30 November 2009

Conclusions

Well, did you miss me?  (Yeah, you're thinking - what ... she was gone?)  Our DSL modem died, and we were offline until today when the replacement one arrived and The Tim hooked it up successfully.  I think he missed the computer more than I did, though I did miss writing blog posts, and sending snarky e-mails to friends mocking others. 

In the past ten days or so, I have thought of so many things I would write about when I could post again.  I'm sure there were hundreds of ideas, and of course they were all brilliant.  But just like Scarlett, they are gone with the wind.

Some things do however come to mind.

First of all, today was my last day at the penitentiary.  I'll write a post about that soon, but the last eight months have certainly been interesting and very often entertaining (even if for the wrong reasons).  Plus it's been nice to have a paycheck every two weeks.  I sure hope something else shows up soon, or at least seems promising so that I have something to consider.

Secondly, a happy belated Thanksgiving to all of you.  I hope yours was a good one.  Ours was low-key but really enjoyable, and to be honest I probably could have skipped meals since last Thursday and still have eaten enough to keep me alive.  But if you can't eat all of the Thanksgiving goodies, it seems to me that you aren't having a very good time of it.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words about my essay in Interweave Knits.  I really do love to write, so it was fun to have something published that I wrote because I wanted to, not because it was some kind of assignment.  Hannah, if you are reading, yes that was your Bon-Bon Socklettes pattern, and I had a blast knitting that pair!  A couple of people e-mailed me and/or commented asking if I was planning to write more.  I'm always writing, at least in my head.  I am also always winning awards and writing my acceptance speeches in my head, so it's really a lot of fun in there ... however, though I have no text for them, I do have titles for two books:  All This and Cancer Too!, followed up by the soon-to-be-holiday classic, Vegetarians - the Freaks of Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately, I am unlikely to make any inroads in becoming a famous published author with only titles to the books, so don't hold your breath.

During my time sans computer, I also realized that I never showed you a picture of a house guest we had during October.  This is Monty.



Monty spent a weekend with us, and as you can imagine, the cats were not amused.  Surprisingly (at least to them), they all lived and did not require medical attention.  I mean, you can probably tell from this picture that Monty is a killer, right?  He belongs to my friend Erika, and he is such a sweetheart.  He loves to cuddle, and though The Tim and I thought that was great, others were highly displeased.  But you know how it is, all of us have a cross to bear, and visiting dogs represent that to The Fur Patrol ...

So here it is the last day of November.  A good month overall.   Even the leftovers are gone though, so it's time to see what's next ... and time to start thinking about lots of baking!

20 November 2009

News Notes

Thanks to everyone for their kind wishes for The Tim on his birthday this week.  We had a nice day together, and then in the evening we sang "Happy Birthday" (during which the Garden Kitty *always* moans, er, sings along ...) and had birthday cake.  Earlier in the day, The Tim had to go and renew his driver's license, so he immortalized the Dotty vest by wearing it for his picture!  Before we left the house, he agreed to a modeling session, so you could see how nicely it fits him.  I chose this picture, because it turned out better than the others, plus he is actually smiling in it, so I liked it the best.  (He has a tendency to look very serious in pictures.  For instance, the new drivers license photo?  Similar to a mugshot ...)


In other news, I fear that I must engage in some shameless self-promotion.  The Winter issue of Interweave Knits is out, and if you look at the "Ravelings" piece at the end of the issue, you may notice that it is written by someone you know ... as in ME!  I was so excited that they said they were going to publish my essay, since it's a combination of two of my very favorite things - knitting and writing!  Those of you who spent last year reading about my holiday knitting may have heard way too much about it to want to actually read the piece, but don't say I didn't let you know about it ... :-)

And sports fans, guess what?  This is my 450th post!  You know what that means - I had to go through your guesses for when it would happen, and choose a winner.  No one hit the date exactly, but Chris guessed November 17 (three days before today), while Carrie K guessed November 24 (four days after today).   So - Chris you are the winner!  Congratulations!  I'm pretty sure that I have your mailing address, but just in case I can't find it, please send it along to me at: thekittyknitterATverizonDOTnet. 

And thanks to all of you for playing along - no one was really too far off the date, which was surprising to me, since I was thinking it might not be until sometime in December.

That's it for tonight - have a good Saturday.  I'll be working, but since it's towards the end of my gainful employment, it's worth showing up, don't you think???

18 November 2009

The Very Best One. Ever.

Men are like wine. Some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.
-- Pope John XXIII


Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not generally one to quote a pope - but in this case, I'm making an exception, because a) Pope John XXIII was a good one, and b) the subject of today's post proves this saying true Every. Single. Day.


And so, without further ado, let me say:


Happy Birthday to my very own Sweetie!


Whoops - not THAT picture!!**



This one:


(... as you can see, he's popular with the entire family!)

I hope you have a great birthday, and many more that we can celebrate together.  Love you!


** This is the first thing that came up in a Google image  search for  "Happy Birthday, Tim" ... what - you thought I wouldn't use it???

14 November 2009

Rainy Saturday

I don't know how things are where you live, but we are now [supposedly] finishing up the fourth day of a nor'easter here in Philadelphia.  Even though the temperatures have not been that low, the wind and dampness make it feel really cold.  Today I am grateful that I do not have to be at work in this, as I have the other days.  You haven't been damp and cold until you are out in it all day long!

Anyway, it's been hard to find inspiration on a lazy day like this one, but those of you who are paying attention (surely there's at least one ...) will notice that I have finally put a link to my pattern for the Zach Attack Hat on the sidebar. 



Now you can make one yourself if you so desire.  I was hoping to turn it into a pdf, all nicely formatted, but couldn't figure out how to do that and store it for free.  So you'll just have to print it out the way it is, but it is at least posted.  (Please let me know if the link doesn't work!)

I am also in the throes of deciding how much/what knitting I want to do for Christmas gifts.  I have nearly no money to buy anything, and will be reviewing the stash to see what quick projects I have yarn to make.  I made a list of my stash, box-by-box, and apparently Box #2 has the yarns not already designated for projects in it.  It will be fun to open it and see what I can find.

The Pickle Cardigan is coming along, though I do not have a current picture of the pieces already knitted.  Right now I'm working on the right front.  The sleeves and the left front are already done, so I'm making progress.  It's an enjoyable project, and even if I finish it during winter weather, it will be nice to have it next spring.

The Tim is enjoying the last few days of the year when he will be younger than I am, as his birthday is this coming Wednesday, and then we will be the same age.  I will be curious to see if he is suddenly "old" as he has said I am for the past 8 months.  Somehow, I doubt it, it seems that comments about age cease around this time ...

Anyway, off to check out the mysterious Box #2 - with the help of at least one cat, I'm sure.  Wish me luck!

11 November 2009

Veterans Day

Both my father and father-in-law were veterans of World War II, so each year on Veterans Day, I say a special prayer for them.  I hope that regardless of your feelings about the military overall, or any current conflicts, that you will think a kind thought today for those who are in active service, as well as those we remember.




In Flanders Fields

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army


In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.