Since I am biochemist...

...this doesn't suprise me at all.

You Are Dr. Bunsen Honeydew

You take the title "mad scientist" to the extreme -with very scary things coming out of your lab. And you've invented some pretty cool things, from a banana sharpener to a robot politician. But while you're busy turning gold into cottage cheese, you need to watch out for poor little Beaker! "Oh, that's very naughty, Beaker! Now you eat these paper clips this minute."

The Muppet Personality Test

What does surprise me? Hanging out for 2 hours with V. cool knitting ladies and having a fab time! Why am I always surprised when I enjoy the company of knitters? I knit. They knit. We have a LOT in common. There were so many too mention meeting (and I probably forgot like 10 of you!) Drop me a line if I met you and forgot you! ( I do this...am absolutely HORRIBLE with names!)

Grumperina (hey girl! the sweater looked fab!)

Colleen (again.. you were across the room, I never made it to your side!)

Amber

Adrian

CeCe

Cara (and her 2001 million Jaywalkers)

Bookish Wendy

Thea

My socks are off to their "home".... more later....

By the way, the move is going ok... I'll blog more when i have a chance!

~mini

These are my Crusoe socks. They are not destined to live on my feet. They are for my aunt. My aunt is my mom's sister and I love her dearly, but these are b/c of all the nice emails/phone calls since Dad's been sick and last winter when Mom was sick.... it put a lot of strain on me and Auntie made it a little easier. :)

Update on Dad:

He's eating! Yup, he's got his appetite back and he's doing ok. He's still down about 40 lbs but the doctors are feeling optimistic. He has a ton of doc appts. today. Overall, he's keeping his spirits up and he's trying to "help" us move. He has decided that next week, after work each night, he'll drive over to the new apt with the pick-up truck full of our boxes. Now, of course, we have to load these boxes the night before and unload them when they get to the new place, but Dad will feel like he's helping.

New Apartment Update:
We pick up the keys tonight! Wish us luck! :)

More later...I'm exhausted!

~mini

If I were an egg...

I'd be fried.

Packing.Shopping.Packing.Shopping.

I'm tired. Tonight we are entering the scary world of the storage facility. The one that got infested by mice b/c someone on our "level" didn't think the "no food in storage" rule was a good one. So, we have to toss out a full size mattress (mice love to burrow and nest...i'm not taking ANY chances) and a recliner (for the same reason). PC needs to go through a ton of stuff to make his part of the move more "manageable." Huh... never thought of that. I'm just packing stuff.

Now, you should know that between PC and I ... I'm the over-oragnized, type A, stressed b/c we are 4 minutes off schedule person. :) I plan and re-plan vacations/trips/shopping/moving. PC lugs stuff and lets me be neurotic (reason #45606 to love him!).

So, I started packing this weekend. It started off well-enough. Books. Yikes, I have a lot of books. So, need to call the local library and see if they will take donations of books. :)

Clothes. 4 boxes packed. 5 1/2 bags donated (BIG HEFTY TRASH BAGS)... by the way, when I was younger, St.Vincent dePaul boxes were everywhere! Now, I had to drive 3 towns to donate clothes! oh.... and one small suitcase to carry the clothes I am living in for the next week and 1/2.

The yarn. We dont' want to talk about it. PC is going to KILL me when he sees all this stuff. The 'sewing room' has more boxes going to it than anywhere else. *sigh* It could be worse, I could be addicted to heroine and not yarn. :)

So, we bought a mattress this weekend. It's being delivered Mar 2. DELIVERED... up to the 2nd floor by men with strong muscles who will put the bed wherever I want it. I am looking forward to this. :)

Knitting: I have one Crusoe sock done, am on the heel of the 2nd. The other socks will probably not make it to the Olympics. :( I'm ok with it. My Bloomin' Feet socks are still stuck at cufflettes. They are going to be done in time,,, I promise!

I'll have pictures tomorrow. I think.
:) Mini

*yawn* G'Morning...I think

Normally, I am a morning person. Yup, I am the one up by 8 on Saturday and ready to face the day by 8:30 (post-shower and coffee ritual). But, this week...sleepy all the time. It's weird. I think I am hitting my "stress-from-work-stress-from-home-stress-about-moving-stress-about-knitting" crash point.

