Expect the Unexpected

I am not sure of the best way to tell the story of my time in Louisiana so I have decided to go back day by day to the journal I wrote and share my thoughts with you...

Monday Sept 19th-
My mother waits for me as I go through security. Of course I get in line behind a woman who is telling me repeatedly about how she has not flown for the last seventeen years - and her daughter just got married yesterday - of course she is on my plane. I manage to dodge her and slip into a different screening line.

From the airport in Seattle I phoned the DR phone number I was given hoping to find that I would have a place to go to when I arrive in Lafayette. The call finally goes through I enter my information and "We're sorry that number is not valid" is the response I get. Panic sets in. I phone repeatedly. You may ask why - this is because if I do not get instructions from this number I will arrive in Lafayette with NOWHERE to go. No place to sleep. Nothing. I try again and again. The number is still incorrect. I to keep the panic to a minimum while eating my Dish Delish sandwich in the fancy remodeled SeaTac airport.

I board the plane and while onboard continue my calling. My friend Tasha is trying to email Red Cross for me, I have phoned the Seattle Chapter only to get a recording that says not to leave a message there but I do anyway. My phone rings! The Seattle chapter calls and tells me that sometimes the phone is being reset and I should try again later. I feel a bit better. They also ask me who I am and just how did I get to be deployed (lovely that national and local coordinate together). Plane ride is uneventful - I did get some knitting done and I swear I was sitting next to two strippers who were traveling to Houston.

In Houston I eat a somewhat disgusting dinner of Uno's pizza. Why are all the restaurants closed at 7 PM here??? I do have success with the phone number - it directs me to the "Cajundome" when I arrive in Lafayette. I have no idea what the Cajundome is. Once at the airport in Lafayette I meet three men who are also going to the Cajundome. Thank god my luggage arrives - all 61 lbs of it!

While walking out to take the shuttle to the Cajundome I meet three women who are Red Cross volunteers and are heading to a hotel. A HOTEL! They suggest that I come with them. Now I am not a dummy - three other female traveling companions and a hotel OR three strange men and a place called the Cajundome that sounds like it has cots. I choose - the HOTEL. We arrive at the hotel and find they have two rooms left. I get my own bed with a wonderful roomie from CA. I charged the ipod and make some phone calls. Enjoy the AC as it is HOT here!

At the front desk we spoke with a man who told us there are seventy nurses staying in this hotel working to take care of people at a local hospital . He tells us that this is the third hotel he has been in since Katrina. He says things are better than they had been when Katrina first hit "At least they aren't walking over bodies anymore." Oh My. I don't know what to expect.

My roommate and I have a good chat before sleeping. We find out that we need to get up early so that we can go to the greyhound terminal to take a bus to Baton Rouge where the Red Cross headquarters are located. Sleep feels good.

Travel Plans Confirmed

Hello out there in Blogland!

I wanted to let you all know the most recent developments in my Red Cross Adventure. I just got off the phone with the travel agent and have reservations to leave on Monday the 19th to fly into Lafayette, LA (through George Bush airport of course). From there I will somehow get to the "staging area" in Baton Rouge and then they can send me on to somewhere, anywhere - yep anywhere in Louisiana!

I have no idea what the conditions will be like where I am staying - the Red Cross says there may or may not be power, running water, etc. I also really don't know what I will be doing. It will be counseling of some sort but who knows if it will be with kids, adults, or whoever shows up. In the orientation phone call I had the other day they stated that in the places they are serving there have been literally hundreds of people - like 600 - who need to meet with a counselor!

I will be returning on Monday the 3rd of October (sorry Mom I'm missing your birthday!) and will go back to work shortly after that. One very good thing is that my employer agreed to let me take the two weeks off without using any vacation time. I didn't expect this at all and was very surprised and glad!

Currently I am feeling exhausted, excited and nervous. I so want to do this but almost can't believe I am really going. As the day gets closer it feels more and more surreal.

Well, that's all the updates for now! I am off to bed!

I think I will be away for a bit....

Today I got a call from the Red Cross that I will be going to Baton Rouge for two weeks to help with counseling for the Hurricane Katrina survivors. I am not yet sure when I am leaving as the message they left was semi confusing, but I anticipate it will be later this week. They told me that the conditions are "extreme hardship" meaning I could encounter anything - not sure if I will stay in a hotel, a shelter or ???? , may have electricity and running water but then again may not! All of that and the weather is in the 90's!

Although the conditions sound awful and I am sure the whole trip will be rather stressful I am extremely excited to be going. I am glad that my education and training are giving me a chance to do something to help some of the many people who experienced the awful trauma of the hurricane.

