Mama Nature ~ 2004-12-29

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 10:40 pm.

I haven’t seen the television in a week. I haven’t read a newspaper. I have read a few cnn.com articles. The devastation in the world this week is beyond anything that I can begin the comprehend. What makes it worse is to understand that for the survivors the suffering is not over. Disease, famine, finding shelter. How do you rebuild your lives after this? We had 9-11 but we had someone to direct our anger toward (or misdirect it in many cases.) This? This is just out of control.

I have been trying to keep up with the news, without coming across visual representation of it. Why? I’m not sure. I wonder if seeing the pictures of what happened is some sort of penance that we should pay for being lucky. I wonder if not seeing the pictures will make it less real? We’re so visual with our news – the memory of those planes hitting the towers is burned into my memory. Do I need a visual of this to grieve, to better make sense of it? I don’t know. For now I think that all that I can imagine is probably equal to the devastation that I would see.

Mother Nature is powerful. It’s wrong to ignore the possibility of natural disaster in any of our lives. Global warming will change what we view as “normal” in our world. What can I do beside send aid to those in need? I can petition my government to recognize that unless our country works with the rest of the world to curb industry and emissions disasters such as these could happen more frequently. It may not be in my generation, or in my grandchildren’s but it will happen someday and it scares the living crap out of me.

Small world, big blog, lots of knitting ~ 2004-12-29

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 10:19 am.

With all of the announcing the new job excitement I forgot to tell you the coolest part – HOW I GOT THE NEW JOB. The past few weeks as I’ve shared my fun news with friends and family we’ve all marveled at the pure beauty of “how things happen.”

Disclaimer: I truly believe that all things happen for a reason. There may or may not be a master plan but in the end all that occurs to you works out. If not for you, for someone near you in your universe. To me it is one of the only ways the world can stay balanced. This is not to say that there is no right or wrong.

So, a few months ago I was riding on the T and I saw a woman knitting miles and miles of I-cord. I was late (the new way of life post marriage to a slow southern man) and was a bit harried. I noticed a red plastic bag and thought to myself, I have seen that bag before. I rushed off the train and zoomed on to work. At work I spent my usual morning waking up and checking email. My blog was in its infancy and there was little action on the comment front. This morning I had a sweet comment from a woman named Elisa. I traveled on over to her blog and whoa and behold – this was where I had seen the red plastic bag?! To make a long story short – I met Elisa not long after at the Circles Anniversary Party. We hit it off and got to talking. During conversation I whined and moaned like I do to any stranger about my desire to find a new job and this and that and blah and bunk.

Well…Elisa suggested then, and again later, that I give her my resume to submit to the organization that she worked for. Being the frank on a bun that I am I let her know that indeed I would take her up on that and she must not offer unless she was serious as cancer about this service. You see, as most of you know, a resume submitted by an employee gets you a phone call. A resume submitted to HR gets you a nice long stay in a manila file folder that absolutely does nothing for your complextion.

Resume submitted I prepare for the long, albeit now shorter, wait to a phone call. Two days later – I am told to contact a hiring manager. Two days later I’m asked to come in for an interview in two days. Two days later I go for the interview (in my new suit, yah new threads) and spend not the two hours I was told I would spend there…but five hours with four different people. Miss Elisa treated me to some much need nourishment somewhere in there but really, at this point, it’s all a blur. I’ve never been through such a mentally exhausting day. My thesis defense was less of an effort. One week later I was offered the position. Two days later I accepted. One day later I notified my current employer. Two weeks after my interview. I start in two weeks.

Not much time. Funny how things fall into place.

No knitting = No blog = no blog friends = no opportunity for new job = whining and complaining Bookish Girl.

Crazy huh? Thanks Elisa, you rock.

btw – I can’t access my email, so if you’re trying to get to me, wait on…I’ll be home soon.

I’m in a Hotel and I have Wireless ~ 2004-12-28

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 8:57 am.

I’m filled with big plans. Update the blog (lots of posts in my head.) Update the sidebar. Create a finished objects page. etc etc etc. Family, what family? Didn’t we drive 13.5 hours just to lie around in a hotel?!

I have permanent underwear creases on my ass from sitting for so long. The trip was scheduled to take 11.5 hours, which sucks on anyone’s watch. Traffic in every city between Bowling Green, KY and Rochester, NY brought us closer to 13.5. Thank goodness the dogs are at my parent’s house. They most certainly would have eaten us before reaching our destination. My conclusion, anywhere south of Cleveland, no idea what to do with snow. Huh, plow shoulders, what for? God forbid someone NEED TO DRIVE IN ONE TO ESCAPE CRAZY TRUCK DRIVERS.

