After The Stuffing

Well, it’s been a really fast, full four days. Holy Moly. Thanksgiving was very nice – everything came out great, we ate till we couldn’t move. And we haven’t had any leftovers till tonight – we’ve been out and about for the last two days – antiquiing/brew pub fare on Saturday and yesterday we went and did the PA trip to Dietrich’s Meats and Gilmans – where my BIL already bought, paid and presented me with my Christmas gift! Now, if he would just give up that jump ring maker he bought…..Tonights our first leftovernight – and I’m really looking forward to it. I like to give myself some space between turkey meals. Even though I feel like I’m taking up more space than I did, say, before Thursday.

Now, the company has gone home, Rutgers Scarlett Knights have won another game, we’ve driven our oldest back to campus – just to have him tell us he’ll be wanting to come home next weekend – which is fine and dandy with me! He really has discovered that he actually misses us. Something that I think surprised him. We’re missing him, too, so it’s no surprise to us. The house is somewhat back to what is was – I’ve managed to toss a wash in, and should have vaccumed the house, but no, I’m resting now. I’ve got a few things to pack up and ship for customers, a few more orders to prepare for customers, a dinner out with a friend on Tuesday to look forward to – I’m really hoping to enjoy this month before Christmas. Dig in. Immerse. I’ve got a knitting surprise to reveal in the next few days, some things to get back to – Icarus – can’t knit that with company around. If the weather would just get in line with what it should be for this time of year – I’d be really content.

All the tests on the ticker are coming back fine – stress test – normal. Blood tests – normal. I’m guessing the echo and holter will both come back fine. I haven’t had one palpitation today at ALL. First day in about two weeks. I’m betting and almost 100 percent sure that it was that nasty medicine I was on and as it leaves my system, so do those nasty, scary symptoms. Thank you all, dear friends, for all your caring, compassion, emails, comments and phone calls – in situations like this, when you’re trying not to panic the heck outta yourself, you all made quite a big difference in calming me down. It’s a little different than telling your family stuff like that – you can see the worry on their faces and it really means they care, but it also means maybe you have a reason to freak out? You all know what I mean. But you did wonders calming my nerves and it was much appreciated.

Time for Turkey, a beer and a football game. YUM!

A Time To Give Thanks

I know there are many, many things that we could all say we’re Thankful for this year – it’s what we do at Thanksgiving.

I’m especially Thankful to be able to spend time with some of my family. I’m wishing the same for all of you – Happy Thanksgiving!

And I’m doing ok – one more thing to be Thankful for on a long list – Thank you to all of you who’ve wished me well and kept me in your thoughts – all that positive energy seems to have worked!

A Meme

I don’t do Meme’s a lot but since Rox tagged EVERYBODY…..well, I’ve no choice.

MEME
You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.

No.
Explanations.

1. Yourself: Tired
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): Soulmate
3. Your hair: Long
4. Your mother: Tiny
5. Your Father: Funny
6. Your Favorite Item: Computer
7. Your dream last night: School
8. Your Favorite drink: Coffee
9. Your Dream Car: Minicooper
10. The room you are in: Homey
11. Your Ex: none
12. Your fear: dying
13. What you want to be in 10 years? Supastar
14. Who you hung out with last night? Hubby
15. What You’re Not: Thin
16. Muffins: Banana
17. One of Your Wish List Items: Health
18. Time: Quick
19. The Last Thing You Did: email
20. What You Are Wearing: Jeans
21. Your Favorite Weather: Cold
22. Your Favorite Book: Many
23. The Last Thing You Ate: Breakfast
24. Your Life: Hectic
25. Your Mood: Blue
26. Your best friend: Loyal
27. What are you thinking about right now? Icarus
28. Your car: Trade
29. What are you doing at the moment? Hello?
30. Your summer: Anxious
31. Your relationship status: Stable
32. What is on your TV? Mythbusters
33. What is the weather like? Dreary
34. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
35. Who do you tag? EVERYONE!!!

