Fall is here! San Antonio's Autumn consists of mostly sunny 70 and 80 degree days with occasional cold front that turn the mid day into a brisk 50 degrees. Nights get to be in the high 30s and 40s. I am enjoy the cool. However, I am NOT enjoying the pee.
Yes, it's getting cold. Cold enough to make little bladders of little ankle biters spasm and let loose, but come on I WILL NOT turn on the heater. That's why god gave us blankets. Thankfully god also gave us washer and dryers so I can wash pee drenched bed clothes!!
I am feeling a bit down--really as far down as I have been. Pee will do that to ya. Ha! No, not really. I am a Mom--what would I be without pee and poo (I am just glad the kids aren't prone to vomiting). My birthday is coming up. Just a slap in the face from Time, "Yes, you are getting OLD and your dreams are just THAT! Mwhahahahaha!" I've also been going through more of the same friend issues. For my part, friendship is very intense and very personal...so I am currently trying to keep my sucking chest wound taking me down with it. I've just lost a part of myself, it's that simple.
I am missing my mates, P and Q. I would love nothing better than to galavant around town stealing shopping carts and relaxing in the fact that I can just be me...without fear. I've been alternating with wanting to carve myself out a hallow tree and become a hermit or wanting a strong drink.
I've been distracting myself, with some success, with the Twilight series. I love it, and I had NO clue it was such a tween sensation. I feel for the poor actors in the upcoming film tho', they must be deaf with all the screaming. Anyhoo, I read the four books in about 2 days and re-read the first one, just to get it out of my system. Grin.
Last night, Jamey got to meet my father and his wife. It went well, talked about all sorts of things, cheese and music, mostly. Jamey and Lori (my step mother) both love cheese and we all are music buffs. It was a bit awkward at times--Jamey isn't happy with my father's absence, but he's willing to see how this all works out.
It's Friday night: so that means BBC America comedy Friday. I'll leave ya with one of my favourite Catherine Tate Show bits.
Okay: it's in the news: a newly disocvered prime number. It's 43,112,609...cool fine. But then it gets tricky....the new prime is also said to be 13 million digit's long. But the number they gave us was 8 digits long. This newly discovered prime is also called a Mersenne prime. This is also where it's fuzzy. I am used to the normal primes...ya know a number only divisible by itself and one.
I am no slouch with math, but theoretical math is beyond me. I need to be able to imagine the numbers and quantities and formulations.
So I read in the fox news article that Mersenne prime means 2P-1, which is to say "two to the power of prime minus one". Okay...huh?
A little bit later: So I talked to my Dad who is an electrical engineer (very savvy with numbers and asked him to explain it to me). So 43,112,609 isn't the new prime. 2 to the power of 43,112,609 - 1 is the 13 million digit new prime number. And it being thirteen million digits long--no one has the time or space to write that number out.
Savvy?
Inside of saying the new prime number is 43,112,609 they ought to have written out the formula...then it would have been more accurate and easier to understand.
You Tube has sucked me in. Literally. I haven't been able to tear myself away from it for two days...okay three. Well, four.
I have been enjoying clips of David Tennant and John Barrowman (From Dr. Who and Torchwood). And let me just say it--British Live TV is just awesome!
I would imbed some videos here but really to get the whole picture of what I have been doing--you need to go to You Tube and let the related videos just suck_you_in.
This is why I worship* this golden goddess! I was bitterly disappointed I couldn't meet her in Austin--I am so close--but no go--Jamey had his volunteer thingy for the Final Four--at the exact same time as her coffee shop meet up.
She's my favourite person I don't know--okay she is second to Bono (only because I've been obsessed with him longer). This woman has made some AMAZING lemonade from the suckiest, ickiest lemons. She's been able to admit her weaknesses, but still make you laugh your ass off. Then there's the times when she makes you cry and you want to hug her and yourself.
Heather deserves all her awards and accolades--she has worked her butt of for it. I envy her talent (she makes me feel like a hack daily--but in a good way--if that makes ANY sense), but I don't envy her life because it's nuts.
* I don't really worship anything in the strictest sense--even God...I don't like the word really. I don't like the idea of abasing myself. I don't think worship in it's common definition is healthy or right. But it is the easiest word to use to get my point across.
