Sym's 8th Birthday

Sym had a marvelous party!! She had so much fun!! Her party was Saturday night at a place that has moon walks and an arcade! She had 9 friends and 3 cousins attend. She received so many things, including 5 webkins, a gameboy, books, clothes, Easy Bake goods and Barbies of course.
Here's a group shot!


YEah! They were pumped up!!

Here's some random shots of the party...





















YEah I think I was more tired than she was at the end of it all! LOL
More to come....
XOXO
Lesley

Yo!!! I've got the badge thang!!!

Go Check out the Knitting Scouts! The Cast-On podcast has the absolute coolest badges that have successfully put me in a freaking great mood this Monday Morning. I hope it carries over into the dreaded Tuesday!!!

Okay here are the badges I've earned!!! Also I'm putting these on a widget thingy tonight when I get home.


The “Proselytize Knitting” Badge - A requirement for all Knitting Scouts, the recipient must do his or her bit to present knitting in a positive light, whilst at the same time avoiding all references to “hipness”, grandmothers, and yoga.

Every one that sees the yarn draping out of my knitting bag or me KIP(knitting in public) totally asks me, "what are you crocheting?" After correcting them, politely most of the time that I'm knitting, they then ask "What made you decide to knit?". I tell them that I've always wanted to learn how, and finally did 2 years ago. It was something for me to focus on and by golly I've learned alot from it like paitence, the ability to start over and not get disheartened and I've met lots of incredible people on the internet and in real life from it! It is my Zen, my balance in this crazy ass world!

The “MacGyver” Badge (Level One) - The recipient must demonstrate clever use of a non-knitting tool in a knitting-related scenario. For instance, recipient has used paper clips as stitch markers, or successfully whittled and then utilized bamboo skewers as dpns.

Dude! Do you know how many times I've used twist ties as stitch markers, bamboo skewers as stitch holders, and knives or lighters to cut yarn when I didn't have my yarn cutter? I'm currently working on my level 2 badge as well. Blah ha ha!!


The “Knitting Whilst Under the Influence” Badge - This applies to both actual knitting under the influence, as well as achieving moments of stunning intellectual clarity about ones knitting under the influence. Presumes talking about knitting whilst under the influence a given.
Dude! Stitches and Brews! Need I say more? :-)


The “I Will Impress You With My Math Prowess” Badge - The recipient is a whiz at substituting yarns and calculating gauge, can space increases and decreases evenly and is fully comfortable with the basic math encountered in all knitting projects.

Boy do I ever!! I earned this one from my first socks. LOL

The “Inordinately Fond of Novelty Yarn” Badge - In which the recipient professes an arguably unhealthy affinity for yarn with slubs, sparkles, spangles, fur, feathery bits, and an unconscionable proportion of man-made fibre. Recipient makes no apology for the preference.
I must admit, I LOVE Novelty yarns!! See Knitted Kitty, Knitted on Christmas Bag, Cheshire Cat Scarf Need I say more?

The “I’ve Knit Items With No Conceivable Practical Application” Badge - Recipients are those “special” campers who have knit items which somehow missed the mark of their intended application. There are probably more who are deserving of this badge than one would expect.
Ha ha ha!! Way too many of those! Unfortunately I didn't post all of them. I wish I did now! LOLAnd Finally My Favorite 2! LOL

The “Knitting Caused My Divorce” Badge - Maybe your spouse didn’t fully appreciate your chosen lifestyle, or maybe you were caught in a lie about the frequency you were having S.E.X. outside the relationship, either way you can trace beginning of the end back to your obsessive need to knit.
Yeah! Pretty much! LOL

I'm working on this one!!
The “Knitting Got Me Through My Divorce” Badge - Better for you than wine, easier to care for than a houseful of cats, knitting probably kept you busy, and definitely kept you sane, while you navigated your way back to single life. You’re better off without him/her, honey.

XOXO Yall!!
Go get your badges!!!
Lesley

Little just woke up fun at 6:42 AM

I grabbed this from smariek knits
Crap! It is almost 7!!!


Click here to create your own painting.

Knitted Quick like birthday goodness!!

Check what I made for Sym for her birthday! (pics taken with camera phone)


Yep! It is the Knitted Kitty!!! I made it like a total of 5 hours! Go me huh?
More details on Ravelry She's going to LOVE it!!!
I made it by double knitting on size 6 needles, Acrylic 4ply yarn and Patons Carmen. It is SO soft!! Yep those are beads for the eyes and nose.

Here's some more pics!!
Ya'll enjoy!! I think I may knit about 5 more of these for Christmas gifts!
Now off to do some last minute birthday purchases before the party at 6!
<3 Ya'll!! Lesley

8 is Great! Frige Art Friday to return next week!

This is a very special weekend. Very special! It was Wednesday 8/25/1999, I was at my OBGYN’s 6 days past my due date. My OBGYN, just finished scheduling me to be induced on Monday and said that I wasn’t going to go into labor over the weekend. Sym must have heard him because at 5:30PM that evening, out of no where I started having contractions. I hung out at home, (scared to get to the hospital only to be sent home because of Braxton Hicks) breathing through each intense pain in my back every 10 minutes. Then over the next 5 hours, they started getting closer and closer. At 2:00 AM on 8/26/99, I called my doc and said "Uh she must have heard you because it looks like she didn’t want to wait till Monday." He said, "Well it looks like it is show time! See ya at the Hospital." After a round of happy drugs, going off on my mom and an epideral from heaven, I had my angel at exactly 11:59 AM after I had just told her dad to wake me up for days of our lives. LOL

She’s growing up too fast for me!! I can’t believe it has been 8 years! Thank you God for every one of them!!! Happy Birthday My Angel!!

