I finally got to knit again! Giving in to hand cramps, I just put it down after several very satisfying rows of the ridiculously wide purple scarf (RWPS). It's just stockinette, but man was it gratifying. *sigh* Maybe I'll give it to my niece next Christmas. Oh, how I missed your fuzziness, purple-mauve yarn...and the soft springiness of the wooden needles...and getting the needle in my left hand wrapped up in the yarn coming off the skein....and adding stitches...I digress.
I wasn't feeling very well today and stayed on the couch for about 8 hours with brief excursions elsewhere. I read a good bit in preparation for my final paper coming up in Hell on Earth - er, I mean Sociological Theory class and also squeezed in a bit of HGTV home redo's. Man, that's good television right there. Who's with me?!
Showing posts with label My life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My life. Show all posts
It's Really NOT My Fault!
I would like to apologize in advance for today's rambling entry.
Have I mentioned how bloody HOT it is in Alabama? Because for any of you who don't live in the South, I'm not sure you can fully grasp the severity of the heat. It was 99 degrees today and it felt significantly better than last week. I am moving to Wyoming, where snow is on the ground in June.
Here I was thinking that maybe these extra 20 lbs. I'm totin' around were making me sweat like a whore in church all the time. But today I discovered that it not my fault! It's the medication I'm taking that's to blame. I went to a chat site-thingy where people who take this drug go to discuss it and lo, and behold, everyone complained about how much weight they've gained and the night sweats and the general profuse perspiration they've experienced while taking this medication. Ha! I'm taking Effexor, an anti-depressant. I've been on it less than a year, but have made the decision to wean myself off. I will probably beg my doctor to put me on another one at some point, but Effexor is off my list. I also know that it is difficult to get off of, and many people have severe withdrawals. Vomiting has to be preferable to what I'm going through now. And maybe, just maybe I can shed a few lbs. At least I know it's not menopause.
I took some photographs this weekend and would like to share some with you. At least that's one hobby I can keep up with. D-oh!
I feel like I should go to Fiber Arts Unemployment Office or something.
"Did you knit or weave this week?"
"No."
"Did you attempt to knit or weave this week?"
"Yes."
"Okay, here's your check, see me in a week."
What did I do instead of fiber arts? Well, I read a-lot and wrote a summary of Mills' Sociological Imagination in the context of Durkheimian theory. How you like them apples?
Halloween countdown: only 70 days left! Woo-hoo!
My fabulous sister has already bought fake blood and floating eyeballs and such for our 2nd annual Halloween party! ROCK!
Have I mentioned how bloody HOT it is in Alabama? Because for any of you who don't live in the South, I'm not sure you can fully grasp the severity of the heat. It was 99 degrees today and it felt significantly better than last week. I am moving to Wyoming, where snow is on the ground in June.
Here I was thinking that maybe these extra 20 lbs. I'm totin' around were making me sweat like a whore in church all the time. But today I discovered that it not my fault! It's the medication I'm taking that's to blame. I went to a chat site-thingy where people who take this drug go to discuss it and lo, and behold, everyone complained about how much weight they've gained and the night sweats and the general profuse perspiration they've experienced while taking this medication. Ha! I'm taking Effexor, an anti-depressant. I've been on it less than a year, but have made the decision to wean myself off. I will probably beg my doctor to put me on another one at some point, but Effexor is off my list. I also know that it is difficult to get off of, and many people have severe withdrawals. Vomiting has to be preferable to what I'm going through now. And maybe, just maybe I can shed a few lbs. At least I know it's not menopause.
I took some photographs this weekend and would like to share some with you. At least that's one hobby I can keep up with. D-oh!
I also photographed my two nephews: the two legged one (the ghost) and the four-legged one.
I feel like I should go to Fiber Arts Unemployment Office or something.
"Did you knit or weave this week?"
"No."
"Did you attempt to knit or weave this week?"
"Yes."
"Okay, here's your check, see me in a week."
What did I do instead of fiber arts? Well, I read a-lot and wrote a summary of Mills' Sociological Imagination in the context of Durkheimian theory. How you like them apples?
Halloween countdown: only 70 days left! Woo-hoo!
