A Cold War Has Begun

Do you ever feel like you're being watched?

This weekend, I was sitting on my bed, in a Hopper-esque manner, contemplating my plan for the day, when I got this uncanny feeling someone was watching me.

Then, staring out my window at my neighbor's house you know, the one whose hideous boyfriend revs his harley motorcyle every morning at 4:30AM , and locked eyes with this:



You probably notice that he/she looks like a mini Patches. Dammit. Stop haunting my dreams, kitten.

Lady S swung by for a visit. What a nice day we had! Oh, and just as she was pulling into my driveway, I.... ummmm... finished the LAST SLEEVE. I KNOW! I can't believe it either. This week, I'll be buying a blocking board so we can get this puppy put together. Here's all ze parts:





Patches has pretty much taken over the command center. Notice the permanent cat-dent she's made on the upper right part of the back cushion?

a little advice

when you are teaching yourself how to knit socks, don't make the mistake of thinking that a baby bootie would be easy, because hey, it's so small, it'll knit up fast! And then you discover that knitting something tiny in the round with double-pointed needles is like, virtually impossible with your Andre the Giant fingers.

And then, you get half the bootie done, and discover that suddenly your knit stitches are showing up as purl, because somehow you've twisted the bootie the wrong way. Because while you were trying to figure out the F***ing pattern, you were transported into an alternate reality that also turned your knitting inside out. Which wasn't a problem before, but now it is.

And then your half-a-bootie is so sad that even the cat won't give it the time of day.

Frig.

But you know, I don't give up easily. I'll be back.

Her shredding technique is unstoppable

Her ...filing technique leaves a bit to be desired, but when it comes to shredding, you know who to call:

There goes the neighborhood

A few weekends ago, I was sitting in my living room, minding my own business and I hear the sounds of horses going clip-clop. That can only mean trouble. We've had a LOT of problems with rough gangs of historical re-enacters harrassing the elderly, etc. They get loaded on their sassafrass beer, and roam the streets. It's ghastly. So, I look out my living room window to see this:



Hayrides? Didn't I tell you the world is gone to hell in a hand basket. Well, don't say I didn't warn you.

Idleness also leads to trouble, so MamaBee and I rolled up our sleeves, and made this summer's batch of peach jam.

This weekend, I went up to NH for a friends wedding. The wedding was terrific and I had a great time reconnecting with old friends and swimming in Laurel Lake. I was sad to leave you! I wish I was jumping off the dock right NOW. Safe travels to you all, and I hope we see each other again soon.





A little nonsensical P.S. for a few summercamp friends spotted this weekend who may be lurking:

Howdy Lady S, and The Rev! Hey... that sounds like something out of Smokey and the Bandit. I'll listen for you on the CB, lil' buddies.

and [welcome back] "Mz. Cotter" (pronounced Mizzzzz Caahhhht-TAIR), also occasionally called Jenn. For god's sake, stop lurking and leave a comment, woman!

Speaking of DH....

The guy never ceases to amaze me. He just alerted me to the fact that the Harvard Wellness Center will be offering the following new course to staff, students, etc.:

MINDFUL PRACTICE:
LEARNING TO KNIT FOR WELLNESS
Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm
CWHC Resource Room, 75 Mt. Auburn Street, 2E, HUHS
Oct 3 - Oct 24

Who knew? I wonder if knitting also counts as exercise!

The course isn't yet posted on the University Health Services website, but I'll keep an eye out and post a link when it is, just in case we have any potential Harvard knitters lurking that need encouragement.

How many times has your DH told you this?

This week's New Yorker has something we knitters can relate to:

chewin' the fat

I got my latest issue of Interweave Knits, but I have to say I'm a little disappointed. Not many of the patterns jumped out at me. Although, I did really like these two projects:




I have enough on my plate for the time being. I worked on my last sleeve some more last night, while DH read aloud to me from a book of short stories. I'm hoping I can get the sleeve done by the end of August, so that I can get it blocked and sewn togather, and move onto my next project.

The way Friday nights are supposed to be

Tonight I took the Salem Ferry home from work with a co-worker. It leaves from the dock right next the aquarium. While we waited, we took a gander at these beauties, which is one of my favorite things to do when I'm around that neck of the woods. I really want two or three of these for myself. Of course their faces and plump bellies reminded me instantly of Patches.

