Knit One, Pass Two Margaritas

2010-01-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

Clearly, I don't write in this thing much.

Maybe it is because I either keep my rambling thoughts to myself or just share them with my friends directly.

And honestly, I don't remember to read these things much either. Sorry friends. :(

Life is pretty good, in general. I'm still waiting to come across the right job for me. I'm building wonderful relationships with my co-workers, though, every day while I'm waiting (I have met some amazing friends). I'm mega grateful to be employed. I have everything that I need in life and most of the things that I want (within reason), so I feel like I don't have much room to complain.

Bryan and I spent last week/weekend re-organizing our house. It was exhausting. I felt like I got no rest, and like I have been lazy and dragging ass all week because of it, but it was worth it. We have more room in both of the bedrooms and the living room now, and I think our spaces look more "grown up." We got some new furniture pieces (lamps with shelves, TV stand, recliner, DVD holder, desk) that spiffed the place up. Our next goal is a new couch. Honestly, nothing is wrong with ours... But I think my parents first got it when I was like 5. Two decades with a couch is a long time. I made out with boys in high school on that couch... Haha. Plus, selecting and buying our own furniture makes us feel more "grown up."

Marriage is great! I only wish we had more time together. Bryan is busy with school a lot, so some days, I get lonely. I am truly happy with him, though, and the life that we are building together. I believe there are exciting things in store for us, especially in the next few years when we start thinking about a family, and I can't wait to see how things will go.

I was looking at my 101 things list and realizing that I need to get moving on it! I am thinking the next thing I will tackle will be quilting. Yes. I am a grandma, between the knitting and now wanting to learn quilting. I don't know what it is. I don't know what draws me to these crafts. A connection to the past, to something women have been doing for centuries? To my grandmother, whom I hardly knew, but share a love of these crafts with? Who knows, but it's clearly part of who I am for some reason. :) I'm going to call up/visit Jo Ann's tomorrow and talk to them about classes.

On the knitting front, I am working on some thrummed mittens. If you're bored and curious, here's an explanation you can read of what they are. I am also working on a baby hat for my cousin Brandi's baby. It's going to have little bear ears. :) Mom and I are throwing her a shower at the end of the month, which I am very excited about.

I think I may go pass out now. I wish I could un-condition my body on the weekends! I don't want to go to sleep at 11:30 and wake up at 7! :( Happy weekend, folks.

I am alive!

2009-04-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

So, I have not written in almost 3 months! Still working at the daycare. Still trucking and looking for something else. Also going to OSU this week to talk to them about the Master's in Education. I thought that, in the long run, it would make more sense than getting a temp license because 1) I would still have to backtrack and take a bunch of classes and 2) Bryan won't necessarily get a job that allows us to stay in Ohio, and a couple of random classes that happened to equal a license aren't going to mean as much in another state. So, we'll see what OSU has to see about my transcripts, and go from there.

I have been able to knock a few things off of my 101 things list since November when I wrote it! They are:

19. Buy some Play-doh to play with when I am sad/bored/stressed (That one was pretty easy, but fun!)

42. Visit COSI for the first time since my childhood (Did that with my in-laws. It is still awesome, but definitely kid-centered.)

47. Buy an outfit that is unlike anything I would ever consider wearing and wear it (Did this with Kassy and Ashley... I bought a dress and leggings, and wore them togeter. Would have never done that if they hadn't told me do.)

50. Donate an article of clothing to Goodwill each time I bring a new clothing item home (I've got a nice big bag waiting to go, and I think I am donating more than I've bought.)

54. Teach someone to do something that I can do (knit, crochet, whatever) (I taught Andrea the basics of knitting.)

68. Try to find a food dish that I like that incorporates mushrooms, my archnemesis "vegetable" (The Japanese hibachi-style restaurant did some amazing things with the ugly little critters!)

73. Send Christmas cards with the cats on them (Lola was on our Christmas card this year!)

and, finally...