Stress about knitting? Can this be possible? Yup, consider me injured folks. I cannot put myself through the Olympics of knitting. PC's sweater has been patiently waiting in the wings and I just want to finish up those sleeves and put in a neck line. I want to finish the two pairs of socks I have 1/2 of a sock for, each.

I need to pack. Alot. I need to push through piles of crap and organize and find my cookbooks and get stuff together.

I need to shop for apartment-y things like plungers and drying racks.

I also need to enjoy my last two weeks of living with the 'rents. I do. My family is such an important part of my life and I need to be ok with moving out on good terms. Being bitchy and snarly and feeling overwhelmed is NOT good terms. I snapped at the dog this morning.THE.DOG. *sigh* I need a nap.

I would like, instead of walking out "injured", merely move my event...to socks.

"I, Minestrone Soup, vow to finish the purple hand-dyed 2x2 rib socks for my mom, and the Crazy Crusoe socks for me by 2/26. I will sprint to the Closing Ceremonies!"

There you have it.
:) Mini

Photo heavy---warning for dial-up users

So much to tell everyone!

1st... the Olympics: I may have to pull a Michelle Kwan. :( With trying to get PC's sweater and pack and clean and just ...STUFF... I may be in over my head. We'll see...I have 11 days. Here are some of the partcipants that were at Doyle's:



2nd... I started a sock yesterday b/c I needed something small,portable and "easy" to do with my hands. The sweaters have reached "un-carryable" status and I am not willing to lug my knitting bags around lately.


It's the Crusuoe sock from Knitty.com...Overall, I like the pattern. It's a little snug little sock and I found an error in the pattern. I really like the heel flap but the turning directions are a little strange. I went with my normal heel turn and it's looking ok. This yarn is a little stiff and I am hoping it will loosen up with some washing. It's called "CRAZY", I got it at the LYS and I think I might get more! It's fast (sportweight) and working up wonderfully on the US1. Again,I am magic looping.

I had an "aha!" moment the other day when I realized that my Bloomin' Feet aren't "due" until 3/31... Gives me more time to work on the footlets. :)

3rd... Valentine's Day was great! PC and I went out to eat in our "new neighborhood"! We hit a pub that we had been to before (they have two locations) and then we walked around to see what else was there. :) I gave PC his present: Tom Robbins book and some candy. He is an avid reader (reason #3 I love him...#2 is that he camps and knows why it feels good to not have a tv camping, and #1 is the way he hugs me) and I always know: can't go wrong with books.


I collect Starbucks bearista bears. PC started giving them to me right after we started dating and we were sitting in a Starbucks, awaiting some scary doctor test results. (everything came out ok...) It was a bear dressed up for Halloween with glow-in-the-dark nails and "eeek!" on his chest. Very cute. These guys are my Valentine Bears that PC gave me last night. They make me happy. I tell everyone "some girls get flowers and chocolate, I get bears"... I guess I might have to stop telling people that! B/c THESE arrived on Monday:


And a close up:


Tomorrow I have visitors here at work for a training (the first one I am running ON MY OWN) and it's nerve-wracking. And tonight is packing.

:) Mini

NOTE TO MEL:

I was joking!

People, I made PC's sister ill with my last blog post. She's now threatening to purchase us some really lovely twin beds for the new place.
Umm..did I mention the fiber room? Yarn room? Oh, yeah.. the new place has a 2nd wee bedroom that will be used for fabric, yarn...oh...and the computer. :)

UPDATED:
PC is the BESTEST man on the planet! A few minutes ago, the doorbell rang at my office (we never get visitors--- this is a lab!)...it was for me.....

A very nice vase of ORCHIDS (photo tomorrow..no camera on me today) from PC.
Here's the card (PC, I hope you don't mind...this card just made me soo happy):

Anyone Can Get Roses on Valentine's Day. Only the Truly Loved Get Orchids the Day Before.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Love, "PC" (signed his real name)

I am smiling all day today! They are gorgeous and sit beautifully on my desk! :)

:) Mini

Sex with PC is the best!

Hah! That one was for Stitchy... I believe I made good on my dare!

So, I went to the opening ceremonies for Team Boston and met some uber-wonderful knitters--- all just 100% better than their blogs. Who did I meet?

