.... yet.... one..... more............ project!!

I promise I will have photos soon. I hope you keep coming to visit me here even though I have no photos to share. But this will soon be over!

Have great weeks, everyone! BIG sloppy kisses........... me

P.U.

2007-02-28T18:30:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is how I will sum up the last ten days.
P.U.
El Stinko.

Shall I elaborate? Oh, yes...please do!

Camera is terribly ill. This photo was taken over a month ago. Appropriate, nevertheless.
Car had a nervous breakdown. Had to call Gina and babbled like a raving maniac. Nothing new there.
Personally had a nervous breakdown. Actually, more like a slightly askew view of the outside world lightly smattered with a bit of woe and feeling really deflated, more or less. Not to worry. No need to take cover. I don't plan to let my head explode in public anytime soon.
Feeling tired and mopey about knitting. Everything is so dark and heavy. I need something light and fresh and springy. Which reminds me...to top it all...I have finally found the perfect sweater pattern!.....and then I found two perfect sweater patterns. Ironic. Now I need to choose. Vote at the store...my stuff is behind the counter.

Want some great news?? One is that I am ready to knit that sweater...hey, we gotta start somewhere!
I finished three whole pages in my novel today. Yes, that sounds pathetic, but I only worked for about an hour. This is a good thing.

That might cover it for now. But it was a really fine, relaxing day. My house is clean. My soul is mellow. Hope you all come visit me despite the camera shortage...hopefully this is just temporary. More to come....bye!

Things I find disturbing...

2007-02-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

How dogs can sleep in snow. Or is this just a sign that I have some sort-of Himalayan-Abominable-Snow-Dog that defies the laws of thermodynamics?
How technology is painful, particularly to the technologically-stupid. Yes, that would be me. Tried to fix the laser printer by taking out all noticably-movable parts and shoving hand inside. So, now I'm told that evidently it is called a laser printer because there's a laser in there?? I have a scorched middle finger tip with a giant (and I mean giant bubbly blister on it. Good thing I killed all the nerve endings in there so at least I can type on my blog tonight.
How the Violent Femmes could agree to let Wendy's market their Bacon Mushroom Melt Burger with the song, "Blister in the Sun." Yes, we're still on the "blister" image. Sorry...
How the anti-glare coating is somehow messed up on my glasses causing me to randomly swat at little lights that pop-up in front of me once in a while. People will start to talk.
How you can cook a chicken, put it in a platic-wrapped, air-tight container and say it is actually edible within three months. By the way, there is a pre-cooked, packaged chicken recall I just heard on the news. This is what prompted my disturbance on packaged chicken in general. Go figure.
How a single, weak muscle in one's upper back can make it so difficult to do little things, such as sleep, brush your hair, knit...yes, this is a disturbing one.
How my husband can be the strong, silent type in public and then run around my house with a laundry basket full of undies and socks singing "I Feel For You" by Chaka Khan..."let me rock you...that's all I wanna do..."
How I can actually get comfortable with a digital camera (I am soooo the 35mm girl) and the stupid thing decides it never wants to take a picture ever, ever again. Typical.

So, I may have really boring blogs for a while! No project photos! No yarn! I will try to take the camera in this week, so hopefully it hasn't gone to that great computer-generated, picture-taking place in the sky. Fingers crossed!! Bye for now.

Sanctuary from the Mint Creme Oreo

2007-02-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

Can anyone tell me...is there anything more beautiful than life in the mountains? This is my backyard view, complete with treehouse and swing set. When and if we move, I've decided that I need a view like this. I will also say that no home should be without a tire swing. That thing cooks. With a good heave-ho or two, that thing seriously rocks...I'm talking four or five feet off the ground and a span of twelve feet or more. There is nothing quite like sticking your butt in that thing, flying with your head back and making yourself completely nauseous.

The writing break has been great, and tomorrow evening I plan to do some writing for myself. I also decided last night that I need to get my health and fitness back on track. It is all about me...and the oreos. And the cookies we bake on a snow day. And hot chocolate...anyone seeing a pattern here? Miserable CHOICES! I'm a sucker for sugar! Well, no more. And, ready for another sign??.....during the middle of the night last night I turned over and twisted my back (many of you may not know I have a little back thing)...nothing better than being whacked into an alert state of mind by muscle spasms, would you say? I neglected my exercise, and now the back muscles are weak again. My own fault. Since we are cleansing the body of negative influences in the workplace (not at the shop, that's my positive work environment), why not cleanse the inside as well? Happy Valentine's Day, body...I'm doing something for you!

