Ripples of Life

It has been a long time since I posted anything here. I usually post during the weekends because I can't post at work and am too tired of the computer in the evenings! But as of late, I have been *ahem* occupied on the weekends and had no time for blogging. However, this weekend I decided I HAD to do something!

I am slowly making progress on the FruitStrips socks. I took them on vacation to the Washington coast a couple of weeks ago and managed to get both heels turned. Here is the front and profile view.

I haven't made it to the WeHo SNB for a few weeks now. I was out of town and then I have been plagued with car problems. The transmission in my car was replaced in February 2007 with a 2 year warranty. Just shy of 6 months, the "new" transmission went out. Died. Kaput. They towed my car back to the same transmission place and put another one in. After that, it just never felt right so I took it back to them and was able to drive my daughter's car for 2 days. So I get it back now and the temperature gauge is pegged past hot, even without the key in the car. "Oh, it's fine to drive home", they tell me,"but you want to have you mechanic look at it". I did just that and his assessment is that the transmission people have broken something while repairing the "new-new" transmission and they need to own up to it. Of course, they won't.

Why does this stuff always happen on a 3-day weekend?

Falling off the wagon and getting pulled under the wheels...

Well, so much for the "Knit From Your Stash" commitment that I made in January. Actually, it lasted longer than I thought it would. I still have aspirations to get back on the wagon, but probably not until Bishop's is over their going-out-of-business sale. At 70% off, that is pretty damn hard to resist! Here is the haul from Tuesday's binge;5 skeins of Bernat Berella "4" in white, 4 balls of OrnaghiFilati Cashmerino, 2 skeins of Sirdar Snuggly DK in a lt. rust and 2 in a lt. grey/blue, a whole bag of Sirdar Snuggly DK in white and 5 hanks of Berroco Glace. The Berella "4" and the Snuggly is destined for baby clothes for an as-yet-to-be-discovered baby. People get pregnant all the time, right? (Not me, of course. I would throw myself into the middle of the 405 at 5pm!) The Cashmerino is going to be a pair of patterned socks for my daughter, Shiloh. The 5 hanks of Glace will be added to the 7 hanks I have of the same color (but I am SURE that it is a different dye lot...that would be too freakin' weird if they were the same!) so that I can actually make something other than a crop top. Nobody wants to see that...I will simply alternate rows of each dye lot and with the amazing color variation in the yarn, it will all be fine.

I have continued to work on the ripple vest. I am almost done with the back, about 1 1/2 inches left to go. After all that epiphany stuff, I decided to frog it back to the f*$#-up and crochet it correctly. It didn't take as long as I thought it would and I am much happier knowing that there are only a few small mistakes rather than one glaring boo-boo and a few small mistakes. Hopefully it will be done in time to start the front and work on that when I go to Seattle in August.

I feel better now. They say confession is good for the soul...

Whatever.

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.