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December 31, 2005
Remember to Save Your Work Frequently
I was waxing philosophical about the upcoming year, and reflecting on my life and my knitting when I mistakenly closed the bloody window. I have special firefox extensions that would purportedly aid me in opening the window if I wasn't such a bonehead! Alas my beautiful entry is gone. I will attribute it to the last gasp of 2005. The highlights included speculation and smelling salts regarding finishing my Masters Degree, the subsequent return to the work force, and nominal discomfort at losing knitting and me time (wah poor me, I know!). Next I went on to say that since I have no control over my life I'd exert control over my knitting.
I finished the pinwheel baby blanket after casting off three different times. I was unsure on how big a baby blanket should be as I have no babies and this was my first attempt at creating a baby blanket. I'll post a photo of the blanket as soon as it dries from blocking. I steam blocked my Bikini Looking Shawl (see December 8th Entry) and it now fits the way I had intended. I added some short rowing to the top so I could wrap and tie the shawl behind my back. It makes a most useful boob holder and is very warm, making it perfect for the chilly mornings.
I love it even if I look like I could be an extra in the Conan the Barbarian Movies. Maybe I'll felt a pair of those fun fur boots to enhance the look.
I wrote in detail about my Works in Progress in my ill fated New Years post but I'm afraid I just don't have it in me to do so again. So I'll just quickly list what is on the needles. And I won't speak of my Suzoo's Woolworks spree where I bought enough yarn for an additional two sweaters, one in a particularly self indulgent color... And I definitely won't speak of how I looked through my flikr album and realized I had better stop casting on new items instead of finishing the ones already in existence.
On the Needles
-Charlotte's Web (works great now that I'm using stitch markers and using the pattern)
-Nordic Sweater (I love this sweater but it makes my wrist hurt)
-Trekking XXL Socks (realized a few inches in that it's not the lovely striped colorway)
-Twist Front Top (so close to being done, only a few hours of work left and yet I can't pick it back up)
-Shaped Triangle (with a dozen rows left plus miles and miles of edging before I sleep)
I'd make a list of future projects and New Years Resolutions but I am far too capricious and impulsive whimsical to stick with them. So instead I'd like to wish everyone a Safe and Happy New Year!
Posted by Michelle at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)
December 28, 2005
Beware the Spicy Salsa
We had some hot hot hot salsa at a smallish restaurant in Newport Beach last night. Which came back to haunt me with bizarre dreams including but not limited to the cast of the OC, Gene Simmons, Wil Wheaton, Kelly Osbourne, and Mail in Rebates. Maybe I should use it as a vehicle to write my first Great American Novel. Not.
I've been MIA due to my full belly. I've had turkey (shown below, it tasted as good as it looked), Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate, more pie, more chocolate and lots of salad to compensate.
There was much celebration at the Fickle home over Christmas. We had a lovely day and all my knit projects were finished in a timely fashion.
This is the Chevron Lace Pullover made with Classic Elite Venue that I made for my Step Mother in Law. It was by far the most challenging knit gift of the year.
I also whipped out some socks for the Husband. Have I mentioned he has a size 13 foot?
The Husband is such a patient model, wearing the socks with the dog and a dime shown for scale.
I also received some great gifts. The mystery package was a beautiful Lantern Moon Basket.
Which I promptly filled to the brim with stuff., and the Husband has practiced carry said basket on his head. I love it. The Husband also got me a Scunci Steamer
steaming those dried food particles on the kitchen floor blocking knits. It Steams! It Sanitizes! It Rocks!
Time not spent playing with steamer has been consumed with this years video game gifts. I got Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Posted by Michelle at 10:54 AM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2005
Guess the Gift
The Husband warned me earlier in the week that there would be a package arriving and I was not under any circumstances to open it.
The package is addressed to him. The return address is
Crafts Americana Group
2235 Southwest Blvd., Suite D
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Here's a photo of the doggy and the package for scale.
The box weighs less than a pound, and it makes a soft rustling sound when shaken.
Any guesses?
Posted by Michelle at 10:30 AM | Comments (0)
Michelle's Steeking Tips
1. Don't forget to make armholes in sweater when pattern states "Bind off for Armholes."
1. Do eat lots of Christmas Cookies for energy
1. Do not let sweater get caught in feed dogs on sewing machine.
2. Do not poke finger with needle while trying to release sweater from hungry vicious feed dogs.
3. Do not sew backwards because you are lazy, especially if you are not an experienced seamstress.
4. Do not let sweater get caught in feed dogs again.
4a. Do not threaten to put a Pox on everything in sight.
