Talk about a great Valentine's Day present

Damn the Evil Monkey! I've been down guys. I can't seem to catch a break ever it seems!
DH wrecked my car the day before Valentines Day. Of course it was his fault and he isn't injured. I just wish that for once I could catch up on all my bills and get my ass on budget again. But no of course not!! That wouldn't be my life!
Any how, since my husband caused me to totally freak out the day before valentines day I've been obsessively knitting. I started knitting a simple cap out of some chunky yarn and it is going to my friend Toon for always coming to my rescue at the Hut. I made up the pattern myself or didn't rely on one. It is the same as the head like a hole I knit for my sis but there's not a hole.
I've started knitting a "Tank Girl" top from the SNB book. You know the one on page 219.
I've got to buy more yarn for it luckily it is only 1.69 a skein at Wally World. It is my first official garment to knit. Go me huh?
I'm down, stressed at work and just totally freaked beyond belief. I've tried to knit socks. Started then frogged due to me and my freaked out state. I may wait on the socks a bit. I didn't like the pattern I was using either, so I've got to find another one anyways.
Still haven't sew the zipper on the Slut bag. I think I'll do it tonight. And I've got to attach the zipper & sushi on my sushi wallet. It's bigger than I thought it was going to be. Probably because I didn't count rows well enough or I got lost in it. It has just been that kind of week. Sighs.
Love Ya'll! I hope you week has been better than mine!
XOXOXO

Something to get excited about!!!!

2007 INITIAL LINEUP IS HERE!Superfly Productions and A.C. Entertainment are proud to announce the initial lineup for the 2007 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. The sixth annual four-day camping and music festival will be held on June 14-17, 2007, on the same 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, 60 miles south of Nashville. With over 100 bands and 20 comedians performing on 13 stages during the 4 day weekend, the mind-blowing Bonnaroo '07 line up promises to rock the Volunteer State like never before. A wildly diverse list of confirmed acts follows, with more to be announced in the weeks ahead.Tickets for the 2007 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will go on sale next Friday, February 23rd, at Noon Eastern time through Bonnaroo.com. For more information, go to Bonnaroo.com.2007 BONNAROO ARTIST LINEUP:
The Police · Tool · Widespread Panic · The White StripesBen Harper & the Innocent Criminals · Wilco · The Flaming Lips Manu Chao Radio Bemba Sound System · The String Cheese Incident Franz Ferdinand · Bob Weir & Ratdog · Damien Rice · Ween · Gov't Mule Ziggy Marley · The Decemberists · Kings of Leon · Michael Franti & SpearheadWolfmother · Regina Spektor · The Black Keys · Galactic · The Black KeysDJ Shadow · Gillian Welch · Spoon · Keller Williams (WMD's) Sasha & John Digweed · STS9 · Old Crow Medicine Show · The Hold SteadyNorth Mississippi Allstars · Fountains Of Wayne · Hot Tuna · Feist · Hot ChipLily Allen · John Butler Trio · Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain BoysAesop Rock · The Richard Thompson Band · Dierks Bentley · Xavier RuddGogol Bordello · Junior Brown · Tortoise · T-Bone Burnett · Mavis StaplesClutch · Cold War Kids · Dr. Dog · Paolo Nutini · Brazilian GirlsRX Bandits · The Nightwatchman · The Slip · Girl Talk · Railroad EarthMartha Wainwright · Rodrigo y Gabriela · Annuals · Tea Leaf GreenSam Roberts Band · Elvis Perkins in Dearland · Charlie Louvin · Sonya KitchellMute Math · Apollo Sunshine · Uncle Earl · James Blood Ulmer · The NationalThe Little Ones · Black Angels · Ryan ShawComedians:Lewis Black & Friends · David Cross · Dave AttellMore Artists to be Announced!

Happy Valentines Day Ya'll!!!

Thanks Lana for posting this blog thing!

Your Candy Heart Says "Get Real"

You're a bit of a cynic when it comes to love. You don't lose your head, and hardly anyone penetrates your heart. Your ideal Valentine's Day date: is all about the person you're seeing (with no mentions of v-day!) Your flirting style: honest and even slightly sarcastic What turns you off: romantic expectations and "greeting card" holidays Why you're hot: you don't just play hard to get - you are hard to get

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Broke in my Pizza Slut bag!!

Yes! I took her out on the town tonight! She performed fabulously except I still need to install that zipper. I had to keep my cash in the crown royal bag inside the slut bag but hey it still worked out just fine! Finally I can carry my smokes, cash, pens, and tickets in one place like a purse instead of weighing down my sweater pockets. Yay!! The sweater is relieved! All the boys at the hut wanted me to knit them a wallet and the only other lady there wants a slut bag too! They don't know it but I'm gonna charge them $20 for it! LOL Cascade 220 is $7.50 a skein at my LYS, and my time is precious. They'll just either pay it out or continue to want it knowing that they can't have it. blah ha ha!
I'm working on the sushi wallet that my prge pal sent me. Thanks Christina for helping me out on the pattern! I couldn't understand what the lady was trying to explain in the pattern directions. Christina was sooo sweet and gave me the clue I needed to get it! Big Hugs to ya girly!!!
I think my next project will be socks. I know I have said it before and I've let my fave sock knitters down but this time I mean it. I found a pattern for top down to the toe and it is a very easy pattern.
I can't recall it at the moment but I'll post the link to it in my current projects tomorrow. I'm too tired to hunt it down right now. It is 1 am for me.

I will add the sushi wallet to the list. If you would like a sushi wallet kit, click on Scout and visit her shop! She rocks and I absolutely love this kit and you will too!!!!

I'm tired. It has been a long day! Good night ya'll!!
XOXOXOXO

Does anybody see data processor on this list?

According to Monster.com's Personality & career test I am a ESFP. Read below..

Life as an ESFP
(Extravert, Sensor, Feeler, Perceiver)
People of this type tend to be warm, gregarious and playful; impulsive, curious and talkative; sensitive, caring and gentle; social and unpredictable with a great zeal for life; active, responsive and highly aware of the physical world.

The most important thing to ESFPs is the freedom to be spontaneous, have fun and enjoy the company of others.

Great careers for ESFPs

Here are just a few popular and often satisfying careers for people whose Personality Type is ESFP:

Early childhood education teacher
Dental assistant
Chief Information Officer
Sports merchandise sales
Physical therapist
Home health social worker
Public relations specialist
Radiological technician
Occupational therapist
Travel agent / tour operator
Veterinarian
Special events coordinator
Occupational therapist


I think a career change is in order for me......

Pizza Slut Bag Almost Finished!!

Yes it is almost complete! My perfect creation! he he he Egore! Go get the camera take some pictures!
"But Mistress, the camera batteries are dead."
"Egore! Get your ass to the store and buy some damn it! All these lovely knitting ladies want to see it's progress!"
"But Mistress, I don't know how to drive! I live under your trailer remember?"
"Damn it Egore! Why the hell do I keep you around? Go get my cell phone I'll do it my damn self!!"

Uh hmm. Okay ladies without further adue the one, the only, 90% completed Pizza Slut Cash Bag!!

Double knitted on size 13 needles this bag features the lovely mudflap girl holding a pizza box. Isn't she just beautiful hanging out on this bag? As I was knitting her intarsia style I was unintentionally carried the the black yarn along with the red to the end of the rows but you can't tell. Yay! I'm getting better at the whole intarsia thing!

Next we have the elegant words "Pizza Slut" on the opposeing side of the bag. So eloquent is it not?
The strap is knitted with the same Cascade 220 black yarn as the intarsia in garter stitch and it was also felted. I want the strap to be a little springy since it will be following me in and out of the car. After several hours grafting all this work onto graft paper and actually putting it all together, and all the frogging + restarting, I feel SOO accomplished with this bag! All I have left to do to it is attach a zipper. I'm thinking about lining it also. Hmmm I dont' know which to do. I know I need something to keep it together so the cash doesn't fall out!


Also I have a 100 % finished project. When I've been at family member's homes and various other places that would freak out over the pizza slut bag, I've been knitting away at my Alpaca KAL hat! Yes folks! It is not a Head like a hole hat but it is a full hat! Pattern thrown together by yours truely. Unfortunately my head is too big for it so I gave it to DH. Ya'll are gonna love the pic!

