the first day

i don't think the those folks at Volkswagon included the Volks part in their brand name to mean anything at all related to the fact that their cars were "folks".  you know folks like as in people, people with personalities. Volkswagon, to my understanding is suppose to mean something like a wagon to move folks (people) around in.

i own a Volkswagon. i think it's my 7th or 8th. not all of them new. this one is. it's a cute Beetle Convertible. throughout the years my husband and i have had all sorts of different used VW's. in the early years they were cheap, easy to repair, easy to drive and got great gas mileage, which was just as important in the 70's and 80's as it is today.

we've had bugs, jettas, rabbits, a disel rabbit, hey we even had a VW van. there's nothing cooler than that!! memories of your young married life, your bell-bottom jeans (first time around), your two young kids, hair so long you could tuck it in to those jeans, seat beats that sort of worked, and your VW van.

many of my VW's have also had a personality. sometimes....most of the time, not one that is fun to have.  call me crazy. but if you know me and my cars or have maybe had one of these VW's with a personality you'll know i'm not making this up.  they didn't pick a VW for those Herbie movies by mistake. i'm the girl in the movie eating my popcorn and believing every bit of Herbie Rides Again!!! when that Herbie makes "eyes" at the cute car or cute girl across the parking lot.....it's really happening. and when Kurt  Russell is under the hood trying to fix something and gets sprayed with engine oil.....trust me, it is no mistake!

i'm not going to bore you with all the cute stories i have about all my VW cars but a year ago about a week before we were going to take Bug Who Will Not Be Named on a road trip to North Carolina i had no more than mentioned things like "oil changes" and "getting ready for a road trip type things" when out of the blue the check engine light came on.  so off to the shop we went for some TLC.

this weekend hubby and i took and little weekend away for our anniversay. just two hours away, a short trip, it's not like this car doesn't get out.  we take his truck so much, and my car is so fun, so on tues night he said, "let's take your car this weekend". on thurs i cleaned out some of the misc. junk hanging out in there, on friday i THOUGHT TO MYSELF, didn't say it out loud....i'll stop at the car wash and have it cleaned inside and out. it really needs it.

on the way to the car wash the air bag light went off and at the car wash the guy that was cleaning the interior broke the rear view mirror.  so....it spent it's clean weekend in the garage and will get some more attention and TLC at the car dealership again this week.

i came home from the car wash,  drove that car right into the brand new garage that my husband is building and told it that it is spoiled and that listening  to other people conversations is not polite and that this is not Hollywood and no one is going to give it a job and no one is going to treat it like a person so it better stop acting like one!     

do you think i was a bit too harsh?

seems it's all knitting all the time lately around here. 

last weekend my darling husband was a darling husband and we ventured out together to 2 (new to me) knitting shops.  they are both shops in chicago.  we had sunday afternoon in front of us with nothing planned and he knows the city better than i do so he was happy to drive around and find them. 

knitting shops always have couches, so he found a comfy spot to sit, but i still thought that was really rather nice of him to sit and wait.  now if it was me, being dragged around to say...car shops or tool shops, or fishing shops i of course would bring my knitting and be entertained for hours.

the first shop we stop at was on the West Side of the city.  Nina's was a tiny but very sophisticated shop. very Zen-like with beautiful, high-end yarns such as Rowan, Blue Sky, Manos, Habu, Alchemy and a newer brand that i had not yet touched Bee Sweet (soooo sweet).  loved the shop.  came home with the newer Debbie Bliss Home book and two skeins of Blue Sky cotton in a mustardy color, i'm halfway thru a herringbone pattern scarf.  i just love those Blue Sky colors, it's hard to walk away from them.

the next shop was Loopy Yarns on the far South Side, and on the other side of the spectrum as far as decor and feel of a yarn shop.  folksy, a bit cluttered, a little dog running around, lots of novelty yarns, but friendly and helpful.  i found some yarn here for my Olympic Project.  and the best thing about this shop is that it is on my driving path to the city everytime i go, just never knew it was there!

so for my Olympic Knitting i'm making the Showy Shrug!!!! it's in the new issue of Better Homes and Garden's Knit It. the only thing i liked about the one in the magazine is the shape. which means i like the pattern, i just don't like the yarn. and i can see past the yarn and see that this can be a really cute shrug. i hope!!!!the picture in the magazine shows it in a fall colored yarn but i'm doing a very light summer yarn and color. the yarn reminds me of something you would see at J.Jill. 

the project is knit in one piece from cuff to cuff so i thought this would be do-able in the 16 days.  not a very difficult patttern but the fact that i'm not home 5 of the 16 nights, i did take that into consideration.  i've done a good size swatch (it was hard to stop there!) and it looks like everything's ready. i'm hoping to GO FOR THE GOLD!

two nights ago i woke up in the middle of the night.  not one of those tossing and turning, restless sleeping nights.  (although i do know what those are like).  but one of those straight up, eye-popping-open nights.  and what was the first thought as my eyes popped open?  "I know, I could start with the ruffled, crocheted edge at the top of the cardigan instead of the bottom as the pattern calls for, maybe this would work better for me because i'm left handed".  i swear, those were my exact words to myself!!!  this is the other strange thing, i haven't worked on this abandon sweater for over a month. i was stuck on the ruffle.

