Archive for the 'just chit chat' Category
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It’s cloudy AGAIN!
Thursday, November 29th, 2007
Today’s my day off, and I’m getting ready to get up and do some stuff. We have so many people coming to town for the shower (exciting!) and I need to get our house cleaned up! My kitchen shelves are a mess. I have an organizational system that works for us. Basically, put everything on the shelves in any old way and we’ll find it. But I don’t want OTHER people to see it!
So, today Mom and I will go through and try to organize some in there. I also really want to clean the tops of the cupboards and even the insides of the cupboards.
(This is having visitors PLUS pregnancy nesting gone into overdrive.)
Still to do:
Vacuum and or sweep everywhere
mop tile floors
organize the bedroom closet
wash all the diapers to prep for babywearing
clean bathroom
decorate tree
dust
put away laundry
yard (that encompasses a lot, but it’s Nate’s job!)
That’s about it. I think by the end of this weekend I’ll be feeling pretty comfortable with how the place looks. I’m sure there’ll be some stuff to do next week.
We had a midwife appointment on Tuesday, and the baby’s at 4.5 lbs. If she gains a half pound a week…that’s another 3 pounds. SO feeling good about her size and growth and all that. We got a glimpse of her little face on the ultrasound. It’s all black and white, and we had to use our imaginations. But when I spoke, we could see her move as she responded to my voice. It was really cool. She already has chubby cheeks!
I’ve gained about 30 pounds so far. I’ve crossed a weight threshold that I never in my life dreamed that I would even NEAR. I know it’s all fine, it’s baby weight, etc…still sort of strange to think, “I weigh HOW much?” I won’t bother you with the specifics…(lol.)
I was hired to teach again next semester, which is nice. I start March 1, so we have another professor teaching that first month and a half, then I take over. I’m really happy to have this experience, and so glad that they’ve asked me back!
Trying to think if there’s anything else going on of major significance, but I think that’s about it. There’s always little stuff in the background. Ongoing projects, things in the works.
We’re “on pause” for now with the cat stuff. She isn’t showing any symptoms, is really active and happy, so I think we’ll just see how it goes. That one vet was the first time we’d heard anything about a heart problem, after annual checkups all these years. When it’s time for her next annual, we’ll go to a different doctor. Unless something comes up, then we’ll go if we need to.
Posted in just chit chat | 2 Comments »
We’re back.
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007
I haven’t yet braved the gmail inbox, thought I’d check in here and write a little update first. We had a very nice Thanksgiving-Christmas at the Japels’. All of Nate’s brothers were there, and so were the sisters in law and the nephews and niece. Good family fun! I FINALLY won a game of 31. My first win in 14 years!! (It’s a card game that an infinite number of people can play, games last for HOURS…so the one who wins is the winner of the NIGHT!) WOo!
Here’s the sweater I knit for Olin (our newest nephew):
It’s just a simple Top Down Raglan with cables on it. Woolease Chunky. Wash and wear for the baby boy!
I didn’t get photos of the hat and scarf I made, but they were both well received, I think. Alex (our oldest nephew) was still wearing the cap that I made for him about 5 years ago…so he was glad to have a replacement!
I also made Olin a couple of little toys:
These are just polar fleece, free-hand cut outs stitched and stuffed with fiber-fill (also machine wash / dry).
AND…here’s me at about 34 weeks:
B.I.G. but happy!
I’ve kind of fallen off in my blogging lately, and I was just trying to figure out why. Partly it’s just because time is going so FAST. I blink my eyes and two weeks have gone by. The other part of it is something like the preciousness of being pregnant has me feeling sort of private about it. It’s bizarre, because I usually just lay it all out there (here.) I don’t know. Maybe that’s not even “it.” I find myself just holing up with my thoughts. Doing little crafts, sewing and knitting and daydreaming.
I’ve been feeling really well, the morning sickness is down to 1 -2 mornings a week. I’m not achey, not swollen, definitely TIRED, spacey, daydreamy.
I’m looking forward tot eh baby shower (Dec. 8.) Family and friends coming together from LONG ways off (Phoenix, Denver, Omaha, Sioux City, Albuquerque) to celebrate with us. I’m frantically trying to get the house ready and make sure things are tidy and trying to stash all my projects. I kinda let myself spread out when it’s just the two of us…the whole house is the craft room.
Anyway…HELLO!
Posted in just chit chat, Trips | 3 Comments »
Thanksgiving Break!
