Planning begins....

So this post won't be so knitting related - I realized that I am wanting to ramble about something else for a bit and have a space where I can keep track of my --- Trip Planning!!!! I am really really hoping to go to Mardi Gras this year and thought that I would keep you all up to date with those plans - and who knows maybe someone will even give me some good lodging suggestions or Mardi Gras hints!

I've never done Mardi Gras before - and I have great excitement but also some fears about it I guess. I am not sure that I can even imagine what the crowds are like.... but I've been to many crowded events in DC and NYC before so I suppose if I could survive them I will be fine!

On the other hand - I am just SO excited to experience the whole thing! The people, the parades and floats, yummy drinks, beads beads and more beads and just to be back to the New Orleans culture in general. I really miss Nola and hope that some day I actually have the chance to live there or at least stay for an extended time.

The first task at the moment for this trip is finding a place to stay.... It is INSANE to me how much rooms are costing! Looking on Orbitz right now even staying at the Holiday Inn (not my favorite) is $204 a night.... the Ramada is $299 - based on those quotes - and the fact that it would be more fun - I'll be looking into B&B's! Anyone have any suggestions? :)

SP 9 Questions and Answers!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Colorful and soft! I really really am a natural fiber girl! I enjoy wool (mmm alpaca especially) and cotton - I have some bamboo in my stash but I haven't tried it yet. I like blends with natural fibers (ie silk garden) and am interested in trying more natural fibers (soy, corn, hemp...) that I haven't yet experimented with. I REALLY REALLY DON'T like synthetic fibers and even hesitate if a fiber such as wool is blended with it. I am not big on novelty yarns lately and also seem to be preferring dk weight to things that are more chunky. I would love to try something that has cashmere in it.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I am still developing a system. Now I have a variety of things including some tins, a plastic bin and a soft binder with plastic pouches to store the circulars.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I think that I have been knitting for about five years although somehow I have kind of lost track. My paternal grandmother taught me long ago but I really picked up the skill when I took a class at my LYS. I would consider myself an intermediate knitter but working toward advanced.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I had both but have not updated forever.... I will try to do that soon and let you know when/if I do!

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

This might sound silly but I have to say I have been not big on scents lately. Lots of things seem to give me headaches so I really prefer things that are mild and made with natural products. That said - I prefer vanilla and citrus scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

hehe - I wish I didn't but I do! I love marzipan and tend to be a person who likes gummy and fruity things (jelly belly's) but not big on chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I want to spin! Just took up scrap-booking!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Folk, bluegrass, jazz, world music, country.... I like quite a variety... I can play MP3's

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like purples the most- also blues and pink! Not a big orange fan!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Two cats - Cider and Dickens. Single but in a relationship.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes to scarves, hats and mittens. NO to ponchos!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

hmmm this is a hard one... I think I am still searching. I have to say I loved clapotis and have been enjoying some of the little kid clothes I made recently. I also like felted items.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Sort of in between projects- I am working on a dishcolth from Mason Dixon knitting - I have at least one pair of socks that the first sock needs it's mate. Just finished a project and looking for a new one to start - likely it will be a Christmas gift of some sort.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circular. Addi turbos or bamboo. Not so into plastic but curious about these new ones with the light up tips!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I have a yarn winder - but can you please influence someone close to me to buy me that nice wooden swift! ;)

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Mmmmm maybe three or four years!

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I like Christmas. I am also now looking VERY forward to Mardi Gras as I am planning a trip to Nola for it this year!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

This is a funny question as I am trying to NOT collect so much stuff. I am trying to declutter and purge!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Hmm now I can use this as a place for friends and family to know what I am dying for too! My high price item would be those new needles that knitpicks is selling (I think they are called Options). I also really want to try something with Cashmere - maybe "Pure Cashmere" by Debbie Bliss. I like Rowan yarns but haven't tried many of them. Cash Iroha, Cashmere Island and Iro (all new from Noro I think) look very interesting. I'd also love to try something from Briar Rose Fibers. I'd also like to have the books Knit Fix and Knitting Without Tears. I don't have any knitting magazine subscriptions.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I wish I could refresh my brain on the crochet... it seems hard for me to remember most of it. I am interested in learning to spin.. but a bit hesitant that it is super complicated!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I wear a size 10 or 11 shoe and can't seem to knit a sock to save my life that fits me! I also don't seem to have the patience to finish a whole pair!

