Purls and Pugs

Happy almost Friday!

I've decided what I am going to bring with me to knit on the plane to Vegas. The babies that I made the Bears hats for have arrived, and I still need to complete their booties before their christening. Auntie Jenn decided on the Old World Felted Booties for her little nephews. I figure I can knock those out on the plane and during any downtime (ha! Downtime? Who am I kidding?), and then felt them when I get back...All ready for the babies's christening.

Superbowl this weekend...blah, blah, blah....that's kinda how I feel about it this year. Perhaps there was way too much excitement over it last year in the Windy City, and now we need a break. Or perhaps no one really cares which East Coast team wins. Smart money is on the latter.

I have to mention that this is the best time of year! I love tax time! I've begun calling it tax-Christmas because I feel like I am getting a gift back from the government. LOVE IT! I know some of you end up even or have to pay, and I'm sorry you don't get to participate in tax-Christmas. In your cases--Bah Humbug!

Too bad I won't be there to put money on the Superbowl...

Damn, it's cold! Everyone's been talking about Global Warming lately, and I am just not seeing it 'warm'. Well, just in time for the tundra to move into Illinois, I will be going to Las Vegas next week! I CAN NOT wait! According to the forecast on weather.com, it's supposed to be in the 60s F in Vegas...That is tropical! I'm sure Monica can attest to how different that is from Chicago winters. BTW, Monica, you got any good suggestions of places for yarn? Like I need any more...

Last time I was in Vegas was in December and it was around 60 then, too. It was funny to see people from warm climates all bundled up in Uggs and scarves, and those of us from cooler climates were running around practically in shorts and tank tops!

I need to figure out what I want to bring to knit on the plane. I can probably get away with starting a sweater, but there is no way I can bring the sample with me--too big. I am thinking of starting the Back to School U-Neck Vest or the Cozy V-Neck Pullover with Deep Ribbing from Fitted Knits. I could entertain sock knitting, but I'm just not sure what socks I want right now. Sweaters sound so warm and yummy right now.

Be afraid, be very afraid

I have been knitting, folks. I promise. I was hoping to get the pattern and sample done before I start back up with classes, but I don't think that is going to happen. I am dangerously close to finishing the sample, but I need to sit down and do some work on the pattern. Here is a picture of the sample. It's a pretty plain sweater right now, but it'll be jazzed up soon. I'm sure you all have your guesses...

For some reason, I am a freakishly huge fan of Hooters. I guess because I have been going there since I was 17 I have this preference for those wings (or strips in my case). BWW is ok, but Hooters is just better in my opinion. Anyway, my strange addiction some how landed me at the Fox Valley Hooters on Friday celebrating their 25th Anniversary. Every 25th of the month is a celebration this year...like I need a reason! Some of my friends and I even managed to get some Hooters beads. There was no flashing involved, so its all good.

Classes begin on Wednesday, and I am not looking forward to it. The silver lining is that in 15 weeks, I'll have my masters degree. I might complain a lot about the school work, but it's totally worth it. I'll be the last of the older 4 grandkids to have completed my masters (the younger 2 are still in or barely out of college). I think it's great that my family puts such an emphasis on education.

Anyway, my school friends and I are getting ready for a game night at the end of the month. I'm putting on my game face! Argh! Aren't I scary? Gotta talk some smack, too...I guarantee I'll win! Gotta find ways to cut the stress!

I think the inside of my nose froze...

It was -9 F when I woke up this morning! I think it's something like -25 F with the wind chill. Seriously, if I wanted weather this cold, I would move to Antartica or Alaska. I live in the Midwest! It shouldn't be this cold. I remember about 11 years ago, the windchill was somewhere around -40 F and got as far down at like -70 F. Don't quote me on that, but I remember High School midterms being postponed until people wouldn't get frostbite waiting for the bus.

Just to clarify, it's not like this every winter. We have some winters where it's 60 F most of the time. If it were below zero all the time, I would seriously relocate. I just don't get how people can live somewhere and then complain about how cold/hot it constantly and consistently is....I say, do something about it and stop complaining. Sorry...that's my rant for the day.

Since it's been so cold lately, I've been moving very slowly. Yoda, too. Why go outside when we can stay inside the warm house? Who needs food anyway? I've been working on getting the sample/pattern done...sorry, still no pictures.

But it's Friday and that makes it a great day. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

Confessions and an apology...

  I am really embarrassed to admit this, but I wanted the Green Bay Packers to win against the Giants yesterday. Part of it was I wanted the Cowboys loss to be vindicated, and part of it was that I really am not a Giants fan...But now I feel a little, um, dirty? I'm sorry Bears Gods!

What is really bad about me not so secretly wanting the Packers to win is that I actually dated a Packers fan once, and I never gave him an inch. And that's when the Packers were way better than the Bears. I said I would never root for the Packers because it is against my religion...well, I must be going to hell. I know you read this Mr. Ex-Boyfriend, so please accept my apologies for being so stubborn and now going against my promise to never root for the Packers. I try to never break promises I make...

