Red Stick Knits

Before and After

2011-07-26T12:22:00.000-05:00

Scored a neat organizer from the best Grad Assistant in the world who is moving out to Oregon to change the world. I think it looks much better than my previous system, which was "pile everything onto a cork board and pray it doesn't fall."

Sean suggested I paint it, and I just might. I'll see if I can figure out how to make it look distressed first.

iPhone4 Case on the Cheap

2011-07-22T11:19:00.001-05:00

My old, clear iPhone case was getting yellow so I figured it was time for a new one. It's amazing how much people charge for these things. So I broke out the old Mod Podge and some leftover Amy Butler scrapbooking paper I had lying around and covered the outside of the case.

The paper was double-sided, so it shows through on the inside.

I covered the buttons and they still work fine. I just covered between the holes for connections so I wouldn't have to cut them all out. Of course, I cut out the oval for the camera hole.It hasn't really been kid-tested yet, but it seems like it's pretty sturdy. The Mod Podge makes the case a little stiff, so it's hard to get the phone out, but not impossible.

Fake Cannonball

2010-09-13T15:42:00.000-05:00

I'm a little late on this, but I'm taking a break from writing the grant from hell. The research office is about to burn me in effigy because I'm causing them much headache.

Last week I read "The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker." It's one of those where you see the ending coming right off, and the heroine was a little off-putting to me. The romance was a lot better than Soulless, however. The forbidden love was more believable and you were really rooting for them to get together, but Percy Parker was really a wimp. I wouldn't expect Superwoman, but hell (spoiler) she really should have had more backbone considering her backstory. Overall, it's a good read. Finished it in one long night.

And, just for the hell of it, here's a Chupacabra.

Fake Cannonball

2010-08-26T12:09:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I read Souless by Gail Carriger. It's Steampunky supernatural and British, but there's no teenage angst. The love affair misdirections between the two leads did take long to resolve, but otherwise it was a good, easy read.

And, here's some cake!
This was for my Aunt's wedding a few weeks ago. Yup, that's camo!

2 Books for the Fake Cannonball

2010-08-05T13:17:00.000-05:00

I've been reading a bunch of comics, which is eating away at my regular reading time.
This week I did get to finish two young adult novels that were very gripping and well-written. Both are by Neil Gaimon (well, one is Gaimon and some other guy I forgot.)
"The Graveyard Book" and "Interworld" I highly recommend. They can be pretty scary and vary sad for a young adult novel, but I'm starting to realize kids can handle a lot more than we'd like to think they can. I even suggested my mom, who teaches high school English, suggest these to her students as an antidote to all the damage Twilight has no doubt inflicted on their poor, impressionable minds.

Dear Tom Cruise

2010-06-07T14:03:00.002-05:00

You are trying way to hard. And, you are crazy. Please stop.
Sincerely,
s

6-Word Book Review: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

2010-05-21T09:55:00.000-05:00

Philatelist:
is not
what you think.

Bwa ha ha ha

2010-05-18T14:46:00.000-05:00

One thing I like about decorating cakes is sometimes you get to play "mad scientist" and my sister Kayla's birthday this weekend was one such occasion.
Behold:

The Bleeding Armadillo

Yeah, I know.

The cake was red velvet, of course, so it actually looked pretty gross when it was cut. I'll save you that image. We were going for the groom's cake in Steel Magnolias. (Don't tell anyone around here because they'll cut me, but I'm just not fond of that movie- although Shirley McClain's character was a hoot.) Homemade marshmallow fondant, as usual. I was very surprised at how fast it went. Definitely one of my top five.

My Frankenstein

2010-04-27T10:12:00.000-05:00

I made this scarf with some left over Noro. I almost used a pattern, but I ended up making it up as I went along. I cast on 5 sts. Row 1- k, kfb,pm, k, kfb, k;

Row 2 and all other wrong side- knit or purl across; Row 3 and all other right side- k1, kfb, k to m, increase however you want, k1, increase, k to last 2 st, kfb, k1. I alternated stockinette rows and garter rows. On the wrong side, I also added eyelet rows of k1, {yo, k2tog} repeat, k1.

Brocade

2010-03-18T11:14:00.001-05:00

By Kaffe Fassette in Rowan 38.
Ravelry link.

This is my Magnum Opus.
First off, it took me a few years to find a copy of Rowan 38. The first time I tried to buy it, the guy reneged. I ended up getting it for a steal- I mean, they robbed me blind. $40 for the book- for one pattern. I kid you not. There is nothing else worth knitting in the entire book. If you find something, I'd be happy to sell it to you when I'm done. I'll give you a good deal too- not!
Second, this:

WTF!

This is the back. If it looks like spaghetti, it is. I can knit about 3 rows before having to untangle about 20 strands. With Intarsia, you have to wrap the yarn at each color change to avoid holes. That means all the strands get wrapped up on top of being normally unruly. Some people knit big swatches of Intarsia and then embroider the details, but it's easier for me to just get it done all at once. In all, it takes me one hour to knit three rows and untangle the mess. I don't even want to think about all the weaving in. Not to mention the pattern is on the back and sleeves as well.
Here's a nice progress shot:

OOOOOHH Pretty

And take a lookey at the chart. Don't worry, you won't be able to read it unless you have the fake CSI tv- style infinite- zoom function on your computer. I can barely read it IRL. Those boxes are teeny-freaking-tiny and in moss green and turquoise. Why, Kaffe, Why!!!! Black and white would have been hard enough to see. Why choose two colors so close together for the chart? Oh, and hahahahahahaha- the pattern isn't symmetrical! So I usually have to tink back two of the three rows. It was worse before I realized the lack of symmetry when I couldn't figure out why my counts were so off and had to go back to start on Every. Freaking. Row.

If anyone knows where my camera is, let me know and I'll be happy to take better shots.

I think Kaffe designs these things as a cruel joke. "Let's see what idiot will wast one year of their life trying to knit this and then end up frogging it anyway because it's drop-sleeved and not at all fitted like on the model."
Oh, didn't I mention it's drop-sleeved and not at all fitted like on the model? I'm going to try to modify it to be a raglan because that's what it looks like it should be. Those "seams" going up where the shoulder seam should be in the photo are fake. I'm just nervous that I'll run out of pattern on the sleeves and have to fudge it. I'm not worried about the lack of shaping, as I'm sort of rectangle-shaped myself.

6 Word Book Review- Eat, Pray, Love- Elizabeth Gilbert

2010-03-10T12:55:00.001-06:00

Silver Spoon
Woe is her.
Pfftt.

(Doesn't count for Cannonball read as I couldn't finish this drivel.)

6 Word Book Review- Fool Moon, Jim Butcher

2010-03-10T12:53:00.001-06:00

Loup-garou (Holy Shit!)

Silver wins!

Book 6- Cannonball Read

6 Word Book Review- Strom Front, Jim Butcher

2010-03-10T12:22:00.001-06:00

Emo wizard
foils evil;
gets girl.

So Proud

2010-02-12T10:43:00.001-06:00

Sean built this from old cypress reclaimed from my mother's childhood home after it burned down. He copied it from a Pottery Barn table and it came out beautifully.

Saints Shirts

2010-01-25T14:50:00.001-06:00

Kids Saints shirts from a tutorial by Beki a la Artsy Craftsy Babe.

I used bandannas instead of regular fabric and ironed on black rhinestones to the girls' shirts.

Owl hat in Malabrigo

2010-01-07T10:54:00.001-06:00

Aquaphobia

2010-01-06T13:53:00.001-06:00

I maded myself some slippers.

2010-01-05T09:19:00.000-06:00

From a Craftster tutorial. They are much brighter IRL. Fuchsia, lime green, baby blue, and magenta piping and buttons. They are a little loose around the heel, but very warm and comfy.

Advent 2009

2009-12-16T10:21:00.000-06:00

I can't believe I forgot to post this.

2009-09-23T13:18:00.001-05:00

This is Margaret's 6th birthday cake. I made everything except the Tinkerbell candle.

