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April 29, 2005
The Harlot Takes Manhattan!
[I want to say that I have purposely NOT read any of the other accounts out there (of which I'm sure I'll spend the whole day reading) so as to give my own gospel. But make sure you read all the others! And they will have pictures. I didn't drag out the camera - sorry!]
I'll start with this: There was wine. There were traveling hors d'oeuovres. There was a GIFT BAG people!
It was, by all accounts, I'm sure, totally nuts.
Jen and I met in Hoboken to travel into the big city. Midtown was crazy - haven't been there at 5PM in ages (and I'm not going back anytime soon.) Although I have to admit that it was a sight seeing that group of Hasidic Jews outside the Empire State Building mingling with a befeathered and berobed group of indeterminate origin getting out of a van. Only in New York.
We got to Lord & Taylor - and you know - I never read the invite on Stephanie's blog - just sent in my plea to be included - so I had no idea where we were supposed to go. But we were early so we hit the bra floor (no such luck for either of us!) and then we headed up to the 11th Floor. Which isn't listed anywhere. It's like the magic floor.
When we got there - there was already a line and who do you think was at the head? Lovely Cassie, of course! I went over and said my hellos and chit chat as the line grew and grew and grew. Juno soon arrived as well and The Harlot sailed past the line with her handlers. "She's here, she's here," traveled down the pack in hushed whispers.
Soon after, a woman came out and told us they were going to let us in now. We should make ourselves comfortable and be sure to check our bags and stuff - it's pretty tight in there. I looked at her, a wry smile on my face, and said, "No one is checking their bags. That's where the knitting is." The poor non-knitter looked at me askance. "No one," I said, "is going in without their knitting." Poor girl. Just trying to do her job.
So we started to move in and they crossed our names off the list one by one and no one checked anything from what I could tell and there were two seats left at a table WAY UP FRONT with Cassie and Juno and Tree (hope I'm spelling that right) and another woman who I'm so sorry I don't remember your name. It was a wonderful group. Immediately Cassie pulled out her shawl and her new cable wonder (which let me tell you - everyone should consider knitting a yarn on a much lower needle size than recommended - what she's doing with Peruvian Highland Chunky is just amazing - completely different yarn - so much better!) Juno had her cable masterpiece as well in Rowan Highland and I pulled out my measly Short-Rows sleeve which I cast on for just the occasion.
The room started filling up and there was much jumping up from seats and hugs and look at that's and what yarn is that and touching and just amazingness. I've never been to anything like it. The commaraderie was palpable in a room where most of us were strangers.
The wine was served and the hors d'oeuvres and then it was All Harlot! She was EXACTLY like you'd think she would be - funny and shy and self-deprecating and spot-on truthful and nervous and smart and it was like reading her blog in the flesh - if you know what I mean. We had a knitting demonstration by her (WOW - who knew you could knit with a needle stuck under your armpit! And how fast!) There was lots of picture taking. Questions about Hank and the Guernsey and shopping. I think she said arse twice, but Cassie's got the official number on that.
All the while Stephanie was doing her thing, pretty much everyone was knitting. I told Georgie this, and ever sensitive to rudeness, he was horrified. "While she was speaking?" he said. "Of course." "That's horrible." "Everyone was doing it. Even she was knitting." He didn't get it. It was fantastic! (Of course I ended up knitting then frogging six rows, but what the hell. I was there. I had knitting!)
If you told me six months ago that I would be sitting in a room atop Lord & Taylor surrounded by knitters, knitting, listening to knit blogger extraordinaire read from her book, I'd've laughed my ass off. I'm not laughing anymore. (Well I am, but for totally different reasons!)
One thing I was shocked at was the LACK of bloggers. Someone asked Stephanie a question about blogging and if there were lots of other bloggers and she told everyone with a blog to raise their hands. Now my back was to the room, but it only seemed like a quarter of us had blogs - maybe even less. I thought we'd all be bloggers. Go figure. (There are people out there that knit and DON'T have blogs? ;-) ) [ETA: Maybe I'm wrong on this. As I mentioned, Cassie snagged a table right up front so my back was to the room. Other accounts say half the room was filled with bloggers - they're probably more reliable.]
At the end they gave out gift bags from Lion Brand - yes, people - there was swag! Now before you start thinking that there was fun fur and stuff like that it was actually a GENIUS idea. There was, of course, a signed copy of the book - WAY COOL - and even better a big skein of Wool Chunky with patterns and a pamphlet for the Dulaan Project. Couldn't have been done better in my opinion. Just wonderful.
Highlights of the evening include - introducing myself to Stephanie and asking her to sign my book and SHE SEEMED TO KNOW WHO I WAS!!! Really. I mean, it may have been in that polite sure I read your blog kind of thing, but I don't think so. She really seemed to know me which made me feel like I had ARRIVED in blogland. I mean, if the celebrities know you - c'mon! That's something!
Every other highlight involves people: I finally met Enchanting Juno - whose blog name could NOT be more perfect - a stunning woman. Truly - it was great to meet you! And I finally met up with Cassie again. And I met Kay together with Phyllis - we talked family dynamics and religion - what could be more fun! I met Cari, who was so kind about my photographs, along with Valentina, who asked about the show thanks to Colleen talking me up and Mindy and so many others who I can't remember! Please forgive me. I can see all of your faces! Really I can. I hope we meet again! And it was so great to be out and about with Jen - my first real knitty friend! Hey Jen - I was knitting, even if you weren't! That counts right?
Thank you Lord & Taylor, thank you Lion Brand, thank you Craft Yarn Council - and of course! Thank you Stephanie for giving us an excuse to celebrate knitting and well, just celebrate.
If I screwed up your name or link - please let me know in the comments! I apologize!
Paying it forward.
I want to pay forward the generosity I received last night. I had already purchased a copy of Stephanie's book - way before I knew she was coming. She signed my copy last night. Which means I have the free, signed copy they gave out in the gift bag. I'd like to give that away to a reader who won't have the chance to see Stephanie in person. Please leave me a comment and tell me where you are and why you won't be able to see her. I'll randomly pick a name - you've got the weekend to try for it. People outside the US are indeed welcome.Baby's Got Back!
