Thanks, SP

I don't think I mentioned anywhere that I LOVE purses, but my secret pal must have known since she sent me this pattern, along with this one, plus the yarn. I can't wait to start knitting! You've been a great pal!

Carry on...

Tomorrow I go back to work and I love my job, I really do, but I am not ready for the summer to be over. The school year never starts off slowly, but instead, it seems to have been going on while I was on vacation, meaning I am always behind, trying to catch up. I decided to adopt a Project Runway mantra and "carry on". I only have control over a small part of my world, so rather than stressing, I'm going to let go...Wish me luck!

I'm back!

It was so nice to see my parents again, even though flying without liquids, like lip gloss, water, and eye drops was a little uncomfortable. Who knew Arizona got so much rain? Despite it all, we got to do almost everything we planned on, including a trip to this church...so beautiful. Today was back to work, at least in the morning, then spent the evening sitting on the couch. An all day meeting tomorrow and then the last weekend before officially back to work. I can't complain...the summer was amazing. I highly recommend not working :)

I'm off again

I'm off to Arizona tomorrow (or today, since it's after midnight) to visit my parents with S. All my liquids will be packed but hopefully I can still carry on my knitting needles.

I Love my TiVo!!

I spent last night programming season passes on my new TiVo, a birthday present from Em. and her boyfriend. I am all set for CSI, Project Runway, and The Girls Next Door. If you're going to watch TV, you may as well watch stuff you like. I have hardly gotten any knitting done this week. I am attending a conference in Half Moon Bay and figured it would not be appropriate to knit during the sessions. By the time I get home after going to the gym, I'm too tired to do much of anything. Hopefully, I will be able to finish the MagKnits ballet top this weekend when S. and I go to Arizona to visit my mom and dad.

If I was a horse,

I think I'd be shot. I woke up this morning with incredible neck pain. I thought my new big girl bed was supposed to be good for my back and neck. Fortunately, E.'s chiropractor was able to get me in and it helped a little. Then my left eye/contact lens was bothering me, so to prove to the eye doctor that there really was something wrong, I left my contact in, thereby worsening the infection. Now the neck pain in radiating up my head and down to my shoulder and my eye won't stop tearing. Is it too early to go to bed and try again tomorrow?

Sisterly Bonding

I went up to Manteca this weekend to see my sister. Actually, E. was helping her sister move, so we drove together, I helped them on Friday, and then met my sister when she got off work. It's the first time I've been to see her in her new place and we haven't spent any time together without our parents or someone else around. We had a great time. On Saturday we made a Target run, followed by manicures and pedicures. On Sunday, we just went out for food and spent the rest of the day on the couch. I got lots of kniting done on the ballet top from Magknits. Today is the first day of my last full week of vacation...I am so not ready for school to start yet.

An early birthday present to me

Okay, I know I am turning 36 but last week I made this for myself. I even bought her an outfit and made a birth certificate.

I finished Orangina and I'm pretty happy with the knitting, but I don't love the bind off. I still have to do the seaming, but I fully intend on wearing it when it's done.

I love sleeping in my new bed! It's even big enough for me and the cat to sleep in together.

A Grown Up Purchase

I feel like a grown up! Today I bought a new bed. I have been sleeping on the bed my mom got as a teenager since I was a teenager. It's a fifty year old mattress, which is kind of gross if you think about it, so I'm not going to. I bough a queen size tempur-pedic and it will be delivered on Friday. In other grown up news, I need to call a plumber for a leaky toilet. How nice would it be to have a landlord to complain to? The joys of home (or condo) ownership.

Weekend Update

After spending a weekend filled with people, I realize more than ever that I need some time to myself to re-energize. Saturday we spent the afternoon with my cousin and his two kids. Fortunately, the weather was nice and we were at the park most of the afternoon. My sister arrived last night and today we went to L.'s house for a baby shower. Afterwards we all went for pedicures, which was a nice treat. I'm enjoying a few minutes before my sister and mom return from picking up their cars. No plans, other than the gym tomorrow, and mom will be babysitting, so I'll have a chance for some alone time.

Pretty in Pink

My latest package from my secret pal contained a beautiful skein of yarn. It is from Malabrigo yarn and is so soft. What to make? I haven't decided yet, but something for me!
Here's a picture of the Orangina I've been working on. Can you tell how closely the color matches the skein my secret pal sent? She knows me well!

Happy 4th!