Book #4

2009-09-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

Passenger to Frankfurt by Agatha Christie.
When I picked up this book, I thought it would be easy reading. It was tiny, only 201 pages. Just enough to count for this challenge.
In reality, it was the hardest read I've encountered since trying to figure out Econometrics in grad school. And worse than that- it sucked!
The book starts off with a protagonist, Sir Stafford Nye, trying to catch a flight to London from Frankfurt in 1970. A mysterious woman who happens to have a strong resemblance to him, approaches him with a favor to ask. More like a dare when you consider she wants to drug his drink so he passes out, "steal" his passport and cloak (who wears a cloak, really?) , cut her hair, and pass into London pretending to be him. (WFT?) She claims if he doesn't help her, she'll be killed. So he agrees (?).
When he finally gets to London, he is quickly admonished by his government superiors and asked about the strange woman, who he insists he doesn't know.
The first half of the book has Stafford visiting his aunt Mildred in the countryside and then trying to contact the mysterious woman through a personal ad. Who reads personal ads? Well, apparently mysterious passport stealing women do. She meets him at an Wagner opera about "The Young Siegfried." They don't speak except for her to say, "Ah, the young Siegfried," before disappearing into the crowd. While walking home, Stafford is almost run down by a passing car. This happens again later in the book and Stafford assumes someone is trying to kill him. However, this is the last we hear about anyone trying to kill him (and the book is halfway over.)
Stafford accepts an invitation to a trip from the mysterious woman, who we find out is either named MaryAnn or Countess Renata Zeblonsky. She takes him to a castle where they meet a grotesquely fat woman and a young, impossibly handsome man intent on taking over the world in a neo-nazi plot. Stafford and MaryAnn travel around the world to hear "The Young Siegfried" speak. We don't follow them around the world. Christie literally says, "They travelled around the world" but doesn't take us with them or explain why they went or what they did with whatever knowledge they gained.
Next, we go to what seems like a gazillion bureaucratic meetings, where government employees too boring to remember have the same conversation over and over about how the world is going to hell in a hand basket and should they consider using nuclear force on the students who are rioting and demonstrating in every country?
Aunt Mildred takes a trip to visit "Big Charlotte," the woman behind the plot, whom she knows from her school days. This trip is never mentioned again. (?)
More bureaucratic meetings... mostly the same dialogue. (Christie did capture the monotony and repetition of government meetings, but she really didn't need to go there.) Seriously, there are about 15 pages of book left AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED!
Then, very quickly crammed into the last few pages, one of the bureaucrats visits Aunt Mildred about a scientist she used to know and a mysterious "Project B" that would be delivered in a gas form, like tear gas, but would permenently change those exposed into benevolent people, incapable of violence.
Now, we're down to about 5 pages.
The gov't bureaucrats visit the scientist who claims to have destroyed his notes. However, if one of the bureaucrats will ask nicely, (seriously!) he will tell them where the notes are hidden. All of a sudden the bureaucrat's assistant and the scientist's nurse jump up an simultaneoulsy try to poison and shoot the bureaucrat (not the scientist?!?!?). They succeed in shooting the bureaucrat and he dies. They are apprehended.
Epilogue: for some reason, the nonsensical fiasco in the last seen brings an end to the worldwide uprising (Even though big Charlotte and the Young Siegfried who are behind the whole thing are never mentioned again.) And Stafford Nye (the protagonist who was/or wasn't the target of a hit? and who was not mentioned in the last half of the book) sends a telegram to MaryAnn proposing marriage and she accepts.

Here are the questions I'm left with:
1. WTF, seriously?
2. Why did Mildred visit Big Charlotte?
3. How did a assassination of a mid-level bureaucrat end the plot of world domination?
4. Why wouldn't they try to kill the scientist who could make the benevolence gas? Seriously, the assassin was his NUSRE! He was in a weelchair! It wouldn't have been that hard.
5. Why did Christie abandon her protagonist halfway through the book?
6. Why didn't Christie take us to any of the uprisings or riots? I never felt like there was any danger because I only had access to bureaucrats who talked about there maybe being something bad going on.

If any of you have read this book, please drop a comment. I really want to hear what others have thought about it.

Book #3

2009-08-04T12:22:00.000-05:00

Laurel K. Hamilton- "Caress of Darkness" I think.
If I can't even remember the title, I don't think it's likely I'll finish the series.

Book #2

2009-07-14T09:17:00.000-05:00

A Kiss of Shadows- Laurell K. Hamilton. Finished: July 12, 2009.
Eh. It was a fast read, sort of mindless. I'll probably pick up the next in the series just to give it a fair shot, but I don't see myself getting entrenched. Fairy Princess...?

Some Project Updates

2009-07-10T10:16:00.000-05:00

1. Selbu Moderne in Kiogu: Frogged
Way too big for me, ran out of white yarn, got sick of it, decided I hate Koigu.

2. Queen Anne's Lace, cashmere/silk blend: This is going to be a marathon. I'm on row 48 of about 156. Of course, the rows get longer and longer as I go. I'm doing 2-3 rows a day, but I'm going to have to pick up the pace if I'm going to have it ready for a November wedding. It's a very intuitive knit so far, but the repeats are only up to 7 sts. I'm nervous for when they get to be 20 or 30 sts each. The yarn is a joy, plus it was 50% off, so the whole shawl should cost me < $50.

3. Noro socks: A beach knit. My own pattern. One sock almost done, needs binding off. Not sure how I feel about starting the other. I guess I'm indifferent. The yarn is sort of scratchy, but the colors are amazing. I'm also not sure if I want matchy-matchy or fraternal. I can't imagine wearing these anywhere in public, so fraternal might be my best bet.

4. Buttony Sweater, Wendy Fusion Superwash wool/acrylic: My duct tape dress form seems to be a little large. The sweater fits fine on me, but I couldn't get it fastened over the form. The yarn got itchy after washing; I might try fabric softener next time and see if that helps. You'll have to excuse the messy counter in the background.

I've also got a few sewing projects going on, but it's nothing to elaborate on just yet.

New Post

2009-07-07T12:38:00.001-05:00

On One Size Knits All.
Go check it out!

New Post

2009-07-07T12:38:00.000-05:00

On One Size Knits All.
Go check it out!

Cannonball Read and Other Projects

2009-07-07T09:39:00.000-05:00

Cannonball Read is a contest started on Pajiba.com, my favorite movie site. (Their byline is, scathing reviews for bitchy people.) The goal is to read 100 books in a year. The rationale is if you even get to 50, that's still more than some people read in a lifetime. I started this Friday with Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaimon. It's about an angel and a demon trying to prevent the apocalypse. They are aided by an earlier mix-up resulting in the antichrist being raised by a normal human family. The reading was a little slow at first, I had to switch into British "humour" mode (imagine Monty Python with footnotes- yes footnotes!) But once I got into it, it was good reading. The ending was exciting without being over-dramatic (I imagine an Americanized version would have many more explosions.) And I think it was a good start for the journey. One restriction I've decided to place on myself is that I'm going to be checking out all the books from the library. My local library sucks, however, so we'll see how that goes.
In project news, I've got a few things finished but not photographed. I've also got a bunch of things started, but not photographed. Until I get my ass in gear, I'll leave you with two photos I do have.
Here's a finished Calorimetry from waayy back in February:

And here's a Randy Reindeer hat of my own design using the chart found here.
It's double knit, which means it will be reversible when finished. Thing is, I'm not sure if I ran out of yarn yet. I really need to get my stash under control.
I've got some socks, a tank, and a shawl on the needles and a finished Buttony sweater, which I'm about to feature on the One Size Knits All blog. But no photos yet, so you'll have to check back.

I'm Famous!

2009-06-29T11:34:00.000-05:00

TeamKnits just featured one of my projects! Go forth and comment!

Just Call Me Sissy

2009-06-24T10:01:00.000-05:00

I've never claimed to be a domestic goddess. In fact, I've never claimed to be domestic at all. It's much easier and much more fun to go through the motions- baking cakes and cookies, melting crayons with the kids, sewing comforter covers, etc. All those things make me feel like I'm being domestic, and more importantly, make me APPEAR to be domestic without having to do all the hard work.
It's not that I don't like cooking and cleaning every day for my family. It's that I Hate cooking and cleaning every day- for anybody! For the short time I was home after the birth of each of my children, I literally felt myself going nuts. "Housewife" is something akin to "Prisoner of War" as an occupational option to me.
There's a reason the ancient tale of Sisyphus is a cautionary one. You screw up, you have to push a boulder to the top of a mountain every day for eternity only to have it roll down to the bottom just in time for you to start pushing it up again. That's housewifery my friends! It never ends. The mountain of laundry and dishes never goes down. The mouths are always hungry. The floors are always scuffed or sticky. Every time you finish, you are right back where you started.
It's much easier for me to use this as an excuse to not try. If it can't be perfect, why should I spend time on it? I could be knitting, or painting, or sewing, or doing something else that has an actual finish line.
Except it shouldn't be perfect. It won't ever be. But I can at least make it better.
I just read a study that found gifted/talented kids set themselves up for failure because they think if something doesn't come easy, it won't come at all. The concept of hard work is foreign to people who never have to try hard. I can see this attitude popping up in my psyche wayyy tooo often.
I guess that's the lesson I should learn from Sisyphus: instead of trying to keep the boulder at the top of the mountain, I should try to push it a little more each day. I might not get to the top, but if it backslides it won't slide too far.

Thrift Challenged

2009-06-05T09:17:00.000-05:00

I don't know what the deal is.
I can't seem to get on the whole "Thrift Store" bandwagon. It's not that I don't come across awesome thrift store redo projects all over the blogosphere, and then become obsessed with trying them until my head explodes and I need to go lie down.
It's the stupid thrift stores around here. I can never find anything worth saving in there. Maybe I don't go often enough. Maybe people around here are cheap (they are). I just don't know.
There's another blogger around here that has no trouble finding great things at the thrift stores, but she's not giving up her sources. Maybe she's just beating me to the good stuff. Maybe my aspirations are a little high.
You tell me.
Here's my thrifty wish list:
dining room chairs- any condition
outdoor furniture- any condition
dress form (yeah, I know. In my dreams.)
picture frames, dishes, decorative items to revamp
Am I being unreasonable?

