HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAISY!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is our dog's birthday!!! Please forgive no knitting content today, if you don’t want to hear my dog’s life story, wait until Monday.

I don't know what I have said before about her, but please forgive me if I am repeating myself. I got her for myself for Christmas in 2002. She was 2 1/2. We got her from the pound. We know very little about her past (for example, her birthday). When she went to the pound from her previous owners her name was Mugs, she had a leather collar with silver buttons that were maybe 2" in diameter, and she was pregnant. The policy of the pound with pregnant dogs is to put them in a foster home until the puppies are placable (sp?). Soon after she went back to the pound, we walked in one Sunday morning. It was me and the boys (my HUSBAND didn't want to come cause he would want every one). She was the first one I saw. Due to the leather collar, I assumed she was a boy. She was the only dog in the place that didn't have a paper on the outside of the cage because she was sharing a cage with another dog. I was partial to boy dogs because we had always had boy dogs. We continued to walk around the whole place but none could compare to her. We took her outside to the place they have set up for visiting with the dogs to see if they are okay for you. She didn't want to interact with us very much, but I soon discovered that if the boys were on one side of the covered outside cubicle, and I was on the other, she might come to me a little. We chose her.

Since she just had puppies, she obviously hadn't been fixed, yet. The other policy the pound has is if an animal isn't fixed, it doesn't go home with the new owners until the pound arranges for an operation. And we had to pay more for her than for another dog who may have been already fixed. Plus, we couldn’t pick her up until after she had the operation. So, although I had envisioned coming home with my new dog, I had to wait from Sunday until that next Wednesday.

Wednesday morning came, and I took the boys to school, went to the dollar store to get her some things, then went to the pound. I think I got there around 9:30. They didn’t open until 10. I waited *patiently* until 10 so I could go get my baby.

Her foster mom, who had renamed her Maisy, was there and wanted to meet me. She informed me that Maisy didn’t much care for men. By the time we got out of there and I had coaxed her into the car (that part took FOREVER), it was time to pick up my son from his morning preschool class. I took her with me, and didn’t go in the school, just had another parent get DeAndré for me. We went home, and left her alone in the house for a little while when we had to go get Malik some time later from school. My husband got off work at either 7 or 8 - I can’t remember what his schedule was then. I called him at sometime in the day, with plans to pick him up from work with Maisy. He was so excited (for the first time) to say “my dog Maisy Brown” on the phone with me after I had her. I’m pretty sure that her foster mom needs to have a chat with her husband. She has not only not never had a problem with my husband, there have been times that I wondered if they couldn’t take care of themselves, and I was only in the relationship to feed both of them.

She took a LOOOOONG time to get comfortable. One night we heard her bark, and we both looked at her and couldn’t figure out what that noise was. It was the first time she barked. I could never find a toy she liked, until one day she found a ball of my yarn that was ATTACHED TO A PROJECT! She liked it at like 10:00 at night - I bought her some balls the next day! It is still the only toy she likes. She has always jumped at the slightest movement or loud noise. She used to move anytime I moved. (She still does this, but not to the same extent.) She used to move anytime someone wanted to walk over her when she was on the floor, now she just lays there. She is a black lab mostly, but she HATES water!!! Except to drink. When I picked her up, she had two grey hairs between her shoulder blades. Now her whole beard area is grey, the underside of her tail, and lots of other hairs here and there. She gets grey from worrying, which she does often. She doesn’t like other dogs, she is scared of them, even the little ones that she can step on if she wanted to.

WE ALL LOVE HER SOOOO!!!

(These pictures were all taken a couple years ago at the park on the same day. I ran out of film before I got one with DeAndre'. He was not happy with me, and I guess I forgot to fix that problem.)


Maisy and Daddy


Me and Maisy


Maisy at the park


Maisy and Malik

She is rolling around here:

Her favorite thing to do at the park

Continental

I had a class at Yarn Garden last night. It was a one-time, two-hour class about Continental knitting. I already know how to Knit from the Fair Isle class earlier this year. I had to learn purling. It wasn't the easiest thing I have learned. I was a bit frustrated. I did feel confortable with my knitting, though, so when she was discussing ribbing and fair isle, I just worked on my purling. I'm still not very good AT ALL!! I am not discouraged, I know I will get it. I just want to do it backwards all the time. However, backwards creates a twisted stitch. I can fix twisted stitches, but I don't want to have to. Anyway, I will keep plugging away on it until I feel more comfortable.

I got notifications yesterday about upcoming events: Yarn Swap, Knit at the Movies Nite and Yarn Shop Hop. The first two are in August and the third one is in October (email me at jenknitter AT gmail DOT com if you would like further info).

Aran update - I am done with 3 1/2 out of 5 repeats of the front. This means I only have to do 1 1/2 repeats before I do whatever neck shaping needs to be done. Hopefully, I can have that done by Monday.

