Sandy's dining room makeover, or Lifes messy, Clean it up!

Okay, there's something that you should know about me. Although I love my home to be pristine clean and organized, I don't often pull it off. I should really think about hiring a maid. If only. HA. So, yesterday was spent trying to plow my way through the dining room, where the yarn resides. In my home, when a pile begins, it mysteriously grows. If I lazily set something down, fully intending to put it away later, the other people in my family take that as an invitation, or maybe a challenge, to grow the pile. Then, I look at the growing pile, get frustrated and leave it. Add to it. Later, I think. Yes, well, yesterday, was "later". Here is the embarrassing picture of the yarn "storage", before......

You can see that the boxes of yarn just was not very efficient. And then, this spot started becoming the computer dump off area of the Hurley home. It's enough to drive anyone crazy! (that may explain it to some of you!!!)

After a trip to BJ's and some money leaving my hands, here's the after shot.

This is the masterpiece I call, The tower 'o yarn!! Much better, no? There you have it. Sandy's a clutter bug. Recovering. Hey, don't hate me because I'm organized! Don't worry, some other part of the house will start falling apart now. It seems my mind can't be happy unless it's ruining a corner somewhere!

You Rock, Sheep!

Here's some sheepy goodness. But I ask of you. NOW WHAT??? Of course, this is all I have of the birthday spinning stuff, so I have no clue, YET! I can't wait to start fiddling! I wanted to get some plain sheepy colored wool to fool with and then some yummy dyed stuff to get serious with. As you can see, that plan went awry. Where I ordered this, all the natural color wool was out. And not being the patient type, she talked me into this. We'll see.

Here's a picture of the baby socks that I made to go along with the chocolate baby sweater!

In other knitting news in the Sandysknitting world, I fixed the Missouri Denmark socks. you may or not remember that they had a dropped stitch. The stitch is secure and the world is none the wiser. I wore them already. They are just what cold, tired feet need at the end of a hard day!

August is rushing right by me. My head is a blur. September fast approaches and I'm not even used to saying "August" yet. Geez, Mother Nature, don't be in such a rush!

I leave you with these cuties. Because I'm in a sheepish mood.

I stand corrected, Two Score and 2 years ago! Thank you , Emma!

Yes, it's my birthday today. I am 42 years old. I have been trying to come up with something wise and witty to say, but all I can think about is the hair sprouting on my chin. And the fact that my hips hurt when I sleep on my side too long. And the book has to be moved further from my face to see it clearly. It could be worse.

The family unit will be bringing me out for my annual pilgramage fried clam birthday dinner at Woodman's. And I hope to eat some cake. Any cake, because what is a birthday without some cake? And then I plan to come home and knit until my eyes won't stay open any more. Which, by the way, is much earlier than it used to be!

Presents? Sure, there will be a few. But mostly, I'm waiting for them to come in the mail. Mailorder birthday gifts. Cool. Want to know what I ordered? This. This. and even some of this. Don't forget about this. I'm weak. I couldn't resist a day longer. Too many people we sucking me in. I must spin. Hubby doesn't mind, as long as we don't have to get any of these! Where would I put them anyway?

So, thank you for your good wishes. Yes, wish me well when I can't get any sleep between the knitting and the spinning!

Come on get happy!

Thank you Marney for being my knitting translator! (And Alissa too!) Sometimes I feel as if I am taking a creative English course and do not have a clue! I did start the sleeve. And as a bonus, will get to start the sleeve again tonight. I don't like how it came out. I am struggling with how to do increases at the beginning and end of the rows. Here's what happened. It ain't pretty....

Holey Moley! There's some air conditioning built into this sleeve. Needless to say, later today, this will be history. We'll try, Inishmaan Sleeve Part Deux. I hope you read that with a dramatic, announcers voice.

You know, having a mail order birthday is kinda fun. The presents start to come in and the birthday lasts longer that way! Here's what came yesterday.

Bethany got me a Partridge Family bus Christmas ornament! This may be one of the best gifts I have ever gotten. (Notice I said, "ONE" of the best gifts...) Not only is this a snazzy rendition of the bus that I so loved and knew well in my teen years, it actually plays music. Not just any music. It plays "come on get happy"! That's right, the Partridge Family theme song. And we are not just talking some kind of tinkling christmas ornament type music. It is the actual song! With all of the Partridge's singing their little hearts out! ESPECIALLY the dreamy one! If you are feeling like you NEED to get one too, don't despair. You can! There's more to go around.

