I sure hope so...cause if I want to finish all my Mother's day presents I am going to have to...hmmm I have 102 rows of Clapotis and 172 rows of Somewhat Cowl- granted not all of the rows are the same length, but that will be an encouragement when I get to them. Did I mention I do not even have the needles to knit the rib on the Somewhat Cowl? yeah...I have to order them...better get to crackin...
in other news...We have a new computer! Which is great! Right!??
well yes, until I realized that none of my saved website favorites would magically appear on this harddrive just because it is sitting in the same place on the desk...and since we did not also buy a new monitor, our old computer with all my precious, precious weblinks sits in the floor...as useless as useless can be...mocking me i am sure...did I mention all the pictures I have ever taken of The Boy Wonder since the day he was born are on that hard drive? yeah...ya think I would plan a little better than that, wouldn't you?
Friday, April 28, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
No new knitting...too busy looking at the flowers...
Everything is finally green and beautiful...it is my favorite time of the year. Everything looks so fresh and promising, before the sweltering heat of NC summer deflates all the tired, thirsty plants...
I think a haiku is in order...
Haughty spring roses
mesmerize passing noses
appetite appeased.
I tend to like things others do not. I live in a neighborhood so I try to plant different things than my neighbors... So I have a carnivorous bog. This is a great site to check out if you are interested in carnivorous plants http://www.californiacarnivores.com/. Most of my pitcher plants have bloomed. They all have such interesting flowers.
Here is the entire bog. It is right outside next to our patio. Besides the pitcher plants I also have a venus flytrap, a cobra plant and a sundew. It has been very fascinating to watch the plants, and kids are always interested in them.
Ok y'all, I am off to get some knitting done...(Emms, if you are reading, I hope you are feeling better...I know it sucks...)
I think a haiku is in order...
Haughty spring roses
mesmerize passing noses
appetite appeased.
I tend to like things others do not. I live in a neighborhood so I try to plant different things than my neighbors... So I have a carnivorous bog. This is a great site to check out if you are interested in carnivorous plants http://www.californiacarnivores.com/. Most of my pitcher plants have bloomed. They all have such interesting flowers.
Here is the entire bog. It is right outside next to our patio. Besides the pitcher plants I also have a venus flytrap, a cobra plant and a sundew. It has been very fascinating to watch the plants, and kids are always interested in them.Ok y'all, I am off to get some knitting done...(Emms, if you are reading, I hope you are feeling better...I know it sucks...)
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
happy birthday to me...
I am celebrating the third anniversary of my 25 birthday! Thanks mom for bringing me into this world and raising me to be the woman I am today! I, for one, think you did a great job!
Monday, April 24, 2006
Love is in the air!
We have a family of skinks living in our green house and back yard... I have seen these two many, many times the past couple of days...I am glad they found eachother! 
I spotted them out my kitchen window...kitchen view of the greenhouse
100 things about me
1. I am a down-to-earth, blue jean and t-shirt wearing southern girl.
2. I see no reason to ever be mean to anyone, ever. Karma is a big enough bitch without my help.
3. I try to see the silver lining of the cloud, no matter how dark the cloud.
4. I tell my friends what they need to hear, which is not always what they want to hear.
5. I read my horoscope everyday.
6. I am a taurus.
7. My favorite color is yellow, but I only have 2 yellow pieces of clothing-1 is a dress, the other is a skirt.
8. I like to drink alcoholic beverages, but not girlie drinks.
9. I drink coffee with sugar and cream every morning.
10. I have 13 different types of hot tea in my cabinet.
11. I was the last of my friends to lose my virginity.
12. I was almost 17.
13. I got pregnant 6 months later.
14. I figured out I was pregnant when I fainted at band camp-two weeks before the start of my senior year.
15. Baby's daddy and I got married when I was three months pregnant.
16. I graduated early, but only after my Mom wrote a note to the school board.
17. My Mom had to write me excuse notes when I missed class-even though I was married and did not live with her.
18. I was married to The Girl Wonder's dad for three years.
19. I did things during those three years I will never do again. I hope my family NEVER finds out about some of them. They probably know more than I would like to think.
20. I honestly believe that being married with a child while so young kept me from catching numerous STDs during college.
21. I am kinky.
22. I am bisexual. My parents don't know.
23. The Gaming One was a room mate of mine and hubby #1.
24. We are all great friends now. But it took a few years for us all to get there.
25. I still feel guilty about leaving hubby #1- even though I know in my heart that it was the right decision.
26. The Gaming One and I only got married so I could have great insurance.
27. We wanted a baby.
28. We had both been married before and realized a piece of paper (marriage license) would not keep us together.
29. We were married in September and I was pregnant by October. The Gaming One was very proud of himself.
30. I have homeschooled my kids since day 1.
31. My parents thought my decision to homeschool was a phase/crazy notion, until kids started shooting eachother at school.
