Good things come to those...

...who pester the freight forwarder! Finally, got my Knitted Lace of Estonia book and it does not disappoint! All of the patterns in this book are gorgeous and just reading about the history behind Estonian knitting is riveting. What awesome knitters they had to be, knitting exquisite shawls without the benefit of written pattern or charts! The girls started learning from age 4 - wow!

Like I said in one of my last posts, I plan on doing the Miralda shawl and here you see a pic of the yarn I am thinking of using.



Seeing the pattern in "person" rather than on the web has made me ponder if Knitpicks is the best choice for this intricate beauty. Nothing against Knitpicks as I have used it before for shawls, but the beauty and the history of the shawl inspires me to get something more lucious to invest in this project. There are so many yarns out there that in seeking out what I'd like to buy sends me further down the blog-rabbit hole! I'm picturing some Suri Elegance, but I don't know how well it will go with this pattern. We'll see!

In other knitting news, I've cast on a pair of socks for my deserving hubby. In order to avoid the dreaded second sock sydrome which I have succumbed to on a number of occasions, I decided to go with the 2 at a time sock knitting technique. Well... after a few days, I am now starting row 3 of the cuff. I have a 47 inch cable and somewhere I read that using any longer than a 40 is not recommended but I have to say, the 47 inch is working for me as a beginner to this technique. Synopsis of how it went:

1. Cast on with glee. I'm actually knitting something that can finish in a week or so!

2. Get to step 5 and get hopelessly tangled in two cakes of yarn and a fiddly needle that seems to be growing and simultaneously shrinking with each flick of my wrists.

3. Somehow sort it out and go to second row. Figure out that I somehow twisted one of the socks at the join and was now knitting a sock and a mobeius sock thingee.

4. Rip it out and wonder if hubby truly is deserving in the light of the drama I was at that moment embroiled in.

5. Come to my senses that yes, indeed he is worthy as he is an awesome supportive husband and fighting with wayward yarn and needles was the least I could do for him to make him his long promised socks.

6. Knit 2 rows and let it "rest" on the side table for a little bit.

So I'll be back to it once the kids go to bed and theorhetically won't have any need to call me 5 billion times, times 2, and I can think clearly while conquering this technique. While others on ravelry imply and said outright that it is not difficult, thereby making me feel somewhat challenged, my first encounter has left me somewhat, cautious in my goal to finishing something and soon. After all, it has been over a year since I started the raglan leaf tee! For shame and tsk tsk!

Hope your projects are going better than mine right now!

A chance to breathe!

Ah! There's nothing like the feel of having the weight of a pending exam over! Maybe finishing up the designation perhaps but one step at a time : )

So, now that some of the fog has cleared for now anyways, I feel the urge to knit something. I have one project I'm about to start (as soon as I've finished this post)and another I have been getting ready for. The Aeolian Shawl. Simply stunning. Here'a pic of the yarn I plan to use.



It's Habu xs-45 20/3. I placed my order with Habu and should be getting it soon - yay! I'll be making the cream coloured one and I also bought some awesome beads from Earthfaire as well. It will be my first time knitting with beads!! I was hoping to start the Miralda shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia but the freight forwarder didn't deliver the book when they promised it and now says I should get it Tuesday. Huh. We'll see. I have some lace in my small stash that I might use for it.

Hopefully, I'll be seeing more of this blog as I have a small break - still have a business case to hand in in about 3 months but it's no way as intensive as these past few courses! Night all! Off to start a small and should be satisfying project - at long last : )

PS - my "c" key is behaving very badly. I have to clack it about 3 times for it to show up on the screen - Grrrr!!!!!

Too busy to knit

Wassup, wassuuppp? Hey there! Happy Friday to yah. Just dropping in to say hi and stuff. As the title of this instalment states, I'm too busy to knit... not to busy to order THIS but I'm too busy to knit. But that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about it and we all know sometimes it's the thoughts that count right? LOL!

What have I been doing? Oh the usual. Studying. It's amazing how it's so all consuming! I feel very tied to my book and look forward to cutting the strings when my exam is ovah! Yayayayay! That doesn't mean I'm done yet. Nope, just a few more courses to go and then I can get back to my life.

