Calicoknits

Capitalism, Casey Anthony, and other conundrums

2011-07-06T14:49:00.002-04:00

I recognize that there has been much brouhaha regarding the Casey Anthony trial and justice or lack thereof being served. I did not closely follow the trial but feel certain that little Kaylee is much better off where she is than in the care of the individual who purports to be a mother. That said, Casey Anthony will be free very soon. If you feel that justice was NOT served then the best way to punish Ms. Anthony is to give her no further attention or reward. Do NOT buy her book (there will be one - we all know it). Do NOT watch made-for-TV movies about the case.(there will be those too) Do NOT allow her to profit from the short life and miserable death of her child. Capitalism at work people! Just as our country enforces trade embargoes on countries whose policies we disagree with, we must state categorically with our wallets that some behaviors are unacceptable. Stepping lightly off my soapbox now.

On to a completely unrelated topic. I went to Home Depot today to have a hissy fit about an incredibly shoddy (and expensive) product that the sweet hubby purchased. No, he didn't know that it would turn out so badly, and, no he didn't listen when I told him to buy something else to begin with. His lesson was learned. I didn't even have to say "I told you to buy... to start with". Anyway, two junior flunkies and one assistant manager later and I walked out of the store with my dollars, and a very red face. Now, you have to realize that I try to be friendly and smile at people except when I'm being grumpy and surly and today was a happy day. I smiled at the other ladies at the returns counter. And I got asked out. On a date. By a woman. Never had that happen before! Come to think of it, I haven't been hit on by a guy in quite a while either. Must be the wedding band that they find off-putting. Or the big fuzzy guy following me. At any rate - I was floored. I managed to decline politely explaining that I was flattered but in a relationship already. Then I left. Quickly. I'll be shopping at Lowe's for a while I think.

A trip to the bank

2011-04-26T16:07:00.002-04:00

I went to the bank this morning. A very ordinary errand on a regular day. After I stopped my car at the drive-thru and placed my signed check and deposit slip in the pneumatic tube, a pleasant voice asked me how could- insert large national bank here -help me today. Did they not see the signed check and deposit slip? Did they think I wanted to pick up my dry-cleaning? Or that I wanted an order of fries with that deposit?
I am left with many more questions. Is common sense such a rare thing? Should I leave my hard-earned dollars in a place where they hire such utter idiots? Or, should I keep it in my sock drawer where I am reasonable sure it would be safe from everything but the cat who is unusually fascinated by socks.
Before I pulled away the very genial teller asked me again how "Big Bank" could help me. I hesitated, wanting to ask for a shake with my fries, but in the end said "No, thank you" like Mother taught me before driving off, shaking my head. Sigh.

Novelty

2011-04-23T14:37:00.003-04:00

Yes, this is a novelty. An actual post about knitting on a knitting blog. I have been working for a couple of months on a project of my own design. Nothing fancy, mind you. Just a gift for a friend that I wanted to be special. As it happens this friends' family are huge fans of the University of Georgia. How we EVER became friends is a mystery since I have long loved the University of Tennessee. There is a nod to Neyland stadium in this design though most will not see it. I am sharing the pattern for my fellow knitters and I hope that you will enjoy it.

University of Georgia themed baby blanket:

This pattern can be modified using any teams' colors of your choice.
Materials: 2 skeins Caron's Simply soft in white
1 skein Caron's Simply Soft in red
1 skein Caron's simply Soft in black
4 stitch markers
Size 8 circular needle 80cm
Row counter

Cast on 120 stitches using black using cast on of your choice. Place marker at beginning and every 40 stitches. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 7 rows.

Change color to red. Continue in garter stitch for 3 rows.

Change color to white.

Row 11 (right side row): Knit across.
Row 12: (wrong side row)Knit 40, Purl 40, Knit 40

Continue in this manner until Row 40 is completed.

Row 41: Knit across
Row 42: Purl 40, Knit 40, Purl 40

Continue in this manner until Row 70 is completed. You will notice that you are creating a very large basket weave or checkerboard pattern. (Just like the end zones in Neyland Stadium)

For the next section the center panel will include the "G" logo for the University of Georgia.

To create a center panel with a UGA theme I used a simple piece of graph paper obtained here:www.printfreegraphpaper.com. I then traced the logo on the graph paper which has 40 blocks. I then decided to purl all stitches of the logo to create the design, knitting all remaining stitches. The opposite would work just as well. So the directions for the next section read thusly:

Row 71 & 73: Knit across
Row 72 & 74: Knit 40 Purl 40 Knit 40
Row 75 and all right side rows up to row 100: Knit 40, begin pattern stitches in purl, Knit 40
Row 76 and all wrong side rows up to Row 100: Knit 40, purl all knit stitches, knit all purl stitches, Knit 40.

Row 101: Knit across
Row 102: Purl 40, Knit 40, Purl 40

Row 131: Knit across
Row 132: Knit 40, Purl 40, Knit 40

Row 161: Change to red and knit 3 rows of garter stitch
Row 164: Change to black and knit 7 rows of garter stitch. Bind off.

Finally, to complete the blanket pick up stitches along the sides of work and work 3 rows of garter stitch in red followed by 7 rows of black and bind off. Work opposite side in same manner and bind off. Weave in ends.

Dear Mr. President

2011-02-19T15:13:00.002-05:00

Below is a letter written by a young physician by the name of Dr.Starner Jones. His short two-paragraph letter to the White House accurately puts the blame for our spiraling health care costs and challenges on a "Cultural Crisis" instead of a "Health Care Crisis". His letter presents my own views so perfectly that I felt compelled to share it.

Dear Mr. President:
During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone.
While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as "Medicaid"! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer.
And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care? I contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a "crisis of culture", a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me".
Once you fix this "culture crisis" that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you'll be amazed at how quickly our nation's health care difficulties will disappear.
Respectfully,

STARNER JONES, MD

Amen & Amen

Here we go again.

2011-01-13T17:52:00.004-05:00

It appears that it has been a little less than forever since I last posted, so we'll see if anyone is still interested. My excuse for the long absence is that I was completing my Bachelor's degree. All done now - thanks be to God. Since I was spending inordinate amounts of time writing papers and otherwise completing assignments on the computer and also have an unhealthy addiction to Facebook - something had to go. It was the blog. I sure wasn't going to give up knitting or goofing off. And I do have a house and family and critters and a full-time job to maintain. So, that being said - I'm BACK! (Just imagine the whole Jack Nicholson crazy eyes and intonation - K? K.)
Since the snow and ice in the ATL has been beaten to death by newscasters everywhere - I will give you pics of the yard (taken this morning when I finally saw it after 3 days of house arrest at the hospital) Enjoy. Postings will continue to be created on a whim and with absolutely no rhyme or reason.

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Not getting much done

2009-06-18T17:02:00.004-04:00

Jenny seems determined to help with my schoolwork. But I think? Not so much. Here are a few more pictures of what has been going on in the ATL for the last month.
Jim and I spent some time at Heritage Park near our house.

The Magnolia tree in the yard has been especially pretty this year.

The baby birds are all grown up and gone but lightning has killed the garage door opener and we're praying the birds only nest once a year.

Brenna had her very first dance recital last week. She dances like her Aunt Kel but is way cuter.

Weekend fun

2009-05-17T16:43:00.004-04:00

Just pics

2009-05-08T21:53:00.002-04:00

Just a few pics of the critters around the house.
>This bird nest is in the garage so we are periodically dive bombed as we go to and fro. We're looking forward to the eggs hatching and the wee birds moving out so we can close the garage door finally.

A little bunny hiding under a tree. Forrest spends a lot of time watching the bunnies running through the neighborhood. Thankfully he only watches and hasn't brought any home.
And of course Beau loves a rainy day with the covers over his head.

Odds & Ends

2009-03-27T14:51:00.002-04:00

My beautiful niece Cayla has lost her first tooth this week. The Tooth Fairy was appropriately generous and she has a mouthful of wealth ahead of her.

This little guy has been hanging out in the back garden the last couple of weeks and we finally got a pic of him. He spends his time chattering at Forrest and driving him to distraction because he can't get to him.
I'm looking forward to Spring break followed by yet another session of school. I started a pair of socks as a reward for finishing this session. Only two more assignments to turn in! Colinette Jitterbug is a lovely yarn with a tight twist. Very nice to work with. My goal is to complete the first sock on this break and the second one by vacation in June. Posting will continue to be sporadic but I will keep it up as often as I can.

Let it Snow!

2009-03-01T19:09:00.003-05:00

As long as I can stay in and be warm it can snow all it wants. Which means that all snow must cease and desist by 0530 tomorrow because I have to go to work. Lord knows I'd rather stay home and watch the dog priss outside trying to his feet dry. Here is the last FO for a while. Mo needed some thick warm socks for the North Dakota winter.

This is around 1100 - Snow just starting

Ooooh look - 2 whole inches of snow!

Yes I am entirely aware of how pathetic it is to get excited over such a small snowfall. But hey, It doesn't happen around here very often and staying inside, drinking hot chocolate, and watching snow fall is a pretty sweet way to spend the day.

Punk'd

2009-01-23T11:18:00.002-05:00

I received a phone call at work yesterday that made me absolutely positive I was being punk'd. Then I realized I wasn't. It was not to be believed so here is the transcript.
My beautiful secretary Natasha answers the phone. There is a long silence followed by a confused look. Then she puts the caller on hold and calls me to the phone.

Caller: I need to talk to someone about getting my wife pregnant.

Me: You do realize you've called Labor and delivery, right sir? ( thinking what radio station is doing prank calls?)

Caller: Yeah, but who do I need to talk to? I need to get my wife pregnant.

Me: Sir, You've got to accomplish the deed before you need my services.( Giving Tasha a dirty look)

Caller: Yeah, See, my wife can still tote a baby but she got her tubes cut, tied and burnt so we gotta get somebody to do that thing where they take a needle and get some of me and put it with some of her in a test tube and then put it up in her to grow.

Me: So you need to see a doctor about reversing her tubal ligation?

Caller: They can do that?

Me: Yes, they can do that. (Oh God, you must love stupid people - there are so many of them)

Caller: So who do I need to call?

Me: You need to consult the phone book and find a doctor near you who does this procedure. ( Please don't let him live in Conyers)

Caller: I'm in McDonough can't you recommend somebody in McDonough?

Me: ( Sweet Jesus- I live in McDonough) Sir, This hospital is in Conyers. Our doctors don't practice in McDonough.

Caller: Yeah but that's only like 10 miles from where I'm at.

Me: Sir, I don't know where you are. But you'll have to find a doctor who does this surgery and talk to them about getting your wife pregnant.

Caller: So you can't recommend somebody?

Me. No Sir.

Long pause.

Caller: Well, Thank you. ( hangs up)

You just can't make this stuff up.

They are out there

2009-01-16T17:23:00.003-05:00

My wildlife pictures can't compete with Brittany's but here are a few from this week. The birds are nuts for this feeder. They typically clean it out within a day or two of my filling it up. I think the squirrels are helping.

