Knitting Happy!

I know, it doesn't make a lot of sense, but stick with me a minute. You see, yesterday mom had an appointment with her podiatrist. I had a feeling we might be awhile since her big toe looked really nasty, and has for at least a few months. Since Saturday I frogged my "I Dreamed of Africa" socks, I needed something to work on that was portable. Also Saturday I picked up some Rowan Calm to make the Cecily Beanie. I wanted to make it because 1) it's really cute, and 2) I thought it would look adorable with some surface embroidery around the crown as opposed to the pom-poms they show it with. (I do like the buttons, but I have a further ulterior motive.) Oh, and 3) I'm teaching a class next month on embellishing and embroidering on your knitting and wanted this to show technique and ideas. So, I gathered my stuff and cast-on sitting in the doctor's office. By last night this is what it looked like.By the end of the movie Wild Hogs, which I watched tonight since there is nothing new on TV and I didn't really want to hear a play by play of the Florida primary. (Yes, I did my civic duty and went and voted, but I really don't want to hear other people tell me what happened and what was said and what it all means. The whole 24 hours news thing sometimes really gets on my last nerve. Especially since they are all focused on the national stuff and of course have little to say about the part I really care about, the amendment to our state constitution.) So, with only reruns on the networks thanks to the continued writers strike, I was down to my last movie from Netflix. Thankfully it was just long enough for me to finish the knitting and...wait for it...the finishing. No, I didn't get it embroidered yet, but it's all put together ready for me to figure out what colors to use and what to stitch on it. I put it on, but my camera wasn't around, so no picture yet. I'll take one when I get the embroidery done.

I have to say that I'm very happy about this. I finished something. Which reminds me. On my SBQ answer I said I hadn't had a happy dance so far this year. No true. I have had one, I just can't show it to you since it's a surprise for my friend who's birthday was MUCH earlier this month and I don't have things all done to send her the package...but it's coming Jean...I promise!

So, now I'm off to crawl in bed and read and hopefully sleep. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully it will be even more productive then today was!

This week's SBQ

It's kind of a depressing answer, but here goes...

Have you had a happy dance yet this year? If so, tell us about it! (Or just point to the entry that mentions it.) If not, when do you predict it will be?

No happy dance in the stitching department yet this year. At the rate I've been stitching, which is very little, I have no idea what my first HD will be in 2008. Seriously, I haven't been stitching, it seems the mojo has left the building. Which is very strange as January is "Guilt-free" month. Seriously, you'd think I'd be starting things all over the place. I've certainly got plenty of stash to do a bang up job, and yet, I can't find my stitching mojo. I've tried, but every time I go to pick something up, it just isn't speaking to me. So I end up knitting. Oh well, at least I'm making progress on something.

Finally a night at home

It seems like last week I really didn't have an evening at home. Ok, I stayed home Friday night, but that wasn't on purpose, I lost track of time. If I'd paid more attention I would have gone to knit at my favorite LYS. But tonight, tonight was on purpose and it was nice.

I didn't do much. Didn't cook. Didn't stitch either, even though it's Ornament Tuesday. Nope, I picked up some knitting that I haven't worked on in a long time. I actually picked it up for an hour yesterday, but that didn't get me much further then I was. For some reason I've been hearing the call of Print o'the Waves. I love that pattern and I love the yarn I'm using. So I managed to get some more done on it. I'm working on the second half and have 2 full repeats done now and am almost finished with the third. Too late to take a picture, but it really just looks like the first half.

