I go back and forth on whether or not I should be blogging in my livejournal or on here, and sometimes livejournal wins when I feel like speaking my mind without worrying about public viewing. I know less people read here than they do on lj, but I also know that there are people not on lj that read this and were asking me to update my blog more. So here I go!
So, I'm doing/feeling pretty good lately. I still have some pretty down days, and a hardcore case of the lazies (and the I-don't-wanna-cleans), but generally things are good and I feel like listing out the good things. Because what is more uplifting than to focus on the positive things in your life?
I'm not going to say that I came up with this idea on my own, though. The wonderfully talented blogger Laurie over at Crazy Aunt Purl has been putting up these great "three things" posts inspired by an email exchange she used to have with her friend daily where they would share three good things. I really love the idea, and since my brain is full of all the great and wonderful things I have going on right now, I'm copying her. (I might have more than 3, though!)
1. My Job
I may not have been able to say this a year ago or even 6 months ago, but right now at this very moment I am so happy about my job and the direction it is going in. I think there could be great things on my horizon. My boss and I are getting along better than ever, and I feel like I'm building great relationships with people, trying hard to give my work everything I have and just basically totally owning my job and responsibilities. I have to say that part of the positive attitude comes from a lot of praise I've received lately and that just pushes me to do even better. It is amazing how positivity can beget more positivity. Also, the team of people I work with is really amazing. We all just seem to like each other and work together so well.
2. Dan aka The Tall Guy(tm)
Next Wednesday, May 26th will mark the 3rd anniversary of when we met. At the time I was unhappy and frustrated with my life, and not really looking for a new relationship. I just have to say that I am so very glad I decided that I needed to get out of the house and go out to a party with some friends. These three years have been quite an interesting adventure and I'm very happy to have Dan in my life. He has definitely changed things for the better.
3. Shape
I'm out of shape and I'm really not all that happy with my current shape. But I can say this - I weigh probably 20 pounds less now than I did 6 months ago and that feels good. I even paused in my weight loss pursuit and exercising about 2 months ago and still lost a few pounds rather than gaining in that time. That felt good because it tells me that even though I'm not "dieting" that I am at least I have finally learned to eat right and maintain. I hope to lose another 20 pounds in the last half of the year and I am positive that I can.
4. Babies (no, I'm not having babies yet)
Two couples that I am close to are having babies and I couldn't be more excited for them. It really is a miracle no matter how often people do it. Makes me look forward to having my own at some point once things settle down in my land. I love hearing about all things pregnancy and baby related, so it is lovely to suddenly be surrounded by pregnant ladies.
I think I'll save any other happy thoughts for a later date. I have to keep a few secrets to myself for now.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Creepy Mannequins
I bought a creepy mannequin head to display my knitting on! Ok, she isn't that creepy, but i mean, mannequins are just creepy in general. I think the weirdest thing about her is that she looks a little too real. Like, hi, there is a disembodied head just sitting in my apartment. Dan is totally creeped out.
Here she is modeling a hat I finished about a month ago and never took photos of with the button sewn on.
Here she is modeling a hat I finished about a month ago and never took photos of with the button sewn on.
Friday, December 18, 2009
No Time!!
I realize now that next year I should just knit a bunch of things and then when I have lots of items I will select which ones are going out as gifts. Because waiting until the end of November and starting projects for people's Christmas gifts is cutting it too close. I'm only actually knitting two people's gifts now and bought everyone else something. I just knew I wouldn't have enough time.
The silly thing is I have finished other items less pressing that are not gifts. I just can't seem to stick to just one thing and if I see something I want to make I have to make it right away. No waiting. It is like ADD or something.
I made another Foliage hat from knitty.com. I really like this hat. It is super quick in the chunky version. I am currently knitting a worsted weight version, but that is a little more tedious and slower going. I may have to take a Foliage break after that one.
I also knitted a silly hat for Dan that is VERY WARM. The yarn is SUPER EXTRA BULKY and I used needles too small and it hurt the crap out of my hands, but I enjoy the results. It isn't exactly as I had hoped, but it keeps his poor head warm in the winter cold and he seems to like it, so I'm not going to complain...much.
