Our Labor day weekend

Sym and I had fun. Friday was Sym's B-Day sleepover and let me tell ya'll. Hanging with 7 little girls for over 12 hours isn't a picnic. Especially trying to get them all to "go along" with what you have planned.
I hate feeling like my efforts are fruitless but I keep forgetting that kids in the 6-9 range tend to not give a frag about any body else's feelings at times. I forget that they are just kids. I guess because Sym is so grownie.
Adults can be the same way too. Sym's 3rd birthday was like that. It was the first one I threw at our house at the time. I was serving hamburgers and hot dogs and my family had the gall to say, "Where are the onions and mayo? Oh you didn't get those? You should have. What's a burger without mayo?" (An EXTRA amount of disgusting white oil coating is waste of damn good beef if you ask me. Your breath is far better wtihout the onion. Trust me I'm saving you. None of that was actually said but seriously ran through my 24 year old mind at the time.) So I really haven't thrown a party at my home for Sym with family since. It was my first time doing it solo without my mom helping me. I never threw those kind of parties before and to have my family.. well let's just say I've forgiven them and moved on. This year was no different. The grownups had dinner with us at China Doll. I am still avoiding actually throwing a party that involves the grownups of my family.
It is amazing that sometimes kids take on that same kind of mentality. "I messed up and don't want to finish my project!" "I don't want to draw on pillow cases. I don't like them!" "I don't want to watch Harry Potter! I want to watch Lord of the Rings" OMG! I gave them all a lesson on demo-crazy Majority rules and you just have to fraggin deal with it! ;-) That kept me sane as well as my frequent balcony visits to smoke.
All in all the sleep over was great! The kids were good overall and I want to throw it again soon! This time I think I'm going to keep it in the 9-10 year old range.
Saturday morning was fun, I made them pancakes and took Sym and a few of the girls swimming. I had great adult conversation time with the parents. I felt sane again. LOL
I worked Saturday night at the Hut. Made some good cash and then for the first time in 2 years I went to southside with an old friend I hadn't seen in a LONG time. You might remember Eric? Yeah it has been about that long since I last saw him. It was he and his friend that I'll refer to as Cherry Pie. Reason being, she was dancing to hippie music (the band Earthbound) as if she was on that music video. ;-)
We had a blast. I danced all night with a nice gent that twirled me around till I was dizzy and I didn't even spill my drink or burn anybody. ;-) Go me!


Sunday was recovery day. Sym came back home around 3 with T & K. They ended up spending the night. Monday was shop till you drop day! We shopped with Sym's birthday money. I got to buy also some things for our apartment to make it not look so blah boring. Sym bought 2 Brat Dolls, a Barbie house, a case for her DS that had decals for it too, Sims Castaway for the DS and that's about it I think. I bought 2 small rugs (1 for bath 1 for kit), a cookie sheet, a 5X8 area rug, 3 pieces of art for our living room and more multiplayer video games. Also got yarn for Sym's Sweater that I'm starting tomorrow. It is getting to be sweater time ya'll!! It is about time I gave knitting one a shot! lol I'll show ya'll yarn pron and pattern etc soon. ;-) Also Misc stuff was purchased too. Like cutesy coin purses and funky bracelets and head bands. Loverly!
We had a blast and now I leave you with a pic of my new living room.

A fun little quiz. Take it why don't ya?

Grace I have been nabbin all the fun stuff off your page hun. I hope you don't mind lovely lady! ;-)

Your result for The Best Thing About You Test...

Honesty

Honesty is the human quality of communicating and acting truthfully. This includes listening, and any action in the human repertoire — as well as speaking. And you? You cannot tell a lie. Both loved ones and strangers should trust you, because you won't (1) lie, (2) lie via omission, or (3) sit there and let lies be told. (Can you even let a sleeping dog lie?) All 7 virtues are a part of you, but your honesty runs deepest.

Your biggest risk is hurting the feelings of your most sensitive friends. However, most appreciate you for your candor.

Honest famous person: George Washington, if you believe the propaganda.

Your raw relative scores follow. 0% is low, and 100% is perfect, nearly impossible. Note that I pitted the virtues against each other, so in some way these are relative scores. It's impossible to score high on all of them, and a low score on one is just relatively low compared to the other virtues.

YOUR VIRTUES

40% Compassion

44% Intelligence

63% Humility

67% Honesty

13% Discipline

57% Courage

50% Passion

Take The Best Thing About You Test at HelloQuizzy

Friday Fillins (Thanks again Grace!)

I'm starting to get addicted to these. Thanks Grace for getting dangling participles at me. ;-)

Friday Fill-Ins #87


1. When I'm sick I'm ___having to take care of myself. No one has ever babied me_______.


2. When I take a walk, I think about ___bills to pay, projects to knit_______.


3. Money can't buy happiness but it can __pay off all my debts so I can be happy________.

4. Cotton makes me __feel like spring________ and leather makes me __wish I had never given away my black leather jacket from High school________.

5. The strangest person/character I've had lewd thoughts about was __he he you would never look at me the same if I told________.

6. My favorite color these days is ____blue, teal and marron______ because ___I look good in those colors_______.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _a slumber part for 7 little girls squeels and all____, tomorrow my plans include __seeing an old friend and delivering pizzas___ and Sunday, I want to _sleep____!

My baby is growing up ya'll!

She just turned 9!!! 9! Her last year in the single digits! Can you believe it? I sure as hell can't! Where the hell have the past nine years gone? Was my child ever a baby? She was a baby at one point. She had to be! How else would they have gotten her out of my belly on 8/26/99? They did give me alot of drugs. Maybe they gave her a magic potion that shrank her temporarily (I was all belly prego) and then when she came out she got the instant 9 year old syrup. Those tricky doctors. Ha! She's not really nine. She is still a little baby but wait, she's ALOT taller than the 21 and 1/2 inches that they measured her when she was born.


I remember 6 very well. That's when she started her violin lessons! Ah violin lessons. yeah



I remember her being 2, vaguely.

I love my girl! She keeps me smiling when the clouds are the thickest (like this week has been in the armpit of the south.)


Happy 9th Birthday Symi-D!!!
I Love you!!!
Love Mom

Friday Fillins

go to this site and get you one too!!
Thanks Grace!!

1. Dancing to the _music_ while ___naked__ makes me __feel sexy___.

2. The last time I ____went to a party______ I nearly ____didn't leave______.

3. When I drive I ___listen to punk or electronica especially when I am delivering_______.

4. I saw __my gnome steve________ standing ___on top of the TV this morning___.

5. Give me __yarn________, give me __wine________, give me ___time to knit_______.

6. Next week I am looking forward to __Sym's 9th Birthday________.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to __the back to school splash with the girls___, tomorrow my plans include _my dad and friends' 50th bday party____ and Sunday, I want to __SLEEP___!

DRT!!! Just got the box!!

Here's the box. Had it delivered to me at the office got it at 11:45 am. Went directly to LYS and bought needles to start


Ya'll ready? I am! LOL

Here's what Emily sent as a little gift


Here's what I've knitted so far


Yep 9 rows of seed stitch!!! I'm knitting more when I get off work! I will have it mailed to Jaymi hopefully first thing in morn at latest!!I'm off!!!

Time for an Update....

Times are quite crazy lately. Work is work, home is Sym and our BOY cat Izzie. LOL Yes folks our cat is a boy. I castrated him from the begining by allowing Sym to call him "Isabella" but alas, he is a boy. I started suspecting when I saw that he started formin a bump down in the nether region. We had resuced shim from the storm drain when it was little. Luckily Izzie could be a unisex name. If not oh well we like it and we are sticking to it!!

