Don't Confuse the Needles

Most amazing use of sock yarn

2008-05-22T05:55:00.002-05:00

I don't speak German, but I'm pretty sure this is a big rug of sock yarn scrap mitre squares.

I am in awe.

Rav Link

I like, I want.

Swallowtail Progress

2008-05-14T07:28:00.002-05:00

It's knitting up pretty quickly. Although, I do hate purling every other row. It takes me twice as long for an even row.

I can't seem to take a good pic of lace. Can't wait to block this. I have 3 more repeats of Budding Lace, before I can start on the borders.

Picked this cheapy up yesterday. Good for weighing yarn and baby food. You can puree anything. I made stuffed peppers with Kashi whole grain pilaf and homemade meat sauce. Very healthy, good taste without much sodium. Tossed one in the blender and voila, baby food!

Doing More

2008-05-13T07:39:00.003-05:00

First, the fun:

Celebrity Muppet Look-a likes: I've always loved Animal's band. I have never understood the appeal of Donatella.

Second, I feel some need to volunteer. I work in the community. I felt the need to have a job that does something worthwhile and I have found it. Now I also want some sort of volunteer opportunity that I can do with my son (even if he is young.)

VolunteerMatch: endless opportunities for you to search. I'm so excited to find something!

The Giant Update Post

2008-05-07T08:59:00.003-05:00

I could go back and update the last 9 months but I am lazy and I don't have that many readers anyway. So here's the quickie:

My Knitting is on Ravelry.

Here goes...

... had a baby and he was not well, what with the brain bleeding and seizures:

... but now he is better (and wearing Noro)

... the cats are neglected

... yay it's Spring!

... Maryland Sheep & Wool yarn

Yarn Pr0n and cuteness

2007-08-24T04:52:00.000-05:00

Yarn: Autumn House Farm Sagamore Hill
Color: Mosses and Mushrooms, 2 hanks, 320 yds total

It's a silk, rayon blend that I had to have at the store. Again, I go to buy 2 balls of Cashmerino Chunky (b/c I'm short for the baby blanket) and I come out with this.

I'm very excited about it because a) it's pretty and b) it's nothing like what I normally buy. I love anything rich, vivid or jewel toned, whereas this is more muted. I've never met a shade of teal I didn't like. This reminds me a little more of the inside of sea shells than of moss and mushrooms.

I'm thinking a mini Clap. Or some other simple wrap/drape. I don't want to get too detailed in the stitch pattern with this.

CUTENESS ALERT!

I refuse to have an easter pastel colored nursery simply b/c we don't know the gender of this baby. I love these little guys. Actually, I love most everything Haba or Oompa Toys.

(empty Pepsi cans make a great cat deterrent. Krusty hasn't jumped in once since I added these. Don't worry, I'll remove them before the baby comes. And the linens.)

Jitterbug, Manos and Cables... oh my!

2007-08-23T18:36:00.000-05:00

It's a finished object party!!! I've been slow to photograph. Right now, I'm working on a baby blanket and forcing myself to knit along. Otherwise, the Estimated Time to Completion would be close to college graduation.

JITTERBUG SOCKS:

Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug in Dusk (which I mistook for Blue Parrot at the store.)
Pattern: IK Spiral Boot Socks but Toe-up and not boot socks :p

Thoughts: I happened upon this yarn at All About Yarn. The problem with living 10 minutes from a yarn store with such a big selection is you happen upon a lot of things. I do love this yarn b/c it flies across the needles and knits up wonderfully. The yardage is very short though, and multicolor isn't my favorite. I prefer a solid or shaded solid. In which case I'd be more likely to buy CTH. Knitting it was very enjoyable.

This pattern is fabulous. It took me two frogs to get the hang of it, b/c pregnancy has made me illiterate and I decided to do it backwards. However, I would like to try adapting it to something like a spiral cable or vine that wraps around the leg. I would first like to make IK's Winding Cable Knee Socks in the future.

MANOS BABY JACKET:

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay in my most favorite color. I would
Pattern: my own randomness
Thoughts: I need to add a big wooden button to close the front. I am lazy. I don't even need to buy the button, just sew it on.

CABLE RIB SWEATER:

Yarn: Phildar Lambswool
Pattern: Cable Rib Sweater from ?? It's a beginner baby knit book, blue cover, not Debbie Bliss. I can't remember the title right now, it doesn't show on Amazon and I'm too lazy to get up just now.
Thoughts: I wanted to do a classic knit sweater for baby. Something that really says "heirloom." I think this fits the bill, although I hate doing all of that cable rib. It was quick and easy, but I won't make it again. There is enough leftover for some booties, but I have no desire to cast on. I need to look for neutral buttons since we don't know the gender.

Coming Tomorrow: Happened upon silk and the cutest stuffed animal ever.

Nesting by knitting

2007-08-20T09:11:00.000-05:00

Maybe it's the nesting urge (8 weeks to go!)...
Maybe it's the 6 baby books on the coffee table telling me how to create a secure and happy baby...

But... I MUST KNIT FOR BABY. I MUST SHOW MY LOVE FOR BABY. I MUST EXPRESS DESIRE TO PROVIDE FOR BABY IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM.

I'm going to have a mad finishing session later this week.

1. Manos Baby Jacket
2. White Cable Rib Baby Sweater
3. Cashmerino Chunky Baby Blanket aka "why is moss stitch so pretty and yet so tedious??"
4. Irrational need to provide knit cotton washcloths for baby when I've never felt any desire to knit a washcloth before.

Pics to follow, as no baby of mine will have it's first items on display with ends not yet woven in.

Baby Brain Firewall

2007-07-31T10:17:00.001-05:00

I get these little snippets of "baby brain." Probably the worst was when I was checking the defibrillator and as I pressed the two red buttons, my mind flashed...

"wait, am I doing this right? sure, why not."

It's getting serious now, though, it's affecting the knitting. I went to the LYS, spent an hour looking for the right yarn to make a classic cabled baby sweater.
- Superwash wool
- something equally easy to care
- but soft
- Sport weight
- white or beige.

I arrived home with 3 balls of white fingering weight cotton.

Returned, spent another 40 minutes looking at every single ball of yarn I've already seen. Purchased easy care merino. Start knitting.

It's not sliding on the needles the way it should. Because it's 50/50 wool/acrylic. I don't even think this is the yarn I chose! Yet I still managed to purchase three balls of the wrong yarn.

I can't bring myself to return it again, though. The baby will deal.

the blame game

2007-07-24T07:01:00.000-05:00

You know what I love about pregnancy? You can blame everything on the baby.

Only now can I walk around work eating 3 strips of bacon sandwiched between a toasted bagel and cream cheese. And by "eating," I mean scarfing/inhaling/hoovering.

Who am I to argue with my baby's nutritional needs?!

Bayerische

2007-07-21T10:33:00.001-05:00

I completed 2 whole socks!

Pattern: Bayerische by Eunny Jang
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Turquoise

Modifications: US size 1's. I knit tightly and I'm a tall girl with big feet. The 0's would not have fit. That said, I hope they don't stretch too loosely in the cuff. Speaking of the cuff, I skimped on it. Big calves: I was worried to would be too tight if any taller. I didn't want to mess with shaping to fit.

This is only my second pair of socks. It was really fun to knit and fairly quick once I sat down for it. However, the real learning comes with the wear, I think. Once I see how construction, technique, yarn and pattern choice really hold up. I have nice stitch definition, but I don't know how well it will stay with this yarn.

I do really love both the pattern and the yarn, though. Turquoise is one of my favorites. The hank was a complete mess, but the ladies at Clover Hill were a great help in winding it.

Who Needs the Kwik E Mart?

2007-07-04T10:01:00.000-05:00

Did you know 7-Eleven was converting some stores to Kwik E Marts?

Fotunately, I live within 30 minutes of one of them! I wil spare you the 20+ shots I took of everything in the store.

Ignore the rumors, I am not carrying Apu's 8 babies.

My life motto:

Is Comic Book Guy staring at my husband's butt?

Spring time!

2007-03-27T14:20:00.000-05:00

I feel oh-so 80 degree weather. Running my errands in my cool crisp white trousers, easy ballet neck top and flat braided leather sandals. I feel like I need to be reading a book and sipping an iced tea on the deck of my summer home.

Instead, I buy "transition" clothing b/c I am going on vacation in less than 2 weeks and some of my clothing doesn't fit. It seems spring isn't just for bunnies!!

The blob on the right is the baby. Although, this pic is about 4 weeks old and they assure me he is no longer a blob. I think he's even lost his tail by now.

On the knitting front, I'm making this right now, from Interweave Summer 2006. I will fit into it as long as I can.

It's coming along rather quickly so I hope to get some wear out of it. I'm not due until late October and I figure I should fit back into it by next Spring. I made a larger size, just in case.

STOP LAUGHING! I will channel my Inner Klum just to lose that baby weight.

The self-absorbed post:

2007-01-25T15:16:00.000-05:00

If Tyra weighs 161 lbs, there is still hope for me. I'm 5'11" and weigh, gulp 180lbs. No one ever believes it and thinks that I'm a lot smaller than my size 12 jeans, too. But I still feel 180 lbs. This news is the happiest moment of my day!

Even more so b/c I just went to buy concealer and eye cream. The makeup woman for Benefit is also the woman for Dior. Size "00" sweater minidress, tights and knee high stiletto boots. I walked away with some fabulous Dior concealer, if not a bad case of "fat." I could knit the cabled mini dress, but the lumps. Of the lumps.

And yes, I can expound upon the need for a simpler life without under eye baggage. :p

one margarita and a pork burrito

2007-01-20T15:45:00.000-05:00

I never understood those married couples that needed a "date night." Were their lives so over scheduled that they needed to pencil in a night to connect with one another? You realize now that we still "pencil" things in back in my cave. My iPaq and I did not get along.

Back to the subject. We're not the upwardly mobile type of young couple that spends so much time networking and proving our ambition to our bosses. We don't have any children to escape from for just one night a week. We don't need a date night; that one night a week where we take a break from our oh-so-driven lives to be a couple.

Two date nights into a 5 year marriage, I "get" the date night. No fancy dinners or party dresses, just the two of us, some drinks and a meal. I know more about my husband than I've learned in a long time. Meaningful conversation :o

Now I know more about me, too. I'm living the perfect suburban middle class life. I grew up with nothing and now I can check off the highest level boxes on household surveys. But this life takes a lot of work. The careers are the easy part. But the 3 bedroom house with the yard and the groceries and the errands and the chores and let's not forget that there are no kids involved yet... well, it's daunting. I shop at THREE grocery stores to put real food on the table and in the lunchbags.

I've taken the necessary steps to not be a conspicuous consumer. I'm amazed at how much time and thought I spent on shopping before. I've become more conscious and efficient (save the grocery experience, but really, you must see the sorry state of our grocery store.)

Beyond the shopping, I have to schedule time in advance to clean the house, wash the laundry, run errands, or else we'd never complete it all. Yet, it still looks like we're failing miserably.

When you realize how much time you waste, how much you can gain in a few hours over dinner, I wonder if our life doesn't need downsizing?

Gifty

2006-12-27T13:58:00.000-05:00

The iPod is the greatest invention ever. The end.

Christmas Joy, Retail-style

2006-12-09T14:05:00.000-05:00

I don't do the mall between Turkey and New Years. I just can't handle the crowds, the shoving, the messy displays. All too often, you actually let someone in front of you or try to make chit-chat in line and they can't even be bothered to smile. Don't even get me started on the cell phones. No sharing of happiness! We get our christmas joy from the festive store decorations, thank you very much.

I'm braving the mall on Sunday and the outlets on Monday. Survival depends on maintenance of serum blood glucose and caffeine.

