February 25, 2007
TV, socks and robbery. In that order.
Hey everyone! Thanks so much for continuing to guess on the boxes and trash bags while I was driving back and forth across the eastern half of the U.S. The magic number for boxes was two! It was so late and I was getting loopy from exhaustion so I named the boxes H.R. Hurricanesnstuf and Limozeen. Jenna wins the box pool with a guess of three. (Go help Jenna move, too, by buying some of her yarn!)
As for the trash bags, it is terribly embarassing to say there were THIRTY! Anyone who had been to my house probably can't imagine where I had thirty bags full of anything, let alone junk. But most of that came from the garage. I kinda forgot how big my garage was since it's been jammed full of crap for the last five years. So a tip for people who aren't moving--pretend like you are and you'll find a lot more space to enjoy! Schrodinger wins the bag pool with a guess of thirty-one.
So I have three exciting things to share with you (besides getting an awesome apartment--we'll chat about that later). First, I was on tv on Valentine's Day! The local "news" was broadcasting from the florist where I worked and since I was dressed in red and happened to be wrapping roses at the time, they filmed me! Of course since I don't have a tv, I didn't get to see it later that night but I'm sure I looked like a dork.
Second, I gave the unfinished dude socks to the dude and he lost his goddamned mind. He loves them, they fit perfectly and he asks me at least twice a day when they'll be done. Doesn't that make you grin ear to ear? I think his exact words were, "Hurry up and finish them and then I'll never take them off." Oh yeah, he'll be getting moresex socks, I mean SOCKS!
The third exciting thing was also a wee bit scary. I was in the bank Friday morning opening my new account and getting my certified check for my security deposit when one of the tellers handed the other a note, a third hit the silent alarm and the manager and a couple other employees ran to the doors and locked them! The cops showed up in about a minute and a half and no one was allowed to enter or exit the bank. Apparently someone had passed a holdup note to a teller--I'm not sure if across the counter or through the drive-in window. I had to stay and give them my info and a statement of everything I remembered from the time I walked in the door. Later I was explaining to the realtor why I was late and he just laughed and said, "Welcome to Chicago!"
As for the trash bags, it is terribly embarassing to say there were THIRTY! Anyone who had been to my house probably can't imagine where I had thirty bags full of anything, let alone junk. But most of that came from the garage. I kinda forgot how big my garage was since it's been jammed full of crap for the last five years. So a tip for people who aren't moving--pretend like you are and you'll find a lot more space to enjoy! Schrodinger wins the bag pool with a guess of thirty-one.
So I have three exciting things to share with you (besides getting an awesome apartment--we'll chat about that later). First, I was on tv on Valentine's Day! The local "news" was broadcasting from the florist where I worked and since I was dressed in red and happened to be wrapping roses at the time, they filmed me! Of course since I don't have a tv, I didn't get to see it later that night but I'm sure I looked like a dork.
Second, I gave the unfinished dude socks to the dude and he lost his goddamned mind. He loves them, they fit perfectly and he asks me at least twice a day when they'll be done. Doesn't that make you grin ear to ear? I think his exact words were, "Hurry up and finish them and then I'll never take them off." Oh yeah, he'll be getting more
The third exciting thing was also a wee bit scary. I was in the bank Friday morning opening my new account and getting my certified check for my security deposit when one of the tellers handed the other a note, a third hit the silent alarm and the manager and a couple other employees ran to the doors and locked them! The cops showed up in about a minute and a half and no one was allowed to enter or exit the bank. Apparently someone had passed a holdup note to a teller--I'm not sure if across the counter or through the drive-in window. I had to stay and give them my info and a statement of everything I remembered from the time I walked in the door. Later I was explaining to the realtor why I was late and he just laughed and said, "Welcome to Chicago!"
Labels: links
February 15, 2007
Now I'm three!
