What three would you choose?

A male friend of mine from my "former life" (aka the job I retired from lol) asked me this question a few years ago. I found it very intriguing as I think it tells something about anyone who answers.

If you knew you were going to be sent to a deserted island and you were allowed to take three books and only three books, which three would you take?

No wiseguys with "how to build boats out of palm leaves" or "I wouldn't go" comments please. lol

Almost TGIF!!

Of course there is a story behind these pictures. Lexi may be the only kitty on the block with her own water fountain. She had a kidney infection a few years ago and I always try to keep plenty of fresh water for her. So when I heard about these water fountains and how the oxygen level in the water enticed pets to drink more water, I had to get one. Lexi has had one for almost a year now. If you'll notice in the pictures, there is a transparent blue resevoir to the left. In the first picture it appears Lexi is just lapping up water like she is a parched kitty. The real truth is, she is lapping up water like crazy in hopes that she'll cause some bubbles to gurgle in the resevoir. Notice how she's on the left side of the fountain in picture 2 and 3. She has jumped to that side trying to catch those bubbles. lol I'll catch her drinking water and eyeing that resevoir and know she's just drinking so she can play. Like most cats, she doesn't want any water ON her. But she'll bat at the water in the bowl portion in hopes that it might cause more bubbles to gurgle. It is just lots of fun to watch her. She's a funny girl.

I went to the Thursday night Sit and Knit here in Norman tonight. We had a great time. Vanessa brought her very first sweater she ever knitted and it was knitted with intarsia designs on the front and back. It was gorgeous! Not only were we impressed that she did a fine job with the intarsia but that she also did a fantastic job on her first sweater ever! We have several sock knitters, Vanessa, Rosemary and Shanidy all were working on very colorful socks. Vanessa and Shanidy were doing Magic Loop and Rosemary was working with delicate Lantern Moon dp's. Rebecca was working on her gorgeous pale blue cardigan. Her yarn is so pretty and has a very nice feel to it. Susan was working on her purple sweater and Denise had a fun fur scarf on the needles. I can't believe I didn't notice what Tandi was working on. If you read this, forgive me Tandi! Three ladies joined us late and two were Gourmet Yarn Knit-In attendees who had driven all the way from NW OKC to join us. Let me see if Jenny's thing worked. Jello is for Jenny, Cat is for Candy and Apples for Ashley. (I hope I spelled all those names correctly!) lol Anyway, we had a great time and if any other knitters, crochet people or stitchers of any sort wish to join us, we meet there each Thursday at 7, Border's in Norman.

Margaret is back and I'm excited. She's going to have some new things soon and I can hardly wait. I told Susan I'd make it to Knitty Committee this Saturday. Hmmmm, I wonder if I can wake up, get around and get dressed and on the road before it ends at noon? lol

Long time no blog

This week already seems seven days long. lol I had company most of the weekend and then new company the first part of the week. I enjoyed the visit so much I didn't even think of anything to post. I didn't knit either until tonight. Needless to say, I haven't gotten much done on the Market Squares Bag. I'm pretty sure I'll attend the Norman knitting group tomorrow unless something comes up that prevents me. lol Nothing more to say, hope everyone is knitting well!

Friday Friday

This is a picture of the entrelac bag I've been working on. It looks alot better in that picture than it does in my lap. lol

Emily, let me know when you are coming for a Thursday evening in Norman. We'd love to have you.

Not much to say tonight....this is good cuddling weather.

*&%$)(&*& Entrelac!!!

Last night I was in an odd knitting mood. I didn't want to pick up any project I was working on and so I picked up two different yarns and knitted a few rows on each and then frogged them as I was just "playing". Finally I picked up the Market Squares Bag I have not touched since last summer/fall and tried to remember how to do entrelac. Since I had not finished the tier I was on, it took me about 5 minutes to remember what to do and so I worked on finishing that tier. This morning, I was here at home waiting for UPS to deliver my new computer and I decided to work on that bag again. It took me over two hours to figure out how to do the different slant rectangle!!! lol The instructions said one thing, I tried it and so on and so forth but finally just looked at two tiers previous and ultimately got it to work. I'm working on smaller rectangles so I'm on the downhill slide. Maybe I'll get it finished before the Winter Knitting Olympics!!