Not much happened at casa Birdwell. I didn't imbibe any alcohol because I was buckin' the trend. Why is it tradition to drink alcohol on New Years...is it the "party" atmosphere or is it drowning you're disappoints in the old year and the fears of the new? (Of course my Mom is screaming at her monitor as she reads this, "It's a SIN!!") In any case I didn't see the point. I'm careful with my alcohol consumption--using it to unwind or because I am craving some amaretto or something. (My mom is still screaming...)
I don't know about other cities (tell me what you folks do in your respective cities--I dare you to comment), but San Antonio goes nuts for the fireworks. Even though it's illegal in the city--nearly every street has someone that is setting off fireworks. (I pussied out again and didn't report my neighbors--now that's a tradition!) The fireworks continue sporadically through out the night as fireworks mustn't be wasted or are found behind the gun rack. Mic came in our room some time last night (the alarm clock is too far away from me to see with out my glasses--yeah a whole 2 feet), terrified because a stray firework bang woke him up. He was convinced it was a BAD GUY in our backyard...and that he was going to get us. (Mic has this really weird obsession about the BAD GUYS). He told me his "plan" for surviving his encounter with the BAD GUYS, it involved hiding under his bed. I was too tired to ask him if he would save his sister. I cuddled with him, soothed him, and told him that there were no bad guys in our backyard and he was safe. Poor guy.
Some time later, he was fine and wanted to go back to his bed.
It's finally getting cold here: for three whole days. It was 32 last night, 54 today, 25 tonight into tomorrow, 48 tomorrow, 28 the next night and 55 that day...then the weekend? Yep you guessed it back into the 70s. What is a knitter to do here in South Texas?
Last night I ordered (or was it the night before), my self a Penny Whistle (it's also called a tin whistle...my friend M. calls it a Tooty Flutey). I am so excited!!! I've wanted one for ages...years...although I have only been pining over it for a few months since I found the link to sites that sold them. I love the sound of them and I only hope I can play it well. I was in the Recorder club in elementary school....(LOL--yeah I know) and I already know how to read music. I am trying not to be embarrassed by my new obsession. Doesn't help that M. says I am going to play my "tooty flutey" on the backyard fence like an elf.
Pfft.
Tonight, I ordered myself Corel Paint Shop Pro v 10. X2 is too new for my Win 2000 (sue me I hate XP and Vista--really folks if I wanted my OS to look like Apple I would have bought an Apple. Sigh.) Anyways, ranting aside, I am so excited to get a new photo/image editing software. Hopefully now my photos can kick some arse. And I can make some cool graphics.
I wondered if I should have let Jamey buy me the software, but he's sick and I wanted to make sure I got it. Did I tell you it was 20 dollars??! HA! Awesome.
Happy Early Christmas to me. Sure I won't get all this till after the holidays--be a miracle if I got it before the New Year, but when I do--ooo I'll take PICTURES!
10 hours--perhaps a little less. I have had 2 hours of sleep. But I have finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And now I have no one to talk to it about it...poot. The curse of the obsessive and a speed reader.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ROCKED and I cried buckets---throughout the entire book. I am SO glad I bought tissues at the same time I bought the book.
Micci and I headed to our local grocery store to attend the Harry Potter release party and buy the book. Yes...it IS a weird place to buy the book--but the party was small...maybe 20 people were there all total and it was fun for Mic and he wasn't overwhelmed or overshadowed. I had drawn a lightening scar on Mic's forehead and also drew one on a little boy that was totally decked out in Wizard robes, but was missing a scar.
As soon as I got home about 12.15--I read Mic the first few pages until he fell asleep and then read on...two hours past I was 1/4 into the book...just another chapter....next thing I know it is nearly 5 am and I am half way through with the book. So I go to bed--well actually I sleep on the couch, with the book by my head. 2 hours later I wake up, sleep is elusive and I finish the book a few minutes before am.
I am emotionally drained and elated. It was a great book and a great ending. Sniff. Only bad thing was that it ended...
Did ya hear it?? It was thousands, perhaps millions (I may be over reaching the amount of the obsessives) of Harry Potter fans finding out more clues to what the LAST Harry Potter book has in store for us. The publisher released the images of the Deluxe Book's cover art.
Oh. MY. God.
DRAGONS!!!
Harry, Ron, AND Hermione are riding a DRAGON. Dragons are notoriously dangerous---how on earth and why, and when and what's going to happen?