I've got to get back to work!
XOXOXO

Feeling better after some sleep......

"It's a personal thing, an intimate connection between your personality, your day-to-day life, and your hands. Truth is, I like to just wing it. I love yarn and I love needles, so I relax by making it up as I go, enjoying the feel of the fabric and the strange shapes it sometimes takes. I look to knitting as my safe relaxing place." --Miss Laurie aka Crazy Aunt Purl

This statement is from Laurie's blog today! It so sums up my knitting! I really don't look at knitting as a challenge anymore. I look at it as my relief from boring, crazy, life that sometimes leaves me in a very dark place. To accomplish SOMETHING adds joy to my life. The simple accomplishments make things all the better.

I was watching knitty gritty today. It was the episode with Kelli Deal from The Breeders showing folks how to felt a hand bag. I'm soooo tackleing the Pizza Slut bag in the wrong order! LOL but guess what? I DON'T CARE!!!
This is MY bag and I'm working on the handle and seaming it up for now until I have to pick up Sym from school. Then I'll throw it all together and make it as crazy as possible. Why? Because it is mine. :-) (Yeah she's feeling better can't you tell?)

This weekend I had picked up some plastic storage boxes to store my stash in instead of this wired shelf basket thingy I've been using. I'm finding dust bunnies on a few skeins that I've not touched in a while. I may organize in a bit. I'm struggleing to focus on my Pizza Slut bag. Hopefully I'll be sporting it this weekend when I deliver pizzas!

Back to the bag!
XOXOXOXOXO

Thank You!!!

I called in sick today. I woke up feeling all kinds of yucky. My stomach hurts head hurts and my nose is cloggy. I'm going back to bed for a bit I'll blog more later too. Thank you all for your suggestions and your encouragement!!!! I did eat alot of chocolate last night and I finished the mudflap girl side of the pizza slut bag. Details to come... OXOXOXOX to ya'll!!

Feeling low....

I'm at work yet I don't want to be here. I think Aunt flow is coming to visit in the next day or so. I feel so yucky and blah and insecure. That's my biggest PMS symptom, insecurity. Things about myself that don't usually bother me or that I can just get over really come out and slap me in the face during PMS. I can't shake them. I look at myself in the mirror, I think bad thoughts. I go to work and try to work on a project yet I can't focus. I feel drained and blah. I start to look at insignificant details in my marriage and they appear as big huge signs of bad things happening without my knowledge.
I don't know why I'm blogging all this here. Usually I keep on my knitting topics but today I just can't shake this no matter how hard I try. This feeling sucks and I just want to go home, curl up in bed and knit or sleep just not think of all this shit.

Oh look a little survey thing I nabbed

I nabbed this from Shadkitty because she nabbed it from someone else! LOL Thanks hun!!!

1. I've been hooked on the needles since: I taught myself to knit at the end of September/begining of October 2005, So the whole month of October is when I celebrate my addiction. I go on a buy and stash spree (while shopping for christmas gifts)

2. I'm still a virgin, but not for long: Cables (yes I'm chicken), sweaters and Socks but not for long!

3. She's crafty - she gets around...to : knitting, collaging, sewing

She's crafty - she's always down...for: watching anime, internet, Grey's Anatomy Law & Order, funny movies and learning

She's crafty - she's got a gripe...about : My husband's stinky socks. blah! It's his boots and the bar he works at and they totally reek! I spray lysol on them every night when he's not looking. :-)

She's crafty - and she's just my type. What type of knitter are you? I'm a right-handed (English) and I'm all for knitting unique things.

4. I'm dying to try: cashmere yarn. I've just not treated myself to it!

5. I gravitate towards colors like: Black, Greens, variated warm colors, browns, red

6. My most cherished possession (kids, pets, family don't count) is: My yarn stash and knit picks options set! I actually organized my stash last night. wow! It is amazing how it sneakily grows on you. LOL

7. I'm stuck on an island, what am I reading? The Sandman Comics-Neil Gaiman, Anne Rice or if I have a laptop and if there happens to be wireless somewhere reading people's blogs LOL

8. If I were about to be executed and I was offered a last meal , I'd be dining on:
Steak, Baked Potato, steamed vegetables and a dirty vodka martini with extra olives.

9. Music to knit by: Gorillaz. They are groovie.

10. I have a crush on: I used to have a crush on DH's Best Friend way before I met DH. But that's long gone now.

11. Least favorite celeb: Britney spears (will they ever stop talking about that ho?)

12. Choose:

Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp? Johnny Depp

Madonna or Janet Jackson? Madonna

June Cleaver or Peg Bundy? Peg Bundy! LOL

Jackie or Marilyn? Marilyn

Love or Money? Love

Brains or Looks? Brains

Math or English? Math

Cat or Dog? Cat

Leader or follower? Follower

Beer or Champagne? Beer or MandraRosa Chardonnay

13. My favorite smell? In the Making--My LYS. I absolutely love the smell of that store!

14. Not many people know this about me: Used to wear a black leather mini skirt to work at Godiva back in high school. My manager used to wonder why I had the highest sales. LOL

15. My hidden talent is: getting a free drink! LOL

Well I hope ya'll enjoyed that! I sure did!!
XOXOO

BTW: I am halfway through the Girl side to the Pizza Slut bag! Yay!!! This is going to be great!!!!!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Okay so since it is my birthday I decided to give a little insight to my pizza slut bag progress. Isn't that funny? I'm giving ya'll a gift on my birthday! But you have to read my story first! blah ha ha!!

Last night Sym and I went to Cambridge Coffee shop at Patton Creek to see an up and coming artist from my home town. His name is Jeffery Lee Alred. Remember that name, one day he will be famous! He has a wonderful voice and is very talented on the guitar. Sym was swooning over him. LOL She got his autograph and drew him a pic. He got a kick out of it. I could tell she had a little crush on him because she wanted to talk to him during his break. He was outside smoking and she took my jacket and ran outside and stood there and watched him while he talked with his friends. I finished a round on head like a hole hat 2 (<--which I finished!!!) and I went outside next to her. She looked up at me and she said, "Mommy I haven't gotten to talk to him yet." I told her to be patient. He walked up to me and said "Arent' you Natalie's sister?" I said Yeah and that she wished she could be there but she had to work. All the while Sym was wrapped around my left leg almost hiding from him! I said to him "This is my daughter Symone and Symone this is Jeff." She smiled and hid her face bashfully. "She is a musician too!" I said. He turned to her and said "Really? What do you play?" said "The violin" He said "Wow! I love the violin" She said "yeah and I am pretty good at it too!" Then the rest of the night she was at the front table and listened to him play and watched him so intently. I'm soooooo in trouble when she gets older. Good thing I'm remembering the 7 year old crush days. Her little mind works alot like mine did back then and I can see it. LOL I finished at the coffee shop, head like a hole 2 even wove in the ends!!

After the show we went home and I watched An American in Paris, and Love letters to Paris (I am goin Paris this year. I don't have the tickets yet but I will!). Then I went on a wedding themed movies kick, The Wedding Date and Wedding Crashers. Why? My sister Natalie mentioned earlier is getting married at the end of February(the head like a hole hat-2 is for her!) While watching these movies, I knitted on my Pizza Slut bag. It is going to be bigger than I wanted it but Oh well! It is still mine and will be the envy of everyone!!! Side one completed!!


Happy Birthday to Me!!! Tonight I'm off with DH to some unknown to me destination with out a clue as to what I will be doing. Too much fun!!! Let me know what you guys think so far on the Pizza Slut. It is going to be felted too. I'm kind of worried about the words after felting.

XOXOXOX

Pizza Slut Cash Bag Progress

I'm really getting into this one! Here's my knitting graphs!
Here are the words they are going on one side:
















And here is the slut. LOL I've tweeked the Mudflap girl to hold a pizza box. What do you think?














