Dysfunktional Knitter

Summer in Full Swing

2011-08-16T18:48:00.001-04:00

Summer is flying by.... In fact, some of my flowers have already peaked. I participated in two triathlons (swim, bike, run) this summer. The first one was a very small tri through the YMCA, called Try-A-Tri. It was put together by Kelly Covert, a Level 1 triathlon trainer at the YMCA in Central New York. By the way, she is a great tri-athlete.

The tri consisted of swimming 400 yards, biking 9 miles (and was it ever hilly), and running 1.5 miles. Shorter distances than the usual triathlon, but this tri was to get your feet wet and get a taste of triathlons.

The tri took place at the Cato-Meridian Recreational Center. Here's a picture of me and a friend getting ready to swim. Aren't the goggles and cap wonderful accessories?!!?! I'm wearing the black and white tri-suit with the blue swim cap.

This is a picture of the small group that participated in the Cato Try-A-Tri. I'm in the mix wearing my son's green sun visor for good luck, and it did bring me good luck. I was ~~happy~~ content with my overall time.

It was a fun event and I would highly recommend it for anyone's first triathlon. More later about my second tri - Iron Girl. Hope you are having a great summer! Oh, and I have a little knitting to show later!

Please Salute Our Armed Services

2011-07-12T16:51:00.013-04:00

This past week has been very sorrowful for Baldwinsville, NY, and Central New York in general. We lost a very loving soldier who wanted to defend our country at any cost. Please pray for his family, and please thank God for our freedom. Corporal Kyle Schneider. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/kyle_schneider_dies_in_afghani.html He graduated a year behind my son, who is healthy and working on his doctorite in industrial engineering.

Kyle Schneider is a child of God, who fought for our freedom, and I pray that he is happy in the afterlife. God Bless Him!!

Really?

2011-06-15T11:06:00.000-04:00

If only this could be true!

Have a delicious day. Eat a brownie!

Me and Mr. Effer

2011-06-12T12:44:00.000-04:00

So between me and the hubby, one would think that we would have a brain.... I am talking one full brain. Instead we still have only half a brain when combined.

I was having trouble with my "clickers," which are new to me, so my husband adjusted them. The shoe locks into the bike pedal, so you can perform a push-pull action when pedaling.

The new biking shoes of which I am totally clueless on how to use.

The lollipop pedals....

I was having trouble locking in... so the great man that I married adjusted them. Keep in mind, he has no experience with this type of bike shoe, nor do I. After he adjusted them, I told him before we go out on a ride, I should try them out. But did I do that? No sirree. We loaded the bikes into the van,
drove out to Phoenix strip mall, parked, unloaded the bikes, I put on my shoes, and we took off on the bikes. I had to stop because of oncoming traffic so I could cross Rte 57. I could not get my shoes unlocked from the pedals. Panic set in.... I became hysterical and quickly turned to keep riding in the parking lot. Screaming ensued.... I can't get my feet out. I struggled and struggled and finally got my shoes freed from the pedals so I could stop. In the meantime, my husband is riding back to the van and jumping off his bike so he can help me stop. Yep, we looked like a couple of clowns.

Luckily, in the strip mall there was a Family Dollar store and he went in and purchased a screw driver so he could adjust my clickers. Once adjusted and I could once again click in and out of the pedal, we took off on our bikes for a beautiful 13-mile ride. Maybe the 13 was unlucky??? Who knows... but we had a beautiful afternoon and today we are laughing about our episode. At the time, I really felt like I was going to crash. I never thought about just taking my feet out of the darn shoes. Oh well... we live and learn.

Maybe I should knit more!

Knitting to Triathlon

2011-02-22T17:12:00.005-05:00

I am alive. I have been focusing on "getting in shape." For what? Well, I signed up for Iron Girl 2011 that will take place on August 7, 2011, at Oneida Lake in Oneida, NY. This is a big undertaking for me. We are talking about someone who once weighed 234 and now weighs 127. I have been working out at the YMCA: swimming and spinning (cycling) and occasionally on the treadmill. I told myself that 2011 would be the year that I reach peak fitness, and I am trying really hard to meet that goal.

I will keep my blog updated with my knitting and training progress for Iron Girl.

My flabby legs and arms need muscle. Knitting has been on the back burner for me because it hasn't helped me develop any muscle, but I do have some projects and frogging to post.

Much love and good health to all!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-21T16:12:00.003-04:00

Almost done....

2010-07-19T09:35:00.013-04:00

Almost done... but not quite yet, so don't stick a fork in it. Another boring dining room table shot of a sweater in the blocking stage. Today I'll purchase the buttons and tomorrow if it should snow in this 80-degree weather, I'll be ready to don my new sweater vest.

Vital Statistics

Pattern: Shire Silk Vest (Plymouth Yarn Company). Knit 'N Style, April 2007, Issue #148.

Modifications: Knitted in one piece to the armholes rather than right front, left front and back. Used 3-needle bind-off to attach shoulders. Stitch Pattern B has an error and should read Row 2: P4, *(K2, P4);

Yarn: Queensland Collection, Kathmandu DK, Colour: 400. Four or five balls.

Skill Level: Listed as intermediate; however, it is a very simple knit.

I'm off to pull weeds in the flower beds, take a dip in the pool and then go shopping for buttons.

Have a great summer day!

Long Time...

2010-07-04T15:07:00.012-04:00

Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday, America!!!

It's been such a long time since I've posted to my blog. Although I have thought about it many times, my fingers just never pecked out a post. The keys remained idle. So much has happened in the last two years.... And yes, there has been a little knitting... but not too much finishing. I have projects coming out my....

An unfinished sweater that is way too big for me, but I'll wear it around the house in the middle of winter when the snow and winds are blowing.

In my personal life, my son graduated with a BS in Industrial Engineering from University of Buffalo and is staying on at UB for grad school.
Scott and A-dawg. I'm not sure why they call her A-dawg but I think she is adorable. Scott's girlfriend? Don't know... He never tells me anything. She, too, graduated with a BS in Industrial Engineering.

Dan and I went to the new Yankees Stadium. The Yankees are soooo hot, especially Jeter, A-rod, Gardner, Swisher and Teixeira. What can I say? I love all of them.

Dan and I fondled the 2009 World Series trophy, which we saw at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

And last, but not least, I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!

A Dang Good Time

2008-10-25T18:58:00.014-04:00

Last weekend Mr. Effer and I went to Webs, where I spent a wonderful morning shopping and he sat in a comfy chair reading the newspaper. He's such a good sport. Just remember, he was rewarded later after I had a martini or two. Supposedly it was a romantic get away weekend to view the fall leaves. But you know women, they always have a hidden agenda. So we packed our things and headed to..... one of the states that begins with "M", you know Massachusetts or Maryland. I have absolutely no sense of direction or geography, but it was one of those places. It turned out to be a beautiful day with lots of yarn buying and, yep, the leaves were pretty, too.

So here's a few pictures of my haul.
Curious?

10 Skeins of Noro for a scarf or two.
6 Balls of Tahki Stacy Charles, Bunny Paint....yummy and soft.
20 Skeins of Valley Yarns, Florence. This will be the first time knitting with this brand of yarn. When I was fondling all of their yarns, this was the only Valley Yarn that felt extremely soft. So the verdict is still out on this brand. Why did I buy 20 skeins of it? Crap, I'm asking myself that question right now. But at the time, I must have had a plan for it.

20 Skeins (in two different colorways) of Queensland Kathmandu, which is a yarn I absolutely love.

15 Skeins of Lisa, Adrienne Vittadini.

It was a really great weekend trip. I knitted the entire time I was in the car, which was about three hours one way. And I'm still working on the sweater, Vivi.

It's Sooo Good!!!

2008-10-13T20:57:00.008-04:00

The sponsor of this week's knitting project is brought to you by two drunk ladies and a bottle of Smirnoff Grand Cosmopolitan.

Saturday was a hoot!!! The morning started out with our usual knitting get together at Shamballa Cafe, and then Susan and I went to the Oktoberfest, which was a stone's throw from the coffee shop, where we munched on bratwurst and German potato salad. In the early afternoon, we returned to our respective homes, and I thought the day was over as I sat and knitted in the family room. But around 8 p.m., the phone rang and Susan wanted to know what I was doing for the evening. Well, the DH was out of town, so of course I said come on over and let's have a drink or two and knit. She arrived with a 1.75 liter bottle of Smirnoff Grand Cosmopolitan and it wasn't long before we polished off the bottle and were acting like two silly teenagers..... giggling and calling friends on the phone. Around 2 a.m. we headed over to the B'ville Diner for some food to placate our munchies.

So for knitting news, I have casted on for Vivi by Jane Ellison, Queensland Collection Book 3. And even though I was pretty messed up Saturday night, I actually accomplished some knitting..... There was no frogging on my part! Susan, on the other hand, casted on for a sock, knit a few rounds and then somehow started knitting in the opposite direction, which she discovered on Sunday. My Sunday was spent sleeping and eating ibuprofen. I was a worthless piece of crap!!! The older I get, the longer it takes me to recover from a night of alcoholic beverages. By the way, Smirnoff Grand Cosmopolitan is excellent!!! Thanks, Susan, for sharing!

I hope everyone has a great week of knitting.

I Knit Shit...

2008-09-29T18:07:00.008-04:00

NOT!!!

Salina, designed by Kim Hargreaves, is finished!!! This is my all time favorite project. And it actually fits me!!! Umm, you'll need to overlook the crappy-ass pictures.

I love it, I love it, I love it!!!! Okay, I'll stop jumping up and down!

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed , color #146, green

I made several modifications: It was knit in the round to the underarms, so there would be less seaming to conquer; however, I decreased and shaped the waist as per the instructions. Also, I didn't knit the cuffs as per the pattern... just too lazy and slightly intoxicated to follow those instructions.

Next project..... finish an afghan I started last spring.

Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival

2008-09-25T17:50:00.008-04:00

I've always loved the fall season.... brightly colored leaves, frost on the pumpkin, hayrides, apple picking and fiber festivals. Last Saturday, Mr. Effer and I went to the Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival in Hemlock, NY, and had a great time.

We saw silk worms in action. They're so darn ugly but very soft to the touch, like velvet. Of course there was some toe-tapping music provided by a couple of cute kids.
Wagon rides.....
An alpaca or two....
And we just had to top off the day with some fried ice cream.... deeeeelicious!!!

Can you believe I didn't buy any fiber or yarn? The weather hasn't turned cool enough for the spinning bug to bite me yet.

Have a great week!

Spanked and Whipped

2008-09-13T08:31:00.016-04:00

Okay, I know that I'm a very, very bad blogger but that's okay.... I don't pretend to be good at anything. I have learned to love my dysfunctional lifestyle.

Anyway, my little Sweetpea was spanked this summer by a pickup truck while quietly and patiently sitting at a red light. She is almost eight years old. Yes, I've been driving a Prius hybrid that many years. The insurance company wanted to "total" my baby, but I said NO WAY! I would have been happy to buy another Prius but there's a five month waiting list. So I begged and begged them to fix my little Sweetpea.
She's back on the road again and my neck is feeling fine.

