A B C...

It’s easy as
1 2 3, as simple as
Do Re Mi, A B C, 1 2 3
Baby you and me…

Once upon a time a little girl wanted to learn to knit so her grandmother took her to the store for yarn so she could get started.

Acrylic yarn is what she started with on
Blue Boye needles, size 8 aluminum, 14 inch,
Casting on the long-tail way because in those
Days she didn’t know there was another way so
Everything she started might have to be done more than once if she
Forgot to leave a long enough tail but that was how
Grandmother taught her when they learned together out of a book and it
Helped to have the pictures but also to have someone to show her
In case she wasn’t doing something right because she was
Just learning but Grandmother was reviewing as she already knew how to
Knit but hadn’t in a
Long time and she said it came back easily as she helped her begin to
Make a sweater which wasn’t as hard as it sounds because of the circular
Needles she was using so there were no seams until she got to the
Openings for the arms and had to split the stitches
Putting half of them on a
Queen sized safety pin called a stitch holder so they would be
Ready when it was time to use them and it closed like a safety pin too so the
Stitches wouldn’t slip off and get lost or
Tangled in the yarn
Unless she wasn’t
Very careful and she never
Wanted that to happen because it is sometimes
eXtremely hard to untangle
Yarn and she didn’t want to waste any time because she was ready to
Zip through this project so she could start something new.

A B C it's easy, it's like counting up to 3,

Singing simple melodies.

That's how easy love can be...

Well, that was fun! Honestly, learning to knit was probably easier than trying to write the alphabet story! It really is simple. There are only two stitches, knit and purl. You have to get used to holding the needles and yarn and you’re on the way. Yarn is one of the fun things about knitting. And guess what? My Valentines present came. Yarn!

Yarn p*rn!

Trying to get the vibrancy of the colors. Not working!

Notice the variegated? All of it is!

March seems to be flying by. Knitayear will soon be over. What to do with those strips? I’ll think of something! The only thing wrong with having Friday off is when you have to work Saturday. It’s day 339, March 5, and it’s all good. He has to take a test so I have to be quiet so I take my knitting. There are a lot of people at work so I don’t have to mess with the alarm which is fine by me. I got my car back so that’s good too. Funny but I have to get used to it all over again! I made bacon spaghetti when I got home. It was a pretty good day. I chose a gray and orange ribbon yarn. March 6, day 340 turns out to be a horrible day. That’s all there is to say. I chose a black ribbon with little flags on it. Day 341, March 7, and I’m just worn out. It’s one of those days you’d change whatever you could. But this is how it is. I went to an interesting meeting as part of work. It was one of those I’m new to so I didn’t really know what’s going on. Ah well. Good thing I can fake it! I picked a dark pinkish brown novelty yarn. I don’t have any plans for tonight. I’m going to knit. Something easy as 1 2 3. I'll even teach you. It's simple as Do Re Mi.

A B C, It's easy as

1 2 3, as simple as

Do Re Mi, A B C, 1 2 3 

Baby you and me!

Ma Belle Amie

You were a child of the sun

And the sky and the deep blue sea

February 14, 2008 at 2:32 am our sweet Belle came into our lives. She was a healthy 7.6 pounds and 19.5 inches long. She had curly dark hair and big dark eyes. From that minute on she became our special Valentine!

New sister!

Belle is a well rounded little girl. She can pinch her brothers and turn around and hug them, all in the same minute. She can be a tomboy, right there in the mud or race around yelling. She can be a little diva in her frills and ruffles and jewelry. She can be a momma, taking care of all when someone she loves is sick or hurting. And she can be the little girl with the little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. But however she is, she’s our Belle, sweet, mean, mad, crying or smiling.

Belle’s mom says she’s a lot like me. I don’t know yet. There’s some ways I hope she is and there are a lot of ways I hope she’s not. We don’t really look alike but we both have curly hair. We can be mean girls. We can be nice girls too. We both love shoes. She even has a baby shoe rack hanging on the inside of her closet door and knows which pair she is going to wear, whether her mom agrees or not! She likes clothes and already knows to sqeee in delight at something pretty. She decides what she wants to wear and there’s not a lot of compromising. She knows what she likes! I think we will probably be good shopping buddies when she gets older. I know that whatever comes, she’ll be my sweet Belle, my baby girl and my beautiful friend.

Happy birthday ma Belle amie! Mamye loves you!

I want to tell you that I adore you,

And always do.

