I'm here to tell you that all is well with the world. Puppy is chewing on a bone instead of me or yarn, I've watched all episodes of Fantasy Island from comcast's On Demand but in the "Free Movie" section I found this: - Santa Claus Conquers the Martians- truly the funniest not supposed to be funny movie I've ever seen! The earth children have some hand knits I'd like to see in better lighting as well.

Anyone interested in extra posts, do a little snow dance for Lydee and I on Tuesday night. Are we greedy or what? the snow dance link is pretty funny if you have some time

p.s. the exercise button

p.s. anyone who wants to use the me on the bike mini button to indicate their own exercising, you may copy and paste. I think that would crack me up.

Here there and everywhere. Mostly here.

The Ten Project Challenge has a certain appeal to me but I'm not much of a joiner and I am a compulsive yarn buyer. I don't have the vast stash that I've viewed on Ravelry but I do feel guilty about neglected stash. Combine those facts with the added need to save up for my own Mac Power Book (the one that got me started blogging is a loaner and may have to leave it's happy home in the next year) and a little stash control would be a wise wise thing.

All that being said, I think I'll list some knitting goals for the coming months. I'll try to be realistic.

1. Mittens to match the as yet unseen stocking cap.

2. A cardigan (with Misti Alpaca chunky-the reward yarn of the holidays)designed by me using the reverse side of a slipped rib stitch and garter stitch for interest. What you see is the back. The sleeves will have an equal amount of WS slipped rib. Depending on the way it pulls or doesn't pull, the front panels may be all slipped rib. Garter collar, set in sleeves. We'll see.

3. A finished or frogged tangled yoke.

4. Finish the Classic Elite Oregon vest without being intimidated by the zipper. Every time I go to the yarn store, I'm drawn to this fiber and every time I'm drawn to it, I realize I have a UFO out of the very same yarn. Doh.

5. More socks, as my collection is dwindling thanks to some dropped stitches and puppy teeth.

But wait, you're wondering what the hell is up with the button at the start of the post? We got one of those cool indoor trainers for the bikes. It is assembled with bike in a secret quiet room in the house. In an effort (at least for a little while) to keep myself accountable, each time I've made use of it for more than 3 minutes and happen to be blogging, I'll put that little picture at the beginning. This way you'll know how the old exercise resolution is going without me going on and on about it. I thought about making a little "hey I didn't get off my lard ass" button as well but I'm trying to keep this positive and with few rules. Not even timing myself yet. Just ride the bike and win a prize.

Keeping the puppy busy, secretly trying to design a sweater with chunky misti alpaca, finished the stocking cap- will post pictures once it is a gift received and you can see it on the recipient.

Kind of glad there's not more to report.

May You Be Healthy

May You Be Happy

May You Be Safe

May You Live With Ease

Overheard in the Rite Aid (CMUS)

...Let's get here these. She always has a headache.

So glad my shopping list is short.

what a wonderful world

I don't have the diversity that Yarnhog describes in in a recent post, but identified myself as more or less Jewish until now lately I think I'm more Buddhist than anything else. This means that as colleagues try to pin a religious label on me so that they think they can understand me, I'm considered by them (because I'm not Christian and I HAVE to be something) "Jewish."

That being said- I'm not so much anything, take no stand regarding the religious practices of others and am just a speck of dust in the wind.

The following is not so much a religious observation as it is one of the basic "Got a clue? Not so much" moments observed recently.

5th grade- had a display of Christmas Around the World decorations on the wall outside of their classrooms. Pictured with several colored menorahs was the sign, "Christmas in Israel."

A colleague gave me a Christmas card (just so you know- I'm happy to get them. I send them on occasion- they're usually more "holiday/winter" themed. I got no problems with them- even the creche/Mary/Jesus ones. I don't expect others to cater to my weirdness.) However- in an attempt to be politically correct this colleague wrote "Happy Hannukah" inside a card with Mary and Jesus on the front. It just blows my mind.

I'm not out to educate the world- especially the grown-ups. If I say anything I fear it would seem that I was getting all religious on their asses and that is also not my intent.

File this under the label- "catch a clue"

No $4M Buyout for this Music Teacher

If you follow Big East college football, you are aware of the feelings of rage and betrayal in the state of West Virginia at the recently announced departure of WVU Mountaineer football coach Rich Rodrigez to the University of Michigan. (Husband and I are both WVU alum.) It is indeed the talk of the town. In fact, no one has been talking about the weather since Sunday. We're so mad, we don't care what the weather is.

This morning I joked with faculty and staff (after listening to some morning radio)that at the a.m. showing of the Winter Holiday Program I was going to put an end to all rumors regarding the buyout of my own music teacher contract. Everyone laughed, but a few teachers (who's judgement I trust) suggested that it was such a hot issue that it might be best not to bring it up.

As the principal gave me the beautiful Christmas flower arrangement at the end of the afternoon show, she also handed me the paper pictured below. Signed by all faculty, it is a petition opposing a buyout of my current contract so that I might go to Michigan.



Not sure how well the funny transfers for those of you who don't follow the whole college football scene but the fact that all faculty and staff were willing to sign a pretend petition to keep me away from a $4M contract I don't have was worth a post. I mean come on, Lisa even signed her REAL name (Alicia.) She NEVER uses that name unless she really means it.

Another great part of the day was a visit from poly_dactyl who drove 2 hours (one way) over Appalachian mountainage and through the coal fields with 9 week old Benjamin David to see the show. It's always so great to have a music teacher colleague around who will give you an honest assessment. (or at least one you can read between the lines in the gentlest way with.) And now that I have a puppy, I almost know how to play with a baby.