Here is my nemesis with a friend. They appear to be looking for a way to tunnel into the garage to crunch my car. They will fail.

They know I am on to them.

Boredom

2009-01-03T18:45:00.002-05:00

Ok, Boredom is a dangerous thing. It's a nasty rainy day here in the ATL so what do I find while browsing the innerwebs but a way to see what my next child might have looked like. This was fun and easy so I want to see wht the rest of you come up with.

Knitter's night before Christmas

2008-12-19T18:27:00.003-05:00

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished knitting not under the tree,
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.
The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.

When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up Dad and the boys.
And although I was tired--my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.

Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.
"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Knitpicks and Clover!
Move Noro! Move Artyarns! Move Classy!
Move over!

Loopy, don't circle round, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard as it's just your first year
But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."

I peeked thru the glass. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.

As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosey red face.

The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a label:

"S.C." in duplicate stitch on the cuff.
So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU knit all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit when I was a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He began then to knit, first one cap then 2--
For the first time I thought I might really get through.

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his needles they flew,
Good Grief! Look at that! He was finished by two!

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your knitting sometime around JUNE!"

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family - Knitters or not.
I love you all.

Life at my house

2008-12-08T16:13:00.002-05:00

This is what life at my house looks like.

The boy and his dog. And the cat. The other cat hid behind the chair when I grabbed the camera. What's up with that?

Abby has been obsessed with this stuffed lamb ornament from the tree. I hang it - she swipes it. Good fun for all. Even more entertaining when I put it up high on the tree.

This is just a pretty road close to my house.

Send a card

2008-12-03T21:28:00.001-05:00

He's back

2008-11-21T15:42:00.002-05:00

And he brought friends. My evil stalker deer came to see me in the daylight because he has not yet succeeded in wrecking my car this year. He wants me to know that he knows where I live and he is out to get me. You can't see his friends. They are shy but there are three more prancing and taunting just up the hillside from Bambi Badass. Keep it up Badass. One more dent in my car and I'm turning the back porch into a deer stand. Happy Friday ya'll.

Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T14:23:00.003-05:00

Happy Veterans day to all and many many thanks to our Armed Forces for all that they do to secure our freedom. As they say - If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, Thank a soldier. So, Thanks Mo, I love you.

Pretty overload

2008-11-02T14:15:00.003-05:00

I am in love with fall. We live far just enough north that we get to enjoy things like leaves changing colors and wonderful cool sunny weather like today. I am only staying inside long enough to upload these pictures and I am running out to take some more. If I stay inside I will obsess about how badly the Vols suck this year. Sigh. Happy Fall, Ya'll!

Rainy day in Georgia

2008-10-24T10:45:00.003-04:00

There are few things better than a cold rainy day when I don't have to go anywhere at all. I am sitting in my house in my comfy flannel pants and slippers. I don't have to put on make-up or shoes or fix my hair. I am a happy girl.
My very least favorite co-worker had her last day at work yesterday so I don't ever have to stay late to write her up again. Hopefully her absence will ease some of the tensions in my workplace. Again - Happy girl.
I've been busy with holiday gift knitting and have run into a bit of a snag. It's not a good one either. I am going to run short of yarn for not just one but two projects. So I am searching the innerwebs for these items. I am confident that I will be able to find them but will likely have to spend more than I want. Also my sweet Mo has asked for socks made from a specific yarn that was once plentiful and cheap and easy to find. Not so much anymore. So that makes three yarns I am on a quest for. And I have to spend some time with my friends the Wireless company today to straighten out a billing issue. Still - a mostly happy girl.
My buddy Laurie loves her some Dallas Raines so I just had to show you his East Coast counterpart. Not everyone can pull off the fake-bake/spray-on tan and bad toupe` but my boy Matt Towery can. I couldn't find just a photo so check out this link. Matt Towery
And when you finish giggling think some dry warm thoughts for my friends Lisa B, Lisa H, Lisa M,and Patty who are walking in the Breast Cancer Three-day this weekend. Hiking 60 miles in three days is an accomplishment but doing it in the rain and cold is heroism. Way to go ladies!

busy busy busy

2008-10-12T19:47:00.002-04:00

It has been a super busy week here at Chez Feline. I have worked like a maniac, completed all my school work until Tuesday, and accomplished a great deal of knitting. None of which I have taken photos of. But my wee girlies now have winter hats and I am making progress on my holiday knitting. I have several quick projects in mind for gifts this year. The economy is such that knitting from my stash is the most budget friendly thing I can think of to do right now. Thank goodness for a large and diverse stash. The only photos I have taken this week were of a deer in the back yard. Unfortunately what with using the zoom to keep from spooking Mr Bad Attitude the pics are too grainy to bother posting. This deer ( I'm assuming it's a he given his behavior) looked up to see me on the deck. Walked closer to see me more clearly, then stamped his hooves and snorted at me. Then he nibbled on the fig tree before stomping off to the creek. I hate deer.
All this is to say that posting may become even more sporadic than usual and that nothing is the matter - just less time and more stuff to do. Take care and I'll see you when I see you.

That's all

2008-09-30T16:22:00.003-04:00

Am I the only one who hates to turn on the TV anymore? Between the political ads, the news coverage of the gas shortage in Georgia, and the talking heads spouting off about the economy, I am pretty sick of TV altogether. My iPod and I are logging some serious time together these days. I am happy to see new episodes of my favorite shows and with DVR I can skip those ugly commercials and just drool over David Boreanez in uninterrupted fashion. Life is good.
The political scene is ugly however. I have purposefully chosen not to be specific about my political opinions or beliefs in this forum. If you know me - you know what they are. My stance here is knit and let knit. Just because you like to knit cables and I don't doesn't make me a bad person or you a good one. We're just different and it takes all of us to make this spinning wheel spin.
With the election looming, I will say this. I truly wish a candidate would emerge that would cause all of us to smack ourselves in the forehead and say " Oh, Of course! THAT's who we need as president." Since it appears that That ain't gonna happen - I'll just say that I am afraid. Very afraid of the direction in which this country is going. And in the words of my hero, Forrest Gump. "That's all I have to say about that."

Home again

2008-09-20T17:33:00.004-04:00

What a great week in the sunshine but I am soooo glad to be home. I have so much that I want to blog about and no idea where to begin. I am studiously avoiding watching any more of the Tennessee/Florida game since it is quite depressing here at half-time. So, I have elected to write instead. I guess since this is supposedly a knitting blog I'll start with the fact that Knit Wits was open in Key West for the first time ever in all my years of visiting there. Have I mentioned that they close in honor of hurricane season and that is when I usually go there? Anyway - they were open and I was happy and celebrated with a lovely ball of Colinette jitterbug in gorgeous fall colors. Turns out this was my biggest purchase all week. Not a lot of knitting was accomplished this week though I did make some headway on the baby surprise jacket. Look at how lovely the only yarn shop in the keys is.

I finished reading Rhett Butler's people and was pleasantly surprised by it. The other book on my vacation reading list " Where the river ends" by Charles Martin is about 2/3 finished and I am having trouble putting it down. It has made me laugh and cry so it passes the test of " good book "
Other than reading and a precious little knitting - I did virtually nothing all week but enjoy the gorgeous weather and try to capture a little of the beauty that is the Caribbean to share with all of you. It is without a doubt my favourite place on the planet and has only 2 faults that I'm aware of. A dearth of yarn stores and the dreaded hurricane season.

I hope you have all had a wonderful week. One more day to catch up all the laundry and housework then... Back to work. Sigh.

Leaving

2008-09-12T14:05:00.003-04:00

Only one more day of work and then I am leaving for one of my favourite places on the planet. Key West! Until then I am cleaning and packing and moving furniture in the basement to make way for the movers to collect the kids' stuff as soon as I come back. Whew. And since I have to take knitting projects with me I have to decide - the Baby surprise jacket or the toe up socks with a difference or both since I might get bored ( Never happen) And I have to round up books - I think I'm going with "Rhett Butler's people" and the new Charles Martin. yes Bit you can read them when I'm done. All this for 5 days of sunshine you ask? Why yes - There are airports and sitting and waiting involved here and I have ADHD if I'm not occupied. I just finished Twilight and am a little disappointed after all the hype about it being the next Harry Potter. Let me state for the record - Harry kicks Edward's butt. It took 400 pages for Twilight to gain any momentum and then it petered right out again. I won't be shelling out for the sequels. If I want vampires I'll watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns. OOh - just remembered - have to find & charge the iPod, ooh, and the camera. Gotta go. Bye.

Sweet relief

2008-09-01T19:12:00.002-04:00

Well, my first baby is a married man now. I guess that this is the culmination of all the years spent raising him. He is all grown up. A man capable of loving and being loved. Determined to make his own family and take care of it. But I've got to tell you - It is a relief that the wedding is over with. It was short and sweet and exactly what they wanted with almost everyone they wanted in attendance. Particularly cool was the flyby of a Huey helicopter. Not planned but a nice addition to an Air Force wedding. Here are some pics to tide folks over until the official ones are ready.

Because

2008-08-23T19:51:00.005-04:00

Because I just know you want to see him as much as I do. Here are a few pics of Mo when we went to visit this week.

Eight months is a long time to not hug your baby. Can't wait til he's home next week.
The Francie socks went to Texas with us but never made it out of the bag. The marathon 16 hour drive home in the dark ( mostly) was just not conducive to knitting with tiny needles and following a pattern. Go figure. All that is left is 1 toe and they will be ready to be washed and put away for holiday giftiness. Here is how they came out. I'm pretty pleased.

The trek home in Mo's car made us realize that his vehicle was unlikely to survive the drive to N.Dakota where he will be living much less three years of snow and salt and whatever else is in East BF so we have been truck shopping again. Yeah boy that was a run-on sentence. Ask me if I care. I am tired. Tired of riding in cars, tired of looking at cars, tired of thinking about cars. I am going to go study the inside of my eyelids until I am not tired anymore.

Snake patrol

2008-08-15T21:29:00.004-04:00

Remember when I said a week or two ago that we hadn't seen any copperheads this year? Well, it seems they just waited an extra week so that I would get all complacent. I let Beau out for his evening constitutional -( and I promise he is every bit as capable of constituting as any politician) and he was reluctant to descend the stairs to the back garden. I looked and spotted THIS attempting to make it's escape. Boogie and his trusty shovel took care of the evil beast while I stood on the steps giving instructions.

A further search of the yard found a companion who also met a quick demise.

Both of these critters were full grown and over three feet long and just as nasty as they look. So I guess we will be on snake patrol every night until the weather gets cooler. Damn. Like I need something else to do. Sorry, Brittany. You're not going to convince me that these things are good for anything so don't waste your breath. Your happy little tadpole eating snakes are fine. The only good copperhead is a dead one.

Domesticity

2008-08-09T18:17:00.003-04:00

Life at Chez Feline is rarely boring but this week has been a bit stingy with blog fodder. Larry is back in school. The summer has just flown by. It's just too hot to have to sit in school. How is it that folks my age attended school from Labor day til Memorial day and are better educated than our kids who attend from August til June?

