i'm on a roll now

Yes, two days in a row, I've blogged two days in a row. Still no pics, new computer should be here in a day or two. I know, I know, I don't have to wait for new computer to post pics, but you see, my 'old' computer is still running Windows 98. Here's the sitch, the computer is over six years old, we were in the process of getting more memory, then the monitor started to go south, so between the cost of the memory (it seems that the memory for 'older' PCs is getting expensive) and getting a new monitor, we are (yay) getting a new computer. Anyway, modifying pics to upload has been a hassle for me, I got PhotoElements, but that requires operating something more updated than Windows 98...that's basically the reason I'm waiting to post pics.

Now to knitting news. I've finished two more modified Booga Bags, one of them was lined. (Actually since my little blogging hiatus, I've probably finished four.) WEBS - www.yarn.com has a great sale on Reynolds Lopi, regularly $5.95/skein, it's $3.85/skein, now that's some discount, so I ordered a bunch. I like this particular yarn for felting, it's perfect for my modified Booga. Finished one each of two different socks, and have started the second of one pair. Why you ask? Well goes something like this...I finished one sock, was going to start the second sock at Eastside Stitchers group last Wednesday, when I was getting stuff together to go, then dammit all, I realized that I had left the pattern at work. I brought it to work to make copy of the pattern (yes, for my own use), it was falling out of the book and I didn't want to lose it. Soooo, I had to have something to knit at group, quickly went to the stash, and the first thing I could find was another pair of socks.

The first sock, the one I left the pattern at work, is a cabled-sock from a Spinners booklet; made with Sockotta, in a variegated blue and green. The second sock is from some random sock booklet my SIL gave me, a mock smocked stitch sock (wow, try saying that 3-4 times, not), anywho, it's made with Regia in a variegated red. I modified it slightly, it calls for a k1 p1 ribbed cuff. After knitting the cuff, then about an inch of the mock smocking, I didn't like the cuff, so I frogged it and started over, using k2 p2 ribbed cuff...much more to my liking...heehee

PurlyGirl Jill movie memed me, I haven't forgotten Jill, I'll get to it soon...really...;-)

wow...it's been a looooong time

I guess in the big scheme of things, it's not really been that long (has it?), but wow, I didn't think that two months had passed since my last post. No reason really, but I'm just not that creative of a writer. I read all the other blogs, and you're all so clever. So creative writing skills aside, here goes, I really just need to sit down and type whatever comes into my pointy little head.

First for the knitting update, the pieces of Garnet are finished. Still have to block, seam, then finish the neckline. What else have I been working on...well, I finished something from the Erika Knight book, Comforts of Home. I got this book at the Martingale warehouse sale (where all the books were $3). The 'box' is made from cotton butchers' twine; the kind you find at the grocery store. I got mine at Safeway for like $2.29 a ball; it took about 1-3/4 balls, so I figure cost me about $4. It will hold rolled-up hand towels, and it's going in our newly remodeled upstairs guest bathroom, which is almost done. The new counter is in, the new floor has been grouted and sealed, now just need to finish painting the cabinet doors and drawers, oh yeah, that reminds me, I still have to pick out some new hardware. DH is insisting that I find something that matches the existing holes from the old hardware, hmmph, imagine that.

Well that's all for today! I could keep chatting, but then, this would be a really long post, so I'll save something for tomorrow, and we can get caught up then ;-)

P.S. Sorry no pics for now, new computer is on its way, and when that one's up and running, I'll post pics, promise.

if it seemed to short....duh

Now back to knitting content. "I thought I had the back of Garnet done" should be the title of this posting. I've been moving along nicely on the front of this garment: increases, decreases, leafy pattern in the front, armhole. While knitting the front, instructions about the armhole after the decreases are done caught my attention, why would I keep knitting 1-3/4" longer than the back armhole measures. Doh (hitting self in forehead), I didn't read the instructions for the back completely! I thought the back looked a little short, I should have double checked and read throughly...guess I was too excited about being finished with the back.

So last night I reknit one shoulder that was already bound off. I'll finish that and work on the second shoulder tonight, but I don't think I'll bring to knitting group to night (I want to make sure I finish the shoulders right this time!). I'll post some pics later tonight.

when your kids are grown

Last night I had one of those awww moments. My DH got home, after a spending the afternoon and early evening with our son. They played golf in the afternoon, then stopped for drinks and a bite to eat. DH was just beaming, he got spend the whole afternoon with Jerry and just loved it. Our son is 24, and although he and his dad do talk quite a bit, he's pretty close with me (you know mothers and their sons). Even though he moved on his own about three years ago, I still talk with him just about everyday. Usually when DH is with Jerry, it's also me, and Jerry's girlfriend (we try to get to dinner together at least once a week). So, really no 'just guy' talk...

It's not like they really have never been alone together, just my guys. Heck when we moved to Washington (11 years ago now!), first, my husband moved here - Jerry and I stayed until I finished with work (which was supposed to be the end of summer - then they asked me to stay another 3 months - apparently 5 months notice wasn't enough-really) - so, after summer, Jerry came up here, then I moved. So they were here three months, just the two of them.

