Paula's Miscellany

Upcycled Tshirts and Cloth Diapers

2012-02-09T12:17:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I got motivated to actually get some stuff off my To Do list!

Not much though /sigh

I cut the fabric for the baby's quilt. I didn't make the batting sandwich, or even bust out my sewing machine...

I then took the box of Ross' and my old t-shirts and deconstructed them, I set aside the sleeves and backs, and put the fronts aside to make "the quilt". Ross insists I'll never actually make him a tshirt quilt, claiming multiple women in his life have said they would, even claiming shirts, only to have nothing happen. I will have this quilt finished by our 10-year anniversary...I will damnit!

The sleeves I've set aside to cut circles, I'm going to sandwich the cotton between flannel and make nursing pads I can wash.

The backs I've started cutting up with pinking shears to use as cloth baby wipes. Mom and Ross think I'm a little crazy, but honestly, why put a disposable wipe in the trash, and the cloth diaper in the wash, when I can just wash it all in one load?! Though I have looked into flushable wipes. They are a consideration.

A lot of my friends and family keep looking at me like I'm crazy for all this "green crap". Part of it is, yes, better for the environment. We're setting a good example for Kae, one of her chores is to take out the recycling. And she's talking to grandma Debbie about starting a compost bin to use in the veggie garden.

Part of the cloth movement on my part is cost. Actually most of it is cost if I'm being honest. It's something like $5-6k a year saved using cloth diapers.

Last reason, cloth diapered kids potty train faster. I don't want another situation like kae, she didn't potty train until the summer before she started VPK. Part was my fault, but she's also stubborn as a mule.

13 days to baby, I'm getting closer to being ready!

To Do List

2012-02-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

last post today..i promise!

When I updated the OS on my iPhone i got this handy little app called "reminder"
it's a TO DO LIST! omg love.

i started putting everything in there that needed to get done before baby came (3 weeks omg /panic)

so far i've gotten a lot done off my list, but i still have more, a lot more. some of which i try and tackle every day on top of the regular household upkeep i have to do (you know, that never ending pile of laundry and dishes that sprouts up as soon as you get the space clean? yeah, that)

almost all of it requires my sewing machine /sigh

problem is i don't have any pinking scissors...blah

i find that i have started adding stuff to my List that i've already finished, so i can feel good about checking it off. and that's not the best way to do it. actually it's the cheaters way. so today i'm going to make a template and start cutting t-shirts for the quilt i promised Ross, and use the leftover cotton to make re-useable baby wipes to go with my cloth diapers.

once i stop playing on the computer..lol

Christmas Presents

2012-02-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

since we got an ipad for christmas i haven't really been turning on my computer...oops

time to catch up on all the pictures i SHOULD have posted, from christmas, but forgot /sigh

i need to update my facebook too lol

Scarf i knit for charity, but mom snagged to send to Stacie

Yeah..amazingly that's it. the rest of the stuff i made for christmas, the coasters and the picture frames, i already posted. I can't find the pictures of the hats i knit for Kae, Maiya and Gabe...drrr


Wreath Steering Wheel cover for Mom

My Year of Crochet

2012-02-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve i sat down with some ugly lime green red heart yarn and a size J crochet hook (it's purple!!) and started teaching myself to crochet...again.

See Grandma Wonick taught me to crochet one of those oval shaped rugs when i was about 8, she gave me a couple balls of red acrylic yarn and away i went. it kept me busy almost the whole two weeks we were in Iowa, and on the greyhound bus ride home. Then i ran out of yarn, and couldn't get more. so i gave up and it fell into obscurity.

Armed with my ugly green leftovers, my purple hook and my trusty iPhone, i got a chain done (i could do that in my sleep anyway) and then started Single Crochet. Not too hard right? WRONG! my swatch started to look like a Christmas tree, getting smaller and smaller each row. I did of course figure out that I'm supposed to chain one at the end of each row...yes. I'm smart like that.

as soon as i finished that i scoured Ravelry for a Single Crochet Baby Blanket pattern, which i found, ignored and chained the foundation row for my own. I'm using a mixture of yarns, Lion Brand Pound of Love in Antique White, and Pop N Yarn in Aqua. This yarn is ancient. I got it from Gail's big bag o' yarn. and i used every single yard of the blue doing 4 round of edging. I'm back on the antique white to edge THAT and make the thing bigger. because i haz no concept of what size a baby blanket should be.

in the middle of hooking this blanket, i decided to learn Double Crochet and Half Double Crochet. I made washcloths using a single ball of Lily Sugar and Cream Cotton. Everyone is getting cotton cloths and home made soap for Christmas. cleans out my stash /dance

So last night while working on the blanket that doesn't end, i decided this year would be a whole year of crochet. I'll learn new stitches by making wash cloths to stash for Christmas, and larger projects with stitches i like. Also the shawl i promised my mom last year (oops). also kae wants a poncho, and a blanket of her own (which I've been promising for two years).

This is not to say i won't knit. I'm still doing Knit Ishinomaki, making and donating scarves to Japan Relief for the people who are in temporary housing. And the Ravelympics is coming up again!

January Reading List

2012-02-01T05:02:00.000-08:00

January
1-1 Stupid History - Leland Gregory (1/2) -free/nook
2-2 Organize For A Fresh Start - Susan Fay West (1/7) -free/nook
3-3 The Iron King - Julie Kagawa (1/11) -free/Gail loan
4-4 Winter’s Passage - Julie Kagawa (1/12) -2.50/nook
5-5 Kawaii Bento Boxes - no author on cover (1/16) -free/library
6-6 Dark Moon Trilogy - C.L. Bevill (1/19) -free/iBooks
7-7 I Used To Know That - Caroline Taggart (1/26) -free/nook

I read a little more this month than previous months, I attribute it to having an iPad now. I put the nook app on here and he last month worth of free Fridays wasn't terrible.

Also Gail got me hooked on a new Fae ya series. That and with three doctors appointments a week I have a lot of waiting room time (nst's take an hour of sitting in one place afterward too).

Most of my reads this month were non-fiction, Ross is proud, he's convinced I could take over the world if I stopped reading romance novels and read only non-fic. Screw dat!

I'm also keeping track of how much I spend on books this year. It will be interesting to see at the end of each month.

4 non fiction
3 fiction
------------
6 free
$2.50 spent

Selling My Babies

2012-01-22T09:39:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time there was a metal head goth chick. She played bass guitar, wore corsets, and should have owned stock in an eyeliner company.

Then she got married and had a kid. The corsets didn't fit anymore, the eyeliner was pointless since she barely got two minutes in the bathroom, and the bass guitars went into storage.

So when baby #2 came around, our former goth decided to sell her babies. Not the children, the guitars!

Granted I haven't played them in years, and my friend Khrys is buying them from me along with the amp, so I know they're going to a good home. But still, it's a sad day for me. One of the last holdouts of my single days lol.

Storied Yarns Garland Swap

2012-01-16T10:22:00.001-08:00

Yesterday my Mother in Law gave me like, 5 billion old business cards, I was at a loss of what to do with them. So I decided to scrap my original garland swap project and find a way to repurpose these cards!

It was pretty easy, I glued them together face to face so I had two blank sides.

Then I stamped them with some pretty flowers on each side and used a hole punch to make them hang able.

I think I may do the same thing with blue or green ink and baby feet stamp and write baby's birth info on them as birth announcements.

I'm trying to come up with a project kae's girl scout troop can do with the cards too.

Redecorating for baby

2012-01-15T16:35:00.001-08:00

Yesterday Ross, Dave, and Gail's husband Kevin painted Kae's room.

Her beach scene from before her birth is gone, swallowed by "celery stick" glidden. Personally I love it. It's bright, and neutral, and much closer to what I would have done originally.

The bed, nightstand, and dresser are moved to make space for the crib, I also finished kae's Flower Faerie Garland for her "tinker bell" part of the room. It's my knit I-cord garland base with fake flowers safety pinned to it. This way if the flowers wear out and fade, or she changes her favorite color, I can just snap some new ones up there.

I need to get a frame for her tinker bell poster from Jen, and some matching bedding. The crib needs to be put together and I need to sew his bedding, plus I want to find some bugs to put on the closet door.

In 5 weeks....

Lion Country Safari

2012-01-15T16:27:00.001-08:00

We went to Lion Country for Ross' birthday with Grandma Pam.

It was fun, the lions were SUPER active and we saw a baby Rhino.

It tired me out, but Ross and Kaeley had so much fun it was worth it!

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-03T16:01:00.001-08:00

This year I will knit almost entirely from stash. I will only purchase yarn for my birthday or mother's day presents to myself.

I will knit myself a sweater

I will spend 30 minutes a day exercising (after baby is born)

I will work on being a better housewife, clean more, meal plan more effectively, clip coupons and sale shop.

I will finish my longest standing wip (10 stitch blanket)

I will work on moving, we need to get away from my brother really badly

I will purge more junk from the closet and our dressers to donate to charity.

I will keep up with my children and not let myself get depressed over things I can't change, and do whatever I can to change what is within my ability

December Reading List

2012-01-03T15:53:00.001-08:00

I read 3 books in December, bringing my total up to 119 for the year. I'd hoped to get to 150, but baby killed my mojo

All three books were about re-entering the workforce after being a stay at home mom, or about finding a job that doesn't require a 4 year degree.

Let's say while interesting, they're not really worth listing to me. Same authors for all three, same lists in each book, nothing terribly useful. /shrug

Picture Frames

2011-12-16T09:34:00.001-08:00

A few months ago I found a tute over in CraftGossip.com for twig picture frames.

It's bundles of twigs tied together with ribbon to make a square and organza ribbon to hold the picture in the middle. Totally not sturdy enough for my peeps.

So I McGyvered my own.

Dollar store picture frames, hot glue gun and refills, twigs and to be different, a bucket of freshly picked acorns!

Kae had a great time finding sticks and filling a bucket with acorns. I'm still debating clear spray paint over the acorns, they don't seem to want to stay.....

Knitting Ornaments

2011-12-16T07:22:00.001-08:00

I got two packages of clear glass ornament balls from Pam.

Stuffed with mini skeins of yarn ranging from lace to worsted. I found worsted actually worked best.

The knitting needles are toothpicks topped with beads.

Hopefully I'll get to go to knitting next Wednesday to give them out /sigh

I hate my husbands car...

Tile Coasters

2011-12-16T07:19:00.001-08:00

I made these little gems for my mom, MIL and FIL. I am debating getting more tiles and paper to make a set for my dad.

It's just a 4x4 bath tile with scrapbooking paper decoupaged to it (makes them water proof!) and little felt squares hot glued to the backs.

November Reading List

2011-11-30T19:02:00.000-08:00

November
1-112 Mama Knows Breast - Andi Silverman (11/4)
2-113 Breastfeeding For Dummies (11/5)
3-114 The Complete Idiots Guide to Breastfeeding (11/8)
4-115 B&N Edition of Aesop’s Fables - (11/8)
5-116 Mason Dixon Knitting (11/23)

yup, that's right...5, and 3 of them were breastfeeding books. which my husband can't believe i read, because "why would there be entire books on the subject?!" yeah, he's hopeless.

my favorite of the month was Mama Knows Breast. it was funny and quirky, and didn't make me feel guilty about not being able to BF with Kaeley (i like that, a lot.....)

November was also NaNoWriMo. Which i participated in for the second year. it does eat my entire month, but Ross and Kae are surprisingly understanding. I was hoping the beast would participate with me this year, but he flaked out pretty early. I have until May or June to actually finish my book and seriously edit it, because i signed up for CreateSpace, which will give me a free proof copy and 5 free bound copies of my book for finishing, and also give me free access to be able to publish and market the books through Amazon.com. I'm not sure i'll actually publish the book for human consumption., but having a copy of a book i wrote on my bookshelf is something i'd be super proud of.

November was actually a pretty active blog month for me. Kae did a lot of random things that i wanted to share. =D

Black Bean Experiment

2011-11-28T15:12:00.001-08:00

Tonight we experimented with black bean burritos. Thought I'd share the experiment and the changes I'll make next time.

Flour tortillas
One can black beans drained and rinsed
One can low sodium corn
1/3 cup diced yellow onion
1 tbs minced garlic

Cooked garlic and onions together. Added everything else and some chili powder, salt, black pepper.