That you amaze me, by leaving me now.

And start a-new.

Ma belle amie, I'm in love with you!

Now wouldn’t you want to get this for a Valentine’s present? Well, not unless you like yarn! But I sure wouldn’t mind having it. I wonder if I could make one. Creative!

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/02/how-to_giant_valentine_heart_b.html

It’s February 10, day 316 and I’m so relieved to be home. I’m still just tired and could stay in bed all day I think. Won’t get the chance but it’s good to be back. I chose thick aqua twisted with gray. Back to it today. It’s day 317, February 11, and it’s a peaceful day at work. There are not many people there and I can get a lot done. Leftovers in the break room for lunch so that’s good. Then Alan brought more leftovers for supper from another luncheon. All is good! I picked sinfonia blue variegated for today. I’m working on Saturday, day 318, February 12. It’s cold but they did remember to leave the door unlocked so I can turn the heat on for us. I’m content to get some work done and listen and hope my intern listens so he can pass his test! We end early and I’m able to take my friend for a late birthday lunch. It’s a good day. I chose a tan and white nubby yarn for today. Day 319, February 13, and I sleep late, again. I just can’t seem to get caught up. Or maybe it’s some new medicine. Anyway, when I finally get around I don’t do much. I should have gone to a funeral for a young man who used to live across the road from me. But it was just so sad I couldn’t do it. He was a soldier and it’s not known what happened yet. It’s just sad that such a young life is ended so soon. I choose camo yarn for him today. Day 320 is Valentine’s Day. It’s February 14 and my sweet Belle’s 3rd birthday. I can’t believe it’s gone so fast. She makes me feel loved. I choose pink worsted because pink is her favorite color. I want her to grow up and have everything she needs and most everything she wants. I want her to be kind and considerate, honest and headstrong in a good way. I want the best for her.

Finished cowl, except for blocking

Spread out to see the pattern.

Ma belle amie,

I want to tell you that I adore you,

And always do.

Ma belle amie I'm in love with you...

Everybody's Talking At Me…

I don't hear a word they're saying.

Only the echoes of my mind…

“Hello, this is Sandy Johnson from Coleman Company. I’m following up on the order you placed yesterday. You didn’t receive confirmation? I apologize. Yes. I’ll check on it and get back with you.”

“No mom. Yes it’s delayed, but it’s okay. Don’t worry mom. Yes, I have some money. Mom. There is food here. I’m safe. Mom. I’ll be okay.”

“Oh yeah, I’m on the road. What? No. Oh it’s not too bad. I’ve been across 12 states just today. Ha ha ha ha ha. But business is booming!”

“That was some party! Oh, bro, did you see Jaxon? Ha ha. Yep, fell right in the floor. People be stepping on that fool. I guess he be okay.”

“What? No! I thought you were still with him. No! When? I need the details girl!”

It’s a cacophony of words, laughter and voices. I’m reminded of the old days, eating in the school cafeteria with all the little kids busily talking at the same time. I look around and it seems that everyone is speaking into a cell phone. Actually it seems like they are all screaming into a cell phone. I decide to count how many people are around me. I count 22 people, 3 of which are texting and 16 of which are having conversations with someone. Maybe. I’m hearing what they call “halfologues”. That means only one side of the conversation can be heard.

I read not too long ago that a lot of people fake cell phone conversations in public places to get attention. If Joe Salesman is bragging about how much money he brought in last month then Michael Marketing may pull out his phone and brag about how much more money he brought in. They both may just be talking to the time and temperature number or nobody at all! Why? I mean, really, who cares?

Another thing the article said was that people tend to talk louder when on a cell phone than on a regular phone or in a face to face conversation. Really? There was actually a reason for this. With a regular old fashioned telephone, or landline, there is a microphone in the receiver. This mic amplifies your voice into the ear piece so you can hear your own voice, loud and clear. Cell phones don’t amplify your voice into the earpiece, so the only sound you hear is from your mouth. It doesn’t really seem like it would make a lot of difference, but hearing your voice through the air into your ear and hearing it from a speaker pressed to your ear creates quite a variation in volume. Weird, huh! I just thought the other party of the conversation was hard of hearing! Another reason? Some people, especially with smart phones, can’t see where or what they are supposed to be talking into so they yell, just in case. Funny!