I have no idea what Internet access will be like on my trip but I will for sure let all of you know when I arrive home safe and sound.

Take Care Everyone!

SP 6!!!!!

Some of this may be a repeat from SP 5 but I did edit! :)

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I am an self proclaimed yarn snob. I definitely prefer high quality and natural fibers and rarely touch Red Heart or Lion Brand. I am not opposed to novelty yarns though - it's not like I would ONLY let my precious hands touch cotton or wool.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Spin - No
Crochet - Yes

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Not really.

4. How long have you been knitting?
It blends together.... two years or so?!?

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do but I will get back to ya on the link!

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love things that are naturally made with real ingredients and not fakey perfumes. I guess my favorite scents at the moment are lavender and vanilla.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?Yup! I like all sorts of sweet stuff... Lately I have been having a hankering for gummy candies and red licorice (but I HATE black licorice). Chocolate is ok but for some reason I just LOVE marzipan!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I recently bought some stuff to try to make my own beaded stitch markers but I haven't had a chance to get to it yet. I want to try dying my own yarn with kool aid but haven't gotten around to that yet either.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)I love music! All kinds! Folk, Bluegrass, World Music, some Country, Hip Hop, Classical, Jazz.... you name it I probably like some of it. Currently I have been listening to The Duhks, The Ditty Bops, Jill Scott, Joss Stone, Mark Bursard, Jack Johnson, Madeline Peyroux, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and Carbon Leaf but who knows when you will catch me throwing on the Indigo Girls, Lauryn Hill, Dixie Chicks, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Diggable Planets, Bob Marley, Ani Difranco or.....

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I tend to like Blues and Purples. I think I am a more of a bright color person than pastels. I am also trying to embrace the fact that I LOVE PINK!

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I recently ended a seven year relationship and am living alone with my two cats, Cider and Dickens. I am enjoying the single life (but not always loving dating) as I haven't really had a chance to do that as an adult. I live near both of my parents and live in the city in which I grew up.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
My dreams include having a successful career, expanding my private practice, having a partner I love and enjoy coming home to, traveling to new and exciting places, having a family and living a long and happy life.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Anything soft! There are so many things I have not tried yet. I have knit with a lot of Cascade 220 and I enjoy that but feel like there is more I should be trying. I like alpaca and enjoyed using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino when I made Miss Dashwood. There are so many new things I want to try!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Anything with too much man made stuff in it or that splits easily.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Trying to find patterns I like, wanting to try new yarns, thinking of projects I can make that won't take me forever to finish, looking for cute sweaters that work on plus sized people, wishing for a really cool way to store my needles and a neat knitting bag.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Felted stuff - especially bags. I would like to knit more sweaters and stuff but finding patters for plus size chicks that are cute is challenging!

17. What are you knitting right now?
Clapotis, a cabled scarf (still), and a baby blanket.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
Ick!Won't the trend ever end?!?

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I really like circular but am interested in trying some of the really nice pretty wooden ones that are available.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo!

21. Are you a sock knitter?
No! I gave up! I have at least one pair that is somewhere unfinished!

22. How did you learn to knit?
My grandmother taught me when I was very young but then I relearned again when I took a class at my LYS and was hooked. Funny thing was I had gone to a psychic (I never go to those things) who said she pictured me taking a class in something and I decided that she meant I should go take a knitting class!

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Hmm lets see... so old I can't remember! I think it must be the chenille flower wash cloth I can't seem to get to work right. :(

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I don't know that I really have one... However my secret pal from secret pal 5 liked Hello Kitty a lot and I have to admit I think I am starting to like her as well.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Cookbooks maybe... I also have a little seashell collection I hope to do something with some day!

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I am not sure I am dying for any of them.... Maybe 200 Crochet Blocks or Cozy Crochet (I wish I could tell if the patterns in here are cute!)

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another?
That is a good question! I am sure there are but I will need to do some research.... Will update when I get back from Baton Rouge!

30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
LOL I have no idea! I wear a size 10 or 11 shoe.... and I prefer socks that are super thin... So not ones that I would knit! If I was gonna knit socks for myself they would be more likely to be used as slippers around the house so I would make them out of something nice and warm. But then again maybe you can knit thin socks!?!

New Orleans and other areas....

As many of my fellow knitting bloggers have expressed I am feeling much sadness about Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it has caused. Don't even get me started on my feelings about the lack of response I think our government is making at this time. However, I wanted to take a moment to remind all of you to hop on over to the Red Cross website (you can get there through the banner on the right too!) and make a donation! Any amount helps. I made mine today and am glad I did! Also take a look at what Margene and Susan have set up! A very cool way to get us knitters involved in making donations! :) I leave you with two more pictures that I especially liked from my trip in 2004 to New Orleans.