32. I think I am a good parent.
33. I am often critical of other parents.
34. I feel like I have two personalities-1)Mama 2)Sexy Wild Woman
35. I keep Sexy Wild Woman away from my children.
36. I try to be a good role model for all kids.
37. In public, I would rather speak to kids than their parents.
38. I am a bit antisocial.
39. I drink too much when I go to bars.
40. I prefer to drink at home.
41. I rarely eat breakfast-although I cook for my kids as soon as they wake up.
42. I do not like chain restaurants.
43. I do not like processed food- but love me some raman noodles!
44. I was a vegetarian for three years.
45. I started eating meat again because my extended family gave me hell about having an eating disorder.
46. They still think I am too skinny.
47. I weigh 20 lbs. less now than when I was in high school.
48. I love rare steaks and sushi.
49. I learned to knit by accident...I bought a purse at a thrift shop and it was full of knitting needles.
50. I had only crocheted before, but never finished anything until after I was a knitter. I made a granny square blanket and gave it to my mom. She cried.
51. I taught myself to knit.
52. My MIL is the only other person I know that knits.
53. I am totally obsessed now-I knit at least 2 hours every day.
54. I prefer to knit at night.
55. I do not have a driver's license. never have.
56. I have only driven about 20 times in my whole life.
57. My parents are divorced.
58. I have 2 stepsisters and a brother.
59. I did not like my stepsisters before my mom married their dad. We are great friends now.
60. My Mom is my favorite person. We are very much alike. I was always her favorite child.
61. I wanted to be a doctor when I was growing up.
62. Now I would rather be an RN or a midwife.
63. I hope someday to go back to college to get a degree.
64. I am in no hurry. I have kids to raise first.
65. I do not want more kids.
66. I have realized I am too selfish to raise another baby. and I value sleep.
67. I tend to be bitchy when I am not well rested.
68. I would rather say nothing than argue.
69. I can go all day without eating.
70. I love reality tv-but only the ones on cable tv. No network reality for me.
71. I love to garden, but hate to water and weed. The Gaming One has threatened me with apartment living if I don't water on a regular basis this summer.
72. I am 5'3.
73. I am attracted to tall men...The Gaming One is 6'6.
74. I prefer to go barefoot.
75. If I go out I wear high heels or chunky heeled shoes- even to Lowe's and Home Depot. The Gaming One gets on me for not wearing sensible shoes.
76. I think my best features are my legs and ass.
77. I secretly want to be a writer so I can work from home.
78. I also wanted to be an earthworm farmer.
79. I do not think I would be good at a normal 9 to 5 job.
80. especially since I often sleep past 9 -if The Boy Wonder permits.
81. I am an overachiever.
82. If I am not good at something when I first try it, I usually will not attempt it again. see #55 for example.
83. I have worn glasses (or contacts) since I was 10 (13 for the contacts). I am practically blind without them.
84. I think there is nothing worse than being a liar.
85. I would rather someone steal from me than lie to me.
86. I was raised Southern Baptist and Catholic (a result of my parents divorce).
87. Now I am not even a Christian. I feel like a hypocrite when I go to church.
88. My parents do not know that either. They keep inviting me to church.
89. I have not been in 5 years.
90. I am very spiritual.
91. I believe that there is good in everyone.
92. I am very empathetic.
93. I will cry if I see a grown man cry-even if I do not know him.
94. I always cry at weddings and funerals. and tv drama if I am on my period.
95. I loved to read as a kid-books were my escape.
96. Since I have started knitting I do not read much at all-unless you count blogs
97. or kid books...I read to my kids everyday.
98. I am surprised that I update my blog-I have never written in any journal more than a couple times, though I like to start them.
99. I am good at math.
100. I am vain, though I wish I were not.
Wow. That was easier than I thought.
2. I see no reason to ever be mean to anyone, ever. Karma is a big enough bitch without my help.
3. I try to see the silver lining of the cloud, no matter how dark the cloud.
4. I tell my friends what they need to hear, which is not always what they want to hear.
5. I read my horoscope everyday.
6. I am a taurus.
7. My favorite color is yellow, but I only have 2 yellow pieces of clothing-1 is a dress, the other is a skirt.
8. I like to drink alcoholic beverages, but not girlie drinks.
9. I drink coffee with sugar and cream every morning.
10. I have 13 different types of hot tea in my cabinet.
11. I was the last of my friends to lose my virginity.
12. I was almost 17.
13. I got pregnant 6 months later.
14. I figured out I was pregnant when I fainted at band camp-two weeks before the start of my senior year.
15. Baby's daddy and I got married when I was three months pregnant.
16. I graduated early, but only after my Mom wrote a note to the school board.
17. My Mom had to write me excuse notes when I missed class-even though I was married and did not live with her.
18. I was married to The Girl Wonder's dad for three years.
19. I did things during those three years I will never do again. I hope my family NEVER finds out about some of them. They probably know more than I would like to think.
20. I honestly believe that being married with a child while so young kept me from catching numerous STDs during college.
21. I am kinky.
22. I am bisexual. My parents don't know.
23. The Gaming One was a room mate of mine and hubby #1.
24. We are all great friends now. But it took a few years for us all to get there.
25. I still feel guilty about leaving hubby #1- even though I know in my heart that it was the right decision.
26. The Gaming One and I only got married so I could have great insurance.
27. We wanted a baby.
28. We had both been married before and realized a piece of paper (marriage license) would not keep us together.
29. We were married in September and I was pregnant by October. The Gaming One was very proud of himself.
30. I have homeschooled my kids since day 1.
31. My parents thought my decision to homeschool was a phase/crazy notion, until kids started shooting eachother at school.