Now onto knitterly things..... My goal for September and October (and probably November) is to whip through my projects that have been abandoned for quite some time.

Even though I finished my Nicole Jacket (Queensland Collection, Book 1, Jane Ellison) almost a year ago, I never wove in the loose ends. I wore it around the house last winter with yarn ends flapping in the breeze. I thought possibly I would start a fashion trend, but it didn't happen. So ta-da...
That's a really bad picture.... the sleeves really are the same length. The sweater is just hanging lopsided on the hanger. I'm not aspiring to be a great photographer. The only thing I want to know is which button to press for the camera to go "click."

And for the Manitoux Passage scarf that I started last winter, after a night of too much alcohol consumption, it ended up looking like this after I noticed I had the wrong amount of stitches on my needles. But two nights ago I finished all 72 inches and even managed to weave in the loose ends. She's a beaut! And will be very warm this winter.I also managed this summer to knit a pair of socks for this little guy... my great nephew, Robert. He looks a little sad because the end of his vacation is nearing. He and his twin sister, Grace, visited me this summer and we had a great time. They live in New Haven, Missouri.

But now he can smile because he has a pair of hand knit socks to keep his tootsies warm this winter.

I hope everyone has a great week of knitting! I'm off to work on abandoned WIPs.

Nintendo Wii, Chase Daniel - What a Score!

2007-11-25T12:45:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving always symbolizes carb overload, elastic waist pants and the kick-off of Christmas shopping. Although I was not one of the crazies who went out at three a.m. on Black Friday, nor did I shop at all that day, I did, however, make a big score today. Woo-hoo. Look what I bought today.
This year, Mr. Effer made one phone call and the guy on the other end of the line, said yep we've got one Wii system, but I can't hold it for you. No amount of begging could persuade this guy. We told him we'd be there in 10 minutes. I slipped on my clogs and we ran out the door. I kept telling Mr. Effer to drive faster, but he would not exceed the speed limit. My stomach was in knots. I just kept thinking that someone would buy it before we arrived at the store, but the guy did indeed hold the Wii game system for us. I profusely thanked him. What a nice, nice guy! This present will certainly make my great niece and nephew, Grace and Robert, very happy. Everyone in the family tried to purchase one last year for the twins, but we all came up empty handed. So this year, they will really be surprised.

So enough bragging on my part. Guess who I am in love with (besides Mr. Effer)? This guy.

Now look at my guy in action.

Oh yeah, baby, that's Chase Daniel, the quarterback for Mizzou. He is so darn cute, 225 pounds of cuteness. So now you know, I'm rooting for Mizzou.... all the way, baby!! He is the one to blame for the six-foot long pumpkin pie scarf that I'm knitting. I just couldn't stop knitting while watching the game last night. Go Mizzou!!!

Have a great week!

Thanksgiving ...

2007-11-22T15:57:00.002-05:00

turkey, pumpkin pie and lots of leftovers.

A pumpkin pie inspired scarf

Of course, it would have been lovely for the scarf to be finished in time for Thanksgiving, but deadlines have no significance in my life.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Another Rhinebeck ......

2007-10-21T08:43:00.001-04:00

here and gone. This weekend presented with the most beautiful weather one could wish for while shopping for fiber and yarn at the New York State Wool and Fiber Festival. Saturday's weather was perfect: sunny and warm with a gentle fall breeze. Again, just perfect to take the credit card out for an afternoon of sex. After all, my MasterCard, Jake, wanted to be fondled by other hands than mine. What can I say, he's a man-slut! So I gave him what he wished for.

Now I did show some budgetary constraint this year along with some knitter's restraint and only made a few purchases. And I am damn proud of it. It was my first Rhinebeck that I did not fill the trunk of my car with yarn and fiber. Maybe it was because I went with friends rather than Mr. Effer. I had no one to carry my purchases and run them back to the car for me, and I don't think I could have persuaded one of the girls to be my bitch for the weekend.

The trip began on Friday night with myself, Carla, Becky and Liz. We all piled into the van and hopped onto the Thruway. It wasn't long and we encountered some bad-ass rain, but we forged onward and made it to Saugerties and spent the night at the Comfort Inn. Once we arrived, Becky opened a bottle of wine, we put on some tunes and knitted for awhile. We turned in early, so we would be ready for a full day of walking and shopping at the wool and fiber festival.

So without further hesitation, I'll show you some pictures of stash enhancement.

And what's Rhinebeck without a few pics of our fiber friends?

Who's having a bad hair day?

And while at Rhinebeck, I finally met Paul in person, and met up with a couple of friends from the Saratoga Springs area, Jude and Marybeth. Those two are trouble as they are Wild Women of Wiawaka.

Cough, cough,

2007-10-10T16:59:00.001-04:00

Hack, hack...... I'm brushing off the cobwebs. This blog has been covered with webs for awhile, and now it's time to get back into the swing of things. Bless me, sorry, I just sneezed from all of the dust!

I have been knitting, just not blogging. The Nicole Jacket by Jane Ellison is drying on the blocking board as I write this post. I can't wait to seam the darn thing. Well really I can wait because I hate seaming, but I am committed to finishing this sweater by the weekend. I did a 3-needle bind-off at the shoulder seams to try and minimize the finishing that the jacket entails.

Last month, I went to the Wiawaka Knitting Retreat in Lake George, NY. I attended in June and had a blast, so there was no hesitation on my part to sign up when I heard there was going to be a second retreat. I didn't think we could top the last retreat, but we indeed did so, having a fun and fabulous time. I believe there were 33 or 34 women in attendance. And again, Katherine Wardle outdid herself when it came to the menu. Her cooking and baking is fabulous along with the handmade chocolates.

There was plenty of booze on hand, and this is my booze stash that accompanied me to the retreat.

And a picture of our bar that we set up out on the back porch.

As evidence that some knitting was accomplished. Here is a picture of Jude (nonblogger) knitting. Susan (formerly a blogger of Needles and Stash), Carol of Saratoga Needle Arts, Suzanne (Knitting Knirvana), and Mary Beth (Knitting Ho) were also at the retreat. Of course we all hung out together and stayed in the Mayflower cottage.

I wish I could share some of the details of the weekend, but Susan swore me to secrecy to protect her reputation! Did someone say, "pants optional?"

I really feel like I made some wonderful friends at the retreat, and look forward to seeing the booze hags soon!

Summer of 2007

2007-08-28T18:03:00.000-04:00

With Labor Day quickly approaching, I have been soaking up as much sun as possible. We had a wonderful summer being lazy, hanging around the pool. Although I didn't accomplish as much knitting as I had hoped, I did get some quality knit time. The front and back of the Nicole jacket are complete, and it's just waiting for a collar and two sleeves.
I did manage to find some time to do a little yarn shopping this summer. Last Saturday, Mr. Effer and I drove to Rochester, NY, to the grand opening sale at The Village Yarn & Fiber Shop. (Okay, I'll be honest, he drove and I knitted.) The shop was previously located in Midtown Plaza and now has moved to East Rochester, and the new location is superb. Love, love, love the shop. I can't say enough nice things about it.
They have a wonderful collection of yarns, patterns and f.i.b.e.r. !!!!! I did make a purchase but had to exert some restraint as my stash of yarn and fiber is sinful - although not as sinful as Susan's stash. (I'd link to her blog, but unfortunately she deleted it.) If you get a chance and you're in the area, you must stop by the The Village Yarn & Fiber Shop.

Mr. Effer was totally bored, so while I was inside shopping, he removed the Thule rack from the van. At least he's smiling!
I'll post pictures of my purchases in my next post. But for right now, I need to get caught up reading everyone's blog, and I hope everyone is enjoying the summer!

Life Resumed

2007-08-11T22:15:00.000-04:00

I'm back from vacation; well, back for almost a week now. I've been busy exploring Ravelry and little else has been accomplished. Vacation was fun, filled with boating, swimming, tubing and hanging with family.

Lovely picture of me tubing with my daughter, Kristen. Did Mr. Effer have to snap the shot when my legs were in the air? What was he thinking?

Short post tonight as I need to get caught up on bloglines. Hope everyone is enjoying the summer and staying cool.

On V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!!!

2007-07-26T19:44:00.000-04:00

Yeppers, the Effers are leavin' on vacation. We are excited, sober and packed, and headed to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri to visit family and confirm that I'm still in my dad's will. I haven't kept in touch much, and gee I sure don't want to miss out on any inheritance! So there will be lots of hugs and kisses for my ole' man!

Sammy will be at the kennel and won't have his mommy to take care of him. But.... shhhh! Don't tell him; we haven't broken the news to him.

So while Mr. Effer is fishing, I'll be fondling balls of yarn!

I hope everyone has a relaxing week!

It's A Tiring Job.....

2007-07-21T11:50:00.002-04:00

but somebody has to do it. Sammy, watching the sheep.

Have a great weekend!

What I Do For Entertainment

2007-07-08T06:48:00.000-04:00

Some knitters knit like crazy on Saturdays. Some might go shopping and spend a wad of money at a local yarn shop. And then there are some avid knitters who decide to sit outside, chug a cheap bottle of wine and set the backyard on fire. I have officially joined the latter group. My needles were indeed smoking.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Some fluffy white clouds and plenty of sunshine with temps in the high 70's to low 80's and very little, if any, humidity. A perfect day to play with matches.

Mr. Effer loves his flower garden but hates the weeds and brush that accompanies it. He is always trimming a bush or two (get your minds outta the gutter). Unfortunately it takes him forever to burn the brush, so I took matters into my own hands....

Got matches? Check.
Got the wine? Check. Yago Sangria, cheap shit but it will do.
Got the brush at the base of a tree? Check. I want excitement!
Got a nice breeze? Check. I want big friggin' flames.
Got dry weather conditions? Check. Haven't had a good rain in three or four weeks.
Home alone? Check. I don't need no stinkin' help.

Everything was in place for an afternoon of excitement. I started the brush fire. Plopped my fluffy butt in a chair, grabbed the needles and a cheap bottle of wine. Everything was fine until I drank too much and decided to take a nap in the beautiful sunshine. I was so darn relaxed that I fell asleep. It didn't matter that a tree was catching on fire and cinder blocks were exploding. I snoozed right through it, nothing could wake up this knitter.

And who came to save the day?
Certainly not him!

My dweebie neighbors came to put out the fire, and I profusely thanked them for saving the neighborhood and my tree.

And the neighborhood is now safe from this dysfunctional knitter.... Mr. Effer took away the matches and banned me from playing with fire.

Yep, I've Been Knitting

2007-07-02T19:09:00.000-04:00

Not much going on here at the Effer household; however, I have managed to do a little knitting. No, I have not finished Salina; she's still on life support on the dining room table. And like most people, I work best under pressure so I'll probably finish it the day before I want to wear it, sometime in the fall.