I was so excited when I got home last night I finished this:
There is some subtle shaping at the waist - so it's not as wonky as it looks. I am VERY happy with it. The front should be a breeze. I've calculated that I knit this sweater three times over already - since I've redone the short rows sections about three time each (I'm really not kidding here.) So assuming I can get through the front with a minimal of re-knits - should be cake.
Of course, I'm trying not to think too hard about this:
Cause that might make me cry. (I just flip it over and I'm happy again!) The duplicate stitch is working fabulously:
WRONG SIDE
RIGHT SIDE
As I said, I cast on for a sleeve last night. Should go pretty quick - well, not that quick so I can weave in the ends on the back before I start the front. I'm going to be diligent - weave in a few every day - I swear.
Have a great day!
Posted by Cara at 08:58 AM | Comments (30)
April 28, 2005
Harlot
"Two hundred dollars straight in,
Two-fifty up the ass."
Okay. So you tell me. Is it wrong that I've been walking around saying this to my husband all day and all night long? What's up Bruce? Is your imagination lost on you? I'm all for a some porn now and again, but this song is even beyond your sexy sensibilities. I'm not saying I don't like it (because, hey, you've been the star of MANY a fantasy of mine) but it's just really, really sad. What did Patti say about it? Inquiring minds want to know.
And for the record, Georgie grins wickedly every time I say it.
Harlot tonight. Cassie will have her red knitting bag, I'll be carrying this:
In the comments yesterday, Kristen asked if I'd be bringing my camera to the festivities. I haven't decided yet. You see, bringing my camera means carrying an extra 15-20 pounds of equipment. I can't just throw the camera in my knitting bag. My camera is huge. And I'd have to bring my flash gear because, well, the lighting is guaranteed to suck and I have a serious problem with perfectionism so if the picture isn't going to come out to my standards (that's right Wendy - I'm a NO SNAPSHOT zone!) then why bother taking it. I'm thinking everyone else will have a camera and there will be lots and lots of pictures floating around blogworld. Now, if the Harlot wants her own personal photo shoot - well, now, that's a different story!
And I might be a tad dirty tonight. The signs throughout the building said they were going to turn off the water at 9:30 AM. Poor Georgie got caught mid-shower shave when they shut it down at 8:59. I thought I had a whole half hour, the bastards, but I didn't. I can't even brush my teeth. Well, I could use water from the water cooler I have in my kitchen, but that's not dramatic enough now is it? My wonderful, fantastic, supercalifragilistic husband offered to get us a hotel room in the city (he's going out tonight too) so that I could go in early to shower and we could meet up later. Isn't he the sweetest? But then they made an announcement that the water would be back up four hours from now, which should give me plenty of time to get ready. Drat. We may still do the hotel thing though. I may have to lie. (Either that or drop my prices! ;-) )
I was up late again last night. Short Rows. Yep. Before I finally got it right, I ripped out the first part of the second short row sequence three times. Three freaking times. I kept dropping wraps when I was going back across. So all three times I actually finished the short rows only to lose them in the end. Yet I STILL love this project. I'm past it now and will finish the back as soon as I get off the computer. Then I will cast on for the sleeve so I have something to knit tonight. Can you imagine if I walked in without knitting - they'd probably throw me out at the door. Oh and I SOLVED THE ENDS PROBLEM! No. I'm not going to tie knots and be done with it! I found this wonderful Knitty article and the duplicate stitch works great. I'm loving it. I will take pictures when the back is done - have no fear. The ends are still a daunting task, but I feel it's manageable. Yay!
Have a great day everyone!
Posted by Cara at 09:33 AM | Comments (7)
April 27, 2005
Surely You're Joking! *
Yesterday's New York Times crossoword. Check out 40 Down.
Thanks so much for all the compliments on Short Rows! It means so much. I'll be SO proud of this project when it's finally finished. I've got a long way to go, but I'll get there. I've given myself a projected deadline of June 5th. I'm thinking if all goes well I'll wear it to The Secret Garden opening. Hopefully it won't be too hot! I'm thinking a nice denim skirt? Cross your fingers. I did the first part of the second short row sequence - I figured out that decreases were built into the pattern - but in the end I have one stitch too many. So I'll be ripping out the short rows - AGAIN. Yes. I'm a glutton for punishment (and apparently, chocolate covered raisins.) And the ends are getting really out of hand - so when I rip it, I'm going to try and weave some in. Hopefully clean things up a little so the wires don't get crossed so much, so to speak. It's all good!
Yesterday I did a little shopping, but not before having a fabu lunch with my honey! First I got my hair cut - it looks cute and cleaned up - then met Georgie at a doctor's appointment he had. While we were waiting for him to be seen, I received a mysterious text message. Georgie says to me - who's text messaging you? I said I don't know and wouldn't you know it, the message read KISS THE PERSON TO YOUR RIGHT. He's so sweet! I'm SO, so lucky!
After waiting forever, it was off to TAO for lunch. Georgie's been wanting to take me there, and I have to say, the steak I had was very, very good. The decor was neat as well, but don't you just hate restaurants that don't label the bathroom doors with GIRL/BOY, WOMAN/MAN, FEMALE/MALE? These bathrooms said YIN and YANG. There was a man that was behind me and we both just stood there and I said this is so not fair. Finally we both chose - and you guessed it - we chose UNwisely. The male attendant (who for the record, was in the women's room at first) corrected us. Why? Why is it necessary to be COOL all the time? Anyway. The food was very good.
On the way back I stopped at Borders. I needed to pick up this:
I've listened to it about a dozen times all the way through - it's looped on WINAMP - and for the most part I'm pretty happy with it. For all those people I told it was a cross between Tunnel and TGOTJ - I'm revising that. It's more like a cross between TGOTJ and Lucky Town. But better on both accounts. Nothing's going to make me cry, (there are a few like that on The Rising - My City of Ruins never ceases to amaze me) but I did get a few chills listening to Long Time Comin'. The woman's name is Rosie and it's clear they've been together for a long time. (They have two kids and another on the way.) It's also clear that mistakes have been made but he stills loves her, wants her very much. This is a theme near and dear to my heart. Georgie and I have been together for fifteen years and are very much in love, still. It's always nice to have that validated. This song did that for me. Okay. Enough Bruce. If you want to talk about it, let me know. Email me.