• Adrian of Hello Yarn! Oh, I drool over her yarns...and she's fabu in "real life"
• Stitchy of Stitchy McYarnpants...our SOs have more in common than anyone would think!
• Monica from Two Left Needles....oh my.. you think she's all quiet and then BAM! She hits you with a joke or comment that makes you fall over!~
• Jackie- of the JKC project... It's always fun when you instantly know if someone is a "Boston suburb local"
• Maryse... way too funny! She was keeping me in stitches...
• Amber of GeekPixie--- a whole lot of fun! I kinda felt bad... she never did get a Tuna Melt...but she did get the two next-best-things: ice cream and beer (now, that's a girl I can hang with!)
• Wendy -- who doesn't look so Bookish, but was really great at working the room! I think she managed to say hello, sit down, knit and have a complete conversation with everyone in the room
• I saw Colleen there, but didn't get to say hello... and there were so many others ( I know I am forgetting like at least 10!)

I have some photos to post, but not tonight...I'm sleepy. :)

I WON SOMETHING:

over at Chappy's Mom, she was having a contest: the purpose was to give her a vote for a button for her new sweater and give her a really good reason to use that button--- my vote was a little risque but (wait for it people...i've never won anything!)

I WON!

I got some cool Opal sock yarn (LOLLIPOP) that I have never used before...I'm thinking: JAYWALKERs! I will post a pic soon...camera is acting weird.

UPDATE ON DAD:

he started chemo and radiation on Thursday- today is the 1st day he's been "sick"... generally looks like flu-like symptoms, which they said could happen. He's in good spirits and the chemo (24 hours a day for 4 days) stops on Monday--- then radiation until week 5-- then back on this 24 hours/4 days chemo again. It's a little weird, but hey- the less chemo the better, right? It's "prophylactic chemo" b/c it hasn't spread beyond the tumor itself.

UPDATE ON MINI and PC:

we signed another lease today... funny, once one landlord shafts you (after a 2 hour lecture on the legality of a lease, THEY break it!)--- the actual lease doesn't feel binding at all. If all goes according to plan (well, once we move in, I'll feel like it's "really " happening)-- we'll be Newton-ites (is this a word?) in March 1. Secret Pal- keep sending the packages to my parent's house... we don't want any more mix ups. :)

Sleepily...

Mini

Nah Nah Nah Nah!

MY SECRET PAL IS THE BEST!!!!
Check out the package that was waiting for me at home tonight! This is the combination of two packages (the 1st one was lost, then returned...and now here!)
Shall we check out the haul?

This is all of it packed onto my regular sized stove... yes, there is THAT much!

1. the tea--- oh so yummy--- there is a cup of it in my hands now! And Burt's Bees (my fave!) hand cream...perfect for my knitting bag! A calender for knitting patterns, two tape measures, body wash in "cotton" scent and body splash in the same!

A GREAT bumper sticker/magnet for my car! And the newest copy of KnitSimple from Vogue! (Already found two patterns that I NEED to make!)

YARN! 1 skein of Cascade "heathers" in lovely purple... Berroco "Gem" in some cool purple/ blue/pink colorway and some "fluffy" FIZZ in the same colors! Also, some size US15 needles (wooden... with their own little baggie to hold them!) to make a scarf!

She sent along "chocolate peaches" (already tasted, err..I mean tested!) and some Valentine's candy! Also, some knitting accoutrements that I love! A "snag grabber" and some new stitch markers! Oh, and there is a great candle in a cute little votive holder!

Did I miss anything? I hope not! There was so much in the package that it took me about 20 minutes to open it all! YAY!

Secret Pal- you hit all the nails on the head! I can't wait to make a scarf and a hat! Oh... and everything was JUST PERFECT! Everyone said "fabulous" to my secret pal! (who has also been a really great "supporter" during my dad's illness..

Actually, you all have been so great! He started chemo today and I expect him home any minute... Rascal is curled up licking one of dad's socks... he misses him alot!

:) Mini

Defining Frustration

This has been on my brain the past few days, so bear with me. We have a new Admin Asst here at the office, very nice woman. I knit during lunch. My co-worker(Frenchie) likes to "pet" my yarn while I knit... I don't mind--- everyone is very much used to this arrangement.

