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Friday

YAY, it's friday! nothing too hectic schedule for the weekend, just cubscouts for my oldest... and house-cleaning. it's just gotten out of control. i plan to get as much done as possible today, hopefully leaving enough time to get the living room painted on sunday. today is weigh-in day. i don't feel that i did that great these past few days - i know i haven't been drinking enough water, and yesterday - without even thinking, we all had pizza for dinner - i'm really mad at myself over that one. oh well, moving on.
i still haven't been able to spin. time is just running out on me. hubby found the navy afghan i have listed as one of my top 3 - although, i don't think i told you that it was missing... weird, just vanished. anyhow, it's found again. so i will be working on that tonight. yesterday evening, i almost finished up dot's lizzy hat. almost--- typical me right, well, actually - i ran out of yarn on the very last cluster! oh well, i need more for the scarf.
just for the sake of having a picture up today, here is a purse i completed the other day, in tunisian:

pictures!

yay! i've gotten the pictures that are still on the active page adjusted to the smaller size, i hope that fixes my bandwidth problem. remember that fabulous scarf and flower i received as a gift from the crochetville scarf swap? i added to the flower

and made a cloche for myself to match my winter coat:


the games, the fun, smiles, giggles, tears and screams of pain - i'm so very fortunate to be able to stay home with my fabulous children. at walmart the other day, i picked up this package of 5 buckets with 10 bears in each. we have played the heck out of these things today... talked about why they can't be stacked, how to separate them by color, added 1 'out of place' thing in the different colors for other play, counted, patterned... you name it, we did it with these little guys. they had such a good time

i love watching them learn, and knowing that i am the one teaching, makes it all the sweeter.

also, i need to post this picture of beautiful yarn i received in the yarn swap!

i just love it. see how perfectly it goes with a vase i had?! LOVE it!!

oh, it's a monday

well, this has been my day:
before 8:00 in the morning, i was on the phone with poison contol for the 5th time in my life - all of them concerning my 3rd born - oh he is a challenge, and dragging the 4th one, right along behind him. for just a brief moment (isn't that what the commercials always warn you about... that 1 second out of your life that you turn your back...), i stepped out of the dining room, to walk my older 2 to the front door and give them a kiss bye before they head off to school. the boys spotted the children vitamins on the table, hid under the table, and opened the 'childproof' bottle. thankfully this bottle was just opened yesterday... so i dump out the bottle on the table and count out the tablets, to realize 7 are missing. oh geez, - the bottle's label reads "Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6." what is considered an overdose on these things? surely 7 is not good. stuff like this sends a mom's heart into overdrive. i dial the number - and now i know, for 25pounds, 15 is an overdose. so i sit with them for sesame street and calm down.
at the research center to do my first weigh in of the week, i've lost 1.5 pounds since last friday, so adding in my half pound gain last week, i'm down 1 pound.
unexpected company is always such a joy (yes, i'm being sarcastic). as we are finishing up dinner, my dane lets out several mighty warnings of the approaching trio. it is some ladies who go to the church where my MOPS meetings are held... came to evangalize and bring literature on the church. don't get me wrong, it's not that i'm not a moral & spiritual person... because i am. i'm just not particularly religious. and yes, to me, you can be moral & spiritual without a church home. and then what, my yarn breaks - grrrrrrrrr. i'm actually finishing this up on tuesday morning, because last night hubby had homework to complete and i was mid-post. so i'm certain i've forgotten plenty - basicly it was just a monday!


i have several pictures to post, but i do not yet know how to make the memory size smaller while keeping the physical size the same... so i wait... don't want to lose that bandwidth again :)

UH OH!

i've exceeded my bandwidth!! i will be fixing some of the pictures and things as i can...
OOPS!
;-P

did it again

well, i've gone and messed up the boxes (yes, tables... i know) but i have updated some links and stuff - at least i know how to do that. *sigh* oh well.... guess hubby (or donna-- he he he he) will have to tell me how to fix it later. shrug.