60. Get a tattoo!

I did that one today! I went with Jennifer and Andrea to Danny's Ancient Art in Kanawha City. I tried to go last night, but they were booked up for the night. I was a lot less nervous today (maybe daylight and the lack of t-storms made it less scary). When I was sitting there waiting, I felt like I was waiting to be launched on The Dragster at Cedar Point, lol. It hurt, of course. It's a needle. But, it wasn't like I thought it would be, and it only took 15 minutes. It felt like a cat digging its claw through me at first, then kind of felt more like a stinging. It's on my left shoulderblade, and I'm very happy with it. It's a cat, and my mom drew it for me, so that's special because her art is on my body. It's kind of cartoonish because that is what I wanted. The star is for my cat, Starlight, who was there for me through all of my teen years (and still is there for me at the age of 13). The yarn is for my love of knitting. Here it is!:

Very exciting!

These are my goals in progress:

62. Buy a bicycle and ride it (Fortunately, I didn't have to buy it. My parents gave us theirs. But, now I have to ride it when the weather stays nice.)

4. Grow an herb garden (and keep it alive!) (Starting this one when the weather is a little more consistent)

Things have been pretty good, in general. Bryan and I are doing well. I am loving that spring is coming to visit. Knitting-wise, I am working on a "willy warmer" for a wedding present for Caleb. He has been good friends with Bryan for years. He and my friend since 7th grade, Mary Ellen, will be married at the end of next month, and we are in their wedding.. It is awesome. It is blue and gold striped for WVU, and it glows in the dark. :) After that, I'm probably moving on to baby stuff, because there are new babies coming to both sides of the family! :)

Hope everyone has a happy Easter!

Haven't written in a while...

2009-01-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

Andrea and I have decided that we should start a photography/wedding planning business. The discussion started out as a joke because we were talking about how much photographers can make (if they are good). But hell, I'm willing to do the research and see if it's feasible. Neither of us wants to be stuck in a cubicle for the rest of our lives, and we are creative people. We know a photographer. We are writers, theoretically, so we could write announcements and programs. I sure as hell know about planning a wedding. Perhaps planning other people's weddings wouldn't put me on Xanax like planning my own did. Ah well, if nothing else, it's fun to dream.

It has been a rough week at work. We are doing transitions, which means I am losing three babies to the toddlers because they are growing up. I am also getting a new baby. We send them to their new rooms for a few hours each day this week, and the back and forth is getting exhausting. Also, I'm not sure if I can have kids, because I am actually devastated that I am losing one of my kids, my little heart, Bradshaw. I started out unable to stand him (I called him Rosemary's Baby because he beat me in the head with toys), but it turns out that he was just testing me, and now we are best buds. Today, his sheet said that he had fun in toddlers playing with trucks, and I wanted to cry because he likes his new room and big boy toys, and my room doesn't even have trucks. :( I know it is silly, but it is so sad to see them grow up. I don't know how I would handle it if they were my actual kids.

On the knitting front, I haven't done much. I have a bad habit of getting frustrated with a project and throwing it down. I did that after the cuff of my second Very Cabley Mitten:

I need to get over it and pick it back up, finish it, and start something else to get my mojo back. Maybe I'll try tomorrow during Grey's. Last week, I did make a really cute baby hat for my co-worker's soon-to-be born baby:

I think that is all for now. I will leave you with cute pictures of my babies:

Caleb loves art time. :)

That's my Bradshaw and little Eleni. Who knows? Maybe Andrea and I can plan their wedding someday. ;)

I do this yearly, so it seems like I should do it now.

2008-12-24T11:17:00.000-08:00

1) Where did you begin 2008?

I think after doing our usual "OMG, what are we going to do for NYE?" for about 3 hours with Bryan and his brother and Kassy, Bryan and I ended up in my basement. As usual. LOL. :)

2) What was your status on Valentine's Day?

Engaged

3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?

Yup, finished grad school!

4) How did you earn your money?

The WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, Tutor.com, The Griffith Foundation, and Kindercare. I'm getting a lot of tax forms this year, haha.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?

Nope. Shazzam!

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?

I got a speeding ticket in Pt. Pleasant on the way to King's Island. Boo.

7) Where did you go on vacation?