It's just 41 more days and I don't know how I am gonna stand it!
Most days Jamey checks the mail--of course he gets first shot at the mail. Every time I get a new Knit Picks catalog, I have to wait my turn to flip through it. Most people would toss the yarn pr0n at their knitter spouse. Not my hubby, I have to wrassle him for it.
You'd think he's the one obsessed with yarn. AND you'd think he would be more willing to let me buy from said catalog. Sigh.
To be fair, I am the one that reads FHM when Jamey had the free subscription--I really liked the insane articles.
On the knitting front: I am finally decreasing my clapotis (I added a few repeats). Picture time!.
I just started...so small.
More progress, I believe I just started the straight section.
I really love how the variegation worked out. It's like I planned it. This is going to be a beautiful wrap.
I'll be sure to post specs, since I knitted it to suit my needs (I HATE long term use of stitch markers--they're natty little things, always getting in the way). I am hoping to have this finished definitely before vacation--be nice if it's done by next week. I am toying with knitting up a new one during vacation--because I am that obsessed.
Be still my heart: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix the movie is being released July 11--two days than earlier posted. Skippity skippity.
I've actually been pondering if I want to see the movie first sans kids. Usually, we all see it together as a family--since the kids have always enjoyed Harry Potter--but goodness I am so excited--I want to see it in glorious 3D IMAX, I want to hog it all.
Anyone notice I've switched out of usual over usage of ellipses too an over usage of dashes?? It may vain attempt to communicate my way of speaking into my writing--well not totally--I'm not about to transpose my stammer onto the written word.
It's only 60 more days till Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. SIXTY DAYS! Two months!
My goodness--what am I going to have to look forward to in 62 days? After I finish the book--after hopefully all the loose ends are weaved in and or snipped--what will I have then to look forward to?
But until then---skippity skippity---60 more days...
Spurs advance in the Play Offs....good bye Suns. Whew! It was a great series. Now we can steam roll the Jazz and then go on to the Finals.
The family took me out for my observed Mother's Day day out. Couldn't go to my favourite restaurant (Carrabas) because it wasn't open--so we went to Logan's Road House--the kids love the peanuts. And I love the butter drenched steaks. Really, what could be better for your arteries??? Smirk.
Lorelei discovered honey mustard sauce and practically bathed in it. That girl LOVES to dip. Mic, well he made sure nothing weird touched his chicken tenders.
After wards we caught Spiderman 3. Great flick. AND I saw the Harry Potter 5 trailer---WOW! I've seen all the trailers already on my computer--but on the big screen---OH_MY_GAWD!! I poked Jamey, "See? THIS is why I am so excited about the movie!" He's been teasing me lately. Pfft. Anyway--Spidey--good good movie--I even cried at the end. This summer is SO not far on our budget. There are ALL kinds of great movies I want to see this summer. Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, Fantastic 4...
I am really enjoying working on my Clapotis (L/ mentioned to me it sounds like some sort of disease--esp. it's nickname: Clappy). Pictures are locked in my camera (just to lazy to upload the lot). I am almost on the main body. I love that I don't need to keep the pattern attached to my hip, but it's not boring pure stockinette (although it looks like it should be).
I've been a bit busy with the house and other projects--so I have been neglecting the blog shamelessly. That and I am lazy---evidenced by the lack of pictures....I just don't feel like editing the pics and ftping and all that jazz.
Before I wax poetic about yarn--just need to share my other obession. Happy Birthday Bono! Old Man's 47 today. Yes I am that obsessed--but I am getting better. I no longer know the names of his dogs...
Ahh where was I...oh yes YARN. I have a little stack of green variegated Sinfonia all set for me to start my Clapotis. When I walk by it--I stoke it--or sniff it or rub it against my cheek. Last night--I stuck needles into the pile--size 8 Denise's--I am already imaging how wonderful it's going to feel to knit the cotton blend with the Denise Needles (I LOVE how it feels).
I MUST RESIST!! I must dredge UP every ounce of will power NOT to start knitting on my Clappy. I must finish at least three other projects...MUST.
Right now my sit and wait project (ya know watching telly or waiting for webpages to load) is the Bzzz hat (it's shaped like a beehive) from Stitch and Bitch Nation. It's totally cute. I need to get some wee bee charms. Then it'll be too cute to stand...but it's okay since it'll be on my head and out of my field of vision.
