Friday, July 29, 2005
The most beautiful double pointed and straight needles, on a knitting needle display rack
Ooh- the drawers even have yarn in them! So cute!
West Des Moines- We came for Quizno's, but hit the jackpot with the yarn store next door!
Note the conveniently located coffee shop, too. Can we say Stitch n' Bitch?
It's hard to sew at my house when the corgis guard the thread
Buster- thread thief, with Genevieve as his accomplice
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Pudgy Pie at home
(DH) Don't ask me why we call them Pudgy Pies, we just do. Well, my wife is sleeping soundly on the couch (our 45 minute run seems to have plum tuckered her out), so I thought I'd sneak up here and post on her blog! This picture is of me making our supper tonight with pie irons in our fireplace. See, this last weekend we were supposed to have gone down the river and camped out, using the pie irons in a fire to cook our food. The weather conspired against us, however, and while we were still able to canoe down the river, we didn't get to make "Pudgy Pies."
So since the temperature took a dive today and it was below 70 degrees, we thought, "Hey, why don't we do it now?" So we did. This is the last one, where DW[*] experimented a bit with a pepperoni and goat cheese combination.
[*] I assume that would be "Dear Wife" - even though I'm the one that got her started on this whole blogging thing, I'm not quite as down with the lingo as my better half.
So since the temperature took a dive today and it was below 70 degrees, we thought, "Hey, why don't we do it now?" So we did. This is the last one, where DW[*] experimented a bit with a pepperoni and goat cheese combination.
[*] I assume that would be "Dear Wife" - even though I'm the one that got her started on this whole blogging thing, I'm not quite as down with the lingo as my better half.
Yesterday I had another...
I felt deceptive- canceling my work to have a second interview at a different workplace. I felt even worse about not getting my real job's work done on time for the Monday noon payroll. But now, both are done. And I can rest- till I work from 10-2 today.
The second interview was GRUELLING! I was in a room with four new supervisors that I hadn't met before, and the one that I had met. All the strangers carried on the interview, with the familiar one interjecting every now and then. My brain felt like mush- not just because it was stressful to be at such a place and know that this interview would seal or dismiss me from working for this place. YIKES! And to have it on Monday morning after canoeing down the river when my brain and body were spent- double trouble. At this point- I can hope, and pray that I get the job.
After the interview I went to Rosedale and scored some great deals on a pink knit sweater for under 4 dollars, black shiny 3/4 length pants, 2 pairs of dangly "Beauty and the Geek" earrings, and a shiny silver pearl-like necklace. I also went to Borealis Yarns and bought a longer circular needle for my shawl. And ripped back more rows to get things back to the right track.
Tomorrow I am going to KS for a few days with my mom to visit my bro. I am looking forward to it, but am also nervous that I will get a call about the job while I'm out there. I should be expecting to hear from them at the end of this week. That is the same thing they said when I had my last interview- then had the second interview the following monday. AH- I'm freaking out!!! I'd better go knit my way to wellness.
The second interview was GRUELLING! I was in a room with four new supervisors that I hadn't met before, and the one that I had met. All the strangers carried on the interview, with the familiar one interjecting every now and then. My brain felt like mush- not just because it was stressful to be at such a place and know that this interview would seal or dismiss me from working for this place. YIKES! And to have it on Monday morning after canoeing down the river when my brain and body were spent- double trouble. At this point- I can hope, and pray that I get the job.
After the interview I went to Rosedale and scored some great deals on a pink knit sweater for under 4 dollars, black shiny 3/4 length pants, 2 pairs of dangly "Beauty and the Geek" earrings, and a shiny silver pearl-like necklace. I also went to Borealis Yarns and bought a longer circular needle for my shawl. And ripped back more rows to get things back to the right track.
Tomorrow I am going to KS for a few days with my mom to visit my bro. I am looking forward to it, but am also nervous that I will get a call about the job while I'm out there. I should be expecting to hear from them at the end of this week. That is the same thing they said when I had my last interview- then had the second interview the following monday. AH- I'm freaking out!!! I'd better go knit my way to wellness.