Spooned into warm tortillas, topped with freshly shredded mild cheddar cheese. Roll up

Nom

They were ok, but needed....more

Next time I'll cook the filling with cheese, some kind of queso or cream cheese. And possibly add the cheese after cooking the beans/corn with a packet of taco seasoning.

I served with yellow rice. That I wouldn't change, we lurve yellow rice.

Either way the kid ate all her food. That's how I judge success!

Thanksgiving garland

2011-11-23T08:24:00.001-08:00

Today kae made a garland out of fall colored construction paper and yarn. The plan is to take it to Grandma Debbie's for dinner thursday afternoon.

While we made it we used each leaf to talk about the things we're Thankful for, and we wrote them down.

Here is kae's list:

1) my friends
2) my family
3) food (go figure)
4) for electricity so I can read at night
5) butterflies because they help us get honey
6) squirrels because they are cute
7) for mom and dad because they help me learn and grow
8) Ms Bailes because she's a great teacher
9) books because they help me learn new things
10) love because it makes us happy

I love my kid /sniffle

I am thankful for my family and friends (who may as well be family) and my kid and soon to be kid. I have a lot in my life to be happy about and greatful for.

Though I don't always show it /sigh

Have a happy safe thanksgiving everyone

Pow Wow

2011-11-22T11:49:00.001-08:00

Kaeley's class had a pow wow for Thanksgiving, this goes along with the totem animals they did last month.

First they took white pillowcase and the teacher dyed them with Rit dye. The girls had dresses and the boys had vests. (with fringe cut into the bottom!) they decorated the dressed with paint of traditional symbols and animals (kae's has a rainbow and lizards)

They also made hair pieces out of a strip of leather, a pony bead and a feather. We attached ours to a bobby pin to make it stay in.

Today they went from classroom to classroom doing different projects. A necklace made from food-dyed rotini noodles, a bracelet with plastic beads on faux leather cord, and face painting.

She tells me they also learned an Indian dance, got to plays drums and turtle rattles, and made a turkey out of candy they got to eat.

Sounds like my kind of party!!

Playdate and Wii

2011-11-18T04:55:00.001-08:00

Yesterday Kae had a Playdate. We have some friends who ride her bus and live within walking distance that she hangs out with.

They decided to bust out the Wii and Just Dance 2 (which we have at home too) and have some 4-player action lol.

Veteran's Day

2011-11-14T12:26:00.001-08:00

We met grandma Pam at the Jensen mall on V-day to have lunch and window shop.

Kae walked away with a spiffy new pair of totally awesome boots (I myself got maternity jeans hurray!)

But no Santa, he was the slacker of the day.

Turkey poachers!!

2011-11-14T12:23:00.001-08:00

Kae had another project due today, this was a family project, I love those!!

(though sitting on the floor to help is killing me these days!)

Kae had to disguise Tom Turkey, to hide him from the butchers and turkey eaters on Thanksgiving...I personally can't wait to have Ol' Tom smoked with potatoes!

The little nutter decided Tom had to hide as the Easter Bunny, so Tom became Peter.

I got poster board and scrap booking paper, plus some ribbon and a couple cotton balls. We also used some glitter paint from my stash.

I forgot to grab a final picture, of mr turkey, so I'll have to post it later /sad

I-cord garland base

2011-11-05T16:35:00.001-07:00

My friend Jess over at Storied Yarns wrote up a crochet garland base pattern a few weeks ago.

I thought it was a great idea! But I can't crochet (booo)! So I sat down and wrote up a knit I-cord garland base pattern.

Keep in mind I Did Not check Ravelry first to see if a pattern existed before doing this. So it's free for everyone who wants to use it 

Mine is going to have hot pink silk organza flowers sewn to it to make kaeley super happy. But you can hang whatever you want from it, a great idea is as a display "rope" for Christmas ornaments!

Here be the pattern:

Cast on 3 stitches

Knit in I-cord for 8-10 inches

Knit into front and back of each stitch

Split stitches, 3 on holder, next 3 stay on needle.

Continue in I-cord, doubling stitches and splitting onto holders every 8-12 inches as desired.

Bind off I-cord and pick up first set of 3 extra stitches, knit in I-cord for 1.5 to 2 inches and bind off

Repeat until all picked up stitches are "stems"

Weave in all ends (yeah I know it's a ton)

Attach garland hangies to suit :)

Halloween!

2011-11-02T14:31:00.001-07:00

Kae went treating with our friends Maiya and Gabriel (and Auntie Gail!)

Not much candy, lots of decorated houses that wouldn't answer their doors or said they had no candy (it was 5:30 wtf?!)

But lots of fun wad had, and when the girls got tired we went home and watched The Nightmare Before Christmas!

My little whiz-kid

2011-11-01T12:53:00.001-07:00

We cleared out an old HP laptop and gave it to the kidlette!

She's got two sites to work from, raz-kids which is a reading site her teacher signed up for. She picks a book and listens to it, then she reads it out loud, then she takes a quiz, and earns stars, which can be spent to decorate and upgrade her "raz rocket". She's saving up for the pink planet and the pink alien.

The other site is pbskids.org, she usually plays the wild kratts games and the word girl games, hurray for vocal building.

Today I signed her up for her very own email address through a kids site called zilladog.net. It's free and totally monitored, also I can set who she can email and who can email her. So far of her 5 "buddies" she's got her grandma's and mommy. Probably add grandpa kevan since he lives so far away and daddy.

She loves the freedom, and it's great practice, since her school pushes technology to the nth degree. (iPad library anyone?)

October Reading List

2011-11-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

Zero.

That's Right..none

i'm such a slacker.

i did START a couple books.

Incarceron and Mommy Knows Breast.

Even the audiobook wasn't working for me this month. and now it's November 1st and i need to head over to the NaNoWriMo site and get myself ready to typity type type.

Woo! I'm Old!

2011-10-29T12:08:00.001-07:00

Today I am 30.

Yay

You're only as old as you act...
So I'm not really 30. Sometimes I'm 4 and a half, and sometimes I'm 90.

But most of the time I'm about 20.

Mostly I'm just happy to be with my family 

Kaeley in Wonderland

2011-10-24T13:34:00.001-07:00

On Friday, the kindergarten at marsh pointe will be doing a storybook parade (instead of a Halloween thing I guess).

Kae decided to do Alice from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, we of course only have a Disney version of the book for her.

Our friend Barbara gave us a an old Cinderella dress to be alice's blue dress, and I used a white pillow case deconstructed and re-sewn into an apron.

The apron toon me about an hour to cut and sew, with a trip to Joanns for more white thread (how the #^*#{ did I run out of white thread?!).

So now I don't have to worry about doing the apron on Thursday night!!!!

Wehadababyitsaboy

2011-10-23T15:57:00.001-07:00

Yup

That's right

Ponyo is officially a boy

He's now Baby Bob until we have a name.

Bean and corn taquitos

2011-10-23T15:56:00.001-07:00

Tonight I made a new recipe, I pretty much made it up as I went from what I had on hand.

1 can drained and rinsed sodium free black beans
1 can salt free sweet corn drained
Approx. 1 c mashed potatoes
1/4 cup medium salsa
15 or so corn tortillas
2 cups Mexican blend cheese
Sour cream for dipping

Mix all ingredients but sour cream and tortillas (drr) together in a bowl, you can mash the beans if you want, I left them whole.

Put a about 2 tablespoons in each tortilla and roll them up.

Place them on a greased baking sheet and cook for 8 minutes on each side at 400 degrees. (for the first 8 minutes keep covered with aluminum foil).

They were a huge hit. We had leftovers and kae wants one in her lunch tomorrow, hurray!

Scary squirrel

2011-10-23T15:35:00.001-07:00

Today Kae sat down and worked on her next class project (for November). Each child got to pick an animal and create a piece of a totem pole using a gallon milk jug. (I adore this project, it allowed me to talk to kae about spirit animals and a part of me belief system!)

Kae picked.....the grey squirrel
Go figure

First she washed the jug and daddy cut a hole in the bottom so it will fit against the other kids jugs.

Then she painted the jug brown. After that dried she and daddy put silver/grey spots to shine through the second coat of brown.

After it dried she glued on enormous googly eyes!

We outlined the nose and mouth to be black and white, which she painted, and I drew lines to show the teeth, which are black.

The tail was harder, first we tried to glue a pipe cleaner to the handle and make a tube of fake fur to glue over it, didn't work, we ended up with a small strip of fur from the bottom of the jug to where the handle narrows, then I had to sew another small strip to the wrong side of that with the pipe cleaner in the pouch to make it bendy.

I think it's creepy, kae is super happy and can't wait to take it to school.

Total cost for great pagan oriented kids project $5.20 plus the gallon jug of milk.

Happiness for my child: oh yeah priceless.

September Reading List

2011-10-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

1-105 Moon Called - Patricia Briggs (9/2) re-read
2-106 The Fire Lord’s Lover - Kathryne Kennedy (9/6)
3-107 Knits for Barbie Doll - Nicky Epstein (9/8)
4-108 501 Bento Box Lunches - Amorette Dye (9/16)
5-109 Guilty Pleasure - Laurel K Hamilton (9/25) audiobook
6-110 The Laughing Corpse - Laurel K Hamilton (9/30) Audiobook
7-111 Dyeing to Knit - Elaine Eskesen (9/30)

i had a few re-reads this month, the audiobooks are actually re-reads of books i own, but i've been having a horrible time sitting down to read. Audio books are a good solution, and i put overdrive on my computer so i can get the digital copies of the books directly.

I got Bloodlines by Richelle Mead but was only halfway through when i had to take it back, so i have it on hold again so i can finish it. i loved the Vampire Academy books, so i'm really happy there is a continuance for it. though, it's a bit predictable, i think i already have the end figured out. sad face.

on the knitting front...nope..almost nothing. a project for the vampire swap on rav. My poncho is tedious...i could finish it tonight if i actually WORK on it...yup. not happening, we haz girl scouts.

on that front i dropped out as being kae's daisy leader, the stress was doing bad things. Luckily someone else stepped up to be the troop leader. should be interesting.

The Girl Scout Journey

2011-09-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Today we went and got kae's Daisy uniform, she has her first official meeting (for the 6 week series the council runs) and i wanted her to have the fun of wearing her smock!

We also got the Journey book "Daisy Garden" so i guess what's what our Troop will be working on first. Hopefully the Handbooks will be in soon, we pre-ordered it.

Kae's very excited, I'm already exhausted. And man the uniforms are spensive. but it's worth it for 2 years, and honestly, my mom still has my smock from 25 years ago when I was a Daisy. She says she's going to pull it out so the girls can see a "vintage" uniform...blah.

other than that we have a Bento update, today's lunch was a Deconstructed Sandwich (heart shaped bread peices, mickey mouse cheese and hard salami), a baby dill pickle and flower carrots.

Holy Bento Batman!

2011-09-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

So kae got a new bento box, we picked the Leaflet Tight Bento with Bag it's the smaller of the two they offer on Amazon.com, but kae didn't want the huge one. Though we might get it for Daddy for Christmas!

She also got a set of heart cookie cutters, in my research I've discovered these can be used as rice molds, to cut sandwiches meat, fruit, etc. And Kae loves anything heart shaped! Along with these cutters we got some small, round, metal cutters in the shape of flowers, mostly for veggies and fruit, we used them with cheese and they're so CUTE! omg.

So today for lunch kae had, green grapes, which she got to wash and cut in half herself, cheddar and white cheddar cheese mickey heads that got cut into little flowers, she got to eat the ears. and Octo-dogs i put them on sticks like the traditional Asian preparation.

My kid is finally happy, she was showing her bento off to everyone in the house, and then at the bus stop this morning. I'm glad to see her happy, it just broke my heart that she was being bullied by the other kids because of her lunch.

So....

2011-09-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

It's been a little while since i've blogged.

Lots going on, i just haven't sat down to type it all out. bad me, i know.

First off, i have my 16 week dr appointment this week for Baby Ponyo (WIP name). Kae is super excited she's going to be a big sister.

We also signed up for Girl Scouts, and tonight i got my packet-o-girls to (finally) start setting up my troop. Yes, i know I'm crazy to be a Troop leader with a baby on the way. Hopefully i'll have a super assistant leader and fantastic volunteers that will pick up my slack when i'm, you know, in labor.

Tonight i had the seminar for the Fall Fundraiser...when did girl scouts start selling nuts and candy? and magazines? really? ok...we'll go with that. For all my peeps who read this, we start selling October First. Cookies are in January. $$$$$$$$$$

I'll have a blog tomorrow about kae's new lunch Sensation with pictures. Tonight all you get is ponyo.