Hope everyone is well and that you have a great weekend what ever you do. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with this song that spoke to me in so many ways! Until I get back with some pics and a wip pic at least, take care!

Does this thing still work?

Heeeellllooo? Heeeelllloooo? Anyone out there? It has been a very long time since I last popped in to say hello. How's everyone doing? I've been steadily tied to my books since my last update and have to report that I still am. I've been pushing my courses off back to back with little or no time in between so with assignments due every week or every other week I've had little time to update farless knit! I haven't updated my stash or pattern folder but I do intend to change all that. I have signed up for a less intensive course that requires NO assignment and NO final exam! So after this very intense course that I am preparing to take an exam for I will have a break of sort.

And what will I be doing with this "spare time"? Well finally, Interweaveknits has an edition I can sink my teeth into! Check out this shawl and the Millefori Cardigan, and Jeff's Pub Sweater. Those are on my to knit list. Now if I can just source the Rowan milk yarn and the Suri Elegance and of course get the mag I will be good to go. The pub sweater is for my hubby and I'd love to give it to him before his birthday in September and I'd love to have my shawl long before then. The Millefori will have to wait until I get to the size I want to be at. To that end - that is losing the excess weight, I have returned to badminton - taking lessons and enjoying it. My only problem is the pain in the shins! Ow! I may be taking up boxing on two other nights and if my body doesn't protest too much, then I'll be starting up with Billy Blanks again. I'm really fighting past the pain in my back, butt, shins and hips to see myself to as close to my goal as I can get.

I do have some pics to share but they are on my brother-in-law's camera (yeah, we're back to borrowing a camera as ours is officially kaput) and should get them off soon.

Anyways, back to my books! Wishing you all a great week : )

Ticked Ticked... Tock

Let's start this one out with a giant eyeroll. All together now

*EYEROLL*

Okay, so the day didn't start out too badly as it is after all Friday and if you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times... I don't work on Fridays. So, it was a good day simply because of what it is.

So, I drop the kidlets off to their respective schools and go about confirming the booking for my son's party. Get to the place early ya'll - I'm the ONLY one there - I have exact cash and all I need is a receipt. I hear the receptionist ask for it. Then calls someone again and then again. Half an hour later, I get a receipt. HALF AN HOUR to write a receipt. That (among other things) is island life - I know some of you want to come live on an island and sip coconut water at the beach and stuff but I know half of you would go crazy in a week!

Anyways, I wound up getting flack from the girl at the sandwich shop and I wound up cancelling the order after she started it. Then I took some invitations to my son's school for the aforementioned party and was met with a level of surliness from one of the staff that I didn't appreciate. THEN I went to my sewing class and had it out with the "teacher". Without seeking votes for my side of the story (well this is the only side you'll get anyways) it feels as though this woman has gotten more difficult with each class - either turning up late and having me wait for her or speaking to me like I'm an idiot. I admit - I do not know much about sewing - only what I have been taught by said "teacher" and am really very new to it all - so any questions really should be addressed without the curt responses, sighs and without starting the answer with "Like I just said..." It came to a head when I asked about seam allowance and was promptly chastised and dressed down for "not listening" and was told "Fine, I'll do it myself. Don't worry, I'll do it myself" WTH??? Well, I finally had enough as this was the second time she'd been this way with me and after getting flack and crap (along with almost getting the entire side of my car swiped off by someone who really shouldn't be on the road in ANY capacity) all day I let her have it. And you know what she did? Wait for it...

She tried to tell me that she was not upset and she didn't know what I was talking about and it was in my head.

WTH????????? After all these years on God's green earth are you trying to tell me I don't know when someone is mad/ angry/ pissed/ ticked?? There's much more to be said but I won't as I think there may be one or two Barbadian readers on here and Barbados is small (heck the world is small! In Montreal I met a man who was best buds with one of our dead premiers!) and people can be very malicious (not malicious as you may know the term but malicious here can mean nosy/ gypsy/ in yer bizness).