The Dominican Republic, Cedar Point, King's Island

8) What did you purchase that was over $1000?

We bought a 60 inch HDTV and a laptop on our Best Buy card that we get to pay off for 3 years. :P

9) Did you know anybody who got married?

Meeeeeeeeeeee!

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?

Unfortunately

12) Did you move anywhere?

Yup, to good old O-H-I-O!

13 Got lost?

I live in Columbus. I am regularly lost.

14) What concerts/shows did you go to?

Trans-siberian Orchestra. Awesome rawk!

15) Were you registered to vote?

Yup, and I did.

16) Who did you want to win Big Brother?

That's still on?

17) Where do you live now?

Worthington or Columbus, OH, depending on whom you ask.

18) Describe your birthday?

I was in Punta Cana! :)

19) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2008?

Ummm, rode the Dragster at Cedar Point! Hehehe.

20) What has been your favorite moment?

Marrying Bryan!

21) What's something you learned about yourself?

I have no clue what I want to do with my life.

22) Any new additions to your family?

I got a whole host of in-laws! And 3 kitties!

23.) What was your worst month?

Probably April because of the end of school/wedding stress all coming to a head.

24.) What music will you remember 2008 by?

I have no idea. Maybe the songs from my wedding.

25) Who has been your best drinking buddy?

Andrea and Jenny

26) Made new friends?

Yup! I hope to make even more in Columbus!

27) New best friend?

I'm blessed with great friends. :)

28) Favorite Night out?

My Bachelorette Party. :)

29) What sporting events did you attend?

I am sad that I didn't get to attend any WVU games. :(

30) What was your best month?

May.

31) Overall, how would you rate this year?

I got married, and I am so happy with my husband. I wish that I could find a job more suited to my education, but the job market sucks. Someday, I know one will come along. I love my family and my friends. I got through graduate school. Overall, it was a great year. :)

32) Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?

Work

33) Change your hairstyle?

Same style, a little shorter

34) Have any car accidents?

Not that I recall.

35) How old did you turn this year?

36) Did you get sick this year?

I work in a daycare. I spend half my paycheck in urgent care and antibiotics. :P Fortunately, nothing too serious.

37) Been snowboarding?

No, but I would like to.

38) Are you happy to see 2008 go?

No, it was a great year!

39) Been naughty or nice?

Both. :)

A Lazy Sunday

2008-12-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

Bryan and I had intended to go to COSI today because they are having a free open house. Sadly, we are missing it because 1) I have a cold plus laryngitis 2) the roads of Columbus are questionable right now due to the snow we got yesterday (apparently, our city does not own a snowplow, nor do the surburbs...and our townhouse community definitely doesn't) and 3) Bryan should be working on his stuff for finals week, anyway. So, here I sit on the couch with the cat (Lola), watching Talladega Nights. Exciting. Ah well. COSI isn't going anywhere (though it won't be free again til next year).

Work is going okay, except for the kids making me sick every day. I actually have my own classroom now. The Infant B (12-18 month old) teacher decided to get another job, so I have that room. They're my favorite kids, so that's exciting, but now I work 7:30-5:30 4 days this week and 1:30-5:30 one day. Blah! I'm still looking for other jobs because as much as I love my babies, I'm not getting paid squat, and obviously, I would like to use the 6 years I spent in school toward something relevant... But in the meantime, I will enjoy having my favorite kids. They're just so amazing to watch. They're at the age where they're starting to develop their own little personalities. One week, they're refusing to walk because they're too lazy, and a couple of weeks later after Goldfish cracker bribery, they're toddling around everywhere. It's a very cool thing to see.

The holiday season is upon us, and we're all decorated and ready to go for our "First Christmas" which is really our 5th. Bryan made fun of me the other day and asked if I was afraid Santa would pass me over if we weren't all decked out (down to my Christmas pajamas). I'm a little sad that this is the first year we will only be home for a few days (Christmas Eve through that Sunday) but it's nice to start our own holiday traditions. Little things like our tree having blue lights instead of my parents' colored ones. A star on top of the tree instead of an angel. It helps make the season ours. We'll probably make gingerbread and sugar cookies next weekend. I'm kind of sad that I won't be home to make the German cookies (Springerle and Pfeffernusse) with my parents for the first year ever, though honestly, that tradition was more special when it belonged to me and my grandfather (not that I don't love mom and dad dearly). Our shopping is about 95% done, so this is good (though the credit card bills aren't). We're going to see Transiberian Orchestra on December 20, and I am super excited about that.