The other evening there was a girl on the bus who was knitting. I only rarely see knitters on the bus, and usually when I do, I am either too uncomfortable to go up to a complete stranger and start talking about her knitting, or I don't see her until one of us is getting off the bus. However, I saw this girl as soon as I got on, and I even got to sit next to her. She is working on a scarf/shawl for her wedding coming up the middle of next month. The yarn looked like a kid silk haze (from what I have seen of that kind/brand of yarn). She was using needles that were large enough to get a lacy material. However, she was just doing a seed stitch pattern. I realized at one point that her project had no yarn-overs in it, it was just the nature of the yarn with those needles. I asked her if there were any yarn-overs in it, and she looked at me and (it was so cute) said "Yarn-overs?"

I have been scrapbooking, again. I bought a bunch of stuff from QVC a long time ago. I am making a book for the baby. Right now, since I have no pictures, of course, each page is just a beginning. However, there is one 12 x 12 layout for each of the months of the year starting in December (I can change this if the baby comes early or late). It was nice to get something done. I'm gonna go to a local scrapbook store this weekend to buy some more pages. I want some pages to put footprints and date, time, weight, and noteable events: first step, first tooth, that kind of stuff.

I guess that is all for now. The boss is gone until August 22. He will be calling a lot, but YEAH!!!

THIS JUST IN: check this out!!!

Pictures and tagged

First picture is my "fat" baby a couple of weeks ago.


Me at 18-ish weeks

Here is a good shot of my camera. Please excuse my DH's pictures.


My camera

These are the gifts I received from my Secret Pal a couple of weeks ago.


SP 5 gifts

Yarn Harlot pics:

I got Yarn Harlot getting pics:


Blogging the blogger

I think the podium that Powell's had for Stephanie to stand on was GREAT!!! Look at all the books, and even a place to put the bookbookbook.


Podium

Sorry if this is a bit blurry:


Blurry Harlot

I knew there was more I was supposed to post yesterday! I was tagged by LisaB.

5 things I miss from childhood:

1. My grandmother's house.

2. The house I grew up in.

3. Going to the beach.

4. My dad being off so much cause he was a teacher.

5. ???

I don’t much feel up to tagging today, so if you want it, take it!

Check out this review in a local paper about a LYS.

All kinds of stuff

So this one might be a really long post. I have been really busy at work, and have had NO time to post!!! I have been jumping in to put a link or something, but no time to actually make a post. Here are some updates (hopefully, I will have time to push "Publish" before the boss has work for me to do).

I had already heard about this, but now I have a link. Check out this article from Seattle.

Yarn Harlot came to town. I am in two pictures. I have a red shirt on. If you scroll down to the group shots, I am in the second one and the third one. In the second one, I am all the way on the right, in the third one, I am there, but kinda covered by the microphone. My DH used to work (for a long time) at the hotel that Stephanie must have stayed at, because the pic of the Beefeater is taken at that hotel. My husband doesn't really have internet access at work, so he can't look at his pic. I am going to now give him my blog address (even though he had it before) so he can see if he knows him.

I met this blogger, however, we didn't exchange information until I saw her blog about the harlot-y visit!

I also met Kelley from KnitPicks! It was wierd, because I recognized her but couldn't figure it out for a long time. Then she said something (I don't remember what now) and I felt like I was in the presence of royalty. She brought her dog in the dog's bag. You know those dog carriers that can only hold those dogs around the size of cats?

Stephanie even recognized the name of my blog. She has actually been here!!! I felt soo honored!
I finished sock number 1. However, now it is my Step-Father's birthday present (his bday is Christmas Day), because I have two presents due in less than a month, so I must finish those first! The two presents are the Aran - due on September 7, and the afghan - due on September 3! The afghan is probably 1/2 done, and the Aran is more than 1/2 done with the front, then the sleeves left. I don't know if I can pull these dates off - pray for me.

I have pictures, but they are at Walgreen's. I will (try to) pick them up tonight and post them tomorrow or at least this week.

We have insurance, now, so I made an appointment with my Ob/Gyn. I get to have a real appointment with a real doctor in a week and a half. I even get to have an ultrasound. (We don't wanna know the sex of the baby.) The boys are going to come with me to see the baby. I think they are getting excited since they can see my tummy pooching out.

Well, it seems like there was more that I wanted to say, but if there is, I can't think of it now. I wanna hurry up and post this before it gets crazy here, again, so I can have a post, so here goes...

No knitting content

After all the troubles my DH had at his last job, it is nice to know he is somewhat appreciated at his new one. I am keeping this, though, in case we run into troubles later on down the road!



Marcus' award (Fletch)

Book signing

So, Wednesday Stephanie aka Yarn Harlot will be at Powell's to sign her new book. I am meeting some people there from a LYS. I work downtown, so I am going to try to reserve a bunch of seats. If anyone wants to be added to this list, let me know, and I will see what I can do.

