Getting Creative!

People who read my blog are getting very creative with their versions of "what PC means". By the way, PC thinks there are several "in the running" contest submissions. He thinks the contest was a pretty good idea too.

Now, some actual knitting content! (yeah, I know... it's been awhile,but now that Camera is not mad at me anymore..)

*warning: photo heavy post!*
1. For Sandy: I finally THRUMMED! Yup, worked it all out.. and these mittens are for me! All for me! I love the color (goes with not one of my coats!) and the thrums, well... I think I have gone a bit overboard on the thrums,but they look so nice. I actually used some help from Norma on these ( she posted a bit ago about how to make the thrums).

outside

inside

close-up of those oh-so-pretty "v" shapes! :)
2. Final Project... yup, made my mom a scarf (after ripping it out 900 times) and then she said (last week, FYI) "I want a parka for Christmas." What? What parka? She NEVER mentioned a parka before!!! My mom is the "anti-coat"... she's always cold, but she wears the same crappy coat year after year. She loves this coat. It's not the warmest. It's not waterproof. It's not wind resistant. So, what does she want in a parka? (for you Southern readers, a parka is a ski jacket...very warm, water and wind proof) Mom has "parka criteria":
a. must be warm
b. cannot be heavy or bulky
c. should have "options" like a 3-in-1 coat. (3-in-1 coats have an inside liner that can be taken out and used as a "fall" jacket and then the shell can be a "rain coat' and all zipped together, it's a parka...so 3 jackets in 1)
d. must have a hood, but it needs to come off.
e. waterproof
f. wind resistant
g. cute and stylish- "not old lady, there are younger people where I walk Rascal"

Oh my... she wants to fit in with the cool kids. :) So, I searched Bean's online catalog. No dice-- too pricey for me and well, I know they are usually v.warm, but a bit bulky. So, it's off to Bob's Store (sale on jackets!)... PC and I head over to the women's jackets... there are 2 options:
1. Baby Phat "cropped parka".... i have several issues with a jacket that is meant to be warm that doesn't cover your bum area, don't get me started on one that doesn't cover your belly button.
2. Columbia- a great brand... but, whoa... the sticker shock. I got my Columbia jacket for about 60% of what they were asking ON SALE. Yikes.... I found out from teenage member of the family "oh, Columbia is very IN". Crap on a stick... "in" means "price increase."

Off to a store that is pretty well known for discount coats (you know who you are) and we found a good jacket. Store is closing, price is right... size is good. Grab and run to checkout. Get it home: it's FILTHY. And the zipper is broken. I found a CHAPSTICK in the pocket. (which I promptly threw away b/c while I will use PC's chapstick, I will not TOUCH anyone else's). So, next day, back to the store. Company policy will not let them give me my money back. They want to give me a gift card. Do they actually expect me to purchase more items in a store that obviously put a previously worn, filthy, chapstick carrying, broken zipper jacket back on rack? Umm, no. Mini released her inner bitch and got some justice!

So, we are off to Sears, who is having a 50% off sale. :) Get mom even cuter jacket and then realize in the car... the scarf won't match. Off to the LYS: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in periwinkle and cream.....
I think it matches well... what do you think?


I had no idea what I was doing with the braid... i winged it! I love the double knit feel of the material....it's smooshey and warm!

please ignore the so-so embroidery... i decided after that the mittens needed "something" and I was too lazy (and too close to christmas!) to rip out and do fair isle or intarsia...and the duplicate stich looked even worse. Mom will love them, though.

So, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa... whatever you celebrate, enjoy the time with family and friends. I will try to blog if I can, but I will be on a much needed VACTION until the 3rd from work. :) So, I will pop in to check the contest submissions... keep them coming! I am yarn shopping on Wednesday! :) Until then, see you in 2006!

~Mini ( and PC by default)

And then....

Grumperina said "who reads your blog?"