Crumpets - the Late Night View....

Yes, I did take this picture in my bathroom - But I just couldn't wait to put up a pic of Crumpets! The party is tomorrow (I had my weekends mixed up) and I just finished her. She's a bit big for Miss Tamzin who will eventually be wearing her... But I know she will grow into her Crumpets! I'm not sure about the elastic inside and I rewove the ribbon about four times trying to find just the right look! I am so happy that she is done! Crumpets was a fun yet challenging knit - I learned bunches while making her. This may be the most complex project I have done thus far! :)

Technical specs: I used almost three skeins of Cotton Ease in Candy Blue. Did the picot cast on from Vogue Knitting (Boy was that fun - Not So Much!!!), made adjustments in the ties, and used more beads than the pattern called for - not sure how many but maybe 1 and a half times the amount. I swatched and then cast on for the 1 year old size - but as the bodice came together I realized this was going to fit a two year old! I adjusted the length to compensate. Lined the bodice with elastic. If I made this again I would possibly use a smaller size needle as she seems a bit loosely knit. I would also buy a longer length of ribbon than the pattern calls for. I'm not sure I'd use the Cotton Ease again as it was VERY splitty on the needles. Note to self - if you make this again make the ties way way longer than you think they need to be! PS I never knew I could LOVE - I mean LOVE my iron! I touched the dress up a bit with the iron and it made all the difference in the world - especially on the crochet edging on the bottom!

RIP Six Feet Under

I can't believe it is over. I was mourning the passing of this, my all time favorite TV show, as I watched the final episode tonight. This got me to thinking..... Why do I care so much about this TV show ending??? Then I realized - this show has been there during an interesting time in my life. I have watched it from ages 25-30; times where I have personally changed greatly. I have switched jobs, opened a business, ended a long term relationship and come to understand many things about myself as a person overall. This simple TV show has always touched me emotionally - made me laugh and made me cry. However it is now ending. An ending of a time in my life but also moving into something new..... I wonder what life will hold?

Plodding Along

I haven't been in the best of moods lately (major understatement) and that's been effecting my knitting progress somewhat. Clapotis is a bit further along but not really worth another picture yet. However this is the Corner to Corner Baby Blanket that I am working on for a special little someone

It's knitting up pretty quickly and it's interesting to watch the way the yarn is making patterns on it's own as I knit. I am not sure that I would do this exact pattern again as it is a bit boring - maybe just a tad to easy for my taste at the moment.

Crumpets has been blocked (hah - my version of blocking that is!) But I am still working on the elastic. I will for sure take a picture of her before she is given away this Saturday! :)

Finally, I am excited on the secret pal front - I have one more giftie to send my pal - and this one is the big one... I am looking forward to seeing what she thinks of my choices. I have been loving how my pal keeps commenting on my blog - it definitely makes me feel special! :) At the moment I am trying to decide if I should do Secret Pal 6 but my mind isn't sure yet.

The Beginnings of Clapotis

To me that title sounds a little like a STD... But no Clapotis is not an STD she's a beautiful drop-stitch wrap!! My Clapotis is being made out of KnitPicks Shimmer in Happy Dance and she looks a little bit more orangeish here than she does in real life. So far it's an enjoyable pattern and a fun yarn to work with. I do kind of wish that I could have used another yarn like Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb or Noro Silk Garden but since this baby is gonna cost me around twenty bucks you can't complain too much!

In other news my cats are shedding a ton due to the hot weather we have been having. Despite the fact that I had brushed Cider on Monday the hair was flying off him again by Wednesday. After I brushed him I somehow ended up flattening the hair out and this was the result:

I can't decide if it is more of a hat, a Yarmulke or a Toupe. My mother thinks it should have ties somewhat like Crumpets. Even though I was talking with KE about knitting with cat fur at the Yarn Harlot's book signing I think making icords out of cat fur is a bit of an adventure that I am not yet ready to tackle.

Oh and yes - even though I arrived late and it was incredibly hot upstairs the Yarn Harlot's reading was wonderful! I laughed a lot and made some progress on Clapotis, ate yummy cake and drank lemonade and had a delightful chat with KE and her husband and met Stephanie and her sign my book. Also I found out I was famous... For my toilet picture.... At least I now definitely know that I have blog readers! I may be famous for a toilet picture but it's a start! :)

How Glad Am I...

That I am paying astronomical monthly dues to my condo association and a sky high mortgage payment to live next to a neighbor whose porch looks like this?


