How 'bout chocolate? (and response to being tagged)

Ugh this past week was just as exhausting (and a little stressful).....course I only had one day to rest up b/t the two weeks.

I did get chocolate though--rich chocolate ice cream with brownies and fudge sauce. Along with coffee, knitting, and some really good company. My coffee evenings with my friend, Tim, and my knitting do help me unwind (but not the sock!--oh the puns....).


And here is said sock--been making some progress on it--also knitted while waiting for Boss and I to give a quick presentation to the FRG on base (they do support of variety of ways for the soldiers and their families). With FRG's help, we are showcasing the archaeology and how they can get involved.
Knitted earlier today while waiting to get my hair trimmed up--nothing exciting just neatening of existing haircut (debating about coloring....I did the blond highlights but I really like the complex dark colors.....say mahogany colorway....)

Other good news is that I am now on Ravelry! Yeah! Been adding stash and projects slowly--adding more as I type

Also-I never posted pics of Wisp after I finished it. So here we go. I will have a picture of me wearing it which at some point will go on my Ravelry page..... I do love this thing though--it is soooo soft---love love LUV mohair!












Along with this post I will respond to being tagged by both Cami and D-fly.....I can't tag anyone back cause well we would have this vicious circle so I will provide the info but thats it....

Factoid #1
HUGE X-Files fan.....yep got posters, books, t-shirts, even Barbie and Ken as Mulder and Scully (they were a b-day present from the family). I can't WAIT for the new movie that actually is in the works.

Factoid #2
I rock climb--okay haven't done it recently.....and for the most part it has been indoor rock climbing but I have done outdoor climbing. Started in college and I was hooked. There is no better feeling for me when I finally conquer a really tough climb-makes me feel powerful ie here me roar feeling. You get the idea....

Factoid #3
My Jewishness--Ok most of you know that I'm actually a sorta practicing Jew......but the tidbit part is that I got quite involved in college-rediscovered my religion. I even went thru the conversion process (family is Reform and its Dad's side thats Jewish so this synagogue being Conservative didn't recognize my Jewish line-needs to be passed thru the mother). Along with answering the "100 questions", starting to learn Hebrew (not easy.....), I did a mikvah. That was a very interesting experience. You have to be buck naked (no jewelry, no nail polish, just you al natural....). With men the three Rabbis are in the room with you but women they are right outside (you say prayers as you dunk yourself three times in what was very very cold water.... I did have two mikvah ladies with me (they were my Hebrew teachers actually). Its hard to explain how vulnerable and out there you are doing this but it was good too....

Factoid #4
I have actually travelled outside the US. For my fieldschool for my undergraduate degree of Archaeology-I went to Belize and excavated at a Mayan site. This was the best damn trip of my life. It was only for a month and I wiped out my savings to do it but it was worth every single penny. It was FABULOUS! I have pics but they are the old fashioned prints-should scan them and share a few....no scanner though....

Factoid #5
Am I supposed to be a mother? Okay this isn't really a fact but both Boss and now the guest historian we had here (who is a non gay guy btw) said I would make a good mom. Apparently I have this nurturing thing goin on....
Will admit that pesky bio clock has started to tick on me again (I will be turning 30 in the spring) but I have decided that I refuse to 'plan' this stuff w/in a tight constrained timeline. Kids and marriage should happen when they are meant to happen. So okay #5 is more factoid viewpoint than factoid on my life...

"sigh" need two more.....
Factoid #6
Other odd stuff I collect and like--Animaniacs by WarnerBrothers. D-fly got me 2 collections of cartoons....only watched half of one of them.....I have stuff animals of Yakko Wakko and Dot. Wakko is my favorite (Faboo!)
Mystery Science Theater 3000. And I get to re-enjoy. Tim has lent me one of his collections and I have more saved for my Dvd's in the mail.
Dr Who.....so excited that BBC decided to bring it back and the current Doctor is great. Going to start watching the spinoff series Torchwood here soon (Dvd in the mail....great system)
Monty Python....saw the Broadway play with Mom and Dad in Chicago. It was Faboo!
So yeah I am a nerd with weird sense of humor....thats the point of this factoid.....

Factoid #7
What else is there? Ok-the most difficult job I've had--asst manager in a restaurant. Worked at the restaurant for almost two years, did the manager stunt for 'bout a month. For some people this is not a bad job, even going to school for it-for me thats not true....Its stressful, exhausting, and difficult. But I do have a greater appreciation for all the waitresses and waiters out there. Unless they are really bad--they deserve tips and our respect. It is not an easy job and many times its thankless.

Okay thats the best I can do. And I'm not tagging anyone....know so few of you in the blogging world....

Can someone pass me a Duck Fart?