Adolf the cichild demon fish is doing well as well. He is still chasinig cat toys. Yes he chases cat toys. I swear if he was an amphibian he would have hopped out of the tank and eaten Sym and I already. He's such an aggressive little guy that hates EVERYTHING but his nice jug in the tank. I think he actually wants to infiltrate our tank. He does like the food I leave for him but do I get a thanks? No, he just tries to bite my finger off. Yes folks this is a fish I'm talking about.
Sym is determined to catch him on video with her handy dandy camera phone (bought b/c she took care of the crap phone for 6 mo) so as soon as we get the video to the internet, Ya'll will see exactly what I'm talking about.

Doing the DishRag Tag dance this year! I'm the Fearless Captain on the quest to make sure I knit this rag as fast as my fingers allow.
I love the DRT! I've got some buddies already! Let me give a shout out to my hommies on Team # 3-Expe-Dish-ous Raggers!!
I am so psyched to get started!!! I've started practicing a seed stitch dishcloth to practice my technique. I did the same thing last year too when we got to pick any pattern we wanted. I knitted the pattern 10 times (I was the last one to get the box too) and timed myself. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of practicing this time round. All good though. ;-)

Well I've gotta get back to work.

Holy Moley!!! Lots a going on...

Well ladies and gents, I've done it. I've returned to the part time job at pizza slut. I'm delivering pizzas again to build up my Sym Birthday and Christmas nest egg. I know ya'll are already used to me not post much anymore but it is about to get even more sparse unless I am at the day job and just bored.
I'm getting really tired of things at the day job but a little bit worried about just quitting. I would hate to leave my team lead. She's super sweet and both of us have put so much into our jobs that it is tough to just walk away.

On the knitting front, I've been rather sparse with that too. I've only been knitting on Callie's wash cloths in which I've already knit 2 and started a 3rd. I hope to finish it tonight and give them to her on Monday. That's if I am not totally exhausted after delivering tonight.

I was hoping to win the Florida lottery, but I didn't. Would be nice if I did though.
I have lots of things I need to take pics of for you lovely people. The camera in the D house stinks though. It is on my list to get a better one once I get the Sym stuff taken care of.

OH!! I've signed up for the Dish Rag Tag Sequel!! I suggest ya'll do the same! It is a fun Kal!!!
Go now and sign up if Emily has room!!!
http://dishragtag.yarnmiracle.com/people/new


Lots of love to ya'll! I'm still reading your blogs and leaving comments when I can. Big hugs!

Yay!!! It's coming back!!!

Yo!! I'm so excited!!!
Dish Rag Tag part deux is around the corner! Woot!!!

http://yarnmiracle.com/2008/07/17/dish-rag-tag-the-sequel/
So excited!!!
Gotta knit dish cloths!!!

:o)

Jayne Style DS Cozy

Yep here's the Pattern Free to ya'll whom I love, which is the entire online knitting community. If you don't love me back then you will probably leave a nasty comment so before you get the chance a big frak you to you buddy and I hope you get a visit from a knitting terrorist!! Now to the pattern


Jayne Style DS Cozy


This pattern came to mind after finishing a Jayne Cobb hat. The hat was WAY too big and I needed something to knit with some of the yarn. I was already on a double knit kick from the Jayne Hat so why the heck not?
The JS DS Cozy is double knitted (knit with 2 strands at the same time) flat (not in the round) then seamed up on one side and the bottom edge.


What do you need?
Easy dude!

1 -skein Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Yellow
1 -skein Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Orange
1 Pair of size 13 needles
1 tapestry needle or crochet hook (which ever you prefer to use to seam)
Magnetic fastener


Abbreviations
K - Knit
P - Purl
sts - stitches
SSK - Slip purlwise 2 stitches then knit the two through the back of the loop
K2tog - Knit 2 stitches together
MC - Main color (Orange)
2C - Second Color (yellow)


The Pattern
Holding 2 strands of MC yarn Cast on 30 stitches using long tail cast on method
Double knit on 13’s

CO 30 stitches
Purl first row
Stockinette stitch for 10 rows in one color
Stockinette stitch for 7 rows in the 2nd color
Bind off 15 sts
decrease rows:
-k2tog, k to last 2 sts, SSK
-Purl row
Repeat decrease rows until 5 sts remain
Bind off
Seam up one side and you are done till you put a closure device onto it. ;-)

Closure Ideas:
-Magnetic Closure with a pom-pom attached
-Button Just give a tug to the flap edgin to create button hole and sew button onto the body.

If you have any other suggestions for easy closures please include them! Also if you find any probs with the pattern let me know and I'll adjust. Please show me your version!! I would love to see them!!
This is my first published on the net pattern so be kind.

XOXOXO

Ah Vacation over That stinks!!!

I had a blast doing the vacation thing last week. Lots of fun!! Most of it wasn't planned too far in advance which I kind of like. ;-) I got out! Yes folks! I left my apartment! LOL

I must confess, not much knitting was accomplished.
Six Flags was great! Sym and I hit the coasters and had a ball! We didn't get to Ride the Batman nor the Superman rides. There's still enough summer to plan that trip hopefully. ;o)

I needed to have had another person or 2 with us to actually take pics of us on the roller coasters. Maybe next trip. Sym and I had a blast! We hit Monster Plantation which you may or may not know is like one of the oldest rides there, i think. Sure does look like it. See even the pic is grainy like those old antique photos. They really need to clean up the animatronics.


Also I got to go out like an adult for once! Wow! I went to see Caddle at a local bar. They are a B-ham band that's pretty good. They are definately a "Live Band". They tell stories on stage, that were quite funny. Here's their website if you are interested. They claim to be country rock alternative. I think they are rock with a twang. ;-)

Also I went to see Blind Melon on Wednesday. They have a new lead singer, Travis Wilson, who sounds just like Shannon Hoon but has his own groove too. Here's a video clip my friend Brian took at the show.
See!! He does sound like Shannon doesn't he?


Thursday was Tubing with the Pizza Hut gang!!!! There's this place called Limestone Park down in the middle of nowhere. You pay the guy $10 bucks, he hands you an tube, and gives you a ride into the middle of his pasture and drops you off by a river. You get on the tube and float down the river. You can buy a cooler tube for $5 to haul your beer, snacks or non alcoholic bevs too. (I prefer beer personally) IT was awesome. I have been waiting 8 years to go! You go over 3 sets of rapids. Lukily Sym and I both got away with minimal scratches. Dude if you have never been you should go. At least once in your life. The last time I went I was pregnant with Sym. Yeah I was a prego dare devil. >:-) he he

Friday & Saturday Was All with the fam!! Sym and I hung out with my relatives from Virginia, grandparents, aunts and uncles and COUSINS!! My God I didn't realize how many cousins I have now. It's getting up to the 20's just from that clan!! I love them all dearly! I brought back memories of being the kid and playing in the same spots my daughter was. It is so weird to be the adult. You know? My grandfather tripped me out! He taught Sym how to drive his Kabota lawn mower. Do you realize that when I was a kid we were instructed never to touch the lawn mower under any circumstance. (we were allowed to play in his boat though. LOL) And here he is teachin Sym how to drive it!! I was jealous, just a little. ;-)


Sunday was knit day. My buddy Mary came over with her angel Alayna. We knitted, the kids played then my butt went to bed. LOL

That about sums up the entire week off. I hope ya'll enjoyed!
Here's Sym drivin the Lawnmower. It is about as big as she is!

Music and Motherhood..

In the past few months I've been loading Symi-D's MP3 player with various songs that I think she might like. Back when she first got it, I put some Maroon 5 on there for her amoungst LOTS of other songs that I thought wouldn't be too out there for her. She LOVED Maroon 5 and played their music over and over and over. Especially the song "She will be loved." I think she took to that one because of the divorce. So...
I haven't told her about this yet, but I'm thinking long and hard about taking Symi-D to see Maroon 5 in Atlanta. She hasn't been to too many concerts and this one would be one she would thoroughly enjoy. I believe. I wish they were going to play in Birmingham though.