My Fairy Name! I'm so cool!!!

Thanks Cole!! Love your Wedding Dress!!
My Fairy name is.....

Your fairy is called Bramble Elfshimmer

She is a cheerful sprite.

She lives in leafy dells and bluebell glades.

She is only seen when the first flowers begin to blossom.

She wears bluebell-blue dresses. She has delicate green wings like a cicada.

Get your free fairy name here!

Great! Something new to the crap list

The Crap List

1. Work kicking my ass
2. Finances Kicking my ass- Why does everything have to cost so F*&@ing much?
3. Men ha! don't make me laugh! Like this one really needs to be here! There's not any other than the X who is just MIA see number 2.
4. Getting Sym's B-Day gift What to get this angel? I havent' the slightest!!!
**and for the new one
5. Shingles. Yeah I'm freaking infected! Isn't this an old person's disease? 3 out of 4 people have told me that their grandparent have had it. WTF? How does a almost 30 year old get this? I got this red letter from Sym's school Monday saying that there are a couple of outbreaks of the chicken pox at the school. Did my darling angel who has been vaccinated carry this home to me? Could that have done it? An infested inquiring mind wants to know! So I looked it up on the good ol' internet. They say it can be stress induced. Lovely huh? Yeah! That's me totally full to the brim with stress here! Yooo-hoo! Come on infestation!
I just got a call from the doc too. They want me to come in tomorrow to give another blood count. So I have an infection somewhere on top of this infestation! I hate "in-" words! They said that when they stuck me Wednesday that my WBC was really high so now they need another one. How nice? I'm taking this valtrex medicine and aleve for the pain. I'm freaking nauseated! More spots have appeared on my body and my right leg hurts. I think even my face is hurting as well as my arms. I'm itching too! Which makes this insane! Why is the medicine making me itch? I wasn't itchin prior to the meds? Damn infestations!!!!

So if you dare ask me "How are you today Lesley?"
This is what I'm telling you "I'm super thanks for asking! I have the shingles and I'm all about sharing it with people who are my age so that I'm not alone in my ailment. So step up a little closer! You know you want it too!" Blah ha ha ha!
Where's the goat when I need him?
XOXO
I hope the internet won't give ya'll my ailment.
Please don't tell me your grandparent(s) have contracted this too. I really don't want to feel any older. I have nothing against old people mind you but it is bad enough when I'm not even 30 yet and 45+ year old me keep hitting on me EVERYWHERE! Thanks!! Love ya'll!!
Lesley

You can pass me that glass of wine now....

Today at work, I was in the break room getting my eleventyith cup of coffee when I saw on the ol'boob tube something I didn't expect to see.
I got to watch the space shuttle Endeavour land! Wow! The coolest thing about it to me wasn't the mission, or overcoming the the problems they encountered at take off. It was the fact that the Christa McAuliffe’s backup for the doomed 1986 Challenger flight was on this flight!! Can you believe this woman, after seeing her peer blow up in the air back in 1985, decided to quit being a teacher, and became an astronaut! IF you check out the article, you'll see the problem that happened at take off during this particular mission. The shuttle developed a gouge in the tiles! Woah! And they landed safely!! Too freaking cool!!!
I just thought that was really really cool! Since I was about Sym's age, I wanted to go to outerspace and run around on the moon. I always loved looking at the stars at night and wondered why we didn't already have mass transportation there. Why not? Then I look around here and think, well McDonalds on the moon would probably take away all the mysticism from the great beyond. I still want to go one day... I wonder if I would make a good astronaut? Hmmm..... Something to think about.
Work has been kicking my butt lately. Lots going on, more stress yet no extra pay for it. I'm having a talk with the ole manager about this one. This isn't going to jive.

I'm still without batteries. I have got to get my hands on some. There is a bunch of knitting I've got going on right now and just no way to take a pic to show for it. Except the camera phone but it really does suck. Now where did my wine go?

XOXOXO
Lesley

Ya'll I had to look this word up...LOL

I nabbed this from Lana.

You Have a Phlegmatic Temperament

Mild mannered and laid back, you take life at a slow pace. You are very consistent - both in emotions and actions. You tend to absorb set backs easily. You are cool and collected. It is difficult to offend you. You can remain composed and unemotional. You are a great friend and lover. You don't demand much of others. While you are quiet, you have a subtle wit that your friends know well. At your worst, you are lazy and unwilling to work at anything. You often get stuck in a rut, without aspirations or dreams. You can get too dependent on others, setting yourself up for abandonment.

What Temperment Are You?

I don't believe that this word describes me!!
phleg·mat·ic [fleg-mat-ik]
–adjective
1. not easily excited to action or display of emotion;
apathetic; sluggish.
2. self-possessed, calm, or composed.
3. of the nature of or abounding in the humor phlegm.<---[WTF?]
XOXO
Lesley

YEah I'm just now getting around to posting events....