One more vacation picture for you. I can't resist putting pictures up now that I CAN!

Here's the CN tower at night (Toronto). And you know? Oddly enough, it does look a little like a drop spindle, doesn't it? yes, I think that the world may have conspired with Snidely whiplash to get me spinning!

Come on get happy!

I can see!

Here's what Derek got for his birthday yesterday. Father and son birthday shopping is dangerous!

A new 19 inch flatscreen monitor. WOW! It seems like I am benefitting lots from Derek's birthday gift, so I have no complaints to make. Until the visa bill comes in, that is. Meh, money!

Help! I need somebody!

Not just anybody, either. I need some knitting translation help. I'm on the sleeve increases for Inishmaan and for some reason, the wording of this has me confused and discombobulated! Here's what it says....

and I quote..."Cont in patts as set, rep all rows of each chart and inc 1 st at each end of 2nd and foll 3rd row, working 2 st before chart B and 2 sts after chart F in rev st st and all rem edge sts in sand st. Cont in patt as set, inc 1 st at each end of every foll 4th row until there are 112 st in total, working these increased sts in sand st throughout." I have highlighted in bold what part I do not understand.

Welcome to the Reality show addicts meeting

Hello, my name is Sandy, and I'm a reality show addict.

Yes, it's true. Big Brother, American Idol, Real World, Road Rules, The Osbournes, Survivor. I love them. I can't seem to help myself. I DO, however, discriminate. I haven't fallen completely in the abyss. I don't watch the ones purporting to be about love. I can't stomach those. I find them degrading. Not about love and relationships at all, but money. But the others.....I plan my life around them. Sad, but true. (Big Brother started last night....yipppeeeee!!)

grassy thoughts

Oh, my kingdom for a photo album! Oy! Someday, my sweets!

I am having some trouble adjusting to real life again. Yes, it's true that I got very sick of hotel living and restaurant eating, but at home no one and I mean NO ONE makes my bed unless I do it. Dinner? Sure, but I have to stand at the stove and cook it. It's not just politely set in front of me. Cooking is only one part. There's the planning. The old "What is going to be for dinner tonight??" routine. What???! boneless chicken breasts again? And that's me whining to myself. Never mind the teenagers food complaints! And why is it so easy to get up early on vacation? The sun would rise in the sky and my eyes would pop open ready to meet another day. Now, the alarm bleats its tune while I have the pillow over my head trying to ignore it. "Just 5 more minutes!" Or maybe an hour! Did someone glue my eyelids shut while I was sleeping? When I come home from work, no one has tidied up my bathroom, the floor still needs to be vaccuumed and the stove beckons.

The grass is always greener on the other side, eh?

actual knitting content today

In knitting news......

I gave the baby sweater to the intended recipient. I made it out of Plymouth Encore yarn, color 1444, otherwise known as brown. See the color swatch here. It's in the 4th row down on that site. But it's not just brown, it has little flecks of blue in it and the brown looks a bit shaded. It's beautiful yarn, soft as anything and the bonus is that it's washable and dryable. And as a parent, I can appreciate that especially! It feels like a super soft wool. It would make any fiber snob proud. If you haven't worked in this yarn, give it a thought. You'll be glad you did. Geez, I sound like I"m getting paid by the Plymouth company, don't I?? The pattern of the sweater was from Knitting PUre and Simple. The last pattern on the page, baby pullover #214. What a fun pattern to do! I did a crew neck instead of a roll neck, and it came out so cute! It made me wish that I had knitted for my kids when they were babies! Alas, the knitting bug did not hit me until much later! sigh... I will be trying more of the knitting pure and simple patterns. They work up fast and easy! In particular, this one. The neck down pullover. # 9724. But then again, I simply love the Turtle neck shell, #212 on the same page. Well, I've certainly got my knitting dreams in order. How about you?

I am currently knitting on the first sleeve on Inishmaan. I am getting excited about finishing this sweater and WILL be wearing it this fall! The cool air that has been ushered into New England for this weekend reminds me that fall is not far off. Inishmaan Lives.