So, the other day, I was knitting on my Bloomin' Feet socks (yes, they are so boring- they don't warrant a photo) at lunch. Our new office addition(the admin), starts to comment that she is surprised I knit. As I am only 28, I hear this alot. BUT, this began a conversation about that I SHOULD NOT knit.

Ummm.. WHY?

Well, she theorized (oh, by the way- she's never wrong, she told me today) that I am a scientist, therefore the following is true:
1. I am not creative
2. I am unable to think "outside the box"
3. and that i would only be able to knit from patterns b/c I am protocol-oriented.
4. as a scientista (PC's word), I am unable to handle any sort of failure/problem/frustration.

I spent 4 hours this morning asking an inanimate object (FPLC) to "behave" and praying for droplets to emerge from it. This was my 11th time doing this ritutal EXACTLY.

FRUSTRATION is why I get paid so well.

I have adapted the protocol for the 11th time and have practically fallen on my head thinking outside the box on this one--- I MAKE protocols for a living--- I work in the customization aspect of science... most of this has never been done before!

Not creative...well, I was creative enough to think of better ways to spend 8 years instead of Assault and Battery for smacking her. :)

Today, she brought me a mini-cross stitch pattern (with YARN instead of thread... it's for children!) with a daisy on it. She said it was "more my speed". My coworker backed away and said "if only you could see her blog!"

*sigh*
I have to understand that this woman is:

1. a different generation
2. new to the job-- she doesn't know what we do around here
3. a different culture (shocked that PC and I aren't married)
4. probably more of a problem than a solution for the next few months.

Thanks for the vent!

:) MINi

PS_ look for Olympic updates over the weekend! See all you Team Boston-ians at Doyles!

I'm back!

Oh, what a long week it was last week! Everyday it was:

• Rush to work to do work before the meeting
• Eat poorly catered lunch- make small talk with colleagues
• Endure hours of meetings
• Stay late to finish work that needs to be done (b/c you are based in the "home" office)
• Have to attend L-O-N-G work dinners (my colleagues are French--- dinner takes several HOURS)
• Repeat.

So, very little knitting! I do have some updates... I am past the cuffs on PC's sleeves... I am doing both at once in order to improve my chances of having them the same length. :)

Here is my update of the Bloomin' Feet... yup, cuff-lettes (not even real cuffs!)...they are moving along. My goal is to get two pairs of "socklets" done for my pal. B/c Hey! 2 pair are better than one! I hope she likes socklets... she lives in an area that will be ok for socklets year-round!

Olympics? Yup, I joined the Olympics... I have my swatch, my yarn, my maths DONE. I know there are several people (thanks Maryse!) that know French and are ready to help me...andI am going to abuse those offers! Also, I realized something:

This is a set-in sleeeve sweater with an unusual ribbing in front. That's it. It's also in a teeny size. So, I added some "non-ribbing" (a.k.a. stockinette) to the sides to get a bigger size. Also, needed to re-adjust for gauge: I got 3.5 spi/5rpi-- the sweater (with the microscope...I am SUCH A GEEK) has 2 spi and 3rpi. So, I am knitting on a 10.5 US Bryspun circular with

ROWAN CORK. :0

My first Rowan project... I love the cork. And the color! Oh, this "bug's for me!" ( I know, bad joke... i have an excuse- I can't tell a joke--- it's true, leave a comment here for PC and he'll tell you!) I am looking forward to starting the knitting!


I am off to Doyle's on Friday night to knit with the "team boston". But I have a secret: I have Friday off. Yup, 2p.m. I will be knitting b/c Torino is 6 hours ahead. :) So, I will start knitting at 2- knit for a few hours, meet up with everyone at Doyle's and then it's nothing-but-knit until 2/26.

I am hoping that this is true:

BIG NEEDLES + CHUNKY YARN = FAST KNIT

(b/c we are apartment hunting and I have to run a corporate training next week)

Well, I am off to get some work done!

Happy Knitting!