I just talked to the boys. They will be home at 7:30 tonight. We have been apart since Wednesday evening, and we haven't talked that much. Malik wants to spend the night at Papa Tom's house (that is my dad - he who took the boys to Denver). DeAndre', however, made it clear that he wanted no part of that arrangement, and wanted to come home.

I will update you all tomorrow.

Titleless

The boys landed last night about 11:30 Denver time. They had a blast on the plane. They will be back sometime Monday.

I got to go to a LYS' Knit-Nite last night, and the great Cheri fixed my screwed up Aran for me. I was 1/2 way done with the third repeat. I need to work a total of 5. I am now just starting repeat #3.

I am about half way done with the foot on sock #1. I sure am glad I bought 3 balls of yarn for this baby. I am almost done with the first one. I don't think I will use a lot of the third ball, but 2 WOULD NOT have been enough!!

Going to the beach tomorrow just for the day. Sale at a LYS there. My DH wants to golf on Sunday. This would be fine with me, because there is a group meeting that day. August has a whole bunch of knitting related stuff I can do. I might not be home much.

My boss is going to play golf SOMETIME today! I wish I knew when, because the sooner he leaves, the sooner I can knit!!!

We do have to go to my mom's house this weekend and get some baby stuff - high chair, swing, ??? We will have to fit that in on Sunday between golf and knitting.

I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment today. I got there and they said it was not today, it was Monday. I know I heard her right when I made the appointment and put it on my calendar (at the same time)! I am not sure what she did to change my appointment!

I think that is all, have a good weekend!

Weekend plans

My kids will be gone from Wednesday night until sometime Monday. I told my boss this, and he got me a $200 Visa Gift Card so me and my honey can live it up with no children. We are gonna go to the beach - but only to spend the day, because it is too late to get a reasonable priced room. We will maybe go see a movie, but I don't think there is anything out I wanna see.

I will knit! I have three projects that need to be finished. One needs a lifeline added so I can rip out for a bit. I hope to have one of two shops do it for me. Then I can rip and work on the rest of the front of the Aran sweater. I am done turning the heel on sock #1 of my Step-dad's sock for Father's Day. Plus, my cousin's wedding in September needs the afghan done. I am about 1/3 of the way done. It is an hour and a half drive each way to the coast. KNITTING TIME!!

This weekend was work. We got the crib set up in my fiber room. My yarn storage is currently in our bedroom. I need to get at least one more bookshelf out of the baby's room to make room for the changing table that is at mom's house. We will maybe pick up all that stuff this weekend.

Malik (10 yo) told me Sunday night that he is scared that when I go into the hospital to have the baby, I won't come back out. Poor, worrying baby.

I guess that is it, for now.

I finally got some time...

Boy do I have updates!

I got about 1/2 way done with the third repeat on my Aran, and realized there were a few mistakes that I couldn't ignore. I need someone who doesn't have so much invested in the project to put in a lifeline so I can rip it back some for repairs. I haven't touched it in a couple of days. Therefore, of course, my goal for the front done by Monday is now not gonna happen!

I have been working on the first sock for my FIL Father's Day present. (I know, late, but he won't be too hurt). I need nine inches on the leg according to Ann Budds pattern for size 13 shoes! I am at maybe 6 or 7 right now.

I have discovered that I don't need all patterns to be challenging, I just need to have a couple of different patterns going at once (like I need an excuse). I think my goal is to have one that is a sock or other small something, one is a cable/fair isle/etc, and one stockinette. The variation is good for me.

My local TKGA guild is pushing membership hard. I would really like to join, but if I join, then I am a member for a year, and I don't know if I am going to be able to be an active member in Jan, Feb... with a baby. Plus, the meetings are clear on the other side of town on a weeknight. They say they have speakers, and helpers, and two days a year they go on a tour of all the LYS and have discounts on this day. And retreats, and I don't remember what else. I could meet more real-live knitters. I only know a couple local knitters, and they are mostly bloggers, so don't really know them. You can go (I think) twice to check it out, and there is someone volunteering to drive from my side of town, so I think I will at least go to that one. Of course, the last one was yesterday, so I have to wait a month.

My cousin is getting married in Colorado next weekend, and my dad bought the boys tickets and is taking them, so from Thursday next week until Monday, my DH and I will be alone! I think this is the longest we have been together without them. Then I get an email from a store on the coast that is having a sale that same weekend. Gee, maybe we will go to the coast.

My tummy poked out a bit overnight one night this week. I am still not showing so that perfect strangers on the street see it (and might never), but co-workers are noticing.

Finally, and best of all, my Secret Pal sent me a gift. My camera still isn't up to par, so I can't upload the pic, but I got:

Some notecards,
Some Burts Bees lotions
This book
and this yarn the color is called A Time For Us - first on the color card. That page even has a pattern for a one skein scarf!