This leads me to my point. If you know you cannot deal with human beings then you should not be allowed to serve them. In any capacity. If you know you are going to get short and ill tempered with people then you shouldn't be around them. You shouldn't be paid to help them, make their sandwiches, pump their gas, check out their groceries in the supermarket (yeah, I'm talkin' to you Ms. Thing. Third strike and you're out with me!)stamp their tickets, do a gynecological exam, wash their cars or even usher them to their seats in church. Me, I know my limitations. I do not suffer fools easily. I put a good face forward (as I expect others to do the same to me. 90% of the time I don't get the good face I expect but that's another post). So you know what I do, I don't deal with people on the service level. My job allows me to work alone and from afar. Not that I can't work with people in an office setting but dealing with customers and potentially difficult people may not be my strongest point. So I avoid such circumstances. It amazes me that these same people who treat others so poorly in their jobs (happily so sometimes) expect that when they go to get served in the bank or at the emergency room or at the store they will be attended to with respect and dignity as the paying customer they are. Ah, when the shoe is on the other foot eh?

Sure, if you take away all the ill tempered, sour faced, bad mannered, poor service giving people we are forced to deal with, we might be left with very few people to deal with BUT I bet it would make life a WHOLE lot better.

Stupse.

Anyways, in case you were wondering or cared, I'm still studying hard for my exam. And I have another course to register to for by Monday that starts SIX DAYS after the exam for this course. So much for a Christmas break : ( But the light at the end of the tunnel is there. I look forward to those three more letters behind my name and will relish every second afterwards when I DON'T have to study like this anymore!

To that day! Cheers! I do deserve this tall cold glass of Arbor Mist!

*clink!*

CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA! WELL DONE!!

I'm not that old but seriously, I never thought I'd see the day. I will admit that I've seen some shows with a black president and I'd be like - yah right, only in the movies... but lookie here. A Black President.

This man has swept the nation - is it because he's mixed and in a way represents the unity of black and white? Ok, I'm getting corny here but from day one, he's been on the lips of almost everyone - even my daughter knows him by face!

Wow.

I'm guessing security will be quadrupled...

Good job America. For once, I think you've got it right. Now, let's see what plans he has for the Caribbean.

What's a girl to knit?

Okay, okay, I admit it. Knitting wise I'm in a bad place right now. I haven't picked up my needles with serious intent since before I zipped off to Montreal. I started a knitted doll for my daughter but right now it's nothing worth looking at, nay, just a tiny pile of curly stockinette and a mad jumble of ends. She's flat and right now looks like an experiment gone bad. My Argle Vest is sitting where I left it, suffocating in that transparent bag... and my leaf tee... well it has not grown at all since I last spoke on it. I've made several attempts to replace the Adamas shawl that I inteligently felted in Canada with another Swallowtail shawl - I even put to skeins of lace yarn into cakes (which is a huge chore without a swift) and have them on top of the yarn pile. I've taken out the Shetland Triangle pattern and selected the Handmaiden Seasilk in Rose and even knit a few rows... but I wasn't feeling it and ripped out the few rows I'd gotten started.

Then there is my malabrigo sock yarn, bought with the specific purpose of making a shawl. I've decided on making the swallowtail with it and even started it... but ripped it out. What's wrong with me?? I LURVE lace knitting but I do so want to knit a cardigan or a cute little top to wear. So why don't I?

I'll tell you why... it's my current voluptuousness that's the problem. I might have whined occasionally about it in the past on here but the reality of knitting an item such as a cardigan for myself will take alot of yarn and time and then when I eventually reach my the weight that will make me happy, I"ll have a knitted item that won't be able to fit me and that will amount to a giant waste of time.

So, what's a girl to knit? Socks maybe? I'm yet to get cracking on the 2 at a time method as per the book I've purchased and I'm not too keen on learning it until after exams. A shawl (well apart from the can't-get-started-itis as per above) will take the usual long time and I need some instant gratification. Well as instant as studying will allow.

Hmmmm... I have an idea actually... but I'll need more yarn.

Be back later.

Moi aussi!

