Frank McCourt Pic

Finally here is a picture of Pulizer Prize Winner Author Frank McCourt.

Not Much Knitting News...

I finished Orient Express by Graham Greene. I like Greene. I'm back to reading The Golden Compass (a kids book). I finished the heel flap and turned the heel on the first sock for my sock pal last night. I did not work on it for a good two weeks. good thing I have until May 2nd to finish the pair. It's doable. I went to see Frank McCourt Monday night. He was great. Witty, humorous, intelligent, entertaining. I'l post a picture later. I'll try to write more tomorrow...it is late and I want to read before going to bed.

Curled up in a ball

What has happened since Feb 15th? Not much. Not much knitting. I've been mostly curled up in a ball.
I finished Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism. I started The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. I started Orient Express by Grahame Greene. I read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I read Watership Down by Richard Adams. I'm going to turn over a new leaf later today and knit. I am meeting blogless Connie for lunch today down in Oakland...this I am looking forward to very much. It was good to spend time with the Cranky Knitters tonight. It is late so more will come after I sleep 8 hours and have time to knit later today.

I Can't help it ... more pet pics..

This is the only picture where all three of my pets are in the same picture. Can you find them all?












This is Sophie sleeping in an awkward position on back of the chair.











This Sophie posing with her furry friends.

Spring Chronicle

This is the view from my office window...the tree actually has little buds on it.

Sockapaloooza Update

I have finished the leg portion of the first sock. I'm ready to begin the heel flap. You can't tell it by the picture but there are cables running the length of the sock. I hope my sock pal likes it.

More Pet Pics

Molly and Rosie
Molly in her Nappie (as my penpal from England calls a diaper).
Barnsie and Molly
Rosie

meme tag

List seven songs you are into right now. Nomatter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re any good, butthey must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in yourblog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see whatthey’re listening to.

1. Pachebel's Canon in D Major
2. Tuxedo Junction
3. Misty
4. Fur Elise
5. The Rose
6. Fly Me to the Moon

I listen mostly to classical music on the radio but don't listen for who the composer or the name of the piece. This is a listen of my favorite songs to play on the piano right now.

I'm tagging anyone who has not been tagged and just read this.

Reading Update

I finished Giants In The Earth by O. E. Rolvaag. It was not a favorite read, but I did like it. The author cinch the book with the ending.

Now I am reading Wurthering Heights by Emily Bronte









And The Preacher's Daughter by Beveryly Lewis. The Preacher's Daughter is about Annie, an Amish girl, who is struggling with the decision to join the Church and abandon her passion for self-expression through art or purue her art which means having to abandon the Church.

Sockapalooza Update

I bought a hank of Mountain Colors Bearfoot yarn, Painted Rock for the pair of socks I am knitting for my sock pal. I chose the cable sock pattern from Fall 2005 Interweave Knits Magazine. I am so excited to be knitting a pair of socks for my sock pal. She was easy and fun to select yarn and a pattern for.

X is for X chromosome

Thank God I have a complete pair of X-chromosomes and am whole woman. X-chromosome - a sex chromosome that carries genes producing female characterists and that usually occurs in pairs in a female and singly in males.

Greetings to my cousins Martha and Karen and their mother Jo

Today I received a letter from my cousin Karen in Illinois. She checks my blog periodically, so I am taking time now to say Hi to her and her sister Martha and their mom, My Aunt Jo.

Today has been a good day. I worked until 4pm then came home and went for a walk with Molly for 30 minutes around town. I've been reading The Giants In The Earth since. I'm taking a break for dinner and to pick up the house a little. Then back to reading I will go.

Oh I almost forgot one thing that made today special. At work I had the privilege to help out with the therapy certified dogs that came to the store today to be read to by children. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me. I want my next dog to be a therapy certified dog. I think it would be very rewarding volunteer activity. Go around with my canine best friend to hospitals, retirement communities, libraries, ...and visit with children and the elderly. Sounds like fun to me. Yvnonne...this event was geared toward elementary children who know how to read to give them someone to read to...I'll let you know when the next one is...you can bring Mathew and Robert. I may find out ahead of time and ask off so I can be there as an observer to take pictures and enjoy the event.

