Join Me in Snarkville

I have been thinking about a year ago all day — well since I got the e-mail from my secret pal. What has dawned on me is that I’ve never actually shared the FULL story of my Knitterly birth. It is long, so I’d suggest a cup of coffee or tea — perhaps a stiff drink.

I think my becoming a knitter had stages, so let’s look at them closely.

Admiration:
This is the stage that began long ago. This is where it dawned on me that there is truly something special about knits and handknits in particular. I have had a sweater fetish since living in SnarkBeach (Sidenote: I love the Prince to a fault — but the names he came up with for our past residences made me snort). SnarkBeach is well know far and wide for its hot days and humid lifestyle. Yet, I wore sweater — wool sweaters.
I would lust over beautiful Arans and dream of someday owning one. Now, the Queen Mum once crocheted — she made an afghan with 3-D flowers. I have delightful memories of that thing, even if I believe it was made in Red Heart Super Saver. Anyway, I was in awe of all knits.

Craftiness Buds:
Because no one in my family knitted, I looked everywhere to fulfill my craft desire. I cross stitched for a bit, I scrap booked for a little while, I even made hand crafted miniature teddy bears. The Queen Mum always said I was looking for “MY” thing, but couldn’t find it. I loved the beauty of cross stitch, but I hated following the pattern — I always made too many mistakes, plus it is way too slow going. Scrapbooking was tough — as I’m never sure what story these photos tell and my family takes too many photo — good photos — to pick out 4 per page. I loved the bears, but I’m a horrible sewer — are you seeing my problem here?

Knitting may be an Answer:
My desire to knit began the year the Prince and I married. I worked in a craft store for a few extra bucks and I liked the idea of knitting. There was something magical about watching women make fabric out of string with pointy sticks. I knew basically how a crochet hook worked, but how in the world did stitches and and fabric form off those knitting needles. I had asked a couple of people to teach me, but time and my drive wasn’t there.
Then, last year — actually last year and a few months, I was working hard to plan a major event in the mountains. I needed some people to help and put a call into KnitNik’s husband. We worked out our things — then about a week before the event, I get an e-mail:

Do you know if anyone knits? My wife is really into knitting and she will be bored, but might like to meet a few people.

Ok, so I put a call out to the people and no one seemed all that interested, I mean seriously interested. So, I casually mentioned that I always wanted to knit. He jumped on it like a trampolene. No problem, Niki told me to get yarn I liked and needles to match. No problem. Seven WHOLE dollars later, I left Michael’s with a ball of boucle in shades of green (see first knitted blob) and needles. I think she even laughed at me that I hadn’t gone with something smooth.

Then I Learn:
Niki sat down with me at like 3pm one afternoon. Her kids were tasked with watching Duke and she began. Do this, do that. Pretty simple. I couldn’t see a single stitch I was making. The green was horid. Calmly, she reaches in her bag and pulls out a ball of smooth red yarn, thick yarn, and says try this. CLICK. Knit stitches. I knitted for maybe 5 or 7 rows and said, NEXT. (I needed more) She taught me to purl. In doing that, I stockingette’d for a bit. Then I ribbed. It was the rib that worried me. I had flashbacks to counted cross stitch where my count was always off. I felt a little heat rise. Then Niki taught me the most important lesson I would learn that day: TINK.

Niki’s calm teaching, fun way and instant kinship spurred me on. I frankly went back to my cabin that night thinking that I’d put those needles down and move on. Here I’d made another person happy and I knew “how” to knit. But really, I don’t have time. I got bored waiting for something at somepoint and I picked up the green yarn and I tried to re-create what I’d done. It flew off the needles that time and I thought…hmmmm.

Despite making the blob and THREE handbags, I still didn’t purl correctly until August when I saw Niki again. And I made more than one woman happy for a few hours — I made a great friend. Yep, I’ll keep her.

Now you know the WHOLE story.

Before getting to the meat of this post I must admit that I have had to write out an OUTLINE for this one. I have so much to go over, I didn’t want to leave anything out. However, in the Queen’s normal style, I burned my popcorn and thus have decided that the outline was too much and thrown it away — with the popcorn.