My fabulous sister has already bought fake blood and floating eyeballs and such for our 2nd annual Halloween party! ROCK!
Higher Education
Sweet Mary Mother of Mercy
I just got home from my first graduate class and already I want to cry. It's not that the subject matter is beyond my comprehension. There's just so much to do. For Tuesday's class I have to read about 100 pages and write a 3 page summary to turned in by Monday. Sure. I have nothing else to do. Damn you people! I work for a living! I have family and social obligations! I hate Karl Marx!
I sure made a great first impression on my instructor. I foolishly thought my Sociology class would be in the sociology department. Silly me, I should have known it would be in the friggin' nursing building. Of course! When I finally found someone to tell me where to go I had to hike across campus (naturally) in the 98 degree heat and walk into class late. I was sweating like a whore in church and panting as only the shoe-tying-impaired do. I kept fanning myself with the syllabus and she stopped class to close the window. When I got up at the end of class my chair was wet with perspiration. My God, I sweat through denim?! There was a girl in the elevator with me (in the first building I went in, because the nursing building's elevator was out of order. Did I mention class was on the top floor?) twice my size and she wasn't glistening at all.
I fear I shall ne'er weave or knit again.
I just got home from my first graduate class and already I want to cry. It's not that the subject matter is beyond my comprehension. There's just so much to do. For Tuesday's class I have to read about 100 pages and write a 3 page summary to turned in by Monday. Sure. I have nothing else to do. Damn you people! I work for a living! I have family and social obligations! I hate Karl Marx!
I sure made a great first impression on my instructor. I foolishly thought my Sociology class would be in the sociology department. Silly me, I should have known it would be in the friggin' nursing building. Of course! When I finally found someone to tell me where to go I had to hike across campus (naturally) in the 98 degree heat and walk into class late. I was sweating like a whore in church and panting as only the shoe-tying-impaired do. I kept fanning myself with the syllabus and she stopped class to close the window. When I got up at the end of class my chair was wet with perspiration. My God, I sweat through denim?! There was a girl in the elevator with me (in the first building I went in, because the nursing building's elevator was out of order. Did I mention class was on the top floor?) twice my size and she wasn't glistening at all.
I fear I shall ne'er weave or knit again.
Bad Hair Day
I could go on and on about this, but I'll keep it mercifully brief. Today I paid ALOT of money for a bad perm. I know, perms are sooo 80's, but it was just a body wave. I am desperate to find something that will give my hair life and body. my hair is very fine and very straight, but I have sooo much of it. I look like a homeless person because I am not willing to spend more than 2 minutes on my hair. I mean, c'mon, I don't even wear make-up half the time.
So I thought I was getting body and life, but I got squigglies. Exactly what I did not want. Will I never learn? Perm = bad. Insert expletive here, repeat.
D talked me into posting more of my my crappy knitting, so here it is. My first experience with circular needles. It will eventually be a cowl. it has so many holes in it I have dubbed it the Spider Web. I figured out why I was dropping so many stitches and theoretically, I won't do it on my next circ project. I've already clocked in about 8 hours on this little lovely and it's not even half finished. Knitting is not for those who require instant gratification. And yet, I knit.
Another egg was in my yard today! It is very small. I don't know what kind of creature it belongs to, but we saw a mama dove protecting a baby dove on the ground in our bushes the other day.
Aaaaaand I rode my recumbent bike for 30 minutes today, even though I still feel yucky and really did not want to. Yea me!
Help, I'm blogging and I can't shut up!
I have some allergy issues and I'm being a total baby about it. I just had a sinus infection 6 weeks ago, migraines from hell, just finished a round of antibiotics for a UTI, now I have every syptom on the Nyquil commercial. It sucks because I haven't had allergy problems until recently. I got headaches, but not the hay fever mess. But now I do.
I just got back from spending a small fortune at CVS. The cashier checked my I.D. I bought so much cold medicine and vitamins she thought I was going to make meth with the stuff. The fact that I was sniffing like like a coke head and dripping from two orifices in my face with swollen eyeballs and breathing through my mouth must have made her think I was a junkie rather than an allergy sufferer.