He he, a few weeks ago when the Harry Potter movie came out, my mom her BF, sym and me went to the McWayne Science Center to watch it on iMax. I was disappointed in the iMax showing of a movie and my neck hurt. I ended up dizzy and nearly fell on the folks a row down from us.
After the movie, we all went down their exhibition hall. They have all kinds of science experiments and lots of cool things to do as well. Sym went NUTS!!! She was bouncing all over the place, "ooo look at this! ooo look at that!" One of the things we saw was a stretching mirror. You could actually control how it stretched your reflection! Here's some pics of Sym's refection:
She looks like she has a mouse face in this one!


Oh! My head!! It is going to explode!


There also was this bicycle on a rope. Yes a rope! And of course my daughter wanted to ride it! All 2 1/2 stories above the hard marble floor! Ya'll I was so freaking nervous I almost had a heart attack. I was watching her so intently trying to stay cool and be like "hey it is no big deal" but I couldn't ya'll! Part of me wanted to scream out "NO Don't!!!" But then what kind of mommy would I be if I did that? She has been scared of heights but with this I guess since there was a dinky net underneath she thought it would be safe. Thus the near freakout heart attack of mommy right there on the steps of the place. ;-)
As ya'll know she is fine and nothing happened of course but man that feeling of fear that came over me was something I hadn't had in a long time! (I'll share that story with you one day.)

I love my Sym! Especially when her feet are on the ground. :-)
XOXOXO
Lesley

Getting on with it!

Sorry I haven't posted ya'll! It's been a crazy weekend. I've got more details to share tonight. Right now, work is kicking my butt! Grrr.
Now for your entertainment......

Mormon Teen Loses Inhibitions After Third Benadryl

WEST JORDAN, UT-The pious calm of this peaceful Mormon enclave on the Great Salt Lake was shattered Monday, when, in what local church authorities are calling an "extremely disturbing" incident, 16-year-old Enoch Zachariah Young had his...

I just love the Onion!
XOXOXO
Happy Tuesday (although it is STILL NOT my fave day of the week!)
Lesley

Weekend of Fun

As some of ya'll know it is hard to get out on your own if you have a little one (or 2 or more) so what does a momma do when she needs a little adult time mixed in with motherhood?

Go to another momma's house of course!!! Sym and I went to my BFFAA Tara's. Sym, me, Tara, Gator (Tara's BF) and his BFF Earl all hung out and played a Kareokee game on the PS2. Sym at first didn't want to. She was hiding in my armpit as we sat on the couch. She was so scared to hop up there in front of everyone and sing. Then all of a sudden she saw a song she absolutely knew, Material Girl by Madonna! LOL That child took the mic and stood up in front of us and sang that song! Then we couldn't take the mic away from her! LOL
It was so cute ya'll!!! That's something I'll never forget. Seeing my daughter drop her fear of shyness in a small setting! I'm so proud of her!!!

Saturday was Diva day!!! We woke up and got our hair cut!!! Not too short though. We both cut our hair to just below the shoulders. (Pictures when I get batteries)
She loves her hair just a bit shorter like this! It helps her be able to brush her hair herself instead of relying on others to do it for her. It enables her personal hygiene independence. LOL Me? My ends look SOOO much better!!!
Later on, we went clothes and shoes shopping with my mom! My goodness this child has WAY too many clothes now!! LOL
Sunday: We went to Church (wow! 2 sundays in a row!!)and then we went to meet her daddy. It was a pretty good visit. It was weird. I didn't really want to be there but I was. He didn't pay the amount he promised me that he'd pay last week which throws my budget a bit. He's officially behind 2 weeks in Child support. He said he'd pay me the balance after the weekend. I just hope my checking account stays cool and I don't have to write any more checks to the school for any reason. Sym was so happy to see him though. She knows that it was tough for me to see him. He looked like he always does, smell and all.

I didn't knit much this weekend. I did however do a little on the petal washcloth again. blah boring I know. I finished it up today, except for some seaming. I may actually knock out the little doll I am knitting tonight. Not much more is lacking just one leg and 2 arms.
he he

Thanks for your feedback on the knitting mags!! I'm thinking Interweave because of the socks. I've been getting their newsletters with free patterns not to mention their pattern database! woo hoo!! We'll see!

Ya'll rock as always!!!
I promise pics soon! And they won't be the camera phone either!!
XOXOXO
Lesley

New Vogue Knitting arrived Yesterday!

Yeah I got my New Vogue Knitting International yesterday. Some of the patterns are pretty cool. It is their 25 year anniversary edition. It will be the last copy of this Mag that I receive. I'm kind of glad. The Mag had some REALLY cool patterns over the years but I haven't knitted anything out of ANY of them! Mostly because the yarns with the patterns cost more than a tank of gas to knit it. I have 2 years worth and nothing to show for it except a nice collection on my book shelf. LOL (The articles have been nice though. Some of them anyways.)
OH well. I'll get around to knitting one eventually. Life has taken up WAY too much of my time. I am literally having to schedule me time. For the past few days it has been from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM. Nice huh?

I'm debating on getting into a different Mag subscription. I just don't know which one yet. LOL

I was wondering, do any of ya'll subscribe to knitting mags?
How many FO's have you knit from them?

OOps Me time is up!
Thank ya'll for the good knitting vibes and prayers! I've been feeling them and it has helped me out tremendously!!! I'm constantly thinking of ya'll!! I hate that work has been super busy. It has cut into my blog reading time at work. LOL :-)

XOXOXO
Lesley


PS. Vogue Knitting has updated their website saying that it is the "Ultimate Knitting Experience". Here is the link.
I haven't checked it out yet but I do plan to tomorrow morning or tonight hopefully just to see if it is REALLY "the ultimate knitting experience" or just a marketing ploy. LOL

This is pretty cool!!!

