Hobbit's little 'crack thumb'

Thumbkin Cover in action

That's what we call it - her crack thumb.  She is addicted to sucking her thumb.  If her mind is engaged in something else, that little bugger just sneaks its way into her mouth and boom - she's sucking her thumb.  We have been trying to get her to stop ever since her big girl teeth came in but it's hard for her.  So I created this little cover to help her remember to keep her thumb out of her mouth.

I've figured out how to link a pdf file so I have it up and available on Ravelry.  I made Hobbit's out of the Andes yarn I had in my stash.

Hobbit loves it and it has really helped her stop.

The mail has arrived...

I heard a knock on the door and found this waiting for me...

Well hello little box... where are you from?  OH!  Welcome home!!

Ball Winder, Bulky Weight and Lace Weight Cable Needles

Yippee!  I managed to actually put it all together - I am so not mechanically inclined.

Lace and Bulky Weight Needles - I have a full cabling set now.

Sometimes, getting the mail is the best moment of a rainy Friday afternoon.. like today.

Internal struggle... and a losing battle.

Litchfield by Elizabeth Doherty
photo via Twist Collective Fall 2011

Y'all have no doubt heard about my soapbox issue for $6 single patterns before and this is not going to be another diatribe on that subject.  It is, however, going to be a mental hashing out of my desire to own a $6 pdf file that has two patterns on it.  I am honestly conflicted because the rational side of me keeps stating that it's wasteful or frivolous while the yarnoholic craft goddess side screams about how fabulous it is - and it's driving me buggers!

I was scrolling through my regular blog roll when I came across this fabulous pattern in Twist Collective's Fall 2011 collection.  The minute I saw it, I fell in love.  One of those little fan girl squeals escaped from me - Pokey giggled and I was floored.  I never knew that one skein of yarn could make something so utterly, breathtakingly gorgeous.  I wanted it and I wanted it now!  I also knew that I would make this item at least 4 times over - making my quick calculations at *roughly $0.75 earned back at that point.

This was bad... oh so very bad.  My universe was crumbling down around me.  I can't be that frivolous, I just can't.  Pokey and I are rubbish at managing money and I have made it my goal this month to start to get things moving in the right direction.  I had already, in the past three days, squished 4 different shopping dreams because in the big scheme of things, they weren't of value.  So with that kind of track record, what was I doing coveting such a pattern?  Well, it is two patterns for that price but I digress.

Isn't lovely?

Pokey was of absolutely no help.  I told him that I wanted it, almost honestly believed that I needed it, and that his job was to bring me back down to earth.  Do you know what his response was... if you like and you want it, then it's not frivolous or wasteful.  What kind of help is that?!?!  Sure, I can get a good return on this particular investment because I've already got 4 people lined up to receive this lovely - colors chosen and everything - but to tell me that my mindset and position on it is wrong just makes my head explode.

I don't know what to do - I'm lost.  I've spent so much time evaluating the practicality of the single pattern cost (and this is two patterns) versus the pattern book.  Is this is the future of knitting?  Should I just take this baby step and come to terms that every article I want to create is going to cost me $6 if it isn't free on Ravelry?  I don't know what to think about that.. I feel a Scarlet O'Hara moment coming on.

What do y'all think - is it frivolous or is it fine?

*$6/2=$3... 4 recipients/$3=$0.75

Sad state of affairs

Cross-stitch my mama made for me

I had put Ramsay up for sale on an internet site this past week because... well... because we were having a really rough patch.  He was being difficult in his potty training, chewing on things that he shouldn't be chewing on and general sneakiness... and I was at my wits end because Hobbit was following the same path of naughtiness.  Something had to give and he was the one that could be removed.

Fast forward to today.  I received an email from someone scouring the pet purchasing site.  He stated that his name was Jack and he was interested in purchasing "it".  He also said that he was too busy to deal with me in person but would mail me a money order, with an extra $80 for my running around and he would have a mover show up to take care of shipping "it".  Just wire him the monies via Western Union and all would be well.

All was not well - that was a scam.  Plain and simple.  It is a sad state of affairs when someone, in an economy such as this, will hunt on those who are emotionally vulnerable.  I love my dog - he just frustrates the snot out of me at times.  Last week was a breaking point... but to attempt to take advantage of me - or anyone else - is just pathetic.  So please, if anyone ever gets anything in an email where the sender states using a money order - report it.  I speak from experience, as this happened to me years ago in my youthful ignorance and it left me almost $1000 in debt to the bank and nowhere to go.  The bad people were not in our country and even though I did all I could, nothing was ever rectified.

