Shaking off the holiday blues

Hi all,

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and while enjoying the gifts, also remembered the reason for the season - the birth of Jesus our Lord.

Things have been quiet on my end. Knitting wise, I've cast on for the Adamas shawl, wavy from knitty and am still plugging away on the DSL tank (are you tired of hearing me talk about this yet?). The wavy scarf is for my husband's aunt in New York. She's complaining of the cold and since I had the wavy partially started from last year's attempt for my visit to Canada, I decided I would finish it for her. I'm using the malabrigo in colourway brown sugar. I think I shall make either a hat or a pair of mittens for her daughter who's been so kind to us up to recently, sending in the kids' Christmas gifts that I sent to her address so she could mail them to me. I'm leaning more towards the hat as it's a quicker knit and I might not have enough yarn to do the mittens anyways (I was thinking along the lines of the convertible mittens I saw on knitty).

Looking back on the year, I realised I have not met some of my knitting goals - one of the main ones being learning fair isle/ intarsia. This still remains a goal of mine and will add it back to the list of "must accomplish in 2008". What about you? What are your goals knitting wise for the coming new year? Another one of mine will be to knit faster and to get more than three projects out for the year. I understand this will include letting go of my previous tendencies to knit monogamously and put more projects on the needles at one time - I've already started!

Here's the Adamas shawl. I am enjoying her thus far. I know this may take me more than a month but I'm chugging along faithfully:



And here's Wavy:


And finally, the DSL progress:


There's still what to do with my Rowan Calmer. I think I might wait a bit to cast on something special as I have once again come to the grim reality that is my size. We borrowed my BIL's camera to video record the kids opening their presents. One moment the camera was focused on their little happy faces, the next it panned very unflatteringly to my overweight form. I really need to do something about this. How to do it though when I am stoveless and ovenless? (that's a loooong story but at least the cupboards will be done soon enough for us to get those two coveted items - and you betcha I will be posting pics of them!) It will take a great deal of perseverance and commitment on my part (two things that I have sorely lacked in - up till now I daresay) to prepare our lunches elsewhere, pack em up and reheat them for the next day. But I must try as it will be very veray heartbreaking to knit up my beautiful calmer and it not fit. I guess that's why I'm kinda stuck on shawls for now. One size fits all!

Later!

I've been a bad girl this year...

or so someone thought as all I'm getting for Christmas this year is coal in my stocking. What a year. I'm actually kinda glad it's almost over. Even my knitting has suffered. I think that for the past twelve months I've managed to turn out TWO projects. I really don't know where the year has gone.
Knitting wise, for the new year, I hope to go through my stash and actually churn out more than two projects. I would love to start the new year off with my Rowan Calmer but I'm still looking for the right project for this.
Anyways, I can't think of anything else to say... I feel sucky so maybe saying nothing else is best.
Later.

Knitting and ting

Don't scratch your head too hard about the ting part of this blog post. It's 7:22 p.m. and I'm tired and stuffy and kinda wondering if its the end of the year yet. Right now, instead of sitting in front of the tv with the freshly cast on Jaywalker sock in hand, with my kids curled up at my side and the hubby putting around nearby, I am holed up in my son's bedroom trying to ignore the hammering and the whirring and the banging. In case you're wondering, it's not an easy task! One of these days when I can look back on this whole "building a house" experience without red pooling in my eyes, I just might tell you guys the long long tale. Right now, what I will say is that I'm finally getting kitchen cupboards. No, not replacing the old ones that were there, I'm getting kitchen cupboards - where there were none before. The guys promise it should take a week or so to get them done - not including spray painting them either. Sooo.... there's sawdust everywhere and the chairs are piled on top of one another in front of the tv. I'm not sure how long they will be here till tonight but I'm hoping they leave soon - AFTER they clean up. This coupled with the runny nose and apparent dripping in the back of my throat is not making for a very relaxing night. You know what would make me feel better? My just started jaywalker sock. But I can't get to it. Boo.

I can't think of anything else to write. The workmen are having a chat in between the ruckus.

*whimper*

Shhhh.... do you hear that?

It's the sound of a "free" woman. If you want to picture how I feel, cast your minds to those cheesy films where a woman is running in slow motion through an open field... hands flung wide, eyes closed and a big stupid grin on her face. Yah, that's me. I feel so free I feel like I should be doing something! (Yes, this is why I usually have so many things going at once - I don't like being un-busy!)See, tonight I sat my MA2 exam. How did I do? I'm not so sure. There's a whole question that got up off the page and smacked me in the face. My head spun and my ears rang. In the end I might have just written - RUBBISH across the page for that one and moved on. Maybe they will give me a few marks for writing my name. Anyways. I think I might be very close to the pass mark. I don't want to imagine the futile feeling of failing by 1 mark. I've heard it to happen.

