The Same Thing, Just More Of It

With the ripple afghan on hold, I am once again working on the Ripple Vest. I pulled it out at the WeHo SnB on Thursday and started working on it. Probably not the best idea as I need to count a few stitches here and there. Sure enough, I got to a place in the return row where the stitches do not line up. Now I have to rip back to the row before (or worse yet, the row before that!) and figure out what went wrong. Sure, I could just add a stitch here or there to make it all come out right, but it is RIGHT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE of the vest and would probably show like a beacon on a clear night.

EPIPHANY!!!! While writing this I just had a thought. This is supposed to be the front but I haven't made the back yet and why not make this the back and make the front last when I really have my shit together on this pattern understand the pattern well???? Problem solved. Movin' on.

On Thursday night, we (the WeHo SnB) were displaced from our usual location of the upstairs dining area at the Farmer's Market. We then commandeered an alcove on the main floor for ourselves. Lots of people stopped by to ask what we were doing. (Laurie, we hope to see you at a future SnB!) A group of 4 small children seemed interested (one very interested) in what we were doing. The very interested little girl hung around until her mother made her go with them. I can hear the future interview now, "What made you become a world-famous knitwear designer?" "Well, when I was a child, I was fascinated by a group of ladies crocheting and knitting at the Farmer's Market......".

First one's free.

Woo hoo! Part Deux

Is there nothing more exciting than receiving a box in the mail? Absolutely not unless it is finding out you won the Lotto worth $572M in which case you don't need this friggin' box, my friends. And why is said box such a delight to yours truly?

Because it has all the rest of your needles, hooks, gauges, scissors, woolly nylon (used for sock toe and heel reinforcement), pom-pon maker, Dictaphone and my dongle.

Yer whut?

D-O-N-G-L-E.

In the days of yesteryear when Bernina first came out with a computerized sewing machine, the dongle was the part that allowed you to network your computer to your Bernina. Without it you are just another fancy monogramer with limited embroidery patterns. Oh, not that I have ever used it or ever will, but since I can't get one any more and if I could, it would cost way too much $$$$$, I am glad to have it back.

So a great big "THANKEE" to Jen. Now you join Kathy in the YOU ROCK club for sending to me my much dreamed of knitting/crocheting gizmos.

Diversions

To take a break from my crochet projects, I made this dish cloth last night while watching T.V. I am glad I am not the only one who feels the need for a small project as a diversion from a larger one. Since the ripple afghan is on hiatus, the only projects I have to work on are large and sometimes tedious ones.

Hiatus

My ripple is about 1/3 done and this is where it stands. The weather has gotten too hot to work on it (that coupled with the AC not working in our apartment...GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!) so it will have to wait until it cools off here in the Valley. Around November, I suppose. Sasha won't sit on it for a photo. I think she is put off by its brightness! Either that or she hasn't been exposed to acrylic yarn before and doesn't know what to make of it. I think it looks good on an all-white bed, don't you?

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all of you "Dads" out there, especially mine. Ours is a different kind of relationship as we have only known each other for about 14 years. But in that short time I have grown to love you very much. You are a very unique person and I now know where I get it. Thanks for wanting a relationship with me, your grown "child".

And thanks also to my loving and sassy step-mother! You didn't have to accept me but you did...with open arms. The fact that you tell people that you have 5 children really makes me know I am loved.

Wishing a Happy Father's Day to all of my brothers and friends who are dads;Jim, Jerry, Jay, Chuck, Mike, JD, Larry, Gwydion, Bruce, Derek and Jay P. You are great guys and I love you all.

Awesome.

Last night I went to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for an awesome concert. What could be better than a giant sing-along to Beach Boys songs lead by Brian Wilson? IMHO, the 3 greatest musical geniuses of our time are Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Brian Wilson.

It was Fun, Fun, Fun!

Whew!

WARNING! Picture-heavy post following...

It has been a while since I posted and a lot has happened in that time. I went to the Stitch 'n Pitch at Dodger Stadium on May 22nd. Rode the bus from Unwind in Burbank with lots of other fiber-crazed individuals. A few shout-outs are in order;to Robin and Cheryl (on the right who was working on her 2nd EVER knitting project) seen here in the photo. A special shout-out to Bonnie (along with her intrepid sidekick and devoted husband Rolf) who has been successfully kicking breast-cancer's ass since 2002! Keep it up, Bonnie! We have lots more SNP to go!(everybody send a little healing energy Bonnie's way)To my WeHo SNB friends I saw at the game. I miss you and will be back next week as soon as this nasty cold goes away!

Memorial Day weekend I flew up to Seattle for a 35th Anniversary surprise party of some long-time friends, hosted by the the couple's children. Gotta love those group photos! Happy Anniversary! Mike and Nancy are seated in the center. On the left of Nancy is her sister Marybeth. Behind her are her husband Scott, friend Gloria, daughter Liz, son Jake, my daughter Shiloh (the original, thank you) friend Eric (married to Gloria), daughter Rachel, her man Cal, me and kneeling is Kevin (married to Liz). Yeah, us older adults are just a bunch of "Old Hippies" as I am often told.

Backtracking to Friday, my partner in crime friend Jen and I met one of my oldest friends for a bit of lunch in Issaquah. Gary and I have known each other since 1969 when we were in Shamrocks Drum and Bugle corp together. Over the years we have lost touch and kept in touch on a sporadic basis. We usually manage to call one another on our respective birthdays.

Friday after noon was spent shopping in the most bizarre store I have ever been in and then noshing and having cocktails at Maggianos in Bellevue with Jen and Larry, her husband of over 30 years. These are good people, the best life-cheerleaders I have ever had and I love them both. Incidentally, Jen is also one of the best travel partners in the world and I hope to be experiencing more of it with her!

Saturday morning we toured a friend's castle house-under-construction. It is located in the burbs outside of Seattle and all I can say is WOW. I just hope I am still in the good graces of the host when they begin having events and parties out there! I want an invite.

Saturday afternoon and on into the night was another party at the house of yet another friend! Lots more drinking and merriment was had by all. The BBQ was fired up and delicious salads and other tempting treats were offered. I was fortunate enough to have a Jasmine mixed especially for me by the world famous Drinkboy. (Just goes to show that if you pester someone enough, they will appease you just to stop your whining) I have to admit that it was tasty...for a gin drink.

What trip to Seattle (or anywhere for that matter when you are a knitter/crocheter) would be complete without some yarny experience! When in Seattle, go to The Weaving Works, a truly exceptional yarn/fiber shop. On the left is an old standby, Cascade 220 and on the right are a few more bits of sock yarn to add to the bulging stash.

I had a great time and it was very difficult to come home and leave all of my wonderful and supportive and loving friends and family. I love and adore you all. You enrich my life far beyond my explanation.