Yes, you are correct, it is a toilet. A toilet set out on her porch. How lovely. Bonus - it is currently being used as a table for her ashtray. Beautiful.

My Secret Pal is Psychic and Canadian Eh?

(Trying to fight the screaming associated with the post I just wrote getting deleted due to my pop up blocker) I can't recreate it at the moment - just can't do it. So let's just say ~

My secret pal sent me way cool stuff. A hand knit scarf, a nifty magazine, some cute sticky notes and three balls of Patons Grace in Azure. My pal is psychic because I had been wanting some cotton yarn to do some crocheting but couldn't bring myself to indulge in this treat. I was also excited to see my pal is Canadian - I don't think I have ever received an Air Mail package before :)

On the knitting front - Crumpets is done but needs to be blocked - pictures will follow soon! I have begun Clapotis and I need to start a baby blanket for my cousin and her boyfriend who are expecting a little boy in Nov. I picked up some Patons Pixie yarn but am now worried about using it as it is discontinued and some people have said they hated working with it. But it is fluffy and cute and my cousin LOVES soft fluffy stuff! Now I just need to find a pattern for it.... Any suggestions???

By the way - Stitch and Pitch was fun! :) I made a bunch of progress finishing Crumpets and the night was beautiful!!! I now think all sporting events should have a night like this! :)

Home Sweet Home.....

Miss Dashwood was a hit! I had a great time at my friend's baby shower for her soon to arrive home little girl. She and her husband are adopting and they have been waiting to go over and pick up their little bundle of joy for months now. I am very excited for them! Plus the whole thing gave me hope that if I someday can't birth babies it would be just as awesome to adopt.

Visiting people's homes always gets me thinking and this last weekend I was the houses of two friends I have not been to before. I came home from the second one thinking "my condo is a dump - why doesn't it look like their house???" I continued to ponder this thought and realized that for some reason whenever I go over to a home that looks like it popped out of the Pottery Barn I become insanely jealous. I want that furniture, that paint, those curtains - even the f***ing hand towels! I start thinking all of my stuff is crap and that I could never possibly be as stylish as aforementioned person.

This time as I was green with envy I tried to gain some insight into my feelings. I didn't figure things out completely but I did make some progress! I realized that I had also really loved the style of the first person's home I visited this weekend. Funny thing is - these two homes were wildly different in decor and style. Pottery Barn vs. Eclectic Woo Woo with a touch of Pier One and Archie McPhee's. I think I even felt more at home in the Eclectic Woo Woo house. But for some damn reason I feel like my life should be Pottery Barn.... and it just isn't! Somehow I now know that I need to come to enjoy my Eclectic Minimally Woo Woo Hand Me Down and Antique Comfy Cosy Condo - I couldn't keep up with the cleaning the Pottery Barn would require anyway! :)

She's finished!

Miss Dashwood is finally finished! Just in time to be given away tomorrow! Above you can see her without the earflaps down.

Here she is with her ear flaps down for extra cold days:

And the sweet sweet buttons I found that were just perfect for securing her earflaps when they aren't needed!

Hopefully little Torrin can wear this hat for many of the cold winter days ahead after she comes home to her new parents!

Miss Dashwood

Here she is... or at least most of what is done thus far. I have also finished the earflaps but I became so frustrated with the ties that I stopped and did the finishing on the hat and the earflaps (a definite sign of frustration when I am WANTING to sew in the ends!) She wasn't too difficult to knit. This picot cast on was sooooo much easier than the one in the Vogue Knitting book. I know there are a few mistakes in her but I am hoping a non knitters eye will not notice them. ;) Now if I can just motivate myself to make those ties. I frogged the first one two or three times already and considered I cord but I really want to do the one from the pattern because I think it is pretty.

What Do You Knit When...

You are on a cruise/beach vacation?

I am SO EXCITED!!! Two nights ago my good friend from High School Jill and I booked a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on Holland America! We got a pretty good deal and are going to be visiting some wonderful places and I am especially happy because when we are cruising Dec 4-11 in the Caribbean with beautiful warm weather it will likely be cold and rainy in Seattle. You can see the places we are going over there on the left - I haven't been to any of them before so I am really thrilled!

We will be sailing on the ms Westerdam in a room with a balcony! I have cruised before - three times to be exact - but never to such cool places on a nice cruise line with a fabulous friend and an AWESOME room! I am really really excited (if you can't tell)! The ship even has a Culinary Arts Center which is super neat because I love cooking and I am hoping I can watch or participate in something fun there as well as spending some time (and $$ of course) in the Spa. I swear this is going to be my dream vacation! :)

So now I am already thinking - what do I bring to knit? I know we will be spending a good amount of time hanging out by the pool and relaxing on beaches when in port - most sane people would read but I figure I can knit! Can't I? I know it might be messy so maybe it isn't a good idea but there has to be a way... Some project I can take with me to enjoy while I am sailing and sunning.... Any suggestions????