and now, tuesday - again

let's see - completed 3 rows on the multi-fluff ghan last night and did a few rounds on this awesome new Lizzy hat by Dot. not really sure what i'm going to do with it. but it is just too cool to pass up. i'm going to ask her to design a scarf to match :o) if she does... then it will be a Christmas gift for a friend. delivered the flowers to my friend. waiting to hear the winner.
back to the multi-fluff afghan - i'm not sure whether to continue with the sunny yellow/happy days stripe pattern or make the center totally happy days and then the opposite corner the stripe pattern again ???
i'll post a picture so i can get your advice in just a bit. i guess that's really it right now. gonna go play with the boys for a while- after their beds are made, of course :)

oh, also wanted to make note that although my scale at home shows i've lost 4 pounds!! wooohoo! i'm going to set the scale back to zero and update with my new stats from the metabolic research center (i cked there isn't a local website, but there is one for the same place in florida.)

post-weekend

okay, well there are a few updates. on saturday, i started a program at the Metabolic Research Center, hopefully, i can get un-fat on their program. there are some optional appetite suppressants and other things that i opted for. i was really surprised at how well they truly worked for me. the first week is a special diet for "preparation" and then after the first week, i'll start some protein drinks... blah blah blah... if you're on the weightloss wagon, you know what i'm talking about *sigh*.
as for the fun stuff: i didn't spin at all this weekend- that makes me sad, but i did get some crocheting done. not a ton.. but a little. i made a black chenille hat to go with my winter coat and the new scarf and flower i received from my swap at crochetville. i'll get a picture up soon, i still have to stitch the flower to a pin. i'm totally stuck on the open fan cardigan from the interweave knits magazine. UGH! i also got 1 row done on the multi-fluff ghan for my sister. and some flowers done for the flower scarf that will be for my friend laura (mommy to the twins - the circle coat and poncho). although, i'm not too happy with the flowers. i am going to take them to her this afternoon and get her opinion of them before i make any more.
how is it that i have so much time to make such a lengthy post? there is a new Little Bear movie on noggin.... woo hooo the boys are interested. okay, well that is going to have to be it for now. laundry calls (doesn't it always?!)

another circle coat & mail!

this one is for my daughter. i love these jackets!



i had to get out my winter coat to show you all how fabulously it matches my new scarf!!

carmen (lilhatshack) is the artist

she also sent me a set of "Ewe Devil" notecards and 3 stitchmarkers - only two shown because one is currently holding a stitch in a blanket
there is also a wonderful little flower that matches with a big black button for a center that PERFECTLY goes with my coat!! i am going to get a skein of black chenille today to make myself a cloche hat for the pin to live on!

i absolutely LOVE it all!
Thank you, carmen!

behind in posting

here are some of the projects i've completed recently:





that's about all the time i have right now. maybe i can chat later.

color!

okay, so here it is:

what's for dinner?

ewwwwww! well, that's not very appetizing
three cheers for little caesars 'cuz mom's got wool on the stove!

this is the cheviot wool. i scoured and carded it to make little rolags. this is about 5ish ounces of the white wool. i boiled a pot of filtered water with a glug of vinegar and added about 3/4 container of wilton's brown paste color.

put it on low and left the wool in for about 1/2 an hour - cking every little bit for that crystal clear water, because that is what is supposed to happen when dyeing.

blue? huh?? crystal clear, though - just blue.
*shrug* i dunno.

so this is what i ended up with, a deep burnt-orangey rust color-it's actually much darker in person. which is fine. although i wanted brown, this actually looks better witht the wool i planned on mixing it with. everything has a reason :)

so there ya go. my first dyeing experience :)

did i say tuesday?!

i totally thought today was tuesday - oh well, tuesday-wednesday, what's the difference?

anyhow, i just saw some pictures of the tri-state fair while i was searching for the pictures of my dyeing experience.... couldn't find those, so here's some of the fair - 2 weekends ago.


me, lusting over the llama fiber


kiddos enjoying a ride


silly goat! this one just makes me laugh!!


ahhh, just found the pics of the dye - i'll post tomorrow.