THANG ONE:
Don’t burn popcorn. It stinks up the whole house QUICKLY. And in case you are thinking I was an airhead for burning it — I was standing RIGHT there listening — the popping never slowed, just begun to burn. URGH.

THANG TWO:
My secret pal e-mailed me this morning to wish me a happy “Knitiversary.” How awesome is that? (I think I have a little crush on her already.) Ok, so in honor of my ‘versary, I think we must thank Miss Niki who taught me to knit. And would you all like to see what I first made? Of course you would.

What do you think this blob is? Would you believe it was a shawl that became a laptop case. We aren’t looking at the uneven flap or my very poor seaming. To this point, it is the ONLY project I’ve ever done on straight needles.

Oh, how far I have come — from this to socks!!

THANG THREE:
The Queen now has a permit to learn to drive a motorcycle. Yes, I FINALLY passed the written test. The DMV in Snarkville is actually fairly well run. If you overlook the fact that Prince and I have two completely different types of permits though we have asked for the same thing. However, there was one guy who was in front of me in line whose first language was Italian. The conversation went as follows:
DMV Lady: What language would you like to take the written test in?
Italian Guy: I try.
DMV Lady: What language do you speak?
Italian Guy: Italian and some English.
DMV Lady: Would you like the test in Italian or English?
Italian Guy: English, I try.

Now I ask you — WHY? If you speak and read Italian (probably 1000 times better than English), would you burden yourself with taking a test in English.

Oh and for the record — driving written tests are NOT at all about the rules of the road — and the motorcycle one is not either — what a pain in the bottom. I would think the written test would focus on the LAWS and the driving portion would focus on the DRIVING — but who knew — the laws aren’t different for motorcyclists — thus the exam is all about how you hold the throttle and what to do if the clutch fails.

On a funny side note: We got home from test taking and I looked at Prince’s Permit and thought — that looks different than mine. I waited for him to go to work and took mine out to examine — yup, sure enough. He had the standard Permit to learn to ride thingie — I had a standard permit to learn to “drive a car” AND “ride a motorcycle.” HELLO? Do you think we can get Prince to stop teasing me? I called the DMV (in hindsight, a HUGE mistake) and was told that one of the two was wrong, go to your local office to sort this all out. DUH. So, I walk in. The first guy who helped me this morning asked me, “So you making a day of the DMV today?” I laughed and showed him my papers — come to find out (and please don’t die of shock here) BOTH WERE WRONG. You see, Prince and I hold out of state licenses (it is legal for us to do this — it is ok); but when we add the motorcycle license, we will need to move our licenses to this crazy state. However, since we were applying, correctly, for the Instruction Permit; we don’t get new licenses yet — but we should have gotten TEMPORARY Licenses — NOT a driving permit!!!! URGH, to say the least. I felt 15 all of a sudden. But that’s ok — I’m just convinced that the state government around here is a little screwy anyway. And get this, if we don’t pass the safety course or the road test by the time our temporary licenses expire, it is back to the DMV for an extension. And no, it seems they will not send us real licenses until the motorcycle thing is done. URGHsquared.

THANG FOUR:
My secret pal is already awesome. First, I have to say that for this being my first time — such a Secret Pal virgin, I’m already having a blast. I haven’t heard from my spoilee, but I’m sure she’s on just on vacation without internet access (which never happens to the citizens of Snarkville — we love our connectivity WAY too much to go without — we suck that way) or something equally acceptable. I hope to hear from her soon; cause I’m totally lame and need even more knitting friends!
However, I think my secret pal is going to be pretty cool. It will come as no shock to her that I’m stalking the participant lists to try to search her out — I’m failing thus far and overwhelmed with how many blogs I’d have to read through.
But I’ve also begun sucking up to my Secret Pal Hostess. I have to say — I’m getting good at the sucking up thing But my hostess, with the mostest, will be in my area on Friday and I’m meeting her at yarn — can you believe it? Meeting secret people so soon??? I love it.