Here's a Photo for Ya:

2009-05-21T16:19:00.001-05:00

This was a cake purse I made for my sister's graduation/birthday.

Supersize Me

2009-05-07T11:08:00.000-05:00

I've started a new blog (Yeah, this is getting out of hand).
I'll be featuring knitting patterns that look great knitted up on a variety of body types. I'm open to suggestions and testimonials.
You can fin it at:
www.OneSizeKnitsAll.blogspot.com

Leave some comments while you're there, but I'm going to moderate so don't bother saying anything bad because it won't see light of day.

Things That Make You Go

2009-04-23T10:56:00.001-05:00

YAWN!
I just can't get back into this clappy.

I don't know if it's the yarn (Rayon), or the colors, or the pattern. This is my second try; the first was with a lovely tencel-alpaca blend that I frogged before the first dropped stitch. I just can't pick it up again. That's a lie. I pick it up, and put it back down over and over.
Thing is, the rayon is very nice and drapey. It's perfect for the pattern, if not a bit thin. So, I can't imagine frogging it and knitting something else with the yarn. What do you think? Finish? Frog? Pull a Scarlet O-Hara and think about it tomorrow? I need opinions people!

Paranormal Swap Survey

2009-04-01T16:10:00.000-05:00

1. What are your five favorite things? (these don't have to be knit related)
yarn, fabric, chocolate, office supplies (I know), coffee
1.a. Do these things allow any hints into your personality for your paranormal pal?
I hope not
2. What are your three favorite things that you have made with knitting/crochet?
Mad-Color Weave socks, Randy Reindeer Hat, Shetland Shorty, Widdershins,
2.a. What do you tend to make with knit/crochet?
There's no rhyme or reason to what i pick
2.b. What do you hope to make (or complete that you have started) someday?
Wavy lace shawl
3. What five things would you love to see in a swap box someday? Why?
chocolate, stationary, stitch markers, pretty yarn, something to remind me of my swap buddy
3.a. What do you hope to never see in a swap box again (or ever)?
fun fur or anything made with novelty yarn
4. What are your three favorite yarns? What are your three least favorite yarns?
Yarn is like children, I can't pick a favorite.
4.a. Do you like solid, self-striping, or multi-colored yarns?
Same color variegated or solid.
4.b. What are your favorite colors?
What are your favorite colors to knit with?
Jewel-tones, Brown, any shade of purple
5. What are your five favorite delicacies?
good chocolate and coffee
5.a. What yarn do you hope to one day try and why?

6. What are your three favorite guilty pleasures?
knitting, Ravelry, sleeping late
6.a. What are your favorite tv or movie charactors?
The guys from psych and Bones. The "Top Gear" hosts.
7. What are the five things you look forward to every week?
Saturday, Sunday, Friday night, dessert, Starbucks on occasion
7.a. What do you do during your week (ie - work, take care of three kids, race walk)?
I'm a project director for a Longitudinal Database Project at a small research institute.
8. What do you collect?
skulls and crossbones, bells,
8.a. What collects you?
coffee mugs
9. When is your birthday?
March 19
9.a. What is your favorite holiday and why?
Halloween, I love to decorate and try to outdo myself each year.
10. Do you have any wishlists?
no
11. Do you have any allergies or health related conditions that your pal should know about?
no
11.a. What drives you nuts?
bad drivers, yarn with sticks in it (Noro!!!!)
12. What do you do for work and what do you do for fun?
work- research, fun- gardening and crafting
12.a. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Move to Paris for a year
13. What would you like your pal to know that is not covered here?
I can't wait!!!!

Well, I almost had to rescind that "I'm Not Dead" thing.

2009-03-18T12:11:00.000-05:00

Last week, the cold/allergy season descended upon my home. I, of course, got it worse than anyone probably due to the added responsibility I've taken on at work. After a week with a cold I got a virus that not only kicked my rather large, but nice, ass, I ended up in the hospital for a night with fluids and meds. That was Saturday. I finally started eating again yesterday. I'm still feeling crappy today.
So, as for now, I'm still not dead. I just feel like I am.

An explanation is in order

2009-03-01T13:35:00.000-06:00

Guys, I don't know how to say this, but I'm not dead.
I know, some of you are very surprised to hear this considering the comments I've received on this blog and on my Ravelry page.
What happened is a fellow Raveller named Sharon
passed away a few weeks ago, and I wrote the memorial in "This Week in Ravelry" as I always do. There seemed to be a bit of confusion between Sharon and Shannon and a lot of people think I was the one who passed. It's okay, really, because I pretty much grew up answering to Sharon because people make that mistake a lot.
I just didn't want to freak out anyone else who wished me to "Rest in Peace" and then saw me posting from what they thought was the great beyond. (Yes, that happened.)
In short, I will be happy to rest in peace when my time comes, just not yet.

Valentine's Day Project

2009-02-18T14:01:00.000-06:00

We made heart-shaped crayons by melting regular crayon pieces in little silicone cupcake heart cups. Very easy and the kids loved it.

We melted the crayons at 250 degrees for about 15 minutes. When they were cool, they popped right out of the cups.

We made one of each color and two rainbow crayons.

Advent- Recap

2009-01-12T16:13:00.000-06:00

I think 24 days were just too much for my kids. They started out wanting to check the activity each morning before school, but about halfway through they didn't want to do anything. I think next year I'll do something each week instead of every day.
J and the big dog (cute puppy in a previous post) took down the living room Christmas tree. Took down as in knocked over and broke.
No to find someone to take down the dining room tree in a more orderly fashion.

Advent- Day Ten/ Eleven

2008-12-12T13:33:00.000-06:00

On day 10, they sang carols. I let them handle it on their own because I was getting frustrated with the state of mess in my house.
Day 11, was the snow day. I quickly modified the activity to include making snowmen, snow angels, and snow balls. I'll put up photos soon.
I am soooo glad I broke down and bought that camera battery!

Advent- Day Nine

2008-12-10T10:24:00.000-06:00

On Day Nine, we took pictures by the tree. I wanted pictures by the kids tree, but we hadn't put that one up yet. So, I used the fancy tree in the dining room instead. I bought all the kids new flannel pajamas: Spongebob, Tink, and Polar Bears. I was surprized that there was no complaining about who got a better set.
I'm glad I wasn't planning on using these photos for Christmas Cards, because we couldn't get all three kids to look at the camera and smile at the same time. The activity quickly deteriorated into a wrestling match.
I broke down and bought another camera battery. I figure St. Anthony has had enough of me, I'm too embarrassed to try another novena. If I find the old battery, I'll just have one charged at all times. Still hoping St. Rita will help me out on the job/salary front. I've decided I need to specify that I want the raise as well as the promotion, because it would suck if I had to do more work for the same pay.
If any of you are wondering, St. Rita and St. Jude are patron saints of impossible things. I figure St. Jude is pretty busy with childhood cancer, so I never bug him unless it has to do with something as dire as that. St. Joseph is the patron of laborers. I try to send a shout-out to him as well. I think it helps to keep all bases covered.
St. Anne is my patron saint. She is also asociated with motherhood and pregnancy. She was Mary's mother, and had the first immaculate conception. Mary couldn't be the savior, though, being a girl and all. But her immaculate conception (the Assumption) set her up for being the mother of Jesus. A novena to St. Anne after five miscarriages, ended with a healthy pregnancy I now call G. I had a lot of help on that novena , and I feel forever indebted to those who prayed with me. I think a lot of Catholics are moving away from associating with the saints and saying novenas. I think this is an important part of the faith and part of what makes being Catholic special. If you can ask someone on earth to pray for you, why not ask someone who has given their life to the faith and is one step closer to God than any living person?

Advent- Days Six, Seven, and Eight

2008-12-08T15:17:00.000-06:00

Saturday, we took the kids to see Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans. They really enjoyed the lights, especially the Cajun Night Before Christmas light show. Unfortunately, to get to Story Land (a mini-park with Mother Goose themed playhouses), we had to pass through a bunch of carnival type rides- ticket required. Of course, all the children whined about how they wanted to ride the "Pay Rides." But momma wasn't havin it. Next year, we may have to find some lights closer to home. (Alternatively, we can take them on a really fast ride next time there's a fair and that would be the end of that. Evil Laugh.)
Sunday, my dad came over so I put him to work. I had him string up popcorn and raisins to hang in the trees for birds. J and M enjoyed it but G wandered off to the neighbor's house. One thing I'm realizing about this advent thing is how hard it is to get all three kids excited about the same activity. I usually get two out of the three, which is pretty good odds I guess.
Tonight will be candy night. The girls have gymnastics and I have a crapload of things to do, so instead of an activity, I'll give them each a piece of candy.