Now they say there is a direct relation to how well you can concentrate on what you are doing or are supposed to be doing, when someone is talking on a cell phone near you. The part of your brain that processes speech is trying to make sense of the pattern you are hearing. Since you can only hear half of a conversation, your brain is trying to figure out how the other half is going. Therefore, we become distracted, because we are listening, trying to decipher, whether we want to or not, because supposedly, the average person isn’t able to block it out!

People watching has always been an interesting way to pass the time. When I travel I usually get a chance to do just that. Most of the time I knit while I wait, because, unless it’s something complicated I don’t have to look at what I’m doing so I can look around. It doesn’t require concentration. It also gives me something to do while I sit that’s at least a little bit productive. I’ve tried reading a book but I always get distracted. Now I know it’s because I’m really people listening as much as watching!

People stopping, staring.

I can't see their faces.

Only the shadows of their eyes…

So what is knitayear? It’s a project I read about in a tweet. The recipe is basic; cast on some stitches, knit at least two rows every day using a color that fits your mood or feelings that day. If you want, you can journal or blog as a kind of documentation of your feelings, creating a personal record of the year. I thought it sounded interesting, so I decided I was going to do it. And I still am!

The last strip...so far.

The whole time I was stuck at the airport last week, I had my knitting with me. I felt so bad, though, I didn’t get much done. It was Bryce’s scarf. I ended up taking it apart because it seemed to be pulling on the edge with the two yarns. I started it again and it doesn’t seem to be pulling like it was but I’m not happy with it. I think I’m going to end up doing it lengthwise instead. I started another cowl. I don’t know why but I really like those things. It’s simple and I’m kind of making it up as I go, using a little bit of a couple of patterns. Pretty color though, even if I end up taking it apart.

Making it up as I go.

Love the color.

 Knitayear is still going well. Day 312, February 6, and I’m pretty unenthusiastic about this trip. I’m still tired, still sick and I’d just rather stay home. But I don’t. I choose a shiny gray yarn. Maybe it’s my silver lining. Day 313, February 7, isn’t a bad day. I’m conscientious, making sure I do my part, simple as it is. And I’m enjoying the company. I really like this group of people and I’m glad for the time I get to see them. I choose old gold. Day 314, is February 8. I’m finally feeling rested. I am catching up and I feel refreshed. I’m getting more rest and even skip going out with the gang, much as I wanted to. I chose a light purple velour. Day 315 is Wednesday and it’s cold and wet again. It’s February 9, and I’m getting nervous as to whether I’ll get home or not. So far there are no delays and I’m crossing my fingers. I choose a bright variegated rainbow yarn. I wait with my dear friend Mindy and we people watch and listen because we can’t help it. And all goes well and we get home.

 

 I'm going where the sun keeps shining,

Thru' the pouring rain.

Going where the weather suits my clothes.

Backing off of the North East wind,

Sailing on summer breeze.

And skipping over the ocean like a stone.

All Star

Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me.

I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.

She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb

In the shape of an "L" on her forehead…

I’m sitting at the airport and as is so becoming the norm, I’ve been extremely stupid. Again. I got to the airport in plenty of time. I checked in. I decided because it was going to be an all day trip I’d grab a sandwich. After all, I had plenty of time. I sit, watch people, and then meander to the gate. A flight is leaving at 12:20. My flight. And I’m not on it. I look at my ticket. The flight was scheduled to land at the first stop at 2:30. Somehow that’s what my muddled brain interpreted as takeoff.

The man at the gate is very nice to me. I can see the pity in his eyes. Poor stupid woman he is no doubt thinking. Wonder how she’s made it this far? He can get me out but there’s a chance I won’t make the connecting flight. That would mean I’d be stuck until tomorrow. And guess where my suitcase is? As my sweet friend Brenda says, Que Sera, Sera. At this point, that’s all that’s left.

While I sit, I think back on all of the outright stupid things I do and say on a regular basis. They are quite unintentional. Who would do these kinds of things on purpose??? In most cases nobody COULD do these things on purpose. Just the other day I locked the keys in the trunk, with my suitcase. It was sheer luck I had forgotten to lock the door the day before and was able to get in and find the trunk open button in a strange car. Luckily I didn’t miss that flight.

I thought about making a list of the many stupid things I’ve done. You know, for your entertainment. But it would be too long. And I could make a lot more blog posts instead of just one! Now some of the stupid things I do are just ordinary stupid things, like losing my car in the parking lot. A lot of people do that. I see people all the time playing like they are just clicking their clicker when actually they have no clue where they parked. It happens to both men and women. No gender is spared!