It's thirty five degrees out side, 3-5, trenta-cinco!!! It's April in Texas we've had bluebonnets for weeks and it's THIS cold?
Sure some parts of the country it is snowing--but THIS is Texas--it's not cold in TEXAS in APRIL it supposed to be HOT and muggy. It's was raining and COLD--the worst combination and I had to go out in it because being an idiot I forgot the lasagna noddles for my Easter Lasagna--and the onion as well. Sigh.
Mom and Kimmy flew home today--we dropped them off at the Austin airport and drove around the hill country looking for a particular HEB for Jamey to goggle at. As we drove back it was 33 degrees!! Nuts.
Both kids miss Kimmy--I for one am glad to see the back of her--still a spoiled brat. My brother Phil is here for the weekend and the kids are having tons of fun with him--using him as a jungle gym.
I got lot's of knitting time in during our drive up in the Hill Country--my sock that never ends is slightly closer to being done---about 20 more yards of yarn left? Jamey thinks they'll be thigh highs. Smirk.
Phisto's balm form the Harry Potter anticipation arrived yesterday in the form of the first three Stephanie Plum books. After I finish Eragon--I'm gonna see what all the fuss is about.
My Mom and Sister arrived last night. So on a yarn crawl we went.
Since the Yarn Barn is only one of two yarn shops (the other one I couldn't remember the exact address and my mother forgot how to get around S.A. in the two short years she's been away.. I twas a short sort of yarn crawl. Before Yarn Barn we did go to Hobby Lobby for some funky yarn fo r my mom to make ever more silly scarves. I got a few things--not too much I was saving up.
Finally at the Yarn Barn--I got my self some over priced tooth picks. Size 0 five inch DPNs birch from Brittany. I needed shorter DPNs for my socks--and I totally understand the price--J. still needs some convincing. But I am nervous knitting with this tooth picks--thankfully Brittany has a replacement policy. At one point I had an arm full of yarn (sigh I wish they had more lace weight and cashmere--I was spoil myself with some cashmere. But I was a good girl and I just bought two balls of Rowan Tapestry (pictures tomorrow when the light is better). I plan one some sort of lace scarf--something organic. The color way is beautiful--purplish, rustyish, goldish (slightly).
My sock--which is still not quite finished--I've ripped a few rows back--I decided to use all the ball of Lorna's Laces--even IF it means that the sock goes up to my knee. So I am back to working on the lace instead of the ribbing for the cuff.
At Hobby Lobby I couldn't resist a sale and so I bought some funky yarn for a Pygmy Puff (a teeny tribble like creature for the Muggles)...it's going to be cute. I started a bit--but goodness I am so tired and I don't know why I am not asleep right now.
Oh for those that enjoy my kid anecdotes: Micci will eat grass--but he WON'T he 95% of the food I make for him. Sigh.
I toyed with the idea of playing some sort of April Fools prank yesterday on my blog--but after the news I got yesterday and the finality of it--I wasn't in the mood for pranks. My brother is getting divorced--he's only been married 8 months.
I am obviously not going to talk about it here. SO this'll be the last of that sorts of news or rants until the divorce or annulement is final. I just have to say I am heart broken for my little brother.
I finished the 4th S.P.E.W. hat--the second that I have actually knit up. I am not sure what I am going to knit up next and whether it'll have ears or not.
My Mom and sister are due to arrive in a few hours and the house smells delicious. I made my Famouz Baked Beans to welcome them. Maybe tonight I'll add the recipe on to my blog--it's really tasty. Right now I ought to be tidying up and vacuum and find that darn dust pan (it's been hiding from me lately). I do perform better under a deadline--especially when it's threatening to crush me.
I have to end with this picture of Lorelei--she kept sneaking out when I was taking pictures outside this morning (the light was perfect). Yes, Lorelei rarely ever wears clothes--but we live in South Texas so it's a survival thing.
Yes that is Sharpie on her legs--I left her last night in the care of her Daddy when I went to get some Whataburger and I came back to a tattooed baby.
I've been busy cleaning up the house in preparation of my mother's visit MONDAY!! and procrastinating by playing with my yarn.
My camera has a habit of disappearing on me. So pictures have been rather lacking on this site. I have sock pictures to show and tell.