This is pretty neat!! I nabbed it from the always super sweet Cole. thanks hun!!! This was really neat!!!


>

Read my VisualDNA™     Get your own VisualDNA™

Accomplished and feeling good!

Knitting Update first~
On the needles: Bad Ju-Ju is still there. I've knitted it a little. I've frogged it after about 40 rounds and started over.

Also...
I'm making more head wraps. I'm stocking them up for next year

Coachella I haven't even cast it on yet. I'm thinking of taking my dear friend ShadKitty's advice and knit Tank Girl again. I do believe I have a better yarn for it than the old cheap stuff. :-)

Life update:
It has been a very draining weekend. I've had alot go on. I did get some things accomplished around the house. I found where the Ex parks his car (and sort of where he hangs his hat) and dropped off the last of his things. He refused to tell me anything. Where he is living, when he was coming to get his things, after countless number of messages with his GF and with his work. I said F*** it and finally got it all together I went on a search for his car. My mom helped me tremendously. I love her so much. It isn't hard to miss. In fact is stands out like a sore thumb. I had to give him his things. It was the only way I could move forward. Even if I was to just throw it in my shed and let it rot, that's all it would do. Rot there because I knew he would never pick it up and emotionally it stood as me hanging on to him. Also he is not allowed here without my presence again.
As I was unloading his things he was walking her dog and saw me unloading all of his things on to his car. He glared at me then walked away. The little dog following too.
I still have some anger. But it is almost gone. The f-ed up thing is that I accepted the fact that he was moving in with a different girl earlier. I knew that the guy absolutely couldn't go without female help. That's just him.
But that's okay. I forgive him for being himself.
I still won't let him take sym around this little girl. The last thing Sym needs to see is daddy all over a girl that could be her big sister.
That's just gross and sets a bad example for her.
I got a new desk for my computer since Mom & I returned his to him. Sym & I put the new one up together. She misses her daddy but I'm not caving. He can just suck it up. WE made an agreement. I'm sticking to that. He can have supervised visits at our convenience.

We went to church this morning. In Sunday school they were talking about the things that make us angry and what God can do to help you control that. I've realized that I've allowed my anger at him to distract me from what is most important, Sym & me. I'm not a bible beater by any means but I was one once in a distant past. I remembered the decisions I made, the good things, good things that were going on inside of me. I remember the positive impact it had on my life during that time. I'm tempted to go back to my home church next Sunday. But I already have received ALOT today from the church down the road! I'm actually about to go grab the old Bible and look up the verses that were quoted today. It has helped. This whole weekend has helped me. I'm still sad a little about the whole thing, but the distance is actually helping me out tremendously.

I have felt so many things during this time, pride in myself (even if it was only for a moment), extreme loneliness, extreme sadness, anger, yet also happiness in my decision, and also Sym and I have gotten even closer than before. I love that child dearly. I can't stop looking at her and think of all the good things from him and me.

I'm grateful for this angel in my life! Thank you God for intervening so long ago! Thank you for this incredible child!

XOXOXO
Thank you all for your comments!! You do mean so much to me!
Big hugs to you all!!!


Here's my new desk!

Lesley's Horoscope for today......

Friday, July 27th, 2007 PST

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

Unexpressed feelings can be the source of relationship problems today. For example, someone may be doing something behind your back to block your forward movement. It's smart to take whatever is hidden and bring it out for all to see. Your best practice now is to be as ready as possible.


Whoa!!.....

Love this!!! Just had to share it with ya'll!!!

My Dear Friend Mickey sent me this today. Boy did it bring a smile to my face!

Tips for us ladies in year 2007

1. Aspire to be Barbie - the bitch has everything.

2. If the shoe fits - buy one in every color.

3. Take life with a pinch of salt... a wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila

4. In need of a support group? - Cocktail hour with the girls!

5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I'm on it and so far I've lost 15 days).

6. When life gets you down - just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just my personality.

8. I know I'm in my own little world, but it's ok. They know me here.

9. Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.

10. Don't get your knickers in a knot, it solves nothing; and makes you walk funny.

11. When life gives you lemons in 2007 - turn it into lemonade then mix it with vodka.

12. Remember every good looking; sweet, single male is someone else's ex boyfriend!

13. Now smile and send to any girl wasting time at work, suffering from a hangover, or just suffering from work that might need a reason to smile

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Yesterday:
I felt like shit

Today:
I feel better! Much Better!!!
Just thinking of the great things to come!!

Tomorrow:
WILL BE EVEN BETTER THAN TODAY!!!!

I wish I could give details to all the events. I can't. I'd like to say that ya'll are the bomb!! Thank you for all your comments!! They keep me going.

I accept the fact that I will be better. I will perservere! I will walk with my head up high even if I do some low down things. he he he

"Did you think I'd crumble? Did you think I'd lay down and die? Oh NO NOT I!! I will survive!" got to love Gloria Gainer!!

Have ya'll heard about Vegoose? IT is this music festival in Sin city! Rage Against the Machine is playing! So is Cyprus Hill!!! I know of an airline where I can get tickets to Las Vegas for $50. Hmmm Tempting... October 27 & 28th huh? Hmmmmm

Finished Knitting Pics (Finally!!)