I am extremely frustrated with blog city right now. I still can't post photos. If this doesn't resolve soon, I think I'll have to look around for another server. Dang it. I really don't want to do that! But a blog without photos is a boring blog indeed. Don't you agree??

Beach Blanket Bingo!

When I show people the lazy falaise-y sweater, they always remark about the texture. One of the most memorable comments was that it felt like a beach towel. Well, that got me to thinking (and laughing)........

So, here it is. Bear on the beach! (hey, it's better than BARE on the beach! )

You know the Venus ladies razor? Well, I'll be danged, but there was a goddess in me waiting to come out! Who knew?? Don't forget to Reveal your goddess name while you are visiting the site.

Mine is

S...seriously

A....Admired

N...Notable

who D......Dazzles

Y.......Youthfully

Truer words have never been spoken. Heehee

the fab 5

I'm baaaack! Miss me??

OY! What a week!

$550 for new brakes and various other car parts that are not apparently optional.

$beaucoup for a wonderful vacation in Canada

$280 for new computer parts

$230 for guitar for Bethany to take guitar class at school

Being able to visit with the greatest bloggers in the world again......

PRICELESS!!!!

I missed you all. Well, MOST of you! (heehee!) I have not yet had a chance to catch up with what is going on yet. I'll be by your blogs soon.

Tiffany, you are so right on with your story. How did you know? I had to sacrifice that lamb during the power outage tonight. They were on to me..... Go read her "rumor", pretty hilarious.

Kim, I come back to the blog world, and you respectfully depart. I hope that everything is going well. I of course did not read my stinking email, so I was in the dark. My own personal blackout.

and it seems that Kerstin is having a good old fashioned hen party! Well, I hope I'm not too late for some of the appetizers! Had I known, I'd have come as "Spice Rack". Do Be Do Be Do!

And what about Pioneer Melissa? I'd like to check up on that Canadian Pioneer, but the massive power outage seems to have made her blog go on vacation, eh? Later, dudette!

Marney is in the dark too. she's right in the thick of things. Probably all hot and knitting by candle light by now.

Leigh? where for art thou, wool flowers? I can't get into your blog either. Has someone locked all the blogs and forgot to give me the key?? hrmph!

Daphne is still taunting the spinner within me. :)

Chris. I just can't keep my eyes open any more....I'll be back to your place tomorrow!

And then there's Ducky, Alison, Alissa, Anne, Cosmo (oh, just seeing if you are paying attention there...) and more than I can even start mentioning. Tomorrow, my lovelies! I'll be back! (no, I"m not running for governor of California. Yet)

So, I'm back. Happy, broke and with lots of vacation stories! Stay tuned!

Nu/well/so???

Nu! I'm assigned some work by the lovely Yentala. I'm to use Nu in 10 sentences. According to the Dictionary of Yentala, "NU? means SO?, VELL?. "

Nu! Here goes. Nu, I lost the aqua breadbox of yesterday's post. It was not meant to be. Nu?? What would I do with it anyway. Nu, in this case, it is definitely SMALLER than a breadbox. Nu, there is a pretty yellow and chrome one that is inkling into my brain. Yellow is easier to sneak into an existing kitchen than aqua, don't you think? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3238417125&category=13921&rd=1 Nu?? what do you think? Have I lost my brain? Daydreaming about breadboxes. Scheez. Or should I say, OY!!

Nu, this is where we have come to the whining and complaining part of this blog. (turn on whiney voice) I'm so hot! I hate the humidity! It makes me feel ICKY! (Nu, turn off whiney voice now. I'm done)

The internet has had a tough week, eh? The internet worm has more meaning than a virus. Nu, it's also the person that is ruining our fun! I never much liked worms, anyway. They are so.....nu, wormy.

Well, or should I say, NU?!! How did I do? Do I pass the beginning test of Yentala-speak? Hmmm? It's a good thing to broaden your horizons, Nu?

Eye Salute you!

Well (or should I say, NU) somedays I'm so coordinated I practically scare myself. While making the bed this morning, I got scratched on the eye with the bedspread. OUCH. Do you wonder how that can happen. Me too, and I was there. How can so much water come from one eye? I know it will feel better. Probably just in time to go to work.