Here is a pic of the wedding venue. Only three more weeks til the big day.

In a fit of domesticity I cooked a country dinner this week.

It's a dog's life. Geez.

Warning

2008-07-29T11:14:00.004-04:00

Knitting content. On a knit blog of all things. Also a spoiler alert. The recipient of one of these pairs of socks is at yet unknown so you might be getting a glimpse of your Christmas or birthday present. Read on at your own discretion. These are the completed comfort socks that Larry will be wearing as Best Man at Mo's wedding.

And here is Larry doing what he does best - Fishing. And for those environmentalists out there - we do not practice catch & release. We catch & eat!

And these are the Francie socks that I have been looking forward to. The pattern is very engaging and although I dread picking up the gussett stitches I am enjoying this pattern very much. Whoever winds up with them will be pleased I think. This pic is a better representation of the color than the pattern but you get the idea.

Who am I

2008-07-23T13:43:00.002-04:00

I found this video while wasting time on youtube and since I love Casting Crowns I decided to share it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did

Spiders & Snakes

2008-07-20T20:01:00.003-04:00

It is officially snake season at Chez Feline with the first sighting a couple of days ago and then again earlier today. Thankfully we have not ( so far) seen any copperheads and our only visitor is a curious black racer who seems intent on checking out the pool facilities. You'd have thought that I had cried WITCH in old Salem, Mass the way Larry & AH came running with pitchforks and shovels. I don't ask for ID when I spot a snake, you see. If it has no legs and a forky tongue, I become a stereotypical female and call my big strong men to come take care of it. The summer snake hunts of past years are becoming somewhat legendary and two of our closest neighbors have visited recently to see if we had had any sightings of copperheads as we have had to kill several of them ( snakes not neighbors)in the last eight years.
I've got nada on spiders but the wedding socks are black and they are almost done. My next sock project is waiting in the wings with yarn and pattern at the ready. The pattern is "Francie" and I am really looking forward to it. It is very tree of lifey and I'm hoping that the soft green Shibui yarn will do it justice. Speaking of yarn - I am going to get out my ball-winder and wind up my yarn as a little added encouragement to finish up my current projects and move on.

Update

2008-07-16T21:19:00.002-04:00

I've been a busy girl the last few weeks getting some wedding things accomplished and also participating in a Harry Potter mini sock swap. Check out the cool stuff my swap partner sent me. I especially love the card and am now on a quest to obtain some for myself. It has a tiny knitted swatch on the front! If anyone knows where to buy Itty Bitty Witty Knitties let me know. Kim? Sherry? Little help?

The wedding socks are about 60% done and with a few days off coming up I should be able to make good progress on them. That is, if I ignore the fact that my house is in dire need of a good cleaning. Larry's socks are mostly done - just some ribbing left. My other project will be resumed and completed as soon as all the boys have socks. Then I can take a deep breath and start the holiday knitting. Yikes. The CNM's at work have started clamoring for socks. So far I've staved them off with the - if I knit them for you I have to knit them for everyone argument. I think they grasp that it just ain't gonna happen.

Kitten sitting

2008-07-02T16:47:00.002-04:00

It didn't take Miss Lucy long to find the best sleeping spot in the house. Thankfully she & destructo Desi haven't felt the urge to unravel all this goodness. Tis but a fraction of the stash that is strategically placed in various locales all over the house. I've found that lots of small baskets of yarn APPEAR to be less than an avalance when you open a closet door. If you visit me - open closets with care. Just saying.

Lucy does not care for the dog. At all. He's not nuts about her either to be fair. Gratuitous shot of Desi in one of his more innocent moments.

Speaking of fair, My friend Sheryl lost her husband this week and that is beyond not fair. She's a really awesome person who's overcome some tough stuff in her life and this really bites. So Sheryl - lots of love and warm thoughts to you. I don't know what else to say.

New stuff

2008-06-24T17:24:00.004-04:00

My Larry boy has conquered another rite of passage on the way to adulthood. He got his driver's license last week. So of course last weekend was devoted to finding the perfect vehicle to cement his image as a teenage redneck superstar. Behold
THE TRUCK

The finding of this truck ,typically, took us around our asses to get to our elbow. In other words - we drove all over Atlanta only to buy a truck less than a mile from our house. The great truck search also took me to within 1 block of Knitch yet I came home emptyhanded. Didn't even get to browse and fondle. I'm not moving past this anytime soon either. AH knows this. He is afraid.
Also new are the cool growy things in the backyard. These are prenatal figs. They will be way yummy in about 2 weeks if we can win the battle with the deer. Bambi & co swiped most of our crop last year and even ate part of the tree. The are currently being thwarted by pie tins and string which rattle threateningly in the breeze. Hey, we are nothing if not high tech around here.

And this is but one of the bumper crop of pears that we are awaiting. Curious thing. One pear tree ( the scrawny ugly one) is absolutely groaning under the weight of all the fruit. The other ( tall nicely shaped) has about 6 pears on it. I'm sure there is something deep and meaningful related to this. The ugly tree being a hardworker and productive to make up for it's appearance. The other tree pretty but a slacker.

Sort of a commentary on life. Huh. Oh by the way Aub? Me & you have to make some pear preserves. Just saying.

Tuesday

2008-06-17T22:18:00.003-04:00

Tuesday Meme
I am going to do a meme that has been floating around the blogosphere. It looked like fun, so here we go.

The Instructions:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:

What is your first name? Kel
What is your favorite food? shrimp
What high school did you go to? Forest Park
What is your favorite color? Green
Who is your celebrity crush? Matthew McConaughey
Favorite drink? Diet Mt Dew
Dream vacation? Beautiful beach anywhere
Favorite dessert? Key lime pie
What do you want to be when you grow up? Rich & famous- or just rich
What do you love most in life? Family (and books, and cats and knitting)
One word to describe you? Colorful
Your flickr name? calicoknits
The results:

1. Kel, Asleep, 2. Filipino Noodles (Pancit Sotanghon), 3. NYC - Bronx - Bronx Zoo: Jungle World - Black panther, 4. ♫ YO Yo yo, there's no place like a green penthouse... so i told the genie i wanted to be well hung. ^o^ ♫ nah... wildlife from singapore♫, 5. Matthew McConaughey, 6. Diet Mountain Dew Caffeine Free, 7. Mallorca 2007 -- Waiting for summer (Part 2), 8. Vegan Key Lime Tartletes, 9. Portofino a favorite of wealthy yachters, 10. Ennis, Esquire, 11. Rain, rain, go away, I want to do some Sunrise photos, 12. calicoknits

Secret

2008-06-10T11:30:00.002-04:00

location of the bat cave - revealed. You'd think Batman would do a better job. This is most disappointing.

Here is the lovely yarn shop Yarntiques that I visited in Johnson City. I will be back and they will be selling online sometime in the future. For now you can look and drool.

And here is a pic Larry took on the way home of Lake Hartwell - one of AH's favorite places. He camped and fished there many times as a youngster and has fond memories of his time at the lake. Next time he should go with us. Mostly because I can't knit while Larry drives.

Watch out all Georgia drivers. Larry will be taking his test for a "real" driver's license next week. Heaven help us all.

I'm back

2008-06-08T13:27:00.006-04:00

It has been a busy few weeks at Chez Feline with the end of school and work drama and what have you. I am writing this from my parent's house in Johnson City, Tennessee where Larry and I are having a bit of vacay and checking on DOD who had a bit of surgery on Friday. I was very happy to learn that there is a LYS just moments away from their house THAT THEY DIDN"T EVEN KNOW ABOUT!. How can this be? They lived on the same street! Pictures and links to follow in the next post. Dad's puter doesn't talk to my camera. Many thanks to the lovely Marsha who sweetly directed me to the sale yarn upstairs and let me fondle the new Cherry Tree Hill Possum line. You read that correctly. CTH wants us to knit with possum. Hey this is Tennessee after all. I was actually pleasantly surprised at the texture ( similar to alpaca) and carried 2 hanks around for quite a while with thought of purchase before I was lured away by some Meilenweise in a rich brown colorway. I also stumbled on some very nice artyarns sock yarn that needed a ride home. AH was pleased that my yarn finds were bargains and was even happier that Yarntiques will be closed for the remainder of my visit. Sort of like he pretends to be supportive when we go to Key West and Knitwits is closed. I'll be all sad, pressing my nose on the windows and he says " Maybe they'll be open next year" We go to Key West the SAME week every year. Warlock - can you give the man some lessons?

More Cute

2008-05-23T10:54:00.003-04:00

The wee kitties are back! Bigger and even more adorable than before.

I know - three posts in a week is unusual for me. Don't get used to it. I was supposed to be at work today but the census was low and I was flexed off. Good because I get to stay home and do stuff I want to do. Bad because no work = no dollars. Maybe I can convince the guys to catch a movie tonight. Wish me luck.

Hail, Fire, & Dangnation

2008-05-21T16:27:00.002-04:00

My Karma has run over my dogma and I live in a world where nothing, let me repeat, nothing can be easy. I was getting ready to go to Elly Mae's graduation last night and I hear a thudding sound on the roof. I look out to see this. Hoardes of hail stones big and small pelting the house. As I watched the hail I saw something lying on the table on my back deck. It was my book that only an hour earlier I had been peacefully reading in the sunshine. Book is drying out but will never be the same

And here is my lovely daughter-in-law to be in her cap & gown. Sadly even after AH found the correct setting on the camera the pics of her receiving her diploma are not so great. They pretty much look like a white blur. But we were proud all the same. Yea Elly Mae!.

Graduation was quite entertaining with dueling salutatorians - One of whom was a goody-two-shoes, the other a getting-her-act-together single mom. Guess which one I liked best? They were followed by a valedictorian who apparently thought she was receiving an Academy Award because she thanked everyone on the planet, individually and ad nauseum. I picked up my knitting and turned a heel on the sock while she yammered. Storms had threatened all through-out the ceremony and we left to a spectacular lightning show that I directed ( Ask Larry about my talent) all the way home.
And dangnation comes in the form of my job, that I do not love right now, and the pool, which persists in being an unattractive shade of green. AH has complained that I do not exert myself enough in the maintaining of the pool so in an effort to rectify that ( Yes AH is right - don't tell him K?) I enlisted Larry's help in a clean up project. This has backfired on me most stunningly and I will now have to confess to screwing up and making MORE work for the sweet hubster. Yea me.

Graduations

2008-05-20T13:09:00.002-04:00

This week is slap full of them. My Sunshine girl - Cayla finished up preschool and her graduation was Sunday night. She had a solo and Aunt Kel was very proud. Look out Kindergarten here she comes. And tonight two more of my favorite people graduate from high school. My DIL to be, Manuela, and my godson Kyle. Finally, on Saturday, Jim's niece Stephanie will also escape high school. Anyone else graduating this week will have to do so without me. The schedule is full. Oh and a shout out to Rob and Cody who will graduate later this month. That is all.
No pics this time and no more blog. Must go clean the green stuff out the pool.