My favorite thing about our most recent trip to KY (my hubby’s birthing ground)? He can be the translator for a few days and I don’t ever have to even talk in public.

Merry Christmas ~ 2004-12-26

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 11:04 am.

Merry Christmas to you all! I’m in Upstate New York being shuttled from family to friends to family to friends. It’s been a fabulous holiday. I hope you’ve had the same. We’re off to Kentucky tomorrow. No worries, I’ve got the name of a yarn shop in my purse ready to visit. Rob said, “Why do you have to go to so many yarn shops? Aren’t they all the same?” My answer: They’re fun! He finally figured it out, “Is it like going to guitar stores?”

I swear you could see the light bulb go off in his head.

Love to you all and Happy Holidays!

Is that coal in your stocking, or are you just happy to see me? ~ 2004-12-22

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 3:18 pm.

Rob made me swear to high heaven, all of these saints, and even dead football players that I would not spend more than $25 on his Christmas Gifts. He agreed he would do the same. Being the person that I am, I had known what I was going to get him for months. As it turns out, they are backordered – forever. I’m screwed. To make matters worse. The man picked me up from work last night with an “I just went shopping grin” on his face. I asked him if he spent more than he promised. A little more was his response. I had to pull each of his teeth out and when I threatened his fingernails he finally told me how much more.

I’m really screwed. However, I think he is more screwed (screwed worse?) ’cause all of those dead football players are going to get him when he gets to heaven. He should have never made me swear on them.

I think he’s getting this for Christmas.

Hmmmm, Chocolate.

What kind of insanity is this?! ~ 2004-12-22

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 10:02 am.

I thought I would go through the list of knitable gifts that I intended to make. knit, knit, knit – Christmas is in 3 days – knit, knit, knit.

I went a-looking for the post with the master list. I published it on November 23rd! For crying-out-loud, where has the time gone?! And how in the world did I have it together enough to publish that a full month ago?!

I’d be more freaked out, if I had the TIME.

*Please ignore the fact that this is the same post in which I complain that all of YOU do not post enough. Yes I am a hypocrite; the first step is admitting it to yourself. The second step is to recognize your error and change your ways. Learning from your mistakes is very important. So why the hell don’t you people post more often?!*

THE LIST

1. Mom’s caplet (100% done)
2. Dad’s scarf (75% done)
3. Sister’s Banff (The conversation with myself over this sweater went something like this: I don’t want to talk about it, I just don’t, okay?! Just leave-me-alone. I can’t take it anymore. No, I won’t tell you what happened. It just did and it was awful. Oh, look, ice cream. As you can see, you’ll have to wait for the rest of the Banff saga.)
4. Brother’s wrist warmers (done)
5. G-ma’s scarf (100% done)

Added between then and now:
6. Flower washcloths (40% done) more to do as time permits
7. Booties for Gus (80% done)
8. Treats for random friends: Scarves? Mittens? Hats?

I’m actually not worried. This was all a ploy to put more drama in the blogworld. I’m confident it will all get done. Except for the Banff – that may take some counseling to get through. Anyone know a good knitting therapist?

Knit, knit, knit â€“ Christmas is in 3 days â€“ knit, knit, knit

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes ~ 2004-12-20

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 9:49 am.

Ahh, another week, another song. This particular song is well suited for today’s post. I have some fabulous news that I’ve been hiding…

I GOT A NEW JOB!!!!

Leaping lizards, this is the best Christmas Present Yet.

Basically, I’ll be moving from a little itty bitty environmental non-profit to a big huge cancer research non-profit. This is a great opportunity for me. I had hit a ceiling in my current job and it was dragging me down. Everyday. I have to say that the blogs were a great salvation. The humor and talent out there is enough to keep anyone who is sick of their job afloat. I’m afraid I’ve become a bit obsessed with them. Well, this new position will hopefully lead me to the land of opportunity and all that jazz. I’m super excited about it and will keep mum about the details. I’m nervous to jinx it. In fact, writing this before I start is really difficult for me. If it backs fires I blame you…

The elves have been busy. I had a super great weekend and once again, it was filled with all things blogland. Julia has done a great job summarizing her year of blogging and knitting. I too have been enriched deeply by all of the talented and crazy bloggers out there. It’s strange to have a community over the Internet. For some bizarre reason, one which can only be understood when you’re in the moment, it works and it feels great. I came across the blogs while googling for help with knitting techniques. What I have found is not only that but people who will stand up for what they believe in, people who find humor in the most mundane tasks, people who love the spiritual process of working with ones hands, and people who support one another in spite of not having a warm body to hug. I am blown away by these people and am inspired by all that they do – knitting and otherwise. I’ve had the pleasure to meet a few in person and it’s amazing how well we all “click.” All the best to each of you this holiday season!