While I was buying every immune system booster I could find, I noticed the display for Alli. for those of you have no trouble bending over to tie your shoes, let me break it down for you. It's the new diet wonder pill that's been approved by the FDA to block fat absorption. It sounds great until you read the fine print. I was considering taking these pills until I saw on their website that adverse effects include "oily discharge". They also recommend taking a change of underwear and wearing dark colored pants while takingit. They can't fool me! That's just a fancy way of saying you will lose control of your sphincter muscle, which will produce racing stripes in your drawers. I don't need to pay big money for that, I can just eat at Captain D's and get the same effect. That is a serious drawback, folks. Click HERE for a related video at Youtube!
I took some shots of some of my four-legged neices and nephew this weekend. Personally, I think they're all supermodels, but I am biased.
I just got back from spending a small fortune at CVS. The cashier checked my I.D. I bought so much cold medicine and vitamins she thought I was going to make meth with the stuff. The fact that I was sniffing like like a coke head and dripping from two orifices in my face with swollen eyeballs and breathing through my mouth must have made her think I was a junkie rather than an allergy sufferer.
While I was buying every immune system booster I could find, I noticed the display for Alli. for those of you have no trouble bending over to tie your shoes, let me break it down for you. It's the new diet wonder pill that's been approved by the FDA to block fat absorption. It sounds great until you read the fine print. I was considering taking these pills until I saw on their website that adverse effects include "oily discharge". They also recommend taking a change of underwear and wearing dark colored pants while takingit. They can't fool me! That's just a fancy way of saying you will lose control of your sphincter muscle, which will produce racing stripes in your drawers. I don't need to pay big money for that, I can just eat at Captain D's and get the same effect. That is a serious drawback, folks. Click HERE for a related video at Youtube!
I took some shots of some of my four-legged neices and nephew this weekend. Personally, I think they're all supermodels, but I am biased.
Work Stuff
I learned today that as of October 1, I will be promoted to the head of my section. Woo-hoo! No one is certain whether there will be any money for a raise (ah, bureaucracy) but it will look good on my resume. More responsibility! Yea! I'll even be supervising people, and if you know me in person, you're probably in hysterics right now. Me, a boss?! That's a hoot.
Mwahahahahahahaha!
I hope I don't have to tell someone to work on their personal hygiene or something equally uncomfortable. Nah, I know these folks and they're cool. They don't need actual supervision, they do their jobs well. Thank goodness!
Randomocity
Welcome to today's random, babbling entry. I'm your host, Mother of Purl.
The following headline was in my local newspaper last week. I can only assume the reporter was making an attempt at humor.
The purplish, knobby, fuzzy scarf (which is possibly for my niece) is coming along pretty well. I can't tell if it's my idiocy or the nature of the yarn that is to blame for the accidental increasing I keep doing. I used stitch markers at first, then started screwing up again. If I'm having this much trouble with a scarf, how am I ever going to make a sweater?! I am a slow learner, I suppose. Next time I'm using regular yarn.
Been thinking of some patterns I'd like to try in an inkle band. I think it's time to step up to pick-up technique. Maybe I'll wait until after the purple, amorphous scarf is finished. (Maybe I should call it the Barney scarf.) I have also been fantasizing about getting a rigid heddle loom. I have read and re-read a few sets of "plans" for building my own but I'm not sure about that. Has anyone done this? if so, e mail me and let me know how it turned out. I like the idea of just having a loom show up via UPS but it would be waaay cool if I made it myself. There's just not enough time to do all the yarny goodness I want.
Look, I am quite fond of commas, hyphens and parenthesis. I will use them in situations where they are inappropriate. I will use them often. Occasionally I will even be conscious of the fact that I misusing them, yet use them I will.
The following headline was in my local newspaper last week. I can only assume the reporter was making an attempt at humor.
Local obesity conference draws large crowd
Well, ok, it's a little bit funny.
I would like to plug my new favorite soda: FRESCA Black Cherry Citrus. My mom-in-law introduced us yesterday and we have been inseparable ever since.
Twenty bucks says you can't guess what my husband is doing right now. No, you're way off. He's boiling a hog head. And he owes me a new gumbo pot.