Finally here's part of what I've knitted so far. This is just one side. I'm really excited about this project.
It's like a part of me is all in this!! All the girls at Pizza Hut are going to want it! LOL (All the girls = my sis and me.) The guys may get jealous too! I'm glad I decided to do this one on each side in case children are present.

he hehe You never know how the people in the high end dollar areas are going to react to my new cash bag. Hell I've been carrying a crown royal bag to hold my cash & pens. No one noticed the first weekend but last weekend I had 2 folks comment on it out of 15 or so runs.


Well I'm getting sleepy now. Ya'll have a great night. Let me know what you think about the gal!
XOXOX

**Update**

Tonight I unraveled what I had started last night then realized that I HAVE to finish filling out invitations for my sister's lingerie/slumber party in 2 weeks otherwise none of her friends would attend! Okay that's done now. Now it is time to get Sym to bed and start on the bag. I'm double knitting it in stockingette this time and I'm gonna do it right damn it!!! I'm not restarting! Wish me luck folks!

Eventually I'll make some REAL Progress

I keep getting myself confused on how I want this damn bag! I'm inventing my own pattern and it is so biting me in the ass! I started it out as garter stitch double stranded then I went to the LYS and got confused. I saw a swatch they had made in Stockingette with it and I could have sworn it was SINGLE stranded. So I ripped and started over. I can't decide on how wide I want it either so I've knitted abit on it last night single stranded to the point where I want the mudflap girl and the words to start. Then I noticed that on my last visit to the LYS that I had I bought the wrong Cascade. It wasn't the same as the 220. So I returned to the LYS. While I was waiting on my skein to be wound then I saw the swatch AGAIN and noticed that YES it is DOUBLE STRANDED and now(yes I'm punishing myself) am going to start this damn pizza slut bag all over again.
To bring myself out of this realization of stupidity, I went to Barnes and noble and bought stitch'n bitch Nation for the mudflap girl. I've been flipping through it every chance I've had today at work. It has made me happy!!!
He he he. I absolutely love this book and I am now determined to make a pattern from here! Technically I am because of the mudflap girl graph being in there. I may end up using one of the bag patterns from it for this because the making up my own is really starting to depress me!!!
I did complete a total side project...
Head like a Hole Hat... (this pic sucks but I've got a better one coming.)


It is made from the Gatsby Yarn and unfortunately it was going to be a full hat but there was a problem. I ran out of yarn and was impatient and didn't want to order more. SOO I just bound it off when I ran out and it has a hole in it for my pony tail. I do like to wear my hair up alot and it was great wearing it yesterday when I went outside to smoke on break. It kept my ears toasty warm. I'm making another one for my sister Natalie in green and a different yarn. I'll write down what I'm doing and share it with you my lovely friends!!

By the way...If you don't have SNB Nation you should pick it up. It also has skull and crossbones graphs and some awesome sweaters! So far I see it as a great investment!

Hit the mother load!!!

OOO today is starting out to be a great day! Last week I took on a new dataset at work and part of the process is verify the main processor's work. There was an error in the data in the very first one I processed. So for catching the error they sent me a thank you and an American Express Gift card for $25.00!!! Wooo Hoo!! Guess where Lesley is going for lunch today! he he he!
The LYS!! Blah ha ha! I've got to pick up some Black Cascade 220 for the Cash Bag. Hey if you know of a Mudflap girl chart anywhere could you please send it my way? Anyone, anyone, Beuler Beuler. LOL
Okay I am too giddy for work today. XOXOX Ya'll!!!

*** UPDATE!!***
Thanks Lana & Rachel for the Mudflap girl chart reference in SNB Nation. Unfortunately I don't have SNB Nation just SNB:-( I did buy the 2007 calendar at the LYS at lunch break! I picked up my black yarn too. Yay!! LOL I'm bad. I think I remember Brook having it though. Brook! Can I borrow SNB Nation? Pretty please! Thanks Ladies!!!

What the hell is another project doing on the WIP list?

Yes! I've decided to side track. Saturday I started working at Pizza Hut as a delivery driver. I absolutely loved it! So I'm making a nice matching cash bag to go with the Pizza Slut ensemble. I'm using my Red Cascade 220 yarn for my hat. Is it wrong to use yarn for something totally different than what you bought it for?
I want to felt it but first I've got to return to In the Making and buy some in black. I want to knit in a skull and cross bones or the words "Pizza Slut" on it. What ya'll think? Sorry I've not blogged in so long. I've been worn out from work. I'm making myself take a blogging break. You have to do that every now and then other wise you'll go looney!
OXOXOX

Norberta--1 Finished!! Behold Rinosaur!!!

Yes folks I have FINALLY finished Norberta. It isn't exactly like the image in the pattern and mine is a dinosaur. His name is "Rinosaur" because that's how Elliot says dinosaur and it's his you know.

I liked knitting this pattern. It helped me with my ssk, k2tog, kfb increase and pfb increase. I've not had a project require so many tricky stitches and I've learned some valuable lessons: 1. Stop knitting so tight damn it!! 2. Read the pattern notes that are at the beginning of the pattern before you go to the next section. 3. Always have internet access available if you are seaming. 4. Stop knitting so damn tight!!
I frogged Rinosaur in a few places and I didn't do the backwards loop cast on for the spikes(which caused me to have to fix them with a needle and yarn), seamed before attaching the arms and legs, and I screwed up the teeth. But I think it looks more like a dinosaur than Norberta does. So ... OH Well! Rinosaur is going to a 2 year old that's going to tear it up anyways. :-) I'm okay with that. That's why he's getting the first one I've knitted. he he he
Yay!!!! One Down! I'm tired Mumwah!
Front View:



Right Side View:

A kick ass suprise was waiting for me in the mailbox...

I checked my mailbox before I left this evening to go watch my niece and nephew and low and behold I received a mystery package that contained these long time desired knitting kits!


It is the sushi wallet kit and Gerbera felted flowers kits from Pick Up Sticks!

The only card or anything inside was this.....


How did this secret friend know that I've been wanting these for some time now? Are you in my head? Are you a stalker? LOL
The package came from one Jamie Dixon from Albuquerque NM and the postage was purchased possibly through Paypal because of the "a preferred shipping service on ebay" is at the top of the label. Hmmmm I wonder who sent it to me but if my secret friend is reading this now...

THANK YOU!!
I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!! You are soooooooo cool!!!!!
*****UPDATE*******
Mystery solved! It was from my PRGE Pal Christina!!
Doesn't she Rock? Apparently she ordered the kits and scout sent the order to her instead of to me. Christina told scout about the mix up and Scout told her to keep it and shipped kits for her! So now both Christina and I have the same kits!! KAL? Looks like it!!!
Thanks Again Christina! You are the coolest PRGE Gal!!!

Progress Bars and Blogger a How to

Crissy posted a comment on my last blog asking how I did the progress bars. Guess what it is easy as hell to do!!!

All you are doing is posting a list of pictures and changing the direct link to the picture as your progress increases.

The first thing you do is find yourself some pictures of progress bars. I've got a zip file with a bunch of them ranging from 0% to 100% that I found on the internet. I wish I remembered the address but I left that info at work. You could make your own using Microsoft PAINT or photoshop if you want (I want to do that eventually!).

Upload your progress bar pictures to you photo site (ie photobucket or flicker)
Next go to your blogger template.
On the new blogger add a Page element Html/Java Script.
Make your title for the element.
Type the title of your WIP then add the code for the progress bar picture.
Be sure to remove the part of the code that references the photo site. (those are just annoying)

Here is an example of the code for Norberta:
_strong_Current Norberta _/strong_ _br/_ <--Strong makes it bold and BR inserts line break
_img border="0" src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m50/lesleyd271/Progress%20Bar/75perc.png"_ _br/_
(I had to remove the < > Where the _ is indicates the <>'s other wise it would just show the pic)
Add as many as you want. When the status on the project changes copy and paste over the link to the progress you want from you photosite.

That's it. Easy as pie and without crazy scripts and stuff to remember.
I hope that helps you out Crissy and anyone else that's been wanting to put progress bars on their page!

Oh look a new addition to the 2007 project list

Yes I shall add more and more to my list as the year goes on! I've come accross this pattern before and just came back across it again today!