:) MINI

BONUS PHOTOS:

1. the quilt I made for the baby shower

2. the quilt with the baby sweaters

Contest Entry for NoNoKitty

Well, since I want to enter this contest... I am reposting my hat that I made for my dad:


Pattern: My own... cast on 80 st on a circ(US8), join, knit in ribbing of choice for 2-3 inches. Switch to stockinette... start fair isle pattern. ( I used a fair isle mitten pattern from the "Knit Mittens" book) Once hat is about 8 inches from the end of the ribbing, start decreases:
R1:*k8, k2tog* repeat from * to *
R2 (and all even # rounds): knit
R3: *K7, k2tog* repeat from * to *
R5: *K6, k2tog* repeat from * to *
R7:*K5, k2tog* repeat from * to *
R9:*K4, k2tog* repeat from * to *
R11:*K3, k2tog* repeat from * to *
R12: Break thread with 6 inch tail... run thread through all live stitches and secure. Weave in and Voila!

:) Mini

No posts lately, huh? I know, bad blogger. I have an excuse....

I'm busy.

Yup, work is crazy, knitting is stalled, and well, home... home is just a little complicated.

So, I am halfway through my Bloomin' Feet socks; working out the maths for PC's sleeves and revving up for the Olympics.

More later this week PLUS pictures!

:) mini

Loose Ends...

So, I want to say thanks to everyone who has been commenting. I have been a bad blogger, normally I send a personal email to every comment. These past few weeks, "notsomuch". If you are willing to bear with me, I promise to make it worth your while!
Today I want to tie up some loose ends and let you all know where I am in which projects.

1. The blob.
It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits It fits
PC tried it on Sunday afternoon with all these weird stitch holders holding it together like giant diaper pins. He says it's a bit tight across the belly area (I was concerned while knitting this), but it'll be ok. Only the sleeves to go...I'll be visiting sleeve island this evening!

2. Baby sweaters.
Ok, so is anyone going to know I intended to knit 3 and only made 2? Nope, didn't think so. So, 2 sweaters, 1 quilt... ready to wrap and go!

3. Bloomin' Feet:
Sock yarn arrived. Cascade Fixation in two colors... am working out pattern and size. This yarn is hard to "pattern". :( I'll work something out!

4. Knitting Olympics:
have yarn, have pattern (in FRENCH) and a photo. I will be working out the math and charting the front tonight. :)

Side note: while I did Alison's Sockapaltwoza last time, I decided to sit this one out. I want more hand knit socks,but I am really into the Bloomin' Feet one. Also, I have a lot of sock yarn that is waiting for "me" socks. So, I will be knitting my Bloomin' Feet socks and then, as a project-on-the-run, I will knit socks for Moi. :)

Daddy update: working with a team at the hospital. They seem great! He has MORE tests to determine the treatment (although it feels slow, they are just being very comprehensive..and they should be! He's my Dad!). Looks like 5 1/2 weeks radiation and chemo (he is in good health and can tolerate both) then surgery! The latter is the worst...and most dangerous. I hope they can shrink and zap this out of his body before surgery! Keep us in your prayers and think good thoughts for my dad. Maybe I'll teach him to knit while he's at treatment! Ha ha ha.

(Imagine: 60 year old trucker, 6'3", 300+ lbs.... knitting. :)

:) Mini
photos tomorrow, I hope....damn blogger!

Tag! I'm it!

Jenn over at KNitWitMomma tagged me last night! Here goes!
(nothing like a meme for when you have no blog fodder!)


4 jobs you have had in your life
1. Biochemist (current job)
2. Special Education Camp Counselor for Autistic Boys
3. Floral designer
4. In-home tutor

4 movies you could watch over & over:
1. Wizard of Oz
2. And the Band Played On
3. Firefly (kevin costner...)
4. Roman Holiday

4 places you have lived
1. Melrose, MA
2. Goffstown, NH (college)
umm... that's it.

4 TV shows you love to watch
1. NCIS
2. Law and Order (umm...all of them!)
3. Gilmore Girls
4. Numbers

4 places you have been on vacation
1. Las Vegas (twice)
2. Florida (Disney World!)
3. North Monmouth, Maine
4. Cape Cod, MA

4 websites you visit daily
1. work intranet webpage
2. PubMed
3. Now Norma KNits 2
4. My own! So I can read all my blogs!

4 of your favorite foods
1. macaroni and cheese
2. Banquet fried chicken
3. asparagus
4. carrots

4 places you would rather be right now:
1. in my own apartment with PC
2. Italian Alps with PC....
3. in a more comfortable chair
4. my own kitchen....

4 bloggers you are tagging
Jan
Karen
Katy
Sandy

And my parents said I couldn't walk and chew gum!

