MIA

That's me. I've been submerged in school and planning for life beyond school. I even submitted my first job application today. Yikes! It's happening pretty fast. So I really hope things go well.

On the crafting side, I'm making a baby blanket for a friend's first baby. They are having a little girl. The nursery has an elephant theme.



Now I just have to figure out how to quilt it. Ideas? The pattern called for little scalloped "ties" every few inches. My machine doesn't really do that. So I'm undecided on what to do.



Aren't the little elephants cute?!?!? I'm making a whole elephant themed box since I probably won't make it to her shower in Texas.

That's all for now. I'm not too exciting. Just trying to check off the never ending to do list! Happy Leap Day!

It's Christmas!

At least for me, it is. So I popped a cork and have settled in to watch the show.



It's the Oscars. I love this night. Really, really love it. When do you get to see so many famous people interacting. And the dresses! OH!!! The dresses!!! I just love it!

Did you see Gary Busey acting crazy on the red carpet with Jennifer Garner??? Classic Oscar moment. Even Ryan Seacrest looks a little nervous. Awesome.

As for knitting, I finished the back of the Central Park Hoodie. I live in fear that it will be too small. But I persevere.

School is going fine. I just feel a little over scheduled at the moment. I'm having a great time working with the homeless in San Francisco for community health. But the faculty are very difficult to manage. Mental health is great. Too bad it is completely getting overshadowed by the pain in the patoot that is community health. Less than 100 days to go until graduation. So I just get through whatever I need to get through each day. What else can you do?

OK- Back to the show!

An Old Friend

Earlier this week I got a random phone call from a high school friend. She's in town and googled my phone number. At first, I was a little nervous to get together with her. I probably haven't seen her in 4 years and we lead very different lives. She has two lovely children and a grown up house. I have 2 cats and live in a tiny apartment. I'm back in school. She's an accountant with a new job. But we made plans for tonight. I just wasn't sure what we'd talk about. I was even feeling a little anxiety over the meeting as I got ready. Have I gained too much weight? Do I look really old or unstylish? Is she going to regret calling me? Kind of silly thoughts that creep into your mind when you don't know what to expect.

I picked up her and her husband up at their hotel and headed over to a little taco place I know. And we sat and talked for 2 hours as if no time had passed. I LOVE that! We talked about her children, our work, our mutual friends. We even chuckled over our (semi) bad behavior as teenagers. I got to know her husband a little better. And overall, I'm so glad I went. And I think how silly I was being. Actually this is a great opportunity to reconnect with my friends from home. Now I'm so glad she called.

How to Waste 8 Hours Without Really Trying

For my community health class we have to find additional clinical hours. You would think that means volunteering somewhere and actually doing something. Unfortunately, all the volunteering suggestions I've made have been shot down. So I spent yesterday at a research conference. How that relates to community health, I do not know. What I do know is that, although it is really tacky, I got a lot of homework done in the back row. It's really frustrating to have to sit in a chair for 8 hours wishing you could really be contributing. Oh well. I have to get 15 more hours in by the end of April. A diabetes conference in March. And one more. I'd much rather be doing a Habitat for Humanity build day. But that doesn't count. Sigh! Here's the big question... How tacky is it to knit in the back row. I almost pulled it out once my homework was pretty much done. The meeting was sponsored by my school and there were a lot of professors there. So I didn't dare. Maybe I'll be braver at the next one where everyone is a stranger.

Speaking of knitting. I made a purchase. Now, I didn't go on a yarn diet in 2008. I promised to be more mindful of what I bought. And I was because I bought yarn with a specific project in mind...



Rowan Felted Tweed in Herb. 10 balls from Webs for the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. I saw one in this color on Ravelry and knew it was the color I had to have.

Now I just have to finish the Central Park Hoodie.

Happy Vals! Or Thursday... whatever

I suppose I should start today with a lovely red yarn.



STR- Mustang Sally. I traded another Ravelry user for some Yarn Nerd I wasn't using.
Isn't it pretty? Or, I could show you this one...



Sheepaints in Rambling Rose. I received this one for some Yarn Pirate. It came all the way from Germany and VERY quickly! My trade partner picked it out for me without me even seeing it. Didn't she do a great job?!?!?!

Or, I could show you the new Yarn Pirate Booty Club shipment. Click here to see it. This one is destined to be a baby sweater for a friend expecting in July. Funny how without trying, I still had 3 new yarns to show you that are appropriate for today. Maybe my subconscious is telling me I need a little more red in my life!

I have been doing some knitting.



Here's the first Toe Jazz sock. It looks pretty normal in this picture. But check out the crazy toe!



Isn't that weird looking? It fits fine when it's on. But it's really funny looking! Can't see? Check out the close up...



HAHAHHA!!! Cracks me up. That's what my friend wants though.

I also went shopping on etsy. Oops!