But wait, perhaps I'm too hasty. Maybe two strangers in line can share pure elation. A connection through just a look, smile, and good laugh...

... maybe two strangers are standing behind a 30lb pug in a hot pink argyle sweater at Petsmart.
... maybe this leashed pug just got caught on the opposite side of an automatic sliding door from her owner.

Bare windows

2006-12-05T09:56:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty sure I purchased the materials for my curtains back in summer. I have 2 windows complete. Out of 6. I just can't get myself in gear. But after this post, it's upstairs I go. I have no reason to avoid a bunch of lined rectangles. Really, there is no reason it should take me so long.

Problem is, I gogogo at work. I'm in this environment where I'm forced to be way more productive and efficient than I actually am. Which is great but when I come home, there's no incentive. I revert back to slug. It's almost depressing. Like you can see all of those levels (serotonin and what not. I wasn't that good in neuro) plummeting.

Which explains how I can only work 3 days a week and still not finish after 5 months. my word, that is so pathetic.

Toasty

2006-12-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

Complete!

Better stitch definition and color, taken when I wasn't in a rush.

Yarn: Madil bamboo #039
Pattern: my own. It's a big tube of double lattice that branches into a big tube of k3p2 rib and a small thumb-sized tube of k3p2 rib :p
Misc: I wanted a stitch that looked woven, b/c that seemed to be what would fit with the bamboo. This is my first experience with bamboo, which I love. I tried 2 types of basketweave, several crossed lattice-type stitches. This one looked far superior to the rest.

The only change is that I would have knit lattice the entire length, but I only had two balls (used completely), I'm tall (my hand and forearms are longer than yours :p), and I'm impatient. All the better for planning the next set.

I've updated the FO's column. Fairly sure I forgot it existed...

The double knit hat

2006-12-03T10:16:00.000-05:00

Accelerate! It's December already??

I really need to finish this hat for M. However, there's also the matter of curtains that were to be sewn months ago, rods to mount (um, you know what I meant,) a messy home, cookies to bake, gifts to buy, my day job, other knitting projects...

Maybe I should get off the computer and start working on the list!

I really am starting to appreciate double-knitting. I wouldn't want to do it too often, but it's useful and the end product is looking great.

It's all about the "O."

2006-11-19T15:12:00.000-05:00

O for orange. I really can't stand the Overstock.com woman.

It's Clementine season!!!

Knits with orange! (something other than turquoise or warm brown mixes!)

I still need to finish (um, start) #2. It's a wrist warmer in Madil bamboo #039. I really loved this when I saw it at All About Yarn. I've never knit with bamboo.

I love the bamboo. The pattern is my own. I wanted a woven look to go with the bamboo yarn. Cabled wrist warmers are on my to-do list, but you can't mix a cable and this yarn. This stitch pattern is a double lattice.

No box is too small for Krusty. Not quite an orange cat.

48 Things

2006-11-02T17:54:00.000-05:00

From Natalie's blog. I thought I'd give it a try:

1. FIRST NAME? Erica

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No. I'm not sure how they chose it.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? I cry all of the time. The last big one was when I was completely overwhelmed at work and I go into see a patient who has a bleeding central line and it's bleeding way more than they told me on report and god help me she's also covered in poo. For over 2 hours. This was after I had chased a psych patient across the parking lot. And one of my other pts fainted during a blood draw. I kind of lost it.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? No.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Corned Beef.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Maybe.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? I just started one! A no whining, no wheel-spinning journal.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Heck no.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Special K. I don't really like cereal and never ate it.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Do you know how many ER patients are obese? And I go to the gym.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Edy's Dreamery white raspberry brownie. I don't know the real name.

14. SHOE SIZE? 11. I'm a monster

5. RED OR PINK? Pink.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My flat a$$.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My pappap. He died this year.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Denim, peach/white, chocolate brown.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Turkey tacos.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The Pretenders.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Burnt Sienna.

23. FAVORITE SMELL? Lime.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Probably a cardiologist or pulmonologist :p

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? hair.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? Yes.

27. FAVORITE DRINK? Coffee.

28. FAVORITE SPORT? I like to watch college football. I don't play any.

29. EYE COLOR? Dark brown.

30. HAT SIZE? Big. My knitted hats are huge.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? pork dumplings with sauteed cabbage. I'm on a hummus kick lately, too.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter. I can always put more clothing on.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs.

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate chip cookies.

38 & 39 Eliminated Due to Blog Context

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? none.

41. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? cat hair.

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Lost!

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Crunching snow.

44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Rolling Stones.

45. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME? I'd have to check a map. St Maarten or Las Vegas?

46. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I can pick up anything with my feet.

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Altoona, PA.

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Keepingmeinstitches.

More Finished Objects than ever!!

2006-11-01T15:31:00.000-05:00

I've been on a knitting spree!!!!

Mini-Clapotis. Complete with 4 year old in Nittany Lion cap.

Pattern: Clapotis (duh!)
Yarn: Patons SWS 1.5 balls
Misc: "this is beauuuuutiful. and pink!"
Misc 2: This yarn is ridiculously fuzzy. Much better for felting, I would think. But it was pink, on sale and she loves it.

Commence ovulation

Patterns: Bunny Hop Side Wrap Kimono and Nautilus Hat
Yarn: KnitPicks Merino Style. Pink I-cord ties in random cotton found in basket
Misc: This green Merino Style has been around a lot. It was originally for an adult sweater. I think I've frogged and changed patterns 4 times. The green is different in real life. More like the preppy green/pink of last spring. It's for a preppy baby :p

ER conference socks

Pattern: Hedera
Yarn: Trekking XXL
Misc: I love this pattern. Easy to remember repeats, but still looks interesting. Also, looks great with my new brown leather wedges.

Today, it's socks...

2006-10-31T16:29:00.000-05:00

Socks are my latest knitting obsession. I've just found that I'm very particular about my knit socks. I finished one Hedera in my conference today. Luckily, I have this same conference on Friday and I need one more Hedera sock. Pics to come soon.

Back to picky sock taste.

I don't like the way many yarns pool.
I don't like cuffs that aren't straight.
I have trouble seeing past bad sock pictures. Because my calves, ankles and feet are perfect, in all of their size 11 glory :p

I think I want to try Bayerische next. They are beautiful.

Don't ask unless it's crowning

2006-10-16T13:27:00.000-05:00

1. Is it ever really a good idea to ask if someone's pregnant? grrr...

Now, she's a totally sweet young woman. I'm not offended b/c I like her so much. But not only am I not pregnant, I am certainly not so big as to appear like I have a bump!!!

I'm thin!
curvy-thin!
in scrubs.
maybe the drawstring sat funny.

But still thin, darnnit. :p
And I was thin the last time this happened last year.
And once 4 years before that.

2. Preggo talk... doesn't translate well across cultures.

New Nurse from a more conservative country is pregnant.

"Were you trying?" (She had seemed a little surprised about it all.)

"What do you mean?" w/ odd look my way

umm (hmm, how do I rephrase this in a better way? Well, what I'm really asking is if you and your husband were having unprotected sex in an attempt to conceive. Which sounds so bold when you put it that way. So let's see.....) uhhh, was it a surprise?

Clapotis

2006-10-10T09:28:00.000-05:00

I don't like the bandwagon. Even if I really like what it offers, I will shun it out of principle. I'm just now starting to like Leonardo Dicaprio. Don't make me admit that Cameron Diaz's boyfriend is pretty good, either. But I really like Sexy Back. ;p

So, here it is. A pink scarf for M's 4-year old cousin. B/c if I didn't make it, she would surely remember that i promised her a pink scarf.

Clapotis, skinny.
Paton's SWS, appropriately fuzzy for a girl like her.
Length, to be determined b/c I don't know how long it should be, yet.

(I draw the line at making jokes about The Clap, lol!)

Life as a new nurse

2006-10-03T14:33:00.000-05:00

I'm on a latte high. Let me tell you there is nothing better than espresso and a powerhouse sandwich with someone else who understands "what the h*ll did I do?!"

I've wanted to avoid talking about work on the blog b/c of privacy issues. And it doesn't seem in good taste to discuss my work when it's someone else's pain. But here goes:

I'm a new grad RN in the ER. I've had a great orientation and I'm now on my own. However, this is a job where you can't have a bad day. I could go to work before and have a crappy day, not feeling like working very hard and most likely make up the leftover work the next day.

But I was up for the challenege. I needed a job where I felt like I made a difference, where everyday was new. Where a 90+ y.o woman who can't pee turns out to be in septic shock with a BP of 50/30 and minutes from death. Where you thank god you checked her BP before administering morphine or before the 2 hour requirement b/c she would have coded if you'd done the bare minimum.

Or yesterday, when you got up at 9am and planned to make your 12 hours from afternoon until 3am. Yet there is no staff for all of the patients and you agree to stay until 7am, effectively wasting today b/c who can sew curtains and paint the bathroom after 16 hours of work and no sleep? And you have to call your husband (who wakes up at 530am for work) at 2am and tell him you won't be coming home, otherwise leaving him to wake up at 4am and wonder where his wife is.

I've had to play super-nice-nurse to patients with oversized expectations while I have other patients who are dying/just found out they have metastatic cancer/swelling up like balloons/having a heart attack/feeling like someone wants to kill them/experiencing a miscarriage/etc and give everyone the fair, competent care they deserve. All while feeling guilty about the inherent prioritization required to manage the care of a team of patients but not having the time to explain it to all of them.

In your head: "Trust me, I'm a professional and I will see you once I stabilize this patient, which could be an hour or more. I'm sorry there is no one else to hold your hand and reassure you, we're understaffed. And while a glass of water and a pair of socks might make all of this a little more tolerable, I can neither put that above the dying woman or the be in every place at once. We're all in this together."

But you can't say that! No matter how minor the complaint, that person came there b/c it was an emergency to them or they couldn't wait any longer.

On the other hand, I wouldn't change it for a thing. It's a great day to stop someone'se pain/vomiting/anxiety. It feels good to call a doctor for more orders on a patient and when he asks your opinion, your suggestions work. You feel like it's all worth it when you can at least explain to someone what is going on with them, what we can do, and what they should expect. You can really empower people in their own health.

I never understood it before I became a nurse. I don't think you can unless you've done the job. I think it's like teaching; it can be the most rewarding and exhausting work in the world.

At least my thumb is skinny

2006-10-02T09:25:00.000-05:00

I've knit about an inch more on the body of the Trekking glove, plus a thumb. When I got to the thumb, I decided to switch to size 1 dpn's as a) I thought size 2's may be too big and b) I don't own any size 2 dpn's. The base of the thumb fits very well, but then it looks like I have a clubbed thumb. Time to rip back and add some decreases. I'm starting to like the striping of Trekking XXL more, also. I'm getting the look I want, w/o even knowing that's what I wanted.

I attended my 10-year high school reunion this weekend. There was no cattiness! Except for one girl who is essentially the same as she was 10 years ago, except more b*tchy, unhappy, less popular, and with a trashier boyfriend than before. So while she was still totally nasty, I give her a few sympathy points for feeling so miserable.

I have to say, I hated high school but I was so happy for my classmates and all they've accomplished. Even the ones who still live at home and work the same jobs seemed truly happy. As for what really matters, I looked hot. And thin.

Although I was apparently "always thin." Which I wish I would have known ten years ago. :o

It's all about my hands

2006-09-19T08:08:00.000-05:00

I've started this:

It's a Trekking XXL glove, color 101. I picked up some of this yarn at All About Yarn, a LYS in my town with a huge selection of yarns. I don't love the way the colors change on this as much as the Manos mittens. The color sections are longer. I alternated b/t two balls every row for the cuff, but started the body in only one ball. So we'll see how my little experiment goes.