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

4/28

Why is it...

That when things aren't going the best in your romantic life you go into a restaurant for dinner with your special someone and EVERY song that plays is a love song?

Can anyone tell me?

One down... the other to go.

Sorry that these pics aren't great but I thought I would show you my latest progress....

A finished dishcloth with a dishtowel embroidered by my grandmother in the background

The back of the Jumping Dress (do you feel for me that I had to sew in all of those ends?!?)

The not so finished front.... lots of ends but less as I figured out a few tricks.....

Hopefully this will be finished SOON!

Note to self - put the dishcloth yarn DOWN! Work on Jumping Dress!

Hurricane Katrina - One Year Later

How is it that already one year has gone by but so little is different?

Have we all forgotten? I hope not. Take some time today to remember and keep remembering.

Look here for a wealth of information - photos, stories....

Being a Blogger is Hard Work...

You have to be creative, you have to be somewhat organized, stay on top of things, say stuff that is funny and witty....

Lately I've kinda sucked at that stuff.

I signed up for the Amazing Lace - but when I had to rip my project out for the third (I think) time I kind of gave up.... at the moment I am not even positive where that yarn is! :(

Then I started working on a dress for my friend's daughter's second birthday. The birthday has now came and went - I have only ripped back five or six times on the dress - but it still isn't done. Half is - but when I had to go through the anguish of weaving in maybe sixty ends on that side it greatly decreased my motivation.

When I was out of town I bought some lovely yarn to make socks - I tried to do two socks on two circular needles - tried it two or three times... ended up with a tangled mess... Still haven't Goggled about how to do that one....

And then I tried to make myself a lovely pair of socks out of my mom's opal yarn. I have one finished... it is a lovely shade of purple... but it is HUGE. It fits my boyfriend's foot - but it is so - purple - and I so wanted it to be for me.... not quite sure what to do about that yet.

On a positive note last night I started a ballband dishcloth from Mason Dixon Knitting. I love it! It is quick and fun and cute! I WILL finish it!

And I am trying to decide if I should do Secret Pal 9 - I really want to but I am fearful after my last two experiences - maybe the third time would be a charm????

I'm Famous!

I was so honored when I found out that Sage at Quirky Nomads wanted to read my essay about a drive I took near New Orleans. I love her podcast! Go listen!

ARGHHHH!!!

I was just getting ready to introduce you all to Branching Out. We had gone to a softball game today where we knit - fitting on Knit in Public Day- eh? And she was looking so fluffy and beautiful. I was getting a bit tired but decided - just one more row. Finished the row and then counted - off by one stitch! Uh oh! Well, I thought I could be smart and just knit back a few rows- I tried this and the number of stitches on the needle kept getting smaller, and smaller and smaller - till I had nothing similar to what the pattern said I should have. F*#K! I thought- and FROGGED THE WHOLE THING. Of course the yarn got stuck and I had to throw a part of the dang scarf away. Hopefully I will have enough to finish - if I ever do finish.

What are you supposed to do when knitting lace and you notice a mistake like this? I have no idea how I ended up one stitch short but I could have easily just made a stitch on the next row. I know this would have thrown the pattern off a bit - but that would have had to be better right? I am having panic attacks now of being on the 34th repeat out of 36 and making a mistake - no way would I want to frog at that point. Or even if I was somewhere in the middle. Come on all you experienced lace knitters - how do you deal with a problem like this?

