Surprise in the post.

You know those nifty box totes that the super cool knitting kids carry?

The ones with the cutest fabric combinations and the amazing TARDIS quality of being bigger on the inside?

Only the coolest of knitting kids have these cute square totes...

You also know how all the super cool knitting kids always use Independent Artisans hand dyed yarn?

They always make the most amazing patterns and colorways...

They use superwash merino which is to die for, no pun intended.

So you know how all the super cool knitting kids have these two things?

Thanks to Dianne, I'm a super cool knitting kid too!

Shame on you, Knit Magazine

They don't pay their designers!

I just heard from a friend of mine that she has not been paid in almost three months for her work in Knit Magazine.  Three months!  Several other people haven't been getting paid either - technical editors and knit designers.  This is their livelihood - no paycheck means no income for these people.

If it weren't for the hard work and dedication of the technical editors and knitwear designers, Knit Magazine would have nothing to print.  How do you think they would take it if we all took their magazine, without paying, for one whole quarter of the year?  I think they might be a bit peeved, don't you?

I, for one, am not going to purchase their magazine any longer until they start showing more ethical business practices - start paying those whom they have been neglecting for the past three months!  If you would like to see how outraged the knitting community is, just look up on Twitter because the designers are being very vocal - as they should.  Who's going to join me?

Knitwear designers unite!  Ethical treatment and wage disbursement for all!!

Weekend Wonderment 9/30 ~ 10/2

I know, I lead an exciting life... what can I say - we can't all be glamorous.

This is the first day in almost two weeks where I feel about 95% normal... and that means that I feel well enough to conquer my house.  The minions who live here have trashed it, by my standards, so it must be gone through with a trash bag and then scrubbed until I feel better.  In the normal world, I'm sure it isn't that bad but I was raised by a clean freak neat nick type of woman and even though she doesn't believe it because I try to surpress it, her OCD-ness has passed on to me.. joy of joys.  So here is my weekend wonderment ~

1. Dust, scrub and otherwise make my house sparkle like a cartoon fairy attacked it.
2. I'm torn between White Chocolate Chip Cookies or making some Peppermint Bark - either way, there must be something sweet in this house so all occupants are happy with the world, therefore Hobbit and I will be playing in the kitchen - our favorite thing to do together.
3. I have grounded myself from starting any other projects until my sweater is done.  That means this weekend will be devoted to sleeves.  I honestly haven't felt like knitting in two weeks so that puts me behind schedule since Nerd Wars starts tomorrow.  Oh well, find the joy in the finished project and work until you can see the end, right.

So that is going to be my weekend in a nutshell.  I am sure there will be movies, games and silliness in between but the meat and bones of it all lies in those three little things.   I really should stop writing and get started with first item because the sooner I can get it done, the sooner I can start on the more exciting aspects of my oh so glamorous weekend.

How about you - anything fun and exciting happening in your world this weekend?

That was fun

We spent yesterday tooling around the Magic Kingdom, celebrating Hobbit's good behavior in school.  Yes, I realize the irony of skipping school to celebrate but that's what made it perfect.  Here are a few shots of the day...

Riverboat transport across Seven Seas Lagoon

Space Mountain - I teared up a bit because this is one of Peanut's favorite rides and she wasn't with us.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Castle Forecourt show - Goofy, Minnie, Mickey and Donald

Pokey loves Eeyore and I surprised him with a character lunch with his favorite character.

Getting some bouncy, flouncy, pouncy, trouncy love from Tigger.

Harper's Mill on Tom Sawyer's Island.

Windmill over on Tom Sawyer Island.

Loved this guy's shirt... I had to take a picture of it.

My cheesy group

There was a rainbow over the Magic Kingdom last night.

Main Street is dressed up for Halloween.

My moment of the day... well, one of many.

Hobbit talked the ears off of any character - telling them how she had the best
parents in the world because they brought her to see them today.

So that was my day yesterday.  Today, relaxing and knitting is on the agenda.. that's it.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Oh yeah, and I'm on Team Fraggles for Nerd Wars - go Hensonians!!

And the waiting continues

Today is the day we find out our teams for Nerd Wars.  I have been on pins and needles all day.  I know that the Game Master has to sleep at some point but doesn't she know that I haven't be able to concentrate, constantly checking my email for messages, Ravelry group boards and pacing back and forth so much that I may have worn a trail in my carpet!  I know I've been thinking about hardwood floors but come on!