I also bought a couple of knitting books:
Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham
Instant Expert: Knitting by Ros Badger
I'm really split on these two. I only bought the Ros Badger because I saw a pattern I liked on Kristine's blog (go on over and congratulate her on the new online store! www.knithappens.net!)
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I thought it would be perfect for some Jo Sharp Silkroad Tweed I have stashed. Problem is, the book only gives one pattern size and that happens to be ONE SIZE FITS NONE! You know, one of those anorexic sizes - like if you eat an entire carton of chocolate covered raisins and need to purge for the next week and a half (just kidding!) So, if I want to make this sweater to be able to fit my humongous boobs I'm going to have to do some knitty math - and you all know how much I hate THE MATH! We'll see if I keep the book. It's kind of disappointing all the way around.
But Loop-d-Loop? This book is gorgeous genius. There's a million patterns I'd like to make!
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Click for bigger pictures!
Of course, my favorite is this:
I highly recommend this book - really - it's very, very well done.
And finally - a stash addition:
It's 50% Tussah - 50% Merino from Chasing Rainbow Dyeworks in Mary's colorway. I've got 840 yds. I'm thinking my very own Clap. It's taken a LOOONG time to get here. I bought it on my Boston visit.
Have a great day!
* Surely You're Joking is a reference to Richard Feynman - I bought his collection of letters yesterday. I'm thinking I'll read them out loud to Georgie, since he's the one who introduced me to this phenomenal personality. Check him out if you haven't already. It's worth it. Hey Lauren - I also picked up Freakonomics!
Posted by Cara at 11:47 AM | Comments (15)
April 26, 2005
Overdone
Yesterday, I ate an entire container of Milk Chocolate Raisins from Trader Joe's.
It was an interesting evening to say the least. I think I'm still on the high. The container says there are 33 pieces to a serving. And approximately 11 servings. 363 chocolate covered raisins is about 263 too many. Especially when I ate barely anything else all day.
24 has restored my faith in TV - especially after the Gilmore Girls let me down so, so hard. (We'll see if they can redeem themselves tonight.) I think this season of 24 is the best of the bunch - of course, if you haven't seen the other three, this one is nothing - but it is so worth it if you have! Do you agree?
Short Rows!
Here they are!
Look at those zigzags! They ZIG, they ZAG!
Let's compare:
BEFORE
AFTER!
Don't they look great now? Of course, here's what I'll have to contend with very, very soon:
But I think it's very worth it! I'm loving this project. I'm not sure how to proceed - I need to really ponder the pattern. You have to decrease on each arm every other row, but the pattern also calls for decreases in the short rows - I'm not sure if they're the same decreases, or if they're different - time for some knitty math.
Okay. I'm off to get ready for a salon appointment and a lunch date with my husband!
One last question - do you Harlot? Who's going to Lord & Taylor Thursday evening? I'll be the one with white gloves and pearls. ;-)
Posted by Cara at 09:30 AM | Comments (27)
April 25, 2005
Librarians Unite!*
Let's organize to take this fuckwad down!
*Actually, I'll take anyone who believes in intellectual freedom!
Link courtesy of Bookslut.
Posted by Cara at 12:28 PM | Comments (7)
My Baby Takes the Morning Train
Whew! What a morning!
Georgie needed to be at an important meeting at 7:30 this morning. He's not a very good morning person. He went to bed around 1AM (I didn't go to sleep until after 3 - but more on that in a minute) and was out of bed at about 6. Normally, this would get Georgie to work at about 9. You do the math.
I was up worrying that he wouldn't make it on time. From the coziness of my bed I could hear his morning routine, praying that it was the speeded up version. I calculated the best possible way for him to get to work. I envisioned traffic, accidents, disasters. If he could just get out of the shower by 6:30 (a feat in and of itself!) he might have a shot.
I hear the shower turn off. I get out of bed and stick my head out of the door, the sun shining in from the hallway. "Honey? Do you need me to take you to the train?"
"Yes. Please."
I throw on my sweats, tuck in my t-shirt, toss on my sweat-shirt and baseball cap, slip on my shearling clogs. I'm good.
Now, my town is about 8 miles from where G needed to be in the city. Google Map says it should take about 12 minutes. HA! It can take me 12 minutes just to get to my freaking car. Apartment living has its disadvantages - like my car is in a garage under the building. I can't just walk out my door.
So I go to the car, but not without checking my face in the bathroom mirror right by the front door - it's a silly habit, since I've still got zit cream all over my face and lines from the pillow and sleep in my eyes. Yeah. I'm looking my best. I realize as I'm about to open the front door that I'm missing something. Can you guess? Amazingly enough - I'm missing my fucking eye glasses. I'm blind as a bat people! (Are bats really blind?) How have I managed to get myself together enough to drive my darling husband to the train and not realize I CAN'T SEE?
I get my glasses and the car and pull it around to our designated meeting place. Georgie comes out at about the same time. It's now 6:43. The train leaves at 6:51.
"You'll have to make the illegal u-turn," he says.
"I'm way ahead of you," I say.
The train station is about 2.5 miles from our house. This trip can take a good twenty minutes depending on traffic. We live in the middle of swamp land peppered with industrial warehouses. There are semis every where. Especially in the morning. There are also conviently placed freight trains that like to crawl through town during rush. There's no rhyme or reason to them. Okay. There's a reason - to make us late!
The illegal u-turn takes care of all that. It's risky though - especially in our 2000 Altima that has the WORST turning radius known to man. I handle it with aplomb.
On to the next obstacle. As I race through the YELLOWRED, making a successful left turn only to get stuck behind a car service Lincoln crawling over the potholes, I realize that the gas light is on and the distance-to-go tracker is flashing DANGER! Lack of gas be damned, I hit the left lane - I'm driving into oncoming traffic! The Lincoln is toast. A late 80s Pontiac decides it's the perfect time to meander onto the road. I fly back into the left lane! A truck's coming right at us! I dodge a pothole while settling the car back onto all four wheels. Georgie's either murmuring I love you over and over again or I'm going to die. Either way, after leaning on my horn to move the ridiculously unnecessary BMW SUV out of my way, I get him to the train station at 6:49.