Y is for Yarn

at first I selected Yaweh but I did not have supporting picture, so next I chose Yarn and here is a picture....it's coming.

I signed up for sockapalooza...

I found the link tonight on Jillz's blog and signed up immediately. I am so glad I found it. I can't wait to get my sock pal with the sock preferences.

Not to get anyone mad at me...but...

I could care less about the Steelers. I've never watched or listened to a game and I could care less.

Memoirs of a Geisha Author...

Karen, Jennifer and I went to hear Arthur Golden speak at the Carnegie Lib in Oakland tonight. It was a fun night.

My Current Read...

I am Reading Giants In the Earth by Rolvaag. It was translated into English from Norwegian by the author in 1927. It is a Classic, though not well known. I am reading it for my Classic's Book Group at Barnes & Noble.

Holly's ZYX...Let me catch up

Z is for Zither...a musical instrument with 30 - 40 strings plucked with a plectrum and the fingertips. Music soothes my soul, hence I start my ZYX Fridays with this lovely instrument.

My New Favorite Book...

"...Human beings do not live forever, Reuven. We live less than the time it takes to blink an eye, if we measure our lives against eternity. So it may be asked what value is there to a human life. There is so much pain in the world. what does it mean to have to suffer so much if our lives are nothing more than the blink of an eye?...I learned a long time ago, Reuven, that a blink of an eye in itself is nothing. But the eye that blinks, that is something. A span of life is nothing. But the man who lives that span, he is something. He can fill that tiny span with meaning, so its quality is immeasurable though its quantity my be insignificant....A man must fill his life with meaning, meaning is not automatically given to life. It is hard work to fill one's life with meaning.... A life filled with meaning is worthy of rest. I want to be worthy of rest when I am no longer here..."

Can I Scream Now???!!!!

I just ripped hours and hours of knitting because it was frustrating. Stitches kept falling off the needles, I had not finished a row but I had finished stitches, k3tog's were impossible...so I quit. Never to return. Good-bye Bed Socks. May you rest in peace.

MEME from Heather

Four Jobs You Have Had In Your Life:

Talking Christmas Tree
Camp Counselor
Computer Programmer
Adolescent Treatment Facility Psychiatric Aide


Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over

A Christmas Carol
It's A Wonderful Life
Sister Act
Airplane

Four TV Shows You Love to Watch

Law and Order
I Love Lucy
Dick Van Dyke
Golden Girls

Four Places You Have Lived

Chicago, IL
Orange County, CA
Durham, NC
St. Petersburg, FL

Four Places You Have Been On Vacation

Smokey Mountains
Grand Canyon
San Diego, CA
New York City

Four Websites You Visit Daily

None

Four Of Your Favorite Foods

Ice Cream
Chocolate
Ice Cream
Chocolate


Four Places You Would Rather be Right Now

Knitting with my knitting friends
Camping in a warm climate state
California
With my friend Pam Logan in AZ


Four Cars You've own

Buick Regal (inherited from Grandpa Birkmeier)
Ford Escort Wagon
Toyota Trcuk (my favorite I put 174,000 miles on it)
Isuzu Rodeo SUV

I’m tagging : No one

Wednesday Post

I started my sleeping socks tonight. I'd like to knit for a couple more hours, but I must get to bed. I read The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald and led the Young Reader's Discussion Group on the book. Today was not the best of days, but neither the worst of days. I so hope tomorrow is better, though. I am having lunch with Connie in Oakland tomorrow and then off to Knit One I go. Tomorrow will be a good day.

Branching Out continued...

I have completed 9 repeats...mostly done in the wee hours of the morning.

The Sleeping Socks

I decided to use the solid light blue wool yarn to knit the Sleeping Socks (above) and the Hand-painted Lorna's Wool yarn to knit the cable socks. I am off to a yarn store tomorrow to buy my first ever cable needle, one that I can use with size 1 and size 2 needles.