Advent- Day Five

2008-12-06T10:58:00.000-06:00

Made paper snowflakes and wrote letters to Santa. My sister and her bf came by for a visit, so they made snowflakes too. I asked Santa for a big diamond ring and a Mercedes Benz. Do you think he'll come through? I've been really good!

In other news. I am so disgusted with family drama right now. It's like a genuine soap opera. My parents have decided to not attend my brother's bootcamp graduation even though they have made all the arrangements and can't get refunds. Why? Because he told them not to go. Why? Because his psycho bitch girlfriend has been sending harassing messages to my mom and then telling my brother that my mom is being mean to her. This has been a cycle for years now. My mom is partly to blame because she refuses to tell the girl's parents. WTF? If any of my children was rude to an adult, much less than the cursing and demeaning that this girl is doing. I better find out about it. So, I told my mom to not call me anymore. I can't handle this cycle of her complaining and asking for advice, but never doing anything that would actually resolve the situation.
What she does is overreacts, like throwing him out for something minor. Then overcompensates by letting him walk all over her and spending way too much money on him. Rinse. Repeat. I'm pretty sure she doesn't actually want advice, she just wants me to feel bad for her. But I can't feel bad and do the "poor you" thing if she won't at least tell psycho bitches parents! I mean, come on, that's the obvious step one, isn't it?
If your daughter got all psycho on their boyfriends mom, wouldn't you like to know about it? Even if the bf's mom was bitchy too (and I'm not ruling that out), that doesn't give a 19 yr old the right to curse at her and spread rumors for three f*cking years!!!!!.
My mother in law is pretty rude and otherwise socially inept. At one Christmas, she told the whole gathering that she was glad my 1st born looked like my DH because, well, "you never know." Did I call her an F*ing Btch? No, even if that is what I was thinking. And if I had, and it got around to my parents, you'd better believe I wouldn't have gotten away with it. It's a parent's role to keep their kids from being trashy. And if the parents are psycho too, well that gives you more reason to put a Peace Bond or Restraining order on the whole f*cked up bunch!
But, you gotta tell the parents!
Discuss:

Advent- Day Four

2008-12-05T10:12:00.000-06:00

Last night, the kids were supposed to write letters to Santa. They asked if they could put it off until today.
FAIL

Advent- Day Three

2008-12-04T09:45:00.000-06:00

Last night we made Christmas ornaments. I got Jackson a little unpainted wooden truck from the craft dept at Walmart and I let him color it with markers. He was sooo proud, he brought it to school today to show his teacher. I'm not sure he'll let me hang it on the tree.
The girls made flowers from a Martha Stewart kit, also from Walmart. The kit was supposed to be for children, but I should have know Ms. S. meant children with superpowers like her. The glue wasn't tacky enough to hold on to the felt, so we had to sit there for about 10 min each time we glued something- holding it until it dried. They came out cute in the end, but next time I'm going to come up with my own fool-proof projects.

Here's a Thursday Diversion for you:
Top 5 Hottest Teen Idols of the 80's
Honorable Mention: Matthew Modine
5. Rob Lowe
4. Judd Nelson
3. Josh Brolin
2. River Phoenix
1. John Cusack

Who would make your list?

Adevnt- Day Two

2008-12-03T13:59:00.000-06:00

Last night we drank cocoa by the fire. The one measly log looked so puny in our extra large fireplace. Sean says he wants to fill it up one day and see what it can do. I'll have 911 on speed dial.
We listened to the Christmas Station on the tv, and I taught the kids the words to "I'm Gettin' Nuthin' For Christmas." So appropriate. *Sigh*

Advent- Day One

2008-12-02T09:21:00.001-06:00

For the past few years, I've been meaning to make an advent wreath. The kind with the purple and pink candles. A Catholic Menorah, if you will. Well, I'm already too late for it this year. I've decided instead to make an advent calendar to at least make sure we get to do some fun holiday activities as a family this year, and maybe start a new tradition or two.
I made my advent calendar by gluing magnets to small metal wedding favor tins I got at Walmart. I printed out these numbers from D.Sharp on sticker paper and stuck them to the top of the tins. Then, I made a list of fun holiday activities. I printed two copies, one for the tins and one for me to have on hand so I can see what's coming up and make sure I have any materials and enough time to complete the activity. Since we are in Louisiana, I had to leave out the obvious snow-related activities like ice skating and snowman building, so I stuck in a few "Candy" days where the kids will get candy in leu of an activity. I put the slips of paper with the activities in the tins with corresponding numbers. This is important so we can make sure we know what is coming up.
Lastly, I stuck the tins on the refridgerator in a neat little grid. The results look something like this, but with numbers on ths lids instead of patterned paper.
I'm sure you're wondering why I don't post a photo of my own? That's because my dumb-ass self lost my camera battery after I charged it. Don't you get some kind of award for that level of stupidity?
Arrgghhh!!!!
BTW: no job news yet. I'm convinced that no news is bad, bad news.

ETA: I forgot to say last night was Day One on the advent calendar. The activity was, "Read a Christmas Book." I was so proud that G was able to read to her little brother and sister with almost no help.

St. Anthony is my Homeboy!

2008-12-01T11:47:00.000-06:00

I found the charger yesterday in a bag it had no business being in. It was not the proverbial last place I would have looked as it was actually in a place I would never have looked. Coincidentally, over the long weekend, Sean had to do some work at home. For some reason, my laptop wasn't playing the video he needed to review. I took my personal laptop to work and lent my work laptop to Sean. It was when I was unpacking my laptop at the end of the week that I noticed the camera charger right next to the laptop charger in my case. I have no idea how it would have gotten there because I hardly ever use that case and I distinctly remember using the charger a few weeks ago in the kitchen, right before Grace's birthday party. I think St. Anthony just stuck it in there so I'd find it.
In other news, the Novena to St. Rita is still on. No word yet about the promotion. I'm starting to let myself down over it so that if I don't get it, it won't sting so bad. I hope I find out soon, because wondering is killing me. All the people I ask don't know anything, but they all say I should get it. Boss Man doesn't listen to everybody else, unfortunately. Maybe Rita will see how Anthony came through for me and will try to up the ante. Fingers crossed, everyone!

St. Anthony

2008-11-21T12:29:00.000-06:00

Come around. So what is lost can now be found.

I lost my camera battery. Thus, the lack of postiness around here lately. There are a bunch of photos I would like to uplaod, but no battery = no sharing.
There's:

a new batch of soap
a gazillion stitch markers for the Knitting Asylum
a green sweater I want to recycle, but also want to document a "before"
some doll parts for Christmas projects
a clapotis in the making
a beret that's almost done
a plaid coat that's all cut and marked, ready to be sewed up
new shelves in the studio

So, ugh! If any of you are Catholic, go ahead and send a shout-out to St. Anthony for me. Oh, and while you're at it, put in a word to St. Rita so I can get the promotion I interviewed for a few days ago.

A few words about the promotion:
Since my boss quit back in September, I've been doing his job. Everyone around here says I should get the spot. My ex-boss has called in a recommendation for me. People yell, "Team Shannon!" when they see me coming down the hall (no, really, they do!) I have all the qualifications and experience needed.
Two things going against me: they've decided to interview two others (who might have a political advantage over me- name recognition, etc. if not actual qualifications.)
And, the Center Director, who will make the ultimate decision, is kind of unpredictable (?) when it comes to hiring. For example, we are an education research center, but most of the project directors that work for us have Speech backgrounds. They were mostly hired because they got their Ph.D.s from the university we are affiliated with. So, at least one of the other interviewees has a health sciences background, but she's got more name recognition, which might give her the edge over me- who actually has the Ph.D. (from a different university) and experience in the field of education research!
I should find out within the next two weeks. Wish me luck!

The Week that Almost Killed Me

2008-10-29T09:42:00.000-05:00

I have photos, but I can't re-live that whole week at once. You'll have to get it in small bites.
Here are photos of the Maid Marion costume and House On Haunted Hill Birthday Cake that would have used up two of my lives if I was Super Mario. (And I'm not Mario, so those projects just kicked my ass instead.)

OMG!

2008-10-24T12:37:00.000-05:00

This is The Awesommeness!!!!
Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Still Alive

2008-10-09T10:08:00.000-05:00

I really think this week might just kill me.
Work is insane with me being all alone. They still won't tell me if they're planning on advertising for my boss's old job, or promoting me, or what. I'd really like his job, but I'm a bit green. I just hope if they hire someone else, that person knows what the hell they're doing. I don't have time to train a freaking supervisor.
I got Maid Marian all cut and I sewed up some of the longer seams (ok, three seams) while watching Ghost Hunters last night. (They were at Oak Alley, where I spent my teenage years as a tour guide. I might expand on that in a later post.)
Anyway, I tried sewing French Seams on Marian so I wouldn't have to try to finish the satin, or deal with satin fuzzies later. The seams came out great and I think I might add those to my regular repertoire.
I'm supposed to have dance class tonight- yes, me. Not the girls. But I think I might have to skip. I still have to get a buttload done on Marian and get to cleaning and baking for the party Sunday. I told Sean he might have to bake the actual cake and I'd decorate it. He seemed ok with that. He likes to bake with the kids helping, whereas I need to be alone. So it will be a good project for them all to bake all the layers while I would probably hate it thinking about all the other tings I have to do.
I also have to get some decorating things from Hobby Lobby. I want to make a monster wreath and an arrangement with a black stick and fake crows. I just hope I can find crows. I have the fake fur and eyeballs for the wreath, I just need a form to glue them to.
I also want a new Entertainment Center. I'd love to get that done today, but there are only so many hours in the day.
Because I feel bad leaving without a photo, this is from my office. I'm in an attic office with no windows and dark gray paint on the walls. (Sucky camera phone photo alert!) I made a Rasturbation of St. Peter's (?) Basilica in Paris and stuck it up to make a faux window. I have two more rows to put up when I get time and if I survive this week.