Check out this awesome keychain! It's a little crochet hook. You know, for when you drop a stitch in morning traffic? Just kidding. Don't knit and drive. Ruth made it and you can get your own here. She has different colors and ships fast. It makes me so happy each time I see it!

Speaking of Etsy... One of my favorite shops had a sale this week. And I could resist this little guy no longer.



Meet Pedro. Isn't he the cutest? Soto Softies makes adorable stuffed toys. I think Pedro will be a great addition to my Christmas menagerie.

I think that's enough for today. Have a great one! And try to give a little more love to the world everyday.

Classmate Project Roundup

I can see the light at the end of the knitting I promised my classmates! There's something about obligation knitting that I'm not loving. Don't get me wrong, I love knitting for other people. I just feel like I made some promises and now I have to deliver in a timely fashion. And knitting is supposed to be my relaxation. Right now I'm cranking out socks just to be done with them. And what fun is that??? Lesson learned.

All that complaining aside, I finished the Embossed Leaf Socks.



Pattern: Embossed Leaf Socks from Favorite Socks
Yarn: Louet Gems Fingering from The Loopy Ewe- Teal
Needles: KP US 2 (2.75mm) 32" for ML
Date Started: 1/21/08
Date Finished: 2/8/08
Yarn Purchased: 4/7/07- I'm working the stash!
Mods: I tried the cast on in the pattern but the leg opening came out too tight. So I just went back to my regular long tail cast on with a much larger needle. I'm really proud of these. I think they turned out very nicely with a good match between yarn and pattern.

These are for my friend Tiffany who asked for socks when she found out I knit them in September. With these done, there's only 1 classmate knitting project to go.



My friend Jessica wanted socks with a separate toe section so she can wear them with flip flops. The Toe Jazz pattern from Fiber Trends is just the ticket. Today I hope to turn the heel on this first one and head for home!

The Productivity Post

I had the most productive day yesterday! Got up. Read my blogs. Answered emails. Did some school work. Went to the post office to mail some destash stuff. (Incidentally, there's more to be had on my destash page. Ravelry link.) Came home and baked bread. Worked out for an hour while shamefully watching Rock of Love II reruns. And all that before settling in for Oprah. I also turned the heel on the second Embossed Leaves sock. I predict an FO soon.

My new schedule rocks! I only have school 3 days a week. Sure, I'm supposed to be finding a job and studying. But my books aren't here yet. So I just have to knit and bake while I wait for my reading material to arrive.

Speaking of the baking...



I've never made Focaccia before. And it turned out really well. Delicious when toasted. Just use good olive oil because you can really taste it.



And a couple of loaves of whole wheat. Luckily they do not resemble the wheaty bricks I've made before. They aren't as tall as I hoped but that's OK. Maybe next time.

Before I went to bed, I started a new book. So far, Water for Elephants is fantastic. Good writing. Intriguing and quirky story. Hopefully it keeps up through the whole book.

Fat Tuesday

It's Fat Tuesday and I've been thinking.... I'm chubby too! I'm not religious. But there is a certain appeal to the whole giving up something for a very defined length of time. So the diet starts tomorrow with the start of Lent. Famous last words, right? I think I have a good shot here since I'm also starting a better schedule. (Classes Monday through Wednesday) And I'll have a lot more time during the week to workout and such. Anyway, that's the plan! Something has to happen or I'm really going to be out of pants.

A while back, Ruth was looking for computer speakers. I happen to have a pair and it's no big deal for me to send them her way since I'm not using them. Well, a package showed up in my mail yesterday. And I thought maybe I had bought something and completely forgot. But I've been really good about yarn buying lately and I was actually kind of mad at myself for a second thinking I'd broken one of my rules. Luckily for me, I wasn't drunk shopping. It was a thank you for the speakers from Ruth!



Fearless Fibers- Spellbound. Isn't the color PERFECT!?!?!?! I love it. And it's 550 yards! Can you say knee-highs???? It's all I can do to keep from winding it and casting on straight away. Thank you so much, Ruth!!!

Last night, I stayed up WAY too late to finish Atonement. So good! It took a while for me to get into it. The descriptive writing is lovely and really sets the stage but I'm an action girl. And not a lot happened for the first 100 or so pages. The story is intense and you really feel for the characters. I would recommend it highly. And now I can go see the movie! I've been holding out to finish the book.

I'm finished with pediatrics. Tomorrow I start mental health and community health. I'm not particularly interested in working in either of these fields. But I think the classes and exposure to them will be really interesting. I mean, it has to be exciting when you're warned not to wear a necklace or scarf to clinical in case someone decides to strangle you. Exciting!

I have today off. But I'm going to school to see a screening of The Business of Being Born. It's Ricki Lake's documentary about giving birth in America. I've heard good thing. I'll let you know tomorrow.

And don't forget to vote!

Holey Schmoley

The Giants?!?!?!?! Really!?!? Part of me loves the fact that the little brother just lived up to big brother's glory.

And part of me wants to comfort Tom Brady... in person...