August Reading List

2011-08-31T06:39:00.000-07:00

August
1-101 Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon (8/1) re-read
2-102 Nerd Do Well - Simon Pegg (8/9)
3-103 Retribution - Sherrilyn Kenyon (8/11)
4-104 Cry Wolf - Patricia Briggs (8/25) re-read

Yup...That's it. Two re-reads and two others. Nerd Do Well was my non-fic for the month.
I'm also reading a Medical Billing and Coding book and a fiction YA. but my reading mojo has take na backseat to knitting and school.

Plus i'm an absolute crazy and signed up to be a Daisy Troop Leader for girl scouts this year.
How I'm going to swing this with baby due in February is beyond me, but in the words of Tim Gunn, i will MAKE IT WORK!

First Day of Kindergarten

2011-08-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

This morning was Kae's first "Staggered Start" day of Kindergarten, she was home yesterday and she'll be home tomorrow, School will actually start on Thursday.

(i'm casting on a pair of socks after i type this so i have a pocket project for the parent pick up line. I think i shall use my malabrigo sock..../drool)

Kae remembered where her classroom was, and where her seat was. she sat right down and even raised her hand to ask the teacher a question (and school hadn't even STARTED yet!) Then she waved us out of the classroom.

I'm proud of myself, i didn't cry this time. I'm 13 weeks pregnant and crazy hormonal and didn't cry this time ::big grin::

My mom reassured me that kae is just a very well adjusted child. I'm glad she loves school. she's got a lot more to go!

July Reading List

2011-08-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

July
1-87 Tiger’s Quest - Colleen Houck (7/1)
2-88 City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare (7/7)
3-89 Mercy Thompson: Homecoming - Patricia Briggs (7/8)
4-90 Evernight - Claudia Gray (7/11)
5-91 Night Season - Eileen Wilks (7/14)
6-92 The Awakening - Kelly Armstrong (7/15)
7-93 The Reckoning - Kelly Armstrong (7/18)
8-94 Soulless - Gail Carriger (7/19)
9-95 Dark Hunter Manga Volume 2 - Sherrilyn Kenyon (7/23)
10-96 Dark Hunter Manga Volume 3 - Sherrilyn Kenyon (7/24)
11-97 Passion - Lauren Kate (7/26)
12-98 The Gathering - Kelly Armstrong (7/29)
13-99 Dark Hunter Manga Volume 4 - Sherrilyn Kenyon (7/30)
14-100 What to Expect when You’re Expected - David Javerbaum (7/31)

I read more manga than i have in a while this month. but it's because i discovered the manga/graphic novel section of the gardens library! They had all 4 of the Dark Hunter Manga Volumes, and since this is one of my most favorite series out, i had to read them all. I'd already read one but i read it again to refresh my memory (though i didn't add it to the list because i'd already read it lol).

I also read a lot of Kelly Armstrong this month. I personally haven't gotten into her adult "Women of the Otherworld" series, but her YA Otherworld series are fantastic.

My favorite of the month is probably Soulless by Gail Carriger though. It's Steampunk Victorian with Vampire and Werewolves, what's not to love?!? Like Austen only BETTER. (i'm not a big fan of Austen.....)

My least favorite of the month is probably Tiger's Quest. Now before you judge, i LOVED the book, it's my least favorite because it made me cry. The end was just SO FREAKING SAD. I will read the next book when it comes out, and i'm sure i will love it too, but i'm giving this one my least favorite because i wanted a happy ending.../sigh

And now i'm patiently awaiting the next Kenyon book - Retribution. It comes out in like 3 days....

Holy Cuteness Batman!

2011-07-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

while on one hand this is THE most annoying thing I've EVER heard, it makes Kae super dance happy. and pulled her away from Diego the Rescue Chump.

The Hair Experiment

2011-07-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

last night Kaeley decided to "let me" put her hair in curls. yeah.

so first we cut up a piece of remnant fabric i had, pink with sparkly hearts on it. ::rolls eyes::

then we washed her hair and brushed it and wrapped it all up in little pieces of fabric up to her head.

She slept on it and we took it down and fluffed it out this morning.

she was excited until i picked up the hair brush, why she hates that thing is beyond me.

June Book List

2011-07-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

June
1-78 The Witch’s Daughter - Paula Brackston (6/1)
2-79 The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan (6/3)
3-80 Blood Oath - Christopher Farnsworth (6/6)
4-81 Hit List - Laurel K Hamilton (6/7)
5-82 Under the Blood Red Moon - Mina Hepsen (6/9)
6-83 City of Bones - Cassandra Clare (6/12)
7-84 The President’s Vampire - Christopher Farnsworth (6/16)
8-85 Graveminder - Melissa Marr (6/21)
9-86 Didn’t I Feed You Yesterday? - Laura Bennet (6/23)

My favorite was probably Didn't I Feed You Yesterday. I loved this book, i'm so glad i heard about it from Sandi and checked it out from the library! Actually i liked all the books i read this month, not a single one can go on the Least Favorite list. /nod

Craft Day With Friends!

2011-06-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

Friday June 24th our friends Basia and her kids Veronica and Alex came over to play and do crafts.

Alex does not like painting, or coloring, what boys doesn't like to make a mess!? Alex doesn't.

Veronica and kae did the painting and coloring, and while Kae and Alex ran off to play dress up and watch Hello Kitty i taught B and Vern how to knit, Basia on needles and Vern on my old knitting looms, which are now hers.

as of today (Saturday) Veronica is a couple inches from being finished with her scarf, she LOVES the looms =D

Competition

2011-06-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

Wikipedia defines Competition as "Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two or more parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For example, animals compete over water supplies, food, and mates, etc. Humans compete for water, food, and mates, though when these needs are met deep rivalries often arise over the pursuit of wealth, prestige, and fame. Business is often associated with competition as most companies are in competition with at least one other firm over the same group of customers."

There is healthy competition, like Sandi and i have during the KIP hunt, our points don't really count for anything, we just do it for fun since we know all the spots in advance and how to plan our week to hit as many as possible. we poke at each other, but we don't really MEAN anything by it.

Then there is unhealthy competition. My favorite rule during these kinds of things, especially in forums, is "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Thumper's Mama had it right.

WWKIP Hunt Year 2 - Last Day

2011-06-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

This morning Ross and I packed up the Kidlette and headed to O-town. It was a long freaking drive.

We stopped first at the McDonalds on Sandlake, it boasts the Worlds Largest Indoor Playground, and it was on the Travel channel, this does make it a Tourist ~~trap~~ attraction. It's also about as Kitschy as i could get since ross wouldn't stop at the Giant Alligator on 50 on the way into town.

bah.

We hung around Downtown Disney all day, I was very disappointed, the Virgin Megastore is GONE! gasp!! so is the Rock n' Roll memorabilia shop /cry. The virgin megastore is now a build your own racecar place...blah.

but kae and ross played with Legos, and Kae got to build a bizarre Mr. Potato Head (mrs? i'm not sure...)

All in all it was hot, mom and dad were cranky by the end of the day, but kae was happy so that's what counts.

WWKIP Hunt Year 2 - Day 7

2011-06-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

This morning Kae and I joined Basia and the kiddos at the beach again.

I.Do.Not.Like.Sand.In.My.Knitting.


pay no attention to my pasty white legs...

I also do not really like sun, but i make concessions for my child. she loves the water.

Actually the water was beautiful, though there was a bit of a current and we kept having to adjust because we ended up in a deep spot where the mommies could not touch the bottom...

Veronica is a toad because she kept telling me whenever there were fish around my feet, she could see them because she was snorkeling...toad. I do not like wildlife at the beach....creepy.

WWKIP Hunt Year 2 - Day 6

2011-06-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

The ZOO!!

Kae and I went to the Palm Beach Zoo with Basia and her kiddo's, Veronica and Alex. We had so much fun, we're planning a trip to Lion Country sometime this summer too.

Kae just loves hanging out with Alex, and it seems Alex loves hanging out with Kae, it's good for both of them, so Kae remembers how to act around other kids before she goes back to school, and for Alex because his older sister is 7 years older and he's almost like an only child because of the age difference.

So kae helped Alex with his manners, and alex reminded kae how to pitch a tantrum like a 3 year old. And no matter what anyone says, 3 is worse than 2..that's when the WHINING starts....

WWKIP Hunt Year 2 - Day 5

2011-06-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

so i skipped day 4. Mom came over and we dyed out hair, there was no real "public" time.

But this morning Kae and I went to the Downtown Gardens Cobb free summer movie's for kids thing. We saw Shrek Forever After. Which was actually really funny, i'm usually not a big fan of the Shrek franchise. I sorta just want it to go away.../shrug.

After the theater we went to the Mall to get daddy his Father's Day present. And Kae decided she wanted to sit down since her shoes were hurting her feets. I knit while she got creative with my cell phone camera.

We also stopped after we picked up Uncle Dave from work to get the "Historic Location" point. The Historic Jupiter School is on way home, i drive past it two times every day, and i'm ashamed to say i've never stopped to read the sign. So today i learned something new. It was a good day =D

I'm going to Dye, Dye, Dye my hair black..and smoke a clove!

2011-06-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

way back in the day (10 years ago) i was a goth..yeah, i admit it, i wore all black and wrote bad poetry. It wasn't all dark and gloomy. I mean, my hair was purple for a couple years. And i wore a lot of red too =D

But doing our hair was the biggest part, it made the most impact. I started dying my hair when i was probably 13, Middle school-age. Mom let me dye it temporarily. And then in high school i moved on to the permanent stuff. At one point during my senior year i bleached out my bangs with the intention of dying them bright crayola purple, but mom nixed that, and made my dye it all "normal" red before graduation.

Right after graduation i dyed the back of my hair black, and the front grape purple. it was like that until i met ross. And then i just never got around to dying my hair. Kidlette came around and well...yeah.

And then yesterday mom came over and wanted me to dye her hair brown (to cover the "hairs of experience") and i decided it was time. So i got a sale box of Revlon in Burgundy...yeah, my hair is deep red. =D

WWKIP Hunt Year 2 - Day 3

2011-06-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

I was so tired last night that i didn't get around to blogging what kae and I did yesterday.

So i'm doing it this morning!

First Kae and i went back to JoAnns to buy the right amount of fabric for our new tablecloth. I mismeasured and didn't take overhang into account so the first one was a little too small.

After JoAnns we met Barbara and her kiddies at the park on Anchorage. It's a very nice park with shade, water fountains and BATHROOMS! omg bathrooms. So few public parks have bathrooms.

Veronica (Barbara's 9 yo daughter) let me teach her to knit after she got bored chasing the littler kids around.

We also joined them for lunch at the Alehouse in Promenade, they're so cute.

Then kae and i went back to the library for me to pick up a book i had on hold, I decided to make the trip worth the gas so we stayed and kae got to play on the computer. We're going back Wednesday, because I won a book! The Bicycle Diaries.../shrug

I'm almost done with my first KIP project, a slouchy hat for Katzie.
And i've started reading "The President's Vampire" the sequel to "Blood Oath" that i read last week.

WWKIP Hunt Year 2 - Day 2

2011-06-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

This morning Kae and I were up bright and early to go get breakfast, we would have gotten Dennys like we did last year, but they tore it down /sigh..

Pancakes and Strawberry syrup? yes...please...

We tried to go to the library, since i have a book on hold to pick up, but they didn't open until Noon, so we headed to Joanns to get some fabric to make a tablecloth for our dining room table. it's a bit small, so i'll have to go back tomorrow and get more. But i like the green with leaves we picked out. I snapped a picture of my knitting there, since i walked around with it out while we looked at all the new stuff they've gotten just in the last week, like an entire new AISLE of yarn (squee!)

We cleaned up the living room and kitchen and put our new (too small) tablecloth on, and then waited around for daddy to get home from being slave labor for Grandpa Frank, and then had dinner (Asparagus Stir Fry) and decided we needed to go to the pool. Since we have to shower off before getting into the pool, we had to sit for a few minutes to use the showers, again i pulled out my knitting. Daddy has been super helpful taking pics for me this year.

As for my Summer Reading Program, i've finished book 2 of 5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, it's a YA Paranormal. I liked it actually, i'll get the second one from the library eventually.