Dobby says

2008-05-10T19:39:00.002-04:00

Even dachshunds need some hand-knit love. This is Boey . He is the granddog because Mo & Elly ARE NOT HAVING KIDS ANYTIME SOON! Sorry - didn't mean to shout. Just saying is all. No kids. For a long time.

And Dobby is here because I love him and he loves socks just like me.

"Master has given Dobby a sock. Dobby is FREE!"
It's probably a good thing that I'm out of rum now. Happy Mother's day everybody.

Unbearable

2008-04-30T15:58:00.004-04:00

Cuteness. Tater Tot had these sweet babies 2 weeks ago and brought them up on the deck for us to meet a couple of days ago. After checking the label on the bottom it appears that our wee tiger is Lucy and her black and white buddy is Desi.

Lucy is so nosy.

Desi has four white feet. He's a tuxedo kitty.

Too much adorableness. Tater is a good mama and brought them up for her peeps to love. Available for adoption in a month or so. Four kitties - 2 inside & 2 outside is our limit.

I don't like

2008-04-27T17:48:00.002-04:00

Sing this with me : To the tune of " Rock the Casbah"
I re-a-lly don't like it
I hate to clean the cat box ,clean the cat box

But the cat box is now clean and I can sing something else for the rest of the week. Perhaps " Irreplaceable" by Beyonce. Eartha? will you sing with me again? The sleep deprivation associated with this weekend has left me punchy so if this post makes no sense - Go read someone else's blog - someone coherent.

I also don't like grout. AH and I have attempted any number of home improvement ventures in our almost 20 years of marriage. In addition to drywall which has a similar " grit" factor, Grout is one of my new Least Favorites.
And now - gasp - Knitting content. There has been precious little time this week for knitting but with new episodes of lots of my favorite TV shows, I will be plunking my heiney on the divan to knit and gape mindlessly at the telly. Some progress has been made on the comfort socks - no recipient yet, put your shoes sizes in the comments maybe I'll come up with a contest. I like the Berroco comort sock yarn but it is a bit splitty. Really nice stitch definition and soft when worked though. The big wool shrug is about 1/3 done but will not be pictured here - the recipient is a reader. and finally the shibui socks have a toe which Teddy will model as soon as I can find him. My computer monitor blew a gasket a while back and was shipped off for repair. Hope Teddy is not in the box. AH swiped Larry's monitor so that I wouldn't suffer withdrawal from lack of interwebs. All this so I can bring you this drivel. Aren't you glad you came? Come back soon - it will get better. I promise. Maybe. Bye.

As requested

2008-04-21T17:43:00.002-04:00

Never let it be said that I ignore requests on this blog. AH is so funny. He acts as if the handful of folks that read this blog are an entity unto themselves. " What does THE BLOG think about it?" he says. So keep the comments coming. Enquiring minds want to know what you think.

Done

2008-04-20T15:10:00.003-04:00

Well - almost done. Lots of little details like paint touch-ups and grout still need to be done but "mostly finished" is a dumb name for a post. Also completed are the temptation top down socks. On to some cool new yarns and patterns. I'm enjoying a day at home all by myself. AH & Larry have gone to drown worms. It's a beautiful day in the ATL and this post is gonna be short cause I love me some sunshine. Hope you are all having a fabulous day.

What I've been up to

2008-04-09T20:33:00.005-04:00

Sunday : An afternoon with the Harlot

Monday : Slaving away at home - painting finished!

Tuesday : Callaway gardens

Wednesday : working at home

Tomorrow : picking out my granite and my bistro set

2008-04-04T14:48:00.002-04:00

I've been tagged by Brittany for the latest blog meme:

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules.
3. Share a 6 word philosophy of life
4. Tag 3 other people

My philosophy?

Was it fun? Do it again!

I tag

Jose'
Manuela
Amy

Check out the finished chemo cap - In breast cancer awareness pink no less. I had about 2 feet of yarn left in this single skein quick knit. It is silky soft and stretchy but I can't say I'm crazy about Bernat bamboo. Definitely a yarn for small projects.

Love the spiral the decreases make.

My beautiful daughter in law to be with the granddog Boey. He is trying on his new sweater to check the fit.

Fools

2008-04-01T21:30:00.002-04:00

Why do they persist in multiplying? You'd think that evolution would thin them out but I guess their existence is just further proof that evolution is crap. That's right. you heard it here first. Evolution. Crap. Nuff said on that. This is a knitting blog and my knitting heroine is coming to my town next week. And I get to go see her with my buddy Jose'. Yeah me! And I have succeeded in enabling a co-worker to come over to the dark side. She's not a knitter yet, but she has great potential. Come on Susan - you know you really want to. I've got several projects on the needles in various stages of completion but now I've got to find time to produce a chemo cap before the Harlot arrives. Maybe a fluffy hat for a chemo kid is doable. Maybe. No pics tonight. Larry is hogging my computer - Like I'm going to believe that my teenager is doing " homework" for three hours without any pleading on my part. I'm parked in front of the idiot box with the laptop thinking that Syesha did a darn fine job on Idol tonight. Or maybe I just like Dolly Parton. She's my other hero just because she can walk in heels without tipping over. In my mind that's an impressive accomplishment cause I can't do it. The laptop just gave me the low battery beep so Happy April Fool's Day.

Before, during....

2008-03-25T16:00:00.004-04:00

It's been a busy week at Chez Feline but lots got done and I even have pics to prove it. Getting folks to read a blog with no pictures is a lot like reading " Goodnight Moon" to a little kid and not letting them look for the mouse on each page. Impossible. So, I've been working at my real job like a fiend and AH has been working on the kitchen the same way. The ceiling is painted - I did help but AH deserves the lion's share of the credit. New light fixtures have gone up to replace the old ugly ones. The cupboard doors have been taken down and received two coats of paint and put back up. New cabinet hardware was installed by me just this morning. So here are some of the fruits of our labors for you to see. BEFORE

Next up on the to-do list is getting rid of the apple wallpaper and painting the walls. This will be followed by the demolition of the ugly green countertops - woot! and installation of granite counters and tile backsplash. Wish us luck. We've managed to get this far without killing each other. Oh and here's a pic of my Airforce bear hanging out with his pup. He was just too cute not to bring home.

Erin go Bragh!

2008-03-17T21:20:00.002-04:00

And happy St Patrick's day to all. Lots of little Irish ( and some not so Irish) kids born at the Rock today. I was blessed with antepartums and hit the trifecta. One singleton pregnancy, one set of twins, One of triplets. Delightful patients all but they made me tired. And I left work late so no work-out either. Oh well. I'll just have to make up for it tomorrow.
The kitchen remodel is progressing nicely. The ceiling is painted and new light fixtures installed by AH. Cabinets have been scrubbed, wallpaper peeled and a little painting done there. I think it's going to look good. It's hard to tell sometimes when you start a project exactly how it's going to turn out. But so far so good. Pics will come when the changes are more apparent. Can't wait for the new countertops - or maybe I just really HATE the old ones.
I've been knitting on a new pair of socs - temptation top down by Wendy Johnson I like the pattern so far and Love the yarn. Claudia Handpaints in blue terracotta. Delicious. I also cast on a doggie sweater for the kids dachshund. If he's going to North Dakota he needs a sweater. And just to keep things challenging I threw yet another sock on the needles out of some Panda cotton that's been hanging around for a while.
I get to take Elvis to get his emissions test done tomorrow. He always passes with flying colors so maybe I'll get him an oil change when he's finished. Then it's off to a going out of business sale to look for a new breakfast table. Wish me luck.

Is this me?

2008-03-14T21:22:00.002-04:00

I'm not so sure. I want to post but I'm too tired to actually think of something to write. So read and you be the judge. Is this me?

What Kelley Means

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.

You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.

People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.

You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.

Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.

You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.

You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Love - Hate

2008-03-11T21:13:00.002-04:00

Love : Daylight savings time. Love to be able to go to work in the dark and see the sunshine before I come home again twelve hours later.

Love : Spring time in general. It's the prelude to my most favorite time of year. Warm breezes and flowers and sunshine. Did I mention that I love sunshine?

Love : chocolate covered anything. Dip an ugly man in chocolate and I might just love him. Just not the Ripster. Nothing could make me love him. Blech. Icky.

Hate : Oranges. Damn pretty fruit that everybody but me can enjoy.

Hate : Asthma attacks caused by oranges. Stinking allergies.

Hate : Ticketmaster for not letting me buy Jimmy Buffett tickets and Ebay for letting someone outbid me on the yarn I wanted.

Love : Finished George socks. Yummy. Pics later.

Sleep deprivation

2008-03-04T14:29:00.002-05:00

It was one of those nights at Chez feline last night. Poor AH has the flu - and I feel particularly bad since I was blessed with it last week along with Strep throat. Unfortunately when AH has a stuffy head, he snores. Loudly. So I felt like I was sleeping next to a buzz saw and to add to the fun the cats decided to have fun and games at 3:30 am. Apparently Mama kitty or Tater Tot is in heat and the newly abandoned fluffy cat from across the street chose to visit. It went something like this. mama Kitty : yowlllll- I'm in heat. Fluffy : I'm here for you. Forrest : Hey! That's my baby mama keep your paws off. Mama : Who says you my baby daddy? Just cuz they look like you don't mean nothin. You been to the VET. You ain't nobody's baby daddy now. Fluffy : snicker. Tater Tot: Huh? What's going on? Who's my daddy? OK so my thoughts run to the Springer show when I get out of bed to beat cats with a broom at 0:dark thirty. And that's all I have to say about that.
Happy Birthday Milyssa. I heart you lots.

Scarf model

2008-02-29T16:17:00.002-05:00

Here is a pic of one of my favoritest scarf models ever. Brenna is demonstrating the casual way to wear the SWS scarf in the geranium colorway. Note that it is long enough to choke her daddy with if necessary. Pattern is the " Oh crap she's leaving Tuesday" garter stitch on size 9(US) needles.

And here is the rest of the family modeling snow garb in "Codorado"

Yarn Pron

2008-02-24T20:11:00.004-05:00

Yes that is deliberately misspelled so there aren't a bunch of perverts looking at the yarn I scored on EBAY the other day. I am very pleased with it and now if my new Addi turbos will hurry up and get to me I can attempt some Magic loop sock knitting.

And here are some pics the AH took of the eclipse the other night.

And finally ,here is a "Before" shot of my kitchen. The remodel begins soon and hopefully I'll remember to take pics as we go so you can enjoy this endeavor with me. I have a peculiar sense of dread and anticipation about this project. I really just wish I could go away for a week and come home to find it complete. Right - fat chance. Have a good week.

Dumbassery

2008-02-18T14:49:00.003-05:00

Well I feel like a moron. I'm sitting here in my office on a gorgeous Monday afternoon, looking out the window, and waiting for the mailman to come. Guess what? He ain't comin. It's a stinking holiday. And I WANT the yarn I scored on EBAY last week. Note that I didn't link to it. I'm hogging it all to myself. Tis mine - all mine. So now I am sad. Damn dead Presidents.
>Here's an in progress shot of the "george" socks. I've actually turned the heel but haven't gotten around to more photos. George is on temporary hold while I frantically try to complete a scarf for my precious Brenna. She is going visiting in Colorado and needs something to keep her darling neck warm and to remind her that Aunt Kel is a complete sucker for her big blue eyes. Thank goodness that Cayla's hat still fits or I'd be up all night. Thanks Jose` for the assist yesterday. That patient kept giving me such a quizzical look every time you called me Ramon. And that FOB was HOT! Yummy.

