NotScarlett

Rocky Road*

As much as I'd like to be at work, finishing things up and making sure everything is good to go before my last day, it is just not in the cards. I've been climbing the walls here at home for two days, hanging out with my good buddy, Mr. Kidney Stone. This is the first time I've ever missed work while passing a stone; it's pretty bad.

Because I am unable to sit and do nothing, or you know, REST, I've been keeping myself busy.

I've been knitting....

reading....

making jam with the wild mulberries we picked last weekend....

spending time with some very important loved ones....

And the mailman has brought me some fun stuff the past few days....

Rav Swag

(of COURSE it's a Disagree shirt...you'd expect me a sarcastic thing like me to get an Agree shirt??!)

A ring I had made to celebrate my new job/closing a chapter of my life/making big changes...custom made by the insanely talented Kathryn Riechert

If it weren't for the excruciating pain I'm having intermittently, this would be just as good as a vacation.

*I'm soooo punny.

Gestreift

I think I started these socks well over a year ago. Maybe close to two years ago. Toe up, plain vanilla, self-striping stockinette lost interest when more exciting projects came along, and I only managed to finish sock number one. Time passed, stuff happened, and sock number one remained lonely and buried at the bottom of a WIP basket until just recently, when I vowed to either finish or frog all works in progress.

Specs

Ravelled here

Yarn: Regia Nation 5397

Needles: KnitPicks US size 2 circular, magic looped

Pattern: Cast on w/Judy's Magic Cast On, increase up to 64 stitches, knit in plain stockinette, do a 2x2 rib for cuff, finish with sewn bind off. Add an afterthought heel. Repeat for second sock.

Verdict: I call these the Heritage Socks in honor of my German heritage on my father's side of the family. After washing, I can tell these puppies will be much like some of my relatives...they will age well, keep me very warm, and always make me feel comfortable.

Hooray for striped socks!

Thanks so much for all the congratulations and the outpouring of happiness for me and my changing work situation. You guys rock. Love to you all!

BREAKING NEWS

You guys know I've been kind of a mess since the beginning of this year. I posted about the horrors of my job and how it was sucking out my soul, and things have not gotten any better.  In fact, they seems to get worse on a daily, if not hourly, basis.  There have been days where after getting off work I've been a hysterical sobbing wreck, and days where I've been near catatonic. I've had days that felt like perfectly normal days, but they have been few and far between.

In the midst of my emotional roller coaster, I've had several other things going on, things I have not posted about because I don't even know how to begin to talk about them. Needless to say, it has been a rough time, and without my wonderful B and the love & support of my friends/family, I think I would have lost my mind.

I've been asking you guys periodically to send me good vibes, and haven't been able to tell you why. For the past three, almost four, months, I've been going through a pretty intensive recruitment process for a job. It's a job that would give me significant economic and educational benefits, not to mention the actual benefits package....anyway, the point is, it's a really great opportunity and I have been fighting for this for quite some time.

You'll be pleased to know that your good thoughts, positive vibes, etc. WORKED. About an hour ago, with trembling hands, feeling like I was going to puke, I gave notice to my current employer. I start my new job at the beginning of June. I feel like dancing.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support and positivity. I love you guys! 

FAIL

What's wrong with this sock?

That's what I kept asking myself this morning when I slipped it on because "something" just didn't look right to me, but I couldn't figure out what.

Do you see it?

Yeah. No more heel flap knitting during BSG for me....apparently, I was so into it last night I skipped the whole TURN THE HEEL thing.

Fail.

Without you, I wouldn't know my prison name

On this date, an unspecified number of years ago, someone very important to me came into this world.

She's responsible for introducing me to Wilco, hard cider, and Taco Loco.

Without her influence and guidance, I wouldn't be a knitter.

She's told me some of the most horrific (but dude, SO EFFING FUNNY) jokes I've ever heard.

We've laughed hysterically while repeatedly falling on our asses while attempting to snowboard. We've had way too many fruity drinks together on the patio at various TGI Fridays in the Orange County area.  We've survived a devastating separation during my defection to the I.E., and have managed to stay super close through a cross-continental move.

She loves me in spite of my wanderlust, encourages my sarcasm, and has never, ever given up on me no matter what crazy things were happening in my life.

Stacey, I love you dearly. You are the kind of friend people write sappy books about, the kind of friend you make and keep forever, the kind of friend people WISH they had.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday, and that the coming year brings you an overwhelming amount of happiness.

Tampa Recap

B and I had a lovely mini-vacay down Tampa way. It was so nice to get away and explore somewhere new for a few days. Lemme recap it for you:

1. Went to Busch Gardens, where my macho man honey promptly declared his fear of mechanical malfunctions on roller coasters upon viewing Sheikra. On the other hand, I adore roller coasters and had planned a long day of gut twisting rail riding. In a wonderful example of compromise, B agreed to ride the Gwazi with me. Yay B!