Tomorrow Kae and I will be meeting our friend Barabara at the Park, with her 3 yo son Alex and her 10 yo Daughter Veronica, I already talked to Vern about letting me teach her to knit while we're there for the park and bonus point. We'll also be going to the Library and quite possibly the mall, we need to get a Father's Day present for daddy.

Do you think it'll count if i knit while doing yoga for the Knitting at the Gym? since i don't belong to a gym, nor do we have a fitness room in our development...hrm....

WWKIP Hunt Year 2 - Day 1

2011-06-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

this morning we got up super early to go to Ikea with my Mother and Sister in law. Omg total fun. I loved it...i'm actually a little mad at myself for whining about having to go. i take it all back.

There is a little play place for the kiddies to keep them busy while the 'rents shop, and upstairs is a cafeteria with FREE coffee and 99c breakfast. super good deal.

We replaced our coffee table with not one, but three tables. 2 to be the coffee table and one for a new side table, i like it, even if dave doesn't.

as for WWKIP, i got a picture of me in the car as a passenger

I got a picture at Panera, where we had lunch.

I got a picture while the driver of a car while waiting for Dave-o to get off work

So that's Day 1 - 3 Points.

Adult Summer Reading Program

2011-06-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

last year (and this year) kae got signed up for the Children's Reading Program. She's got to read 10 hours worth of books. If the adult program went on the same thing i'd have finished the first day /sigh.

Instead we get to read 5 books in two months...yeah, i'll probably triple that, if not more. But hey, i'm off to a good start.

I finished Under the Blood Red Moon by Mina Hepsen. This is a pen name for Hande Zapsu, she's written some children's books that kaeley has.

While it was ok, i'm putting it up on PBS, it's not something I'll read again.

And i started City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments series, so far so good.

Hairs Cut!

2011-06-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

Kae got her hairs cut...it's about freaking time /sigh

Wednesday = Library Day

2011-06-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

During the school year Kae and i set up a routine of going to the public library every wednesday. We would get movies and they're 7 day loans, so we had to go back on or before to take them back.

I gave her the option to go on another day, or more than once a week, so far she still just wants to go on wednesdays /shrug

So this week we signed up for the Children's Reading Program (we did it last year too) she's got to read or be read to, for 10 hours before July 29th. She'll get a certificate and tickets to a Baseball game =D

So far we have one hour 15 minutes accounted for and marked of on her log!

She also got to play on the library computer until group reading time.

Craft Day - June 6th

2011-06-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

While Friday was the first official day of summer vacation, Kae and I ran around like chickens trying to get stuf done. She got a physical and we got her all registered for Kindergarten at Marsh Point. Since we were at a school i don't count it!

But monday we were Super fun busy =D

Kae decorated a pair of hot pink flip flops with heart shaped rhinestones that we got at JoAnns. They have all the supplies in the Kids Summer Camp Crafts section.

After that was finished (it took all of 20 minutes!) kae still wanted to do something crafty..so we made monsters out of TP tubes. And then put on a puppet show!

VPK Graduation Ceremony

2011-06-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

This morning Kaeley "graduated" from VPK, she'll be starting real kindergarten next year.

They started by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by their alphabet (including the sound each letter makes), The Days of the Week, Month-erena (The Months sung to the tune of the Macarena...scary). A video slide show with music, set to :

They got their diplomas, and then sang a song called "Beautiful Day" to us.

I cried. Kae's come so far since starting school.

Anyway! Kae got Flowers from Grandma Pam, and a cupcake necklace from her friend Gianna.

And then we took her home and she helped to clean her room lol, see that's what happens when you skip school girlie...you have to CLEAN!

May Book List

2011-05-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

May
1-55 The Keeping - Nicky Charles (5/2)
2-56 Wondrous Strange - Lesley Livingston (5/3)
3-57 Never Cry Werewolf - Heather Davis (5/5)
4-58 Dead Reckoning - Charlaine Harris (5/8)
5-59 Hearts at Stake - Alyxandra Harvey (5/10)
6-60 Blood Feud - Alyxandra Harvey (5/10)
7-61 Love=Sex(squared) - Shinjo Mayu (5/13)
8-62 Black Bird Volume 1 - Sakurakouji Kanoko (5/13)
9-63 Black Bird Volume 2 - Sakurakouji Kanoko (5/13)
10-64 Darklight - Lesley Livingston (5/14)
11-65 Black Bird Volume 3 - Sakurakouji Kanoko (5/15)
12-66 Black Bird Volume 4 - Sakurakouji Kanoko (5/15)
13-67 Black Bird Volume 5 - Sakurakouji Kanoko (5/15)
14-68 Black Bird Volume 6 - Sakurakouji Kanoko (5/15)
15-69 Out for Blood - Alyxandra Harvey (5/15)
16-70 Death Note Another Note - Ishin Nishio (5/16)
17-71 Vampire Knight Volume 12 - Matsuri Hino (5/16)
18-72 The Poison Eaters - Holly Black (5/17)
19-73 This Side of the Grave - Jeaniene Frost (5/18)
20-74 The Dead Girls’ Dance - Rachel Caine (5/23)
21-75 Pleasure Unbound - Larissa Ione (5-24)
22-76 101 Things To Do With A Slow Cooker - Stephanie Ashcraft (5/27)
23-77 Queen of Kings - Maria Headly (5/30)

so, May is over. it was a big reading month for me. but a good chunk of that was manga. I rediscovered Black Bird, which was one i'd read the first few volumes of a couple years ago, and it's finally being translated. I read the Death Note book, which is based on manga/anime. We've had it a few years and I just got around to it. Good, if you know the characters from Death Note.

I've been trying to read at least one non-fiction a month, maybe next year i'll bump that up to two, but for now one is good. My non-fiction this month is a cook book. 101 Things to do with a slow cooker. I love my crockpot and i'm always looking for new recipes for it. There are a couple for pork chops i'm going to try, and ross has requested soup.

My favorite books this month were probably Wondrous Strange and Darklight, i'm loving this series and can't wait for the next one. They're YA Fae books based on Shakespeare. /squee!

my least favorite, and i hate to admit this, was Queen of Kings. I should have liked this book. It's Cleopatra, and Vampires...what's not to love? the speed. It was a slow start, and too much of it was depressing. That being said, it's very Anne Rice "Queen of the Damned" meets Anne Rice "Ramses the Damned". we're all Damned.....(please note i love both those books...)

I'm still reading Game of Thrones (my mom had my nook so i couldn't work on it). and The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. I love the Percy Jackson series, and the new one based on Rome. And I'm loving his Egyptian series too! Also got mom hooked on these. (happy dance). And I'm reading the Witch's Daughter, which is good so far, but no real comments yet.

Memorial Day

2011-05-31T05:36:00.000-07:00

We went to dad's. Actually we had a very full weekends all around, Saturday we went to Grandma Pam's for Doug's late birthday celebration and BBQ.

Sunday Jen came over and we had hotdogs and stuffs (and watched about 3 hours of Extreme Couponing...Extreme Hoarding- Food Edition!)

and then Monday we went to dad's. Now, mind you, there are not a lot of pictures of my father, he, like me, is usually the one Behind the camera. So the fact that i have these could mean my demise. =D

Grandpa Frank and Kaeley

Kaeley, Uncle Zack, and Grandpa Frank, doing the Wave...

Ballet Recital

2011-05-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

Last night was kae's very first ballet recital.

The little kiddies were the while swans from Swan Lake and the older girls were the Black Swans (not as creepy as the movie, trust me).

Kae had a little bout of stage fright right before the start and then she was good and happy and had FUN. Even when she wasn't paying the most attention to what she was supposed to be doing because of so many people in the audience =D

All in all it was so great, she got a medal and a certificate for taking the class from Katie.

And so many people came out to see her, she was so happy!

Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach. -- Michelle Held

2011-05-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

Today we took Kaeley to the beach.

it's only the 3rd time in her almost 6 years on this planet that she's been.

There are reasons for this of course, Sharks (saw jaws, 'nuff said), sand, crappy parking, sun. but these are all MY reasons, and i sucked them up today and insisted we go.

we all, Ross included, had a good time. and i'm just a little sunburned.

Adieu JoAnns

2011-05-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

Today I put in my notice at JoAnn Fabrics.

I loved my job, i just didn't love not having any hours. And i didn't really love the changes in managment. But really it was more the income need vs availability.

It was actually a little sad, but a relief. I'd been complaining a lot about things so it was time to walk away.

Judy made sure to put me down as re-hireable, so i can go back after school starts again and work seasonally if i want to.

Huge weight off my shoulders =D

Geek Chic - Shop Update!

2011-05-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

So i found a tutorial on how to make comic book pendants and thought

"hmm, i could do that!"

Ross wouldn't give up any of his comics...

But Dave was willing to give up a couple old Shonen Jump! Manga. YAY.

I found all the supplies i needed and cut out fun panels from Bleach and Naruto and away i went!

and they're all up for sale in my Artfire Studio =D

100 Things That Make Me Happy

2011-05-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

i stole this from Sandi, she posted 50 things to do before 50, for me it would be 30 before 30, but i haven't made any such list, i'm still young damnit! hehe

Though i did decide to do a "100 things that make me happy" list, it wasn't as easy as i thought it would be, once you start to get down to the bottom you start wanting to just word things differently and use the same ones a couple times. I will say that the only duplicate on my list is my Kaeley. But as far as i'm concerned that's perfectly ok, she's my heart.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

List 100 Things That Make Me Happy:

1 Kaeley
2 Ross (most of the time)
3 Godiva Dark Chocolate
4 Books
5 My Nook
6 Bubble Baths
7 my family
8 the Fiberistas!
9 Knitting in General
10 My Spinning Wheel
11 My job because it keeps me from going bat @#$t crazy
12 Days off
13 My library card!
14 David, he makes me laugh
15 Mocha Frappachinos with Whipped Cream
16 pomegranete scented anything
17 Hot showers after a long day at work
18 Knitting for Charity (i count this seperately because i count them as gifts)
19 My Mom's Cheese Brocolli Soup (she only makes it for my birthday)
20 Pandora Radio (yay obscure German Goth music!!)
21 Hanging out with Jen on our days off
22 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
23 Peach Tea Snapple!
24 the beach right before a hurricane (though the 'cane is bad)
25 bright purple fingernail polish
25 new car smell to go along with a new car
26 my Minolta 35mm Film
27 my Minolta 35mm Digital
28 my ipod touch
29 Kaeley Giggles
30 sleeping past 6am
31 our little herb garden
32 Eskimo Kisses
33 Thinkgeek.com
34 Geekmom.com
35 Ravelry.com
36 clean socks right out of the dryer
37 seeing a movie in the theater
38 my purple glasses
39 getting recognized for my hard work
40 recieving a bouquet for no reason
41 Swap packages
42 Halloween
43 Christmas
44 a great find at the thrift store
45 when people compliment me on Kaeley
46 True Blood
47 Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds
48 Spreading the Reading addiction
49 Looking at Kae's Baby Pictures
50 Gail (and Fam)
51 Catching up with a friend i haven't seen in a long time
52 Using my knowledge for good, not evil
53 St John's Wort
54 Kayla's Loli-of-the-day posts on Facebook
55 My sewing machine
56 The Morikami Japanese Museum and Gardens
57 Hibachi (mmm..om nom nom nom)
58 Faeries
59 My collection of Pocket Dragons
60 Tribal Style on Etsy's earrings
61 my iPhone
62 Working A/C in my car!
63 My friendship with my Mom
64 Clove incense
65 My Creepy Victorian Monkies
66 Bad Horror Movies
67 Good Anime
68 Shojo Manga
69 Smutty Romance Novels
70 Rodney Yee and his Morning Yoga
71 Knit Picks Catalogs
72 Jeans that actually fit
73 being inside when it's raining
74 Hot Chocolate with Mint or Peanut Butter
75 Spooky the thing what squeeks
76 Renn Faire
77 MegaCon
78 Bath and Body Works Magic Goo! (salt scrub)
79 Full Moon at Midnight
80 Remembering Terry
81 Being cigarette free for two years
82 The Sims Medieval
83 Little Big Planet (YAY sackboy!)
84 Watermelon Bubble Gum
85 Minions
86 So, You've Decided to be Evil (Kidnap A Pope)
87 Remembering my "Back in the day" moments
88 Strawberry Wine and Peach Mead
89 Fuzzy Navels
90 Fresh Ink (tattoos)
91 Clean Sheets
92 The Emperor's New Groove (No Touchy!)
93 Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolata
94 Inside Jokes (see Number 86)
95 Bellydancing with Gail
96 Spirit of the Tribes
97 My first pair of hand-knit socks
98 Being happy with the End of a book Series
99 Being Myself
100 Kaeley (she's my baby she gets to be on the list multiple times!)