I've been bitten people, by the sewing bug! I've had lots of inspiration from many blogs especially Adrienne's, who seems to make sewing look so effortless and fun!. So what else could I do but go out and get some lessons? I will say that it hasn't been all that easy at first but I'm getting there! I'm doing a dress making and a drapery course. In the dress making class, I've just crafted my first skirt block with help from the teacher and as homework I'm supposed to do one myself and then next week we cut! I'm a little nervous as the whole putting in zippers has been ever so slightly traumatic... but I will persevere!

And of course in this new spirit of learning to sew, I went out and bought this:



It's a Singer Inspiration 4220/4228. I'm not sure if it is a good machine or not but it was one of the better options I managed to find here. It didn't get rave reviews on a site I went to but the problems the critics were experiencing I haven't experienced(knock on wood!) so I hope it works very well for me.

So, maybe with this new interest I will have some sewing FOs for you (cause I'm not sure when you'll see some knitting ones... I'm knitting - but only in my mind!!)

It's interesting though that I'm busy up to my ears with assignments and work and kids and home but I still manage to fit a new craft in! Crazy! LOL!

Have a wonderful weekend people!

Blogiversary! But a little late

So I forgot my own blogiversary! Two years ago I started this blog and I'm happy to say that I'm a better knitter (or more experienced perhaps) than when I restarted. Not necessarily a better blogger though LOL!

Thanks for your continued visits and comments! To another year!

And I'm back!

A little pic heavy...

Heelllooooo.... how's everyone doing? I hope better than I am right now. I'm just back from beautiful Montreal where not only did I manage to sucessfully blend work and vacation, but I also managed to catch a cold. I didn't realize that I was sick... well, I was wheezing a bit but I wasn't sneezing or coughing or any of that other fun stuff (yet) so I just thought it was because it was so very cold there! Those crazy (and I mean that in a nice way LOL!) people were saying the weather was nice! Most days I was there fluctuated between 13-14 degrees!! The day I left was 8 degrees (well my flight was 6 a.m. so that might explain it. But one night it dipped to 4 degrees. I was under a fleece blanket AND a comforter and was very comfortable. It could be that cold air or the guy that was squashed in the middle seat on the plane ride back that had infected sinuses... he was snorting and inhaling phelgm to the point I wanted to go ask if there was anything I could do to help land the plane asap.

So now this entire week I've been under the weather... aches and pains, blocked EVERYTHING, throat was initially scratchy, that sort of stuff. But now I'm just blocked and am able somewhat to interact with the rest of the population without falling on my face. The only fun thing about this is that once and again I can laugh like Mutley (y'all know who he is right? Google old cartoons + mutley)!

So, what did I do In Montreal? There was training for three days and then a little shopping and sight seeing, happily interspersed with dinner with some great people at some wonderful restuarants! I was happily spoiled. The only downer was that I wish my hubby was able to make this trip with me and enjoy everything right along with me!

Ok, here are a few pics:

The Mayor's Office:

I love the architecture of Old Montreal - simply beautiful!



Deciding where to go next:



See me rockin' my Adamas? Well that's the last time you'll see it in this form. I, uh, felted it when doing the laundry... how did I miss that big purple thing????

There are many more pics of Old Montreal but I haven't transferred them from my email and the others I sent to my hubby's blackberry to my harddrive so until then, these are the few I can share for now!

Colette from ravelry was so SO kind to me and on my first day out of the office, she met up with me and took me to Mouline and Ariandne's (thanks for helping me with the pronounciation! LOL!)where I managed to score me some loverly yarn. It wasn't the intended haul as I threatened in one of my last posts because time was kinda short (I had to meet someone to get back to where I was staying) and didn't get to Effiloche! Well, I don't mind too too much... I should leave something for my next visit ; ) So here's the yarn I got my hands on:

Malabrigo Sock Yarn in Botecilli Red:



A shawl for me.

Handmaiden Casbah:


Sockies for me!

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock:



These are for sockies for the kids. I get to try the 2 socks at a time book!(Did I mention that I bought this along with Knitting Lingerie Style?)