6:53. My cell phone rings. Heavy breathing. "I made it! They were closing the doors and I jumped on the train! Thanks my love!"
7:12. I'm back home, car has gas in the tank, waiting for the computer to warm up. Phone rings. "I'm here. I'm one of the first ones. They have breakfast. Thanks again!"
SuperWIFE saves the day. And it isn't even 8AM.
Do you think he'll expect dinner tonight? Because, you know, like, I'm spent.
Short Rows
Why was I up until 3AM you ask? Why, Short Rows of course! I've been needing some knitty inspiration, and when I went down to my sister's for Passover Seder, I pulled some knitting to take with me - knowing full well I'd never get the opportunity to actually knit. I brought Short Rows with me and it was just what I needed. I showed it to my sister and instantly fell in love with the colors and the yarn and the pattern all over again. Georgie came to Seder and took me home Saturday night - so we got to spend a much needed day together yesterday. I spent the better part of the afternoon and evening on the couch, Georgie close by, knitting. I know I've said it before, but I LOVE Rowan Wool Cotton. I think I'm going to make a cardigan with it - that lovely Seeded Cable Classic Elite cardigan. I think it might be my next project because I've really been jonesing for some cables.Anyway, back to short rows. I decided that I was just going to slip knot the ends and use duplicate stitch to weave them in later. I had done research on all kinds of joins, Russian, Spit, etc, but none of them really seemed the right option for what I needed to do - too many color changes too quickly. Before I knew it I was finished the first batch of short rows and onto the straight rows and it looked fantastic! At about midnight I announced to G that I was going to have to knit for a while more - I was too into it and could see the end of the first short row sequence. At about 2:15, Georgie snoring peacefully beside me, I finished said sequence. And then I lost it. Somehow I dropped a stitch or I don't know what but I lost a wrap on a short row and I couldn't get it back, so I had to rip it out. Then I lost a bunch of wraps when I ripped back and because the color changes with every turn practically - I don't know what yarn to use on which wrap. Trust me, it's easier just to rip it back. I really don't mind. This thing is looking gorgeous! I'm so excited about it! Today I'm going to re-do the short rows and go on to the straights and then I'll take a picture. With the next short row sequence I already have to start decreasing for the arms - so it should go very, very fast. I'm really hope this thing fits. I mean really. (It should - yes, I swatched. I'm a little bit smaller than gague - so I upped it a size - should give me exactly what I need. Somewhere between the medium and the large.)
Anyway. I've got my mojo back - look for a picture tomorrow!
And, I think I may have yet another border for the Pinwheel blanket! If this doesn't work, I don't know what I'm going to do. I think it will though.
By the way, Happy Passover to my fellow tribe members! The Happy Booker had some excellent links to share. By all means, hit JibJab's Matzah, Shabot6000's Seda' Club, and Shlepping Through the Alps's Passover Greeting. It's like Chicken Soup for the HipHop Jew! Guaranteed to make you choke on your matzah - assuming your stomach hasn't already exploded from the bloat! Chag Sameach!
Can you help me? Anyone out there a K1R2 member who's read Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell and would like to help lead the discussion next week? I'm desperately behind - there's no way I'll finish it. Life. You know how it is. So I'm looking for a wonderful volunteer! Email me at caraATjanuaryoneDOTcom if you would like to save my ass. Thanks!
Posted by Cara at 07:55 AM | Comments (7)
April 20, 2005
Maryland Meet-up!
So Lauren and I have been discussing how we'll find each other at MDSW. And how we'll find everybody else as well!
Why not schedule a meet-up?!?
Let's say, Saturday (because that's when I'll be there!) 12:30 PM. I looked at the schedule, and it seems to be a down time.
And we looked at the map, and Building 1 - where they sell the t-shirts - should be as good a location as any. This way we can all bring our sharpies and autograph each other's t-shirts! How knitblogstalkerish of us all!
Be there or be square*. Sign up here and I'll put your name in the sidebar! Just like a real KAL!
[*Just, whatever you do, don't be bitter!]
Posted by Cara at 01:57 PM | Comments (27)
How Will You Know Its Me?
So it looks like I'm definitely going to Maryland (as if it needs a link!) Jen and I have plans to come down Friday night and hit the festival on Saturday. Then head to Philly Saturday night/afternoon for Mom's Day in the city of brotherly love.
My question to all you knitbloggers going: How will you know it's me? Do I need to wear a special T-shirt or something? Does everyone wear name tags? Is it obvious who everyone is? I've never been to one of these sheep & wool thingamajigs so I don't know the rules. Someone, please, fill me in!
[You know. It would've been great to have made Alison's t-shirt with my blog across the front. I'll never be able to make it in time. Crap.]
I actually spent some time knitting yesterday. I won't say it was quality time at all - in fact more like frustrating, throw the piece on the floor never want to knit again time. I'm trying to figure out a border for the Pinwheel blanket.
I may have finally taken an accurate picture of the color of the blanket. Whaddya know?
The above picture is an attempt at a seed stitch border. I did a provisional cast on of seven stitches and when I got to the border did a K2TOG at each live stitch. A) I'm not sure I like it and B) I don't think it's going to lay flat the farther it gets around the circle.
My original plan was to do points, like a sunburst. I made sure there were 50 stitches in each section (ten sections in all - you do the math) and I divided them into 35 and 15. I figured I'd do a large point (m1 up to 18, k2tog to the end) and a smaller point for each section. Tried it a bunch of times (damn freaking knitty math!) and didn't like it. I love Johanna's idea of an applied i-cord, but I looked up a couple of how-tos on the Internet and I don't know what they're talking about. I've done I-cords before - but no one seems to have directions for what to do with a circle. It could be the mucus taking over my brain slowly but surely, or I could just be an idiot. I don't feel like working hard on this.
Here's a picture of what I did with Eli's Kippah.
Okay - so you can't see the kippah so good. But what a sweet boy!