Well besides working 6 days in a row this past week with 5 being out in the cold windy desert hiking over rough terrain....Both my credit card and debit card numbers got stolen and $1700 were charged to a Mobile Bee website. The credit card was easy enough to take care of but Debit cards....ugh. Good news is that I think its taken care of now. Paperwork is on its way for me to sign so the claim can be officially filed. Now just need my new cards-kinda hard to function in life w/o them or cash....have a checkbook thank goodness but still.
How did this happen? My stupidity.... Bought a Greyhound ticket at the Long Beach location to return home on the 21st and like a idiot I left my purse on the counter. I believe the employee at the ticket counter wrote down prevelant info from my purse for use later. I think this happened because the charges went thru the 22nd and 23rd and he didn't chase me down right away with the purse--nope he 'looked' for its owner when I was in line about to leave 'bout a half hour later....

Lets look at the lovely yarn that D-fly sis sent to me hmmm?


This yarn is from Cascade Yarns, the heather collection. This will become Dahlia. I thought it looks quite cute and I will have just enough yarn!













Frog Tree Alpalca! The lavender shall become a hat for the Best CatSitter ever friend-matches the scarf I already made her pretty well. The turquouise will be come a hat and scarf set for WI friend that was so thrilled with her last set. Figure this way she will have a 'cool' and a 'warm' set. The multi color will become some type of hat for me so when I am out in this really cold windy weather again on top of mountain ridges...I will be a bit warmer

While work was very exhausting this week--it was the type of work that I went to school for 7 years. Wandering around documenting and recording sites. My boss hired a historian to help us with all of our mine sites and they are going to write up a report on them. I got to go along for the ride and take a lot of pictures....
Although Friday we found something that we weren't all that thrilled about. Uxeploded ordinances (UXO's)-new ones, lots of them. Right in a main section of a site we are documenting. This is after Boss and Historian witnessed an accident on the way into work that ended with a fatality. The now dead guy for some reason decided to turn into the side of a semi and get his car chewed up and spit out. Now the truck driver according to Boss and Historian did a fabulous job of getting his semi under control WITH blown tires and a bent axial. Lets just say it was a very weird day, Friday.....
Get to head out to the field tomorrow and it looks like its going to be a chilly day for us in the mountains again....

And how 'bout some pics of the yarn that I bought for myself?


First Knit Picks yarn (the other color I got is down below). This one will be socks or course-no fancy patterns....its the Essential yarn in Peacock Multi













Now Lotus Yarn! I got Walking with Ghost Aura which is even more sparkely in person. Its going to be a wrap/stole with beading to make it even more sparkely. The other is Bloodflowers which will be some type of patterned socks.....

Even after all of this--I actually did get some knitting in. Been making some good progress on the Clapotis. This has been a great project in the evenings in that I can set it down and come back to it w/o really losing where I am at. Pics of it before the drop stitch part of the pattern and what it looks like up to today.











The sock that I have been working on--since it does require more concentration-its strictly been a weekend project. Have made some progress on it and I think its looking quite pretty. Even with a little fluffy Boo taking off with the sock....He looks to be the sweet kitten of the two boys but he's the bratty one....
The cable pattern doesn't show up all that well--it is subtle. Have a pic of the bottom of the sock just to show how the yarn 'puddles' on its own.













And for my take with me project--yep another sock. I needed something to knit while I wait for my orthodontic appt, my coffee evenings with a friend of mine...waiting for whatever where ever. Its easy knitting and its small (Its the other Knit Picks Essential yarn in Riverbed Multi)


And today it was a very very windy day--almost lost power and the internet was going on the blink too. But Felix was having fun chasing the leaves thru the patio door....


And just for an added bonus-my co-worker found this NPR audiocast online and thought I would be interested. Quite entertaining and now intrigued by this knittery tagging phenomenon.....

And now I'm going to go back and knit my cabled sock and watch the Puppy Bowl IV on Animal Planet....

I wore them all day!

I have successfully knitted my first PAIR of socks! Had to resist the urge of taking my shoes off and saying "Look! Look at my socks! I knitted them...." Although I did show my boss/friend but she actually cares (and is impressed).












I did start another sock (really I think I might be heading down a dangerous path here....). Have the toe completed. The yarn is knitting up beautifully and soft! (Bearfoot in Sun River). Going to knit a cable pattern up the foot and cuff so that will be interesting.....


Not much other knitting--waiting for some supplies to come so I can cast on some of my other projects so until then I will stick with my socks....
And not much else going on either....visited Godmother this past weekend down in Long Beach since I had Monday off. More a change of scenery.....

Look! Its a.......a......a Sock!

And the start of its mate! I casted on the toe all by myself! Finished said sock while watching Waiting for Guffman and then a Mystery Science 3k episode. Have a friend who is happily lending me his DVD's and books....

I'm now mentally determining what type of socks I want to knit next.....May have gone down a dangerous path.....

Did finish the diagonal rib scarf as a being such a great Kitty sitter that even shy little Boo came out to play present. Recipient was very happy with her scarf and put it on immediately and noted the softness of said scarf.


D-fly sis dropped off present for another friend when she went to the parents house this weekend. Friend was thrilled with her scarf and hat set and couldn't wait to wear them-planning on wearing them that evening when she left work. Apparently she is a big lover of scarfs and hats....will have to keep that in mind. Made the set cause the past few months have been a bit rough and turbulent for her and I felt she needed something hand-made, warm and cozy (It was the unoriginal hat by Yarn Harlot and I did a matching scarf with the cable pattern).