32. I think I am a good parent.
33. I am often critical of other parents.
34. I feel like I have two personalities-1)Mama 2)Sexy Wild Woman
35. I keep Sexy Wild Woman away from my children.
36. I try to be a good role model for all kids.
37. In public, I would rather speak to kids than their parents.
38. I am a bit antisocial.
39. I drink too much when I go to bars.
40. I prefer to drink at home.
41. I rarely eat breakfast-although I cook for my kids as soon as they wake up.
42. I do not like chain restaurants.
43. I do not like processed food- but love me some raman noodles!
44. I was a vegetarian for three years.
45. I started eating meat again because my extended family gave me hell about having an eating disorder.
46. They still think I am too skinny.
47. I weigh 20 lbs. less now than when I was in high school.
48. I love rare steaks and sushi.
49. I learned to knit by accident...I bought a purse at a thrift shop and it was full of knitting needles.
50. I had only crocheted before, but never finished anything until after I was a knitter. I made a granny square blanket and gave it to my mom. She cried.
51. I taught myself to knit.
52. My MIL is the only other person I know that knits.
53. I am totally obsessed now-I knit at least 2 hours every day.
54. I prefer to knit at night.
55. I do not have a driver's license. never have.
56. I have only driven about 20 times in my whole life.
57. My parents are divorced.
58. I have 2 stepsisters and a brother.
59. I did not like my stepsisters before my mom married their dad. We are great friends now.
60. My Mom is my favorite person. We are very much alike. I was always her favorite child.
61. I wanted to be a doctor when I was growing up.
62. Now I would rather be an RN or a midwife.
63. I hope someday to go back to college to get a degree.
64. I am in no hurry. I have kids to raise first.
65. I do not want more kids.
66. I have realized I am too selfish to raise another baby. and I value sleep.
67. I tend to be bitchy when I am not well rested.
68. I would rather say nothing than argue.
69. I can go all day without eating.
70. I love reality tv-but only the ones on cable tv. No network reality for me.
71. I love to garden, but hate to water and weed. The Gaming One has threatened me with apartment living if I don't water on a regular basis this summer.
72. I am 5'3.
73. I am attracted to tall men...The Gaming One is 6'6.
74. I prefer to go barefoot.
75. If I go out I wear high heels or chunky heeled shoes- even to Lowe's and Home Depot. The Gaming One gets on me for not wearing sensible shoes.
76. I think my best features are my legs and ass.
77. I secretly want to be a writer so I can work from home.
78. I also wanted to be an earthworm farmer.
79. I do not think I would be good at a normal 9 to 5 job.
80. especially since I often sleep past 9 -if The Boy Wonder permits.
81. I am an overachiever.
82. If I am not good at something when I first try it, I usually will not attempt it again. see #55 for example.
83. I have worn glasses (or contacts) since I was 10 (13 for the contacts). I am practically blind without them.
84. I think there is nothing worse than being a liar.
85. I would rather someone steal from me than lie to me.
86. I was raised Southern Baptist and Catholic (a result of my parents divorce).
87. Now I am not even a Christian. I feel like a hypocrite when I go to church.
88. My parents do not know that either. They keep inviting me to church.
89. I have not been in 5 years.
90. I am very spiritual.
91. I believe that there is good in everyone.
92. I am very empathetic.
93. I will cry if I see a grown man cry-even if I do not know him.
94. I always cry at weddings and funerals. and tv drama if I am on my period.
95. I loved to read as a kid-books were my escape.
96. Since I have started knitting I do not read much at all-unless you count blogs
97. or kid books...I read to my kids everyday.
98. I am surprised that I update my blog-I have never written in any journal more than a couple times, though I like to start them.
99. I am good at math.
100. I am vain, though I wish I were not.
Wow. That was easier than I thought.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Moving right along
Am I halfway yet?? I know quite a few of y'all have made one or two of these, so tell me, am I halfway? I feel like I should be by now. But I really think I will have this finished by Mother's Day since I have three full knitting weeks to complete it. Woo-Hoo!
I finally was able to join to knit in the round yesterday, so I only have about 6 more inches of St st before I can start the ribbing on the bottom. I actually do not have to have this finished until the week after Mother's Day, so I know I will have it done. I have measured this compared to her clothes, so I am 98% sure it will fit. 
On the gardening front...The Boy Wonder and I planted a few things in the garden the day before yesterday. Yesterday, he called his Gagee (MIL) and told her all about it.
Him:Gagee, we planted some of our garden yesterday.
...Gagee's answer...
Him:One tomato was called Big Boy, *laughs* another was called Mr. Stripey *laughs again*
(this is very cool to me because I only told him the names of the plants as he was putting them into the ground...and he is 4) I am always amazed that he remembers all he does...what a little sponge...
We also planted some Roma tomatoes and a variety named Sweet 100 (they are little grape sized tomatoes that both the Boy Wonder and the Girl Wonder eat like candy). We also put in two Jalapenos and two bell peppers. Can y'all tell we all really love tomatoes? We are planning to grow everything we need to make salsa. I am so excited!