YAY! Even though I have NEVER had any athletic ability (well, I was a cheerleader in high school and played intramural rugby, but I have ZERO agility)- I am an OLYMPIAN!!!!

I joined the Knitting Olympics and this weekend, I will give you a peek at the "event" I am entered in! :)

-Mini, proud US Sweater Team member

* cue national Anthem*

Forcing Handknits Upon Unsuspecting Parents...

This really should be the name of my blog. I love to give new and expecting parents handknit items. Why? I don't know... could it be my pure love of all children? My desire to show the parents that I think enough of them and enough of their child to take time to knit something? Or is it, as a girlfriend mused today, to show up all the other people at the shower who bought something at Babys R Us? Personally, it's because baby sweaters are small, quick, easy to finish and provide a great way to hone knitting skills...oh, and reasons #1 and #2 as listed above. PC will tell you all, he has to remind me that the cute baby in the stroller belongs to someone else and even though she has the cutest pigtails, I cannot take her home. Once again, that baby doesn't belong to us. :) Nope, not some crazy woman desperate to steal kids, but just someone who always sees the "cute" in all babies. :) Well, I offer to steal my girlfriend's kids, but she is usually offering them up at that point. ha ha ha

So, why the baby talk? We have baby sweaters! Well, we have 2 of the 3... and a quilt that needs to be made. *sigh* going to be a crazy Saturday morning! (Saturday morning is when I do my best quilting...don't ask why)
This one is my favorite so far... knit with bulky yarn (Plymouth Encore, soft, warm, squishy and machine washable!)



This next sweater triggered the whole "green/yellow/blue" theme ( sex=unknown)... I love it! Plmouth Jelly Beans... very good kids yarn and very well priced! ( I did all the sweaters for under $25)


close up of SUPER CUTE duckie buttons from my LYS!


And now, I want to say thank you to all of you who have left such wonderful comments in regards to my dad. We both appreciate them, alot. He is staying strong... it's hard to imagine that the man that I took to preschool for Show-N-Tell because he could lift a car, could be weakened by a mindless senseless mass of cells. (side story: I thought my dad could lift cars b/c he would work on cars in the driveway and they would be up in the air while he was under them. Dude, I was FOUR.. I knew nothing about hydraulic jacks for cars) So, even at 28, my dad is my superman, and I am his princess. PC will tell you that I am "daddy's girl" but he's also "mini's Daddy". He aggravates me, frustrates me and sometimes infuriates me. But, he always loves me, and he worked very hard to make sure that I had everything I wanted and needed. I had a LARGE (the ummm, whole wall on one side of my room) mural of a rainbow when I was growing up, with a pink canopy bed and over 2500 stuffed animals. He is off to Mass General tomorrow to see a specialist and get more tests done. Right now, he's not a great candidate for surgery, but hopefully chemo and radiation will be sufficient. I am trying to be a good little soldier, but on the ride home tonight, I lost. I pulled the car over, and started sobbing. The song I have always wanted to dance with my Dad at my wedding was on and well, it was a mess. But, this is the first time I have lost it... I tend to go through "stages" when upset or greiving. My emotions come at private moments, when I can't seem to push them away.

Ok, now gratutious photo of the "superdog" that my parents are spoiling beyond belief! Do you believe that dogs (or cats ) can sense illness? Rascal lies on the couch with my dad every night and sobs when he leaves in the morning. Also, the dog appears to have begun a hunger strike in sympathy for my Dad. Overall, he's been overly attentive to my dad.

More tomorrow!
:) Mini

I have been knitting,

but it's PC's black blob sweater (back DONE! front 2/3 DONE!) and well, stockinette in black= awful photos. When it's all done, I will make PC do a photo shoot in the sunlight with his new sweater! :) (yes, honey, you heard me... we talked about this, this is the picture where I intentionally chop your head off).

I found a wonderful kimono (or Jedi style) baby sweater pattern last night. I am still working on Baby Sweater #3. I found it here. I should have it done this weekend. :) Along with PC's sweater parts. I am going to need major assistance with the assembly. I am thinking of hiring the girl at W&W to help me out with this. I want the seams to look nice and not "homemade", but "handmade."

