Always Changing Rearranging

posted in the middle of the night, excuse my mistakes or rambling please =)

This is just SAD!

I'm glad we have an old Corolla laying around in the garage! =) I'm going to suggest that we leave our guzzler parked for a while and start driving the Toyota again. I love that car. I love Toyotas. Now that the kids are mostly in boosters, the Corolla won't feel SO small. Rear facing car seats in that thing were a NIGHTMARE. Something else to rearrange in the days to come.

Rearranging is the name of the game these last few days partly because......I got my push mower! YAAY! Of course, that means I have to put it somewhere, which means I had to clean out the garage. It's been pretty much a disgrace for ages. For the most part things were packed very well, so it didn't look like a death trap or anything, but when I took the stuff out, I couldn't beLIEVE how much crap was in there. (with BOTH cars!) How did we do that? Mostly I think we did it by tossing stuff on top of other stuff on top of the stuff we tossed there the time before...etc etc until it's ridiculous. It was a dirty job, too. I won't go into that too much - suffice it to say there have been mice in and out and a possum (once upon a time).

Things it's surprising will fit in a garage with two cars:

• 1 full size refrigerator
• 1 half size refrigerator
• 1 deep freezer
• 1 giant dog kennel thing
• 1 double stroller
• 1 telescoping triangular two story ladder
• 8 boxes of random stuff off loaded from my husband's work truck that was only going to be there for two weeks (more like 3 years now)
• 5 lawn chairs
• various garden tools, rakes, shovels, hoes and stuff
  
• 7 or 8 tool boxes (some completely empty - why?)
  
• 2 coolers
• 1 small step ladder
• 2 bags of ready mix concrete
• 6-10 flower pots
• 3-4 bags of garden/potting stuff, soil, weed-n-feed, fire ant killer and the like (there's usually a bag of mulch in there, too, but I just used my last one.
• Most of the bricks left over from building the house.
• 4-6 boxes of other random stuff
• 2 boxes of magazines
• There's more, but this is getting old

Oh yeah, I think there was about 3 gallons of dirt. (is that how you measure dirt?) Maybe it should be 1.5 square feet? I don't know, there was a lot of dirt.

It's mostly finished, but I still am not SO sure where the mower is going. LOL That's okay, I'm SO glad I did it. I was in SUCH a mood today, it was just awful. Nervous energy, thinking too much etc. It was the perfect thing to do in that mood. I even built a shelf using random scrap wood, my little hand saw and ALL those bricks. It's not pretty or anything, but it's sturdy, fairly practical and able to be taken apart and rearranged on a whim.


Of course it's full of stuff now, but I didn't take that picture. I like it, because it's a shelf. lol

While moving the bricks I found evidence of other wildlife. The tiniest little eggs I've ever seen. I sorta felt bad for disturbing someones great little place for a nest, because it was a very protected spot. Whatever it is, it's very discreet, I've never seen the layer of these or the babies, that I know of. Oh, that's a penny, for scale. (insert camera rant AGAIN)

blurry, sorry

funky angle action

One of the eggs was a dud, but it was too old to be real evidence, and in my experience, rotten eggs are NOT to be trifled with. (but that's another story, I'll put that together for another day when I need material) I tried to preserve the scene, but my husband unknowingly kicked it aside while moving some large object out of exile in the garage back to the upstairs. I'll probably search the web for tiny eggs in the next day or so and see what they are. The closest guess I have is gecko, because we do have quite a lot of them, but these eggs look too big for those little people, unless the mommas are just much bigger than I think. Not sure. Anyway, I hope they find another good spot. The bricks were stacked just inside the garage door, so they had quick access in and out. OH NO! I'm a wildlife habitat disturber! =) They're probably shaking their little fists at me now, "Why did she clean the garage!? NOOOOOOO!" Maybe I'll take some of the bricks from the backyard and put them back in that spot. Such sweet little eggies.