Another thing that made me very happy today was my receiving my final SP package! Wow, is Ingrid a fab pal or what? Here's a run down of my goodies.

1. The absolutely beautiful Clementine. My pic does not do it justice! She did an awesome job on it and I am touched that she made it for me.

2. Two bars of scrumptious organic chocolate. I don't think I need to tell you folks that I wasted no time in getting to know them better. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!

3. Two cute little Korknisse and some candy for my son. I tell you I have never seen anything so cute! He will love them!

4. A hair scrunchie for my daughter and candy. My daughter loves to dress up - I know this will get lots of use!

5. A beautiful handwritten card with a knitted design on the front. This was a really speacial touch.

Ingrid has been a lovely pal. She's been awesome about me being so busy sometimes I couldn't get back to her and she's just been so generous to me! Thank you Ingrid, you've made this a wonderful experience for me!

(PS - I may have to add more pics later - blogger isn't liking me loading so many pics at once!)

Of Quakes and Tremors!

So something very strange happened to me today. I was sitting at my desk working when I felt a gentle shaking of my chair. Now, if you can imagine it, it was like if someone snuck up behind me, all invisible-like, and started to shake the chair from the left to the right and back again. I kinda tensed up, furrowed my brow and convinced myself that I was imagining things. But the shaking got persistent and I then convinced myself that something supernatural was happening to me (ok. stop it now - quit that snickering!!!). But then the entire workstation began to move and my monitor began to dance. Oh crap, I thought, something is wrong with me! The room is shaking! Then the business manager in the other office yelled... is anyone else's desk moving? It didn't take me long people. I yanked the power cord from my new laptop, grabbed my bag and bolted for the door. I'm not sure how I got through it, whether I opened it or walked through it but I got through it. When we got to the door, the people across the hall were making a mad scramble down the shaking stairs. Fear gripped my heart as memories of the collapsed building catastrophe from late August sprang to mind. You see, back in August, half a building collapsed into an unstable cave in Britons Hill killing a family of five (a mother, father and their three children) and since there are caves all over the island that some buildings are constructed on, my fear was that this building was going to collapse!

Well, we made it outside and realised that there were other people outside at the adjoining clinic. Someone passed and asked if we felt that too. It was then I realised that it wasn't a case of an about to collapse building, but rather tremors from an earthquake. An EARTHQUAKE!!! Gosh, apparently the last time anyone felt a rockin' in Barbados like that was back in 1947. I finally got the courage to go back up the stairs for the rest of my stuff that I left in my haste to get out. I collected my past papers, my car keys and my shoes. I shut down the computer and got the heck out of dodge. Another thing that was equally scary was that the phone system was down across the island. I could not get through to my mother to find out if she and the kids were ok (no school today - THANK GOD!!)The system was jammed with people trying to do exactly what I was trying to do. I think that this is something the authorities need to look at. Well, I made my way to my mother's house, sucessfully beating the traffic jams that expectedly followed. When I got there, my daughter was sleeping - the little darling slept through it all. My son and my mother told me about how the chairs, fans, the tv, the ceiling light and every other thing in the place was shaking. My mother apparently grabbed my daughter and with my son in tow they had bolted outside to safety. Everyone was shook up! In the end, there was building damage and one person was trampled in town and had to get medical attention.

Unfortunately, the people of Martinique who bore the brunt of the quake were not so lucky. Lots of building damamge and one little girl was killed when a wall fell on her. Her seven year old sister is listed in critical condition.

My fear right now is that Barbados won't be prepared for a disaster. If today's tremors could shut down the island and cause the telephone system to go belly up, what would happen heaven forbid in a major disaster was to happen? Well right now, I still feel a little off kilter - like I'm dizzy or something but well past the initial shock. This is something that will be on the lips of Barbadians for a long time coming!

Swallowtail pics et al

Hi all... taking a few minutes to post a pic of the ST. I have one pic that I think is halfway decent but that's of the shawl unblocked. I should prolly retake the pic of it blocked so it will look better but really... I doubt anyone cares. I can't envision myself taking pics like b r o o k l y n t w e e d so there's really no point (can you tell I'm in one of those moods? It might have something to do with the fact that I've recently had a big fight with someone that should have known better, broke my favourite mug, got stopped by the po-po for not paying my road tax and had to pay for a new licence for hubby - all on ONE DAY mind you - not to mention I had a b*tch of a headache last night - so I'm a little sour/ dour/ pissed etc etc). Anyways, ST is finished and that's the most important thing knitwise right now. See pics above.