The purplish, knobby, fuzzy scarf (which is possibly for my niece) is coming along pretty well. I can't tell if it's my idiocy or the nature of the yarn that is to blame for the accidental increasing I keep doing. I used stitch markers at first, then started screwing up again. If I'm having this much trouble with a scarf, how am I ever going to make a sweater?! I am a slow learner, I suppose. Next time I'm using regular yarn.
Been thinking of some patterns I'd like to try in an inkle band. I think it's time to step up to pick-up technique. Maybe I'll wait until after the purple, amorphous scarf is finished. (Maybe I should call it the Barney scarf.) I have also been fantasizing about getting a rigid heddle loom. I have read and re-read a few sets of "plans" for building my own but I'm not sure about that. Has anyone done this? if so, e mail me and let me know how it turned out. I like the idea of just having a loom show up via UPS but it would be waaay cool if I made it myself. There's just not enough time to do all the yarny goodness I want.
Look, I am quite fond of commas, hyphens and parenthesis. I will use them in situations where they are inappropriate. I will use them often. Occasionally I will even be conscious of the fact that I misusing them, yet use them I will.
DH and I put together my recumbent exercise bike today. Woo-hoo! It monitors my speed, distance, calories burned, and heart rate. We set it up in the living room in front of the T.V. Surely I can pedal away fat cells while watching the crab show. (Deadliest Catch on Discovery Channel) I get so into that show! And also Man vs. Wild. That Bear is CRAZY! I wonder who would win in a competition between him and the Survival Man. People who drink their own urine are bad asses.
I am preparing for the greatest non-religious holiday of the year. Of course, I am referring to HALLOWEEN! I am like a kid when it comes to All Hallow's Eve. I love to dress up. this year DH and I will host our 2nd annual Halloween Party at our hunting property. I already have my costume picked out and I even have some backups planned. (squeals)
One last thing: Prancing Nougat in the Meadow
Looking for Fantastic Jewelry?
Well, I happen to know a place where you can get yo' bling on for very reasonable prices. And this is good quality, handcrafted stuff. She can also do custom pieces. How do I know this? I happen to be close friends with a talented jewelry designer and you can find her website by clicking HERE If it weren't for Cladee, I'd have no jewelry at all. Here is a photo of my sister's recent wedding, and she ordered all our bridesmaid jewelry from ClaDesigns.
Yeah, ok, it's hard to see in this photo, but trust me, we looked fabulous. We got lots of compliments on our bling. So anyway, go order some stuff now.
What I Did on My Summer Vacation, by Mother of Purl
Where to start? We went first to Cades Cove, which is a remarkable valley that was made a preserve in the 1930's. There are many 19th century buildings here and wildlife galore. We LOVED it, and I highly recommend it to everyone. Here are a few photos.
We hiked a mere 1.2 miles to a waterfall (and it liked to have killed us) :
Of course, we went to Gatlinburg and drove through the Craft Community or whatever they're calling it and it was wonderful! There were many local artists and craftspeople with their wares for sale and on display. I bought a beautiful weaving which I will eventually frame. DH was soooo good the whole time, but I think it's just because he decided that whatever I spent on souvenirs and prizes, he would put toward his new compound bow. Sounds fair to me.
Um, what else? Oh yeah, we went to Knoxville and I hung out in Market Square and did a little more shopping. That shocks you, I know. Had lunch with a friend who moved to Knoxville a while back and went to a couple museums. Finally, we went to Chattanooga and stayed in a train car that has been converted into a hotel room. Talk about cool! We also went to th aquarium and loved it. Their freshwater exhibits were incredible. Observe:
We also did some random window shopping at a wood carver's studio. His name is Gene Webb and he has some interesting pieces...
We finally got the answer to that age-old question: Does a bear sh*t in the woods? Apparently not.
I'll leave you with some warm fuzzy images of sunset in the Smokies:
We hiked a mere 1.2 miles to a waterfall (and it liked to have killed us) :
Of course, we went to Gatlinburg and drove through the Craft Community or whatever they're calling it and it was wonderful! There were many local artists and craftspeople with their wares for sale and on display. I bought a beautiful weaving which I will eventually frame. DH was soooo good the whole time, but I think it's just because he decided that whatever I spent on souvenirs and prizes, he would put toward his new compound bow. Sounds fair to me.