and now, tuesday

i have so much to update on this thing. i'm way behind in adding to friends blogs. also, i need to start completely over on my yarn reduction - which i'm doing horribly at. also, i've finally gotten a scale for the whole weightloss thing... no, i'm not going to let you in on how much i actually weigh - just the ups and downs of the scale...i've got to give this real effort. gee, where have i heard that before *sigh* hmmm, also started the cardigan for my mom.... supposed to be a birthday gift - dec 22 - just might be Christmas if i don't get something else done for her as well. my dad is turning 50 next month... not sure what i should get him for his birthday. he shares birthday with my darling husband, who will be 30 this year. every 5 years it falls on Thanksgiving day - this is the 5th year. not sure what we are planning. did a great surprise party for my mother's 50th last year... don't think we will do that for hubby and dad. couldn't exactly make Thanksgiving dinner a surprise :-P

okay, back to other things.. this blog - why do my bumper stickers have white on the bottom?
and how in the world do i add a second page?
i would really like to get a gallery up and i am supposed to host one of the cals...

i will be taking pictures of the finished poncho and circle coat this afternoon when they are given to their new owners :)

wow, i'm kinda all over the place today. thinking about projects,,, i sure need to get busy on Christmas! yikes - it's quickly approaching. also, my sisters' birthdays have passed and i still don't know what to make them? i think i just may ask them.
okay, gonna get for now, sesame street is over. my little guys have to get their beds made and the day must begin - no matter how crappy i feel -- ick, this damn bug!

monday

well, i didn't end up going to taos! blah! but, i have EVERY intention of going next year. i had already missed all the demonstrations and classes. they are all done during the week - so next year it's a full-fledged fiber vacation! next year, i'll have more knowledge about the art of spinning and dyeing and such and know better which classes to take anyhow. i'm on the mailing list now, so will have plenty of notice.

on to other things:
well, i need to spin some white for a friend over a crochetville.... i'm behind. i did some spinning of the peacock last night because all of my spindles are occupied, i'm trying to fill one so that i can get the white done for her.

what else??? i almost have the brown circle jacket finished... i ran out of the hot pink fun fur that is the edging. so as soon as i get that on, it's done. well, still have to weave in the ends - ick. the poncho has been started. i still have a bit to go on it. i'm getting there with my daughters circle jacket as well. her's is really turning out great. i'll get pictures up soon. hmmmmmm guess that is about it for now.

oh, and now, more stuff i have to learn - yarn tomato's site blogliness and something else.

oh yeah... i need to get up all the pictures for the dyeing experiment. a little later. i need to go work with my two little ones. we're doing letter H and number 7 today :)

woohoo WOOL!

well, the 'oh shit' account has to wait - I'm going to Taos! there is a wool festival there every year. it's this coming weekend - i only just realized that. i'm gonna farm out the kids and hubby and i are making the drive. i'm all excited :)

okay, check back later today, gotta go, i have MOPS today, but i did my first dye last night.....

til this afternoon

wednesday

hmmm, looking at pictures... stuff i haven't posted about yet (here at least)
this is a purse i made using basic tunisian stitch with RH grande in brown. i really love it! the handles come off, for one day when i can make more in different colors :)


here is another purse i made not too long ago, it is done with landscapes... i've forgotten where the pattern came from... maybe there wasn't one *shrug*


this is the yarn and handles i used - and a double ended hook i got on clearance for a buck!

here is the finished product after fulling:

and no, i did not think to take a 'before' picture. okay, well that is all i can think of right now. i need to get busy. i didn't do the dishes after dinner last night *gasp!* the cardinal sin in my mother's book.

hmmmm, what is that "cardinal sin"? catholic? hmmmmm, something to research.

they're back!

woo hoo photobucket is back up.
sorry for my few days' of disappearance - i'm going to oh so gloatingly, post MORE pictures of my birthday present :)



here she is.. she needs a name... just not sure yet. gonna give it a while. i'm so so so in love. i wish i weren't so behind on my Christmas crocheting. i'd love to spend mroe time spinning. oh well....
conned that wonderful man of mine into carding some of my fleece while watching the cowboys' game last night ;) woo hoo. he filled a whole laundry basket with fantasticly fluffy rolags.

okay, i really really need to update my WIP list.... some things are further than the bar shows and i've started more *sigh*

what else? anybody notice the little bumper sticker on the right? i will be chaning them frequently they make me laugh.

let's see:hmmmmm oh, picked all this up to make a jacket for my mom for her birthday....

