Capitalism, Casey Anthony, and other conundrums

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

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

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

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.

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.

Not getting much done

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

Just pics

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

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!

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

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

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

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

'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

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

He's back

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

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

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

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!