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
We leave at 4 to go to Sioux City for Thanksgiving-Mas! (We’re having our Xmas with them this week).
I ended up making a hat and scarf set, a baby sweater, and some toys for my end of the gift exchanges…I’ll post pics after we trade! 
Thanks so much for your really kind comments and suggestions about the vet situation. Someone even gave me the phone number of a different vet to try! THANK YOU!
I’m not planning to take my lap top with me on this trip…just too heavy and too much junk by my feet on the plane while I’m this big! I’ll get back on the internets on Sunday!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
ETA: I just checked the weather! It’s in the 30s and cloudy in Sioux City all week! It’s 77 here…sunny. Wow.
Posted in just chit chat | 1 Comment »
what’s new…
Thursday, November 15th, 2007
Well, it’s Thursday, which has become my “catch up” day.
I’ve started several posts over the last few days, there’s a lot going on.
My cat Medea is apparently having some problems…though she has no symptoms. We just went in to have her teeth cleaned, and suddenly the vet we see wants all sorts of tests (like an EKG every two weeks forever, and human heart medication twice a day forever)
When the vet was telling me all this stuff we’d need to do, I sort of balked at having to go in for the EKGs twice a month…and she said, “Well, if you’re THAT BROKE you can probably come in once a month” I was just imagining carrying an infant seat, my purse, the diaper bag, AND a cat carrier into her office…
Medea’s 15, she’s been SUCH a good friend and I love her. I would do anything for her. The whole “if you’re broke” thing makes me feel like there’s something other than the cat’s best interest at heart with this vet. So…trying to find another good vet who can do some tests and see what’s really going on.
Another thing that’s sort of a pain in the ass is that we were just given a new washer and dryer by my parents…and the house we’re renting apparently isn’t wired for 220 to run the dryer. The listing said it had both washer and dryer hookups…but the line’s been cut. SO we’re trying to get the landlord to come through on that. They don’t like to spend money.
I’ve also been having some bronchial issues. I think it’s because winter is roadwork season here and there’s so much smoke and dust and tar and diesel exhaust in the air…it’s just burning. I had to stay home from school a couple days last week, and that SUCKED. I *hate* falling behind!
I have all next week off, and Tuesday we go to Sioux City. I think I’m about done with my Christmas gifts, at least for this Thanksgiving / early Christmas next week.
I’m feeling more and more like the house is ready for the new baby. After this week, we only have about 7 more weeks!!
Posted in just chit chat | 8 Comments »
Mens’ hat pattern?
Sunday, October 21st, 2007
OK, I’ve got a Christmas present to knit, and knit FAST, since we’ve got Thanksgivingmas in about a month.
I want to make a hat / scarf set for an 18-yr-old college guy. Who is into sports. Who would not like “funky”.
Last time I made him the Marsan Watchcap…and he’s been wearing it for at least 3 years.
Are there any new coolguy hat patterns I should be aware of? How about “guy scarves?” Something textural, but not color-heavy.
Thanks!
Posted in just chit chat | 17 Comments »
Yarn pics
Sunday, October 21st, 2007
Ok, so here are the fruits of my yarn-dyeing efforts.
This BFL is so fluffy and nice! After dyeing and washing, it plumped up to be totally squishy and awesome. It was a little bit more compressed when I first got it off the cone.
Here’s the “warm” batch. With my gigantic swatch.
I think I figured out how to dye so that the yarn doesn’t pool. I don’t *hate* pooling, but I’m pretty much over the psychadelic look that hand dyed yarns can take on. It can be really funky and nice, but on *me,* especially when I look like I have a basketball up my shirt, subtle is better.
Here’s what started out as the “cool” batch.
Like said, the black turned to purple in the crock pot, so at first it was just a green and purple mess. Then I added the rust over the top of all that, and I like it a lot better. I haven’t swatched this stuff yet, it was just dry this morning.
I’m excited to see how it comes out, though.
Yesterday we went to the NMSU homecoming parade. Nathan was in marching band in high school (base drum) and I play drums, too…so we like to go to parades. And I’m somewhat affiliated with NMSU…I’m a professor there. I have one student in the band and one who’s a cheerleader. I’ll be honest, I didn’t recognize either of them in their outfits.
Here I am, beached on a big rock watching. Jeez. I’m enormous.