5. Do learn to hand quilt so when you stitch sweater body by hand you have more than 2 stitches per inch.
6. Do tell self that Nordic Peoples were probably likely possibly steeking before mechanized sewing existed.
6. Pour self a drink before after cutting sweater.
7. Do sew arms into body immediately because you don't want to see a cotton sweater you spent months knitting unravel.
8. Do Do not celebrate Steeking by running through the streets shouting.
9. Do ask Santa to keep the sweater from unraveling until the day after Christmas.
10. Do a happy dance when Sweater is blocked.
11. Do ask Santa to expedite drying process so Sweater is ready to give on time.
12. Do Pat Self on Back until realization that there are 3 days until Christmas and there is more knitting to be done.
Posted by Michelle at 09:57 AM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2005
Holiday Hangover
That's right. I went on a cookie bender. I blacked out over the cookie jar and a large portion of Chocolate Chip Cookies. It's a rough time of year what with the holidays and the prevalence of home baked goodies. The Husband suggested we bake 5 dozen cookies, I could hardly ignore my marriage vows now could I? It just wouldn't be right. I need my sugar high, for knitting. Speaking of the devil, can someone tell me why I'd rather knit anything in a 10 mile radius BUT the few things I have left to finish before Christmas? It's unnatural. I feel like a school kid procrastinating with the hope that tomorrow will be a snow day ONLY IT DOESN'T SNOW IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND IF IT DID IT WOULDN'T PUSH BACK CHRISTMAS.
I think I know just the thing to calm me down. A nice collection of home made cookies. And a straight jacket. I bet I could knit one up real quick, before I finish all these other things And some soothing music.
Song Meme
Tagged by Saun
List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.
Jesus Walks Kayne West
Psycho Killer Talking Heads
Clocks Coldplay
Vivaldi: Sposa Son Disprezzata Cecilia Bartoli
You Never Give Me Your Money The Beatles
Shine On You Crazy Diamond Pink Floyd
Dazed and Confused Led Zeppelin
Posted by Michelle at 10:35 AM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2005
Apathy 101
I should be blogging. I have no excuse. I finally received my new shiny laptop and I've spent all weekend fixing it the way I like it. And this time I will buy the external hard drive and back up my work. Particularly since I'll be Evil Devil Spawn thesis writing sometime soon in the next decade New Year. I also decorated the house for Christmas, and I'm nearly [cue maniacal laughter] done buying gift certificates at the grocery store finishing the sweater I'm giving as a gift shopping.
I'm knitting my way through the Shaped Triangle despite the consistent knotting I'm finding in this batch of Helen's Lace. I've used this yarn before and it was effortless, so I'm not sure what the malfunction is. I'm suspecting Holiday Induced User Error. I figure ending sentences in prepositions will rectify the issue.
Baxter is doing better. He had a total of four seizures last week and we're holding our breath over his health.
I think he must be feeling better because he's back to buggering Geiger.
Posted by Michelle at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)
December 14, 2005
Bah Humbug
I've given up coffee. My body just doesn't tolerate it since my surgery. Rather than walk the line between "Mmmmm Glorious 2 Oz of Coffee, it so lovely and warm and caffeinated" and "Illness that makes me feel like death" I decided to quit. I've replaced coffee with Stash Premium Chai Green Tea in the morning and Hot Chocolate in the afternoon. So far it's working pretty well because the Husband and I no longer try to wait each other out in the Who Starts the Coffee Pot game. We subscribe to a Water Delivery Service so I just walk up to the Dispenser and run hot water, no tea pot necessary.
As if giving up coffee weren't bad enough we've had a rough few days with our Baby Doggy. He had two seizures on Monday evening. Neither the Husband nor myself have ever witnessed any form of Canine Epilepsy so it was frankly terrifying. The second seizure at 3am left me on the verge of hysteria. We've since taken Baxter to the vet for tests but there's indication if these were isolated events or if he's got some hereditary form of Epilepsy. What I do have to say is Dog Bless my girlfriends who've shared their experiences with Canine Epilepsy. It's reassuring to know that Dogs can live healthy long lives even if they experience the occasional Seizure.
Thankfully there has been knitting to help me maintain my sanity.
In fact I've knit so much on the Nordic Stylized Sweater of my own design that I've made my wrist a bit sore.
I'm now working on the Shaped Triangle again. The rows on this shawl are interminably long, but I am really looking forward to the finished product. Usually at some point during knitting lace shawls I hit "the wall," the point where I start calculating how many miles of yarn I've knitted or other useless trivia to keep myself from setting the shawl afire just so I don't have to look at it again motivated.