Instead, I've been putting forth effort on the Nicole Jacket in Kathmandu DK. I wish I would have selected a vibrant color other than something dull. What the hell was I thinking? I do remember that when I purchased the yarn, they didn't have any bright summer colors, so it will have to be a fall jacket.

Oh, and I lied. I said there wasn't much going on at the Effer's. I forgot to mention that I caught our backyard on fire and had to have the help of three neighbors to put it out. Oh well, just another day in my dysfunctional life! Luckily no one was hurt.

Decisions, Decisions....

2007-06-28T17:01:00.001-04:00

It was very slow today at work. The health office at the hospital was very quiet. No physicals or drug tests. Very few sick visits or annual health assessments. So what did I do all day? Surfed the web, twiddled my thumbs and thought about what color to paint my toenails.

I'm shameful; it's the end of June and I haven't polished my nails yet. One cannot wear open toe shoes, flip flops or sandals with naked toenails...... it's just gross! So I couldn't wait to get home to look at my polishes left over from last summer. I wondered all day whether to race home and start painting or stop at the drugstore and purchase a bottle or two.

I definitely need to buy more polishes, but I think I'll just have to make do and use something I already have.... maybe a funky foil color.

Anyhoo, I love an easy day, like when the most difficult decision I have to make is about something silly. It makes one enjoy life!

Taste Of Summer

2007-06-23T15:50:00.000-04:00

The weather in Central New York today is absolutely gorgeous. Sunny and breezy; just perfect for sitting in the sun and knitting. So that's how I spent the morning. The laundry is still in a heap and dust bunnies are hopping across the hardwood floors, but I enjoyed myself and accomplished some knitting. I love knitting outside, listening to the birds and looking at the flowers.

Although the hostas haven't begun to bloom, they are growing Rowan Summer Tweed. Yes, yes, yes.... I love it, love it, love it.
So I picked enough for a sweater or two.

I know that in the past, I've stated that I was not going to purchase anymore yarn and that all knitting would come from my stash. I lied. And I don't even care. I'm back to purchasing yarn with no specific purpose in mind. It's so much fun.

And finally, I must say I am in the mood to spin, spin, spin. I'm going to try my hand at angora since I have a pile of it from my bunny, Harley.

Poor Salina......

2007-06-17T21:00:00.001-04:00

Poor, poor Salina..... for two weeks she's been on life support; limp and breathless, waiting to be blocked. She's barely holding on by a thread. So since I'm off work Monday, I think I'll shake the dust off of her, wet 'er down, and block the tramp.

With today being Father's Day and the kids away at college. I had the task of entertaining Mr. Effer. You know, be a good wife and plan an activity for the day. ~~Sorta like babysitting a toddler.~~ So Mr. Effer and I took a lackadaisical drive to Ithaca, NY, to the Farmers Market. It's a quaint market located on Cayuga Lake. We hung out for the afternoon sampling wines, eating ethnic foods and listening to some bongo music.

Despite the overcast sky, the weather was beautiful.... in the low 80's with a cool breeze coming off of the lake.

I managed to save enough energy for the ride home to cast on for the Nicole Jacket.

So that was my day, I mean Mr. Effer's Father's Day!!! Did you do anything special for a man in your life?

Wee-A-Wok-A

2007-06-11T16:12:00.000-04:00

Last weekend was a weekend of fun, gourmet food, new friends and maybe a drink or two! I attended a knitting retreat at The Wiawaka Holiday House, a 60-acre retreat for women located on Lake George. Katherine Wardle was the organizer and chef for the event. I can't even describe in words how delicious the meals were along with the desserts and handmade chocolates. The weather and scenery were beautiful, but forming new friendships was the highlight of all!

Have you ever met someone and for whatever reason, you just click? Susan (Needles and Stash) from my hometown was there and we met some awesome ladies: Suzanne (Knitting Knirvana), and Jude and Marybeth, both of whom are blogless. I felt like I have known these ladies (and I use the term loosely) for years. We laughed, ate and drank the entire weekend. Oh, a knitting retreat, you say.... well we did a little of that, too.

Susan was the Cast On Queen for the weekend, as she worked on a shawl and, I believe, she recasted on 541 stitches after deciding to frog on row 6. Her goal is to finish the shawl by the next knitting retreat in September.

I knitted shit!!! And I believe, I was the Frog Queen for the weekend. I am so fricken dysfunctional it is pathetic. I casted on for Cinxia and when I printed the pattern from Knitty, about an inch of the right margin was cutoff, leaving me with a guessing game. With yarn in ...... WTF? Should I put the yarn in front or back and what should I do with the last three stitches? I tried it several ways and frogged the damn thing. So I casted on for the second time and called Mr. Effer to look up the pattern on Knitty.com to read it to me. He was a good sport and tried to help me out after I promised him a few things.... However, he was a bad boy and screwed up, reading me the WRONG directions. And, like a fool, I believed him for six or seven rows and then decided it was wrong, wrong, wrong and frogged the damn thing for a second time.

So my frogged Cinxia became the old, moldy bush of Wiawaka..... Yep, this is bad, really bad. I threw it across the room and look where it landed....
In the lap of a yarn ho!!!!

And there were some women there with clap fever, working on Clapotis. Suzanne, Marybeth and Jude. I think they were somewhat successful, but I heard them stressing in hope that they would be able to drop stitches at some point in the pattern. Crap, I have no problem dropping stitches, so I think that pattern is in my near knitting future!

And the entire time I was at Wiawaka, I never noticed that my camera was on the night setting, so my pictures are really, really dark and look like crap! And essentially non-postable.

I was so tuckered out by the end of the weekend, you know... from all the ~~knitting~~ frogging that on my drive home, I stopped at a rest area and fell asleep in my car for two hours. My car windows were closed and, with the green house effect, I almost died of heat stroke!! I was completely soaked when I woke up... like a horse... rode hard and put away wet!!! Even though I felt exhausted from all the fun, I'm going back for more in September. Woo-hoo!!!

We Aren't the Effers......

2007-05-31T16:47:00.001-04:00

We are part of the Nielsen's!!! Last week we participated in the Nielsen TV Ratings, which is something I've always wanted to do.
I'm not sure why I've had this desire, but possibly it's due to the fact that I often disagree with the ratings and wish that I could have some input. Well, I finally got to have my say in the TV ratings. It was a lot of work. One has to keep a diary for each television in the household. So we had five diaries, but only three of the televisions were viewed during the week of the survey.

It was a lot of work tracking Mr. Effer's television viewing as he is a constant channel changer and is usually watching two programs by changing channels frequently. He really gives me a headache.

And since this is a knitting blog, I guess I should mention knitting. My knitting libido has waxed and waned this past week. But I am currently on the second sleeve of Salina. And hopefully I will be able to get some car knitting done this weekend while we take a quick trip to Pennsylvania.

Memorial Day

2007-05-28T10:46:00.001-04:00

I salute all veterans: living, fallen, missing in action and disabled. And I thank you for the freedom that we enjoy today and everyday.

Diana

7 Random Things

2007-05-20T08:21:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by Amanda (Fancie Pants Knits) and Laurie (Lorenzo Knits in Circles) for the seven random things meme.

Each person tagged gives seven (7) random facts about themselves. Those who are tagged need to blog those 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. Then you need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Seven Random Things About Me (that You Probably Don't Need to Know)

Sometimes when I dream, an event in my dream will occur within a day or two. It freaks me out!
I believe I will die a sudden death from a ruptured aneurysm, either a brain or an abdominal aortic aneurysm. So I always wear "good" underwear!
I have never paid a household bill. My husband always takes care of the finances. God bless him!
Okay, this one is really weird, and I really don't usually talk about it too much, not even to family. But here goes...... I sometimes can smell the scent of a deceased person that I've known or a deceased family pet.
I think marijuana should be legalized. The seventies were a fun time for me!
I believe all individuals have several lives before entering the gates of heaven. I was a saloon prostitute in the mid to late 1800's and lived in Germany during WWII. I think this is my third life.
My first dental cavity occurred when I was 27 and pregnant with my first child. My second dental cavity popped up when I was pregnant with kid #2. Damn Kids!

And because I love to break rules, I'm not going to tag 7 people. If you are reading this and haven't particpated in the meme, then blog away baby.... have at it!

Options, Too Many!

2007-05-17T15:44:00.000-04:00

I am truly the most dysfunctional person that I know...... I should just face the fact that this is me..... I am what I am. So learn to live with it, buck up, and don't be surprised when you screw something up!

For Christmas Mr. Effer gave me Knit Picks Options Needles. I absolutely love them; they're interchangeable, smooth, quick, etc., and I highly recommend them. So this past week, I decided to organize the needles and place them in the case. Yes, it's been five months but at least it's done and the needles are no longer taking up space on the dining room table.

As I put the needles in the case, I discovered that I had only one #5 and one #6 interchangeable needle. WTF!!?!! Where were their mates? Did I have too much eggnog and whiskey on Christmas Eve for this to have gone unnoticed?

Crap!!! Knit Picks will never believe that they made a mistake, that it took this knitter five months to realize she didn't have the correct needles. I blamed the entire mishap on Knit Picks; I was pissed!!! And then a dim, very dim, light went off in my head amongst all the cerebral clutter. My gauge is off on Salina. I've got problems...... Sure enough, I am knitting Salina using a circular needle that I put together with a #5 and a #6 needle. Knit Picks gave me too many options!!! I think I'm going to stick with Addi Turbo needles, you know the kind..... slick and fast, and NOT interchangeable!!!

Summer Knitting Contest

2007-05-13T05:48:00.000-04:00

I was reading The A.D.D. Knitter's blog in which she posted her summer knitting goals along with a link to a summer knitting contest hosted by Ali (Skeins Her Way). I'm so excited!! Of course, I had to enter it. So here are my summer knitting goals:

1. Improve my knitting skills while intoxicated. No more frogging with a hangover!

2. Finish Salina - okay, that's going to be tough. Because I have a major screw up that is going to require some frogging. Apparently I misread the directions, don't have gauge and didn't think knitting 15 plus rows was necessary.

3. Finish two pairs of socks that have been dust collectors for over a year.

4. Come to terms with short row heels. I'm not sure why I get confused with short row heels and lose my place. But I do, and that's a problem. I can't meet goal #3 unless I can knit short row heels while sipping cocktails.

5. Cast on and finish (yep, there's that word "finish") the Nicole Jacket from the Queensland Collection by Jane Ellison. So that's it folks. Just a few summer knitting goals, a little pressure, and a contest! Be sure to join in the fun!

I cheated . . . .

2007-05-08T18:01:00.000-04:00

on Salina. I gave it my all to stay true to Salina and remain in a monogamous relationship, but it came to an abrupt end this past weekend. My eyes and fingers looked elsewhere for a little love.... I casted on for a sock. Yes, I needed a little sock love. So at the current time, I have two loves in my life.
Warm air and sunshine has finally arrived in Central New York. Hence, the need for Allavert as the allergies and asthma have flared up. Sooooo, pleeeeease reach into my head and take away my mucus.

