Typical Government/University Thinking...

I have done a stupid thing. I lost my university ID card. This wouldn't be such a horrible thing, except that it is how I unlock the doors in the building.

Now, for the brilliant thinking/policy making, that can only be attributed to government and university minds. Ready? To report your card lost/stolen you must give them your name and (wait for it) the ID number that is only found on the front of your ID card.

Hello! Anyone paying attention? This number is not located anywhere else that you can access.

So, I was told that it would be best to not show up at the Ncard office for the next 6 weeks, unless it was absolutely necessary, as they are processing several hundred new students, and I would have to wait for each group to go through. (The ave. group size, you ask? 50 people)

Oh well. I will just have to stalk their office in the morning, and beat the influx of new students.

On the home front: Last Friday was the 1st day off for the summer for my kids. We went to the psychologist (we may have some new answers that make much more sense soon), then we went to the YMCA to bask in the sun in the new outdoor pool.

Saturday we went to the park, then the pool (let me tell you the water is very cold). After the pool, we went to Panera for a Lincoln Knitter's session. (only 3 of us showed up).

Sunday was the best though. We spent the entire day at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. We got there, drove around the parking lot for like 45 minutes, trying to find a parking spot (no luck). Finally got a spot across the street, then proceeded to walk around, ride the train, and ride the tram until almost 5 p.m.

Sorry, no pictures. But I will tell you that both kids were thrilled with the peacocks that roam free. And J wanted to get up close and personal with the prairie dogs that also roam free. K loved watching the sea lions. She made us get off the tram so she could watch them. (so much like me, anything about the water creatures)

The second best thing? the aquarium. We actually sat down in the shark tube for almost 10 minutes. We were all mesmerized and fascinated with the sharks, rays, puffer fish and sea turtle. I could stay in there all day and not get bored, but not the kids. I thought 10 minutes was about as long as I could make J stay in there.

Behavior has been pretty darn good from J over the weekend. But then again, he was being kept very active and busy with things that are not the same. This will wear off (i.e. the outdoor pool), but I will bask in the minimal fighting/arguing that occurred.

Knitting is going about the same, I didn't get much time over the weekend because of how busy and on the road we were, so I am in about the same spot I was the last time I checked in. I did cast on a new pair of shorty socks for J. He likes the way they feel better than store bought socks.

Well, have a great day!

(p.s. Jess, I got your postcard. Love it! Now, if you would have put your new address on there, we could send one back. PM me in Ravelry some time with your address)

Luvin' 'Amigurumi Knits'

I can't get over how much I LUV this book: Amigurumi Knits

I have made the Garden Snail, and started Nessie and the Octopus.

These are about as close to instant gratification as you can get for knitting projects. They are even more fun than socks.

I love Hansi Singh's designs. I have dreamed about her designs even before her book. I would drool over her Etsy.com site. (She has her shop closed this week, but I am sure she will be back in all her cryptozoological glory soon)

I am using the yarn that Jess gifted me. (Remember that tangled mess you were going to throw away? It has gone on to become some fun creatures!)

I need to finish up so many projects. I will work on that, bit by bit, and throw in some quick ami's to make sure I don't get too bored. Some of them are just too big and hot to work on in the summer, so go into hibernation until October or later.

Happy Knitting!

End of school approaches, and the frustration begins

OK, this post is just one big rant. Ignore as needed.

I am a bit apprehensive about school ending this week. I will be glad to not have to worry about missing assignments, and "we need this" and "we need money for this".

But... there is the problem of what to do with the 2 kids to keep them entertained/out of trouble/not fighting over the summer.

I wonder if there is any way to find more money and more camps for them to attend? I would love to be able to send them to camp all summer. (Anywhere!) But one's that wouldn't cost me an arm and leg to do so. (And one who is capable of dealing with an out of control temper/behavioral problems)

I do have a couple weeks of each kid going to Camp Kitaki. J will be going the week after next and K. will be going right after the 4th of July. I am also looking into a music camp for J. to attend. But then I feel guilty for not having a 2nd camp for K.