Also attached is a pic of the source of my headache last night. That thing on the plate my friends is a conkie. Conkies are "highly nutritious steamed pudding-like cornmeal treat that exist throughout Africa, the Caribbean, South America and Pacific countries where most of the ingredients are grown in abundance and constitute a large part of everyday cooking and nutrition." Conkies are a national treat traditionally made in November around our Independence Day - November 30 btw. They are made of gratered pumkin, coconut, sweet potato, egg, milk, raisins, shortening, margarine, injun corn, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and some cornmeal and its DARN delicious (did I just say darn? Yes, I did... kinda maxed out the naughty words I could say this weekend). The mixture is placed on a 8x8 square of banana leaf (that was previously cleaned and swinged on the fire). They are then stacked in a pot on top of the criss crossed ribs of the banana leaf and a little water and steamed for an hour. And then... voila! A little piece of Bajan heaven! Took long to do cause I had to go searching for the leaves (hubby but you get the idea) and prepare the ingredients BUT I got loads of help from my mother-in-law who's really REALLY good at these kinds of things.

Anyways, I'm going to wash the day away, then grab that same conkie up there with a cup of coffee, my module 7 and Heroes and settle in for some eating, drinking, revision and some time travel. Later!

Zee Swallowtail - she is done!

Drive by post...

Swallowtail is DONE!!! Less than a month! Wow, this is a first for me. This is just further proof that this is an easy knit... that and it is a smaller shawl especially in comparison to the DFS which reaches past my bum. I am looking forward to blocking this - I'm so eager to see it in its proper form!

Pics to follow...

Thar she grows!

*waves hi to everyone*

I hope this post finds everyone well... the weekend is here so please enjoy it whatever you do!

I have a progress pic of the Swallowtail to share. I am halfway through the Lily of the Valley Border 2 chart and the nupps are really slowing me down. I know others have posted alternatives to making the nupps, but I may be a purist when it comes to patterns... that or I'm afraid of messing it up by doing something different! Either way, Swallowtail (ST) and I are like best buds, everywhere I go she goes, to work, to the store... everywhere. You see, she's helping me keep my wits about me as the exam I am studying for (well, certain topics within it ex linear programming a.k.a. evil evil subject) is making me question my intelligence. So whenever the feeling comes over me to run naked screaming Maximize profits! Binding Constraints! Sensitivy Analysis! GAHHHHH!!! I whip her out and knit furiously (well as furiously as those interferring nupps let me!).

Well what about the DSL you say? Well, its there somewhere catching dust. I think it will be refreshing to pick it back up and finish it before the year is over. There are a few other projects that I will be starting soon. They are in no particular order, Little Lacy Top - I have the perfect yarn for this... the allhemp3 that was previously dedicated to the Laura Tee. That's right, I am going to frog her. Or rather ignore her and just use the other skeins to start the Little Lacy Top. Then there's the Trapeze Jacket and hopefully these mittens by Eunny Jang. Why in the world would I want mittens when I live in the tropics - a place some akin to a fiery furnace? Well, I might be travelling again to Canada in April and I will NOT be tricked again by those cruel cold bone chilling winds again! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Ahem... the last time I went I brought a storm. With the wind chill it was -30. All this extra layering of fat did NOTHING for me. I was shaking like a leaf. And no offense to North Americans, but I will not believe nary a one of you if you say that the weather is nice in April! Nice to you = hypothermia for me. But I digress LOL - if I go I will be prepared. The only question that remains, is will I be able to knit those mittens? I haven't ever done colourwork (well to that extent). Can KnittyKitty do it?

Stay tuned.

Pictures!

My hubby is a darling! He dug through the mountain of boxes and found the camera for me and let me know that I didn't need the software to get it running. So I plugged it in (it still had in batteries and all!) and voila! Pics. I know I promised more than these but these are all I can manage for now. Here's the 12 skeins of Rowan Calmer in sour. I know! LOVELY! Next is the progress on my Swallowtail Shawl. I am at repeat 10 of 14 of the Budding Lace 2 chart. I'm using the malabrigo lace in Pink Frost - also from my pal. I'm really enjoying this pattern so far! I would say that it would be good for a first time shawl maker. Very enjoyable so far!

In other non-kniting news, I'm winding down on my assignments. Actually submitted one today. Two more to go then I can study for my exam! My son's birthday is coming up soon so I have to do a little something for him. We plan to do some work on the house as well and get my bike up and running (it's still in the box) so I can get some exercise.