He had to kneel on the floor for me to photograph it at a good angle. Haha. Poor thing, I do this nice thing where I knit him something and then I force him to be photographed in it. He's a good sport.
We cleaned the crap out of our living room last Saturday. Dan had to go to the store 3 times for different cleaning products/vacuum cleaner bags/detergent/light bulbs and made about 10 trips to the dumpster. We, er, have a messy problem? We are lazy, that is the main problem. It was pretty bad, guys. Garbage on the floor bad. I'm not proud. But it is tons better now, so there! I learned that my vacuum sucks, or rather it does not suck. I want a Dyson so badly. But a lazy person who isn't great at cleaning probably doesn't deserve a brand new expensive vacuum. Maybe just one that doesn't leave cat hair clumps on the floor after going over them 8 times.
After the cleaning we went to the liquor store to pick up the regular holiday fare. You know, peppermint schnapps, brandy and of course the one staple of Christmas time, Bailey's. We almost bought the $45 giant jug of Bailey's, and come to think of it I still might. I don't drink it all year long, but during Christmas I just want to have a big ol' glass of it every night with some cookies.
Once we had the proper libations, we put up the tree. When I moved out of my mother's house 7 years ago I stopped having Christmas trees every year. They are expensive. And I haven't had a car. And they are expensive. I think perhaps when I had roommates we may have had a fake tree one or two years, or we had intentions for a tree but it never panned out. I never got one when I was living alone. Last year Dan and I spent our first Christmas living together and we got a tree. Let me tell you, it is not Christmas without a tree. There is no better feeling than to come home to a fresh pine scented home (no air freshener will do) and to walk over and plug in the lights and just bask in the glow of the holidays. Cheesy? Yes. I don't care. It doesn't feel like Christmas to me without a tree.
So we have our tree up this year. It isn't even 5 feet tall, but it is fat and beautiful. It was definitely expensive. I always intend on looking at the cheaper Douglas Firs, but the Noble Fir is just so...NOBLE. And beautiful. And this year we didn't even have to buy lights or extra ornaments because we had all the ones I bought last year and a nice selection of ornaments from my childhood. The ones my mom hand beaded, probably when I was an infant, are my favorite. They are falling apart a little, but they look antique and beautiful. The cats also enjoy the tree, especially the jangly bits.
I can't wait for next week. I have Wednesday-Sunday off for total relaxation time. Well, part of the time will be spent celebrating with family and that isn't necessarily always relaxing, but it is still fun. Hopefully I'll finish these two knitted gifts that I am still working on furiously.
Happy Christmas!
The silly thing is I have finished other items less pressing that are not gifts. I just can't seem to stick to just one thing and if I see something I want to make I have to make it right away. No waiting. It is like ADD or something.
I made another Foliage hat from knitty.com. I really like this hat. It is super quick in the chunky version. I am currently knitting a worsted weight version, but that is a little more tedious and slower going. I may have to take a Foliage break after that one.
I also knitted a silly hat for Dan that is VERY WARM. The yarn is SUPER EXTRA BULKY and I used needles too small and it hurt the crap out of my hands, but I enjoy the results. It isn't exactly as I had hoped, but it keeps his poor head warm in the winter cold and he seems to like it, so I'm not going to complain...much.
He had to kneel on the floor for me to photograph it at a good angle. Haha. Poor thing, I do this nice thing where I knit him something and then I force him to be photographed in it. He's a good sport.
We cleaned the crap out of our living room last Saturday. Dan had to go to the store 3 times for different cleaning products/vacuum cleaner bags/detergent/light bulbs and made about 10 trips to the dumpster. We, er, have a messy problem? We are lazy, that is the main problem. It was pretty bad, guys. Garbage on the floor bad. I'm not proud. But it is tons better now, so there! I learned that my vacuum sucks, or rather it does not suck. I want a Dyson so badly. But a lazy person who isn't great at cleaning probably doesn't deserve a brand new expensive vacuum. Maybe just one that doesn't leave cat hair clumps on the floor after going over them 8 times.
After the cleaning we went to the liquor store to pick up the regular holiday fare. You know, peppermint schnapps, brandy and of course the one staple of Christmas time, Bailey's. We almost bought the $45 giant jug of Bailey's, and come to think of it I still might. I don't drink it all year long, but during Christmas I just want to have a big ol' glass of it every night with some cookies.