Friday, July 22, 2005
I just had an interview...
it went well. I would love this position- it would be an excellent and ideal fit for me. I will hear more next week after the first round of interviews is completed. I was called this morning for an interview at 8:15 am, and I sent a cover letter yesterday at 4:30pm via e-mail. The interview was from 1-2pm. I am on pins and needles...and soon to be on a canoe in our hottest summer ever, then sleep in a "remote campsite". Happy hot weekends to all!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Basic Arithmetic
So I was knitting away on row 29 of the leaf lace shawl. At the end of each repeat (after frogging)of trying row 29 one more time, I kept coming up with 2 fewer stitches than the pattern says. What is going on? I painstakingly counted the stitches in my row again, counted all the increases and decreases in that row again, and each time came up with 65 not 67 stitches. I thought something was wrong with me. I mean, I'm in grad school you'd think I could count to 67 and even past it, right? Well, maybe not.
So I brought my problem to the knitting wizardess at my not so local TC SnB group. Together we pondered, wondered, and brainstormed possible solutions. Certainly the pattern couldn't be wrong- could it? There were 2 sets of instructions- a chart (oh so scary what am I supposed to do with that?!) and written stuff, like :k1, p1, etc. I used the written stuff. So, low and behold when the Wizardess Kelle worked her magic using the CHART the solution was discovered. I am assuming that this isn't much of a problem to the more experienced chart-friendly knitters, but for me it was a major snafu. I even got to the point where it thought about *gasp* giving up until I was "more ready for the task." So now, back at home I once again googled the leaf lace shawl,this time inserting the word "correction" into the googling field. Voila- someone somewhere posted about the one mistake in the first edition of the pattern- only one mistake- and yes, it was my issue with Row 29.
I have learned to use the 'net as a knitting resource, and for nearly every project sometime along in its journey to and along the needles each gets googled. It helps me find out what's wrong in patterns, what people didn't like about a garments fit, and countless other things. So why didn't I do that on this shawl? Next time I'll know. But for today Kelle and I can rest knowing that we definitely are not crazy, and that knitting patterns, like all of humanity have their own personality, quirks and all.
BTW- this morning at 8am I went to the dentist for the twice annual culturally sanctioned torture that dental hygienists call "a cleaning". All went well, I survived, no cavities, plus I was praised for having "healthy gums" and for "taking good care of my teeth." Yay- and I past the polygraph- when they ask "How often do you brush your teeth?" They always seem to ask that while having some big thing in your mouth that makes an answer impossible. And, "how often do you floss?" I think this question is the biggest joke, since once they're in your mouth they know exactly how many times you've flossed since your last visit, as well as the calendar date and time of the day you flossed. I asked about this on my visit, they admitted that they already knew the answer, yet they continue to ask since "you can always improve on your brushing and flossing." So go home and floss your teeth today! And be glad you don't go to "Meanstreet Dental" in Eagan, MN. Well, unless you do go there and have had good experiences. The name sounds frightening. My dentist caters to cowards- it's on their sign, so they are used to dental-phobic individuals, which is me for sure.
So I brought my problem to the knitting wizardess at my not so local TC SnB group. Together we pondered, wondered, and brainstormed possible solutions. Certainly the pattern couldn't be wrong- could it? There were 2 sets of instructions- a chart (oh so scary what am I supposed to do with that?!) and written stuff, like :k1, p1, etc. I used the written stuff. So, low and behold when the Wizardess Kelle worked her magic using the CHART the solution was discovered. I am assuming that this isn't much of a problem to the more experienced chart-friendly knitters, but for me it was a major snafu. I even got to the point where it thought about *gasp* giving up until I was "more ready for the task." So now, back at home I once again googled the leaf lace shawl,this time inserting the word "correction" into the googling field. Voila- someone somewhere posted about the one mistake in the first edition of the pattern- only one mistake- and yes, it was my issue with Row 29.
I have learned to use the 'net as a knitting resource, and for nearly every project sometime along in its journey to and along the needles each gets googled. It helps me find out what's wrong in patterns, what people didn't like about a garments fit, and countless other things. So why didn't I do that on this shawl? Next time I'll know. But for today Kelle and I can rest knowing that we definitely are not crazy, and that knitting patterns, like all of humanity have their own personality, quirks and all.