Anyways, I wish everyone a great week knitting and otherwise!

Seven radom facts - I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Urban Knitrix!

Here are the rules:


1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here goes!

1. When I was a little girl, I used to believe that the walls and chairs and any inanimate object for that matter, was alive. So if I bumped into the wall by accident I would tell it sorry. Yeah... Enid Blyton messed me up but good.

2. Again, when I was a little girl, I was in love with Michael Jackson. Seriously, in love and faithful to the man. I would sit in the closet and sing his songs and dream of the day we could be together. Darn... if I knew then what I know now. Thank you Lord for not hooking us up!

3. Now, this one may seem pretty weird, but I promise it's true. I've had at least three dreams that have come true. Scene for scene... came true. No, I wasn't drinking or anything of the like. I also get bouts of deja vu... to the point I stop and I have to convince myself that I haven't been here (whereever here is at that
time) before and haven't done whatever before.

4. When I was young (do you see a pattern here?) we used to live in an upstairs and downstairs housing unit and as was the norm back then, I used to pretend that I had long hair by putting my towel over my head and tossing my head to and fro. Well, one day I did that... on the top of the stairs. I apparently missed the first step (damn long hair in my eyes!) and fell down the flight of stairs. Can't remember what happened next.

5. My husband says that I don't blink. I can watch a show that's really really interesting and only blink during commercials. I think he's exaggerating. I blink at least once during the show.

6. I like to watch tv with the sound off. I would just turn on the television and hit the mute button and be very content for hours.

7. I used to fantasize about living in a tree. I would look around and see if there were any trees large enough to carve a big hole out of. I would imagine how cozy it would be just living in there. Again, I blame Enid Blyton and her Enchanted Wood stories. Good thing I grew out of that (I think...) I don't think I'd get a good DSL connection out in the woods!

I have more but I'll keep it to seven. I don't want you all to think that I'm fruity or anything. Gotta go... Forensic Files should be on. I think I'll have it watch me.

Alicia, Koolbreeze, Shorty, Phyllis, Allegra and Becka

Thanks Sherry!

On the Swallowtail train...

I've officially cast on for the Swallowtail shawl. I received the Fall 2006 Interweave magazine, unraveled the delicious skein of malabrigio lace my super pal sent me in the swap and cast on last night. So far so good. The pattern and the yarn are going well together. I feel inspired if somewhat unfaithful to the DSL. I will take DSL to work tomorrow and squeeze in some knits and purls in the hopes of finishing it before my kids graduate in the near future. For some reason I feel energized by the shawl project. I can't really explain it but I'm psyched - actually I think its actually doing something other than k2 p2 over and over again without any apparent results. I'm so inspired that I am up at 1:11 a.m. blogging about feeling inspired. I'll have to add it to my ever growing list of pics to take.
In other news, SP11 is winding down. I am thinking of what to put together for my pal. So far I've been two for two. I really enjoyed this swap - both the giving and receiving. I can't wait to discover who my pal is!
Anyways, I think I need to get to bed. I'm tired but not... until next post!

Knitting... where's thy string?

Meh, thought that title would sound cool but maybe after I get a good night's sleep I will think otherwise. Anyways, it's the only thing my brain can come up with at ten past eleven at night. I'm torturing myself it seems... or maybe I'm subconciously trying to see how far I can push myself in the not gettin' any sleep department. Or, maybe, just maybe I've found another site just as addictive as ravelry. It's facebook. Yes, I've heard of it before, but once again I'm late to the party. Everyone and their grandmas are on there. It's cool finding people that I haven't seen in years. Some nice and others that reinforces the reason God didn't give us super special powers. Ah... but that's in the past right? So, why am I not in bed? Why am I up watching reruns of Forensic Files? Well, not watching but having it watch me while I tippity tap on the lappy? I really don't know. Hubby is down for the count and the kids went off to bed literally kicking and screaming some time ago. Well, I'm not sure. I've read some of the required reading for assignment 7 and just have to look at the notes tomorrow. But tomorrow is a little busy for me. I'm hoping to go see the iridologist (no I don't have an appointment but I'm hoping my good looks will get me in - that or maybe she won't be busy tomorrow!) and I have to go get some food to put in the fridge and pay some bills. Oh, did I mention that the kids have tomorrow off? I'll drop them by my mother and go my merry way to do my chores and then collect them later. They will not be happy about that. Ah well!

