Friday, April 27, 2007

The Horror!

Went to Palermo's to knit with Sandy and Terry today and I was so excited because I was this close to start on the neck portion of my sweater when Terry pointed out my cables looked funny.










I can't believe I missed whole sections like that. And I can't believe as many times as I have measured the front I never noticed. (Please submit blonde joke here)

I'm just so glad Terry was there to show me how to rip it out and that Sandy was there for moral support. Lois even helped long distance. I didn't have my book with me and I drove home and couldn't find it, but I did grab Infidel for Terry to borrow and Lois was kind enough to tell me how to decrease AGAIN! Oh well, live and learn.

Then we went to JJ Brewsky's for lunch. I had the kobe burger with bleu cheese and it was delicious. And so were Sandy's french fries.

Sandy headed off for a hair appointment and Terry and I walked off our lunch by window shopping at a few local antique shops and then we looked at tile












Isn't that a pretty sight? John is going to put up two temporary false walls and tear down the weight bearing wall (egad) and replace it with a beam so the room is bigger. How we went from laying tile to tearing down walls, I really have no idea.

I just hope he's a better carpenter than I am a knitter.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Family Time

Took the boys to dinner at Olas. Sean (that's him in the hat) had three days of liberty from San Clemente Island. Jacob and Sean haven't seen each other in six months, so naturally as brothers they had to catch up on important issues. Jacob just completed school. Sean is now going to be an Instructor at the Hueneme base. Strangely these events were not discussed.

This is how their dinner conversation went and you have to picture the conversation was going on behind napkins so I couldn't hear the content" Sean to Jacob "So, you seeing anyone?" Jacob to Sean, "Yeah". Sean to Jacob,"what's her body like?" Jacob to Sean, She has pretty big B*&^s, not the kind that hang, though." Sean to Jacob, "You wearing a raincoat, right?" At this point I interjected, "I can HEAR you. My little Einsteins! I can't believe they actually thought I could not hear them across the table because they used NAPKINS. Is what the United States Navy teaches him?

In the presence of the enemy, AKA your mother, to muffle your conversation always use a napkin. She will be so pleased at your display of manners it will render her deaf.

So, I hosed the boys off and we all went to the new Camarillo Library where Eli got his first library card. He picked out The House at Pooh corner for is first book to check out.

But I have the sneaky suspicion that Eli is going to grow up and talk behind napkins.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Sunday, April 15, 2007

What A Glorious Day Part II

Started out the day with a jaunt to the LYS with my partner in crime Sandy to cash in my coupon and I bought more sock yarn. Then we went to Terry's for a Rip It Party and it was a blast. She had the best eats, coffee and the conversation was scandalous, as usual. It's always great to spend the day with the knitser sisters and Terry has a beautiful home and it was so generous of her to open it up to us.

On the way home I showed Sandy how to get to Camarillo via Saticoy. She had never been to Saticoy! Note to self: Get Sandy out more often.

Then the Fruit of my Looms dropped in to use my phone to call his girlfriend. Her name is Jasenia (Ya-sen-ya) and she is from El Salvador and all he could talk about was her cooking. Then he got off the phone and I caught him dancing! Is my baby in love?

He spent the rest of the visit pilfering through my refrigerator so I fixed him up with a care package because he's looking skinny.

Needless to say I'm exhausted. Thank goodness tomorrow is Monday so I can get some rest.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Knitting Library

I'm posting my knitting books because:

A) There is nothing more annoying than buying a book for one pattern;
B) I need something to do while I upload music to my iPod.

So, if there's a book you would like to borrow, let me know and I'll bring it to "Knit Night" in a brown paper bag. (wink, wink)

WARNING!!! There is no logic to their order.

Knit Wit
Poncho Wraps
Dogs in Knits
Felted Knits
Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls
Knit and Crochet with Beads
Wrap Style
The Little Box of Scarves
The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques
Exquisite Little Knits
Scarf Style
First Knits
The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns
A Treasury of Magical Knitting
A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting
Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles
Men Who Knit & The Dogs Who Love Them
Stitch "n Bitch The Knitter's Handbook
Knitting For Baby
Natural Knits for Babies and Moms
Folk Shawls
Handknit Holidays
Last Minute Knitted Gifts (for inconsiderate knitters)
Knit Ponchos, Wraps & Scarves
Gorgeous Knitted Afghans
Mother of Purl
Hats, Gloves Scarves
Vintage Knits
The Knitted Rug
The Knitting Experience Book 3: Color
Fabulous Feltged Hand Knits
Knitted Nature
Men in Knits
Weekend Knitting
Pursenalities
Hands on Spinning
Knit Along with Debbie Macomber The Shop on Blossom Street
The Pleasure of Knitting
Knitted Shawls, Stoles, & Scarves
Mason*Dixon Knitting (a lot of knitting stores would not carry this as in the back they tell you where to get yarn for less. So, if they boycott a book, I'm buying it!)
Alterknits
Basic Knitting
Celebrity Scarves
CelebrityScarves 2
Knitted Sweater
Beautiful Knitting Patterns
Shawls and Scarves
Country Inspiration
Knitting with a Smile
Sarah Dallas Knitting
Stitchionary
Stitchionary 2

Updated 06-24-2007

Country Knits
Inspired Cable Knits

Friday, April 13, 2007

What a Glorious Day!