I finished the hat, started writing a pattern for a felted bag with diagonal triangles...I'm using some raspberry-colored Lamb's Pride with triangles of Noro Kureyon. And no sweater pattern, yet...but I have a week to find one!

Hope everyone has a great V-Day! Hugs and kisses (no chocolate ones!) ~ B

Mental Zerplatzen

2007-02-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

Forgive me, faithful blog readers. It has been a bad week. Nasty. I even started an easy, mindless knitting project just because I can't actually think about knitting right now. My brain hurts!! So, I grabbed random stash for a basic hat and decided to see what happens. Sorry, pretty Lizard Ridge, you'll have to wait a while...
Anyways, I've been working like a mad woman on all kinds of writing jobs...every night this week until eleven...midnight...and I have come to an eye-opening revelation. A "slap-upside-the-head" moment. Up until now, I've been spending my life writing for the betterment of others, which for a long, long time has been gratifying in of itself...but the problem is that I'm doing zero writing for me. Manuscript sitting all safe and sound, protected from rejection and vulnerability and scrutiny on a silver disk. A novel only 20% finished...virtually still in diapers.

So, I finally talked to my sissy...have I ever mentioned my little sister? She's beautiful and fair and blond and really smart and teeny...not at all like me! We used to really ham it up together. Well, she gave me the "goods" tonight, let me tell you! And that's what great about having a sister...they know when you're a sad, gutless turd and can coax you into believing in yourself.

Didn't know this was going to be like a Hallmark moment, did you??? Ewww, let's break out the International Coffee and celebrate the moments of our lives...I'm going to make myself sick...

Anyway...let's just say I've decided to back away (not entirely back out...just away) from all the freelance writing responsibility. I can help Gina at the shop since poor Loren is broken (feel better Loren! Knit, girl, knit!!), and suddenly I'm like...this is a sign...it is time for me to be happy, enjoy the family and the dogs (isn't Pepper Jack soooo cute?), do what I love, have courage, and tighten the belt. Hubby and I are discussing details this weekend to make it work. And you Mommies out there know how guilty you feel when you concentrate on yourself. Well, I'm going to love being at the shop, being "off-deadline" every night, knitting more than twice a
week (this past week...Saturday through today...I've only knit for a total of about two hours max...), being a fun and happy Mommy (who doesn't have to work nights for a while), and being true to my passion for as long as I can.

I feel that this is my contract to all of you...my testimony. I'm committed to really good things, and you can all hold me to the fire. My face is always smiling, but I feel like my heart is smiling now, too. (Jeez, that was sappy.) Back to the life of the simple poet and knitter...what more can one woman want?? ~ Sigh ~ Glee ~ Sigh again ~ AND I HAVE SWEATER YARN! That is, I've chosen the soft brown Eco Wool...all put aside and waiting for me to pay for it! Now, the pattern...and I'm still looking. Hugs to all....BYE!

By the way, "Zerplatzen" is German for "splattering." Rather festive, wouldn't you say??

BiZarRE

2007-02-04T12:36:00.000-08:00

First, I have to ask...has anyone ever watched "Puppy Bowl" on Animal Planet? It is cute but completely mindless. They drop a whole bunch of random puppies in an enclosed, artificial turf field and let them run amuck amongst puppy toys and chewies. No plot, no real action, but majorly cute puppies. Made me think of Stevie Kate when she was a wee-one. This is her at almost three months. Ahhh...to be a puppy.