Rowan Kidsilk Night:



I bought this to make the GORGEOUS Bird's Eye Shawl by my new friend Colette, but only bought two skeins.... I need three :( I had just settled down yesterday after meeting an assignment deadline and was about to cast on when I double checked that I had enough yarn and I don't. Well, this gives me a great excuse to get more yarn next month! Maybe an early Christmas gift to myself. (GAH!!! Did I just say Christmas????)

Tanis Fiber Arts:



These are for a pair of socks for my hubby. The yardage is excellent for his big feet!

Here's the yarn soak I bought. I can't tell you how they smell cause I'm totally blocked right now... but I remember them smelling great in the store!



Stitch Markers:



Patterns and Books:

A lovely thoughtful gift from Colette:

Bird's Eye Shawl



Field of Flowers



EZ's Knitting Workshop and Rowan's Bamboo Tape Collection



I'm very happy with what I was able to snag. Colette, next time I'll listen better to instructions so that we could start earlier! LOL!

Ok, before I go, here are a few pics of my kitchen efforts this evening.

Cake (don't mind how it looks - it tastes great! Since I don't have my nifty wall oven yet, I have to make do with a convection oven which works great but for browning the top of everything a little too quickly. And being too small...

Traditional Barbadian Plain Cake:



The best way to eat said traditional cake - with a cold glass of mauby! (Don't mind those sad looking bananas there - today they are over ripe, tomorrow they will be banana bread!)



And my first attempt at bagels (or was this my second? First in this house for sure) The dough came out great, but the poaching and baking not so great. They don't look smooth and nice like the ones in the store or the site that I got the recipe from but they taste ok (if only a tad bit too salty. We'll see how they shape up overnight) The inside is very nice but they aren't as I thought they would come out. Ah well, next time!




So that's it for me for now. I am still working on my course and getting assignments done and keeping on top of things. I'm feeling kinda guilty being on here so long but I'll make up! Right after I watch my new fave show M.ad Me.n!!! I hope everyone is doing good. There are a few of you who haven't updated your sites and some of you had some bad news lately. (((HUGS))) to all of you especially those who need them most.

Off for now. Have a great night and we'll catch up later.

Shoot, lost it again...

My will to knit that is... I've not really put much effort into the whole knitting thing of late. Saving up to buy a truckload of yarn (and by truckload I mean as much as my credit card can take without buckling under the pressure...!) so maybe I'm delaying knitting until I get my goodies? Been busy with getting the kids ready for school and preparing myself for the start of my own studies - among other things. Meanwhile, in between dreaming about dropping babies (literally spilling them out of my hands) and being pregnant but not, I've been happily distracting myself with oldies but goodies. Movies that is, movies! Well, truth be told I've only watched two so far, but they were so good I'm watching them thrice! (Watched them before but nice to watch again and again...)

First up was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Been meaning to get this for years now and finally did. Oh, that Maggie was one strong woman wasn't she? Not ashamed to beg her hottie hubby and do anything to win him back! I might have done the same based on Brick's then high degree of hotness! Loved the shot of his abs! Oh and the story too!

Next was Dear Frankie. Two words, Gerard Butler. Yummmmmmm!!! I can eat him with a small spoon. He played that role so well, I kinda wish I could write him a letter or two! Shivers! Have you seen it? Go watch it! I'm looking for romantic movies like this to occupy the time between work, getting the kids to school on time, taking care of them and their extracirriculars and maybe some of my own stuff. Any suggestion?

Ok, that's it - nothing more to say for now except that I hope all of you in the path of any weather systems stay safe and sound. Those suckers are coming off the coast like crazed shurikens!

Ok, THIS ticks me RIGHT OFF!!!!!

Is this man for reals???

At least there's an opposing article to his comments by Rick Broadbent.

Who exactly does this man think he is? WUHLOSS, doan let me get started on massa days DONE! How DARE he tell this track sensation, nay THE FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD how to celebrate his victories? Being a show off? He has the right to show off if he wanted to! At least he has something to show for his antics! He's not posing and making a show for the camera in shades and earrings! Stop and congratulate? Is this an English tea party? I just wish he went back in the blocks and re-ran the race just to show the rest how it's done! Does he even know or care about the odds Usain overcame to get where he is? And adding a patronizing "he's young" on top of it? Crazeeeeee!