This is my sock a few weeks back. Notice the weird pooling--I don't mind, it makes my sock even more unique and funky--just like I like them. But if you notice the amount of yarn I still have left. Not really enough to make another sock, but this sock length of this sock is were most people tend to stop knitting.
This pictures--last night--about an inch or so ago, is mid calf (I am afraid to try the sock on age for fear of snapping the needles over my heel. And I still have a bit of yarn left--still enough for a few more inches...will this sock end?? Actually I expect this sock to be done this weekend. I've also been told that i must start the next sock immediately afterwards--otherwise it may turn into THE lone sock.
I went knitting at the library today. Finally got L. to come too--I think she had fun. Everyone fawned over my sock--undeservedly I think--it's just a regular sock. D. contributed to my S.P.E.W. Hat project (pictures forth coming, but NOT tonight). She knit the entire hat during the meeting--I was floored. And pleased that I'll have one more hat to donate to the Children's Hospital.
Edit: Here's the pic.
Yesterday I was naughty and spent the morning winding yarn from hanks into balls--and started a lace shawl. So far it looks like a tangled mess of yarn--but I am assured that it'll look better rows in and of course blocked.
This is a picture filled post--so hold onto your hats dear readers. Yes I finally got off my lazy butt and uploaded bunches of pictures from my Bert.
Happy Spring!! Thanks to all the rain--our blue bonnets are blooming better and we even have some in are yard. The mating trees have yet to cause me problems, but I know it's all a matter of time before my head explodes with goop. For now, I can enjoy the lovely bluebonnets.
I've been cleaning in preparation for my Mom and sister coming in a week and a half (gasp!)--but I have also been bad and spent a lot of time knitting. I finished a S.P.E.W. hat and started another (a yellow beehive for a preemie about 12 inches in circ.). My mom crocheted the rainbow beret (yeap that is supposed to be a beret) and the green one is my creation. The bumps are knit stitches knitted three more times through the back and the knot on top is an I-cord tied in well a knot. I think they're definitely wacky enough to qualify as S.P.E.W. worthy.
For those who care: It was knitted on size 6 needles and it was my own pattern knit with Red Yarn line green acrylic yarn.
My socks are going along well. I am actually three inches more along than the picture shows...I have got to a weird pooling section, but it adds interest I think...I want funky socks. BUT the weird pooling section is in the bit of the sock I knitted AFTER I took it's picture. Anyway--I am quite proud of my sock--even though I have no idea when it's supposed to end--I still have plenty of yarn left.
That's my knitting pics--I still need to take decent pics of my Dad's finished scarf, but I need the right light and a model. I should get both this Saturday. I have also been working on a lace scarf and a present for a Phisto that is still very very late and might have to be used next winter. SIGH. I suck as a friend.
Now if you tire of endless kid pics, leave now, because I have 5 coming up...I am loving on Lorelei--so no new pics of Micci. BUT I do have a funny Micci story--just for my sister, who thrives on silly kid stories. Micci always reminds me to make sure I remember to fill up his and Lorelei's morning milk cups. If perchance I forget--he gets very disappointed in my "behaviour" and shakes his head (he'll be a great parent). Anyway, last night Micci drew me a picture on his magnetic sketch board of me pouring milk into two empty sippy cups, with the lids off to the side. Funny though the cups were bigger than me. It was a cute picture, but I forgot to snap a picture of it before Lorelei erased it this morning. Now onward with the gratuitous pictures of Lorelei flying and blowing on grass.
Did I mention there are 121 more days till the new Harry Potter book? I have been spending so much time on the Harry Potter forums, I have begun to dream about Snape. I have been reading a very good discussion pondering Snape's loyalties. Thankfully Phisto is coming to my rescue and is sending me books to give me something else to read and focus on. I finished listen to the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince CD and yeah I still sobbed at the end.
Glass Dog is back...back especially to the web design tutorials! Yea! I love Lance and he's a great teacher. Funny that he decided to to tutorials again just when I decided to to some major site remodeling. Now I can be all fancy--now that Lance is explaining it us us so simply.
For now--I added a list of the most recent posts. I've got some more blogger tinkering to do as well. I also added a button for my current obsession: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Yip--one hundred and thirty NINE days!!! And adults--many many adults are excited about it as well, not just kids. I kinda feel insulted. I honestly think that the Harry Potter books are fantastic pieces of writing--not only imaginative, but expertly crafted. The threads J.K has woven over these ten years...it boggles my mind. I challenge any one on this as well. Read these books and THEN tell me that these are just simple kids books.
