Armed with Pointy Sticks

Ikea to the Rescue.

I do not hide my amour for Ikea.  I can't.  It's too strong.  I must simply obey it, let it coax me in the door, and along the path that the arrow indicates.  Seriously, if it weren't for that arrow, I'd probably get lost and starve to death in there.

Yesterday we sought out Ikea with a purpose.  Because Ikea is a bit of a haul (unless you make the commute past that area everyday anyway which Chris's dad does.  He's offered to pick up stuff for us before, but half of the wonder of Ikea is being in Ikea, not that the offer isn't appreciated.)  we usually need to be going down into Mass for something or other.  Or other presented itself yesterday.  A good friend of Chris's (and all around great guy) is getting married next year, and his engagement party was in Connecticut.  It was a great party, and I really like them as a couple.

Back to Ikea.  Actually, back to the purpose for veering slightly east of our direct path home to get to Ikea.  Recently, in an issue of Interweave Knits, Amy Singer of Knitty Fame wrote a small piece on organizing your yarn.  She suggested you organize it as if it were your personal knitting store.  Talk about planting a seed.

A few months ago I picked out the shelving system I want.  Meet the Expedit (you can't food me, Ikea, that's not  good spelling, even in Swedish).

This is the 4x4.  We got the 4x4 because the 5x5 wouldn't fit in my Focus Hatchback. 

(Laser Kitteh set to disable for size reference).

So, Chris set this up, and while he is away on business from tomorrow until Wednesday (he should be home for knitting, so smile) it will be my job to fill it with yarn.  Just the way I want it.

Let me tell you a secret.

It ain't all gonna fit.

And it's going to be a little bit like Journey to the Center of the Earth. 

I'm wondering if it'll be blog fodder.  It might be just too embarrassing.  We'll see :D

Little Bit o thought, no Pictures

My Monday started with a bit of heartache.  George Carlin has left us, at age 71.  One of the great truthspeakers of our time is gone.  The older he got, the less he cared about the sensibilities he offended.  In fact, I think he went out of his way to target new ones.  Discomfort is what makes us grow.  Anger is what makes us fight.  He saw the exoskeleton that we'd outgrown, and he advocated breaking it and growing out.  Or maybe he was just a cranky man who liked to pick at scabs.  Who knows?

So goodbye dear friend.  You held up a mirror, and it was good for all of us.

I do have one beef, Georgie.  Why the fuck did you never (in your ENTIRE 71 years) do anything with the Muppets?  You can hang out with the Smothers Brothers, you can do a stint as a train conductor on a kids show, but you can't chill with Cookie Monster or Fozzie?  I think, if you're sitting on a cloud, sifting through it all (you know, before you start causing trouble again) that should be one of the points that you consider and go "Damn, I never got to do the 7 Words bit with Bert and Ernie"

I will knit something for you, I think.  It'll be grand, and my grandmother will never, ever, be able to see it.

On another note... I had to buy deodorant the other day.  Gotta love a transition like that.  As I was perusing the fragrances I found one called "Pure Cashmere" and I just about died laughing.  I almost turned to the woman next to me and said "I want to smell like a goat!" but I realized she was weirded out enough by the laughing. 

Did I get it?  You bet your sweet ass I did!

But sadly, it smells like vanilla.  I don't want my armpits to smell like a milkshake.  I'd honestly be happier with a Eau de Sheep and Wool.

le sigh...

Something Awesome

So, Chris asked me what I'm going to post about.  I told him I didn't know.  He said "Post about something awesome... like me."

So, I is for Inspiration, and my husband is mine.  I guess my lack of post is not due to lack of muse.  But even the most fantastic muse can't get salmon fillet out of chum.  My mind has just been in other places.  Something did occur to me, though.  I've let the "You must have pictures to make a blog post" get to me.  I've stopped myself from blogging lately because I didn't feel I had the pictures to back the post up.  So enough of that.  If I feel I have to force pictures into a post, then I don't feel that I'm being organic.  My strong suit, I feel, is my language.  I will not always post pictures, and I won't apologize for it.  I'm sorry I let all of "those people" get to me.