Sure, I may have my first spot dedicated to a new group but what if there weren't enough members and I get put in my second group (which after much investigation would have actually been my first group)... or if that group were full and I get placed in my third group (which, following the same course of logic would have been my second group)... do you not know what kind of torture this is for an OCD planner Type A personality like myself - it's a nightmare!!

Literally, just now, my email notification went off and I about had a heart attack thinking that it finally showed up.  The one single letter that will decide where I am to spend my next three months of hard crafting work - but it was just someone from commenting on a photo from my 365Project.  I think it might be time to just close the lid and get a shower or take a nap or read a book... anything but sitting here, willing my notification letter to arrive... but first, let me just check my messages.

Isengard - I've seen it.. and it's awesome

After over 7 hours, I was able to get patched and in game... and Knitwise went to explore the new areas.

My lvl 52 hunter, Knitwise Windingweeds (area is made for 65+) overlooking Isengard area.

Knitwise Windingweeds, founder of Bombadil's Band of Merry Misfits, taking in the view of Isengard.

Isengard - newest update released today for Lord of the Rings Online game.

Oh yeah, I'm letting my freak flag fly high tonight!  It took me 7 hours worth of attempts to long on and get the patch downloaded from the over-crowed servers.. and then another thirty minutes just to get back online and ingame.  I need a new flash-boost drive because this update made my 4GB one obsolete.  Oh well, small price to pay for such fabulousness.  Enjoy a first glimpse... and let your freak flag fly proudly today - and every day.

New day, new week, new opportunities

It helps to have a positive outlook on things even when you feel icky.  I keep telling myself that today is a new day of a new week full of new opportunities, trying to pump myself up and feel better.  After being ill for what feels like forever, one can get a bit down in the dumps... you know?

Yesterday, when I started to feel a bit better, I actually accomplished all of the laundry.  Wore me smooth out, which is so sad, but it's done.  Today, my goal is to clean the living room.  Just the living room.  Nothing big or too daunting - although, times like these are when my living room feels big and daunting.  Why is it that when you are sick, the house just becomes one big pile if messiness?  Okay, perhaps it isn't fair of me to make such a statement, let me rephrase.  Why is it when I'm sick, my house becomes one big pile of messiness?

I know when I want a bit of a giggle and am playing around with Pokey, I will make some over the top martyr-like comment about how I'm the only one who ever does anything around here and if it weren't for me nothing would get done (be sure to read that with an over the top whiny and dramatic voice with just a hint of a giggle behind it to get the full effect)... but I'm starting to wonder, as I look into what is supposed to be my lovely living room area, if it isn't just a tad true.

There are shoes of all sizes and colors under the coffee table, random books, papers, toys and cups sitting in there.  I didn't leave them there.  The only thing that I have out that should be put away is my pink fleece blanket that my best friend in the universe gave me a few years back.  I always pull that out and curl up under it when I don't feel well because it is so super soft... and pink!  The rest of it has fallen off of various family members and left to rot because the magical force that usually resides in the house that picks up all things dropped has been ill... and apparently, they don't notice that things have fallen off of them and accumulated all over the living room.

So as I sit here and listen to alarm clocks going off and snooze buttons being hit, I think of something funny... You know that dumb joke guys toss around saying that the cure for sexual prowess in a woman is wedding cake.  Welp, the cure for neat freaky cleanliness in a man is a wedding ring... oh my goodness, almost choked to death suppressing my giggles.  I actually told that to Pokey last night and you know he did... actually put his cup in the dishwasher (not the sink) - like he just proved me wrong.  I did really well, I did not laugh while he was in the room - no wait, I did laugh and so did he so that made it fair.

I guess I could think of it as job security, or that they want me to feel needed, or that they wouldn't be able to survive without me... anyway you look at it - I've got a living room to clean today and house full of people I love that need to start their days.  It's time to make the rounds and wake everyone up, letting them know that it is indeed a new day of a new week full of new opportunities.

Sunday Snaps

When you're too sick to knit, you plan what you'll knit when you feel better.

I spent a large portion of the week reading.  It's a wonderful story so far.

Most action I had all week - I'm back row on the left end (Knitwise) and Pokey is the back row on the right (Wiloroc).