This is the pinwheel blanket pattern, and I cast on three stitches at the edge and did garter stitch around the circle. It doesn't lay super flat, but this pretty baby doesn't have a flat head. So it didn't really matter. A blanket I want to lie flat. Larissa's border is very nice, and completely fitting for her particular blanket, but I'm not sure it would look good on mine. For one thing, I think my blanket is a lot bigger than hers. I think it needs a border commensurate with the size.
Any and all advice is completely and totally appreciated.
I'm bored with my knits. Yet again. The ribby cardi is still on the blocking rug. Pathetic I know. Short rows has no short rows (this makes me really sad.) I think I might just do it and worry about the ends later. A duplicate stitch might be just the trick. And it doesn't look that fussy either. I'm thinking I might need more yarn. Bastards. The pinwheel. Well, you know how I'm feeling about that. I want to finish something that I LOVE! I should start on the Clap. (Yeah. That's right. People are still thinking about it.) It needs to be done for my friend's birthday in May. I would love short rows to be done - I see that as a year round sweater. But I want to do cables. I haven't done cables in forever.
Maybe it's my cold. I'm going back to my sister's tomorrow and bringing my HazMat suit. I'm sick of germs.
Thanks everyone for your congratulations about my photographs. I've got to say, I'm pretty pleased with myself.
Baby contest winners JOHANNA and KATHY! I haven't forgotten about you! PhotoArtCards for sure and for the yarn? I've got two ideas. Either something fantastic and hand-dyed from Sheep & Wool or some of that new fabulous stuff floating around - Debbie Bliss Cathay or Rowan CashCotton. Let me know your preferences!
Okay - can I vent for a minute? Gilmore Girls. I was absolutely LOVIN' this show. I watch the freaking repeats everyday. Wait patiently for a new episode. Can I tell you how disappointed I am? First of all, I'm a spoiler kind of girl. I read them religiously for General Hospital, West Wing, so I hit them up for GG. (Never, EVER for 24 - so don't SAY ANYTHING!) And then I'm grocery shopping for my sister and while I'm picking up the latest Soap Opera Digest I pick up the new TV Guide with Lorelai and Luke on the cover. I just love Luke - and I think his awkward overwhelming love for Lorelai is completely romantic. And then I read the article.
WARNING!!!! IF YOU DON'T WANT THE SHOW RUINED FOR YOU DON'T READ ON!!!!
The article gave away some of the spoilers I already knew - something big's going to happen. Luke's going to buy a house and not tell Lorelai. No, she's not going to get pregnant. Whatever. But what really killed me was that a big deal was made that Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson basically can't stand each other! I can't tell you how this fucked everything up for me. And last night, watching the episode, IT'S SO FUCKING CLEAR TO ME. Did you see that really awkward hug between the two of them when Lorelai came into the diner and Luke was all excited about her magazine article? These two are supposed to be MADLY in love and do we ever see them touch? I think I thought the chemistry was there - but now I'm sure it was my own imagination. I'm sorry to say, I think the show may be irrevocably ruined for me.
Rant over. It's friggin' TV for pete's sake.
Posted by Cara at 09:07 AM | Comments (11)
April 19, 2005
Home, Diabetic Coma Inducing Sweet, Home
Nothing like sleeping in your own bed, crapping in your own toilet. Oh wait. None of that. Now we're having the OPPOSITE issue. I can't crap to save my life. I'm also hacking up a lung, but at least I'm home.
And don't think I didn't think about the fact that my own poops went all awry after I realized I was sleeping in poop. I said to my sister, do you think I have e-coli? She said, don't you have to EAT poop to get that? Sure. Lot of sympathy there.
The best part of coming home was seeing Georgie. When he picked me up at the train and I saw his face - I thought WOW. I forgot how CUTE he is! Love that feeling. I remember once a long time ago I was coming home on a commuter train. It was late, I was tired. There was this really cute guy checking me out and I was checking him right back. I was getting all into flirting with him when I realized it was George. You ask how I couldn't recognize my own mate - well, as I said, I was tired. And it was totally out of the ordinary for him to be on that train. It was, though, a competely satisfying feeling to know the hottie I was daydreaming about was GOING HOME with me!
Anyway, I'm not sure if I talked about this or not, but while I was in Philly, Georgie was exploring far off lands. He spent the week in Shanghai sidestepping violent protests. Everyday he'd call me to tell me China and Japan will be at war in about a minute. Then he spent the weekend in his beloved Tokyo.
He used to go to Asia a lot - Tokyo, Hong Kong. And everytime he went I practically begged for Kimono. Now Georgie is one of the most generous people I've EVER met - but he's not a gift giver. This trip completely made up for that. He took a tour of a silk factory and brought me home THE.MOST.BEAUTIFUL. silk robe! I haven't taken it off!
I tried to get a picture of me in it - but it didn't work so well. Maybe when Georgie gets home tonight.
He also added to the collection:
Yup - that's right. Fanta from around the world! That's China on the left, Japan on the right. (Oh and Crazy Aunt Purl - that's a Billy rearing it's ugly head!)
What else? Oh yeah. There were some beautiful chopsticks - good enough to knit with. And a super uglycute Buddha bank. Only problem is - there doesn't seem to be any way to get the money out!
Besides my dear husband, there was some other good stuff to welcome me home! Some lovely odds and ends from Kerstin!
That's a compact note pad, a lipstick pen, a beautiful wood bowl (perfect for knitting knick-knacks) and a gorgeous hand-made card. There was some chocolate too, but yeah, that survived for the picture. My favorite part though - her personalized stationery. Now that's cool! Thank you Kerstin!
The best thing though, is that I've had two photographs accepted for The Secret Garden - an exhibit at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this summer. Opening day is June 5. Be there or be square!
These are the pictures chosen:
I was so excited, I was inspired to go out yesterday and take these!
Next up: I need help with my Pinwheel! Get your thinking caps on - what would you do with the border?
Posted by Cara at 09:58 AM | Comments (11)
April 17, 2005
philadelphia
Posted by Cara at 10:30 PM | Comments (15)
April 15, 2005
Chaos
You got it. I'm a mess. I'm exhausted. I think that my nephew Max's strep somehow morphed into a stomach thing because I honestly don't know whether I'm pissing or shitting when I hit the crapper. It's actually quite fascinating. I don't necessarily feel bad, and I'm hungry, it's just that occasionally I get a rumbling in my tummy and I piss out my ass. And I gained a pound even though everything's passing go without collecting. Go figure.