THANG FIVE:
Keep a look out on this space in the upcoming weeks, there will be “LIVE BLOGGING” from all sorts of neat and ‘remote’ locals. You never knew how portable Snarkville can be.

Happy Knitiversary to me. (Hey, Niki, thanks for teaching me — I guess you are the pusher who got me hooked on yarn crack.)

You know that old story where the parents are putting together a bike on Christmas Eve and are frustrated with it by 4am when the kids are stirring? Yes? Good, this isn’t that story at all. While I’d love to tell you that there were thrown tools and temper tantrums — nope, not much at all. Prince put Duke’s tricycle together this morning.
Duke is thrilled — though he can barely touch the pedals when they are the farthest away from him; he can’t remember to steer, and he can get from stop to start — but forgets he must keep going. However, he was very cute!!!

In other news, we are still discussing the Vespa. Do keep in mind, we are talking about short rides to town (I live in a SMALL town — not a city at all) and next to no highway riding. I’d love to rent to see if we like it, but alas, there are rules preventing us from renting one — longish story, but basically to many people in Prince’s work were getting drunk and renting them on vacation — it is now completely unacceptable. Trust me, we don’t fight the system here. But we can own! So that’s ok. I’m going to get my permit tomorrow am, provided I’m not so dumb as to not be able to pass the written test. Prince will probably get his Tuesday. Then I’m to get a sitter on Saturday, while we run back to the dealer and take a couple out on a test drive — we are debating over two models and wish to compare. I’ll let you know then, if we buy one — and how I’m going to break it to my parents — they’ve been classically against 2 wheels — but I think my mum digs Vespas — who knows. And YES, we would be taking the safety course too.

In an answer to Polly who wondered if this may change my royal image. I need to remind the masses that once the Queen of England owned a Mini Cooper — she also drove a double-decker bus during WWII. So, I think it may just make me more human to the citizens of Snarkville. However, I’m already wondering what scarf will look the best flowing from my neck.

Finally, spring has sprung in Snarkville. Proof would be the 100’s of Roses blooming all over my “overgrown” yard. However, (in classic DebR style), I wish to leave you with this photo:This is a sprout from my neighbor’s tree — growing from the picnic table in the backyard. I think this proves that there is magic in that yard allowing anything and everything to grow — but we are leaving the tree to see how big it will grow — perhaps it will become a design feature of the table.

Yes, it seems like just yesterday I was thinking I was finally starting to feel less insane. I’ve been scanning various blogs who have put up their answers to the Secret Pal program questionaire. I’m beginning to think I may be a little sane — compared to some of my fellow knitters (which in my defense, I’m not thinking as a positive — just more like I’ve not been knitting long enough and perhaps need to buy more yarn). Then IT happened.

In talking to the Prince last night, he mentioned something that would be really cool to own — what with gas prices going over the top. And like a complete dumbass, I say, “Honey, if you want a Vespa, get a Vespa.” He says, “You’ll let me get a Vespa?” Yes — if I said, YES — I meant it. Then my brain kicks in.
Reasons NOT to buy a Vespa:

1. Prince takes Duke to school so it can not be Prince’s daily driver.
2. I work in my house, so I don’t commute more than from the kitchen to the basement.
3. We can’t ride it on the weekends because Duke can’t ride it until he’s at least tall enough to have his feet touch the pegs — probably at least 10.
4. Three motor vehicles in a family of two drivers.
5. We don’t have motorcycle licenses. And neither of us have driven one before

So, I was forced to ask ONE little question — “When will you drive it?” So Prince thought and thought.

This morning — as we were driving up to Santa Rosa to test drive and learn more, Princes says, “I’ve been thinking — who in this family makes short trips without Duke all day long in the car that gets 17 MPG?” Yep — it would be MINE. Hmmm, the hardship here, huh? (Yes, my knitting friends — I checked there is MORE than enough room for yarn in the storage areas.)

So, if you are wondering where all the best fodder for Snarkville will come from Monday morning — I’d put good money on the DMV while I take the test to get a permit.

I must ask — do we think this is a cool idea, a mid-life crisis (early — I always was an early bloomer), or just frankly insane?