Seeds to be planted monday...red cored chantenay carrot, tendergreen burpless cucumbers, arugula, jewel mixed nasturtiums, oregano, genovese and sweet basil, dill, brussels sprouts, eight ball hybrid squash, sundance hybrid sweet corn, tendergreen improved bush garden beans, jubilee and triple crown watermelon, and big max pumpkin.
The Girl Wonder is looking forward to flexing her green thumb while attempting to grow a giant prize pumpkin... looks like it is shaping up to be a summer full of fun and learning!
I finally was able to join to knit in the round yesterday, so I only have about 6 more inches of St st before I can start the ribbing on the bottom. I actually do not have to have this finished until the week after Mother's Day, so I know I will have it done. I have measured this compared to her clothes, so I am 98% sure it will fit. On the gardening front...The Boy Wonder and I planted a few things in the garden the day before yesterday. Yesterday, he called his Gagee (MIL) and told her all about it.
Him:Gagee, we planted some of our garden yesterday.
...Gagee's answer...
Him:One tomato was called Big Boy, *laughs* another was called Mr. Stripey *laughs again*
(this is very cool to me because I only told him the names of the plants as he was putting them into the ground...and he is 4) I am always amazed that he remembers all he does...what a little sponge...
We also planted some Roma tomatoes and a variety named Sweet 100 (they are little grape sized tomatoes that both the Boy Wonder and the Girl Wonder eat like candy). We also put in two Jalapenos and two bell peppers. Can y'all tell we all really love tomatoes? We are planning to grow everything we need to make salsa. I am so excited!
Seeds to be planted monday...red cored chantenay carrot, tendergreen burpless cucumbers, arugula, jewel mixed nasturtiums, oregano, genovese and sweet basil, dill, brussels sprouts, eight ball hybrid squash, sundance hybrid sweet corn, tendergreen improved bush garden beans, jubilee and triple crown watermelon, and big max pumpkin.
The Girl Wonder is looking forward to flexing her green thumb while attempting to grow a giant prize pumpkin... looks like it is shaping up to be a summer full of fun and learning!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
life as a bigamist
a knitting bigamist that is...I have stayed loyal to the Somewhat Cowl and the Clapotis, resisting all urges to cast on another project...After three skeins here is my SC progress... 
The yarn is much pinker and not so purpley as this picture, I blame crappy lighting...and my camera (can't be my photography skills-noooo). I am about an inch away from joining to knit the bottom in the round. I absolutely love this yarn and knitting with it (Knit Picks shine -cotton/modal). It's smooth buttery goodness makes all the stockinette an actual joy! I keep nuzzling against my knitting...giving it a little love. It's for my Momma so I gotta put some love in the stitches! I keep praying it will fit her as it is a surprise and I just measured some of her clothes to get her size...
As for the Clapotis, I am still in love. The pattern is almost hypnotic. The rows are just short enough that I can knit through a pattern repeat fairly quickly. Since this picture I have completed another row of dropped stitches...
Again, the color isn't quite right...scroll down a few posts if ya want the real color. I have finally come to terms with giving this away, I just hope MIL likes it... have you ever gotten this far into a gift and think "hmmm, I have NEVER seen her wear anything remotely close to this"...I did ask her daughter LA if she thought MIL would like it and LA assured me she thought she would so we shall see... as I have said before MIL is a fellow knitter and I am sure she will be impressed, even if it is not her garment of choice...further proof that MIL deserves Clapotis and I will give it to her without secretly wishing I could keep it...besides the wonderful son she raised whom I adore more than anything...
The yarn is much pinker and not so purpley as this picture, I blame crappy lighting...and my camera (can't be my photography skills-noooo). I am about an inch away from joining to knit the bottom in the round. I absolutely love this yarn and knitting with it (Knit Picks shine -cotton/modal). It's smooth buttery goodness makes all the stockinette an actual joy! I keep nuzzling against my knitting...giving it a little love. It's for my Momma so I gotta put some love in the stitches! I keep praying it will fit her as it is a surprise and I just measured some of her clothes to get her size...As for the Clapotis, I am still in love. The pattern is almost hypnotic. The rows are just short enough that I can knit through a pattern repeat fairly quickly. Since this picture I have completed another row of dropped stitches...
Again, the color isn't quite right...scroll down a few posts if ya want the real color. I have finally come to terms with giving this away, I just hope MIL likes it... have you ever gotten this far into a gift and think "hmmm, I have NEVER seen her wear anything remotely close to this"...I did ask her daughter LA if she thought MIL would like it and LA assured me she thought she would so we shall see... as I have said before MIL is a fellow knitter and I am sure she will be impressed, even if it is not her garment of choice...further proof that MIL deserves Clapotis and I will give it to her without secretly wishing I could keep it...besides the wonderful son she raised whom I adore more than anything...She helped me get my very first garden ready yesterday. We toiled for hours and hours. This lady is in her 60's and she broke up each of the rows with a shovel so I could go back over them with our mini tiller/cultivator. She was great motivation to keep going long after I really wanted to stop. I am sure that I would have only finished about 2 rows if it were not for all her help, advice and company. It was a good thing we finished yesterday because it has been raining all day today.