The pattern can be found here
I think it would be a great gift to whoever donates the most to my Bonnaroo cause. I'm accepting donations toward my ticket to Bonnaroo in June. (Yes I am shamelessly requesting donations to send me on a vacation with the Hippies.) I love hippies and am still a closet one. well until now.

I will knit for Bonnaroo Tickets! Donate to my cause! The one who donates the most will get the big skull tote!!!
Last year Radiohead & Beck were there as well as Les Claypool and Herbie Hancock! I mean come on! $200 for a 4 day music festival including campsite is alot of money for this mommy but I NEED it and will takes LOTS of Pics with my sister's camera if she'll let me. Also I'm gonna see if I can't find a way to blog from my phone if I have too!
Okay enough with the shameless act of beggin. LOL
Ya'll knit on and I loves ya!!!

***Update***
Yes I think I've picked out some patterns too!! They are links now!!! Yay!!

Yes I'm blogging more today!!!

Hello again!
I decided to put a pic of my latest stash additions! I'm very proud of it!
Here it is and I even labeled it in photo shop. Ain't I just clever? LOL
Anyways I didn't fix the image itself because that would take alot more effort than I'm willing to excert. Lazy photo lady? You bet!!
The Red Cascade Yarn is for my hat to match my sweater! I'm excited about that one. The Keltic, gatsby and the Noro I'm not sure what I'm going to do with those yet. I may do a knit along with Brook on the Noro since we have the same yarn in our stash now!! You up for it girl?
The Calico I think I'm going to use it for socks. It would be really pretty!!!!

Jan 2007 Horoscope from Crazy Aunt Purl

Check out Crazy Aunt Purl and get your horoscope for Jan07!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Long-term goals are odd things for Aquarians. On the one hand, ya'll can see forward into the possibility of the future better than a lot of signs. On the other hand, Lord ya'll are stubborn. Sure you see what COULD be possible, but stubbornly insist your path is on some other, parallel universe where nothing has been determined yet. Your 2007 To-Do: Create some peace in your day-to-day life by accepting a little routine. Routine is not synonymous with slow death, it's just where we spend a lot of time, between Big Ups and Big Downs. Learn to embrace even a little of your routine and you'll feel smoother on the inside, less like you're missing out on your big potential. To Don't: Don't miss out on your Big Potential. Aquarians occassionally need a good flogging to get them back on the straight and narrow path to personal greatness. Do you? Are you stubbornly resisting your own best life? (Told you this was self-helpy. Sorry!)


I love her blogs! But funny enough this is exactly where I'm gearing myself to! I've been trying to set myself a little routine and in the past I've viewed "routines" as a slow death! LOL Thanks Miss Purl!!!

Looky Looky! I've got Progress Bars!!!

FINALLY I've got progress bars! And they were way too easy too! I think I might spend a little time this year to create my own just to add flare! Go me!
All to all I've got a new blog project. 365 pictures of my days this year. I'm debating on putting captions to them but I may not. If you get bored you may check them out but I warn you, they may not be of the best quality and I'm going to be bouncing between my camera phone and my digi cam.

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New year everyone!!!

And with every new year there comes the list of things that you want to do or stop doing so here it goes!!!

Lesleyd's top ten knitting projects for 2007
1. A Hat to Match my fave red sweater coat.
2. A sweater I must must must knit myself one. Not for anyone else!!!!!
3. Socks extremely knitting socks is going to be my route. I'm going to start again better yarn.
4. Knit a few more Norbertas (Norberta is a great challenge for me!! It's kept me paying attention to the pattern, helped me with ssk psso k2tog w&t, making me a pro at fixing my mistakes and it feels good to knit with crayon from knit picks. I'm working on the spines now for her!! Hopefully I finish them today and maybe just maybe, I'll get her all seamed up too!! Yay!!!
5. A teddy bear for my grandmother.(I've really got to get that one in the works)
6. Doggie sweater for Haimish (my mom's doggie)
7. A skirt (I don't have the pattern picked out yet for that one but you know I'll let you know when I'm ready for it!!!
8. Bad Juju Voodoo doll for a certain someone he he he
9. Any Vogue knitting Pattern out of the mags I've gotten for the past year now! I've loved them but haven't braved ANY of them yet.
10. Knit a sweater for Symone before she thinks sweaters aren't cool. LOL She's been wearing this one my grandmother gave her UNDER a t-shirt. Yes Tee-Shirt on top of a sweater. I love my daughter's sense of style.


There it is. The top 10 knitting projects for 2007! Yay!!!
Now All I need is to put the progess bar things up here. Then I'll be all set!


Happy New Year My Friends!!!!

Tales from the Yarn

Thursday I picked Sym up from my grandmother's. I had gotten her a Kid's knitting kit for Christmas. It has 2 colors of yarn and adorable knitting needles. She called me while I was at work and told me that she tangled up her yarn while she was trying to wind it up into a ball. When we got home and she went to bed I started the process of detangleing her yarn.


My oh my next time I'll not let her just up and do the knitting without my supervision. This has been hard to detangle too!!

Her knitting kit came with pom pom makers, and plastic yarn needle. Not bad for $10!
The kit is to make a scarf a 2 colored scarf. Luckily she didn't try to ball up the purple yarn! Otherwise I'll be doing some untangling for a LOOOONNNNGGG Time.

I've finished the drawstring bag that I started Christmas Day.


Norberta I am sorry I've neglected you baby! And extreme socks.. I'm really sorry I've just turned my back on you lately! I'm tackling them all today on my FREE Saturday.

Finally some damn pictures!!!

Picture 1: The Knitting needles roll that Brook made me. Please pardon my camera because the flash sucks and I am still after a year trying to figure the damn thing out!




Picture 2: The knitting bag I started Christmas Day


Not pictured: Norberta (sorry folks I'm not posting it yet. I'm not at a point to brag because I've ripped it apart so many times.
The Plastic Bag made of plastic bags because it is just sad.

I'm getting sleepy now so I'll say good night! I love my readers!! Ya'll make me feel good to know that someone out there is enjoying my blogs as much as I like writing them! Big Hugs!!!

9 Reasons I Love Bessemer

My friend Jeremy posted a myspace bulletin called 9 reasons I love bessemer (my hometown). I laughed because he is so right about all these places and I just had to share it with my blogger friends!!! Thanks Jeremy for letting me repost this in my blog!!!

9 Reasons I love Bessemer:
9. Stadium Grill, Fourth Avenue across from Jess Lanier's football stadium. Some of the best burgers I've ever had. Good onion rings. On game night the place is packed, as it has been every Friday night during high school football season for about 40 or 50 years I would guess. Cash only.

8. The Tannehill General, Old Tuscaloosa Highway. These folks do a mean fried chicken. The family also ran two restaurants, now closed, that were among the best in Bessemer - Hobo Joe's and the Furance Masters.

7. Jennie's Sandwich Shop, Fourth Avenue. The pizza burger. Yes. This shop is just down the street from the first murder I ever covered, but I started eating there in high school. The hot dogs make those "best of" lists a lot, but I have a hot dog phobia.

6. Bob Sykes BBQ, Superhighway. The BBQ is better than most, but this place is on this list because of its pies. I like the chocolate, but lemon is my fallback.

5. Pike's BBQ, Superhighway. The owner of this place was the victim of the murder near Jennie's. Mr. Pike was shot while working in his laundromat, (he was nearly 78 at the time) and lived another year. No one was ever arrested. His BBQ joint makes some of the best ribs around and has an old timey milkshake machine from Sears that must have been made in the 50s. Don't leave this building without one of these shakes.

4. W.T.'s, Bessemer Superhighway. This is probably the only bar in America that shares a parking lot with the local Alcoholics' Anonymous. They serve lunch for $5. Great wings, chicken fingers, shrimp. Lunch comes with fries and a huge beverage.

3. UAB Medical West cafeteria, Bessemer Superhighway. With the closing of Bevill's due to a courthouse expansion (it's moving to Alabaster), the best meat and three in the Marvel City is at the hospital. Go figure.

2. The Bright Star, 18th Street. Two words. Snapper throats. I know it sounds gross, but they is tasty. I also like the snapper-shrimp au gratin. And you have to get the peanut butter pie. Lot of history too.