My weekend in dashes:

- Meet up with Melanoma, Stitchy, Jenny and some of Jenny’s friends… These girls are crazy. Melanoma is not covered with any sort of cancer however, she is sick and was weaning herself off Afrin. Her Rogue is coming along nicely and its beauty may just have been the final factor that pushed me onto the bandwagon. Stitcy was kind enough to bring a Stitchy original mix cd with her. This girl is crazy, her mix has Salt ‘n Pepa singing about pushin’ it next to the Andrews Sisters. Sacred and profane and oh so fun.

- Knit, Knit, Knit, Knit, Christmas is in a week, knit, knit, knit, knit.

- Decide to ditch Anna and go for something a bit lighter. Ahh, the siren song of funny, witty novels drew me to the shelves. I came home with three titles this weekend: Straight Man by Richard Russo, An Invisible Sign of My Own by Aimee Bender, and Watermelon by Marian Keyes. I added this to my funny stack at home: The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin and A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Any other funny novels to suggest, they must be well-written? I’ve done David Sedaris.

- Knit, Knit, Knit, Knit, Christmas is in less than a week, knit, knit, knit, knit.

Flower Washcloth from Weekend Knitting by Melanie Faulk

- Watched Shrek 2, not as funny as the other one, but good to – knit, knit, knit, Christmas is in less than a week, knit, knit, knit, knit – while watching

- Made fun tags. Templates found here (*link at home, I’ll update it later*) and here (this was found via Blue Blog, thanks Alison.) This is what the finished project looks like…

blury…sorry….just pretend you had a few drinks…

I used my eyelet tool and some chain that I had leftover from wedding stuff. I think they look great. I didn’t take any “before wrap” pictures. Here is the after wrap….

I love to wrap packages. So fun.

- Had a fabulous day with Elisa and Mike and our friend Alan. Football on a Sunday with good friends is pretty great. Elisa and I snuck over to Circles where I picked up some yarn to make my Gma a 80th Birthday shawl. We also gorged ourselves with Chinese Food…yum Chinese Food. A treat I can’t always have (I’m allergic to MSG – it’s not a pretty sight.)

- Lastly, I won my first yarn contest. Yippy. Okay, the truth is that my husband won the contest for me. What can I say? The man has a creative mind and all of this yarn around the house has given him “ideas”. CrazyDaisy’s husband let out a cry for help and how could my husband not come to the rescue of knitting widower in need? That’s just the kind of guy he is.

Eh, hem…I swear I didn’t hold his breakfast hostage to get him to enter the contest….never, I would never do such a thing.

I leave you with our Christmas Pig. He holds guard over our tree with the freshly wrapped gifts behind him.

Random Post #1 ~ 2004-12-16

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 11:41 am.

You see, a post is only random if it is labeled as such …

First off, this in an excerpt from an email my sister sent. I love that so many in the world try to keep up the Santa spirit:

In addition to providing missile warnings and air defense for the United States and Canada, NORAD tracks Santa’s progress. It all started when a Colorado department store printed the wrong phone number for a “Santa hotline” on a promotional flyer, and CONAD (NORAD’s predecessor) was flooded with calls from children eager to talk to Santa. Rather than disappoint them, the staff took it upon themselves to track Santa on their radar and keep the kids informed of his whereabouts.

Nowadays, you can keep tabs on Santa on NORAD’s Web site:

***

In other random news: I finished The Kite Runner. I was not impressed. It entertained me, but the story was missing something. Haven’t put my finger on it yet. Maybe it was too predictable? I’m pretty dense when it comes to symbolism…perhaps I missed something that should have been obvious? I would recommend it, only because it is an interesting peek into a culture that becomes more important everyday.

I also picked up and finished The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. Christmas knitting has left me with a lot of time to read and watch old movies. This was my bookclub’s December selection. I enjoyed this one and read it in about four days. There is no end to the misery a family can cause you. I truly identified with the attachment to the Earth. I may not be as OCD as the main character, however, I do feel this tie to the land and environment. I get a bit grumpy if I stay inside too much.

