Today blows

Not a good day. I'm feeling too depressed to function well. It's dark and dreary outside so this doesn't help. Tried reading, but can't keep focused, I even have the new Dan Brown book. I'm going back to Richmond on the 27th and I think this has something to do with it, the trip is too soon on the back of the last one two weeks ago. Won't go back until Dec. when Michael graduates from the State Police Adademy. It doesn't help that I feel like the Pilsbury Dough Boy. I have until Dec. to lose a significant amount of weight. That's three months I could possibly lose 30 pounds if I really tried. What a pain. Deepprreessiioonn looms!! What a lovely post.

The slug from hell

Well it's Sunday, and I slept until 11, woke up screwed with facebook and other asundry computer tasks until 3:30 and have been watching tv ever since. I'm definately in slug mode. I did get in some illustrating, that was my one accomplishment. I sit on my ass more than I stand on my feet.

I did manage to unpack all the things I brought back from my parent's house last weekend. They moved into an assisted living facility and us kids ransacked the house for three days. I didn't get much, I just can't assimilate any more into my already crowded apt.

I find that I truely enjoy facebook, I've gotten back in touch with a lot of old friends and family. It's been great talking to them and finding out what they're up to.

As you know in some of my past posts, and it's been awhile, I've been crocheting afghans for my family for Christmas. And what does my mother give everyone while we were home her old afghans, ain't that some shit. Oh well they'll just have to have two.

It's been such a cool summer, today was only 70, I wasn't planning on turning on the heat until December to save money, looks like I'll have to sooner than planned at least to 50 and just wear a lot of clothes. I hate winter, If I had my way I'd be a bag person in FL or California.

The window man is coming at the end of the month to put in new storm windows. Great you say. But you haven't seen my apt. it's wall to wall stuff, shelves, drafting tables, huge L shaped computer table, bed wedged in a corner, clothes rack full of clothes in front of window, very eclectic but a bit over the edge, so I'm a bit anxious about this project and of course need to be here when he comes. But then I'm always a bit anxious over everything, did I say a bit? HaHa
right, rightious overkill.

Well on to more mindless TV

What's happenin'

Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything. I tend to forget that I have a blog page. So what's new? Well, I'm working on my third afghan. It's in the blue family for my brother and sister-in-law for Christmas. I wanted to make it a ripple pattern but for some reason I just can't get the pattern right, it is always off and I can't get the ripples right. Oh well, I'll stick to the pattern that I know works, 'sc ch1 sc' and so on.

I've met someone on match.com. We've had one date and are going to get together this sunday. He'll get to see my apartment. I'm not sure what he'll think, I tend to embrace my inner child and have stuffed animals all around as well as kenetic toys. There are canvases everywhere, and piles of fabric for sewing. The walls are covered with my artwork, there's no space left to hang anything else. Hopefully he'll embrace my eccentricities. I'll get to see his house too. That should be interesting. He's got a huge garden that I want to see as well.

I'm still working on a children's book for a friend, I'm doing the artwork. I'm to the point that I'm actually drawing and coloring. I'm using colored pencils to give me a larger color pallet.

I'm sewing, trying to finish summer dresses and short tops to wear with jeans. I've got 5 dresses to make. So I need to get going before summer is over. I can make one in two days so if I work diligently I can be finished in 10 days, theoretically.

Well that's all for today. Later!

Well, it's been a while since I've written anything. I've finished two of my three afghans. The last one took an interminably long amount of time. I don't know what I'm going to crochet after the last one is finished.

I'm illustrating a children's book for a client of mine. It's twenty pages and I've finished the roughs. It's called color pals and is about the adventures of these little people who are rendered in the primary colors. It's going to take me months to finish all of them.

Next month I'm going to my brother's for a week. My sister-in-law and I are going beach camping for three days. I'm sure we'll have a great time if the mosquitos and black flies don't eat us alive. We're going to Assatigue island.

here we go again

Well another day is upon us. I'm currently working on a new afghan. I'm trying to get ahead of next Christmas. I've finished one and I'm almost finised this one. I've already bought the yarn for the next one and think I'll try a ripple pattern. I've had trouble in the past with ripple patterns, I could never get the to turn out right, but I'm willing to try again. I have to have something to crochet all the time. It relieves my anxiety and gives my hands something to do.

I'm currently reading the Twilight series for a second time. I love the books. I have the DVD, the CD, and a bookmark from the movie. I'm a twilight junkie. I've watched the movie 6 times. Is anyone else out there a fan?

I'm working on a children's book for a friend, I'm handeling the artwork. It's coming along slowley. I'm a bit out of practice with my illustrating but It's coming back to me. I also still have those 6 canvases that need to be painted. I'm waiting for the mood to strike me.

