Wednesday Knitting

First of all, let's start this post off with a great big old "well crap!".

Remember the completed pair of socks I recently found in a bag of yarn? I took off my shoes today after work and felt a cold draft in my heel.  I looked down and found this.

All together now:  Well, crap! 

I'd only worn them four or five times.  The entire heel is threadbare, so it wouldn't even be worth trying to darn it.  Darn it!  And this was one of those high dollar yarns, too.  JaWoll Jacquard, that I bought in a fancy schmancy yarn store up in Memphis back in 2007.  Well, I won't be buying any more of that.  Honestly, I'm getting better durability out of my cheap yarns, like Patons Kroy and Knit Picks Essential/Stroll. 

On to better news, I got two squares knit into blanket #1.  These are from some of the yarns Sue sent me. 

Slowly but surely, both blankets are coming along.  One of these days, I'm going to lay them both out and take pictures of them.  Today will not be that day.  One of these days, I'm going to find and drag out all my WIPs and photograph them.  Today will not be that day, either.

Moving right along...

For the last year or so, I've been taking cartoons to work from time to time.  A few weeks ago, I downloaded the Bitstrips app to my phone, and have been having great fun starring in my own cartoons.

Today, I took this one to work.

Everyone got a big kick out of it, especially Vanessa.  She was calling everyone over to look at it.   They all laughed, except Group Leader Fernando.  He just shook his head and said, "I'd like to know what goes on in that head of yours." 

And I spent the rest of the day practicing my evilest of evil grins. 

Bwahahahaha!

Chats On The Farmhouse Porch

It is a cold, rainy winter day, so let's not chat on the porch.  Join me around the kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee, why don't you?




Questions:


1.  Do you worry about what other people think? 

 Not so much.  I'm to the age where people's opinions just don't matter any more.  I figure as long as I'm living a life pleasing to God, everything else will fall into place. 

2.  Do you own a sewing machine? 

Yes, I do.  I used to sew all the time, but not so much any more.   I did sew myself a new skirt last fall, and I have a dress for the spring/summer in the works.  It still needs a zipper and to be hemmed, but it's almost done.

3.  Tell us about someone interesting in your life. Please.

Being a bit of a hermit myself, I don't really get out and meet people, therefore I can't think of anyone right now.   Unless you count the people on FB I know.  Then I could tell you some stories! 

4.  Did you watch the Super Bowl? 

Yes.  Seattle safety Earl Thomas III is from my hometown, so I had to support the Seahawks.  I didn't expect them to put that big of a smackdown on the Broncos, though.  

5.  What's the best dinner you had last week? 

Homemade tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich.   Or maybe my homemade potato soup.  That's all I've eaten since I made it.  I'm telling you, if people don't stop sharing such good recipes, I'm going to have to break down and find me a feller to help me eat all this stuff up. 

Maybe I need to add  line to my personals ad:  Must love soup. 

Groundhog Day

I hope that doesn't mean we get twelve more weeks of winter. 

The least he could do is send some snow to go along with the cold rain and mud.

Planking Challenge

No, not the weird photo poses kind.  The exercise kind.

This kind.

I've decided to give it a try, depending on how badly it irritates my bulging disc.  Anyone care to join me? 

Eye Candy Friday

For those of you wishing for spring. 

He Plays The Violin

Or he will, soon.

Cody had been wanting a violin, and between saving up and getting money for Christmas, he was finally able to order the one he wanted.  Yesterday, he posed this photo on FB. 

I can't wait to hear him play something. 

Hot And Cold

I had some potatoes.

These potatoes I had have been calling my name. I tried to ignore them, but they just got louder and more insistent. Finally, I could block them out no more. I had to make them into soup.   Them and the onion and celery that were sharing their space in the crisper drawer.  So I made soup.  Lots of soup. 

Again, I didn't have a recipe. I just kind of made it up as I went along.  It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.  Just perfect for a cold day like today.

While I was at it, I worked on the blankie. 

And I made some tomato soup, too.

Why I needed two pots of two different kinds of soup, I don't know, but apparently, I did.  And why I needed to make soup at all when I've got enough in the freezer to feed an army is beyond me.

I've long since given up trying to find a logical explanation for...well, for myself. 

I've long since given up trying to be anyone but myself, and I'm discovering that being me is a pretty darn good thing to be. 

Chats On The Farmhouse Porch

Interesting thing, the computer -- Cody's old desktop that I'd been using since mine died-- that I thought had died booted up just fine last night.  The bad news is, the USB port seems to be messed up, so I couldn't get my Quicken data to download to the thumb drive.  It has more USB ports in the back, but I just didn't feel like crawling under the desk to get to them. 

Now, on to today's chat.


Questions 


1.  Have you tried any DIY cleaning products or skin care products from the many recipes on the internet?

Yes, I have made my own laundry detergent and daily shower spray before.  I've also made a sugar scrub, but I keep forgetting to use it.

2.   Do you like to enter sweepstakes, giveaways, or prize drawings?

It depends.  If it's something on FB or a blog that doesn't require me to spend an arm and a leg to get an entry in, or do to hours worth of linking and liking stuff, I'll enter.  Otherwise, no.

3. How often do you visit your local library? Do you have a local library?

 I haven't been to the public library in years.  I've even let my card expire.  What with my Kindle and having so many unread books on it already, it doesn't seem that necessary.  Plus, our public library closes at 5:30, so that really limits the time I can be there.   I do visit the church library often, though.
 
4.  Do you have a simple mobile phone or one that does lots of things? 

 I've got an iPhone 4S.  I've discovered that if you wait until the next models come out, previous models get really cheap really fast.  Otherwise, I'd have a very simple phone. 

