The Weekend That Was

 Posted by on November 26, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Nov 262012
 

I hope all my American readers had a nice Thanksgiving weekend! And that my non-American readers had a nice November weekend!

The SGT’s birthday always falls on Thanksgiving weekend and unfortunately, I didn’t finish his socks. Not even one sock. I have some commission work come in so he’ll be receiving those for Valentine’s Day, though it’s a holiday we tend to ignore. The universe sensed that I couldn’t come through on the sock front and so the local indie movie theater, The Belcourt, screened his favorite movie, Red Dawn, at midnight on his birthday.

And because our friends have similar taste and ideas we all went dressed up, ready to fight off Communist Russian/Cuban invaders:

Wolverines! Also, dog’s name is Cerberus

Unbelievably, our group (about five of us) were the only people who dressed up. Some folks have no sense of imagination.

I’m glad that I could make his 35th birthday as fun as possible. Go Wolverines!

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WIP Wednesday: Tripping the Riff Socks

 Posted by on June 13, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Jun 132012
 

This is the year that I will finally finish a pair of socks for the SGT. I have a sock that I finished back in 2008 when we were living together but I have since lost both pattern and that specific sock. I have the yarn I just can’t bring myself to knit it again. This time, I went stash diving and found the perfect yarn and pattern!

There are two socks budding, I promise

The yarn is Regia 4 ply and part of the Kaffe Fassett line. There should be some gentle grey striping which will keep me interested and yet will still be a nice pop under his suits. I’m also knitting the socks two at a time so when I’m done, I’ll be DONE. The pattern is Riff socks from Knitty Deep Fall 2010. The pattern is subtle enough for the yarn and for him to wear to work but it should also keep me entertained. I’m such a generous and kind person that I’m working on HIS socks during MY birthday week. *wink* I deserve a medal.

There’s still time to enter your favorite birthday memory to win a goody bag from Lion Brand over at this post. Be sure to stop by Tami’s Amis to see what everyone else is working on.

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Finally! A Table!

 Posted by on February 20, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Feb 202012
 

So for the last, uh, 7 months since we moved in, the Sgt and I have been eating on the couch using either rubbermaid tubs or end tables to put our stuff down. This weekend we finally got a good table and set of chairs like grown ups.

Oak table and chairs

When we finally do have guests over, we’ll move the cat tree out of the way. That was Sgt’s Christmas present to himself. He always wanted to own a cat tree so he finally bought one. Thankfully, both cats love it and use it all the time. They also love the box it came in, but the love the tree even more. To the photo’s left is the kitchen, so they both sit on the highest perch and watch me cook. They also voice their unsolicited opinions on what I’m making and what I’m doing. For two cats that never had people food, they do have some very strong ideas about what I should and should not be doing.

So that was our weekend! Not terribly exciting, but we needed a dull weekend after the hard week that was had.

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Jet setting weekend

 Posted by on February 6, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Feb 062012
 

On Friday, the SGT and I were on our way to an impromptu trip to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, we were not winners for a romantic weekend getaway trip but had a funeral to attend. While it was great to see my father in law and my new-ish mother in law, it was a pity that it was under such sad circumstances.

As a result, I didn’t take many pictures of how beautiful LA and the Pacific is but I did manage to snap one of this great statue. We flew through Houston’s George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport where they have a very…casual statue of the former president up.

Statue of George W Bush

Former President and Super Model?

He looks less presidential and more like he’s part of a fashion shoot. It’s very kicky and casual, more than what I expect a statue to be I suppose. I’m not going to get into my opinions of his presidency (and honestly, I don’t really have one) but the way he’s sculpted just really tickled my funny bone. Tyra Banks, watch out! Georgie is the new face of fashion now.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

 Posted by on November 24, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Nov 242011
 

Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! In the spirit of the holiday (also known as Husband’s Birthday Eve) I’ve made up a list of things I’m thankful for in no particular order:

* Yarn with a cashmere content. I think it’s the only reason why I keep attempting these stupid sockettes.

* Having a wonderful husband who has stuck by me through thick and thicker. If there was ever a test of the strength of our marriage, cancer was it. He stepped up to the plate and was by my side and never wavered in that. I will always be in his debt for that.

* Have great friends and family who also helped out and stepped up. Some of my former friends did make themselves scarce but that’s OK. The ones who did step up were indispensable and I’m so glad that I know who to call for a laugh or a cry–or both! I was also inundated with emails, postcards and gifts from internet friends. That touched me the most considering I’ve never met most of them nor have I ever spoke on the phone with them!

My family is also my backbone. From visits, to cleaning out my apartment (thanks to my sister Maritza), to boxes of chocolate (my brother knows me well!) and home made cards they helped me so much. I’m also thankful for the kind of mom who just needed to look at me to know what I needed. I am glad that I finally caved and let her fill me with soup nearly 24/7 during chemo. My in laws were also sweet enough to visit and send many cards and phone calls. My mother in law even sent me yarn!