Well, I thought to myself, "who DOES read my blog?". I know of the following BLOGGERS who read my blog:
Jan
Deb
Jane
Katy
Kira
Sandy

Other people? Well, PC of course... and now, (wait for it people).....

PC's SISTER!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, PC's parents do, in fact, have a daughter (older than PC, but not by much)!!!!

WELCOME TO MY BLOG, "M" !!!!!

(I don't wanna use your real name b/c well, it's my blog and it's not fair to you if you don't want your name all over the planet and/or internet)

"M" lives not just "far away" but "far far far away" and on an island. Can you imagine? PC and I are hoping to more than imagine someday. Someday we wanna check out this island. (oh, and the boyfriend...definitely want more info on the new guy--- everyone ELSE has met him, ahem. Just sayin')
M is a nice girl who I have met once ( I told you, she lives far far far away). She has a dog that is too cute for words and a handamde scarf/mitten set from me and a quilt that the dog appropriated.

So, welcome to my blog M, may you enjoy it.

Wait. Do I have to be more careful about what I write? Hmmm... my opinions won't change. My sarcastic tone won't change. PC said "don't talk about sex... my sister might read it!" Umm... do I ever talk about sex? Should I start? Might make for some interesting Google hits, though. Hey, M, do you want me to talk about sex?

I don't think M even knows what the "PC" in PC's name means.

This means one thing:
CONTEST!
(yes, I am shamefully self-promoting so that you will visit my blog)

For the prize: free yarn. Sock yarn--- good stuff too. I would get Socks That Rock, but Cara has it all. Just sayin'.

Rules:

I want to know the funniest thing that you think PC stands for. I am not going to tell you the real meaning (well, b/c it is actually the funniest), but PC and I will read the comments/emails and decide which we think knocks our socks off the most. Then, the funniest one gets yarn. FREE yarn.

Email or drop a comment
Contest ends January 1
Winner announced January 2
Yarn mailed January 3-ish

If you are PC's sister- you can enter and I will send you socks knit with the yarn. :)

Ok, so enter away... you can leave as many comments as you like!

Good Luck!
:) Mini

*squeak*

Edited to Add:
Ok, so when you read this post, remember that sometimes, Mini can be a cranky-pants and it's usually when I am sick. I hate being sick. Unfortunately, as of most of my life, I am always the one caring for the sick-one and providing the comfort. And right now, I want a cup of tea, a should rub and someone to make me chicken soup. PC is wonderful, but he's also crazy at work, and since the "incident" with the apartment (read down a few posts), we don't live together. Continue reading... just remember, in a few days I will be cute and funny and civil.

Also, before you go... i went to the Post Office today around 11:45a.m. and it was *gasp* EMPTY. Well, one person strolled in after me. But there were 3 people working the windows. I work in a SMALL town, and I live in a medium one. The PO at home has one person, on the phone, and a line out onto the sidewalk. The one at work? 3 people, pleasant, no phones and really really helpful. :) Also, they put up Squeaky McSqueakerson (a.k.a. me) trying to decide if packages are needed Fast or Really Fast. :) And they let me pick my stamps. I love when they let me pick my stamps....

Oh, and if you want... they have a "santa stamp" that the guy can pop onto your package... it says "Direct from Santa's Shop" or something like that. He covered the packages that are heading up to several anxious toddlers/infants in Maine. :) I think the 3 year old will think I am ultra-cool b/c it'll look like I KNOW Santa (affectionately called "ho ho" by everyone in my family)


Yup, yours truly has completely succumbed to the Christmas stress and has accomplished the following:
1. hacking cough
2. laryngitis
3. headache
4. backache
5. upset tummy
6. stuffled nose
7. weird feeling of being "here" but not "really here" (might be the low grade fever)

Christmas knitting is DONE. Presents (minus 1) are wrapped. Hell, 4 are even headed off to the Post Office today, along with the Christmas cards (yeah, I'm a little late this year). Fudge is made. Cookies will be done tonight. Last minute gift basket almost done. Extra cookies for brother's holiday festival on Friday- almost done.