Then I find out that I may be called for Jury Duty on the week of the music camp. Well, that just stinks. I was thinking that I could take a day or 2 off that week and spend it with K, instead of a 2nd camp, but if I am stuck in the courthouse ...

I will have to think about this some more. I wish there were more options.

Everyone keeps telling me about BrightLights. But the hours do not fit with having to work an everyday job from 8-5. I mean the morning session is from 9-noon, and the afternoon session is from 1-4.

Who schedules these things? Don't they realize that people have jobs? I guess they are still under the impression that the "wife" stays home and can cart the kids to all their activities. and why don't they provide before care and lunch supervision at the other locations? I would have to get to work 1.5 hours late and leave 1.5 hours early. I mean, I guess then I would have to leave work again at 11:30 to supervise my own child over lunch and hurry back after 1 p.m. So, I would be at work from 9:30-11:30 in the morning and 1:30-3:30 in the afternoon. Sure, that's close to a full 8 hour day.

Ok, I think I've ranted enough (or quite a bit more that enough).

On the knitting front: I have started (and almost finished) Nessie from Amigurumi Knits I have the flippers and horns left.

I am almost 1/2 way done with my beaded sock from the Knitter's Brewing Co.

I finished those socks I have been using as appointment waiting room socks.

I made a purse/bag.

I made the garden snail from the same book that Nessie is in. (I plan to make many more of these creatures. I love this book so much.)

I made out my list of people for Christmas, and started to gather ideas for what to do (hopefully most can be accomplished from my stash). I may have to get out my 3 foot long size 50 knitting needles again.

I'm about 1/2 way done with a gift for Tana and her newest edition.

I still need to finish a blanket that will be gifted/donated too. Just have to seam up all the blasted blocks.

Plus I have some shawls I need/want to knit up, and several more KAL's coming up.

(Just remember Jess, you wanted me to blog more. I am sure you are having fun getting reacquainted with NYC.)

I was told I have to blog more...

OK, I understand, I need to blog more. (I actually have known this for quite some time, just don't have a lot of motivation/knowledge to do something about it)

I just don't have much to talk about. I still can't get the card reader to read my camera's picture card. Now, does this mean I need a new card reader, card or camera?

I still need to get the pictures off that dang card though. (humpf)

I guess I could try a new card, then a new card reader, and if all else fails? (gulp) a new camera.

I should go to Christy's Blogging 101 class tonight, if there is still room. Maybe that would give me a boost and some fresh ideas. (another drawback ... I don't have DSL or high speed internet at home. I only have the dreaded and nearly useless dial-up)

If anyone has any ideas for me that would be great too.

I am trying to get the money to add DSL at home, but $600/year is a lot out of my pocketbook. Maybe I will have to start making some stitch markers, row counters, and other small items to sell to help this along.

Off to think up some new designs ...

A Very Lazy Blogger

I guess I just don't feel like blogging. I love reading them, but I just don't feel I have anything that anyone else would want to hear.

So, I guess I can promote other people's blogs. Like this one: Julie-K. Julie is a friend from my knitting group/guild and loves to create new things from old things. Her giveaway today is made from a sweater sleeve cuff that she embellished.

I do love this one. It seems to say "Spring" to me.

I also love her bags. She makes some of the cutest bags. Some of the ones from recycled sweaters? well, let's just say Gorgeous!

Also, for anyone looking for some plants/flowers, and in Lincoln, NE, stop by UNL's East Campus for the Horticulture Club's spring plant sale. I will be stopping by later today to check out what they have.

Their sale is today and tomorrow.

Happy Planting!

Busy Buzzing Bee ...

That's how I feel right now. I feel like a busy bee, flitting from one project to another. And I am loving it.

I finished the socks I have been working on forever. Found another pair that only needed the second sock, and have that sock about 1/2 way done.

I have decided to undo the 2 other socks that need mates, and re-use the yarn for better suited patterns. So, back to the list of sock yarn/patterns I go! I need to find some great patterns to bring out the beauty of the sock yarn I have. I have more sock yarn that is variegated than I know what to do with right now. In fact, nearly all of my yarn is variegated/multi-colored/self-striping.