On the top of the hand, I'm doing a simple K1, yo, sk2togpsso, yo, k1 up the middle. It looks much better on my hand, but I couldn't get a good pic of it.

This post reminded me of what happened yesterday at work. I was knitting in the break room and one of the ER docs comes in.

"oh, circular needles!"
"You know something about knitting??"
"oh yeah, I used to do it years ago when I was quitting smoking."
:)

Manos para mis manos

2006-09-17T08:37:00.000-05:00

Let's all get the laughing at my broken spanish out of the way.

Alrighty then:

I luuurve the Manos Mittens. My only wish is that the blues were a little more blue in my skein. B/c I am a neat and tidy kind of person, I rarely knit with hand-dyes. I want to know my results at the onset. No random color pooling for me. However, I just loved this project. Not knowing what would present itself next, it was always gorgeous.

The pattern is Blue Alvarez Symmetric Mittens. If laypeople don't get my mittens and my Manos, fine. B/c I am warm and toasty in the eclectic boho way. (And it is 86 degrees farenheit today.)

Snowflake baby hat made out of random wool in my basket. The snowflake is a Cascade 200 tweed. The maroon is something I can't remember. This is for a woman I work with. I may also do mittens.

The pattern is the ear flap baby hat (sin ear flaps) from Knitting for Baby by Falick and Nicholas. The snowflake motif is from the same book, about two pages over. I've also made the snowflake sweater with a (matching) plain ear flap hat.

The ear flap hat is a great baby gift; knits in one sitting. I'm not so much a fan of knitting k3 garter stitch 12 inches long, twice, for the ties, though. I also think I-cord may be better. Lastly, the next time I make a snowflake baby hat, I'll probably double knit it b/c while I don't have loose color-work carries on the inside, I don't like looking at them.

Love the Manos

2006-09-11T18:10:00.000-05:00

I was in the Philadelphia area this weekend and there is a knitting shop near the house. Overall, I didn't really love it. Nothing spectacular and the woman really loved felting. But I bought this:

I love Manos del Uruguay. The idea of the company, the varying thickness of the yarn, the beauty of the dyeing, everything about it. I'm making a pair of mittens, which is going super quick. This is Bramble 114.

However, people who don't knit don't get Manos. Or mittens.

"oh. mittens. ??"
"It's not even."
"Isn't the multi-color like the stuff at Jo-ann?"
"You paid $15. Really? You're kidding."

gahhh!!!!
gahhhh!!!!

Via Diagonale

2006-09-10T18:19:00.000-05:00

I've been working on Via Diagonale. It's going very slowly b/c I am bored with it. And b/c Krusty wouldn't smile for the picture, I will embarass him.

Hot Pink Acrylic

2006-08-29T13:48:00.000-05:00

oh yeah, it's awe-inspiring. Krusty loves pink. Are cats color-blind? I don't know for sure, but Krusty is all over hot pink knitted stuff. If it were fleece, we'd have a problem.

He's so manly:

(I think Daisy is trying to cuddle and he's trying to attack.)

The hot pink acrylic sofa cushion mat is going fairly slow. I can only bring myself to knit about 4 rows in any given sitting.

New Title

2006-08-28T19:33:00.000-05:00

I need a new blog title! As of July, I was officially a Registered Nurse!!!

I'm working in the ER, where I also worked during school. Orientation is several months long b/c there is so much to learn. Jack of all trades, Master of none, as they say. Anything from basic first aid to critical care.

I got to be the first aid nurse at the County Fair. This is the same location as Maryland Sheep & Wool. Yeah, I live about 5 miles from it. The county fair draws a much smaller crowd :p I still lost my car in the field, though.

I must say, Nursing the Career is nothing like Nursing School. They prepared me well, but they can't totally prepare you for the job. And after a terrible day where I had to CHASE A PATIENT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT and finished the day in tears, I can still say I made the right choice.

It's hard to explain what we do in a day. I administer meds, educate patients on disease and care, and you have to be observant of everything that does or can occur. I was guilty of this when I was younger and thinking about careers, but I wish it were possible for people to understand how much it takes to be a good nurse.

It's not just the empathy, the caring, the willingness to help people. It takes brains, attention to detail, and the ability to make sure every patient gets the right treatment. Basically, everything I thought more "prestigious" jobs would require when I was 18 and entering college (the first time.)

Nursing is portrayed as kind women following orders. Yet I do more wheeling and dealing every day than I ever did in the corporate world. And I know each time that it makes a difference. After every exhausting 10-12 hour shift, I realize why we need more bright women and men in nursing.

A well-deserved break

2006-08-26T19:18:00.000-05:00

I don't think I've posted since May. People on maternity leave take shorter breaks than I do.

On the knitting front, I started Baudelaire. I've finished a third of the foot. Both feet, actually. I'm knitting both at once b/c I suffer from Second Sock/Sleeve/Glove/Mitten syndrome.

So where have I been?

Here:

Here:

And Here:

I've also finished Reid (which is huge), a cabled baby hoodie of my own design, and well, that's all.

Oh yeah, and I learned to snorkel, mountain bike and make a mojito!

Clutz achievement

2006-05-04T15:25:00.000-05:00

I've always been a bit of a clutz. By "a bit" I mean coming home every day with a new injury. I once caught my fingernail (unpolished) on fire at a candlelight church service.

But this should win a prize:

I gave myself a black eye.

With a hair dryer.

My hair did not even look that good.

Everyone keeps talking to my eye. Little old ladies think I'm a battered woman. I work in healthcare. Often with emergency psych, so my image of a respectable professional is temporarily gone.

And yet no one seems that surprised with I tell them how I managed to get the black eye :p

smile and back away slowly

2006-05-02T16:55:00.000-05:00

If I'm going to be one of "those" ttc woman, I might as well have a sense of humor. Why?

1. Everyone around me is pregnant! Including the squirrel who lives in my front yard. I'm not a certified squirrelologist, but she's roughly 3 times the size of the other squirrels, pot bellied, and has ginormous breasts. (I am a genius.) Similar to this fine image I googled:

And she gets 3-9 babies out of the deal! Basically, M comes up to me and says "Look at this fat squirrel on the bird feeder." To which I reply "It's not fat, I think it's pregnant. Omg, it is pregnant. Even the f*cking squirrel can get pregnant?!"

2. I smiled when my boob hurt on the drive home from clinicals. Clearly I should be pregnant. Or maybe it was from transporting the 300lb GI bleed this morning.

3. I made my husband research the gestation of squirrels and report back to me. He actually completed this assignment.

I wish I had an OFF switch

2006-05-01T10:30:00.000-05:00

Maybe a few swtiches. I could turn OFF "lazy and procrastinating" and flip ON "student who studies responsibly." Right now, my PDA is about to explode from the massive to do list and never ending appointments.

I have another issue to turn OFF. It's the "Why can't I be pregnant now" switch.It's funny, I don't know where their even came from? I wasn't raised to need marriage and kids.

You know some people that were playing mama from toddlerhood and have felt their calling was always to becoome a mother? Which gives me a kind of squicky feeling, especially when they are in their teens; maybe these people are only common in rural conservative areas, though.

So here I am at 5 days late after months of being completely regular, no symptoms, no positve pee sticks and a perfect track record of going at it like bunnies. If it isn't so, just give me my forking period already!

But it gets worse. I cried after another negative test last night. Me, who never played mama with her dolls! Whoa, where did that come from? It's not like I miscarried or something.

Then it occurred to me.

Baby equals:

reason for working so hard
reason to arrange my schedule other than pay and the occasional appointment
reason we bought a single family home and I have to love it
reason to consider moving from metro area in the future to a quieter place

and more I can't even remember now. I feel like so much is riding on having a child. I didn't know I even felt this way; it all sounds so pathetic. And a sure route to postpartum depression when everything is not perfect.

You know what's not helping, btw, everyone around me is pregnant. Seriously, 6 people I know or work with. People who can't afford it, have 4 and didn't even want a 5th, smoke around their infant, etc. While I know it's irrational (and wrong to judge) can't I get just one? It's so not fair.

2 weeks and counting...

2006-04-27T09:03:00.000-05:00

TWO more weeks of school!!! Last night I printed my schedule at work and I couldn't figure out why the hours looked strange...

which is when I realized those are post-graduation hours and I don't have to plan around my school schedule any more. ever.

An unexpected early graduation gift:

There comes a time when you stop putting money into a Ford Focus every 3 months. We bought a 2007 Camry LE and it is so nice. You really get a lot for the price.

Reid is knit up to just before the sleeves. I may have to take a break from it b/c this last final exam covers a lot of material, though.

Also, I need to prepare my house for family visits over graduation weekend. We moved in some time in August and it still looks like August.

Knitting Myopia

2006-04-17T13:13:00.000-05:00

This would be where I prove if I've really learned anything in school. B/c "myopia" may not be the word for near-sightedness. But I'm 80% sure and 100% lazy.

Having been a college student for 10 years... TEN YEARS. It did not occur to me that I may not have to study at some point in my life.

But in three long weeks... THREE WEEKS. I will no longer be "Knit or Study?" I will be...???

um... I dunno.

Knit or freak out over trying not to kill a patient?

Knit or learn EKG rhythms?

Knit or godhelpmedon'tletthemcodeonmyshift?

I don't know what to do with the freedom!!

Last but not least... REID!!

Ovaries in Overdrive

2006-04-13T09:58:00.000-05:00

Just when I was worrying about the Wittle Bitty Baby Toe Amputating Lace... along comes Reid. Although, I don't picture this on a Reid. A Reid is more likely to be dressed in this. The Knitty sweater seems more like a Hannah or Isabella.

Kitchen Progress

2006-04-10T19:09:00.000-05:00

I've finally started to paint the house!!! It's like a whole new house!!

tada!!!

Here is another shot of the backsplash color. It's Behr Cloudburst, which I want to say a little lighter than a jade, possibly in the turqoise range. It's very warm without being tropical.

The dark color on the window wall is Red Stone. I was wary of doing dark tones in a galley kitchen. And while you can't tell from my terrible photography, the recessed lighting and windows keep it from turning into a dark hallway.

It's turning out to be very inviting. I wanted to do warm tones without doing Tuscan, which seems to be everywhere. Very happy I picked these colors!

Eyelets of Danger

2006-04-07T15:06:00.000-05:00

I'm making Eunny Jang's Print O' the Wave Stole. This is my first real experience with lace and it's going quite well. I'm using Paton's Grace (mercerized cotton) on needle size "somewhere between 7 and 9, b/c that is what is missing from my Denise case and I'm too lazy to actually go look at them.)

I've also decided to make it shorter, b/c it would make a nice baby blanket for a friend. It's her first baby and I think she would like something a little different (and is really into the pink.) Now here is the problem with working in the ED... A coworker also thinks it's beautiful, but also remembers many an infant who nearly or completely lost a toe to loopy strings on clothing and accesories.

So I'm kind of worried that my YO's might amputate a toe or two.... Maybe I'll keep it for my own future child, so I can supervise the Eyelets of Danger.

Pleasantly confused

2006-04-05T12:51:00.000-05:00

"Nurse. nurse! NURSE!"

"Yes Mrs LastName. Do you need something?

"No, but can you tell me how to call the nurse?"

"Here is your red button. Press this. I'll attach it to your sleeve."

... ... ...

"Nurse! nurse!"

"Yes Mrs LastName. What do you need?"

"Nothing right now. But can you tell me how to get the nurse if I need something?

"This red call button in your hand. It's attached to your sleeve. Press it if you need us."

... ... ... ...

"Nurse. Excuse me, nurse!!"

"What can I do for you Mrs LastName?

"I don't need anything right now. But can you tell me, how do you call a nurse?"

