WOW... I'm speechless! WARNING*Bachelorette Spoiler*

I just finished watching the Bachelorette and I just don't believe it. First of all, I thought Jen should have picked John Paul but I got over that. I was wishing her the best with Jerry (who was fine but not who I could see her with) when out of the blue she starts saying how they should just be friends. I'm stunned... my mouth is hanging open in complete shock. I'm sure this is the best choice for her but I'm feeling cheated. It's like I just wasted all this time in her relationship and now it's over. I guess the real question is... Why am I so invested in a silly reality show?

Speaking of reality TV, how about Survivor? It amazes me how they can keep it new after so many seasons.

In knitting news... I am now 75% complete on my Knit Your Bit Wristlets. I have been seriously behind on these as well as my socks but I am on a mission to finish what is already started. I think the percentage bars help. Crazy question, do the new percentage bars on my blog show up for everyone? I can see them on this laptop but if I'm on my other one I can't. Anyone know why that is?

I finally made it to the Post Office. It was crazy busy but I did what I set out to do. Thanks to those who responded about postage. I'm glad I didn't just throw them in my mailbox. I'm anxious to find out what my secret pal'ee' thinks of what I sent her. I really stressed this. I guess now I wait.

Tomorrow is my Sit & Knit night at Lizzie Ann's Wool Co. Anyone in the area is invited to come and hang out with us. Contact me if you need directions. Knitting (or crocheting) is just more fun when shared with others!

Sunday... lazy Sunday

I have spent most of the morning attending to some Random Acts of Kindness that will be mailed tomorrow (God willing)! Does anyone know if cards sent out of the US need extra postage?

What is up with Photobucket? My poor blog is bare of photos. The odd thing is that some of them are displaying but the majority are not. Anyone else having this problem?

The new yarn that I got to bring home from the YARN TASTING is called FLUO and it's really cool or at least I think so. I would post a pic but as I said Photobucket is crazy today. I have color #23 and I'm thinking I might do I skinny scarf since I only have 110 yards. Any other suggestions for 110 yards of cotton yarn in a DK(?) weight?

Yeah! I have percentage bars!

Thanks to AnnaKnits for the awesome percentage bars that weren't that difficult to figure out. I was kind of afraid to try adding them to my blog but the directions were very easy to understand and it worked like a charm.

It's funny how things like this get me so darn excited. What did I do before I blogged? I am such a nerd. Check out AnnaKnits if you too want a little excitement on your blog!

Please keep the votes coming on Knitterella Checks. It's democracy at work. We Knit, We VOTE! You guys are the greatest.

Hello to all!

Been busy lately and I'm about to get busier. I stopped in to work to check the schedule and... I'm on it. Yes, we could use the money but I'm not sure I can use the stress. The stress from not being at home and the stress from being at work. I, by the way, am a Pharmacy Tech in real life as opposed to a knitter in my ideal life. Oh well. This is my last weekend of freedom so I will now stop whining and move on.

On the knitting front my DH and I went to 'It's Stitching Time', a LYS, for a YARN TASTING. The idea was patterned after wine tasting. There were about a dozen new to the market, not even available, yarns. All were cast onto needles and we sort of passed them around and knit a bit on each one. After we tried each yarn we gave our opinion. They asked if we liked them, would we buy them, what would we make with them and did we feel the price was reasonable. Some were nice and some just not me. A lot of way out there novelty yarns, ya know. I'll post a pic of the yarn that I got to pick out and bring home... yeah! It was fun & we got 20% off any yarn we wanted to buy. What's not to love about that?

Tomorrow I MUST go to the post office to mail my Secret Pal a little something. I have procrastinated long enough. I also have some stuff for my Grandma in Arkansas and my Aunt who is in the process of learning to knit. Isn't it fun when you help to bring another person into the knitting world?

It's getting late and I really should sleep at some point!

Please voice your opinion

Your Opinion Counts!

Would you buy Knitterella Checks? absolutely, without a doubt most likely maybe, maybe not probably not NO, not interested Search The Internet

Farewell... you will be missed!

The principal of my oldest sons Middle School is retiring after 31 years of service. He is moving on to a position at Cornerstone University and we wish him well. I am very sad to see him go but happy for him as well.

Mr. Van is a wonderful educator who was so very helpful to my family through the course of my sons Asperger diagnosis. He learned right along with us and was an ally through the last 3 years. Thank you Bob, words just cannot express our gratitude.

To read more about the career of Mr. Vander Zwaag check out this article in the Holland Sentinel.

Pass it on!

I copied this from Lifelong Knitter. Knowledge is POWER!

NBC Attacks Autism

By Anne Becker -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/9/2005 1:04:00 PM

Autism will be the subject of a multichannel programming effort from the
NBC News networks the week of Feb. 21.