Deer stalker

2008-02-07T21:09:00.000-05:00

So,I'm coming home from working out and some of you know my history with deer; I turn into my driveway and I slam on the brakes. Why? you ask. Because there are three, THREE deer standing in my drive looking at me. And they nonchalantly stroll off into the front yard allowing me to slowly, cautiously creep forward to hide my little car in the garage. Is it paranoid to think that the deer were stalking me? Note to those who aren't aware of my deer history. I have ( in the last 7 years) committed 4 deer murders with my vehicles. Also 2 Honda's and a Dodge but that's beside the point - None of these incidents were my fault, honest. These deer looked as if they had an axe to grind and I'm just happy to have escaped the wrath of Bambi's mom. Happy Thursday and deer? Slightly bruised apples have been placed in the back yard for your consumption. Peace.

Electile Dysfunction

2008-02-04T19:46:00.000-05:00

I have received three phone calls from individuals campaigning for Mitt Romney today and I am disturbed. Not just because I have fielded three stupid phone calls but that this one candidate is this worried about my solitary vote. If I had intended to vote for him originally I would have changed my mind because three calls speaks to desperation in my mind. That and a unique ability to annoy. Two qualities I DON'T find desirable in a President? Desperate & Annoying. So, one candidate scratched; how many more to go?

Drat

2008-01-29T21:46:00.000-05:00

Don't you just hate it when one selfish person manages to screw up the day for everybody? Such was my lot at work today and I am just tickled pick to have been offered another option that promises more filthy lucre and a guarantee of same for the next 2 months. I will stir the pot some more tomorrow and maybe buy lottery tickets. Hey, it could happen! Nothing much else that's blogworthy so if Blogger will cooperate I'll dump a bunch of pictures in to share as we have a new camera. AH thinks he got it for his birthday but I've been sneaking about and playing with it while he sleeps. Shhh. Don't rat me out.

Mayhem

2008-01-16T21:32:00.001-05:00

Here is my sweet Jenny expressing her opinion of today's weather. She has had great fun watching the outside kitties try to escape the horrible blizzard that has befallen Atlanta. That's right folks - Storm watch '08 has happened. This is what it looks like.

At least Larry has the proper handknits to wear even if the hat is the WRONG color. Orange sheep are notoriously hard to find and even more difficult to catch & shear I'm told. However, because I'm a loving and determined mom I would have made my baby a proper orange hat so that all would know the wonder that is Volunteers footsball. My child. The fruit of my loins ( snigger) is a uga fan. God help us all.

At least the dog's baby is well behaved and loving although obviously very confused.

Speaking of babies - Congratulations to Kendra & hubby on adopting Christian born Monday. He will be suitably attired in handknits as soon as possible. You have to start them early to prevent later fibre rebellion or poor color choices as the case may be. Here is some eye candy to end the post with. The little speck to the right of the sun is a red-tailed hawk who has decided to live in the back yard with his wife & their friends. I'm calling thme Fred & Wilma and Barney & Betty.

George

2008-01-12T17:34:00.000-05:00

Once I had a little friend and I hugged him and petted him and squeezed him and called him George. This is George
George will soon be my new WIP. I can't decide if he will be socks or gloves but he will be becoming whatever he is.
I have recently had requests for pics of Mo & DDILTB so here they are. Aren't they a cute couple?

It has been a typical week for me. Nothing too exciting although I did run a special on delivering twins last Wednesday. ( Much to Jose's chagrin) I made it up to her by preventing her from committing a murder although it was warranted. ( She needed killin!) Let's just say that if natural selection worked, some people would not exist for they are surely to stupid to survive. Happy Birthday to my darling Tricia ( Jan 11th) and love and warm fuzzies to Lori who has hit a rough patch lately. I'm off to find something to kill for dinner.

"The" ring

2008-01-02T22:09:00.000-05:00

For those who want to see the ring but weren't around to do so in the brief span of time that Mo was home - here is a pic. No Mo isn't wearing the ring but since Elly Mae is attatched to his hip we don't get to see her much without the boy, No Elly Mae= no pretty ring to look at. I think the boy did good. Tentative wedding date is Labor day 08. Those who need specifics will get them as they trickle in to me. Happy New Year and yikes - I have to work tomorrow. No more blog - must sleep now.

Almost 2008

2007-12-31T15:17:00.000-05:00

As the year ends and a new one begins a great many are making resolutions regarding what the will or won't do in the coming year. I have a great many goals that I am pursuing but they are and will remain mine and mine alone. One thing that I will share is that I intend to blog without obligation in the future.

See - I even have a handy dandy logo that I swiped from somebody else's blog who had a really good idea + the ability to write code. It stems from the fact that most blogs I read start off with " wow it's been a long time since I blogged...." And mine has been the same way. So from now on I'm going to blog when I darn well feel like it without apology for however long the interval between entries might be. I like blogging and will do it when I get around to it and I refuse to feel guilty for not keeping up with the Harlot. We can't all be as prolific or as entertaining as she.
Tomorrow I say goodbye to Air Force boy for several months. It has been great having him home and we will miss him greatly. Our wallets are sighing with relief though. Air Force boy is high maintenance. His visit has also brought us closer to officially having a daughter in law. Elly Mae is sporting a very pretty ring so listen for wedding bells some time in the next year.

Happy Christmas

2007-12-21T15:39:00.000-05:00

I'm a happy mom with all my kids back under one roof. I'm looking forward to having a house full of teenagers eating everything in sight for the next week. Mo got in today - under the weather, but we'll pamper him a little and send him back healthy. Larry & Elly Mae finished their exams and are out for the holidays too. And best of all I don't have to go to work until after Christmas.

This is how Snoopy feels about his boy being home after 4 months away.

And this is how I feel about it.

Jose has been adapting Christmas carols to have a hospital flair so I have been working on a labor & delivery style take on Twas the night before Christmas.

Twas the night before Christmas and in L & D
The nurse's all gathered to sigh with relief
Not a laboring mom was about on this night
As Santa Claus was about to take flight

The newborns were nestled all snug in their beds
While Percocet dreams danced in mom's heads
The doc's and the midwives exchanged high five slaps
And set out for home in hopes of a nap

When out on the ramp arose such a clatter
Nurses jumped up to see what was the matter.
Away to the door with a wheelchair we flew
To swoop up a mom and a frightened dad too

The moon did shine bright on this Christmas eve night
Gave luster of peace to all within sight
When what to our wondering eye should appear
But Santa, his sleigh, and all eight reindeer

But dear little baby was coming right quick
So we all took off , ignoring St Nick
Away to the birthing room the nurses they flew
With a laboring mom and her husband too

As we were closing the door and turning around
Into the station St Nicholas came with a bound
He was dressed in green scrubs from his head to his foot
And his crocs were all grungy with blood and with guts

His eyes how they twinkled his dimples how merry
His cheeks were like roses his nose like a cherrry
A stethoscope tossed in a loop round his neck
He looked like a resident with a backpack

The nurses had scattered to their work you know
So he wasted no time but got on with his show
Gifts he was leaving for the staff and their boss
No offense he did take at the attention lost

He understands that in L & D
The moms and the babes take priority
We welcome this evening a wee little one
And celebrate He who helps us get the job done

As he leapt in his sleigh to drive out of sight
We heard "Happy Chrismas to all and to all good night."

Quick!

2007-12-10T20:44:00.000-05:00

Hide all the chocolate in my mouth. It's been a bit since I've posted - Again. It's cause I've been busy - Still. Duh, It's the holidays. Everyone is running around like crazy folk trying to get everything done so they can have the " Norman Rockwell perfect Christmas". Which I personally think doesn't exist but it doesn't mean you don't have a great time trying. I spent Sunday with my extended family in Tennessee - always a hoot. Larry & I tried to count the Christmas trees in Pam's house - We gave up after 17. She is WAY into Christmas ( in a good way) I particularly liked the lighthouse tree in the bathroom. I got my focus back and finished the socks for a very special person. I will definitely being making some more in the feather & fan pattern. It turned out very nicely and I'm really glad they don't fit me cause I want them. I also started a sweater for another someone special and fell in love with the yarn. I've been petting it ever since it came in the mail but it is truly lovely to work with. Dream in color - classy is awesome. Must. Have. More.
Poor Mo is freezing his tushy off in Texas. He is stationed close to Oklahoma and they are getting lots of ice and winter weather. Unlike Atlanta which is experiencing Spring . It was 76 degrees here today. I sat on the back deck with kitties frolicking about my feet and napped in the sunshine. Bad news on the kitty front - Mama is chubbibg up again. Anyone want kittens? Please say yes.

holiday quiz

2007-11-30T09:58:00.000-05:00

I'm being lazy and letting this serve as my post for the week. Busy Busy - must finish shopping and decorate. At this rate by the time I get my decorations up it will be time to take them down again.

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about emotional connections and bonds. You are happiest being around those you love.

You celebrate the holidays in a minimalist style. You are likely to only give one great present and decorate your house with a few special items.

During the holidays, you feel happily busy. There's so much do to and not a lot of time to do it. But you enjoy every minute of your holiday chores.

You think the holidays should be nostalgic and sweet. The holidays bring out your inner child.

Your best holiday memories are warm and intimate. You remember special moments more than gifts or parties.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

Turkey

2007-11-23T12:47:00.000-05:00

Ooooh, I'm such a slacker. It's been a while since I posted last and I have no good excuse. Oh well. I'm going to chalk it up to getting ready for the holidays as well as a myriad of other minor disasters that while not particularly dramatic were rather time-consuming.
Work as always is a disaster in progress and I'm seeking alternate methods of obtaining income that do not involve receiving hate mail daily. I hit a deer last week on my way to work and crunched my poor Elvis' nose so getting him some plastic surgery has been on the agenda. Poor Forrest got in a scuffle and had a ginormous abscess on his neck that had to be drained and since he was visiting the vet - we made sure he wouldn't bring home any MORE kids. He is most disgruntled but we're bribing him with little friskies turkey & giblets to love us again. What exactly is a "giblet" by the way? Does anyone know?
Thanksgiving was celebrated on Wednesday evening at Chez feline due to other obligations. We enjoyed Turkey, dressing, and all the fixins. Then I started cooking all over again to take food out on Thursday. T-day itself was not bad. I had good company and no drama. I even got to knit a little. Feather & fan sock #2 now has a toe but I'm going to have to speed up if I expect to finish in time.
Today, I'm staying home and watching all the lunatics who think it's fun to shop on Black Friday. I usually have all my shopping done by today and spend this weekend putting up all the Christmas stuff. Have I mentioned that I'm a slacker? I'm going to go drag Larry out of bed and get busy. Hope everyone had a great Turkey day. I'm thankful for more stuff than I deserve and wish the same for you.