we'll see how that goes. then, my dad actually chose a different pattern.... so its not from that book, i'll post it when i get started. i've got to finish the 2 circle coats i've got going right now... along with the other 500 things. off i go - need to get dinner ready, think we are having bbq weenies, green beans, and macNcheese tonight... good ol southern comfort food!

finally got the ends weaved in of the triangle head scarf for my friend's birthday gift... now i have to get to the PO... i also need to send her the giant purple mohair rose.



here is the toe of a sock i have started and was finally able to do! YAY! but why am i showing you this very small progression of a sock toe? because i have to frog it!!! you see, i lost the pattern booklet, then found it and now, have no idea what row i am on and my stitch marker is missing to mark the row.... so screw it. i don't even think i'm gonna bother frogging.... just chop the blasted thing off and throw it in the garbage and be done with it! BLAH!

haven't worked on anything today... i had a field trip to the zoo this morning with my daughter's class. it was fun - i wanted to sneak the sheep in the back of the 'burban. which by the way, is fixed. hubby was able to fix it last night. he replaced the starter and altenator and some other junk.... which really is cool that he can do that kind of thing. here's the bad news: we have an "oh-shit" account. basicly, when anything goes wrong, we pull from that account and it doesn't screw our budget... well, thank goodness for that, but now that hubby pulled a little over $500 out of it fixing the 'burban; that means it must be replaced... which means, my allowance is what has to be used to fill the gap - agh! a whole month of NO fun yarn, roving, or wool purchases of any kind. :( i'm sad, but it's the best thing.

gee, i'm so tired... would it be wrong to take a nap with the kids running around? :) can you imagine what my 2&3 yr old boys would do to my house!?! oh my, i don't even want to think about that!!

more more more!

i know... it's ridiculous the way he spoils me! but you'd never catch me saying that to him :)
looky looky what hubby picked up for me at walmart


and what makes it so bad? i shop for myself too

yesterday was lots of crocheting on the circle coat for my daughter. hopefully i will get it done today in the car while waiting for them to get out of school. but i am soooo freakin tired today... i hope i don't fall asleep.

other news: my 'burban died yesterday in front of my daughter's school. don't know what is wrong with it. either the starter or altenator... ahhh, it's good to have a hubby that likes to tinker. he will be getting it fixed over the weekend. we also have my hubby's el camino that he drives and a 2001 dodge caravan... so i'll be pimpin' the mini-van for a few days or so.

pvc paradise

yippee (oh man! i can't get the smiley central to work in my posts-bummer)
anyhow, i am a happy happy girl :) that wonderful fantastic amazing (and shall i add gorgeous) husband of mine made me some prizes! woo hoo

what is that? you say? (ignore the ketchup splatter on the wall-ugh!)
why, it's a holder for my massive cone yarns!!

no more wildly twisted yarn - it unrolls as i crochet!! is he a genius or what!?!
and then, but what else could he possibly do to make me any happier? ---

it's a niddy noddy!! YAY YAY YAY ---- for you non-spinners, basiclly it's a thingy to wrap my freshly spun yarn around to make it into a skein.
oh, but this is no ordinary niddy noddy - do you see the bumpy thing? makes it oh so comfortable to hold - the best part of it all? it's completely waterproof. well, what in the world difference does that make? after the yarn is spun you have to give it a hot bath to "set the twist" (keep it from untwisting)- i can just toss the whole thing in!! woohoo woohoo woohoo.
niddy noddys are typically wood and cost around $15-20, hubby made this for just under $3 :) that's how the rich get richer, my friends... anyhow. okay, so i guess that is all for now since the day has just begun...
oh, spinning news - i know i was supposed to put it down for a bit to work on Christmas, but how could i resist making a new skein for my toy?
as far as crocheting goes... last night i did some of the dreaded 'end sewing' did a lot of sewing in yarn ends on multiple projects... joy joy
i also carded a few rolags of the cheviot while sitting in the backyard with the kiddos. it's easy to do while also "watch this, mom" "did you see me do that" "check out my new trick" "see how fast i can run".
enjoy your day, i'm off to take care of some laundry... the boys are playing awfully well this morning... my sanity saved - one more day