What’s going on? (Note to self: Add Marvin Gaye to iTouch)

It seems that the only thing I provide here these days are summaries of my weekends. I think that’s because I’d much rather forget my weeks right now. Work, work and more work. Enough about that.

My weekend was off to a good start: dinner with a friend at a favorite local spot followed by a discussion-provoking play (“Doubt”). I felt old sitting among all of the theology students. However, I didn’t once offer them a tissue or offer sage advice such as “Bet you wish you’d worn a sweater. Theaters are always cold.”

On Saturday I was due to go to a local spinning/knitting get together, but my knitting buddy was nursing a sore back and a Friday night snow made for icy streets and we both decided to skip the event. I didn’t want her twisted and mangled on the sidewalk. She stayed inside where it was warm, I ventured out with Cynical for a little shopping. Our little community’s retail meets most of our needs, but sometimes we get a wild hair to venture over the river and through the woods to another town that offers a few more options. This time I was in need of jeans (not an easy prospect) and a visit to a fabric store.

Jeans are such a difficult purchase for me and rather than go through the agony of trying on pair after pair, I simply looked at the two pair in my closet I am willing to wear and bought duplicates of them. Jeans. Check.

In the midst of our meandering, we went to a furniture store and wound up buying a chair for our living room. Lack of seating had been weighing heavily on my Cynical. He does like for our guests to be comfortable and it seems we are all much too old to sit cross-legged in the floor for very long, so I am hopeful that we’ll both sleep a little better knowing we have one extra spot to park our arses. Problem is, we have no way of getting it to our house. We are once again relying on the kindesses of our loved ones. You’d think we’d learn our lesson after the tv incident of 2006, the matteress catastrope of 2007, the the porch furniture issue of 2008 (you get the picture. . . we need a truck.)

And so, jeans and sundries in tow, we headed back home and to the Mexican restaurant along our riverfront. I must tell you, I love Mexican food more than life itself. Apparently shopping had stirred a hunger I cannot describe as I devoured my weight in chips, margaritas and sour cream. Seriously. Good. Stuff.

We were at home soon thereafter and I knit myself to sleep watching “Runaway Jury” with a cat and my Cynical snoring beside me. (Have I ever told you Cynical reminds me of John Cusack? And how I love John Cusack.)

Sunday was off to a slow start, but we redeemed ourselves by leaving the house long enough to hang out at Panera. Seems there was a time when I hung out in the “quad” or assorted places, now I hang out at sandwich shops with free internet access and bagels. My how I’ve grown. We did not spend our evening watching the Super Bowl and I fear I’ll be stripped of my status as an American for admitting that. Instead we made Mexican haystacks (notice a theme. . . and do Mexicans grow hay?) and watched an SVU Man-A-Thon while I knitted on a cardigan and Cynical read. I cannot get enough Stabler. It’s not that I’m attracted to him, it just amazes that he’s been shot, blinded and run over, yet he still hasn’t retired. He must really love Olivia.

We’re due for more snow tonight, something between 2 and 15 inches (seriously, no one has a clue), so I am sure we’ll be watching the heavens and I’ll be setting my alarm a little earlier as to get up and clear off my car. (In my maturation I failed to ever realize the benefits of a garage we could actually use. Garage, smarage. . . we don’t need a stinking garage. Maybe I was wrong.)

A new hobby

Hello. I’m back. I apologize for my absence, but you see, I have taken on a new hobby: hermiting. I’m getting very good at it too. Hours of practice have helped me perfect the craft of hermiting. I would almost say that I am the best at hermiting than anyone in my family and on our street. It’s important if you take on something new, to take it on whole heartedly. I wish it were an Olympic sport, ’cause I’d bring home the gold.