Can you list 100 things that make you happy? if you decide to take the challenge let me know, i'd love to read it!

April Book List

2011-05-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

April
1-41 Lover Unleashed - J.R. Ward (4/1)
2-42 Tiger’s Curse - Colleen Houck (4/4)
3-43 Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon (4/7) re-read
4-44 Invincible - Sherrilyn Kenyon (4/7)
5-45 Eternal Kiss of Darkness - Jeanine Frost (4/8)
6-46 Summer Knight - Jim Butcher (4/12)
7-47 Cinderella Ate My Daughter - Peggy Orenstein (4/13)
8-48 Torment - Lauren Kate (4/17)
9-49 Night Play - Sherrilyn Kenyon (4/18) re-read
10-50 Tall, Dark and Hungry - Lynsay Sands (4/20)
11-51 Changeling - Delia Sherman (4/25)
12-52 Death Masks - Jim Butcher (4/26)
13-53 The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Buying Foreclosures - Bobbi Dempsey (4/26)
14-54 How to Marry a Millionare Vampire - Kerrelyn Sparks (4/29)

My favorite was probably Cinderella Ate my Daughter. It's one of the two non-fiction i read this month, and while one was useful, the other was entertaining AND useful. I like reading books that pertain to both me AND Kaeley (i was a disney baby, thanks to my mom) Not that i needed to know the history of the color pink.... =D

my Least favorite book this month...probably Changeling, if i have to pick one. It took me longer to get through and i actually took it back to the library without finishing the last few chapters, so while i enjoyed the off-kilter humor, it wasn't one i HAD to finish, not like the Dresden books now..omg om nom nom nom nom.

I'm currently reading The Keeping by Nicky Charles (second in a free ebook series), A Game of Thrones by RR Martin (First book in the Song of Ice and Fire series), Blood Rites by Jim Butcher (Book 6 in the Dresden Files) and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone...still (it's taking Kae and i a while to get to the end, she's more interested in Froggy and Curious George right now).

Spring Carnival

2011-05-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

on Friday April 29th I took Kae to the Spring Carnival at Gardens Elementary.
i failed to see the bonus of buying tickets in advance and so kae didn't have a while lot to play with.

but she did make a new friend! Alex, my friend Barbara's 3 year old son. They made the bestest of friends - i see playdates in the future for the summer. Latte Fun here we come!

Kindergarten Round up

2011-04-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

Yeehaw...

So this morning i went to Marsh Point Elementary School (after dropping Kaeley off at PBGES for class) to attend Kindergarten Roundup. When i was telling my friends (And Ross) about this, the response i got was, what's kindergarten round up?

well they give you a tour of the school and you meet the teachers and get to ask any questions you need.

It was informative. OMGILUVTHISSKOOL!

First off we met the principle and assistant principle, both VERY nice, chatty women, then we got split up and saw a couple K classrooms and met the teaching staff. Got to tour the rest of the rooms the kids would spend time in.

Just to show a couple things that stuck out that i thought was super cool.

These kids get a full science lab....in kindergarten!

There is a STUDENT RUN TV production program for the 4Th and 5Th graders, it's how they do the morning announcements.

Starting in 3rd grade the students can join band, I'm not talking your normal music class, I'm talking full on concert band...or chorus should they so choose. /boggle.

Each student is guaranteed 35 minutes of computer time a week in one of 3, yes 3, computer labs. The Media center has 25 iPads that all students, K-5 get to use at least once a week. They also get Art and PE.

To Move or Not To Move....that really is the question....

Home (Re)Search

2011-04-26T13:22:00.001-07:00

Today i had off from work, and i spent 3 hours at the B&N reading "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying Foreclosures"...and taking notes.

Next step was the library, to check out a ton of books about the how-to's of homebuying.

We haven't decided what we're doing about moving, but someone has to research all the options, and that someone would be me, since Ross isn't that motivated.

Tomorrow i get to register Kae for school at Marsh Pointe.
And it's Library Day!

/squee

Updates - shop and stuff

2011-04-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

First the Planning has begun for the World Wide Knit in Public Scavenger Hunt, we did this last year and had a ball, so we've started the planning for year number 2.
if you'd like to play along please sign up on The Great Gold Coast KIP Hunt board on Ravelry.

And no, i won't give no hintz!

Second, i have a shop update for my Artfire studio I added some Project bags, a Dream Pillow and a new invention from my brain. "aroma-stones".
The idea hatched when i found a really artsy photo of a hot stone massage. So i did a bit of research and found that it's basically hot river rocks put on the back to help loosen the muscles, sometimes used with hot oil. Mine can't be used with hot oil, but they can be hot or cold and you don't need anything but a microwave to get them going.

The set that are up now are half the price they'll normally be since it was an experiment.

Other than that i've been knitting on my Earth and Sky blanket mostly, i need to finish the socks for mom, and i frogged my Voodoo Shawl because i kept getting the stitch counts messed up in the lace, starting it over soon.

Artfire and Me

2011-04-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

i opened an Artfire studio.

I actually decided to do the free one for now to see how it works out before i shell out the monthly fee for the extra stuff like coupons and gift certificates. /shrug.

Right now all i have up are Aromatherapy Hot/Cold pillows I've been making.

Paula's Miscellany

Next week i should have up some more pillows in different fabrics and some project bags =D

March Book List

2011-04-01T15:21:00.001-07:00

(I Will blog about the morikami...as soon as i get ross' camera to work with my confuser)

my book list for March.

1-29 A Knight’s Captive - Lindsay Townsend (3/1)
2-30 Kisses from Hell - Anthology of Various Authors (3/1)
3-31 Storm Born - Richelle Mead (3/5)
4-32 Darkest Mercy - Melissa Marr (3/10)
5-33 River Marked - Patricia Briggs (3/14)
6-34 Dark Lover - J.R. Ward (3/18) re-read
7-35 Lover Awakened - J.R. Ward (3/20) re-read
8-36 Bloody Valentine - Melissa De La Cruz (3/20)
9-37 Bones of Faerie - Janni Lee Simner (3/23)
10-38 Fallen - Lauren Kate (3/24)
11-39 Nocturne - Syrie James (3/26)
12-40 The Lost Hero - Rick Riordan (3/30)

the books in Italics were favorites, they were all good, but i can't pick just one. and i didn't particularly dislike any of them, which is a shock, i usually have at least one i sorta don't like...
/shrug

Rant Rant Rant

2011-03-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

I just needed a non-friend outlet to rant on this, since i'm sure everyone around me is so bored of hearing about it.

I work at JoAnn Fabric's and Crafts. most of the time i'm the register monkey, but i loved my job.

until we got a new store manager. Ed. Mr. Ed the horse-faced man.
and just like the talking horse, his lips are moving but nothing worthwhile is coming out.

because of him everyone's hours got cut. Which is understandable. really. But then people left, and for some reason those hours didn't get evenly distributed.

Couple weeks ago it was mentioned to me that i would be great for management. I talked to the District Manager and basically had an interview, it was all very promising. I would be in training, which would give me hours, but allow more hours for other people who needed them, and then by the time School starts for kae in August/September, i'd be full time and probably salary.

And then this weeks schedule was put out. I was on for three days, Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. Ok, three days isn't so bad. it's summer, season is over, we still have a ton of people who work there, i can be ok with 12 hours in a week, and then Friday i check again, to see if it's changed, i got crossed off Sunday. Ok...9 hours it is.

Then yesterday (After a wonderful trip to the Morikami - which i will blog about next) Ross and i stopped to get some super glue to fix his car..don't ask. And i decided to check the schedule again.

See we're responsible for checking our own schedule, they change it randomly and don't call anyone to let them know it's changed. Then people are late, or don't show up, or show up and aren't on the schedule anymore, and get written up. So you have to call EVERYDAY or go in EVERYDAY to check to make sure you're not getting screwed.

I work one day next week.
I'm relegated to the "we don't like you so you only get one shift" category that they put Mike in.

I offer to work nights, they give them to this one woman, who makes salary working as a teacher full time. I offer to do truck, so we can get rid of mike, and they give them to the bitch who shall remain nameless, I got crossed off Friday and those hours were hand-written in for said bitch. i just don't get why people who are working at JoAnns as a second job, or are retired and just want to get out of the house, are getting more hours than someone who actually WANTS to be there.

I read reviews and things online for JoAnn fabrics. People going on business sites and complaining about how rude the employees are, how much they hate the coupon stipulations, and so many more things.

If the company would work harder to make their employees happy, like not letting salary employees hours take away from hourly employees hours, actually giving raises with reviews, or firing people who have more than 3 write-ups, we'd be happier, and happier employees means happier customers. happier customers come in more often. As it is, i went from LOVING my job, to feeling this rage in the pit of my stomach. I DREAD going to work now, when i didn't before.

I like the people, i like helping people, i like getting the chance to be crafty vicariously. So i'm going to keep with it, hoping that maybe next week will be different. But it's depressing. so depressing.

Sewing....ugh

2011-03-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

it's not my best art.

usually my imagination is way better than my actual handiness with my sewing machine.

but i promised i'd attempt to make a dent in all this scrap fabric laying around!

So, first i made a Pillowcase Dress for Kaeley using two clearance fat quarters from work, kae likes it, but now i know what to do differently next time!

then i got out the pre-quilted (a-la vera bradley) fabric i had and made my nook case, I made it specifically so the cover i already have for it fits in there too. (had some issues with the iron-on velcro /sigh)

Then i started on what i hope to sell on Etsy or Art Fire. Aromatherapy Pillows.

This one is 3in x 8in and scented with Lavender and Cloves. It can go in the microwave for sore muscles and the freezer for headaches!

They'll all be the same size i think, just different fabric.

I'll probably bring the pillow to knitting to get some feedback.

Knit Love Into It

2011-03-07T13:00:00.000-08:00

so Kaeley and i have both been happy busy making charity hats!

kaeley on the looms from Grandma pam. (she's slowed down but i expect one more) and me on my needles.

we've done 4 and i've got two more to hand over.

it's a great stash buster, and for a good cause. Knit Love Into It

We met Jennifer at Knit in the Park a couple weeks ago, she's wonderful, and so driven with such a big heart!

You can hear her talk about her charity and why she set it up at the Lilypad Podcast

other than that i've been plugging away on my EZ shawl (i had nasty yarn barf the other night and put it down so as not to throw it across the room)
and reading, so far i'm averaging 2.5 books a week!

February Book List

2011-03-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

my list of books read for February

February

1-15 The Devil’s Due - Jenna Black (2/2)
2-16 Love, Unexpectedly - Susan Fox (2/3)
3-17 Misguided Angel Blue Bloods Book 6 - Melissa De La Cruz (2/4)
4-18 Into The Dark - Gena Showalter (2/5)
5-19 Sensational Knitted Socks - Charlene Schurch (2/9)
6-20 Grave Peril - Jim Butcher (2/10)
7-21 Vampire Kisses - Ellen Schreiber (2/11)
8-22 ShadowFever - Karen Marie Moning (2/18)
9-23 Firelight - Sophie Jordan (2/19)
10-24 Ever - Gail Carson Levine (2/21)
11-25 Nightshade - Andrea Cremer (2/24)
12-26 The Princess and the Penis - RJ Silver (2/24) short story but funny
13-27 The Mating - Nicky Charles (2/25)
14-28 A Taste of Crimson - Marjorie M. Liu (2/28)

My favorite was, without a doubt, Shadowfever by Moning. I loved this series and i'm pretty happy with how it ended. I also know she's writing a spin off series. So that'll be interesting.

my LEAST favorite was probably Ever by Gail Carson Levine, i didn't like the way it was written, though i did like the premise.

My Socks!

2011-02-20T17:16:00.000-08:00

i finally finished my first pair of hand-knit socks!

yeah, the picture is crap, i finished them at 8pm, it was dark and i took it on my iPhone.

but they're DONE!

i see the defects (And some of them are too big to be design elements) but i'm proud of what i learned while making them.

I have no idea what i'm going to knit next, no idea at all, maybe i'll go dig through my Ravelry queue and see what i have planned that i already have yarn for, huzzah for stash down!