Lo and behold, when we got to Salem, I gave my co-worker a tour of our place, and she noted how much Patches looks like a seal.

Now that's what I call a win-win.

Huffle me Puffle

I got this quiz from Rhonda.



I'm
a Hufflepuff!

Here's what she's been doing

A few of you have inquired as to how Patches is handling the move.

Well, basically, she's become completely feral life is good. There's an abundance of stairs and carpeting, and she has claimed the third floor as her private lair. I mean it... Don't go up there!!





I thought I'd post a few photos of me place, matey:



This used to be an oven once upon a time! It's called a beehive oven. It now contains a litter box, and recycling. How glamorous.



This is how we get in and out.



This is where I over cook the %$#@! chicken. #@!$!



It's like Disneyland, every night at 9PM, a fireworks display goes off. Actually, this is July 4th. But you can see it from our place!!



Gathering strength for nocturnal activities.

Knitters are nice.

They're really friendly people. Last night I stopped by SSFY for community knitting and had a very nice time. I hope to be back again next Thursday night. They have a rather nice selection of Rowan yarns, including kid silk haze. I couldn't resist picking up the latest issue of Rowan Magazine.

Yarn kitsch, and other good things

My friend Betty Crocker sent me this funny link. Check this out. I laughed my head off. Mama Bee still has some old knitting magazines with some crazy patterns like those featured here. I think I saw one that had a pattern for a crocheted lampshade, and matching vest.


I'm opting out of SnB again today, this time to trot over to the Kendall Square farmer's market. If they have some decently priced basil, I may try making some homemade pesto this weekend.

Tonite, after work, I'm heading over to Community Knitting at SSFY. Keep an eye out for me Rhonda!

Moving Day, from Patches Point of View

Uh. Muh. Gawd.

I'm really tired. Salem is AWESOME!!!

Our closing went well, and DH and I officially own our place. Which we LOVE.

I'm blogging from the local library, because our place is in such a state of chaos, I don't dare describe it. No phone, no email. Patches thrives on chaos, however. She has a lot more room to roam around.

Long story, short: movers didn't finish unloading until 11PM. Most of heavy furniture cannot fit up our staircase to the 2nd and 3rd floors, so we have some problem solving ahead.

Must. rest.

Movin' on Up!

Home selling and home buying can make the most reasonable, rational person completely superstitious. Which is why I haven't said much about my moving plans. But I think I can finally tell you that DH and I will be moving TOMORROW to our new home. We're closing AND moving tomorrow, so please send us your good thoughts for things to go smoothly.

The best part? I'll be living about a TEN MINUTE WALK from Rhonda's favorite yarn shop!

Is Salem ready for this 50% left-brained, 50% right-brained, blue-aura'd, cat-lovin' fool? Just look what I did to Quincy:



Oh wait, sorry, that's DH at closing. HA!

DH was here...

Busy weekend

Didn't this used to be a knitting blog?

Why yes! For the first time in a while, I found the where-with-all to work on my sweater. According to previous posts, I'm on the second sleeve. Quite frankly, it has been so long now, I can't remember! Here's a pic:



I don't want to say too much just yet, but DH and I have made considerable progress on our housing thing. There's still some paperwork to wrap up, but we've begun packing and are getting ready to close on our condo and move to our new home! Mama-Bee and Babbo-Bee came down to help us get rid of an old kitchen cabinet, while DH waited around for the glass repairman. Oh, yeah, some punk smashed our windshield early last Sunday morning.





Mom entertained Patches... or was it the other way around?



Wait, is that our Tabby, or a harbor seal??

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday people.

I hope everyone has a mighty fine day.

Look at how bad I am

My kindly caretaker just spent an hour mopping the entire apartment, to cleanse it of the tumbleweeds of grey and white fur I have shed everywhere. But do I care? No.

I was asked nicely to remove myself from the kitchen table, but I chose not to respond. Because that's just the way I roll. It's friggin' hot.

... and guess what else?

You Are 50% Left Brained, 50% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Overworked Overstressed Thursdays

I can't make it to SnB today, so I thought I would do some virtual knitting, and did this mini quiz on Rhonda's site . Incidentally, her aura is indeed yellow. She's a lovely cheerful person. Check it out...