How come no one's talking about Johnson and Bailey who said that he couldn't break the record? Is that good sportsmanship? I'm happy he put them and everyone else to shame!

Next time Usain, do the Bogle, Butterfly and Dance pon ya head top!

Two words for ya, two words....

Usain Bolt.

No I've not become a fan of the oly.mpics but one of the most anticipated/ reknowned events in these games had in SIX Caribbean men. SIX! And (have mercy) that 21 year old from Jamaica SMASHED, MASH UP, BREK UP de res' dem.

Sniff. I'm so proud! I just wish we could have had a repeat performance for Barbados. Oh well, maybe the next one!

Oh and PS - I've finished the back of DSL! Buttons, seaming and blocking to mark this puppy COMPLETE!

Yikes! Already??

Am I the last person to realise that summer is almost over? Gadzooks people! Two more weeks of "freedom" and then we're back in the game. What am I talking about? Well, I'm talking about the amount of time we have left before we start the "get the kids out of bed early, bathed, fed and dressed and out the door in a good time to get to school/ work early." Sigh. Two.more.weeks. I feel like they just came off from school! I STILL have to get one elusive book for Dylan and two phys.ed shirts. Maybe new shoes and all their supplies - pencils, book bag, lunch coolers etc etc. I'm usually on the ball with this stuff (I've gotten their text books so that's a point or two, right?) but somehow along the way I keep putting it off. It's like if I buy this stuff I admit that school is soon starting. Now, this time around, it looks like I'm going to be one of those parents. You know, the last minute ones. I happily join this bunch of last minute-ers and will join the fracas that will ensue in order to get the right things for school. But I'm gonna shop smarter. I will NOT go into town and get smashed while reaching for that last art apron. Nope, I'm shopping out of town this time, where the prices may be a bit higher but the probability of me getting mildly roughed up will be way waaaaay lower.

Sigh.

Anyways, a new round one starts with my studies and I look forward to this new course (please, don't remind me of these careless words when I inevitably start to whine about the workload and the busi-ness that is my life).

On the knitting side of life, I have made some progress on my Deep V Argyle Vest but can't show you yet as I don't have a functioning camera. Yes, again. The one I was using is back in its rightful owner's possession and I have once again by scouring amazon.com for the perfect one to hint for for Christmas. And then there's the DSL that is still eating yarn with no apparent proof of it... just five more inches and the neck and I can put this thing to bed and... it's just taking SOOOO long! The 24th is coming up so I've got to speed things up! There's a shawl on cosmicpluto's blog that I would like to knit (if the pattern is available) in the same Mooi yarn too (hopefully I can get this yarn when I travel soon) so I'm holding out on starting a new shawl until I get this pattern and yarn in hand. So no pics again.

Oh, before I go, saw The Hulk on Wednesday. Was a good show but no Dar.k Kn.ight. It was good for what it was. At least he bought large pants that would stretch and accomodate him when he grew - but seriously he gets so big not even the stretchiest pants would fit - but I give them an A for effort. I never got why other hulk's pants would stay on but the shirt and everything else would be trash (well, besides the fact that we can't have a naked hulk running around a pg movie... it would be interesting to find out if everything was exponential in um... growth, tho.)

Goodnight for now... time to go wrestle hubby for the remote (grumble - darned olym.pics grumble grouch).

Am I the only one NOT really into the Olym.pics?

Man, everyone and their grandma seems to be glued to the tv! I can appreciate the games but truth be told, I'm not into sports at all. I like and appreciate the games for what they are and can even sit and watch for a few minutes without turning the channel but to have it glued there day in day out? Not me! I lie in wait for the moment hubby falls asleep on the couch and then pounce on the remote like a hungry thing. I invariably land on Foodnetwork or HGTV if nothing's on Scifi or USANetwork. When hubby comes to all he can do is shake his head in disbelief that 1. he'd fallen asleep again in front of the tv and 2. that I claim the remote and use the opportunity to watch people cook. I told him that I'd watch the Olympics if there was a knitting event. Heck yeah! I can see it now... the double point derby, who can knit the most socks in one sitting and of course, a blindfold event where you have to determine yarn by touch alone. Prizes will be lifetime supplies of cashmere yarn and jord.an pai.ge bags. Yesserie bob, I'd be in front the tv like nobody's business.