Sock-ems

Prima Ballerina

2011-02-05T08:49:00.000-08:00

So kae loves her ballet class, so much that i'm not sure what we'll do if she can't take the class again next year (since Katie teaches through the school), we're in the Marsh Pointe district, but she's taking the class at Palm Beach Gardens Elementary School. I wish Katie had a studio /sigh.

ANYWAY!

in the vampire swap group i saw one of the packages included all the stuff to make a "new sew tutu" and it got me thinking. I work at a fabric store, and kae would love a tutu.

So i found a couple online patterns and went from there.

Ingredients:

20 Inches of 1-Inch white elastic
2 yards Ivory bridal tulle
2 yards Lavender bridal tulle
1 yard Hot Pink bridal tulle
1 yard Bright Purple bridal tulle

I sewed the elastic into a circle (could have stapled it, but i wanted it to hold) so it's not truly no sew, in this case at least.

then i cut the tulle into 2 inch strips, i alternated when tying it on the elastic. Kae made it into a pattern game

White, Lavender, Pink, White Lavender, Purple

and had just exactly enough to end on a purple.

Kae danced around in it for a while until we had to get ready to go to Grandpa Richard's 60th birthday party =D

Starting off Right

2011-01-31T07:24:00.000-08:00

So i'm challenging myself to read 150 books this year, which is 50 books less than last year, but since i'm working now, i don't have as much time as i did.

So far i've read 2 more books than i did in January of 2010.

my leeeest:

January
1-1 Oh No She Didn’t - Clinton Kelly (1/1)
2-2 Fashion A History from the 18th to the 20th Century - Kyoto Costume Institute (1/7)
3-3 Vampire Knight Volume 11 - Matsuri Hino (1/8)
4-4 Dark Slayer - Christine Feehan (1/11/11)
5-5 Blood Promise - Richelle Mead (1/15)
6-6 Blue Bloods - Melissa De La Cruz (1/18)
7-7 The Summoning - Kelly Armstrong (1/21)
8-8 Masquerade Blue Bloods Book 2 - Melissa De La Cruz (1/24)
9-9 Revelations Blue Bloods Book 3 - Melissa De La Cruz (1/25)
10-10 The Van Alen Legacy Blue Bloods 4 - Melissa De La Cruz (1/26)
11-11 Spirit Bound Vampire Academy Book 5 - Richelle Mead (1/27)
12-12 Last Sacrifice Vampire Academy Book 6 - Richelle Mead (1/29)
13-13 White Cat - Holly Black (1/31)

Though i might be able to fit in "The Key to the Respository" by Melissa De La Cruz (in the Blue Bloods series) i still need to side load it onto my Nook.

Yes i've read a ton, but i still haven't finished my second sock /sigh

This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine.

2011-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Everytime i look at my one finished sock i think of this chant from Full Metal Jacket.

This is my sock, there are others like it but this one is mine =D

I've started and completed one sock in a pair. having some difficulty with the second, but i'm working on it.
This is the Blackrose Pattern on Knitty. the right sock is actually already finished, but it's the only picture i have ;P

Christmas Presents

2011-01-16T05:47:00.001-08:00

i'm a slacker. i've said it before and i'll say it again. My spare time has been taken up by reading and knitting. This is my time that's not taken by work and my child. Today is ross' birthday, and since he got a new electric griddle he's insisting on making pancakes for breakfast. so i have a few minutes.

since i'm behind there might be a couple blog posts from me today.

I made a couple christmas present this year, not as many as last year, but i burned myself out on scarves.

I made a Citron for my sister-in-law Lindsay. Got quite a few compliments on it from my MIL and Lindsay, they have a hard time believing how far i've come with knitting. I used Malabrigo Lace in Cognac.

I made a Saroyan for my Momma. She loved it, kept petting it. It's made with Malabrigo Worsted in Indigo.

My Grandmother-In-Law got a Reading shawl in Knitpicks yarn, it's SW Merino and a nice dark Green Color. it was a request (the green, not the shawl) i've been told she was very VERY happy about it.

I made Alice Mitts for my SIL too, in Vanna's Choice dusky purple.

My FIL got a 6 1/2 hour throw using Lion Brand Homespun in greens, looks kinda camo, but it's soft!

That's pretty much it for my hand-knit christmas gifts this year. I had so many plans, but this is all i got done /sigh

200 Books in 52 Weeks

2010-12-30T16:39:00.000-08:00

i'm a member of a group on ravelry that challenges you to read 52 books in 52 weeks. Last year i read 186 books. So i decided to see if i could push myself to read more this year.

Some of the books are re-reads, i can't help it. Some of them are Manga. and some are books i read at knitting night.

Most are library books - Library iz guud.

so here is my long list of the Two Hundred books i read this year =D

-----------------------------------------------------

Booklist

January
1 Stray - Rachel Vincent (1/1/10)
2 Magic’s Pawn - Mercedes Lackey (1/28/10)
3 Respect the Spindle - Abby Franquemont (1/4/10)
4 Werewolves - Dr. Bob Curran (1/5/10)
5 The Picture of Dorian Grey (1/6/10)
6 Vampires - Dr. Bob Curran (1/7/10)
7 Born of Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon (1/8/10)
8 Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson (1/11/10) Re-read
9 Zen and the Art of Knitting - Bernadette Murphy (1/15/10)
10 Crazy Aunt Purl’s - Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair (1/21/10)
11 The Raven Prince - Elizabeth Hoyt (1/22/10)
12 Yarn Girls Guide to Knitting for the Season - (1/2?-10)

February
13-1 Dark Magic - Christine Feehan (2/2/10)
14-2 The Darkest Whisper - Gena Showalter (2/4/10)
15-3 Undead and Unwed - Mary Janice Davidson (2/6/10)
16-4 Flirt - Laurel K Hamilton (2/6/10)
17-5 Spinning Straw Into Gold What Fairy Tales Reveal About the Transformations in a Woman’s Life - Joan Gould (2/8/10)
18-6 Taken {Dark Elves 1} - Jet Mykles (2/9/10) re-read
19-7 Mastered {Dark Elves 2} - Jet Mykles (2/9/10) re-read
20-8 Salvation {Dark Elves 3} - Jet Mykles (2/9/10) re-read
21-9 Dissent {Dark Elves 4} - Jet Mykles (2/10/10) re-read
22-10 Discovery {Dark Elves 5} - Jet Mykles (2/10/10) re-read
23-11 Halfway to the Grave - Jeaniene Frost (2/10/10) re-read
24-12 Pack Challenge - Shelly Laurenston (2/15/10)
25-13 Go Fetch! - Shelly Laurenston (2/16/10)
26-14 Vampire Knight Volume 6 - Matsuri Hino (2/17/10)
27-15 Vampire Knight Volume 7 - Matsuri Hino (2/17/10)
28-16 Vampire Knight Volume 8 - Matsuri Hino (2/17/10)
29-17 Vampire Knight Volume 9 - Matsuri Hino (2/17/10)
30-18 Fairlytale Knits: 32 projects to knit happily ever after - Alison Stewart-Guinee (2/17/10)
31-19 The Mane Event - Shelly Laurenston (2/18/10)
32-20 Shaw’s Tail - Shelly Laurenston (2/19/10)
33-21 The Beast In Him - Shelly Laurenston (2/23/10)
34-22 The Mane Attraction - Shelly Laurenston (2/25/10)

March
35-1 Here, kitty kitty ! - Shelly Laurenston (3/2/10)
36-2 Dark Challenge - Christine Feehan (3/5/10)
37-3 The Firebrand - Marian Zimmer Bradley (3/8/10) re-read
38-4 Dark Fire - Christine Feehan (3/14/10)
39-5 A Treasury of Fairy Tales - Multiple Authors (3/16/10)
40-6 Percy Jackson The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan (3/18/10)
41-7 Percy Jackson The Sea of Monster - Rick Riordan (3/18/10)
42-8 Percy Jackson The Titan’s Curse - Rick Riordan (3/20/10)
43-9 Percy Jackson The Battle of the Labyrinth - Rick Riordan (3/23/10)
44-10 Born of Fire - Sherrilyn Kenyon (3/25/10)
45-11 Stepping on Roses Volume 1 - Ueda Rinko (3/28/10)
46-12 Stepping on Roses Volume 2 - Ueda Rinko (3/28/10)
47-13 Stepping on Roses Volume 3 - Ueda Rinko (3/28/10)
48-14 Peacemaker Volume 3 - Nanae Chrono (3/28/10)
49-15 The Moon Maiden and other Japanese Fairy Tales - Grace James (3/30/10)
50-16 The Complete Guide to Beading Techniques - Jane Davis (3/30/10)
51-17 Blood Sucker Legend of Zipangu - Okuse Saki (3/30/10)
52-18 Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr (3/30/10)
53-19 Ink Exchange - Melissa Marr (3/31/10)

April
54-1 Fragile Eternity - Melissa Marr (4/2/10)
55-2 The Book of Five Rings - Miyamoto Musashi (4/4/10) re-read
56-3 Tempting Danger - Eileen Wilks (4/9/10)
57-4 kitty and the Midnight Hour - Carrie Vaughn (4/11/10)
58-5 I’m the Vampire, That’s Why - Michelle Bardsley (4/12/10)
59-6 Respect the Spindle - Abby Franquemont (4/26/10) re-read
60-7 Battle Angel Alita Vol 1 Rusty Angel - Yukito Kishiro (4/24/10)
61-8 Battle Angel Alita Vol 2 Tears of an Angel- Yukito Kishiro (4/24/10)
62-9 Battle Angel Alita Vol 3 Killing Angel - Yukito Kishiro (4/25/10)
63-10 Battle Angel Alita Vol 4 Angel of Victory - Yukito Kishiro (4/25/10)
64-11 Battle Angel Alita Vol 5 Angel of Redemption - Yukito Kishiro (4/25/10)
65-12 Battle Angel Alita Vol 6 Angel of Death - Yukito Kishiro (4/25/10)
66-13 Battle Angel Alita Vol 7 Angel of Chaos - Yukito Kishiro (4/25/10)
67-14 Battle Angel Alita Vol 8 Fallen Angel - Yukito Kishiro (4/25/10)
68-15 Battle Angel Alita Vol 9 Angel’s Ascension - Yukito Kishiro (4/25/10)
69-16 Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Vol 1 Angel Reborn - Yukito Kishiro (4/25/10)
70-17 Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Vol 2 Angel of the Innocents - Yukito Kishiro (4/26/10)
71-18 Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Vol 3 Angel of Protest - Yukito Kishiro (4/26/10)
72-19 Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Vol 4 Haunted Angel - Yukito Kishiro (4/26/10)
73-20 Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Vol 5 The Angel & The Vampire - Yukito Kishiro (4/26/10)
74-21 Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Vol 6 Guilty Angel - Yukito Kishiro (4/26/10)
75-22 Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Vol 7 Angel’s Vision - Yukito Kishiro (4/26/10)
76-23 Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Vol 8 Angel’s Duty - Yukito Kishiro (4/26/10)
77-24 Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Vol 9 Angel Goes Nova Yukito Kishiro (4/26/10) Last one my husband owns!!!
78-25 Don’t Talk Back to your Vampire - Michelle Bardsley (4/29/10)

May
79-1 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien re-read (5/1/10)
80-2 The Magician’s Nephew - CS Lewis re-read (5/2/10)
81-3 kitty Goes to Washington - Carrie Vaughn (5/12/10)
82-4 Betrayed House of Night Book 2 - P.C. & Kristin Cast (5/13/10)
83-5 Divine Misdemeanors - Laurel K Hamilton (5/15/10)
84-6 Pure Blood - Caitlin Kittredge (5/16/10)
85-7 A Fistful of Charms - Kim Harrison (5/16/10)
86-8 The Best of the Spirit - Will Eisner (5/19/10)
87-9 The Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring - JRR Tolkein (5/21/10) re-read
88-10 The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers - JRR Tolkein (5/24/10) re-read
89-11 Dark Legend - Christine Feehan (5/25/10)
90-12 Destined for an Early Grave - Jeaniene Frost (5/26/10)
91-13 Tithe A Modern Faerie Tale - Holly Black (5/27/10) omg so good!!
92-14 Percy Jackson The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan (5/30/10)