Eight times. Eight times I reoriented her to the call button! And in case I forgot, the pound cake is really good at the hospital. Really, really good. Did I tell you the pound cake is good? Really, it is. The person who made it did a superb job. That pound cake is the best. The best, I tell you. I've never had pound cake like it. Have you tried that pound cake? It's really good.

WIP's

2006-03-18T16:10:00.000-05:00

I had a knitting urge last night (Studying has been winning out lately and will continue for the next 7 weeks.) Oddly, I couldn't even remember what WIP's I had. That is so sad. I did remember, it was a baby wrap which I might finish after graduation.

I can't even think of what I want to start knitting next. Reasons?

House still messy.
Rooms still not painted.
Yard still not landscaped (I did start to prepare the front beds.)
Clothing still not bought for cruise.
Brake light still out.
House still messy.
Skirts still not cut, fitted or sewn. In other words, fabric still folded in bag.

I did buy two halterkinis. This is a halter-tankini according to JC Penney. Home of the cone-cup 18-hour bras and figure destroying, beaded jacket mother of the bride dresses. As much as a really hate JC Penney, they had two halter tankinis that fit, flatter and were actually sexy. If I ever see another scoop neck, horizontal stripe, high waist tankini...

But JC Penney will not let you down. They are still wacky enough to sell gauchos with "porkchop pockets."

"a.n.a™ Gauchos
Was ~~$36.00~~; Now $17.99
Season's must-have look with two porkchop pockets in front and two double welt back pockets. Button-and-zip closure. Cotton. Washable. Imported. Inseam 18"."

Brought to you by the letter "A."

2006-03-17T12:34:00.000-05:00

I GOT AN A!!! You're thinking, "Sure everyone gets an A at least once." Or maybe the adage about the blind squirrel.

But, no. I got an A on two exams and a paper, which amounts to an A overall in Psychiatric Nursing!!! This from the woman who kicked in screamed "I am not going to be a Psych Nurse. I am not a psych nurse. I have no desire to be a psych nurse. Pysch nurses are crazy."

I still don't want to be a full time psych nurse, so this probably just proves I'm crazy.

Crazy with a capital A!!!

p.s. This is my first A in a nursing course b/c I am the straight 89% girl. Unless you count the 1 credit Trends class, which I don't.

chugga chugga, chugga chugga, woo-woo!!

2006-03-07T14:03:00.000-05:00

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. A 9 week tunnel.

GRADUATING NURSING SCHOOL IN 9 WEEKS!!!!!

I also get my job offer for the ER in one week. Me. An ER NURSE!!!! Can I buy an exclamation point, Pat?

In 9 weeks, I won't have to balance work and school anymore. Isn't that how normal people live? I will have time to knit!

In 9 weeks, I will be a free woman after 10 years of schooling (don't ask.)

In 9 weeks, I will have to wear...

We're gonna party like it's 1959!!!

I keep seeing Kitty Forman in her cap, dress and farrah waves.

Mr. Roger's Neighborhood

2006-02-28T15:43:00.000-05:00

Or rather, the anti-Fred Rogers.

There is a particular psych patient at work that intrigues me. He's violent and it's difficult to find a state bed, so he sometimes lives in the ER for 5+ days at a time. Who am I kidding? It's like once a month; usually when he threatens to kill his wife.

It's sweet, really. He calls her up to say hello, chats a bit, and then breaks into "I'm going to kill you, bitch!" in mid-sentence. Sometimes he calls the sheriff's department, too.

Mr. Rogers no longer has phone privileges.

He believes that he's given us all gold coins. We don't disagree b/c imagine what he'd do to YOU if you lost "money" to which he entrusted you.

Other times he pounds on the glass with his fists until you come over. Then he slams the door in your face. B/c that room is his second home and he travels there by special police "limousine."

Once he sat in the hallway yelling China Doll, China Doll..... After about an hour I realized he was speaking to me. I always know when he's back b/c I can hear him welcoming me back to work. It's great, you're walking through the ER to get your assignment and you're welcomed by the schizophrenic mumblings of Hey there, China Doll!

Sometimes he just shuffles around like a little old man. It's cute, really. Without the delusions and psychosis, he's someone's grandfather, mumbling and shuffling down the hall in his robe and socks. Until he asks you to s--- his d---.

Through all of that, I've wondered what it's like to be his neighbor. Imagine the excitement of what could be a boring, simple walk to the car! Run kids, run!

AND NOW I KNOW....

I volunteer at the Teen Center and he must live nearby. I saw him walking down the sidewalk and he didn't say a word. I figure the meds must be working. But, no. (sigh)

He follows me into the teen center, strutting like it's 1975 and he still has his jive on and casually says "Hi there Mamasita!" (now I'm Latino.)

I kick him out twice but not before he asks me if I still have his inheritance and states that all of the teens are his babies and he is Hitler.

My Favorite Sweater

2006-02-14T17:57:00.000-05:00

I'm quite proud of this piece. It's the Snowflake Sweater from Knitting for Baby. I really like this book for a stock of basic baby knit patterns.

It's sized for 12-24 months and I don't have kids. But I did have some perfect yarn for it and I will have kids soon enough :p

It's a pale blue and charcoal grey, which isn't quite evident by the bad color here.

Look how well the colorwork turned out on the back side!

The matching Ear Flap Hat.

And a gratuitous cat photo. Krusty is really glad my MIL bought this basket for me.

Oh yeah.... 20 inches of snow! We lost a lot of huge branches in the back yard.

Take care of your old people!

2006-02-13T13:19:00.000-05:00

I love old people. It's their kids that bug me.

Why doesn't anyone want to take care of their own old people? This has really been bothering me. A woman brought in her motherrecently b/c she had a minor UTI. Ok, good. Then she requests that we admit her to the hospital.

After I explain why we can't and that it's not medically necessary, she gives me lame excuses as to why it's safer for her. Again, everyday safety of the elderly is not our problem. We can't institutionalize all of them for their own good.

Which is when she lets it slip. "Well, none of us want to take her." I can sympathize, really I can. But this is the neither the Sheraton nor the back alley dumpster and you can't drop them off whenever you don't feel like looking after them.

And WHY oh WHY is it always these people who don't really want to bother with them that make the biggest show out of everything we do.

oh yeah. GUILT.

From that point on she second-guessed and complained about everything we did. Even though I gave that poor little woman the best care possible.

She even complained about the last hospital they were at and that her mother still had the EKG stickers on SEVEN DAYS AFTER DISCHARGE.

Does she think we make house calls? It's your job to help her bathe, too! Was she waiting for the EKG Fairy to come in her sleep?

Snow in Maryland

2006-02-12T13:07:00.000-05:00

If you aren't aware, it never snows in Maryland.

HA HA!!

That is what they want you to believe!!! It snows all of the time, but we are so ill-prepared for it that you would think we lived in Jamaica.

And that is why 20 inches of snow in one night left me sleeping overnight in the ER. No, I didn't hurt myself. I work there. My shift ended at 3:30 am and I couldn't get out b/c it was still snowing and blowing hard and the plows don't make it to the side streets. I had to sleep in an empty patient room until 7am.

Which is when I was supposed to drive home and come back in 8 hours for a 12 hour shift... Now I hate to break from my usual appeasing polite self, but I requested (ahem, badgered) to work another 8 hours right then, rather than come back later.

I hate to be a pain in the read-end, but I'm a student with multiple schedules to balance and, well, there's that whole nursing shortage that all adds up to: Give in to me just this once. They did, but I still feel a little bad.

btw, helipads are great for measuring snowfall!

Living the Sweet Life

2006-02-08T12:48:00.000-05:00

13 WEEKS UNTIL GRADUATION!!!!

Yes, there is a light at the end of my 10 year college tunnel. Yes, I've gone 10 years to end up with an Associates and RN. (this is what happens when you start college too young, too crazy, too immature.)

Why the Sweet Life?
1. It's my Psych rotation. Psych isn't as sad as you would expect. In the vein of my last post, two amusing conversations from today:

"You are the tallest Chinese person I've ever met! Are you from some tall part of China?" [sure, Yao Ming and I are cousins. I'm not Chinese but why argue with a woman who thinks Jesse Jackson is going to take over the world? And that she has illegitimate love children with Scott Peterson :o]

I'm not eating this jelly. It's not low sugar jelly. My sugars have been really good. You know who was good? That Johnny Carson was good. My nephew was named Johnny. He bought these pajamas with my husband. My husband doesn't love me, he just loves my money. Money is the root of all evil. My rose bushes never grew, I bet it was the roots. [pauses, points] That girl's got some Chinese in her. [doesn't miss a beat] Roses are my favorite flower. He never bought me flowers. Now my son, he does right. But I asked him to give me $20 dollars and that boy didn't bring it. I used to make a lot of money when I was younger. Younger than all of you. I looked like a witch when I was younger...

And so on! It's hard enough not to laugh at her ramblings (she's elderly) but she stops dead in the rambling to say that and then continues on with the previous "topic." I almost busted out laughing in the group therapy session!

2. I have to do a volunteer project at a Teen Center. I go play dodgeball for 2 hours twice a week! 20 years later and I still suck at it. But I'm bigger than all of the other kids. Oh wait, that hasn't changed...

3. 13 WEEKS UNTIL GRADUATION!!!!!

4. 17 WEEKS UNTIL 9 DAY CRUISE TO SAN JUAN, VIRGIN ISLANDS, ETC!!!!!

5. Half way finished with "Trellis" patterned baby wrap.

Really, do I have a bullseye on me?

2006-02-07T13:25:00.000-05:00

You might have read about my old job issues. You might know what it's like to grow up biracial in the middle of cow country. You might gather that I'm a little touchy about it (I do have a sense of humor, though.)

So why am I the poster child this stuff? Check out what comes up when you google my blog...

MySpace

Now scroll down to 1/22/2006 2:46PM, very close to the end.

It's one of the bad pics of me in the Spiral Hat, used to make fun of Asian people!

Can't a girl get a break???

How is that I, one of how many knitting Asians (only half asian, even!) get included in this?? It's like grade school and you're pretty sure there's a sign on your back :p

Knitting Oblivion

2006-02-06T17:24:00.000-05:00

I had so many great plans to knit over winter break. Instead, I worked. A lot. Just a little advice: working over 100 hours per pay period in an ER will almost kill you. In fact, this is exactly why ER nurses are crazy.

I did knit a few things, but forgot to take pictures. A baby hat, simple grey garter stitch. And my favorite, the teddy bear.

We all know about knit teddy bears. They take scary forms like this:

It's kind of like growing up poor and your mom buys you the "barbie" dolls from the dollar store.
BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT!!

I used Merino Style, doubled. In fact, it's the Ugly Green Blob Sweater's redemption. I have to make more, b/c the recipient and everyone else loved it.

Pattern

Now I've started Trellis. I'm going to make a baby wrap, though, so I added and extra set of panels to it.

Is it wrong to say that I'm really glad the Thing1 and Thing2 kids are gone? :p

aww scheisse

2005-11-27T16:20:00.000-05:00

I always liked the that word. It's the only german word I know besides "tannebaum (sp?)"

This

There is a part where it says "drop the shoulder increases." It wasn't making sense to me. I figured it meant "stop increasing at the shoulders." Great!

What I didn't discover until half way through the Mini Lace section was that it also meant "but keep doing the front and back medial increases b/c that's how a poncho like this would get points in the front and back like the picture shows, dumbass." [channeling Red Foreman]

grr... I'm already half way through the Mini Lace, so ripping back that far is really going to stink. I can't decide what to do with it now!

Headlines

2005-11-21T17:53:00.000-05:00

Asparagus destroyed by mad knitter

Ever decide you hate a project and rip it out? Asparugs sweater is no more. It is now Asparagus Lace Poncho.