Major Stocking Stuffers

I’ve been busy, creating, uploading and stuffing my etsy shop full of wonderful things for you! I’m not done yet, but I can’t upload everything in one day, so stop by for a sampling of what’s in the shop now…..

Christmas…………..it is just around the corner!!!

Thanks for everyones well wishes, good vibes, comments and emails – I think everything will be ok – those pesky tests are bright and early monday morning – actually, I think the waiting for the tests should be termed the “stress” part. Hopefully I will have nothing to worry about – and I’ll update you then – thanks so much for being there for me!!

The New Bag is Here!! The New Bag is Here!!!

My new Namaste Jetsetter bag is here!!!

I was lucky enough to get what I think was the last brown one they had in stock – at Pure Knits! They are fantastic – I ordered it over this past weekend and the big, big box was just delivered!

The brown is a bit richer in depth in person – I’ve already loaded it up. And it’s got so much room, I can definitely just carry one bag to knitting meetups, instead of my purse and knitting bag – sooooo sooooo happy with it. Thanks Pure Knits – fabulous bag, excellent service!!!!

And here’s a bag of another sort…………..You all know I whined about not going to Stitches? Well, I made up for it. One trip to the The Woolly Lamb in Pennington (their website isn’t quite functional yet) and a few well placed internet orders later………

Here you see two skeins of Claudia Hand Painted Sport weight yarn – I thought I was going to make socks, but that isn’t written in stone. Two Skeins of Reynolds Revue to make my DS Shedir from Knitty’s Breast Cancer Awareness Issue.

There’s also some amazing yarn from Ruby Sapphire Yarns – a wonderful etsy seller – I have a skein of Bonnie Lace weight and a skein of Shawn Sock Weight. You must, must go visit their shop – they are wonderful. And those two skeins of Gems Opal in Pewter – they are for Grumperina’s most beautiful Shifting Sands Scarf.

And Finally, yes, finally, here is my great score of Silky Wool from Pig and Panda on ebay – I paid an unbelieveable 2.79 per skein for this beautiful yarn – currently earmarked for a lovely sweater in Elsebeth Lavold’s Designer’s Choice Book One, The Viking Knits Collection – Liv, to be specific. And that Jaeger you see peeking out – that’s three out of six skeins of Matchmaker to knit up Forbes Forest from Scarf Style.

Whew! Ok. the last thing I’m waiting for is Donna Druchunas’ Book, Arctic Lace. Laurie? Do we have an estimated delivery date yet??? And Donna, that pin is on it’s way to you right now – so thanks so much!

That’s about it. I’m heading into my last short repeat in Icarus of the first chart – then I hit chart 2 – I’m excited. Arwen’s back is getting near done. I’m on the fence about socks right now – I don’t know what to cast on for. The bloodwork is done – the wires come off me in 1.5 hours – I cannot wait to stop hitting this damn button everytime I get a “flutter” Sweet Holy Moses. The test’s are tentatively scheduled for early Friday morning – and I’m keeping myself immersed in knitting and metal making. I might sqeeze in some Thanksgiving preparations somewhere along the line…like at least get the darn TURKEY. Everything is will fall into place I’m sure. Thanks for all the well wishes and concerns – I really appreciate it and it’s nice to know you’re all out there – very comforting, indeed.