Long time no talk

It's been a little while since I've posted. I have my camera back from being repaired so I'll post a photo of my latest afghan soon. My latest sweater is also going very well, only two sleeves to go.
I found out that I have to have arthroscopic surgery on my knee this month. Bummer, there goes my gym workouts for some time to come. To make it worse I'll have to wear a knee breace that's metal. It's huge, my pants will have to fit over it, no skinny jeans here. I'm going to be really self conscious about it for a while I'm sure.
I was on Ravelry the other day and saw some absolutely beautiful knit pieces. I was so jealous. My work looked clumsy next to them. I wish I were an accomplished knitter. It was in fact one of my new years resolutions. But I have to finish the projects at hand first.

Another day in paradise

WEll, it's another day in paradise. It snowed all of last night and I'm supposed to go home to Richmond today. I just have to hope that the roads have been plowed. I'm nowere ready to go. But It's only 6:30 in the morning so I have some time to pack. I had a crappy day yesterday. I had an appointment with someone who I'm volunteering for and I thought it was at his house and he thought it was at a coffee shop so we bothe showed up at our respective places and waited then finally went home. For me it was an hour drive each way so I used a quarter tank of gas almost and two hours of my day. Then this man I met on e-harmony was supposed to call but he didn't, I think he got cold feet. Who knows. No photos today, I'm still working on the afghan and the sweater, it's a raglan and I've finished the back. I'm taking the afghan to Richmond to work on whild I'm there to pass the time. Well time to go pack, later.

Update

Here's an update on the afghans. The one I finished over Christmas is pictured here on the right. It turned out nicely. I am very pleased. The new one I'm working on now is pictured here on the left. It's turning out to be very pretty even though it's a bear to make. I'm also working on another afghan but it's not far enough along to show a photo. At the same time I'm working on a sweater, the color is beautiful, it's a deep coral. I'll show that when it's finished.

Hair Cut

Oh, and by the way, I finally got my hair cut.

A New Day

Well, it's another new day here in paradise. I'm still working on the afghans from hell. I may be finished by this time next year. On a brighter note I've decided to volunteer. It's for The Heart of Virginia. They provide a forum for learning and talking about mental health issues by offering resources such as educational and instructional services, motivational programs, and programs that focus on ther role that art, music, and spirituality play in promoting emotional well being. Whew, that's a mouthfull. I'm going to be a graphic designer since it's in my field of work. I'm hoping it will help me get out and meet people and see that there is life beyond the five mile radius that I have imposed upon myself. Check it out at www.the heartofva.org.

New Afghans

Well, I'm still working on the two new afghans. It's a good thing they're for next Christmas since It's going to take me months to finish them. I get about one row done per day, pathetic. I'm also crocheting a decorative metallic red scarf and that's taking forever because it's long and I'm using a small hook. I made one for my niece for this past Christmas and it turned out really well so I thought I'd make one for myself. My camera is being repaired as we speak to the tune of $136 but it cost me $600 so it's worth it. I will guard it with my life hereafter. Soon I'll be able to post photos again.

New Afghans

Well, the new afghans are progressing slowly, very slowly. I would post photos but as I said I broke my camera. I has now been shipped off into the netherworlds of camera repair and I do hope to see it again. My big fear is that they will lose it. I wrote my name and phone no on it with a sharpie marker just in case.

I have a new desk calendar that I just love, it's a Mary Englebrit and every day is a joy to tear off. I also finally bought some sock monkey pj's to match my slippers and an actual stuffed sock monkey. He sits atop my TV set in the bedroom. I can't help it they just make me smile and that's worth something when you live in my world. I didn't do any after Christmas sale stuff this year because I didn't really need anything. I have my little Christmas tree that sits on top of my book shelves and which by the way is still up and plugged in every day because that also makes me smile. I didn't need wrapping paper because I bought enough lasat year to hold me over for a few years. I used a lot of bags this year anyway and they came from the dollar store. And I don't have room for santas and snowmen and such to sit around my house so no need to shop after Christmas. Plus I buy all of my clothes at the goodwill so I didn't have to take advantage of clothing sales.

It's not that I'm cheap, it's that I'm on a limited income. I actually usually cut my own hair with a pair of shears, that's right I buzz cut my hair. But I'm trying to let it grow out so at some point I'm going to have to go to a (gasp) salon.

Well I'm off for today.