New computer is great! Funny how quickly things change. My old keyboard and trackball both had PS2 connections and the new computer has only USB connections. I thought oh great! I have to go buy a new track ball and keyboard before I can use my new computer. Duh. They sent a basic keyboard and a basic mouse with the new computer. lol I had to laugh at myself because I was thinking keyboard with mute or no keyboard at all!! Trackball not a mouse, as it ultimately bothers my neck. I found my trackball at Office Max tonight but didn't find a keyboard I like.

Went to the Border's knitting group tonight. I think we had 12 people and one was a guy!! He was with his girlfriend and knitting! Isn't that great? We see so few men who knit. Tonight several were working on socks, one was working a knitted teddy bear, a scarf, a sweater and some afghan squares. Rebecca brought a beautiful scarf she and her daughter had made. She wove the most beautiful fabric on a loom. A friend had given the daughter some yarn she'd brought back from another country and so they got some other yarns to make accents in the fabric and it turned out beautiful.

I hear the shower calling my name!! G'night!

Knitting Articles

The sock above was knitted by the lady in the picture. Please forgive me if I remembered this incorrectly, but I believe her name is Sherry. She was at the guild meeting this past Sunday. I love blues and greens ( as Terri will verify) and I fell in love with her socks. Pretty! Pretty!

I believe Terri is responsible for this next item also. If you go to Google there is a way to notify Google to send you emails whenever your "topic" appears on the net. I can't recall exactly how to do this, but, I get 3 or 4 emails a week notifying me of knitting articles. This is where I learned the word cognoscenti. And another email brought this phrase: Ribs, purls and beer. I thought the articles were very interesting and I need to thank Terri for bringing that Google feature to my attention.

Tomorrow night is the weekly knit meeting at Border's here in Norman. I'm looking forward to it. I just get excited when I am going to sit amongst other knitters and see their projects.

Good news!! UPS attempted to deliver my new computer today. I wasn't home, but at work, so I'll be home during the delivery window tomorrow and ultimately be FREE of the blue screen of death!! lol

Shelly, the lambs are some logo items my sister created for our guild. While we chose another logo, we wanted to use the lambs as part of our guild. We are going to get them trademarked so they belong to our guild. Susan downloaded the logo to the OKC Metro Knitter's Guild Yahoo Group site, but I don't think the lambs are on there yet. Anyway, there are 4 or 5 and Susan decided they needed names and that would be a perfect excuse for a contest! lol I have the originals and if I remember I'll bring them Thursday evening and show them to you.

Camera Ducking

I've been thinking all day of the Knitting Olympics. My yarn came in for the baby blanket. So I could do that but I'm also dying to start socks. I just don't know what to knit. Is anyone else jumping in the ring besides Emily?

I submitted my name suggestions for the lambs for our guild. I have to confess I had two names I wanted before Susan announced the contest. They are darling lambs if I do say so myself. I knew when I volunteered my sister to do the logo (previous to asking her!! I might add) that she'd do some great looking stuff.

I tried to load two pictures of Margaret and Jennifer doing a fine job of ducking my camera the other day. But blogspot is apparently having some problems. I'll try once more and if it doesn't work I may have to post them at another time.

I'm watching American Idol. Sometimes I wonder why some people ever thought they had great voices?? lol Unless they secretly hope to be the next William Hung! lol

Not much to say today.

Anyone watch Ellen today?

If you did then you know what I'm getting ready to tell. Ellen's Mama moved out to the country. So Ellen called her to get the Farm Report. Mama proceeded to tell Ellen about the new knitting group she had joined called the Crafty Bitches. lol She said they were fine women and not to think otherwise because of the name of the group. lol And of course being daytime television they bleeped the bitches part. But I thought it was neat. It seems everyone is being bit by the knitting bug!!

I finally got around to looking at my Southern Living Magazine that has been here for over two weeks and there is an article about relaxing etc. and they have a few pictures of women in a group knitting. It's just EVERYWHERE!!!