The weather was great, I got to see animals and birds galore, and the park was not crowded at all...until early afternoon, when we noticed an influx of middle schoolers on their end of year field trip. After several hours of being surrounded by screaming pre-teens with a penchant for cutting in lines, throwing things at animals/people, and general disorderly behavior, we left. It was a fun day, but further reinforced our current decision to hold off on becoming parents for several more years.

2. Went to St. Pete and the Dali museum. Amazing. Amaaaaaazing. The current exhibit about Dali and film was super cool, and even included a scene and several original pieces of artwork/preliminary sketches from one of my favorite (and seriously underrated) Hitchcock films which Dali worked on. I also got to see some pieces that clearly inspired one of my favorite contemporary artists. I loved visiting this museum, and will definitely go back any time I am in the area.

3. Went to a restaurant that had been recommended to us by several people, and that B had actually been to some years past. We were so looking forward to a pitcher of sangria and an assortment of tapas, but after being seating, we waited 25 minutes with NO service...during this time, three different servers walked past us and refused to even look at us. We said screw it and headed to Columbia in Ybor City, which we were afraid would be the biggest tourist trap of all time. We were pleasantly surprised to find delicious food, excellent service, and a big ass pitcher of freshly made Mojitos, as well as a live Flamenco show, when we arrived. I cannot say enough good things about our experience at Columbia. Bonus: cafe con leche made with coffee roasted right there in Ybor City, and super yummy tostones. Mmmmm. Tostones. 

4. I did NOT set foot in a yarn store the entire time we were on vacation. I KNOW! Are you amazed? I am.

5. We WILL be heading back to Tampa/St.Pete (most likely in the Fall) armed with the knowledge that Tampa traffic, most hours of the day,  is more horrendous than the 405 during rush hour. We'll also be staying in a more centrally located establishment next time, eating at a highly recommend Ethiopian restaurant, and will be hitting MOSI and the Lowry Park Zoo. Oh, and we will never take the long way home again...scenic as it was, it was a very long ride.

Hey, Tampa/St. Pete locals, can you answer one big question the boy and I have? What is with all the bowling alleys? Never have I seen so many bowling alleys in one place!

We made t back to Tally in time for B to rock out on Saturday night; his band played their first show over at their practice space. It was a lot of fun, if you're remotely interested, you can check them out here.  Viva SB 82!

I've got tons of stuff I'm planning to knit, but have promised myself I have to finish or frog all my WIP's before I can start anything new. So far, my plan is working, I've completed both Vesper toe-up stripey socks and will be adding their afterthought heels this evening.

I've also been in a bit of a cowl craze thanks to a certain someone, and have a few FO's that are more neckwarmer than cowl awaiting buttons and end-weaving.

Once the socks and the neckwarmers are done, the only WIP left are my Heritage Socks that I started, what was it, last summer? Socktoberfest the year before? Something like that. Anyway, I have to cast on and knit sock #2, and then add the heels for that pair as well. Then? Then I'm free to cast on for this....or maybe these.....decisions, decisions.

One more thing to make this post just as long as I possibly can today: last time I asked y'all for good vibes regarding a certain situation I'm dealing with, good things happened. I'm still workin' on this particular situation and should have a definitive answer by the end of this week/beginning of next week. Please cross those fingers, wouldja? I need the positive vibes on this one! 

Outta Here

B and I are outta here, headed to Tampa/St.Pete on a much needed getaway. We're celebrating our anniversary, my birthday, and just taking a break from day to day life. Why Tampa? Well, we narrowed our choices down to five different places, and based on our calculations, decided Tampa would be the best destination this time around. (Seriously, there were calculations...travel time, mileage, budgeting, etc. We like to PLAN, hardcore.) We're hitting Busch Gardens, thanks to my sister and her magical ticket acquiring powers (thanks, lobbyist dude!) as well as several museums...and there will be much shopping. Leslie (hi!) has given me several ideas and recommendations about visiting Tampa, and I'm very excited about this trip. And car knitting. YAY for car knitting.

We'll be back in time for the weekend, since B's band will be rocking out on Saturday night. I'm hoping to have a belated Earth Day celebration on Sunday and work on our garden. You have no idea how much I need these five days of relaxation right now....it's going to be fantastic.

In the meantime, I'm reading blogs, counting the minutes until this workday is over, and saw this thing over on Delia's blog. I must say, it's pretty accurate. I really am a nice, friendly, person. I promise.

Check it out.

You Are An INTJ

The Scientist You have a head for ideas - and you are good at improving systems. Logical and strategic, you prefer for everything in your life to be organized. You tend to be a bit skeptical. You're both critical of yourself and of others. Independent and stubborn, you tend to only befriend those who are a lot like you. In love, you are always striving to improve your relationship. You have strong ideas of what love should be like. At work, you excel in figuring out difficult tasks. People think of you as "the brain." You would make an excellent scientist, engineer, or programmer. How you see yourself: Reasonable, knowledgeable, and competent When other people don't get you, they see you as: Aloof, controlling, and insensitive

What's Your Personality Type?

