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there was creepiness and monsters, spookiness and black cats... a scarey Papa and a witchy Mimi....
All lurking and screaming....
It was the owl that shriek’d, the fatal bellman,
Which gives the stern’st good-night.......*
Goodnight, my friends, sleep tight.
(*Wm. Shakespeare. Macbeth)
Well, it's been a busy few days. With my MIL's memorial service over and the guests all flown away, I feel like life can get back to normal somewhat. The generosity and kindnesses of all who expressed their sympathy in cards and notes or memorials and presence is just so much appreciated by my husband and I... we are so thankful for her life, and how it obviously impacted so many people.
What have I been up to? Other than the above described, I'm keeping up with politics, working, and doing a little shopping:
Sunday afternoon, we went to the Field Band Competition to watch my son in his final Fall performance as a high school senior.
It was a great night, and they are just an excellant band. They ranked in 2nd place for the State.
On the way, we stopped, of course, at the only yarn shop on the NYS thruway between here and Syracuse...one of my favorites, New York Knits. I really wanted the Rowan Vintage Style book, but they didn't have it. Boo Hoo...but I did some yarn fondling, and page browsing, project gazing, and question asking. And , I also did some buying...three skeins of Noro Kureyon in a wonderful black, gray, pink colorway to do a double cabled scarf.
and a skein of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn for a fabulous sock or two...depending on my level of motivation to do the second one!
The Big Sack is coming along. The only knitting I have done on it is the front (from a few days back) and a sleeve, which is not photo-worthy.
I started a scarf from the Pam Allen Scarf Syle book...Loving this taylored lace pattern, and it's making a great accessory scarf to wear with a little jacket or blazer...the last of my blue/gray mood for awhile!
I'm still inclined toward Klaralund... my colorway is a lovely red/rust combo.
The RAOK Fairy Hit AGAIN!!!
This package is from Chelsea and is so much fun! I love the etch-a-sketch pen! and the three little beaded stitch markers...actually, Thank you Chelsea, I thought the whole package was pretty neat!
I also got a very cool Halloween postcard from Patti with some wonderful encouragement. William Wegman is one of my favorite author/photographers...I've read him to my kids for years!
Thanks again, you guys...what a treat!
I'm doing up some Halloween goodies...Secret Pal-ish, RAOK-ish and Grandkid-ish...I LOVE a holiday!
Are you dressing up for Halloween?????
Stacey has become my new RAOK next door neighbor. She and I go way back, about a month, and she has become a great blog pal. Not only is Stacey a neat person, she has a very cool site.
Early this week, Stacey dared to show us what many of us dare not show...for those of us that are married, it is a place no husband understands or cares to investigate....the inside story of her knitting life...her stash. So, Stacey is holding a little contest, which ends Sunday. Sort of a "If I show you mine, you show me yours" thing. I told her I'd post my stash photos here, and it has taken me til Thursday to be brave enough to do it.
It's not been an easy thing. I feel very exposed. This is something I haven't even shared with my mother.
I present to you, my stash. No rubbermaid containers, no neat closet organization, no card catalog of yarn. My yarn is in many places. It's easier to hide that way.
In a corner behind a chair in the family room.
In a chest, which has been unsuspiciously holding a lamp for years.
In the sitting room, in a basket which used to hold magazines, and around the corner, in a basket that holds vintage linens.
In the bedroom, in bags...
And even here!
Thank you Stacey. I feel free. Thank you from the bottom of my yarn basket.
I'm never up at this time of night. I have to work later this morning.
I ate two brownies after dinner, with a cafe mocha. I will never do that again. Since then, I've eaten several Rolaids. I really have to do something about my eating habits of late....especially when it keeps me up at night!
This weekend is the memorial service for my Mother-in-law. I never knew how much planning went into an occasion like this. Memories, photos, scripture, flowers, phonecalls, details, details, details. THEN there is the food. What should we plan for? What will others bring? So many wonderful friends are bringing food...some tell me to expect alot of brownies...I just hope they are decorated beautifully with Rolaids!
You know, I only knit 12 rows on a sleeve today. And I had planned so much more. But tomorrow is another day....or is that actually today?
I need to go to bed.
A Sweater front. Complete. I wish I could wear it as is, I'm so excited!
I was thinking about Klaralund. I have had 10 skeins of Noro Silk Garden in my stash, and I have debated doing this sweater for a long time. My problem has been this. After a few seasons of watching
What Not To Wear, I know that I shouldn't wear horizontal stripes around my middle. So I was thinking this: Is there anyone out there who is "middle-challenged" that has done this sweater? Do you find it a flattering fit? I'd love to know what you think... what would Stacey and Clinton think??????
Check out the new special edition Rebecca magazine. Gotta have it. Although, I cannot, for the life of me think of knitting a queen sized bedspread in mohair! I have a hard time getting through a scarf without changing my mind! There are some wonderful projects to drool over.
Sunday after church, some friends treated us to a Chinese Buffet for lunch...probably the best buffet I've had. At the end of our meal, with the check came the traditional fortune cookies. With great anticipation, I cracked open the almond crispiness, ate half, and then unrolled my "fortune."