So anyway--obsession rant done--expect new things to come to this site soon. Ya know when I can squeeze it in between knitting and child wrangling.
I found my camera the other day--in my knitting bag. Sigh. My knitting is like some sort of gnome that steals and hides stuff. Most of the time if I am missing something and I find it--I find it in with my knitting.
Of course I found it after Mic's birthday and L.'s wedding. I just developed the film I took over Christmas and for Mic's birthday.
The Thomas the Tank Engine Cake I made. Inside it's chocolate, blue and yellow cake (what Mic wanted) and I iced it all by myself. It's actually the first cake I decorated totally by myself. I think it looks pretty accurate to the sketch I made.
Here's Micci playing hot potato with his party guests. It's sadly the only picture that came out showing the people at the party.
Lorelei eating crckers waiting for the party to start.
Micci insisted that he wear the birthday crown and the party hat. This was before the hair cut--which he thanksfully got a few days before L.'s wedding.
This was NOT Mic's birthday, but a pic from Christmas. It took me ages to clean up after Christmas.
On to other things...I finished up the last Harry Potter book last night--well the last published. I cried so hard. Mind you I have read this book 4 times...and I still cry like a baby at the end. Actually I cried twice. As Jamey handed me a tissue, he said, "It's just a story--it's not real." Yeah, but J.K. Rowling is a terrific writer. It's roughly 145 days till the seventh and last harry Potter book comes out. (I am tempted to put a count down banner up...really really tempted) I can barely stand the wait. I spend my days reading The Leaky Cauldron forums and essays. I want to start knitting something Harry Potterish as a count down to the book and movie...yip yip. Which gives me a real fun idea...I could make tons a wee hats in honor of S.P.E.W. and donate them to hospitals for infants. Hmmm--that is a neat idea.
It didn't fit right into my story yesterday, but we also bought Micci a computer last night. A refurbished tower for $139--we already have monitor, keyboard and mouse already...Mic was so excited. So am I--no fighting over computer time! Mic was confused however, because he kept trying to find the screen on the tower. My computer is a Gateway Profile (a flat screen with a computer inside) and Jamey's computer is a laptop--so neither of us have working towers.
We may still end up fighting over internet time. We aren't, for now, setting his computer up to the 'net--so there might come a time when he wants to go to nickjr or noggin. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
I've been busy...cleaning and reading up on Harry Potter. My brother and his wife are coming this weekend--hence the cleaning. And well I only have 151 more days until the next (AND the LAST) Harry Potter book is out...so I have been reading forums and the re-reading the books.
I have made a sizeable dent in the disaster that is my home. On the roster today is putting away the baskets and baskets of clean clothes and cleaning up my bed room (putting away clothes will pretty much take car eof the mess); I also have to de-clutter the dining room. Sounds like fun, eh?
Sigh.
What I need is a self cleaning house. Or a house elf.
I would have posted yesterday and I entirely meant to, if only to scream, "Harry Potter is coming out JULY TWENTY-FIRST!!!" Life interupted and I never got around to it.
L. one of my new best friends in the world--helped me get price quotes for Micci's birthday party next weekend. I didn't even ask her--she just did it. So totally awesome. She is also wrangling all the kid invites...since well she knows a TON of kids and I know one besides my own two.
We went to a friend's house (B.) to help her with her taxes (our social calender becomes full the first weeks of February as all our friends ask us for tax help). In return for Jamey's help (I do nothing at thsi point just show up bearing a nice potted plant), she cooks us a nice German dinner. It was delicious, but I couldn't enjoy it. My head has taken to being a barometer again and right around 7 until I don't know 9 when I realised a few pain pills would take care of the unrelenting pressure and pain. Yep, right around 7 was when the cold front marched into town, I heard it snowed in some partsof North Texas.
I think the headache fried a few brains cells because normally I would have refused the coffee offer, with not having too much in my stomach and the late hour--caffiene has been known to do unpleasant things to my head and heart. All evening and into the night I felt on the edge of a panic attack...not a fun place to be. I was shaking and my brain was racing. And that mug was HUGE. So I pretty much tossed and turned last night while visions of knitted items of the future danced in my head.
Sigh.