Sophie is a very Peaceful Cat

Sophie loves to stretch out and relax.

Perspective Project

I am debating on knitting cable socks from Interweave Knit magazine or sleeping socks from the Vintage Sock book with some of the yarn my secret pal gave me. I thought it might be nice to have a pair of socks designated for sleeping in....they would not wear out as quickly, besides I like the pattern.

Yesterday and today are messed up for me. I got zero hours of sleep Sunday night. Slept on and off Monday. Now I am up at 3AM wide awake and I work until 10PM tonight. I'm not sure why I'm having trouble sleeping lately. High energy. Anyway, back to knitting for a couple of hours before I try to get some more sleep. I'm still working on the Branching Out Scarf and my vest. I may start a pair of socks right now. I'll let you know soon.

Sophie Sleeping

A Little About Myself....

I greatly enjoy the time I spend with my knitting friends. Friends are so important to me. Family is important also, but I especially like my friends because I do not have close relationships with anyone in my family. And Some day After my parents pass on, my only family will be my friends. For this reason I want to let my friends know how much they mean to me and to nurture every friendship I have. I have lived in Pittsburgh a little over a year now and I have several good friends, mostly women I have met through knitting--Thanks to our fearless leader Jane. I look forward to spending and sharing more good moments with all of you.

Work is going very good. I enjoy working at Barnes & Noble so much.

It has taken me a year to adjust to living in a new locale. I finally feel back to my old self. Enjoying myself and life. I have dreams and goals for this year and years to come. Like most Americans I am actively working on losing weight. I'd like to lose 50 lbs. in 2006. I'd be happy with losing 5 lbs. a month. I'll keep you posted on how I am doing. I've started weighing myself semi-regularily to keep close tabs on my gains and loses. I weighed in at 171 lbs. this morning (I am almost 5 feet tall) so you can see I really do need to lose weight for my health, self-image and self-esteem. By spring I hope to be back to jogging, which I love to do. Well I don't want to bore you too much. That is all for now. Til next time. Peace, Jude

Secret Pal Package--Overdue Pic

I absolutely love my package from my secret pal. Here is a picture of all the goodies I got.
The knitting is a close up of a tweed stockinette vest I am making. It is a simple basic pattern. It is nothing fancy, but it is my first non-sock project. Next I will knit the Ojo vest.

Pittsburgh Secret Pal Knitting

A Good Time was had by all as Jane would say. Below are Nora and Jane, Yvonne, Donna Heather and Cheryl and Holly.

Molly & Rosie Pics

A bettter Pic of Molly. Rosie curled up in the pillows.

This is the beginnngs of a basic stockinette vest I am making.

Knitting etc.

I finished my socks and wore them to work today.

I used my lifeline

I worked the third repeat, but on row 9 I k3 instead of k4 at the beginning of the row. I tried to take out the row stitch by stitch. It was too complicated. I ripped down to my lifeline and picked up 25 stitches. Boy am I glad I had that lifeline.

Branching Out Pic

My two repeats with lifeline. I feel like I accomplished something by knitting this. I branched out from basic scarves and socks. This is actually pretty. You could make a table runner out of this pattern.

Branching Out some more...

I don't have pics, but I did 2 repeats of the Branching Out scarf without any mistakes (that I know of). I am using a life-line at the end of every repeat so that if I need to rip out I'll only go to the last good repeat. At least that is the way I think it works.

Today was a very productive day. I knitted, I cleaned, I knitted, I cooked, I knitted, I ironed. I decided there were others things important besides knitting. You saw Jane's office? Well, that is how my entire house looks. Pretty much. I'm am cleaning up little by little everyday.

I had a good night at work. I did not work a couple of days due to severe tooth pain and associated pain medicine. It was good to be there.

I'll try to get pics tomorrow.

Rosie & Sophie

Rosie (left) laying in her favorite spot.

Sophie (right) "wearing" a baggie stuck on by static electricity.

Family Photos

This is my fearless Guard Dog, Molly. She is a high-maintenance dog. But I love her just the same.

I Branched Out Tonight...