Also almost through reading Northanger Abbey. It's a fun book. Speaking of books...yesterday my father had an appointment with his cardiologist. Fairly good news, but he wants his blood pressure down further so he upped some medicine and ordered an echo-cardiogram to see how the leak in the valve he has is doing. That will be in Feb. since he wants the new medicine dose to have some time to work. Anyway, afterwards we had to go pay a bill at the mall and decided to walk around some, grab some late lunch/early dinner, and then headed to Books-A-Million. That's when the fun began. Of course I didn't come out empty handed. I've been wanting to read one of Tasha Alexander's books so got her first one. I love the clearance section there. I found a book that just sounds like fun, Waltzing at the Piggly Wiggly bay Robert Dalby. I'm a southern girl and we get Piggly Wiggly's. Honestly, what southern girl could pass that book up? I'll let you know what I think of it when I get it read. It may be awhile though so be patient. According to my GoodReads.com "to-read" shelf I have a total of 37 books on my shelf to read. That not counting the ones I want to read but haven't acquired as of yet. The other interesting book I found was one entitled Harriette Wilson's Memoirs. Harriette was a courtesan in 19th century London. When she reached middle age she proceeded to blackmail her past patrons to earn some money. If they paid she wouldn't put them in her memoirs, if they didn't she would. Thankfully they didn't all pay up. Should be interesting. I have to finish the current non-fiction book I'm reading, then I need to read the one on Bloody Mary I have and then I'll be able to read the memoirs. I would jump them ahead, but I borrowed the other book and want to get it back to the person before they think I've forgotten I have it. If you're on GoodReads I'd love to be your friend. Off to read and get some sleep. Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

It's time for another SBQ

This week's SBQ question is:

What is your favorite past time while stitching? Do you just enjoy
silence, listen to music/audiobooks or do you "watch" TV/movies? Do
you have specific favorites you listen to/watch while stitching?

Usually I "watch" TV or a movie while stitching. If there's absolutely nothing on and I don't have a good DVD to watch, then I'll listen to an audiobook. I'm not one for silence for long stretches of time no matter what I'm doing. Even when reading a book I usually have some background noise on. My absolute favorite stitching time is when I'm with friends who also stitch, although I don't usually get as much stitching done during those times. I'd trade TV, movies and most anything else to hang out with them and stitch. I'm lucky to have finally found a group I enjoy stitching with that meet here and have also made a friend who shares my love of needlework and yarn close-by. I also have a larger group of friends who live much further away, as in and around Atlanta, who I try to get with at least once a year, sometimes more.

No real favorites on what to watch or listen to in books. Usually something I like and that's easy to follow since I do try to not make a ton of mistakes.

And then it rained...

I had every intention of going to Sampler Guild today after the 9:45 service at church, right up until the weather turned most foul and we were deluged with rain. (Yes, I'm watching The Complete Jane Austen on PBS and reading the books, and yes it's affecting my writing and speech. I can't help it.) So instead I came home and ensconced myself in front of the TV (something one of Miss Austen's characters would never have imagined) and proceeded to stitch (a highly appropriate occupation for a lady of Miss Austen's time) and watch football, of the American variety. (I fee sure the society of Miss Austen's time would not have found that suitable entertainment, but oh well, I love it!) I also ate. But the end result is that I have finished my secret stitching! I just need to get it and few other things, ready to mail. My hope is to post it on Tuesday, but it may be later in the week.

I hope the recipient likes what I've done. My mother says if not she may send it back and she, my mother that is, will be happy to find it a place on her walls. She might actually be serious, but I'm not always sure, although she is certain that the recipient, the fair Jean, will adore it and so it is lost to her. Well maybe she didn't use quiet those words, it's that Austen thing again, I thought it would go away faster.

So, that was my day. Quite boring in a lot of respects, while in others, quite fun. I have to say I haven't had a day of just enjoying stitching in awhile. Plus some good football thrown in for good measure. It was sad that the Jaguar's lost last night, but they played hard. I'm not sure anyone can beat the Patriots this year, but who knows, that's the fun of watching.

As I said I watched the first show in the PBS Masterpiece showing of all the Jane Austen books. I thought Persuasion was an interesting first choice since it was the last books she completed. I did decide to read them as the shows air and started Persuasion last night. I should be through in a couple of days. It's a relatively short book, but like all her books is filled with commentary on her society. Not that we've changed all that much in 200 years. We still judge people by so many standards, not the least of which is what they earn and how they earn it. We may phrase our dislikes and likes in different words, but the sentiments, at their root, aren't much different. Perhaps that's why so many people still find her books worth reading all these years later. Or perhaps, as the commentary by Gillian Anderson said we read her because in her world it was easy to tell what true love is and that it is available to all no matter what their circumstances, no matter what they (or for some their family) has done. True love will show itself especially to those who perhaps deserve a second chance. Though Miss Anne Elliot made what we would consider a mistake in her dealings with Captain Wentworth, because their love is "true" they will find themselves drawn together in the end. The idea of it is still something that perhaps we long for as individuals.