You see, on Friday, after much anticipation and discussion, it snowed. In fact, we got nearly six inches that night of the fluffy, white beautiful stuff. And since I’d been itching to be snowed in, I just pretended we were (hence the hermit skills practicing). And I didn’t emerge from our house until Monday morning as I headed to work. Just so you know, I wasn’t a complete bum. I didn’t sleep the entire time and on Sunday I was dressed and bathed by 2 p.m.

I did, however, spend most of my two days watching the television series “Christy” on DVD. I’m kinda ashamed of that particularly because it blows all to “H E double hockey sticks” my tough girl image. But darnit, who doesn’t love a good missionary teacher in the Great Smoky Mountains saga. And when I completed the last episode late on Sunday, I found myself missing Christy, Alice, Neil and the others.

And it seems my other new year’s resolution is to not take photographs. I have none to share with you. I even have lots and lots of small finished objects and one sweater to talk about, but no photos to show for it, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Alas, I have knit two cowls, a pair of mittens with cute little owls on them, two hats, a small scarf, a neck wrap and a Valentine-themed dishcloth over the past week or so. I have been feeling a bit guilty about my ever-growing yarn stash and decided it was time to knit up some leftovers and some small quantity yarn. That meant perusing my queue and Ravelry for some quick projects. It’s been kinda fun taking on short-term projects and being so productive. Of course, when you are a hermit, you have all of that free time you used to spend waving at people, talking to friends and family or perhaps partying. And watching 26 hours of a television series does certainly give a girl ample sitting time for knitting.

Hoping to get some photos to share with you guys. I finally was measured and adjusted my dressmaking form accordingly. Of course this meant adjusting “outward” and since I couldn’t stand looking at my body twin afterward, I moved it from the living room to our guest room. Wow, if that wasn’t a motivator to eat more ice cream, nothing is.

Accomplishing something. . . even if it is small

When we approached this weekend I hadn’t a clue what I wanted to do with it. Did I want to take a day trip? Did I want to hold up in our house and further perfect my hermit habits? Should I return the umpteen phone calls on my list? Maybe I should write that letter.

And now that the weekend is over, I can’t really think of one major accomplishment or deed. I do, however, have lots of little things that added up to a great few days. On Friday we just ran errands and visited my folks. On Saturday I woke early with nothing on the agenda until I got an online invite by a friend to drive to a yarn shop about an hour away. Who am I to decline such an invitation? So, my fellow knitter and I headed out, nabbed us some yarn, tried out a few spinning wheels, grabbed some lunch and headed home. Cynical’s day had been much more productive than mine (He hauled away our recyclables. I love that man.)

Still not ready to wrap up our day, we ran a few more errands before I settled in to watch a few movies. (I have a confession, I love Hallmark movies. . . I do. I know it’s sappy and I know they are predictable, but I can’t resist a good one.) Today brought sunshine and warmer temperatures, but often threatening skies and eerie winds. Cynical spent the better part of the day running around town; I spent my time running up and down the stairs, both sets of them.

The upper floor of our home houses my studio/office and a guest room. Lately my yarn purchases had been sprawled along the floor instead of tucked away in the closet, as they awaited photographing and posting to Ravelry. I used the morning light and photographed each before stowing it. Quite a chore, but one that had been nagging at me.

Since I was home alone, I opted to clean our much-neglected house a bit, which meant running down into the basement several times do do laundry.

Does all of that running count as exercising? I think so.

The rest of my afternoon was spent posting photos to Ravelry and wrapping up chores. I must admit, it’s not been a day to brag about, but sometimes doing the smallest things is rewarding. I’ll take what I can get.

Some Handmaiden Casbah I ordered from The Loopy Ewe recently. The spring colors were just too tempting as it’s been so gray and dull around here.

Blogging? Really, I used to do that?

Whenever I venture over to social media sites or have a lengthy e-mail conversation or chat with a friend, I often kinda feel like I am cheating on my blog.