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH SECRET PAL!!!!!!!

My mom is funny (not really). Everytime I tell her about this Secret Pal thing she always reacts like "gee, what a bother to have to figure out what to send people and then get it and mail it." After I was gifted this week, I called her and told her what I got, she seemed genuinely impressed. Secret Pal, I just want you to know that it is nearly impossible to impress my mom, but you did it!

I think that's it...

Dear Secret Pal...

I got my package the other day. Real busy at work right now. Will post more later.

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

Progress

Well, I have a couple of progress notes to add. I aimed to get done with the fourth repeat of the front of the Aran. I got about half way through the fourth. I might be able to get done with it tonight, which is technically Monday, so my goal will be reached. I am at this moment running short on yarn - not for the sweater - I have lots, but for the stash in my purse. Therefore, I can't do too much today before I get home. For some reason I can no longer get my pics off my camera, so no pics.

Baby progress. I felt it move yesterday evening. I tried to let my husband feel it, but he couldn't. I felt it once or twice when he had his hand on me, but he didn't feel it - I don't know if the movements were not strong enough or if his hand was in the wrong place, or both. It still doesn't feel real to me for some reason. Also our hand me down crib was delivered Saturday. It isn't set up or anything, yet, but... I will have to reconstruct my fiber room/guest room to make room for baby. I have no idea what I will do with it all. I don't have a huge stash, but that room has a lot of junk in it - fiber related and not. I really do have to work on it someday. Maybe labor day weekend if it is not too hot. Otherwise, it might wait until the four day Thanksgiving Day weekend. (Cutting it a bit close, but...)

Slow Week

at work, anyway. The boys spent the night at grandma's house last night, and my DH decided he wanted to play golf, so I decided since Thursday is Knit-Knite at a local shop, I'd knit! Yeah! Plus, I get to go to a SnB tomorrow and maybe even on Sunday! How exciting!! I'm almost done with the second repeat out of four I wanted finished by Monday - I have faith. Two repeats over a weekend is do-able, maybe. It is certainly not impossible, anyway.

Check out this link from KnitPicks.com

This was in our local paper the other day - funny.

So, I mentioned by brother's birthday party last weekend - here are pics:

Not a very good one of me, but I really do knit, see:

Jen Knitting

There was coloring with sidewalk chalk on the driveway - have I ever told you that I have three boys, one just happens to be 38 years old:


Marcus coloring 

DeAndre' has his back to you with a grey shirt on


And with children 

It was my brother's 30th birthday:


Birthday Boy 

I accomplished something!

Not even really far from my deadline!!! The back of the Aran is done. It has a couple of ends to weave in, and needs to be BADLY blocked, but DONE! Of course I have to still get a pic, but one thing accomplished is something! I finished it Friday night. Then Saturday and Sunday and so far today I made progress on the front. I am now 5" in. This translates to half of the large center repeat. I have to finish five repeats. I am so glad that I am actually making progress on SOMETHING - even if other things are just hanging around my house.

Saturday we went to (among other places) my son's friend's birthday party. At this party I discovered I am being stalked. One of the other moms - who I have known for maybe 7 years - informed me that she actually reads my blog. This is the only person I knew before I blogged who reads my blog that I know of. She has actually read it more than once. I don't think she checks in every day, and I don't know if she reads all posts between checking in, but WOW!! Hi Beverly!!! I also found out while I was there that one of the other moms I have known for 7 years is due January 9th-ish. About three weeks after me. This is especially funny since our oldest children are about 3 weeks apart, too. Our first children are both mixed children. We were both single moms. Our current pregnancies are with men we have met since, and we got married a year apart. The only differences are she didn't have another child, and her husband has children from an earlier marriage. Kinda creepy the similarities.

Another place we went to is my brother's house for his birthday party. While there, of course, I pulled out my knitting. My sister's new BF (this week, anyway), was very shocked that people knit. However, he told me that I should sell sweaters on Ebay. I asked him how much I could get, and he said $60-100. I thought that was very generous of him, since most people would only say $25. But of course, I would think my time and materials would be worth more than that.

I will try to get a pic of the sweater this week. My goal by next Monday is to finish the fourth repeat of the front of the Aran. Think good thoughts.

Blue Moon Fiber Arts

One of our local Stitch n Bitches just received this post to our board, and I thought I'd share.

Hi all, this is Kaci from Blue Moon Fiber Arts and we've had some calls lately about a "Socks that Rock" update that they heard here on SNB. I try to read as many messages as possible so that we keep in touch with the local knitters but I felt that it might help if I clarified what we are doing with our sock yarns.