Hey blog friends, if you decide to leave me for Michigan, I might be able to have a real life friend or two.

I'm also considering posting one of the most energetic versions of "Nuttin for Christmas" that I've heard to date. Here's your chance to vote for or against blog content. If I get 15 requests, up it goes.

...in a handbasket

Signs of the above..

Today during a slurred speech microphone moment in front of 300+ kids I'm pretty sure I said the word "shit." oops.

Husband the Great is home and not well. Sure sign that he is not well is him saying "Do you still love me even if I'm sick?"

Hence, I did not go to knit night. Oh so not the best day. For the next two weeks, knit night will be on the Eve of holidays to come so that means nearly a month without a fix. See slurred speech slip above.

Knitting continues in spite of the fact that the puppy very much loves pulling finished and unfinished knits around and being chased. I've tried tricking her by hiding chaseable knits. She so knows the difference.

As a result, fine knitting has been set aside until she pulls it together and lots of loosey goosey what if knits are likely to follow.

The first wip to post is the stocking hat that had great aspirations and needles that were too large. Mostly it looks like the upchuck that happened in the audience this afternoon. I'm guessing that fine "booclay and it's boocles" isn't going to frog so well. There are great possibilities in the yarn/texture combination. I just haven't found them yet.




Also on the needles is a booga bag made with some yarn from the 30% off treasure chest and some leftover from the everlasting gobstopper messenger bag. It's either going to be really cool or it's going to suck or it will be somewhere in the middle. I'm considering it an i-cord tutorial since I've never tried that before.

On Carols

I love language and languages. Playing with words? Sign me up. Figuring out the connections in the Romance Languages? I am SO all over it- even if only in my amateurish way. There comes a time, however in the life of the music teacher when you've "Got to do What You've Got to Do." regarding Latin and 5th graders.

Them: WHY do we have to sing Oh Come All Ye Faithful in Latin?

Me: Because it's what people do, it's cool, it sounds good, people will think you're geniuses, and it will make the song longer.

After pointing out Fideles and relating it to "Faithful" and hence a possible connection to the dog name "Fido" and reminding them that when we sang that song in Spanish and it had the word bienvenidos and how it means welcome and how cool is it that it's almost the same as venite meaning "come" in Latin (and secretly remembering the French verb venir but being smart enough not to give too much information), I had to resort to mnemonics and cracking myself up.

Adeste Fideles
no mnemonic required-they're the first words.

Lae ti triumphantes
The Lady and three elephants or as they preferred the lady is on fire-don't ask me how.

venite venite in Bethlehem
o.k. so the venidos thing might have worked

Natum Videte
they totally came up with this one-they somehow believe its saying "don't date 2 people"

Regem Angelorum
This was the hardest line and I ended up using "Regis is a drunken (rum) Italian angel."

Venite Adoramus Venite Adoramus Venite Adoramus
repetition is the key to all things- they made the adore and adoramus connection as well.

Dominum
Yes, I did. "Let's come adore Dominoes Pizza."

Sign that the name Fido is no longer en vogue- after the above comparison, one student raised her hand and said, "I saw that name for a dog in a book I was reading. I thought you said Fiddo" (with an i as in lid.)

What? an FO

Hey kids! I knit some mitts. I made the pledge at Knit Night on Tuesday that I would finish these before the next knit night. I'm sure that they all saw it as the not so disguised excuse to buy more yarn next week that it was.

In spite of floods, leaks, early dismissals, cancelled Christmas shows, and a puppy that can't yet distinguish sticks from the yard from sticks on the left hand side of the couch , I present some mittens from the Ann Norling mittens on 4 dpns knit in some Lamb's Pride.



In looking at this picture- I perhaps realize from whence Love Of Green came. The afghan beneath the Best Puppy Ever was crocheted by Granma almost 40 years ago- it's seen it's share of Wizard of Oz's.

Damn, I'm old

Here's the thing- as the music teacher, you tend to get tech upgrades only when someone else gets something new. "Auxillary personnel" get the leftovers. This explains why the t.v. in my classroom looks like something similar to the one pictured. Today- after viewing the Nutcracker, I asked a kid to turn off the t.v. and he had no idea what to do.

knit night 432nd edition

A list of new post-knit-night-knowledge along with credit where credit is due.

1. If you go to this site there is graph paper to design your own norwegian style mittens. (Debbie)

2. It takes longer than 45 minutes to design mittens.

3. A 48'x10'x10' cistern holds approximately 35,000 gallons of water. (Marc)

4. A Wallace candy cane christmas ornament can go for as much as $499 on ebay. (Patty)

5. Elastic thread will fix the gigantic issues going on with the burnt orange stocking cap.(Debbie)

6. When doing complicated black and white stranded-checkered sleeves to a golf sweater, be sure to read the pattern. Add a stitch at each end of the sleeve-not just at the beginning. (Chris)

7. When in the company of someone who is just learning about number6, there is an ache in the pit of your stomach even if it's not your own knitting and you may have to walk around and look at yarn to shake it off.

8. Tonka makes a metal fire truck that you can hook up to the garden hose and toy fire hydrant and have loads of summer fun with. This same truck- not so good for the furniture. (Claire)

9. Part of the First Sock Syndrome described in the previous post comes from thinking I look like one bad ass knitter when using dpn's. Last night's solution was to buy a pair of size #1 Lantern Moon dpns, certain that with such great needles, I'll be sure to redo that Lana Grossa sock.

10. If you're feeling guilty about casting on too many socks, buy some Lamb's Pride wool in a shade of green that adds to your green obsession, some size #8 dpns (seriously I didn't have that size-can you believe it?) and cast on some mittens. They feel like socks in so many ways only without the guilt.