BTW- this morning at 8am I went to the dentist for the twice annual culturally sanctioned torture that dental hygienists call "a cleaning". All went well, I survived, no cavities, plus I was praised for having "healthy gums" and for "taking good care of my teeth." Yay- and I past the polygraph- when they ask "How often do you brush your teeth?" They always seem to ask that while having some big thing in your mouth that makes an answer impossible. And, "how often do you floss?" I think this question is the biggest joke, since once they're in your mouth they know exactly how many times you've flossed since your last visit, as well as the calendar date and time of the day you flossed. I asked about this on my visit, they admitted that they already knew the answer, yet they continue to ask since "you can always improve on your brushing and flossing." So go home and floss your teeth today! And be glad you don't go to "Meanstreet Dental" in Eagan, MN. Well, unless you do go there and have had good experiences. The name sounds frightening. My dentist caters to cowards- it's on their sign, so they are used to dental-phobic individuals, which is me for sure.
Monday, July 18, 2005
The corgis are knitting a leaf lace shawl
They started knitting it together, taking turns the day their Corgimom purchased Katia Granada yarn on sale. They were thrilled with her new purchase and jumped and danced with glee.
That night they set out on the new challenge- lace knitting in the form of a shawl. After some discussion, the corgis decided to knit it as a surprise for their dear Corgimom. They intended to keep it a secret from her, but had to spill the beans when they botched the pattern. It was a little botching, well sort of. It was noticeable, and regretfully so. They talked together and decided the best thing would be to let Corgimom know. Like the three little kittens who lost their mittens, they were very sad, but wanted to knit their best on the shawl.
Corgimom looked at the shawl for a long time, pondering the dilemma. Finally, she decided it was time for the little dogs to go on a field trip. So they piled into Electra, Corgimom's electric blue Neon safely restrained in their crates and settled down for the short trip to a nearby park.
At the park Corgimom let her little corgi babies out of their crates once they were on their leashes, (and Corgimom put some plastic bags in her pocket, just in case) and the little dogs tentatively ran around at the end of their leashes. Corgimom and the dogs set out on a brief walk through the park, in the trees, until they came to a clearing in the woods. The little corgis were squeaking with glee when they heard the echoing ribbits around them.
Corgimom had led them to a frog pond! This would have been fun had they been waterdogs, but the little corgis remained on dry ground while Corgimom had them go into a down-stay for the explanation.
You see little dogs, when the knitting gets messy, and it will for as long as you knit, (that's ok, and its inevitable) we can all come down to the frog pond together. I will keep you company and pet your fur as you do the deed of ripping or ribbiting out the mistaken stitches. Once they're removed you can start back up again. Don't worry if you find yourself here often, just know that you are making progress and learning some excellent lessons about life.
That night they set out on the new challenge- lace knitting in the form of a shawl. After some discussion, the corgis decided to knit it as a surprise for their dear Corgimom. They intended to keep it a secret from her, but had to spill the beans when they botched the pattern. It was a little botching, well sort of. It was noticeable, and regretfully so. They talked together and decided the best thing would be to let Corgimom know. Like the three little kittens who lost their mittens, they were very sad, but wanted to knit their best on the shawl.
Corgimom looked at the shawl for a long time, pondering the dilemma. Finally, she decided it was time for the little dogs to go on a field trip. So they piled into Electra, Corgimom's electric blue Neon safely restrained in their crates and settled down for the short trip to a nearby park.
At the park Corgimom let her little corgi babies out of their crates once they were on their leashes, (and Corgimom put some plastic bags in her pocket, just in case) and the little dogs tentatively ran around at the end of their leashes. Corgimom and the dogs set out on a brief walk through the park, in the trees, until they came to a clearing in the woods. The little corgis were squeaking with glee when they heard the echoing ribbits around them.
Corgimom had led them to a frog pond! This would have been fun had they been waterdogs, but the little corgis remained on dry ground while Corgimom had them go into a down-stay for the explanation.
You see little dogs, when the knitting gets messy, and it will for as long as you knit, (that's ok, and its inevitable) we can all come down to the frog pond together. I will keep you company and pet your fur as you do the deed of ripping or ribbiting out the mistaken stitches. Once they're removed you can start back up again. Don't worry if you find yourself here often, just know that you are making progress and learning some excellent lessons about life.
I tidied up my desk
I bought this desk in college from a psychology professor. I hope its
good luck to me in all my psych (and knitting) endeavors.
good luck to me in all my psych (and knitting) endeavors.
I made this shelf in Industrial Arts in High School
And painted it "Cascade" by Ralph Lauren- to match the kitchen
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