Poor Nate has the flu! Last night when we went to bed, he had a fever of 102. It’s coming down, so that’s good…but he’s definitely not doing well today. Poor baby. I think it’s the same thing I had, but these things always hit him harder than they do me. I had to cancel class one day…but he is just OUT of it. Poor guy.
OH! The bath bombs worked GREAT!! Despite having too much liquid, as one reader pointed out in the comments, they fizz, they smell GREAT, and have just the right amount of cocoa butter. The one thing I’d work on is how they look. Maybe color them or do different molds so the shape is better. Other than that, though, making my own is the way to go from now on. It’s fun, it’s cheap, and it feels great to do it myself.
Posted in yarn reviews, just chit chat | 7 Comments »
To Do list update…what I actually accomplished last night.
Friday, October 19th, 2007
I don’t know what happened yesterday, but Mazey and I went to TOWN on the “to do” list..the only things on the list I didn’t do are 5 and 8…and I did a bunch of extra stuff instead.
Remember this?:
I got the “Petal” pattern corrections done and it’s sent off to the graphic designer. As soon as it’s formatted, I’ll release it for sale here on the site.
And Sanpoku has a sleeve. I’m going to have to do something to close it other than use a stick. If I use a stick, I’ll put out an eye. Maybe not even my OWN. Just looking at that stick makes me shake my head…all the places that could get caught. For now, the plan is to just put buttonholes on that one edge. But maybe it’ll be frogs or who knows. Weeeeeee’ll see.
REVISED TO DO LIST:
1) cami top and finish pattern
2) “Press” page update
3) one more freelance pattern
4) 4 more book patts
——-
So I’ve had this 2-lb cone of undyed Blue-Faced-Leichester** yarn sitting in the living room for about a month. Last night, I decided that I could multi-task if I skeined up the yarn and put it in the dyepot WHILE I was knitting/doing patterns. So I got out my niddy noddy and wound it all into 4oz / 205 yard hanks (after skeining over 1600 yards of yarn by hand, my arm’s tired!) soaked it in cool water for 30 minutes, mixed up my dyes, and put half of it in the crock pot.
I decided to do half in ‘warms’ and half in ‘cools’, the ‘warm’ batch is called, “IT’S FINALLY FALL!” The cool batch turned out to actually be warmer than I intended. There was a little mishap in which my black went purple, and the whole thing was a muddy mess of washed out green, grey, and hot purple. SO…to tone everything down, I added a big squirt of brown. Now it’s sort of peacock-colored and sort of brownish…I’m not too sure about that batch.
IT’S FINALLY FALL! is a mix of yellow, orange, pink, copper, red, and a tough of dark green acid dyes.
Are you tired of me saying IT’S FINALLY FALL!?
Too bad. It’s finally fall here in the L.C.. It only got up to 79F yesterday!! It’s supposed to only be in the high 60s next week!!! It’s not going to freeze for a WHILE which is too bad, because the mosquitoes seem to have had another round of babies. I’m so sick of mosquitoes. We need a FREEZE. (Hmm…possible “cool” BFL yarn name?) My flowers are still blooming! We got another round of zinnias and the hibiscus is still going strong. Amazing.
Dyeing yarn is FUN. I did a TON of dyeing back in Baltimore, when I first started this blog (so like 2002-2003), and I’ve done a little here and there since then, so it was really nice to get back to it.
SO…after I got everything in the pot and sat down to watch the Daily Show, I ended up finishing patterns for: a skirt, half a cami, a lace tunic sweater, and a babydoll top. SO, only 3.5, not my quota of 4. So I have a total of 3 new knits (that Cathi actually knit and knit WELL, let me say) with patterns for my editor, one freelance pattern, and one pattern for the site DONE. WHEW.
**This BFL yarn is famous for being good for baby knits. Water-resistant, pill-proof (extra-long staple length), takes dye wonderfully, soft, etc.
Posted in just chit chat, Book Talk, Patterns | 4 Comments »
checking in on the list….
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
Holding myself accountable this afternoon!
OK, so far I’ve finished 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7.
I’m going to work on 8 for a while, and then settle into 4 and 5 for the evening.
AND:
I made a vet appointment for Medea, reserved a U-Haul to move the washer and dryer in on Saturday, met Nate for lunch, and made BATH BOMBS.
For the bombs, I followed a recipe that Dalila pointed me to here. I found all the powders, cocoa butter, and epsom salt at the health food store. If this works out, I spent about as much on the whole shebang as I would have on just 4 or 5 pre-made bombs. (There are 6 more bombs in a regular muffin tin. I ended up making 4 batches.)