Now to comment on a couple things on said Olympic games.

Cul.len Jo.nes: Okay, I know it was not my nor my husband's imagination when he swam that relay and when the woman was interviewing the four guys, he was tucked behind her while the three others were highlighted. I'm just saying.

Lip synching - ok so the Chinese are catching some flack over the old switcheroo they pulled on selecting a "cuter" girl to "sing" at the opening ceremony. Having that little girl knowingly participate in something like that is just not right. And what about the other little one that was supposedly not so cute? How will this follow her? Hopefully she won't have any inferiority complex issues as she grows. Having said that, is this something that no other country would have done? Somewhere in the media, someone made a comment saying that in the US no matter how "not cute" the little girl would have been able to do thing. I think that if it came to it ANY other country would have done the same thing wrong as it is. Again, just saying.

Sexist story lines - ok... I don't know about you guys but I'm getting a wee bit tired of hearing these storylines described by the sportscasters as "soap operas" when they are discussing the women athletes. When they discuss the men you hear about how hard they train and the injuries they sustained bla bla bla... but when they were discussing some women that were swimming all I could hear was "and she left France to go to Italy to train with her boyfriend who then broke up with her and is now dating her competition and her ex-coach is training another one of her competion in the pool. hahahah. this is a real soap opera." HUH?????? What about all the training that's gotten her to where she is now? GRRRR!

And all the sob stories! Bleh!

Anyways, slow knitting on this end. Nothing to shout about. But very excited about Eureka tonight!!

Laters!

Have you guys seen this??

Allison from The Knitters of the Caribbean Group introduced me to this! Check it out if you haven't already!

Twist Collective

I'm very impressed!

Praise be to God!

People... I've PASSED my exam!!!!! PASSED IT!!! God is so good - when I tell you I sat there, made a pile of mistakes, rushed down the multiple choice in ten minutes and nearly didn't finish the exam and STILL passed! That is God's handiwork right there! Nothing of my own doing at all! There were so many repercussions if I had failed - saying goodbye to the large fee I had to pay up front, having to redo that course and being set back a term. Not to mention the feeling of defeat that would have enveloped me! So many people were saying to expect to fail that exam first time around but God pulled me through and when I say by the skin of my teeth I mean just that!

I still haven't been able to wipe this smile of of my face!

D.ark K.night

Totally worth blogging about at 1:02 a.m.! B.atman was totally worth going to the 9:45 p.m. show too! Chri.stian B.ale! Ooooo! Loved him the first time around, remembered why the second time around. I was skeptical at first about He.ath Leg.ers' performance as I thought they were bigging him up because he died.... but man, he gave an excellent last performance!! The hype wasn't for nuttin! We see another villain birthed and I can't wait for the third instalment - because things come in threes right?

Don't take my word for it - go see it!

Decloaking off the starboard bow...

Hola peeps. How goes it? Been a bit busy on this end what with trying to keep from putting a hurting on the guy who said he'd paint the kitchen in 12 days and now 9 weeks later (is it? about that) he's still not done. It takes a great degree of self control not to rip the guy a new one when he has caller id and won't take your calls (no we haven't paid him up front - only for what he's done so far) and comes when he wants and stays like an hour. I am quite proud of myself for not saying ONE bad word! Seriously, every now and then Ms. Potty Mouth breaks free - actually under circumstances similar to these - and when she's done there's a new understanding on the offender's part, satisfaction and shame on mine. So there's the silver lining in all this at least right? I can thank knitting for part of the ability to keep her in check... miles of stockinette (leaf tee raglan), miles and MILES of k2 p2 (a la drop stitch lace tank. Yes, I'm still working on it thank you very much) and now rows and rows of ribbing for the Deep V Argyle that I've just started would do that to ya.