Kermit stars in Blob Remake
One third complete:

Horseshoe lace:

They say it looks small before being blocked. "They" had better be correct.

Seventies Star Admits Facelift
The tiny 1970's galley kitchen is being remodelled!!!!

For old time's sake:

Kicked to the curb!

[insert reality contestant surprise face here] Oh. My. God.

It is not yet complete. (what clued you in? the cardboard counters? the refrigerator half way in the walkway?) But what an amazing transformation already. It feels so much bigger. And so much more functional.

I have a 24" wide, full depth, floor to ceiling pantry. I'm in heaven.

Asparagus takes shape

2005-11-15T19:56:00.000-05:00

I've blocked the back and one piece of the front for the Asparagus sweater. I'm not a great blocker, but this seems okay.

The back:

The front half:

The pattern up close:

I'm still working on the other piece for the front. My first sweater is taking shape!!!

T-minus 3 days and counting to the new kitchen. Pics to follow...

6 months and counting ...

2005-11-07T20:08:00.000-05:00

Until I graduate Nursing School! This isn't just any celebration. This is the countdown to the finale of 10 long years in college.

Yes.

TEN YEARS.

First there were the 5 years at Penn State during which I enjoyed myself just a little too much (and engineering not much at all.) Then the mental breakdown. Then a year off to compose myself. Then easing my way back into school while working full time in corporate hell. And now I will finally have an actual degree.

But why am I counting down? Let me count the reasons...

I will actually see my husband in person. Plans for the evening may even include more than "study." ('kay, so we actually have a life unlike some students, but 'study' is always there.)
Knitting without guilt.
Knowing my paycheck isn't less than a third of said husband's.
Headaches that go away with only two Tylenol.
Cafeteria Lady/Michelin Man/Staypuff nursing school uniform

Asparagus Sweater

2005-11-01T17:34:00.000-05:00

I am going to finish a sweater. I've committed myself to finally completing an entire adult sweater.

The yarn is Knit Picks Merino Style in Asparagus. I think the color setting on my camera are off, b/c the photots aren't getting it quite right. It's a really pretty green. In fact, the color is really bad on the third shot.

The stitch is Alternate Broken Rib from the Vogue Knitting book.

The style is simply a crew neck cardigan. I really like the way it is turning out, so I can't wait to wear it. I also can't wait until I finish it so that I can feed my compulsion to start something else. I love starting knitting projects. There must be a support group for us.

Stitch detail (really needs blocking):

Stretched across my Wong:

Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children, that is.

Nautilus Hat: the Info

2005-10-25T16:12:00.000-05:00

In my sulking over the umpteen shots it took to get a few postable pics of myself in the hat, I forgot about THE HAT.

I LOVE THIS HAT. I love the pattern, the look, the simplicity. This would make great quick holiday gifts, btw.

Nautilus Hat, Marnie McLean pattern

Yarn: KnitPicks Merino Style, Fog

... you know you want to knit it. give in.

Nautilus Hat, ugly knitter

2005-10-24T19:03:00.000-05:00

Seriously, I look bad. This is the time when I think I need to cut all of my hair off. Because having super short pixie hair will do wonders for the eye bags and boyish face. Pull my hair back, I have the head of a boy.

In fact, don't even pull my hair back. Every teenage boy has 70's shaggy hair now, anyway. This is why I never have long hair, it gets like this and I chop it all off.

First, the hat in all of it's beauty:

Now, a toe in the water.

Finally, proof that Boy George was right and only a little makeup separates the genders. If only I found a professional who could match my skin.

Amer-asian thug

Boy:

Girl:

Boy:

Girl:

Something tells me wearing a white sweater in an all white room didn't help, either. I need a makeover, though, badly. I normally wear earth tones so I can look alive, at minimum. :p

Past the self-pity, look what arrived in the mail today!!!

I bought it from Natalie b/c my latest knitting obsession is lace.

Jinkies! My husband does slightly resemble Shaggy...

2005-10-18T19:10:00.000-05:00

I finished the Lace Cowl. I used Knitpicks Shimmer in Turquoise Splendor. It is the most beautiful yarn. The cowl is great.

but...

the pointed end treads dangerously close to an ascot. Or worse. A dickie.

btw, if you Blingo "ascot" the pictures only result in one real ascot. If there is one item to yield funny search results, you'd think it would be an ascot. Remember holiday embroidered dickies? Those were good times.

Back to the lace cowl. I've received tons of complements. I simply tuck the point in or pin it up. Particularly nice with a crisp white shirt.

Drum roll please...

I think I'd like to make more neck warmers along these lines. No points. Maybe taller and more fitted to my neck, a fitted slouch if there is such a thing.

Also, the new kitchen countdown begins. Say goodbye to 1977 brown, mustard and stick on sunflower faux tile.

warm and toasty

2005-10-11T14:16:00.000-05:00

oh, I love autumn weather. It feels so fresh and crisp.

My soon to be new hat. I love the nautilus hat and I've been looking for a good pattern. I should probably finish my lace cowl, too. I think mine looks nicer in Shimmer, Turqouise Splendor. It's just over half complete. As always, pics to follow later.

Embarassing story of the day: I was starting IV's in the triage area and waiting rooms at work last night. 3+ hour wait to be seen in the ER, but that's a Monday for you.

Tip: Mondays are bad. Try getting seen on a Monday after 5pm with chest pain. You had better be in pretty poor shape, b/c even the ambo will drop you off in the waiting room. It's you, me and an EKG machine. I promise I'm good company for your 3 hour wait. I just had Gilligan's Island thoughts.

Sitting on a wooden kids chair starting IV's in the waiting room, not that embarassing.

Sitting on a rolling stool and rolling back while the stool rolls forward, landing on your rear end, legs flying back over your head in the middle of a packed trieage waiting area? Teeny bit embarassing.

Get me some support hose...

2005-10-03T19:05:00.000-05:00

Why is it that when people find out that I knit (perfectly normal people btw) they respond with things like "My grandmother is working on a nice shawl" or "Grammy made my son the cutest baby blue blankie."

This is why we all need to KIP and show that people under 80 years old knit.

I'm really just angry they can lump my beautiful turquoise alpaca/silk cowl (in progress) with a baby blue acrylic Red Heart blankie. :p

The Drool List

2005-10-02T08:59:00.000-05:00

I've started a list on the side of Things I Want To Knit. Little problem being that it will continue to grow in the absence of free time. However, it's much easier to remember them, now! I tend to save things to my Favorites and forget about them. Or I forget to save all together and that perfect sweater is gone forever.

I started a lovely winter hat, but of course, I seem to have misplaced the link. :p

Erica the Oppressor

2005-09-29T11:18:00.000-05:00

Actual Knitting:

I'm hoping for this to become a retro cropped lace(?) sweater.

It's come to my attention that I am exhausted. Not just the busy life of school and work. But I'm not really dealing with it well and feeling overwhelmed - and boy am I a fun wife to have around right now, too. ;p

Now I have a group project to lead for a one credit class. Boy do I have lots of time for that! So do two of my partners think I need to be reminded of how busy they are? Every single day? With eye rolling?

B/c I apparently sit on my rear all day eating bon-bons...

Things that occur daily even though I'm busy too:

Husband does not lose job
Not starved
Not naked in public for lack of clean clothing

Wonder what caused the eye rolling? Asking them to Google our topic and e-mail me a few links about the subject. Sometime within the next week.

I am so oppressive.

I do need to work on the whole exhaustion thing. That is, stop worrying and try to relax about everything. I am *this* close to becoming my mother.

A Brand New Day

2005-09-27T15:39:00.000-05:00

Like the new layout? Think I love my cats too much?

What a wonderful day. I was thinking I failed my second exam this morning. The endocrine system was going to stop me from becoming an RN in May. Damn the pituitary gland!

But no! In some small miracle, I got a 79. 10-15 points lower than every grade I've gotten in nursing school, but I'll take it. Seriously. I thought I was going to get a 42. Everyone else thinks they failed, too. So either it wasn't as bad as we all thought or I'm going to get those "you always do fine, why are you worried?" scowls.

I really thought I would have to change my blog to "Graduate or Sweater? GRADUATE."

In other news: I went to a doctor. Unbelievable. I come from a long line of people who don't go to the doctor. My grandfather fell down the steps and was in PAIN and didn't go to the doctor b/c "there wasn't nothing wrong with me last time." I don't even go to an OBGYN, I use a certified nurse midwife.

I'm not afraid of the doctor. Or even what they might find. The idea of going to a doctor and wasting his and my time when there's nothing wrong that's going to kill me in the immediate future seems to foreign. I still can't get over this idea of making a yearly appointment for a physical and labs when we all know not to eat so much salt and fat??

Of course, I tell all my patients to go every year b/c that stuff is hereditary too and you never know. :p

Wouldn't you know, he found something wrong that I didn't know about. I'm amazed. I bet my great aunts have something in the pantry to treat it, though...

(oh yes, I've been knitting a lacy shrug. Pics to follow. I've promised my self I will finish this one.)

Geeks unite!

2005-08-30T18:36:00.000-05:00

I like school. I don't just like school, actually. I didn't sleep much last night b/c I was so excited about school! Happy-happy excited, not nerves. People are supposed to be freaked out at the beginning of semesters in nursing school.

Not me. I can do this. I know it. I've already completed an entire year and I feel really forking great! I've got a pen and highlighter pouch that clips inside my binder AND is a trendy black and grommet style. And I've got a big crayola-green binder in a sea of white 3-inch binders. Rebel, I tell you.

You've never seen so much excitement for a new reading list. 6 chapters! For half of one class day! Break out the highlighters!!! It's going to be a wild night!!

But what is a blog without one teeny, tiny complaint? Okay, what is my blog without a complaint?

I was snubbed. Snubbed! My classmate/friend is a real perfectionist. She has to have the best grades, be the most loved (especially by superiors), appear to be the most in control and organized... get the picture. Very Reese Witherspoon in "Election." She had some sort of issue with a classmate that was actually better than her at all of that last year (or at least an equal.)

I think I've become "the competition" in terms of grades and warm fuzzies. :O But this is a relaxed thing for me. In comparison, more haphazard (sp?) about it, even. Definitely not the Type A personality in any of this.

I get the feeling I'm being snubbed by her for it. Certainly I'm not worthy of the same things as her b/c I'm not working for it as hard as her. It wasn't a problem until recently. Now there are little snaps here and there. I just want my friend back! I liked having her as a friend b/c she was fun! Maybe she'll get an A on the first exam and we can return to normal? If not, I'm totally gloating over my grade :p

kidding!!!

Knit! Purl! Clear! no pulse.

2005-08-22T08:32:00.000-05:00

I took an unintended summer vacation from knitting. I had actually bought yarn from Knitpicks for summer projects and yet I still have one wrist warmer and half of a mitten. In fact, I don't know what I have b/c I have been so busy with the new job and the new house.

We bought a sfh! "Single family house" in 'burb-speak. People are insane. We spend several hundred thousand dollars on what is essentially a 5 year commitment to the Home Depot. Maybe it will be unpacked and decorated in a few years. :p

The new job! I transferred to the ER! I will be working there while I finish school. 8 months and 24 days for anyone counting. I have to watch that I don't blog about work, though. Major HIPAA violation.

Now, a lot of photos to compensate. (cats! in baskets!)

I'm really glad my MIL bought us a Longaberger bread basket. So are the cats. At least they understand the Longaberger obsession. We find them in there all of the time.

Daisy

Sophie

Krusty

World's Ugliest Kitchen (soon to be remodelled)

Half of a mitten

Wrist warmers

2005-05-26T14:20:00.000-05:00

The first tea green aran wrist warmer is two-thirds finished! In two days time! And I forgot to charge my camera batteries! (apparently this is going around.)