And finally an observation on the knit night phenomena. Each conversation builds upon the previous ones so that by the time 7:30 hits, you've reached that blissful state of laughing even though no one's said anything particularly funny- you just know it could happen.

Mutating Virus

I would like to suggest that here in this household Second Sock Syndrome (SSS) has mutated and become most vile. It is now First Sock Syndrome. I have such a lovely (if small by comparison) collection of luscious sock yarns. The aficionados among you will recognize Olive Lana Grossa, 2 flavors of Trekking, some mint-colored Berroco Ultra Alpaca (on 6's for a fast knit), some lemony-lime Koigu, and my recent destash purchase from A.D.D. Knitter on-line 100 (or something like that) in the cool multi-colored variegated black.



You may also notice that several of these fine beginnings have no needles-no scrap yarn in them. Want to start a new sock? Just yank out the needles from the ones you haven't finished. Early treatment of this syndrome included buying more #2 dpn's. Come to find that treats the symptoms rather than the disease.

Should I be contacting the CDC" in Atlanta or is this just an isolated incident?

Also, go say hey to poly_dactyl. She's a real life friend who knits but has had her hands full turning 30, having a baby, and finishing her Master's degree in the last 4 months. She just started a blog- I want her to get as addicted as I am, so leave a comment or ten. Thanks!

Blame Ruth- she tagged me

Ruth tagged me with the seven weird things meme.

I'm not tagging- (it's a bonus weird thing- I never played tag in grade school- too much pressure)

1. I seriously believe that at any moment I choose, I could become a chorus member in a Broadway musical. (just the chorus member- let's be realistic

2. One time while watching Mary Tyler Moore, Phyllis came on the screen saying "hi, hi" and I burst into tears.

3. I also believe that at any time now (actually any second) I'll be able to speak and understand Spanish and Italian.

4. Sometimes it's easier to describe the mood I'm in with a number. Today is 38. 74 is a bad day. 63 is a good one. 494 sucks. Given space limitations, I can't reveal the quality of all numbers, but if you need to know, just ask.

5. I think it's really cool that I can look at my fingers, decide to move them and then they move. It feels like a magic trick.

6. I prefer rainy napping days over sunny weather days.

7. There's always a pattern of some sort (numbers-stitches-piano keys) going on in my head.

I changed my mind- if polly_dactyl and Lydee want to play, tag, you're it.

Wicked Cool Photo Shoot

As promised- I was able to snag GHB to snap a Wicked picture. Note the matching jewels made and mailed by the mama.

Time to go do stuff.

Get The Ball!

So if this takes 100 years to load, just ignore it- I'm trying out Bloggers Video upload to see if there can be action shots of The Liza Jane B.P.E.

Ice on the Roads

We had the worst possible kind of snow today. The kind that starts just as you're leaving for school. It's too late for them to cancel and too late to call a sub. Except I called one anyway because my mental health is worth more than a day of watching the student teacher teach. This means I played "hooky" today. The panic attack was precipitated by thoughts of the curvy icy hill. Husband reassures me that I'm not a loser for bailing on the day. Anyone else who would like to do the same would be doing me a great service.

Batteries are charging and I'll snag same husband for a photoshoot on the Rowan Big Wool sweater and the Spam-A-Not Wicked. Both unbocked fo's that are getting closer to the ideal sweater.

WIP Update- (again maybe some pix over the weekend)

Berroco alapaca socks in worsted weight on size 6 needles because it's the best way to keep the feet warm and man, are they quick. One down, one to go.

Stocking cap for my favorite parent volunteer- not my favorite wip right now. I had such grand hopes. I think I'll take it to knit night for some tweaking. It may be that I just hate novelty yarn-boocles-or burnt orange. Possibly all of it.

Wicked Part II- finally taking that periwinkle handspun I bought in May and am hoping to make a long-sleeved wicked with it. I just trust the sizing on the pattern.

This is the first December I've had a blog. All the secret "cant post" stuff and all. Is there then the government holiday phenomena (like the post office after they get a Monday off, you get twice as much mail on Tuesday) after the gifts have been given?

aren't these cool?

Yea, so since I haven't taken any pictures of recent finished objects, I'll share Debbie's (KNQ) awesome finished mittens.

I think they're pretty amazing. I wish I hadn't promised that I wouldn't take credit for them.



Furhter notes on the boucle. For what it's worth, I pronounce it booCLAY. I pronounce my made up word like it's spelled- boocles. And along with the picture of the fabulous mitts came the advice to PURL the booClay to get more boocles in front. I should have figured that one out given my understanding of knit and purl.

nitte nytte and what do you know of boocles?

Thanks to Marc (henceforth known as Mr. Nitnite) and his camera phone for pictures to post. Stupid dead Nikon batteries.

Had you not noticed? I love knit night. So much so that I rarely spell it correctly because it is so sacred. There were fewer of us last night but when you walk in that place you're just smiling inside even if there's nothing funny because there is such a chance for things to get funny and that's funny all in itself. My job is done if I manage to say something that would cause someone who was eating to spit food out of their mouths-actual food not required. Food Spew Action? Check.

I bought some burnt orange wool and some matching variagated (sp?) novelty yarn to stripe the stocking cap. Tonight's knitting question. Is there a way to knit with boucle (in the round) that has the boocles on the outside instead of beautifully adorning the inside? I tried pulling the boocle through and not pulling the boocle through (I'm pretending that the balls on the boucle are called "boocles".) The next thing I'm going to try is maybe knitting in the back of the stitch and twisting it. It would be much easier if someone who already knows how to do it could help.

two more words for Thursday

Snow Day

knit night blogging when (if) the puppy ever naps.