PC's mom gave me an ornament that says "Katie" on it. It's a snowman-bell. I love it.

Poor PC. Can someone go give him a hug? I have been cranky and whiny and bitchy and stressed and the poorboy has just taken it. Yes, I know "it's his job" but he deserves a raise at this point. I love Christmas, but this year I feel completely taken advantage of by family members and more than a little stressed out. Last night, my father convinced me that it would be My fault if My mother's Christmas was ruined b/c I didnt' go out and finish HIS Christmas shopping for HER. Huh? And guess what? I was in line at the Petco last night, doing his shopping. My dad DOES work hard and as a self-employed trucker, it's a tough living. But, I work. Hard. And while my job is not physically strenous, it is a challenge. And I was sick. Did I mention that I am sick?

Someone get me some holiday spirit! Tomorrow night is last minute cookie wrapping, present assembling, and general craziness. Friday is the party at my brother's (which my mom informed me, no matter how sick I *think* I am, I am going).... funny, at the holidays, I am still not allowed to be actually sick. Saturday is "clean the house b/c the President, oh no... just my brother and SIL... , are coming over to swap presents". *sigh*

I'll do more tomorrow... Right now, it's Dayquil, cough drops, hot tea (God Bless my coworker and her inner-momminess) and a trip to the Post Office.
_Mini

Mini:

Christmas Elf Name My Christmas Elf Name is Get your Christmas Elf Name at JokesUnlimited.com

PC:

Christmas Elf Name My Christmas Elf Name is Get your Christmas Elf Name at JokesUnlimited.com

Christmas and the Crazies....

I can't say Merry Christmas anymore. I said it to someone this weekend and they looked at me like I was nuts. (PS- this person worked at the Enchanted Village... there is a Santa, there are Christmas trees with angels on the highest boughs) I am Catholic (in my own special way) and I say "Merry Christmas". I say it to my VERY not Catholic PC (atheist by design--- if you know in the "real" you would understand this a little better... PC's not wired for religion). I say it to his not Catholic, but non-practicing Christian relatives. I say it to my Jewish girlfriend who has a Catholic mom, a Christmas tree and a Hindu boyfriend, who also happens to be Southern, but we don't mention the Southern (we are New Englanders, after all). I say Merry Christmas to him too.
Let's get right down to it and talk about this morning and how my large cup of "yuletide blend" was ruined by someone who can't just "let it be".

When I say Merry Christmas to you, should I see you on the street, please feel free to respond (or not) with "Merry Christmas", "Season's Greetings" or, a popular favorite, " Happy Holidays". Do not give me a look of disdain and call me a "Catholic lemming." Oh, and when I smile and nod, and grab my "yuletide blend coffee" (which YOU also bought), don't follow me out to my car and start to discuss the afflictions "my church" (yup, little ole' Mini is the root of all Catholic evil) have brought upon the world.
I am really happy that the police officer (whom I graduated college and got CONFIRMED with) asked you to "step away from the lady and leave her alone".
I am really happy that it only took you 4 times to hear him.
I am really happy that you were parked in a HANDICAPPED space and you had no placard.
I am even more happy Officer Christmas noticed.
I am happy that the other 9 people coming out of the coffee place this morning greeted me, the police officer and each other with "Merry Christmas."

I know all about diversity. I know all about multicultural relations. But, while I wish people a Merry Christmas, I send my Jewish friends traditional treats/gifts for their celebrations. At one point, we had a menorah in my house and we had Hannukah. We're not Jewish,but my cousin was atttending a Hebrew Preschool ( only school to take her a year early) and well, the teacher told her Jesus was Jewish (trying to include her in the lesson and teaching a valuable lesson about the link between the two faiths, God Bless this teacher!). So, b/c it is "baby jesus's birthday", and he was Jewish, we were having a birthday cake and lighting a menorah.

