He was chrome... and he said, "Commmmee with me..."
A true Wilco fan is my husband. So much so, that here was his Halloween costume:
I unfortunately had to work the 2pm - 11pm shift. I met up with Carrie and Jacob and crew after for a bit, but didn't have the energy, high or otherwise, to dress up.
Speaking of High Energy - Carrie had a funny story. She helped her bandmates make these awesome Alice in Wonderland costumes. When she brought her sewing machine to help, she realized that typical of most boys they had waited till the last minute to get them done. When she said, "You guys, this might be a lot of work," the guys threatened to call "ELECTRIC JENNY."
Hahahhahaha! Electric. Jenny.
Why aren't you blogging?
I'm been so busy! I know, I know, we're all busy, but others of us find time to blog. Somehow I'm not finding the time!
And then, see, I let it all build up, then I have so much to say that I'm overwhelmed, then I just don't. Stupid, I guess. I need to be better about blogging shorter posts more often. Hmmmm.
Some things I should tell you:
1) I've really been enjoying old episodes of Cast On. I think Brenda Dayne is a genius. I love listening to that show while I knit.
2) I've been watching too much TV. Damn you Directv!
3) I finally got all our crazy house stuff done. Mostly. The baby's room is still in progress, of course, but all the other shelves, etc. are done. I just have a few hooks to hang and curtains to make for downstairs. Otherwise, whew!
So that's all good.
Knitting-wise, I wish I had more to report. I am about 1/3 done with the front of HE John's Phildar sweater. It looks the same as the back, so a picture really doesn't tell you much.
Bridie is almost done, but I am having issues with the neckband.
Also I don't think I can wear it, even though I tried to size it for me now - I hoped the belly part could hang open with the top closed but it doesn't look promising. I am a little sad. And I really was hoping I could make the neck/button band look more professional. Sigh. I will show you more of it soon.
Lastly, HE John has made his first batch of beer!
He loves beer, of all types, and he has a lot of opinions about good beers, what types of beer is good for what weather, etc. So it doesn't surprise me he wanted to make some.
I got to cap the bottles. That was fun! In about two weeks they'll be ready!
I hope he likes what it tastes like when they are done.
Take one down, pass it around...
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
and meet me tonight in Atlantic City...
Hello! We are back from Jersey, where I had SO MUCH FUN visiting Cara!
Cara is such a fun person, and her husband and sister are awesome too. I had a really great time and am so glad I went.
Things I learned on my trip to Jersey/NY:
1) Cara walks really fast. I pride myself on being a fast walker - I can't stand people who walk slow especially when they are "in my way". But now that I'm carrying extra weight, I almost could not keep up with her! And I love that.
2) The 10-second rule does not apply to NY city streets.
3) If the band for the top of your knee high sock can fit around your head -
It's too big.
4) Ferries are fun!
And look! The Statue of Liberty!
5) I can spin! Ok, not well, but I did it. Cara's a good teacher.
And here's my handspun:
It's not beautiful, I make much prettier yarn on a spindle, but it's only the second time I have done it. I can't wait to get a wheel!
6) NYC is really big, but they have the tiniest. bathroom. ever.
I'm standing in front of the toilet here.
Hardly room for a pregnant woman, I assure you.
7) If you put me in a yarn shop, I will buy yarn:
Here's some Habu Bamboo I got, gorgeous and so soft. I'm going to have a real dyer dye it for me.
And here's a pic of the front room at Habu, where they make such beautiful stuff!
8) If Cara has a STASH SALE, I will buy yarn. BTW, go over and see what she has left!
I got the following - some Firesong yarn:
and some angora for a tiny blanket for a tiny high energy person.
9) I can finish a sweater on a trip if I knit hard and fast:
My sister comes up this weekend, and then I'll have pictures of her wearing it, yay!
10) Cara can twist my arm into starting a pair of knee highs:
Koigu. These are gonna be GOOD. Even if I do have fat calves.
Knitting update:
Lastly, an update. Peaches is rockin' right along:
But Bridie had a snafu:
Looks okay, huh? Well, it's way too big. Despite checking gauge, I'm getting 19 st instead of 22 to 4", which of course will never fly. Had to rip those 6 inches of sweater out. SO. SAD. But after a knit fest last night I am almost back to where I was.
Hope you all have a good week!
Cause it doesn't remind me of anything...
We are liking Audioslave more and more around here. I have their first album from itunes and I really like it. That Chris Cornell can WAIL.
Housekeeping.
This post is mostly about catching up. And who doesn't need a good list, really?
1) THANKS for the birthday wishes. We had a great time.
2) Thanks for the support about jerky people who say stupid things to pregnant people. At least I didn't have anyone yet act THIS STUPID.
3) To all who recommended The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, it ROCKED. I really enjoyed it.