Now an example of why we, as people, are ridiculous. I made way too much dinner last night, ate like a piggy, said, "no...never again...never, never..." and I am right now waiting for chocolate chip peanut butter cookie bars to cool just enough so I don't scorch my lips off. Another example, the lovely pharmacy police (I won't say which pharmacy) refused to let me buy both my husband's regular supply of allergey medicine and an extra bottle of Nyquil (not that we are ill but it was on sale and good to have at the house...just in case)...BECAUSE we were over our "daily limit" in purchases and...for goodness sake, might be mass producing illegal substances in our basement. How ridiculous. I can't save my family an extra two bucks to buy it now while it's on sale. Heaven's no! Much smarter to wait until my husband has a cold, can't sleep, and I have to run out at 10pm in the snow to spend two dollars more. Grrrrrrrr. And, I finished my Debbie Bliss Fair Isle hat to find that it is WAAAAY to small for my noggin. Actually too small for my youngest son's noggin as well. Isn't that just PEACHY! And I even added four extra rows for an additional stripe. Go figure. My cast on was fine and would fit my head...but the height is way too small. Confused, why yes, thank you. But these were leftovers from the scarf.

No matter...I am undaunted by the shortcoming...and I mean really "short"...as I have decided to make yet another hat, but I sat up with hubby until 1am last night watching Saturday Night Live and designing a "paw print" fair isle hat. Perhaps I am setting myself up for potential failure. But I want to try.

In closing, I found this great quote that I had written down a long time ago.

"The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you." ~ Rita Mae Brown

Hmmm, now that's a tasty thought! Hugs and crazy love....me

Grrrrr

2007-02-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

This is me this afternoon...feeling plump and irritated with myself. Everyone is home due to the recent downfall of invisible, anti-slippery, sun-enduced snow...so we can't even enjoy a so-called winter day. Bah humbug. Ritzandfratz. Friggydiggy.

This is a great day for random babbling. I told Mimi today that I have nothing to write about...no finished projects to share, no patterns to mull over. I'm ready to knit the sweater, so I will consider any suggested patterns for something non-feminine using a size US 7 needle or less. By the way, this is my cat Bia. She's ten years old. We call her Bob. Don't ask why.

Since I'm truly boring right now, here are the top ten exciting things for today:

Gina bought me a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha...mucho yum yum.
I organized lots of yarn.
We are considering nominating Virginia as the area's most elligible bachlorette.
I think the eye glasses people didn't include the proper anti-glare coating on my new glasses.
Oh...I have new glasses.
My glasses are red and very cool.
I don't have to make dinner tonight because I have an entire fridge full of left-overs.
I get to have coffee with my friend Tiffany tomorrow...if school isn't cancelled again.
I'm bloated from all that friggin Chinese food...does anyone find that exciting?
I have Breyer's Ice Cream in the freezer...how's that for exciting!

I'll update on Friday...surely I'll have something by then. Besides, I need a new project...hint, hint, wink, wink ....ideas???? Think "sweaters"...BYE!

There is CAKE in my house

2007-01-29T13:47:00.000-08:00

First...the good news. I have finished the first cabled, fingerless glove and started the second. My mother-in-law, who is visiting from Florida right now, loves the color. And suddenly I'm feeling the itch to knit a sweater. I resisted the urge two months ago...but I think the fibers are beckoning. Is it time to dig for the perfect pattern?

And now...the bad news. It's the pain of sweets. The birthday party leftovers. And oh, the wretched sugar. Agony. Woe. It's cold, and I mean very, very cold, so the whole idea of knitting and eating chocolate cake...well, it may be more than I can stand. I keep walking back and forth in the kitchen...an air-tight container of icing staring back at me...and it suddenly becomes a fork here...a fork there...

Like I said...agony. But delicious agony!

And I am making homemade lasagna...now baking and bubbling-cheesy in the oven. Not anything I would call a successful diet day. Alas, the sugar wins today. Sounds like the perfect night to knit into a sugar coma! Who's with me??!

Whew...is the weekend over?

2007-01-28T18:58:00.000-08:00

This has been quite a weekend! First, a Saturday bowling party for my youngest's birthday...eight six year olds heaving pink and orange bowling balls, gutter-guards getting "banged" over and over...what a blast. I can't say it's been a great weekend for knitting, but I have finished my first cabled glove. That is good for now. I hope to finish the second by Tuesday. Sorry, no photo as of yet. Poor Pepper Jack...even he has been worn out.