I doubt that many people would describe me as spiritual or calm, but the facts don't lie people. YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT???!! And clearly I'm more at one with my serenity lately than The Striped One.

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

Why Patches, Why?

Flat out

Hi folks, sorry for the long break in between blog entries, but I've been flat out. DH and I are trying to get the housing side of our life organized, and it is pretty tiring!

I hope to be back blogging again soon!

Hot Damn

DH and I are in the midst of a housing transition (which may explain why my posting seem to be getting a little later and later). I won't go into detail, but just to say that in a few months we might finally be ready to buy a new place of our own.

I've been looking at houses/condos online, and saw a nice house, but it has an inground swimming pool. I'm crazy about swimming and water, but not crazy about the upkeep or environmental impact of a chlorine pool.

Sooo... I started poking around online at what it would cost to excavate/fill in a pool, and stumbled across this. Babbo-bee & Mama-bee made a fish-pond in their backyard (hey remember, Dad, I helped dig the hole!). Wonder if I could recreuit them to help with a project on this scale. Heh!

I loved the "vegi-filter" this guy made. How crazy is that! Imagine if I had this house, and that garden. Sweet.

Thanks, Pal!

I'd like to say thanks to both of my pen-pals: one hails from the mid-atlantic states and the other from Finland. Both these knitters sent me absolutely lovely letters....





Finland included a mini-sock she knitted on size 0 needles - holy smokes! I haven't yet tried to knit socks.



I plan on sending both my pen-pals another letter, but there's going to some delay as I have some pressing business on the home front, and a two-day conference up in Maine this week. Guess that means I also won't be at SnB this week!

A special hello to some friends I've been thinking about... hey Mommy Dearest! Hey Betty Crocker! Lady S and the Rev, I'm looking forward to seeing you guys in a few weeks! Hope you are all enjoying spring!

Greetings from Our Nation's Capitol

While you guys were getting socked with a Nor'easter here in Boston, down in DC we were ALSO getting socked. DH and I can't get a break from this weather, even when we are on vacation. Poor guy takes it pretty personal. He had hoped we would be getting temps in the 60's, but that SO didn't happen.

But we did have a nice time. We stayed in some nice hotels. His great aunt did some italian cooking for us, which was OUTSTANDING.

As it was raining sideways and gusting in the other direction, we spent most of our time indoors at the museums. I took some video, but quite frankly, I've just about given up on getting google video to work in a timely fashion. I want my life back!Sniff!

art school humor


flowers at the national gallery


beautiful statue at the National Gallery, ^%$#! blurry photo!


Carousel on the Mall


WWII Army/Air Force Paraphenlia from the Air & Space Museum

Pen Pal

After about a 25 year hiatus, I have picked up the old quill and paper once again. No, I'm not finishing my novel. Although, you'd like that wouldn't you. No, this time I'm writing to a penpal. I think I wrote to my last pal was when I was in the 3rd or 4th grade. She lived in Ireland and was my age. My brother signed me up to be her penpal as a gift, and I remember being pretty psyched about it since I'm half irish.

This has all been organized by a knitting blogger I frequently read.

To those unfortunate people who corresponded with me in high school and college (ummm, Lady S, this means you), please be assured, that the tone of my letter was upbeat, devoid of narcissism (I think), and made no reference to any sort of angst, PAIN, or other types of bleakness.

heh!

All the Condo's A Stage....

Sorry for my absence! I had planned to put up a video from a walk I took in the woods in Concord, MA two Saturdays ago. Google video was not cooperating, so I gave up. Then I tried to load a photo from said walk, but got distracted.


DH and I have been working hard at "staging" our condo to sell it (hopefully!) this spring. Weekends normally spent updating my blog have lately been devoted to endless tidying, moving things around, etc, etc.

Check out the "staged" version of my command center...



Pretty nice, eh? The matching ottoman lives in another room for the time being.

In the meantime, I cast on for the second sleeve of my sweater, and done about ten rows. Every row counts, people!

This weekend, DH and I are going to DC this weekend to visit some of his family. I'm hoping to grab a bite to eat at this place.