Ramsay, and my money, are staying right where they belong - home with me.

Oh my goodness - the coolest thing ever!

So I have had this button on my toolbar forever and I never once clicked it.  I didn't click it because I didn't understand it.  There was some mumbo jumbo about how if you saw something you loved and wanted a pattern for it, just click it and "poof", it would appear on my favorite pattern site like magic.  I guess perhaps I was skeptical but today was the day that I thought I would try it... and it is the coolest button ever!!

I saw a cute pattern and my brain recalled that I have a "Ravel It!" button and when I clicked it, it took me to the designer's Ravelry page!  I tested this on several blogs that I know are Ravelrs, including myself, and it worked every time!!  Then I searched the internet for cool knitted items and hit the magical button and "Poof", matching items showed up in a search results page on Ravelry... oh yeah, it's that good.

I just had to sing the praises of this amazing little button that I was too lame to push earlier - now go get yourself one here (it's at the bottom of the page, just grab it and drag it to your tool bar) and start exploring all the 'ravel it' possibilities!!

To make it fair

Source

I am going to switch up the header every now and again to make the voting fair.  This past week, I've had up the "Make It You" option which features my own photography with my knitting and crochet in one of my coffee cups - a complete picture of my crafty self... lol.

This week I am going to put up the new option of "Trendy & Modern" that I created via some mad digital arts skills.  Okay so it wasn't really all that hard but still, I made it and didn't use any type of template or anything.

The poll is over on the right, just under Peanut's smile for my online photography portfolio.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Hobbit's "Crush"

This little boy was on Disney Channel's "So Random" last night. My sweet, innocent little girl referred to him as "yummy". I asked her if she knew what she meant by that and the response was "Sure Mama, he's cute and he sings better than Justin Beiber... he sounds like a man."

Oh boy.

Ten on Tuesday ~ lovefest edition

Romantic Comedy.  My favorite genre of film - well, it's tied with musicals but generally those are just romantic comedies with fabulous singing bits.  Carole has decided that today's Ten on Tuesday is going to deal with our favorite RomComs and I'm all for it.  Shall we?  Oh, and let's have fun - let's do it backwards!!

10.  "When Harry Met Sally" ~ I love the chemistry between these two.  Everything about this movie is perfect and timeless.  The cinematography is gorgeous, the costumes are fabulous and the story is sweet.

9.  "Kid Galahad" ~ All the elements are perfect.  Boy comes home from military duty.  Boy follows dream with stars in his eyes.  Boy falls for girl.  Girl falls for boy.  Boy saves girl's brother from his demons.  Boy proposes to girl.  All the while, boy sings like nobody's business and has the cutest, most mischievous smile ever.

8.  "The Mirror Has Two Faces" ~ Smart, sassy and a whole lot of fun.  This is a movie that not a lot of people have seen but everyone should because of how brilliant it is... love at it's more elemental of levels and purest of desires.

The Cat's Meow - aka John Wayne

7.  "The Quiet Man" ~ John Wayne was an understated comic genius.  One glance says so much.  The simplest of phrases with just the right emphasis could knock you over.  Maureen O'Hara, well she is just a legend... to the point that Hobbit was almost named "Mary Kate" and with her attitude, she is referred to her quiet often.

6.  "One Fine Day" ~ This is one of my 'go to' classics when I just want a feel good movie.  Who can't relate to either character in this gigglefest?  Once upon a time, I daydreamed about finding my own Jack and having fabulous days gallivanting around one of the most amazing cities in the universe.

5.  "White Christmas" ~ Before you get all "that's a holiday film" on me, it is still a romantic comedy.  The comedy timing between Vera Ellen and Danny Kaye is impeccable.  The romance between Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney is one that has stood the test of time.  All of the singing and dancing is just the best bonus a girl like me could ever ask for, really.

4.  "Leap Year" ~ This is a newer movie but I love it.  The storyline is cute and I think that Amy Adams is just one of the greatest young actresses in Hollywood today.  I have no idea who the fabulous Irish bloke is but he's easy on the eyes and has the best laid back air about him.

3.  "Definitely, Maybe" ~ The premise of this movie is perfect.  What parent hasn't been asked to tell their love story by their children?  The twist that Ryan Reynolds throws in is what makes it fabulous.

2.  "That Touch of Mink" ~ Doris Day.  Cary Grant.  What more do you need to have a perfect romantic comedy?

1.  "You've Got Mail" ~ I love this movie.  The chemistry between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is just so sweet.  It keeps true to the essence of the original ("Shop Around the Corner" with Jimmy Stewart) but the storyline is just wonderfully modern... and she agrees with me that daisies are the happiest flower.

