I should be working.. but

I know, I know. I should be hard at work... but.... So much has happened in the last week or so. crazy stuff. First, thanks to all for your kind words on the passing of my MIL.. My FIL is now in the hospital.. Those of you saying prayers - Thank you, keep them coming.

My OWL arrived for the HSKS, Padma - thank you, I'll track your blog down from the swap site.. Your package is amazing.. a literal and figurative ray of sunshine for a pretty crappy week. I refer to the yellow!! I'll take some pics to post, I LOVE Lemmon Zinger tea - it's perfect and i need a cup and just chill!! Can't wait to eat the wine lovers chocolate!! and the yarn - I love it and can't wait to pick up those beeeuuuuu-tful KnitPIcks DPNs and cast on the socks. The yellow will get me in the mood for more spring weather.. it was about 50 yesterday and partly cloudy.. i need more woolies for my toes!

Finally, and then back to work, I got the email for my Wee Tiny Sock Swap.. I knit this tiny little sock over the weekend (Sunday, after my two Knitty GFs left) it's so tiny and cute.. It will be off in the mail to Xa, my wee sock swap buddy. you can visit her at http://crimsonmittens.blogspot.com - she's got some cute posts.. Gotta run

Actually, Yes, I have lost my freakin' mind. Problem?

OK, first - I am pee my pants excited that my HSKS package may have left my buddy's post office today - which can only mean one thing: I'll be getting some fun in the mail soon!!

My MRI results were fine, so no brain tumor, no bad "drop dead" stuff going on in my head, but also no resolution to the headaches.. At least I don't fear dying when I get one now - LOL..

On the "yes, I am crazy" side: If I don't say it - if I don't claim it - it won't happen - so here it goes. I am going to be a pod-caster! That's right - (tap, tap, tap) I'm talking to the one or three of you who may actually read this blog..... I am gonna start pod casting. I have asked a friend to podcast with me and I have suggested an idea on the name.. so we shall see. I have already asked some folks if they would be interested in being interviewed - so, exciting stuff... my husband is going to be thrilled - NOT. LIke i have the time... but you make time for stuff you want to do...

I signed up for Wee Tiny Sock Swap, 'cause Heatherly is a total enabler and told me about it and I can't say no... I had to purchase size 0 dpns for this - someone hit me now. I got yarn today to make my assistant a pair of pedicure socks (Lion Brand book "Just Socks" - very cute, but - now sit down because this is hard to take: I had no yarn in my stash that was the right gauge - the little skein of yarn on the pattern said "3" and I have lots and lots of normal sock yarn - but not a DK weighty sock yarn that was not already spoken for for another project.. so $40 bucks later and sock yarn for me and my assistant.. i am ready to go.. oh ya and then me thinking i am super human and can get 2 lace projects done my mid May - OK. someone shake me silly..

Gotta run to the store and so cookin' - I am having a Tastfully Simple party tomorrow - so if you have not RSVPed yet - call me - you know who you are.

Hufflepuff House Quiz #4 & stufff

Here are my answers to the Hufflepuff House Quiz #4 - and sadly the final quiz:

1.Which 2 Huffles have a Pinkstone as spoilers?

A: Cliodna Trelawney and Helga Lovegoods

2.Which Huffle went on a vacation to Germany?

A: Bella the Beautiful

3.Who is in love with Gus Cauldwell?

A: Petunia Acromantula

4.Which Gryffindor found the snitch during the first round of Quidditch?

A: Cassandra Grubbly-Plank
(OK, Seriously, how the heck to you guys find that darn thing?? This is my second round of HSKS and I have NEVER found it!!

5.What is Harry’s class schedule on Mondays is GoF?

A: Herbology with the Hufflepuffs; a break; Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins; lunch; followed by Double Divinations & finally: dinner.

6.What day does Voldemort kill Frank Bryce?

A: Saturday, August 23rd

7.When was Moody kidnapped?

A: Sunday, August 31st

8.Who is called on to help Moody?

A: Arthur Weasley

9.What happens to Hermione during Harry’s duel with Malfoy?

A: Her teeth become hexed

10.When is the Yule Ball announce to the Gryffindors?

A: Professor McGonagall announces Yule Ball in Transfiguration on December 10th

OK, now on to other stuff. My Dr called today & my MRI is fine, no tumors, not bad stuff - so no answer on why I have headaches,, migraines? At least it is not something terminal..... LOL. Good Friday indead.

Virtual Knitting Saves the Day

Yesterday I had an MRI on my head and came within a lace-weight thread of totally freaking out. I really don't have issues with small spaces, so going into the little tube thing was not an issue, it was the grate thing that goes over your face (complete w/mirror so you can see the color drain from your face as you realize "Oh crap, I am like waay inside this tube and I really can't just shimmy out of this thing... trapped!!" So, I did what any self-respecting Knitter would do. I closed my eyes, did some deeeeep breathes and did some virtual knitting.... I went into my stash, found my yarn, got my needles and cast on - some lovely Lorna's Lace I got last year at STitches - cast on 64 - decide what ribbing - k1 p1 or k2 p2?? oh, we have time here, lets do a k1p1 rib - all the way to the heal flap.. right side: s1, k1 - repeat, turn, sl 1 purl to end, repeat for 1.5 " - pick up stitches for gussett - knit across instep (these are needles 2 and 3. needle 4: k1 ssk, knit to end (now you are at the center of the heal) knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1 ; knit across needles 2 and 3 - the instep; repeat until you have the proper number of stitches (18?) her needle... continue to knit knit knit until 1.5 inches before your longest toe... decrease,,, kitchner up the last 8 stitches and VIOLA - socks!! I virtualy knit about 4 pair of socks yesterday!!