Finally I can show off the baby kitty I knit for the Lovely and Effervescent Lyssa. Little did I know this would be the third new kitty addition to her house in the past week! The resident rodents are now fearing for their little lives, the new kitties will likely cute them to death.
Lyssa sent me this glorious lace weight alpaca. I'd cast on for another shawl but I figure 3 shawls and no Holiday Knits on the needles would be blasphemous. I'm currently obsessing over which pattern is right for this yarn. Roberta gave me Us the most fabulous bottle of Chilean Wine she purchased during her work trip. I'd show you a picture of it but erm the bottle is empty unphotogenic.
Posted by Michelle at 10:46 AM | Comments (0)
December 10, 2005
The Internet as a Nagging Aid
Days since Halloween: 41
Number of times the Husband was asked to take down the Knave of Christmas Flag since Halloween: 435
Time elapsed between published photo of our Halloween Flag and Official Holiday Appropriate Flag Change (in nanoseconds): 372
Behold, the Power of the Nagging Wife on the Internet!
Next Up: Athletic Socks with Man Sandals or Mandals.
Posted by Michelle at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)
Fa La La La La, La La La La
A (Brief) Celebratory Photo Essay of the Fickle Household Holiday Preparations.
December 10, 2005, a mere two weeks until Christmas Eve. All Decorations and/or Flags are currently displayed in the Fickle Home.
May I present, the Holiday Flag. the Official Knave of Christmas.
The Rosemary Bush, conscientiously decorated with ornaments that were left out since last Yule Tide. Look closely for spectacular snow globe dust.
And finally, no Christmas Preparations are complete without the obligatory Stockings Hung with Care.
Happy Holidays!
Posted by Michelle at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)
December 09, 2005
I have an unnatural obsession with Matt Damon -or- My Husband eats the last of the Pastries without telling me
It all started with Jason Bourne Matt Damon's portrayal of Jason Bourne in the Bourne Identity. I didn't really take notice of him until the scene where he's reciting phrases in the mirror in different languages. I just read Mr. Hottie McGorgeousPants Damon got married! I bet he doesn't eat the last cookie without telling his wife. I suspect the Husband knows just the right yarn to buy to make it all up to me. Or has received at least 3 different emails outlining suitable yarn purchases. Or could buy me some beefcake Matt Damon posters for my wall.
But I digress. In my Doggy's continuing eat everything campaign he has reached a new level of yarn boldness. I awoke this morning to find two balls of Cashsoft (attached to my current sweater) strewn all over the floor in typical post doggy frenzy. I was able to untangle and rewind everything thankfully. I don't know how to make yarn (or couches) unappetizing to resident pooches, so if anyone has any ideas leave a comment.
In other news the Semester is officially over and I am done with 2 out of 3 required Presentations. I am so -over- presentations but I know they will continue to be a part of my life. I get so nervous, my stomach is all aflutter, my hands are sweaty and in some cases I feel as if I might pass out. I always feel more comfortable speaking in front of two or three people as opposed to say 20 or 30. I am quite thankful my Student Teaching days are over. Kudos to the Teachers of the World!
Now that I'm done with the graded portion of school I can focus for a few days on the house, both cleaning and decorating. If it were up to me I'd have the tree up and decorated Thanksgiving Weekend, but the Husband wisely requires a waiting period of at least 2 weeks before the Great Tree Purchasing Event. It typically involves lots of cursing, Pine Needles askew, and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages. Also at some point the Cat decides the Ornaments are His Toys. This year I'm prepared. I have an extra bottle of Fat Bastard Chardonnay set aside for just such emergencies.
When I'm not cleaning, decorating, doing research, baking, and/or Christmas Shopping I will be doing last minute gift knitting eating the last piece of fancy pants Christmas Gifted Chocolate* knitting.
*Photographic Evidence
Posted by Michelle at 12:23 PM | Comments (0)
December 08, 2005
Light at the End of the Tunnel
I was finally successful with my research on the Very-Important-Device. I gave my Semester End presentation without incident, despite my recurring nightmare where I am standing buck naked in front of my Professors and Peers (who remembered their clothes), stammering about my gallbladder surgery and disagreeable V-I-Ds. Now I can get back to things such as having a house clean enough for human occupation, buying yarn, doing laundry, and more knitting.
I did manage to finish my Prairie Inspired Shawl. I added some short rows at the top to add width without length. I ran out of yarn at the end and did some creative casting off. I'm curious how the yarn will react to a good blocking.
I started this sweater of my own design with the Cashsoft 4 ply the Lovely and Inspiring Husband purchased for me in England.