The disorder, which currently affects about 1.77 million Americans, will
be covered in reports on Today and the Nightly News with Brian Williams,
in addition to coverage on CNBC, MSNBC, NBC's O&Os,
Telemundo, and MSNBC.com.

Today will feature weekly educational reports, culminating in a Feb. 25
segment with NBC Universal Chairman and CEO Bob Wright and his wife
Suzanne, who will discuss their grandson's diagnosis with the disorder
and launch Autism Speaks, a foundation to raise awareness and search
for a cure.

Nightly News will focus on the science, diagnostics and treatment of
autism, while CNBC will launch a five-part series on Feb. 22 focusing on
the economic aspects of the disease and the financial burden it can
place on families.

NBC Universal's 14 O&Os will air an hour special on autism the
weekend of Feb. 19 and 20.

According to NBC, the CDC is announcing that autism is the "fastest
growing serious developmental disability in the United States."

Promised pics... late as usual

Okay, let's get this straight... I am a PROCRASTINATOR. I have good intentions of doing what I say but then, life happens. It's a sickness really. There should be a support group for people like me, maybe there is. I should look into that.

Anyhoo, I have photos for all of you that live for that kind of stuff (me included).

First we have my knitting group photo. Notice the empty shelves behind that are today filled. Expansion is so exciting! Yeah for Lindy of Lizzie Ann's Wool Co. in downtown Holland, Michigan.

Pictured left to right... Cathey (the great),
Lindy (the owner), & Jill
(the newly engaged, congrats!)

This is a view from within Lizzie Ann's. It grows daily and is an awesome place to visit. Stop by if you are ever in Holland and tell Lindy that I sent you!


My growing stash... I was shocked to see it all together in one big pile. I have at least 10 projects worth plus some odds and ends.


Finally, my first attempt at spinning using my drop spindle. I so want a spinning wheel now. I spent most of last night not able to sleep because all I could think about was spinning on a wheel.

So there you have it. I have to take some more pictures and then I will try to post later on today but let's be honest... I do have a problem with procrastination. Until we talk again, Knit on!

Where I've Been

bold the states you've been to, underline the states you've lived in and italicize the state you're in now...

Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington D.C /

Go HERE to have a form generate the HTML for you.

AUTISM Reminder...

Just a reminder that the Today show is airing a series on Autism this week. It began today and will run for the rest of the week. See my earlier post AUTISM on TV from February 3 for details.

I plan to post more tonight just quite busy right now. I used this weekend to finish up some projects that really needed to get done. Yes, I'm still working on being a 'FINISHER' and I think I'm making progress! TTFN

I've been tagged...

Kate tagged me...

1. How much space is left on your Tivo or Comcast Box?

Which Tivo? I have 3 Tivo/DirecTV units and all of them can record between 150 and 176 hours of programming. They are all full but a large part is Tivo suggestions.

2. Have you ever bought a DVD of TV series and if so, which one?

Don't laugh... 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' It was for my DH but I have to admit I have seen them all. I also burn all of the Knitty Gritty episodes to DVD for referrence.

3. What was the last TV show that you watched before reading this message?

Will & Grace

4. List five shows you won't miss. Must see TV:

ER, all the CSI's, Joan of Arcadia, Survivor, & Knitty Gritty

5. Name 3 people to whom you will pass this stick.

I choose Abby, my first internet friend, Michelle, because her site is awesome and she was born the same year as me, and Nancy who inspired me to make my own blog! They are the best!

Pictures...

Okay, I figured out that it was a JPEG vs BMP issue. I'm not sure why BMPs work sometimes and then not work others. Oh well.

This is a pic of the package I got from my Secret Pal! Yeah, sock yarn:)



My Pink Lady Bag!



Progress on my Booga Bag...



That is all for now but check back later for spinning pics and also pictures from last nights Sit & Knit!

Photobucket Issues?

I am having a lot of problems with my laptop since I got it back from being "fixed". After spending 45 minutes on the phone with SBC to get on line I discover that I am not able to upload any pics in Photobucket. I am hoping this is a not another problem on my end so the question is... is anyone else having problems? Please let me know, I am getting so frustrated with this situation. Any help would be appreciated!

My world is spinning

Okay, I have neglected my blog for some heavy duty spinning. I actually think I am getting worse instead of better. I think my problem is that I am becoming impatient. Of course my DH is sitting next to me saying, "I think you need a wheel" every few minutes. I'll have to post pics tomorrow as it is now quite late.

We actually went in search of a place to get a spinning wheel today. Not ThreadBear but a place in Grand Haven. She apparently sells out of her home (her address was in a subdivision). We didn't stop, due t the fact that we didn't know which house was hers.

