D is for Dad

Not a normal dad. My pops, Steve, is anything but that.

Dad celebrating his daughter's MA graduation. Try explaining this one to your thesis advisor.
I know i've posted this photo before, but I think it sums up the man who gave me 50% of my genes better than anything else.

I am my dad in my moms look-alike body. We have the same goofy sense of humor, the same logical smarts that drive people crazy, and the same diehard love for our athletic teams (ahem, GIANTS BABY).

Pops was born in Madera, CA and grew up working at his parents lumber yard, only to become the first person at Madera High School to play on the Football team and in the Band (his proclimation, not mine). He then attended UCSB for two years and watched them burn down the Bank of America building in IV, then transfered to Cal because UCSB wasn't political enough (I'm making that last part up)

Dad before the Big Game, 2004
He then attended Law School at UC Davis (and is consequently today UCD's biggest football fan), and then received his Masters in Tax at NYU. He returned to Fresno and started practicing law, had the great idea to have a brilliant daughter like myself, and life took off from there.

My parents are divorced, so I didn't have the "traditional" experience growing up. But we've always been close - and he's supported us in the best way he could have. The words "you're a smart girl, I trust your decisions" will always be what I remember about him through the years.

But one of the greatest, most inspiring things about dad is how he truly cares about people and for a lawyer to do that, it's amazing. He's made himself quite a living, but his legacy is apparent to me every day when I meet people, and they ask if I'm Steve's daugher, then go on and on about what a great man he is.



Yup. I am very proud to be my fathers daughter.

Extreme Beer Sleding

See that? That's the awesome haul from my SP7.

• 2 Balls DB Alpaca Silk
• 2 Ball DB Cathay
• Catnip Kit for Viva
• Burt's Bees Cuticle Cream
• Sheep Pez Dispenser
• 'Wine Girl' Notepad
• Lavendar Eye Pillow
• 2 Kitty Cups
• DB Cathay Book

However, there are two things already missing from this lovely package. 1) a bag of sour patch kids, which were torn into immediately upon opening, and 2) a springy cat toy that Viva immediately attacked:

Thanks SP, whoever you are, for knowing me (and Viva) so well!!! And I've already got plans for that yarn - combining the Alpaca Silk with the Alpaca Silk from my last SP for a hat/glove combo, and a baby sweater with the Cathay for Arden.

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So I've been MIA this week because I beat the crap out of myself last weekend with way too many social engagements. Saturday was a night on the town, Sunday I was playing in the snow at Shaver Lake, and at the last minute I got tickets to go see AEROSMITH on Monday night. While TOTALLY worth it (AEROSMITH PEOPLE!!!!), that was the final straw and I've found myself fighting off a nasty cold all week. Of course, this may of had something to do with it as well:

Yes, those last 3 photos depict our interpretation of "Sled down a hill with a beer in hand and no matter WHAT, don't spill it". I got props for my maintenance of a 90 degree angle the entire way down. And yes I am wearing jeans in the snow. That's what we do here in California ;).

On that note, low key weekend ahead. I finished the shrug, but I'm not sure if I really like it or not. The puffy sleeves are competing with the collar. I'll deal with that later.

Since then, I resisted the urge to $$$ and cast on a new sweater w/ stash yarn and a stash pattern. Any guesses? It's in my sidebar, knit on size 10 needles, and I almost finished the entire back last night. Woo.

To all you olympic knitters... your Likkered Up Observer at Wine and Needles in routing for you. May you all [hiccup] finish with time to spare....

Wine and Needles Marathon Knitting

You all may remember I opted for this during the knitting olympics this year:

Well I'm obviously catching the bug in some form because I was up last night until 12:45 sewing the sleeves into Debbie Bliss Shrug. My pattern-morph was an unintentional success. The sleeve caps ended up about 1.5 times longer than the body piece shapings and instead of ripping, I turned them into cute little puffy sleeves. I started to pick up the stitches for the collar but had to force myself to sleep. I was going to take some pictures to show you but hell, I already knew I was going to hate myself in 6 hours.

Yup. Delia no happy in the AM. I must really want that Karabella pattern + Organic Cotton. Funny the way our subconcious talks to us...

I'll also tell you what lots of people already know... Jaywalkers are addicting! I just turned the heel on my first sock at lunch today. And I have also seen the way that is Claudias Handpaints.

Busy 3-Day weekend ahead at Casa d' Wine and Needles: Staining my desk and paint swatching on the walls (finally!), teaching my friend Blake to knit (!!!!), Girls Night Out on Saturday, Shaver Lake for Pasta, Vino, and mountain knitting (my favorite kind) on Sunday night.

Our 70-75 degree February weather has given way to clouds, rain, and frost on my car. I forgot that these drastic changes in weather are a big deal here in the Valley. Anyone remember the CA Citrus Freeze on 1998? Fresno County was declared a natural disaster area because all the Orange trees froze and died.

** We're in that big open space between San Jose and Bakersfield. How the hell did Bakersfield make the map and Fresno didn't???

Anywho....here's where I can't wait to be tonight.

Possibly with a mimosa to celebrate the Anti-Freeze (HA!) of 2006.