Update: OK just now I went and read the Amazing lace blog- WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS BEFORE??? I found out that one answer to my problem would have been putting in a LIFELINE! Ok yes I am glad to know - for next time- but right now I could just light a fire to that mohair!!!!!!

Hurricane Season Begins.

It's nine months after Katrina and it's here.

Hurricane season.

Please take some time to send your thoughts, prayers etc to the people in New Orleans and the area that was effected by Katrina. They still need our help. It still looks like a disaster zone there. Nine months is a long time but not long enough. Take a look at this to get another view of how things still are.

I am back from NOLA but still there in my heart.

May this Hurricane Season be uneventful...

Most People Just Don't Get It.

Well, here I am back in New Orleans (aka NOLA). I've been here about a week thus far - doing more counseling services for Katrina survivors. Today I slept in after a VERY late night with friends (the most fun I have had on my trip thus far!) I had a chance to see the wonderful Treme Brass Band at Preservation Hall (I thought this was a HUGE venue and was shocked at it's tiny size). The concert was wonderful and we sat/dance right next to the band. I have pics that I will try to share later.

Anyway - I woke up late today and decided to take a drive. I had been wanting to see what the areas around Waveland and Bay St. Louis Mississippi looked like. I knew it wouldn't be a pleasant view but I felt it was something I needed to see to understand. On the drive over I stopped in at Cracker Barrel (I have to admit a fondness for their Chicken and Dumplings ) due to the storm they are only open from 6AM to 6PM so I had an early dinner. After satisfying my Cracker Barrel craving I continued on to Waveland. Words can't began to really describe the devastation there. It was amazing to drive down the street looking at storm damaged homes and then suddenly there are NO homes. The houses are just totally missing from the foundations. I looked around online for an example of what I mean and this one from The Decatur Daily was the best I could find. On the Saturday before Hurricane Katrina hit Waveland, Miss., on, Aug. 29, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Smith photographed Waveland's beachfront homes. After the storm, he took pictures from the same vantage points.
All of Waveland is like that as is much of Bay St. Louis.

I had seen pictures online and on TV - but today I realized nothing, I mean nothing can really make you understand the enormity of this disaster unless you see it with your own eyes.

I realized this even more clearly as I was driving back "home" to my hotel in NOLA. I was talking to The Studly Boyfriend on the phone and explaining how one of my front tires was getting flat. I had filled it up with air but there was no gauge to check the pressure available. I explained this to him and he proceeded to tell me that I should pull into the next gas station and have them check it. Trouble is there are no gas stations to pull into that have attendants who can check things at 7PM. In this area you are lucky to find any store gas pump open. Gas station with someone to do something - hah! I again called him when I was driving home to say I was tired. He suggested I pull over and get a coffee. Hah again! I was driving down the highway with complete devistaion on each side of me. The malls that used to have Sam's Club, Toys R Us, Office Depot, Sears, etc are all completely closed. There are no people living or working in these areas. No electricity is on in most places. It was completely understandable to me that he suggested these options - they would make sense in most situations - but right now- right here things are different. Normal just isn't normal. And I think most people outside of the area just plain don't get that. How can you?

I HEART Cast-On

Go! Listen Now! If you haven't heard it before you MUST take a listen to Cast-On. I am loving it! I found Brenda a few weeks ago and am now totally, completely addicted. I love driving to work listening to her - or listening to her anywhere for that matter. I could listen to this woman all day! Even if you don't knit I recommend you take a listen!

I haven't had much motivation to blog lately. Seems like life is just flying by...

Lately I have been thinking about blogish things I want to do. I keep thinking - I need to modify the format of the blog, add some more stuff to the sidebar, share some more pics of my recent travels with all of you, and then yesterday when I had to call the Boyfriend at home to ask him to look through my knitting needles to see if I had a size 8 I realized I could even make a page where I can keep track of that kind of stuff. How handy it would have been if I could have just looked online at work and then gone over to the yarn store to pick up those size eights!