But seriously, the aran wrist warmer is looking pretty darn good.

I made my first Knit Picks purchase.

Asparagus green merino for my first sweater. (Pattern tbd.)
Fog merino for friend's cabled scarf.
Color Your Own merino fingering weight for sanquhar gloves.
Turquoise Splendor Shimmer because I liked it and had to have it.

So today is the last day of my job. Ahhh, listen to the clackety clack of the delete key. It's such a weird feeling to leave. I did it!!

I feel my next knitting obsession coming on. That is, after I finish the sanquhar gloves and my first sweater; which puts us at about this time 2007. Fair Isle. But not bulky pullover fair isle. Something feminine, maybe with a few beads. We'll see.

teeny tiny needles

2005-05-25T12:31:00.000-05:00

I'm dipping my toe in the water towards starting Sanquhar gloves. I bought size 000 dpns. Actually, I bought a set of 5 dns each sizes 000,00,0,1. I went to Joann to checkout scrapbook stuff (having never made one, I found it too overwhelming) and ended up with a set of tiny dpns, instead.

I also bought a skein of tea green Luster Sheen. It's a sportweight acrylic from Red Heart. I never buy yarn at craft stores except the occassional Wool-Ease. Not that I can afford some of the really expensive things at LYS, either. In fact, I don't like to buy acrylic yarns at all. But it was a pretty green. And shiny. And would make nice long gloves with an aran pattern on the forearm. So I started those last night.

I found a $10 gift card for Hecht's in my purse. I think they gave it to us when M bought some dress shirts. Do you find that you wish every gift card you received was for yarn? I'd be really happy if Hecht's sold yarn.

By the way, Tom Cruise has finally crossed the line to creepy. That or he really is a terrible actor. I wish he'd get off of my television.

chuggin along

2005-05-24T12:35:00.000-05:00

Well, the cabled baby hoodie is coming along quite well. So well that I haven't remembered to take a picture. Blogs should really have pictures. The back is finished, as well as two-thirds of the front. Then it's onto the sleeves and hood, b/c otherwise it would just be a vest.

I want to make a friend of mine a (shock!) cabled scarf. It's the cabled scarf from Vogue Vintage Knits. I made my husband one last year and it's just so nice. So nice he should wear it more often. I don't have a picture of mine (shock!) but here is one from another blog.

I think I want to order from KnitPicks. I'm looking at either Merino Style or Andean Silk. She has a black winter coat, light blonde hair and pale skin. What color would brighten up winter well?

Frost looks really creamy on my monitor. Maybe too creamy?

Maybe Bluebell is a safer bet?

I love Asparagus, but I think she hates green on blondes. But Asparagus would look great on a brunette like me :p

I also want to knit myself some nice gloves, something high on the forearm. Maybe some sort of aran patterned forearm. I should probably do a matching hat. Why? B/c I have two days left of my job and I will need to walk across a gigantic parking lot during winter at my new one! I should probably have an umbrella that works, too. You get spoiled with parking garages and office buildings.

How many people leave cushy office jobs to find happiness is cleaning poo?

All or nothing

2005-05-23T11:07:00.000-05:00

Describes my focus completely. I'm either totally focused or entranced by mindless repetition. Without school, I have nothing to occupy all of those brain cells. I can't wait for the new job to start next week. Sitting in front of a computer screen for 6 hours a day with nothing else to occupy me? Pure torture.

I thought this article was interesting. I don't have ADHD, but I can imagine that being a CPA would not be the best career choice. I do wonder though, if so many people really do have ADHD today or some of that can be attributed to being an overly stimulated society. It seems like it's everywhere, but maybe that's just a press blitz. Or maybe no one should really expect to do well in mind-numbing cubicle job, sitting for more than 5 hours a day.

Just to show you how far my brain cells have wandered; it took my 30 minutes to write those two simple paragraphs. My home is actually messier than during the semester, too. This weekend will have a goal, though. Organization and cleanliness!!

My Krusty has found bliss. After having his dental cleaning (he has a plaque and gingivitis problem) he gets antibiotics. Not just any prophylactic antibiotics. Bright bubble gum pink amoxicillin. This manly cat loves bright pink.

On the knitting front (yes, there is actually a front), I finished the back of the Cabled Baby Hoodie! No pic yet. I did start the front (it's not knit in the round.) To which my husband said "what are you working on now? It looks a lot smaller than yesterday." Clearly my knitting obsession isn't well developed if he doesn't understand sweater construction yet.

Many things

2005-05-17T14:28:00.000-05:00

Still adjusting to not having anything to do in the evenings... Really, it's difficult! I could clean. I could paint. I could knit. Instead, I lay around and cuddle my cat.

As you can see, I have no updates. I do have Things That Make Me Happy.

1. Buying scrubs for my new job. Even better, being able to track them in transit!

2. Cinnamon Crunch Bagel from Panera Bread. Can you really even call it a bagel? 7 grams of fat is pretty forgiving for something that tastes so good, too.

3. The face my Daisy makes when she's tired and wants to suck on earlobes. Yes, I said "suck on earlobes." Her mother died when she was two weeks old at a construction site and she has a resultant oral fixation. Me? I have no excuse other than I spoil my cats.

how cute is that face?! That's what I see every night. Whether I want to or not.

4. My box o' personal crap from my desk that is coming home with me because I quit! Picture coming soon.

5. Calculating the check amount for my accrued vacation time, to be paid upon termination. It pays to save. Literally.

6. Saying the words "my last day of work." Here, that is. I still have to work at a new job. I'm only independently wealthy in my dreams.

celebrate good times...

2005-05-13T13:49:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning and I didn't have to be in at work until 12:15. I had nothing to do. And yet, I had this uncontrolable urge to pick upmy Med-Surg book. It's really difficult to do nothing without guilt when you're used to having 3 chapters to read per night. I had time to make breakfast and chat with my husband. This must be how normal people live.

Last night I went out to celebrate the end of the semester. I did a shot and ate nachos for dinner. Anyone who is familiar with my background knows what came next... the asian flush. One sip of alcohol: not drunk, but bright red from head to toe. People like to poke you b/c you blanch stark white and then quickly return to bright red. I must have it really bad b/c I get all tachycardic and sometimes dizzy.

At least my capillary refill time is good! I fear that I will pass this onto my future sons. Chances are, they won't have many asian facial traits at 25%. But the tell-tale flush will be there. It's kind of cute on girls. Boys can get their butt kicked for that kind of thing!

I actually researched it. It's an enzyme inactivity. That is so not fair.

what's a life?

2005-05-12T12:35:00.000-05:00

After my final tonight... I have a life for 3 entire months. Besides that whole learning a new job thing. I don't know what to do with myself. Oh yeah, knit. See, I've been so busy, I forgot knitting existed.

Now for sin #2. I went to the Maryland Sheep & Wool festival (since I live 15 minutes away) and did not buy anything. I hate crowds and boy was it crowded on Saturday. I can't even enjoy myself like that. But I did take pictures!

Is the Sheep & Wool festival really a wholesome family event? Could I be more juvenile?

Do I need to point out the irony here?

Not sheep:

Still not a sheep:

Cute kids. Not mine. Maybe you can get them as loaners.

Lastly, since I did not buy any wonderful yarn to be envied.... I am going to the Cheesecake Factory for a graduation lunch this weekend... and ordering this. They call this a salad and I'm all for pretty looking food.

deep breath now

2005-05-03T11:13:00.000-05:00

I passed a test this morning where I had to insert a catheter into a "female" mannequin. I even had to tell it to take a deep breath.

Now, in all my expertise I have to say this.... Keifer Sutherland is hot.

Okay, that's not it.

But he is. However, will someone teach the man how to act out CPR and chest compressions? In Flatliners (don't laugh!) they gave the slowest chest compressions on the planet. You might as well toss a daisy on the person and say goodbye. I watched last night's episode of 24 (Tivo!) and that man had no chance. They must have all sorts of consultants on that show to make sure they shoot and scowl correctly. Could no one tell him to get vertical and speed up?

What am I thinking? It's 24. I'm surprised Jack didn't jump in and do the pericardiocentesis on his own.

I could go on about how in tv-land, all nurses stand around with their hands in the air screaming "doctor! somebody help!" but I'll spare you. Because, clearly, Curtis and Jack are more qualified.

Hoodie no more

2005-05-02T08:02:00.000-05:00

The Baby Hoodie is gone. I love the way moss and seed stitch look. I hate doing them, though. I just hate flipping the yarn back and forth every stitch. I couldn't do it any further.

Now it's going to be the Cable and Rib hooded sweater from Debbie Bliss Baby Knits. Except that it's done in acrylic that I found in a closet and was formerly the Baby Hoodie.

After only a short time of work, you can tell it's going much more quickly!

Also, I would like to show you how cute Daisy is when she's not peeing on the carpet.

She's thinking of bad things she can get into.

Lazy butt

2005-04-29T15:39:00.000-05:00

hehe, I said "butt."

I am lazy. So lazy. I am so lazy I haven't been reading or commenting, I haven't knit, and am *this* close to turning into a potato.

But I have good news, so all is not lost. However it involves being lazy via ignorance.

Good News: I received another scholarship for this upcoming (and last!) year of nursing school. oooh, it's a good one, too.

Lazy News: I didn't even know it existed and therefore, didn't actually put effort into earning it. It seems I was nominated by a faculty member. I would like to give that person a kiss. Unless it's the one with the 'stache and white gick in the corners of her mouth.

Oh yeah, uh huh, dancin', dancin', so happy!

In other news.... cat nip spray works wonders on interesting cats in scratching posts.

If you want them to rub themselves all over it and lick it. Krusty won't scratch it, but he'll go to third base with it. Did I mention he used to have a fleece-humping fetish?

What a fun day!

2005-04-28T11:50:00.000-05:00

I had a mother (and spouse) today that only spoke Spanish. I only speak English. You see the problem here?

Okay, I can order food and get directions in Spanish and French. And often times I speak in Span-ench. Or Fren-anish. Whichever you prefer.

Some of it does come back to you after practice. You can only demonstrate so much without using words. In fact, teaching the use of a peri bottle quickly helps you to remember some spanish.

But even better..... the baby had dextrocardia with situs inversus. All of his organs were on the opposite side of where they should be! All is well, everything functions, so it is fine. But how cool is that?

One more story. A New dad comes bounding to nursery to see his newly born. Let's say New Dad looks like he might be a "Smith," as does New Mom. New Dad, so giddy, points to baby "Hong" and says "Is that mine?!" If his wife were there, she would have never let him live that down.

I feel pretty, oh so pretty

2005-04-27T07:53:00.000-05:00

Everyone thinks trends and fashions are made for tall people. They really aren't. They're made for 5'8" people, size 6 or less. But finally, there is one I can embrace. It must never go away. It is classic.

The knee-length, longish, a-line skirts you see everywhere. With pretty pointy flats. It looks good, my legs are long enough, I don't feel naked in public and I don't feel like gorilla-woman.

Here, I took pictures to show how happy this makes me.

This one isn't very good for the effect of the whole outfit. But it has a special treat. Check out Krusty in the background (the tan blob.) He lifted his leg over his head to lick himself - just for you! At least 50% of Krusty pictures involve the Krusty manhood.

And the shoes, I love the shoes! In fact, I see women in my building wearing clunky black shoes (in spring! with dresses! and suits!) and I think "my big feet look better than your little feet." I'm very jealous b/c I have big feet, allow me this one childish thought.

A double post day

2005-04-26T18:18:00.000-05:00

But this deserves it. I Googled "Resignation Letter," since I don't know how to write one. Okay, I will not be using this one. A) I don't have the balls. B) My husband would freak (hi, dear!)