On the knitting front, I am almost finished with the first sock of dad's Christmas socks. Ever since I learned to knit socks, he has been bugging me for a pair. I thought he was screwing with me for the longest time, but then I learned that his mom used to knit him wool socks... So, that's what he's getting as part of his Christmas present. :)

I also made an ornament for our tree with some leftover purple Dream in Color that just won't die:

Hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season so far! I leave you with a picture of my dumbass cat hanging out in the Christmas tree:

Still truckin'...

2008-11-16T13:59:00.000-08:00

Well, my fever is gone, but I still generally feel like crap. I just feel completely wiped out. I might have to miss another day of work, which would suck since I don't get paid if I'm not there... But as Andrea pointed out, it would be worse to force myself back too soon, relapse, and end up in worse shape (and possibly have to take more time off). If I still worked in an office, going in would be no problem... But chasing screaming kids? That's hard to fake.

I actually had more energy yesterday than today, and I got to go see Role Models. Good movie. Go see it. I also made it to O'Charley's for a bowl of potato soup that I couldn't taste.

So, I will share a funny story to keep my blog from being so "wah, wah, I don't feel good." Some of you have heard it, but it's funny anyway. This happened last weekend. For my bachelorette party some months back, couple of my readers bought me this sex toy. It is a combination whip/feather tickler. I had it hiding under our bed. My parents came up, and we all spent the day in the Amish Country (a couple of hours away).

When we returned and started bringing our bags of goodies in, I noticed that one of the rotten cats (I KNOW IT WAS YOU, LOLA) had dragged said toy downstairs.

To the middle of the dining room.

Where both of my parents saw it.

It was like something out of a bad sitcom. Fortunately, my parents are pretty cool, but that still isn't something I would want them to see!

Remind me again why I feed the little bitch??

2008-11-14T17:36:00.000-08:00

And I have strep throat.

Damn Gremlins.

Currently trying to keep my temp below 102. :(

The one where I get bitch slapped by a fever

2008-11-13T17:24:00.001-08:00

Today, I feel like crap. I felt like crap this morning, but trooped into work anyway, figuring that I would try to last as long as possible. I had an early lunch, which was good since I only ate 3 bites of my oatmeal this morning. By 2, my joints were so sore that I was checking my watch every 2 seconds to see when my reliever was coming in. I ended up going home at 3. I couldn't sleep at all because my muscles/joints/whatever hurt so much. :( All evening, I've just been lying around on the couch. My temperature was 99.6 when I got home, and now it is 101.6. Despite all of the drugs I am taking and fluids I am drinking, it is just going up. Blah. I also have a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. If I skip work tomorrow (which is looking likely right now), I'm going to the doctor because I'm afraid the little monkeys

Publish Post

gave me strep. Blahhh.

Sorry, just wanted to bitch. :P

Well, I was fussed at to blog...

2008-11-10T15:54:00.000-08:00

Not mentioning any names (ahem, Brandon, ahem). So, here it goes. My parents were up here this past weekend, which was nice. We went to the Amish Country, which is always a good time. I've been going since I was probably about 10 years old. I don't know what it is about the place, but it doesn't feel like fall until I get to go there. I brought back some excellent cheese, wine, and chocolate. Special thanks to Mom and Dad for funding most of that. ;) I also got a lot of my Christmas shopping done. We are doing gift baskets for our parents and Bryan's grandparents, so I was able to get a lot of stuff there.