Two Words

Snow Day

Is it just me or..

every time you wear a finished object do you walk around chanting "feel my sweater, I made it."

Wicked is off the needles. It needs to be blocked but I wore it to school anyway because the weather was permitting.

It's most very cozy in spite of a wide variety of crossover/cable ribbings. For those of you looking forward to a pocket- you'll have to look elsewhere.

What annoys me most (and I'm hoping that blocking will solve this) is the fact that the bottom ribbing is done in moss stitch and is rolling up like a t-shirt rag. Wonder why it's moss stitch ribbing on the bottom.

Next plan in my head is a stocking cap for my favorite parent volunteer coordinator. She loves wacky hats and will make a most excellent blog picture. There's reason enough to knit one.

Six minutes to post.

I must leave for my job in six minutes.

On my mind today- Secrets. You've got your "secrets", your "Secrets" and your "SECRETS."

secrets around holiday time- appropriate-fun-exciting-etc.

SECRETS of any other kind- as in "don't tell, they can't handle it, I can't handle them knowing"- are diseased. A lame attempt to maintain control over a situation that isn't controllable. Those who keep them for others, a lame attempt to exert Power over those not in the Know.

What can you say about secrets and the damage they have caused? Or maybe what about the secrets and the joy they have brought? Talk amongst yourselves. 30 seconds left...

I have 2" of crossover rib on a short sleeve and can declare Wicked finished. Come to find I did the ribbing wrong on the neck, not looking close enough at the pattern before diving in. Given it's top-down-ness, I think I'll grow fond of it.

A riot is an ungly thing...

undt, I tink, that it is chust about time ve had vun.



Nice to know that the neighbors just to the south are discouraging riots and fires. There's your CrMeUSat. Let's Go Mountaineers~

Knew Knit Knight Knowledge. KNQDebbie- The larger needles in my Boye interchangeable needle set flair out at the bottom. Come to find a metal nail file and/or fine sandpaper may solve that knitting problem in my life. Stay tuned next week for the awesome ornaments on the Knit Shoppe Christmas Tree.

The puppy has magical powers- I fell asleep on the couch with a serious bad ugly headache last night and she went to sleep on my head. When I woke up, the headache was gone. She sucked the bad mojo right out of me.

Last but very much not least- congratulations are in order for this former co-head teacher in charge who finally had the knitting balls to say "no thank you" to extra work for next to no money and increased stress levels. I'm FREEEEEEEEE!

note to self... just because you CAN do something is no reason to feel that you HAVE to do it.

a post between posts-

Every 4 vs. Every 4th as I understand it.

Decrease every 4th row means knit row 1 knit row 2 knit row 3 knit(4th) decrease row : Knit row 1 knit row 2 knit row 3 knit (4th)decrease row.

Decrease every 4 rows means knit row 1 knit row 2 knit row 3 knit row 4 knitdecrease row : knit row 1 knit row 2 knit row 3 knit row 4 knit decrease row. (knit 4 rows THEN decrease)

That's just my interpretation via KNQ-Debbie-it has always puzzled me-especially when knitting in the round. The rule is read EXACTLY what the pattern says then do it. (a future sidebar quote)

More knit night knowledge to share but de puppee kneeds attention.

note to Magatha and anyone else with turkish hat pix/ideas. Please send them along to blts At alltel (dot) net.

I can picture what he's talking about a little bit- I'm thinking 1950's "cool jazz" sort of thing but I may be mistaken.

Just for the record-I don't think husband realized what an unwoven end fashion statement he was making. We'll just keep it that way.

Thanks for the comments this torturous month of elementary music education except for maybe the one from Throws Like A Girl who should be severely scolded for her SAHM gloating during this music teaching time of year.

Like the Shifting Sands in the Hourglass...

These are the days of our lives.

Seriously my blog friends, I'm hoping I'll be back to my delightful blogging self around December 19th or so. In the meantime I share with you a few belated episodes of "CMUS" (Crack me Up Saturday.)

First- a brilliant plan. It's amazing how easily elementary school students can be bribed into learning lyrics that I'm burned out from teaching after 20 years. Type up the lyrics and when they show you that they are memorized, give them 3 entries in the Official Winter Program Lyric Bonanza Give-away. (The fabulous GHB has suggested that I may be spending a little too much time at the casino.) They have absolutely No sense of the odds of winning (or lack thereof), believing that they will indeed be the prize winner. Hooray that they don't teach statistics in elementary school.

Tell them it will be a Giant Christmas Stocking stuffed Chock Full of Dollar Store Goodies and they'll learn the words in an hour. (Did I ever tell you that in spite of its many shortcomings, the 'burg IS the capitol of all things dollar store?)

Nothing funny yet? Well... Note. To. Self. Proofread all lyric sheets passed out to students when singing Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. Otherwise you may have 5th graders in their classroom oh so cleverly singing rfocking around the Christmas tree. Ever notice how close the r and the f are to each other on the keyboard? Damn. Or should I say rfock?

On the knitting front. I'm about an inch away from the bottom ribbing of Wicked. Nothing worth seeing.

What happened to the Rowan Big Wool sweater? It's finished however, there is a distinct difference between "repeat decrease round every 4 rows" and "repeat decrease round every 4th row." Knit Night Debbie once again helped me see the error of my elephant sleeve ways. I have not yet attended to these sleeves. I'd like to think I will someday.

I used Ann Budd for the Tam idea- underestimating the vastness of Dear Husband's skull. It's a tam. It doesn't fit him. I'll try again another time. Doesn't he wear unwoven ends well?