My grandparents always had a garden growing up and I have such fond memories of playing in the rows, eating green beans and tomatoes still warm from the sun-I want my kids to have these same memories. I am one of those gals who yearn to learn the skills of all the hard-working ladies that came before me. I think that is one reason I love to knit. I feel a connection to all those ladies that HAD to knit to ensure their loved ones stayed warm during the winter. I feel there are so many skills southern women just 2 generations older than me have that will be virtually lost with their passing. Women my age do not take the time to learn the skills of their grandmothers because it is so much easier and cheaper to buy things. How many of you have actually picked fresh produce and canned them at home? I made it a point to learn the art of canning from my grandmother. Sure it is a hot job, but the satisfaction of hearing the tops pop, knowing that food will nourish my family long after summer is over is priceless. Ahh the elation of transforming all those extra cucumbers into pickles. It makes me sad to think of all the little ones that will never experience the joy of picking fresh strawberries, grapes or blackberries to help Mama transform them magically into tasty jams and jelly. Needless to say, I am very excited about my garden. My son has already picked out some seeds that he wants to plant, which will be going into the ground when weather permits. I cannot wait to see the look on my kids faces as the first tender shoots peek out of the freshly tilled soil, the excitement of picking those first ripe veggies! It gives a whole new meaning to eat your veggies...I can tell y'all now, I for one will have no problem convincing my little ones to eat theirs!
I finished my post and remembered I wanted to post some Project Spectrum yellow...I love these bearded irises...my gardening grandparents also had these for as long as I can remember, so I always think of them when I see and iris...have I mentioned yellow is my favorite color?
Thursday, April 13, 2006
I may be new to all natural fibers...
but someone please tell me this is a joke!? anyone? Possum yarn...the perfect fiber for all your redneck kin! and y'all, being from sunny NC, I have lots of redneck kin to choose from! Thank you Emms for bringing these people to my attention. You better believe someone in my family will have a possum fir knit...who gathers all these possum fibers anyway??
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The point I realized there are 5 weeks until Mother's Day...
and I am knitting a Clapotis and The Somewhat Cowl for the Mammas. Both of which I really would like to finish on time. I was so proud of myself yesterday as I realized I was finally finished with the first skein of both projects. I tend to measure project progress by the skein. My fingers move a little faster, my pulse quickens as I watch the last few yards of a skein melt into my project. It is a small victory for those of us afflicted with the KADD... anyway, I woke this morning still elated by the knitting victory yesterday and a full night sleep for once in the past couple of months... and had this little conversation with myself...
sane self: ah, just five weeks till Mother's Day
cocky self: yeah I know! I Finished BOTH of my first skeins yesterday!
sane self: that's greaaat, but how long have you worked on Clapotis? a month? good job. at that rate you should be finished by MIL's birthday. in September.
cocky self:but I have only been working on the other since Saturday...
sane self: and you have what? 11 skeins left...you better hope you don't mess up...you know you just have to knit a little over 3 skeins a week to finish them both.
cocky self: I can do that! I will be a knittin monogamous!
sane self: *sigh* you have two projects, that would be a bigamist...
cocky self: oh yeah, right.
We shall see, my friends how this turns out...will I be able to resist the siren song of this when the addict inside yearns painfully for quick fix. An escape from all the endless stockinette. I know it is pretty, and is actually my favorite knitted fabric-so smooth, so simple-let's face it, though, it can get boring...
I love the raglan shaping, cause I hate seaming things... so very pretty, and I am sure Trucker Mamma will love the way this one feels. I am finding it is much easier to knit something for someone else knowing it is not my size... (the first is much closer to the actual color)
I was lured by the Sexy Knitter's Club to knit the Somewhat Cowl although I knew from first glance it was not really for me. After seeing it time and again, I realized it would be perfect for Trucker Mamma. Knit Picks Shine (cotton/modal) color Orchid (also perfect because The Gaming One grows orchids).
sane self: ah, just five weeks till Mother's Day
cocky self: yeah I know! I Finished BOTH of my first skeins yesterday!
sane self: that's greaaat, but how long have you worked on Clapotis? a month? good job. at that rate you should be finished by MIL's birthday. in September.
cocky self:but I have only been working on the other since Saturday...
sane self: and you have what? 11 skeins left...you better hope you don't mess up...you know you just have to knit a little over 3 skeins a week to finish them both.
cocky self: I can do that! I will be a knittin monogamous!
sane self: *sigh* you have two projects, that would be a bigamist...
cocky self: oh yeah, right.
We shall see, my friends how this turns out...will I be able to resist the siren song of this when the addict inside yearns painfully for quick fix. An escape from all the endless stockinette. I know it is pretty, and is actually my favorite knitted fabric-so smooth, so simple-let's face it, though, it can get boring...I love the raglan shaping, cause I hate seaming things... so very pretty, and I am sure Trucker Mamma will love the way this one feels. I am finding it is much easier to knit something for someone else knowing it is not my size... (the first is much closer to the actual color)
I was lured by the Sexy Knitter's Club to knit the Somewhat Cowl although I knew from first glance it was not really for me. After seeing it time and again, I realized it would be perfect for Trucker Mamma. Knit Picks Shine (cotton/modal) color Orchid (also perfect because The Gaming One grows orchids).