I have a feeling I may run out so I'm on the prowl for yarn shops that sell this yarn. It is perfection, soft, spongy, and did I mention, soft? It does have a tendency to knot, but that is usually due to User Error. More on this sweater later.
I started playing Yahoo's version of Scrabble again. During my second game I had the distinct pleasure of being called a "Douchebag" which roughly translates to "I'm losing. I bow to your very, very large brain." You would think a Scrabble player come come up with a more inspiring word than "Douchebag," but what do I know.
Happy Thursday : )
Posted by Michelle at 09:39 AM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2005
So Many Words So Little Time
I have to sing the praises of Living Dot, my blog host. I have yet to be disappointed in their fantastic customer service. They solved an archival problem I had, and offered to upgrade Movable Type for me! I'll be sticking with Living Dot for the long haul.
Yesterday was the bag sale, the meeting of the Monica(whose freckles are far cuter than mine), and the Surprise! Suzoo's Wool Works sale.
After coming home from my day of shopping I had neither wool nor Husbands to bury in the backyard. My mission at the Yarnlady Sale was to find more of the GGH Merino Woolywasch. I vowed to jump in the sale bins to snatch it from the grasp of other greedy merino whores, and in my last moments at the sale, I did! Sadly at this point Monica had to head home. But we got some great moments of snark in at the store. There were some true horrors, and if I had cojones I'd have taken pictures of the "Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should*" Novelty Crap. There's always next year.
*Please never let your friends or family knit shorts.
Evil Enabler Roberta then suggested we go by Suzoo's for the 20% off of everything sale. And that's where I found the bag of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino for under $50. And the Bryspun Circs. And Susan Gordon Lydon's Knitting Heaven and Earth
As for casting on new projects this week all bets are off. Now's probably a good time to mention I've gotten stuck on Charlotte's Web.
In my frustration I cast on for this:
Yarn: Pengouin Mystere from my stash thankyouverymuch. In fact this yarn was one of my first purchases!
Pattern: Loosely based on the Prairie Shawl from Folk Shawls
Needles: Denise size 10.5s
I find the more stress in my life the less able I am to knit complicated projects. So the more stockinette, the better. At least through two deadlines this week. I expect much celebration come Thursday afternoon, when my work for the semester (but not my thesis!) will be done. There were times I felt I should have withdrawn due to my ill health leading up to my Surgery and also trying desperately to catch up after, but in the end I'm glad I stuck with it. And thanks to Karen for the commiseration. I feel like I am morphing both into Satan's Spawn and the Noodlier parts of Chicken Noodle Soup when I face the monumentous task of completing the data taking portion of my Master's Thesis.
But things aren't all bad. I plied the Husband with the Fat Bastard Chardonnay last night and then offered to play Dance Dance Revolution Death Match 2005. If you can't beat them, get 'em drunk and then beat them. And then sing "We Are the Tampons Champions" by Queen and change the words to a delightfully off key and charming
I am the Champ-ion and Youuuuu are the Looooosaaahhhhh of the Worldddd
Posted by Michelle at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)
December 02, 2005
My Computer Died a Horrific Greek Tragedy Worthy Death
I've lost everything. Pictures, free patterns, patterns I purchased via paypal, writing, programs, wedding pictures, everything. And also I suspect the Surgeon who took out my gallbladder also did secret brain surgery to remove those parts of my brain that knew how to work the very-important-device I need to use to get my thesis data. I'll spend 2 hours futzing with V-I-D, my advisor will come over and fix it in another hour, and I will BUMP INTO V-I-D in front of my Professor and ruin it all. And then someone else will be scheduled to use the Magical (Yet Nonfunctioning) Device that will behave for everyone but me so I have spent another four hours acquiring nothing but high blood pressure.
I know I've been a bit erm...Rantzilla lately. I hope to change this impression by stating the Yarnlady Bag Sale is tomorrow! I'll be wearing my fighting clothes and bearing Size 2 US Needles with which to poke people who get in my way. And also anyone who gets in the way of Roberta or Monica. I got your backs, girls!
If you thought Masters Satan Spawn Thesis Data breathing down my neck was bad enough there's always unfinished Holiday Gift Knit Wear. My solution to the looming issue was to cast on Charlotte's Web. For Me. Queen of finishing all that is not due until later, unless it is due now which means I will finish it after I finish the things that are due later. Somewhere in that statement is the hidden message "Fickleknitter will be consuming alcoholic beverages to help calm the hell down."
Have a great weekend!
Posted by Michelle at 12:59 PM | Comments (0)