So that is my list for today.  Now please note that if you ask me this question again tomorrow, my answers would all be completely different.  This suits my mood today and as a movie buff, I think it's a pretty good representation of the genre.  Now, if you haven't seen all of these, I suggest you hit your local movie spot and pick them up because they are all worth having in your collection!  Go ahead, I'll pop the popcorn and be here waiting when you get back.

Don't forget to cast your vote in the great header debate.  Poll is found on the right, post is found here.

M is for...

Motivation.

Have you ever reached a point in a project where you were just "over it" and lost interest?  It happens to me on larger projects with boring stitch work.  The monotony of it all just makes my brain go numb.  I love the project, I want the finished product but the section that makes me drudge along has me pulling my hair out at times... and that is when I need motivation.

For me, motivation comes in a couple of tried and true forms.  There are times when I motivate myself by browsing the pattern section of Ravelry and seeing what everyone else's finished product looks like - that will spark daydreams of my own finished product and I'll get back to work.  Sometimes I motivate myself by looking for my next project or simply queuing things up on Ravelry so that I have something to look forward to when I'm done.  My last resort motivator is to actually take a break from the project and finish off something quick and easy.  A simple change of gears is enough to get me back on track for the larger project again.

Case in point - remember this one?

I have learned over the years that I'm only good for about one huge project a year.  I can generally make about three or four medium sized projects but I am an instant gratification kind of girl - socks, hats, gloves - and those little things make great distraction projects too.  What are your ways of motivating yourself?

Want to join in the fun - click here.

Sunday Snaps

Time is passing too quickly - Hobbit had to have heels for school.

I'm making progress on the front of my sweater... but it feels really slow.

I've not taken a lot of shots this week - and that is totally odd for me.

Difficult decisions are being made about this one.  It's a "shape up or ship out" kind of situation.

Lessons to learn

Current version - soon to morph into
a Hobbit height sticker chart

Hobbit has no concept of money... and why should she really - she's only 6-years-old.  Hobbit is also accidentally destructive because she has no concept of money.  Sure, Pokey can fix just about anything and between her grandmother and myself, we can make just about anything... so "things" are always fine.  At least, that is her mindset and that is what we need to alter.

Today, I created a chore list for Hobbit.  You would think that creating a chore list for a little child would be easy as pie, right?  Wrong!  There are so many factors that need to be considered ~ What was too much?  What was too little?  What was setting her up for success?  What was doomed to failure?


I had to come up with something that would be a "meets in the middle" result for me and Pokey.  You see, Pokey has a more stern approach about chores than I do because he grew up in a very stern household with punishments and such that I honestly find to be overboard.  He knows this and on most of the areas of his childhood, we totally agree that they were over the top.  I, on the other hand, grew up in a house where I had no chores really.  My mother took care of it all because no matter how hard we worked to our own abilities, it was never just as my mother wanted it - a trait that I seem to have picked up and don't really care for in myself.  It's not a bad thing to have high standards, it's just a bad thing to expect everyone else to be able to do it just as you wish - sometimes "perfection" just isn't necessary.  Seriously, who cares if the items on the mantel are a quarter of an inch too far on the right after dusting - isn't it the dusting that was important?

But back to Hobbit - we needed to have a list of items that she was fully capable of doing, wasn't overwhelming and would teach her useful things as she grew up.  So the end result is one chore a day and two chores that occur every day.  They aren't difficult but they are important.  Just today, Hobbit has learned how to properly sort laundry and how to fold things like towels and shorts.  Currently, this is all exciting for her but I am sure by next week she will be fussing and groaning like other children.

We just all need to keep in the mind the lesson being learned - that things cost money and earning money requires hard work.. and I will learn that perfection isn't always necessary in order to be perfect.

Don't forget to cast your vote in the great header debate.  Poll is found on the right, post is found here.

Something we'll have to rememdy

Two distinct trains of thought regarding the new header.  Two distinct ideas as to what it should be.  So, since there seems to be a lot of love for both, I'm leaving it up to a vote.  The poll will be open until the morning of August 21st, at which time I will announce the winning header and set the blog accordingly.

Without further ado - the poll is located over on the right side there, just under Peanut's smiling face for my online photography portfolio.  Just click which version you like and we'll see how it all turns out.  Here are your choices:

1. Make It You - your photograph, your hobbies, your coffee cup!

2. Trendy and Modern - love the stripes, love the tag, love the toile!

Okay - there are your two options so be sure to look up on the right and vote!