This is not a solicitation, we encourage all of you to support local yarn stores regardless if they carry our products or not, we enjoy and buy other yarns, patterns and books everywhere too!
I wanted to post our latest communication update so as not to confuse anyone further! Here is our blurb:

'Soft Rock' is now labeled as 'Socks that Rock-lightweight' but is now bundled in larger skeins. We've been listening to our knitters and heard their great ideas. Recently we have changed the skeins to 325 yards, enough to knit a pair of socks and then you don't have to worry about dye lots! Later this fall we will have 'Socks that Rock' in three options;

lightweight: 8-10 sts per inch on size 1 dpns (aka: 'Soft Rock' available now)mediumweight: 6-8 sts per inch on size 2 dpns (original 'Socks that Rock')
heavyweight: 4-6 sts per inch on size 4 dpns (new worsted weight)

If you still have questions feel free to e-mail me off list at kaci@bluemoonfiberarts.com.Happy knitting to all!

Kaci Kyler Hays

In other news, I was suppossed to be finished with the front of Halcyon Aran by yesterday morning. Let's just say it it didn't quite work out. I got close, though. Right now I am 8 rows from finishing the final repeat. Then I bind off (which I finally figured out all by myself). Of course, this is the time I have to start a new ball of yarn. Kinda hate that Murphy's law. Hopefully, by Monday morning, I will be a good ways into the front.

Last night when we pulled into the garage after work, my DH showed his true colors (which I already knew, but is still nice to see). Right when he cut off the engine, the phone started to ring, so I quickly got out of the car and (attempted) to run in the house to get it. Please imagine our garage with all kinds of kid toys and stuff all around. This particular day, there was a pretty slick book on the floor. So, of course, I stepped on it, then slipped. I fell right onto the concrete step that goes into the house. My DH was on the phone talking to his cousin, whom he told to hang on cause I fell. He checked me out (I was fine, just a couple scrapes on elbows, one scrape each on knee and thumb.) Then he told his cousin he was gonna talk to him later. He made sure I was okay, and not just saying that, then guided me into the living room to sit down. Then he and the boys made sure all the stuff was out of the car, and he helped me upstairs to change my clothes. So sweet!

Today is Luther's funeral in New York. He will then be buried in New Jersey. Game Show Network tomorrow is showing the two times he appeared on Family Fued. He was part of a show called "Grammy stars" or something like that. They will be on at 9 and 9:30 ET. If you would like more information, you can read this story. If you want to add to his Guest Book, you can do so here. There are currently 1485 published messages and 149 pages, and this number is moving fast!

Weekend Update

I forgot to push Publish Post yesterday...

My cousin's birthday is July 3rd. To celebrate, we always go over and eat dinner, have presents, and shoot off fireworks. While we were there, my dad looked down at my 10 YEAR OLD SONS head, and noticed a GREY HAIR!!!!!!! OMG!!! My dad said that his mom (my grandmother) started getting grey hair at 10. 10?!?!?!


Grey hair

I finished the fifth repeat on the front of the Aran. I have to finish one more repeat. I don't quite understand the bind off instructions, so I emailed the designer, and she gave me some feedback, but I don't quite "get it." I gotta see it. So, I will take it to a LYS somewhere and see if they can help me.

Speaking of LYS, KR had a post for a new one opening yesterday. Danger - it is the closest one, so far, to my house! I went by. It was pretty small, but they have a table in the back, probably for classes, and some seating in the front. It was nice. When I went in, they requested I take some flyers to share with my friends. I don't really have any real life knitting friends, but if I remember to bring it with me tomorrow, I will scan it. The name of the store is The Naked Sheep Knit Shop.

Luther, my love

Luther


My favorite singer of all times has died. Luther Vandross died today at the age of 54. I will be listening to his music all weekend.

Checking in

Yesterday I received a comment to join the Jennifer Knitters Knit Ring. How fun!!! Of course, I did right away!!

I also joined the Knitters UFO Anonomous (sp?) knit along! Boy do I need it! The only thing I am interested in working on is this Aran. It does have a deadline, and it is in September, so only two months left. My boss is out, which means work will be boring. I have half of today and Tuesday and Wednesday here all by myself, so between that and the long weekend, I want to get the front done by Thursday morning. I might not make it, but that is my goal. I have two socks cast on that are using the same needles - one is hanging out on some scrap yarn. The one for Malik won't take long because it is for a kid. The one for my step-dad will take awhile since he is a size 13. Those are priority.

I never have finished Mariah. I am in the yoke and it doesn't feel right, so it is just sitting there. I really would like to wear it someday. I also never finished my fair isle hat. I should work on that. I only have the top left to finish, then at least something would be done. Anyway, hopefully, the front of the aran by this time next week. That will certainly be progress.

Have a good fourth.

GREAT BLOG NEWS!!!!!!

My sister came over last night with our anniversary present. It was from her and my brother.

Guess what it is!


You will never guess....





Keep thinking....




Ok - We got a DIGITAL CAMERA!!!

We don't have the softward hooked up, yet, so either tomorrow or next Tuesday, you will see real pics on here (FINALLY!!!)