Geekery and More Tiny Knits

Thank you so very much for all the lovely, thoughtful, and fun birthday wishes. I was spoiled, spoiled, spoiled on my special day, and it was wonderful. ** B and I plan to continue the festivities with a super long weekend starting next Wednesday that will begin with a few days in Tampa. I'm really looking forward to getting away for a while.

In the meantime, I think I've maxed out on baby knits for a while. Someone's little boy out in So. Cal. is getting a heap o' hand knits from his Auntie Sarah. Socks, hats, bibs...even a sweater. Check it out.

Improvised baby socks, knit in Lorna's Laces Shep. Sport in Edgewater
Pure & Simple Pullover by Lana Hames, from Weekend Knitting , in Cotton Ease
Baby Bibs O' Love from Mason-Dixon Knitting, in Sugar & Cream

(All these projects are Raveled here)

Next up? Feeding my new addiction. You know, because it's so practical for Florida.

**One of my favorite moments was when a ginormous bouquet of a dozen long stemmed red roses was delivered to me at work. The flowers were (and still are) gorgeous, but there were two things that really made it special....first, there was a huge shiny helium balloon with all kinds of crazy cartoon zoo animals on it attached to the vase, and second, B signed the card "Brian Actual." Yeah, we take our geeky fan status very seriously 'round these parts.


ETA: Another geeky fangirl moment. I think my head just exploded with this news. First you scoop up Helo, now this??! I love you, Joss.

Mama's Little Tax Deduction

How did THIS happen??

28? Really?

Hope not ALL of you are cursing the day of my birth and waiting in lines at the post office for that whole OTHER thing that happens on April 15th.

;)

Clapotis Odyssey, or, an Ode to Twisted

After a long delay, I finally finished my Clapotis. I can, in all honesty, say that this is by far my favorite knit. I'm pretty impressed with myself, I truly think this is the most gorgeous thing I've ever made. The combination of pattern and yarn turned into something too wonderful to adequately describe with words or photos.

I'm very proud of this knit; I remember the first time I tried to knit this pattern I was still fairly new to anything other than the knit stitch and decreasing, and I found it totally impossible. Now, after the mini-clap, the first full sized clap, and this luscious, luminous, lovely clap, I find the pattern so simple; even soothing in it's repetitiveness. The mini-clap and the other clap left me feeling a bit "meh" about the pattern, I just didn't GET what the big deal was, why everyone in the knitblog world was making one, two, or more of these things. Now though? I totally understand. Knitting this Clapotis was a joy. I feel so corny saying that, but it is the truth. 

I think my yarn selection was a key factor in how much I enjoyed knitting this baby. The mini-clap was knit in this crazy Swedish yarn that I randomly found in a clearance bin at a LYS...it's a great lightweight little scarf, and the linen/cotton/wool yarn is richly textured. While knitting with that yarn, I felt like I was knitting with paper, and I really had a hard time enjoying the process since the yarn made my fingers itch.  The first full-sized clapotis was made with laceweight wool (not merino, mind you) from Handpaintedyarn.com that I held doubled. I'd imagine knitting with sewing thread would feel better in your hands. (Let me tell you...that clapotis is now a lovely piece of felt. It was pretty rough yarn, and I wore it twice, never washed it, and just from hanging over an un-used chair in my office, it magically felted.)

After doing some sample and test knitting for Meg of Twisted Fiber Art, I knew I had to knit a clappy in her Netherfield colorway. I knit up a pair of Monkeys in that colorway as a sample for her so she could see how a new base yarn behaved, and it was truly love at first sight. The colorway is self-striping, and I thought it would be interesting to see how the bias of the pattern worked with the yarn. The stripes are very subtle in this colorway, going from light to dark and back again. The lighter sections, rosy gold and pale green, seem to glow. The darker sections, with bits of rich green and deep burgundy,transition in to the lighter sections without turning anything "muddy" or overpowering the more delicate colors. The contrast is glorious; the colors remind me of glimpsing a sunlit meadow through a dark forest. I HAD to make a Clapotis with this stuff, clearly, it is magical. 

I used Meg's DK weight yarn, Duchess, for this project. It's a very soft, luxurious, merino that takes dye beautifully and has a twist I would define as "just right." Not too tight, but definitely not loose. (don't you love it when I use technical terms?!) I knit this on US size 9 needles, which made my Clapotis quite large and gave the whole thing a fantastic drape.

There's been a bit of a frenzy over Meg's yarn in recent months, however, she's got a lovely group over here, and will soon be opening her own online store rather than selling on etsy as she used to. If you're able to get your hands on any of her yarn, you will not regret it! Her colorways are honestly like nothing else I've seen, and her base yarns are yummy.   

I dream of wrapping myself in my clappy and sitting on a beach somewhere, early in the morning when it is still nice and cool, drinking a cup of tea and watching the sun rise.  For now though, I'll have to  settle for sitting on my couch with B and the dogs,  watching BSG and gazing longingly at the Clap, waiting for cool weather to come again.