But today I have some pictures.  K is for Knit in Public, and we had a good one.

 

We've met some new friends (on the right is Heather, our new buddy who I hope we see a lot more of.  On the left is Donna, my mother in law.  She's pretty awesome too, not new, but still pretty great).

We also got to meet Pat, who is a wonderful lady, and a great knitter (I learned all of this in the 5 minutes that she had to share with us, we WILL HAVE to meet up again).

Did we get the crowds that we were ready to enjoy?  No, but we still had a fantastic time.  Lots of knitting got done, lots of jokes were shared, weather was enjoyed, hula hooping was reveled in (until Lora's oldest boy picked up a hula hoop for the first time in his life, then he picked up a second, and hooped with both of them.  Yeah, spirit was busted.  I haven't touched my hoop in that long.)

But even with only us, we used our powers for good instead of evil. 

So many people brought yarn, bags, gift certificates, hand knit socks, and so many wonderful goodies to raffle off.  We actually had more gifts than participants, so we joined some together.  We ended up raising just under 100 dollars for New Horizons, Manchester's soup kitchen/food pantry/shelter.  These people do such wonderful things for our area, and we're glad to help them do it.

So I want to thank everyone who showed up, everyone who bought a raffle ticket, everyone who donated something to raffle, everyone who expressed a desire to be with us, but couldn't, for whatever reason.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  See you again next year!

L is for Lazy knitter, which I am not.  Want to see?

Not a very recent photo, I've got a few more inches done, but I'm done letting photos, or lack thereof, stagnate my blogging, remember?

I've finished something else, but I'm not ready to share that yet ;)

L could also be for Lazy blogger, I guess, but here's a list of the other things that have been taking my attention: gardening (tomato above for proof) Wii Fit (5 pounds lost, as proof), reading (yeah, I've forgotten how to do that lately), wanting to spend time with my husband instead of upstairs on my computer (on his laptop now) and (AND!) Friday I got my Master Knitter's package. 

Ok, so the Master Knitter program that I just got can't really give me an excuse for the last month, but I may need to use it later, so pay attention to it.)  I get my yarn tomorrow, UPS willing.  I'll be keeping up with my progress on my Ravelry projects page, if you're inclined to keep tabs on me.  You know, that is if I don't blog it.

Ok, I'm going to stop here.  I feel the whole post is a little disjointed, and I don't think that adding more will correct that.  So everyone have a pleasant sleep tonight, and let the week be smoothe and sweet.

A Meme to Prove that I have Life Within Me

A little, anyway.  Meme courtesy of Gina.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? Waiting for the summer vacation after my Jr. year of high school. 

2. What are 5 things on my TO-DO list for today? Play Wii, figure out a menu of things that I will actually cook and eat when I'm alone all the week.  Seriously, any suggestions are welcome.  I forget to eat when Chris is away.

3. Snacks I enjoy: Pickles, salt and vinegar chips, marshmallows, chips and salsa. (Any of these items suggested for my diet for next week will probably be considered, but seriously...)

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire: Buy a house that's a drive away from everything.  With land for a garden and long strolls, and a big kitchen, and a bathroom with a tub that I can soak in. Start finding things to keep me busy that would help the world I live in and those in it.  Billions is an awful lot to have and not try to make the world a better place.  I think I might also like to raise goats.  And I'd like to foster my local artisans.

5. Places I have lived: Sherman Mills, Maine.  Derry, NH, Manchester, NH, Great Lakes, IL, Yokosuka, Japan.

6. Jobs I have had: Walgreens checker girl, pharmacy tech, night stocker at Wal Mart, Navy Hospital Corpsman, nursing aide, Medical insurance customer service, tech support, and customer service for yarn distributor

Bloggers I am tagging for this MEME:  I don't know who's left... Caroline, Gigi, Jennifer from Yawn Over (I haven't heard from Jennifer and her cute pup in a bit)

All right, I'm alive.  I've even been knitting!  And spinning a bit!  Crazy, huh?  I'll have pictures some time this week.  With Chris gone I'll probably be sitting in front of this machine a fair bit.  After my Wii fit workouts ;)  That's a little bit too much fun for work, I tell you.

See you later!