I remember my mom and dad taking me to my first concert when I was around her age. It was the Stray Cats. Yeah! I still love that band to this day too. My mom took us to a couple more concerts too, The Bangles and Debbie Gibson (Yep I was a DG fan back as a kid.)
From when I was 16 on, oh the concerts I would hit! OMG To name a few, Drivin and Cryin, Train, Arosmith, Megadeath, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, then I won't even mention all the cool bands I saw back in the 90's at City Stages. Way too many good ones.

I hope that I can give Sym that.

Thanks Mom!!

To this day, I still love live music. I love watching them even if it is local or a renown artist. I just wish there were more kid friendly places to watch live music or that it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to see them.

How about all you mom's out there? What concerts have you taken or will take your kids to see?

New Additions to our fam AND 9 days off! What the hell is a crafty lady to do?

You know I'm horrible! I didn't introduce you folks to the new additions to the D family did I? Silly me.
Meet Isabella-D aka: Knitting Terrorist


We rescued her from a storm drain the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. She's been quite the party animal, let me tell you! Aside from having parties until 2 AM she's also has taken it upon herself to demand attention from the Symi and me! Gah! And She is a demandin one! She's been Symi-D's child folks. My daughter has spoiled this kitten to no ends! She is determined that this cat will be with her until the end days of Revelations. Although the agreement was set that Symi was to mother this cat (clean up poop (cause I'm past that stage), feed her, water her, play with her clean up her messes etc) but for the past 2 weeks where Sym has been a bit under the weather, I had to mommy the cat. Lovely. Thus now Izzy is no longer just Symi's cat. I didn't want that but oh well. I'm fond of the fur ball even though she is a knitting terrorist.

Also we have another addition that started shacking up with us the day before the terrorist.
Folks meet Adolf-D aka Dominator


He is not a goldfish. If you even mention the word goldfish within earshot of the tank, he'll jump out and bite your head off! Seriously folks he's a siclid. (I know I'm spelling it wrong. Please don't correct me. I get enough of that at work.) He's pretty understanding when it comes to spelling his name. He can't reach the computer yet. I named him Adolf because naturally siclids are like oskars where they are a VERY territorial fish. Adolf is a combo of both Red Devil and Convict (2 of the only types I know of, hey he was free!). Out of curiosity and I just wanted to have a sick twisted show out of boredom, I bought 6 micro gold fish to put in the tank with Adolf and the other siclid that I took off the hands of my darling sis Natalie.
Well within 6 hours all the goldfish were assassinated, and within 25 hours Rosadell (whom we named more feminin because she evaded Adolf at all cost) too. IT was sad really but you know, according to Kurt Cobain "It's okay to eat fish cause they don't have any feelings." So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. ;-) Besides I spent all of about 70 cents and they lived about as long as they would without Adolf taking over the tank.


Okay soo.... I did it!! I'm taking 9 days off from work in a row!! So what is a Crafty Moron of the Internet to do but...knit. he he he
Nah The calendar of events for the D Ladies is as follows. You paying attention right?
Okay.
Friday 6/29
Stay home with getting better but still sick Symi-D
Drink wine and blog (blog seems to be winning) or knit Adamas, but this time be smart and let the moron side play with the cat.

Saturday 6/30
Hang at home and see if she spikes a fev again, if not go fishing at the lake by our apartment. Yeppers I have a lake and a great view from our delux apartment in the sky. See:

Then take Sym somewhere family member's so I can have dinner with a new friend. he he
(I'm not tellin!! ha!)

Sunday
CHURCH! no not my friend Church but The place you worship God. Yeah I gotta go. I feel bad. We haven't been to knit night with the lovely ladies at CCUMC due to Symi-Sickness so Yeah gotta. They are good folks. I can say that honestly.
Sunday night???? not much because

MONDAY is SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA!!!
I must educate my daughter on the fine art of roller coasters some more. To those that know the story of her 7th birthday he he. The child needs more. or is that my inner child that needs more? hmm I haven't been since I was prego with Sym. Yep. Explains alot doesn't it. ha ha

Tuesday
I'm gonna get out that night and see Blind Melon. I REALLY WANT TO!!! This is my vacation and the only one I'll get for a bit. Gotta do something for me.

Wednesday - Thursday
Play with Relatives that are in town from out of state for the BIG A## Blow out at my fam's on the fourth!
Yeah that's what I have planned so far. More to come for the weekend...Maybe? Not sure yet.

Okay folks back to Adamas I go.
Before I forget.....
Here she is REdo # 20 at 2nd SEt of 10 on chart 2.



Thanks for visiting!!!
Love ya'll!!!
Lesley

PS. Sym and Izzy

Let me tell you something else...

Sighs...I've been knitting on the Adamas Shawl right. This shawl has been frogged (since I decided to knit this 3 months ago, mind you) at grand total of 20 times easy! 20 times!! The first 10 times were scattered over the first 2 months where I was trying to figure out the yarn and needles I should use, Knit Picks Shadow on 4s, 3s, 5s?. Needless to say after the 10th time getting through the first 5 rows only to rip the bitch back out again, I threw up my hands in defeat and went on about my business to another project. I just wasn't getting it. It happens I know.
A week ago on WWKIP day, I decided to give it another go. I'm knitting Adamas on size 7, Opal crazy colorway. I had cast on and started over a total of 5 times then BAM! I got it!!! Heaven's choir was singing on my behalf! Hallelujah!! I put it up on Ravelry as a project and joined the Adamas group on Raverly, I was so excited to finally be at the 3 set on chart 2. Such progress! I'm so getting this shawl thing!! I was in a great mood! Lovin the knittin man!!
Then something terrible happened, I drank 2 glasses of wine, lost count and something didn't mesh right. I was in the middle of tinking back the trouble row when I decided to put it down for 10 minutes. I went outside, had a smoke. When I returned, Issabella, enemy of yarn, kitten, ripped out the remaining of the half completed row. I couldn't find my way through the yarn. I shed a tear.
5 1/2 hours or more have dedicated to this shawl and all because I didn't follow my first lesson learned when knitting lace I had to undo all that work. What was the lesson you ask? (I even put a reminder on the pattern to do this too)

Simple PUT IN A LIFE LINE LESLEY-D MORON OF THE INTERNET!!!!!!!!

See I had actually learned the lifeline lesson back in the Secret of the Stole 1 (and 2). I ended up froggin the whole thing (both) mostly due to the fact that I was just not getting it right. Chart or no chart, those stoles (1 and 2) got me lost. I think my knitting mojo wasn't up to speed yet and that was my first real lace object(s) to knit.

Adamas has a great pattern to it. It repeats. I like repeats. That allows me to get into a rhythm. I like rhythm although I can't dance very well. But knitting, you damn right! I get that rhythm.

So Lesley-D Moron of the Internet has put in a lifeline into her work this 20th go round for adamas. Where did 11-19 attempt go? Well, I got off count. I was paying attention to my prior notes instead of what I was right in the middle of. SO when trying to start over I would read those notes thinking I had written them down this go round when in fact they were from attempt 8 or 2 or 10? Damn Happens to us all.

Pictures of Adamas Attempt 20? Stupid camera. They are to come soon I promise.

So I ask ya'll, What are some of your lace lessons? Does anyone have any tips?
Want to knit it along with me? Hit up the Adamas ravelry group!!

Alright enough bitchin. ;-)

Moron of the Internet Signing off.
;-)

RIP George Carlin! You fuckin Rock!!!