Knitting-based travel envy

Source

It all started the weekend before last.  Just a little tug from the green eyed monster to say "Oh hello there, I've just made it in... flight was good, little jet lagged but should be fine soon".  Then today, my cute little fictitious friend became something more like a knitted version of the Incredible Hulk.

It's all happening simply because I have not had the luxury to go the recent knitting events this season.  I had 'secretly' pined for Knit Nation but honestly knew it wasn't possible.  I quietly wished for Sock Summit but knew our schedule and budget wouldn't permit it.  I'm even holding out a small strand of hope for Stitches East in October but the reality of it is that I won't be in attendance because of Hobbit's school schedule and Pokey's work schedule doesn't allow any type of wiggle room during the school year.

All of my friends who live in my computer are currently gathered in Portland, OR and having a grand adventure.  I am enjoying their posts and photographs of their time during the weekend but it's getting harder and harder to keep the cupboard locked where I've shoved the aforementioned monster.  On the upside, apparently there is a small fiber festival in September called "Florida Fiber-In".

It is going to be located in Orlando, a 'doable' distance, but the schedule has yet to be announced.  Should I be concerned that there is no outlined plan - just a location?  I know it says that it's the 8th annual (and 8 is my lucky number) and their theme this year is England (the UK is my favorite country) - all 'signs' point to this as being the place to be... but it is really squishing my OCD planning mojo with the lack of information.

I guess I'll just throw my planner up in the air and make sure that I have Hobbit, pocket money, my camera and knitting (like I ever leave the house without any of those anyway) ready to go on Saturday, September 17th because who knows what's going to happen!  Anyone want to go with me?

On the mend

Thanks to all who sent well wishes the other day - they really seem to have worked.  This morning I appear to be on the mend.  As you can see, while I was not much for posting yesterday, I did work up a new header for the blog.  I wanted something pretty but understated.  Keeping in my color scheme was a must - although I am still working on the sides.  I think that is my next undertaking so don't worry if it changes periodically when you visit - and remember, any suggestions you may have are always welcome.

All in all though, I think I like it... what about you?

Too hard to tell

Hobbit's Summer Adventure (click to enlarge).
*She didn't take the one of her fishing though all the others
are by her - straight off her camera (my old pink Kodak)

I went to bed last night feeling a bit nauseous and didn't wake up feeling any better.  It's that annoying queasy feeling.  You aren't totally ill but just all over icky and blah.  I really dislike this feeling.

I know it wasn't the honey mustard chicken from last night because no one else is feeling ill.  I always worry when I feel icky and we've had chicken the night before... I saw my mama once after a birthday dinner where she got food poisoning from a chicken dish.  It wasn't pretty.  I'm nowhere near that neighborhood of ill, thank goodness.  I just feel puny... yeah, that's a good way to describe it.  I feel puny.

Only two more days left to Pokey's vacation and today looks like it is going to be lazy.  The weather is gross which doesn't help in my attempts to lie to myself that I feel fine.  I'll have to find other ways of duping myself I guess.  On the upside - I can nap all day if I feel moved to do so because he is here... and he's sweet enough to not mind.  Currently though, I can't figure out if I'm hungry or not and I'm honestly a tad scared to figure it out.  If it turns out that I'm ill, that first bite could be the one to turn all things upside down... and I would much rather be rightside up!

Ten on Tuesday ~ Bumper Sticker Edition

Carole has deemed today as Bumper Sticker Day for her Ten on Tuesday gig.  This was fun because, while I don't participate in ruining my car with them, I do enjoy a good bumper sticker.  I generally put them on binders or use them as some other type of decoration.  Here are a few of my favorites...

L is for...

Laughter.

Nothing cheers me up faster than the sound of my kids laughing.  Today, we spent five whole dollars on a simple contraption that had everyone giggling for hours.  It is nothing fancy but it is definitely priceless... as are the memories we made with it tonight.

The magic of a bubble machine.

Want to join in the fun - click here.

Sunday Snaps

The Hobbit came home!

She loved on the toys she missed while she was on  holiday.

We had some fun crafting time and will definitely take Peanut when she's back on break.

An honest to goodness "Hobbit Hole" was found in my living room during Saturday morning cartoon time.

Hmmm... I see a shift in photography subjects...  No kids means a lot of yarn photography.  Kids means a lot of kid photography.  Viewing life through a lens - it's always focused on the right subject.

And this.. well... because it's just good common sense!