Their BACCCCKKKKKK

Ok, it looks like Etsy is now back online. There are still some things they are working on, but it seems to be a functioning site and hopefully our shops are going to work well. The etsy admins did a great job – considering they migrated an entire site with a bajillion things on it (bajillion is the new ginormous, which by the way, is now in the Dictionary. We can do the same for bajillion, no?) I plan on trying to update the shop later today with new stock. So if ya’ll wouldn’t mind doing me a favor and clicking on over there – let me know how it’s working for you. We are supposed to be reporting any bugs or difficulties with the site and your feedback would be great – besides – it will keep me busy- I’ve got bloodwork this morning and I’m walking around with a very silly cardiac holter on – recording my palpatations – big sigh – yes, I got a little freaked out yesterday when I continued to get heart palpatations after having a wee bit of pain the night before. And the EKG was fine and I bet it’s my medicine, but no doctor in the world is gonna let that slide when it’s your heart and your MOM and DAD both have cardiac issues. So keep me occupied today – and give me lots and lots of feedback on the shop. Then later, when I post some photo’s finally, you can give me lots and lots of feedback on my knitting. Like, what’s a good sock pattern to use for some gorgeous Claudia Hand Painted Sport????? And I’ve gotten two yarn deliveries this week and I’m waiting on my super duper new yarn bag – hopefully it will be hear today. Lot’s of metal and yarn around here this week – just received a reorder on one of my wholesale orders – that’s exciting.

And I wouldn’t mine a little prayer or two on the heart thing – you know, just for a little insurance. Thanks!

Shop News

Etsy is making their migration to their brand new V2 System this weekend – So all the shops on Etsy are unavailable. Therefore, if you absolutely, positively need something from me, drop me an email and we’ll work it out. (chrissy-g at comcast dot net) Otherwise, business as usual hopefully Monday, when the migration is complete. It hasn’t stopped me from making a HUGE amount of pins to keep up with the orders I’ve been getting – And if it’s not made yet, it will get made just for YOU!

Ok, now with the bidness out of the way – I met up with Laurie yesterday and we had a lovely time at Cracker Barrel – I ate mostly everything – EVERYTHING on my plate. And paid for it. Really, When am I going to learn, I just can’t eat like that. We tried to get down to a neat yarn store – but what the hell was up with that traffic on 222??????????? People?????? It’s a road, not a parking lot. Just saying.

Anywho, we turned around and hung out at B&N – looked at lots of knitting books – nothing struck our fancy. Laurie placed an order at Amazon last week and we combined to get the free shipping so I’m currently waiting for Arctic Lace - so excited!!!! Really looking forward to reading and getting to do some of the projects in that book. Also, I’m so jazzed that Donna purchased one of MY pins. I’m so honored. I’m holding off ordering the yarn for those projects till I get the book, because let me tell you, I have certainly made up for not going to stitches. I’m just going to take photo’s of everything when it comes and post it all – a photo gallery of what I didn’t get at stitches. My most exciting buy – a Namaste Jetsetter bag – I’m soooooooooo stinkin excited about that. I’m just excited about everything.

I have just two more rows to do on that sock that almost killed me – you remember – the one that fell down the stairs with me – yes, slooooooow sock. I am not sure if I will cast on immediately for the second sock. Now this is a big deal for me. I have never, ever, ever just made one sock. I always just get that second one on the needles and get to it. But I have this Claudia Handpaint I really, really want to knit with. Really. REALLY. And I need those needles for that. So, what to do? I have the good yarn angel on one shoulder saying – “do the right thing, finish those socks that you aren’t too happy with.” I have the bad yarn angel on the other saying “ga head, cast on the Claudia, screw the other sock!! Use it for potpourri in your sock draw” I’m conflicted.

I’m still slogging through the back of Arwen – I should get through the rest of it at Knitting meetup today – I’m going a little early to eat lunch, then knit. I’m really looking forward to seeing the girls – it’s such a great group.

Tomorrow? Rain. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t mind rainy Sundays. So much to do inside, and it kinda takes some decisions out of your hands, so to speak. Have a great weekend!

Not Another KNitting Post

No! It’s not a knitting post. It’s a hell yeah, way to go, get it done, hot damn, you gotta be freaking kidding me, un-frickin-believeable, kick ass Way to go

Rutgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

28 -25

We were there, we saw it, it was amazing! 44,111 people attended that game – crushing crowds, we walked miles to get to the stadium – it took us an hour to get the bus back to our car, we came home at 1:30 am!!!

Our asses are dragging, but DAYUM!!! What a game. I’m glad we were able to meet our oldest there and as a family get to see history being made.