now if it would have been 1 or 2 in the morning, or even if it was 3 or 4 in the morning i would have hopped right out of bed and went right down to my knitting and dug out that long neglected Marilyn sweater that was about 2 minutes to being finished and worked  on it right then.  but i have learned that 4:30 or 5 is not a good time for me to get up when the alarm is going to go off at 6:15.

well, my middle of the night mind was doing it's work.....it worked.  and Mariyln  is finished, buttoned (they were another issue) and blocked.  she should be on my back today, she was set out to wear,  but the shirt that i bought to wear underneath, that i thought was so perfect.....wasn't .  i have to do some re-thinking on that and this morning getting ready for work was not the time to do it.

Wendy, over at http://knitandtonic.typepad.com ,she's amazing!!!!!  that girl  knows her stuff!!   and the yarn!?!?!  Silky Wool Tweed by Elsbeth Levold in brown with tiny orange/rust flecks.  wow, i really didn't need to block that sweater but just wanted to to even out the stitches a bit.   i shaped my sweater and lightly gave it a spritz with cold water.........like butter.  i will knit with this yarn again, that's for sure!  and i will knit another sweater designed by Wendy.  i've already ordered "Somewhat A Cowl".  can't wait for your book to come out girl!!!!!

wish me luck on finding the perfect top to go with this perfect sweater!!!  oh, and i'm all signed up for the knitting olympics.  check back soon to hear all the details of my project.

well you know how sometimes in cyber-ville strange things happen that you never can figure out?  well, the post that i just posted is listed here as Jan. 18th. (it took me about 10 mins to find it, at first i thought it was lost for good!)

i'm not re-typing it, and i can't figure out how to move it, so scroll down to Jan 18th to read Jan 22nd PLEASE.........thanks!!!!!!

okay knitter's are serious people.  and we are always up for a challenge.  i first heard about this from Jill, go check out her article over at www.confessionsofasahm.com  what a great idea! 

the idea came from the Yarn Harlot herself!!!! you may have seen her book on your recent trip to Border's "Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much".  yep, that's her.  check out her blog and all the rules for the Knitting Olympics at http://yarnharlot.ca/blog , who knows  you may be up for the challenge too.

well i have two weeks to start my pre-olympic training schedule and here is my plan-of-attack:     

1)  i've looked at my schedule. the rules state that i need to cast on during Opening Ceremonies and must bind off before the flame goes out, so that gives me 16 days.  of those days i'm gone 5 evenings, i have one day off work (Happy Birthday Honest Abe), and i may be gone some of Closing Ceremonies weekend but not away from a TV and not totally unable to knit.  oh, and i guess that will provide some possible car knitting.

2)  now i need to decide on a pattern: i'm thinking about a cool cotton shrug.  i loved them this winter and one for spring and summer would be useful.   there are two that i like in the new Better Homes and Gardens Knit It....or....i could go with a more complicated scarf choice from my Scarf Style book.

3)choose/buy the yarn and supplies:  i have a wonderful credit at a LYS that i can use for this!!!!!!! 

4)read the pattern through a few times: with only 16 days there will really be no time for unexpected mistakes.

5)of course do a swatch!!!!!! and a few stretches wouldn't hurt!!!!!  although i hate to exercise.

what fun. how about you?  are you up for it?  do you need to work those knitting muscles? 

tune in soon to see what project i decide on and let the games begin.

i'm too new of a blogger to be tagged, but this looked like fun....

four jobs you've had:  Baskin Robbins Ice Cream (at 15), full-time stay at home mom, cleaned houses, now a jr high language arts teacher.

 four movies you could watch over and over:  Baby Boom, Chocolat, Under the Tuscan Sun, Breakfast at Tiffany's.

four places you've lived:  South Dakota, Michigan, on a travel bus with my husband and two small children for a summer, Illinois.

four TV shows you watch:  Grey's Anatomy, Survior, Martha Stewart, The Food Network (this will have to count as a show).

four fav places you've been on vacation:  a road trip with my Grandmother that included SD, WY, MT,CO, Florida Beaches, Maine, NYC.

four websites you visit daily:  too many to list.

four places you'd love to visit:  Paris, Tuscany, Nova Scotia,Sundance Resort in Utah.

four cds you can't live without:  Garden State Soundtrack, Enya, George Winston"s December, Norah Jones.

four vehichles I've owned:  Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Taurus (yuck), current VW Beetle Convertible.

 that was fun!!!  now i tag YOU......

you don't have to be martha stewart to come up with a good idea. 

last night when my husband and i were going through some of our junk mail from the big pile.  yeah we are still going through what is left from when we were on  vacation.  anyways.....we came across a flyer for a newer Chinese place in town that we have yet to try.  hubby said "we should try this".  "sure", i said  "I'll save that flyer somewhere".  knowing full-well that it would first be set on the counter, then in some drawer, then probably "filed" in the trash can when i was tired of seeing it hanging around.

