Scribbles & Bits

*taptaptap* Is This Thing On?

I guess I can't really say that when it's me that's been MIA.  So let's see: what's happened since I last posted?  I applied for a job at random, was interviewed, offered the position, and had to move cross country in less than two weeks time.  This all happened in November.  I don't even know where to begin talking about how much happier I am and all about my new job.  Knitting, stitching, and whatnot got moved to the back burner, but I've taken up a pair of socks to help me through the ups and downs of my grandmother's open heart surgery. 

So that's my life in a nutshell.  What's new with you?  ;)

The Best Thing I've Learned Today And a Tip

I promised myself that I wasn't going to post again until I was posting something I'd made (or at the very least I'm working on), but today has been an epic fest of suctackularity (that's a word, right?) so I'm cheering myself up with this fact: Dr. Ruth was a sniper in Israel.  I can't explain exactly why it cheers me up (Hey!  Way to go!  You can kill people AND give frank sex advice!), but it does.  (and no, this isn't another one of those "Mr. Rogers was a sniper and his cardigans covered the tattoos" things.)

Also, a tip that I've never seen anywhere and it's actually helped one person, so I'm going to pass it on, feeling rather clever that I thought of this on my own.  When the pattern directs you to knit until the piece measures (x) inches, just figure out your row gauge and you can keep clicking your row counter and it makes it go by faster and you don't end up with that black hole of knitting where it never gets any longer and then all of a sudden it's 2 inches too long (like the run on sentence you just read).  And if everyone already does that and this isn't such a novel tip, then never mind.   

Or Maybe It's Just Me

OK, I don't know which came first: the toy named "Sit and Spin" or the phrase accompanied by a rude gesture.  If it's the latter, isn't that sort of a terrible thing to name a toy?  I'm presuming, of course, that this phrase/gesture combo isn't just a regional thing.

This random thought brought to you by Things That Bother Me For Literally Years and Years.

Conversations I Wish I Knew More About

I'd hoped to be able to show you a lovely blocked lace shawl.  However, crawling all over the floor with a bum foot trying to stretch out lace is not, well, any easier than it sounds.  So instead, I present this brief story: my new upstairs neighbor has yet to learn that sounds carry.  Or maybe he doesn't care.  After all, this is a man who carries on phone conversations while he's using the bathroom, such as this most recent one:

"I've already donated $100 to (candidate's) campaign.  (pause)  I don't think so.  (pause)  No, I don't think so.  I've got a 20 gauge shotgun."

Um, what?  Are those two thoughts related or had they already switched subjects?  Because if they're related, I might have to start worrying about that candidate's opposition. 

Mobility! Woohoo!

Totally how I felt when I got the boot!  Which I can take off in about 4 weeks!  Woohoo again!  This foot went a lot easier than the left one did.  It probably helped that it wasn't in nearly as bad a shape.  As a result, I really didn't end up taking too many painkillers after a couple of days so I got a lot of knitting (and a bit of embroidery) done!  Now I just need to take pictures!  Not all the Christmas knitting is done yet, but I'm really close!  So close! 

Now to catch up with all of your adventures! 

See Ya On the Flipside (If I Haven't Gone Insane)

First I absolutely have to say a big big thank you to Super Jen!  She sent me a copy of Traditional Scandinavian Knitting which has really kick started me into wanting to try this technique!  I won't be quite crazy enough to try it while I'm on painkillers.  But man, after that?  I think it might just be "Katie, bar the door!"

I guess Mr. is getting used to me.  He just barely batted an eye when I stated that I was planning to knit Christmas presents for the 5 nearest and dearest of my family members.  Ok, maybe he blanched a little bit.  But I'm not knitting sweaters.  Ok, one is a short sleeve pullover (Isabella from Knitty, for my aunt, to be exact), but nothing really REALLY complicated, like intricate cables or lace.  Ok, well, one of the gifts is Shedir for my grandfather, and I'm turning Branching Out into a stole (three pattern repeats!  Woohoo!) for my grandmother, but I've already finished the gift for my uncle (this helmet liner for his hard hat when he's at work) and I'm halfway done with the gift for my cousin (giving Halfdome another try).  And I'm throwing in a little something for me (this short row hat, since I love me some short rows)!  So I'm totally sure I can pull this all off while I'm laid up!  Which dovetails nicely with my next point, which is hopefully tomorrow will be flawless and I'll get this surgery out of the way!  So if you have a chance to think good thoughts for me, I'd appreciate it!  And I swear: pictures when I get back!

*sigh*

My surgery has been rescheduled. 

On my birthday.

Suckiest birthday ever. 

Hmmm....

Never mind.  My surgery was canceled because today's vitals didn't look good.  Apparently we're going to try this again in two weeks.  Knitting will resume as normal then. 

BRB

Ok, I won't be RIGHT back because tomorrow is foot surgery number 2 so I'll be back at some point, but I don't know when really.  On the plus side, I have lots of knitting, needlepoint, and cross stitch set aside, as well as some books and a virtually untouched Season 1 of Monk (the 3 episodes I watched are so great!).  I know I won't really be doing all that much.  The last time passed in a stupor of painkiller-induced half sleep which led to the most interesting 5 minutes on television when Martha Stewart put glitter on a paper mache bunny.  It also led to the most confusing 5 minutes when Tyra Banks and her audience were in nothing but their underwear.  Turns out that was the theme of the show, but I thought I was having a really whacked-out moment.  So anyway, if you get the chance, think a good thought on my behalf! 

A is for...

...animals.  If I had to pick one passion to stay devoted to for the rest of my life, it would be taking care of animals.  One of my biggest dreams is starting a rescue farm for dogs, cats, and any other furry, feathered, or scaly friend that has been abused or abandoned.  The farm could adopt from shelters who, I acknowledge, do not have the space to keep every animal that walks through the door.  Volunteers could come and play with the animals to keep them from developing a cage psychosis.  With enough donations, a couple of vets could hired just for the farm.  Until then, maybe some would do pro-bono or discounted work (spaying, neutering, and shots, not to mention the other ills that befall animals).  People could visit and adopt (they would even have time to play with the animals to see if that cute kitten or fluffy pooch is the perfect addition to their family.  And then, how amazing would it be if other communities started their own rescue farms?  Across the country, maybe more effort would be put into giving these sweet animals a second chance instead of treating them like detritus.  Maybe more thought would be put into spaying and neutering.  Maybe I'm full of wishful thinking.  This dream always does that to me.  But maybe.

So what's up with the title of this post?  Bella Dia started It!