In other news I am preparing for another trip to NOLA. I am interested to see what (if anything) has changed there since Jan. Let's just say I am not feeling hopeful. I am excited that I will be there over the Memorial Day weekend - I will be working during most of my trip but then I will get to have some F U N!!! Yippee!

I have a number of finished projects I should show y'all - maybe later tonight.... and then there is the new project I have begun. Details to follow!

The Goods Have Arrived!

When I got home tonight I didn't check my mail - figured it was unlikely anything good had come. However when I went to Amazon.com and checked the status of my package that was shipped on the 15th I found that - It had been DELIVERED!!!!! I almost - almost ran down the three flights of stairs in my pajamas and flip flops to get it - but I thought better of it and asked the Studly Boyfriend to check my mail for me. The anticipation was killing me as he was walking up the stairs (at what felt like a very slow pace!)!

Inside the box were the three books I have been wanting for the last month! Yippee! I had already looked at One Skein in the store - so I have some ideas of what I am going to knit out of there and I am saving the The Yarn Harlot's new book for in bed reading tonight but I immediately cracked the spine of Big Girl Knits!

I had been wanting this book since I heard about it's conception. And I am so excited to have it - from the twenty minutes or so I have spent looking through it it looks like a great resource for beautiful patterns as well as wonderful guidelines on measuring, fit, etc.

But alas it also made me sad.... The book is divided into three guidelines for fit - Boobs, Belly and Butt - now I see the value in this totally and I was so excited to have patterns that would flatter me, A Belly Girl - but I have to say - I love the Boob patterns!!! Some of the patterns are supposed to work for big girls of all shapes, but many are specified. To me all of the belly ones look rather - big - they seem like a ton of fabric. I pictured myself knitting for days with the yarn that would cost me almost a week's salary to buy.

As I said, I am much more drawn to the Boob patterns but Boobs, for sure, aren't my biggest assert. There is a tank top I LOVE called Cherry Bomb - recommended for Boobs and Butts, not Bellies. A great coat - the Natalie Coat - but again for Boob and Butt girls. And then the oh so cute Curvalicious Cardigan - yeah it will look great on ya - oh - as long as you aren't a Belly girl! GRRRR.

So I like the book but am now feeling a tad frustrated - with it and my belly body...

I know I sound like a whiner... :( I still recommend the book for the reasons above but why oh why can't I love the Belly pattern?!?

OK now I am off to dry my tears ;) and to figure out some good yarn substitutions for some of the patterns in the book (I am considering Bombshell and Lift and Separate).

PS Note the Marshmallow bunny in the pic? Studly Boyfriend knew I was lamenting not getting a one for Easter (they are my fav Easter candy) so he went out and picked me up a WHOLE BOX today! (Can you freeze marshmallow?!?)

PPS the afghan in the back was knit (?) by my maternal grandmother - anyone know how she managed to do that? It has all of these cool little strips with pieces reaching up into other strips - hard to explain, maybe I will take a closer photo someday!

Time Flies...

Holy Cow! How is it that almost two months have gone since I last posted!?! I do have to admit that I am having a bit of a lack of inspiration lately. I finished clapotis, made a booga bag that I don't like, whipped up a hat for my friend Denise and continued to work on a sock in Opal yarn that I am thinking may bore me to death. For some reason there just isn't anything that I have been passionately knitting or dying to knit. I wish there was. For weeks now I have been searching - looking through my stash trying to figure out what to make, surfing the net, even feeling willing to invest some hard earned moolah in yarn for a new project - BUT - I can't find one!!!

I had high hopes for the new Knitty that came out recently, but there isn't really a thing in it that I would want to knit for myself - or that I think will look good on me. I like UnGranny Smith but fear that all of those beads would feel annoying while wearing. At first I was SURE I was going to knit T-twist tee but then I looked at the back of it and realized I couldn't wear a comfortable bra with it - so that eliminated it right away!