 5.  Tell me something new or interesting.  Please :)

Today is the 28th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger explosion.  I was in college at the time, my junior year.  I was in class when the explosion actually happened.  I found out about it when I went into the student union building to watch All My Children.  Instead of my favorite soap, there was news coverage of the tragedy. 

As we conclude today's chat, let's take a moment of silence to remember the 7 who died on that terrible day, January 28, 1986.

Yarn!!

I got a surprise in the mail today.  My friend Sue was doing a bit of housecleaning, and she sent a whole bag of yarn for the blankie. 

She also sent a few hanks of worsted weight for hats and such. 

Thanks, Sue! 

I can't wait to get started knitting with it, but first, I think I need a nap. 

Dear Disgusting Creep

If I am going to ruin my reputation, dishonor my God, and trash my good name in order to run away with a married man, it's going to have to be a much better man than you doing the asking.

But then, a better man would not be asking me to ruin my reputation, dishonor my God, and trash my good name in order to run away with a married man in the first place.

Now, would he? 

It's Here!!!

The first overtime check came in today, and my checking account breathed a sigh of relief.  It had gotten so tight it was squeaking.

Long family tradition dictates that with the first overtime check, we buy something we've been wanting for a long time, but had been putting off due to financial reasons.  When Cody was three-ish, it was a box of plastic bugs.

Other times it has been a DVD we'd been wanting, or even something as simple as going out for pizza.

Last summer, a friend posted a link to a ring.  Now, I'm not a big jewelry person, but I did love this ring. 

It cost a bit more than I normally spend on frivolities, so I took some old financial advice I'd heard years ago.  Wait 30 days before you buy it, and if you still want it that bad, go ahead.  I waited a bit longer than 30 days --like six months-- but I realized I still wanted it just as bad as I did when I first saw it. 
 

I must say, it's definitely going to take some getting used to. It's very heavy, but then it is titanium, and I'm not used to wearing rings at all.  Right now, I've got it on my right hand, but if it gets too annoying, I'm going to move it to my left. 

Then I'll have to say, "No, I did not get married" exactly 5836 times.  That may not be worth it. 

Speaking of marriages, I've been watching Bridezillas.  I've watched it (on Netflix) off and on for a few years now.  I'm telling you, I don't know why any man would want to be married to one of those shrieking harpies. 

Sometimes Group Leader Fernando calls me Bad Attitude.  Next time he does that, I'm just going to tell him, "Hey, it could be worse.  I could be a Bridezilla." 

Spring!

I bought seeds! 

Now, I stare forlornly at my frozen ground for three more months...

But since I could not wait for spring, I brought a little spring to me. 

And just what I want for Valentine's Day.  A Tar Wars mug.

(Read the price tag.)

More Computer Woes

I was having problems with my old desktop last summer.  It finally died completely, but as it was so old (2005), I decided not to try to get it fixed.  I just went and got Cody's desktop that he was no longer using and started using it.  Really, the only thing I was using it for was my banking and printing stuff out.  I spent most of my time on the laptop. 

Anyway, a couple of days ago, it started acting up.  Now, it won't boot up at all.  It's also ancient.  I got it for him the same year I got my old one -- 2005--so I doubt I try to get it fixed.  I think I'll just carry it in to the Computer Doctor and see if he can get my Quicken files off of it and then trash it. 

I won't be buying a new one any time soon, so I'll just have to stick with my laptop.

 And that's my excitement for today.

New Teeth

I'm getting new teeth!

Well, not all of them.  Just a few.

See, the thing is, when I was a kid, I had two molars that the permanent teeth never came in, thus the baby teeth never fell out.  When I was 19, my dentist decided it was time to get them pulled and put in bridges.  He told me that they would eventually need to be replaced, and that time has come.

I took out a flexible spending account to pay for it, but I greatly overestimated how much the bridges would cost.  Now, I will have quite a bit left over. 

I think I will get new glasses.  And get Cody a spare pair.

And buy some more Epi-Pens.  And get Cody an Epi-Pen. 

And if there's still more left, well, I'll think of something to do with it. 

Too bad I can't use it to pay the vet bills...

Rylea says, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Chats On The Farmhouse Porch

Yay! Chats are back!  Patrice has been having computer issues, but hopefully they are all worked out now.



Questions 


1.  How many seed catalogs have arrived at you home? 

 I think about 4.  I'll have to round them all up and see. 

2.  Will you be learning to do something new this year? 

 No.  I'd like to learn to weave, but a loom is a bit out of my budget right now.  I'd also like to learn to spin on a wheel, but again, a wheel is just a bit out of my budget.

3.  How many pair of boot do you own?(This can include casual, dressy, hiking, farm, riding, snow, or any other kind of boot.) 

Three.  I have a pair of rubber boots, a pair of work boots, and a pair of nicer boots.  

4.  Valentine's Day is just around the corner. There are decorations in the stores. Do you have anything planned for Valentine's Day? 

No.  

5.  Please tell me your favorite breeds of dogs. If you don't like dogs, tell me something about a favorite animal. (Please. :) 

My absolute favorite is the Alaskan Malamute.  I'd love to have one some day.  I also like Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.  I had one once, and a dog who was half Chessie and half Lab.  He was The Best Dog Ever.

You know, the Auntie in that story is the one we just lost.  Tomorrow she will be laid to rest.  I wish I could be there, but I didn't see any way possible.  Sharing this story, though, is a good memory.

Some people have the mistaken idea that we shouldn't mention those we've lost, because it might make someone cry.  I so disagree.

It's good to cry, it's good to grieve, but most of all, it's good to remember.