More Happiness

2008-10-07T09:29:00.000-05:00

In real life, things have moved beyond hectic to downright f*cking crazy!
I came in to work yesterday to find my boss's office completely empty. Turns out he decided against renewing his contract and didn't bother to tell me. Now, it's supposed to be him, me, two computer scientists, two research analysts, and two grad assistants. Right now, it's just me! I have no staff and no boss!
I'm xanaxed out right now to keep sane for today. The CEO is supposed to talk to me about the "situation" but I don't know when that's going to happen. I'd love to take his job and build my own staff, but I have a nasty feeling they have someone pegged for the job. If it turns out they do want someone, and that someone doesn't have more research experience than I do, I'm going to go on a job search myself. I don't have the desire or time to teach someone about higher-level research and statistical methods, which is what we do.
To add to the crazy, I'm sewing G a Maid Marian costume for Halloween, which would be ok, but she wants it done for her birthday party this Sunday. I've got the pattern pinned up, but haven't started cutting yet. It's a lot of fabric!
But I promised happiness, didn't I? Well, I was inspired by Rhoda to make a scarf with an "accidental" plaid pattern. I didn't want to bother with the cables on Besotted and I noticed some people got similar effects with the My So-Called Scarf pattern.
I bought myself some Patons Classic in "Harvest" and got busy. The pattern is super easy to memorize and the yarn is so soft and squishy, I have a hard time putting it down. Here's what I'm getting so far:

Sorry about the phone photo. I have better ones, but they're at home.
Here's another so you can see the argyle better.

It's not plaid, but I totally love it. This might be the first knitted object I actually keep for myself!
Thanks Rhoda, for the inspiration!

PRGE Package

2008-10-03T19:41:00.001-05:00

When I got home from work yesterday, there was a package in my dining room.

(Yes, this is my awesome dining room table.)
I knew immediately the package was from my PRGE pal and I was sooo excited!

It was filled with the awesomeness!!!

I am soooo going to make a bracelet for these:

Aren't you jealous?

Quite Possibly my New Favorite Site

2008-10-02T09:12:00.001-05:00

Link

New in the Etsy Store

2008-09-30T14:56:00.000-05:00

You know you want one.

We are young

2008-09-26T16:01:00.000-05:00

No one can tell us we're wrong
Searching our hearts for so long
Love is a battlefield

And if you're not careful, you'll shoot your eye out!!!

I. Am. Speechless.

2008-09-24T09:38:00.000-05:00

This pattern showed up on Ravelry today.

Yes.
Today.
In 2008.
Not 1988.

I guess the struggling economy has really hit the big knitting design houses hard.

New Baby

2008-09-17T13:04:00.000-05:00

Here's a photo.

I tried to get one next to my chihuahua, but they don't stay still together. His name is "Tractor" (thanks, Jackson) and he's a lab/Amer. Bulldog mix.
He's about 6 or 7 weeks but he's already as big as Nicky, the chihuahua. He's a big clutz, but he's a sweetie. He evacuated to my house during the storm and ended up staying.

As Promised

2008-09-11T14:29:00.000-05:00

Here's a few photos of the Gustav damage.

Our back yard. These trees were all the same height. Four of them snapped.

Our pool and neighbor's fence.

This was scary as hell, but someone took an Ambien. (You know who you are!)

Our playhouse with no roof.

Overall, we made out just fine.

LOL Cat Thursday

2008-09-11T10:32:00.001-05:00

more animals

Can you believe

2008-09-10T10:12:00.000-05:00

there are still subdivisions and towns in Louisiana that are still without power? The media isn't covering it either. I guess if it's not New Orleans, it's not news.

So, I'm back.

2008-09-08T14:11:00.000-05:00

Big thanks to my sister, Disa, who let us come visit while we were out of power. I've got some hurricane photos to put up here when I get a second. I've also got pics of the sock blanks I dyed right before the storm and the socks I'm knitting from one of the blanks.

PRGE-4 Questionnaire

2008-08-29T12:33:00.000-05:00

1. Why did you join PRGE? I took part in the first two swaps and had a lot of fun.
1.a. Have you done other swaps? no Are you doing other swaps right now? no
2. What are your five favorite things? (these don't have to be knit related)
knitting, skulls and crossbones, coffee, chocolate, sewing
2.a. Do these things allow any hints into your personality for your punk pal? yes, I think so
3. What are your three favorite things that you have made with knitting/crochet? I don't usually like my FOs.
3.a. What do you tend to make with knit/crochet? hats, socks, sweaters
3.b. What do you hope to make (or complete that you have started) someday? A brown sweater of my own design that I have one sleeve completed
4. What five things would you love to see in a swap box someday? Why?
pretty paper, fabric, or yarn; something personal from my swap pal to let me know what he/she is like; chocolate;
4.a. What do you hope to never see in a swap box again (or ever)? fun fur (no offense previous pals)
5. What are your three favorite yarns? What are your three least favorite yarns?
Socks that Rock; cascade fixation; sock blanks; most worsted wool blends
5.a. Do you like solid, self-striping, or multi-colored yarns? solids and same color varigateds
5.b. What are your favorite colors? Black, peacock blue, purple, pink, brown What are your favorite colors to knit with? most any
6. What are your five favorite delicacies? chocolate, coffee, tea, Socks that Rock, chocolate
6.a. What yarn do you hope to one day try and why? Malabrigo, I've heard great things
7. What are your three favorite guilty pleasures? chocolate, Ghost Hunters, Torchwood
7.a. What are your favorite tv or movie charactors? see above plus Psych
8. What are the five things you look forward to every week?
8.a. What do you do during your week (ie - work, take care of three kids, race walk)?
9. What do you collect? Bells, coffee mugs, skull stuff
9.a. What collects you? handbags, shoes
10. When is your birthday? March 19
10.a. What is your favorite holiday and why? Halloween, do you really have to ask?
11. Do you have any wishlists? no
11.a. Do you have a "favorites" collection anywhere that your pal should know about? no
12. Do you have any allergies or health related conditions that your pal should know about? no
12.a. What drives you nuts?
13. What do you do for work and what do you do for fun? I'm a statistician/research analyst. I do crafty things for fun
13.a. What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Open my own yarn store.
14. What would you like your pal to know that is not covered here?
14.a. Are you excited for the contests or will you just pretend that they do not exist?

How Cute is This?

2008-08-26T13:58:00.001-05:00

halloween advent calendar
Originally uploaded by mique123

I'm starting to think about Halloween projects. I know I want to make a monster wreath, but this Pottery Barn calendar is too cute. At $60, it's a project that would actually be cheaper to make, unlike most that I take on.
The kids haven't decided on costumes yet, so I probably won't be making those. What are your Halloween To Do's?

Knitting-related LOLcat

2008-08-25T13:49:00.001-05:00

more animals

Hurricanes

2008-08-25T11:45:00.000-05:00

I posted this on Ravelry, so forgive the cross-post.
DH and I were talking about how we sometimes miss hurricanes if we don't have one in a while.
I think it's because, growing up poor, hurricanes were a time to get the whole family together. Usually there was only one member of the extended family who had a nice enough house that everyone would be safe in.
We would all get together, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and usually spend the night or a few days, depending on if the electricity was out.
We would all hunker down in the living room on a mattress, because there was usually only one hurricane lamp and it stayed in the living room. We'd listen to the radio and watch channel four news until the power went out. If we were lucky, we'd get a few days off of school.
Does anyone else have sort of nice hurricane memories?

Beware: Buttload of Photos Ahead!!!

2008-08-20T19:05:00.000-05:00

These first photos are of the stitch marker bracelets I sold last week.

These are hats I finished last week. The pirate hat is for the Ravalympics.

Shetland Not-So-Shorty modeled by my disgustingly cute sister.

Margaret's birthday cake.

Brought my camera wire to work

2008-08-20T09:39:00.001-05:00

to try and upload some photos. But then I forgot my camera. As G would say: Wa Wa Waaaa! (in her best gameshow losing voice.)
I guess you guys will have to wait.

I feel so growed up!