Tell me, has anyone been watching Heroes? Now, I became a serious fan during season one. Even used to do that little outburst that means "I did it!" that Hiro liked to chirp at the top of his voice. I was confused by the ending but thought nothing of it. Anyways, this new season has started rather shakily for me. It feels like two distinct groups of people are writing the stories. One group is writing the part with the mind reader, Dr. Suresh (can someone please give him a bath? Please?), Peter and Hiro. Another less motivated group seems to be writing the story lines of Mya the bloodeyed hero and her brother, Sylar (sp?) and the new hero New Orleans Muscle Mimic girl and her family. Now here are some of my problems. Generalizations. Race generalizations. Tell me why Mexicans are always portrayed as trying to get across the border? Can't they be seen just catching a plane FOR ONCE?? Tell me why Mya and her brother are so passionate and eager? Tell me why muscle mimic girl is always pursing her mouth like her ol' grammy and talking like she's uber religious? Why is it that her nephew has his hair plait and a bad attitide? Why is it that when miss mimic realises her powers (and oh so suddenly?) she goes and tests it out on um... jump rope??? I would be trying to see if I could knit intarsia, speak Japanese or fly a rocket. She choses jumprope (and why didn't the girl just invite her to join instead of wagging her head and barking at her?) Generalizations people! And why is Clare suddenly so annoying and dumb? And the story isn't meshing. How did Sylar get out that vast jungle and wind up in the path of eager Mya and company? Not making sense! And that little girl that mind reader and Dr. Sweaty seems to have kidnapped is so annoying. ARGGGGHHHHH!!!! I could go on but clearly I'm tired - I know this is just a show but I hate how different races are portrayed so STUPIDLY in shows and commercials!

Anyways, let's see if I can get some knitting content in here. I ordered 6 skeins of Knitpicks shadow in heather, vineyard and something else (yes I ordered it BEFORE Knitpicks announced their sale - grrrrr!) so I get to start the Adamas shawl. I also ordered Knitting Lace Triangles and the issue of Interweave Knits that has the Swallowtail shawl in it. I am excited even though I don't "sound" that way. I'm sleepy and won't go to bed. Maybe, I can get back into some serious knitting and maybe these upcoming projects will somehow propel me to knit faster and finish the DSL already! Sheesh.

I still can't find the camera... maybe I should buy a new one... with printer to boot. So I'll just add those knitting purchases to the list of will post pics.

Gnite. I think.

Of yarn and headaches...

Ugh... what a Sunday. Yesterday I planned on going to church today but today had other plans for me. Last night I went to bed with one of those kinds of headache/eye-ache combinations that makes you just wanna cry. I blame it on the sinuses. Might be sinuses might not be but my past experience says SINUSES. So I took two panadols when I awoke with the tv watching me and went back to sleep... secure in the knowledge that this will be all gone come morning. Morning came and it was still there, somehow empowered by the panadols I took. The entire upper right hand quandrant of my face hurt. The eye, the socket, the area above the eye right down to where my upper and lower jaw bones meet. I slept it off, and woke up with it still there. I lay motionless in the bed, turning only when necessary and it was stil there. At one point I thought the pain had gone (silly me) but when I inhaled it reminded me that it was STILL there. So this evening, I finally got some cataflam from the pharmacy and now I'm like a new woman.

I feel so much better that I can come on here and tell you all about the Knitpicks shadow that I bought in Vineyard and Heather. Adamas shawl here I come! Yes... if you are counting, that's two shawls on the to do list. I also ordered the book Knitting Lace Triangles and the Fall 2006 Interweave Knits edition. Turns out I didn't have that one in the pile. Hmmm.... I wonder how I was going to get the Swallowtail shawl done without it!

In other yarn news, as I mentioned, my awesome pal sent me TWELVE skeins of Rowan Calmer in sour and I promised pics as soon as I got internet connection. Seems I should have promised the pics after I got internet connection AND as soon as I found the camera and the software that goes with it! Seriously people, there are so many boxes in here and I was too lazy to label any of them (and at one point we were just throwing stuff in willy nilly just to get out by the end of month that labeling wasn't a real feasible option anyways)that now I cannot put my hand on either of them. Rest assured, they are twelve skeins of gorgeousness! When I/we get our act together and find the camera (among other things) I will post the long in coming pic.

Well, folks... if my guess is right tomorrow is Monday. AGAIN. I promised (before offending headache) to get all the pressing done (work clothes for hubby and myself and uniforms for both kiddies) for the week. I think I will only do the kids uniforms for the week and let hubby take care of ours for tomorrow.

Until next post! Happy knitting!