My head needs help!

Salina ...

2007-04-29T18:40:00.000-04:00

creeps along. It seems like I have been forever knitting Salina. I love the yarn, Rowan Felted Tweed, but I am growing tired of stockinette stitch. I am knitting the sweater in the round, and now I'm at the underarms so it's time to divide the sweater into front and back pieces and knit according to the pattern so I don't screw it up.

And with spring in the air (finally), I have decided to give the blog a good dusting and cleaning. I will continue to update the sidebar with the blogs that I read so if you don't see your blog title there, be patient. A girl can only do so much in a day!

The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is next weekend, and Mia (Stoned Knitter) and I can't decide if we want to go. In the past, I've always jumped at the opportunity to go to a fiber festival. But right now, I've got fiber coming out of my ying-yang, and I really like making my purchases online. I've developed a crush on our UPS guy, and can't wait to see his tan legs a little later in the summer. I feel blessed that we are one of the last houses on his route, and he arrives around 4 p.m. as it gives me plenty of time to get home from work and freshen up. Susan (Needles and Stash) on the other hand, has a deep relationship with her delivery guy!!! Isn't that right, Susan? I better be quiet, I don't want to give away anymore secrets!!!

Earth Day

2007-04-21T09:44:00.000-04:00

Don't forget that Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day.

It's hard to believe that today is sunny and warm. After all this is what Monday morning looked like as I left for work about 6:15 a.m.

And this is what today looks like. Sunny and warm. No snow shoes required, only flip-flops!

Have a great day!

A Moment of Madness

2007-04-15T10:25:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, while seaming together Silk Tweed Sweater aka Swamp Ass Sweater, I had a moment of madness. Now at my age, if I sit too long, my hips begin to hurt... (Okay, ladies keep your minds outta the gutter. Old hooores don't necessarily have that problem!) Not only do the hips begin to hurt, but the back begins to ache as well. It's just because I'm approaching 50. Well, maybe I've spent a little more time on my back than most ladies! But anyway, I love to knit sweaters but absolutely, without a doubt, hate to do the finishing.

As I was sitting for endless hours, weaving in the loose ends, etc., I kept thinking about what Mia said about my felted needle case..... she said something like... you better take the scissors to that ugly thing. But I held her back; I couldn't let her cut up my felted needle case. It was a pattern in my head that just went wrong.... way, way wrong. It's an unusable piece of felt; too thick to roll up as a needle case. It was my first try at stash busting. We all know we have unwanted balls around our house. So I thought I would give some love to a pair of unwanted balls. Gosh, this post is trashy!!!!

So in the middle of seaming Silk Tweed, I got up out of the chair, adjusted my swamp ass, sticking underwear and marched right over to my pile of unwanted balls and mish-mash that sits in the corner of my dining room. Yes, the yarn has invaded the dining room along with all the other rooms of the house. I grabbed the needle case and scissors..... and moments later I had these.

And what did I learn from all of this? I can't cut straight..... I need to repeat kindergarten.

Another day, another sweater...

2007-04-10T20:32:00.000-04:00

Friday night I finished Silk Tweed. It took me forever and a day to seam the sweater and weave in the loose ends. Beads of sweat were forming on my brow and I developed a little swamp ass while sitting there for hours, but I did it! It felt like I was never going to finish. This was my first time knitting with Knit Picks super wash wool, and I think it is an okay yarn. Nothing special. The sweater hasn't been washed yet; hopefully it won't pill or go wonky. So on to another project...... can't let the needles cool off for very long. Hence, the birth of Salina in Rowan Felted Tweed. The pattern is from the book Vintage Knits.
I did have a moment of madness while working on Silk Tweed, but I'll save that for another post.

Almost Done......

2007-04-01T21:19:00.000-04:00

and still alive. I just finished casting off Silk Tweed Sweater. So hopefully I'll get the finishing done this week and have pictures posted by the weekend.

Thanks for all your well wishes for Kristen. She is doing great and resumed college and work this past week. And did I tell you I love her boyfriend, Evan?

Panic!

2007-03-17T10:10:00.000-04:00

I am so glad this week is coming to an end. Last Sunday I received a phone call from my sister in St. Louis that she was in the emergency room with my daughter, Kristen. Kris attends college in Missouri. So after I received the phone call, I began packing a suitcase. My sister calls back about an hour later and says they are admitting her because she is having a gallbladder attack and they want to do surgery. The sonogram confirmed the presence of gallstones and that the gallbladder problem was chronic. Chronic has now turned into acute, so therefore the surgeon wants to do surgery.

Wait! This is happening too fast for my brain to process. Can't get a decent flight from Syracuse to St. Louis. So I hopped in my car and started driving down the Thruway towards Rochester and Buffalo. Husband isn't home.... Damn where is he when I need him? Finally reach my husband and tell him to look at flights and call me back. He books me a flight from Buffalo to St. Louis. Perfect.... I was driving on the Thruway near Buffalo when he called me back. What was I thinking? Why did I get in my car and start driving? At least I headed West. Was I planning on driving to St. Louis if I didn't get a flight out of Buffalo? Who knows. One doesn't think clearly when panic sets in.

The surgery went well, and now Kristen is feeling okay. Just a little sore, but moving around more and more each day. It was wonderful seeing her even under those circumstances. I miss her so much.

But on the bright side of things, this week I got to see both kids. Although brief, I did get to see Scott as he was home from college this week on spring break. Yep, I saw him for about 2 hours on Friday night.

Now on with knitterly things. Lookie, lookie!I won a contest on Laurie's blog, and she sent me beautiful stitch markers. They are absolutely stunning. I have to admit that all of my stitch markers are made from plastic.... just simple.... nothin' fancy... purchased from a craft store or two. But now I can show off!!! I also won a bid on Ebay for Rowan Magazine #36. There are sooooo many patterns in this mag that I want to knit. I just can't stand it. But I first have to finish knitting Silk Tweed Sweater for Kristen, which is pictured under the markers and mag. I am loving this pattern. I have the back knitted and am almost finished with the front. Hopefully I will start the sleeves this weekend. And then it will be time for finishing... darn, I dread the finishing part.

Toodles..... I'm off to do some serious knitting and catch up on everyone's blog!

Pub Knitting

2007-03-04T18:45:00.000-05:00

The weekend is coming to an end, and it's time to return to some kind of structure or normalcy. I don't know why, but I can't maintain any structure on the weekend. I stay up most of the night and want to sleep during the day. I want cocktails and chocolate for breakfast and bacon & eggs for dinner. Most weekends I can't even accomplish any housework. But I certainly know how to have fun....

The local Syracuse knitting group kicked off the month of March by knitting at Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub. There's Sheri on the left, and on the right (from back to front) is Becky, Carla and Susan. And I want to say thanks to Susan for making the arrangements!

We all enjoyed the food and drinks. But just take a look at Carla's dessert.... While she was knitting a sock, she was drinking Bailey's Irish Cream and devouring a yummy piece of Bailey's cheese cake. It looked so darn delicious. I gained 3 pounds from just sitting across the table from it!

The Bailey's was so refreshing, but the glasses were small. I'm sorry, but when I drink Bailey's at home, I like a 10-12 ounce glass. What can I say? Those little glasses just make you want to slug down the entire bottle. They're a tease! I'm not a booze hag, but I do enjoy a drink or two, or three with knitting.

And check out the dude with the bagpipes. I couldn't get a picture of his legs, but he did look cute in his kilt. The picture is blurry due to my lack of photography skills, not the alcohol.

Mia.... where were you? Maybe you could have met the bagpipe dude. I think biker/bagpipe dude needs a babe on the back of his bike! Hang on Mia!

I did manage to get a little knitting done; working on Silk Tweed Sweater by Estelle Designs.

And that was my Saturday. Friends, knitting, alcohol and bagpipes. I couldn't have asked for anything more.... well, maybe a designated driver would have been nice.

Enjoy your week. Back to reality.

A Quick Knit!

2007-02-25T21:08:00.000-05:00

I finished a cabled scarf this morning, and I can't wait to knit some mittens to match. This pattern was truly a fun and quick knit. Thanks, Becky, for the pattern. She always finds the best patterns, but, unfortunately, she doesn't have a blog to show off all of her beautiful knitting.

Vital Statistics:
Born: Feb. 25, 2007
Pattern: Keep It Simple, Cabled Scarf, by Barbara Selesnick
Needles: Size US 11
Yarn: Knit Picks Panache. Color: Cinnamon.

Of course, I couldn't follow the pattern exactly as written; I made just a few minor alterations. I casted on 32 stitches instead of 30, and I knitted a seed stitch border instead of garter. I also didn't attach any fringe.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week of knitting and/or spinning! Toodles....

Fiber Lesson #1

2007-02-18T08:19:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for your anniversary wishes. I think bloggers are the most kindhearted individuals or maybe I should say knitters are the most kindhearted.

This morning I got up bright and early to give Harley a fiber lesson. I sometimes think he is confused as to what his mission is in life. He has the attitude that he is the number one pet in our household of which Sam, the dog, disagrees. So I thought I would explain to him about fiber and yarn.

Lesson #1 : You are a fiber producing animal. To which Harley replied that he is a funny bunny and doesn't really care how much fiber he produces. He just wants to have a fun time! (He has a little bit of my attitude.)

The yarn in the picture is from KnitPicks and it arrived this week. The earth tones are going to become a fair isle tote. Sandra (Knitting Satori) has a KAL for the Nicky Epstein Tote featured in the Holiday Edition of VK. And the blue yarn is destined to become a sweater for my darling daughter, Kristen.

This past week I've been working on a scarf and an afghan. I'm such a knitterbug, always leaving remnants of knitting strewn throughout the family room.
I can't share the couch with anyone. It's mine, all mine. I truly have issues.

Hope everyone has a great knitting week!

A Special Week!

2007-02-11T15:13:00.000-05:00

This week is a very special week for Mr. Effer and I. Monday night is our 30th wedding anniversary ..... I was a child bride, not quite in my 20s yet when we married. And of course, Valentine's Day also occurs this week.

So Harley
wants to tell you something:

Some Bunny Luvs You!!!

Hoppy Valentine's Day !!!

This Week's Screw Up

2007-01-22T18:58:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning was awesome. Mia and I started our day with a little breakfast or should I say lunch? We went to Stella's Diner. Now if you know Mia, you know she's just not right. She couldn't decide if she wanted breakfast or lunch. So she ordered a breakfast entre, which was large enough to feed a 300 pound man, along with a lunch entre. Of course her eyes were bigger than her stomach. Sorry I don't have a pic of all the food that covered our table, but it would just make your stomach growl anyway.

Then of course, we waddled over to the mall to ~~walk~~ shop off some of the calories. The shopping totally exhausted us so it was back to my house for a drink or two and some knitting, crocheting and frogging.