More Crumpets!

Here's the progress to date! The skirt is simple but taking a loooooong time! I am ready for her to be finished! As I was knitting away in a staff meeting this morning I realized two things 1) Knitting is like blood pressure medication or valium when in a meeting that is stressful 2) Holy Crap! I need to get started on Miss Dashwood because it needs to be done for a baby shower I am going to on the 24th! I really hope the pattern isn't too difficult otherwise I will need to run out and buy a gift! Ok I am off to cast on.... that darn picot thing again....

I have readers!!!! (and crumpets progress)

OMG! I was looking at my blog today for some reason and I noticed there were comments that hadn't arrived in my email box! How thrilled am I to know that there are really people who even looked at it besides my secret pal! (Not that I don't appreciate your comments SP!)

Aside from taking the photos of my stash additions and my cat Cider, I haven't delved into them yet. I am still working on crumpets - no major errors to report however the yarn got SUPER tangled the other night so I had to cut part of it and then spend hours winding it into a ball. I am a bit worried that all that bead stringing is going to have to be redone from my cutting but at least the yarn is usable again. (Note to self - NEVER buy cheap yarn again).

I was having another thought today as I was doing my laundry. Why is it that Knitters and Druggies have a "Stash"? Do other people with hobbies have a "Stash"? I have never heard my friends who are into gardening, or reading, or cooking refer to their "Stash" of plants, books or cooking utensils. Knitters however are a different breed - we hoard our yarn, frequently are "jonesing" for a new fiber, ohh and ahh over the different options we can purchase much as one might be thrilled in a "coffee shop" in Amsterdam if they were a pothead! Now maybe I am naive and other there are other hobbies where people are as fanatic about their "Stash" as knitters. However I think I know one or two people who seem as addicted to knitting or yarn as one might be to crack! (Not naming any names here) :) Maybe we need a new saying - something like "Rugs, not Drugs."

This Week's Additions to my Stash!

I wish I could say that my stash gets such wonderful additions each week, but unfortunately that is not the case! However, aside from the sale mentioned below I have added to my stash in a couple other ways this week!

First, my order from knitpicks finally arrived! I only say finally because it felt like it took forever - but it was still within the allotted time they quoted me for my free shipping. The Shimmer that arrived from them is beautiful and oh-so-soft! It will look great in my Clapotis and I am chomping at the bit wanting to start! However first I have to figure out how to wind it into a ball..... Any suggestions?

Secondly, I ordered some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran from Knit2 Purl2. I was SUPER happy with the fact that I got it on sale AND it arrived VERY fast! It came in maybe three days! I would definitely order from them again!

I am so excited about all of these yummy new additions I just have to show them to you one more time!!! (But this time with my cat too!)

The insanity of a Yarn Sale!

Today I had a very interesting knitting day. I woke up early (for me) and drove on over to Bellevue to visit a sale at what used to be Skeins Ltd. and will soon be Hilltop East. Although I have never been to the original Hilltop I the yarn and needles were on sale for 40% off so I figured I had to go! I arrived at approximately 10:15 AM - the sale was supposed to start at 10- and Oh the INSANITY! There were no parking places left and the store was PACKED! This place was the equivalent of Walmart on the day after Thanksgiving for knitters... There were people sitting on the floor looking at yarn, people crowding around yarn, people with multiple bags of yarn and luckily not too many rude people with yarn! :) I scored some great purchases (of course the stuff I was looking for was mostly gone but that didn't stop me from picking up other things) and then spent almost THREE HOURS in line to pay for said purchases. Yes, you heard me correctly - THREE HOURS!!!! The line snaked throughout the store and even though the store isn't that big it took forever! I could have just done all my shopping while standing in line to pay! By the end of the shopping extravaganza I was tired, cranky, my feet hurt and I was starving (I now know to NEVER head to a yarn store sale without eating breakfast first). However I had picked up patters for a buck each (score!) and two sets of Addi's, some DPN's as well as Manos del Uruguay, Cascade 220, Crystal Palace Squiggle, Classic Elite Bam Boo and one solitary skein of Noro Kureyon - all for 40% off!!!! Amazing! I am not sure what I am going to make with it all but that is half of the fun! I am eager to see what the store will look like in it's reincarnation and give kudos to the friendly staff for their hard work they did today! :)