1. Muffaleta's, the Superhighway. All-you-can-eat Italian food on styrofoam plates and plastic table clothes. This is the best lasagna I've ever had. There's meatless versions of everything, except the lasagna. In high school, I ate here two or three times a month. They make dessert pizzas, ravioli the size of a fist, and great alfredo sauce. They have good sandwiches, but I usually get the buffet. This is cash only too.

Have a holly jolly Christmas

I had a good Christmas this year!
Brook if you are reading this... I LOVE the needle Roll! After you left Sunday I started putting my needles into the slots!!! Thank you!!!

Most of my Christmas Eve and Day comprised of Quiche making and spending ALOT of time with Family which is always reallly fun! And of course I brought my knitting projects with me to the events! I'm soo ADD sometimes during those things that I'm either all in the way trying to help (even when they don't want me to) or outside chain smoking during down times. So I brought my knitting and it soo helped me to stay out of the way and saved me money on smokes.

Sym got the hook up this year, not just from Santa but from my mom, grandmother and relatives. Santa brought her barbie dolls, Tony Hawk Underground, skateboard, protective gear for the skateboard, wireless PS2 controller so she won't go blind playing Tony Hawk Underground, plus bunches of other misc things.
From my mom, she got Dance Dance Revolution and the game pad. Christmas day was such a blast with that thing! I loved doing it! I can't wait to get home so I can play it again. I'm even thinking about stopping by Target or Best Buy and seeing if I can't find another pad so we can play simultaniously! Too much fun!!!!!
And what Christmas would be complete with out busting open a bottle of my favorite wine Mandra Rossa? Oh I love that wine. Thank goodness there is still some left!

Currently on the needles:
(don't you just love lists?)
Norberta for Elliot: Yep I've started, scrapped and restarted on Norberta now for the past week. I was getting angry at myself for screwing up the counting. It has just been so hard lately to keep up with what row I am on. So I got a counter and started using it. Well for some reason sometimes I think that the counter is set to what I row I am to knit next then sometimes I realize hey that's the last row completed. Does anybody else have this problem from time to time?
Yet another draw string bag: I started this one yesterday and I'm now almost finished with it. I knitted while Sym was jamming out to Dance Dance Revolution that she got from her Nonna this year. Santa brought me 2 skeins of Bernat Ping Pong. It's pretty cool because it has tensil mixed in with the yarn. It is REALLY fun and a very quick knit. Because I always have to have a side project to work on when undergoing a project for someone else. (can't ya'll tell yet?)


Scraped Projects: (or at least put off for a while)
Bag knitted from plastic bags: I've scrapped this for now. I was getting WAY frustrated with the plastic walmart bags. They kept snapping at the worst places. I wish I had a better way of connecting the bags after cutting the continuous strip. Knots just don't work right with it. I think the next one I do will have to be out of the stronger plastic bags, like the red ones from Target or LYS. I think those would do quite nicely.Thanks for the comments guys!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!

Paper or Plastic

This weekend I decided to try out knitting bags out of Wal-Mart bags. I spent sometime trying to figure out the tutorial on how to cut the bags into a continuous piece. Try 2 hours saying to myself "what am I doing wrong here?" Oh yeahI was trying to do the final cutting by doing so folded instead of UNFOLDING it like the tutorial said. Duh!

Needless to say after figureing out what was wrong, I started to do it right! Yay! now I have about 6 inches knitted up. I think I should have used a smaller size needle but it is starting to look pretty cool. I'm trying a small one at the moment but soon, I'll start on a big one!

I'm knitting the socks via extreme method, alhough I've not knit on it much since taking on this new project. Oh well I'll get back to it soon!

Here's the link to the tutorial

I've been a lazy knitter but a busy one also

I've been a slacker on my knitting this week although I have partially knitted a dish cloth. Hmm I don't know if I want to knit more of these yet or not. It depends on my mood. (yep moody knitter, that's me.) The socks I've knitted a little more on them too but not much.
I saw a friend last night at the Bee and he was telling me about his wife and her crafty little hair bow business that she's been doing and making a considerable amount of money doing too. Hmm. I'm thinking really hard about this one! That would so be the bomb to finally sell the things I knit, make etc to the public and have an excuse to be consumed by it. LOL
We'll see how it goes. Ya'll be good now, you hear?

I've swtiched because they gave me the link finally!

I've switched over to the beta blogger side. It's not bad.

BTW Here is the bottom of the drawstring bag!!!
Remember, staying up all night long to knit is not a requirement and is not recomended. LOL

Finally Pics!!!

Blog disclaimer: Okay I'm a big camera phone picture taker so forgive the image quality of my photos. I just love being able to take pics with my phone send them to the album and then use them as I see fit. It's so easy!!!

Symie and I had a blast with Brook on Sunday! She has a very impressive yarn stash and an awesome library of knitting books! I know I've said this before but I'll keep saying it, she rocks!!! Sym took over the TV so we couldn't finish watching knitty gritty but it's cool I think next Sunday Symone will have more things to play with so we can watch it!
Brook sent me a link to a nice little tutorial this week on extreme sock knitting It involves knitting 2 socks at the same time inside each other! I've been trying it out the past few days. After 7 attempts to cast on and knit around I've got about half of an inch knitted. I'm really liking it! It makes it not boring and I KNOW I won't get SSS from this!
Here is the inside one:

Here is the outside:


Symone lost her tooth Saturday! Her first one and received $2.50 from the tooth fairy. She was soo excited to have made instant cash from such little pain. LOL
Here is my little snaggle tooth.



Well here is ths Sunday All nighter bag from last week.
Here's the side view:


It doesn't look too bad. What I did was start out with a 10 k 10 p rib for the drawstring then knit stockingette from there. I used a seed stitch for the bottom edge then went back to stockingette for the bottom and did a decrease every 10 stitches.
It was fun and able to accomplish in 5-6 hours. Not bad huh?
Next time I won't do that All night long because it about killed me. LOL
Obsessive about knitting? You damn right!!!

Updates Pics soon to follow

For those who've been following, here's an update on my completed knitting projects~

Teddy bear for Evie-- Success! She loved it and thought it was too cool

Sunday knit a thon 12am to 8am draw string bag--Yes I was up Sunday ALL Freaking night long and then went to work the next day. I just didn't want to sleep. It was weird but I did accomplish something. A very cool drawstring bag. I kind of wished I'd left it a hat because the bottom looks like I meant to do it! I used patrons yarn and some real pink softee yarn and knitted them together. I could have done a fair isle pattern but I'm not quite there yet. I don't totally get it yet but soon very soon I will. I may do the skull and crossbones hat that I've been wanting to do for some time.

Cheshire Cat Scarf--Success! completed and adored by my little sis Natalie.
She loved it!!!!

Fingerless Gloves (protesting knucks)--Unsuccessful. I knit one way smaller than the other and they just look horrid to me. So I threw in the towel. I'll try again on circs instead of flat knitting those bitches.


Knitting Projects To Do list...
1. Another Stuffed Animal for My Grandmother (She said she wants a teddy too)
2. Socks (Trying to find an easy pattern and tips from sock knitters. Please comment and give me any that you may have!!!)
3. Sweater for me cause I never knit anything for myself.
4. More Drawstring bags for Christmas gifts (minus the staying up all night long thing. I don't think I can do that again.)


I was at Applebees last night, knitting and drinking at the bar. I started on a little hat out of the same yarn as the fingerless gloves that I've trashed. I look accross the bar and there is a lady cross stitching at the bar. We did a toast to each other with our projects while everyone around us was joking about how we are going to make Tuesday's Craft night there. LOL That would be sooo freaking cool! 99 cent beers and everyone in the place knitting or doing their favorite craft! Brook and I will take care of this. LOL

My PRGE Pal has the right timing!!!!

Saturday morning, I was kind of down. Got in a fight with the DH which all that is better now. But as I left out for a trip to find santa, I checked my mailbox, expecting to see bills to really pump up the christmas spirit, not! But inside was a large envelope. I instantly smiled because I knew it wasn't anything I had ordered. It had to be from my new PRGE Pal!!! I smiled ear to ear and cried. I couldn't turn around and head back to my driveway because of where my mailbox sits so I drove down the road, package in my lap, wiping tears from my eyes and stopped about a mile or two down the road. I parked the car and opened it immediately. I couldn't wait! It was like Christmas to me! I started crying again because, ya'll this is the ONLY package I've received from the PRGE that I'd been apart of for 3 months now! Just look what I got!