So, for all you Jane Austen lovers, and I know you're out there, I hope you enjoyed the first adaptation. I thought both Sally Hawkins as Miss Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones as Capt. Wentworth did a wonderful job with their characters. Anne came across to me as a women who felt deeply, both love and family responsibility. Perhaps the most interesting scene for me is when she overhears Capt. Wentworth speaking with of the Musgrove sisters. The Miss Musgrove is sincere in her admiration and love of Miss Anne, but Anne doesn't hear that, rather she only hears the part that seems to "damn" her in Capt. Wentworth's eyes. (I'm really trying not to give away the entire plot here, so if you're really interest read the book or watch the show.) Although her family abuses her, pulling and pushing her, she does what she thinks will bring peace and harmony to her surroundings. Is there a lesson to be learned in that? I'm not sure. We certainly live in a society that admires the individual and those who strike out on their own, while often downplaying those who do what they can to make their family and friends more comfortable and happy. In Miss Austen's world, those women find love with wonderful men, while in our world I'm not sure that happens to very often. (I can name several women of my acquaintance who would fit this description and none are married, nor are they "seeing" someone. While I know others who disregard the feelings of people and find themselves always busy with a man on the weekends. To be fair I also have some wonderful friends who are married to wonderful men, but more and more I find they are the exception and not the rule, though they do give me hope! You know who you are my friends.)

Well, I rambled on about that more then I intended. Who knows, there may be more over the next THREE!!! months as all the books are aired and I reread them all. I won't be upset if you choose not to read my ramblings on this subject, but would love to hear what other's think about the books if you too are reading or watching them. And with that, I shall retire to read and sleep.

SBQ and a family update.

This week's SBQ question is:

What was your favorite finish of 2007?

I guess Jasmine & Sapphires by Indigo Rose would be my favorite finish of 2007. I haven't had it framed yet, but it's on my list to get done as soon as I have some extra cash laying around for the perfect frame, or I go back to Atlanta and find the perfect frame at the wonderful frame shop my DF Vicky took us to this summer.

In other news: Daddy's trip to the doctor's today yielded good news, actually great news. They took chest x-ray's and apparently the fluid that has been hanging around in his lungs (and here the doctor used some fancy medical term that I can't remember nor would I have any chance of spelling) is gone. That's right GONE!!! This is great news. In addition he said that the fluid around his heart is much less and that the heart looks much better, it's still enlarged, but the fluid around it is gone so he should be able to do more and feel better, which Daddy says is true. We really like this doctor, he's a very nice man, plus he trained at the Osteopathic school that my mother's childhood doctor helped to found. There's something to be said for a D.O., they take time to talk and listen and look. He always wants to see Daddy's ankles and was happy he had actual ankles and not "cankles". (Do you know what cankles are? That's what you get when your ankles are so swollen from fluid retention that they meet your calves. So a "well turned ankle" isn't just pretty, it's healthy. )

We didn't make it out in time to go to the used book store. Maybe tomorrow. If Daddy feels like it he's going to go with me to meet my youngest niece and her boyfriend to look at a house they are thinking of purchasing. (I'm not all for this idea of purchasing property with someone you don't have a legal relationship with - and yes, I mean married to here - but I will go look and let her know what I think.) Hopefully he'll feel like going, since he's been in and around construction for as many years as I've been alive, or close to that many at least. But if not, I'll go lend my knowledge base to the endeavor.

Final note is about the secret stitching. I was really excited tonight. I finished everything but about 1 1/2 sides of the border. Then I realized that one whole side of the border was off by 1 thread. ONE THREAD! How did I not notice this until now? By the time I figured out what was wrong it was too late to do much tonight. I've got enough floss, so I can just cut out what I've done and start over. Considering how fast that border went I think I should finish tomorrow some time. I'm planning on watching the Jaguars and the Patriot's game tomorrow night. I need something easy to work on. My plan is to have the secret stitching done by kick-off tomorrow at 8 PM (eastern) and be knitting on an easy felted bag I need to get done. Mindless knitting in a circle should be just the ticket to being able to watch the game and not go crazy, or eat the entire time. (Oh, and I'm rooting for the Jags since they are considered my hometown team. Plus I like the QB we have now.)

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Today in history...