Definitely my favorite part

"You know you've had too much coffee when
instant coffee takes too long"

I woke up early.  The house was quiet and still.  I decided to tiptoe around so as to not disturb the peacefulness of the day.  Coffee was made and still, the house lay still.  I sat down to get caught up with the world while I was sleeping and enjoy my coffee.  This is definitely my favorite part of the day.

Once the rest of the house gets up, the magic of the moment is lost.  There is now noise beyond my control.  Life jumps up and down on the soft cushion of my peacefulness.  I like to wake up before the rest of my family simply so I can enjoy that moment of the day. 

Sometimes it lasts for hours, sometimes for only a few minutes... but no matter how long it lasts, I savor every second.  What is your favorite part of the day?

Shift in the universe

Someone painting her little cut-out cat

Someone in our little house thinks that the universe has somehow shifted to revolve around her... someone is wrong.  It's very odd too because one minute, someone is sweet and kind and loving but then BLAMO - little Miss Snotty Princess rears her ugly head.  Curious, very curious.

We discovered a paint your own ceramics place yesterday.  The prices were insane (by my standards anyway - $15 for the little thing she painted) but it was a nice vacation day treat.  During the process, someone was having a grand time.  Choosing her object and her colors, sitting still for an hour to make sure it was just as she had envisioned.  Then, BLAMO - little Miss Snotty Princess came out and had a fit over the fact that she could only paint one.  No "thank you" or "maybe we could come back again when Sissy is in town" - just "gimme more" train of thought.

Not really sure where or when someone became possessed by little Miss Snotty Princess but I am most definitely sure that it should be exercised away rather quickly... or someone is going to learn the taste of soap and become very familiar with the lighting nuances of a corner.

It's been forever

Our dear friends, playing Pooh Sticks

Pokey and I don't go to the theatre much.  To be honest, we rarely go at all.  It has to be an extra special movie for us to validate the expense - because when we go, we want the whole experience.  We had toyed with the last Harry Potter movie but talked ourselves out of it due to chattering teeny boppers and such.  We kicked around the idea of going to the new Tom Hanks and Julie Roberts romantic comedy but we realized that we are going to love it anyway so might as well wait until we buy it this Christmas when it comes out.  Today though, today we are definitely going and we are going all out.

Sure, we're going to purchase it when it comes out on DVD.  Sure, we've seen it a million times before in a million different ways.  This movie though - this one is a no-brainer.  There is no talking yourself out of a classic.  There are no excuses to give as to why you shouldn't be sitting in a disgustingly sticky floored theatre, in chintzy crushed velvet seats with built in cup holders.  It's a must for the full experience - because my childhood friend, whom I still adore, deserves the royal treatment and to be enjoyed in all his glory - meaning nothing but the big screen will do.

Today, we are all anxious 6-year-olds in this house and we're off to the 100 Acre Woods!

Free spirits can be frustrating

Yep, she's sound asleep.  Yep, those are her "Jesse" boots.  That's my girl

It is true.  Hobbit is what some people would call "a free spirit".  She has no fear and dances to the beat of her own drum.  She's wildly imaginative, creative and an excellent problem solver.  She's highly intelligent and sometimes doesn't understand that simply because she 'can', it doesn't always mean that she 'should'.

This past summer it feels as though she has grown.  Sure, she's gotten bigger physically but I mean as a person.  I feel as though I have missed something major in her life.  She isn't the goofy little baby girl that I watched leave to go her grandparents back in June.  Nope, she has returned much older than her mere six years.  Its as though I have missed about ten years of her life but in order to help me catch up, she returned to me in her 6-year-old form but left her 16-year-old mind intact.

Thank goodness some of her old goofiness still shines through every now and again.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Peanut Edition

She's already left... again. I got to see her from 6:30 p.m. on Sunday until 6:30 a.m. today... 129,600 seconds... 2160 minutes... 36 hours. That's all I got to spend with her and I wasted at least 12 hours total of that sleeping! Now, I've got 150 days to wait until she will be home for Christmas break. This one is for my Peanut.

I love you buckets and miss tons.  Have fun at university - study hard, make friends, live life to the fullest.  I'll be here... waiting for you to come home again.

K is for...

Kids!

My kids finally came home from their holiday with their grandparents.  Also, I took these photos last night so they are technically "Sunday Snaps" but I wasn't able to (or willing to leave them in order to) upload them to the computer until today.  So here is what I have been waiting for all summer ~ Peanut and Hobbit finally home!!

Peanut and Hobbit modeling their skating hats - super huge hit with them.

Hobbit showing some love.

Peanut this morning with her bear from her box.  Yeah, I let her open it way early and yeah, she did cry.

Want to join in the fun - click here.