2008-08-14T09:30:00.000-05:00

I sold my first set of stitch markers last week. I wanted to wait to post about it to make sure they buyer liked them. Here's what she said:

Shannon,
THEY CAME TODAY!!!!!!! and I LOVE THEM!!!!! I cannot wait until Saturday to show them off (my friend is definitely not getting hers until after the weekend!)
I really like the fact that they fasten with the magnets–so easy and so smart. And you did such a good job mixing and matching up the beads–I envy your artistic eye!
Thanks again. I’m sure I’ll be in touch with you again.

Sara

I took some photos before I sent them. I'll try to upload them soon. I still have to photograph the Shetland NS Shorty and New Republic hat I finished. Somebody remind me- kthxbye!!!!

Baby steps

2008-08-06T08:43:00.000-05:00

Well, we have a birthday coming up next weekend. That gives us less than two weeks to clean the house. Having company over really helps to motivate us to keep things clean, but there's always a mad dash to give everything a good once-over and it usually ends up with me apologizing for the mess anyway. This year M has invited a few friends from gym class. The thought of strangers coming over really makes me want to make sure everything is nice so, I've decided to start doing a little each day. Of course, that is much easier said than done, especially with three anti-adults running around and spreading "fun" everywhere. If I have to clean up the large foam alphabet puzzle one more time, I swear, I'm going to tie those ankle biters up until the party. I try to use the flylady system, but it's very difficult to do alone and DH thinks doing dishes and laundry (but not folding or putting it away!!!) gets him off the hook.
The other problem I have is our hardwood floors. DH tried to mop with pine sol and Murphy's against my better judgement and now there's a sitcky film I can't get off. Martha says use vinegar and water and that worked a little, after FOUR tries.
Do any of you have suggestions for cleaning up while playing zone defense against three children OR for cleaning hardwood floors (walnut, specifically?)

In other news, the Shetland Not-So-Shorty is done. I also finished a New Republic Hat. Well, alsmost finished it. The buttons I got from ebay have the shanks cut off. Stupid me thought "no shanks" meant they were the kinds of buttons with holes. Uh, no. They are buttons that used to have shanks, but have been castrated.
I haven't had time to figure out how to fasten the band of the hat, but I'm leaning towards an embroirdered "X" where the button should go. If anyone has a large (2") button to donate, you know how to reach me. I'll get action shots up as soon as I figure out how to get my camera to quit giving all my photos a ghostly white halo.

ETA: "We" is my Four-year-soon-to-be-five-year-old. We'll be kntting at the Chimes for "me" in March.

Ah, Crap!

2008-07-29T14:36:00.000-05:00

My husband hates it when I say "Crap." I think he should be glad I can censor myself before the big words come out and make George Carlin blush in his grave (rest his soul). In real-life, away from my children or boss, I cuss like a sailor. It's something that got picked up in college. Boy my sorority was a bad influence. Trust me, if I didn't have kids or bosses, "crap" wouldn't even be in my repertoire.
Anyway, the crap-i-tude come from my new theme. Pretty, no? However, all the widgets got lost in translation so I have to go back and update all my links and other sidebar goodness.
If I linked to you before and I miss you this time, shoot me a message and I'll fix it. It's not like my sidebar was super-updated anyway.
Good news is I'm about 10 minutes away from finishing the Shetland-not-so-shorty I've been slaving over. It feels so nice to finish something.

A fellow raveler is sending me enough yarn to finish my wavy lace stole and possibly make a hat.

Ravelry is awesome!

Who's going to clean this up?

2008-07-20T18:22:00.000-05:00

With the new job I was able to move some things out of the studio.

Of course, now it's a ginormous mess.

Time to get cracking, I guess.

Stitch Marker Jewelry for Sale

2008-06-21T17:43:00.000-05:00

I am selling some stitch marker jewelry. These are great for displaying your markers and for keeping them handy, because you never knoww when you might need a marker.I have necklaces, bracelets, and keychains.
The necklaces are $25. They are 18in and have lobster clasps holding 6 stitch markers.
Bracelets are $15. They are 7in with magnetic clasps. They also hold 6 markers.
The keychains are also $15. They have 6 markers and a decorative end with matching beads.
I also make empty necklaces and bracelets so you can add your own markers and can make custom stitch marker jewelry as well. Email me for details.

Omaha!

2008-06-12T15:13:00.000-05:00

In honor of the Tiger's awesomeness and impending trip to the college world series, I've added another pattern to my sidebar. I haven't worked this chart yet, so let me know if there are any errors and I'll take care of them.

Posting might pick up around here.

2008-05-13T17:10:00.000-05:00

It looks like I'll have a job soon. I'm doing some contractual stuff for my local research center and they want me to join them full-time. All I have to do is finish my current contracts which end June 30, and there's salary negotiations, of course.
Ironically, I'll probably post more working full-time than I do sitting home all day just because there won't be any children to run after. Knitting might suffer, but its not as if I'm cranking out the FOs anyway.
It'll be really nice to stop for Starbucks and not have to worry if I can afford it or not.
The project we are working on for the center is a huge database that will track all students in Louisiana from birth to workplace. I'm trying to not let the "Big-Brother-ness" of it all get to me. This database will track school, health, and court records so far. We'll be able to find out how much a specific teacher affects learning outcomes, for example, or what factors affect the liklihood of a child going into the court system. The difference is that we'll have complete data from all years of life, so there won't be any assumptions about things like parental variables or neighborhood effects. I promise to use this data for good and never evil!!! The best part is no other state is even close to having good enough data to even try such an undertaking, so we can be at the top of the list for something good. That doesn't happen very often.

Finally, something useful...

2008-05-01T13:56:00.000-05:00

In my sidebar, I've added a pattern for my Subversive Skull Cap. I created this pattern and chart due to the utter lack of skull-themed cables out there. If you try it out, send me a photo and I'll post them here.

A Contest!!!!

2008-02-24T18:44:00.000-06:00

In honor of my new Etsy store, I've decided to run a contest. Rules are simple: Link to my Etsy store, shannonann.etsy.com, on your blog and then leave me a comment here with a link. I'll put all entries in a hat on Friday and pull a winner.
The winner will recieve a loverly stitch marker keychain as pictured here.

Injury-driven craftiness.

2008-01-31T16:46:00.000-06:00

Got hurt at work and didn't have the duck to pay my bills. In a fit of boredom, I went down to local chain craft store and bought some stuff. Then I made some stuff. Then I put it on etsy. Check it out.

Say Hello to my Little Friend

2008-01-03T15:30:00.000-06:00

This is the Santa I made for my Dad. I wanted to knit the sweater, but as crunch time grew near, I knew there wouldn't be time. I ended up making the sweater from an old fair isle I felted. The face is polymer clay and everything else is fabric.

Happy Holidays to You and Yours

2007-12-30T14:35:00.001-06:00

If I was a plane, I'd be a jet plane...

2007-11-30T20:59:00.000-06:00

Going to leave in the morning for Atlanta to see the Tigers (I hope) whup the Vols. Don't tell anyone, but I am bad luck for LSU in Georgia. Every time I've gone there for a game, they've lost. We'll see if my streak continues. I have to leave to fly out of NOLA at about four in the morning, so I should be trying to sleep now. Hmmm, come to think of it I haven't slept in about three days.
Note to self- see doctor as soon as new insurance kicks in because, self, I think you are bipolar and though you feel great now, your ass will be stuck in bed, wallowing in misery again, soon enough.
In less morose news, there's still no word from the schools I've applied to. Well, one sent the affirmative action routine but that's expected. I thought UNO would have at least sent me some email questions now. (I have a sneaking suspicion they already have people lined up for the job, and that's ok because I know those people and they deserve it. Yeah, Amy and Jerry, I mean you.)
Oh well, keep sending the vibes.

I'm here, I'm alive.

2007-11-26T17:01:00.000-06:00

I'm positive that teaching first grade is not and never has been the job for me. It just may kill me by Christmas.
However, looking on the bright side of things, hating teaching so much has pushed me to apply for a few faculty positions that I would have been afraid to go for if I were still sitting at my government desk. Send vibes, say a prayer, burn a candle for me. You know I'd do it for you if you asked.
Here are the schools I send to (in no order if you are a school snooping on my blog) Illinios @ Chicago, Nicholls State, LSU, UNO, and Kennesaw State. The Louisiana schools are all in driving distance from where I live now, so not having to move would be nice. I did not send to any schools in either of the Dakotas or Iowa. I'm afraid of those states.

In knitting news. I finished my Widdershins and the Skull cap. Widdershins came out great. Expect photos. Skull cap will be frogged. I got some compliments, but I had to explain the pattern too much. I want it to be obvious, "Hey cool skulls!" There will be no photos until its perfect.

Also, any advice for a girl bully. Yep, G is pushing kids around. The teacher gives her class daily reports, smiley, straight, frowny faces and an explanation. G gets straight or frowny faces most days. Frankly, I don't know what to do. She couldn't visit my sister in Texas over break because she got too many straight faces and she got another one today. She's punished almost every evening. And it's not little things. It's hitting, pushing, kicking. I"m at wits end. She's going to get put out of freaking KIndergarten! HAALLPP!
What really sucks is that I know how her teacher feels b/c I"m getting it on the other end from my own students. I"m so tired of fussing at children.