George Carlin died at age 71 from heart failure. He was a great man. I freakin loved his work.



<3 ya George!

WIP Parade

Here's some knitting pics. My Ravelry is updated with all the fun little note I have on them. I'm LesleyD on there because I couldn't come up with anything clever that everyone would know be by.

Never Ending baby blanket




Green Bay Bag that I whipped out of my ass. (The needles did hurt a little)




Grey Sock 2 of 2
Do you remember when I started these socks? It was WAY back in Nov According to Ravelry.
Check out 2 of 2 next to 1 of 2



And I'll leave ya'll with that. ;-)

Friday the 13th Funny funny

Too Freakin funny not to share!!!



Don't Judge Too Quickly... We Won't. - video powered by Metacafe

<3 to ya'll!!

Such a pretty day outside.....

But here I am stuck in here for a few more hours. Sighs.
Thank God for the internet and work to be done. Hopefully time will fly by like a fighter jet in the night.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!
XOXO

Oh here's something to keep you rollin....
Ever heard of Fred?
Here's one of my Faves!

Mother's Day....

Quite memorable actually.

It all began Saturday night. I was at home with Sym. She misbehaved and I had to keep her home instead of going over to a friend's house. (I hate that part of being a mom.)
My friend Toon rode with us to Wal mart to buy the things for Sym's Pocahontas costume. Yeah I had to make it in 2 days. Is that not lovely how I wait to the last minute?
There were severe thunderstorms and tornadoes about to come through the Ham. Toon and I are both weather junkies and we absolutely love to watch James Span (the local meteorologist) on tv for hours on end. The storms seemed to stay just north of us in this weird horizontal band across the state. It was as if the city of Ham emits this weird ray of energy to block all bad storms but send it to the suburbs because the city council is corrupt. Anyways that's a story for a different time.
It was ooo 1:45ish and the storms looked to be potentially getting worse in the next couple of hours so Toon went home. Sym was in bed I was just about to do the same when the phone rings.
"This is a call is on behalf of (my dad's name) Do you know him?"
"yes he's my dad."
The phone is handed to my dad.
"Hey sugar" said my dad.
"Hey Dad. What's going on?"
Mind you folks, dad and I don't talk regularly. Oddly enough however, both of us were going through divorce at the same time this year. He's divorcing his 2nd wife.
"Baby I need you to pick me up from the County Jail in Bessemer. (Insert crazy 2nd wife name) had a restraining order against me and I was at her house to see the grand-baby who was asleep. I was talking to (the baby's daddy) when she pulled in behind me in the driveway screaming "he's here he's here! come get him" to the county." said dad.
"You hadn't been drinking right?" I ask.
"HELL NO!!" said dad.
He gave me a few other details but kept them brief since there was a deputy sitting right there too and was probably annoyed that the call was taking so long.
"Alright I'll see if I can get someone to sit with Sym while I go down there."
"Thank you baby!!" said dad. "Love you!"

I called my friend Toon since he just left. As I was on the phone with him I hear BAM and all the lights went out! A transformer blew!!! Shit! Now Toon won't have anything to entertain him while he watches Sym.
Toon arrives and I decided to just bring both of them with me 30 miles to the jail. I told Toon the story. He concurred my thoughts, that crazy 2nd wife is an evil bitch for throwing a guy in jail just for talking to someone in their driveway.

Luckily the storms didn't have too much bite to them. There was some gusts of wind that made things quite interesting.
I drove around the block SEVERAL times trying to figure out why they hell they would want to do reconstruction on the exterior of the Jail. It was dreary enough before what they gonna make it even more gloomy?
I finally found the construction entrance composed of scaffolds and boards over head. At least I didn't have to totally walk in the rain. Sym and Toon waited patiently in the car for my return. I go in, sign the paperwork. Luckily I didn't have to bring any cash otherwise I would have told dad that I'd be alot longer.LOL
So I wait. and wait and wait, 45 min go by. I ask the deputy about the weather he said it looks like it is over head. He also apologized for the wait. The power kept switchin from generator to AL Power and that was causing all sorts of chaos with the computer systems.
So I call Toon and Sym and bring them inside. We wait another 20 minutes. Finally dad is out of the hokey. We get to my car, I go to start it and the bastard wouldn't crank.
It took forever for me to locate my insurance info. Apparently when I was switching to hell chaos insurance, I neglected put the card in the car. My dad called his insurance company, I go inside to get a phone book to try to find my agent's office number so I could get the main number off the voice mail.

(If you didn't know that already, if you are ever in need and don't have the claim number to call, just call any agent that holds your insurance. Doesn't matter if they aren't there. They tell you the number on the out going message. Never fails!)

FINALLY after 2 hours of waiting on the street, 5 am the pop a lock guy came and helped us! Yay!!! Afterwards, my dad filled up my gas tank!!! It's been almost 2 weeks and I'm just now at a quarter of a tank. LOVE my new place and my short commute!!! Thanks Dad!! You saved me a bunch!!

I got home at 5:30 am and my power was still out! It did come back on at 10:30Am mom's day. Just in time for me to get up. ;-) I didn't get around to visiting the family but I did call my grandmothers and my mom and wish them a happy m day.

At 5 my sisters, Sym and I took my mom to get a mac-momma pedicure. We brought wine too. That my friends is the way to end a hellacious mothers day.

:-) Sorry to be gone so long ya'll! I've got some knitting I need to share too.
Check out my ravelry I'm LesleyD (the one and only. ;-) )
More to come gotta get to cleaning

Chillin like a fiend

What a week! I've been running here and there yet knitting along the way. It has been a hell of a week. Sym with her soccer and friend hanging Same with me too. This weekend has been a fun one. I've had my first gathering of more than 2 people here! yay! LOL Friday night Sym was spending the night at a neighbor's and my fave men came over to watch Galactica! I'm really gettin into this show. seriously. Church left me the dvd of the first 2 seasons so I can really follow along with new episodes that are coming on fridays on Sci-Fi. Interesting show that Galactica. Chilled out at another neighbor's house on Saturday. I've had a lot of fun just hanging out. I love the fact that Sym and I both are making friends. I never felt like I belong more than I do at our new place. It was as it was destined for us to live here.

On the knitting front, I knit a washcloth in about 3 hours. I've just got to weave in the ends. It was a nice little instant grat proj to get through the evening without smokin. ;-)

That's another thing. I've kind of slipped a little on the smokin. I'm trying my damnedest to quit again but here I've bought 2 packs this week. I'm allowing stress to get to me and now I've just got to find another way to get through it and not let it bother me. I have the power to quit. Just got to want it again. My chest and the 3 flights of stairs are screaming at me to be strong. I can't go back to a pack a day and I won't.

I'm still knitting on a few things. I've been asked to knit fingerless gloves for little lady C one of the neighbor girls. It is funny P wants some now too. There's a new neighbor girl H. She broke her arm a while ago and I told her that I'd knit her some too as soon as she gets her cast off. I'm also sorting through the stash to see what I can knit another tank girl with. I don't want to use the yarn I used last time. It made the material too dense. I'm wanting a clinging yet airy tank top for my summer adventures. Also am wanting to give 2 socks at the same time on a circ. That's after grey sock is finished. OH Grey sock 2 of 2!! I'm almost at the heel ya'll!! Yay!!!

Today...Mary is coming by and we is gonna knit. I've also got to do that grocery shopping thing that I've been neglecting. I think I'll spend my knitting time on grey sock. I may just finish it!!!

Off to make a grocery list ya'll!!

XOXOXO

Amusing....

Lesley --

[noun]: A person of questionable sanity who starts their own cult

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

And yes it involves knitting. ;-) he he he

P's Hat finally finished!!!!