What I wanna do is call up my blog and say, “It doesn’t mean anything, that Facebook thing. . . it’s just a passing fancy.” But I know she’ll know better and I know I am not a good liar. I wouldn’t leave it at that; I’d start embellishing or make up some pathetic lie like, “Something was wrong with my blasted browser, I literally could not access wordpress.com.”  And then I’d be more shamed because I lied and I lied poorly.

So, here I am, blogging a bit, not out of guilt, but honestly because I miss the whole writing thing. Status updates and comments on photos just aren’t enough.

Sometimes a girl needs to use a lotta words to express how boring her life is, how plain her wardrobe has become or what little she has really accomplished in life. Seriously. . . my status update today was “has an issue with chicken.” I do, you know, have an issue with chicken, that is. I honestly kinda find it disgusting, especially in the sandwich form. But that tid bit is neither interesting or entertaining.

Not much is going on here. We’ve hit the winter doldrums where I work diligently at being a hermit, nearly reaching success, when the sun starts to shine an I am guilted out of the house for this, that or the other. I’ve quit going to bed at 8 p.m. because people do still actually call your house after 8 and it’s embarrassing to answer in your “sleepy” voice. It’s bad enough that I have to sport this most recent poor choice in haircuts, I don’t want everyone thinking all I do is sleep.

I’m still spending Christmas gift cards/certificates on stuff I really don’t need, so I am sure the givers would be so proud. Yesterday I went to Target and got a nail fungus treatment kit, night-time Chapstick treatment and new underwear. So, by spring I should have pretty nails, smooth lips and no panty lines. (I am not even sure I have nail fungus, but one is looking iffy and I can’t risk it.) My mom would be so proud at how I spent that gift card.

Cynical has taken to cooking. I think he finally realized that I had no intention of preparing meals, baking items or decorating a cake, so despite how many gadgets we get. So, he made a cheesecake from scratch, making me fall in love with him all over again. I am sure it’ll fade whenever we eat the last slice. And then there are those meatballs he concocted. I’m not sure what all is in those babies, but I think they are here to stay. Mmmmmm.

So, now that I have bored you with what is really going on in my life. I might head on over to Facebook and make up something that makes me seem fascinating, evolved and interesting to all of those people who knew me in high school and found me boring. For those of you present on both platforms, don’t out me.

Wintering

I wrote earlier about the winter weather causing me to become quite a nester and hermit. I didn’t confess that I kinda like the idea of cold weather. I am enamored with the idea of staying inside, staying warm and staying relaxed.

Being inside, tucked away where it’s warm and safe, has always been something I’ve enjoyed. It’s a good excuse to read a book, finish up a knitting project, get caught up in an 8-hour Law & Order: Special Victims Unit marathon or maybe watch “Road to Perdition” one more time. It’s a great time to sort through a basket of receipts and odd pieces of paper. It’s a chance to wind some yarn, plan a few projects and maybe even see the bottom of a laundry basket.

Last weekend was cold, very cold. Cold enough to wonder if your car would start or if you’d ever get truly warm again. I ventured out on Saturday for a hair appointment (yes, I braved the cold for my hair. . . I am such a girl) and ran a few errands as I sloshed around my rubber boots and down coat. When I got home I wanted nothing more than to don warm socks, fleece pajamas and cover up with a quilt and a cat.

Cynical, however, had other plans. He had smoothies on his mind. I’d already gathered one of the ingredients (Flax Seed Oil), but he needed more for his concoctions, so we left the house once again. I really can’t complain, he had also baked muffins.

With armloads of stuff, we made it back home and I finally got to curl up and get warm. I think I even dozed a bit during the aforementioned marathon.

After I finally managed to wake-up (I don’t nap well), we made our way to our neighbors for dinner and dog wrestling.  (Seriously, I wrestled two labradors for an entire evening; one even snagged my earring before spitting it out on the couch.) Our neighbor is gracious and wonderful, his dogs so very sweet and loving, but I must confess I was relieved when they needed to go outside for a bit. We had great conversation, learned all about his recent trip to Ireland and enjoyed good wine and food.