Have you ever done this one?

So yesterday I did a good one while knitting on the Aran sweater. I couldn't find my cable needle, anywhere! I looked all in the couch, in my purse, under the table, in my pants pockets and my shirt, etc. Guess where I found it??? In my knitting! I had used it for a cable, put my stitches on the cable needle, and left them there. Had to tink back about 7 stitches to get my needle back and finish the cable I was in the middle of. I can't believe how much I am getting done on this cable project, while I have other projects just sitting around. This is for a birthday in September, so I really need to work on it, not like the other stuff, which either has no due date, or the due date has passed.

So, I saw that Yarn Harlot will be at Powells on August 3rd. I also heard a rumor that she will be at Abundant Yarn near the time of thier Grand Opening.

Happy Anniversary

to my DH. We have been married for two years. If this works, this is the e-card my sis sent me:

http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECardPickupView.jsp?c=EG3781961400788&msgid=50293900&n=%5dqn%7bn%7cj&e=%7djtrum%7eooI%02x7lxv&BAE=3&mailID=BAE_ECARD&s=wop%3a%3b%409&p=Qjyy%03%29Jwwr%7fn%7b%7cj%7b%03%2a%29%29Lxwp%7bj%7d%7euj%7drxw%7c%29xw%29orwmrwp%29%7dqn%29ux%7fn%29xo%29%03x%7e%7b%29uron%29jwm%29wx%7d%29knrwp%29jo%7bjrm%29xo%29qjyyrwn%7c%7c%2a%29%291Yunj%7cn%29ox%7b%01j%7bm%29%7dqr%7c%29%7dx%29Vj%7bl%7e%7c%29ro%29qn%29qj%7c%29jw%29nvjru%29jmm%7bn%7c%7c7%29%29%5dqjwt%7c72%29%29Ux%7fn%29%03x%7e%29kx%7dq7&f=y


DH & I

Not that this is a good picture, but I don't have a pic of the wedding at work, and this is the only pic I have at work of the honeymoon.


Honeymoon 

And here is my DH all by hisself:


DH 

Cute kid story: DH and DS #1 were upstairs watching TV. DS #2 and I were watching TV downstairs. DS #2 was kinda wandering, then he came up to me and asked me if it was okay if he went upstairs, too, because he didn't want me to be lonley.

Annoyed

with myself. I have worked here for almost a year. My boss, while being a lovely person, is also way too particular for my taste. I don't know if I shared with you all my complaint about the way he criticized my choice in cups for the clients. "You only use this one for clients." Like it matters. The only difference between the two mugs, is that one fits perfectly on the saucer (which is mandatory) and the other doesn't. Sorry, I didn't know. Not only does filing need to be done, which I am sooo bad at, but it has to be done right. I understand this is not a hard request, but for some reason I am still having troubles. I don't know how much is my inability to get filing done, how much is him being a wierd-o, and how much is my Catholic guilt. However, I am quite sick of being in "trouble."

Speaking of which, my boss did give me a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. I bought
Knitting: History, Fashion, and Great Knitting Yarns
Baby Knits Two
Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles
At Knit's End
I got them on Friday. I think I may have gotten the gift card on Monday, but I kept forgetting to post about it.

I worked on the sweater this weekend. I got almost another repeat done. I need to make either five or six repeats of the center chart. I am almost done with the second on the back. I would like to have this done by September with another item done by September. We will see.


Halcyon Back #2

The mistakes I mentioned Friday are a bit more noticeable here. The scanner isn't quite as wide as the sweater, therefore the chart on the right side that is repeated on the left side is not seen. Please imagine it.

I have actual knitting content!

I am knitting on the Halcyon Aran. I like it. I don't love it, because I have to use 6 charts all at the same time. It is coming along, though. It is for my sister for her birthday. I am using KnitPicks Wool of the Andes.


Halcyon Back 

There are some minor errors in it, but since this is the bottom of the back, I don't really care. I bought a new magnet board in a bit of a bigger size, so I think the errors will stop - one can hope, anyway.

I also have a new love.

Loose tea. I got a couple of free samples from Adiago Teas, (I have a link on the left side, that is why I got it free) and I bought some Tazo Calm, and a tea pot. I didn't realize that Herbal tea wasn't really tea, but more potpouri. I am really enjoying it. I realize the irony in finding this love during summer, but it can't decide what season it is here, yet, so I will enjoy it whenever I can.

So, my DH works downtown with me, now. We went to lunch Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Today he calls me at lunch time and says he is going to lunch with a co-worker. I was a bit sad.

Have a good weekend.

Stuff

I work in a law office. We had a very pleasant afternoon yesterday. That is a lie. Around 2:00 we got a call from an opposing party who is represented by counsel who wanted to speak to the attorney. Now, some of you may not know this, but if you don't you should. If you are party a, and you have an attorney, party b's attorney is not allowed to speak to you, s/he could get disbarred. This rule is not just to have the attorney get in trouble for speaking you, it is also not because the attorney I work for is stonewalling and doesn't want to talk to you. It is in the disciplinary rules.