So this week's f*ck up is brought to you by the Dysfunktional Knitter. Yep, another disaster. Would you expect anything else? I swear I have to resume knitting sweaters. They're my favorite to knit and always turn out fine.

So here's this week's screw up.

In my dreams it was going to be a felted needle case. However, after felting, it was too thick to fold or roll. There is a pocket on the back side of it for needles whick makes it very bulky. So I flipped it horizontally and now it looks like a purse of some sort. I don't know what the heck I'll do with it, but Mia tried to destroy the sad mess.

Mia (The Stoned Knitter) has taken up with crocheting lately. I'm not sure why, but she has become a very happy hooker. Maybe it's the margarita talking....

I'm going to look at sweater patterns. I just have to knit a sweater or two.

My New Guy

2007-01-19T18:22:00.000-05:00

I have a new guy in my life. I think he is just adorable. You know the type... handsome, English accent, and distinguished looking with some gray.

Meet Harley.... He's an English anogora bunny, and he's just so darn cute. He loves to cuddle and be brushed, and his fiber is oh sooooo soft. I can't wait until I can spin it. Well, hopefully I will be able to do so. I've heard it's difficult but I'm willing to give it a try.

Damn It!

2007-01-18T17:46:00.001-05:00

I was just starting to write my post, when I sneezed and bit my tongue. So I am off to administer some first aid to myself.

Will post tomorrow after the blood transfusion!

Underwear Issues and Droopy Boobs!

2007-01-07T20:35:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday was a bad day for me. I woke up with a migraine and stayed home from work. To make matters worse when I got dressed I had no clean underwear. Unlike Sheepish Annie, I don't buy underwear by the dozen. In fact, I need to follow in the Sheep's hoovesteps, and buy more undies. So even though I had a migraine, I had to don clothes and take Scott to the dentist office. Of course, since I was feeling like sh*t, I had to put on my favorite jeans.... you know the pair with the hole in the front. So for an undergarment I wore pajama bottoms. I always get holes in my jeans and shirts because I have a tendency to use to much bleach when I'm in a cleaning frenzy (which by the way isn't too often).

So I vow to emulate The Sheep and buy underwear by the dozen. I think I need new bras too. I'm really looking droopy and the right one is hanging lower than the left. My oh my, what's a girl to do?

Fair Isle Bag

2007-01-06T15:40:00.000-05:00

New Years Day I felted the Nicky Epstein Fair Isle Tote featured in VK Holiday Issue. I'm just about finished knitting the handles. But I couldn't wait, so I felted the bag first. And notice the KnitPicks Option needles; I got them for Christmas from Mr. Effer.

I am definitely going to knit another fair isle tote bag because it was a lot of fun!

Short post today. I'm home playing nurse to my son who had three wisdom teeth extracted today. He now resembles a chipmunk!

It's All About Mememe

2007-01-03T15:21:00.000-05:00

I have been tagged by Becky and Wendy for the Six Weird Things About Me meme. So here are the rules...

“THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about themselves.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog post of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”

Six Weird Things About Me

1. I haven't taken a bath in 22 years; I only shower.

2. I did not attend my high school, nursing school or college graduations. I started partying a little early.

3. I care more about the animal kingdom than mankind. Did you know that polar bears could be extinct in the wild within one hundred years?

4. I'd rather hang my clothes outside on the line than dry them in the clothes dryer.

5. I love to drink cheap wine (like Strawberry Hill) and eat Twizzlers.

6. I usually don't carry a purse. I either carry a wallet in my jacket pocket or I put my driver's licence, mastercard and 20 bucks in the pocket of my pants.

Now I need to tag six people: Beth (Big Geek), Mia (Stoned Knitter), and Erin (Skein Street). Okay, I know the rules say to tag six people, but I've never lived by the rules. So I think I'll tag three people. I do most things half-ass anyway!!!!

Another year gone by....

2007-01-01T13:32:00.000-05:00

and I grew another chin hair. Now I have three, oh lucky me! So a pluckin' I will go in 2007.

So 2006 was not a great year for me. Besides the chin hair thing, I became a defunct knitter. And when you combine that with my dysfunctional being, you get a fricken disaster. I struggled finishing projects this past year, which was a new ailment for me. I've always been one to start and finish a project. But I currently have two pairs of socks on the needles that I started way back when that are begging to be finished. This past year I also did not renew any knitting magazines as they weren't inspiring me. I also didn't keep in touch with friends as much as I usually do. Maybe working nights contributed to that; I don't know. I didn't even knit Saturday mornings with the local knitting group. Not only did I struggle with knitting, I even quit blogging for awhile.

But in 2007, I plan to see friends more often, knit with a local group of knitters, attend spinning guild more often, and finish all my projects. I'm also going to renew my knitting mag subscriptions. Oh yes, I plan on spinning more, too.

I don't believe in new year's resolutions but I do believe in change. And with a new year comes hope for change. Darn, I need to get organized. My stash is strewn all over the floor in one of the spare bedrooms along with miscellaneous patterns and other knitting paraphernalia. I struggle with this year after year. I organize it, then look for something, make a huge mess and close the bedroom door for months.

I don't mean to bore anyone with a recount of 2006. But I want to look back at this post in July and see how I am doing. Will I be able to say that I've changed? Or will I still be me .... a defunct, dysfunctional knitter?

Thanks for stopping by during the year and reading and commenting. I truly enjoy reading all of your blogs. Happy New Year!

Bad, bad, bad....

2006-12-31T11:53:00.000-05:00

Yep, I'm a bad blogger. I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays, and I guess this will be my last post for 2006 and it will be pictureless.

In the last couple of weeks, I've shopped, wrapped and accomplished some knitting. We spent Christmas in St. Louis, MO, and it was wonderful seeing our daughter, Kristen, along with other family members. Kristen's still in college and her major is P-A-R-T-Y!!! I finished a sweater for my great niece, Ella, and nearly finished my fair isle bag. I just have the handles to knit, which I plan on knitting today or this evening. Ooops, I forgot to take pictures of the sweater before giving it to Ella.

Carla asked if the Nicky Epstein's fair isle tote bag had a checkered bottom as the picture of the bag and the pattern don't match up. Mia and I both knitted our bags with a solid color for the bottom and started the checkered pattern for the sides. I can't wait to get mine felted.

Anyhoo, I've got a lot of blog reading to do so I'll catch up with everybody in the new year. Happy New Year!!!! Have a great 2007!!!

Too Little Time...

2006-12-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

I'm having a blast knitting the fair isle tote that was featured in Vogue Knitting holiday edition. Just wish I could devote more time to it. It's so much fun; I just can't seem to put it down. Here's an update on my progress. Darn... the colors are off, but you'll get the general idea.

And get this...

wrapping paper with a holiday print on each side. It was only ninety-nine cents for 50 square feet. I love it!!! I have to go back to Rite-Aid tomorrow and buy more patterns.

Short post as I have more gifts to wrap..... Toodles.....

Fair Isle Knitting.... Oh My!

2006-12-06T17:28:00.000-05:00

Finally I have found a project that excites me and renews my addiction of knitting. I think the last six or eight months, I have been in a state of knitting blahs. This project that I speak of is the Fair Isle Felted Tote. Oh my gosh....this is sooo much fun. I think about it while I'm at work and can't wait to get home to resume knitting. Sandra (Knitting Satori) put together a KAL for the fair isle tote, and the link is on my sidebar.

Mia (Stoned Knitter) and I got together before spinning guild on Sunday to look at our yarns that we had ordered from Knit Picks. We were overwhelmed and could not make decisions. So basically I just started knitting and am selecting yarns as I go along. I'm going to use dark, rich winter colors. And my next bag will be knitted with lighter colors. Yes, you heard it here..... I'm already planning the second bag.

I do want to say thanks to Sandra for organizing the KAL, and I also want to thank Erica (Skein Street). Erica may not remember this, but she taught me how to read charts and knit with two strands of yarn. I still have the schematic that she drew for me and the instructions. She's a great teacher!

So here's a picture of the beginning of my tote. The base is solid black, and what looks like red is actually a deep cranberry with gray mixed in.

I can actually see Susan (Needles and Stash) going crazy with this project. She loves to play with color!!!!

Toodles....

I Got It!!!

2006-11-26T22:03:00.000-05:00

After visiting Borders, Barnes and Noble, Wegmans, P&C, Waldenbooks, Kenny Drugs, Eckerd Drug Store and JoAnn Fabrics, I finally laid my hot little hands on this ...
so I can knit this...
Now comes the difficult part of the process.... color selection. I'll probably order Wool of the Andes yarn from Knit Picks as it is reasonably priced. I thought about knitting it from my stash but that would require too much sorting and unstashing, which is a great deal of work. It's easier to let the mouse do the work... Click, click, click; it's ordered. After a couple of days the doorbell will ring and it will be a handsome delivery man. Well one can only hope that it's an eye-candy-type of delivery guy. I better stop here or this post might become x-rated.

Toodles...

I Just Have to....

2006-11-25T09:15:00.000-05:00

I was reading Sandra's blog yesterday and I was inspired. I just have to knit one of these. So last night, I went to two different bookstores and couldn't find the Vogue Knitting Holiday Edition. How can that be? So today I'm out and about searching for it because I really, really just have to knit this for myself.

And because I couldn't find the mag last night, I had to pirate the picture from her blog (thanks, Sandra). Visit Knitting Satori and see the colors she's using. I think Sandra needs to start a KAL for this project. Sandra, are you listening?

No Boundaries

2006-11-23T08:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I was up early this morning baking the last of the pies and making the stuffing. Of course, I am wearing elastic waist pants today. Are you?

As I was cooking, I had a realization that I have absolutely no boundaries in my life. So I poured myself one of these... at 8:30 a.m.

Orange juice is a component of the amaretto slush, so in my dysfunktional lifestyle it is considered a breakfast drink.

I truly hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and great shopping on Friday.

Toodles....

Fleece on Earth, Good Knits To All (after Thanksgiving)

2006-11-19T18:06:00.000-05:00

Just hear me out..... just for a short time..... I have a small rant.

I haven't cooked the Turkey yet.... and Christmas music is already being played in the stores, malls and on a radio station or two.

Can't we just enjoy Thanksgiving and then start the Christmas season?

Breaking Bread

2006-11-12T08:22:00.000-05:00

It was a lazy, rainy Saturday morning.... I finally got dressed and went to the gym to work off the Friday night alcohol and snacks. While I was on the treadmill sweating buckets, I was contemplainting whether or not to frog the sweater sleeve. See what I did was cast on the correct number of stitches for the cuff but then in an alcohol impaired state increased and knitted the sleeve two sizes bigger. When will I learn that Amaretto slushes and knitting do not mix well? So here's a pic of the sleeve.