Good Frackin Grief!

2007-10-11T14:52:00.000-05:00

When I told everyone I was leaving my job here with the state, I got a few offers to continue analyzing data by private contract. This is where the money really is, so I agreed. Because, well, I like money.
The problem (why does there always have to be a problem?) is that I will be leaving the software that I use to do my analyses when I leave my job. After talking it over with hubs, and mostly talking it over in my own head, I decided to check out investing in my own software licenses. The other option would be to cleverly disguise myself as a grad student and sneak into the computer lab on campus to use their copies.
There are two programs that are most commonly used. Each has its benefits and drawbacks and I usually end up using a combination of both for each analyses, one to set up and create new databases and the other to run the analysis and make pretty visuals.
So, my sleuthing uncovers $800 for the easy-analysis program for *COUGH* ONE YEAR *COUGH*!!!!!
And a much less reasonable $7000 for the other data-management program for ONE FRACKING YEAR!!!!
And lets not forget that these programs won't run on Mac, which I own, only PC, which I don't own. That's another $1000 for the computer with enough memory to handle the data.

Excuse me, I just died for a second there.

Since my first super-lucrative contract will only bring in $2000 payable on delivery, I guess I will be sneaking into the computer lab until I can save up for the legit copy. Pajamas- check. Flip flops- check. Coffee- check. Yep, I can still pass for a grad student. Oh, except I'll be the only one in there doing work instead of checking myspace. I hope they haven't started checking ids since I graduated...

Anybody know anything about small business grants or loans?

New life, 12:00

2007-10-10T11:52:00.000-05:00

Last week I geave notice at my current job. I've decided to go back to teaching. Literally, I'll be back in the same classroom I left 8 years ago. I'll be across the hall from the same teacher but it all seems very new and scary.
I never had that moment when I knew what I wanted to be. No, that's a lie. I knew what I wanted to be, but I gave it up for a "real" career and family life. The past 12 or so years have been a lot of wandering. Not aimless, always forward, but wandering the same. I had goals and I met them. Unfortunately, I forgot to live my life during all that goal-meeting.
I've decided its time to slow down and live my life. Teaching won't be easy and it definately won't be slow, but for the first time ever- it won't be about me. There will be no degrees to finish, no promotions to earn. I've got 15 First-graders to turn into Second-graders. And that's it.
And when I get home, I get to be a mommy. I'll finally have time to spend with my kids. I'll also be able to take care of them the way I want to.
If this sounds like I'm trying to convince myself, that's because I am. I'm at the lovely point where I've jumped ship and now I have to swim to shore. I know what lies ahead is best, but the uncertainty makes me doubt myself. I worked hard for all those degrees and part of me feels like I'm throwing all that away. I'm giving up a respectable career and promotion to get back in the "trenches." That shit is scary. It feels like I am still wandering, but now I'm not going forward. I'm getting erratic. I think its going to take more conditioning to get me comfortable with this decision and realize that it doesn't matter what's best for me anymore (and that this change isn't a bad thing). There are other people more important than me in my life.

Back Amongst the Living

2007-10-01T16:31:00.000-05:00

I've been in bed for a whole week with strep. My kids had it too, but they got shots and were running about after one day. For some reason, I had to get oral antibiotics and it took me until yesterday to break the fever. YUK! One good thing is that I was able to be home so the internet guy could come and get things straightened out. I'll be posting pics soon.

In other, completely unrelated news, Yay for LSU being voted number one in the country in the coaches and AP polls! This is the first season in a long time in which I've made every home game. We even took all three kiddos to the Tulane game Saturday. They were sooo well behaved! Good thing, because I was watching the game so closely any one of them could have run off and I might not have noticed! LOL!

I think I'm going to pick up the skull cap again tonight. I'm ready to move that off my plate. I still need to redo the bind-off on Widdershins, though, so I might just get that over with. (Not like I don't have to finish staining my bathroom counter or tile my kitchen backsplash. Why would I want my house to be finished for the party on the 27th when I can be knitting?!?!)

Might be some job changing on the horizon. I won't post any details, but I was in anxiety-attack mode all weekend before calming myself down with the mantra- it's going to be alright! I'll keep you posted when I learn more.

I ganked a meme!

2007-09-20T14:18:00.000-05:00

Totally ripped off from ShadKitty

Full disclosure, I'm a huge fan of themoviespoiler.com. So, if I haven't seen these I've probably read the spoiler and know what happens in all of them. Also, I think the over 85 limit is a bit low, but I acknowledge I have no life- and have seen many of these more than once- so I can't really argue that point. Also, completing this has made me realize how much I really don't like sequels.

The rules: SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 films, you have no life. Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own blog, paste this as a note. Then, put x's next to the films you've seen, add them up.Have fun!

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
() Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
() Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 8

(x) The Princess Bride
(x) AnchorMan
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
( ) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 14

( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
( ) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 16

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
( ) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 21

(x) Finding Nemo
( ) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
(x) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
( ) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
( ) I, Robot
(x) Robots
Total so far: 25

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
( ) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
(x) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
(x) Joe Dirt
( ) KING KONG
Total so far: 31

(x) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
(x) Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
Total so far: 37

( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
( )Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 40

( ) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
(x) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
(x) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 48

(x) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
(x) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
(x) Ocean's Eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(x) Curious George
Total so far: 56

(x) Independence Day
(x) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
( ) Maid in Manhattan
( ) War of the Worlds (the original and not the crappy remake with Tom Cruise)
(x) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 62

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
( ) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 71

(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
( ) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
( ) Spider-Man 3
(x) Sky High
(x) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
( ) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
(x) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 83

( ) Swimfan
( ) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
( ) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
(x) Krippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 87

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 93

(x) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
(x) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
( ) Three
Total so Far: 97

( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 100

( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
( ) Waterworld
Total so far: 102

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 104

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
(x) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 111

(x) The Matrix
( ) The Matrix Reloaded
( ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal
Total: 114

Hey Britney

2007-09-20T09:31:00.001-05:00

Quit acting out some wierd Life Comes at You Fast commercial. That is all.

Arrrrggghhhh....

2007-09-19T16:52:00.000-05:00

My pirate name is:

Iron Charity Vane

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. You tend to blend into the background occaisionally, but that's okay, because it's much easier to sneak up on people and disembowel them that way. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Still no photos.

2007-09-17T15:03:00.000-05:00

We haven't gotten the internet hooked up at home since the move and I don't know how to get my camera to work on my office computer. It reminds me of the Mac comercial where the cute Mac guy is trying to introduce the cute Japanses camera girl to the nerdy pc guy. I don't remember how it ends. I think pc nerd runs away or something. My point is, and there is one, I have a Mac at home because I lost three computers to viruses. (Stupid brother-in-law looking at porn). Anyhow, when I plug my camera into my Mac the photos upload automatically. When I plug my camera into my pc at work... I don't know but there's computer language and smoke and the blue screen of death- you get the picture. Except you don't get pictures, until I get internet at home. Comprende?
And just as I finished the skull cable hat. Well, we'll call it prototype 1. It's too small and the yarn wasn't stretchy enough and I'm going to tweak the cables some more. I like the evil little YO eyes on the skulls, but I'm not thrilled with the shape of the skull cable part. I went out at lunch and bought some Cascade 220. I hope it will work well with the cables. The silk/alpaca I used on the first hat really smooshed everything together. Send good vibes for this one. I'll have a finished pattern for you soon, I hope.

My name is...

2007-09-10T14:24:00.001-05:00

When people talk about loving their job...

2007-09-10T12:55:00.000-05:00

so much that it doesn't feel like work, I don't EVER believe them. I just don't think its physically, mentally, or spiritually possible to do the same thing every day for the rest of your life and love it each time. It's GOT to feel like work at some point.
I'm hating on the whole idea of emplyoment right now. I don't even know why my boss is bothering to pay my salary. A student worker could do anything I do for minimum wage. I was hired to do research, but all I've done for the past year is check others' calculations. Last week, they let me put labels on cds. Every time I come up with a research proposal, they tell me to put it on a back burner, like there's something on a front burner I should be doing. It drives me nuts to do nothing all day and think about all the things I need to be doing at home. Then I get home and I don't have two seconds to get anything done because its so crazy. I feel insane.
And before you suggest it, I can't really do anything fun in my "downtime." They don't care if we do actual work as long as it looks like we are working. No knitting, reading, etc. I've got lots of interactive grocery lists in excel, organized by department even, but that only goes so far.
Anyway, I'm sending out some apps- one to Chicago (faculty), one to Austin (research), and one here with my current agency which would technically be a promotion, but in a different division (research). I'm kind of nervous about taking a job involving a move since we just moved in to the new house, but my husband is supportive. I've also spoken to one of my former professors about taking some adjucting gigs. We'll see how that pans out.
In the meantime, there are two papers I should be working on in case I get accepted at a conference, or to submit to journals. Maybe those can keep me busy for a while.