We did check out some LYS(s) in the West Michigan area. The Fibre House located on Washington in Grand Haven, Yarn It on Lake Michigan Drive in Allendale and Whippletree Yarns on Chicago Drive in Hudsonville. All have good points about them and I would most likely go again if in the area. They were not exactly local and definetly not ThreadBear, if you know what I mean.

After my day of way too much running around I stopped in to my oldest DS's Middle School for a 'Student of the Month' reception. He was a student of the month in October! He is having a pretty good year and we are very proud of him:) WAY TO GO KRIS!

I felted a Pink Lady Bag yesterday and it was dry today. I sewed a button on and I must say I am happy with how it turned out (will post a pic tomorrow). It was a satisfying project... quick and complete! Yeah, I finished something!!!

On the needles I have a Booga Bag that I am loving the color of. I'm using Noro Kureyon color number 40 according to the label but it looks like number 21 at Halcyon Yarns. Words cannot do that color justice. I've also fallen for Addi Turbos. As a new knitter I used the economical metal needles and had a hard time keeping a hold of my stitches. I switched to bamboo and those weren't bad but when it comes to wool, Addi's rock. My DH thinks I just like the cool sound they make as I knit... maybe. Oh well.

I hope all enjoyed this Valentine's Day. There are only a few minutes left and I really need to sleep.

Another trip to ThreadBear

Yes, we took another road trip to ThreadBear in Lansing today. It's an hour and a half drive but so well worth it!

I'm very excited to announce that I am now a SPINNER! I asked Rob about spinning and he turned me over to Matt who helped to get me started. That's right, he led me to the back of the store and brought out some rovings and gave me a demo. They are so AWESOME! I started on a drop spindle and felt somewhat comfortable. Matt wanted me to try the wheel but honestly I would have bought it. I am not strong enough. This I know about myself.

I've been working on it since I've been home and I think I'm doing okay. My DH asked if I want him to go back to ThreadBear tomorrow and get me a wheel. He keeps saying that he thinks it would be easier with a wheel. He's such a bad influence on me. He doesn't want to spin but he supports me 100%. I'm so lucky:)

I really think I'll enjoy spinning but I'm trying to ease into it. Why is it so hard to go slow for me? We've been through this before but yet here we are again. Oh well.

RAOKs!

Wednesday I received not one, but TWO random acts of kindness! I know it's Friday and I apologize for not posting sooner but I wanted to get the pics and well, I got down right busy.

I received this from Uli...
A lovely card & calendar,
Very sweet of her!


This was from Debbie
Embroidered mitten point protectors
& a spiritual card,
Very uplifting & thoughtful!


Thanks to both Uli and Debbie! There is just something about receiving a surprise for no apparent reason that can lift your spirits to new heights. Okay, on that corny note I must go now...

Social knitting

I am not the most social person in the world. I believe that knitting is changing that. Tonight I go to knitting with a wonderful group of women. We usually meet at a LYS but we have decided to change things up and meet at a coffee house. This pushes me in two different ways. Number 1... I am going to a place that I am not familiar with. Number 2... I am meeting with women that I am still in the process of getting to know.

When knitting in public I always have something to do or, at the least, something to talk to others about. It takes a little bit of the pressure off of having to make small talk. I'm not a fan of small talk. It's easier to handle the chit chat when my hands are busy I guess.

Sunday will be my One Year Knitting Anniversary! I am so glad I learned to knit and that I have been able to meet so many great people that I would not have had the opportunity to meet other wise. Who knew knitting would be the new social anxiety medication... Wonder if the FDA would approve that statement.

BeautiControl

I have added a new button to my blog. A friend of mine is now selling BeautiControl and I wanted to show my support. I've never actually used BeautiControl but I've heard wonderful things about the spa treatment for your hands. I may have to get a set for my Secret Pal but don't say anything, okay? Please check it out and if you are in the Holland, MI area book a party!

In knitting news, I am slowly making progress on my Prayer Shawl. I am debating what to do with my loopy scarf. It is so time consuming. I'm considering frogging the whole darn thing. What do you think?... (Now I wait for an answer, like my computer will talk back to me.) We bloggers are crazy.

Comic!

I found this at Castle Clubhouse and I kind of borrowed it. I would have just sent everyone there but they rotate so you get a new comic everytime. Just thought it was cute and wanted to share!

Without A Trace follow up

It's been a long weekend and I haven't had a lot of time to post. It seems I can either blog or knit and this weekend I chose to knit!

Thursdays episode of Without A Trace dealt with a 12 yo with Autism. For full details check out my earlier post on the subject. My DH and I watched it together on Friday. It was a very accurate portrail in my opinion.

There were parts that were quite uncomfortable. I understood the reactions of the FBI team but I was, at times, enraged by their attitudes. Hopefully what will come out of it will be a better understanding of autistic people and autism in general.

