Love the Technology

Look at this picture:
This is what I have been doing pretty much all day. No, not the knitting. No, not the wine (though, it is not a bad idea). I have been attempting to install programs into the computer ALL DAY. Last night, the "old" computer was seriously maimed by my hubby, though it really is not his fault. Something is wrong with the where the AC cord plugs into the computer and so we have no power. He took a look at it and discovered that one of the prongs that is inside the plug thing is bent or broken or something like that. We called to see how much it would cost to have it repaired and was told that it would be over $400. I don't know about you, but I think that is just robbery. Anyway, we decided that it was time. We had been talking about it for a while, I just thought that it would be later rather than sooner. The frustrating thing is, dealing with all of the programs that we have to install all of our programs. So for the time being, I have no photo editing (unless you count the free software that came with the computer). No publishing programs. That is until I finish installing all of the software, I just don't think I want to sit in front of the computer for the next few days, you know that really cuts into the knitting. The worst of it all is that we have to figure out how to get the files out of our old computer and into the new one. I know we could hire someone to do it, but we just got a new computer, can't afford it.

Did you notice the knitting? It is the Mia Shrug, or actually I should say that it is the arm of the shrug. I started it last night, and really have not had much time to work on it. I am hoping to have it done by this weekend, which leaves me, what is that, three or four days. We will have to see. I am using Lana Grossa's Bingo that was left over from one of the Ribby Cardi's I had made as a Christmas gift. I still need to make one for me. I really love that sweater.

Well it's back to fixing the computer or actually I should say, updating this computer. Who am I kidding? It's back to the knitting.

That's Wack

Hi, I'm Wack*. I like to play baseball, that is why I am here sitting on the bag o' balls waiting for someone to go and hit with. I am a little shy, but hey, I am duck. The only other talking duck I know (not personally, though) is constantly saying the same thing over and over on the television (you know who I am speaking of), and I am not going to be like that. I will just sit here quietly and wait for someone to come over to me.



No, seriously, this is the duck I finished last night. I actually finished knitting all of the pieces Sunday, but was a little slow with the seaming and stuffing. Part way through making him, I was feeling a bit board, but after I seamed him up and he started to take shape I became a bit proud. In fact, I actually think that he is cute. I am going to give him to my grandfather who is ill at the moment. Hopefully he will make him feel better.

Pattern: Duck from Knitted Toys by Fiona McTague
Yarn: Worsted Weight Acrylic (scraps I had)
Needles: US 4/3.25 mm
Info: The pattern calls for 3 mm needles, I used 3.25. I don't remember what brand of yarn I was using, but I know it wasn't what was called for in the pattern. I really was not impressed with the way the pattern was written, so I had to make a couple of minor adjustments. Overall, I would make this again.

*Wack is the way that Kev (2 1/2) says Quack.

Go B, It's Your Birthday!!!

Today is the big day. It is Bren's 5th birthday. The time has literally flown by. I am still wondering where all of the time has gone. He is soooooo excited. He keeps asking me, "Mom, since it is my birthday, do I get to _______?" (You can fill in the blank with pretty much anything, i.e. eat anything I want, play as much video games as I want, etc.) And because it is his special day, I keep saying, "Of course sweetheart."

Though Kev, doesn't seem to understand that it is big brothers special day. Kev keeps saying, "Meeeee tewwwwww!!!!" It is cute to see how B is trying to explain that it is not your birthday until June all the while Kev is insisting that it is both of their day.

Happy Birthday Monkey! I love you!

One Day

I purchased this book Knitted Toys recently in an attempt to use up my stash. And so far so good. The deal I made with myself is that I would not buy any yarn, I did not say anything about books, notions, or other knitting accessories. So in my opinion I am doing pretty good. And that is my progress on my first Toy. But that is besides the point.

I purchased said book 2 weeks ago and when I looked up the book online, I felt like kicking myself in the youknowwhat. I paid 32% more than what I had to. The story of my life. I think I know why this happens. I will attempt to explain. You see, I am a visual person.