4) Almost done with The Geographer's Library. It was okay.
5) I have renamed my crazy dog Sadie. She will now be called Sadie McGillicuddy McGee.
KNITTING. PLEASE.
I did no knitting because I have been so tired and worn-out - sometimes I wish my work wasn't so stressful, you know? I know, cry us a river, Timberlake. We ALL have hard jobs.
BUT then I remembered, I see my sister in like two days and have to get Green Gable to the bust line, and I am about 7 rows away. So, tonight, it's kntiknitknit. YIKES.
Decisions.
I have also been agonizing for a really long time now over getting sewing furniture. I want to be sure it's exactly what I want, that it will fit, etc., 'cause the ones I want are expensive. But I keep changing my mind, and feeling nervous, and changing where we'll put it.
Because, you see, I lose my sewing room when the High Energy Fetus is born. Which is cool. But I need to put my crap elsewhere.
So, what to do? Make paper cutouts, that's what I did:
How LAME. But you know, it works for me, and I think I can envision how everything will fit when the cabinet is open, closed, etc., and how much storage, etc. The husband thinks it'd be easier to do on computer. COMPUTER? Give me graph paper any day. I can TRUST graph paper. It won't screw you over.
Fun weekend.
We had fun times around here this weekend. Sunday was my 34th birthday, and High Energy Mom's birthday was Tuesday. So we went home for the weekend for festivities.
Our initial plan was to camp, but as you can see...
the weather was not so good. A few minutes later...
it really was not so good.
So we went to Mexican restaurant where, conveniently, they had already decorated for someone's birthday...
...and we pretended it was for me.
Here's a gratuitious 16 week belly shot, while in the car.
The next day we went to the arboretum in Asheville, NC and had a fun walk.
That evening, after cake and presents:
we went to see the Asheville Tourists, a Colorado Rockies farm team!
It was very much fun times. Complete with frozen t-shirt contest and the chicken dance. And the Tourists won!!!
While at the game, I ate a lemon-lime frozen ice - YUM - and it turned my lips GREEN.
And I finished another Elspeth front:
and the first sleeve!
And afterwards there was a really cool fireworks show.
We had to come home in the afternoon which was sad times, but HE Johnny took me to Indian restaurant dinner and to see Talladega Nights, which was very silly and funny.
All in all, good birthday fun! And Elspeth is blocking with one sleeve to go...
The waiiiiting is the hardest part*
OK PEOPLE. Listen up. There's a lot to tell. A lot that's random. I'm just going to go with it. You should pee, and get yourself a beverage. You may be here awhile.
High Energy Embryo.
So, all the active IVF poking and prodding is done for now, except the aforementioned shots. Now, we wait. And wait. Maybe there's an embryo implanting. Maybe not. No way to tell yet. Just lots of waiting.
There's a lot of chance it just won't take. Even if it does, it could only take a little and then I'd have a period. Or I could miscarry. Or, maybe it'll stick.
I don't say this to be negative. I'm feeling quite positive, actually. But we infertile types get used to failure, to having our hopes dashed with each period every 4 weeks (or 3 in my case. EXCELLENT.) So, it's best for us to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. All your thoughts and prayers mean everything to me. Thank you. We'll wait together.
Random thing number one.
Mostly for the fam, a picture of our new deck furniture and newly stained deck. Which my dog has already covered in mud. Because she's bad.
The knitting on the table - it's a secret. Shhh.
Dientes mas blancas.
I am getting my teeth bleached. They make these cool molds of your teeth so the plastic things fit exactly, like so:
Not so attractive. Not very tasty bleach gel. Moving On.
You think she's dancing now...
Here's some math for you:
9 girls + slightly used wedding gown + engaged girl = weddin' jig.
REALLY High Energy Johnny...
...is taking a welding class. How cute is this picture?
Best. Man. Ever. Wants to build bicycles. Lord don't let him burn down the house.**
Random Pirate Attack!
Look what I got from the dear HibiscuitsGirl at The Black Stitch! Yo Ho Ho!
Note the "Ahoy Matey" sticker. I love this woman.
Knitting? A swatch. Anything.
I have joined the "Green Gable Knit-a-long" because I could not help myself. Here's a swatch. Boring, but it's all you get folks.
Yarrrrrrrrrrn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in "New Age Teal". Ooooh. Goody.
Alright, kids. I'm exhausted. I actually have to go back to work Friday. Oh, WORK. I forgot about that bit. I was enjoying this stay-at-home situation...
*Kudos to Karma, whose song suggestion was perfect.
** WATCH OUT. You might get what you're after...
Sweet Child, Where do we go now...
Thanks to all of you for your well wishes and prayers. You all are the best.
We have some embryos a-growin', so we'll see what happens. They will take over the world. This I know for sure. Bwah-ha-ha-ha!