So now the big question is Patriots or Giants? What's a girl to do?

It's a small world...

It's amazing what a small world this is. It really is. I recently met someone that went to high school with another person I know. It's funny how you happen upon these things. It kind of takes you aback a little. It also makes you want to find out more about how each person was in High School....muwahahaha!

It's also amazing how you can meet people that you've walked passed or worked with and had no idea until you are talking later...a lot of that going on this week, too.

When I was in Germany this last summer, quite a few people ran into people from high school and one even ran into someone from her wedding. How does that happen? The world is getting much smaller...

Sexy, Smoky Eyes

What a wonderful weekend! I had a friend visit from the exotic city of Peoria, IL, and we had a great time. I introduced her to Noodles & Co (yum!), Ethel's Chocolate Fondue, and Greek Food (double yum!). Before we went downtown to Greek Town, we had a makeup lesson at my salon. I had seen that they were offering free mini-lessons on Saturdays, so I jumped on it.

My friend was a little skeptical until she really learned what she wanted to learn. Then she was impressed and bought all the makeup she used. I wanted to learn probably the most difficult eye technique ever - smoky eyes. I am totally afraid of black eyeshadow, so I figured this would be the best time to learn.

Just look at those eyes! Love it! I wanted to buy the shadows, but they were out, so I have to wait. To be honest, there is really not much to the smoky eyes, but you have to be careful so you don't end up with black streaks on your face. The makeup artist said that a lot of people can't pull it off, but I am one of the lucky ones! Yippee!! This is totally not a day look, but great for my upcoming trip to Vegas.

My favorite part of the weekend was the trip to The Parthenon Restaurant. My parent's have been going to this place for over 40 years, so I started going before I was even born. Almost everyone I have taken there loves it. The atmosphere is fun and the food is outstanding. On Saturday, a Bulgarian friend and her boyfriend said it's the biggest menu they've ever seen, and the food was excellent. And they should know...Bulgarian food is very similar to Greek. She promised to take us to a Bulgarian restaurant next. Chicago really is the place for trying all sorts of food.

I did get to knit on my sample this weekend. I've completed the arm increases, and have gone on to the body. I'll see if I can artistically take a picture of it so ya'll don't figure it out. Muwahahaha!

Buy Illinois

Here is Yoda modeling her new harness that she received as a Christmas gift. Doesn't she look devistating? Notice that her name is embroidered on the harness. She also received a matching leash! That is one lucky pug.

In addition to her stylish accessories, she also received some Sweet Potato Treats and Rice Treats. It was a good mail day for Yoda!

All of these lovely gifts are available from this little place in Decatur, IL. Visit Little Barks and tell them Yoda sent you!

It's a much better day

Have you ever had that kind of week where everything seems to go wrong? I was beginning to have that week, but I took control and made it start going in the right direction. See my wireless network was acting a little funny...funny like it wasn't working at all! My desktop couldn't see any networks and my laptop was extremely slow to not allowing me to get on the Internet.

Then during all the storms on Monday I realized that my brand new door (this is door, windows, jamb...everything that fills what would be a huge hole in my house otherwise) was leaking... a lot. I had a pond forming on my fairly new laminate flooring. Eek! The door company was called and they made an appointment for Wed sometime between 10a -12p. While those are not bad times, I need to work from home. To work from home, I need Internet access...see the vicious cycle forming here?

To make matters worse, I woke up yesterday with major pain in my wrist. I know it's from carrying Yoda up and down the stairs while a pinched nerve is healing (I began calling it Yoda-tunnel). Tuesday was just plain miserable.

But I took charge and made it better. Since I work in IT, I kinda know some people who know stuff about networks. So, I got some ideas on how to possibly fix the network without new hardware. Then I promptly bought new hardware just in case. Who wants to be running out getting that stuff when you are already frustrated? Well, none of the 'tricks' worked, so I ripped open a new 'n' router and network card (BTW--pet peeve: never call it a NIC Card. That's redundant. The 'C' in NIC means card. Do you really want to be the one saying Network Interface Card Card?) and began installing. I got a great deal on the router/card (only $10 more than the g), so I figured I may as well upgrade. As it turns out, all my old hardware was bad. Took me forever to get it all working, which I hear is par for the course with this stuff, but it's working with great signal!

I went to bed last night feeling good that I don't have to worry about the Internet connection, and when I woke up, my wrist was feeling much better. Now, I am just waiting for the door people...

In knitting news, I have been working on my pattern and sample sweater. Here you can see the beginnings of the sample. As you can see, it is top down, so that should appeal to a lot of new knitters. Why not? It's so much nicer to be *done* with a sweater once you are done knitting. I've said that I like seaming when it turns out well, but I also want to wear my sweaters right away!