I used my day to do chores and to make my all day recipe of a True Bowl of Red. I ate a small bowl tonight but it won't be really good until it sets in the fridge all night. I think the last time I made this recipe was well over 15 years ago. I have to confess, spending a whole day simmering and pureeing and simmering some more is usually more time than I want to commit to. Usually I just grab a package of William's Chili seasoning and let it go at that. But then I "pay" for it later when the tomato ingredients start talking to me! lol

I'm posting some pictures taken at guild yesterday of some socks that I am DYING to make. Remember the old phrase "he's got a dollar burning a hole in his pocket"? Well I've got some yarn burning a hole in mine....just screaming to be knit into socks. lol This is the Jaywalker pattern and is available online free. I guess I'd better get some of those tiny needles and enroll in that next Saturday sock class! lol This is the talented lady's blog site who knitted those socks. Her name is Rosemary and she is the one who told me about the Thursday evening group in Norman at Borders.

If you missed the guild meeting yesterday, you missed a great time. I love learning how to do new things in knitting and the list of scheduled events over the next several months is really exciting! We will have someone come in and talk about lace knitting, swatches and different cast-on methods. (cast-on methods was something I thought about suggesting but that Susan beat me to it!! lol)

Emily, I keep looking for those pictures of your sweater and then remember I took those with YOUR camera and not mine. lol

More pictures

Super Sunday Guild Meeting!

I think we had a GREAT guild meeting today. I counted heads and wouldn't you know it, I can't remember how many now! lol Susan did a fantastic job and is so organized I think I'm jealous. She also taught us how to make cables without needles. Here are a few examples from ladies at the meeting today and a few pictures of the group. Please excuse the slight blur on the one picture, I just wanted to make sure I showed everyone!

Don't have much to say, the pictures speak for themselves!

Sweet Saturday

Even though I didn't go to work yesterday I am glad to see Saturday. The earth didn't move but only tremored after the early morning quake yesterday. This morning I woke up feeling pretty good. My sister and mother, both migraine war veterans, think I had my first bonafide migraine. I'll take their word for it. lol It was weird.

Today I ran errands and while out went by Luff. 40% off today! I did find a few things that needed a new home. I also ran by the office to get my books that were delivered yesterday. I now have Vogue Knitting Stitchionary and EZ's Knitter's Almanac. Oh, and while at Luff's I picked up Vogue Knitting On the Go Socks Two. Now do I knit or read and drool? lol

Don't have much to post today. Am feeling much better and I can't wait until tomorrow for the OKC Metro Guild Meeting. For anyone who isn't aware, it's for anyone who cares to attend, from 3-5 at Gourmet Yarn on May between Britton and Hefner in the Collonade Shopping Center. Our lesson is how to make cables without cable needles. We'd love for all knitters to come.

Friday the 13th

This has been a different day. I woke up this morning and sat on the edge of the bed and the earth moved. It didn't stop moving until I laid back down and only then after a few seconds. lol I managed to get up a bit later and after about 45 minutes decided that bed wasn't a bad place to be. It's odd, I don't know if I've picked up a bug or if it's inner ear. I feel fine other than the woozy, spinning type feeling in my head. It's eased up as the day progressed but still faintly there.

This afternoon my computer, once again, gave me the blue screen of death and stated unable to write to C drive, data may be lost. Wow! It did it again right in the middle of that sentence. I had the hard drive replaced last June I think. That one didn't last 3 months and I had the second one put in in September before I moved. To me, there has to be something else in my computer causing brand new hard drives to crash. I'm not downloading music or putting lots of programs on. I'm a pretty basic user, internet, email, Yahoo Messenger and that is about it. Occassionally use Word. I use Spybot, AdAware, Norton Systemworks, firewall and antivirus. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! And this is the stuff out of cartoons.....I had just signed up to change my phone service to Vonage when the first crash happened. I HAVE to have a computer for phone service now. lol I guess it's time to start shopping.

So if you send emails or comments on the blog and you don't hear back from me.....you'll know what happened.

Thursday evening at Borders

I had a nice evening at Border's. There is a knitting group that just started meeting there. I think tonight was the second time to meet??? I think I counted 12 ladies although one or two more may have arrived a bit later. Terri came and I'm glad she did. We both worked on DW washcloths. There were a few ladies who crocheted but most of us were knitters. I saw some pretty yarn and a beautiful soft pale blue sweater. Terri told them about the OKC knitting guild and the monthly knit-in at Gourmet Yarn.