OMG it turned out adorable!! I finished it last night during a hailstorm at Applebee's. Yep drinkin on the bloody beer whilst Sym-inator was skating on the ice with her friends. ;-) he he.
So here's that hat that I never seemed to want to finish.

Here's P wearing the hat. Her face is protected because I haven't gotten her mom's permission to post a pic of her on my blog. So here is the back view of the beret. She picked out the green for the pompom too. ;o) I think it is adorable!!! I may make this one again but not for a child that can nag.

Happy Saturday I'm off to the grey sock. I knitted on it during Sym's soccer game and have made some good progress! Go me!! 1 solid hour of knittin!!
Woot!!
Carry your sharp sticks proud girls & guys!!!
XOXO
Lesley

Ps. Wild layout huh? I'm still working on tweaking it. Be patient and enjoy the large font.

Will I ever get to the end of this purl row?

P's Beret...

Must finish purling this row! Must finish purling this row! Ow! my thumb!! purl purl purl purl "Damn I hate the purl stitch! I'm so slow!!!" purl purl purl purl purl purl

"Mommy, can I go.."
"yes"
purl purl purl purl purl purl purl "Damn this row!! How many damn stitches do I have on here? Maybe the next purl row I'll count."

purl Purl purl purl purl purl purl purl
"Finally!!! The freakin end!!"

Knit knit knit knit knit knit knit knit knit Knit 2 together (K2Tog), "Ah love it! change it up!" KNit knit knit knit knit knit knit knit knit, K2Tog, knit knit knit knit knit knit......"Oh no! I'm at the end of the fun row. :-( "

"This time I'm going to count for sure"
Purl purl purl Purl purl purl... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, So I wonder what I could make for diner. Should I start thawing that chicken? SHIT! I lost count! 1,2,3....20, Okay focus! Only count!! 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,...47 Where did Sym go? Oh she probably went to the neighbors house. Damn it! I lost count again! I hate these purl rows!!! I will only make this hat in the preemie size. This bigger hat thing is for the birds!!! Damn I'll be glad when I finally finish this!! That's if I have enough yarn for it. EEEK!!





As you can tell, I'm working on a beret that is starting to get old and boring to me. I wish it were in the round at least that way I wouldn't have to purl. So the other day I was relaxing and saw this skein of Knitpicks Shadow just lying around and I thought "I'm ready for something that actually makes me focus. Hmm I know! I'll knit the Yarnharlot's Snowdrop Shawl!!! That will make me think!!!" Yep and it has been a nice balance. Although the pattern, like all shawl patterns, has purl rows. Sighs. I've got to get a better purl technique!! :-)
Happy Thursday ya'll!!

XOXOXO

So how about some knitting? Isn't this supposed to be a knitting blog?

Yeah knitting. ;-)
Typically on Monday's I hang out with the wild and crazy women at the church knitting on baby things while Sym either makes something with foam and manages to get marker on EVERYTHING. I love Monday nights! But not tonight. Mom came back from a 2 month work trip in California. Boy I missed that lady!!! She had a blast and is coming over tomorrow to see our new place. Clean clean clean.... Wait already done! I"ve been doing that clean as you go thing. Smart aren't I?

Well ON to knitting!!!!
I have a few pics. I'm trying to load them to flickr but sighs the ole mozzilla is giving me grief. So here they are here on the blog.

Baby blanket in progress:

We have Preemie hat & Booties!!


We have beret for miss P in progress. I really need to finish that. Kids are so freakin impatient! I should make her wait till Christmas cause I'm mean like that. ;-)


I'm trying to decide how to make a groovie DS carrier for a friend of mine but I'm stumped. I want to give him a pizza slut groove to it but I'm having a creative block. ;-( I'm still thinkin. I may do something transformery he likes those.

Also going to finish Grey sock 2 of 2 eventually. Maybe I'll get the second finished this month. That's if the kids don't tie me down and make me make them stuff the rest of the summer. Oh boy!
Well ladies and Gents that's it for tonight. Sorry the pics suck but I am still not ready to buy a really really good cam.


peace love and sharp sticks to gouge the eyes of the infidel! (he he)
XOXOXO

Greetings from the great where the hell ya been?

This morning, Sym hands me my cell phone. She opened the flipper and saw that I had a missed call. Curious I looked at the time stamp and it was 1:42 am. 1:42 AM? This freakin has to be a wrong number. Everyone knows that I have to get up with Sym by 6 and my friends would have shown up on the phone with their name by the number. Curious very curious. Who the hell could this be? Why were they calling me? I did go out the other night and totally embarrassed myself and was WAY drunk and rejected a guy Saturday. I may have given him my digits. But after the horrible behavior, YEah right! Its not him. OO yeah lets just let that memory go. lol God I hope he won't try to stalk me! People can do reverse lookups and stalk.

I may be fabulous ya'll but I'm not in any way stalk worthy. I'm pretty open on here. I'll tell you anything so there isn't anything to find out. I mean come on!
Okay....Just so you would be stalkers know, I give you the

Top 10 Reasons Not to Stalk LesleyD
10. It will cost you too much due to gas prices. Even though I moved closer to work, I still have to haul my youngin EVERYWHERE!!!

9. I have a youngin. Hello! Good lord! She's good at seeking and she'd find ya. element of surprise is gone! And she will beat you up. Ask Church

8. I'm broke. Single mom, and I only get the equivalent of 1/2 a tank of gas per week in child support from X. You couldn't get any money from me.

7. I'm boring. yes folks I openly admit that I'm boring. I only talk of how shitty Mr X is, knitting, naruto and brag on my youngin. Maybe wine and music will sneak in there but for the most part there's no real exciting conversation coming out of my mouth.

6. I have a rolly belly covered in stretch marks. eww gross!!!

5. I haven't shaved my legs in a month

4. Don't even ask about there!

3. I'm out of contact lens so I'm wearing my glasses. They are thick and I look like a geek from hell. If you were stalking me before you have probably turned tail and took off already unless you are into glasses.

2. My farts stink, follow too close and you might catch a whif. Ask sym I'm a gasy lady.

And the number one reason NOT to Stalk LesleyD is.....
I pick my nose openly (see instant attraction right there!)

IF by NOW after learning this you still wish to stalk this lady (I hope I didn't lose any readers), I must tell you, there's a better stalkee out there for ya hun! There's plenty of movie stars out there. Or just dont' stalk. Stalking is bad ok? IF all the stalkers in the world would just go and take a chemistry class and put all the effort into chemistry instead of their stalkee, then we would have a cure for cancer. See 2 choices, stalk or cure cancer. I'd bet you'd find a cure and find it more interesting than stalkin me.

Go cure cancer!! Leave the stalking to private I's.

Enough ranting Lesley!! What should I do? Should I call the number and find out who the hell it is? Will curiosity kill me before a stalker? Probably.

Thanks!!!
XOXOXOX




Ps I've been lurking around most folks blogs but I'm back baby!!! I'm blogging and not letting too much time pass!

George to the Rescue!

Why hello there bloggers!! This is George, you know, the newest addition to the D family. The ladies of the house have been awfully busy for the past month. I'm getting dizzy trying to keep up with those 2 hummingbirds! The little Miss has started into her spring season of soccer. Their first game was today. They lost but the Little Miss still believes she is a winner which is all that matters. ;-) They'll win next time.
Then there is the Lovely Lady of the house. Her schedule at work has changed due to our move to our new apartment. She goes in earlier and leaves earlier to meet the dear Little Miss at the bus stop. Luckily I just sit here on top of the ol TV. The ladies of the house have to huff up 3 flights of stairs. They are in great spirits and both are healthier than ever! The Lady of the house has been knitting like there is a shortage on wool! Mostly her knitting has been for charity. She's joined some knitting circle at the local church where they create various garments for the preemies at local hospitals. My my! You should see the wool flying around here!
Yes the Little Miss is still at the violin also! She blesses me with her lovely tunes daily. That is when she isn't hanging out with her new found neighbor friends. 2 sisters that have moved in across the way. My it sure does get quiet around here when they aren't around. The lovely lady of the house should return soon. I hope......