Little Knitted FOs...how cute

I eluded last week to some baby items that I am making for people. The first ones are for twins being born this month. Their auntie wants the babies to be ready for football season, so she picked out the football helmets from Itty-Bitty Hats to be made. She also requested some booties that I have not gotten to, yet. But here I am modeling the hat since I have no babies in the house to help me out. It's totally better than Baby Gap!

Pattern: Itty-Bitty Hats Football
Yarn: Plymouth Encore in Navy, Orange, & White
Needles: Addi Turbos size 7
Notes: Instead of doing the football, I modified it for the Chicago Bears 'C'

No Makeup Monday

I am exhausted, thus no makeup. This weekend was very busy, but good busy. Saturday I spent running around picking up gifts and interviewing Yoda's potential new brother. My mom's doctor is looking for a good home for her step-daughter's pug to go live. He's two years old, all black, and so full of energy. He's a sweetie, but we need to have Yoda do an interview, as well...she is the boss after all!

Then it was off to Buca di Bepo for my friend Stacey's 30th Birthday. Since there were like 25 of us, we were seated at one of the Pope tables. We argued at length about which Pope it was staring at us while we gorged on Italian food. I even asked my grandmother the next day after taking a picture. She immediately said Pope John XXIII. I'll believe her...she's like a Catholic Rain Man!

But we all had a blast at the party! I think we ordered EVERYTHING off the menu. There was an obscene amount of food, and most of us went home with leftovers. And if you are looking for a new cocktail to try, order the Ultimate Raspberry Lemon Drop. MMMM...I could have had a gallon of that stuff, but driving home would have been a challenge. Don't we all look like we were having a great time in "Joe's Basement"?!

Then Sunday was my sister's actual graduation from graduate school. Yippee!! Here she is in her gown with her hood (teachers get pretty blue...MBA students get poopy brown....figures) and diploma cover. Doesn't she look enlightened? I think so.

Don't worry....knitting updates for the rest of the week!

Thank Goodness it's Friday!

Seriously. This little three day week has been quite a challenge. I guess that always happens, though...40 hours or more of work to cram into 18 hours. But on the positive, it is already Friday.

So this weekend is the social weekend for me. My sister is walking in her graduation ceremony and I am attending a 30 year birthday party for one of my friends. Oh, and my goal is to find some cuddle duds to wear to work. It's a problem when it's colder in the office than it is outside, and the temp reads below zero Ferenheit outside! At least I know that I will be doing all I can do to try to keep warm. Those Fetching mitts are getting a lot of wear right now.

Have a great weekend!

I like the Dentist

I know that sounds crazy, but I like going to the dentist. I do well there....barely any scraping, praise about my teeth, quick nap...and when I got home from the dentist last night, the yarn for my Knitscene pattern was waiting for me. Yippee!

I was a good girl, though. I made myself workout before I broke into any of the yarn. As a side note, my new workout promise to myself: Watch one episode of Lost at a time while on the treadmill beginning with season 1. I was hoping to get through all the seasons by the time the new ones came out, but I didn't realize there are 23 or 24 episodes a season! So, since there is no way I can walk that much, I am going to tivo the new season and not let myself watch those episodes until I get through the other three seasons. I've been very good about not popping those DVDs in and just watching them! Go me! Go tight butt! :-)

Anyway, I swatched a couple times for the sweater design. I was aiming for 18 sts x 24 rows swatch, and I got veryclose. This is the swatch after washing, and it did not change size. I guess I should mention it's Mission Falls 1824 superwash wool - very soft, very nice stitches. Now it's pattern time!

I want to leave you with a followup to the "Stephanie's Granddaughter" pictures. My sister, cousin, and I all wore our shirts on Christmas Day, and my grandmother didn't notice them for a couple hours! She was too involved in everything else. But here is a picture of Grandma with most of her grandkids...only one missing:

I don't wanna go...

So, I'm back at work today. Tons of fun, let me tell you. I was enjoying not having to really do anything while at home. Ahhh, to be independently wealthy. We can all dream, right?

So, I hit Fringe again this weekend. I had every intention of just buying some Encore for some baby stuff (after the whole Walmart experience, I thought at least I can talk to knitters about knitting stuff), but ended up stocking up on some Cotton Fleece, as well. They didn't have nearly the colors they had the last time I was there, but they still had some good ones. I figure that I have enough Winter yarn on hand, so I should have some Summer/Spring, too.

This is it guys! No more yarn until this is gone and my to do list is complete. I need to stick to my budget, and that should be pretty easy now that I have tons of pretty yarns to use up. I also don't seem to be cranking out sweaters quite as quickly as I used to, so this should last a while. I guess if I were smart, I would work on Summer sweaters now so that I can wear them and vice versa with the Winter sweaters. That is if I were smart!

Colors above: Pink-a-boo, Perry's Primrose, Banana, Lime Light, and Berry