I also got an email this weekend from my great friend, Amy, in Charlotte. She's helping with a charity auction (I'll get more info and provide a link if anyone is interested in attending...and, really, who NEEDS an excuse to go to Charlotte for a weekend!! Anyway, it has me thinking of more ways I can apply myself to help others...get more involved. I need to make this a bigger priority in my life. Not just school volunteering or helping at church...something more. We'll see.

More to come tomorrow...I promise! Sweet dreams.

Brrrrr!!

2007-01-25T13:36:00.000-08:00

Winter has arrived in Virginia, and... SHEESH... is it ever cold. Poor Stevie Kate had to wear her hat over them puppy ears! She really isn't as dopey as she looks; she's actually a very smart girl. I worked at the shop today, and we received a huge shipment of books! Ahh, the candy store for knitters. Better than fudge. And this coming from a hopeless sugar addict.

And so I realize now that I have a dilemma. I have no hat. Can ANY knitter actually admit to this? I've never been much of a hat person. I've just never been one for shoving a mound of hair into a hat and feeling comfortable. But I'm ready to warm up the temples a bit. Here is the problem: I have a pattern...but no yarn committment. Let me start by giving you some options with my current winter wear.

I have this set I just finished. I actually had the
scarf since my birthday in November, my

Debbie Bliss "Insanity Scarf" with chunky
cashmerino. I made the fingerless mitts last week, and I must say they are TONS warmer than I ever imagined...PLUS you can drink hot coffee and not suddenly turn into a puffy-fingered, clumbsy baffoon and knock a Mill Mountain Latte all over your lap. I test-drove these out last Friday with my great friend, Tiff, and they worked like a charm. And a dry lap is a definite plus. So for everyone out there wanting warm hands with fully-functioning fingers...what a great choice!

I'm wandering...okay...onward through the fog...

I've also started knitting these Kathmandu cabled mittens, which is a fantasic yarn to work with on any project. The fair isle hat pattern is Vinter Lue by designer Theresa Vinson Stenersen, found here at Knitty. Let me know what you think. And if I do the Kathmandu, what contrasting color would you use?? Or do we throw up our hands and say, "Jeez, let's do TWO hats!"

I'm going to try to update my blog every two to three days, as time permits. I'm taking a quick hiatus from my writing jobs for about two weeks to spend time with my awesome in-laws. They arrive from Florida tomorrow. Perhaps I'll get some knitting done as well...it's not been a productive knitting week, I must say.

Big sloppy kisses to all my friends! Toodles!

What's the MEANING of this??

2007-01-22T11:59:00.000-08:00

I said to myself last night...

Self, why are you doing this? I mean, my hands in the path of a poor, innocent blog? What has that blog ever done to you? By what authority to do relinquish the habitually incoherent ramblings to the simple duties of the plain, defenseless page??

So, I said to my husband last night...

Husband, should I even start this blog? Nothing good can come of it. Besides, Gina will be so disappointed that I actually didn't name the blog "Festering Head Case." Husband said, after my twenty minute quest for meaning and sense and Almighty approval (by the way, I have a very understanding husband sometimes), that it is a fine thing. Knitting and all the little things that bring us peace and harmony are good, and my sense of weirdness should not be tidily stinted by mere lips alone. Why, NO! Share the silliness! The fiber! The patterns! The love of yarn. Perhaps some other sleepless souls will per chance dawdle a few moments and discover some fun and relaxation in this wonderful little passion...one which, thanks to dear, sweet Mimi, I have been introduced to two years ago and love tremendously to this day.

I started this process yesterday, feeling a tad grumpy and not my usual giddy-self, so it took some time to get started. Besides, I'm just figuring out the new digital camera, and I am rather technologically-impaired. So, here I am, grumpy...and something wonderful happened amid the laundry and the ice storm and the grump...Tom Brady threw an interception...game over for the Patriots. Peyton Manning and the Colts are off to the Super Bowl, I'm just about to run outdoors on the ice in bare feet, lost in glee and happiness that I couldn't concentrate to get started. But here I am today, typing away, still basking in the joy of the upcoming Super Bowl, and excited about this new little fair isle hat I saw on Knitty.com. Way sweet. It will go great with my Kathmandu aran cabled mittens I just started.

Anyway, here is my blog. I hope you'll enjoy the ride. And I'll try not to mess my blog up. Peace and Love! ~Belinda