George D

Friday Funny

Long time no post huh?

Sorry for the leave of absence. Your fearless knitter LesleyD has up and uprooted her angel and self from their 2 bedroom trailer into a 2 bedroom apartment. What a freakin couple of weeks!!! It has been rough but we are making it. She's transfering into a new school for the remaining 3 months. Sym is VERY excited because she will ride the bus and I'll meet her at home allowing us more time together.

Anyways for the next few weeks my project is to:
1. Continue to work with sym on her math especially multiplication.
2. Finish moving things we need from the trailer to the apartment
3. Fixing up the trailer to sell it.
4. try to keep a straight face while trying to accomplish all of the above.

Piece of cake. ;-) As long as I have my knitting I'm good.
Ah, Knitting....

I have completed
1. 2 premie hats for threads of love (there's a group meeting at the church. it is my charity knit on)
2. Calormitry in Silk Garden for me. I"m so cool

I'm working on
1. baby blanket for threads of Love
2. baby blanket for Robbie
3. Grey Sock 2 of 2 is still a WIP (how long has it been now? 4 months you say? Hmm

I'm kind of down too ya'll. Brett Farve is retiring. I had a feeling that my all time fave Farve would say good bye in 08. It is the end of an era at Green Bay. I'm gonna miss seeing you on the field Brett. Your commitment, leadership, focus and spirit will be missed!! I just wish I could have seen you play in person just once.
:-(

Alrighty ya'll back to work I go....

Something that makes me smile.....

I love bands that try to bring back the traditional 80's Videos.
Watch this video I guarantee you will laugh. I know I always do when I watch it. <3 ya!

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

Post 200!!

Ha ha!!! Sym and I had some lego fun last night.

Yay!! 200 Blogspot posts!! Some published, others not! ;-P

Yay!! Check out the Quit Smoking Ticker! Yay!! I've only stumbled 2 times during my quit for a total of 2 cigs smoked in over 30 days!!!! Not bad for an EX 25 cigs a day smoker of 14 years?
Also note the Chorewars/Knitwars badge. Yeppers I'm sooo diggin on getting the XP for knitting. I'm kicking butt and taking names and I have the badge to prove it! blah ha ha!!! Thanks Lime & Violet!! I'm loving it!!!

Knitting Update:
Grey Sock 1 of 2 has been completed!! Yay!!! I've also cast on Grey sock 2 of 2. The method is 2 circs if you recall. I may actually finish this one up this week. All I have to do is dedicate an hour or 2 a night that is if I can get to it.
Here's the Finished Grey Sock 1 of 2. You may find more images on ravelry. ;o)


Also attempting 2 socks on one Circ simultaneously: Sym's socks. Yeah she's been bugging me to knit her a pair even though her foot won't stop growing and she already has a million + socks (mostly singles). She likes my gray sock and wants one. I don't blame her they are very nice to have!!!

Also we have a new addition to our little home. His name is George. George decided to come home with us on Saturday. His last home was Walgreens and he got tired of hanging there. He has a little bit of an attitude and like to cause trouble for me and Sym but he has his sweet side. He has taken care of us for a few days now while we both have had Strep throat simultaneously. He made us soup when no one would come near us. He's magical and doesn't get sick. IF he was taller, well hung and more lively, he'd make the perfect man. Here he is playing with the lego creatures.



Thanks for readin!! Ya'll check me out on Ravelry and note the progress bar on the gray sock. Although that seems to be the ONLY project I have going at the moment. Oops. I don't want to talk about it. Now where did I leave my beer or did George grab it?

<3 Ya'll!!
XOXOXO
Lesley

Smart little devil...

It is late and I'm up on a Friday night. I hear my garbage can outside. It sounds like it is rocking or something is in there knocking. I know what it is, that damn raccoon!! So I go outside armed with my broom and my ammonia and I see a little black hand pull down the lid on the can slowly. It creeped me out so I just left him to his eating. What am I going to do? Open the can so he can hop out and maul my face? I don't think so people!!! I may be from alabama but I'm not inbred. Besides, this coon is not afraid of me what so ever. One night he crept right up to me while I was sitting on my front porch smoking a cig. Out of no where! He realized I was a human then just casually and slowly turned around and walked back to the woods.
I think I'm going to name him Jo after my neighbor that USED TO like to put his trash in my can so that I could walk it a mile down the drive way for him when he lives ten feet from the curb. He's a jerk that now knows not to mess with me. The last time he put trash in my little trash can Jo the Coon dumped and strolled all of the neighbors trash that was in my can in my yard. The end result was not only a dirty yard but one pissed off lady. I had to clean it up in which I dumped it over in his yard and a stern warning to his roomy. They've not done it since. If he tried it again I told him I'd dump mine and his on his front porch. I'm not his fucking trash keeper. That asshole.
Okay Jo-coon you can eat my trash as long as it isn't left in my yard afterwards. You stay a neat eater in the big can and you can keep eating my trash. Leave the little can alone. It makes a mess.
Okay enough rant time for Lesley to go to bed. ;-)

Should have found this one yesterday.....

Sums up my Valentines day except my big strong guy friends came over and help Sym and I clean out the fish tank.

V-Day who needs it?

Even when I was married, I didn't like V-Day. EX and I didn't celebrate hallmark holidays. The only ones we did celebrate were mom's and dad's day. Even when we were dating we didn't have a "Valentine's Day Date" or anything special that day.
Now that we are divorced and I'm raising my daughter alone, I choose to only like one thing about V-Day, that was the Vday party at school!!!
Yeah do you remember that? You'd buy those themed boxes of valentines for EVERYONE in the class. It even came with a groovie teacher card too! Everyone in the class made mailboxes for the big day. I remembered the excitement of it all. I wonder who had the cool lollypop valentines this year! Oh I loved those! OO or the skittles, m&m's or just goodie bags!
I've decided this being my 30th year on earth to start a new tradition. That is to only celebrate V-Day with the school day valentines. And besides they are a hell of a lot cooler (and cheaper) than the cheezey ass kards Hallmark makes. :-P Plus they make them will all sorts of themes!! There are Cartoon Themes, Super heros (like Spiderman), cute animals, there's even crafty ones like funny face sticker valentines (which we bought for sym's class). Then there's my fave the creepy weird eyed animal ones.
Here's one I found in cyberspace so ya know what I'm talking about.




I do not have a boyfriend for VDay, not even someone to date. However I seem to recall that even Pre-Ex I never had a BF on Valentines day. I have accepted a friend's offer to be my Valentine this year and I his although we aren't even going to see each other on Valentines Day. (the knitter ;-) Crys knows who I'm talking about) Which works out well because we are both broke and really don't want to dish out all the typical cash for a meaningless hallmark day like V-Day.

If you hate Valentines day and really want to vent it to someone and not post it on your blog, go here. Some of these rants I totally agree with but then you wouldn't have the Valentines day parties at school if the evil Vday didn't exsist.





Pss It is freakin snowing today!! Yo mother nature this is alabama, you know the heart of dixie where all movement stops and schools close over half a centimeter of accumulation. This is weird because it is snowing and there is still bread and milk at Publix.

XOXOXOXO
Love ya'll!!!
Lesley

Today is the Day.....

It is official! I am 30 the big 3-0 and do I feel any different? Not really.