Speaking of poop, I'm up to my eyeballs in it. The other day my niece had a poopy diaper and somehow it fell off of her - poop explosion. It was on her leg and her dress. And wouldn't you know, when I woke up the next morning and I was fixing up the air mattress I had been sleeping on with Max, there was poop on my pillow. The same pillow I freaking slept with all night. Beyond gross. To infinity and beyond gross. Man did I yell at my sister - here I am helping her out and I'm sleeping in shit! When she managed to stop laughing, I think she said she was sorry. I can't be too sure though.
It's been an exhausting but exciting week. Today was Baby Eli's Bris. (Please refrain from negative comments. I won't publish them, so don't bother.) We had about thirty-five friends and family over to celebrate - which is crazy given my sister is only eight days post-partum. The last few days have been spent getting everything ready for today. We picked up my sister's new mini-van on Wednesday! A definite need since you can't fit three car seats in a car (or an SUV for that matter.) It's the top of the top of the line and is a big change for my sis. She's used to driving a Toyota Corrolla with manual EVERYTHING. It was pretty funny - we're parked outside of the house playing with all the bells & whistles and I ran in the house to get something for her. When I came out she went to lean over to roll down the window or unlock the door and I was laughing signalling to her - just push the button! It's going to be a big adjustment - but Max is loving it. There's a DVD. Doesn't get any cooler than that. So I'm driving the van (my sister wasn't comfortable driving yet) to BJ's to fill up on stuff for the celebration today.
Somewhere in all that I managed to hit a yarn store with Max to pick up some Koigu for Kippahs! I knit Baby Eli a kippah for the Bris using the famous pinwheel pattern and a garter stitch border. I didn't have time to finish a matching one for Max, and I bought some complimentary yarn for Charlotte - so I think I'm going to finish them for Passover next weekend. I promise I'll take some pictures.
Honestly, we've all be so crazy, I think I've taken one picture of the new boy. Tomorrow is photo shoot day if it kills me.
I should be going home on Sunday - Georgie's been in Shanghai and Tokyo while I've been at my sister's - he comes home on Sunday too. Of course I'm coming back to Philly on Thursday for the Seder on Saturday night which will be at my sister's. She's just hosting, not cooking, so don't think she's too crazy. This way she can have both sides of the family at her house and can end the evening at home. And by seeing both sides at once - she doesn't have to go anywhere second night. Pretty smart.
I'm way behind on blogs. I miss mine and everyone else's. I pretty sure Jen and I are planning to go down to MD S&W. I'm excited. I've never been to a Sheep & Wool - plus, rumor has it everyone's who's anyone will be there. ;-)
Thanks for all the wonderful comments over the week. Checking my email at night was a really nice part of the day.
Posted by Cara at 11:20 PM | Comments (6)
April 11, 2005
Afternoon Theater
I forgot how much fun it is to take turns holding a newborn while we watch our soaps. The big kids are at school. (Thankfully! We need the break!) There's a lot to get done - laundry, cleaning, baby loving - but a quick break for lunch and some Days of Our Lives never hurt anyone.
My older nephew (love saying that!) had strep over the weekend. Ugh. Guess who's been sharing the air mattress with him? You guessed it - me! We're all hoping not to get it - but it seems if anyone is going to it'll be me. So far so good - my stomach hurts a little - but that's probably because I've been eating all the crap everyone keeps bringing over - and my nose is a tad stuffy due to allergies - but so far no sore throat and no fever. Cross your fingers for all of us.
Knitting? What's that? I give you Moms a lot of credit - how do you get anything done with all those kids running around?
Thanks again for all the good wishes! Baby Eli is definitely a keeper!
Love,
Cara
Posted by Cara at 12:57 PM | Comments (7)
April 08, 2005
I'm in love....
Sorry Georgie! There's a new man in town.
Before everyone gets all crazy - I don't have pictures yet. Now remember, I'm a photographer - specifically I take pictures of kids. There will be pictures and hopefully they will be fabulous. I think Eli's first photo shoot will be Monday - when the kids are in school and it's just my sister, me and the baby at home. What they say about going from two kids to three is true - and has much as I love it - I'm the surrogate while my sister's at the hospital.
You know, babies should come with a warning. I'm always amazed at how fast (and furious) I fall in love with these beautiful babes. Eli is no different - I'm missing holding him and kissing his soft cheeks. My favorite - kissing little tiny baby lips. Oh my god! My poor sister is still stuffy from her miserable cold and the thing she's so upset about is that she can't smell his baby goodness. And oh my does he smell divine. He's got the same monkey feet his sister and brother have - the same ears - but he's his own little guy. I could just cuddle and kiss and love him all day long.
Thank you all so much for all your good wishes for my family! It means a lot. I can't wait to tell my sister how much you all liked the name - it's the hardest thing for her to choose, so I think she'll be happy to hear the comments.
I'm afraid no knitting will be done anytime soon. I did a few rounds on the Pinwheel Blanket at the hospital today, but duty called quite quickly, so it went back in the bag.
I have a very peculiar (read I wanted to freaking kill her) KIP story to tell. I was on the train Thursday morning heading down to my sister's house - it was about 7AM. I had the seats to myself until Princeton when a Chinese woman took the seat next to me. I was knitting on the Blanket. She started asking me about my knitting - or really, telling me about her knitting life. How she knit as a child - they made all their own sweaters, hats, etc. She told me she knit a different way than I did then (and here's where it gets scary) SHE TOOK MY KNITTING OUT OF MY HANDS AND STARTED KNITTING MY BLANKET! I don't know about you, but unless I specifically ASK someone to take a hand in my knitting - KEEP YOUR FUCKING MITTS OFF IT! I was too shocked to grab it back. Then she was getting upset because she wanted me to knit the way she did. She kept saying - see how much faster I am than you? I can't believe it, I haven't knit in 20 yrs. All I see is this utter stranger, with a nasty cold sore on her lip and flaky skin fingers TOUCHING MY PRECIOUS NEPHEW'S BLANKET. I wanted to puke. Somehow I got it back and thankfully a few minutes later my sister called and I stayed on the phone with her until the woman fell asleep. Am I being too sensitive, or was that overstepping personal space? Ugh. I still get upset when I think about it.
