A Big Thank You To Raymond, Whoever You Are

Tonight's entry is brought to you by Raymond Vineyards:

As in, I had my last day of work for 2 weeks and Mr. Raymond decided to fuel my packing expidition. Of course, I attempted to stretch happy hour as long as possible but is it my fault that my companions have to work tomorrow? I think not. Please excuse any excessive ramblings/phrases that don't make sense/misspellings since I will probably not be editing this for a few days.

So, this is most likely going to be my last entry for awhile. I realized that this will be my first trip back to Fresno (hometown!) since I ditched A-O-Hell for a wireless DSL setup, so I can't dial in from home base anymore. What I am going to DO with my life besides knit up a storm? Wait, did I really just say that......... Well, Jacqueline is challenging everyone to post old family photos. If I can gain access to that elusive 'internet connection' while I am home, I will definitely have some doozys for your enjoyment. I really was an UGLY 13 year old. So speaking of that trek home: fueled by Mr. Raymond, I packed WAY too much for the next 13 days. Since my mom/sister have turned my room into storage, I am not quite sure where I am going to put all of this. However, note the entire bag devoted to knitting supplies. Must have that! Here is what I am bringing home:

1. Merino Frappe for the Caplet
2. The Noro Knitting Bag
3. Cascade 220 in the Brown/Blue Blend
4. Peruvian Wool for a Top-Down
5. Blue & Gold Wool for a CAL hat for pops
6. Lion Brand Landscapes for a scarf or something of the like
7. The Mock Lace Scarf

I think that should keep me busy. WHOOPS, did I mention that I have a trip planned to 2 of Fresno's LYSs tomorrow? That happen to be across the street from each other, I might add.

Is this the point in time I should realize that I have an addiction? Or was that yesterday when I was at the mall in Bebe, joting down notes about how to constuct some of their 'designer knitwear', i.e. a long knit rectangle with sleeves. A sales lady actually had to ask me what I was doing - TWICE. And since when did cheap acrylic-blends cost $70?

But I do have an FO to report! I managed to finish the IHS for step-bro Matt. After I got the boot from Happy Hour, I came home to watch the Comedy Central 2004 Special and finish off this bad boy. I literally cried with this quote from Kathy Griffin: "Brittany is the new Liza". I could NOT have put it better myself. Anyway, the finished scarf:

Then the time to get packing. After 18 years of packing on a weekly basis, you'd think I'd be better at this. Clothes flying, frantic folding, not an inch of space on my bed. Through this entire alcohol-induced frenzy, Viva has chose to hang hide out in the living room on her favorite red couch. Ball O' Cat, anyone?

Oh no, I have disturbed the princess. Viva Sez: "SCRATCH MY BELLY NOW, DAMMIT!"

---

And Finally, a totally random thought for tonight: A coffee mug makes a FANTASTIC yarn bra.

Yarn Latte, Anyone?

Everyone have a FABULOUS next few days, and I'll catch you on the next trip around the sun!

Things I've Learned

Things I've Learned This Weekend:

1) I will never avoid at all costs knitting Christmas gifts for friends and family. This is my first Chrsitmas as a knitter so I decided not to go balls out and try and knit something for everyone on my shopping list. Boy am I glad, because I am struggling with finishing ONE Irish Hiking Scarf. What I DID realize is that birthdays seem like a much better option. You have all your projects spread out over the entire year instead of crammed into the last few weeks of the year. Since I subscribe to the "if it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done" school of thought, it would take me at least 10 years of tearful, caffine-laced Christmas Eves to get the timing right.

I arrived at this conclusion after surfing around knitblog land tonight. If I had $1 for every fellow knitter who is stressing about finishing holiday projects, I could probably afford to buy myself all that Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk in my wishlist. [I sincerely wish you all the best of luck finishing up in this home stretch!]

---

2) Fish are very hard to photograph. Why was I taking pictures of my fish? WELL, the most freakish thing happened on Saturday morning. As I was engaged in feeding the little guys, I took a look at one and realized it's EYEBALL had fallen out. All that is left is the empty socket and a new alias for the yellow fish - One-eyed Willie.

I spent about 15 minutes looking for the appendage on the floor of the tank, but I am assuming one of the ground-feeders ate it. Lovely thought, No?

I then went on to realize that we have got a tank full of really creepy fish. For example, in addition to One-eyed Willy, we also have Angelina. She has some sort of fish cancer that causes her lips to swell to a grotesque size. I believe the unnaturally large lips speak to her name quite well.

---

3) I do have the willpower to restrain myself from drunk text messaging at 3:30am. Of course, I realized this morning what an ASS I would have made of myself if I would have drunkenly sent that text message that recounted the number of vodka-cranberries I had sucked down and a play-by-play of my drunken 'woo-girl' dancing to a certain someone who was home and most likely dead asleep. Although when I woke up this morning afternoon, I did hold my breath as I clicked through my call log to survey any damage I may have inflicted on myself. [sigh of relief] - I must be getting wiser in my old age.

---

4) I still possess the ability to finish a knitting project. I needed a quick fix. Instant gratification. An immediate high. And that Artful Yarns Broadway stuff was calling to me. Abandoning all other projects, I knit up this whole scarf on Friday night. Not sure if I am keeping it or giving it away yet, but I DO know I should have made this longer - at least 2 balls.

Very easy diagonal scarf pattern from the ball band. I used size 10 1/2 needles when they recommended 11's, but I wanted it knit a little tighter. This yarn is super cool but a BITCH to work with - I was very excitied to get back to my neat, simple Cascade 220.

As for other projects: I am VERY close to finishing IHS and thanks to the 1.5 hours I was on BART this weekend, I finished up the first ball of Cascade 220 on the mock-lace scarf.

---

5) My cat is the most adorable companion ever. Ok you got me - I already knew that... but isn't it so cute how she is keeping watch over my bedroom?

Ok, and now for your close up:

---

Hope everyone's Monday treats them well. Bedtime for me!

Yarn Diet: BUSTED

Today was a FANTASTIC day. I got to work in the AM and was promptly sent home, since the power was going to be out in the building all day. Granted, I was expected to work from my computer at home, but WOO HOO! I was free!

The first thing I did was go to The Knitting Room in San Jose. I NEVER get to go to the LYS, since I get off work @ 6 and they all close at 5:30. Anyhow, I totally broke the yarn diet in celebration. I got: 1 ball of Artful Yarns Broadway in "Unsinkable Molly Brown" [L-O-V-E the name!] for a glittzy scarf, 2 skiens Cascade 220 in a bluish-brown tweed color for a hat and scarf for a certain someone, 1 skien Cascade 220 in beige to complete the Mock Lace Scarf, and 2 balls Crystal Palace Merino Frappe in a dark grape color. I also got three pairs of bamboo needles, sizes 15, 10 1/2, and 8.

Next project? The Spiderweb Capelet from Stitch N' Bitch Nation. Yep, I wimped out on the major yarn purchase for a sweater once again. I mean, it's sort of a sweater, right? It covers your shoulders. Kind of? I am REALLY hoping I get a nice sized gift certificate for Christmas so I have NO excuse to put off Kyoto, Klaralund, Eloise and Belle E. any longer.

---

Work? Oh yeah. I actually did some of that. Nevermind the Shiner Bock in the background. That's German for 'motivation'.