Now I am holding out for Big Girl Knits - Amazon informed me that my order shipped today (which also includes Knitting Rules by the Yarn Harlot and One Skein). Now I all I need is Mason-Dixon Knitting and I will be set! Anyway - I have big hopes for Big Girl Knits - I am ready to make something knit that I love that I can wear - ALL FOR ME!!!!

Well that's all for now! Time to hit the sack - I have to remember to blog again soon and tell you about all of the podcasts I have been enjoying lately! Knitting Podcasts Rock!!!

Please make the call...

I haven't been posting much lately - mostly because life has been hectic, I a terrible cold and I have been knitting the same thing forever. I also am trying to decide what to do about this blog - I know it isn't exactly fitting my needs at the moment - so I am considering starting a new one - but we will see what happens there....

My main concern for the day can be found here. Yesterday as I was home convalescing I watched Oprah - lately she has been irritating to me, but her show was on "Katrina Stories No One is Telling." I was so glad to see her do this and to see how accurate of a portrayal it was. One story that she told was that of St. Bernard parish - one of the areas I worked in last month while in LA. St. Bernard was completely devastated by Katrina. Many of the residents that are still there basically have no where to stay and no way to cook food - but for now are living on a cruise ship, the Scotia Prince, that is set to leave at the end of this month - which is NEXT WEEK! The ship needs to stay - FEMA isn't getting trailers there quickly enough and the residents of the parish need this resource. Please please take a look at the St. Bernard Parish website and make the call to the White House asking for the ship to stay.

Knitting and Levees...

I have been one of the world's laziest bloggers lately. I keep meaning to write but then have these great ideas of what I should write but get overwhelmed by the effort it will take to write them! So tonight I was inspired and decided to just type already!

You will notice my blog has somewhat morphed into writing about New Orleans... Well today's post will be both knitting and New Orleans related.

For those of you who are interested in hearing more about the current situation in NOLA head on over to Tim's blog. He speaks from a personal and political (how can the two not be mixed on the issue of NOLA these days) view on things there. He has moved back to New Orleans with his wife and child after having had their home ruined by the flood. To me his posts really reflect the reality of the situation in the city. He makes many good points including that to rebuild the city New Orleans needs IMPROVED hurricane protection. They don't just need the levees to be rebuilt - things need to be improved. Our government needs to hear this loud and clear from all of us... A band aid just won't do the job!

Now on a knitting note Ray has help to organize a wonderful project called Bundle Up New Orleans. Head on over to the site to find out how you can help just by knitting warm items such as hats, scarves and mittens for the people in NOLA who so desperately need something warm at this time of the year. When I was there two weeks ago I was surprised by just how cold it really is. It was cold and windy and I didn't have a hat or scarf but so wanted one. I now have one hat ready to go and need to look through my stash to see what else I want to make. Please please join me!

New Orleans is Alive (well some of it anyway)!

So I meant to blog everyday while I was here - but obviously that hasn't happened! Today I actually shouldn't be blogging as it has been a kind of crappy day - but I had one happy thing to share with y'all - I picked up some yarn at the LYS so that I could make another clapotis (yeah yeah so I am not finished with my first one yet) - The yarn is a lovely hand dyed wool and I got a colorway that is grayish/bluish - I don't have the ability to take a good pic at the moment but when I do I will post it for y'all! (Notice the southern twang!) :)

I am super tired as the work has been very draining today - and note to self - if coming to New Orleans in January bring more pants - what were you thinking packing so many pairs of shorts!

Hey everyone - by the way - COME VISIT! They need you down here!

Back to New Orleans

Happy New Year to my few readers!

I have been having a difficult time keeping things updated on here - I went on my Caribbean Cruise vacation, got back and attempted to get ready for the holidays and then actually survived the holidays, and finally had to get ready for another deployment to New Orleans.