Can you say better living through book/yarn therapy? These arrived from Amazon (also home of the borrowed photos) I believe husband's request for a "turkish hat" is actually a tam. Some Paton's birthday wool is working it's way into Tam-City. We'll see if that is what he really meant.

As can be seen in the sidebar, there have been interesting dog-cat antics in the house. Great Laughing Fun. Stupid blogspot cropped my pictures incorrectly though. Will fix "Tam"orrow.

A little more on knit night (kn)

Loud kn'er: COME ON QUIET KNITTER, IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TALK AT LEAST EAT A COOKIE!

Quieter kn'er: o.k. I'll have a cookie, thanks.

Loud kn'er: I'VE SAID MORE IN THE LAST 5 MINUTES THAN YOU SAID ALL LAST WEEK AT KNIT NIGHT.

sophanne: But she Heard everything.

insert minimally snarky grin and nod of understanding between sophanne and quieter kn'er

Later..

'Nother Knitter: If you had a lot of this, what would you do with it?

Loud kn'er: in a surprisingly tactful moment it would make nice fringe.

'Nother Knitter: No, I have A LOT of it. I'm thinking something you might wear, any ideas?

So, Nablopomo'ers, any thoughts on that one?

12:25 and all is even better

So here's the dealio- I've decided to bribe myself into the holiday spirit by purchasing 16 skeins of my favorite yarn at the Knit Shoppe. If I start to sound "Grinchy" I must remind myself of the early Christmas present, smile and say ho ho ho.

If you stash it, the pattern will come. I'm thinking maybe the Citrus Yoke Pullover in the winter IK- another knit that I think might have to be seen first hand to be appreciated. Knit Shoppe Debbie has one in Magi and it was a magi-net to me. I'll definitely let it simmer in the stash bin, ravel it a little and reward myself with it once the Christmas break begins.

It was a good day. An uneventful knit night though someone should slap my hands when I think it's just o.k. to drink coffee at 6:00 in the evening. Even if it is German Chocolate Cake flavored coffee. yum.

12:09 and all's well

How do you like THIS innundation you NaBloPoMo'ers? *insert wicked laugh*

The question of the hour- Is it possible the Liza the Dog learned to use Annabelle the cat's litterbox to avoid a nighttime deposit? I swear this shit looks like dog. And while I know I could likely get an immediate answer with a visual aid, I don't recall hearing about NaShiPoMo so you'll have to trust me.

Also on the "deedoodeedoo spooky" factor. How often did you think of Mr. Whiffle and his Charmin prior to yesterday? And yet today during one of the Fantasy Island episodes, he played the part of the minister set to perform Rowdy's daughters wedding.

All bets (except the vet and knit night) are OFF. Comcast's On Demand TV Entertainment category of Tube Time has Fantasy Island on it. I just heard "the plane the plane" for real for the first time in 30 years and Tattoo is giving out diplomas to monkeys and Rowdy Roberts Queen of the RollerRinks is one of the guests and wants to be a "lady" for the weekend. Now if THAT doesn't crack you up, ain't nothing can.

A series of short posts- because I can

Today's post is a tribute to all of you dedicated NaBloPoMo participants. I just couldn't handle it in November (check back in February) So instead I've decided this is NaBloPoDay. I'm going to spend the day watching for things that crack me up and as they do, you'll be the first to know. I wouldn't be surprised if the AP (Associated Press) picks it up.

yesterday- 1 1/2 inches until some shaping on Wicked. Oh how I love that yarn. Things I did yesterday thanks to having to be accountable on the blog. Household budget (I know- I can't believe it either)-found the recipe-got a haircut-went to the post office-dropped of a prescription. I know- it makes for some kick-ass blogging.

Things on today's list- clean the oft-neglected stash room. More on Wicked. A little spinning. A trip to the vet. AND.... KNIT NIGHT!!! woo hoo!

2 things making me laugh this morning.

Liza the puppy will help me clean the oft-neglected room. Anything she picks up and tries to chew I know needs put away.

This morning's dog walk involved collecting a sample in the not quite light outside. It's in a mini-pseudo- tupperware container. Husband was a little disappointed that I didn't use the ziploc baggie he had saved for me. He suggested that I put the tupperware in the ziploc bag and put Liza's name on it in case I confuse it with other containers of dog poop I'm carrying around today.

Abbreviations- and a recap

It's no surprise to any of you bloggers what a little anxiety does for blogging quality. In an effort to make the most of this Thanksgiving break, it's an Abbreviated Update Of Life As I Know It. (AUOLAIKI)

On The Knitting Front- (KF)

I haven't tried it on yet, but I am of the belief that the malabrigo/wicked combination has the potential to be my most favorite FO ever- when it's done. This picture doesn't look much different from the last but the sleeves have been removed and there are about 4 inches of mindless knitting before there's any more excitement.



New thoughts as a result of knitting Wicked-

I'm not a very good judge of patterns when I look at them on paper. My visualizing skills are continually improving.

Note to self- really LOOK at the picture instead of the cursory glance. You might just love it.

That big pile of handspun that I got at the Waynesburg Sheep and Fiber Festival has long-sleeved Wicked written all over it.

Note to self regarding stash enhancement- if you purchase it, ideas will come

As a result of 16 hours of committed "really looking" at patterns, I've found 5-10 things that I'd like to knit.

Note to self- Notes to self aren't always in your best interest.

On the Puppy Front (PF)

Things puppy can now do- go up and down stairs, get on the couch by herself,sit, give a paw, fetch a small pink bunny and find a spot. The last two are more or less when she feels like it though. She seems to have some sort of "herding" dog in her mix. When I woke up yesterday, all of her previously skewed puppy toys were in a neat pile together. We also worked on walking on a leash. For some reason when I see husband and puppy together I think Jack and the Beanstalk.