I didn’t try adding any extra scents, but if they work out (I keep saying that) I’ll try them again using some of my BPAL stash. How awesome would some Jack or Gingerbread Poppet bath bombs be!? And you know WHAT!? We have lavendar in our garden! I smell stocking stuffers…(if they work out!) I don’t cook much and so usually if a recipe works for me, it’s like a total shock.
OK, anyway, back to work….
PS: Click on this baby gear photo to see the set.
I’ve been sneaking in a LOT of baby knitting.
Posted in just chit chat | 5 Comments »
Today is a real TCOB day!
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
Thursdays are my day off. The whole freakin’ day is MINE!
Last Thursday was the day my printer exploded (well, not a real EXPLOSION, but it hit that magic expiration date that all printers have when they suddenly, after like 2 years of excellent service, decide to chew paper and ka-CHONG and just act up in awful ways.) Of course it was a few months after the expiration of the warranty, so I had to go buy a new one. Last Thursday just was NOT a good day. Last Thursday was so bad that my mom came over and did all the laundry. It was just over the top bad.
TODAY, I’m working on Glampyre stuff. Catching up on correspondence, updating things, sending yarn to knitters, writing out patterns, etc. It’s only 9:30 and I’ve already gotten more done than I did all DAY last Thursday.
Woo!
Here’s what I’m hoping to do with the rest of my day, and I’ll check back in to let you know how it goes:
1) photograph all the baby knits I’ve finished…even stuff that still needs buttons. There are lots of little things that I’ve finished that I haven’t had the gumption to actually photograph, and they’re cute. Must Share.
2) mail out yarn and patterns to my knitter-helpers.
3) block the lace scarf. This means I have to actually cast off. If this scarf was just for ME…I’d knit to the end of the ball, but since it’s for a class and the class is next week…I need to get it to the yarn store so they can display it. It’s about 6 feet long.
4) finish up …4…patterns. By the end of the day. This MUST happen.
5) work the “boob” parts of a camisole. This poor thing has been sitting around almost done…except for the cups…for weeks.
That’s not too bad! I think I can maybe do this.
6) I also need to go to the health food store and to the yarn store. Isn’t it funny when you get up early and sit around waiting for shops to open? I’ve been up since 6 today! They should be open now, so
7) I’m gonna get this yarn packed up so I can ALSO go to the PO!
8) update my “press” category. There may be a string of posts in the near future containing one photo…just ignore them if you’ve already seen this stuff. I need to get my press pages updated so that I look like I’ve been doing something these past few months that I’ve been hibernating.
OK. Here I go. Any second now, I’m going to put the laptop down, cast off my scarf, and put it in the sink to soak. Then I’m going to seal up this yarn package and put an address on it…get dressed…and start the day. Ok. One. Two. Three.
Posted in just chit chat | 2 Comments »
Gift Swap Knitting and lots of “signing up”
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007
I signed up for a handmade gift swap on one of the message boards that I visit, and here’s what I’m making:
They’re little cotton bath scrubbies, and each one has a bar of nice soap inside. They take about 20 minutes to knit (if that). There are 11 people in the swap, I can’t wait to see what everyone makes. So far, I’ve finished 6 of my gifts and have 4 more to go.
Mom and I signed up for a 5K fun walk at the end of the month. I think it’ll be a lot of fun. Nate asked me if we were going to start training. I need to train to walk 2 miles? Sheesh, I must look really out of shape. I was at the mall yesterday for a whole HOUR. That had to be at least 1.5 K
We also signed up for a natural dye class in November. I’m really looking forward to that. I’ll take lots of pics. I’ll be careful not to stand in any poison steam, don’t worry.
I was at the mall yesterday, looking for bath bombs. I rediscovered my LUSH stash last week and used it all up…so I need more bath stuff. STAT. Unfortunately, our mall isn’t that extensive. So, I left the bath bomb trail and just spent an hour or so looking at baby stuff. I don’t know, do they still even MAKE bath bombs?** The expiration date on one of mine was 2004. I know they were THE Christmas gift a few years ago. But was it really 2004!? Time files, dearhearts.
Not much really new is going on. We’re going to Sioux City for Thanksgiving-mas and having Christmas with Nate’s family at Thanksgiving time. We’re leaving on the 20th…that’s only about a month from NOW!
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**ETA: Yeah. They do.