Three things

2007-11-10T17:53:00.000-05:00

Three things seems to be the theme for posting this week so I'll play along.
Three vegetables I hate :
1 boiled okra
2 artichokes
3 stewed tomatos
Three veggies that I love:
1 corn
2 turnip greens
3 Tatties
It's been a busy week at Chez Feline. The wee kitties are becoming much more tolerant of affection ( as long as kibble is involved). We're still working towards them not being so skittish but all in all much improved. Work has been a three ring circus and I was saddled with being ringmaster not once but twice. Lisa & Cindy - You owe me. You may gain forgiveness with gifts of chocolate or sock yarn. Your choice. Meany Fitch was at her broom-riding best and deserves some karmic reprisals. And Jen - points awarded for trying and for pizza. On a happier note - I went shopping with my sweet baby on Friday and I got my hair did. I spent today cleaning out my closet and helping AH clean and reorganize his half. The Salvation Army will be receiving the results on Monday. I got some cooking and cleaning done and finally managed to prod Larry into cleaning his bathroom. It was an atrocious sight with furry floors and general ickiness. Much better now.
Here is Forrest with two of the three babies, Bubba and Dani. I love that Dani is a tortie and she is the friendliest and smallest.
I'll leave you with a recipe ( a la Paula Deen) that I tried this morning. It is way yummy.
Ultimate coffeecake:
16 frozen dinner rolls
1 package butterscotch pudding ( not instant)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans ( or not - make yourself happy)
1 stick butter melted.
Throw the frozen rolls in a well greased bundt pan. Sprinkle or pour all the other stuff on top. Cover it and let it sit overnight. It will be big in the morning. Bake for 30 min in a 350 degree oven. Make sure you put a cookie sheet under the pan to catch what oozes out while it bakes.
Otherwise your security company will call you to ask why your fire alarm is going off.

Three more things
1.butter + sugar + hot oven = smoke
2. never hire someone you know to monitor your security system - they make smart assed comments when things like the above happen
3. Then they don't get invited over to help eat the yummy goodness.

Still gone.

2007-11-05T17:34:00.000-05:00

Or perhaps gone round the bend. It's hard to tell. The feather & fan socks are officially hibernating. And yet I still ogle the pretty yarns on my computer screen as if I will ever have time to knit all that is already stashed in my house. Don't tell AH. He only knows about a fraction of the whole and I've no desire to be on yarn restriction again. Twas a sad and lonely place. As I write this I hear it in my head spoken with a Scottish accent. Perhaps what I deserve since I just read Janice's post. I haven't yet progressed to spinning. The desire just isn't in me - yet. Spare time recently has been spent taming wild kittens in hopes of rounding them up and hauling them to a vet to be fixed. Pics of the wee ones to follow when the critters stop freaking out about strange noises, and movement, and curious ( tho entirely harmless) dogs, and leaves and butterflies and what have you.
The only project I'm currently making any headway on is this sweater for a coworker who has inexplicably decided to have a baby. If it wasn't such a brainlessly easy pattern it would be stalled too. You'd think she'd know better considering what we do for a living. Oh well. Mine is not to question why. Mine is not to let them die.Happy Monday peeps.

It's gone!

2007-10-25T20:22:00.000-04:00

That's right. You heard it here first. My sock-knitting mojo is Poof - gone. I picked up the sock. I admired the nice neat rows of perfect ( somewhat) stitches. I put it right back down again and picked up a sweater which I knit happily on for the better part of an hour. Then I put that down and ( gasp) picked up a book, which was not about knitting. I have lost all desire to fondle DPN's at the moment. It is a scary thing. I will go watch TV until I get better. For I surely must be ill.

Before and After

2007-10-18T14:30:00.000-04:00

I'm home again and back to work and all the drudgery that comes with it. Grocery shopping, calling the wireless company and wrangling about the bill and what have you. It was sooooo good to see my boy, even without hair. This is before bootcamp - No haircut for 6 months...

This is after BMT ( Basic Military training)

He had more hair when he was born. The AH complains that the medical profession is way too into using acronyms ( STAT, PRN, QD) After one weekend with AirForce Boy I don't think he'll be griping at me anymore. Everywhere I turned it was A1C ( airman 1st class) BDU ( Battle dress uniform) BX, KP or a bunch more that I can't remember. Anyway - not much knitting got done in spite of honest effort. It went along for the ride. The feather and fan sock is more well-traveled than most people I know. I have finally turned the heel and much swearing and frogging was required - now is the fun part. Just working my pattern til the leg is a decent length and cranking out the mate. I'm feeling the urge to start another baby sweater - I picked up some "boy colors" today in the midst of all my other errands. Hey a girl has to reward herself for bringing home the toothpaste and laundry detergent doesn't she? I also got to have lunch with a dear friend - my face hurts from laughing but we didn't get thrown out of the restaurant this time so that's progress. And a special thanks to AMY for her quick response and good info. Great blog template by the way.

There is water coming from the sky today - I think I've forgotten what rain is. Atlanta is DRY and Georgia is fighting the Feds to keep water in our lakes from going to Alabama and Florida. Not that they don't appreciate our water, but our lawns have been dead since July and they get to keep watering theirs? And I'm all for protecting endangered species but hello, they are getting rain. We aren't. I know it's asking a lot but can we get just a little common sense from our government?

Got my Invite

2007-10-09T21:33:00.000-04:00

I got my Ravelry invite. Finally. Even though it is a giant time suck, I'm having a grand time poking around and seeing what everyone else is doing. Is it just me or does everyone else on the planet actually have more free time than I do? I'm done with work for the week. Can I get a whoo hoo here? And I'm taking off on Thursday to see number one son graduate from boot camp. I can't wait to see my big bald baby. And when I get done hugging him I'm going to kick his sorry butt for only writing his mama once in the last 6 weeks. Kids. No pics today. Busy busy. More next week. Maybe. I hope.

Top Ten

2007-10-04T12:52:00.000-04:00

Since I am not loving my place of employment so much these days I thought I'd write about some of the more absurd things that I have seen, heard or experienced in nineteen plus years of delivering babies. This will mostly encompass the appalling ignorance that much of the population seems to walk around in.

"Is labor going to hurt?" - Yes, it is going to hurt more than you could have ever dreamed it possibly could. If it felt good we wouldn't call it labor. We'd call it party or picnic to more accurately reflect it's festive nature. It occurs to me that the people who ask this( and God help me, I've heard it more than once) have never worked a day in their spoiled little lives and have no concept of what LABOR is.
Showing up in the labor and delivery unit on the " due date" with labor nowhere on the horizon - There is a reason this is called the estimated day of delivery. Please stay home until you can locate one or more brain cells to bring with you to the hospital. This may be a while. we'll wait.
"I lost my mucous plug" - We haven't seen it. Please go away now. Perhaps if you looked under the bed?
" I'm here to have my labor seduced" - Trust me - the seduction is long over.
" I'm supposed to have a c-section because I have fireballs in my eucharist" - Could you possibly mean Fibroids in your Uterus? Maybe if you hadn't been glued to your cell phone in the Dr's office you would have heard what the provider said. Go buy some Q-tips and give Verizon a rest.
( after having a catheter placed) " Now how will the baby get out?" - OMG - What was I thinking? How Will the baby get out? Labor is a bad time for an anatomy lesson - just trust me on this one.
" The baby keeps pulling on the unbiblical cord and it makes my belly-button hurt" - shaking my finger at the patient's belly - Stop that you bad bad baby
" My water keeps breaking - does this mean I'm going to have a 'dry birth' ?" - no it means the baby left the faucet running. Stop wasting water.
" I don't want an epidural - I'm scared of needles" - this from a person with several large tattoos .
And my favorite. " When will you poke the holes in my nipples so I can breastfeed?"

Total Momsense

2007-09-27T10:10:00.001-04:00

KIP

2007-09-23T11:51:00.000-04:00

I love September. It is my most favorite month. The family and I just returned from a short holiday. Larry was most embarrassed by my propensity for knitting in public (KIP) Probably because because I did a lot of it. But I wasn't the only one. See this nice lady on the cruise ship ?She was making a pretty burgundy sock. I found a crocheter on the pool deck but alas had no place for my camera in my swimsuit so no pic. I visited a very pretty yarn shop in Key West but they were closed. Knit Wits - Please forgive the nose prints on your door. I like your shop very much. Can I come inside next time? Even though you are dog people I think we can get along. Trust me - I will be back. I had a lovely holiday and since I got a bit sunburned ( again, I know- You'd think I'd learn) I had some "inside" time. This is what I accomplished.You guessed it. A sweater for a one-armed member of the lollipop guild. Actually the last sleeve is awaiting completion and then all that's left is the neckline & button/buttonhole bands. The sock is for my darlin daughter-in-law to be. It is made of Trekking XXL and I love the heathery rose color. They will look great with jeans. The dark brown background is the ever helpful Snoopy doing yoga. This is his downward dog pose.
And since no blog post is complete without lots of eye candy - I'll show you a few shots of Key West, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen. I think God was just showing off when he made these places. Gorgeous.

9-9- whatever

2007-09-09T16:22:00.000-04:00

Today is my birthday and I have had an absolutely delightful weekend. I worked Friday and was tormented by my co-workers as this is a "milestone" birthday. Thank you one and all - and kindly remember that revenge is sweet. Yesterday my darlin Kenny came to town to see me. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Isn't he pretty?

The show was awesome. Here is a pic of me and the AH early in the evening. Later pics are not
so flattering.
.This is the sunset over Lakewood amphitheater. I know it's called Hi-Fi Buys amphitheater now but I grew up in Atlanta and some places are just gonna get called by their original names no matter what. And you can rename Stewart Ave., Metropolitan Blvd all you want to. It's still where the prostitutes hang out. Some things won't change. My Vols beat So.Miss last night and UGA lost. Kenny is a Vols fan. of course. The Pride of the Southland band was busy last night but the Ga Tech marching band showed up to play along, as did Uncle Kracker and Joe Walsh. And today the AH & Larry took me out to lunch at one of my favorite places and when we came home AH produced some serious bling in the form of bracelet and earrings. I especially love the bracelet. I'm sure it wasn't intentional but the design is very much like two rows of knit stitch. I'm a lucky girl. What a sweet hubby. Tomorrow I get to take the dog to the vet. Darn reality intruding on my idyllic weekend. But after that I'm going to Knitch to fondle the goods and maybe bring home just a little. Have a great week.

Happy Labor Day

2007-09-03T12:59:00.000-04:00

Just a quick post to say Happy Labor day to everyone. It's a gorgeous day in the ATL and I'm ready to go play outside. Sorry Bit , I know you're at work today. Unfortunately I have to get Larry to help me cut the grass. The rain that we begged for a few weeks ago has turned the lawn into a jungle that must be tamed. Mo got to call home from boot camp and give us his address. He sounded tired but he was reading from a script and couldn't say anything but what it said. It was good to hear his voice. I miss my buddy. One good aspect to being a little stressed out is that lots of knitting got done this week. Booga 3.0 is complete and drying on the blocker as I write this. And Bear's sweater has most of the back complete. The camo socks have been temporarily abandoned but I'm sure I'll pick them up and finish them as I have some travel coming up in the next couple of weeks. Here's some pics since I hate to blog without photos

Have a great holiday.

