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| 2004-05-04
The Present of Software!
2004-05-04, 7:54 a.m. The Present of Software!Recently, I helped out a civic group here by redesigning their logo into vector artwork so they can get shirts made up for an upcoming tour. They thanked me by giving me a super gift! A full version of Adobe Illustrator CS for my computer at home!!!! Now, I just need to upgrade the OS to OS X. Yes, I'm a Mac user, get over it. They just work! Knitting news: Made more progress on sock 2 over the weekend. Zebra socks may actually be done this week! I'm working down the gussett. Kitty news: Fatso got as clean a bill of health as he's going to get from the Vet yesterday. He's still got asthma, but we're treating it so that he can breathe. Of course, that involves lots of pills, which isn't fun for anyone. KnitwitWorked on the Zebra sock some more, then puddled about on the computer to try and teach myself CSS. Friday fun: we're going to see "The Triplets of Belleville" tonight. Glad I've got new glasses to read subtitles! Back in the SaddleOk, back at work. The Zebra socks are moving along. I am about ready to turn the heel on the second one. Thank goodness I've got small feet, so the knitting is almost over on these. Next project: a pair of socks for Hubby in that beige yarn. Boring yarn to look at, but he's worth it and if I make him funky variagated socks they wouldn't get *as* much wear. Balcony ContestThe apartment complex where I live has issued a Balcony Decorating Contest. This to me says, "We can't afford actual landscaping, so are trying to sucker you into doing it for us." Our balcony has two terracotta planters filled w/ kitty grass (not catnip). My plan to beautify the view from our balcony is to see if I can convince the management that two beat-up ice cream trucks don't belong in the parking lot. I may, however, just be whining and not actually do anything about it. A woman who lives in the house with the ice cream truck plugged into it (an extension cord runs from the truck into the kitchen) stares and stares at you when you're taking out the trash. She doesn't wave. She doesn't make threatening gestures. Just glares at you. Zap Gun for ServiceDetritus of the sickies:
Hubby is almost back to a normal diet after his bout w/ the stomach flu. I'm still feeling fragile. The cravings for real food are tangible. I want blue cheese dressing, olive tapenade on costini, roasted garlic on crispy bread, pizza, macaroni & cheese, runny brie, Ben&Jerry's ice cream with sprinkles, fresh strawberries, fresh greens, a cheeseburger. Sadly, I'm still limited to Gatorade, chickenstock w/ rice, and some lightweight lunchmeats (no mayo, no mustard). Dairy products will take longer to add back in. Hubby and I are already planning our Victory Over the Stomach Flu dinner out. Zebra Sock Followup Pictures
The Zebra socks! Look, an actual second sock is forming. Watch it grow! Tuesday!Hubby is on the mend, thanks to Pepto-Bismo. Slacked off and knitted only a little bit on Zebra sock. Otherwise, it was a night filled with carbos for him and "Under The Tuscan Sun" DVD for me. Loved it and will try and read the book Real Soon Now. Sock Progress!When not taking care of Hubby's stomach flu, I've been knitting on the Zebra sock. I'm done with the ribbing and have entered the boring knit round and round. It's very relaxing though. Also finished up the Neck Coolers last night. I didn't count them, but I'm guessing I made about 30. I used the red bandana fabric again and Cocoa-Cola nostalgia fabric that I had left over from Spice Girl's apron birthday gift. Neck Coolers are all bagged up. Now just need to tag them. Next project: my lip balm swap entry. I have been avoiding this project since we've both been ill for the past week or so. I think tonight I'll bleach the kitchen and then proceed. WeekendWatched "Kill Bill, Vol. 1". Very bloody, but somehow also very boring. I thought it was just me, but Hubby was also yawning. Go figure. We just wanted to see what all the hype was about. Hubby caught that nasty bug I had last week. So, our weekend was very sedate and consisted of me running to the shops to buy comfort food for him and convenience food for me to prepare for myself. Let's just say that left to my own devices, I eat like a 7-year-old with a credit card. Not good. Eventually on Sunday, I rememberd to eat fruits and vegetables. Knitting news: Finished Zebra sock #1. Started on the second sock. Hubby said, "You're casting on for the second sock already?!" Me: "It's better this way." Sick sick sickHaven't posted because it would just be whining. I'm sick. There. That's it. When I didn't feel like total crap yesterday (thanks in no small part to long bed rest), I sewed up some neck coolers. Straight line sewing on the serger. Whee. I am toying w/ the idea of wholesaling these to my fellow soapers at the upcoming convention. I'm always amazed at how many of them can't work a sewing machine. I mean, really, they can play w/ lye and chemicals and such, but a needle and thread is scary. I don't understand but am willing to capitalize on it :-) As Hubby will point out, I'm quite a Ferengi (or an Anya), pick your favorite Fantasy Universe (Star Trek or Buffy). This weekend is the Spring Arts Show, during which my good friend, the Support Goddess is singing. I'll try to get there and support her. Hubby also wants to eat the Zellwood boiled corn that's so sweet you don't need butter, but salt's always nice. Deep Fried OreosIt's real. It's factual. It's really fatty!