I will be down at my sister's until at least a week from Sunday. I will try to keep blogging and keeping up with my reading and commenting as best I can. Bear with me if I don't get to email you back as fast as I usually do - and Kathy and Johanna - give me a few to get the contest prizes together.
Alright. I'm beat. Big day tomorrow. Baby Eli comes home. Thanks again for all the well wishes. Love you guys!
Posted by Cara at 11:30 PM | Comments (21)
He's here!
"Eli"
April 7, 2005
11:39 PM
8 lbs. 3 oz.
21.5 inches
TOTAL CUTENESS!
Baby, Mommy, Daddy, Big Brother, Big Sister and Aunt Cara are all doing great! Pictures to come!
Congratulations to Kathy and Johanna - they were the only ones to pick April 7th - so they both win!
Pictures will come, be patient!
Love,
Aunt Cara
Posted by Cara at 11:11 AM | Comments (16)
April 07, 2005
Honey? HONEY!
It's time....
I'm on my way down to Philly. Details when it's over. Wish us luck!
Posted by Cara at 06:04 AM | Comments (12)
April 06, 2005
Attachments Spice Up ANY Home!
Or The Happy Househooker: How to Keep Your Husband Happy and OUT* of the Bedroom.
[Look people, if you've come here looking for baby news or knitting news go home! There's no baby yet and the only knitting being done around here is ripping. The short row section of the short row pullover to be exact. I couldn't stand the ends anymore. Thinking I might try a Russian Join, but I'm not sure how to get it all to match up perfectly. Fine. There's your knitting content. Happy now?]
So yesterday I was bored out of my mind, which is not a good thing for Ms. January One. Being bored out of my mind tends to drive me out of my mind very, very quickly. So to keep the demons at bay, I decided to continuing cleaning. I finished the dining room, aka mail dump location, and started on the living room on Monday. Yesterday I finished the living room - but not without a little attachment fun.
Here I am stroking a cushion with the brush head.
Let me tell you, I worked the furniture over so good it would've made the Fly Lady cream her panties.
No position was left unturned...
It was all quite scandalous. The stuffed animals were appropriately shocked...
Well, not really. Here you can see Little George trying to sneak a peak:
And Mr. Cool Red Faux Leather Jacket Bear? He provided the mood music.
Squeeze his hand and he belts out "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Baaabe" by the Love Maestro himself, Barry White.
Want a close up of the action?
Whew! I worked up quite a sweat.
It was worth it though. G was extremely happy when he came home. So happy, *I couldn't get him off my newly cleaned couch. By the way, that's the worst part about cleaning. Two seconds later, it needs to be cleaned again.
The living room is all in order again:
Even the monkeys are happy!
Look - can you see it? It's my first project ever! A four color (trust me on this) slip stitch afghan with a crochet edge - it's something like 5'x6' - maybe bigger. Life size BABY!
Today, I might have to bring the vacuum into the bedroom - Sorry - NO CAMERAS ALLOWED!
I'll be back....
I'm back. Heard from my sis. She's now a whopping 2.5 centimeters. We're going to be here all night!
And a disclaimer. It may look to you, from the pictures above, that I like to clean and/or do it often. If you think this, I apologize for misleading you. I can count the number of times the cushions have been off my sofas (for cleaning - doesn't count fort making - with the kids of course!) ON ONE HAND. And I don't use all my fingers on that hand either.
The cleaning you see here was a way to stem the insanity of waiting for my sister to have her baby already. That and the fact that things that were once living were beginning to get stuck in the cobwebs. I'm not lying about that, either.
So don't see my burst of Spring cleaning as anything other than that. Try to remember that Spring only comes once a year.
Hope that makes you all feel better about your own cleaning habits. I think I may knit today. Hmmm. There's a novel idea.
Posted by Cara at 09:45 AM | Comments (10)
April 05, 2005
Fly Needles Fly!
Georgie, travel maven extraordinaire, just called with some breaking news:
You can now travel with knitting needles when flying across the pond on British Airways. Oh yeah. And you can use metal forks again too.
Just in case anyone wants to knit a nice gift while on the way to toast Charles & Camilla.
Man am I freaking bored today.
Posted by Cara at 04:57 PM | Comments (2)
Wonkiness
[Warning. There is absolutely NO KNITTING content to this post at all. Read at your own risk.]
Something's wrong with my Internet. I can't read any typepad blogs for one, so if you're a typepader, please forgive my lack of comments. (I am getting blogline updates, which is oh so frustrating!) I hate that. And my pictures aren't showing up on my blog. Which is really frustrating because I changed the place where I hosted my pictures because the OLD place I hosted my pictures completely flaked out on its customers for a little bit. Now the old place is working, and the new place is wonky.
It's like half the sites are working for me and half the sites aren't. I was on the phone with Comcast for a little while (can I tell you how much I like their customer service - it's based in Canada - the people are ALWAYS so nice. Even when you're yelling at them.) My connection kept going in and out yesterday. I'm registering an IP address, but surfing is hit or miss. So frustrating, because that means instead of spending the whole day on the computer wasting time (not that blog reading is wasting time) I'll have to continue cleaning my house. I have to keep reminding myself about the attachments. I'm excited about the attachments. Attachments.
Thank you all so much for your kind words about my back. It, like the internet, hears you when it feels like it. But I am on the mend. I may attempt to run today. I think it will be warm enough so I don't have to worry about stiffening up on the cool down.
No baby yet. This waiting is killing me. I almost went down there today. But I'm holding out for the call.
Typepad people - remember - I still love you!
ETA: Well, I decided to experiment. I connected to the Internet through that dreaded tool of the populace - AOL. Through a dial-up modem. We're talking ancient history here people. And guess what? I can get into all the wonky sites. Typepad. The picture site. (No - not that picture site.) So I called Comcast again and guess what the lovely tech told me? There's a problem with New Jersey. Yeah. Like I needed a cable tech to tell me that. Yo. They're working on it.
Posted by Cara at 09:14 AM | Comments (6)
April 04, 2005
Nothing. Nothing at all.