Absolutely nothing to recap this week.  I've been sick so it's been a lot of sedentary events - reading, sleeping, sneezing, coughing, drinking fluids, blowing nose... you get the picture.  As I'm finally on the mend it seems, I know next week's look back will be more exciting - considering I have plans for grand adventures in the works as we speak...

Weekend Wonderment 9/23 - 9/25

See what happens when you're sick - very little "wonderment" to be had.

1. Finish sketching up and mapping out ideas for Nerd Wars since teams will be announced Monday.
2. Try and knit a few rows on Pokey's sleeve - it's hard to concentrate on the simple pattern to be honest with you.  I've only done about 20 rows all week.
3. I made myself finish my other book before I even cracked the cover on this one.  I'm glad I did because I hate leaving stories unfinished... and I was able to start this book the other day and haven't really put it down since.  It's wonderful... even if it makes me homesick for Alabama.

Blame my folks, it's genetic

I was born stubborn.  I have this deep seeded belief that I can "fix" anything... even illness that requires an actual doctor - but only when it involves me.  All other family members are taken to said doctor the minute my comfort level is exceeded... and my threshold is quite low with them because I am a worrier.  Me.. I can be stubborn as all get out and wait forever and a day before I will finally admit defeat and go see the doctor.

Time of defeat - 1:30 p.m. yesterday.  I couldn't breathe without whistling or coughing up a lung.  I hurt all over - I honestly think I coughed so hard that I pulled a muscle in my back/shoulder area.  I had had enough so I made an appointment and went to see my doctor.  Turns out, I have a really bad case of Bronchitis.  Nice.  So I took my prescription down to Publix and they have this nifty little "free antibiotic program" and it just so happens that my doctor, wise as he is, requested one on the list.  Bonus - free medicine!  -10 points though because the medicine makes my belly very unhappy but hey, I'm just starting to feel better so maybe I'll only take away 5 points.

I spent this morning - all of this morning - talking/Skyping with Peanut.  It was wonderful to just hang out and catch up on everything.  We wandered around campus together, had breakfast, hung out in the lounge and her room, had lunch and just enjoyed each others company.  I love that her entire campus is wifi connected so she just pulls me up on her computer wherever she is and we hang out.  It makes it not seem so far away when I can "stroll" around with her.

Hobbit has been on green all week and I am so proud of her.  Pokey and I have been saving since the beginning of the year to get Florida Resident Annual Passes for the family for Christmas.  I was given some heartbreaking news that Peanut won't be home for Christmas because her ride flaked out on her and summer break is up in the air at the moment.  When you are told to "suck it up... stop acting like a girl and just get used to Skype" you kind of feel like you've been sucker punched... still stings to write it out actually.  Anyway, we were able to save enough money for Disney's new down payment plan since apparently... well... you know.  We're going to surprise Hobbit with it this weekend.

I'm going to go and read for a little bit before I have to leave to pick her up from school... man, I hope she stayed on green today so we can do this surprise - she'll be so excited and understand better than when you do good things, good things happen to you.

On the mend

Feeling like "death on toast" is a vast improvement to feeling like "death warmed over" so I'll celebrate that little bit... perhaps tomorrow I can feel slightly human if the trend continues... woo hoo!

I finished my book, American Wife, and got to start The Help last night.  Oh my goodness that writing makes me homesick.  I took my Nyquil just before bed and I only made it a few pages in but mylanta, they did a good job with the dialect on this one.

Nothing excited on the agenda today - just lots of coughing, nose blowing, chapstick applying and reading.  I don't have the energy to knit at the moment since I keep dozing off and on but perhaps by this weekend I can pick up my projects again.  Right now, it's time to snuggle down with my warm coffee, my pink blanket and get back to Miss Aibilean, Miss Minny and Miss Skeeter.

What's going on in your neck of the woods?

Ten on Tuesday ~ circa 1972

Yep, that's our goal for today - to reveal the headlines from the year we were born, so says Carole.  I'm okay with that since I was born just 17 days before the year ended... and that year would be 1972.  Yep, I'm not quite an Old Fart but I'm no Spring Chicken either... there is no description for me and my age bracket.  Shoot, they couldn't even come up with a good tag for my generation - just "X".  Oh well, ce la vie.  So here are things that happened in the year I was born... ready... steady... GO!