The sign of great food.
Stealth DefenseA friend of ours just emailed this morning (ok, it was last night, but w/ email being how it is, we got it this a.m.) to say she defended her dissertation!!! Whoo Hoo! She didn't tell anyone when her defense was. Sometimes it happens that way I guess. This is the friend we sent a sparkly applique to as a starter kit for her fabulousness. Call it the Glitter Goddess Power wardrobe in an envelope. She's A Dr. Now!Ok, it's official, our friend made it through the test and has entered the "dark side". She's now Dr. Posh! Her defense was a record-breaking 38 minutes long! Hubby was a bit jealous since his took twice as long. On Sunday to mark the 1 year anniversary of his defense, I burned the Post-It Notes that he used to write his dissertation. It was a merry little blaze. Knitting news: Just about done with the first Zebra sock. It's adorable. Fatso update: He's doing much better with the drugs he's on for feline asthma. Don't tell him, but he goes back to the doc in another week. shhh! ;-) Getting ReadyWe're just about ready for our friend to visit. While it's mostly going to be a social visit, she's here to defend her dissertation. Soon, if all goes well, there'll be TWO doctors in my house at least for the weekend. Of course, they're not the kind of doctors people call for in movies to save a patient's life in a crowded theater or an inflight airplane. These two will be able to make sparkling conversation among other things. All joking aside, I'm very proud of both of them. Knitting news: Worked on Zebra sock #1 last night some more. It's moving along nicely. Another advantage of knitting on 2 circs: I can try on the sock as I go! It's midway down my arch now. About 3 more inches to go! Will take a blog break probably for the next few days. See you Monday! Zebra Sock Progress Report & A ConfessionThe Zebra sock is going along just fine. This is impressive considering that I don't have a pattern for it. I am, however, keeping copious notes for the second sock. I'm using the basic instructions that the Local Yarn Store provided when I took the Socks on 2 Circular Needles class. Then I took that info and mushed in my estimated number of stitches for the average woman's foot and subtracted some (because I keep making socks too big). Looked up the "Rounder Heel" instructions I found online (somewhere) in the "Heels By The Number" flier (again, somewhere online... this is why I print out hardcopies). And it's actually looking like a sock. When folks ask how long I've been knitting, I usually dread the answer because I feel I should be further along. The truth, here in front of Blog and everyone, is that I learned to knit in the 6th grade (age 11) with a broken left arm. Luckily, I'm right handed and the teacher (Mrs. Ernst, rest in peace) showed me how to poke the non-working needle into my cast and work on the multi-colored Red Heart Yarn hat anyway. But like always, I found many other hobbies that interested me and knitting took a hiatus until I moved to Littletown, Florida with my first job. Knitting was a stress-reliever then and is still now. My Fatso Cat loves my first "adult" knitting project: an acrylic (yah yah) blanket that is 4 triangles sewn together to make a square. Even when I look at that afghan and think how nice it would look if ONLY I had used better yarn (like a wool blend at least) or if ONLY one of my needles hadn't broken (crappy plastic ones) and I had to change mid-stream so the gauge is wonky on one of the triangles, or if ONLY blah blah blah... I remember that it was a beginning. Maybe someday I'll reknit it like that, but probably not. Places What I've BeenJust some sillyness: create your own personalized map of the USA or write about it on the open travel guide Not including airports even though we've spent quality time in the Newark airport waiting to board for Paris. Knitting news: Skipped the Local Yarn Store Yard Sale. Yes, I avoided an opportunity to buy more yarn. I've got enough to work on for now. Worked on the Zebra sock a bit more this weekend. Picked up the heel stitches and am ready to work down the gussett. |