So I met Miss Mia (Stoned Knitter) at the Jordan Diner for some advice and early afternoon breakfast. And by the way, I'm taking her advice and not frogging the sleeve. She's right.... It's a 2-toddler sweater and the kid will wear it only one season and it will be tossed aside, so why re-do it. No one will notice. So I ended the turmoil; decided I could live with my mistake. We broke bread.... Miss Mia brought some just-outta-the-oven French bread that she baked from scratch. My, oh my, was it ever delicious.

And then we pigged out on this....

With arteries full of cholesterol, we headed out to a craft show. Not much there and no purchases were made. But we had a good time.

Toodles.... I'm off to the gym and then I'm coming home to work on that sweater in a non-alcohol impaired state. No more mistakes!!!!

What a Nice Surprise!!!

2006-11-08T20:32:00.000-05:00

Today at lunch, I was sitting in the cafeteria with a couple of nurses when Miss Mia strolled by with knitting in hand. She had some gorgeous yarn that was previously purchased at Rhinebeck in 2005. Yep, she is knitting from her stash!!! It was a nice surprise to see her. We work in different hospitals that are connected by a skywalk so occasionally we will meet for lunch.

This evening when I got home from work, I finished spinning the yarn that I was working on Sunday at the guild meeting.

I have no idea what I'm going to knit with it; maybe a pair of mittens. I'm also spinning a gray alpaca/merino mix, which is spinning up quite nicely and is sooo soft.

Tomorrow night I plan on frogging, knitting and having a cocktail or two. It always helps to have a drink when you have to frog an entire sleeve. Boo-hoo. Drunkin froggin' pictures to follow!!

Feet At Work

2006-11-06T17:19:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning started out a little rough. I got a speeding ticket coming home from the gym. Then I noticed that the cuff and sleeve that I just finished knitting were out of proportion. Yep, that will be my next post....a froggin' we will go. Then when I arrived at Mia's house to pick her up for our spinning guild meeting, I realized I had forgotten my fiber and knitting at home. I was also late picking her up because Mr. Effer was being a bad boy. So Mia gave me some fiber to spin and off to the guild meeting we went.

Here are a few pictures of happy feet at work. Carla's feet ....

Beth and Mia's feet at work....

I didn't take any pictures of my feet, as my toes just weren't twinkling yet. But after a few minutes of spinning, my bad mood cleared and I was having fun.

Mia's and Beth's bobbins a bobbin'.....

I can't wait for next month's guild meeting. Now if I could just finish some knitting projects.

What a Crappy Week!!!

2006-11-02T18:21:00.000-05:00

This past week has been quite a crappy week. And snow is on the way, so what else could go wrong? I've had a whopping sinus infection all week... you know the kind.... headache with thick green gooey nasal discharge.... and then when you think it can't get any worse, your body says let's add a little bronchitis to the illness and mix it all up. So when you're coughing and hacking, your head can split open.

Anyway, here is my thought process for the day....

Mr. Effer said that snow is on the way.....

winter.....

Christmas.....

A partridge in a pear tree....

The Partridge Family bus.

We took the picture on the way home from Rhinebeck. I've been told the bus is still operational, and I was hoping the owner would have ventured out of the house while we were looking at it because I was going to ask if I could take it for a spin. Maybe next time.

Another Rhinebeck

2006-10-23T18:59:00.000-04:00

has come and gone.... Mr. Effer and I had a great time! Okay, I probably had a better time than the Effer, but I did catch a glimpse of him waiting in line for a haircut.

I purchased some fibery goodness.... some 50/50 merino and alpaca in gray and some in chocolate brown. Tonight I'll be dusting off the wheel and begin spinning. The fiber is so soft, and I really want to make something for me and only me!!!!

And then I purchased some DK weight alpaca in a musk color, which again I want to keep for myself. I think I'm being a bit selfish but I never knit anything just for me! So I am going to spoil myself.

And I picked up a little fibery goodness for Susan (Needles and Stash), who couldn't make it to Rhinebeck because of a bum knee. But because she might be peeking, I won't post a picture. I'll have to bounce over to her blog and see if she is done whining. Lordy, lordy can that girl whine!!!

All in all, Rhinebeck was a good trip even though I didn't catch up to any bloggers and I missed the blogger meetup at building E.

Well, gotta run and start up the wheel....

Rhinebeck!!!!

2006-10-20T07:07:00.000-04:00

Before I post, let me dust off the cobwebs!!!! Coughing, hacking..... okay, now you can read.... the dust has cleared.

This afternoon, Mr. Effer and I leave for Rhinebeck. I am sooooo excited. So I am up early this morning due to uncontrollable excitement and the need to get organized. Get organized? I've never been organized a day in my (personal) life but on a good day I strive for self-perfection.

Things to do today:

1. Look at knitting patterns and determine yarn needs.

2. Needle inventory. There's always the possibility of purchasing additional needles.

3. Fiber inventory.... Definitely need more fiber. There's no such thing as too much fiber in your diet to reduce the chance of developing colon cancer.

4. Pack the suitcase.

5. Feed and hydrate Mr. Effer so that he can sustain carrying my fiber goods. Remember these pictures from last year's Rhinebeck festival? I couldn't have done it without him!!!

6. Select the knitting project for the fiber journey. Socks or baby sweater?

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!! And if you're going to Rhinebeck, hope to see you there and have a safe and fibery journey!

Oh, What The Heck.....

2006-10-12T15:51:00.000-04:00

Am I here, am I really here?

Nuthin' but.....

2006-09-15T17:26:00.000-04:00

a bum! Yep, I've been nuthin' but a bum lately. Not too much knitting nor too much of anything but enjoying the last days of summer. I can't believe that prior to Labor Day I heard the Canada geese honkin' overhead beginning their migration. It's so depressing to hear them take flight and head south.

Oh, but I did make a yarn purchase from Cabin Cove. The skeins will eventually become socks. When? I don't know. But there is a future for them!

I've been knitting a pair of socks from my stash so that I have an excuse to buy more yarn at Rhinebeck. I think I'll be strutting these at Rhinebeck!

I must say that this yarn is the softest sock yarn my fingers have ever fondled... and my tootsies just can't wait. The brand is Silja, made in Norway. The sheep must be softer there! It's been in my stash for so long that I can't remember from where I purchased it. But I absolutely love it and would buy it again and again.

Toodles....

Deadlines.....

2006-09-04T07:14:00.000-04:00

Deadlines.... I love them! Whew, I made it just under the wire. My Bitchin' Mittens are completed, and they match My So Called Scarf.

I had to frog the first two attempts as the thumbs had a phallic quality! And after consuming large quantities of warm chocolate milk and eating Keebler chocolate chip cookies, I finally finished them in the wee hours of the morning. And I love them, love them, love them.

So Tuesday I will be running to the post office to mail them to my darling daughter along with the My So Called Scarf. I hope she likes them.

It truly feels great to have met the deadline for the Bitchin' Mittens.

Vital Statistics:

Born: September 4, 2006, 4 a.m.

Anticipated due date: September 4, 2006. Arrived on time!

Pattern: Knitting by the seat of my pants. (No pattern for the mittens. Stitch pattern is a herringbone pattern used for the My So Called Scarf.)

DNA: Donnegan Tweed. Color: I no longer have the color number, but the yarn is a purple tweed with bits of orange, blue and lime green. Knitted on size 6 and 8 straight needles. The first mittens I've ever knitted using this method. I much prefer knitting with DPNs. But then again, I didn't have a pattern!

Once again, whew, I made it just under the wire!

Attempt #2 at the Bitchin' Mittens

2006-08-29T08:44:00.000-04:00

My second attempt at The Bitchin' Mitten is about to be partially frogged. So it's time to put away the alcohol and search for a pattern. The thumb is again looking obscene, and I swear I'm not obscessed with the male anatomy.

You guys are so good.... it is the stitch pattern from the My So Called Scarf.

Short post today.... gotta work on the mittens!

Toodles!

Bitchin' Mittens

2006-08-28T02:25:00.000-04:00

A couple of months ago, I joined Dave Daniel's KAL - Bitchin' Mittens. I knew at the time, that it would be difficult for me to start, yes, I said start the darn mittens. Although most knitters have difficulty completing projects and are casting on for another project before they finish the one at hand, I on the other hand have trouble gettin' the yarn on the needles. Once I cast on, I usually finish the handknit item. The completion deadline for the Bitchin' Mittens is Labor Day so I casted on this evening as I work best under pressure.

So here's a peak at my mittens in progress. It's a little pronographic, so have the children leave the room.

See what happens when you knit under the influence of three amaretto slushes..... I guess I have some frogging to do as the thumb is too narrow, and looks like a pointy, little dick.

I think it would have been easier to follow a pattern rather than just start knitting. I've never made mittens on straight needles before so I thought I would give it a whirl. Do you recognize the stitch pattern?

Fe, Fi, FO.... It's Done!

2006-08-24T12:05:00.000-04:00

Yippee! I have a FO. It's the never-ending afghan for my nephew, Robert.

Vital Statistics for Robert's Afghan

Conception: The week of July 16th.

Anticipated Date of Arrival: August 16, 2006

Actual Date and Time of Arrival: August 22, 2006, 8 PM (five days past due)

Gestation Period: About 5 weeks

Length/Width: 45 x 35.5 inches

US Size 9 needles

Parents: Reynolds Utopia, 5 1/2 skeins. Purchased from: Ardith Keef
Reynolds Utopia (100% Acrylic, 4.5-5 sts/inch on size US 8 needles
WT 100 g, Yardage 220. Colors: Navy, Cream and Cranberry.

Pattern: Knitting By the Seat of My Pants (In other words, no pattern)

Now I need some knitspiration.... Once again, I have naked needles. What to do, what to do....

Lazy Day #8

2006-08-16T14:00:00.000-04:00

Today is my last day of being off work for awhile. I had an eight day stretch of down time. I work three 12-hour shifts a week, i.e., six 12-hour shifts in a two week pay period. So this past pay period I grouped my six days together so I would have eight days off from work. I loved it, and certainly plan on doing it from time to time. It's like a mini-vacation. The only bad thing is day number 8 when you wake up and realize that tomorrow you have to return to cranky patients, stressed out nurses and arrogant doctors. Enough whining!!!! Anyhoo, let me show you how I spent morning number 8.

I spent the morning, smelling the flowers in the cool, brisk air ...

Then I went inside to spin...

Then I flopped on the couch to take a quick nap, and Mr. Effer snapped this picture. I can't believe I am posting this awful picture, but since he double-dog dared me.... I just have to! He wanted to show everyone my rough life!!!
And my buddy, Sammy, is sad because Mommy has to work tomorrow....

Toodles and have a fibery day!

Friday Night!!!

2006-08-14T08:22:00.000-04:00

Friday night was a hoot!!! Mia (Stoned Knitter) came over and we got our spinning wheels turning. I can't believe how beautiful she spins even while under the influence of .... well, whatever! There's nothing better than spinning, sipping and eating banana cake. Mia went bananas over the cake. I would share the recipe with you, but I would have to ask Sam's Club for the recipe. One of these days Karin is going to convert me into being a great ~~cook~~ chef and hostess.