Finally home from my trip to Vegas and Arizona. I had a great time with my parents. We didn't do a whole lot of anything, but it was just good to see them. I actually won more money there than in Vegas when my mom and I went gambling at one of the Indian casinos. I haven't done much since being home (haven't even unpacked yet!). H.'s wedding was yesterday and it was lovely. Nothing to add to the "if I'm in a coma when I get married" game*, except the frosting on the wedding cupcakes was dyed so red, we all looked like vampires after eating them. N. called and her daughter had the twins (the recipients of two of the big bad baby blankets) and they are all fine. I am completing the border of the second one and then just have to weave in the ends. I'm not sure if I should block it or not, being that I used acrylic yarn and it's washable and dryable. Any advice?

* E. and I always tell each other what not to have at our weddings with the statement, "If I'm in a coma when I get married, make sure not to do---."

Monsoon

My mom picked me up in Vegas on Saturday and we drove to her house in AZ. Did a little bit of gambling in Vegas and made some money on penny Price is Right slots and nickel I Dream of Jeannie. On Friday night we went to Thunder from Down Under. Saturday we ate a yummy dinner at Spago's in Caesar's. Yesterday, I witnessed my first monsoon as clouds and rain blew into the backyard for about 3 minutes and then left. I finished one baby blanket (actually I ran out of yarn so I have about 30 more rows to finish when I get home and cast on Orangina. I'll post a picture of my progress when I get home. I love the lace pattern!

Vegas, baby!

Off to Las Vegas tomorrow for a bachelorette party. Hopefully, it will be fun, since the days leading up to it have had some weird drama with the others. Saturday my mom is picking me up to take me to back to Arizona to spend the rest of the week with her and my dad.
In knitting news...there is no knitting news! I'm still cranking out the 2nd big bad baby blanket and have not worked on anything but that. I did get this pattern. I received a huge donation of yarn for the knitting club I run at school.

A recommendation for singles

So I recently swore off match.com after a mediocre date and no real action from the site. But last Saturday I was at work with not a whole lot to do and E., who is recently married to someone she met on match.com (even though he denies it) and I were talking, when I decided to relinquish control of my dating life to her. I gave her permission to edit my profile and my basic requirements for who she could email and wink at (must be middle of the road to liberal politically, college degree preferred, have to list "about average" as an acceptable body type for a date) and she went to town. In less than a week I've gotten more action from guys that I would actually like to date than I had in all the time I was on before. She even wrote a couple of emails for me, which I've tried to emulate. Not that I am not being myself, but I tend to be more reserved than she is, so I've tried to be me, only bolder. So I highly recommended allowing a trusted friend to give any searching single some help.

Random Friday Thoughts

No major knitting news to report...one big bad baby blanket is done, but I started another one for a friend whose shower is in July. I will post a picture as soon as the camera battery is charged. Last night was my dad's retirement party. It was so cool to hear about him from people at work. Apparently, he's kind of a stud in his field, while at home, he's just dad. He and my mom, and Molly (the dog) are off to Arizona some time today. It will be lonely without them.
Only five more days left until summer vacation! Not that I don't love my job, which I do, but I am so ready for a break. This is the first summer in two years I won't be teaching summer school. I'm still waiting to hear from T. whether or not the trip to Costa Rica will work out, but even if not, it will still be fabulous to have time off. In other work related news, I found out yesterday that I was selected as a support provider/consulting teacher. No real change for the day to day job, but I will have the chance to work with new teachers who may need support. And the stipend will be nice too.

My Secret Pal Rocks!!

Here's my first gift from my secret pal, who did a very good job of reading my answers to the questionnaire (notice all the pink?) A ladybug stamp with pink ink, some envelopes and cards for stamping and cool ladybug buttons (I think a ladybug scarf maybe in order or, ooohhhh, maybe wristwarmes with ladybug buttons on the cuffs). The possibilities are endless...Thank you Secret Pal!

A Work in Progress

I used to think I was a good writer. Ideas just kind of flowed and I never reread what I wrote, but just sort of let it come. But since I've started blogging, I find myself struggling to get my ideas out or they come out, but then I delete and rewrite or just delete entirely. So I'm trying to let the words flow, as easily as they flow in my head when I'm thinking about what to write.

Monday, Monday

Has anyone seen this show? I just don't get it. There is absolutely no strategy or skill required, yet here I sit for the second week in a row mesmerized. Plus, I can't decide if Howie Mandel on the show is cool or just freaky.

In other news, I absolutely could not resist buying materials for ANOTHER project while I was at my second job yesterday. I decided to try knitting my first sock with this pattern. I bought some bright pink Rowan 4 ply soft and Lantern moon double points to knit with. I swore for so long that I would never knit socks (I don't know why, I just did), but I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong. Now I just need the white platform shoes to wear with them!