I didn't have a good morning.

Sandy- I made one complete pairs of mittens... that makes 4 total... oh, I figured out the thrums! More on that later....

Happy Knitting and .....MERRY CHRISTMAS.
:) Mini

Santa dropped off a present early

And PC delivered it!

A little backstory:
I fall down. Alot. I don't mean "whoops, I tripped", I mean "OH MY GOD!" falling down. I fall down on the sidewalk, the steps, in the parking lot (ok, many parking lots), in my house, in the street, getting in the car, getting out of the car...
Ok, you get the point. But there is one time of year, where walking beside me can be a near death experience: winter. The packed down snow, the slippery ice... it's made for me falling down. PC is always very patient (well, mostly) and slows down to a turtle-like crawl with me clinging to him and whatever inanimate object (or animate object should we be walking with friends) with a death grip and yelling "not so fast"... as old ladies with walkers and high heels dart past us.

An embarrassing truth: my biggest fear is falling down.

A common quote from me: "mini falls down and breaks her head"

Also, a little comment: I have been knocked down by a deer, 5 feet from the building I work in.

Enter: the BEST Santa gift EVER:
YakTrax











PC got the at Herrington's.

I *heart* YakTrax. I tried them out last night. I wore them during the "icing event" (vocab courtesy of Channel 5) this morning. I DID NOT FALL. I FELT CONFIDENT.

I am wondering if these are like a placebo, but whatever... they WORK. Look out world! Mini will be leaving her house this winter! Now if they only made them for my tires.....


Happy KNitting Weekend!
~Mini

It's been 8 days????

Oh boy... I have been a bad blogger! Ok, well, here's the update. I need to put a few finishing touches on a few gifts (a liner in a bag...some fringe on a scarf), but other than that, I am done....more on that next week.

Oh, it appears we are NOT moving. The landlords signed our lease and took our money,but the current tenant changed her mind about purchasing a condo, even though she gave notice for jan 1. Any lawyers out there? Send me some advice if you have any....actually, anyone tell us what to do!

Here is a scarf and mittens for PC's mom. It's Noro Kureyon, using a modified "my so called scarf" pattern and basic mitten pattern:








Everyone was posting their favorite places to knit, so here's mine:

Yup, until it gets too cold, I love to sit out here with a cup of coffee and my knitting. It's peaceful, it's pretty...and now,it's snow-covered.

And now, for some photos of my SIL's cabled bag....



the last one is the most color-accurate. I am going to make a liner (very fast) and no zipper or anything, so it will be done soon. Everything else is already wrapped with my custom bands for knitted items... and they need to be wrapped in wrapping paper with bows, but here is the deterent:

"Hi, my name is Rascal. I like the Christmas tree but I don't like anything underneath it. And I don't like snowmen if they don't sing."
And can you tell who he loves the most?

This was the first time he "sat" when told to. He now sits down in front of you expecting a cookie. He sits to get his leash on, scratches at the back door to go out, heels on a leash (somewhat), fetches a toy rope thing (and drops is at your feet, turns around to go after it again....) and comes when you call him. Not bad for only having him 10 days. My mom (shown in the photo) is home with him all day, so there has been "puppy preschool"--- she is very good about giving commands and now he jumps in and out of her car, no problem. But, it was 8 deg F this morning, and he ran like crazy out, peed, and ran straight back into the house. Once off the leash, he usually heads back to the crate (another thing he's learned) to wait for breakfast (about 15 minutes later, he snuggles in with his towel), but today, a VERY cold dog ran into my mom's bedroom and up onto the bed and down under the covers to snuggle with the warm human (mom) who was NOT expecting a COLD DOG. :)

More knitting content next week... work has been outrageously busy these past weeks. Christmas is coming.... *sigh*



my view from my house

We all have a "crazy aunt"....

And this one is named Purl. :) Laurie tagged the world,so I am responding!