So we spun, and spun, and spun... all evening in fact. It was great.

The yarn isn't talking to me yet, so I'm not sure what it will be.... maybe a shawl.

On the knitting front, I'm working on the Never Ending Afghan for my nephew, Robert.

When he was here visiting this summer, he asked me for an afghan in red, white and blue. I chose navy, cream and cranberry. Close enough! The yarn is Utopia by Reynolds. It is the only acrylic that I really like. Now that I'm this far into the afghan, I wished I would have knitted it in a superwash wool. Oh well.... Although living in Missouri, he doesn't need a heavy duty afghan.

So that's Friday night in a nut shell. Oh don't worry about Mia, Mr. Effer picked her up and took her home so she wouldn't have to drive under the influence. He knows she is a very, very bad girl!

And The Bugs Say.....

2006-08-10T18:14:00.000-04:00

It's a beautiful day for sex!

KNITSTOCK!!!

2006-08-01T15:02:00.000-04:00

You've heard of Woodstock.... So why not have a Knitstock? And that's exactly what we did Friday night. Beth (Big Geek), Carla (My Little Tribe), Susan (Needles and Stash), Mia (Stoned Knitter) ... and I think she really was stoned.... Elizabeth (Sprightly Spite), Sherry and Liz all came over for the first annual Knitstock.

The evening started with Susan (Needles and Stash) as our flower child. She handed out a flower to everyone who came to the door, and she turned away no one. However, after a drink or two, or maybe three, she began to let her duty slide. I think it was the Rum Punch beginning to speak!

And then there was food.... lots of food.... fruit platters, Asian slaw, artichoke and asiago cheese dip, sandwiches, chips, potato salad, and some yummy curry (yes, I said curry) cookies. We stuffed ourselves silly!

But we left room for some of this .... Amaretto Slushes.

Here's Mia (Stoned Knitter) showing Liz a picture of herself after she fell into the trash can. Yep, Liz was the first and only knitter to fall! Sherry is in the background laughing her butt off at Liz. Both Liz and Sherry are avid knitters, but unfortunately don't have blogs (yet). We're still twisting their arms a bit.

There was some drunken knitting and some spinning goin' on. Carla was spinning a gorgeous green yarn. Hopefully, she'll post a picture on her blog to show off that gorgeous homespun. Susan was knitting a purse for a niece. Sherry was knitting the second sleeve for a sweater that she's been working on for awhile. And Liz was ~~frogging~~ knitting a tank. Elizabeth was knitting away on a sock and then became very serious when she realized she had one stitch too many. We all told her not to worry about it, but I think perfectionism won out. I worked on a blanket for my nephew, Robert, who is anxiously awaiting its completion.

So next year, there will be another knitstock. Any ideas where and when? Anyone want to host it or know of a good place (such as a public park) in which to hold it? We are definitely open to ideas.

Cheers!

My So Called Scarf

2006-07-30T10:41:00.000-04:00

The other night when I had my bout of drunken knitting, I finished the My So Called Scarf.

I used 2 plus skeins of Donnegan Tweed and, with the leftover yarn, I'm going to make a pair of matching mittens. I love knitting this pattern. However, I had an attack of finish-itis and it took me a couple of months to complete last four inches.

So the picture of the mannequin scared a few of you.... I was looking for an antique dressform on ebay when I stumbled across the laughing boy mannequin. I thought he was hysterical. Actually I would love to own him, but the alcohol wore off and someone out bid me. Thank heavens! Because the next day, I thought what the hell was I doing? And how would I explain the addition to our family to Mr. Effer?

I Can't Believe It.....

2006-07-26T01:31:00.000-04:00

but my mommy is staying up late tonight.... She is doing some drunkin' knittin' and finishing the My So Called Scarf, which took so damn long to finish!!!

The Heat Is On!!!!

2006-07-17T15:25:00.000-04:00

Yeah, baby, the heat is on......

It's in the high 90's and humid. If I were a guy, I would call it sweaty balls and jock itch weather. But the flowers love it....

And the pool is ready ...

Stay tuned for more weather updates in Central New York.

Mrs. Z

2006-07-12T15:00:00.000-04:00

We have lived in our house for approximately 15 years. A family of four. So we thought. Soon after we moved into our home, it became apparent that we were not alone. I didn't think that I believed in ghosts? Or did I?

Every night after tucking the kids into bed, Mr. Effer and I would descend the stairs and sit in the family room for awhile before retreating to bed. So as we sat in the family room with the dog at our feet, we would hear the sound of someone walking up the stairs and down the hall towards the kids' bedrooms. At first Mr. Effer excused the noises as "settling noises".... the furnace or the air conditioner, depending on the season. Then one night, he became a believer.

We were getting ready for bed, and I turned on the tv in our bedroom. There was a program on about ghosts. As a candle was mysteriously extinguished in the program, our bedroom light turned off for no apparent reason. The timing was perfect. We both just looked at each other in disbelief. Then as I reached for the light switch, our bedroom lamp came on again.

That night we named our spirit, Mrs. Z. She was the woman who lived and died in our house. She had the same profession as myself and worked at the same hospital where I'm employed. We've been told that Mrs. Z died in her late 30s or early 40s of a ruptured brain aneurysm. And I guess you could say we have a family history of aneurysms. Both my father and paternal grandfather were recipients of big, bursting aneurysms.

So that was our beginning with Mrs. Z. But definitely not the end of her.

I wonder if she knits?

'Nuff Said

2006-07-10T10:54:00.000-04:00

Well, I tried to close down my blog but just couldn't do it. I guess it's just another addiction in my life.... bloggin', knitting, spinning, surfing, eating chocolate.... So I guess I'm up and running again. As Mia would say, "'Nuff said."

Thanks for all your wonderful comments. They are always appreciated. It's just tough finding time for everything.

Last week I had family visiting from St. Louis, and now the house is empty again. So Mr. Effer and I spent the day together, just the two of us. A little fishin' on his part, and a little knittin' on my part. We went to Oswego, NY, so he could throw in a line while I knitted.

Then we had lunch at Coleman's Authentic Irish Pub.
Yep, the grub was good and the beer was cold. We sat outside on the deck and watched the boats come into the harbor. It truly was a lovely afternoon. (Insert sigh.... now it's time to get back to reality.... I have to sleep this afternoon because I'm working 7 PM to 7 AM tonight.)

I'm Trying'

2006-06-27T13:16:00.000-04:00

I'm tryin' to stay away from bloggin' so I have more time to spin, knit, read, and garden, but DAMN it's hard!!!!

Two Woodies & A Ball of Yarn

2006-06-08T12:17:00.000-04:00

Two woodies and a ball of yarn will still be active in my household, but my blog will be inactive. I'm saying good-bye to all my readers and saying thank-you for stopping by, reading and leaving comments from time to time. It's been great getting to know fellow knitters through the blog, but I just don't have enough time to devote to it.

I'll still be dropping by your blogs so keep on bloggin'!

Once again, thanks for stopping by and reading.

The Short Vacation

2006-06-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

One week is just not enough time for a vacation, but it was a nice little break from work. To celebrate the beginning of my vacation, the girls at work gave me this...

A marguerita pitcher with pom-poms for the great race. But before beginning the race, (what race? hold on, I'll get to that), Mr. Effer and I helped our Big Guy move into a house with 5 other guys. Yep, outta the college dorm and into a house. What a scarry thought! It is a typical rental home for college students. It came equipped with cases of empty beer bottles, a broken window and wires/cables taped to the floor running in all different directions so that everyone is connected to the outside world. And not to mention personal remnants from the previous tennants. But whatta ya gonna do? The kid thinks he's grown up enough to take care of himself.

And because I was in the Buffalo, NY area, I had to visit the Wooly Lamb yarn shop in East Aurora, NY, and make a purchase. So I bought a few Addi Turbo needles and this book.

Handknit Style by Linden Ward and Beryl Hiatt is a bit pricey for the amount of patterns in the book. But I liked the layout of the book, some of the patterns and just thought I needed to add to my knitting library. And of course, it would give me something to read if I got tired of knitting on the way home.

Now one cannot go to East Aurora and not visit the dimestore - Vidlers 5 and 10.

Going to Vidlers is a trip down memory lane. The store has all kinds of junk from jax to army men to fake dog poop.... things that were around in my childhood. I thought a lot about my brother and tried to talk Mr. Effer into buying cap guns but he just wouldn't cave. Do you remember the smell of a cap gun? I just thought it would be fun to run around the house and shoot each other. Afterall, we do have plastic swords.

Now getting back to that race-thing. Mr. Effer and I particpated in the Green Grand Prix in Watkins Glen. This was a green race, a race for hybrid cars and vehicles with alternative fuel systems, so we drove my 2001 Toyota Prius, which was the oldest Prius in the race.

We attended some lectures on alternative fuel systems, and gee do I want a hydrogen powered car. If I remember correctly, we averaged 53.4 miles per gallon on the race, which was more of a road rally than a race, around Seneca Lake and through Watkins Glen. We didn't hang around for the awards, and we're not even sure if we won anything. Hopefully they'll update their website soon and we can find out how we did in the race.

Think Green.... not just for spring.... but for our environment!

Frog It!

2006-05-30T20:29:00.000-04:00

I woke up this morning a bit cranky because last night I frogged My So Called Scarf. I just felt like it needed to be thicker, thus warmer. So I'm going to recast on using two strands of the Donegal Tweed and see how it goes.

Frogged!

So out came the swift and ballwinder again first thing this morning. I do love playing with my toys!

Viagara..... The Stash Enhancement

2006-05-30T08:35:00.000-04:00

This weekend didn't go off as planned.... you know the planned stash enhancement along with trashy hotel sex. The dog sitter crapped out on us early Saturday morning so we just couldn't leave Sammy home by himself. So what's a girl to do?

Well, go online of course. As you well know, one can buy anything online from Viagara to fiber to chocolates. So baby I let the fingers do the work this weekend. Yes, I fondled and stroked the keyboard to get just what I wanted..... more fiber. And this girl woke up with a smile on her face Sunday mornin'.

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day Weekend. And in the midst of all my fun, I did take time out to remember all of our soldiers: those who have fallen, those who are enmeshed in war, those who are left with the scars of battle, and those who are safely home with their loved ones.

Why are many women attracted to a man in uniform?

Project Update!

2006-05-27T00:17:00.000-04:00

I haven't been blogging much, but I have been knitting. Here's an update on my projects: a completed baby afghan, a baby blanket, socks, and My So Called Scarf.

In the morning, Mr. Effer and I are planning on going to the Massachusettes Sheep and Wool Festival where I hope to purchase roving, roving and more roving. I can't wait to see all the sheep and browse through all the goods. Although I have heard that this is quite a small festival compared to the Rhinebeck and Maryland festivals, I'm still looking forward to the drive there with several hours of uninterrupted knitting. I wasn't planning on going, but Mr. Effer really thought it would be a nice get-away weekend for the two of us. So how could I resist? Caution - Adult Content: So does that mean there will be wild hotel sex?!? >grinning ear to ear<

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend. And I'm off work next week, so there will be lots of knitting. Woohoo!