I am done now. This is me on 5 hours of sleep. I have today off and I’m meeting Laurie and we are going to Cracker Barrel. It is called “CRACK” er Barrel because, well, I think there is something in the food equivelent to crack, whereby you get addicted to the food and have to go back over and over. Little bit o’ heaven. On a plate. Then home, playing around with metal and watercolors (don’t ask, I won’t tell yet – it’s an old addiction that my friend at work ignited again) and a tire appointment this afternoon for DH’s Truck – then the weekend and knitting meetup tomorrow! Yes, two more days off!! I love this four day weekend we get every year – it’s my favorite – no holiday to worry about, but four days off!! FOUR. In a ROW.

Five hours of sleep people – what did you expect!!

Exciting Collaboration!!!

Working With Roxanne of Knit-n-Purl Zen - she’s including my pins in with her beautiful yarn for a wonderful Shawl Kit – you can find them at her etsy shop - go, quick, they are awesome together!!!!!

Thanks for all the sympathy/get well wishes – you bloggers are great! I did soothe my yarn yearning self with a few online purchases and a much needed trip down to the Wooly Lamb – a wonderful, not so local yarn shop – but well worth the trip. Photo’s to follow – I’m still dragging this week – coughing like crazy at work, but not so much at home? Weird. I’ve started Arwen from IK and in between fulfilling pin orders and stocking the etsy shop, and restocking the etsy shop – I’m ferschnockered. Photo’s of yarny goodness will follow sometime this weekend.

In the meantime – get thee a Shawl Kit – Roxanne is a cool gal with wonderful talents with yarn and I have proof of her talents sitting right here in my own yarn basket – ah, the softest stuff!!

Instead Of Stitches East…

Instead of having a fun filled day trip with Amy and Laurie and A, singing wonderful yarn songs to and from Baltimore. Instead of fondling and cooing and ooohhing and ahhhing over yarn after yarn after yarn. Instead of recklessly, with abandon, spending ruthlessly, without guilt the money I saved for Rhinebeck and added to the Stitches East money. Instead of all that, dear bloggers, I will be spending my time with……….

Mister Box of Tissue’s and Missus Bottle of Nyquil.

Ain’t that a kick in the ass? By all means, feel sorry for me. Send me little sympathy comments. Tell me there is always next year. Tell me, you can’t help it when you get sick – after all, you work with kids all day. Go ahead. I need it. And I can sure add it to the pity party I’m throwing myself this weekend. Girls, you have a good time for me – I’m expecting you to get yourselves lots stash enhancements, tons of pictures (and some Malabrigo color cards. ) I just couldn’t have you guys listening to my sniffling, sneezing, coughing, wheezing in the car all day, just so I could go and get yarn, and know, without a doubt, that within a week all three of you would have this – I’ve chosen you guys OVER the YARN. That says alot.

In a very boring, but somewhat pretty update – this is the fourth repeat of Icarus. I think when the Nyquil is in the whaning, I shall knit upon it. It is not to be knit on with the full effect of the Nyquil – because, well, you know, there would be many, many medicine induced errors that I wouldn’t even feel like correcting – who cares, when there is Nyquil? And the color – it reminds me of the cool green in the Nyquil bottle – see that green in there? It’s now called “Nyquil Green” I may even rename the shawl – “Nyquil”. Why not.

Before you feel too bad for me – I fully intend on shopping on line for many, many skeins of yarn. Many, Many patterns for said yarn. I will install myself on the couch, with my new Louisa Harding – after ordering Arctic Knits from Amazon (and not buying it at the show OR having it autographed by Donna Druchunas – *sob*) and picking each yarn carefully for each intended project. Oh yes, there will be shopping. Believe you me.

Oh, and if anyone has or knows the wearabouts of 2 skeins of Rowan Calmer, color 466 (discontinued, of course) aka “squirrel” – please let me know – my youngest son, has chosen that color as the only color he will put on his head for a hat. Yes. The. Only. Color.