10 Random things you might not know about me:
1. I am short... like barely 5 feet short.
2. I think "in science", and often have "aha!" moments on my ride home, but can remember them until the next day. (no need to spoil a ride home by going back to work!)
3. I have been unemployed more than employed in the last 24 months.
4. I talk/sing to myself...all.the.time.
5. I *often* mix my words up when I speak- e.g. Put the toast on the butter. PC is a brilliant Mini-translator.
6. My car is a Kia Sportage and PC named it the "cupcake"
7. I traveled outside the US for the 1st time this past September
8. My blood pressure lowers and my muscles relax (you can observe this visually) when I cross the Massachusetts border into NH.
9. I come from a matriarchal family--- and have (with marriages, kids,etc) over 24 "cousins" that I see on a regular (3-4 times per year) basis. *note: in my family, we don't differentiate between 1st or 2nd cousin or if your cousin married someone, he's your cousin. :)
10. I am a very outgoing person, who is often crippled by shyness.

9 places I have visited:
1. Annecy, France
2.Geneva, Switzerland
3. Avignon, France (Most of the Provence and Rhone region of France)
4. Vancouver
5. Montreal, Quebec
6. Los Angeles, CA
7. New England and New York
8. most of Southern Alaska
9. Orlando, Florida

8 ways to win my heart:
1. kiss my nose
2. make me mac'n'cheese
3. "squish my head"
4. kiss my neck
5. tell me you love me, and mean it
6. tell me I am beautiful
7. share your thoughts with me
8. challenge my opinions

7 things I want to do before i die:
1. get married
2. have babies
3. have grandkids
4. understand my mom
5. own a cabin
6. climb mount washington
7. quit smoking

6 things I am afraid of:
1. my parents dying
2. Roe vs. Wade being turned over
3. crowds
4. falling down
5. spiders
6. big dogs

5 things I don't like:
1. when anyone calls me Kathy
2. people who refuse to give their children "limits"
3. men who think they know the best decisions for a woman's body
4. religious fanatics/zealots who don't respect my right to my beliefs
5. uncomfy shoes

4. ways to turn me off:
1. tell me how to do my job
2. stop listening when I am talking
3. agree with me just to agree with me
4. be a bad friend

3 things I do every day:
1. tell PC I love him
2. put on underwear
3. shower and wash my hair

2 things that make me happy:
1. PC's hugs
2. pajamas

1 thing on my mind RIGHT now:
1. how late is this guy going to be for our meeting?

Well, no knitting content... but more knitting news tomorrow!
Oh, the new Knitty is up... I think I have a few I NEED to make... more tomorrow
~mini

cold snowy, icy winter monday in New England....

Remember how I told you my mom was looking at a dog named Ruby? Well, Ruby proceeded to snap, growl and nip at my mom when they met on Sunday. Mom could not take her if she was going to act like this...

So, a very sad mom came home. And a very sympathetic Dad decided to take action!

A short trip to the NorthEast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA was organized. Look what we brought home!




His name is Rascal and he's 4 months old (approximately). He weighs in at a whopping 18 lbs and he's a Beagle/Daschund/Labrador mix. Yeah... we have NO idea how big he'll be. :) He's already a great companion to my mom... follows her around the house, sits and snuggles with her on the couch *(more about this later), and he doesn't bark or nip! One minor accident on the carpet last night, but that's ok... we are teaching him from the start. He's being crate trained, something new for my parents!

Knitting, well I finished my SIL's cabled purse and 1 1/2 mittens for my mom (got Jo Sharp Matchmaker Merino from Elann on Friday night). Now, I only have 4 projects and I am done. The 1/2 mitten came to work to be done today at lunch. The scarf will be done tonight and tomorrow night. PC's mom will have mittens by Friday and a scarf by Sunday. I need to rip back a few rows on the little cousin's poncho and the it will be done.