Interesting thing happened on the job front last week. I got a call from a private school that I applied to work at in August. The position was for a PR manager. They called me back last week and said they were finally starting the interview process. They want to interview me in the next couple of weeks, they say. The job is basically what I was doing in my internship. I LOVED my internship, so I think I would enjoy this job. I'd like to try my hand at something like this before deciding to do the education stuff, maybe. The thought of more college right now kind of makes me want to cry! Even though it'd only be 1-2 classes now, I'd have to take many more the first few years, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. The thing is, I think I would be happy doing a lot of things, so I find it hard to narrow my interests. We'll see what happens.

My bestest wrote me a wonderful letter as one of her 101 things, and it definitely cheered up my Monday blahs. I heart you so muchly, Andrea! I can't wait to see you again!

Speaking of Andrea, she talked me into buying the Transiberian Orchestra tickets that I have been hmming and hawing over for weeks. She said it is the most awesome thing ever, and I am super excited to go on December 20! Bryan and I are going to see it as a date night for one of our Christmas presents to each other. :)

I'm getting my knitting mojo back, and that makes me happy. I finished off 2 instant gratification projects last night:

This is Sophie, my Korknisse. She is made of a wine cork, if you can't tell. I think I will make her a boyfriend tonight. They take no time at all, so, that could be fun. I will probably end up making a whole brigade of them.

I also made some mitten ornaments:

They are going in aforementioned gift baskets. I cannot figure out why the sizes are so different.

I think I may make a pair of these as a fairly quick project before I go back to my damn Liesl. I messed that thing up pretty bad, so I'll probably be ripping back a lot. I think I lose interest for a while in knitting after I mess something up badly, then I have to make myself happy again by knitting instant gratification projects to prove to myself that I am not an asshat. Wish me luck being brave enough to pick it up again.

Have a great week, dear readers!

101 Things in 1001 Days

2008-11-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

My List
(Categorized, but in no particular order)

Start Date: November 3, 2008
End Date: August 1, 2011

Completed items will be in bold and in progress will be in italics.

Crafting, Photography, Cooking, and other Hobbies

1. Knit at least 2 reusable Swiffer cloths so I can be environmentally friendly and save money
2. Create an album of some of my photos from college
3. Organize my wedding photo album(s)
4. Grow an herb garden (and keep it alive!)
5. Take artistic photographs
6. Participate in 100strangers.com
7. Learn to design knitting patterns and attempt to create some of my own to share/sell
8. Create and share a recipe on Allrecipes.com
9. Learn to quilt
10. Go skiing at least 6 times
11. Make bath bombs
12. Write a romance novel and submit it for publication
13. Knit the Central Park Hoodie
14. Buy the wooden Harmony circular needles from KnitPicks
15. Make sushi
16. Spin yarn from bamboo or other plant fiber that I hopefully won't have an asthmatic reaction to like I did wool
17. Buy a skein of the elusive Wollmeise
18. Craft with shrinky dinks
19. Buy some Play-doh to play with when I am sad/bored/stressed
20. Learn to make baklava
21. Make an altered book
22. Learn to play the guitar on Rock Band on Expert
23. Make real pumpkin pie from scratch with pie pumpkins
24. Start playing the flute/piccolo again
25. Make fresh salsa

Reading

26. Read at least 2 books a month
27. Read Anna Karenina
28. Go back and read some of my favorite Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley books from the library
29. Read No Opportunity Wasted
30. Go back and read Spoon River Anthology and write my own Spoon River-style characters

Learning

31. Complete the 1 or 2 classes necessary to get my alternate teaching license
32. Get re-certified in first aid and CPR
33. Take a cooking class
34. Take a painting/drawing class
35. Take a pottery class
36. Learn to do the Thriller dance
37. Take dancing lessons with Bryan
38. Re-learn some sign language using my old class book
39. Learn a new language on my own (one that Bryan does not speak)
40. Try snowboarding
41. Try glass blowing

Exploring

42. Visit COSI for the first time since my childhood
43. Visit Las Vegas
44. Go to the beach
45. Go on a trip for my wedding anniversary
46. Visit Cooper's Rock

The Unknown

47. Buy an outfit that is unlike anything I would ever consider wearing and wear it
48. Visit a state I have never been to before
49. Visit a service for a religion that is different than mine