On the Get off Your Lazy Ass Front (GOYLAF)

anyone find it ironic that this abbreviation ends with "laf"?

I include this part of the post because maybe if I tell all my blog friends what I'm going to try to accomplish today, I'll actually feel accountable.

I want to:

Prepare for our household budget meeting so that I can prove to husband that we do indeed have enough moulah to buy "the house" a Playstation 3 for Christmas- as well as show off my own fiscal responsibility (an only recently acquired trait.)

Clean out the closet and remove clothes that don't fit and organize all the things that I can/will wear to school in such a way that I can "grab and go."

Find the recipe for the chicken/stuffing/gravy casserole type thing I made 10 years ago so that we might not have to go in search of an open restaurant on Thanksgiving.

Note to others on the GOYLAF- What do you do to inspire yourself to accomplish tasks such as those above? Whenever I try to pull this off I hear Chris Farley in that Saturday Night Live skit saying "Yea, that's another one of those things I'm never gonna do."

Do you want to hear an elementary music teacher complain about Christmas programs?

Do you want to hear what I think about a boss who ducks out 2 hours early on the day before Thanksgiving break?

Do you want to hear about puppy poop? (diamondless puppy poop I might add)

What about falling asleep after knitting 2 rows on Wicked every night?

Yea, I didn't think so. I wouldn't want to hear about it so much either.

On the other hand I could go on and on about the great husband who makes dinner when I have to come home late, the kids at school who still give me the secret happy "I like you" smile in spite of my crankiness, and the studentt teacher who picks up some slack when I think my brain is going to explode.

Seems like Liza Jane is the way to go. Maybe I'll have some brilliant thoughts with some days off. (and just how long can I blog puppy pictures until this turns into a dogblog instead of a knitting blog?) I need a knit night fix.

But was there knitting?

Of course. I cast on the mint Malabrigo purchased from Tammy and began Wicked. I love Malabrigo.



There was snow at the peak of the Allegheny Mountains. Here's a scenic view of the World Known (so the conductor says) Horseshoe Curve. This would have been a perfect opportunity for the Rowan Big Wool turtleneck sweater which is finished except for the end weaving and the fact that I still want to tweak the length of the ribbing.

chickenlips tags- I'll play.

o.k. chickenlips- this one's for you-

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night? My husband- he's the funniest man on the planet.

2. What were you doing at 0800? Just finishing a $2.00 breakfast at "Laverne's" and heading toward the airport.

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Playing with the new click trainer and the puppy and chanting "pick a spot."

4. What happened to you in 2006? I started blogging.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud? "Pick a spot."

6. How many beverages did you have today? 2 coffees and a few glasses of water.

7. What color is your hairbrush? Pink

8. What was the last thing you paid for? The dog clicker

9. Where were you last night? On a train.

10. What color is your front door? brown

11. Where do you keep your change? In a giant purple crayon bank with the letters "mfp"... which of course stand for Magic Fairy Princess and NOT m** f** pennies

12. What’s the weather like today? It's gray and all I've heard are complaints but I secretly like it that way.

13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor? Chocolate.

14. What excites you? Yarn stores. When GHB wins at slots. FO's that fit. Yarn that I've spun. Having a puppy.

15. Do you want to cut your hair? Since it hasn't been cut in 6 months, I'm thinking yes but I hate going to get it cut. The small talk makes me crazy and Frederick, the possible transvestite who cuts it so well , always asks for a little smooch after he cuts my hair.

16. Are you over the age of 25? 42 last Wednesday.

17. Do you talk a lot? It depends on where I am in the med cycle.

18. Do you watch the O.C.? I don't know what that is.

19. Do you know anyone named Steven? I dated someone named Steve and the nightmares only recently stopped. There is a 4th grader named Steve who's my favorite kid on the planet.

20. Do you make up your own words? I'll make up a word now and again. More often I require some verbal sound effect/non-word to get my point across.

21. Are you a jealous person? Not one bit

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A'. Friends?

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’. See above.

24. Who’s the first person on your received call list? What does that mean?

25. What does the last text message you received say? No text messaging in my life

26. Do you chew on your straw? no.

27. Do you have curly hair? Depends on the humidity and the last time it was washed. Right now? Straight city.

28. Where’s the next place you’re going to? Outside to see if the puppy wants to "pick a spot" yet.

29. Who’s the rudest person in your life? This one is best left unanswered- who know who reads this.

30. What was the last thing you ate? Egg and cheese on Texas toast. They called it a "Tweener." That Laverne.

31. Will you get married in the future? I'm feeling pretty lucky to be married in the present. No future plans

32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? I swear there will be a question I can answer soon. Who looks at titles when you're counting stitches?

33. Is there anyone you like right now? Did this meme start with a 7th grader?

34. When was the last time you did the dishes? Does throwing the paper plate away count?

35. Are you currently depressed? Chickenlips wrote-No, Effexor is a magic drug. I thought so too until I switched to Selexa, lowered my blood pressure, and no longer need a sleeping aid at night.

36. Did you cry today? No but it's only lunchtime.

37. Why did you answer and post this? Because I like Chickenlips.

38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey. I can't do it- too much pressure. I love reading them, feel a little self-indulgent doing them, but always feel like I'm inconveniencing my busy blog friends it I tag them. Jump in if you're feeling like it. All 5 of you!

Fortunately and Unfortunately

Fortunately we had a well-planned trip to NYC with pre-purchased train tickets, show tickets, and hotel reservations.