Moving:
My SIL, J, embodies the "it's better to give" philosophy. At dinner on Saturday night, she asked what we needed for the apartment. We replied "everything!" On Saturday morning, we headed off to IKEA, bought plates, bowls, glasses, a bathmat and cutlery. And that afternoon, we bought an oriental rug at Building 19 3/4 (do you have these outside of Boston?). So, she has a microwave, serving dishes, shower clips, cooking utentsils, scatter rugs, side tables, small appliances.... oh, and did I mention a COMPLETE LIVING ROOM SET?

yeah, so my brother and his wife purchased a living room set (couch and loveseat) from Jordan's about 8 months ago. My brother hates it. It's overstuffed and very "squishy" (btw, PC and I have sat on it... we LOVE it and were looking to buy something "similar" but more in "our price range")... but they want to upgrade to brown leather... casual but more structured. So, they went couch shopping yesterday so that we can have their couches. Wow. We informed them that we did not need anything for Christmas if we get their couches. They laughed. "what would we do with the couches? and we already bought your presents".... being the baby sister rocks!

Now, dear best friend called Saturday night, offered up a table and some other stuff and a weekend to come down and help me decorate. :) Offer is taken!

Happy Knitting Monday!
~mini

It's official! PC and I signed the lease, wrote the checks, and had a great chat with our landlords last night. Wow.

For those who don't know (and a lot of you don't)... PC and I don't live together. I live at home with my parents, who are wonderful and have told me time and again "you don't have to leave, you can always stay here". They have been so good to me! PC is living at home, but it's b/c of a past problem with a roommate situation: we were leaving for a vacation in Maine and the 2 other roommates he had announced "oh, we're moving out... find new roommates". Well, 2 weeks and about a zillion weirdos looking to find someplace for their snake, only wanting to live with vegans, yada yada yada... no roommates. So, he had to inform the landlords (great guys, both of them) that he tried his best and that he would have to move out.

So, while PC and I have been together 3 1/2 years, we have never lived together. Honestly, most of the women in my family (my mom's side is very matriarchal) stay at home until engagement or marriage. My parents are ok with this move, as we are not the norm... I mean, who waits 3 1/2 years to live together anymore? PC's parents are very ok with this situation also.

Christmas knitting will be put on warp speed and then knitting will stop until we are settled in the new place.... I will keep updating here.

Another interesting thing is happening in my house: I am being replaced! Yup, my mom and dad are going to meet a potential new "baby" to live with them on Sunday. Her name is Ruby, she's 2 years old (almost) and she's supposed to be real sweet. She's also a Basset Hound. :) Since my mom retired, I think she's been lonely at home all day. Personally, as much as her job was a huge stress on her and her health, I think the comraderie is something she misses greatly. So, if Ruby likes my mom and mom likes Ruby, she's coming home Sunday. Her owner passed away 2 weeks ago and the daughter of the owner is a single mom with 5 kids and no time for a dog. My mom, on the other hand, is a retiree with plenty of love, time and devotion to give to a *soon to be * VERY spoiled puppy.

Anyone have any advice on basset hounds?

Happy Knitting Weekend....
~MINI

PS- we are off to the new IKEA tomorrow! YAYAYAYAYYAY

Ok, cat... get out of the bag!

Yup, you my faithful blog readers; I am actually telling you before I tell my friends:

WE ARE SIGNING A LEASE TONIGHT.

Our first apartment. Together.

Oh, crap... I'm going to have to pack. :(

More packing less knitting? *cringe* No, I will be ok... I can knit for at least one hour each night... and I don't have that much left to do... mostly scarves and mitten things... I'll be fine!

More tomorrow about when we actually move (the girl in the apt. currently is in the midst of finalizing her 1st home purchase, and was letting the landlord know exactly which date she'll be out... I am hoping before Xmas)

Any of my Boston area readers have a kitchen table they want to get rid of?

:) Mini (and PC,by default)