Saturday, April 08, 2006
quiz time at auntie amanda's
| You Are a Plain Ole Cup of Joe |
 But don't think plain - instead think, uncomplicated You're a low maintenance kind of girl... who can hang with the guys Down to earth, easy going, and fun! Yup, that's you: the friend everyone invites. And your dependable too. Both for a laugh and a sympathetic ear. |
| You Are Low Maintenance |
 Otherwise known as "too good to be true" You're one laid back chica - and men love that! Just remember that no good guy likes a dormat. So if you find your self going along to get along... Stop yourself and put up a little bit of a fight. |
| You Are Most Like Samantha! |
 For you, dating is the ultimate sport You're into guys with power, looks, or a lot of money. You rather have a great two weeks than a great forever. But even you fall victim to love from time to time. :-) Romantic prediction: You'll find love in the next few months... But you'll be the last one to realize it. |
| You Are Bad Girl Sexy |
 Girl, you are nothing but trouble. And that's hot. You've got the classic bad girl sexiness mojo going on. And your badass attitude makes men fear you - and crave you. Don't give into people who say to tone it down. You're perfect as is. |
| What You Know About Your Guy: Practically Everything |
 You have gotten to know your man really well From his hopes and dreams to favorite things... You definitely have enough info to figure out if he's *the* guy In fact, you may know him a little better than you know yourself |
| You Belong in London |
 A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. |
| You Are a Retro Bikini! |
 You prefer a bikini that's flirty and feminine, not flashy. You look sweet and sexy - a rarity on the beach these days! |
| Your Element is Earth |
 Your power color: yellow Your energy: balancing Your season: changing of seasons Dedicated and responsible, you are a rock to your friends. You are skilled at working out even the most difficult problems. Low key and calm, you are happiest when you are around loved ones. Ambitious and goal oriented, you have long term plans to be successful. |
| Your Toes Should Be Blue |
 You're a little out there, but that means you take guys to a place that's out of this world! Your ideal guy: Zany, hilarious, and totally unpredictable. Stay away from: Anyone who has to get up for work in the morning |
And no, I do not have anything better to do...and yes, most of them are pretty accurate!
Friday, April 07, 2006
It's just not meant to be...
The Shaped Jacket from Vogue Knitting w. 05-06 that is... When do you decide that a project is just not worth the time, energy and effort you are putting into it? Well, after frogging half of the front, knitting past my original frog point (more than 50 rows of seed stitch) then realizing that somehow I counted incorrectly and fucked up my random stripes so they would not match up, I realized that this shaped jacket in eastery blue and yellow stripes was just not for me and not to be. Granted I have been questioning how much I would wear a pastel blue and yellow striped shaped jacket, but I am a little quirky and I thought I might be able pull it off...if nothing else I would just wear it at home whenever I needed to step out with my smoking friends, since we don't let people smoke in our house. Cosmically someone is looking out for me, I guess..."No Amanda, that striped pastel jacket is a bad idea-even if you never wear it in public." After I realized the stripes did not match up last night, needless to say I was pissed-and I do not mean drunk- I was very angry. 
See...all was going great until I got to the armhole, again. All I can figure is that I looked at the wrong place in my not-so-trusty row count. Of course, when I realized this The Gaming One so intelligently quipped "it seems it would only take a second to see if your stripes match up each time you change colors." (If smoke could come out of a gals ears mine would have been smoking at this point) I replied, "yes, but I counted the rows to make sure they would match. I made notes and everything." My darling, sweet husband did not make one remark questioning my counting ability, or my ability to decipher my own writing (since obviously I cannot count or read my own directions since I have fucked this up for a second time now). I guess he either has some sense of self-preservation or he wanted some booty-either way he made the right decision. He had two suggestions for me...one was this
See...all was going great until I got to the armhole, again. All I can figure is that I looked at the wrong place in my not-so-trusty row count. Of course, when I realized this The Gaming One so intelligently quipped "it seems it would only take a second to see if your stripes match up each time you change colors." (If smoke could come out of a gals ears mine would have been smoking at this point) I replied, "yes, but I counted the rows to make sure they would match. I made notes and everything." My darling, sweet husband did not make one remark questioning my counting ability, or my ability to decipher my own writing (since obviously I cannot count or read my own directions since I have fucked this up for a second time now). I guess he either has some sense of self-preservation or he wanted some booty-either way he made the right decision. He had two suggestions for me...one was thisWhich did help...after which he suggested snuggles and a very stiff vodka tonic...just what mama needed...my anger melted faster than the ice in my drink and I went to sleep a very satisfied girl. So I have decided to abandon the shaped jacket. I really did not want to weave in all those ends anyway, so there! On the bright side, that is one less project I have to complete before I can cast on another project. I just love the first few rows of a new project... So much promise, and not a mistake in sight.
I am dropping stitches like a mo-fo on my, I mean, my MIL's Clapotis. Now that I am on the straight section, it is really knitting up quickly. In the words of Ren and Stimpy "happy happy joy joy!"
And since I am a drinker y'all, I have realized why Janis Joplin liked boozin' with Southern Comfort...a little 100 proof and coke= good stuff!