???????????CAN ANYONE HELP ME WITH THIS?????????????
What kind of sweater are you? Does the sweater you are knitting right now reflect your personality? Around the blog knitting world, I notice some are knitting the Beautiful Klaralund, the Lovey Lara or Fern, the exquisite Eloise or the bold Blaze.
The sweater I am knitting is called "The Big Sack" from Stitch n Bitch. 
What do you suppose that says about me?
Well, just as an RAOK would have it, after my muted mood of this week, I opened my mailbox to find this
Ma Hatfield, of California, you certainly introduced some colorful excitement into my life! Included in this wonderful box was a bright and sparkly handmade needle holder, some Regia sock yarn, a cookie cutter, #10 Clover Bamboo Needles, stickers, bubbles and a fun pencil and pen
I can hardly contain myself! I think I'll go have a bubble party! Thank you again for this very timely RAOK! It makes me want to send some out myself, this week!
At our Thursday night Knit Knite, I had a funny little surprise from my local secret pal...
A Halloween witch and some very neat hummingbird stitch markers! Talk about two ends of the flying spectrum of cuteness!
Didn't we have a great Knit Knite here? Remember knitters, in two weeks we meet at my house!
Maybe it's my mood lately. Maybe it's my subconscience trying to tell me something. Maybe the Prozac isn't working...
Lynne, how are you feeling lately?
A little down, I guess. You know, the job thing, teenagers, my weight, this rash on my face...
A little down. Hmmm. Can you think of any other way to describe your mood? Are you in a funk, feeling depressed....maybe you have the....blues?
Why would you think that???? I'm just fine! I love life. Everything is just fine!
Now, now...Lets take a real honest look at what you've been up to lately
it's okay. It's good to get it out. Let's see your recent FO's.
...
OK...Blue, Gray, blue and gray, blue-gray. What have you purchased lately?
Just some random stuff, no real projects in mind...
Are you working on anything right now?
I just started a sweater yesterday....and we painted the trim on the barn yesterday, too.
I didn't really think I liked blue or gray that much.
WHAT"S HAPPENING TO ME? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? I NEED FUN FUR! STRIPEY SOX! HOT PINK!
I NEED TO KNIT THIS:
There. I feel better already.
You are Inspiration Soup!! You live to Inspire
those around you with your green beany, white
chunky, red soupy goodness. Many have come and
lit candles in your honor. You've inspired
them to become better people. Thank you,
Inspiration Soup... thank you.
What Weight Watchers recipe card from 1974 are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
No Lie, there are a bunch of these at Candyboots...These are the funniest things I've seen!
What to knit, what to knit? 
After finishing the other fingerless glove, I find I'm stuck. I looked though patterns, searched through the stash, had some great ideas, but nothing feels right...especially after deciding to wind a few skeins of Plymouth Outback Wool.
WARNING! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WIND THIS YARN WITH YOUR OWN TWO HANDS!!!!!!
No wonder I wasn't motivated to knit anything last night. So, what to do. Maybe a trip to the LYS is in order! (By the way...that plymouth yarn is a great felting yarn at a very good price for 370 yards!)
After the disaster of the yarn winding, I mosied ouside to enjoy the late afternoon garden. Come take a look.
I'd love to find yarn the color of the autumn joy sedum as it is right now...that rich, berry shade that's not too pink...
I'm reading "To Kill A Mockingbird". The only novel Harper Lee ever wrote...what a powerful commentary on the influence of society. How even reading it today, as Harper Lee said, "it says what it has to say." I love teaching this novel...inspires some very insightful observations on the condition of humanity. I also love that in this novel, even the dogs are given a last name...to identify them as belonging to someone, like "Tim Johnson."
My dogs know who they belong to. Each other.
and today was one that could drive me to drink, and I don't even drink! Hey, Elizabeth, anyone send in any recipes for something totally indulgent?
I stayed home from work today, because of my poison ivy face. I'm thinking, what a great day to catch up on some knitting, right? Then my husband came in to the office, telling me I need to pull out the 2003 business stuff of mine, since it needs to get to the accountant TODAY
Long story short, this is how I spent my day at home:
Sorting, sifting, re-calculating, scowling... and then the phone calls started. Work-related, messing with my job since last year. So started the phone-calls. To School, to BOCES, to NYSED. Faxes, emails, research, questioning, registering, TRYING to get this whole thing sorted out to work in my title, with my cerification level doing what I have been doing for the last 13 years! And, finally to be told, "Well, don't panic yet, but you may not be able to work the whole school year." (don't panic???)
Gosh, I don't mean to complain. I'm really trying to see the bigger picture here. The plan and the purpose. It's just alot to deal with today, and at the same time, trying to make memorial service arrangements for my husband's mom.
And all I wanted to do today
was nurse my face and knit.
I really didn't plan to have to
deal with all this ****.
I'm itchy, scratchy, crabby and witchy,
and still feeling a little sad.
But in the broader realm of life,
mine really aint so bad.
It's 5:30...and my husband just said, "So what do we have planned for dinner?"
Elizabeth, do you have anything I can throw together in 20 minutes?