Long Time

It has been a long time since my last post. Christmas has come and gone. I went home to Richmond for the holidays and saw all of my family. I finished my afghan, Yeah! Unfortunately there is no photo as I dropped my digital camera and it is now in the shop being fixed. I've started two new afghans for next Christmas, one each for my nieces. They're coming along slowly. The weather here is less than optimal for good moods. Rainy and cold. I can't wait for spring to arrive, I plan to spend as much time as possible outside hiking and camping. At least as much as I can afford since I have to board the dog to do it. She's not a hiker. At 16 she's a sleeper and a sloucher and of course a barker. Mostly at things that aren't there. Well I'm off to take a nap. More later. Toodles.

Afgan Progress

Here's the latest image of the afgan. It's coming along nicely. I'll probably finish it up while I'm at my parents's house. Well I took the plunge and signed up on E-harmony.com and Match.com to see if I could find my true love. I plan to start working out the first of the year, or when I get home from Richmond. so maybe I'll lose some of this weight and won't be so horrible looking. Then maybe men will find me more attractive. Actually, it's not that bad, I just have a bad self image problem. I liked it better when I was anorexic and wore a size 2. But I'll be satisfied with a size 6. lol. Well I've been up since 1:30 this monrning and it's now 6:30, so I think I'm going to go back to bed.

Afgan Progress

Well, here's the progress so far on the afgan. It's going slowly but at least it's keeping my hands busy. I'm thinking socks for my next project. They look fairly easy to do and kind of fun. We're having really warn weather here for this time of year. I wish it would turn cold and snow. I love it when it snows. I like to bundle all up with my winter hats and scarves and gloves, and boots. but I'm still wearing my burkenstocks with my wool socks. That probably sounds kind of geeky but it's actually kind of comfortable. I'm going home for Christmas on Monday so I won't be posting as much for the next week I hope everyone has a great Christmas and holkday season.

New Afgan

I'm still diligently working away at my afgan, here is a photo of how it looks so far. I'm just starting the off white. It's taking a long time because it's using a single crochet variation stitch. It will definately keep my lap warm while I work on it. I do still wish that I could do that zig zag stitch. I'm not sure what my problem is with it. I never come out with the right number of stitches at the end of the first row. I've never had that problem before. Anyway, this will work just as well, maybe not as pretty but functional. I need to think of more projects that I can do after the afgan to keep busy, if anyone has any ideas let me know. I'm thinking another sweater. I have lots of patterns for those. Maybe a scarf. I'm tired of doing hats. I just like looking at all that yarn sitting there in the basket. It's comforting somehow. That's why I love yarn stores, seeing all that yarn just makes me so excited about what I could create with it. I wish I could afford the expensive yarns but on my budget it's michaels and Jo-Annes and sometimes Wal-mart, although they have reduced the amount of yarn that they carry. Well I've got my coffee now so it's time to start crocheting.

keep on crocheting

Since I finished all of my Christmas projects my hands were sitting idle so I decided to crochet an afgan. It's in really pretty colors, hunter green, light sea foam green, off white, and maroon. I tried to do a zig zag stitch but for some reason I just can't make it work. I've tried countless patterns with that particular stitch but to no avail. So I went with a different pattern, one that uses single crochet variations. It's going to take a while but it's what I need a long project. I can take it with me when I go home for the holidays.

Joy

Joy.... I finally finished the sweater I was crocheting for my son. It looks wonderful. I used alpaca gray yarn so it is very soft. Now I have no more projects laying at my feet. So I think I'm going to start an afgan ... one with a zig zag pattern. I'm pretty much ready for Christmas, packages wrapped, cards sent, cookies baked. All that's left is to pack my suitcase. It will be a rousing time at my parent's house this year with everyone there. Well it's the middle of the night so I'm going back to bed.

Bad Day

Today is a bad day. I'm having a hard time staying out of bed. I spent all day yesterday crocheting a skinny scarf and it is going so slowly because of the small yarn and hook that it just burns me out. So today I just want to hide beneath the covers. I'm just burned out on crocheting, my body aches from sitting in one position for so long. Everything is ready for Christmas now I just have to mentally prepare myself for the trip home. At least I don't have to worry about the dog since she is being borded. I'm leaving on the 22nd and returning on the 28th. I will be a long stressful trip. My mother keeps telling me that she has all sorts of projects for me to do when I get home so at least I'll be busy. And I'll get to see my son for a couple of days. I hope it will be a good trip.

Frustration

I've been trying for two days to crochet hats for my brother and son. I'm using extra bulky yarn and it's affecting the size of the hat pattern so the three I've made have been too big. I've even tried washing and drying them to shrink them down. This only made them bigger. Now I'm trying for a fourth time to alter the pattern size to see if I can come up with the appropriate sizes. I'm frustrated to say the least. Fortunately they work up fast.