Um, what else? Oh yeah, we went to Knoxville and I hung out in Market Square and did a little more shopping. That shocks you, I know. Had lunch with a friend who moved to Knoxville a while back and went to a couple museums. Finally, we went to Chattanooga and stayed in a train car that has been converted into a hotel room. Talk about cool! We also went to th aquarium and loved it. Their freshwater exhibits were incredible. Observe:
We also did some random window shopping at a wood carver's studio. His name is Gene Webb and he has some interesting pieces...
We finally got the answer to that age-old question: Does a bear sh*t in the woods? Apparently not.
I'll leave you with some warm fuzzy images of sunset in the Smokies:
I Will Survive
Okay, I know everyone is on the edge of their seat, waiting for an update on my sinuses and stomach contents.
Turns out the antibiotics I was taking made me sick. Apparently, lots of people have trouble with this particular kind, and I am one of those lucky individuals. Now I'm taking a different kind and am no longer kneeling at the porcelain throne and my sinus issue is clearing up. Thank you, modern medicine. Of course, the incantation and chicken may have worked just as well. :)
I have made progress on the banjo strap. It has been a little slow because of my heddle issues but it's moving along now.
AND...
My camera and lens were mailed to me so I now have a working digital camera to use whenever I see fit. Yea!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited! FINALLY. I'm going to take pictures all weekend and annoy everyone with e mails of my spectacular photo achievements.
Update
Just to update y'all a bit:
I will start graduate school for archaeology in the fall (yikes!). I'll still be working full time, so it will be just a tad stressful, but I know I'll enjoy it. I have picked up a coupla hobbies here lately: photography and weaving. My wonderful, ruggedly handsome husband is buying me a new digital SLR camera for my birthday and it will arrive any day! When I get good enough I'll post some of the photos I take with it on here.
I've also started weaving on an inkle loom. It's small and used for narrow bands, like appliques on hems and straps and garters.
I plan to progress to a floor loom so I can weave clothing and blankets and such. Oh, and I am learning fingerweaving, too. I guess this came about from the living history events I participate in through work. We reenact the 18th century Alabama frontier, mostly French and Indian War period. I'll post more about that in another spot.
My baby sister Meggie got married this past weekend and she looked like an angel. I've never seen a woman more beautiful than she was. And she is so happy with her husband, B. I now have an official nephew, LC. You'll see pictures of all these folks at some point.
Mom and Norm are great. We got to visit with the step family at the wedding and we had a great time!
Dad is...well, Dad. Same ol', same ol'. He's great.
Work is good
, but busy.
It's starting to get hot down here in the deep South - I think we skipped Spring altogether. Of course that
means that hunting season is over and DH m
ust resort to fishing. Correction - he can still hunt hogs, and there are plenty of those around.
I will start graduate school for archaeology in the fall (yikes!). I'll still be working full time, so it will be just a tad stressful, but I know I'll enjoy it. I have picked up a coupla hobbies here lately: photography and weaving. My wonderful, ruggedly handsome husband is buying me a new digital SLR camera for my birthday and it will arrive any day! When I get good enough I'll post some of the photos I take with it on here.
I've also started weaving on an inkle loom. It's small and used for narrow bands, like appliques on hems and straps and garters.
I plan to progress to a floor loom so I can weave clothing and blankets and such. Oh, and I am learning fingerweaving, too. I guess this came about from the living history events I participate in through work. We reenact the 18th century Alabama frontier, mostly French and Indian War period. I'll post more about that in another spot.
My baby sister Meggie got married this past weekend and she looked like an angel. I've never seen a woman more beautiful than she was. And she is so happy with her husband, B. I now have an official nephew, LC. You'll see pictures of all these folks at some point.
Mom and Norm are great. We got to visit with the step family at the wedding and we had a great time!
Dad is...well, Dad. Same ol', same ol'. He's great.
Work is good
, but busy.It's starting to get hot down here in the deep South - I think we skipped Spring altogether. Of course that
means that hunting season is over and DH m
ust resort to fishing. Correction - he can still hunt hogs, and there are plenty of those around.
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