Thanks for all the comments on the last post! Y'all are makin' me smile. btw, when I leave my purse in the car, it is locked in the trunk...no crack heads gonna steal my stuff unless they have x-ray vision and can pick locks. And if they possess those two skills, well, they can have my purse...it's not like I have a job, I have a sugar daddy, yo!
Thursday, April 06, 2006
blog anxiety
Last week The Gaming One called me from work and asked me what my blog address was... my first response was panic, which I thought was quite odd...this is the man I love more than anything, we share everything-our foundation is blatant honesty. But for some reason I hesitated before I gave him the address.
Me: Uh...why do you want my blog address?
Him: I want to show the girls at work your knitting. (this is the moment that I remembered the comment about his mom liking cock)
Me: (inner voice-shit I wonder what he is gonna think) Aww that's sweet! here is is auntieamandaknits....
Him: thanks baby, love ya, see ya when I get home
after I hang up the phone I really sort of freak out - I mean, this is supposed to be my little place to put my musings about knitting, my personal thoughts and frustrations about daily life....this is not for my family to be reading (I have yet to come out to my family about my blogging habit)...oh god what is he going to think of his nickname, he is gonna think I am a moron... damn, not to mention he is going to show this to his co-workers, they are really gonna think I have problems...So strange that I do not mind total strangers peeping into my window, but am freaked about my own husband peeking in. Oh well, nothing cam be done about it now... but y'all know what? He was actually impressed! He said he didn't realize I had a talent for writing, that I was witty and funny! Plus he really got a kick out of his nickname! He thought that was so clever! Ever since he has been asking me if I "blogged about him today" it is so cute! After the fact I realized I had no reason to worry, after all he does love me more than anything and is very non-judgmental. Is it just me afflicted with this blog anxiety? Are there others out there that blog for strangers and not for friends and family? Here I can be myself, take it or leave it, and I really don't want Trucker Mamma reading my posts sprinkled with 'fuck'. When I was a teen at summer camp, I wrote a letter to my sister with quite a few profanities sprinkled here and there. Well, my parents READ THE LETTER! and when I arrived home after being at camp for a month they GROUNDED ME! They told me that if I wrote those words, I was probably saying them all summer and I knew that was not acceptable behavior and I was raised better than that blah, blah, blah. To this day I still will not say fuck in front of either of my parents (or my kids) even though it is my favorite of all the profanities- it is so versatile after all...fuck you, fuck me, fuck off, fuck it, what the fuck, fuckety-fuck-fuck...you get the picture. So if any of my family members find my little blog I am sorry if you are shocked-here I live out loud-no pretending, no watching my p's and q's...I promise I will continue to behave like a proper southern gal in public, but I am making no such promises for my blog.
Since this is a knitting blog would you like some knitting content? Ok, I just dropped the second row of stitches on MIL's clapotis. The knitting is going very quickly, and it is a calming knit and quite satisfying. The more I knit, the more I realize I really like this. It will be very hard for me to give away, and I see myself making one for myself. I have also finished most of the left front of the shaped jacket from Vogue Knitting that I frogged because I cannot follow directions. I am itching to start The Somewhat Cowl for Trucker Mamma, and the Silk Corset Top for myself, but I am really trying to resist the urge until I have at least one FO...I am still afflicted with the knitting ADD but am trying to direct my attention to the Clapotis and the Shaped jacket.
After all the March SEX I promised myself (and my credit card) that I would not buy any more yarn until I finished all the projects I have yarn for. Well, yesterday that temptress of a MIL told me she just heard of a LYS that she would like to go check out and wondered if I would like to go with her? Of course I agreed to go but I think I may just have to leave all the plastic at home-I am weak I tell ya! I know I would not be able to resist, especially if anything is on sale. Or maybe I can just knit around the clock and finish up all my projects...I have until after Easter, since she will be at her beach house until then. Who am I kidding? I will just have to be strong...and leave my purse in the car.
Me: Uh...why do you want my blog address?
Him: I want to show the girls at work your knitting. (this is the moment that I remembered the comment about his mom liking cock)
Me: (inner voice-shit I wonder what he is gonna think) Aww that's sweet! here is is auntieamandaknits....
Him: thanks baby, love ya, see ya when I get home
after I hang up the phone I really sort of freak out - I mean, this is supposed to be my little place to put my musings about knitting, my personal thoughts and frustrations about daily life....this is not for my family to be reading (I have yet to come out to my family about my blogging habit)...oh god what is he going to think of his nickname, he is gonna think I am a moron... damn, not to mention he is going to show this to his co-workers, they are really gonna think I have problems...So strange that I do not mind total strangers peeping into my window, but am freaked about my own husband peeking in. Oh well, nothing cam be done about it now... but y'all know what? He was actually impressed! He said he didn't realize I had a talent for writing, that I was witty and funny! Plus he really got a kick out of his nickname! He thought that was so clever! Ever since he has been asking me if I "blogged about him today" it is so cute! After the fact I realized I had no reason to worry, after all he does love me more than anything and is very non-judgmental. Is it just me afflicted with this blog anxiety? Are there others out there that blog for strangers and not for friends and family? Here I can be myself, take it or leave it, and I really don't want Trucker Mamma reading my posts sprinkled with 'fuck'. When I was a teen at summer camp, I wrote a letter to my sister with quite a few profanities sprinkled here and there. Well, my parents READ THE LETTER! and when I arrived home after being at camp for a month they GROUNDED ME! They told me that if I wrote those words, I was probably saying them all summer and I knew that was not acceptable behavior and I was raised better than that blah, blah, blah. To this day I still will not say fuck in front of either of my parents (or my kids) even though it is my favorite of all the profanities- it is so versatile after all...fuck you, fuck me, fuck off, fuck it, what the fuck, fuckety-fuck-fuck...you get the picture. So if any of my family members find my little blog I am sorry if you are shocked-here I live out loud-no pretending, no watching my p's and q's...I promise I will continue to behave like a proper southern gal in public, but I am making no such promises for my blog.