Once we had the proper libations, we put up the tree. When I moved out of my mother's house 7 years ago I stopped having Christmas trees every year. They are expensive. And I haven't had a car. And they are expensive. I think perhaps when I had roommates we may have had a fake tree one or two years, or we had intentions for a tree but it never panned out. I never got one when I was living alone. Last year Dan and I spent our first Christmas living together and we got a tree. Let me tell you, it is not Christmas without a tree. There is no better feeling than to come home to a fresh pine scented home (no air freshener will do) and to walk over and plug in the lights and just bask in the glow of the holidays. Cheesy? Yes. I don't care. It doesn't feel like Christmas to me without a tree.
So we have our tree up this year. It isn't even 5 feet tall, but it is fat and beautiful. It was definitely expensive. I always intend on looking at the cheaper Douglas Firs, but the Noble Fir is just so...NOBLE. And beautiful. And this year we didn't even have to buy lights or extra ornaments because we had all the ones I bought last year and a nice selection of ornaments from my childhood. The ones my mom hand beaded, probably when I was an infant, are my favorite. They are falling apart a little, but they look antique and beautiful. The cats also enjoy the tree, especially the jangly bits.
I can't wait for next week. I have Wednesday-Sunday off for total relaxation time. Well, part of the time will be spent celebrating with family and that isn't necessarily always relaxing, but it is still fun. Hopefully I'll finish these two knitted gifts that I am still working on furiously.
Happy Christmas!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
1x1 Rib Chunky Cowl Pattern
1x1 Rib Chunky Cowl
by Jessica Seeley
If you don't already know, tube scarves are starting to pop up in trends everywhere. I figured I'd knit one before I got sick of seeing them. Plus, it is COLD in Seattle right now.
Please bear with me as I have never written a pattern before, mostly because I am not good at gauge. I mean, I pretty much always just use the needles suggested for a pattern/yarn and it turns out how it is supposed to, so I guess that means my gauge is good. I just don't check gauge. Apparently I need to start doing this.
This pattern is about as easy as you can get and isn't all that interesting except Malabrigo Chunky feels like heaven and keeps me nice and warm on the frosty December mornings we've started having this week. I don't know if the pattern even needs to be written out, but I am doing it anyway because I FEEL LIKE IT. So deal.
Materials:
- 1.75 skeins Malabrigo Chunky (color shown is Alpine Pearl)
- US size 10 24-inch long circular needles (6mm/60cm)
- Darning/yarn needle to weave in ends
Techniques Used:
Knit, Purl, Long Tail Cast On, Circular Knitting, Bind Off
Pattern:
Using Long Tail Cast On, cast on 100 stitches, place marker and join for knitting in the round.
Work 1x1 Rib for 14 inches - *Knit 1, Purl 1* and repeat to end of each round
Binding Off:
I used the knit 2, slip 1st stitch over 2nd stitch type of bind off. I recommend binding off in pattern as it would look at lot better. I was just totally lazy at that point.
Weave in your ends and you are ready to throw that baby around your neck and face the cold!
by Jessica Seeley
If you don't already know, tube scarves are starting to pop up in trends everywhere. I figured I'd knit one before I got sick of seeing them. Plus, it is COLD in Seattle right now.
Please bear with me as I have never written a pattern before, mostly because I am not good at gauge. I mean, I pretty much always just use the needles suggested for a pattern/yarn and it turns out how it is supposed to, so I guess that means my gauge is good. I just don't check gauge. Apparently I need to start doing this.
This pattern is about as easy as you can get and isn't all that interesting except Malabrigo Chunky feels like heaven and keeps me nice and warm on the frosty December mornings we've started having this week. I don't know if the pattern even needs to be written out, but I am doing it anyway because I FEEL LIKE IT. So deal.
Materials:
- 1.75 skeins Malabrigo Chunky (color shown is Alpine Pearl)
- US size 10 24-inch long circular needles (6mm/60cm)
- Darning/yarn needle to weave in ends
Techniques Used:
Knit, Purl, Long Tail Cast On, Circular Knitting, Bind Off
Pattern:
Using Long Tail Cast On, cast on 100 stitches, place marker and join for knitting in the round.