June
93-1 Valiant - Holly Black (6/3/10)
94-2 Bullet - Laurel K Hamilton (6/4/10)
95-3 Folk Shawls - Sheryl Oberle (6/4/10)
96-4 Chosen House of Night book 3 - Kristin and P.C. Cast (6/5/10)
97-5 Mortal Danger - Eileen Wilks (6/8/10)
98-6 Radiant Shadows - Melissa Marr (6/9/10)
99-7 Dark Guardian - Christine Feehan (9/15/10)
100-8 Dracula - Bram Stoker (9/15/10) re-read
101-9 Mina - Marie Kiraly (6/17/10) re-read
102-10 Lover Mine - JR Ward (6/18/10)
103-11 Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter -Seth Grahame-Smith (6/18/10)
104-12 Stolen - Kelly Armstrong (6/30/10)

July
105-1 Urban Shaman - C.E. Murphy (7/2/10)
106-2 Thunderbird Falls - C.E. Murphy (7/4/10)
107-3 Coyote Dreams - C.E. Murphy (7/5/10)
108-4 More Big Girl Knits - Amy Singer (7/7/10)
109-5 Lace Style - Pam Allen & Ann Budd (7/7/10)
110-6 Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion: An Anthropological Study of the Supernatural 5th Edition - by Arthur C. Lehmann, James E. Myers (7/11/10)
111-7 The Devil Inside - Jenna Black (7/12/10) re-read
112-8 Teach Yourself Visually:Crochet - Kim P Werker (7/12/10)
113-9 The Devil You Know - Jenna Black (7/13/10)
114-10 Silver Borne - Patricia Briggs (7/17/10)
115-11 Dead In The Family - Charlaine Harris (7/21)
116-12 On the Prowl - Patricia Briggs, Eileen Wilks (7/21)
117-13 Cry Wolf - Patricia Briggs (7/22)
118-14 The Darkest Prison - Gena Showalter (7/23)
119-15 The Darkest Passion - Gena Showalter (7/24)
120-16 Single White Vampire - Lynsay Sands (7/30)

August
121-1 The Darkest Lie - Gena Showalter (8/3)
122-2 Blood Lines World of the Lupi Book 3 - Eileen Wilks (8/5)
123-3 Her Vampire Husband - Michele Hauf (8/6)
124-4 Mona Lisa Awakening - Sunny (8/6)
125-5 Lord of Legends - Susan Krinard (8/11)
126-6 Dominknitrix - Jennifer Stafford (8/12)
127-7 Claimed By The Wolf - Charlene Teglia (8/14)
128-8 The Men Who Stare At Goats - Jon Ronson (8/17)
129-9 Batman: Arkham Asylum HC - Sam Keith (8/19)
130-10 The Sweet Scent of Blood - Suzanne McLeod (8/21)
131-11 The Hunter’s Moon - O.R. Melling (8/21)
132-12 Kushiel’s Dart - Jacqueline Carey (8/25)
133-13 Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews (8/26)
134-14 Dark Symphony - Christine Feehan (8/28)
135-15 Naughty Needles - Nikol Lohr (8/?)
136-16 Ghoulish Goodies: Monster Eyeballs, Fudge Fingers, Spidery Cupcakes, and Other Frightful Treats - Sharon Bowers (8/?)
137-17 Knitting Mochimochi - Anna Hrachovec (8/?)
138-18 Storm of Visions - Christina Dodd (8/29)
139-19 Storm of Shadows - Christina Dodd (8/31)

September
140-1 Zombie Felties - Nicola Tedman and Sarah Skeate (9/1)
141-2 Bite Me A Love Story - Christopher Moore (9/2)
142-3 Faerie’s Gone Wild - Michele Hauf, Mary Janice Davidson (9/3)
143-4 Infinity - Sherrilyn Kenyon (9/5)
144-5 Yummy ‘Gurumi: 20 Gourmet Treats to Make from the Yarn Bakery - Christen Haden (9/8)
145-6 The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman (9/11)
146-7 Marked - Elisabeth Naughton (9/11)
147-8 No Mercy - Sherrilyn Kenyon (9/13)
148-9 Ironside A Modern Faery’s Tale - Holly Black (9/14)
149-10 Sock Innovation - Cookie A (9/14)
150-11 Kiss of Fire - Deborah Cooke (9/19)
151-12 Midnight’s Master - Cynthia Eden (9/21)
152-13 Shakespeare In An Hour - Christopher Baker (9/22)
153-14 Storm Front - Jim Butcher (9/25)
154-15 Fablehaven - Brandon Mull (9/27)
155-16 The Battle Sylph - L.J. McDonald (9/30)

October
156-1 Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead (10/2)
157-2 Naruto On the Move Volume 39 - Masashi Kishimoto (10/3)
158-3 Wide Awake (Twilight FanFic) - ? (10/7)
159-4 Demons Not Included - Cheyenne McCray(10/7)
160-5 Teach Yourself Visually Sock Knitting - Laura Chau(10/7)
161-6 Knit Socks! - Betsy McCarthy(10/7)
162-7 The Hands of the Buddha: The Dhammapada, A Modern Interpretation - Susan Cogan(10/11)
163-8 First Drop of Crimson - Jeaniene Frost (10/12)
164-9 Stormwalker - Allyson James (10/14)
165-10 Frostbite - Richelle Mead (10/15)
166-11 Glass Houses - Rachel Caine (10/21)
167-12 Naruto Practice Makes Perfect Volume 38 - Masashi Kishimoto (10/22)
168-13 iDrakula - Bekka Black (10/29)

November
169-1 The Big Book of Paranormal Romance - Various Authors (11/2)
170-2 Kiss Me Deadly - Michelle Hauf (11/4) re-read
171-3 Fablehaven Rise of the Evening Star - Brandon Mull (11/4)
172-4 Vampire Knight Volume 10 - Matsuri Hino (11/7)
173-5 Vampire Knits - Genevieve Miller (11/7)
174-6 Charmed Knits - Alison Hansel (11/8)
175-7 One Skein Wonders Sock Yarn - Judith (11/?)
176-8 Without Reservations - J.L. Langley (11/19)
177-9 Eighth Grade Bites - Heather Brewer (11/20)
178-10 The Knitting Goddess - Deborah Bergman (11/20)

December
179-1 Vogue Knitting Shawls & Wraps - Vogue Editors (12/1)
180-2 Knit & Wrap 25 Caplets, cowls and collars - Nathalie Mornu (12/1)
181-3 Fool Moon - Jim Butcher (12/3)
182-4 Raised by Wolves - Jennifer Barnes (12/7)
183-5 Low Red Moon - Ivy Devlin (12/10)
184-6 Kaikan Phrase Volume 1 - Mayu Shinjo (12/13)
185-7 Kaikan Phrase Volume 2 - Mayu Shinjo (12/13)
186-8 Kaikan Phrase Volume 3 - Mayu Shinjo (12/14)
187-9 Kaikan Phrase Volume 4 - Mayu Shinjo (12/14)
188-10 Kaikan Phrase Volume 5 - Mayu Shinjo (12/14)
189-11 Kaikan Phrase Volume 6 - Mayu Shinjo (12/14)
190-12 Kaikan Phrase Volume 7 - Mayu Shinjo (12/14)
191-13 Kaikan Phrase volume 8 - Mayu Shinjo (12/14)
192-14 Kaikan Phrase volume 9 - Mayu Shinjo (12/15)
193-15 Kaikan Phrase Volume 10 - Mayu Shinjo (12/15)
194-16 Kaikan Phrase Volume 11 - Mayu Shinjo (12/15)
195-17 Vassalord Volume 1 - Nanae Chrono (12/19)
196-18 Shadow Kiss - Richelle Mead (12/21)
197-19 Apache Warrior - Carol Ann Didier (12/25)
198-20 Fablehaven Grip of the Shadow Plague - Brandon Mull (12/25)
199-21 The Vampire Who Loved Me - Teresa Medeiros (12/27)
200-22 Enchanting the Lady - Kathryne Kennedy (12/30)

my goal for next year is actually less than this, only 150. Since work has been cutting into my reading time. I figure if i make it yay, if not, i can still hit 52 for the year, anything over is a success!

Cheer!

2010-12-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

so i finally finished my christmas knitting. After all the presents are open i'll finally share all my pictures. I don't want to ruin the fun for anyone!

I also finished all my christmas shopping! I was actually finished two weeks ago, Ross finished last week or so, if he's even done /sigh

Men.

Kae got to go to the school holiday shop and get presents for Ross and I, and one of the parent volunteers helped her wrap them =D

Other than that, work is busy.

Ack!!!

2010-12-01T12:20:00.001-08:00

So November got sucked up by my deciding to do NaNoWriMo. I don't regret it, i started late and finished early. and now my book is hibernating until after the new year for editing.

I have christmas presents i "should" be knitting!

I thought i was doing well, and then i noticed today is December 1st, and that Ross' corporate christmas party is, well, in 11 days. So i started a shawl to wear for that, if i get it finished. if not, um..i have no idea what i'll do.

Mom's Saroyan is almost finished, i just need to do the decreases. The baby blankets are finished, the bibs are finished, i cast on the Homespun for Kevan and Laurel's christmas afghan yesterday.

But i'm still running behind, and work is getting in my way.

On top of that, i need to finish Book 2 in the Dresden Files - Fool Moon - by friday, because the library will not let me renew a book with holds on it. crappy.

le sigh

Helen

2010-11-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

Being an author is like being in charge of your own personal insane asylum. ~Graycie Harmon

Helen is one of the "Bad guys" in my NaNoWriMo manuscript, she's also the most developed character.

She's completely freaking nuts. Which makes her so much fun to write!

As of last night, I'm at 28,466 words. I've reached the halfway point, and when i count how many pages I'm at almost 200 in word pad.

December will be for editing, and moving things around, adding details i think of now but can't go back to or I'll lost my momentum. and correcting historical dates i might have gotten a little off.

The Traveling shovel of death will be visiting soon, for one of my characters needs to die, he's annoying.

Another character will be killed, most violently.

And Helen, my dear Helen, will end up in the loony bin.

I figure, if Stephanie Meyer can do it, So can I!!

teehee

Typity Type Type

2010-11-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

so i decided to do NaNoWriMo.

National Novel Writing Month. I watched people do it last year, and decided today, a week after it started, to participate.

I used to do a lot of writing, short stories and bad goth poetry.

So I started today, i took my idea and started my outline, and then monday i'll start my writing Monday.

I was supposed to get too 10,000 words by today, so next week i'll have to write 20,000.

Maybe i can, maybe i can't, but at least i tried =D

Oh Fudge!

2010-11-04T10:19:00.001-07:00

ok so REAL fudge takes like, forever to make. it involves sugar and corn syrup and soft ball testing and way too much of my time.

so i cheated.

and since i got such a good response from the loverly ladies at knitting last night, i'm gonna share the recipe =D

Mint Faux Fudge

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 bag andes mint chips (or whole candy smashed into pieces!)
1 14oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
4 Tbs (half a stick) of unsalted butter

in a double boiler melt the whole bag of semi-sweet chips and 1.5 cup of the mint chips together with the 4 tablespoons of butter, slowly drizzle and stir in the condensed milk until smooth and well combined.

pour into a greased 8x8 pan (i used a toss away aluminum pan) and then let cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

the mint chips can be replaced with peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips and/or nuts =D

My Own Little Birthday

2010-10-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday.

I'm 29. Yup, a woman who freely admits her age! holy rusted metal batman!!!!!

i got a great haul for my hatchday too =D

My Father In Law Kevan sent me a Ball Winder and a whole set of 15 sizes of bamboo DPNS..yes yes, no more borrowing from Sharan!

The Husbeast got me the Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders books, and Greywalker, sounds good, in the right genre, go Ross! also got Kirby Yarn and a boatload of hersheys w/almond chocolate! (and my Zombies hate you because you're Awesome bookmark!)

I got 3, yup, 3, Barnes and Noble gift cards, i spent the one from Jennifer on a few books today, iDrakula (the story of Dracula told via texts and emails, it's actually very amusing) and Three paranormal romance novels, a mixed bag for me =P

I did some school stuff for Kae this morning (Halloween parade) and i got to pick up my paycheck, and then spent WAY too much freaking time renewing my driver's license. Homeland security has some really stupid rules regarding renewals. But it's taken care of until 2018...

All in all it's been a good day, gonna go to mom's to finish the birthday celebration tomorrow.

and to end a joke kae told me today.