I'm still riding my bike to the store! 2 more errand things done this weekend, yaay again! I'm thinking of working up my endurance to see how far I can reasonably go. I used to ride my bike all day back when I was a kid. baaaaa

Alright, it's past 2 and I think I'm wound down enough to sleep. These cleaning frenzies, you know, they can really get ya revved up! (two v's together look weird)

Whasssssaaaaaa!?

Yes, I'm aware of how old that is, but it just popped out. These things can't always be controlled, you know. Besides, I was thinking, what's up with you? Here's what's up with me.

About Knitting/Designing

I finally got the design to do what I had in my head. As you may recall, I had it going this way, but it looked weird, and decided to make it go that way. That was better, by a long shot, but it still looked odd because after it went that way, it wasn't long enough to tell it was going that way. So I ripped a second, time (actually I think there were several ripping incidents before I actually got started, because I had to figure out needle sizes and whatnot - you know how it goes) So now, I'm to a certain could be nearly finished stage, but I have to ask my 'boss' a question about what he had in mind or if I'm just supposed to roll with my own odd visions. I have a certain thing in mind, but only a bit of a concept as to how to accomplish it. I think I've finally got it worked out in my head, and I can't find ANY other similar things in my searches, so.... either it's actually my own concept (? yeah RIGHT) or it's just so fiddley that no one else wants to mess with it. (don't ya LOVE it when you have NO idea what I'm talking about?)

At any rate, I'm getting most excellent at charting stuff and reading charts and all that jazz, which until lately seemed like a foreign language. So that's cool. I'm considering making another version of this project with a slightly different chart because the numbers may work out better for the regular knitter (not the one that has to do everything the hardest and most complicated way with prime numbers on accident so that there is no way to divide them in a way that is equal - what WAS I thinking)

Another odd issue I'm having is, that my gauge seems to change every single time I start knitting with this stuff. Either I'm more comfortable, so less stressed and knitting looser, or my hands are now SO strong that I can now knit with whatever in the world I want, and it's not hard anymore. (not that those two things are mutually exclusive or to be compared to each other, but they do seem to be factoring into this equation) The first one I did, drew in a BUNCH, so that it turned out insanely small, the next one I did, was big enough for a rhino and the third one, is just right, but with, like I said before, prime numbers. (DOH!) I think I've been infiltrated by the improbability drive. (Not AGAIN!)

I can't wait until I can share it with the general public, whatever form it may take. (I'm glad I have a truck load of this yarn)


Something Completely Different

But what else have you been up to, since your knitting is clearly all top secret, except for the whisper of a beginning of a sock you showed us and since haven't knit a single stitch more? (I don't know, what have YOU been doing?)

Well, I was over reading Claudia's Blog and she's doing a new project that is also not about knitting except for the fact that knitters are the ones participating. (whatever could THAT be?) Basically, you substitute a car errand for a bike errand. Two stores I frequent are fairly nearby, so I decided to try it, and so far I've been to the store TWICE on my bike. This makes me feel all good because: 1) I love riding my bike 2) It's good exercise - major cardio going on here! woot woot 3) My car is a serious disgrace when it comes to emissions and fuel economy.

Number 3 doesn't bother me SO much because I just don't drive that much. I mean, we've had the car since... 2002 or 2003 and it still barely has any miles on it (compared to the average car of that age) So that's one consolation. However, I'm trying to become more of a green thinker in lots of ways.

I sort of always have been that way, but I really want to challenge myself and my family. We already have Green Mountain Energy - which means all the kilowatts we use come from wind power. I put my eggshells and coffee grounds into my garden. (eggshells are good for blooming plants and coffee grounds are good for stuff in the rose family - like apples and (duh) roses. ha ) I'm seriously considering getting one of those little push reel mower things, since lawn mowers are some of the major offenders when it comes to green house gases (they always tell us to avoid using the lawn mowers on our bad pollution days, anyway, and we get some doozies around here red and purple ozone days when you can just see the gross brown stuff hanging in the air, it's seriously nasty) AND I want to start composting. My family used to do that when I was a teenager and I've always thought it was a good idea. (I mean, why throw banana peels and apple cores into a landfill, when you can turn them back into dirt and fertilize your plants, eh?)