Fun stuff:

Still working on the skull cable hat. Found some more things to tweak.
Need to make duvet covers for girls' bunk beds. Have black and white toile and ticking. Need time.
Getting motivated to start swatching for fair isle sweater.
Internet down at home. No photos for you.

Ok. That last one wasn't exactly "fun stuff," but it fit with the bullets.

Good, Bad, Ugly

2007-08-29T11:10:00.000-05:00

RS_Knits Yahoo group is starting to pick up. There has been new activity and new members the past few weeks and it looks like we might be able to schedule some meet-ups. I've also picked up a chart I made a while back for a skull-cable pattern. I'm working on a hat. I've already frogged it back once, but the second version is looking good so far. This is good.
Work sucks, on the other hand. One of my "friends" got offered a promotion that was previously aimed at me. There was a huge conspiricy to cover it from me. She finally told me and has since been very hyper-sensitive to everything I say, finding insult in very innocent conversation. I've decided to put this relationship on a back-burner because it's small fish right now. I haven't been offered any teaching jobs, which surprized me based on the shortages and my qualifications. Maybe the "right" job hasn't come along yet. If you guessed "bad," you're right.
Ugly is home life right now. I just typed a whole explanation and then realized I'm not ready to externalize it yet. I try not to focus too much internally (someone said depression is the highest form of selfishness), but I think I need to examine my motivations more before putting any details out into the universe. One day I'll find someone to confide in. I just don't have that amount of trust in anyone yet.

So the yarn I mentioned in the previous post hasn't come in yet...

2007-08-15T13:26:00.000-05:00

But I've got the design all charted. I'm trying to decide what kind of neckline I want.

Unfortunately, I only have time to think about knitting while I'm at work and, of course, I can't knit at work. I can't knit at home either because we finally got occupancy permission for our new house and we've been slowly moving stuff over/ trying to clean up/ getting used to kindergarten and daycare/ otherwise going nuts- this week.

The girls' new bunk bed won't be in until tomorrow, so if we sleep in the new house tonight they'll have to camp on the floor. I really only want to bring the stuff that I intend to keep, but we're going to fast it looks like all the crap will come over too and I'll have to get rid of it later. So the new house will probably start of as cluttered and messy as the old house. *sigh*

Oh, and since it's August- here's some photos of the balloon races in Baton Rouge.

Please excuse the wonkiness of the photos. I took them with my phone while driving down the freeway at 70mph on my way to work. See what I do for you?

Boy, when I come Back...

2007-08-09T11:31:00.001-05:00

I come back with a vengence! Call me Samuel M*therf*cking Jackson.
I've got an itch to knit again. And this time I'm going to throw it down Eunny Jang-style. I've just ordered twelve, count 'em, TWELVE skiens of Palette from KP, all in different colors, and I'm going to design me a fair isle. I've got ambitions for a full sweater, but come on- this is me. You'll be lucky to get a vest. No sketches but think along the lines of Venezia.
I've also got designs on a cabeled boat neck where the whole thing is knit in two tubes. Think tubey, but with two holes in the top tube. One for the neck and one for the bodice. Oh, and a herringbone jacket.
I've decided to set aside time to knit each day. I need to reclaim some sanity. Maybe a half hour before bed. Do you think that will be enough? Talk amongst yourselves.

In other news. What's up with House, MD? Would anyone in the real world put up with crap like that from a coworker without knocking him on his ass at least once. And they're all, "We love you. Let us be your friends!!!!" That show is thisclose to jumping the shark for me.

No posts lately, blah, blah, blah...

2007-08-06T12:39:00.000-05:00

Bad Blogger, yada, yada.
In real news, we are almost done with the house. We have the elec and plumbing all hooked up and should begin moving in within the week.
Haven't been knitting much because I used to knit while M was in gym class and she went and got kicked out. Behavior problems. Yeah, proud mommy<> me.
I finally got a Ravelry invite. I'm ShannonAnn there, so add me if you're on. I'll try to do something interesting in the mean time so you can laugh and point.

No motivation to write.

2007-06-18T09:08:00.000-05:00

Enjoy these photos instead:

Widdershins in Socks that Rock: Lucy

Wavy Lace Stole in Cascade: Lana D'Oro Alpaca

Endpaper Mitt in Knitpicks: Merino Style(?)

Final Spoil package of awesomeness from Staci:

Kidnapping attempt mentioned in previous post: Successful!

Wish me luck.

2007-06-06T08:35:00.000-05:00

I posted a while back about maybe wanting to take a teaching job so I could have more time to spend with my kids. Well, a position opened up at a small regional university (the univ. where I got my BA.) andI applied for it. They weren't very clear about what courses are involved so it would either be my dream job, or something I'm not even qualified for, and it will involve supervising student teachers, which is not my goal in life. (Not so sure about the grammar in that last sentence.)
Of course with Univ. ads, you never know about teaching load, salary, tenure requirements, or any of that good stuff so I might not even want it in the long run. But right now I have a really good feeling about it.
So anyway, feel free to send any positive vibes my way.

As if you care...

2007-06-04T10:33:00.000-05:00

If anyone visits this site, it's probably in hopes of knitting content or delicious yarn pron. Of course there's seldom any of that. In truth, I did finish one endpaper mitt, and I'm up to the instep of some Widdershins in some loverly Socks That Rock in Lucy.

But I don't have photos.

I also don't have photos of the great stuff my PRGE pal, Staci, sent me this weekend. Purse kits for my girls (they love) yarn for a clapotis (I love) and more random, yummy yarn to do with as I please ( I also love) Oh, and a dragonfly clip. How did you know I have a secret love of bugs? I'm pretty sure I didn't put that on the questionnaire.

I do however, have a few house photos. The house is of course, getting most of my attention these days. Especially the studio, which just got cabinets and a lovely pink marble countertop.

Yes, that's MY studio. For knitting, painting, sewing, soaping, and other general craftiness. The blue-green walls are an homage to my love of all things Tiffany.

Another thing I am loving is my guest bathroom sink and countertop. The sink is from overstock and the counter is granite.

Isn't it lovely? The faucet will look like bamboo and I will paint a few strategically placed Louisiana iris on the wall in a corner.

My kitchen is also coming along. We just need the granite on the island. We won't have wall cabinets on the right, just open shelving.

We also need to figure out what to put on the wall behind the stove that will tie in the slate floor with the granite counters. Here's a close-up of the antiquing I did on the island:

Here are two exterior shots so you can see the final color. Eventually, we'll put up black shutters and have black rockers on the porch.

Here's the front.

And the back/left side ( I don't know what's up with the gray stuff at the bottom):

In other good news. I might get to meet my PRGE spoilee in person! Kate will have to drive right through my town when she moves later this month, so I am trying to figure out how to kidnap her and take her to lunch! Wish me luck.

I can't believe it!

2007-05-04T08:14:00.000-05:00

I treated myself to a lunch break at my local MegaBookstore!(tm) and while perusing the loverly selection of knitting-related print, I. got. bored. What? Uh, yeah, furreal. I had to leave the store even to get something to eat because nothing, not one single book, compelled me even flip through much less purchase.
I looked at some new things like Runway and Twinkle City, and some of the old Vogue Quick Knits. All I could muster was, "meh." Maybe I'm just saturated. I know my "to knit" list is way longer than my "will knit" list will ever be, but that's never stopped me from dreaming before. It just seems that nothing in the new books is, well, new.
Come on guys, inspire me! Or else I might have to try to design something. And, trust me
NOBODY wants that!

Mommy Wars Revisited

2007-05-03T08:36:00.000-05:00

I'm a working mother. I tried to stay home with my first two kids and was. bored. out. of. my. mind. I couldn't wait to get back to work, to have real conversations, to feel some semblance of sanity. By my third child, I realized three months was the max. I nursed all of my children for a full year each and my sister was able to alternate caring for them with my husband. I chose to work, not because of money, but because I needed more to do in a day than what staying home offered.
MSN today has a report:

NEW YORK - If the typical stay-at-home mother in the United States were paid for her work as housekeeper, cook and psychologist among other roles, she would would earn $138,095 a year, according to research released Wednesday.

I've been a stay-at-home mom. I was raised by a stay-at-home-mom. I've also been to a psychologist (perhaps as a result of my experiences with my own SAHM.) I can tell you, a psychologist, my mom ain't.

I can understand lumping housekeeper, cook, nanny, maybe some other things into the monetary value of mothering. But when you start to sneak in specialized professions like psychology or nursing, who are you really trying to kid? A SAHM can kiss boo-boos or stroke developing egos as well as I can, but until they put in the hard core academics and hours it takes to earn an LPN or PSYD, let's not call a chicken a duck. And let's not inflate the hypothetical salary of someone who chooses to not earn one so she can feel important. Because that's what this is really about isn't it? SAHM's wanting to feel like what they do has value. And, believe me, it does have value. Only its just to you and yours. You cooking and cleaning and raising your own kids, doesn't mean a hill of beans to me. Just as my salary shouldn't matter to you. I don't try to make you value my choice, don't inflate yours to try to sway me.