An example is purchasing books. I like to look at pictures, read a little of the book (especially pattern books), and then decide that the book is the right one for me. I can't really do that on the internet. The same thing goes for purchasing yarn or other things. If I know it is something that I like because I have used it before, then I have no problems purchasing it without having to see or touch it. But if I have never used the yarn or product before, then I HAVE TO go to the yarn store to feel the yarn. I don't want to buy it and then end up hating it for whatever reason. I like to know the quality that I am going to be getting, I like to know what to expect, and so this is why I have to go to the store. It is going to the store that gets me every time. When I am at the store weather it is the book store, yarn store, or wherever. The guilt sets in. I feel guilty that I am using their store, taking up their time, and not purchasing anything from them. I know I shouldn't, but I do. One day though, I will not worry about the guilt and do what is right for the pocketbook. One day. (Though hubby hopes it will be sooner than later)

On the home front, Bren had his birthday celebration at school today and look at what we made:



They are "Mud Cups" the kids loved them. One of them even asked, "Are we really eating dirt?" How cute and innocent. Tomorrow is the actual day. And everyone in this household is excited. Though the past few weeks have been a bit emotional on my part. Where has all of the time gone?

Happy Valentines Day!

Just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentines Day!

Almost There

I am almost done with the pink stripped blanket and by almost I mean I have six rows left. I was happily knitting the seed stitch boarder and then it happened. I realized that I goofed. I was looking at the blanket and saw that I forgot to do one row of plain stockinette stitch before doing the seed stitch. So what do I?

1. Ignore the mistake and continue with the blankie.
2. Fix the mistake by intentionally dropping the stitches and working it back up with a crochet hook.
3. Frog it back to the row and continue on.

Well if you said all three then you win the prize. At first I ignored the mistake thinking that it really doesn't look that bad. And then came to my senses, so then I attempted to drop each of the stiches and fix them that way, but for some reason, it wasn't working. What the heck!!!! Finally I have decided to frog it back and start the seed stitchin' again. I should have it done by tomorrow, but there will be no promises. It has been a long day and the head feels as though it may explode at any time.

See, the one on the left it the beginning of the blanket, nice, smooth, & even. The right photo not so much.

Conversationalists

This is an actual conversations that took place between my husband and me yesterday.


Hubby: So, what are you knitting now?

Me: A baby blanket.

H: It's pink, who is it for?

M: I don't know. Maybe I'll give it to charity or if someone we know has a girl, I'll give it to them.

H: What?!? (with a puzzled look on his face) Why are you knitting that?

M: I am knitting for the sake of knitting. I love to knit.

H: Can't you love to clean? Can't you just clean the house for the sake of cleaning the house?

M: What?!?

He just doesn't understand.

Time To Clean

Of all times to start a blog. I am attempting to "clean" my stash by using it all up before I go and purchase more, okay use most of it. Realistically use some of it. I don't even know where I got it, yarn just seems to appear in the boxes like magic. I think they are reproducing on their own, honest.

I have two big storage boxes for my yarn. With a bunch of little boxes around the house. Though it may not look like it, there is a method to the madness. This box on the right has the stuff that little wool eating creatures could feast on, if given the chance, that is why there is a cover for this box that is always on. The box on the right has stuff that I hope the creatures would pass up, it is overflowing and the cover only is on when I could cram everything down into the box. Also the items in the box on the left could be washed and dried in the machine, which makes it the perfect box for "kids gifts" (easy care)

I have decided to make a simple little baby blanket with some yarn from the "easy care" box. Seed stitch border with stripes of pink and rose. Though I don't know of anyone who is expecting a girl. In fact the last 6 births that I can remember from 2005 and one coming in June '06 are all boys. There really must be something in the water over here. But anyway, one day there will be a girl (other than myself) in our lives (though not by me), and I will be ready with the pink stripped blanket.