Work 1x1 Rib for 14 inches - *Knit 1, Purl 1* and repeat to end of each round
Binding Off:
I used the knit 2, slip 1st stitch over 2nd stitch type of bind off. I recommend binding off in pattern as it would look at lot better. I was just totally lazy at that point.
Weave in your ends and you are ready to throw that baby around your neck and face the cold!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Vegas, Baby
Yes, we went to Vegas. Yes, we came back unmarried. Yes, I will post more details soon.
But for now, here are a few videos that I find amusing from our trip:
Dan meets Penn
I meet BOOZE (and I have BOOBS)
But for now, here are a few videos that I find amusing from our trip:
Dan meets Penn
I meet BOOZE (and I have BOOBS)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The One Where No One Proposes
I'm going to have to confess something. I think I have a crush on Lady Gaga. Was my last post in July about how she is cool looking and her music is lame? Well, I still sort of think so, but I sometimes can't get that catchy Poker Face song out of my head. And the Bad Romance video is so amazing looking that I can't help but like it. What is WRONG with me? I don't know, it is like she is a sorceress and has everyone under her spell and I can't figure out why.
I also have to confess something else. I want this blog to be bloggier. And I want it to be funnier. I'm not so sure that I am much of a writer. But I guess I'll try. I also don't really love the name of my blog. Too long. And not catchy or cool sounding. Because I am a nerd.
And I like to complain.
I'm going to Las Vegas on Saturday and everyone and their mom has decided that Dan and I will come back married. I think they have forgotten the fact that Dan is terrified of marriage. Women always seem to think that men are playing some sort of game with us and they aren't really commitment-phobic, they are just trying to give us a really big surprise. Well, keep waiting ladies. Haven't you ever read He's Just Not That Into You? He really IS afraid of getting married, he isn't Chandler just pretending to be afraid while really buying the perfect engagement ring for Monica. Bitter, party of one. No, not really. I was really raring to go and get married for a little while, but I've mellowed. Or at least I'm trying to. It will happen when it will happen and that is OK with me. So yeah, doubtful on the whole Vegas elopement deal. But if I did come back married, I'd still want a wedding. I'm just girlie that way.
As far as my knitting has been going, I've discovered that I can't knit for pay. It takes all the fun out of it and I just stop whatever project that I am making as a commission and start making something else more fun. I don't finish other projects as well, but that is more because I see something shiny on Ravelry or need to see how that one yarn in my stash knits up RIGHT NOW OMG. But the knitting for pay thing makes knitting seem boring and like work. And I already have a job that feels like work, so I don't need that. I think that if I just made a bunch of fun things and eventually sold them on Etsy that would be OK, but definitely not going to do commissions. This fact also makes me feel extreme guilt because I already told some people I'd do some knitting for them and now I have to tell them I can't because there isn't enough time before Christmas and because I have my own gifts to knit and I CAN'T FINISH A PROJECT TO SAVE MY LIFE OMG!!!!EXCLAMATION POINT!!!!!
It's overwhelming, for sure. Maybe if I led a life of leisure than I would do the knitting for pay.
For my birthday last month I received a new video camera. It is one of those little Flip thingies that has those commercials where people do stupid stuff and someone has the camera and it is so fast and easy to use that they get it on film. So now I have lots of video of friends and family acting uncomfortable being videoed. Seriously, the look on someone's face totally changes when they realize you are taping them and then I no longer want to tape them. I wish that it wasn't just compact, but invisible so I could get real candid video. This is how I know that The Real World is the most fake thing on the earth. No one can be normal with cameras on them. It is impossible to pretend they aren't there.
My plan is to make one video for each month of the year. The video will be made up of all the footage I take in a given month, and that is how I am cataloging my videos. I'm hoping that in addition to being a whiz at knitting, I will also be a whiz at video editing. Fingers crossed!
I also have to confess something else. I want this blog to be bloggier. And I want it to be funnier. I'm not so sure that I am much of a writer. But I guess I'll try. I also don't really love the name of my blog. Too long. And not catchy or cool sounding. Because I am a nerd.
And I like to complain.