The things we do for love

2007-08-28T19:46:00.001-04:00

Mo must be in love because there is no way He'd ever let me do that to him and get photographic evidence. Enjoy the sight of his lovely soft and silky black hair that he loved for his mum to play with - cause it's GONE! Yep - Uncle Sam has done away with my baby's pretty hair as of this morning. We sent him to Texas for bootcamp this morning with hugs and smiles. The tears came later - did you think I was made of stone?Darn kid was as excited as if he were going to summer camp. Poor SGF/DDILTB is left at home to pine for him. Isn't she pretty? We love her.
This is what happens when Mo mugs for himself. Messy - Just like the basement that I've spent the day cleaning when I could have been moping and knitting. The longer I cleaned the gladder I was that he was gone because I might have strangled him if he was home.
On a happier note the Little league baseball team from Warner Robins, Ga won the LLWS against Japan. All I've got to say is that for two years running we've gotten some payback for that damn Kudzu that's taking over the south. And my Vols play California on Saturday. Now I'm going to go console myself ; chocolate or alcohol? Maybe a chocolate martini? MMMM decisions.

Insane

2007-08-22T15:38:00.000-04:00

Knitting sweaters in 100+ degree heat in Atlanta - Are you insane? Why yes, Apparently I am since I am guilty of casting on not one but three new projects today, two of which are sweaters and the other is Booga 3.0. We are enjoying our third week of no rain plus 100 degree temps here in the ATL. There is nothing quite like summer in the South. I've been trying to spend a little time each day vegging in the pool cuz that's what it's for and where else can I beat the heat and get skin cancer at the same time? I might have overdone it a bit today though. I'm thinking that the red glow behind me is not taillights. Anyway this is the status of works already in progress. One completed camo sock - the other about half done. Two completed baby camo sox - cause they're cute and quick. Love me some instant gratification. Booga 2.0 complete except for attaching the strap. I did this one with Paton's SWS. That yarn LOVES to be felted. A little too much, thus Booga 3. This is also in SWS but I'm modifying the pattern to obtain a more useful finished size.

And here is Abby trying to look innocent after absconding with a bit of yarn. I'm not buying it.

SAFF

2007-08-17T14:34:00.000-04:00

I was reading about SAFF before bed a couple of nights ago and apparently this produced some very strange dreams. I dreamt that I arrived at SAFF to find it a combination fibre arts fair/ county fair complete with live animals and such. I then found myself ( along with a number of other people) being pressured to wear a purple geisha-like get-up and go on a quest for sheep hidden on the premises. So I proceed to mince about the fair on my too-small geisha feet looking for sheep. I giggle evilly at my fellow contestants who mistakenly snatch up goats. I finally locate one little sheep under the bleachers ( think under the stands at Quidditch - HP 1 & 2) and try to sneak up and capture it. Enter a coworker who I find particularly annoying who begins to talk incessantly and loudly about how unkind it is to the sheep and how much better it is at her fair blah blah blah. ( This is actually what I hear when she talks at work) So then I am torn between committing murder or grabbing my sheep and running for the finish line where I am positive grand prizes in the form of yarn await. And then my two cats discovered that they were sleeping in close proximity to each other and decided to have a hissing spitting match to see who got to sleep with Mama and I woke up. I don't usually remember my dreams but this one was so entertaining that I'd like to have it again so I can see how it ends. Did I win the yarn? Did I strangle my coworker? Did I get the YARN?

Lifehouse's Everything

2007-08-17T11:29:00.001-04:00

This is incredible

Too blinking hot

2007-08-07T21:23:00.000-04:00

It is 9:30 PM and I just looked at the thermometer as I was waiting for the dog to have his evening constitutional. See ? Big word and it sounds lots better than - well , what he was actually doing. But dudes - it was 90 degrees! When I walked out of work at 7:30 and got in my car the thermometer said 95. And this was in a covered parking deck. It felt like walking into an oven. I guess with the relatively mild summer we've had so far we've turned into a bunch of weenies. Still - 90 degrees! It was a crazy day at work - 11 kids in 12 hours - obviously someone was slacking off one of those hours ( probably me - hee) but overall not a bad day. Lots of little annoyances - no big disasters. There has been no knitting accomplished for 2 days however. Heck there was no lunch accomplished today unless you count inhaling cafeteria food in between episodes of poking my hand in strangers' nether regions. Said hand was washed numerous times, both before and after touching the cafeteria food if that makes you feel better. I leave you with a sad alpaca waiting to be invited to Ravelry. It looks like so much fun - I want to play too.

Quickie

2007-08-04T22:49:00.000-04:00

I've just finished playing Harry Potter trivia with Mo & his SGF ( and winning.) So now they are mad and I'm back in the office to blog a little.
Just a quick post before I head off to bed. It's been a busy week as usual. On the work front - we set a new record number of deliveries for the month. 226! That's a whole lot of new citizens for a little county hospital. We is tired. On the home front - it is back to school next week. I think I hate it almost as much as Larry. Only three more years. I'm gonna need a new countdown timer in the sidebar. Also on the home front is the view from my back deck. Look at the doe and her triplets. We see deer several times a week but three fawns at once is new. So I take pictures - cause I'm a dork that way. I've been industriously ignoring the house falling down around me and the clutter accumulating as I knit on the camo socks. I'm swatching for the baby surprise sweater and if I actually manage to follow the pattern ( there is some serious doubt on this one) then my Brenna girl will get a cool sweater made by her loving Aunt Kel. Which will piss Cayla off and I'll be knitting sweaters til my fingers fall off. Sigh.

facelift

2007-07-31T16:58:00.000-04:00

The blog has had a facelift. What do you think?. I'm kinda liking the new color scheme so far. It's been a slow week, Blog-wise anyway. Just not a lot of fodder. I could expound upon the Jerry Springer show issues of the patients at work but that violates all sorts of privacy laws and could get me fired. Besides which their issues are really pathetic when you think about it. It has been a good knitting week. The booga bag is completed - no pictures - someone who reads this will be getting it as a gift. I'm really pleased with how it came out and pictures will be forthcoming. And the panda cotton socks are started. I guess I'll call these the camo socks since that's what the coIors remind me of. Feel free to leave name suggestions in the comments. I love this yarn. It is a little splitty but it feels so good that I don't really care. And it is is very forgiving which means no ladders. Thanks Sheri for the suggestion. I had originally planned to give these socks as a gift but I don't think I'll be able to part with them. I will probably wind up buying this yarn in every color. I have S.E.X. planned for September. ( Get your minds out of the gutter - that's a Stash Enhancing eXpedition) Anyway, Here is my stuffed puppy modeling the

toe. Isn't he cute? He supervises my computer time, which has been curtailed this week due to evening thunderstorms, or "thunderboomers" as my mom calls them. My Gran would say that " it comes up a cloud" about this time every day. I've never known exactly what that meant but it is obviously weather related. Someone should probably tell the folks at the weather channel. They could stand to expand their vocabulary. I mean - if you're going to talk about the weather all day, every day you should probably come up with several ways to say " It is going to rain in Mississippi " or " It is going to be hot in Arizona". Otherwise people are liable to get bored and just go outside and figure it out all on their own. And that's what I'm going to do now. Later.

I'm Back

2007-07-22T17:09:00.000-04:00

Triage : A french word meaning "Where the hell did all these patients come from, and how do I make them go away?" It has been a long and extremely busy week both at work and home. I am very grateful to have had a couple of days off to do nothing but read the last Harry Potter book. A few loads of laundry and a very little housework got accomplished too, but I have just read the last page. I won't be a spoiler for those of you who haven't finished yet but I can't deny that a few tears were shed as I read this one, just as they were at the end of book six. J.K. Rowling will certainly have a place in history for writing this series.

Now, since this is a knitting blog and I haven't written much about knitting lately, I will try to catch up. The confetti socks are almost finished. Just a little ribbing required on the second one and I will be casting off. Then, in keeping with my cast-off, cast-on rule, I will be starting a Booga bag with Noro Kureyon colorway #214. Am I the only one who wonders why the Japanese yarns don't have names? And also since I like to keep a pair of socks on the needles for knitting on the go I have some new Crystal palace Panda cotton which is a bamboo blend. The skein is so soft, I can't wait to see how it works up. And the name of the colorway is awesome - chocolate almond. And as if that isn't enough - I've got a baby cardigan and a baby surprise sweater waiting in the wings. I hope someone I know gets pregnant soon or I'm going to feel foolish about these projects.

And even more good news, Stephanie Pearl McPhee is coming to Atlanta in September. Her blog is a delight to read as are her books so I am very anxious to see her in person. But for now, I will go and visit with Mo & Larry if I can get their noses out of their copies of The Deathly Hallows. Here's a pic of the elusive Mama Kitty to tide you over til next time.

7-13-89

2007-07-13T14:19:00.000-04:00

On this day 18 years ago Mo entered the world and just three months later he was this fat happy little ham who slept through the night. I guess he finally realized that Mom is not too interesting in the middle of the night and might be more fun in the daytime if she slept at night. I think he stayed up because he was so dang nosy and was afraid he'd miss out on something. That's my boy - he never wants to miss out on anything that might be fun. And before we knew it he turned into this handsome little guy in the Magnum PI shirt who was charming all the ladies at preschool.

And he grew some more and grabbed life with both hands. He wanted to try everything and do everything. He tried to make his little brother throw up on the teacup ride at Disney. Didn't work but it was fun to watch. He tried snorkeling and karate and indoor skydiving and escargot. He tried to drive his parents crazy. That one worked most of the time.

And since today is such a milestone birthday I'm going to be embarrasssingly sappy and steal the words to a very pretty song to express my wishes for you. Happy birthday son. I love you.

"It's only for a moment you were mine to hold.
The plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold.
So many different prayers I'll pray for all that you might do.
But most of all I want to know you're walking in the truth.
And if I never told you I want you to know
As I watch you grow.

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams.
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things.
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings"

How many?

2007-07-10T15:37:00.000-04:00

When you have pets of any kind there comes a point where, when people ask you how many you have, and you reply " four" or " seven" or however many is true, that they look astonished and want to know " Why so many?" You see, it started like this. My family and I actively sought out and rescued 2 pets. 1 cat ( Jenny) and 1 dog ( Snoopy). This made us happy. Then we moved. Our old house was apparently a desirable place for a feral cat to have her kittens. It was not however desirable to sell a house inhabited by feral cats so we banished them , in the process rescuing Abby. She was tiny and we bottle fed her and we kept her, figuring two kids, two cats. Makes sense right? She does love to sit in her daddy's lap

Meet Forrest. Forrest wandered up one day last year and talked his daddy into patting him on the head, then feeding him, then letting him move in. He moved out again pretty quickly. Naughty house manners, nuff said? But he stayed around and became the "outside kitty". For those of you keeping track this makes a total of 4 critters. 2 inside kitties, 1 outside, and one very spoiled inside dog. Still a reasonable number right? One pet for every member of the family - nothing exotic or outrageous.
Now it gets a little ugly. It seems that Forrest has a wife and kids. We just met them Sunday. Mama ( you know that Forrest loved his mama) is a pretty little gray tabby - very bashful - no pictures available yet. Little Bubba is solid black like his daddy and little Lou ( for lieutenant Dan) is gray and white like his mama. They are also quick as little bunnies and we can't catch them. So now it starts to sound a little nuts. I admit that I have said when I am old that I will be the crazy cat lady on the street. I have also said that I will sit in my rocker and knit and give little kids snow cones. I really never meant for this to happen. I'm not old yet! Oh God, I have 6 cats, and a dog. I need a drink.