I wish that I had been a little more prudent when I was buying all that yarn. I mean, would it have killed me to have bought some solid/semi-solid colored yarn? Really? Oh, well. That just means that I will have to be a bit more creative when knitting it all up. I do have some pure black sock yarn, so that might be a good thing to do some colorwork with.

The kids have a snow day today. This is both good and trying. I brought J. to work with me today, and I will bring K. on Monday. I don't think I could have handled them both here today. Nor do I think that my job would be very thrilled either. Lately, both of them have been really snarky, grouchy kids. Neither one will cave on any decision. Sometimes I feel like one of those cliches: "he's touching me"; "no, she's touching me"; "mom, make his stop looking at me"; "mom, she looked at me first, make her stop looking at me".

Now, imagine that this bickering goes on about every single thing that they do, see, say, hear, think and even the things that happened like 2 years ago. I am ready for some valium. I think that everyone in the house should have some, so everyone can just chill out. (I know that this is not the solution, but dang, it would be nice to have a peaceful evening/day.)

I am wishing that I had Lisa's patience. I am not sure how she can keep her sanity some days.

Well, back to work!

A bit late on the Twilight saga craze, and a sock yarn reality check.

I am enraptured. I haven't slept for more than 4 hours in the last week and a half. All over a series of books.

Yup, books. I was a bit late on the uptake of this series. Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.

Well, I read the first one. Kinda moseyed along, reading a bit faster as I got closer to the end. The second one? I read it in 11 hours. I started this last Sunday and I finished at about 2:45 in the morning. Dragged my butt out of bed, went to work and then had to run to the store to get the 3rd book. And stuck my nose in and read book 3 over the next 3 nights. Wednesday? I was at B&N, and picked up the last book (since I knew that I would be finishing the 3rd book later that night).

OK, that was 2 days ago. I did finish book 3 Wed. night at around 3:30 a.m. I started the last book last night, and should have it finished up very shortly.

I am getting kind of giddy. (I think that is directly related to the complete lack of sleep over the last week+)

Now, I have to wait until the middle of next month for the movie to come out on DVD. I hate going to movies before I read the books, and I really didn't think that it would hold my attention the way that it did. I think that was why I put off reading them for so long.

OK, enough about books. I have spent most of the last couple of months working on finishing my UFOs. And I still have not resolved my card reader issues. So, still no pictures. Hmpf.

I finished the Mystic Light shawl I was working on during the last Stanley Cup finals. Knitting complex, 2-sided lace and watching hockey just don't work well for me. at all. I'd get about 2 or 3 rows done, then realize that they were not right. So I would have to tink back those rows and do them all over again. Hmpf. I finally gave up, carefully stashed it away, and forgot about it.

I pulled it out of it's hiding spot, and was able to finish it in about a week or 2. Don't know what my problem was (except trying to watch that little puck fly across the ice with those boys chasing it).

I also finished a few hats, and some other small projects that just never really went anywhere. I am ready to start working from my stash for the next year. No clubs, no buying yarn (even sale yarn and sock yarn).

I put all the sock yarn into a table the other day (only the one's I could remember mind you). I wanted to do this so I could start looking for appropriate patterns to go with them. You can't knit lacy socks out of a self-striping yarn and expect them to look very lacy.

Here's why I will only be working from my stash: I have enough sock yarn to make 40 pair of socks. And I am sure that there is more sock yarn stashed in other places. Remember I told you this was only what I could think of off the top of my head? Um, yeah. I think I have enough to hold me for a while.

My goal is to do each yarn out of a different pattern. I want to try some new things. Broaden my horizons a bit.

I am not even going to go to all the yarn I bought from Smiley's Yarns. Let's just put it this way. I have enough Bright & Lofty in a day-glo pink to last the world for a lifetime. hmm, maybe I could make K a skirt and matching bolero/shrug?

Well, off to search for something to do with all that Bright and Lofty yarn (besides squares).