I don't know what to write! I'm sitting at home on my 30th, Sym is at my grandmothers and I am debating on what to get into for the next 2 hours before I meet up with my mom & sisters for brunch/lunch at 2:30.
So I leave you with my pic of calorimetry.


Damn I really needed to get my eyebrows done!! LOL
XOXOXO
Lesley

2 DAYS TILL 30

You Are Ani Difranco!

Honest, real, and well liked. You're not limited by any boundaries. "And you can call me crazy But I think you're as lazy as white paint on the wall"

Who's Your Inner Rock Chick?

He he! Describes me perfectly. ;-)

Alot in 8 Days.....No smoking, No nose, the Dresden Dolls and snow? What?

Yep! 8 whole days since I've had a cigarette! Go me huh? I'm proud. Thank you so much for the encouraging words ya'll!!! You guys are so special to me!! Thank you!!! I'm not worthy!! **bowing I'm not worthy! <3 ya'll!!!

I'm starting to get a bit of a cough and my nose is trying to run away but Kleenex keeps catching it for me. I just hope my nose doesn't run off to Aruba. They are still looking for that girl there and I really don't want my nose to go missing that long! My sense of smell is getting better and I just don't think I could handle losing it permanently. Not to mention that would really be attractive wouldn't it? Yes, I can see the personal ads now!
"Hi, I'm LesleyD. I'm a recent non-smoker, single mom, and I don't have a nose. Why are you running away? Please come back!!" ;-)
Aren't I the sexiest without a nose? ;-) I really wanted to see how I would look without a nose so through the miracle that is photo editin software and my gusto for non-smokin I bring you.....


Sorry I've been away for a bit ya'll. I hope you noticed my new blog post that blogger decided to post before my letter to Camel Lights. Oh well. If you do the myspace thing why haven't you befriended me already? hmm? Well my myspace friends can see the rest of the pictures here. ;o) If you want to see them and you aren't my friend already, just click here. Ask nicely and I'll make you my friend then check out the pics! Here's a highlight...Me and the Dresden Dolls!! yeah I'm cool now. ;-)



I've been knitting religiously since my last cigarette on Jan 14 at 8:30ish pm. Can't you tell?








I've completed the following:
1. Calorimetry . I knitted it in Caron's Simply Soft from my stash. Yes Cole I STILL have more of the Caron Simply Soft left over too!! Frankly I can't believe it either. ;-) I began knitting it on Day one of No Smokin and finished it by bed time day 2. My beautiful sis Natalie hasn't posted the pic of it yet. It even has some snow in it. Oh yeah I didn't mention that did I? Oops! I'll get to that.. Natalie is knitting it too bless her heart. Ya'll send good knitting wishes her way! She's GoddessKnitz (with a Z) on Ravelry too!! Tell her I sent ya! ;-)

2. Swatch for SOTSii - Not pictured due to unraveling. :-) Knitting it in Knit Picks Shadow on size 4 KP Option needles. Yes I am a knit picker. ;-) YEs it is the yarn I was going to use for SOTS 1. Oh well. I'll get over it later.

3. A black hat for Miss Symi-D Complete with matching Pom-Pom from the glamorous Pom-Pom maker by Clover. (I love my toys!) The yarn, Lion Brand I think, some Soft Acrylic stuff that had a baby on the band(can't remember the exact name and think I may have lost the band). Yeah stash yarn again!! (Do you see a trend?)

4. Wove in All Yarn ends on EVERY washcloth I knit since November (10 total)

We totally interrupt knitting news and take you now to this week's spotlight.... Milk Disappearance = Snow in Birmingham AL? You are kidding right?
Last Friday, the weather guys predicted 1-2 inches of Snow for Saturday and said the temp for Friday night would be around 19. Sym and I stayed at Natalie & Mikey's place on account that I have a heat pump that really doesn't heat my place very well when it is 19 degrees outside.
It's weird how snow makes the milk and bread disappear from every grocery store in Birmingham or is it that if every gallon has disappeared from the shelves it will snow? Hmmm. I actually saw a lady at Publix Friday night with, seriously 6 freakin gallons of milk in her buggy just for the POSSIBLE 1-2 inches!! I could understand 3 gallons but 6? (really I can't understand 3 either). Sym actually pointed the lady out to me too. She grabbed me by the hair and pulled my ear to her and asked, "Momma, why does that lady have 6 gallons of milk in her buggy?" Honestly ya'll, I've asked myself that question every time the weather guys mention snow in my 29 years in Birmingham. I whispered back to Sym "People buy out the milk in the grocery stores when the weather guys say it is going to snow." She gave me a look like I was crazy then I just shook my head and said, "I know doll, people around here go crazy and do things that don't make much sense, when they say it is going to snow."
Since ALL of the milk left the shelves of EVERY grocery store in the ENTIRE Birmingham Metropolitan area, the little guy that turns the snow switch on in the clouds, listened to the groans of people who really needed milk and couldn't find any. He decided that we earned the right to snow in 2008! It snowed in The Magic City Saturday 1/19/08 at around 9:00 AM CST, and didn't stop until about 10:30-11ish in the AM. Accumulation was about 1-2 inches in some areas. The car had about 1 1/2 inches or so. Just enough to make snow balls and throw them at Sym! We did take pics and I will share as soon as Nat uploads them. We didn't get any of the snowball fight though. Sorry.
The snow melted promptly at 1:00 PM CST. Yes, here and gone within 4 hours. Envious? I hope not, you'd miss the snow trust me. Most of ya'll that read my blog get more snow in 10 minutes than we get in 10 years. Really! But if ya'll want to move down here I would welcome you with open arms. Just remember, if you want it to snow in Birmingham, all you have to do is have everyone in town buy out all the milk. We get at least dandruff every time. ;-)


Back to knitting news...
January On the Needles:
1. Secret of the Stole Hint 1 of many - Progress = 10% (I've cast on!)
2. Grey Sock Resurrected!- 80% on sock 1 of 2. Yo! I could get used to this again!! It has been awoken from hibernation!! It is amazing what lack of nicotine can do to a knitter. This is a Ravelry project. I have yet to update the pic. I know I'm horrible at this pic thing huh?
3. Willy Warmer #2 for the hell of it. (Yeah I knit one for the first time back in DEC as a gag gift for a friend's hubby. It was interesting nonetheless and he did get a kick out of it. After all, what's the use in living 50 years if you have a cold willy? He was the first guy that actually asked me to knit one for him. I wish I would have taken a pic of it. Ew! Not him modeling it though. That's just sick! He is my friend's hubby! If she has pics of him modeling I hope she'll keep them to herself. Please God may she not be reading this and try to post a pic!)

Hey look! Lesley only has 3 projects going on right now? What gives?
It is tough takin pics!! That's why! Nah, I'm just trying to keep things simple.
Yep. That's a goal! Not too many going on at once for me anymore! It's time to finish at least one project I've kept putting off, socks mainly.

Speaking of OFF, I'm taking Friday & Monday off. You know why? Because I'm turning 30 on Sunday the 27. That's why. ;-) Advice please!!! I'm not ready to turn 30!!! Make it go away!!!
Nah, I'm actually alot more mellow than I thought I'd be especially since I'm not smoking!! I thought I would have killed someone by now but no, just knitting away on my sock or whatever else I have near by. I find security in carrying sharp sticks though. ;-)
It has occurred to me that there needs to be a list of things to have at all times when you are Quitting cancer sticks. I think I shall add these to the end of my blog. Kind of like how my dear knitting friend Cole includes 3 things she is thankful for that day. I like that too Cole! Keep at it!!!

3 things a Non-Smoker carries with them (and is thankful for!!):
1. A knitting UFO to occupy her time
2. GUM!!!
3. Twizzlers

Love, Good Knitting Vibes and a Good night to all of you!!!
XOXO
Lesley

My dearest Camel Lights......