You'll have to excuse me, back when I was an impressionable tween/teen my folks subscribed to "The Mother Earth News" and I got all indoctrinated =) OH yeah, and I had a subscription to "Ranger Rick" which was all about wildlife conservation, so I never had a chance not to be all hippie like and earthy. (minus the narcotics, fortunately, I only ever inhaled second hand weed smoke at concerts by accident) hey, I'm barefoot now and being born in the Summer of '69... well, like I said, no chance not to be this way, lol.

The Other Stuff Occupying My Time

Just when you thought it was safe, there was another subheading.

In the last 6 weeks, we've had Strep 3 times, Bronchitis once, and some other undefined fever
incident and now it feels like I'm coming down with something. (which totally explains why I could NOT wake up this morning - I mean I woke up to get the kids off to school, like always, but then crashed in a heap and experienced delicious REM for another 2 or 3 hours)

This sort of explains why the blogging isn't so frequent.

OH! My BESTEST news of late is.... my oldest will now be enrolled in the same school as my daughter! It's been a while since I mentioned her school, but it's an elementary school that approaches everything from the perspective of art. So, when you learn math and science and everything else, art is worked in some how. It's a whole other environment compared to the other elementary prisons, I mean schools, around here. My oldest has needed this freer environment from day one. It's been SO good for my daughter. They started it the year she started Kindergarten, as sort of an experiment, and since it's all about Fine Arts, that means artistic, more laid back type of teachers, who don't expect you to be miniature adults and always walk the straight line between here and there (I could go off on a serious rant here... but I won't) I needed that environment when I was in grade school. I had the worst worst WORST experience with it. It's like if you happen to have a smidgen of a personality, they just try to stomp it out of you like you are on fire or something. they suck

ANYWAY! He's IN, for at least the next few years. They aren't sure if they are going to be able to do 7-12 like they had planned (OH I hope they do, can you imagine going from the nice relaxed environment, back to that THING? ugh) At any rate, I think it will really really help him not to have those critical beasts looking over his shoulder all the time. (I didn't exactly NOT rant, did I?) They aren't ALL like that, but the lions roaming the halls.... it's like they've already got it in their heads how some students are, and they treat them accordingly. I've sat in the halls and watched them, all sweet and nice to one sort of student and all hateful and screechy to others.

I'm SO relieved! It's been bugging me for some time that I couldn't protect him from that before. If I could have handled home school, I would have done so, but these kids need a better teacher than ME! lol - I mean, more focused. I teach well, I just don't have the organizational skills and all the other things it takes to be a great home school mom/teacher person. I know a really AWESOME one, I wish I could be like that - Granted, she's not pushing FORTY, (omg) either, so that may have something to do with it. It's okay - I can accept my limitations VERY easily. Helps me to sleep late when I wanna.

Anyway, this novella must come to and end, I've been typing for a LONG time, and you deserve a break. This is EXACTLY the sort of blog post I can't read when I'm not in the right mood for it, so I should have mercy on your souls. I haven't even taken any good pictures lately! I'm really slacking, eh? Ah well.

Take care of yourself and I'll catch ya in a few days!

New Tools and Junk =)

I kept my promise! I took pictures yesterday (and was followed around like I was doing something unusual, as if I haven't been doing this for... what?... THREE and a half years? don't get it) shake it off -

Anyway. I got 2 new sets of Addi Turbos! This is a bit of an odd purchase for me since my conversion to bamboo needles, but knitting the hardy buffalo waste fiber spun into YARRRN (say it like a Pirate) is a bit of a workout without something seriously slippy, so I caved and I'm glad I did. Now I can get back to designing in earnest - well, MOST of the design is designed, I only have to figure out how to do the end bit. Here is all you'll see of this project until it is decided whether it goes into the publication it's meant for. (just the idea is enough to make me squeeee - whether it gets picked up or not - like SERIOUSLY!? ME? heheheheheee)