Sunday was quite a different story. Cold again. . . but this time I had no intention of venturing out. And we didn’t. My day was filled with chores, knitting, laundry and hanging out under a warm blanket. It was bliss. . . wonderful, relaxing and just what I needed. Fed into my newfound love of hermit-ism and winter. We made smoothies, assembled vegetable soup and piddled away our day in warm clothes and thick socks. Heaven.

We have a three-day weekend ahead and I must confess, I am kinda disappointed that the temperatures aren’t going to dip again or that we aren’t going to get snowed in. I still have several seasons of Gilmore Girls and The Waltons to watch.

So. . . have you written a letter yet?

Winter nesting

For the past week we’ve been listening to reports forcasting a winter storm for our area. For some of you in more snow prone places, that isn’t much to report; but for our area, where we only get a few light snows, it’s a much anticipated thing. Couple that with these frigid temperatures (expected to be around 3 degrees this weekend) and you can understand why everyone here has begun to move a little slower, venture out a little less and talk about nothing except the weather.

We’ve taken to warming our cars in the morning, adding blankets to our beds and digging out our thickest sweaters. Those of us not known to wear hats are donning them. And others of us are hunting down those snow shovels we tucked in the garage.

In the midst of all of this, I have simply gone to bed. Literally. Each night after dinner or something resembling a meal, I simply put on my warmest pajamas and turn in for the night. I can’t just write it off to laziness, although I am sure that’s a factor; I attribute it to the dipping temperatures, my achy joints, our drafty house, the fact it’s so very dark outside and that those covers are so darned warm and cozy. Laundry needs to be done, dust is building up, projects are undone and Cynical is left to fend for himself.

I’ve also taken to drinking. Yes, in the middle of the day even. Hot tea, that is. I have busted into my stash at work and I find myself in front of the microwave, tea bag in hand, waiting for my mug of water to heat.

In addition, I find myself mentally nesting. I ponder my warmest clothes, plan for the most woolen of knitting projects and dream of what it would be like to be snowed in for a few days, nothing but me, my Cynical, “My Life in France” by Julia Child, warm muffins and thick socks.

I know there is something else I should be doing: writing the great American novel, learning to do a “wrap and turn”, cleaning out our basement or balancing my checkbook. . . or maybe making a respectable dinner, but instead, I just wanna go to bed until Spring.

PS: January is National Letter Writing Month. . . if I ever get out of bed, I plan to write several this month. Will you join me?

Tempus fugit

I have yet another confession. I hadn’t a clue what the title of this entry meant initially when my uncle wrote it in the Christmas card they sent here. I looked it up and thought that the Latin phrase for “time flees” might be an appropriate start to an entry I am writing on New Years Eve.

As you know, Cynical and I typically spend December 31 at home dining on fine foods including Lil Smokies, cheese balls covered with nuts and a veggie tray thrown in to keep the whole food pyramid balanced.  Most of the time there is a little wine, but I often find myself with the only at Chez Ragged partaking, so I was hesitant to tell you for fear that you’d think me a lush.

I haven’t been present for a bit and it isn’t because I got caught up in the “Gilmore Girls” marathon that I had planned for my time off. We’re deep into the second week of my vacation and I find myself wondering where the 13 days have gone and if I really have to go back to work.

As you know, last week was consumed by Christmas preparations, get togethers with friends far and wide, gift exchanges, and family time. On Sunday we celebrated our neice M’s fifth birthday with a bowling party. . . it was loud, it was fun, it was full of giggles and I think for my 41st birthday I want a party just like it. Afterward we hit the road and made our way to Knoxville for the night en route to our final destination: Asheville. 

And on Monday. . . we met my new little niece. So very, very sweet. So very, very wonderful. I smelled her little head, rubbed her little feet and watched her little arms stretch and curl. Both of my brothers live there, so it was an awesome opportunity to share a belated Christmas with them and their families. My middle brother prepared a wonderful dinner comprised primarily of items from his winter garden and we all sat around the table in celebration of our newest member, in honor of family and in commemoration of Christmas. I get teary-eyed and swelled up just thinking about it.