Knock Knock?
Who's There?
Yogurt Cow

::Laughs Maniacally::

Five Years

2010-10-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

Today my baby is 5

I promised last week I'd post pictures from her birthday party and such. so here they are =D

And then Sunday she got to go for a long bike ride and play down by the lake =D

She got a bike (it's very pink), helmet and pads, an ARMY of barbies, Beauty and the Beast AND the new Tinkerbell Movie. as well as a new Aquadoodle and a Crayola Glowstation, which she hasn't gotten to play with yet. We saved a couple presents for her to open tonight. She picked Pizza for dinner.

One Year

2010-10-10T16:29:00.001-07:00

It's been one year since i quit smoking.

It's been one year since i started this blog (Give or take)

It's been one year that i've been going to Knitting group at the B&N on Wednesdays.

well crap this year has gone fast......

Halloween Vampire Swap 2010

2010-10-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

I got my package pretty early this time around! from Pru182.

She sent me so much fun stuff, Stitch Markers, Beaded Bracelets, a pumpkin Keychain, a beaded/sequined mask, some pretty spiderweb earrings, absolutely scrumptious yarn! Chocolate...om nom nom nom.

and

A Bottle of True Blood! (Type-O....makes me want to pull out my cd's i haven't listened to since College!)

Also a very cute little halloween box stuffed full of fun stuff, little tarot cards more chocolate, pez.

and my hand-knit is a very warm pair of fingerless gloves, it's getting chilly, so they'll get used soon!

Thanks Courtney, i lurve =D

as for MY package to go out, i've got a bunch of little things pulled together already, and i'm about half finished with the hand knit item. I had started but guessed incorrectly on the measurements, so i had to frog and start over. but I caught up pretty quickly (even with work and my reading habit).

I'm at 161 Books for the year, though, i finshed reading Wide Awake, a Twilight FanFic that's 900 pages long, part of me wants to count it as 3 books. my goal for the year is 200+ books, based on that math, i need to finish 13 books a month for the next 3 months (not including the 6 i already finished for October). I think i can, I think i Can.

Saturday is Kae's 5th Birthday Party, expect a Blog entry for that =D

Books Books and more Books

2010-09-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

it seems all i've been doing this month is reading.

I've finished 12 books this month already, almost 13. I got a nook two weeks ago and it's eating my soul!

I think part of the problem is also that i'm soooooo tired by the time i have a minute to knit because of the bratling and work.

I'm sure i'll adjust soon, seeing as how i get to start working on a project for my stalkee in the Halloween Vampire Swap on Ravelry. /cheer

I'm Employed!

2010-09-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

So a couple weeks ago i got hired for JoAnn Fabrics, to work during season (but i've been told i have a fairly good chance of staying on after season is over). I worked yesterday (friday) and trained at the cutting table. They asked me when i went in to work today for a craft event!

Grandparent's Day!

so i got a couple more hours this week, and got to do crafted with little kids, it was so fun.

kaeley came in with Grandma Pam and made one too =D

though she didn't want to make it FOR grandma, it's hanging on the wall above her bed.

Ross said yesterday that my getting a job at JoAnns is like him getting a job at a Comic shop, the perfect job. I agree, it's not easy, but it's fun, and i'm just happy to be working again, even if it is only part time!

New (Used) Car

2010-09-07T15:29:00.001-07:00

It's one of those things, just when everything starts to go right, something must go horribly wrong.

Last wednesday my car died, Eddie said when he looked at it that it's nothing major, but he would replace the engine. gak...that's nothing major???

so mom and i spend all weekend looking at cars, i do research, spelunk craigslist, vehix, the palm beach post classified. And i find a PT Cruiser i love! omg do i love.

Then Sunday mom goes to the Toyota dealership without me and buys a 2002 Buick Century. Now, i know i'm not supposed to look a gift horse in the mouth. It's a nice car, really. but it's not me, i hate it, it's huge, i didn't like driving mom's Taurus, why would i want to drive a tank? and mom's solution? i can drive her dinky ass 2-door Alero and she'll drive the Buick.

on the upside, the a/c works, on the downside, the radio doesn't. and all used cars are "as is"....blah.

at least kae isn't sick anymore, and i start work on friday

Sick Day Rant

2010-08-31T04:24:00.000-07:00

Kae's sick, it was inevitable, they always get sick right after school starts, if i keep her home maybe the teacher won't get sick, she's preggo, and i know how much that totally blows.

so i pull out the parent handbook just to double check the "don't send your child to school if..." section.

Fever - Check
Cough - Check
Runny Nose - Check

but there are exceptions, persistent cough, runny nose for more than 3 days or something like that, but here's my problem and why i need to rant.

Kae can only miss 3 days of school per month or they boot her from the Vpk program.
her cough is going to turn into a runny nose, and her runny nose is going to turn into a persistent cough that will go away in about a week, it always ALWAYS does.

The only way to excuse the absences is to take her to the Doctoc and get a Dr's note, and fill out a form from the school about the absence. But we can't take her to the Doctor because we have no insurance at the moment, Ross didn't pick it up when he went back to Burger King. So no matter what I'm going to have to give kae cough/nose meds and send her to school, and pick her up early every day because after nap she'll be showing the symptoms, so she doesn't lose her spot at the school. It's either that or pay for a full day of VPK, not the 19 a day we pay as a co-pay from Family Central, but the 135 a day we'd pay without the voucher.

I know there really isn't much that can be done about it, she's sick, it was bound to happen, but how to you explain to a 4 year old that being sick isn't supposed to be fun, that she can't play she has to just rest and get better? she's already cranky and crying at me.

Ballet

2010-08-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

my little girl is such a....girl!

she's going to Ballet class on Friday, to see if she's "mature" enough to hang with the big girls at the class offered at the school. I hope so, I did Ballet and Tumbling and all that fun stuff when i was her age.

Girl Scouts will have to wait until next year though, Pre-k isn't included in their age range chart. though there is a troop at the elementary school right next to the house, Daisy's will have to be next year.

I finished 2 of the cotton bibbies i've been making, well, finished is a relative term, they still need buttons and their patches, but the knit part is finished lol.

Yay and Stuff!

2010-08-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

2nd week of school has officially started, Yesterday morning kae was just as excited to get up and get ready for school as she was last week.

Mrs. Deland finally got us (parents) a copy of their daily schedule so we know what hours to keep on the weekends, at least for lunch and nap. Let me just say they wash their hands a billion times a day! Kae also sings a little song while she's doing it at home

1 little 2 little 3 little bubbles
4 little 5 little 6 little bubbles
7 little 8 little 9 little bubbles
10 little bubbles making my hands clean

i thinks it's adorable!
Since Mrs. DeLand is preggo, and due in November, I've decided to knit her a cotton baby bib with a patch like the ones Sandi's been making, they're SO cute!

I picked up the yarn at JoAnns after my job interview this morning. Which, i'm happy to say, I got! I'll know by Friday if i start next week or in two weeks. It's not as much as I'd have been making working with Sandi, nor as many hours, but this is close to the school, and will fit exactly into kae's school hours. Which makes a bit more sense to me, i would have loved -Teaching- again, But this will just fit better into our schedules, especially since i won't have to rely as much on Mom or Pam or Ross to pick Kae up from school, which was my biggest issue. (Aftercare is freaking expensive!!!)

so Yay! and stuff =D

First Day of School

2010-08-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

I cried.
She didn't.

Kids grow up too freaking fast, it seems like yesterday she was my little baby. Now she's running off without saying "bye mom, have a nice day".
Her teacher said she was pretty good, only problem was she wasn't used to any kind of schedule, she is, it's just not the same one. I'm hoping Mrs. DeLand will post the class schedule soon so we can stick with it on weekends.
She's been singing a song since we got home, "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Tells us your name, say it really loud and we'll do the same!" She also said they practiced writing.
And she didn't eat her lunch! brat.

As we were leaving she asked her teacher if she could come back tomorrow, Mrs DeLand was like..um...yes? lol it was pretty cute.

on a knitting note, i finished mom's Rose Colored Tank. Fits pretty good.

My First Sweater

2010-08-09T08:32:00.001-07:00

ok so it's kid sized, but still, it's my first sweater, and it was almost instant gratification!

kae loves it, it fits, and it was easy

I used Red Heart Shimmer in Chocolate (almost 2 skeins) and size 8 boye fixed circulars along with the Lion Brand Pattern for the "Eyelet Yoke Cardigan"
kae picked a sparklie Diamond-like button, go fig =D

Summer Vacation 2010

2010-08-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

we went to SeaWorld Orlando. In the 20+ odd years i've lived in Florida I'd not been to Sea World. omg is was so fun!
We got special tickets for the summer season, you pay half price but the tickets aren't good until after 3pm to close (10pm in the summer). It's Sea World After Dark...sound so special.
It.was.sweltering.

The underground viewing areas and the arctic areas were a godsend, it was COLD in those buildings.
But really we had a good time, Kae loved the Shamu Show, and the Manatees, and the Rays. (when we went to the library earlier this week she insisted on getting books about the animals we saw at Sea World, very cool) Actually the stuff she fought against the hardest in the lines was the stuff she talked about the most after.
My favorite was probably the Manta viewing area, or the Arctic Encounter stuff (Beluga whales are so cute).
All i could think of while watching the penguins was Mumbles in Happy Feet when he's trapped behind the glass at the aquarium. so sad =(

Which led to a long conversation in the car about how Dolphins are so smart some scientists consider then Non-Humans and how it's wrong to keep them locked up in theme parks. At least they get fed, a LOT, and they get space to play, which is more than some zoos to for more endangered species, like the Tiger at the Palm Beach Zoo /boggle.
All in all, it was really a fun day, Kae got a Sea World Barbie and fell asleep on the ride home still talking about how cool the whales were =D

and lest you all think me a slacker, i took knitting with me and knit in the car on the way to orlando, but i forgot my tape measure so i had to stop myself in case i knit the piece too long for my mom's tank top /sigh

Durf

2010-07-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

anyone who watches, or is forced to watch ICarly, will maybe get the title for this post.
Carly convinces this kid that there is a number that comes between 5 and 6, called Durf, so he's forced to go to summer match camp, it's revenge on the kid for being so mean to Spencer. I know this because my daughter is 4 going on 14 and loves that show, even though we don't let her watch it often.

Mostly i just like the word. though sometimes i feel like i'm convinced of something that isn't real.

------------------------------------------

Two nights ago i cast on a cardigan for kaeley, the Eyelet yoke Cardigan (free Lionbrand pattern) and i'm using Red Heart Shimmer in Chocolate. It's going so quickly i'm not sure if it really counts as knitting. I'm finished with the Back and the Left front already.

I wanted to knit her a cardi to wear with her school uniforms when she starts in August. Not that it'll be cold or anything to need one, but shortly after school starts it will be.

--------------------------------------------

I'm still trying to figure out her school schedule, i can't find it posted anywhere, the lady told me over the phone that it's from 8am-4pm..but school gets out at 2pm....why would she be there until 4?........arg!!!!

Once I know for certain i'm going back to work, to try and offset the cost of VPK, which they lead you to believe comes in a free option but doesn't. The school board here in palm beach, really sucks.

Tattoo Faerie KAL- Sign ups open

2010-07-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

just a quick linky-doo to let people know about the start of this

here is a link to Jesse's Blog post about the KAL Sign ups

and a link to the Ravelry group where everything will be posted as well as extra info.
I've designed 3 patterns for this round, the Winter Girl Caplet, a Summer Girl Scarf and the Eternal Artist Mitts (pattern page not created yet)

I'm also making a set of Stitch markers as a prize for the FO thread for this KAL.

for round two i'll have the Shadowkin Shawl (based on Bananach) and the Changeling Shrug (based on Leslie and Irial in Ink Exchange).

It Stole My Mojo!!

2010-07-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

the last few weeks have stolen my mojo, my knitting and spinning mojo.

but they're back!

i finished two projects today that i'd had sitting around taunting me, one for MONTHS!!
the Paining the Roses Red is now a Table runner to sit on top of the Victrola (a huge record player but the records are really thick, it was my grandmothers)
and i finished the "Mutiny on the Bounty" hat. it's an Inside-out Chemo cap, knit flat and seamed. Kae loves it, she claimed it almost immediately =D
Still plugging away on a couple projects, and i still need to finish spinning up Seth, i hope to get that done this week.

Adding two new patterns to my Ravelry has shown to be a problem, i'm still trying to figure that out, but the Summer Girl Scarf and Eternal Artist Gloves will be up soon. the Tattoo Faerie Knit-a-long starts soon!