I just finished updating Ravelry with my latest FOs

Details on Ravelry. I've got to got to get started on Bad Ju-Ju (knit with Caron Simply Soft. he he he)

Thank you Head Wrap For Robbie



Another Altered Dream Swatch Head Wrap




Now for all the freaking Dish rags!! LOL

Moon And Star Wash Rag


Petal Dishcloth by Hazel Schrock




There's more but that's all I have for now. See Told ya! Small quick projects!!!
Love ya'll!!!
XOXOXO
Lesley

Thank you!! Ya'll are the bomb!!! and an update!

Thank you for all the compliments on my blog. The color change was SOOO necessary. I figure that the change on my knitting blog would do me good. I'm trying to find a 3 column blog template. I want to put my blogs/thoughts/writings in the middle and then all my groovie side bar stuff around it. I wonder if I'll have to go to word press for that. Grr. I don't want to have to move!

Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts too through this VERY difficult time in my life. Whenever I've felt down I've been going back to your comments to help me feel better. It has been a rough week and I can't wait till the weekend!!!

I've discovered this week that my soon to be X has been dating an 18 year old. He's 34. Yeah, that one stings. But I know I shouldn't even be concerned with it but that 10 year emo tie is still tryin to hang on inside. Where are my anti-Emo scissors when I need them? Damn the little trolls for hiding my shit when I need it most!!!
We haven't spoken since I found out from the little girl. God she's an idiot. So is he. Talking about this is sooo making me sick!

That's another thing too. I've not been able to eat like I normally do since this discovery 2 days ago. Everytime I put food to my mouth my stomach turns and twists a little and I feel like I am going to throw up. I'm fighting it, but I've cut back on food ALOT.

Also I'm smoking alot more than I used to. Bad bad bad. I know. But I did however write out a list of things I can change and what I can't change. These lists are growing every hour. It is still tough to focus. As you can tell, I'm at work and blogging about my sorrows instead of writing down my processes. Focus focus focus on work Damn it Lesley!!

I'm thinking about starting up Stitches & Brews again. But instead of Brews just stitching. I think maybe hitting a coffee shop again. I miss seeing Brook & Robbie. I feel so down I need to get out again! I've been getting out though. My AC broke and I've been staying with my buddy Tara. Including Tuesday when everything went down. I miss my home though. There's so much I need to change and rearrange there. I've got so much work to do and not enough time to do it!!!

All I have been wanting to do is knit little things, but I'm swatching for Coachella now! Yay!!! I started it last night at Tara's. I'm hoping the AC guy gets out there and can fix it!!! It is terribly hot there! I miss my home. I want to make it our home again. A place where I can feel good, look at it and feel relaxed. I've got to get rid of the rest of his shit. Anybody need some useless junk?

I hope to get some pics of my knitting tonight. I'm pretty proud of it all!
XOXOXO
Love ya'll!!!!
Lesley



***Update: I think a Bad Ju-Ju is a necessity. Yeah I've got enough black yarn I think. Maybe some brown & peach color for the face too. blahh ha ha !!****

I know it has been a WHILE since I've posted my knitting....

Look at that! I cant' even remember the last time I posted any knitting! How terrible!!! Well as ya'll know, I've been going through some life changes. To keep me from going too crazy, I've been knitting small projects like dish rags and dreamswatch head wraps. I've done quite a few! Here's some Proof!!! Wait! I haven't taken the pics yet! Grrr more latere I promise!

Happiness is....

- A fresh bag of Twizzlers,(Damn they make my mouth happy!!)
- Godiva Liquor Truffles (or any other Godiva Chocolates)(Damn I wish they'd sell them in Alabama!
- A bottle of Mandrarosa at the end of a hectic work week (Yes I'm hitting the winestore after work!!)
- those first 30 minutes you spend with your daughter/son/whomever when they've been away for a week and you realize just how much you missed them. (Last week sym spent the week with her grandma down in FL. Me? I bummed around my mom's place & home alot.)
- Finish knitting 3 headbands, 3 dish cloths and starting Coachella
- Going home early on a friday!!
Ya'll have a great weekend. I'll post more later!!

XOXOXO

L what a wonderful letter!

I totally nabbed this from Jenger! Loves ya hun!!!


Here are the rules:
~Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following.
~They MUST be real places, names, things…NOTHING made up!
~If you can’t think of anything, skip it.
~Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial.
~You CAN’T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

Your Name: Lesley
1. Famous Singer/Band: Lenny Kravitz (mmmm Lenny! :-) )
2. 4 letter word: Look!
3. Street Name: Liberty Park Loop
4. Color: lilac
5. Gifts/Presents: Lava Lamp (2 for one!!)
6. Vehicle: Lincoln
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Lights
8. Boy Name: Lewis
9. Girl Name: Lenore
10. Movie Title: Leaving Las Vegas
11. Drink: Liquor!! (heck yeah that's what I'm about to do soon!!)
12. Occupation: Lawyer
13. Celebrity: Loretta Lynn (ha ha another 2 for 1)
14. Magazine: Living
15. U.S. City: La Salle IL
16. Pro Sports Teams: Lions, Detroit (? does that count?)
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Left cell phone at home
19. Something You Throw Away: Lolly pop sticks
20. Things You Shout: Leaping Lizards Batman!!
21. Cartoon Character: le pue, peppy le pue
:-) Let me know if peppy doesn't count! LOL
That's fun! Ya'll give it a whirl!!
XOXOXO
Lesley

New Magknits is out!!!