My Dear Sweet Camel Lights,
We've had some good times together haven't we? How long have we been together, since May 1995? WOW almost 14 years! I was 16 when we first met and started hanging out regularly. Do you remember the Pink Floyd Show? You went with Pam and I.Gosh we had fun that night! Looking back on the past 14 years, I'm in aw of all the times you have been with me. Every bad break up in high school and college, every successful accomplishment we celebrated, OH and all the freaking concerts!!! I don't think I can even remember all of them! All the time, day after day, you have been there with me. When I got married, when I got divorced, when my sisters got married! Wow! OH and do you remember all the great after sex moments we spent together? Yeah those were good too! LOL You remember THAT NIGHT right? yeah I knew you did!
Damn Camel Lights, we've been everywhere together! We've had some GREAT TIMES!!! I've come to the realization lately that there are things that come and go in your life, some stay forever, some only for a moment but you don't relish on why they leave you. You focus only on what you gave each other during that time you spent together.
Camel Lights you gave me comfort when nothing else could. I shared many thoughts and experiences with you in my life. Those times were fun but now I feel it is time for me to move on. See Camel Lights, you really work for some folks but for me you have been a horrible influence. Sym is getting to that age where she sees and mimics everything and I don't want her to be friends with you. You make me smell bad, cough (myself and others), less productive at work & home, my car smell bad, my teeth yellow, my face wrinkle, and I spend a TON of money on you for this!!. Sym and I really could use that money for matching Nintendo DS's. I've been really out of shape lately too because I keep running out of breathe, feeling lazy and run down all the time. It isn't like I weigh a million pounds but I could stand to get back in a nice tone shape and quite frankly you don't fit in that scenario.
Ah Camel Lights, I know you will miss me but I think you should move on to another sucker, preferably someone who is not in my family.
Here's to the good times to come!
Best Wishes to you!
Lesley D

My first concert of 2008

And guess who it was! None other than The Dresden Dolls!! Natalie my lovely sis and I went to the show. Neither of us have seen them live and if you haven't, I STRONGLY suggest you catch one!!! (Natalie is the sister I taught to knit and she's even started a knitting blog too! Hey sis! Love Ya!!!)
First of all, I'll give ya'll a bit o history. Natalie and I haven't gone out together in quite a long time. Both of us love the Dresden Dolls and both of us REALLY needed a night out!! We deserved to go out on a school night. We both did a bit o makeup, and dressed nice without overdoing it. ;-) So here we are before the show...

Natalie and I had a blast chatting on the way to the show and singing along with Amanda and Brian's first album. We arrived at Work Play all gitty and anxious to see them!!!
We found a kick ass table (since we are over 21 we got to sit at a table that is higher than the heads of the crowd. ;-) ) right next to the stage closest to where Brian plays the drums. We were within feeling the love distance I shall say. We anxiously sat and drank New Castles and listened to the opening band, Two Ton Boa.
The first thing I noticed from our lovely table view about Two Ton Boa was that not only did they kick ass but their bassist was wearing 4 inch heels and getting down on stage. Okay I'm a lady and all but not one that wear heels on a regular basis nor be able to actually get funky in them like this guy!!!
They were awesome! The lead singer, Sherry, has a voice like Grace Slick from Jefferson Starship and she appropriately sang "Alice" by them too!! Natalie got it on video and is in the process of uploading it. I shall share it with ya'll as soon as she gets it. We had such great seats that we even saw Brian sneak out and watch them on stage!! Natalie didn't catch him before he was noticed by the rest of the crowd. So we didn't get to take his pic. :-( After being wowed by Two Ton Boa, our excitement levels upped about 10 levels for the Dresden Dolls!
We were so ready for them!! I was starting worry a little about Nat though. She's tall, and we were REALLY close to the stage and the only objects separating her from Brian V was the table, a rail and me! I could see the drool starting to seep from the corners of her mouth in anticipation to see the hot Brian V. Then they came out!
There he is! OMG!! Here are some more pics that Natalie took of the Show. She took some incredible ones of the Dresden Dolls. Natalie you really need to go into the photography biz lady! I love you!!!
They were incredible!! The musical chemistry they have was mesmerizing. They sang some incredible songs! I will never forget them singing "You've Got to Fight for your Right to Party" or of course the famous "Coin Operated Boy". Incredible!!!
Alright ya'll I've got to go.
Enjoy the pics!! There is a few more on my myspace.
XOXOX
Lesley

2008 Wow! It is REALLY a New Year!!

How many of you subscribe to the Knitting Daily newsletter from Interweave? I see a couple of hands out there. I see ya Crys! Ha!
Well the other day, it talked about knitting fearlessly and some things to think about. Below are the questions that I do intend to answer after I finish doing this work thing real quick.....

Okay so here are the questions and my answers......


How about you? Did you Knit Fearlessly?
I did not knit fearlessly this year. I would suddenly grow balls to tackle a project but then sometimes I'd just run out of steam midway through it. Could it be stress? Uh yah that was it. LOL It's been a hellova year!

What would you knit in 2008 if you were really the knitter you've always dreamed of being?
A Sweater, a duster, or a kickass cool knit jacket! Those are cool and I've got some great ideas for them.I still haven't knit a sweater! OMG! The closest to a sweater that I have knit was Tank Girl from the SnB book. I need to finally do this and strike it off my to do list.

Here's some things to think about:

• Is there something you haven't tried because it seems Too Scary?
Sweater and Cables, designing more patterns. Although I'm not afraid of sweaters, I'm kind of afraid of starting the knit and then it not fit when I'm done. Like Tank girl.
• Is there a technique you want to learn, or learn to do more skillfully?
Cables and socks. I keep starting socks but not finishing them because I screw them up and have to frog them or they just hibernate at the bottom of my knitting bag because I get to a point where I don't want to continue it. God! look at these procrastinating answers!!!
• Is there something that stumps you?
Not really just over complicated patterns can sometimes
• Is there something that you are dying to try, in your secret knitter's heart, but haven't dared because you think you're not a good enough knitter?
Sweater and dyeing and spinning my own yarn. I have the spinning tools, but I don't know why I've not focused on it and figured it out yet.
• Are you always knitting The Same Old Things, and you'd like to try something new?
I'm knitting instant gratification items ALOT lately. Wash cloths, hats, head wraps blah I'm bored with them.
• Do you always knit for others, and never for yourself? Or perhaps you only knit yourself accessories, but never a lovely cardigan or pullover to wear?
I knit way too many accessories I need sometime more to commit to. I knit for myself and others.It is weird I know. Maybe I'm starting to hit a knit funk. OH NO!!!

What about ya'll? Do you knit fearlessly? Let me know if ya'll post this! I'll come and comment ya!!!

So if you take a look at the side thingy that says "2007 Knitting Project list" you will see that I've accomplished quite a few. See 2007 Completed knitting projects. It doesn't include the countless number of dishcloths and headwraps I've knitted. I'm happy with what I've accomplished. I would like to knit another Norberta eventually. It has been tough swinging back into my knitting groove lately.
Mostly because I am tired alot!!
I'm pondering alot of potential "To Do" things lately. I'm still trying to decide what knitting projects I want to do for the new year.

Until I finally get it together (sometime this weekend hopefully) here's the latest pics of Symi-D.
Before: (She saw her friend right when I was taking this with my camera phone thus the blurry pic)

After:

OMG Where did her hair go? LOL Yep she wanted it short, I was tired of battling tangles daily. Doesn't she look cute? LOL

Alright folks, time to do some Saturday Morning Cleaning!!
Love ya'll!!!
XOXOXO
Lesley