Have you finished ANYTHING?
Yes.
The Sockapaloooza socks are done.
Click here for a detail shot. Oh, yeah.
And, here's the specs, if'n you want 'em.
Gratuitous Pet Shot:
Ouch.
Now that I have passed the egg retrieval stage, I am taking intramuscular shots of progesterone nightly. Thank God I work with nurses. Take a look at the size of this needle:
Ow. Quit it. Ow. Quit it.
Actually, and truly, they aren't that bad. Didn't really hurt much. Or maybe I'm just numb from all the other shots I gave myself over the last 10 days or so. Hmmm.
Sleeve therapy.
To distract myself from such medical therapies, I finished the Vintage Knits Ribbed Sweater Sleeve No. 1. Or, Bob, for short.
Bob needs to be sewn on to see how it's all going to go together. I have true fear that I am going to run out of yarn. I think I can maybe get the other sleeve done, but there's no way there's enough for the neckband. CRAP. The yarn gods are not smiling. Anybody out there have any Rowan Cotton Glace in color 787, Hyacinth??? We can talk dye lots, people. I can trade or pay. But you can't have our firstborn (if there is one). ;-)
Well, hello there.
Hi people. I thought I'd post a little post here, but actually it's a BIG post, so be forewarned!
A friend of a friend suggested this idea on his blog about taking a picture of your day, hour by hour. I thought it'd be interesting... I couldn't do it on a work day, since I can't take pics at work, but here I document for you my day off work on Sunday.
2:30pm
Hi. I'm sleepy and the gnomes and I really want to stay in bed.
3:30pm
Walking a happy person who is getting her news. All the news that's fit to sniff.
4:30pm
Knitting on Madli's Shawl, from IK, in Kidsilk Haze. I'm working fast, cause I have a month left till I wear it. At this point I have 18.5 repeats out of 31 done.
5:30pm
The boy and I decide to take the tandem out for a spin. Lord is he silly.
6:30pm
Buying new bike shorts from Bike Nashbar. And no you can't zoom in to to see my credit card. Stop trying.
7:30pm
Carrie, John and I waiting for AM and Dixie Chick. We were so hungry, we threatened to eat Carrie. We were in a vegetarian restaurant, and they caved and seated us. We won!
8:30pm
Dessert. Yum.
9:30pm
Talking to my Mom-in-law on the telephone. Gabgabgab. My mom and dad: I will call soon, I swear.
10:30pm
Jenny actually starts in on a project for work she was supposed to start hours ago. Excellent. I HATE writing.
11:30pm
Still working. Have called in reinforcements: ipod, Lucky Charms, Diet Pepsi. Thank God for Diet Pepsi.
12:30am
Waiting for last page to print. So. Tired. of. Waiting. Have resumed Pajama Status.
1:30am
Kinko's. 1:30 am. The Jennmeister, High Energy Jenninator, Making Copies.
I am the ONLY one in the copy shop. This is a college town on Sunday night. WHAT?
2:30am
I'm exhausted and I deserve a movie. Goody. Headphones, laptop, sofa.
3:30am
Mid-movie, knitting up a storm! Almost 20 repeats down!
4:30am
Writing the blog. Too boring for picture.
5:00am
Must work at 5pm tomorrow. Maybe just a little Harry Potter time before I go to sleep...
Good night ya'll... More knitting soon.
Aloha!
Welcome to the special or not so special 100th post of HEK. That's right, 100 times I have talked and talked and you nutty people have listened. We've laughed, we've cried, we've knitted. Oh, good times.
Oh, for Pete's Sake!
Ahem.
Here are a few pics from Hawaii, where we are having fun times. Well, except for me LEAVING my camera on the plane (it appears to be gone forever), getting really SUNBURNED despite my attempts not to, and FORGETTING my French Market Bag knitting (after all the preparation), that is...
Oh yeah, and I turned 33 today. Solidly in my 30s. There it is. Oh well.
For my birthday, my dear friend Alex gave me a beautiful needle case:
In back is the recent Vogue Knits in which they are pictured.
Here my favorite little kid and I are practicing swimming:
And at dinner. Yummy good dinner.
This is Kai. He is our dear friends' 15 month-old and he is SUPER CUTE. If only we could be so lucky. He knows the words "boat", "owl", "lizard", "mama", "dada", "thanks", and "belly button." He is a genius baby and we love him.
Here for the parent-types is one of the man and I:
See ya'll later!
We return to the mainland on Wednesday. I think the shrug might be done by then. Miss all my knitting buddies! See you all soon. Back to actual knitting content when I am reunited with my camera. Or a new camera. Harrumph.