Unfortunately when we arrived in the city I did not have the hotel street address.

Fortunately I was able to get the address from directory assistance.

Unfortunately we had already travelled 15 city blocks or so in the wrong direction.

Fortunately it wasn't raining.

Unfortunately when we arrived at the hotel they had given our 2-double bed room away.

Fortunately they gave us the "penthouse" and $20 off.

Unfortunately it only had one bed.

Fortunately it didn't matter much because we had a show to go to.

Unfortunately after walking the 12 blocks to the theater district we found the stagehands were on strike and the show was cancelled.

Fortunately one of the striking stagehands sent us on our way telling us to "have a beer on him."

Unfortunately he was only kidding.

Fortunately we found a deli and had a great sandwich and some wine.

Unfortunately we paid twice as much for the mini-bottles as we would have at home.

Fortunately we had an extra one and we took it to the striking stagehand.

Unfortunately the show was still cancelled.

Fortunately we had money left from the ticket refund and went to the Borders Books next to Madison Square Garden.

Unfortunately we probably could have done this in any city and didn't need to travel 8 hours by train.

Fortunately we had a large hotel room next to the "rooftop bar" where we could enjoy our new books and rest our weary feet.

Unfortunately the drunks from the rooftop bar thought ours would be a good door to pound on while waiting for the elevator at 4:00 a.m.

Fortunately we had 8 hours home on the train to sleep, read and knit.




I call this picture "Spam-a Not"

Please Help Us

Our Puppy has a Monkey on Her Back



reports Eliza..."If you had a monkey on your back, you'd be peeing on the floor too."

we have a winner

Using this random number generator Iput in the numbers 1-21 (removing my own comment) and Deborah is our winner! Thanks to everyone for the great advice.

It was a great birthday and I am a lucky person on the planet. We have a staff development session this afternoon and a train ride this weekend so look ahead to some FO's next week.

The Power of the Internets

Two posts in one day? Stranger things have happened as evidenced by the dogcat photo.



This is what is known as Pet Heaven

A Girl and Her Dog Blowing out the Candles

Balloons, streamers, 42 Cupcakes, a new puppy, some NYC mad money- and a beautiful card (all a night early because he just felt like it.) I'll tell you what it says if you promise not to tell him I told you

I see how much you love me and Eliza- have a happy birthday and love yourself that much

Could a girl ask for a better husband?

Lizer's (it's how you say Eliza in GHB's Brooklyn accent) foot is healing nicely. Thanks for all the great words.

Did you notice the frosting bone on the side?

How many people can say...

"this year's birthday present ate last years?"

Yea, well we continue to be indoctrinated into the land of puppyville. This morning at about 10:00 I did the ritual "ear check" for the 1/4 ct diamond studs to make sure the backs were securely fastened. One was missing. I knew I felt a little unbalanced. Was it while I was donning the fleece sweatshirt? Couldn't be- that's never happened. Then I remembered the 7:00 a.m. puppy ear kisses. Puppy either has a belly worth a fortune or- more likely it's somewhere between the folds of the afghan on the bed. i'm mostly too scared to look (in either place)

fast forward 6 hours..

I pulled into the driveway relieved to see GHB's SuperSport in the driveway. Puppy's day at home wasn't so so long after all and she and husband had some bonding time. And he was home to clean up the first day mess. The look on his face told me something was wrong. What could she have possibly done in a days worth of work to buy her chow? She did nothing. Except run and play all afternoon with husband, get a bath, and then get underneath GHB's size 13 foot with her paw. We're thinking it was just bruised. She puts a little pressure on it. It's not swollen. She is not in constant pain. In fact- here she is now (a side view as I blog)



and yet I fear the ASPCA will be soon knocking at our door. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Where are all the pictures? asks Jenn

Thanks Jenn!



This puppy is cracking me up. It's been one big old Crack (Me Up) Weekend.

She does more than sleep in a ball but I've been too busy playing with da puppee to snap the picture.

She did her first bark earlier today. I think she was "protecting me" from (or maybe scared of) the Big Guy. If she only knew what a sweetie he is. So now she's sleeping on his lap. Must. Share. Puppy.

commands...

So I've really taken to the "hurry up" and "pick a spot" advice on puppy potty training. I think she's understanding it every now and then only sometimes is it hard for me to hang onto the alpha voice.

Hopefully most of you have seen the Will Ferrell/Pearl clip about the rent. I'm seriously considering using "You Pay Now!" as the "hurry up"-"pick a spot" command. I can pull that one off in the alpha voice, it cracks me up in my head, and it's a little bit accurate- if not perfect.

And I finished a sleeve on the Blue Rowan Big Wool Sweater-one more sleeve to go- it should be ready for next weekend's trip to NYC! woo.hoo. (just in case the blog police are checking for knitting content)

3:00 a.m. note to self...

Liza Jane may not pee where she sleeps but that shouldn't be misinterpreted as saying she won't pee where I sleep. I swear mom, I'll wash the sheets before you get here.

On the other hand, everytime we go outside there's a little squat and piddle so I think puppy has a genius I.Q.

Must get some sleep. Enter the happy birthday don't forget about *this* with your dog contest

Cute-o-rama-city-ville

You'll just have to accept a large photo file or two as I get over newness of puppy. In the meantime go to the post before this one and enter a contest!

In the meantime...a contest

Kmkat sent me a lolz to no doubt bide the time until Friday afternoon when, after thinking about her missing her dog mommy while we're at work, Eliza Jane will arrive. I think Annabelle, our already at our house cat, has been posing on the side. Thnxkbai kmkat!