Thank God for days off... and for yarn to pet

It has been one of those weeks. We've sucessfully (and by successfully I mean with much toil and effort and hair ripping moments) moved from our apartment to our incomplete home. But we're here at least, amid the boxes and the chaos. We have come to the conclusion that the little apartment we lived in for the past five years had a black hole in there some where. There is no way we (and by we I mean me) could have accumulated all that stuff!!!!! There are things in there I haven't seen in years... things from my soap making days, candle making days and rubber stamping days. We will have a garage sale at some point in time but that would entail me going through those boxes. Since my days have changed and my only free day is Fridays, and this is my first Friday off... well let's just say it won't be happening today. On top of it all, I have weekly assignments to submit.

Thank God I have yummy yarn to pet. My knitting has been sorely neglected although I did get a chance to put in a row on the DSL tank during Grey's last night (oh and by the way, I hate George and Izzie). For comfort, I arranged my jaggerspun, BFL sock yarn and malabrigo lace around me and lovingly stroked their delicious softness. If I can't get to knit them now at least I can drool on them a little. I'm supposed to be getting a swift through a friend of mine through a co-op she's a member of. I may just have to use my hubby in the interim to help me unwind my malabrigo... the swallowtail shawl is calling me...

Did I mention that my other package had arrived from my wonderful pal? She (wait for it... she's amazing) sent me TWELVE skeins of Rowan Calmer. Yes people, TWELVE skeins!!! Since we don't have internet at home and I'm using someone else's lappy, it may be a few more days before I get to show them off to you! (And yes, they were in the yarn pile that was comforting me last night. Sigh... my pal is really awesome!

Well, I have to go for now... my reading for assignment 4 is calling me. NPVs and IRRs. I can't wait to get back to my other favorite abbreviations... yo, ssk, k2tog... until then people! Happy knitting!

WOOT, BAh...ugh

Greetings from an upside-down apartment! Things have been fairly chaotic on this end... first the WOOT moment. I received my first package from my secret pal! WOW! I have a wonderful thoughtful pal! In the attached pic you'll see the array of goodies bestowed upon me from my friend in ENGLAND! Below, ranked in no order of yumminess:

1. 1 skein on Malabrigo LACE in Pink Frost. Mmmmmm, can you say yarngasm? This skein is so soft, so fluffy, so delicious, so perfect for a swallowtail shawl! I can't wait to get started!

2. 2 skeins of BFL Sock yarn from The Natural Dye Studio. Absolultely GORGEOUS!! I am already envisioning a pair of anklets for me and a pair of sockies for my daughter.

3. Fall edition of Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits. Beautiful patterns on every page!

4. 1 bar of Warm Vanilla & Neroli luxury soap from Bloomsbury & Tate. MMMMMMMM!!!! This soap smells so awesome, I love it!

5. 1 tiny stamps ink pad for Dana and I box of board stickers for Dylan. My pal is so sweet she remembered my kiddies!

6. 1 cute l'il sheepy key ring! He is so cute! I think I'll save him for the knitting bag I'll eventually buy!

7. Last but not least, a box of Lindt Lindor truffles - a mix of white, dark, hazelnut and regular. Let's just say this box was torn open in the parking lot of the post office!

My pal sent me a lovely handwritten note on handmade floral paper. What a nice touch!

Overall, if you can't tell already, I'm floored by my wonderful pal. She is truly awesome and thoughtful and I am happy to have her as a pal!

As for the BAh... I'm sick. My babies brought home a fresh cold to share with me, compliments of the first few weeks back at school. My throat wasn't painful but it was uncomfortable... at least that's better now, but there's still the congestion and the general fuzzy-headedness. Thanks kids!

The ugh... well it's a mix of things this one... since I'm sick I'm a little behind with the reading for my third assignment. On top of that it looks alot like mumbo jumbo that I'm reading... something to do with linear programming. Next on the list, we're moving this weekend and somewhat behind with that too. Lots of things in boxes, little room to walk and still lots to pack. And no moving van. Did I mention that I was sick? Exactly... ugh.

But I soldier on. I have some new yarn to comfort me and the pleasure of moving in to our new home (still need lots of work but it sure beats paying a mortgage AND rent together!). I'm also keeping an eye out for my pal to see when she receives her package... I hope she likes her stuff!

So today something awesome happened...