And then, when that was not enough to get to to stay within sanity's grasp,.. i went stash hunting and found the yarn I wanted to make two lacey scarves - they need to be knitted, blocked and wrapped up by mid-May... i found the yarns - then went thru my books of patterns and decided which scarf to make which receipient - and then I cast on those!! I got one scarf done and then went stash diving again - I think I'll frog that stuff I got at the yarn shop in SF off Sutter St.....ohh. Yippee - MRI done - wow - if only I could really get that much done in that short of time... Ohhhh Heatherly dear, are you reading this?? Sock Wars?? You can knit soo much faster in your head that with your hands!! LOL.

Error Messages

"This is a permanent error; I've given up. Sorry it didn't work out." This is what I get when an email does not get delivered. Don't you wish you could say this to your boss? "I've given up - sorry it didn't work out." LOL.. It just gets my funny bone.

Quiddich - Round 3

1. When Rita Skeeter prints a bad articles about Hagrid in the Daily Prophet, which Professor teaches Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class while he is away?

a. Professor Trisonikly
b. Professor Snape
c. Professor Grubbly-Plank
d. Professor Meshdeh

2. What was the article Rita Skeeter wrote about Hagrid called?

a. The son of Fridwolfa the Giantess
b. The Truth About Rubeus Hagrid
c. Dumbledore's Giant Mistake
d. Half Giant at Hogwarts

3. When the school champions were being chosen from the Goblet of Fire, whose name cam out first?

a. Fleur Delacour
b. Viktor Krum
c. Cedric Diggory
d. Harry Potter

4. What is the spell Ludo bagman says to magically magnify his voice when he commentates?

a. Sonorus
b. Sonafy
c. Lumos
d. Sonatus

5. What kind of dragon did Cedirc have to face in the first task?

a. A Hungarian Horntail
b. A Swedish Short-Snout
c. A Welsh Green
d. A Chinese Fireball

6. Who raised the trophy after winning the world cup?

a. Troy and Moran
b. Troy and Quigley
c. Quigley and Moran
d. Lynch and Connolly

7. How many bedrooms did Mundungus Fletcher claim to have?

a. 4
b. 8
c. 10
d. 12

8. For what did Moody mistake his birthday gif of a carriage clock?

a. An intruder
b. A basilisk egg
c. A bomb
d. A Blast-ended Skrewt

9. What did Mr. Ollivander produce for the end of Cedric's wand?

a. A bunch of flowers
b. A fountain of wine
c. Twittering birds
d. Silver smoke rings

10. The dark mark is on Snape's left arm.

a. Yes
b. No

Picture Scavenger Hunt: KarkaroffA BasiliskMundungus FletcherAmos DiggorySnape

Socks For Soldiers

When Knitters submit finished items to our fearless SFS leader, Kim, she posts "incoming" items she has received, like this:

"Brooke A Thank you for sending the 7 washcloths from your friend Lynne. Tell her great job, and ask her if she can knit me 7 beanies next load?Bless Lynne and another 7 soldiers smile."

My friend, Lynn, had mailed me washclothes and told me to send them off to SFS, which I did. So, Lynn, do you knit beanies too? I'll get you an official SFS pattern!

Quiddich began today - our 3rd and final round. I swear (alot apparently) I can't find that stupid thing. ARRGG. I am waiting for my swap package to arrive. I can hardly stand it. I listen for the mailman everyday - its like Christmas morning everday!! LOL.. I'm such a little kid at heart I guess. I told the mailman "I'm waiting for a fluffy envelope or priority box" Then he gets excited too!! Gotta run, tons of work to do before I head home and it's already 7p

What My Name Means

I am checking out blogs and come across some site - you type in your name and it tells you what it means. Here is my name:

You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous.You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things.

Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times.You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.

You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.

You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.

You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.

People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

Our National Anthem

OK, i got this link in an email.....have a tissue handy - and make sure your speakers are on. These young ladies range in age from 8 to 13. Amazing talent. The video is good quality and will give you goose bumps. I checked out some of the other links (the put another nickle in, the audio is not that great, but the voice on this little girl is amazing. I can't believe we have not seen then on Today or Good Morning America or something..... So hit the link, enjoy the video. Someone tell Roseann Barr she could learn a thing or two from these fine young Americans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284

The Dirty Knitter

"Ripped" leads to "frogged" in most cases. And the fine folks at Ravelry were selling these fine shot glasses at Stitches West. nice, hu?? The other 2 pics are of some silk caps I acquired while at Stitches.. cost: $4.50 each...now to read up on spinning with silk caps - I've never done this before, so it should be interesting.

One of the demos that Julie and I went to was by a very nice lady, whose name I have forgotten just now, but here is what she wanted us to leave with: step outside your comfort zone. She was sharing some swatches she had done using a half linen stitch using 2 colors she would never normally either 1. knit with or 2. would not normally use together. Take for example, my assistant's new purse - it's a lovely orange, but the top stitching is PURPLE. Who'd-a-thunk-it?? So now, I am on a mission to find orange and purple sock yarn and knit her a pair of socks! (she has actually asked me to knit her stuff - so she's either a total suck up, or smart - or perhaps both - LOL....Anyway - Stitches West was fun and I have more goodies to post about - but I'll do it in snippits..I am casting on some baby booties in a very cable-y pattern, which keeps kicking me in the arse, so, i did a k1p2 rib for about 3 rows, switched to knit and turned the heal last night, but now my 2 circs are all screwed up and I have to re-adjust so my decreases don't end up in the middle of the instep and the center of the heal... that would be a classic me mistake.....OK, Army boy is on the phone with pops - i need to listen in... i think he is frustrated that he is in limbo and not yet shipped out to some sort of training thing... the army way...