To write about, that is.
My sister's still pregnant. My back still hurts. At least it's not STILL raining. Did that all weekend.
I did finish up a huge job on Saturday. I was editing, touching up and preparing for print over 600 photos for a friend. She took them, I fixed them up. It's one of the saddest things about the move to digital most families are making. They don't get prints! I shoot digital on my jobs, but the parents would never know it from the end job. They get a beautiful leather-bound brag book filled to the brim with prints. My friend doesn't have any pictures of her youngest child - they're all on the computer.
Cara to the rescue. She'll be getting a box of 574 prints by the end of the week. Suffice it to say, the situation's been remedied.
But, in sitting at the computer all day Wednesday thru Saturday doing this job - my shoulder felt like it was going to fall off - I think completely unrelated to the back pain - but still exasperating all of it. So when I finished the job on Saturday, I curled up on the sofa and took a nap. No knitting. And yesterday I didn't knit either - my shoulder hurt too bad. Instead I watched an absolutely torturous afternoon Lifetime movie. (Bad, BAD choice for me! On SO many levels.)
When I finally stopped crying, I cleaned up the dining room in my house. I vaccuumed and everything! I even used the attachments on the vaccuum! (Nothing like spicing up housework with attachments. I highly recommend it.) I'm moving on to the living room today. My shoulder feels a little better - I think I'll knit as well.
KNITTING QUESTION!
For those who've made the Ribby Cardi - what was your strategy for picking up the stitches for the front bands? Every third one? Every other one? I started out once on this and was looking at 400 stitches instead of 99. I'm too lazy to figure this out these days. Thanks for any heads up.
Now that I'm done my projects - I told my sister she can go any time. I'm getting anxious waiting! I may go down tomorrow to help out whether the baby comes or not - the kids are home from school - and my sis is about at the end of her tether.
Have a great Monday!
Love, Cara
Posted by Cara at 07:35 AM | Comments (12)
April 02, 2005
Bursting Forth
Just thought I'd join in on the fun. (Thanks girls, for the inspiration!)
Thank YOU for all your suggestions on what to do with my back. I checked out that Rolfing, Juno, and it looked interesting - not necessarily for me, but for Georgie. My back is on the mend. I slept much better last night - which is the most important thing. I need my rest if I'm going to be tackling them younguns pretty soon. (By the way, I closed the contest. Check back for the winner!)
John Paul II. I've been thinking about him - as is everyone - and I have to say, being Jewish, I really haven't thought much about him in my life. He became Pope when I was eight. My one big memory of the Pope is when he came to Philadelphia, where I grew up. For some reason I was in the house of a neighbor girl, Mary Ellen, not someone I was ever close with, and I remember her father on his knees in front of the TV watching the Pope. Praying, with tears in his eyes. The girl's father was very intimidating and strict and I'll never forget his humility. It's stuck with me all these years.
My other anecdote, I guess, is that I have one degree of separation from the Pope. My father-in-law is a Greek Orthodox priest (they can marry if they do so before they're ordained) and he went to Rome and met the Pope. There is a picture of the two of them in my in-laws living room. Knowing my father-in-law, I would've LOVED to have been present for that conversation!
Anyway, just some thoughts for a rainy, dreary Saturday. I have a little bit of work to finish up and then I'm home free. And Georgie will be home all weekend - his meetings were canceled - which makes me so happy! We've been missing each other. I'll get a little TLC this weekend. ;-) And I'm still waiting by the phone on my sister. The call should come real soon.
Speaking of babies, if you get a chance, go on over to Larissa's. She's currently relegated to the couch awaiting her babe and while she's there, she churning out a rather unique pinwheel of her own! Go cheer her on!
Have a great Saturday everyone!
Posted by Cara at 08:13 AM | Comments (7)
April 01, 2005
Since the Cock Freakin' Crowed
Yeah. That's how early I was up this morning. Not because of any god damn good reason - because I'm in pain! About ten years ago Georgie was on a business trip and I slept in our big bed all by my lonesome. I slept in a weird position in the middle and it got a little too cold in the bedroom - so I froze like that. Literally. The next day I couldn't move. My neck and my back between my shoulders was unmovable - and if I tried to move - excruciating.
So now it's my weak spot. Every now and then I get a little cold and stay in one position too long and WHAMO! I'm in pain all over again. I'm up early today because it hurts to sleep. Every time I want to roll over or change positions, I have to wake up and move my whole body at one time. Then you're up and the wacky, crazy, not enough medication in the world thoughts start and whatever. You might as well get out of bed. Why lay there if you're just going to suffer.
Before you all start telling me how wonderful chiropractors are, I went to one once. I went a few times actually. I think the guy had a crush on me or something because he seriously started wigging me out. Then I went once and I never went back again. No, nothing I would testify to in a court of law, but I did not feel comfortable. Sort of gave me a bad taste in my mouth as far as back-crackers are concerned. Besides, it's a total muscle spasm type of thing. If I dig my fingers deep into the muscles below my shoulder blades, I can move my head/neck with no problems, no pain.
I can still knit, so don't feel too bad for me. I always feel guilty about my pain. My husband's been in some sort of pain since he was fourteen years old. Literally. He's had four knee surgeries, hernia surgery and hip surgery within an eight year period. He has the hips of a man twice his age. That's what the doctors told me. He has the hips of an eighty-yr-old man. My pain will go away. Therefore, it's not so bad.
One good thing happened to me that I forgot to mention. Mrs. Pilkington gifted me with the most outrageous project book.
The book, Knit An Enchanted Castle, by Jan Messent, has instructions to knit not just a castle, but talking trees, a unicorn, a wizard, knight on horseback, princess in the towers, DRAGON - it's crazy! I'm afraid to show it to my nephew because he will insist I knit every last item in this book immediately! And the kid never forgets, so I'll be reminded of it every five seconds. Better I just knit the dragon - and maybe the castle - and surprise him. Thanks Mrs. Pilkington! You made my day!
I've been a downer this week huh? Sorry about that. Tomorrow is my sister's due date. She goes to the doctor this morning. Today is your last chance to enter the contest. Don't delay! There's a baby on the way!
Posted by Cara at 06:49 AM | Comments (10)