OMG!! Did you see Stargazer? I totally love it!!!
Check it out!!
www.magknits.com

I knitted with my friend Robbie today. She sewed while I knitted mostly. She made me a skirt too! I can't wait to show it off to ya'll!! Hopefully I can get someone to take a pic of me in it! I love it! It is very hippie and super cool!!!

XOXO
Lesley

Promises kept....

I had originally written that I would fill ya'll in on what crazy things have been happening in the random world of Lesleyd. As hard as it is for me to publicly say it I shall....
IF you recall a month or two ago, I told ya'll that I was no longer referring to my husband as DH but instead Tom. There is a reason for it. We have had lots of troubles in the past 6-8 months. These troubles have caused a quite deal of stress for me, to the point that my mind can not be freed from it. I've tried antidepressants, alcohol, no alcohol, meditation, knitting like a fiend (only to unravel it because it wasn't turning out right) and I can't escape it.
He has been spending time with other women. He spends his money on other people instead of giving it toward bills, he is unaffectionate (doesn't want any affection from me either)and hasn't said I love you since March. Until last week when I dropped the bomb on him.

Here's the bomb. I have begun the steps to getting a divorce. He hasn't had the papers served yet but the lawyer has been paid, and papers are with the server.
For the past week, he has been staying with one of the girls that he's been spending his nights with over the past 3 months.

Although, I'm taking this step to gain spirit and peace it is still hard as hell and has been the toughest chapter to close. We've been a couple for 10 years, married 8 and have a beautiful 7 year old together. I hate that it has come to this. I wish we could live happily ever after but it is impossible. The 8 years married have been the hardest, saddest years of my life that has left me stunted. I've not grown as person from being with him in fact I feel I've regressed to a shell at times. From here on I shall share little tidbits about it. In fact I have another blog that is private that I've blogged about these feelings and all around sadness that he's caused just within the past year. It deserves its own place to hang. I prefer this blog to be happy. I love sharing good news instead of news that is viewed sad or bad.


XOXOXO
Lesley

I Read! Excuse me for not loving Clancy!

My middle sister (not to be confused with the awesome Nat Sis who is the baby Sis) told me the other day that I "..needed to crack open a book once in a while." I was quite offended by this because her tone was very condesending and I read damn it! Excuse me for wanting to read a book about knitting as opposed to differential equations (she's going to school for an engineering degree). I've read that stuff already and quite frankly it bores the hell out of me. (if you like reading about differential equations and other calculus related topics in your "unwind" time more power to you! Personally, I don't care for it and I love you folks that do so I don't have to!!)
But me, I'm not like that. I'd rather read funny books like "Knitting Rules" by the infamous Yarn Harlot, "Knit 2 Together" by Tracy Ullman & Mel Clark (K2Tog has some funny stories in it!!!) or my fellow knitter's blogs which contain anything and every better than fiction at times.

After I calmed down and refrained from hanging up on her, I started thinking more about it. I do read books! They just aren't what the rest of the non-knitting world reads. Then I thought, maybe it is about time for me to (sort of) reaquaint myself with the rest of the non-knitter world for a bit and pick up a book that didn't have knitting patterns. I was scared too ya'll! I really was!! What kind of book that didn't have cool knitting patterns was out there for me? Would this book make me laugh like the Yarn Harlot's books or Crazy Aunt Purl's blog? Do I want a mystery/LO SVU type book or some Stephen King book that would have me scared of imaginary creatures lurking outside my bedroom window ready to attack? Would this book help me take my mind off my troubles in my personal crisis stuff?

So I did what any confused, going through personal crisis (that I promise I'll tell ya'll about by the end of this week), highly emo crazy knitter would do... I went to the library. :-) What? Did you think I'm going to actually BUY a non-knitting book that I may or may not like? I think not!! That money is for yarn or knitting books!!

I went to the library, looked around at lots of fiction books. As I walked the aisles, I decided that the book I wanted needed to have the following: 1. Must make me laugh 2. I must get something out of it (a connection of some sort) 3. Can't be a romance book! That is out of the question! 4. Lots of lonely nights, no Stephen King!!!
I glanced past the 20-30's era time setting books and then I saw this book whose title intrigued me "The Journal of Mortifying Moments" by Robyn Harding. I read the back of it. Here is what the back of the book said:
"A short list of ways Kerry can become a better human being:
1. Be a better friend. (I will never again desert a friend in her time of need to go off to a stupid work-related function-or even to a really good party)
2. Never giggle and make jokes when someone is talking about a person who is emotionally exhausted or getting a new wheelchair
3. Developing a strong, loving and uncritical relationship with my mother (This is more of a long-term goal.)
4. Write frequently in the journal of mortifying moments in order to analyze these situations with my therapist, absolve myself of blame, and learn to love men with an open and unguarded heart.
5. Start Yoga
6. Volunteer for something. (Hopefully something that is kind of fun where I can meet single men who are also kind, gentle, spiritual and true.)"

After reading the above, I was curious and opened the book to read the first paragraph. This book caught me and now I'm fighting to put it down!

Ya'll I've been reading it for a week (taking a while due to knitting) and I am over half way finished with it!!! I freaking LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
It is about a single woman that is getting out of a bad relationship and rediscovering peace for herself by writing down all the mortifying events in her life that involve men. Ya'll this book is hilarious!!! It has been helping me by keeping me laughing through my craziness!!

After totally falling in love with "The Journal of Mortifying Moments" I decided to search out Mrs Harding on google to see what else she has written. I found out that she has a new book coming out. So yesterday I emailed her asking about the book because she didn't have it on her website yet.