Anyways, now that I've gotten the requisite griping off my chest, let's talk knitting. I've been kinda thinking about starting another lace project. The seasilk is caaaaaling me! But I really would love to get my WIPs off the needles and onto my blog! As I've just mentioned, I've started the Deep V Argyle. I'm knitting with WOOL y'all - in the tropics even! But it's not too bad actually. I'm using Debbie Bliss Rialto in black and sherbet... the sherbert is more yellow than I would have liked so I hope I don't look like a giant bumble bee when I'm done (argh! having flashbacks to my yellow and black striped graduation dress...) I plan to wear it when next I travel which will be soon. If I finish it in time. Did I mention the Pi shawl? I'm thinking of doing this... maybe it can be the other KAL on The Knitters of the Caribbean Group on ravelry. I'm telling you our group is growing! It's so wonderful to have new members join - all with the same basic connection - the Caribbean!

Ooo, has anyone watched Juno? Loved the handknits in this wonderful, touching, funny movie! If you haven't seen it put it on your list. I'm now into looking for handknits in every movie I watch! Very fun thing to do if you have zero other forms of entertainment! Yay!

Ok... now. Are there any Dr. Who fans out there? Did you catch the episode Midnight? FREAKY!!!! Those writers are good! This week I think the Dr. is supposed to die and Rose (who made a brief appearance in the television in Midnight and in the previous episodes as well) teams up with Donna who I don't really like btw (bring back Martha!!) and they save him. I hope it's not going to be scary like this past episode or the one where the shadows were eating people!

I'm tired. Off to bed with me. Have a great night everyone.

Wonderin'

Heeeelllloooooo... what's shaking people? How are things on your side of ye ole world? Way over here on my end things are ok. Been doing a little (and by little I mean half of a row here and a bit more there) knitting lately. I've been busy doing a bit of this and that. I'm thinking of starting the Pi Shawl by Elizabeth Zimmerman... if I do make a solid decision on it I may use that Jaeger Trinity that's been sitting in my stash lonely and unused ever since I bought it. I'm not sure why I want to knit this giant thing outside of the fact that it looks interesting. But will I use it? It may be too heavy to wear in this weather so maybe I can use it as something to keep me warm at night while laying on the sofa watching tv or something. Then in that case why not just knit a blanket and be done with it? As you can tell I'm still undecided.

One thing for sure that I will be making in the near future is the Deep V Argyle Vest by Eunny Jang. This is my foray into Fair Isle (remember it was in my list of to knits? You don't remember? That's ok). We're having a Fair Isle Kal on the Knitters of the Caribbean Group over on ravelry. If you're a member of ravelry, feel free to stop on by and say hi and better yet, join in on the KAL. The more the merrier!

So apart from not really knitting, I've been doing alot of thinking. Here are some of the things that's been on my mind:

1. How is it that a job that's supposed to take 12 days has somehow morphed into 5 weeks? Does anyone know where the good workers are hiding??

2. Who in the world gives driving licences to people who's main purpose in life to drive as recklessly and selfishly as possible? I'm talkin' to you Mr. who swung out of the intersection yesterday clearly ignoring the stop sign thereby nearly crashing in to our car that was occupied by my ENTIRE family (hubby, myself and the kids) and then laughed as you pulled away?

3. Why do people think that everyone who says they are a Christian really is a Christian because they say so? I can say that I am a cat but that doesn't make me one.

4. Why do people who are not Christian keep walking around saying they are Christian when they clearly are not? (I'm just a lot peeved at the Christian bashing I'm seeing over on ravelry)

5. How is it that my son has grown up so fast! He's now a yellow belt in Taekwondo. And how is it that my baby girl is no longer a baby?? She turns FOUR next month.

6. Why is it so hard to never weary of doing good? How do you brush yourself off and get going again knowing that history might repeat itself?

Anyways, I hope you are having more knitting sucess than I have. I was hoping to have more FO's by this time - 6 months into the year. Maybe I'll get some more inspiration and get cracking on new and exciting things!

Laters!