And just so you all can see Cami's teensy stitch markers that I made for her as a Thank you for letting us stay with her and her herd.


Cute kitty pictures! Haven't done any recently.....aren't the boys so cute peaking out of the laundry basket? And then their very fluffy pretty mama all curled up for a nap.










Okay now off to do research for a paper/presentation that I am writing for Society of CA Archaeology (SCA) Annual Meeting in April before I go back to the knitting..... I did rough out an abstract already which is good since thats due before end of the month....

Oh the yummy yummy yarn.....

Since I got stuck with pukey nephew yesterday (good thing though-otherwise Sis couldn't go to her lunch) we went yarn shopping! First the Loop which we did go to thier old location when I was out here early Sept. Then onto Ruhamas....

First group from the Loop--I too got Misty Alpaca in a blue/purple verigated color which is going to become a diagonal rib scarf for a new friend who is being the best kitty sitter ever. Even my shy little Boo comes out to see her for playtime and lovies. The other skeins are Alpaca Silk by Blue Sky. Got peacock, black (night is the official color name) and plum which will become some type of striped lacey wrap of some sort with beads.... They are supersoft and they look really pretty together....

Now for the Ruhamas group! Got this pink and orange ribbon yarn (Duet by artful Yarns) because of this pattern that Sis found....Looks like a good top for me in the desert and this was knitted up at the shop and it looked quite nice. Then there is that bright pink and orange sock yarn-Bearfoot by Mountain Colors-Hand Painted Yarns called Sun River.....Think I'm heading down a dangerous path sock wise..... And speaking of socks since Sis has mentioned that I have started on the cuff well I suppose I should post new pics of my elf sock but its fitting wonderfully! despite lookin a little silly when off my foot....

Hard to tell its an elf sock in this pic....but it really does look like one

And there it is on my foot-doesn't look elfish at all when on my wierd pointy toed foot.... Have 'bout two inches of the cuff done--going to knit til I run out of my half skein but its almost a complete sock! That fits! Yeah me!

Hurray! It has a Heel!

I have successfully knitted a heel! And it looks pretty good....while I do have skinny heels to go with my skinny monkey toes and narrow foot-I did make the heel a tad narrower than it needed to be but hey it is my first official sock.....I am sure future socks will be even better

And there are the pictures to prove it! I hope I've made Cami proud..... (Its amazing how much knitting one can do when they don't have to go to work...vacations can be quite good even if one is hacking thier lungs out....)

Well thats it kids....need to try to stifle my cough so not to keep Sis up (always worse at night....) Nite!

So many Knitty Tales to Tell!

First off Happy New Year to all you crafty people out there!

So far having a lovely visit to WI although glad to remember that I am not all that fond of winters here and gladly go back to the desert....

Big Sis spoiled me a bit this Christmas. Going to get me started on beaded knitting (which may involve a lot of swearing on my part....). She got me a book called Beaded Knitted Bags and some starter supples and a gift certificate for beads. So far have supplies to do the first two projects-a bracelet and a little purse. Nephew got me a book as well-Super Stiches Knitting with some fabulous stitch patterns. Get so excited for those.....

Been working on mohair wrap (Fonty's Ombelle in purple-no fancy color name just purple) called Wisp. Made quite a bit of progress on it since I've been here in WI. And I am quite excited that I have inspired another knitter to knit up her own version.










Had a wonderful visit with the Bechers along with Sis and nephew--although I'm pretty sure I shared my cold with the children-feel rather bad about that one..... Want to thank 'Boris and Clementine' for letting us stay with them over New Years.
D-fly and I had a blast haing out at Clementine's yarn shopping, knitting, and chatting with fellow knitters (Cami, Melly, Leeanne, and Robyn) and munching on Melly's yummy popcorn (which I relaly shouldn't eat with the braces but it was too tasty to resist....). Now for pics of two of my purchases

The first is a Crystal Palace yarn-Waikiki in Shell and its going to become a wrap known as Clapotis. The second of course is Lotus Yarn! I picked the Nirvana in the color Prayers for Rain (which we decided was a perfect color since I live in the desert...). This yarn will be socks--thats right I said socks! Which brings me to my third purchase and how the lovely Cami showed D-fly and I to knit socks toe-up using the magic cast-on with the 'magic loop' way. Took me a few trys to get the hang of the magic cast on but I got it! And it really does make a fabolous toe--I really have issues with sock ends and if there is no seem or anything the happier my toes will be.

The sock is being knitted with Opal sock yarn in Neon colorway. I have long feet with narrow long toes that slant towards the big toe (also known as monkey toes) so I had started with less stitches and didn't have to increase as much. I am almost to the point where I could start the heel (doing the short row heel this time around....). So very exciting! Big sis and I have discovered that she is a snugger and faster knitter than I (You should see her tiny little stiches in her sock!-my goodness!). I have more time to knit so I tend to get more done so we didn't realize that we were so different in speed until we got to sit around and knit together....

Well I think I covered everything.....Happy crafting!

--Mojave Knitter