I took mother to the eye doctor to have her eyes checked after cataract surgery and she's fine. And then she had another MRI while I watched the Daily Show on my iPod. I LOVE that thing.

Thankfully her fall wasn't due to another stroke, but is most likely due to nerve damage which is no big deal compared with another stroke. Mother is convinced that Nerve Conduction Tests are bogus and the doctor is probably behind on his alimony payments.

And my niece who has been MIA for about ten years called my mom. She had travelled to foreign countries, sings with a band, has two dogs, scuplts, writes, lives in Berkley and has MEDICAL INSURANCE. If I hadn't heard from someone in 10 years that would definitely be on my list of questions. Mother doesn't remember the name of the band, but now she is interested in Punk music. Granted if I hadn't called in ten DAYS she'd say "Becky who?" and then hang up, but we're talking grandchild, here and I'm so glad she's back in touch.

It was so great to see mother so excited. She's been a might cranky with her ailments this year and she caught me driving with one hand for about three seconds today. So, there was a scolding involved. Luckily, I got my allowance yesterday. We are up to 6,128 miles on that Saturn, btw.

So I went to Barnes and Noble and bought myself Einstein His Life and Universe which I saw on the Daily Show and The Lost. Then I went to Salzers and bought Tommy James and the Shondells and the cutest new knitting bag that refuses to be photographed that says "Women Rock". Ironically, I was waited on at Salzer's by the new girl who came to knit last night. What a small world!

The youngest Fruit of my Looms, Jacob, completed his Surgical Technician schooling. So, if he doesn't make it as a rock star he'll have that to fall back on. The poor kid actually asked me if I could help him write a resume. I've had the same job for twenty years! Not being politically correct is my favorite pasttime at work. Well, that and sexually harrasing the men. Any suggestions? April? Anyone?

John put in a stool for me to sit on while I wind. I bought a wool sweater at the Thrift store, felted it and used it for the cusion. Here's John modeling the chair with his lovely assistant Hank the Tank.

Then John finally hung up the reindeer pelt we bought at the Scandanavian Festival two years ago. Just in time for another one, I might add. It's this month at Cal Lutheran University.

Not bad for a Friday the 13th.

Friday, April 06, 2007

My First Sweater












Beatriz asked last night about my sweater so I told her I would post it. I made it over a year ago and I was disappointed with the fiber as it sticks to everything I wear so now, it's my "house coat". Does that pose remind you of anyone?

Took mom in for her MRI and then a nerve conduction test today to see if her fall last week was due to another stoke or vertigo. So while I waited on her I finished the back of my cabled sweater and finished the cuff on my second sock.

As usual mom gave me $20 for driving her in her car. She cracks me up. I'm 47 and I still get an allowance. She has a 2000 Saturn with 6,000 miles on it. I'd do the math to figure out how that equates to miles per months, but after last nights tipping ordeal math makes me cranky.

Anyway, I don't know if it's a midwest thing (she's from Nebraska) or her age (76), but she will not let anyone do anything for her. But, I figure $20 is a skein of sock yarn so next week I'm taking mom to the eye doctor.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

My Rose Garden










I love this time of year because when I come home I can hang out in the rose garden while it is still light out.

This is a view from my bench on the porch. The garden is one of the first things John and I did together when we bought the house.

Here's a shot of this years first picks on my night stand next to the card I received yesterday from Elmo. He makes one for me every year and they they are just beautiful.












Sunday, April 01, 2007

Is It Monday Yet?

I can't believe I just said that, but I''m exhausted and I need to get back to work so I can get some rest.

Saturday, Sandy, Marty, Paris and I went to the opening of the Camarillo Library and it was a blast. There were pirates, cookies, a sunken ship, cookies, women dressed up as female authors and cookies! I used one of the fifty new computers to sign up for a Camarillo Library Card. I still have my Oxnard one, though. There were a number of Children's author's there performing book signings. So, I bought a few for some special little ones.

Then I came home and had a brain storm. I decided to alphabetize all 292 DVD's and place them into albums so I could utilize the book shelves for books. I went to Best Buy and bought Case Logic binders and I freed up six shelves and John about had a fit when he came home. But I'm running out of book space. I have six book cases and they are bursting at the seams. I am an admited bibliophile and he knew that when he married me. So, I don't want to hear any whinning!

Then I wound sock yarn until late at night and placed it in the CD tower that I don't need now that I have an iPod. The blue yarn on the very top was a gift from Sandy.










Today I went to Ikia with Sandy, Marty and Paris for the first time. I got a French press and this cool sheepskin rug for Hank to sleep on. Oh, and I managed to finished one sock out of Jitterbug which I was very excited to use until I found a knot it in. I hate that! There should be no knots in yarn. I think I 'll start a coalition.

Luckily, Beatriz was there that night and advised me on how to weave in the ends.

So, as you can see I've had a busy weekend and I need a nap.