Terri is going to start a blog! Several of the ladies at the table have blogs. This time we gave email addresses for an email list Susan has started. I believe she is the one who organized this Border's group. Maybe next time we'll share blog addresses. I think that would be fun.

I'm pooped. I'm not used to staying out this late on a work night. lol I'm such an old fuddy-duddy! Oh I almost forgot!! I am thinking about starting a side business...a knitting related side business----a frogging service. I have lots of practice in frogging. In fact, last night after confessing to all my UFO's I can now say I have one less UFO, the Branching Out Scarf. I thought I was on row 1 and I was on row 7 and somehow or another I messed it up and had to frog it. So if you can't bring yourself to frog that project, call me. I'm excellent at it! lol

Guild Swatch

I knew I'd better do my swatch tonight or it would not be finished by guild time on Sunday. Do you recognize that Stockinette Stitch curl on each side? lol

I started a new washcloth last night. I need a mindless project to knit at meetings. I'm going to Border's tomorrow night to knit with a group here in Norman. I know I'll be paying more attention to what others are saying and will mess up something I have to pay attention to....and I can knit on it Sunday at guild meeting.

I have a confession. I suffer from UFO's. I now have OTN a scarf, a washcloth, a stocking, a market squares bag, a sock, a chapeau and a beanie. And I'm wanting to start on the Berroco tote. I probably have some others that I'm not remembering right now. Anyone else want to confess?? lol

Magic Loop or Toe Up?

And tonight's main feature is:









These two skeins of Koigu are burning to be made into something. I just want to get needles and start doing something with them. It's fingerling weight so socks are my plan. I can't decide if I want to take the Magic Loop sock class or the Toe Up? Sounds like a Margaret question to me.

I started an icey lime beanie to replace the failed Fixation Beanie. The band of the hat isn't "cupping" like the pink one did so I'm afraid it won't stay on her head. I called Margaret today and she needs to see it. So that project is on hold until I get the expert opinion. lol I guess that means the way is clear to start my Berroco Bag! I frogged the swatch I was so excited about while at the Knit-In last Saturday. Karen assured me I didn't need to swatch so I guess I'll cast on and start knitting.

Monday Monday

I'm driving home today and stop at the light. I look in the lane to the left and see this SUV with a medium sized dog sitting in the passenger seat, dad is driving. I love seeing a dog in the car with his mom or dad. They usually look so happy and sometimes are excited and turning around or if the weather permits have their heads out the window so they enjoy the wind. I look closer and notice there is another dog right next to the one but the second dog is just a bit smaller. They are both jostling for position, tails wagging, big smiles on their dog faces. Then I notice, there is something in the back seat. Another dog? We are positioned so that I can't tell without turning around so I wait for the light to change. The SUV starts moving and it's MOM! in the back seat. I don't know why that struck me so funny but it did. Sometimes I see a mother sitting in back so one of the kids can sit up front but this time it was their two canine children. Ok...maybe you had to be there. lol

I had a Barnes and Noble gift card I needed to use. I went this weekend to find Vogue Knitting Stitchionary and couldn't find it in either Borders or B & N. Soooo I decided to order it with the gift card online and in order to get free shipping I also ordered Elizabeth Zimmerman's Almanac. I'm borrowing this comment from someone who posts on Knitter's Review: I always wanted a library but I never realized it would consist of knitting books! lol

We have some moisture heading our way. I hope and pray it's a nice wet snow and that we get at least 3 inches! The tv said Norman might get a trace to 1 inch but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Emily, if I may borrow your idea.......

Notice the black toes nestled in white booted paws....and the one striped leg covering her eyes....and the peek of a tummy spot.

Saturday at the Knit-In

If you missed the Knit-in at Gourmet Yarn tonight, you missed a great time. We had a nice bunch of knitter's and crocheter's (is that the right term? lol) and a spread of good treats. Jennifer was working on her blackberry, Karen was knitting on a beautiful Noro throw. Emily is nearing the end of her Noro scarf and Terri was knitting a scarf on some beautiful yarn I think I heard her say came from Germany. I love these knit-ins. I get so much inspiration from talking to the people who come and by seeing the projects they are working on. I sat right across from Susan and I apologize, I don't think I paid attention to what you were knitting....I think we were too busy talking! lol I saw several new faces and I'm sorry I didn't get everyone's name.