The next day we were baby hogs yet again. . . grabbing onto that baby for dear life and memorizing her every feature. We met up with my youngest brother, his wife and their two children for lunch at a noodle place where we visited a bit more, dined on more food than I typically eat in a week and admired those beautiful red-headed kids.

The afternoon was all ours and we ventured downtown a bit, perused a few yarn shops and made our way for a little break at the hotel before joining those adorable red headed kids for dinner. I had gotten my niece S a potholder loom for Christmas, so we crafted a bit, played a while and then made our way to the second version of dinner at my other brother’s home. There we visited with my sister-in-law’s folks (we applied to be adopted by them while there. . . we love them that much) and dined on a little more food. That’s what families and holidays are all about, right? Food?

As I left I found myself sad that we didn’t live close enough for Sunday dinners, lazy Saturday walks or impromptu get-togethers. I missed them even before we put the car in gear.

Yesterday we slept later than we planned and got off to a much later start than we wanted. However, we still managed to squeeze in lunch, plenty of bathroom stops and a visit to a favorite used book store.

We’re home now, getting in after dark on Wednesday. . . Today was full of errands, shopping for tonight’s cuisine and a failed attempt to remove Christmas from our house. The tree still stands, ornaments and all. I suspect we’ll begin disassembling it tomorrow. Who knows, maybe Saturday. Afterall. . . tempus fugit.

Photos: What little bit of the remaining snow we got to see and my brother’s feast.

Vacation: Catching Up

I haven’t been present here much on my blog, have I? I’d like to pretend it’s because I’ve been off living an exciting and fascinating life, but I fear I haven’t written honestly because things are pretty tame and pretty ordinary. I’m not complaining, I tend to enjoy the non-drama zone we’ve built here. And we have been up to a few things, I just haven’t taken the time to share them with you.

The biggest news is our parts is the birth of a new baby. My brother and sister-in-law welcomed a little one on December 15. I have yet to meet her, but am in love with that sweet face already. Everyone’s doing well, but some complications have meant the sweet pea is still in the hospital. Praying that she’ll go home tomorrow. Planning to venture there soon after Christmas to snuggle her and tour Asheville a bit.

Of course it is the holiday season and of course there have been lots of festivities and flurry around the very fact that it’s December. From selecting our tree with the assistance of our favorite helper (Cynical’s niece) to attending a Christmas cantata in which his father sang, we’ve been busy. In between we have shopped, decorated, exchanged gifts, visited the post office, eaten lots of goodies, gone out with friends and done a little creating as well.

I’m off for the next two weeks and I guess my vacation officially begins today. I must confess that I have worked diligently to keep the days open and free form. A schedule tends to make me antsy and I wanted none of that. Our weekend was good, but our weekend was busy. Saturday was full of household chores and errand running, and meeting up with a friend for dinner. Yesterday we visited a church and made our way to the cantata I mentioned earlier.

Today, however, is at a different pace, a little slower as I sit here, my hair still wet from the shower, planning to venture out for lunch later with another friend. I do have a few errands on my agenda as well, an effort to knock them out early and keep myself at home for most of the remainder of the week.

I’m at that point where I keep thinking of holiday-esque things I’d wish I’d done, I wish we were doing. . . and it feels like we’re running out of time. Alas, I think we need to take what we have and run with it, count our blessings and realize we aren’t missing out on anything. . . not one bit.

I’m off now to nab something to eat. My day is moving slowly, just as I like it.

Photos:

A shot of our mantle which includes fresh, wonderfully smelling pine.

A tree on a nearby street. . . all lit for the holidays.

December? Really?

It’s hard to believe that day is mid-December. It’s hard to comprehend that we’re nearing Christmas and about to ring in a new year.