The card was hand crafted! I love hand crafted items! C my pal wrote the sweetest card saying that I should learn how to knit socks cause she does and it is sooo wonderful so I'm gonna give it a shot! The sock yarn feels OH SO nice!! I've been wanting Knitting Rules for so long now but never brought myself to buying it! I've not dived into the hot chocolate yet but I'm sooo doing that tonight after back to back Birthday parties and my knitting time with Brook.
Christina you rock!!!! Thank you for making my day!!!!!
But guess what I did instead of trying to find santa immediately, I went to Hobby Lobby and got some size 1 DPNS! Aint I bad? Then I went looking for santa.
I just had to have the DPNs!!!!

After the horrible Santa search and some christmas shopping. I went to my gal Brook's house for a Slumber party. I had a blast and got myself some goodies but I can't post them here he he he.

After that I went and picked up Symone for some MORE shopping. We went to Wal-mart and bought the gifts for the Back to Back Party day today. We wrapped the gifts, ate dinner and BOTH of us crashed out in the Recliner. We were exhausted!!!!

What a productive saturday!
Uh oh! Time is slipping from me. Got to get ready for the back to back parties!!
Check out knitintheham and see our pics from today's knitting at Applebee's!!
Salut and knit on!

The Cheshire Cat Scarf

Okay so I probably spelled Cheshire wrong but hey it's my blog and I'll misspell if I want to!

You remember the lovely Disney film Alice in Wonderland? Well I was in the LYS in Cahaba Heights raiding their sale bin (cause I'm cheap like that) and found some awesome faint green eyelash yarn. I grabbed a ball only 2 bucks!!
I started knitting with it and realized that that one little ball ain't going to cut it for anything! So I went back the next week and raided the bin again for another ball (should have bought it the first time)
Alas they didn't have it. I kept looking and found a kind of light burgundy one instead. Light bulbs started going off in my add head.
And the Cheshire Cat Scarf was born! In my faint memory of the cheshire cat from the ORIGINAL not enhanced version of Alice in Wonderland the colors were different that what you see on the internet. It seemed to me to be a mauvey color and faint green. Maybe it was the Tv set about to go out or something. Anyways I'm calling it the cheshire cat scarf and am sticking to it!!!!!
Tell me what you think.

Thanksgiving Knitting

Yes I knitted at the family function. I'm an adict and damn proud. I guess my family knows better to try to stop me from doing something that is totally out of the norm in front of the fam. That's my exhibitionist side screaming I guess.
There was a little girl at the get together that saw me knitting and asked me to knit her something. So I knitted her a wrist band. I didnt' get a pic of the band that I knitted. It was pretty boring anyways, Pink and Blue red heart yarn stripped unproportionally. What did you expect? I did it in an hour or two or something like that. She was happy someone took the time to knit her something and I was happy to oblige.

I've finished Evie's Bear!!! I knitted the sweater and the skirt without patterns and the sweater is my first! Ready for the adult version? we'll see.
checkit out!!!




Also I've started on a cheater's fingerless gloves to avoid knitting knuck 2. I've knitted a few for Symone. She keeps loosing them. I found one the other day. I wonder where the other one went? The mysterious Symone Triangle perhaps?

I wanted to knit myself a pair and so by golly I am goin do it!!!
I can't remember where the pattern is from but it is pretty easy.

Cheater's Fingerless Gloves
2 needle knitting
Choose whatever yarn and needles to gauge what will suit you.
Cast on 40 stitches (adjust to even number depending on the yarn and your hand size)
k1, p1 for the rib around the wrist for about 6 rows or so
Change to stockinette until it is about over where you want it to cover on your hand. measure as you go.
When it is about where you want it, K1 P1 for 4 rows.
Bind off
Sew up the edge just leave a hole for your thumb and voila!

I finished the first one when Brook and I were knitting today. She took a picture of it too!!! She was working on booties for her friend. I gave her that super easy 2 needle bootie pattern that I used for my co-worker.

I absolutely adore Brook! I have so much fun just chillin and knittin with her!
She took pics of our get together today. Hopefully we'll have a couple more joining us next time. Right Angie? We can't wait to meet you girl!

Salut folks!!! Happy Knitting!!!

This is why I have an artifical tree! LOL

Prelit Artifical all the way baby!!!!

Gobble Gobble Gobble

I hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving day. Mine was pretty good. The fam thing, the knitting then the sleeping from the turkey. he he he
Salut folks!!!

I just love the internet!!!!!

I just absolutly love the internet! Where else can you go shopping, do research on an illness, make music, take quizes to find out the inner truths of your being, look at crazy people's cams/pics, look at porn, play games, and of course....Watch Grey's Anatomy! I'm tickled that ABC lets you watch the full episodes. This is better than DVR!!!

BTW....

I don't think I mentioned this in my braggin post but here it goes.
Brook and I've formed a group for Birmingham knitter so we can get all the cool groovie folks out and knit together!
Check it out --KnitintheHam I've got to run it by Brook to see if she wants to get together this Sunday after the whole Turkey festivities that usually span through Saturday.
News to come about this Sunday will be posted on the knitintheham blog!

Salut!!

I like doing these from time to time.......

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

I've got a knitting buddy!!!

I got to meet up with her today. She is BrookeG and we hung out at the local coffee shop and knitted all the while my angel Symi-D was feeding us skittles. Talk about a fun sunday afternoon! We live right down the road from each other and both of us can't believe we've not crossed paths earlier! We have soo much in common it's almost scary and together we are gonna bring all the hip young knitters of the ham together.
I finally finished up the booties for my co-worker Anne. I used the same pattern that I've knitted before but this time I didn't mess them up like the last time.

Also I'm almost finished with Evie's Teddy bear! Just a little seaming, embrodiary and stuffing and I'm done except I've got to knit a little dress for the bear otherwise she'll be naked. I also have to knit one for Sym too otherwise she'll be jealous. Salut folks!!!

Are you ready for some Iron Bowl???

Yay Alabama! Yay Auburn! Yay Alabama Roll Tide!!!
Okay that's the side I'm taking this year. Last week both Alabama and Auburn lost! I couldn't believe it! But Green Bay won. Coincedence? hmmmmm

If you've ever tasted college football rivalry you know that it fails in comparison to Univ of Alabama & Auburn. The rivalry is so bad that folks get divorced after Iron Bowls cause their spouse rubbs it in until the next year causing the other to just blow a gasket! It's almost sad. LOL But not me. I'm a fence sitter. I decide when I get to the party which side I'm on. This year since I went to the UA's homecoming with my buddy eric I'm pulling for them! I'm hanging at my girl Tonya's tomorrow and she is all about some Roll Tide (Univ Alabama)too! Yee Haw this is gonna be a great game this year. Hopefully Auburn will run home crying. They've won the past 3 years but I have a feeling their streak is coming to an end.
Did you know that some businesses close their shops during the game all over the state? If you walk in to any retail store, they usually have a Tv in there and the sales folks are watching the game. It does make sense seeing as though every person that walks in the store is gonna ask the score. I don't know why those that care just don't do what the rest of the state is doing, WATCHING THE GAME!
So I'll follow my friend and stand by her as we watch Iron Bowl 2006, drink up on some beer, eat some good food and yell at the top of our lungs when there's a bad call made. Cause you know the players can sooo hear us through the Tv!
Salut folks!!!

The Quiz said it! This is where I belong!!!!

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and a little sassy, you were meant for Paris. The art, the fashion, the wine, the men! Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park... You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?

I absolutely love Halloween!

For Halloween this year, Tom Symone & I all dressed up! Tom hasn't dressed up for Halloween in 10 years. I don't know why. I guess he just wasn't feeling up to it then. Anyways the Duke family trick or treated everyone in the subdivision down the street. Boy did Symone get the hook up on candy! It's coming out of our ears now!!!
Here are some pics of the 3 of us....
Here's the little witch!