My goddaughter Zuri was born and I got to watch! It was one of the most amazing things to participate in [outside of my own birth experiences of course ;) ]. I even cried. I cried and cried when she came out. I overestimated my ability hold in the tears (great, now I have to act all tough again to get my cred back - LOL). I was my friend's lamaze partner for 6 weeks and to be honest, even though I have given birth twice myself I didn't know what to expect... standing on the other end. I prayed about it and I thanked God for Zuri before I left to meet my friend at the hospital. And inspite of her natural fears she did really really well! It brought back so many memories and when I saw my kids later that afternoon I smiled to myself, thinking of my friend... your adventure has now begun. Over the years, my kids have brought me so much happiness and joy... they have taught me and are still teaching me who's the boss things about myself.

Wow. Welcome to the world Zuri!

Hey, lookie... a post with a pic!

It's amazing what a little sticky tape can do for a broken camera door. Hubby found some cheapo clear tape and stuck that sucker (aka broken battery door) in place. I was able to take some pics of my current wip - the Drop Stitch Lace Tank. I think I mentioned that the front was done and I'm now struggling working on the back. The k2 p2 ribbing is taking kinda long and it feels like I'm knitting and knitting to accomplish just an inch of work! Anyways, I keep plugging on cause it's an easy knit and the end is in sight. To break up the boredom I've started on the Adamas Shawl. I'm using the gorgeous Jaggerspun that I got from Vanessa's destash. I'm now at row 10 of the upper portion of the shawl and am wondering if this yarn is working for the pattern. I am tempted to buy the knitpicks shadow that's called for in the pattern but two things are stopping me:

1. I really want to knit something to keep my sanity in check while doing the DSL tank back portion and if I stop the Adamas, then I don't have anything to knit meanwhile (actually - not 100% true as I've joined a group on ravelry that will be knitting Saartje's Booties from Sept 2. We will start knitting on that date and see who finishes first or something like that. Now ya'll know who won't be the winner! I'll be donating these to the local NICU at the hospital.)

2. I saw at least two other ladies knit their Adamas with Jaggerspun and it came out lovely each time!

Anyways, we'll see how it turns out by the end of this first chart. If I like it, I'll continue else it's to the frog pond until I get the Knitpicks Shadow.

Stay tuned!

Hurricane Dean

Soon to be a category 5 hurricane, Dean passed by us on Thursday night and was still dumping rain and wind on us well into Friday night. And that was only his tail. We here in Barbados have been very fortunate... maybe it's our position off the island chain, or (and I'm leaning towards this explanation) the mercy of God that our little 166 sq mile island (yes, we're smaller than some ranches in Texas) hasn't been blown away in recent times. Not that I'm calling it on us... but all I'm saying is that we've been very fortunate. To the point of complacency even. The last time we were severely hit was by Hurricane Janet back in 1955.

Actually, I have a story about that. Yesterday, my father-in-law told me a story I've never heard before. He told me that when he was a yound lad, he used to spend lots of time with the fisherfolk and was offered the chance to be a helper on the ship for a trip down to Trinidad. He agreed, gathered his few items of clothing in a sack and headed onto the ship. They went through all the procedures of checking crew and ship and soon they were ready to go. Then, suddenly, FIL gathered his belongings and got off the ship. The captain asked "You're not bothering with the trip?" to which my FIl said, "Next time". That was the day hurricane Janet struck. Those men on that ship were never heard from again.

I get goosebumps when I think about it!

We've come a long way where it comes to being able to warn people about an impending storm/ hurricane. Apparently, no one knew Janet was coming and was going about their day as normal. It was only around 2 p.m. (or so I'm told) that people knew a storm was coming. There weren't many phones so people couldn't be alerted that way.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those in the path of this monster.

Ah, another photoless post

My poor neglected not really working camera just isn't feeling that great and can't take the pics of the progress on my Drop Stitch Lace Tank. It is coming along nicely. It is an easy knit (even though I frogged the beginning twice due to using the wrong then wrong then right needles to start (yes, I did swatch - don't ask me why I had trouble then... long story) and it is simple enough to not be frustrating and the lace keeps it interesting. The Cascade Pima Tencel is very lovely to work with if not a little sheddy. I was wearing a white pants the other day while knitting and by the time I finished some rows of it, the pants had a red fuzz covering it. The fabric is drapey but I can imagine the finished product might still be a tad warm to say, wear to town on a Saturday. It would probably be best worn on a cooler night to a restuarant for instance.

Oooh, and I promise to take pics of the lovely yarn I bought from Vanessa's destash sale. Six balls of Rowan 4 ply in Cheeky, four balls of Rowan Cotton Glace in Candy Floss and another in Bubbles (you know, I might have these names incorrect...) and 4 oz of Jaggerspun Zephyr in Elderberry. And you know what I'm gonna be knitting with that Jaggerspun! Yep, another shawl. Which one to dedicate my time and effort to... I haven't chosen as yet. I also got in the destash Debbie Bliss Simply Soft. Vanessa was also so very generous and sent me this bag! Needless to say, I am very pleased with my haul.