So, lately I've been feeling a bit like, oh, CRAP. No energy Jenny, that's me. What's the deal? I'm not sure, but I don't like it. Just one of those weeks where you think, what's it all matter? Does my life have any meaning? Will my life ever be simple? Can George Lucas make a good movie again, ever?
The week started sucky with me sewing a cat bed for our kitties. Taking my spare time to sew a comfy, corner shaped cat bed, even with cats on it. But they would have none of it.
I cat troubleshot:
- Spraying it with catnip spray? No good.
- Too much stuffing?
- Too little stuffing?
- Wrong place in the house?
Nothing would convince them. Ungrateful wretches.
Pure Laziness.
Also - in the time I've been gone from the blog, I did essentially no knitting. WHAT? I know. I did essentially NOTHING at all.
Really. You can know this is true as I did essentially no blog reading either. If you have a blog I read and comment on, please don't be sad or mad. I haven't read anyone's blog in week and I am tremendously behind.
I have nothing to say for myself, really. I suspect two things are to blame.
1) I hate working with Summer Tweed, so I am not in a hurry to finish the Ginger sweater. Especially since the edges are chain stitch edges, which take that oh so little bit more effort - effort that in Summer Tweed is excruciating. And I may not start something new until I finish something old.
2) Also, I blame Alias.
I have watched all of Season 1 and four episodes of Season 2 (so don't tell me any spoilers). Let me just say the show is completely addictive. I CANNOT knit while watching this. And I can knit through just about any movie, etc. But not Alias. I can't even knit Clapotis, because of the twisted stitches. If it's not stockinette I can't knit it because the show is that exciting. And I have nothing that is stockinette now, so there you go. And I love the show, I can't stop watching it.
Basically a worthless low energy Jenny watching TV for days and days.
Ok, so I did a little knitting.
I did finish two Dulaan hats, from Norma's great pattern.
Red light, green light.
The only thing I did differently for the green and blue one was to use a provisional cast-on, so in pulling the top and bottom together it was not as bulky.
I used Peruvian Highland Wool, two strands together and used exactly two skeins total for each hat.
Here's a goofy girl modeling it.
End on an up note.
Although this week started out sucky, I have to say things are looking better:
1) I successfully went yarn shopping with a sweet friend and did not buy any yarn. This is huge.
2) I ran twice this week. THIS is really huge.
3) I am successfully keeping Sea Monkeys alive.
4) I looked out in our porch today to see this:
He likes it! Hey, Mikey!
Your call is important to us.
So I will be on a small hiatus here at HEK as I have no camera, as the man took it away to CA. And without pictures I am nothing.
In the meantime, here's a fun game to play for you music lovers:
The geeky husband and I (both of us nerds) had our laptops on the sofa sitting together and it occurred to us we could play music off our computers (with itunes or similar program) to each other to see how fast we could guess the song. Like nerdy Name that Tune.
The rules were:
- It had to be a song the other should know.
- It had to be a song that could be recognized from the very beginning.
- Everyone plays by the honor system.
So we'd start the song and stop it within a second, and if the other didn't guess, we'd play a bit more etc. The scoring was lax but I did win. ;-)
The best was that I recognized "Santaria" by Sublime in one note and in about 1/2 a second. Impressive, no?
OK, not really. But it was fun! We were laughing the whole time. You should try it. Could be done with one computer as long as the other person isn't looking. Honor system! No cheating!
Enough of that. Should be back in a week-ish.
Until then, feel free to go play in a bag.
Oh, and P.S.
Anne Marie's blog has moved! Update your links!
I could complain...
Yes, I could tell you how my lovely trip home (in which I had a GREAT time, thanks Mom and Dad!) was marred by:
a) a mechanical plane issue resulting in significant delay in getting home.
b) the discovery that I spent quality time sewing in the sleeve into my Honeysuckle sweater, only for it to look like SH*T. And be too small. More on this later, if I can stand to touch the orange monster again.
c) a torrential downpour which led to our basement flooding. AGAIN. And since I quilt in the basement, and since my two crappy felines knocked some books onto the floor, I have spent tonight doing this:
Thank heaven for my ipod.*
This book is the Vogue Knitting of quilting books for me. Trust me, if it was your favorite knitting book, you'd be spending quality hair dryer time too.
I said, I COULD complain...
But instead, I'll show you this:
Anyone who knows me will recognize me in this picture.
1) The hair. I mean, really.
2) The outfit. You can't tell in b&w, but that is a nightgown with Raggedy Ann on it, in BLUE and PURPLE. It was vintage then, let me tell you.**
3) The purposeful gait. This is how I walk now - fast, going somewhere, looking only in the direction planned. I was a child with a goal. And that goal was - CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
4) Note the doll's hair also. I mean, really.
*And James Ingram singing, "Yah Mo B There."
**My mommy made the nightgown. ;-)