Kindness to Others and the Earth

50. Donate an article of clothing to Goodwill each time I bring a new clothing item home
51. Do something nice for elderly people in a nursing/retirement home on Valentine's Day
52. Try to donate blood again (and hope that they don't pop my vein again)
53. Put at least 3 items on Freecycle a year
54. Teach someone to do something that I can do (knit, crochet, whatever)
55. Compliment someone every day
56. Write a letter to mom and dad telling them how much they mean to me
57. Do a random act of kindness by paying for someone behind me in the drive thru
58. Use cloth bags for shopping
59. Send a care package to someone in the military

Personal Growth/Health/Whatever

60. Get a tattoo
61. Replace the Kia
62. Buy a bicycle and ride it
63. Do Wii Fit 3 times a week
64. Live as a vegetarian for a week
65. Give mineral makeup another whirl
66. Floss daily
67. Try escargot
68. Try to find a food dish that I like that incorporates mushrooms, my archnemesis "vegetable"
69. Take my vitamins every day
70. Stop fighting with Bryan over stupid things that don't matter 5 minutes later
71. Write a letter to myself to read when I am 30
72. Find a job that is emotionally, psychologically, and financially satisfying
73. Send Christmas cards with the cats on them
74. Find a way to meet Sally if she returns to the States
75. Don't swear for a week
76. Drink only water for a week
77. Get a massage
78. Spend a weekend at home without touching the computer
79. Buy a beautiful dress that I want just because and find somewhere to wear it
80. Pay off all of our debt and work on spending less
81. Go to a concert
82. Watch all of the top 20 movies on AFI's top 100 list
83. Have a tarot reading
84. Ride all of the roller coasters at Cedar Point and King's Island
85. Go to a murder mystery dinner show
86. Go to the farmer's market at least once a month when it is open
87. Purchase an antique piece of jewelry
88. Submit a Post Secret
89. Try a new food or drink every month

Other Goals

90. Host a fondue party
91. Host a night out with my girlfriends in Columbus where we all go bar hopping in old bridesmaid dresses
92. Find a church to attend in the Columbus area
93. Unpack the rest of the boxes in our utility room
94. Have a real Christmas tree
95. Buy the Peanuts holiday collection
96. Shave my legs more, even in the winter
97. Try all of the flavors at Jeni's Ice Cream
98. Grow my hair out long again
99. Donate $2 to charity for each uncompleted goal
100. Identify 100 things that make me happy
101. Do a new list after time is up on this list

So, it begins...

2008-10-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

I felt that it was time for me to start a knitting blog, as most people on Ravelry have. So, this blog will be mostly about knitting, but I am sure life will be involved, too... I just don't recommend reading if you have zero interest in needles and yarn. ;P

I have to thank my good friend Andrea for the name of this blog. I suck at being creative with naming things, and she hit the nail on the head... I love knitting, and I definitely margaritas. The two do not mix well, so we may get to see some of that on this blog.

I am currently in a bit of a knitting rut. I am working on Liesl , but I made a pretty bad mistake in it somewhere that resulted in my stitch count being way off. When this kind of thing happens, I have a bad habit of throwing the project down and avoiding it rather than fixing the problem. Smart, huh? I am also working on a tiny mitten ornament, a Swiffer cloth, and a shrug. Okay, so those are just sitting in my knitting basket, but my project list says I am working on them. I think I want to whip out a pair of Cable Twist Socks before I try to fix my Liesl. Worsted socks don't take too terribly long to crank out, and socks always give a sense of accomplishment... So, I think that'd be a good way to jump back into knitting. May start those tomorrow at Knit Night.

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting Yarn Market with knitting group friends Erin and Andrea. It was an amazing place, with an overwhelming amount of yarn. I was amazed that they just let us run loose in their warehouse with thousands of skeins of yarn. I would happily move into one of the yarn bins... Preferably the one with the $300 balls of vicuna. ;) Yes, that is right, 217 yards of vicuna for the low, low price of $300!

I should stop rambling now and go to bed. My work hours kind of suck this week. I worked 11-6 today, and I have to work 8-6 the next two days. Blah for that!