I haven't gone totally off bamboo, though. PERISH the thought, I love me some bamboo! Bamboo, bamboooo, bambabooba, bambabooba, BAMbooooo! Sometime several months (years) ago, I mentioned that bamboo socks are reported to ease and or prevent foot fatigue, and it seems to work for me. SO more sock yarn with the bamboo, coming right up. I have already started a little footy sock that will have a big toe gusset so that I can wear them with my flip flops around the house when I wake up with foot fatigue. (That happens when I don't sleep well or don't sleep enough) I really ought to look into the physics of that, but for now, I'm just happy to reap the benefits without having to understand it on a quantum level. (snark)

My son calls this yarn "The Dandelion" and

keeps asking me, "Momma, can I kniddling the dandelion, PLEASE?"

Beginning of a footy

oh yeah, and some more stitch markers - may seem anti climactic to you (or not) but I really hate it when half of them are missing and I really need all the tiny little soft markers because NOTHING works as good for me as THESE specific markers. I lurve them.



Last but not least... my first venture into the blocking wire thing. I haven't used them yet, but they're impressive in my eyes. My Fern Lace Stole is still severed from it's yarn cake - it may just have to languish a few more weeks until I get back in the mood for it.



and since these pictures are much less riveting than I was thinking they would be, more off topic stuff. Yogurt - Roses - Garlic and Peas - and maybe some other random stuff floating around in my computer =)

Off Topic

I forgot to photograph my new yarn, and needles and blocking wires! What WAS I thinking?! So here is some random stuff to keep you at least entertained for a day or so.

I've been making yogurt! It's fairly easy, tastes AWESOME and is SO much better for you than the stuff in the store. You see nearly everyone in my family has some sensitivity or intolerance to lactose, so getting the yogurt at the store just sort of makes things worse, plus most of it is packed with sugar. If you make your own yogurt, however, and let it culture for at least 24 hours, then the acidophilus lactobacillus consumes all the lactose and you effectively have a dairy free yogurt. (except that it is technically still a dairy product, just the stuff that bothers people about dairy is gone).

It has really done wonders for my DS9YrOld. He has the worst issues with the dairy stuff, and it's next to impossible to keep him completely off of it. We already use Soy Milk (Silk to be specific) on our cereal and stuff, but he really loves cheese and soy cheese is..... well, if I can't eat it, you KNOW it's nasty. Anyway, since he's been getting the homemade yogurt regularly, his respiratory problems have significantly improved. I'm SO glad!

Here's my yogurt maker making yogurt! I have TWO of them now, because, with 6 people living here, and only 7 small containers, it just wasn't enough.



And HERE is my favorite way to serve it, except now I shape the yogurt into a little heart b/c the kiddos love it. (so do I actually)


This picture doesn't fit in with the theme of this post at all, it's random. It actually goes with my last post, remember the head stuff I was talking about? Well, the book I am reading says to close your eyes and visualize a certain obstacle and then use that same obstacle as emotional protection when you need it. Vague again, I KNOW - sorry - but here is my rock wall =) It's mainly here for prosperity, not to make a certain point. In other words, if all my pictures get lost in this crummy computer, at least I have this saved SOMEWHERE. I got a nice sunburn whilst drawing it!

Last but not least, here is the recovering garden!

The tomatoes are doing their level best to make it, even blooming in spite of the stress =) My garden loves me! I did lots of pruning and maintenance today, so it looks SO much better. I even pulled up one of the suckers coming up off the roots of my crab apple and planted it in a pot. It will probably move to the backyard as soon as I prepare a spot for it. Those little trees grow like weeds, so it will be welcome shade back there where it gets SO hot.

OK - I promise promise to take pictures of the new stuff and all the stuff I'm not working on very consistently. So see you back here tomorrow or the next day.