My very dear and wonderful mother was born! That's right my mom, a.k.a. Barbar and Barbie-doll was born several years ago. I could tell you how long ago, but those that know her wouldn't believe me if I did. She neither looks nor acts her age as seen in the photo above. That's not a bad thing at all. I know that I'm very blessed to not only have a great mother (and father but his birthday isn't until June), but to also have a wonderful relationship with her. We even like to do things together and can usually have a good time and find the fun in most everything. She's been wanting to see Enchanted so this afternoon we went to the theater to see it, my dad even went. It was fun and we all enjoyed it. I'm glad she enjoyed it and I'm glad she's still here to laugh with over silly things.

Enough of that, I'm making myself a bit, well, weepy.

I think I've mentioned that I've been doing some secret stitching. I still can't show you what it is but the recipient is aware I'm doing something for her since her birthday came and went a couple of days ago and I'm still not through with this piece. It's not like I haven't had plenty of time. It's more like my stitching ADD keeps striking with a vengeance. But so far this month that's the only thing I've stitched on. I keep thinking I'm in the home stretch. But I can tell it will take a few more nights of solid TV watching to get through. Normally I would be going to my favorite yarn store (KnitWitz for those who haven't figured that out yet) tomorrow night for the Fri. night knit-in. However, my dad has a doctor's appointment with one of his specialists and I really need to go with him to hear what this doctor has to say. Otherwise, we really won't know because my dad is notorious for not telling us EVERYTHING. By the time I finished with that and took him back home it will be too late for me to head over to KnitWitz, so I'm planning an all out blitz with this secret project. I would be so excited if I finished by Sunday since that's my monthly Sampler Guild meeting. I could take it, show my first finish of the year to everyone and then pop it in the mail on Monday. (Ok, stop laughing...a girl can dream and who knows, it could happen. Really!)

I can't believe it's the 10th and I've barely posted at all this month. I had such high hopes. I haven't seemed to have much to say, which I know is highly unusual. I did download my pictures from New Year's Eve and none of them turned out. I was not happy. Apparently I had my camera set on one of the odd settings so everything is just a little weird. This is the only picture that looks halfway decent.
That's the very talented Chris. He not only plays those drums, and plays them as well as ANYONE I've ever heard, he does a fair job on the piano and I've seen him pick up his dad's guitar a time or two and the sounds weren't exactly painful to the ears. He currently is employed by the Savannah Theater as their drummer/percussionist. For the next show I believe he's also the Musical Director. I'm very proud of him and was really glad I got to go up and see the show. I hope to be able to go up to see the next show they are doing. If you're in the area I would recommend you get tickets for any show they are doing. The cast is extremely talented. (Don't necessarily go by what the website says about ticket availability. Call for tickets, that's my suggestion straight from Chris.) Oh, and just to prove my other pictures weren't that good here's one from dinner before the show.That's Chris again with his lovely, and talented mother who's also my friend, Lynn. The blurry man in the red shirt behind Lynn is Donald, Lynn's husband and therefore Chris' father. If you could see him you would see the major family resemblance. And in my defense, I had not yet been "over-served", I apparently just didn't look at my camera and note the setting. I think it was on something like "museum" which is great, but only if you have a steady surface to set you camera on or a bit more light then was in the pub.

One more thing, my talented young friend is single, so if you are in the correct age demographic and live in the area, well, now you know.

Is it really 2008?

Actually I know it is since I had a wonderful New Year's Eve and day in Savannah with friends. We rang in the new year in style and with lots of fun, music, laughter and more then a bit of champagne. (If I ever get my camera out of my bag I might just post a picture or two!)

I don't usually make resolutions, which is unusual since I love to make lists. To that end I won't be posting a list of things I want to accomplish this year. I do hope that 2008 is full of wonderful things for all my friends. I've found that there are some wonderful people out there who share my love of stitching and knitting and crafting and even reading. In the past year I've enjoyed looking over other people's shoulders for a glimpse into their world. I thank you for inviting me (and the rest of the world) in to share. I hope that those of you who come to see my little corner of blog-land enjoy what you see and sometimes what you read. I will endeavor not to be boring, although at times I know I prattle on when I should just quit. (Those of you who know me know I can almost always talk a subject half to death if I feel like it.)

So, in this my first post of 2008 I wish us all a healthy year; a year filled with wonderful adventures; and a year filled with friendship and love!