This time I am staying in the city itself and working on the cruise ships housing first responders (police, fire and city workers and their families who are from New Orleans and have had their homes destroyed). This experience is only beginning but is VERY different thus far from my first time here. In some ways it is similar - things are sort of confusing and plans change by the minute - for example I thought I would be working with children but now it looks like I will be working more with adults. I also thought I would be on the ships in New Orleans the most but now it looks like I will be in St. Bernard Parish which is just outside of NO and was also hit VERY badly.

I had many feelings coming back into the city yesterday - I hadn't been here since my vacation in November 2004 and things are different - but the odd thing is that the touristy area of the city isn't that changed. If you walked out of my hotel right now things would look pretty regular. The streets are filled with cars and people are out walking around - it might look less busy than usual and some of the businesses aren't open, but it all looks pretty functional. The same can be said for MUCH of the city. There are many houses, businesses, schools and public places that are still here and open. The New Orleans Tourism website is great! It lists many restaurants, hotels etc and tells you who is open - I would highly recommend it!

Today was a day of running around - trying to get a rental car (but of course the "system went down" and they had my reservation wrong in the first place), getting a badge (wait in line...). We also went on a driving tour of the city and saw the incredible devastation that has happened. Now remember there are MANY areas of the city that are doing well. Despite what the media has shown us New Orleans is doing a great job functioning. I haven't been down to the French Quarter yet, but I hear that area is mostly open. However there are areas that have been destroyed for sure. A wonderful resident of the city who is also a psychologist working to help the first responders showed us all around. We took many pictures - though I have to admit that after awhile seeing so much devastation - everything starts to blurr together. Home after home destroyed. Someone told me that it looked like a bomb went off. They were correct. Entire neighborhoods - communities - gone.

I am looking forward to getting on the ship more tomorrow. And to sleeping tonight!

I leave you with some pictures of what we saw today... the bad parts - I will have to take some pics of the good parts while I am here too... (I seem to be having problems uploading to blogger- but if you go here you can see my photos).

I feel so advanced!

Had a wonderful holiday - better than I had expected! Enjoyed the company and got many lovely gifts - including some moolah to buy some goodies! I used the first bit of it at Bath & Body Works yesterday to get the antibacterial foaming soap I am addicted to (even though I worry that antibacterial is evil) and then today I bought my first knitting related bit... A ball winder! :) Somehow this purchase made me feel like a grown up knitter! Like I somehow actually know what I am doing if I need to possess such an object. I mean what novice knitter would need a ball winder. I don't have a swift yet - so maybe I am not a knitting adult - maybe I am a knitting teenager! Am I insane to think that I could wind a ball without a swift? We will see!

It's been so long...

Since I've posted.

Lately I have been feeling kind of down in the dumps. My Caribbean vacation was lovely - blue sky, warm blue water, sunshine - but it was a challenge to come back to "real life." I am realizing that I feel stressed out at work, am not thrilled about the upcoming holidays, and really miss my friends that seem to be scattered around the US. Granted I loved going to college and grad school far from home. But when you want to hang out with your buddies it sucks. I can't instantly be in Atlanta, DC, Boston or Albany.... Unfortunately. It is hard having your favorite people live far away.

I have still been knitting a bit - finished a purple scarf for a little friend of mine in Louisiana last weekend. Still plodding along on Clapotis every so often. I think my knitting is in a little slump. Also I have been feeling bitter due to the fact that I participated in both SP5 and SP6 and was basically forgotten about by my pals. SP5 sent me a first package that was cool - and told me a second was coming... But it never did. Now SP6 - I was skeptical but hopeful - I have received a card, but nothing else. I emailed the coordinators and they say something is on the way. That is cool but I am bummed. I had hoped that I would have some lovely SP I could keep in touch with and enjoy - no such luck. I think I am giving up on SP exchanges for the time being. It sucks to put in the effort and not get it in return.

Bah Humbug!