To Whom It May Concern:
I hereby give the one month's notice of my resignation from _____ .
I would like to extend my gratitude to all of the managers that I have worked with, for it is said that one always gets promoted to one's level of incompetence: and without learning from the inept and imbecile management here I would never have been able to make the upward career move that I am about to embark upon.

My one remaining worry is that my experience of mismanagement is so great that I may go to the very top.

Wishing that this letter gets to the top of the in-tray before the Second Coming.

The folks at i-resign.com do have me laughing, though. Now I keep thinking of all of the great things I could write, but won't (hi dear!).

How's my umbilicus look?

2005-04-26T14:42:00.000-05:00

Along the lines of Natalie's post about Old Navy tunics.... What is more appropriate in the hospital than my navel? Even if I weren't so tall, it would pop out every time I hung IVF. They also sell capri scrubs. Ignoring the safety factor for just a moment, has there ever been a workplace where the temperature was controlled by men and there was a woman who was actually so warm that she needed capris? I think most of us wear them in office buildings only to suffer for fashion.

I love looking at scrubs. I need to buy some soon. There is a silly reason why I love them. When I take the husband shopping for shirts for work, there are shelves of various brands, colors, and price ranges, all that are cut well, and only need him to find his size (and remember his size.) Where as shopping for women's dress clothes... you know. So now I get to sort through a bazillion prints and colors, all price ranges, with my size almost always available. All I have to do is pick my favorite pattern or color. Sooooo happy! My god, what will I do with all of the extra time to get dressed in the morning?

And so the cycle continues

2005-04-25T15:21:00.000-05:00

I have a hate-hate relationship with my hair. Always have, always will. It hates me, too. I think perhaps I should entertain the idea of chopping it all off again. Mandy Moore has cute hair. Mandy Moore also has a cute face, though.

What do you think? Besides the fact that the greatest dilemma in my life is my hair style is pretty lame.

You know what makes the best Sunday? Lay (lie?) on the couch on your side. Then have your kitten come up, stretch out on her side (facing you), and rest her head on your arm. Bonus points if she cozies her body against yours. Life is good. She'll nap for hours like that!

I was at the grocery store on Sunday. Someone left a whole raw chicken in the pasta aisle, on top of some Barilla. What is wrong with people? There was a woman having a cell phone conversation, too. Loudly, of course. She was very excited that Hamburger Helper was 99 cents. She also said "well, it's kind of soft. Maybe she could keep that down."

Here is where I begin a list of things that say "You know nothing about real food" and possibly insult some of you cooks out there (sorry 'bout that.):

1. You are so familiar with Hamburger Helper that you call it "Helper."
2. You consider this a "soft" food.
3. You think that, when ill, nature intends for processed, salty food with fake cheese to be the only thing that might soothe your GI system.
4. Sorry to knock the fake cheese topping, I do kind of like it.
5. You only buy chicken that is breaded and formed into shapes.
6. Ditto for fish.
7. There are less than 3 items in your cart that are not directly plucked from the earth.
8. You "don't like vegetables." It's an entire food group, for crying out loud.
9. Your favorite recipes require canned cream of ____ soup.
10 . That is all, for now.

Oh yeah, I worked on Tweed Glove #2. I'm almost to the thumb. Guilt as motivation. The husband finally asked the $25,000 question..... "why do you work on eleven projects at once?" LOL!

Scarves are nice

2005-04-23T11:47:00.000-05:00

Whenever I haven't knitted for a while and it takes a bit to get back into things..... I think of scarves. I just love Mimsie's scarf.

I think I want to start a nice cabled wool scarf, though. It's almost summer, but I'm just not feeling into the baby hoodie right now. Nor the second tweed glove. Who am I kidding? I simply like making cables.

Would somebody like to write my nursing care plan for me? I've scrubbed my bathrooms, started the laundry, obviously I don't want to write it. I hate citing references.

We bought a scratching post (note: self, take picture). It's a carpeted pole and base, same height as the sofa (since the cats love to scrath the sofa.) Only Daisy has taken a liking to it. And that's only b/c she thinks she's being bad. We praise her for scratching it, but she gets that "oooh, I am sooooo bad" stance and then goes to scratch the sofa (in order to be good.)

Speaking of the devil kitten - she's been peeing in our bedroom. Every morning she goes in the corner to pee at 530 am. grrr... I cleaned it with the carpet scrubber. She didn't like it's clean smell.

So she pooped in the corner. Not just tiny little kitten poops, but practically human amounts, as if she had been saving it up all night. I now have a litter pan in my bedroom.

Never get a third cat. I'm telling you, things are going great with two, you introduce a third and it all goes to hades.

One last cat-related item. Krusty (who was foaming at the mouth at last year's vet visit) - is getting his teeth cleaned next month. Luckily, they knock them out for this sort of thing. I can't believe I am having my cat's teeth cleaned. He really does need it, though. I would like to see how they intubate a cat.

I draw the line at cat braces.

Something occurred to me today: I will be graduating and becoming an RN this time next year. But I have no idea what field I want to go into. In fact, I like every field during the time we are assigned there and think I would like to do it for a job. Although, I have decided that I really wouldn't want to do Geriatrics or OR now that I've thought about it more. So many of my classmates seem drawn to a particular area, but I really have no idea. And of course, what do people like to ask you when you're in nursing school? "What type of nursing do you want to do?" I like wounds, but Wound/Ostomy may not be right for me. I guess I hate to commit to anything yet. going with the flow and all. oh well!

My that's a big needle

2005-04-22T13:31:00.000-05:00

I watched an epidural today. That's quite a big needle. Then you attach the syringe and give a little pressure as you move it around, until you stop meeting resistance. That's how you know you're in the epidural space and ready to inject.

All those nursing students and RN's dreaming of becoming a CRNA for the big money? You go on and do that.

Makes me a little afraid to have an epidural. It's a very small margin of error and boom!, you've got a spinal headache for the first week or more that you have your new baby at home. Maybe the pain will make me forget about the risks.

See, you take your OB class and suddenly you are planning your future pregnancies.

I would post something more interesting right now, but I can only think about pizza. Or baked chips. Or rocky road. I have a hunch my blood sugar is a tad low right now. Yes, I am a genius.

heeeere baby-baby

2005-04-21T15:17:00.000-05:00

I'm in Labor & Delivery today and tomorrow. No babies yet. I want to see a newborn baby!

Knitting: I completed four more rows of the Baby Hoodie. I have a feeling there won't be much knitting for 4-5 more weeks.

I got an A on my first OB exam. [happy dance]

Check out the husband. Netflix is his enabler.

Today's entry would not be complete without a work gripe. But it's amusing, so indulge me.

Imagine you were in a meeting with 4 other people. It's about a new job task. The managers are giving it to you, your supervisor, and a peer. It's a report. So, you and the peer are pretty confident on how to do this report. But your supervisor is in charge.

Fast forward a week, you're thinking:

Was my supervisor even in the same meeting?

Does she comprehend the English language?

What part of "It needs to show: A, B, and C" was confusing?

B/c she's wondering 1) what we're supposed to put on it and 2) if we need to use A, B, and of course, C.

She is sure of one thing, though. It needs bullet points. I'm glad she got that degree in Journalism, b/c we might not have known how to show a list w/o that crucial input.

phew, crisis averted.
. . .

Dude, everytime we asked her if the content was okay, she'd say "I definitely think bullet points are the way to go." It's like she's the Rain Man of bullet points.

Bullet points would be great. yeah, bullet points. need to add some bullet points.

She also said that the "TA" position hasn't existed for years. She might want to let Ms. R know, b/c she's been a TA as long as I've been with the company. Maybe she's really like that guy in Office Space who gets moved to the basement b/c he was actually fired several years before.

5 more weeks.

Under a Rock

2005-04-18T14:23:00.000-05:00

I live under a knitting rock. My only idea of what is popular is through knitting blogs. I have only one nearby knitting friend. So I had no idea felted purses were so "in" right now.

I was carrying mine:

at school and another person had one like this (the booga bag, but with a fur trim along the top).

Her mother bought it for her and paid $50! Okay, mine cost me about $7 to make, maybe 2 hours of time, and that yarn was all leftover Cascade 220. Apparently this woman who makes them sells tham for $50 and up at craft fairs and it wasn't even Noro, although it is about twice the size of mine. It never occurred to me that someone would pay $50 for a striped knit purse. Particularly these striped knit purses. I mean, it's worth a premium for hand knit items b/c they require so much work, but a felted purse with some fur on the top? I assumed $25 max.

While I like mine and it's nice to tote around, I can think of much nicer bags for that price. Felted purses are cute, but if I'm paying for a hand knit item and all of the hard work that went into it, it better be nicer than "cute."

I never knew there was a market for cutesy or novelty type knitting stuff. It makes me wonder how much they're charging for furry scarves at those craft fairs. I'm in awe.

Hermit time

2005-04-14T14:40:00.000-05:00

I have a test on Monday. Time to hole myself away and increase my studying. In fact, it's been a while since I've picked up a knitting needle. By the end of the semester (5 weeks!) - I will be dying to knit again. I will be dying to do anything outside of studying.

I have had some exciting times in my OB class. Today I saw a neonate with 6 fingers on each hand. He had an extra pinky, with a fingernail, on the side almost perpendicular to his other fingers. Very cool. Mom and Dad probably did not think it cool. How do you remove extra fingers? You tie it off and eventually it will fall off on it's own.

I also saw a few circumcisions. There are various methods to do this procedure. If I were going to have it done on my children, I would only want one particular method. And there is a reason they don't like the parents to see it performed. eek!

It has occurred to me (and any of you that have had kids) that labor on tv and the movies is downright laughable. You don't lay there panting away for hours and suddenly they pull out a baby. You're moving, changing positions, looking completely unfeminine; that's why they call it "labor." It's hard.

This idea about sleeping and relaxing your two days in the hospital? Good luck! We're forced to get you out of bed, walking, showering, and awake. My mom today wanted to lounge in bed all morning b/c she just gave birth at 1 am. uh-huh. It's 7am. Get up, bond, and for pete's sake shower! This is the first of many days w/o more than 2 hours sleep in a row. You got 5 hours, consider it a blessing. We'll even watch the baby while you shower - you don't get that at home. C-section at 5am? It's 5 pm - time to get up, even with the pain.

I say this with much love, as I would have been a terrible patient if I weren't a nursing student first.

There is so NOT any knitting right now

2005-04-12T09:42:00.000-05:00

I got in trouble again for having left work early and sick on Thursday. I wish I could insert a fuming angry smilie right now.

I explained everything in e-mail to the manager (so it would be in writing.) He calls me into the office. I don't have commitment to my job. For this one day in all of three years that I left early. Ill. He didn't know I was sick. I told him that I told my supervisor that I was sick and going home. She hadn't told him that. "Maybe she misunderstood."

"I told her 'I don't feel well. I am leaving early and have finished my work.' " What couldn't she have understood? He still turned it onto me. I jeopardize his ability to run the company. I'm not committed. All for one fucking day where he wasn't up to speed because of her! She didn't like me leaving, so she lied. I've always been a great employee, compliments, working on extra stuff when need be. Now I'm the problem? She's the one who calls the account reps "children." She's the one who has the motto of "that's not my job."

Background: She hates me b/c I turned her in for being a bigot. He hates that I rocked the boat and included him in my complaint. He doesn't know why I have a conflict with my supervisor. She brought in to work a catalog of "mammy" items that she wanted to use to decorate her house. Mammy is like Aunt Jemima. She's a large slave woman in a red dress and they use her on cookie jars and salt shakers. This isn't an antique (which many people still own); they are reproductions circa 2005. Mammy also has blue eyed slave children printed on dishcloths for your kitchen, too.

No better way to create cozy ambience than by commemorating the slaughter, enslavement and rape of an entire people.