Now, on to Secret Pal 11 news... I got my pal today! YAYAYAY! I'm scoping out her site and plan on sending her a note to let her know she's not alone. I myself received a wonderful note from MY pal! I have to email her and thank her for the ecard she sent as well (I can tell already that I have a wonderful pal!) for my upcoming birthday (this Saturday coming). This is going to be so much fun!

Secret Pall 11!

I've officially joined the SP 11 and boy am I excited! I'm always pumped when it comes to cool things that I can participate in as an international knitter. It promises to be loads of fun and without futher ado, here's my questionaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

**My fave yarns to knit with would be anything that's drapey and cool and very yummy since I live in the tropics. I have lots of KP Shine/ Cotlin already. I'm loving the Cascade Pima Tencel that I'm using to knit my current project with. I absolutely detest acrylics but would LOVE to get my hands on some Rowan Calmer as it's a mix and I'm told is a dream to knit with. Oooh and the seasilk I knit with lately was delicious also.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

**Right now they occupy the top broken drawer of the plastic bin that currently houses my yarn.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

**I've been knitting for many years now off an on, and it has only been fairly recently (as in the last year or so) that I've come to understand what it means to knit. Here in Barbados, you get one kind of yarn. Bulky 4 ply acrylic that's really not suitable for such a hot country. When the urge would hit me to knit, I would go to town and resign myself to buying some of this stuff, start a project with any old needles and then toss it to the side because it wasn't what I wanted it to be. Then, I did some research and understood the needle/ yarn connection, found some great yarns online and I haven't stopped since. I think it was my mother who taught me to knit and purl to keep me occupied during the summer. She would go buy me some acrylic and some dpns and off I would go. I taught myself the reset. I would consider myself intermediate/advanced as I can knit intricate lace, cables etc, but I'm still in the dark on fair isle/ intarsia.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

**No

5. What's your favorite scent?

**That's a hard one. I like vanilla and cinnamon scents... right now I am loving the pear scented lotion that my husband got me for our anniversary. Basically, anything that's not too strong and overwhelming...

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

**Ah yes... Lindt Lindor truffles... not the dark kind though. Anything in white chocolate. YUMMMMMMM......

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

**No, I do not spin. I am in to cake decorating... you know with fondant and making the sugar flowers. I haven't done it in a while but am thinking of starting back again. It's almost as time consuming with all the little accessories to buy as knitting is!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

**I like alternative, soft rock, modern gospel (ex Switchfoot) and some of those indie songs you hear on the cast on podcast. My pc can play mp3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

**Recently, I've been leaning closer to lighter shades as my hubby says I look great in lighter colours. I do not like neon bright colours, hot pinks, yellows etc. I like pastel-ly shades.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

**I am married and have two children. One boy (4) and one girl (3). We are looking to expand our family with a small dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

**No, too hot for here in Barbados. I've actually started a scarf for when I travel overseas, but it's not like I travel regularly or even when I travel, it may not be when it's cold.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

** Another tough one... I have a strange relationship with shawls... I love to start them but when they reach the point where they have like 300 or so stitches, I really slow down... but I love the end result. I also like nice tanks and a cardigan or two.

13. What are you knitting right now?

**Currently on the needles is the Drop-Stitch Lace Tank by Stephanie Japel.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

**I totally depends on what the gift is.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

** Definitely circular needles. In aluminum. I have some bamboos but the yarn doesn't really slide along as nicely as I would like on them.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

**I have a winder but no swift!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

** Hmmmm, over six months I believe. Poor thing.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

**Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?

** I love beautiful boxes... could be small like for jewelery or can be bigger to hold important knick knacks.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

**Hmmm... lessee... I would love to get my hands on some Rowan Calmer, some Jaggerspun Zephyr DK, Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, and some Rowan 4 Ply Cotton. Books wise... I wouldn't mind seeing what's in Knitting Lingerie Style. Needles wise, I would like to try the Lantern Moon needles one day. I used to be with Interweave, but they took so long in sending out my subscription that I cancelled them.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

**I would like to learn fair isle and instaria.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

** I knit socks off and on (more off than on). My foot is a size 7.5

23. When is your birthday?

** August 18

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

**Yes, I'm on there as KnittyKitty


That's me in a nutshell! I can't wait to get my SP 11 Pal!