I’m off to read the Oprah notes on the novel, in hope that I’ll gain some new insight. Dare to mock me and I will put a pox on your head. Whatever beef anyone has about Oprah, she has been great at spreading literacy among adults. Her most recent picks have all been classics, albeit, of the trashy romance novel type. Which I happen to think are the most fun to read. East of Eden, trash. The Good Earth, all about the sex. And now, I’ve picked up Anna Karenina….25 pages in and we’ve already got tortured love and affairs amuck. Ahhh Love, the feeling that spans place and time. All in all of the three Oprah picks that I’ve read (or am reading) there are/is a lot of sexual tension and affairs in many of these picks. However, this doesn’t mean that they are not wonderful books, classics that have brought inspirations to others.

***

On the end of the year list/book front:

I recently came across this site. It compiles all of the Best of Book Lists into one tidy list. I think I’m over the whole “best of thing.” (I’m so fickle.) Having not read most of the novels listed it’s hard to judge whether they deserve the acclaim. I do love Phillip Roth and have been thumbing his latest book since it came out. Curse that damn book allowance!

***

Lastly, I purchased two knitting books. Thank you all for your suggestions. I picked up Vogue Knitting and Ann Budd’s The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. There is a third on backorder; I’m hoping it’ll come in before I loose my discount (next week!) I finished The Good Earth while at the bookstore earlier this week. I decided I was going to pick up a new fiction book (in spite of the stacks I have to read at home.) I thought that I should try to find one of the many that you all have recommended in my comments the past few months. Get this, none of them were in the store?! Crazy huh? So, I went home and pulled Anna Karenina off the shelf. Nice light reading for the holiday season. Humph.

Picture Pages, Picture Pages ~ 2004-12-15

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 9:17 am.

For all of you who were wondering, the “I will hug him and pet him and call him George!” line (which is the real line, not the one I quoted) is from Bugs Bunny.

KLV named it first and kudos to her. I had a hunch that the character in this cartoon was modeled after the character George in ~~The Grapes of Wrath~~ (*wrong title, thanks Harry, not sure where my head was*) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Once again, KLV brought the internet to her and found out, indeed my hunch was right (go to the FAQ). Literature touches so many aspects of our lives, even if we don’t recognize it.

****

Despite my best efforts I have been making considerable progress on the Christmas List. In fact, I would venture to say that *gasp* I’m almost done. Almost done with the knittable gifts, we have yet to tackle the other portion of the family tree. All in good time.

Picture Pages, Picture Pages…Time to watch Bill Cosby do a picture page with you…

Ahh, I have fulfilled my required task of the week, the song is now stuck in your head. Insert evil grin here.

This is a portion of the blocking that happened last weekend. The whole house was covered. I have to admit that I really enjoyed this. As well as all of the weaving in of ends/seaming etc. I found it to be as satisfying as knitting the pieces. Am I a crazy person?

Here are the scarves folded and ready to go. The top is for my friend Laurelyn, the middle my Gma and the bottom is my mom’s:

I decided to knit up some wrist warmers for my brother. I had some Big Kureyon in my stash (which is rather small.) I swatched up and adapted the Voodoo Wrist Warmers from Knitty. I love knitting with this yarn. My first time (a Noro virgin, ohh!) and I have seen the light. I could never understand what all the hub-bub was about. It is pretty amazing to watch the colors come through with the subtle changes and the texture of the yarn…it’s way fun. However, the Big Kureyon is a bit think-n-thin – something I wasn’t expecting.

Did you notice the sunlight in this picture?! I actually saw sunlight this morning. It’s freakin cold out – but the sun is shining and I am seeing it! I’m trying to ignore the fact that the reason why I’m seeing the sun is because our car is dead AGAIN and I’m waiting for a tow truck…

I’ve completed over half of my Dad’s scarf. It’s taking a loooong time to knit this one up and I’ve finally memorized the pattern repeats. What can I say, I’m a little dense. This picture is super dark, but it’s the only way to see the texture of the cables. My gauge has loosened up quite a bit, so it’s going a lot faster.

I leave you with this cutest picture ever. Gabby has adopted Elisa and Mike as her new favorite people. She just got up and posed for this perfect pic…

Who says Mistle Toe isn’t a Drug? ~ 2004-12-13

Posted in General by Bookish Wendy at 8:50 pm.

Rob and I decorated last weekend and took a bunch of pictures. I love Christmas and all things Christmas. It’s just so much fun, everyone being nice to everyone else and everything.

Here are a few of the fun pictures….

My sister, Margaret, and Santa (we actually took this over Thanksgiving at the Tree Farm)