Here's the momma witch!

And here's Tom with a shot to the head!!

First Time at a Game in T Town

For my dad's birthday, I decided to buy tickets to take him to the University of Alabama Football game. A guy I work with was trying to unload his in-laws tickets at face value (2 for $70) so I jumped on it! Afterall, I've not seen Alabama play in person since the SEC Champ Game in 94 where they lost to Florida. My dad was psyched to go and then on friday I got a call from my stepmom. My dad couldn't make it. He had to dredge up business for his company.
A little heart broken from the whole thing, I started calling & offering the tickets to other folks. Then I ran into this guy at Ruby Tuesdays named Kenny who told me to go and cause a ruckous. I thought hard. Who would go with me? Would they cause a ruckous too? I called some family members but they had to work.
By chance my friend Eric was in town from Atlanta. I told him the story and he said, "Hell yeah I'll go with you! Yay!!"
So he did. We got down to Tuscaloosa at 10am & walked a mile or 2 to the Houndstooth and started drinking, cause they don't sell alcohol in the stadium. We had a Long Island Tea and 2 Grateful Deads each. Good lord at the buzz I was getting! I don't own any Alabama paraphinillia so I wore my Green Bay Packers hat. I did get ALOT of looks and I'll show you why later.
We hung out there until 1:30 watching the Auburn vs Ole Miss Game. I couldn't holler for Auburn because folks if you are in T-Town cheering for T-Town's biggest enemy, Auburn, you could get seriously injured. That and Eric said if I did he'd find another ride to his truck. LOL I just love the state of Alabama football, all the colleges, not just one.
We then made our way to the stadium. Here's why folks looked at me funny.
Do you see all the Red in the stands? LOL
Wildest thing, no Florida International fans, no Florida International Band, they didn't even have cheerleaders! It was as if their bus never made it. Hmmm T-Town triangle somewhere? Over zealous fans? Maybe........

Since absolutely no one through out the stadium was wearing any color other than Red or white or both, I got alot of looks.

Remeber Kenny from RT that told me to cause a ruckous, well he told me to send him a pic of me doing so. My friend Eric took this pic. Kenny the ruckous guy replied back saying "I'm glad you are at the game disturbing the peace. Ha ha ha!"
Here's the pic I sent him.







Here's Eric and Me at the game having a blast. Don't you love the goofy looks on our faces? Blah ha ha. I love camera phones!


Alabama won the game too. 38-3 They beat that Florida International ass!!!
I may invest in another Bama game road trip.

Maybe I'll luck out and get Alabama vs Auburn tickets! If you know anything about college football in Alabama, Bama v Auburn is THE GAME OF ALL GAMES in the season. It is the game that determines who gets to rub in the loss to the other team for the entire year. It is ALWAYS a good game!!!
If I do stumble on to some more tickets, no matter who is playing, hopefully my dad will go with me the next time.....
Cheers Yall!

Thank God I don't have to go back for for another 5 years

Okay so the ten year reunion was alright. Unfortunatly I drank ALOT in order to relax there. I had a blast though. It was great seeing folks I haven't seen in a long time. I have to admit, the folks I graduated with were pretty cool.

My knitting this week has been minimal. I've still got to knit Evie's teddy. She really loved Symone's. I've at least knitted a leg. LOL
I'm planning on doing a girl one with a skirt for her. Symone may get jealous but I'll just tell her that her's is cooler cause she can dress it in whatever and Evie is stuck with the same dress. Tonight she took the clothes off another doll to put on her bear. I think she prefers that, but wishes she had more dresses for it.

Cheers Yall!
I'm going to bed.

Something to remember about men.....

If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant
to be. Slower is better.

Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you
truly happy.

If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends".

A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Don't settle.

If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.

Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.

The only person you can control in a relationship is you.

Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?

Always have your own set of friends separate from his.

Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up.

Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.

You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within.

Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are... even if he has more education or in a better job.

Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.

Never let a man define who you are.

Never borrow someone else's man.

If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.

A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.

All men are NOT dogs.

You should not be the one doing all the bending... compromise is two way street.

You need time to heal between relationships... there is nothing cute about baggage...

Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship

You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you... a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals... look for someone complimentary... not supplementary.

Dating is fun... even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.

Make him miss you sometimes... when a man always know where you are, and you're always readily available to him - he takes it for granted.

Never move into his mother's house.

Never co-sign for a man.

Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.

Keep him in your radar but get to know others.

Thank God it is Friday!!!

After a crazy week, I feel the need for some rest and relaxation.
Saturday is my 10 year high school reunion. Some of the folks I graduated with are lawyers, real estate agents, mortgage brokers etc. I'm a data processor. I'm a little embarassed but not really. I'm happy for the moment with where I am at.
I guess it is better to be a data processor than unemployed walking up into the reunion. I can't wait to see some of them!

Getting off my needles:
1. Black mary jane House shoes for my sister.
2. one pink antibacterial wipe pouch for Sym
Here is the Pouch


Still on:
1. Knuck 2
2. Teddy gal for Evie
Planning Stage:
Christmas Gifts for the fam

Cheers Folks!!!

Slowly getting things off my needles!

"What a loooonnnngg Strange trip it's been" to quote the Dead
That's been my September and beginning of October so far. But I know it will get better before it gets worse. I hope.

During the crazy stuff I've been dealing with, I've gotten a couple of things off the needles. One I started in May and finally finished!!!!!!


And I've been knitting knucks. Finally I finished Knuck 1.

Last night I started on knuck 2's fingers. Hopefully I'll finish it today too! Maybe a trip to McDonalds is necessary.
Cheers all!!!

Getting Agry at these script template things

Okay this is getting crazy. I can't freaking get this thing right! Sighs and throws hands in air, I give up.

Bored at Work I'm ready for my Charrdonnay now!

It is way too pretty outside today for me to be here pecking away at the keyboards!!! This is my favorite time of year. It is not too hot, not too cold but just right outside the leaves are already starting to turn a little in my back yard! I just wish I could do this outside on a laptop instead of squinting my eyes and slouching my back over a desk that doesn't have any drawers! That's right my desk has no drawers. I'm tired. I really need to set up that hammock in my yard. But I think Sym and I would fight over it!
On my needles are knucks. They are half fingered gloves and they are so fun to knit! You can get the pattern from knitty http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTknucks.html. I'm still working on them. I've not finished knuck-1 yet and I'm twitching to while I'm bored here at work. But I must resist I must resist!
I'm taking a break from the bears even though I have an order for one from Evie. I'm knitting for me right now damn it!
Well folks I guess I'll get back to work.

Questionaire for Punk Rocker Knitting Exchange

1.) How long have you been spinning/Knitting/Crocheting?
Since October 2005
2) Do you consider yourself a beginner, novice, or experienced Yarn Artist?
Novice because I can knit in the round on DPN's or Circulars and I've been trying my hand at various pattern knitting
3) What type of fibers have you worked with?
All types except Cashmere only because it is way too expensive.
4) What types are you dying to try?
Cashmere
5) Are you allergic to anything, (Fibers, Food, Smells that make you want to puke, etc.)?
Nothing I think. But bleach kills my sinuses and eats up my nose.
6) Do you have any Disorders, ex: Diabetes?
Other than being naturally crazy? None
7) What is your Favorite Time/Style period, ex: Romatic, Grecian,Metal, Goth,etc?
Love Goth styles with a tad of Romance.
8) What fibers do you dislike?
None
9) Name some of your favorite Artist, Movie wise, Television if you watch it ex: I heart Keanu, some things cant be helped, and Rachel loves Mike Ness !?
I love Patrick Dempsy and Jaquine Phoenix. Meow Johnny Depp,
10) Whos your favorite Character ex: Jack or Cpt Jack?
Bridget Jones
11) Do you prefer natural colored fibers, or handpainted/dyed fiber?
Both
12) What are you favorite colors?
Any shade of Red, Black, Purple
13) What colors do you dislike?
Bright Yellow. I only like it with something else.
14) What projects are you currently working on?
Teddy Bears and Knucks from Knitty.com
15) Do you have a wishlist?
Nope not anywhere specific
16) Do you have any other favorite hobbies?
Mosaics, Reading, Collaging
17) Whens your birthday?(mm/dd) (Thanks Rach')
Jan 27
18) What is your favorite food, candy, scents that you love!! Etc.?
I love Godiva Chocolates. I also love clean smelling candles like ocean or rain. I love beer and wine. My favorite wine is Mandra Rosa Chardonnay
19) Are you pierced at all? Any tattoos? Can you/would you wear jewelery that isn’t real?
Only my ears are pierced. I used to have a tounge ring but my mom made me take it out when I was 19 after having it for only 2 weeks. I can wear jewelry that isn't real.
20) What do you like Culturally, ex: Celtic, African, Devil Worshiping, Kidding!?
Celtic is groovie. I love Egyptian and Greek too.
21) What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A groovie coffee can that I collaged. also an old CD case for some my circular needles. Most of the time there are needles just sticking out of my knitting bag
22) What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love MP3's! I've got a ton on 2 harddrives at home! I love every kind of music except hard core busting up into places with guns rap. blah. I love heavy metal and I love grateful dead. See more crazy! I also love AudioSlave and the Foo Fighters.