XOXO

Meme Time

I was tagged by Chris for a meme the other day, I don't know but I think it may be called:

7 Things

Here are the rules:
1.When tagged place the name and URL of the person who tagged you on your blog.
2.Post rules on your blog.
3.Write 7 non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Name 7 of your favorite blogs.
5.Send an email comment on their blog letting them know they have been tagged.

7 non-important things about myself.
1. I argue with myself.
2. I dislike credit cards.
3. Biscuit cans that pop open scare me.
4. I have a sunburn.
5. I prefer to be barefoot.
6. I like bees.
7. I frequently break the rules on memes.

7 of my favorite blogs.
1. Brooklyn Tweed (but not gonna tag him, yeah right!)
2. Cheeky Wee Knittee
3. Dyed in the Wool
4. Free Your Voice
5. Froggie Meanie
6. The Knitting Coop
7. A Stitch in Time

I'm not actually going to tell all these people they've been tagged (see #7 of the first category) I don't mind BEING tagged, but I have issues with tagging other people. Not sure why, just is. weird Anyway - anyone who sees themselves here and wishes to participate may, but there is no pressure to play along if you can't (be bothered) haha

I was supposed to be knitting today, but I ran into a snag. You see, I'm designing something, and it just needed a good start over. It was going this way and I decided it needed to go that way, you know how it goes, sometimes it just doesn't look right unless it's that way. Over all, it's going well.

You see, I thought I had hit a knitting mojo low, that's how it seemed anyway. In actuality, the thought process (for me) of designing something takes up the creative energy until it gets sorted out. Well... that and my youngest decided to sever my Fern Lace Stole from it's skein and I just didn't feel like getting out the needle and doing the Russian Join at that particular or any other following moment so far. (I was upset)

Also, I'm doing a bit of reading, the self help sort. One book I've read before (but REALLY) needed a refresher and the other is new. The new one is like a major eye opener. Very interesting. Anyway, THAT has got me in a state of... something weird. Not in a bad mood per se, just a bit in my head or something. Ruminating, I suppose. I'm being a bit vague, I know, but it's like the longest story since the Odyssey and I'm not in the mood for that level of literary exertion today. =)

Well, ummm... OH, I got some new junk today and maybe last week as well, so I'll have pics of that stuff in a few days. Until then, have a happy weekend, and wish me much stamina as the road is still long and dusty and I have some weird crap to figure out! lol

Spread the Love

Thanks for all the lovely compliments on the shawl (and me booty - ARG!) There really IS more happiness in giving than in receiving =) and... on that note, here's another way we can all be givers.

There's an interesting contest I want to tell y'all about. Kathy is the mastermind. She's giving away some yarn 1st to her regular commenters and 2nd to her lurkers and new readers who leave comments. There is one small catch, however, you have to go out and find a new blog that has less than 14 average comment per post and leave a comment for them, thus spreading blogger love and delight. We all know how excited we get when we get a new commenter! (is that a word? my computer thinks it isn't) Anyway, I thought it was a lovely idea and have already entered and found a new blog, I'm actually her first subscriber in Bloglines, too!

So.... quick, go visit Kathy at

Irisheyes knitting blog and enter

The Friendly Confines Contest

PS - you should totally check out the new blog, too, called This Elf Knits - great socks, great photos and awesome yarn to drool over - just a little more love to spread around, eh?

S. S. P. Revealed!

It's finally time for the public unveiling of the Super Secret Project - The Swallowtail Shawl from Interweave Knits. Yaay! I made it for my Grandma and she loved it =)) She's the sweetest person I know and totally deserves some spoiling now and then. I took a video of her reaction, but apparently uploading a video is something that doesn't go over so well on this computer. At any rate, here are the pictures I promised, and if you are reading this Grandma, I love you! =)

does my butt make this shawl look too small?
hehehehe

I'm not so good with the blocking thing, but hopefully
my new tools will help me with that
yaay