Friday, May 30, 2008

I Must Be Stopped

I'm sitting here with a nasty headache that was present and accounted for upon awakening. I only have 4 more blissful days until the kidlets are out of school for the summer, and I'm feeling too bleh to enjoy it today.

I need to update and balance the checking accounts, do some laundry, tidy the house, and run some errands. Instead, I'm playing on Ravelry. I happen to go to my queue and I notice the Sitcom Chic.

"I really need a summery sweater for those times I'm in overly air-conditioned places which is practically every where, because, Heaven forbid we as Americans should ever sweat! We are after all a nation of consumers, so let's consume some energy!"

"Will you shuddup already? You can't be starting a new project right now! You've got to finish the Husband's aran before June 21, because you've signed up to do the Summer of Socks. You're already committed to making socks this summer. If you're cold, just throw on one of your ratty sweatshirts."

"Yeah, you're committed alright. You're just cranky from the headache. Go take an aspirin. Listen, you've got to go pick up a prescription and some graduation and thank you cards, and Michaels is on the way home. You could run in and just see if they have enough Cotton-Ease (that's what is recommended) since you don't have a suitable alternative in the stash. Besides, it's supposed to be a quick knit."

"I think the aspirin is helping. Maybe Michaels won't have a color we like, and that will stop this yearning we have to start something new. Besides, Sheldon still doesn't have any feet."

Thursday, May 29, 2008

I Have a Confession

The best way to do this is just to jump in with both feet. I'm going to let you see something that most embarrasses me. It does not reflect well on me either. I hope y'all appreciate the size of my cahones after you see this picture. Here it goes...
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That, my friends, is our front room. It has been in some form of that state since we moved in 8 years ago. Yes (hangs head in shame). This is what greets visitors to our home. Let me tell ya, the rest of the house ain't much better.

But, it's about to change. That one wall will be covered in built in book cases. The other walls will be covered in paint, not crayon drawings. The floor will be covered in wood laminate (it has a 30 year guarantee - we need it with this crew). The lego covered table will be moved to the basement (you're next basement - I'm coming for ya!). The antique settee and matching chair that currently resides in the garage will be recovered and moved to this room.

I'm glad that's off my chest.

Finally blocked the 'go to' sweater (we don't need no stinking segues). It's amazing the amount of dirt that came out of this thing. Dirt that was picked up just by schlepping it around while it was in process. If you look closely, you can see the Jamieson and Smith DK that I picked up in Dogrose for the hem lining.
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I've got to shovel out the front room. An electrician is coming to install track lighting to shine on the soon to be installed book cases.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

What I need is a Deadline

I was reading Polly's post this morning. It' all about her monthly goals. God bless her, she usually manages to meet her goals. I, on the other hand, don't set goals. Well, I do in a vague sort of way. I set goals like "I will do laundry this week", or "I will get around to calling the dentist about this painful tooth".

I did promise the Husband that I would have his sweater done by the time the weather turned cold...in 2007. I just realized the other day that I have been working on his sweater for over a year. At least I'm not spinning the yarn for it myself, right, Steph?

Polly has signed up for a KAL of sorts. I was intrigued. I don't like KAL's. I don't like knitting something that everyone else is doing. I know that with these cyberspace KAL's the chances are pretty darn slim that I'll run into someone wearing the exact same scarf, but the possibility exists. O.K., I did knit a warshrag and a bathmat from that book, but lest the world has gone barking mad, I don't plan on wearing any of those out and about.

This KAL is the Summer of Socks hosted by Zarzuela. You're not told or sent the yarn to use, and you're not given a pattern. All you have to do is knit socks between June 21 and September 1. Quelle facile! (I have to use my college required language credit some how.) Her that knits the most socks wins. C'est bon. There are some 'side' contests, so if you're not a fast knitter you could still win something.

I'm not it for the prizes. Really. It's an honor just to be nominated...I figure that I need to get the Husband's aran and my 'go to' sweater (which is at the pick up and knit the hem stage) finished before this contest begins. Voila, I have a deadline!