I'm going to Las Vegas on Saturday and everyone and their mom has decided that Dan and I will come back married. I think they have forgotten the fact that Dan is terrified of marriage. Women always seem to think that men are playing some sort of game with us and they aren't really commitment-phobic, they are just trying to give us a really big surprise. Well, keep waiting ladies. Haven't you ever read He's Just Not That Into You? He really IS afraid of getting married, he isn't Chandler just pretending to be afraid while really buying the perfect engagement ring for Monica. Bitter, party of one. No, not really. I was really raring to go and get married for a little while, but I've mellowed. Or at least I'm trying to. It will happen when it will happen and that is OK with me. So yeah, doubtful on the whole Vegas elopement deal. But if I did come back married, I'd still want a wedding. I'm just girlie that way.
As far as my knitting has been going, I've discovered that I can't knit for pay. It takes all the fun out of it and I just stop whatever project that I am making as a commission and start making something else more fun. I don't finish other projects as well, but that is more because I see something shiny on Ravelry or need to see how that one yarn in my stash knits up RIGHT NOW OMG. But the knitting for pay thing makes knitting seem boring and like work. And I already have a job that feels like work, so I don't need that. I think that if I just made a bunch of fun things and eventually sold them on Etsy that would be OK, but definitely not going to do commissions. This fact also makes me feel extreme guilt because I already told some people I'd do some knitting for them and now I have to tell them I can't because there isn't enough time before Christmas and because I have my own gifts to knit and I CAN'T FINISH A PROJECT TO SAVE MY LIFE OMG!!!!EXCLAMATION POINT!!!!!
It's overwhelming, for sure. Maybe if I led a life of leisure than I would do the knitting for pay.
For my birthday last month I received a new video camera. It is one of those little Flip thingies that has those commercials where people do stupid stuff and someone has the camera and it is so fast and easy to use that they get it on film. So now I have lots of video of friends and family acting uncomfortable being videoed. Seriously, the look on someone's face totally changes when they realize you are taping them and then I no longer want to tape them. I wish that it wasn't just compact, but invisible so I could get real candid video. This is how I know that The Real World is the most fake thing on the earth. No one can be normal with cameras on them. It is impossible to pretend they aren't there.
My plan is to make one video for each month of the year. The video will be made up of all the footage I take in a given month, and that is how I am cataloging my videos. I'm hoping that in addition to being a whiz at knitting, I will also be a whiz at video editing. Fingers crossed!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Lady Blah Blah
It occurs to me that Lady Gaga looks much more interesting than her music sounds. And that bugs me.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I made this
Due to general malaise I have been unable to get myself to update my blog as of late. Also, I don't feel like spending hours on the computer at home the way I used to. I think it has something to do with staring at my computer screen for hours on end at work and needing to relax a little when I get home. Or maybe it is because all my spare time is spent knitting like a crazy person and I haven't time for such things as blogs and generally most of the personal time I do spend on the computer is when I am posting things on Ravelry, looking for patterns on Ravelry or browsing yarn on Ravelry. Ravelry? Am I an addict? I think we all know the answer to that one.
I made a little cap sleeve shrug/bolero and I am wearing it today (although this picture is from Saturday). The yarn is an alpaca/wool blend and it is nice and soft. Also I dyed it myself with food coloring, SUPER FUN.
Also, while making the cute little shrug I made a Harley Davidson hat for my dad for dad's day. I didn't see him, so I haven't given it to him yet. I'm considering mailing it as he is a hard one to peg down.
It isn't perfect, but I'm happy with it as my first intarsia plus it being in the round and all. The HD is just stitched in, not my best effort but at least you get the general idea. And I think it is the thought that counts, so there.
And for posterity even though I think I included in my livejournal, I made a hat and it is pretty!
I'm making a mock cable slouchy hat right now with some yarn I dyed a mottled purple/red/blue color and it is turning out quite lovely. I hope to finish tonight, as long as my migraine terror alert stays below orange. I had to drug up last night and close my eyes for a while, but I can still feel something lurking just behind my eyes...
I made a little cap sleeve shrug/bolero and I am wearing it today (although this picture is from Saturday). The yarn is an alpaca/wool blend and it is nice and soft. Also I dyed it myself with food coloring, SUPER FUN.