And I must confess, I am lacking in holiday cheer. I am deficient on good humor or Christmas spirit. I am blaming it on the weather. I am contributing it to the foul mood of those around me. But, in reality, I think I am just struggling with the whole Christmas thing. . . you know, all of the obligations, lists and such. It’s a little overwhelming.

My list is short. My shopping is done. My house is decorated. I’ve even watched a few Christmas movies, seen a live Nativity and listened to “Handel’s Messiah”.

Here’s hoping the sense of holiday comes soon, that I am able to revel in the joy, peace and love of the season.

Are you struggling as well or are you walking around humming carols?

Photo above:  Taken as we attended a nearby church’s live Nativity. Too bad my shot of the sheep and the camel weren’t very good. It was truly a sweet experience.

Warning: knitting content

Lately I haven’t had much time to knit. That’s not a bad thing as I managed to wrap up *most* of my holiday gift knitting. I also have most of my holiday crafting complete. Don’t pat this blogger on the back just yet. None of it is wrapped and I just now managed to snap some finished shots of the knitted stuff before I stuff it in a box.  Here are the projects and the particulars:

Mitt Envy (Shown Above) (Ravelry Link)

Yarn:  Shibuiknits Sock in Color 323 (Less than1 skein)

Needle: #1 Addis

Completed: November 22, 2009

Notes: I made myself a set of these out of Koigu some time back and they are the most worn item I have ever knitted. I had some Shibuiknits Sock in my stash from a visit to the Loopy Ewe some time ago. The thing about Shibuiknits Sock: pools like none other. So, instead of socks, I made mitts, and the pooling seems less noticeable. The pattern is easy, it fits well and it’s a quick, quick knit. These are to be gifted, but I am tempted to make another pair for myself out of the other skein.

 

Wandering the Moor by Celestial (Ravelry Link)

Yarn:  Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool in Olive Green Color 53 (Less than 3 skeins)

Needle: #8 Addis

Completed: November 18, 2009

Modifications/Notes: Such a wonderful knit. I substituted the yarn because I was drawn to the color and tweed appearance, but I really want to make it again out of  Ultra Alpaca Light. It doesn’t show here, but I blocked my heart out on this to make a nice unrolled edge. Looks like I need to do a bit of steaming. Such a gratifying knit. Well written pattern. Lovely lace edging. Celestial really did a nice job with this one. Knit it for yourself, knit it as a gift. It goes quickly and is incredibly beautiful to watch unfold.

 

Gretel by Ysolda Teague (Ravelry Link)

Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Color 6206 (Less than1 skein)

Needle: #8 Addis

Completed: November 29, 2009

Modifications/Notes: Didn’t use a smaller needle for the ribbing and I wish I had. Ended up growing quite a bit in blocking, but I sewed elastic thread around the band which solved the problem wonderfully. Love, love, love the yarn. This was an easy, but wonderful, pattern to knit. The cables were just interesting enough to keep you going, but not so complicated that you couldn’t easily determine your place in the knitting. I’m thrilled with the outcome.

 

Cynical’s Hat

Pattern: Ann Budd’s Hat Pattern

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in Medium Gray (Less than1 skein)

Needle: #7 Addis

Completed: November 8, 2009

Modifications/Notes:  Cynical wanted a simple hat and that’s just what I made him. I used Cascade 220, my work horse yarn. Shhhh, let’s hope he doesn’t see this.

In addition to what you see here I have made (and am making) cotton chenille face cloths which I am coupling with some adorably wrapped and wonderfully scented soaps I bought at a store featuring handmade items (The Makery in Louisville). And this year saw the return of the photo cards. I had made them a few years back and got a request for a new set, so I decided to whip up a few more as gifts as well. (It’s a simple project. Print out your favorite photographs. Buy premade scored card stock paper, glue on said photographs, initial and label on the back and there you have it: home made photo cards.)