I did not post about my sons for sympathy or attention but rather to teach or, at the least, to make us all more aware of autism.

Friday & Guilt

This has been a long week. The highlight was receiving both our state and federal tax returns. Ironically we used a portion of our federal tax to pay our property taxes. It's sad really... down right depressing. Oh well.

After visiting a friends blog yesterday it made me start thinking. She posted about simplicity and how we don't really need everything that we see. I totally agree with her. I am also guilty of going absolutely overboard when it comes to my craft obsessions. I tend to find a new craft and go wild. I don't feel like I have much control and it's rather scary for all involved. Well, it's not so scary for places like Threadbear but you get the drift.

Is this a problem for other crafters or is it just me? I just want to learn it all, try it all, and do it all... NOW! I am so not patient when it comes to tackling anything new. The problem has come in the past when I have lost my interest. So far knitting has stuck. I'd like to think I was just looking for the right craft. So, for now, I must knit on!

AUTISM on TV!

CBS's Emmy-nominated Without A Trace will feature an Autism storyline TONIGHT!

Tonight, February 3 at 10PM ET/PT, CBS's Without A Trace, a drama series about the New York Missing Persons Squad of the FBI, will feature a storyline about a 12-year-old boy with autism who vanishes during a school field trip after he dashes away from the group.

I happen to love Without A Trace and also have TWO sons that are autistic. Even if you do not currently know anyone with autism chances are high that you will... Soon.

During the episode there will also be a PSA encouraging parents to seek out early diagnosis and intervention. I cannot stress enough how important early intervention is. My DS Joshua will begin kindergarten in the fall because of a wonderful program that he has attended. At age 2.5 he only had SIX words and today his vocabulary has no limit. I know he is one of the success stories and not all kids do as well as he has been able to do but without early intervention I don't believe we would have such hope for his future.

Along with tonights show, NBC will be airing a 10-part series on the Today Show beginning Monday, February 21 through February 25. Airtimes are 8:10am and 9:10am EST; Wednesday's segment will focus on intervention approaches, and later each day that week, MSNBC will feature live interviews.

I am a big believer in education and awareness. The more we know the better off our children will be. I love my kids for who they are and want to help them to fulfill their true potential.

If you have questions you can email me and I will be happy to help you in any way I can. I am by no means an expert, just experienced. I plan to post a list of some very useful sites later tonight or tomorrow. Please pass this information on to anyone that you think would benifit from it.





*Artwork from Designs by Cher*

A nice surprise!

My DH and I stopped into one of our LYS to look around. He is wanting to do a sweater soooooo bad but wants an easy pattern for his first try. He found one and bought the yarn he needed.

I found a nifty sock/shoe size chart and a pattern for a felted bag. I noticed they had a wooden swift and that it was marked $55, I thought that was reasonable and I asked about a ball winder. They had one for $33. It was the least expensive I had found in our area so I got one. The others I had looked at were between $46 and $55 so let's just say I felt pretty good about my purchase.

When she was ringing everything up she said she didn't have a bag big enough so she walked over to these very nice ($20) canvas bags and filled one up with our stuff. I was a little confused but then it occurred to me that she had just given us the bag for FREE! I was speechless. I have never had someone do something like that before. Not only are her prices very reasonable but she went the extra mile. I am thrilled.

Now I must ask that if you are in the Zeeland, Michigan area please stop by. The name of the store is... It's Stitching Time. It's right across from the Post Office on Main Street. They have knitting/crocheting stuff as well as a large quilting/fabric/sewing selection. They are super nice!

I will post pics of my purchases later. My DH has already CO for his sweater and is absolutely giddy with excitement. He reminds me of a kid in a candy store.

Can it really be February?

The last month flew by and at the same time dragged on forever. I'm still not writing '05 on my checks consistently and that is just sad.

Today I seem to be suffering from a bit of the flu. The stomach kind and it ain't pretty. I haven't felt good for several days and then today it hit me just as I was walking out the door to take DS to preschool. Not good, not good at all. I was able to get him to school and make it home without incident and now I'm hoping to be able to make it back out to pick up DS and DH. Wish me luck, I think I may need it.

I'm watching Knitty Gritty and learning how to do Aran knitting. Yes, cabling. I am two weeks from having knit for a year and have not yet tried cabling. It doesn't seem that hard... I may have to try it. Of course I have a ton of projects to finish before I can start anything else.

My trip to Threadbear yeilded enough yarn for DH to do a sweater and for me to do two sweaters, two pairs of mittens and a scarf. Again, I need to finish something before I start anything!

I doubt I am the only one that has trouble finishing. I believe my troubles started more so when I began this blog. What can you do? I love knitting and I love talking about it. Oh well.