23) What's your favorite season and why?
Fall and Spring are tied. Fall because of the leaves, the cold weather and NFL FOOTBALL!! Spring because that little bit of warmth coming back and everything being reborn renews me.

24) What season do you abhor?
Summer. I live in Alabama. It fucking sucks!!!!! The humidity will kill you if you aren't careful.

25) How about Sports, any that you just cant get enough of or do they make you throw up in your mouth just a little?
NFL Football and some college football. I love soccer too.

26) What is your family situation Do you live alone?
I am a Mommy and a Wife in that order.
27) Do you have any pets?
Gold fish named Suzie
28) Do you like handmade gifts?
Absolutely love them!!!
29) What’s your favorite thing to make, knit/crochet or other craft wise?

The Teddy bears, little baby booties, hats, scarves,
30) Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
depends on what I'm knitting. I do love the straight ones though

31) Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
nope :-(

32) Tell us how you learned to knit/crochet?
I was displaced from my home due to Hurricane Katrina. A tree took out my powerlines from the meter box and I had to wait 2 weeks before someone could come out and fix it. I was staying with some friends and I brought the book I checked out from the library that I could not figure out hoping they could. Along with the horrible book and the many internet videos on knitting, we were able to figure out how to knit. I've been knitting ever since.

33) Do you enjoy getting helpful hints from others or does it just piss you off?
Yes! I love it

34) How old is your oldest UFO?

4 months. a baby sweater/jacket. I can't seem to finish it.
35) Is there anything that you collect?
coffee cans and broken glass

36) Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
an easy house shoes or sweater pattern that doesn't require 10 balls of $10 yarn.

37) What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have if any?
Vogue knitting

38) Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
continental knitting, crochet

39) Do you enjoy knitting socks? How big are yer boats (feet)?

I've not knitted any yet. I wear a size 10 shoe

40) DELETED
Well that was fun.

Teddy bears Rock!!!

I love this new knit kick that I am on. I'm knitting the bear for Mother Bear Project from DIY's Knitty Gritty. Here is the link to the pattern: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_4826306,00.html
It is soooo easy and quick to knit. I've been putting to good use to my left over Red Heart Super-Saver yarn! I'll be posting pics as soon as I get these bad boys stuffed! I've not had any stuffing to finish them but buddy once I get it, hoo nelly I'll have them ready in a jiff!
One is for an old aquaintence of mine & hubby. His son has a rare disease that requires him to have a bone marrow transplant. Hopefully I can get it to him before they take off to Minneapolis for the surgery.
The other one is for my friend Mary's daughter Alana. I've not knit anything for her before so I think she'll love this little teddy. Hers I started on Friday and got it all but stuffed last night. Go me!!!
Gotta get back to work!

Off the needles!!!

Greetings folks! After a long time away from my blogging fun I've finally decided that I can not leave this blog untouched, this long ever again. I've been neglecting this blog and my attention had been diverted to myspace. I don't really like it all that much but I do like the fact that almost EVERYONE that has a drivers lisence or those that don't even have one.

Well here are some of my projects off the needles.....
1 Purse for my good friend














2 House shoes for my sister Pam I'm just adding a little detail to the house shoes. I think she'll like them.















3 I made a worry scarf. You know a scarf that helps take your mind off your worries. I said a prayer over it before giving it to someone. You don't want to give your worries over to someone else That just makes them in the same water tredding boat that you were in before knitting it.

I've bought a car. I don't know what to think of it just yet but over all I'm loving the new car thing. It is a 2005 Taurus that is pretty nice. I like the payment on it that is one of the most important things about it. Commitment. that's a big word. Good night folks I'm off to dream land.

And now a word from the funk

What is the funk? Many folks describe the funk as a sickness similar to a cold. Some refer to it as a state of mind. The meaning for funk that I love to use it for is both. Cause I have it. I've been coughing a bit (from smoking) and my mental state of mind is that of a crazy person at times only due to the fact that a certain someone is driving me crazy.
Oh well. I've got to get over this although he' s making me really wish that lawyer was not out of town.

Completed projects.......
My first pair of blue baby booties thanks to the free pattern from Carole Barenys
Pardon the pic. I'm still trying to figure out the best ways to take a pic with my new digital camera. My old HP cam is so easy I never have a problem with not enough or too much flash.
Anyways, the booties were so easy and so quick to make! I am such a pro until I noticed after the second bootie was sewn together that I goofed it up when I was knitting the sole.
If you think this is a different pair of booties, you are mistaken. These are the same ones, but I had to turn the flash off in order to get a defined shot. I accidently knitted an extra row with the first one and didn't log it on my pattern so I didn't duplicate the mistake on the other one.
The yarn I used was Lionsbrand Babysoft pale blue. And I still have a ton of it left to knit more. Next time I will log my mistakes or undo them for the second one. ha ha ha

I don't know which way the sole is suposed to be. Is it like the one on the left or the one on the right? I've seen more like the one on the right but when sewing it together it seemed like the seam may get on the baby's nerves. hmmmm Thoughts anyone?

Basket weave project became a Hat!
The basket weave knitting from my last post finally decided to turn it into a hat! I did the same basket weave knit that I did for my friends purse. (No I havent finished it yet. I'm still trying to figure out how I want the strap.)
The Hat was of my own design.
Unfortunatly, I really didn't count how many stitches I cast on, all I did was cast on a number of stitches that were divisible by 4.
K4 P4 for 4 rows. On row 5 P4 K4. Then repeat pattern until desired length (enough for a roll or fold or not)
At desired length begin decreasing!
K2tog, k5 and repeat that until about 8 stitches remain then cut the yarn, and thread the yarn through the remaining stitches for a tight close.


Great wineNews:
That wine store will start carrying my MandraRosa. They are even selling it to me for $9.99 a bottle. That's not bad. It is cheaper than paying my mom to buy and mail me some and I don't have to wait (not as long). Ah Ask and you shall receive, sometimes. I'm still asking for my sanity back.
Cheers & Happy knitting!

Kid sweater status.....And everything else

I've been out of town for the past week. I brought the sweater with me and I knitted on it Zero times. I don't know why I don't want to finish it. but I did however knit a bunch of cute things!!!!
The purple and blue bags are my mother daughter matching drawstring bags. I'm so proud of me! Those are my first I-cords to knit! The multicolored pink/red orange is one side of a groovie bag I'm knitting for my friend. It is my first time attempting the basket weave knitting (k4 p4 for 4 rows then p4 k4 for 4 rows until desired length)
The fuzzy looking thing is a boa scarf thing. I used the pattern off the yarn. I've knitted with it before and it is a piece of cake however I'm still in one of those I don't want to knit that moods.

Check this one out too! I'm knitting another drawstring bag or a hat. I can't decide which. Again I'm just loving the basket weave stitching.

I've finally found a wine store in town that will carry my wine MandraRosa. I'm sooooooooo happy I bought 3 bottles friday! Here's the label if you are curious. I HIGHLY suggest that you drink it if you like Chardonnays This one is the bomb!