it's not because i don't want to eat at the new Chinese place, i do.  but by the time we order out next time i can't find the flyer so we just end up ordering pizza.

so.....i think this idea was half inspired from just being home from vacation.....this time i not only said to him "sure, let's eat there", but it was followed by this light-blub-moment-idea.  you know those little binders that they have at the hotels and resorts that you stay at with all the important info you may need during your stay and they are filled with local resturant info and menus, even menus for places that aren't always take-out (because those places will do take out)?  well..... why not make one of those at home?  when they come in the mail, next time you are out to dinner grab one, call ask them to mail you one.  if nothing else it may get you out of the pizza rut!!!

and who knows you could feel like you are on vacation as you go to the cabinet on a friday night to see what carry out you want to order (okay that's a stretch), but it does get the flyers off the kitchen table!!!!

i guess it is time that i answer the SP7 questions so i can get in the game!!!!

1.  yarn snob?  oh yeah, well this is the place to admit it right?  i love natural fibers, wool, merino, bamboo, silk, some cottons...

2.  spin or crochet? nope.

3.  storage for needles?  well i use a student , zipper, pencil case (chic huh) for my dpn and random circs but i mostly use Denise Needles so they take care of themselves.

4.  i've been knitting about 6 years i think, i've lost count. maybe going on 7?  i guess i'm an intermediate knitter.

5.  no wishlists online for me.

6.  some of my favorite scents are: lavendar, lime, orange, gardenia.

7.  do i have a sweet tooth!!!  i love gummy bears, licorice (all flavors), chewy stuff is my fav.

8.  what other crafts do i like?  i've tried lots of stuff, but right now i just read and knit mostly.

9.  i like quiet, relaxing music.  i have a CD player, real advanced huh!!!!

10. favorite colors?  i like all colors but in muted tones.  more of a natural feel.

11. family?  hubby,  two grown kids, one grandson, one pumpkin colored cat named Pumpkin.

12. i love scarves, hats, mittens, and ponchos.

13. favorite yarn to knit with.....Manos (hands down) but i love wool would like to try new types.

14. i absolutely do not like novelty yarns or acrylics.

15. knitting obsessions?  what's that?  no...i don't really have any projects that i do over and over again, i like to mix things up.  i do throw in a lot of felted bags tho.

16. favorite items to knit?  like i said.....i like to mix things up.  i usually go from a sweater to something smaller like a scarf.

17. what am i knitting right now.  i a half finished poncho, new socks, and a long-term livingroom throw on the needles.

18. handmade gifts? sure.

19. 20. needle preference?  i'm pretty stuck on my Denise's.

21. winder and swift? check!!!

22.  i learned to knit from a neighbor and am still learning from books and friends along the way.

23. oldest UFO.  old...........

24. animated character? i don't really like them.  animals?  i guess i love sheep, in a round-about way!!  i like my cat.

25. favorite holiday?  i like May Day but i can't get anyone to celebrate it with me.

26. i can't think of anything that i really collect.  i wish i had more antique buttons!

27. i have subscriptions to interweave knits, knit1, and vogue knitting.

28. i would be interested in getting my hands on some of that vesper's sock yarn that's talked about, some of that one-of-a-kind funky stuff i see at knitpixie, some mac and me patterns many be, they all look so cute,(i have the yoga socks).....

29. new techniques?  i'd love to try fair isle someday, but i want a hands on class.

30. socks? yes...size 7 1/12 to 8 shoes.

31. May 7th, my birthday!!!!

WOW!!!!  that was a lot of questions!!!!!!

updated: 2/7/06 my SP7 has asked if i want to update my wish list with any more ideas.  she's doing an amazing job on her own but now that i know she's in a faraway land here are some more thoughts.

i love to try any kinds of new treats from different places.  different yarns that are local to you or your favorites are fun.  and i don't know if you read jane over at http://yarnstorm.blogs.com  but she is in London and had found the cutest hot water bottle to make a knitted cover for. (posted around the middle of january i think). i've heard they are more popular there than here. that would be fun too. that's really all i can think of. (your're a great gift giver on your own).

one book, the better part of two magazines, half a poncho, a pair of socks............some things i finished on my sunny vacation!

is it possible to be healthier when you look healthier because you have a "golden glow"?  i know they say that the sun is bad for you but i look and feel so much better without that pastey white (sp?) winter skin.

home yesterday afternoon with a camera full of fun pictures, five loads of sandy laundry, that i stayed up and did last night, (while i put the finishing touches on my knitted socks) and a head full of memories that i'm sure will last forever.  spending a week with the whole family together.

re-entery wasn't too bad today.  i'm thankful for that.  i hate when you have a first day back that hits you like a ton-of-bricks and by the end of the day you are already thinking and feeling "what vacation"!!!!  and believe me, i've had some of those.

now i just have to tackle taking down the christmas tree and all those christmas decorations..Yuck......yep, i left here and didn't look back.