In other news, we had some bad news in my house this weekend. It appears that my dad has esophogeal cancer. Today we find out the stage of the cancer and therefore, the treatments available. My dad wants to be very proactive on this and treat it as agressively as his body will let him. He's scared. Mom's scared. I'm scared. I'm sure my brothers are scared. Last winter we went through hospital hell for 5 weeks with my mom. She was diagnosed with emphysema and had to go through all these awful phlebotomy treatments to lower her blood crit and more physical therapy. It was a strain. I live with my parents, but as the only girl, a lot of responsibility falls on my shoulders. My dad saw this last year and the toll it took on my sanity. So, he elected to tell the boys (my brothers) early enough, but we'll see if they step up to the plate for this one. I have my doubts,but they have surprised me before. So, there may be a posting lag as I will be trying to help out my folks as much as they need and tend to other things (like my-soon-to-be-official- promotion at work).

More photos and updates as I get them.
:) Mini

So, speaking with Karen about a recent yarn sale I attended, I realized, I never BLOGGED about it! What was I thinking? So, today I am going to review 2 yarn experiences I have had in the last month:

1. HUB MILLS
rating: B+
what i bought: 20 skeins of a 55%alpaca/23%silk.22%wool blend in a coral/orange color.
20 balls of an unknown wool, a tweed-y tan for an aran
1 skein of CHerry Tree Hill Supersock
Pricing: very good! each skein was $2.5o and produced about 109yds each; the unknown wool is about 100 yds, also at $2.00 each. CTH was 20% off.
knowledge: only one person working, but she was knitting at the checkout and very helpful.
Organization: overall,ok. You have to be very careful when shopping here, it's easy to find the wrong yarn in the wrongly marked box- ask lots of questions!
Range of products: pretty good, it was fairly picked-over when I was there, but they had recently had a sale... a LOT of patterns were available as well as pattern books, but they were poorly organized and I didn't have the patience that particular day. My mom, a new knitter, was a little overwhelmed, but she picked up some interesting scarf kits. They were $4 each, she bought 4 thinking Christmas gifts next year.

Wild and Woolly (Lexington, MA)
the semi-annual sale.... time of arrival: 7:05 a.m.
Rating: B-
overall thoughts: I love the sales at W&W, but I was a little disappointed with the prices this year, although I got some great discounts on Debbie Bliss, I saw some yarns that were a better bargain on eBay. I was very tempted by some Rowan Handspun in a warm chocolate brown, but even at $81 for 8 skeins (~1600yds), Iknew I would be able to find REAL handspun for a comparable price at one of the festivals this year. What did I buy? Oh, it's listed a little bit further down. :)
Knowledge: W&W ladies are great! When I was looking at the DB Cashmerino, I must have looked obviously disappointed. I had been drooling over a particular color, but it wasn't in the sale bags. "oh well, i thought... I have the DB in this wine-berry color for my mom". Then, one of the women who works there yelled for me from the door of the back room. I walked over and saw her holding up a bag of the color I loved! It was 11 balls of it, for $60. :)
Not only do they know their yarn, they know their customers!
Stock: oh, it's two floors of everything from DB and Rowana nd Malabrigio to Encore and Dale for babies. They have scarf yarn and felting kits. They host trunk shows and will wade through piles of patterns with you for hours.
Pricing: normally, average retail, sometimes higher. They do have a "high rent" area that they live in.
Rating: one of my favorite LYS, but sale was slightly disappointing.

Here's the goods:
Dale Falk, 4 balls of pink, 4 balls of orange... these are for hats and mittens for little ones in the family (the girls, of course) for next winter.
Topacio cotton/acrylic blend (60-40) for tanks this summer: 10 balls of pink, 10 balls of blue