She replied today and told me that her site has been updated with a description of the new book. Ya'll she is just super sweet!!!

The new book is called "Unravelled". I'll let ya'll see for yourselves. Here's her site with the book description

He he he! It is fate that I found this author ya'll!! Her work is great!
(BTW: I am buying it for my collection this weekend! I want to reread it without fear of library fines!)

Go check it out! Buy the book!! Tell her I sent ya! :-)

XOXO
Lesley

I want this cereal!!

I found this link on the Knitlist today!! This is awesome!!
Eat up! They'll knit some more!

Fun Little MeMe to cheer up the Monday funk

I so grabbed this from my buddy Jenger. It seems like a fun time killer on Monday.
The rules are to go to Wikipedia and type in your birthday month and day only. Then post 3 events, 2 births and 1 holiday that occurred on your birthday, then tag 5 friends.
(Don't worry I'm not taggin!! Ya'll can do it if you want too!!)

Events:
(I'm putting a few more than 3. These are pretty interesting. Ya'll put as many as you want!)

1785 - The University of Georgia is founded, the first public university in the United States.

1880 - Thomas Edison files a patent for his electric incandescent lamp

1926 - John Logie Baird makes the first television broadcast

1967 - Apollo program: Apollo 1 - Astronauts Gus Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee are killed in a fire during a test of the spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center ~

1997 - It is revealed that French museums have nearly 2,000 pieces of art that were stolen by Nazis.

1998 - American First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton appears on The Today Show, calling the attacks against her husband part of a vast right-wing conspiracy.

Births:
1756 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian composer (d. 1791)
1832 - Lewis Carroll, English author (d. 1898)
1836 - Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Austrian writer (d. 1895)
1841 - Arkhip Kuindzhi, Russian painter (d. 1910)
(And Pixelle too!! LOL!!)

Holidays:
UN — International Holocaust Remembrance Day


Well that was fun! Got to get back to work now. :-(

XOXO
Lesley

Ooops!!!

I forgot about frige art Friday!! Sorry ya'll! I've been so busy on my off days that it slipped my mind! To make up for it, here's some pics from this weekend!

Here's Sym Bowling Last night...


We had a blast!! She did pretty good considering she had to use a 7 pound ball!! I had to use a 12 pound for the exact same reason.. our thumbs are too big for the lighter balls. (huh-huh she said balls)

Today we were busy hitting the library and playing in the park!
Here's Sym and her cousin Anna
They are too cuties!!!



I've got more pics to post as soon as my sister sends them to me!! She actually took some pics of me making some pretty goofy faces. Yes and I'm not afraid to share them with ya'll!! :-)

I'm exhausted!! I've been way too busy today and I've got a book to hit!!
XOXOXO
Lesley

Spinning, Yeah I'm trying

ShadKitty sent me a little get started spinning kit the other day. Don't believe me? Here's the post. Anyways, due to Crazy Home, work and personal brain issues (yeah we all go through it!) I have neglected to give it a whirl. I have read the pamphlet that ShadK sent with the spindle and roving but the enlightenment did not come. :-( It happens. Some directions I just don't freakin get. So while Sym and I were out and about yesterday we hit Knit Nouveau and I picked up this little book called "Spin It!". It was published by Interweave Press just like the pamphlet and has nice colored pics and more detailed instructions on the whole thing. I've read a little into it and started to feel a little confident to give it a whirl.
Well the first attempt has proven to be a bit off. LOL
Here's the evidence.


Sighs...
Got to hit the book some more! If I get too frustrated, I'll hit the needles instead! LOL
Big Hugs ya'll!!!
XOXOXO
Lesley

Interesting

So I was dominating my computer tonight and checking all of your blogs and I came across this one on Lana's and on Jenger's Blogs. Why the hell not? I'm curious! :-) I scored differently than they did but you know we aren't all alike.

You fit in with: Taoism 40% spiritual. 20% reason-oriented.
	Your ideals mostly resemble those of the Taoist faith. Spirituality is the most important thing in your life. You strive to live by all of your ideals, and live a very intellectually focused life.
Take This Quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

I never looked into taoism. hmmm we'll see!
XOXO
Bonne nuit ya'll!
Startin up my French Tomorrow!!
Yay!!! Lesley gets 4 days off!!! No Day job! No Pizza! 4 days! LOVE & NEED It!!!

Yep another freakin post for today!!! PRGE Glory!!

Give me a break ya'll!! I'm missin Bonnaroo! LOL

I'm such a busy freak!! I received my final PRGE Package from Barb this weekend and didn't get around until this morning to get pics and post! Sorry Barb!! I love the package!!



A washcloth kit! I've never actually knit washcloths although I did attempt once and didn't look back for some reason. I think I got distracted by socks! LOL
Here's a close up of the pattern books she sent!


I want to take the time to recap the goodies Barb has sent me for this exchange....
She's brought a smile to this knittin freak's face!!!

Package 1- Yarn, Candle Notebook, Stitch Markers! LOVED IT!!!!



Package 2- The Yarn Harlot's Latest Book!!!! Went nuts over it!!


Not to mention all the Hallmark E-Cards and Patterns she emailed me!! Thanks Barb! You've been a great Pal! Thank you soooo much!!!!
XOXOXO
Lesley

Ooo look! A Meme!!!