Since this is a knitting blog would you like some knitting content? Ok, I just dropped the second row of stitches on MIL's clapotis. The knitting is going very quickly, and it is a calming knit and quite satisfying. The more I knit, the more I realize I really like this. It will be very hard for me to give away, and I see myself making one for myself. I have also finished most of the left front of the shaped jacket from Vogue Knitting that I frogged because I cannot follow directions. I am itching to start The Somewhat Cowl for Trucker Mamma, and the Silk Corset Top for myself, but I am really trying to resist the urge until I have at least one FO...I am still afflicted with the knitting ADD but am trying to direct my attention to the Clapotis and the Shaped jacket.
After all the March SEX I promised myself (and my credit card) that I would not buy any more yarn until I finished all the projects I have yarn for. Well, yesterday that temptress of a MIL told me she just heard of a LYS that she would like to go check out and wondered if I would like to go with her? Of course I agreed to go but I think I may just have to leave all the plastic at home-I am weak I tell ya! I know I would not be able to resist, especially if anything is on sale. Or maybe I can just knit around the clock and finish up all my projects...I have until after Easter, since she will be at her beach house until then. Who am I kidding? I will just have to be strong...and leave my purse in the car.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Where to start....
When The Gaming One is home, I appear MIA in internet land...He works so hard and works such long hours that when he is home I try to stay offline so he has time to play with his gaming buddies...Well, he had a three day weekend, so I had very little time to blog or even read blogs, but on the upside I get a lot of knitting done when he is home. I feel very scatterbrained today there seems to be lots I want to post about but cannot collect my thoughts enough to put them in a proper order...
on a knitting note... I have quite a few projects in que... these four yarns represent the four projects I have yet to start...from left to right 1) KnitPicks ShineWorsted color Bachelor Button-Silk Corset Top 2) KnitPicks Shine color Orchid- Somewhat Cowl for Trucker Mamma- hopefully completed by Mother's Day 3) Noro Kureyon color 115- first I wanted this to be felted mary janes, but have since seen the Anthropologie Inspired capelet in Noro by Kitschy-Kitchen...and I must have it! 4) KnitPicks Merino Style color Moss- this will be a cardigan for The Gaming One.
on a knitting note... I have quite a few projects in que... these four yarns represent the four projects I have yet to start...from left to right 1) KnitPicks ShineWorsted color Bachelor Button-Silk Corset Top 2) KnitPicks Shine color Orchid- Somewhat Cowl for Trucker Mamma- hopefully completed by Mother's Day 3) Noro Kureyon color 115- first I wanted this to be felted mary janes, but have since seen the Anthropologie Inspired capelet in Noro by Kitschy-Kitchen...and I must have it! 4) KnitPicks Merino Style color Moss- this will be a cardigan for The Gaming One.
I have been knitting away on my MIL's Mother's Day Clapotis. 
You can see the ridges where I started purling the dropped stitches. I tell you what, if I had not started purling instead of using stitch markers I know I would not be this far along! It is an easy knit...I just dropped my first stitches Yeah! but now that I have, I fear I will be very bored with this one....but I know MIL will appreciate it (she's a knitter y'all! actually the ONLY knitter I know!) after all she worked so hard raising that wonderful son of her's the least I can do is show her some love-I was just telling him yesterday I am so happy to be married to him...I just feel nothing can happen that we cannot skate through together! We have not even been married for 6 years and I still light up inside when he comes home from work, still tingle beneath his fingertips....
My Stalker Swap partner received her package, here is what I sent! Scroll down to VW69's post. I am patiently waiting for my package.
The Girl Wonder celebrated her 10th birthday yesterday! Nothing like your kid moving into the double digits to make a gal feel old! We had a great time, We had lunch a her Dad's restaurant Yum Yum! Then did a bit of shopping to find her a birthday outfit. We went into 6 stores before she saw anything she liked. She is big into black, and was really put off by the fact that everything in stores is Eastery and pastel...I think she would rather stay home than have to go out in public wearing pastels...She is like a 20 year old trapped in a 10 year old's body... To celebrate her birthday we went to The Melting Pot (a fondue restaurant) and had a great time...even The Boy Child was well-behaved which is really saying something since our reservation was for 7:30 (his bed time is 8:30) and we were there almost 3 hours! We had a great 4 course meal and spent what we would have on a party with the added bonus of no decorating, no screaming kids hyped up on cake and ice cream, and no clean-up! Fantastic! Happy Birthday Sweetie!
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