Just a quick hi! Today is my third blogiversary so I felt like I needed a post to commemorate it. Too bad it's nothing spectacular like a finished sweater or socks.
I have to say I love all the comments on my last minute packing. Keep them coming because I plan to do a little giveaway in conjunction with the anniversary. I finished packing at five of midnight, so I already know how many junk box(es) I had. Can you guess?
Maybe there can be a runner up for whoever guesses correctly how many trash bags I have on the curb. (Sorry T, no fair if you drive by and count!) I'll give you a hint--it's more than when I raked all the leaves in my yard. That doesn't help much, does it?
I have to say I love all the comments on my last minute packing. Keep them coming because I plan to do a little giveaway in conjunction with the anniversary. I finished packing at five of midnight, so I already know how many junk box(es) I had. Can you guess?
Maybe there can be a runner up for whoever guesses correctly how many trash bags I have on the curb. (Sorry T, no fair if you drive by and count!) I'll give you a hint--it's more than when I raked all the leaves in my yard. That doesn't help much, does it?
Labels: goodies
February 14, 2007
Extra special
This week two hundred guys pledged their undying love to me. Some of them had never even met me. Most of them had other women in their lives. And I was just in it for the money.
Remember a few months ago I worked at a Christmas shop? Well the same company is a florist and they called me back to help for V-Day. Uhm, yeah. Next time I decide to do something loco like that, just smack me.
But one nice perk was having guys tell me all day, "I miss you and I can't wait to see you this weekend" or "You are the light of my life" and "With all my heart. Love, SoandSo". Even if I was just filling out the signature cards, the extra attention was sweet.
There has been no knitting love in the air here this week. I haven't knit a stitch since, uh, I'm not sure. Maybe Sunday. So while I'm packing and cleaning, why don't you check out this Dream In Color superwash merino I bought a couple weeks ago in Chicago.
A pool has been started for how many boxes marked "Crap", "Stuff" or "Other" I will have on the last day of packing. Why don't you hazard a guess. Bonus points if you name some objects that actually wind up in those boxes.
Remember a few months ago I worked at a Christmas shop? Well the same company is a florist and they called me back to help for V-Day. Uhm, yeah. Next time I decide to do something loco like that, just smack me.
But one nice perk was having guys tell me all day, "I miss you and I can't wait to see you this weekend" or "You are the light of my life" and "With all my heart. Love, SoandSo". Even if I was just filling out the signature cards, the extra attention was sweet.
There has been no knitting love in the air here this week. I haven't knit a stitch since, uh, I'm not sure. Maybe Sunday. So while I'm packing and cleaning, why don't you check out this Dream In Color superwash merino I bought a couple weeks ago in Chicago.
A pool has been started for how many boxes marked "Crap", "Stuff" or "Other" I will have on the last day of packing. Why don't you hazard a guess. Bonus points if you name some objects that actually wind up in those boxes.
Labels: goodies
February 11, 2007
Deserted isle
Knitters hope they never have a Castaway moment where they are stuck without yarn and needles and have to knit with their own hair on two sharpened pieces of driftwood. We always want to be prepared for any downtime with some kind of WIP. I am not entirely sure the three projects I've left unpacked will last until the rescue plane spots me, as it were.
The man socks, Dobby's sweater and three skeins of Dream in Color with a scarf pattern are the only items that didn't get packed into the Pod today. I figure if I get all these things completed before my stuff arrives in Chicago on the 4th, then I deserve to treat myself to a skein and some new needles.
Speaking of the Pod, this warning inside made me laugh until I realized they had to include it for a reason. It doesn't say anything about making sure you have enough yarn and the correct size needles before closing the door!
A couple weeks ago I realized (too late) that I should have been blogging about the whole house selling and moving thing. Not that I'm the first one to talk about that or whatever, but it would have been interesting to read back over the last year. Mostly because all this has made me lose my shit and I can't remember last week, let alone last year.
What's in your emergency knitting stash?