The "gentleman" who called yesterday "KNEW THE LAW" and was sure that Michael (my boss) was just being an ass. So, of course, he took it out on me. He was yelling at me, and I could not even get a word in edgewise.

He called about 2:00. He had a doctor's appointment at 5:00. Which means (after we got the lawyer issue taken care of) we had to scurry to get a maybe 5 hour project done in less than 3 hours. We made it, but why do people do this. It would be one thing if this was our client demanding this from us, but this man isn't even paying us. (Our client will, but not the point.)

I have been a receptionist for awhile now, so I realize this is standard protocol, but it still annoys me. I get yelled at, and my boss doesn't even take that issue up with the person. I would really appreciate it if my boss had gotten on the phone with this sweet man, and told him where to go and how to get there.

So, changing the subject, this morning I was listening to a local radio station, and they were discussing AFI's 100 list of Movie Quotes. My name is Jenni, that means I will forever hear 867-5309 and "Jenny" said in someone's best impersonation of Forrest Gump. So, when they told listeners to call in, I called in to say "Run, Forrest, Run." So, I was on the radio this morning. It was an experience I had never had before. I wasn't too impressed, then, of course, the DJ (after he had disconnected me) told me to tell Forrest "Hi." I swear I will have alzheimer's and be in a home, and someone will ask me my phone number and I will say 867-5309 and I will wonder where Forrest is. For the record, I have never even seen the movie.

I have knitting news, sort of. I started a sweater from Black Water Abbey Yarns.


halcyon aran pullover

I can't for the life of me finish anything. I don't even have a lot of drive to knit. What is wrong with me, someone please?

Good news and bad news

My DH started a new job today. That is the good news. The bad news is our morning. His shift (for his 2 week training period) is 7-3:45. My shift is 8:30 - 5. Being that school is out for the summer, daycare is involved. After much figuring it out, we decided that my DH's niece will watch the boys. She lives with her three brothers at their mom's house in Milwaukie for only $30 a week. Such a deal.

So, this morning, I took my husband to work downtown (a 10 mile drive), then drove out to Milwaukie to drop the boys off (another 5 miles). Then I had to drive toward downtown (4 miles), but drop the car off and get on a bus (travel time to work 14 minutes), cause parking downtown is way too expensive, and my employer pays for my bus pass. This whole trip took us a little over an hour. At 11:15-ish, my DH will come pick up my bus pass. After he gets off work he will take the bus to pick up the car and then the boys. He will then come pick me up. This is our schedule for the next two weeks. After this, he will get his schedule, and we will tweak this as needed. The worst part of this for me, is my knitting during my commute time just went from an hour a day, to like 10 minutes. The worst part for my DH, is he is pretty sure he isn’t gonna like his job, but is taking it for a paycheck, he is still looking for something better.

A silver lining

It was already a good thing that my MIL's life was taken on Saturday. I don't mean that in a negative way, but she was in so much pain, and had been for so long, that it was time. The funeral was yesterday. My FIL was there. My DH has been not interested in talking to or about his dad for a long time. My DH tried during our wedding two years ago, but it didn't work. My FIL left, instead of staying. Yesterday after the funeral, my DH asked my FIL where he was staying (he lives about five hours away). FIL said he was going to go find a place. My DH volunteered a twin sized bed in our house. I was so happy for them. They (we) talked for a couple of hours last night before we all went to bed. They talked for a couple of hours this morning. Hopefully, this will mean a good truce.

Lots of stuff

Well, here we go. It was a bit of a long weekend. We went to the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade on Saturday. I knew it was Knit in Public day, so I dutifully brought along my knitting (although I would have brought it, anyway, as I am a regular KIPer). It was pretty much a crazy weather day. It would rain, then stop, for a min it was sunny and warm, then it rained again. Therefore, I only knitted maybe a row in public, because I didn't really want it to rain on my knitting. The parade was fun, dispite the rain. After we went to the carnival. It was a good thing we decided to check out the Coast Guard ships first, because it decided to POUR while were on one of the boats - inside! So we hung out in there until it cleared. Then we went on some rides. I got a frozen chocolate banana, Malik got an elephant ear. DeAndre' met with a friend and left to spend the night.

We got some bad news Saturday early at midnight. The midnight Saturday that is really Friday night. My MIL died. It was actually good news. She was really bad for six months. Couldn't do anything for herself. My DH was really close to her. But he saw her deteriorate every day, so I think that he grieved for six months, and that is why he is not grieving now. He is a bit upset with himself for not grieving.

Yesterday, I had a doctor's appointment. We took the boys, and they got to hear the heartbeat. I asked them later if they thought it was wierd or cool. One said wierd and the other said cool.