Also, her best friend, Mercy and her husband Cesar were incredibly generous and took me to every single doctor’s appointment since Paul had to work. They might as well be my other mom and dad with how much they helped and suffered through this with us. They are a family that I will always be indebted to. Plus, Mercy crocheted me a nice hat! She’s an amazing crafter and I aspire to be like her one day.

* I am thankful for the internet. It may get my hackles up because people are so often wrong on the internet but it’s provided endless food for though and creativity. Internet, you made me the knitter I am today.

* I am also most thankful for knitting. It keeps me sane and from shanking my friends and family. They should also be thankful for my knitting as well. ;)

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Pinewood Derby Gone Wild!

 Posted by on November 21, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Nov 212011
 

Saturday, husband and a few friends joined in a pinewood derby. This was an adults only (even though people brought their kids anyway) hipster event. It’s been a yearly thing put on by some custom blue jeans store in Nashville. I checked out their shop inside and nearly fainted at the $800 used–excuse me, “Vintage” boots they had on sale. Anyway! It was tons of fun!

There was a trophy for Worst in Show which I was gunning for. Our original idea didn’t pan out but I finally was able to put my love for tiny plastic things to use! And my Dremel tool! I finally got to use it. Note to self: next time I’m going to sand down wood, I really should get goggles and a mask.

One Side of our Float


Other side!

Unfortunately, our mighty vessel came in at 70g overweight. I knew getting rid of a girl or two wouldn’t cut down weight so I just decided not to enter. It’s now on my bookcase and I’m very proud of it.

Our friend John won Worst in Show for his “Winning at Charlie Sheen” car.

Winning at Charlie Sheen

He was my competition for the prize but I’m glad it went to someone we knew. I just wish I had won so I could rub it in his face.

It was a great weekend and this derby was a lot of fun. This was something totally up my alley but not something we would have done back home in NYC. As much as I miss home, I’m having a lot of fun here in Nashville.

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FO Friday: Husband’s Cowl

 Posted by on November 18, 2011 at 10:41 am
Nov 182011
 

It’s a sunny, if cold day here in Nashville. Husband left his cowl behind so I’ve had the chance to photograph it. I’m quite proud of myself for finally knitting something for him.

Click to view on Ravelry

Project: Paul’s Cowl
Yarn: 2 skeins Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran
Pattern: Fisherman’s Rib
Needle size: US 9 (5.5 mm)

His birthday is next week but I couldn’t keep the surprise hidden much longer. I was working on this in front of him but he figured it was another project for me. It’s rare that I can do something stealthily around him since he’s normally immune to my sneaky ninja skills. But I still love him!

For more FOs, check out Tami’s blog.

EDIT I was wrong! Today was just a regular follow up appointment before my CT scan in March. Thanks to husband for reminding me. I feel a little silly for getting all worked up for nothing.

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I caved

 Posted by on November 15, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Nov 152011
 

I woke up to a very wet and dreary and cold morning. I told husband to put on a coat and I handed him his birthday cowl. His birthday isn’t until next Friday the 25th. He loved it and the color looks great on him but I just can’t keep a secret.

Now I’m back to square one. What do I get him for his birthday? I think I’ll stick to my original idea and get him a Kindle cover. I wish Amazon had a feature for scheduling shipping ahead of time so I can say “Don’t ship this until next week”.

Bright side is, he loves it and I told him he better rub it in his co-workers faces that I am awesome.

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Stash Enhancement

 Posted by on November 7, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Nov 072011
 

It’s been a bountiful two weeks here at my place. My yarn stash has increased nicely.

My wonderful houseguest got me a lovely housewarming present of…yarn! She, like a good knitting friend, knows about my love for Tilli Tomas yarn so she gifted me a MEGA skein! It’s a mishmash of all of their yarns, almost.

It feels so wonderful too!

There’s some beads and sequins and ribbons plied into the regular yarn plies. And it’s beautifully hand painted. The skein came with business card sized patterns so I will be making an oversized, arty cowl. I made a lush scarf using their merino yarn and their beaded yarn held together and two years later, it’s held up very nicely. It’s my warmest scarf since there’s some cashmere in there as well.

We checked out some of the local yarn stores in Nashville that I haven’t been to yet and I picked up some yarn for my mom’s shawl, Eyre of Romance. It’s a plain knit but my mom is a rather utilitarian person in her style. I chalk it up to her growing up part of a Quaker family in Cuba.

Berrocco Vintage Chunky

She normally wears neutrals but this shade of purple matches her coat so I couldn’t resist. I have two skeins of this darker purple and one skein of pink.

More Berrocco!

I was thinking of using the lighter shade as a border. Or I might make her a hat instead. We’ll see. Bonus is that the yarn is super wash wool so she really has no excuse not to wear it. Question is, will I finish it in time for Christmas? We shall see. I should probably wind the yarn first.

I am happy to report that husband’s knitted present is almost done. His birthday is on the 25th of this month so he may get it as a birthday present instead.

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