*Note: When I typed the title, I typed “My ‘First” Hell” which I happen to think is both funnier and probably a bit true.*

Ok, as it was pointed out to me last night, I am currently working on my 7th sock ever (3 complete pairs are done and in my sock drawer awaiting my feet). Now, in an effort to prove that I am not too old to learn new tricks, I’m trying out a new heel. Let me back up.

I used to think that KnitNik was insane for knitting socks. First, I will say, I’ve never said “but they are $3 at Wal-Mart,” but I was a touch afraid of the small needles. Then she sent me handknit socks TWICE. The first pair were WAY too big and the second pair are pretty awesome. Now, (this will come as no surprise to Niki, nor anyone I think), I’m a touch competitive. No, really. I looked at the sock she sent me and thought — hmm, I can do this. I pretty much dissected the sock to figure it out. Here’s what I learn in my sock dissection:

1. I need a longer “shaft” to my sock. I don’t turn them down (Niki does — but I like her anyway). I opposed the girly socks as a child with the ruffle, I oppose them now. Hence anything too short feels like it is falling down on me.
2. I like the feel of the handknit sock — but it could fit a bit snugger.
3. The heel looks funky.

Actually the heel bothered the heck out of me. I decided then and there — if that was the heel of a handknit sock, I’m not interested. I disliked the thick back portion tons. But I was intrigued by how many people make socks. Hmmm — there’s a challenge here somewhere. In a yarn shop one day (while I was being ignored by the sales staff — HINT: not good), I found a book that showed me *MY* heel. Wow. It looked just like the heels in socks I already own — trim, sleek, and with the lovely diagonal line. Ok, what do they call this — Ah “Short Row Heel.” Yippie.
Yarn store number 1 I went to, had never made a short row heel. No help.
Yarn store number 2 (Mecca we should call it — but it is really Marin Fiber Arts) owner, says, “I love that heel — I hate the other one too. I want my sock to look like a sock!!” Alrighty, I think I pink, puffy heart this guy. Ok, teach me. And teach me he did.
First sock, in Lorna’s Laces Gold Hill — short row heel and toe on 4 dpts. LOVE.
Second sock, in CSYE (cutest sock yarn ever) — short row heel and toe on two circs. Love. Love the circs more.
Third sock in Socks that Rock Club Yarn — short row heel with “normal” decreased toe on circs. — I was getting tired of graphing 30+ stitches at the toe. Liked the toe a lot.
Now, I wanted to learn something new. So, being ever backwards, I decided sock #4 would have a heel flap. (I’m planning an afterthought heel at somepoint too). So, off I set.

Last night I got to the heel flap and raised the red flag and said, “Warren, HELP.” I can read a pattern, but I’d increased the stitches to make a tighter fabric and didn’t know how to fix the pattern. After Warren questioned my sanity, he helped.

Now, I’m on the gusset decreases and it doesn’t totally suck — though I have to say this heel seems to take longer than the other one. I don’t fully see the magic that Niki used to tell me about — but I don’t hate it anymore. I’m thinking the tighter knitting on smaller needles is helping. I have some funky striping on the short row section — I blame the handdyer (moi).

I promise photos in the next post — it just isn’t photographable right this second — but I will get some shots.

In other news, let’s send congratulations to our friend for getting a job at a yarn company. Snarkville is hoping for samples.

Why, I need to know, do simple things like “going to bed,” “going to the potty,” “getting dressed,” and (my favorite) “put your underpants on.” Always have to be met with the word, “NO” Followed by simple acceptance of the aforementioned fate, with a simple re-phase of the question.

Go to bed: Ask as follows, please: “Would you like Daddy to read you Thomas?”
Go to the potty: Ask as follows, please: “Would you like Mommy to read a book?” OR “Do you want some chocolate/TV/me not to poke my own eyes out?”
Get dressed: Ask as follows, please: “Would you like a bar?” (a bar in this house is a NutraGrain bar and is currently Duke’s prefered PRE-breakfast.)
Put your underpants on: Ask as follows, please: “Do you want to ________?” Fill in the blank with any single action that Duke is currently headed toward — it has been everything from “climb on the bed” (removed shoes AND put underpants on); “have dinner” (yes, even in snarkville we require underpants at the table — no shirt is ok — but underpants are required); “play with your trains”; “leave time-out.”