The man socks, Dobby's sweater and three skeins of Dream in Color with a scarf pattern are the only items that didn't get packed into the Pod today. I figure if I get all these things completed before my stuff arrives in Chicago on the 4th, then I deserve to treat myself to a skein and some new needles.
Speaking of the Pod, this warning inside made me laugh until I realized they had to include it for a reason. It doesn't say anything about making sure you have enough yarn and the correct size needles before closing the door!
A couple weeks ago I realized (too late) that I should have been blogging about the whole house selling and moving thing. Not that I'm the first one to talk about that or whatever, but it would have been interesting to read back over the last year. Mostly because all this has made me lose my shit and I can't remember last week, let alone last year.
What's in your emergency knitting stash?
Labels: wips
February 08, 2007
It's pollywog!
You guys must dig the human interest stories because yesterday I had a record number of visitors to my humble blog. It's funny how many people find my page by searching for an eight letter word for baby frog. So as a hello and thank you to those misled to a knitting blog, may your search not be in vain. It's POLLYWOG. You're welcome.
I had a nice knitting night at T's and as usual we were joined by Chantelle (show-and-tell). But I forgot to take a few things like the awesome cowrie buttons I bought last week at Tender Buttons.
And these fun thread beads from Ashbury Lane.
There has been knitting, oh yes. I have focused almost exclusively on the man socks with a tiny bit of Dobby's new sweater thrown in the mix. I have set the shrug aside because it is cold and we must have wool. But I want to take a picture of the shrug progress for you guys, especially those of you who are interested in the construction. It is not as bad as you might think.
What odd searches have led visitors to your blog?
I had a nice knitting night at T's and as usual we were joined by Chantelle (show-and-tell). But I forgot to take a few things like the awesome cowrie buttons I bought last week at Tender Buttons.
And these fun thread beads from Ashbury Lane.
There has been knitting, oh yes. I have focused almost exclusively on the man socks with a tiny bit of Dobby's new sweater thrown in the mix. I have set the shrug aside because it is cold and we must have wool. But I want to take a picture of the shrug progress for you guys, especially those of you who are interested in the construction. It is not as bad as you might think.
What odd searches have led visitors to your blog?
February 07, 2007
Wealth of knowledge
I'm knitting a pair of socks for a someone I think about constantly. It's pretty uncomfortable, this non-stop concern and longing. It isn't productive and it bogs me down when I'm trying to get other things done. But apparently being lovesick is good for my creativity because I've had a lot of good ideas lately.
I spent the day at my grandparents' and I was knitting on these socks while my grandmom rested on the sofa. She watched me as I tried them on so I explained they were way too large for me because they're for a man. "They're wool, so they should be very warm." And she just grinned at me, "He'll think of you every time he puts them on."
So this is what it feels like to be completely transparent. At least to a woman with over ninety years of life experience. My grandmom doesn't knit but she knows it has nothing to do with warmth. They sell that in stores. It is perfectly clear to her--why else would you knit thousands of tiny stitches only to give them away? I realize there are as many different stories and intentions about socks as there are free sock patterns on the web. But she nailed this one.
(The adorable guy pictured above is a Nom by the talented Aimee Ray. Get her art at littledear.etsy.com. Be quick like a bunny because the Noms usually sell out in an hour. I've been trying to get one for months.)
Labels: links
February 05, 2007
Rockin' Dachshund
My little Dobby Ann Stubbins may be a bundle o' crazy, but she is not weatherproof. She only has two sweaters in her wardrobe right now and neither are really toasty. She needs a Chicago-worthy sweater ASAP.
When I was packing more stuff last week, I found lots of knit patterns and notes that I thought were trashed! Among the notes were the measurements and pattern adjustments for Dobby's last sweater (follow the link above). This discovery combined with Chicago's subzero temps this week have kicked my butt into gear to make her a few more sweaters.