There was this time I lost the parking lot though. That probably doesn’t happen to very many people. It was downtown Austin. I was there for a meeting. First, let me mention that I am extremely directionally challenged. I can’t help it. I turn the wrong way at the mall unless I look to see which direction the store I originally came in is located. I have spent countless hours taking scenic routes and discovering things that I will never see again because I won’t be able to find them. The Garmin is a wonderful invention when it’s correct!

That day I found the building, parked and went inside. When I came out of the building it was through a different door. My sensible (and wonderful!) friend Miya walked out with me. She said, is your car over there? As I glanced around nothing was looking familiar. No bells were ringing. Hmmmm…I don’t know I tell her. But Miya, like I said, is sensible. And smart. She says, no worries. We’ll find it. She knows where she parked so we get in her car and we start to cruise the parking garage.

Let me say too, that in some ways I’m a very detailed oriented person. In other ways, not so much. Miya asked, what kind of car is it? Hmmmm…well, that might be another problem. I don’t know. Before you slap your head in disbelief, let me tell you I rent many cars. My job includes a lot of travel. So I don’t always remember. She said, no problem. What color? It might be white I say. Since Miya likes me she is extremely patient. Or maybe because she knows me she’s extremely tolerant! So, to make a long story short, we cruise another parking garage, and after many vague answers eventually find my car. Thank you Miya!

I worry sometimes though. If I’m this bad already how bad will I get? Have I lost some essential brain cells or do I just not pay attention? Or could it be a combination of the two? I remember once asking something incredibly stupid to my friend, incredibly stupid in his mind anyway. He answered then asked me if I dyed my hair. I first thought he was exceedingly rude, as he oftentimes is. Eventually I realized he was asking me if I was really a blonde under this dark hair. I assure you I am not. But it’s really possible, considering some of the things I come up with, that my hair was an entirely different color in a previous life! At least I could use that as an excuse!

Sidenote: No offense intended at all towards blondes. 

As is routinely seen all hair colors demonstrate equal degrees of ignorance at times!

Well the years start coming and they don't stop coming.

Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running.

Didn't make sense not to live for fun,

Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb.

It’s day 302 of my knitayear. It’s January 27 and fly to South Carolina tomorrow. I also have a doctor’s appointment and though I dearly love him I don’t like to go see him. I don’t do well with needles and such. I’m a little anxious, worrying about blood tests and all and trying to remember details for the trip. I don’t feel great either. On a good note I did get to see the littles for a bit. E and I went to Wmart and he got to pick out anything he wanted for a belated birthday present. It was fun. Sweet boy was worried about getting everyone else a prize as well. I chose a novelty yarn with bits of ribbon hanging from it. Day 303, January 28, and first off the bat I lock the keys in the trunk with the suitcase. I’m hoping it’s not an omen but it will turn out it is. But I find the way into the car and make the flight on time and all is well. I’m feeling kind of jinxed already. I choose gray and teal thick and thin wool. It’s day 304, January 29. The flight was long but uneventful. It was dark when I got to Charleston so I just called room service. I didn’t look for any of the others so I head down to meet them today. I met a couple of them before. It’s a long day but there’s some good information. Since this will be part of my job now I’m getting enthused. But you can’t sit for hours without some mind wandering. I look to see if there are any yarn shops close. My luck has changed! There’s one within walking distance! I skip lunch and head over and score. More on that later! I’m feeling lucky and choose bright green and blue cotton. Day 305, January 30, and it’s the last day. I did meet some lovely people. One special lady is a fellow knitter! All but two of us leave today. I’m still feeling sick so we go eat and I go to bed. Little do I know it’s going to be all downhill from here! I choose an ugly yarn because of how I’m feeling. It’s fuzzy and orange and yellow and purple. Day 306 is January 31. I get to sleep in as I have a late shuttle. I wake up and have Theraflu for breakfast. Hopefully it will help get me through the day til I can get home. Head to the airport and that’s when I make my stupidest mistake of the month. I choose thick black yarn that has bright spots of color. The color means there’s always hope. I think. I guess I’ll continue to live by the 50-50-90 rule. Anytime I have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there’s a 90% probability I’ll get it wrong. Watch out for me. I need it!

Embassy Suites in Charleston where I stayed. Was the old Citadel. http://preview.tinyurl.com/47gjo7r

The towers at the top show the slots where the guns went.

One of many original gun turrets.

And all that glitters is gold.

Only shooting stars break the mold…