Now, what I don’t get is that I’m a fairly direct kind of person — ok, no one ever accused me of beating around bushes or not spouting off when a thought came across my mind. See why I have no life and fewer friends. But my son seems to have become the MASTER of not being direct. We must never ask for exactly what we want. We MUST go through this complex guessing/question game which is almost always followed by a ticklefest or giggles, to brake the tension lest I eat him and pick my teeth with his toe nails.

However, I have to admit that I play into this on occasions. Like when he asks for something and I declare — “can you do the ‘_____’ dance?” All of Duke’s dances include the word repeated over and over and over and over again with a few “dance” steps — occasionally with turns —- and the biggest smile you’ve ever seen. Ok, so I’m a sucker for the dance steps; but you haven’t lived until you see the “milk dance” — I’m sure it will be on Broadway soon enough for all to enjoy. I’m just waiting for him to ask *ME* to do the underpants dance because I’m so horrible as to ask him to put on his underpants. (in case you were wondering, the Prince has a strict no bare butts policy in the house)

Makes you just want to drop trou and wiggle, huh? No? Yeah — me neither.

So, yes it took me about a second and a half to decide I HAVE to do this secret pal thing. I love the idea — get gifts/give gifts. I’m all over it. My poor secret pal will hopefully want to chat all the time, because I’m nutty that way. Anyway, in order to let the sweet, kind, pretty person out there who will be drawing my name know what kind of freak, I mean person, I am — here is my offical survey. Please feel free to ask me more questions if you need me to clarify or if you are just one of my friends who wishes to continue to prove I’m a freak — see that I’ve knit in a public potty. (In my defense, I was going to be there a LONG time and had no book — what else would you do?)
So, here’s everything you would like to know about the knitting me and weren’t afraid to ask.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I’m really big on natural fibers, mostly wool, cashmere, and silk. I hate novelty yarns (which I tend to call “Muppets”) and I don’t tend to like 100% acrylics.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Um, um. I’m a little embarrassed here. I HAVE this HUGE knitting bag where all my tools live. I have two sets of interchangeable needles that I do probably 90% of my non-sock knitting with. However, the balance of my needles live in their original bags or sleeves.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
On May 7th, I will be a one year old knitter. I have to say, I’m not looking forward to having knit for a year — mostly because I LOVE when people ask how long and I can say, “only since May” and they say, “Wow, this is incredible.” I’ve never made a scarf; but I consider myself an intermediate knitter with ambitious tendencies.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not currently, but if you ask REALLY sweetly, I will.
5. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Um, um. I’m not all that picky. Because of bad old-factory memories I loathe Cucumber-Melon and Cotton Blossom from Bath and Body Works. But other than that, I’m pretty flexible. My favorite bath shop in the world is lush (lush.com), in case you needed to know.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Boy do I have a sweet tooth. I love CANDY more than chocolate (yes, I’m a girl — it is a allowed). I’m partial to gummy items, jelly beans, and gum drops. However, I must admit, I’m currently on a quest to find the butt I was meant to have (it is under there somewhere) — so if I could beg to avoid sweets — I have no self control at all where they are concerned.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don’t spin (cuts into the knitting time), but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE handspun yarn. I am in a controlling my hobbies place in my life. I used to do a bunch of crafty things, but I never could stick with them (please don’t ask my husband about the cross stitch). I found knitting and I have never looked back.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My favorites are 80’s and random country music. Mostly what I listen to these days on my iPod are audiobooks. I’m a huge fan of listening and knitting. We have more tech/computer crap in this house than you can imagine — if I can’t play it, no one on this planet can.

9. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
Hmmm, nothing like a hard question here. I love lots of colors. I’m not a huge fan of purple, it is a long story and while I may someday forgive purple — it was at one point in my life thrust upon me (more accurately my bridemaid) and when I complained, I was told if I ever owned anything purple the thruster would never let me forget it. I own NOTHING that all purple (or even lilac) — I do have some yarn that has SMALL touches of purple. But that didn’t answer what I like, right? Hmm — I’m mostly a fall color kind of girl. But currently I’ve been completely into pinks and greens (ala the Preppy Handbook). Helpful? I’m thinking no.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have one — a family that is. Oh, do you want specifics? Ok, I have a husband and one son, who will be three in August. I have 4 beasts in the house. I have 1 dog, who is sweet has sweet can be; a thief of some food items; and can not give doggies kisses nor lift his leg. I have three cats. 1 overweight, orange tabby who is 10 years old now. He is MINE and very loving. My husband has a cat who is 7 this fall. She may have only just now forgiven me for taking her side of the bed. And the dog has a cat, who is basically the single best cat personality I’ve ever met. He doesn’t get mad at anything, he will greet everyone at the door and never met a bowl of food that he doesn’t want to eat.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Hmm. I live in Northern California — recently moved from the cold East coast regions. So I can say not often. Of the 4, I’d wear a poncho or mittens more than hats and scarves.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Right now it is socks. I’m in a sock and sweater knitting mode. I love socks because they are portable, quick and fun to knit. Plus I love people asking me why I would knit socks. The other thing I like knitting are felted handbags.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I have 2 sweaters on the needles and a pair of socks and one fair isle handbag.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Oh YES — YES, YES, YES. Did I mention I dig it?

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
My favs right now are Addi Turbos. I fought the metal needle thing, but I’m into them now. I only own one pair of straight needles and I never use them. I much prefer circs, but will do the flex needle thing too. Don’t dig plastic.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, I want one desperately. I’m told I must have one from my friend KnitNik (who you could always ping for more details if you need them), she literally sends my e-coupons all the time.

17. How did you learn to knit?
KnitNik taught me — and by doing so, I decided to make her my best friend. I love her for sharing. I am even forced to thank her husband for asking about it and setting us up.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
The pink sweater. It is in need of the balance of the i-cord edging to be complete — well, that and buttons that I have no idea what I want or what will look right. It was started in August of last year and was completed except for the edge since February — I’ve not touched it since then.

19. What is your favorite holiday?
My birthday. Don’t you celebrate it in your house? I’m weird about my birthday, and I like to celebrate it as much as possible.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Miniature teddy bears and more yarn. On the bears I’m only into those designed by Deb Canham, an English artist living in Florida. I haven’t bought many in years because of the need for yarn.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I need a really good stitchanary. I tend to look at patterns as suggestions so I am dying to get my hands on some Elizabeth Zimmerman’s works — especially anything take talks to theory on knitting. My favorite sock book is Simple Socks: Plain and Fancy — for just this reason. I don’t subscribe to any mags yet.

22. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
Steeks. I really want to try them. But I’m a total chicken. Not 100% true, I’m not a total chicken — the thought of cutting hand knit kills me — but until last summer the thought of throwing wool in the washer was horrible too. I am not too old to learn.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I’m a sock knitter. My foot is 9″ long and 9″ in circumference around the ball of my foot. I don’t fold my socks over and like to wear them at least 7″ up my leg.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
September 16th — please kindly put it in your calendar.