• 3 February ~ The 1972 Winter Olympics open in Sapparo, Japan.
• 24 March ~ "The Godfather" is released in the United States.
• 15 May ~ Okinawa is returned to Japan after 27 years of US military occupation.
• 17 June ~ Watergate Scandal beings with 5 White House operatives were arrested for burglarizing the offices of the Democratic National Committee.
• 31 July ~ Bloody Sunday:  British troops move into the ‘no-go’ areas of Belfast and Derry in Northern Ireland, ending Free Derry.
• 12 August ~ Last of the US ground troops are removed from Vietnam.
• 5-6 September ~ Munich Massacre:  Eleven Israeli athletes are murdered at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich after eight members of the Arab terrorist group ‘Black September’ invade the Olympic Village; five guerrillas and one policeman are also killed in a failed hostage rescue.
• 25 October ~ First female FBI agents were hired.
• 29 November ~ Atari releases Pong.
• 15 December ~ In honor of the birth of fabulous little girl, the United Nations established a specialized agency in a 112-0 vote,  The United Nations Environment Programme.

And there you have it - the *true facts of the year 1972.  I never knew my birth year was full of such interesting historical data.  To see what else happened around the world, check out Carole's blog for more fun-filled facts.

*Perhaps this wasn't done to honor me on my birthday but it is cool that it happened on the same day... mere coincidence?  One may never know.

*Sniff, sniff, cough, cough*

Good news is that Hobbit is back at school, right as rain... bad news is that she gave me her cold.

Sunday Snaps

Last weekend, Pokey surprised us with a day off... so naturally, we took Hobbit bowling.

I found the perfect pink to continue on with my One A Day project... and yet, I didn't do any this week.

Hobbit was home sick at the end of the week - still sniffly today.

We bought Buddy this bone last weekend after bowling as a treat - it's almost gone now!

It's been a quiet week here.  I cleaned out a good many groups from my Ravelry listing because I either never gave them the attention they deserved or things simply died down.  I prefer my groups to be rather active so after about three month of relative silence, I tend to move on.  I did, however, join Nerd Wars this round so that should be fun.  I was hoping for participating in the House Cup but I missed the Sorting Hat festivities by one day so I'll be a "Not Quite First Year" this round and get my feet wet that way... plus, I can sit in detention and finish my Hallow Pullover for points!

I hope everyone has had a nice relaxing weekend and that today proves more of the same... I'm off to go and be productive - at least in the realm of fibery goodness.

The coffee pot saga continues

Do y'all remember how almost a year ago we had issues with our super expensive coffee pot?  Not really?  Here, click here and refresh your memory... it's alright, I'll wait.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So, here we are, almost a year later and guess what happened last week - the inferior pot stopped brewing full pots of coffee.  It had "ESO" disease - Excessive Steam Output - which made for nasty coffee and half empty promises, I mean pots.  I was heartbroken.  I had grown to love this cheaper machine.  It did what I asked of it and never once complained.  I could rely on it starting while I was still sleeping and cleaning without making me cry on the floor in the fetal position.  It was a true friend.. and now it was dead.  I pulled out our back up pot (yes, we have a back up pot we bought a year ago to tide us over while our expensive pot kept getting replaced) and reached for the phone.  I figured I would call the manufacturer, knowing that there was probably nothing they could do for me since it had been so long.  Fingers crossed, I dialed.

At the end of the conversation, I was in tears.  Not because I was upset but because I was amazed.  I had a new coffee pot in the mail to me - and it was the original thermal decanter one that had started this whole journey.  No questions asked.  No hassle or run around.  They looked at the facts, made an adjustment, apologized for the defect and did what they could to fix it to the best of their ability.  In short, they acted as a company should - and I was befuddled again, but in a good way.

Two days ago, the replacement pot showed up.  So far we have bonded and our relationship is on track but I have not forgotten how temperamental she was when it came time to be cleaned.  I will keep my guard up until we have made it through our first 'bath' - if she does fine with it, my heart will sing and I will be a loyal customer for life... if she throws herself into P.O.W. torture mode, I will simply call her owners and request my monies back so that I may continue on my journey to find the perfect coffee pot. I must say though, where they lack in durability, they more than make up for in service.

Fingers crossed, the love affair continues for many years to come.