But when DH realized that Jerry wanted to have time "just with dad", he was ELATED...

weird phone call

Last night I got a very strange phone call...goes like this, an older man calls:
"Is this Marian Martin."
"Yes."
"Well don't hang up, but did you lose your ATM/Debit card."
"No, I'm not missing any cards."
"I just got a phone call for a Marian Martin, and, well that's my ex-wife's name. (He later mentions that his ex-wife is dead.) Do you live near Battleground?"
"WA?" I say.
"Yes, WA."
"No."
He proceeds, "Well I just got a phone call that someone found an ATM/Debit card for Marian Martin at a bank in Tigard, OR. He said the caller told him, the card was 'used', and 'we' want to do the right thing and give you the $ back, but want to do so anonymously. But don't want to send cash through the mail, so 'we' want to send you a check, but 'we' need your checking account number."
I told him, oh no, you don't want to give your checking account number to ANYONE! I was getting a glimpse of my sister-in-law's nightmare with her mother falling for these schemes. Happened twice, with thousands of
dollars taken from her account, and took months to finally get $ back. Now they don't allow her to answer phone, got her caller-ID and can answer only if she knows who is calling...anyway.
Then he asks, "Do you drive SUV?"
This started to freak me out, yes SUVs are common, but I told him, well I have an SUV, but it's not the car I usually drive.
Then we talk a litte more about how I think this is a scheme...yada yada yada...then he happens to mention about the SUV again and being a 4Runner...ok now I'm really freaking out, that's what we have. But what's weird is, my name is not on title for that car, just DH. Then I start thinking, well, my son's previous 4Runner was in my name, but he hasn't had that car for over a year now. That car wasn't financed, so the only place that my name is associated with a 4Runner is through title/licensing and insurance.
I don't let on that I have 4Runner, but just tell him that under NO circumstances should he give his checking account number to anyone - unless of course he knows who is calling and wants to pay with check-by-phone.
Why did he call? He just wanted to let me know that someone was looking for Marian Martin and wanted to let me know that I may get a phone call like he got. How did he get my phone number? - Our phone number is listed, he was calling Marian Martins that he could find in Washington. Doing his good deed I guess, just trying to warn me!

Do I think he was truthful in his call to me? Yes. He wasn't trying to get my checking account info...to date, no call from anyone claiming to find my ATM/debit card. I know we all are aware of schemes like this, but just to let you know, keep on your toes about who you give your private information to!

the back is done!

Yes! I finished the back of Garnet on Sunday night. Increases and decreases are where they should be, and I even ended up with the right number of stitches after increasing and decreasing. This is a big thing with me, why?. In the past, I've looked at knitting patterns and thought, wow, I'd love to make that. Then I'd look at the pattern instructions and try to visualize how to do what the pattern calls out (without actually trying to knit it), and I'd get stumped. So because I couldn't see it or figure it out in my mind's eye, I wouldn't even try. Weird, I know.

Now what I've found, I most certainly do better by knitting along as the pattern instructs, instead of trying to go ahead and try and figure it out before knitting the piece.



I've started on the front this morning, I hope it goes as smoothly as the back. We'll see!

she's still alive

Let me introduce you to Tia, isn't she cute!



I bought this cute little number about two weeks before Christmas. Trader Joe's had them for $3. I bought three of them, one for our house, and one each for my son and his girlfriend (so they could decorate their offices). So, the plant and container all for $3, a bargain I couldn't refuse.

Tia is also self-watering too...see



I like to name my plants, helps me keep them alive longer, I think, anyway.

On the knitting front, the Wednesday night knitting group I go to...Eastside Stitchers, well we've had a dilemma about our meeting place. This is the second week we've met at Jerzey's in Redmond. I didn't make it to the first night there, but made it there last Wednesday. What a cute place, and they welcome groups! I made some good progress on the back of Garnet. I'm about half way through the back! Truth be told, I haven't been working on Garnet each day, yes, I'm working on yet another modified booga bag. This one I'm experimenting with a lining, and maybe some pockets too! I just can't resist, when I'm tired, but still want to knit, just going round and round, and don't really have to think. Just my thing at the end of a long day! Oh well, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it...;-)

yes, necessity is...

the mother of invention. I was looking around the house one day to see what I could use to wind a skein of Cascade 220 (I don't have an Umbrella Swift and ball winder), no chair with knobs on the top, no door knobs in the house...don't laugh, yes it sounds funny--let me explain, we are in the middle of a remodel, and we just bought all new interior doors. Dennis didn't want then laying around, so he installed them all, and the new handles hadn't come in yet, so doors with no handles or knobs...but I digress. Well, after a few minutes, I looked over at this!



It's my guitar stand. So the guitar stand became this:



I love things that have multiple uses. Especially when they appear to be single purpose! It is still slow winding so maybe for Valentine's Day, a Swift Umbrella and ball winder (hint, hint).

On the knitting front, I'm still working on the back of Garnet. When I have the back complete, I'll post a picture. I'm a little slow in the progress, not because of the knitting, but as you can see, I haven't blogged here in a week. Between family (MIL) and trying to get over a crummy sinus infection, sore throat thing I've got goin' on, not much knitting. Today, I finally feel like myself again!