She also told me to adopt a cat that was squinting in it's web picture - b/c it was Asian. She lied to HR and told them that I was the offensive person in the office.

Nope, no pointy sticks for me right now. 7 weeks...

I cleaned my house

2005-04-09T11:16:00.000-05:00

That's a sure sign that I do not want to study. I have a big care plan due on a neonate. I cared for an 8 hour old baby on Friday! And his 17 year old mom - who was very impressive for that age. And the father was around! Gives you warm feelings inside.

I don't know the first thing about babies. I've changed, maybe, 3 diapers in my life. So they assign me this newborn (literally) and I look at him, he looks at me, and I panic. Assessing a neonate? Easy. At that age, they just want food, dryness, and to be wrapped up like a burrito. After I realized that I was not going to break him, it was smooth sailing.

So now I have this huge care plan due. I don't feel like studying or writing! I got up, made a yummy breakfast, and cleaned the house. It really did need to be cleaned, though. Sad, sad state of affairs.

So on Thursday, my office was over 95 degrees again. The electric baseboard heater was on, also. I was the only one sitting 6 inches in front of a heater that could not be shut off. The rest of the office was a "wonderful" 86. So I finished my work and some extra and left at 3pm.

I got in trouble for that. I'm part time. I didn't ask to be paid for the time I wasn't there. The mgrs had a fit, even though I told my supervisor I was leaving. She didn't like it either, b/c even though there is no logical reason for me to be there, she's a bitter young hag. However, she didn't tell me to stay; she didn't voice her concerns.

I work for the top workers' comp insurance company. I pulled our Loss Prevention info on heat stress and working conditions and lit into them. They messed with the wrong woman and they were careless. Sometimes, life feels so good. Just when I was starting to feel kind, they reminded me why they don't deserve advance notice of my resignation.

No knitting progress due to my preoccupation with being a vindictive(sp?) witch with a clean home. I wouldn't trust me with pointy things right now.

lovely sweater - or not

2005-04-06T14:20:00.000-05:00

sweater? no, it's not a knitting specific post. The a/c is out in my office. Until Monday! I'm on the 4th floor of a glass building, full sun, 84 outside. It's so hot. It's so stuffy. And I'm wearing a long sleeved cotton sweater with my skirt! But that's okay, b/c I have sexy sandals on today. It's all about wearing sexy sandals. I focus my attention on my lovely feet and calves now. I'd post a picture right now, if I could.

I started the other tweed glove. This one is 2x2 ribbing. They won't match, but they're practice gloves. 2x2 is much better. I just love a nice, neat ribbing on small needles.

Krusty is probably sweating his puff off at home. I forgot to leave a window open. Why? B/c this little devil would very well try busting through the screen if the right bird flew by. Or even the wrong bird. She just likes to break things.

I was outside for about 7 minutes. I bet I'm a giant freckle right now.

Dx: Failure to sympathize r/t penile preoccupation

2005-04-04T08:24:00.000-05:00

Diagnoses for OB are really strangely worded. You know how pregnant woman are (here comes the blanket generalization...) crazy? Well then, who thought it was a good idea to write the following dx:

Incompetent cervix
Failure to Induce
Failure to Progress

If I were pregnant, on bedrest, or in extreme pain, I would not want to be told that my cervix was incompetent or that I was failing. I will be an emotional rollercoaster, pray for the person who tells me any of these.

However, the correct dx in all of my books for impotence? Not Erectile Dysfunction like the Viagra commercials..... Erectile Failure. I guess that terminology wouldn't go very well with a NASCAR sponsorship.

The glove is finished. It is big. The cuff needs to be 2x2 ribbing, not 1x1. The palm is too big. I went up a size in needles for the fingers b/c they were too tight. But now they are too big and unlady-like in shape. So I think I need to use the correct size needle, but knit more loosely. I cannot figure out the correct way to spell "loosely." It all looks wrong to me.

No pics, not more knitting from this weekend. I actually studied. I hate my OB book. Nothing stands out on the page (besides the pictures). The study guide helps, but sometimes I go back to the book and can't find any information I need. I can't believe that I actually like my 96 chapter, 6 pt font Med-Surg book more.

About 6 months ago, I decided to stop taking the pill. It occurred to me that I had been on it for over 10 years. I thought, "why stay on medications that long? I should give it a try w/o it. We're slaves to medications."

Now I say "bring on the drugs!" I'd rather be a slave to birth control pills than a slave to ibuprofen. I gave it 6 months. I tried. I feel like my uterus is my enemy. It's a threat to a normal lifestyle. And it makes me overly emotional and dramatic.

An Experiment in Boucle

2005-04-01T09:28:00.000-05:00

Last night I unravelled and rewound some boucle from a sleeveless cowl that I never finished. Krusty was highly excited by the giant ball of boucle.

After reading about avoiding boleros and shrugs on Natalie's blog, I was thinking that maybe I should give a boucle shrug a try. I saw a cute cap sleeve one on someone's blog (but I forget who!) Maybe it will look nice with jeans and a fitted white tee. Like this. Or maybe it will confirm that I should avoid shrugs like the plague.

It will be burgundy. Which is exactly why I had to unravel the unfinished sleeveless cowl. I cleaned out my closet a few weeks ago and I discovered no less than 4 burgundy/wine/maroon sleeveless tops.

Glove Post O' The Day #3

2005-03-31T14:42:00.000-05:00

So I'm all about the glove obsession today.

Why? Because I am bored. I have no work to do. What else do you do with 8 hours of nothing time each day?

I want to make these. Yes, I know that calls for needle size 000. And I know that's quite a leap from my one ill-fitting tweed glove (not even a full glove.) But it is a reason to buy Alpaca Cloud from KnitPicks. I'm avoiding creating any sort of stash until I finish school next year. Too distracting. However, if I have an actual project to buy for? great!

Trouble in Glove-Land

2005-03-31T13:08:00.000-05:00

So the palm is a bit big, but I can deal. I just finished the first finger. It's too short. Again, I can just add more rows. Never mind that I probably should have noticed it was too short before I tapered the top.

However, it's too narrow. I don't think I have skinny palms and wide fingers. In fact, I know I don't have wide fingers, b/c I know people with wide fingers.

I can only think of 3 options:
1) use stretchy yarn
2) move up to size 3's on the fingers.
3) fingure out how to add a few extra stitched on the size 2's. However, I think that it would still constrict at the bottom of the finger if I do that.

So, I guess I move up to 3's. Come to think of it, I think I make have knit a little tighter onthe fingers than the palm.

Given that my fingers are freakishly long (?), maybe I should ask all prospective gift glove recipients to measure their index fingers before I begin.

"Hey Jane, measure your index finger for me."
"What? Oh, nothing."

Fits like a glove

2005-03-31T09:44:00.000-05:00

Bad pun, sorry.

I've reached the first finger of the first glove. I don't love the 1x1 ribbing on the cuff. I think my stitches look uneven. I think a 2x2 or 2x1 would be nicer. Or maybe something like the Coronet hat pattern. That would be perfect for one of my friends.

I think that the glove may also be a little big on the inner aspect below my thumb. I'll reserve judgment until I can really try it on. I am just loving knitting gloves, though. I prefer it to socks, I think. Maybe it's b/c I have big feet and knitting the foot is tedious.

Here is the detail of the cuff:

And here it is up to the finger:

I'll be knitting in public again today. I work next to a mall and it's nice to sit in one area over my lunch break when it is a little chilly outside. On Tuesday, the sweetest young girl came up to me and asked what I was making! It's spring break for the public schools, so bratty kids at the mall usually just stare.

Yesterday was productive; I didn't go to work. I DIDN'T KILL MY BULBS!!! My crocusses (sp?) are almost all out. Pretty orange flowers. I think the tulips and grape hyacinths are starting to make an appearance. It's so nice to know that I am not the worst gardener in the world. Pretty close, though. I should have taken a pic of my crocusses, shoot.

Library as enabler

2005-03-29T09:43:00.000-05:00

I went to the public library yesterday. I checked out every knitting book and magaizne in stock that wasn't 10 years old. (Rowan Classics? Not so classic in the style department.)

So many beautiful things for me to make. I started tweed gloves last night. Or at least, a glove. I'm using the pattern from Vintage Knits for the Fairisle Gloves. If they look okay and fit in tweed, I'll make them in Fairisle. If you're tall, you understand how frustrating it is that gloves bought in the store always have short fingers. No more short fingers for me!

I'm knitting the gloves on two circulars, the same method I use for socks. I find it so much easier. Except for maybe the first two or three rows when it's easy to twist. I'm thinking luxurious gloves would make nice holiday gifts for people who would appreciate them (i.e. everyone save my MIL and SIL.) Maybe something involving baby alpaca and cashmere or merino.

I also really like the Beaded Sweater in vintage knits. However, this calls for 900 beads. 900. 900!

And of course, I'll be copying roughly 9852 baby patterns. Maybe if I start now, I'll actually finish a baby blanket before I have a baby. Particularly the Alphabet Baby Blanket from either Debbie Bliss or another recent Baby Knits book (I forget.) The letters are eyelets/holes, not a contrasting color. Very pretty and classic.

Felting is officially out of my system.

I think, if people get smoking breaks at work, I should get knitting breaks. I'm not doing anything, anyway. If I had more than 1.5 walls, I would be churning out that glove right now. Instead, I act busy, so productive. It's surprisingly difficult to act busy for 7.5 hours each day. I am so very happy to not have to do that this summer.

Tote: finished!

2005-03-28T09:08:00.000-05:00

I love my new tote! The random striping really worked out well. However, I like the wrong side more than the right side. The wrong side has a more interesting pattern due to the purled stripes. It's very nice for toting lunch. Disposable Gladware or a sandwich with fruit fits nicely inside.

Here it is, finished, right side:

The wrong side:

And in greater detail:

I also had time to whip up a felted fish for Krusty. He loves pink. However, the felted fish is a little large. It's more like a dog toy, german shepherd size. I could have been done in half the time!

All in all, a productive weekend. I think I need to organize my patterns. More so than the 20 folded pieces of paper stuffed in a basket that I currently use. Would a binder suffice? It seems so boring. Also, I need to start printing and saving every pattern that I like. And make copies from things at the library. I just know that I will come back and think "gee, I'd really like to make that baby sweater. Now what was the pattern source?"

Michael also bought me the Knitter's Personal Handbook for Christmas. It has a lot of pages for charting patterns. I should learn how to chart. I have the Vogue book so that I know how to chart correctly, but then I have to refer back to read my charts b/c I don't know what the symbol means.

9 weeks until I leave my job! I just can't believe it. I feel like a new woman.

Progress

2005-03-26T14:35:00.000-05:00

The Fulled Lopi Tote, which I realized is actually a Fulled Cascade Tote, is now half-finished. Yay for quick knits. Boo for trying to manage 6 little balls of yarn. It's supposed to be knit in the round, but I'll stitch it up when I'm done and that will be fine. I didn't have a circular in that size. All the more reason to by a set of Denise needles.

The Baby Hoodie hasn't had any more progress than before. But now it has a picture:

Look what I got to bring home from school. I'm supposed to practice. On a water bottle. Somehow, I think trying to locate the urethra on a pregnant woman will be a little harder than a bottle of Dasani.

I changed the blog template. The dots were giving me a headache.

Did you ever feel like such a stereotype? We got up the morning, ate breakfast, and then drove to Home Depot (across the street) to buy fertilizer and new toilet seats.

What exactly is the difference between a $9 and a $30 white toilet seat? And is it so weird that we haven't changed the previous owners' toilet seats until now (two years later?) I did bleach them.

Where am I?

2005-03-25T16:56:00.000-05:00

Please excuse the changes while I remeber how to make things look pretty again.