I swatched (insert "old dog, new tricks" comment here) for her next sweater using the sock yarn Karrie sent me a while ago. (For my own notekeeping, I used a #3 and got 5.3 stitches and 7.5 rows to the inch.) Now through the magic that is Esther's pattern I will make a perfectly fitting sweater for The Stub. I have christened this project the Rockin' sweater in honor of Karrie.
If you want to see a lot of people's obsessions collide do a flickr search for dog sweater or dog knitting or knit dog sweater, etc. I freely admit to being a crazy dog lady who knits and then names sweaters for her dog who also has a million nicknames. So?
I need to add that Dobs had to have her tail removed for medical reasons, not for vanity. Hence the Stubbins nickname. I have no excuse for all the other names.
When I was packing more stuff last week, I found lots of knit patterns and notes that I thought were trashed! Among the notes were the measurements and pattern adjustments for Dobby's last sweater (follow the link above). This discovery combined with Chicago's subzero temps this week have kicked my butt into gear to make her a few more sweaters.
I swatched (insert "old dog, new tricks" comment here) for her next sweater using the sock yarn Karrie sent me a while ago. (For my own notekeeping, I used a #3 and got 5.3 stitches and 7.5 rows to the inch.) Now through the magic that is Esther's pattern I will make a perfectly fitting sweater for The Stub. I have christened this project the Rockin' sweater in honor of Karrie.
If you want to see a lot of people's obsessions collide do a flickr search for dog sweater or dog knitting or knit dog sweater, etc. I freely admit to being a crazy dog lady who knits and then names sweaters for her dog who also has a million nicknames. So?
I need to add that Dobs had to have her tail removed for medical reasons, not for vanity. Hence the Stubbins nickname. I have no excuse for all the other names.
Labels: swatching
February 04, 2007
Recap
Hey y'all. I'm back from my quick but busy trip to Chicago. (The interviews went okay--not terribly exciting.) Could my week have been any knittier? I submit that it could not! Mid-Friday I realized I should have been taking notes so I could remember all the fun stuff I wanted to tell you. I was also a scatterbrain and didn't take any pictures!
Since I'm at the bf's house and have high-speed for the night, I decided to catch up on all my blog reading. That has left little time for blog writing, so I'll give you the cliffs notes and we'll get detailed later.
Had a great visit with Karen--thanks for the lowdown on neighborhoods! We finally got to visit Tender Buttons while they were open. (Haha, that sounds like all our other visits were B&E's.) I met a dozen toasty knitters at the KIP. Hi Dana and Corinne and all the other bloggers I haven't discovered yet.
Spent my xmas gift certificate at Knitting Workshop by purchasing some Dream in Color superwash merino. Then I flew back to make it to Springwater's Super Bowl Sale. Had a great time eating, drinking and knitting with Jenna and Lolly.
I also had a finished object but didn't take a picture before I gave it to the recipient. It's a crocheted belt for M using allhemp and my own design. Maybe I can convince her to take a pic and who knows--another one may be in the works.
Since I'm at the bf's house and have high-speed for the night, I decided to catch up on all my blog reading. That has left little time for blog writing, so I'll give you the cliffs notes and we'll get detailed later.
Had a great visit with Karen--thanks for the lowdown on neighborhoods! We finally got to visit Tender Buttons while they were open. (Haha, that sounds like all our other visits were B&E's.) I met a dozen toasty knitters at the KIP. Hi Dana and Corinne and all the other bloggers I haven't discovered yet.
Spent my xmas gift certificate at Knitting Workshop by purchasing some Dream in Color superwash merino. Then I flew back to make it to Springwater's Super Bowl Sale. Had a great time eating, drinking and knitting with Jenna and Lolly.
I also had a finished object but didn't take a picture before I gave it to the recipient. It's a crocheted belt for M using allhemp and my own design. Maybe I can convince her to take a pic and who knows--another one may be in the works.
Labels: links