I bought some pretty yarn today. I went to Luff here in Norman for Katy's close-out sale. I got two skeins of Koigu PPM that I may just keep as trophies! I've adored that yarn for soooo long and this is the first I've purchased. It might be my "petting" yarn. lol I also got some lovely silk Reynold's Mandalay in an olive green.

I messed up the swatch of the Berroco knitting tote I was so excited about. So I frogged it while at the knit-in and also took the opportunity to clean out my knitting bag. It had really gotten into a mess during the trip to Colorado. I found a nice bundle of yarn labels in the bottom for Margaret. I left them on a table in a workroom so I hope she gets them.

Lexi says it's bedtime so I'd better end this and head that way.

Just in time.....

I finished the gift scarf just in time. The now former co-worker I made it for just got back from Virginia today and will come by the office tomorrow as she is moving to Tulsa this weekend. I didn't really enjoy knitting with this color. It's so dark that the only time I had good lighting was when I knitted in the car on the trip to Colorado. I chose the color based on colors I'd seen her wear. So now I think I need to seriously investigate a good floor lamp. Any suggestions?? Is the Ott lamp worth the price? I have a torchier lamp and have wondered would any of the fancy long-lasting light bulbs do any good at all? I think I can burn up to 100w in the lamp.

Something else I realized earlier. Thank God for digital cameras! I love that I can finish an item and immediately get the camera, take pictures, download to my computer and see if any are truly worth the shots and then post within minutes!! Ain't technology grand???

I'm excited about getting back to my Berroco Knitting Tote swatch. Ha! Can you imagine anyone being excited over a swatch? lol Another project that is really yelling at me is a scarf out of some Kidsilk Haze I bought almost a year ago. I just realized today that the Branching Out Scarf on Knitty.com might be the perfect pattern for that yarn. And since I am drawn to lace patterns I think I may try that. Although, when I first got the Kidsilk Haze I put needles to it just to see what it was like and I was very disappointed as it tangled so easy. So we'll see how this progresses. lol

Susan, tag, you're it!!

Do I have to?

go back to work tomorrow. Ugh. What is it about a few days off that makes me want to be a woman of leisure like Lexi? Maybe I should ask her to bring home the bacon for awhile and let me nap and relax all day. Ok, useless thought, I know.

I had planned to clean, dust and try to unpack a few more boxes (yes, I still have a bedroom full of unopened boxes from moving). Sometimes it takes me an hour or more to "come to" in the morning. By the time I did my computer was acting up. It did so the night before too. Long story short and one visit from a Cox technician, I have a new modem. I don't know why that threw such a monkey wrench into my plans. I still cleaned and dusted, painted on the shelves some and even got a nap in! Oh and made some delicious taboli. I even knitted a wee bit on the gift scarf. 2.5 sections plus fringe to go. No big news, just one day where I didn't put on makeup nor leave the house. Heaven. lol

First day of the New Year

So much for trying to prime my new shelves. Even though I'm in the garage and the wind is not blowing out of the west, it's still causing the drop cloth to billow and the doors to the furnace and hot water heater to open and close and open and close. lol So I secured the doors and decided to wait and see how conditions are tomorrow. Since I had an early morning (2:11 am to be exact) wake up call from my neighbors, I had to take a nap this afternoon. I am often amazed to think how I used to resist a nap and now I love taking a nap! I guess it may have something to do with age, huh?

I have 5.5 sections of the gift scarf left to do. I haven't picked it up except for that brief moment at Gourmet Yarn while waiting for Susan. She had perfect timing, as I picked it up she walked in the door! I just haven't wanted to touch it and I have to get it done THIS WEEK!! The fact that I bought the Berroco Suede for my Berroco Knitting Tote and some lucious icey lime cotton for a beach beanie for a niece probably has nothing to do with my lack of interest in the gift scarf. (You didn't believe that did you?)

The only picture I have to post today is of Lexi. I wished I could nap any ole time I wanted. She's one lucky kitty.