When I started this blog, I had a great fear that at some point I’d have nothing to say. I know it is hard to imagine that I’d be struck dumb by anything — but today’s blank page is kicking my blogging butt. I thought about walking away and trying to come back later, but I have some other things to do and need to cross this off my list. My blog mentor told me to commit to only blogging twice a week at first to see if I liked it. But I know myself well enough that if I start missing a day, this poor blog will go the way of all the blogs before it (yes, there were other blogs before — they all died the death they deserved). So, as I was trying to fill the blank space, I got to thinking why I started this blog and perhaps why people blog in general.
I read a few blogs, many more do I scan once or twice before deciding that I can’t add them to my must read list. The blogs I enjoy come into two basic categories, mommyblogs and knitting blogs (with a lovely sub-set of knitting blogs with cats, but again I digress). I would love to say that I had some deep purpose to writing this blog. Some thing worthy, like breaking into writing or a journey into self discovery. But alas, I fear I’m not so deep. The first blogs I wrote I was trying to say something. Trying to get some thing I wanted to say off my chest without saying it aloud — but alas, it really doesn’t work well. First, I got no real satisfaction over writing what I was thinking and the one person I was trying to avoid hurting by not saying it was hurt anyway — so it died. But I wanted this blog to be different. I would hope it would be a little funny and occasionally thought provoking, but mostly I wanted it to be me. I didn’t go into this blog with any agenda or hopes. I have nothing to prove or angst waiting to get out. I’m comfortable to chat about my life, my knitting, and my family. I am inspired by all the blogs I read daily and love when those I respect so much touch into my life. This I guess was my biggest hope — that perhaps those I read all the time (and a few I’ve met along the way of blogging) would reach out. I’m giddy with the slice of attention — and can’t thank you readers enough. I’d drive to your house and hug you personally if it wasn’t so weird and stalkerish.
Today is my one month blogaversary. (I feel like I’m in Jr. High again celebrating in months). Perhaps that is why I’m a little senitmental (can you imagine my blubering when I hit a year?) However, I thought it was a good time to say yes, I think this blog might live awhile. This feels good and right to me now. Thank you for joining me thus far and may May bring us new fodder and more snark.
Happy First Month.

PS. For those of you following the saga of the potty. I’m pleased to annouce that Duke only wore ONE pair of underpants from the time he got home from school until he went to bed. He used the potty too!
PPS. For those following the silk sweater saga, it is currently on hold until I figure out how to handle the bottom of the sleeves. I need another 40ish rows and I’m already through all my stripe patterns.
PPPS. For those following the cable sock saga, I’ve done about 7 cable repeats, they look great — though they are at a point they seem to have stopped growing in length. I need to decide on a heel and then turn it.

Special note to my blog mentor: You know who you are. Thank you for telling me to go for it. Thank you so much. You are pretty.

Yes, I know this weekend in review is going on FOREVER — but I swear things happened, which is rare in my world and please, let me just pretend to feel like I have a life.

So, on Sunday we all piled into the car to an advertising agency who was sponsoring a drive for my husband’s car club. It included breakfast and lunch — so we thought why not. Ok, there was only a HUGE number of cars and Duke posed in front of a bunch of cars and we ate — Duke at his body weight in yogurt (from the Yoplait cup without a mess I might brag a bit). Then we set off on the drive.

Two little turns into the drive, we heard the worst clunking sound EVER. It was horrible. After a few “what the’s” later we pulled over. Prince looked back thinking we were going to find tire parts in the road — but no — he found the oil filler cap in the middle of the road. Double checking the engine — we found a light film of oil over everything. Ok, abort the drive and go in search of oil — special oil, on a Sunday no less. Oil found, everything ok — we needed something to do to kill time in order to get lunch — so we found a park in the hot sun and let Duke run wild for a bit. See?Moving on we returned home to FrankenHouse — only to be greeted by the fact we don’t have AC — and we didn’t leave the windows open. Literally all three of us laid around sweating waiting for the house cool down until 8pm. Today, I kept the house open all day and it was a completely different experience. I still wonder if it might be worth it to look into a few window ACs, or a block of ice — one or the other.
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Lastly sidenotes from the weekend.
Perhaps I have found a friend to go on the 2 day Pride of Hawaii cruise with me — totally cool.

I tried to knit while watching the sunset — but the wind was SO cold that I was shaking. However, during dinner, I had to run to the bathroom. (To put it politely, it was not the kind of bathroom experience you like having in public restrooms.) So, since I was stuck in the potty for too long — I knitted. So let’s add to the oddest places I’ve knit a public potty. See, I have no shame.

I’m not normally a political person. In fact, I sincerely believe what my mother taught me about never discussing religion or politics. However, here in Snarkville, we can’t resist pointing out our views on all sorts of things — this is one of them.

Is it just me, that thinks the rallies today would have been an excellant opportunity for INS to pick up some of the 12 million illegals we have in this country?

I’ll return you to your normal fluff in Snarkville now.