Yesterday was hell at work. I was super @ssed busy. This morning I was finally getting around to my google reader & bloglines to make my rounds to see ya'll!!!
I totally got this from Jenger's Blog Thanks Lady!!!


1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My middle name is after an great aunt, my mom, and my grandmother

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Honey roasted turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? One angel

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? As of right now, I get along with myself. (Jenger I feel the same way)

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT? Not as often as it is given to me. That gets annoying

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? YES!!!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Special K Berries

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? for the most part yes, I do have my moments when I feel like a little girl crying in the corner. I think those times are mostly due to hormones.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Bryers Coffee Flavored

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their eyes

15. RED OR PINK? Funny you should ask! RED - me Pink - sym

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? overactive imagination at times.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My best friend from highschool Amanda. Crazy thing is that she called me the other day.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? It doesn't matter! Post away!!!

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Light Blue scrub pants and I'm wearing my bare feet! ;-)

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Dinner last night. LOL

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Tom's cell phone alarm

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Maroon

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Right after it rains, Gardenias, coffee, and the beach

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My sister Nat last night

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Jenger rocks!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Sports where men are beating each other senseless - Football, Rugby, Hurling, and Soccer

27. HAIR COLOR? Naturally brown. Today it is red.

28. EYE COLOR? Dark brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes can't live without them until I have lasik

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Sushi, Steak Med Rare, Seafood!!!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Scary movies

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Wargames (yeah that 80's movie with Mathew broderick! Sym and I watched it Sunday)

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Grey

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Neither, spring and fall

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Godiva Chocolates!!!

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ?

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND ?

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Knit2Together and Knitting Rules

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have a mouse pad

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Inuyasha

42. FAVORITE SOUND? Sym Singing or playing the violin

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? The Stones!!!

44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Furthest North Maryland/DC, Furthest west Texas I've pretty much have been everywhere between. LOL

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can roll up my tongue. But that's genetic right?

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Birmingham AL

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Who ever sends them

Did you Knit in Public Saturday?

I did but it was after I finished deliverin pizzas around 1am. I went to a little all night bar and hung out with some folks. To prove that I was knitting here ya go!
My long lost sock and I had a blast.

That's Tom's friend Angie holding the sock.
My camera phone's night mode stinks. LOL

I hope everyone had an opportunity to knit in public! I had fun doin it!!! But You know me, I always knit in public. :-)
XOXO

Tom hears strange noises

A strange noise is heard through out the house. Tom went into Sym's room because he hears a weird sound, one he has never heard before. He arrives in her room and the noise stops. The sound isn't there anymore. He waits a minute. Then all of a sudden he hears it again. Determined to find out where the strange sound is coming from he walks down towards my bedroom to find me surfing the new patterns on Knitty!!
(Yeah I was the weird noise he he)
Only a knitter right?
I've always caught the new knitty at work during lunch when no one was around. This issue f***ing rocks!!! LOVE the first 3 Tanks man!!!!
Love Peace and knitting needles!!
XOXOXOXO
Lesley

Ps Scarlett asked what the strange noise was. he he he You know how when someone tells you somethin shocking and you breathe in and say oh! Well it was like that. :-)

Sym Art Friday (but posted on Saturday)

Sorry it is late ya'll!! This has been one of the craziest weeks ever!!!
Sym has been staying at a summer day camp. Friday was PJ day and they decorated a pillow case! What better way to show off her art but a pic of the artist holding the art herself?

I think it is too cute!!!
What do ya'll think?




Ya'll have a great weekend!! I can already feel the good vibes yall have been sending!! I've been knitting on a sock that I forgot about! LOL

Big hugs yall!!!
XOXOXO
Lesley

Where on earth is LesleyD?

MISSING: lesley

Was last seen trying to kick chuck norris

'What will you last be seen doing?' at QuizGalaxy.com

(Thanks Jenger!!)


Yeah that's where I've been!! Nah, I had to go to Maryland for work. It was a pleasant trip though. I did enjoy the hotel we stayed at and the food at the office. The flight back seemed like it took forever!!!! I was only gone a day but it felt like forever. I missed Sym. :-( And my bed :-( and my messy house :-(
Well maybe not the messy house. ;-) The Bonnaroo Ticket sold this morning for 212.00 which isn't too bad. I've got to overnight it tomorrow. I hope the winner has fun.
I'm still a little down about missing the show but I'm mostly over it. I think I may end up going off with sym that weekend maybe to some camp grounds. I really need the break.

On the needles was a sock, but I had to frog it. I think the yarn is cursed!!! (Tawny Tweed Salmon color.)I've frogged it 7 times!! Yes 7!!! The final straw was when I noticed that I wasn't decreasing both sides of the heel turn at the same rate (i'd decrease one side but forget to decrease after the instep stitches) Sighs, I think I'll use another yarn for sym's socks. This yarn is going into my "I'll knit with this another day" pile. Maybe the curse will wear off.

I'm also finishing up the third Dream Swatch head wrap for my co-worker.
I have to hit the restart button on the Stripper's Cash bag. I'm REALLY NOT feelin the whole duplicate stitching thing. Grrr.

In other news...
Things are changin on the home front. Pray for me. I can't go into detail but please keep me in your thoughts and send me good knitting vibes!!! I promise to post about it when I can.

Thanks for stopping by!!
XOXO

Frig Art Friday.......

I didn't take any pics today. However here are a few pics of my angel instead!!!









Here's the ticket for Bonnaroo. It just arrived today. Sighs......... sniffle.... .............