DB Cashmerino Aran: 10 the wine and 11 of the gold tone


I might be able to knit from all my stash this year!
:) Mini

Secret Pal 7 Questionaire

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
Umm...a little bit, I like WoolEase and Cotton Ease-- oh and Plymouth yarn for baby knits, but other than that, I am more of a "natural gal"-- I really like alpaca/wool/silk/cashmere/cotton--- especially blends!
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I crochet, but refuse to spin... although I love handspun yarn
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Umm...everything! I am currently trying to make some sort of needlecase for my needles.
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting a LONG time... really improved over the past 2 years.--- prob'ly a intermediate leaning toward advanced. I would say I have known how to knit since i was 6 ( I am 28 now)
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope, but anything from Knitpicks is good! :)
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I like all things pumpkin, vanilla, and "clean laundry"
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
YES! But, WW is anti-candy. :( I do like nice dark chocolate..... yummy!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I like to sew, quilt, make wreaths, flower arranging, you name it- i've tried it. I don't like scrapbooking though, at all.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I LOVE country music!
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love all colors, but yellow washes me out. I like fall and "natural" colors. And I am told I look great in red!
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Live with my folks now, moving in with PC very soon... my parents have a dog, but it's not my dog--- his name is Rascal and he's 5 months old.
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear all but the poncho. I don't think they look so great on me
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Oh wow... um, Cascade 220. Feels good, great stitch definition and so many colors. But, against the skin, I like cotton (Flash, Provence) and Rowan Cork
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Mohair... itchy fussy and itchy. Did I mention itchy?
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
mittens and sweaters (designing my own)
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
mittens and scarves.... there are so many great varigated scarf yarns out now (Schaefer collection comes to mind!)
17. What are you knitting right now?
sweater for PC, some stuff for baby gifts, and a sweater for me. Oh and 2 pair of socks. :)
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
YES! I have NO CRAFTY friends, so I rarely get handmade gifts... it would be a nice change!
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circs....
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I am currently obsessed with Bryspun circular needles... I want to get to a "full set"-- I only have US8 and US 5 now.
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Both!
22. How did you learn to knit?
godmother taught me... I knit to remember her.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
6 months.... it's in the finishing pile now.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Eeyore....
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!!!!
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Bryspun needles....coffee mugs from different places
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
NONE... I pick them up when I get a chance. I am hoping to get an IK when we move.
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Sirdar Cheeky Chinos, Real Knits for Real Women, The Knitter's Book of Handy Patterns ( I have the sweater one) Vogue Knitting ( the big copy)
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Intarsia, and continental knitting-- would really love to learn finishing techniques.
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I knit socks! my foot is 9 inches heel to toe, 10 inch instep and ankles, about 9 1/2 inches. I like socks to be snug and machine washable
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
10/09

Oh, Mini? Where are you?

I'm here. Under a pile of paperwork that the employee who just left, left for me. *sigh* And the project he should have been working on? Nope... was NOT working on it for several weeks, b/c well, he KNEW he was leaving.

And I have a new intern in the lab. An intern poses a whole slew of new challenges, managing a person in a v. small group and training them in the 8 hours that you are supposed to be doing YOUR work are just two of the new challenges. But, once trained up, she will be useful.

I have been knitting. I need to take pictures of knitting, I know. I have one baby sweater DONE. In my insanity to push hand knit items upon people, like unsuspecting pregnant moms, I have decided that this sex-to-be-determined baby will need three sweaters. I have one done. A second one needs arms and buttons (click that off my list tonight!). The third will be done this weekend. Maybe. Did I mention the baby shower is SOON? Well, overall... knitting will suffer this weekend b/c of Cleaning. Cleaning with a CAPITAL C. I am purging, moving, packing, trashing, stashing all kinds of things this weekend come hell or high water.
As much as I would love to show you exactly HOW much I need to clean, I cannot. The mom who raised me would freak out and then committ suicide, like if I wore not clean-panties and got into an accident. BTW- when was the last time you wore dirty underthings? Me: NEVER.

So, jackets/coats/etc will be donated. Bridesmaid/Prom dress/etc will be reorganized for long term storage. Clothes will be inventoried and accordingly tossed/kept/donated. (I make enough money right now, that if need be, I can buy new clothes). Excess fabric will be inventoried for usefulness and prettiness. Ugly useless stuff will be chucked. Shoes will be assessed on how often and comfort of use. Purses, well...the bags stay. :)

Yarn....oh, the yarn. Yarn will be put into Ziplock bags, marked and air removed in order to facilitate the moving of said yarn in a few weeks. Apartment-y items that were purchased/gifted for the apartment of the useless lease will be placed in storage facility with other stuff. Sleeping bags will move to storage facility also, but only once washed and dried at the laundromat... will allow for knitting time!

and this is the big one: BOOKS will be purged. Donation to a local library or trade with PC's mom and other like minded people may be in order.

So, I will grab some photos of the baby sweaters....then I will clean. Anyone wanna come over and help? Nope, didn't think so!