What if you had a party...

or an open house and no one came? Okay, one of my students did stop by my room with his family, but that was it. I guess I don't have to feel guilty next year about not coming. At least I had the sense to go home and get some knitting catalogues that had come in the mail and my knitting bag. I've been able to get a couple of rows done on the big bad baby blanket. Which, just for the record, is BORING knitting. And unfortunately, I have to make two, since the friend they are for is having twin granddaughters. And in a rare show of self-discipline, I will not let myself cast on anything new until the blankets are done. Granted, I also have the Clapotis and Hello Kitty sweater on needles, but I've been pretty diligent about sticking with the blanket.
Seems frightening to think that I will be back at work in less than 12 hours...

Something I WON'T be doing any time soon

So I went on a Match.com date on Sunday and it cemented the idea that I am done with online dating, at least for a while. I know it has worked for lots of people, but I am obviously not one of them. There was nothing really wrong, conversation came easily, but the whole time I was thinking about how much knitting I could be doing were I not on the date. So this experience sparked a discussion among my friends and me regarding how hard you should have to try to like someone. Since there was nothing inherently wrong with him (despite the fact that his photo online was at least five years old and not to be superficial, but why have a picture up if it's not even current?) should I have gone out with him again? Maybe he would grow on me? I decided not to go that route, but I'm always open to advice. Or blind dates, should anyone know anyone...
Nothing else really exciting to report. I'm working on the Clapotis and the Big Bad Baby Blanket and throwing in a little secret pal knitting.

Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am enoying knitting with Art yarn. I like almost anything with natural fibers. I was knitting
Tempting II with Rowan calmer which I love. I'm dying to try some
misti alpaca.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Right now they are in a shopping bag pending organization into a case
3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for about 2 1/2 years. I guess I would be an intermeditate.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do now!
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love lavendar and florally or citrusy scents.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
YES!! Cherry blow pops and milk chocolate with caramel.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I used to bead, but I am currently all about knitting. Not a spinner...yet
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like modern rock and old school rap. I can handle MP3s
9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Currently pink. I'm not a big fan of yellow or orange. I tend to prefer bright colors over pastels (with pink being the noted exception) and black is always a good staple.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am single with a cat, Lillie
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
All of the above
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Usually whatever I am working on at the time
13. What are you knitting right now?
A big bad baby blanket from Stitch and Bitch, a
Clapotis, and #994
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Very much. I think people who are crafters appreciate them more.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Addi turbos
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
no
17. How did you learn to knit?
I've started and given up knitting many times. This last time, a friend refreshed my memory.
18. How old is your oldest UFO?
About a year.
19. What is your favorite holiday?
Valentine's Day and Thanksgiving
20. Is there anything that you collect?
ladybug stuff, Hello Kitty
21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Pretty much any Rowan magazine, Scarf Style, and A Gathering of Lace
22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Cables and sock knitting
23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Not yet...I don't know. I wear a 6 1/2 shoe.
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
08/11

I Love Red Powerade!

So one of the things I do in addition to knitting is work out. Which I don't like. In fact, I might go so far as to say I HATE it. But I do it.* So as a little reward, I sometimes get myself a red powerade from the vending machine when I am done. And it tastes sooooooo good! It almost makes the workout worth it. Almost.

*So here's a funny story about doing things you don't like to do. My mom hates this show, which I of course, love. So I call her one night when it's on and she tells me she can't talk because she' watching it. And I say, "Mom, I thought you hated that show." And she says, "Lisa, in life you sometimes have to do things you hate." Like working out. Or watching TV

The Hello Kitty Sweater

So I bought some Hello Kitty buttons from The Swift Stitch in Santa Cruz at Stitches West. I didn't know what I was going to do with them, but then bought a V neckdown cardigan pattern from Knitting Pure & Simple. Today, my mom and I headed to Santa Cruz to get some more buttons and bought the yarn and needles to start the sweater. I got Aurora from Karabella Yarns in a peachish kind of color...so pretty!

It's Finished!

I just finished binding off the Flower Basket shawl from Fiber Trends. I used Gems Pearl fingering weight yarn in black from Louet Sales. It's informally become known as the wedding shawl 'cause I made it to wear to two weddings I'm going to later this month. I still have to weave in the ends and block it with my scunci steamer. But for now, I'm off to bed.

Hi Secret Pal

So my main point of starting this blog is to participate in Secret Pal 8. So since probably no one else is going to read this, "Hi Secret Pal!"