In further developments, The All Wise Knit Shoppe Debbie saw some potential trouble ahead in River City and offered the following advice at the end of beloved Knit Night last night. (what I really want to know is how in the world she knows how dog/puppy stupid I really am)

1. Don't put your shoes/socks/ etc. in the dog crate. Puppy will come to believe that these are acceptable chew toys.

2. Pee time is not play time. See side bar for further elaboration. Repeat: Pee time is NOT playtime.

3. If she goes in the house, nose rubbing doesn't work. Instead take said refuse outside and take her to it the next time you take her out.

4. Do NOT paper train. Let's just say that there was a dog in her home who once believed that a paper gum wrapper was an o.k. place to "go."

I'll just fess-up- believing that she'll check up on me. I was SO going to give her (Eliza not Debbie) a sock-o-mine for comfort during the day. Also purchased were the little absorb-a-pads for accidents. I know I can look up lots that I need to know on the internet if need be but I'm guessing the "stories to prove it" from friends make the point stronger. Liza Jane is coming on Friday and all dog training advice is accepted and appreciated most graciously.

In fact it seems like this should be a contest to elicit as many responses as possible. I've got another "pile" of Rowan 4-ply (see this post for yarn details) There might be one less skein or two- I've got them on my Ravelry Stash page (Sophanne). Spread the word-leave your thoughts and advice-

It's the Official Birthday Dog Training-Rowan 4-ply contest. Winner selected randomly- don't miss out. Woo hoo woo hoo. Contest ends sometime in the evening of November 7th

baa baa blacksheep...

Not perfect maybe, but no longer just roving- what great fun.

On the "If you were me..." front. Eliza Jane the Brittany/Boston Terrier mix will come home this week. CallyKipCalico will be joining us in about 2 weeks. Can you believe how AWESOME my husband is? Birthday= 1 week from tomorrow.

Deleted comments- Spam Adam referring me to the site "I asked about" (NOT) on weight loss.

Tonight- Knit Night.

Life is good.

My brain is so full

Things I did yesterday-

Discovered the Clairton/Elizabeth/Glassport areas around Pittsburgh.

Treadled a 4-treadle Loom

Ate homemade whole wheat buns on ham bbq sandwiches.

Learned what Bumbleberry Pie was.

Spun some lumpy yarn on my own spinning wheel.

Tried out a Turkish drop spindle.

Saw a nostepinne in action.

Forgot my camera.

What a great day! All thanks to Lydee, her mama, and her Aunt Jen.

If you were me..

and it was your birthday in less than 2 weeks, would you beg for this,


this,



or possibly both with the hope of getting to take home one?


NEWS FLASH!!! Someone sang early happy birthday to me 12 days early AND included the puppy and the kitty in the song- woo hoo!!!!

Spooky Spknit Spknight

In an overwhelming, exhilarating, slightly unsettling turn of events, knit night found me face to face with my psychological doppelganger. Wikpedia suggests that it's the ghost of oneself or an evil twin version. The jury is out on that but it also suggests that it's someone who "walks in your same shoes."

Last week at knit night in a manic flurry of hysterical banter I declared her my NKBFF (New Knitting BFF) Assuming that I, as I am likely to do when recognizing my own cackling laughter and sense of humor in someone else, over-reacted to the commonalities, I wrote it off as "hmm that's interesting."

Last night at my beloved knit night my doppelganger and I were spewing forth words at the speed of NASCAR while everyone else was knitting away in a school zone with students present. So engaged in conversation and cackling (I know I've used that word once but there's really no other way to describe it) were we that I'm not even sure if we were a slightly annoying presence or a show to be watched in amazed confusion.

I guess that's how it works when you make real-life friends (various forms of mental weariness have kept me away from that for the past few years.) For now though it just seems a little spooky, eerie, and Halloweeny.

Sunday 'Venture

The Knit Shoppe held a Sunday Tea here.


There were such beautiful displays of handknits of all sorts, I almost forgot to check out the scenery.




We drank tea and ate rich finger foods. I met some more knitters. I'm thinking I'm not so much the "Sunday Tea" kind of person-I'm not exactly sure why. But if I were one, this would have been the place to be.

Saturday 'Venture

Time for the Greene County Historical Society Harvest Festival Report-a photo montage.

GHB considers the options for a new treadmill.


I find my Rusty Knight and a spinning wheel, antique or not, that looks like mine. (Also the CPH photo shoot)


and you can't go wrong at any festival when there are alpacas.

CMUS-L.B.B.

That would be Crack Me up Saturday-Life Before Blogging

One time I went to Ireland and there were always sheep in the road. For some reason these pictures remind me of a Gary Larson "The Far Side" drawing that's waiting for a caption. It's only taken ten or so years to find the perfect people to show them to!

NKNBFFN

That would be "New Knit Night Best Friend Forever Nancy."

13 people. One of them really loud. (ouch) One of them new to me but not to knit night- I heard her cackle and knew it was density... I mean destiny.

Otherwise life's in the way of blogging- need to knit more- compute less. Not try anything hard at knit night.

A simple top down raglan sweater became a work of art when I wasn't paying attention and let the armholes happen in the front instead of in between the increases. doh.

I bought some more classic elite Beatrice to make an "Oat Couture" Oregon Vest. I'm not sure if I'll love the pattern but this fiber is one of the most relaxing ones I've ever knit with. It feels like meditation in my hands. Peaceful knitting-slow blogging- it will all even out.

official shoot delayed...

It's what's known in blogland as a craptastic picture- photo shoot in daylight with GHB was delayed due to dead camera batteries and night. This proves that it mostly fits and that I am queen at sucking in the pooch.