TGIF

My DH bought me an anniversary present yesterday. It is similar to this, but better and less expensive. It is really hard for me to sit on bleachers watching baseball games with no back support. Now, I don't have to.

My home page is Excite.com. Every day they have a fortune. These aren't the greatest fortunes, because they aren't personalized for me, and they are in some sort of cycle, because sometimes I see the same one more than once. This is the second time I have seen this one:

Daily Fortune

Your fortune for today...

Try a new hobby. Knitting is fun!

Sockapooloza

So I was reading various blogs yesterday, and found out that Jenifer had joined sockapalooza 2. I wanted to join, too. So I clicked on the link on her post. That took me to Wanda's. Her entry took me to Alison's where I could join. I did.

Also, after reading Jenifer's post I decided to join http://www.flylady.net/. I'm not sure about this site, yet.

If my post looks wierd, it is because my computer is on the fritz for some reason.

Even though LeAnn attempted to send me bad karma, my DH had the grill all set up when I got home yesterday. He said we have to wait until the weekend to actually try it out.

New Grill

The other day I mentioned that we might get a digital camera for our anniversary (which is still 3 weeks away). Apparently, my dad had other plans. He has a key to our house because I believe someone should have an extra key in case of emergencies. So yesterday, we were at a baseball game and my husband got a call on his cell phone that said that he was getting a call from home. I was sitting right next to him, so it couldn't have been me, plus both boys were with me. He was a bit confused and concerned. It was my dad informing us that when we get home, we have something waiting for us for our anniversary. When we got home, there was a HUGE box that contained this grill:


Grill

It is now in pieces all over our floor. We were also gifted with two huge bags of charcoal. This grill is a smoker and grill. Apparently, my dad has been wanting to get us a grill for two years.

The first thing out of my DH's mouth were "I'm not cleaning this." He has wanted a grill in the backyard since we moved in.

Change of subject - my son is great. I am making his socks, when I realize that father's day is fast approaching, and I want to finish two different pairs before then. I asked him this morning if it would be alright if he got his socks after father's day. He had no problem saying sure. I might make him some special socks. I really wanted to be able to finish his socks in time for him to wear them to school before school got out next Tuesday.

Names

I have no knitting content, today. I am stalled on Malik's sock, since it was a bad sock and was cast on with about 8 too few stitches. I have no interest, whatsoever, in finishing Dad's sweater, which is due tomorrow. I might wrap it unfinished, and give it to him to see if he likes it, something is gnawing at me that he won't like the color. That and the pattern which I don't really enjoy. Plus, I am reading A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber, and it is due at the library today. I have only a couple of more chapters, left, so I will probably finish it today, but it might not make it home until tomorrow - which will cost me 25 cents. I can't knit and read. Especially on the MAX.

In baby news, it just occured to me that I don't think I have announced our names. For a girl it will be Ayanna Rose Brown (Ayanna is pronounced I-anna - although I am not good at spelling out things so people can say them) and if it is a boy it will (sort of) be named after my DH. Fletcher Marcus William Brown IV. My husband's name is really Fletcher Brown IV, but he goes by Marcus and William is my step-dad's name, my brother's middle name, and my grandfather's name, so that is to include all those people.

Rose Festival

We have something in Portland called the Rose Festival. It is a lot of fun, there is a “fun center” - rides, and food and vendors, etc. There are THREE parades. The meat of it lasts 11 days. Yesterday was the official kick off. The first thing that happens, is a queen is crowned. All the possibles are senior girls from the local high schools. The high schools all have a court and the student body chooses a queen from their school who goes on to the Portland court. Traditionally, as Portland is pretty much a white town, the girls have all been white. Last night was the crowning. There were 14 girls. 4 were white, 3 were black, 3 were some kind of Hispanic, and 4 were some kind of Asian (no disrespect intended, I don't know the differences, I know one was from Thailand, and one was from China). This has been probably the most diverse court in the history of the Rose Festival, I was sooo proud. Why, then, was I surprised when I white, Irish girl from a Catholic School was voted queen? This is still Portland, after all. I am still bummed. I did a bit of research. The coronation has been every year since 1907. By looking at pictures of the queens since then, I have some statistics for you (2002-2003 were missing). There have been no queens who looked Hispanic, two queens who looked Asian, and 4 queens who looked black. HELLO! Out of almost 100 girls! WTF?!?! I understand the ones early on. There was probably a law or something. The first non-white queen was in 1970 (Asian). That is thirty-five years ago. And out of those 35 girls (not counting the two missing ones), only 6 were non-white! We have a long way to go!!!

Knitting news - yesterday I finished off the heel of my son's sock. I did a row or two of stockinette, and had him try them on. I don't know what happened (I had a feeling), but I had cast on only 44 instead of 52 stitches for the leg. It wouldn't go over his foot. I had to pull the whole thing out, and start again. :(!!!