Why?

2006-05-19T11:10:00.000-04:00

This past week has been a strange and sad week for me. Last Saturday a friend of mine was driving to Verona Beach with a friend, and she made a left turn in front of an oncoming vehicle. M escaped without injury but her friend was killed. This friend was helping her get through a tough time with her abusive husband, and I think she was eventually going to be with him. Although I have only known M for about a year, she is a great nurse and friend. You know, one of those nurses who can always laugh no matter how bad the day is going.... She was always smiling at work, and we always had so much fun in the med room where everyone lets their hair down with a joke or a smart crack about something.

Every waking moment, I feel her pain and her loss.

I can just see M chatting and driving to the beach on a Saturday morning, wearing her bright red lipstick and a big smile, her spirit soaring because dammit it's her weekend off from work and you have to live for the moment. Then one wrong turn and her life changes forever as does the lives of all involved. Her friend just reached his dream of becoming a nurse this past month and was beginning his new career.

Life can be so painful at times..... so short for others..... and always leaves me wondering... why?

Finally, Some Nice Weather!

2006-05-14T12:52:00.000-04:00

This past week was sunny and beautiful. Sammy and I spent the days lounging around on the patio soaking up some rays, so not much blogging was accomplished. However, my next post will include knitting content.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day.

Toodles....

Whew....

2006-05-04T10:41:00.000-04:00

The knitting funk is over; it was worse than getting a bad case of influenza.

Yesterday I casted on for a pair of socks, 2x2 rib, in a cotton denim yarn: Marks & Kattens Indigo Jeansgarn, 100% Bomull (cotton). And I'm thinking that I should probably expect 5-10% shrinkage. With wear and washing, the yarn fades like a pair of worn blue jeans. It has a nice feel to it, is soft, and knits up nicely. I've had this yarn in my stash for quite a while, so it's time to put it to use.

Tomorrow I'm off work, and I plan on knitting the day away and, of course, casting on for another project or two!

On the homefront, Kristen (DD) is planning her "final exam survival trip" to Cancun. So I put together a little care package for her: flip flops, beach towels, sun tan lotion and moisturizer, pajamies, imodium (just in case...), etc... and a little makeup bag. Of course, I included a card with a fat check. Because you know how college kids are.... broke... sucking the ~~life~~ money out of mom and dad!

The tanning oil and moisturizer is Hempz. The moisturizer smells absolutely wonderful, and I was going to purchase one for myself but way too expensive for me. I'll have to ask Stoned Knitter if hemp really helps to achieve a dark tan.

So I'm off to the post office to mail Kristen her package.

Toodles.... Have a great day!

Still In A Funk...

2006-04-30T10:57:00.000-04:00

Recovery is slow as I'm still in a state of knitting funk. However, remember when Mia and I dyed some roving? Well I didn't show the end result. We dyed it and then put it outside to dry. It looked so butt-ugly that I left the roving outside for several days to flap in the wind. I was hoping some big honkin' vulture would fly by, swoop down and steal it for nesting material.
Well it didn't happen, so this is what I was left with....

And I don't think Mia was excited about her roving either because she left it at my house for several days. When she picked it up, we laughed and challenged each other to knit something worthwhile.

But as I spin, I'm falling in love with the colors. Maybe it's the Irish Cream in me, but I see a pair of socks in my near future.

Toodles....

What The Funk?

2006-04-23T12:11:00.000-04:00

I am in a knitting funk. This has only happened once or twice before. I'm at a loss and can't seem to get my needles moving in a forward motion. They are naked and begging to be fondled.

I knitted a swatch for My So Called Scarf as I'm in love with Kristin's scarf. But I just can't seem to find a yarn for the project. I just love her scarf. Don't you? I believe she knitted it for Project Spectrum.

Then I casted on for a summer wrap with Mia, and I'm indecisive about the yarn, pattern, etc... So that is on hold or should I say ready to be frogged? The yarn is cotton denim; great for cool summer nights.

When reading Susan's blog, I saw that she's in a knitting funk too. Is it in the Spring air? Was it this time last year when I had the funk? I just can't seem to shake it this time around.

Maybe I'll take Sammy out for a walk and breathe in more funk!

A Star is Born

2006-04-21T12:16:00.000-04:00

I've been working away on spinning and plying the blue/purple/pink Corriedale fiber purchased from Grafton Fibers, and it is finally finished. I say a Star is born. I think it is an absolutely gorgeous color, and as I have to name everything I'm calling this skein "Star." It is my third skein of handspun. Come take a look....

Remember this?

After I finished plying, I tried using the Niddy Noddy all by myself, but I desperately needed help.

So I called Mia to the rescue.... Yes, it was a mess and she scolded me!

After untangling the mess, we desperately needed a drink.... Cheers! Raspberry Coladas in Marguerita glasses. But the blue stripe in the glass coordinates with the yarn!

I just love this yarn. It's soft, yummy and just begging to become something special. Star is about 375 yards. Any ideas of what to make? Mia thought cabled mittens. Anyone have a pattern? Help... I need some ideas.

The Color of Easter

2006-04-20T09:49:00.000-04:00

I'm a little late sharing my Easter story. Now the "normal" person would dye eggs for Easter, but a fiber ~~enthusiast~~ addict would dye fiber. So instead of the Easter bunny hopping over to my house, Mia (Stoned Knitter) showed up on my doorstep with fiber in hand.

We were indecisive in choosing dye colors, 25 choices is just way too many for the Stoned and Dysfunktional. So we threw the dyes into a bowl and started picking out colors. No peeking allowed!

Next we placed the roving on plastic wrap, mixed the dyes and started painting.

Into the steamer followed by a good rinse and then outside to dry.

And after working up a sweat from all of that hard work, we just had to have a little dessert. You know, something rich with chocolate and yummy!

It was my first time playing with dyes, and I can't wait to color more roving. I think this is going to lead to many dye days this summer with cocktail in hand.

Thanks, Mia, for showing me the how-to's!

Happy Easter!

2006-04-15T23:34:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone has a blessed and beautiful Easter. As I cook dinner tomorrow, I will be wearing my Dublin Bay socks that I recently finished (five minutes ago).

Don't look so shocked! I said I would have them completed by Easter, and I did!

Once again, happy Easter!

Knitting/Spinning Update

2006-04-11T09:58:00.000-04:00

It's about time I update this blog, and I'm doing it the lazy way with lots of pictures and few words.

Knitting Update:

Spinning Update:

Toodles...

Spinning....

2006-04-06T12:39:00.000-04:00

Sunday I went to a spinning guild meeting; it was my first! Beth and Mia were both there with their wheels aturnin'. (Now that's a new word!) Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures as I was ~~not a bitch~~ a great wife and allowed Mr. Effer to take the digital camera with him on his mini-vacation.

Speaking of vacation, the last four days have been great. No husband, no kids; only the dog. Unfortunately he did need to be fed and let outside for bathroom privileges.

Okay, back to fiber and knitting.... Have I told you how much I love spinning? I love it more than knitting (gasp!). I never thought I would say that..... but somehow I just become mesmerized by the fiber and the wheel, and I don't even feel like I have a blood pressure or a pulse. And that's a good thing on a bad day!

And for those of you (Erin in particular) wondering where I purchased that beautiful fiber pictured in my previous post, I purchased it from Grafton Fibers. It's a great place to let your credit card get a little exercise.

Toodles....

For My Fiber Fetish....

2006-04-01T23:35:00.000-05:00

The postman brought me a little fiber; he is sooooo kind.

And Sunday, I'm spinning with Mia (Stoned Knitter) and Beth (Big Geek). I can't wait!

Ahhh.... A Day of Fiber!

2006-03-28T11:33:00.000-05:00

Last Friday (I know I'm late posting), Mia and I spent another fibery day together. We started our morning with a breakfast for champions, which included all of the major food groups: caffeine, chocolate, salt, sugar, etc., along with raisins tossed in to help keep a girl regular!

And then the spinning began...

Mia was spinning some fiber from Grafton Fibers, which by the way has the most gorgeous stuff. And of course, I had to place an order for some bee-u-ti-ful fiber.

And then it was off to the mall for a little shopping followed by a Raspberry Colada at Pizzeria Uno.

But then Mia began to take me down a dark path!!! We stopped at Mission Rose Quiltery and Yarn Shop. Everything was fine until she saw a flannel quilt. The quilt was especially soft and would be perfect to cuddle up with, but ..... me quilting? I don't know the first thing about it. So now I'm in the market for a sewing machine, or should I say a dust collector. I can see it now.... I'll buy a sewing machine, expensive of course, start a quilt and then pack it away in the closet three months later when Mr. Effer is tired of it taking up space. And conveniently, he is out of town next week, so I'll be making that purchase next week! It's all part of my dysfunctional life. So I guess the year of 2006 will be filled with knitting, spinning and quilting?!? Oh my!

A Little Bit of Spinning

2006-03-20T13:13:00.000-05:00

This morning I woke up and thought I should do a little spinning ..... so this is what's on the wheel.

Yep, I need more practice with spinning, but I think I'm getting there.

Wearing my glasses when using the camera is definitely in order, and I need to read the directions. It seems as if the pictures are blurry and not sharp. I have no idea what all the settings are for on this darn thing! I just keep pressing different buttons hoping the pictures will turn out. There's gotta be a better way ..... and it's called READ THE DAMN DIRECTIONS!!!

The View ...

2006-03-19T07:26:00.000-05:00

Sunday, March 19, 2006, and it's snowing. Here is a picture of my house along with some pictures taken from the front door.

And to complete the snowy day, I might as well curl up with a knitting project or two.... a sweater for Ella Rose (a great niece that's still in the cooker).

Hope you have a little bit more sunshine in your day than we have in Central New York!

Toodles....

Moderation: The Key To Longevity!

2006-03-14T19:58:00.000-05:00

My motto has always been that moderation is the key to longevity; however, I don't live my life by my motto. I over-indulge all of the time. I either have to do something full throttle or not at all. Can I eat just a couple of chocolate mint Girl Scout cookies? No, I have to eat an entire sleeve.

The other night, I just couldn't have one Irish Cream; I had to have.... well, let's just say too many. This is my favorite drink made by Mr. Effer.

Too much Irish Cream leads to this: This was an attempt to ply under the influence. My feet were just pedaling away and my hands and mind could not keep up.

Anyhoo, here is a great recipe for Irish Cream:

1 1/2 cups of whiskey
16 ounces of half and half
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
4 teaspoons of chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Enjoy!!!

You Know You Knit Too Much When ....

2006-03-11T22:58:00.000-05:00

A coworker asks how much fiber you take in each day, and you answer that you knit one to two hours per day.

Do you think that's enough fiber to keep my colon healthy?

Is your daily fiber consumption adequate for a healthy body?