I finished Q's presents and they will be mailed tomorrow. One of the gifts is LAST years as in 2005 Christmas present. Yeah, I suck I know. But this eyars gifts I hope will make up for it. I'll post pics once I write up the pattern and I know Q-ness has recieved her prezzie.
And so I have begun my SOCKS! Just a guage swatch but still I have started. I am using my Lorna's Lace in Somerset colorway. So far it's going to be a plain toe up stockinette sock. I want to get the most out of this yarn. Hmmm nice proper wooly yarn.
As requested I made Jamey's black beans. He's the only one not totally fond of my Birdy's baked beans--he says they are too sweet. Blah. Well his black beans taste like dirt. Lorelei sided with her Daddy, she loves the beans. Mic sided with me and proclaimed, "It tastes terrible. This won't make me grow at ALL." I was albe to get them seasoned so I could tolerate a few bites, but it just makes me really want my Birdy's Baked Beans.
Recently I have found (one through my comments--yea I got a new comment from a new person HI!!! The other formt he horse himself) two blogs that are essentially fan blogsof very popular blogs. It's interesting.
Doocecussion is a fan blog of Dooce, my favourite blog by Heather--commonly refered here as the Golden Goddess. It's just been started and I am interested to see where it goes. Dooce Fan comments on each entry and invites discussion on Heather's posts.
Kottke Komments is a site that is a complete RSS feed from Kottke.org, Jason's blog that I have been reading for years and years...ever since Austin II. This fan blog adds nothing to Jason's posts, BUT enables the comments--which I think is pretty nifty. In essence it only gets the raw rabid Jason fan who is willing to ake two trips to the essentially the same blog, just to write a comment.
So what are these blogs? Blog Fan Blogs? Kinda catchy.
Star Wars fans, I found a really neat essay (via kottke.org) analysing Star Wars: A New Hope in view of the new information we are given in the three prequels. It's pretty interesting stuff.
One again I must worship at the altar of the Golden Goddess...only Dooce can describe night time toddler vomit as decoration. And it's also nice to know I am not the only slob out there....although I am willing to bet real money that her house wasn't nearly as messy as mine currently is. To me goes that dubious distinction. Although--my New Years Resolution IS to get organised and toss out the mountains of crap that Jamey and i have moved place to place and kept all this years.
Jamey gave me the idea to spend thirty minutes on each area of the house that needs attention with plenty of reward breaks to Knit! or read "The Fellowship of the Ring". So eventually the whole house will be clean and not an embarrassment. Before my great plan was to spend an entire day cleaning ONE room--it works only with up keep and I would exhaust myself cleaning one day I couldn't pick up the mess the kids made when I was cleaning.
I got my Mom to blog today. Now I just need to pester Phisto and Quimby to blog as well.
Last night I uploaded some more U2 albums on to Lil' Bit (the I-Pod)--again I am forced to see the difference in U2's pre 2000 work and post-2000 work...and it bugs me! Everything from the 80s and 90s fits together seamlessly beautifully and powerfully. Whereas the albums that came out this century just feels forced and non cohesive...the lyrics and the melody just don't meld. I love the songs...they are beautiful, but still forced.
And THIS just bugs me. I don't know why--but it just does. Maybe I see it as immaturity and selfishness--five hundred dollars for severely tattered jeans that last a month? Perhaps I wish it of me--one who wears grandma clothes and feels like 40 instead of late 20s.
Okay I am off to clean and listen to some Shag Tobacco.
Okay so I am not cleaning, BUT I found an awesome U2 song and video have never heard or seen. Folks, it's been out since November--what is wrong with me? I am very very behind. I am so tempted so go an download it from itunes right now (if it's there).
I completely to post my squeal yesterday. The new Harry Potter book finally has a title. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!
The Harry potter world is all over the meaning behind the title and what dark portens are in it for Harry Potter.
I just need a DATE...something to countdown to. Many think it could be three dates...7/7/7 (obvious meaning there), 7/31/7 (Harry Potters Birthday), or 10/31/7 (Halloween which is when Harry's parent's died--funny it's never rally a sad day for Harry in the books).
J.K. Rowling announced the title to her loyal, obsessed fans before her publisher released it's press release--in the form of the door being unlocked to the Room of Requirement. Hopefully the next time it is unlocked (when she locks it again) it'll be announcing the release date.
I really can't complain though--the next HP movie is out this July.