Home

2007-07-06T13:35:00.000-04:00

As you can no doubt see, St Thomas is exquisitely beautiful, but I am thrilled to be home. After much drama and mayhem involved with the airlines, we actually made it down there. I have mentioned my distaste for Spirit airlines in the past. You may now officially register that as outright hatred and know that I will NEVER fly them again. The nice AIRTRAN and Delta planes went up & came down on time and got me and the guys where we needed to go. I had several enjoyable encounters with the TSA agents as well. Who knew getting frisked could be so much fun? Apparently when you buy tickets at the last minute and then fly with no luggage you set off alarm bells. Who knew?

This is the adorable hubby sitting right above the first completed confetti sock. It is displayed on one of my cool new sock blockers. Thanks Chappy, they finally got here. I believe I mentioned that I would endeavour to locate a yarn shop during my travels. There are none, zero, nil, nada. Apparently the fine folks in the Virgin Islands purchase their Rasta hats at the local K-mart.
These fine folks are however, exceptionally bad drivers. Probably something to do with them driving on the wrong side of the road. Some of you are aware that my tolerance for bad driving has sharply diminished in the last year. Even so, I was a bit slow on the uptake when our erstwhile tour guide/ car rental agent began marking the pot holes on our map of the island. I failed to realize that he was only marking the holes that were deep enough to swallow the car. Needless to say we returned the car quickly and opted to stay in our resort thereafter. Which was very nice. We attended a couple of weddings. Best wishes to Scott and Sandi. We drank a lot of rum punch and pina coladas. And we vegged on the beach and watched the iguanas freak out the other guests. Who could ask for more?
We didn't miss much. Apart from the incredible natural beauty, St. Thomas resembles a third-world country. So I leave you with a photo of the amazing sunset as I go off to acheive whiter whites and brighter brights in preparation for my return to work.

On the record

2007-06-23T18:02:00.000-04:00

I want to go on record as saying that Spirit airlines is the chintziest carrier that I have ever had the misfortune to do business with. Did you know that they charge you for luggage? What sort of airline, which takes people, presumably Away from where they generally keep their unmentionables, then charges them for the priviledge of taking some clean drawers along for the ride? I just don't get it. I would not be having this issue if the best airline on the planet flew to St Thomas . Airtran understands that most people feel friendlier and make better passengers when wearing clean underwear and they let you take some with you. Let's all boycott Spirit now. They put the LOW in low-cost carrier.
Now I'm sure the 2 or 3 people ( Hi Dad) who regularly read this blog are wondering what this has to do with the llama at the top of the page. Not a darn thing. Hermione is a llama ( not an alpaca) and she is here to make my friend Jose' happy. Now I am going to take Larry to get sheared . I mean , I am going to take Larry to get a haircut and try to find something to feed him for dinner. Adios.

Priorities

2007-06-20T20:11:00.000-04:00

In these days of high gas prices, war on terror, starving children in Iraqi orphanages, I know that all of us are very deeply concerned about how Paris Hilton is tolerating prison. I ask you - Does any body really give a damn how spoiled little Paris is getting thru her time-out for drunk driving? I can't be the only one tired of hearing about her on TV and radio.
Paris - GROW UP!
Now, Off my soapbox and on to more pleasant topics. The bribery socks are complete along with their miniature pals to go to the bereavement box at work. The hat was still on the needles when I took the picture and I was too lazy to go get it. It's a hat. Use your imagination. The confetti sox are started but since only the toe is done , I thought I'd spare you the photo. The Go-live of the new electronic medical record at work went surprisingly well. There were some glitches. There had to be. It's the Rock after all. But overall - Not nearly as painful as anticipated. Countdown to St Thomas - 8 more days!

bipolar

2007-06-15T15:13:00.000-04:00

To quote Mr Rogers " It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood". If you like bipolar weather. This morning was rainy and dreary and after sitting in godawful Conyers traffic for 30 minutes I finally made it home from helping teach a computer class . The sun is now shining brightly beckoning me to come freeze my big white tushy off in the pool. And I will soon oblige. But first I will ramble on about knitting. The second bribery sock is well under way - the heel will be turned before the afternoon is over as long as I don't get called in to work. And as soon as they are finished then I finally will get a pair for myself out of this cool confetti yarn.

This project will be going with me on vacation as small easy endeavors are best for travelling. Plus, the airlines don't wig out so much over little bitty sock knitting needles as they do over big, "I'm making a blanket large enough for a small third world nation" terrorist needles. Just fourteen more days til St Thomas. I'm thinking that Caribbean countries probably have little use for knitted items except maybe Rastafarian hats but before the week is over, I will KNOW if there are any yarn shops.More later.

More already ! AH & Larry went fishing recently. Please admire the lovely bass Larry caught. Notice Abby sitting next to her bowl. She was most disappointed. This is her looking disgusted about the whole situation.

Rainbows and bagpipes

2007-06-09T19:50:00.000-04:00

This has been an insanely busy week both at home and at work. As in two sets of preterm twins simultaneously on Friday. The NICU was running amok and there were only three nurses on the floor for WAY too many antepartum and labor patients. Some days if everyone survives you have to consider it a success. If you're wondering, yes it was a success. Needless to say very little knitting was accomplished. It's hard to correlate how aching feet and legs translates to not knitting but it does. Probably something to do with not being able to knit in the bath where I was gulping Smirnoff Ice. Friends don't let friends Knit drunk. The first of the bribery socks was accomplished on Thursday and a test drive indicates that looser casting off is needed. This revision will be completed hopefully this weekend as I enjoyed the toe-up pattern so much that I'm actually looking forward to the second sock. This is unheard of. I'm still waiting for my new yarn to be delivered so the second sock needs to be well under way so I'm not tempted to abandon it.

I am writing this from my newly put together office on my new (put together by Larry) desk. Yeah Larry! We'll see how he feels when the bookshelves come in next week. The office is barren except for a futon & wall decor by Mo ( see above) and of course the computer. I can look out the window at the brown grass in my front yard and if I open the window I can listen to the guy down the street practising his bagpipe. The window will be staying closed. It sounds like he stepped on a very large pissed off cat. Did you know that bagpipes are loud? Really really loud? As in I can hear the darn thing with the window shut loud? Oh well, Kenny Chesney will have to sing louder. Did I mention that he is coming to Atlanta for my birthday? Not exactly, but I will be seeing him on the weekend of my birthday so it's sort of the same thing. Not.

We have gotten a little rain this week in the form of late afternoon thunderstorms that last about 30 min and then are gone to leave steaming pavement and an incredibly pretty rainbow. Leaving work on Thursday there were little kids splashing in the puddles and dancing around pointing at the sky and darned if there wasn't a huge rainbow. It was a nice way to end the day.

Mo Graduates

2007-06-02T21:06:00.000-04:00

The last post I promised a sunrise picture. I accidently deleted it so I had to substitute a sunset photo . If I hadn't fessed up would you have known the difference?

On June 1st Mo completed high school. Finally. And he looked pretty spiffy doing it

I'm told that successful parenting means working yourself out of a job as your kid moves into the adult world and actually manages to function without screwing up too much. We'll see how successful I am over the next few years as he takes off to serve in the Air Force. Mo's a man who knows what he wants even when he's not entirely sure how to go about getting it. I'm sure it will all come together eventually. The USAF is going to have a really fine biomed engineer one day. Mo - We're really proud of you. Now come home and mow the grass.

Now that school is over maybe there will time to finish some WIP's and start some new knitting. I'm off of yarn restriction and since my bud Sheri says that sock yarn doesn't count as stash, I've got some sweet stuff coming my way. The dreaded homespun is getting sent to ebay in a day or two and I see some Debbie Bliss in my future to replace it. The bribery socks in the new toe-up pattern are almost to the heel so I'm looking forward to seeing how they work out. I'm doing them in a blend by Bernat - I lost the ball band so I don't know exactly what the blend is. There is definitely some cat hair involved though. Gotta love those helpful kitties.

Obituary

2007-05-30T21:37:00.000-04:00

'What" will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

2007-05-30T21:21:00.000-04:00

Can we get a little rain down here? Atlanta has been thirsty for weeks. Oh we've had some little showers but I'm talking about a serious, hide in the basement, the sky is falling thunderstorm. The fires in South Georgia have been burning for a month and the smoke and haze are terrible. But it does make for some beautiful sunrises & sunsets. I took a pic with my phone on the way to work this morning but the magic of technology is not happening for me tonight so maybe next time. In the meantime. Pray for rain and don't listen to me when I gripe about getting it

And so it begins

2007-05-27T16:55:00.000-04:00

I have had a lifelong dream to write and publish a great work of literature. Unfortunately, I have neither the talent nor patience to produce such a work. Therefore , I will content myself with musings on life, family and knitting in this delightful forum.
I am the proud, if often frustrated mother of handsome teenaged sons, who will be referred to hereafter as Mo & Larry; and the wife of a tolerant and dry-humoured hubby.
Today I have enjoyed spending time with all my children ( this includes Mo's sweet girlfriend)and the adorable hubby having a family lunch and attending Mo's baccalaureate service as he graduates high school next week. Did I mention how incredibly handsome he looked in his new suit and tie? This Mama was proud. Larry balked at any tie wearing. Now that I think about it, I can't really blame him . Who would want to put a noose around their neck? He managed to look quite becoming in dress slacks and a polo. The baccaluareate service was short and edifying and the kids are off to swim in SGF's pool and then to the movies.
I, on the other hand get to play with my new blog toy, make some homemade chicken & dumplings, and KNIT! The toughest decision will be which of my myriad projects to work on. The bribery socks ( promised to a coworker for favors to be rendered at a later date) the never-ending sweater ( for Larry) , the soothing baby blanket in a wonderful creamy cotton ( for the bereavement committee at work), the lacy prayer shawl of a positively evil homespun yarn. I hope my muttered cursing doesn't screw up the effectiveness of the prayers. This shawl may never come to fruition. I am sincerely debating returning this wicked, wicked yarn to the LYS as this shawl is the fourth ( yes fourth) project I have attempted with it. If it ever comes to be , my darling Gran will be the recipient. So I am off to cook, and knit and possibly snuggle my hubby. Happy Memorial day to all and heartfelt thanks to those for whom we celebrate this day