See, if I had a chamber maid, this would have never happened!

aqua woman

I have been attracted to some weird kitchen things lately. A while ago I bought a bowl similar to this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2652409866&category=4765#ebayphotohosting

I guess I should tell you that I have absolutely no aqua color in my whole home. Why did this bowl appeal to me. I had to have it. And I love it. Now, this crops up, just when I'm thinking I need an old time breadbox...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3237381512&category=13921

What am I thinking????? More aqua??? Then I'll have to do something with the kitchen! It is, well, Not Aqua. I have put a bid in for the breadbox, but a halfhearted bid. It's over in a couple of hours and I won't be able to check it today at work. Maybe I'll lose it and that will save me redecorating. Pray for me......

Imagine this....

Well, someday soon, blog city will be feeling better and my photo album will resurface. For now, you'll still have to imagine Niagara Falls. (Let's set the scene, shall we?) The roar of the water, the mist in your face, lots and lots of water cavorting over the edge of nowhere. Can you picture it? good. We'll see how close you came later.

I was set to show you a picture of my newest knitting. A baby sweater! My first one. I'm so proud of this bundle of joy! No! Don't get any ideas. It's not for me. That would be downright silly! It's for the new grandson of a woman at work. It's a mighty fine sweater, even if I do say so myself. I have had such fun doing it. It was almost all completed on vacation. Hotel knitting. Hey, a girl has to unwind after seeing the sights all day long! I have to say that baby knitting is so fun and so satisfying. Instant gratification. I must find adults that take teeny weeny sizes and then they will be easier to knit for. In fact, it seems that socks should be instant gratification. Socks are misleading though, arent' they? They may be small, but they take time. I mean, the toes do not want some fly by night sock wannabe to cover them. They want honest to goodness, take your time, socks. Feet are needy that way!

the death of a computer....

Please bear with me while I deal with the sickness of my computer. We are safely home from Toronto only to find that my computer is terminally ill. I'll be back shortly, with plenty to tell of my travels. I'll try to check periodically from the computer at the library. Oh, woe is me......I've been reduced to public computering. sigh.....

I'll be back.....

Soulfest Unwrapped

I'm home from the weekend for a pit stop at home until tomorrow morning when we will leave bright and early for Toronto.

I heard more rock music than I care to hear for quite a while, our brakes are rubbing metal against metal from driving through the mountains, and Bethany shut her fingers in the car door. Somehow, though, we managed to have a good time..

Here's the view from the ride

Quite beautiful and inspiring, nature.

Here's where we stayed. This is Andy's parents camp in Bartlett, New Hampshire.

And here's the group of us at Polly's Pancake Parlor in Lincoln, NH. A particularly lovely pic of me, I'm happy to share it with you. (that's me on the left, in case you can't figure it out! Daughter Bethany is next to me)

I got to knit some, tink (unknit), reknit and lots of reading. It's a good thing! I hope you are well. I will talk to you in one week! bye for now!

Please board your vacation express at Gate 1

There are not enough hours in a day. The pile of books on my nightstand is growing at an alarming rate. The problem being that I want to read the all, NOW! And I want to knit everything, NOW. But there are only 24 hours a day here in New England, and I've not yet learned to use them wisely. If you have more hours in your day, please let me know. I'll consider moving! :)

Today Bethany and I are off to Soulfest at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. And I have to admit that the thing I am looking forward to the most is the Bob and Bob show. Yes, that's right, spiritual improv. It has such potential!

Overall, I'm not looking forward to the weekend very much. A weekend of Christian Rock may start to get on my nerves. Or not. I'm going to keep an open mind though. But really what I'm feeling is pressure. To get through the weekend and get back home to pack up again and get on with the real vacation. Hubby and Derek were supposed to come along to Soulfest, in fact we've purchased $59 weekend passes for them, but, they are collectively feeling party poopish. So, they get left behind. With a long list of things to do to ready the home for vacation. So there. Take that!

So, I pack up this morning. With a bag 'o books and a big bag 'o knitting to take along. Hey, I'm looking forward to this after all! See ya on Sunday, in between my lunatic laundry-ing. Go ahead, have the first Freaky Friday without me. Whateva! I was here for Freak week, after all. It has been one freaky week, hasn't it??