Also, while making the cute little shrug I made a Harley Davidson hat for my dad for dad's day. I didn't see him, so I haven't given it to him yet. I'm considering mailing it as he is a hard one to peg down.
It isn't perfect, but I'm happy with it as my first intarsia plus it being in the round and all. The HD is just stitched in, not my best effort but at least you get the general idea. And I think it is the thought that counts, so there.
And for posterity even though I think I included in my livejournal, I made a hat and it is pretty!
I'm making a mock cable slouchy hat right now with some yarn I dyed a mottled purple/red/blue color and it is turning out quite lovely. I hope to finish tonight, as long as my migraine terror alert stays below orange. I had to drug up last night and close my eyes for a while, but I can still feel something lurking just behind my eyes...
Friday, May 29, 2009
zap zap!
Ok, I just want to state for the record that Zappos.com is equally totally awesome and crappy all at the same time. Here is why:
Well, first off they have an incredible selection. But they aren't exactly a bargain, they are about the same as every other place, only usually they tack on about $4 which is why I assume they can offer free shipping and returns. A good thing is that in Washington, since they have no location here, I don't have to pay any tax, so that makes up for some of it. I work at Nordstrom, though, and therefore get a discount on shoes purchased at work. So usually it is much cheaper and easier to walk downstairs to the store and buy a pair of shoes. UNLESS they are a brand we don't carry, which seems lately to be the case as I am completely obsessed with Blowfish shoes.
There are a number of buying options for Blowfish shoes, but I decided to go with Zappos because of their reliability in the past and also because the prices were the same everywhere else and they didn't offer free shipping. Here is where the issues I have with Zappos really comes in. When you purchase anything from them, at the point of sale you are asked to decide between different shipping methods and the only two I remember were the free 4-5 day shipping advertised all over the site as their big deal and for $25 extra I could have 1 day shipping. This kind of struck me as odd because I remember getting my shoes right away last time I ordered from them, but I knew I have always used the free shipping. So I used the free shipping or else it would not have been a very good deal at all. When I go to check my email this morning, I have an email from around 2 am saying that I've been upgraded to 1 day shipping at no cost and my shoes are already packed and ready to go, followed by an email with tracking information. My shoes are already in Seattle from Kentucky, left at 2:30 AM and are out for delivery as of 8:45 AM. Now I remember that is what happened last time, duh. No other place I have ever ordered from does this, and I freaking love it! Shoes when I get home, yay! But here is the bad part - what about the people who pay $25 extra for a service that they are extremely likely to give you for free? That effing sucks. Just offer free 1 day shipping, jeeze.
Well, first off they have an incredible selection. But they aren't exactly a bargain, they are about the same as every other place, only usually they tack on about $4 which is why I assume they can offer free shipping and returns. A good thing is that in Washington, since they have no location here, I don't have to pay any tax, so that makes up for some of it. I work at Nordstrom, though, and therefore get a discount on shoes purchased at work. So usually it is much cheaper and easier to walk downstairs to the store and buy a pair of shoes. UNLESS they are a brand we don't carry, which seems lately to be the case as I am completely obsessed with Blowfish shoes.
There are a number of buying options for Blowfish shoes, but I decided to go with Zappos because of their reliability in the past and also because the prices were the same everywhere else and they didn't offer free shipping. Here is where the issues I have with Zappos really comes in. When you purchase anything from them, at the point of sale you are asked to decide between different shipping methods and the only two I remember were the free 4-5 day shipping advertised all over the site as their big deal and for $25 extra I could have 1 day shipping. This kind of struck me as odd because I remember getting my shoes right away last time I ordered from them, but I knew I have always used the free shipping. So I used the free shipping or else it would not have been a very good deal at all. When I go to check my email this morning, I have an email from around 2 am saying that I've been upgraded to 1 day shipping at no cost and my shoes are already packed and ready to go, followed by an email with tracking information. My shoes are already in Seattle from Kentucky, left at 2:30 AM and are out for delivery as of 8:45 AM. Now I remember that is what happened last time, duh. No other place I have ever ordered from does this, and I freaking love it! Shoes when I get home, yay! But here is the bad part - what about the people who pay $25 extra for a service that they are extremely likely to give you for free? That effing sucks. Just offer free 1 day shipping, jeeze.
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