It took several tries, but I finally finished one repeat of the Branching Out Scarf. Around row 5 I see a mistake, plus the cast-on is too tight, so I will start over one more time. I think the size 7 needles will work Okay.

A rare moment when Sophie is not racing around the house.

Reading The Hobbit, the prelude to Lord of the Rings

My current pleasure read is The Hobbit by J.R. R. Tolkien. It is the prelude to The Lord of the Rings, which I plan to read next. I finished One Flew Over the Cuckcoo's Nest by Ken Kesey and led a discussion of the book last Tuesday at work. It was a very disturbing book as Rick Marteeny, the store manager said. The Hobbit is very enjoyable. I am eager to read the Trilogy next.

Overdue Christmas Pics

This is Mom wearing her December 10th birthday scarf which I finished Christmas Eve.



This is Pam, my sister, wearing the scarf I made her. She liked it a lot. She commented "I did not know you could make this stitch."

I'll be Branching Out

I bought this yarn to knit the Branching Out scarf for my mom. Her favorite color is green. But to her this yarn will look blue because she is loosing her color sight due to glaucoma.

Knit @ Panera's Saturday

I had a wonderful time knitting with Connie, Koley, Yvonne and Cheryl at Panera's Yesterday. I knit the heel flap, turned the heel and started the heel gusset. I hope to have this pair finished by the end of the week.



This is my friend Bruce. He cooked Mac-n-Cheese for us Friday night. He is a talented knitter and needlepointer. I saw a beautiful Aran sweater he knitted. He has sold his needlepoint commercially.

One More Day without Knitting

And it is past midnight, so there is no way I can sneak it in. I was busy reading the Sparknotes for One Flew Over the Cuckcoo's Nest in preparation for the book group I lead at work. The group went well. I felt spent afterwards. I think everyone enjoyed it. Later today is another day. Maybe I'll get some knitting in.

Good-Night.

The Second Day of 2006

I did not knit today. I was busy taking care of things that needed to get done. Cleaning my house. Paying bills. Preparing for work tomorrow. I did go see Memoirs of a Geisha with my friend Karen Lumley. We went to Mad Mex for lunch first. I liked Mad Mex. I had a Thai Curry Burrito. Interesting twist on a burrito. I need to get to bed now, but I would like to get some more pictures posted. Hopefully soon.

Happy New Year!!!

I am very much looking forward to 2006 and the good things it will bring.

Below is a little tiddy I stole from Yvonne who stole it from someone else...

1. What new knitting techniques did you learn this year?

I blocked for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised by the results.
I learned to do ssk properly...I used to slip purlwise instead of as if to knit.
I polished my sock knitting skills.


2. Which completed project from the last 12 months are you most proud of?

Socks for my friend Karen. I used self-striping yarn with the Railroad Rib pattern. They turned out very nice. Much nicer than I anticipated.


3. What was your biggest knitting disaster of the last year?

Well, there were two disappointments. One was after knitting three days on a scarf for mom, I decided to rip it all out and make the scarf narrower. I've never ripped that much work out in my life.

The second small "disaster" was my sister's socks could have been a wee bit longer. Her foot is a little longer than mine and I misjudged a little.

4. Who or what has been the biggest influence on your knitting in 2005?

The Cranknitter group has been the biggest influence on my knitting in 2005. I've met so many diverse knitters who are all inspirations in their own ways. Jane inspires me to greatness. Yvonne inspires me to try new things. Nora shows the artistic side of knitting with her beautiful accessories. Connie inspires me to knit forever. Mary Ann inspires me to deviated from patterns and make up my own when I can't find one. Linda lets me know mistakes are Okay. The group as a whole keeps me knitting with regularity and gives me ideas and encouragement to try new things.

5. What knit craze grabbed you this year?

I grabbed onto the sock knitting craze in Jan 2004 and am still on it. I did not grab onto any new craze this year. We will have to wait and see what 2006 brings.

New Year's resolutions:

In 2006 I will knit: an entrelac scarf for a friend at work, a vest for mom and start a sweater for myself. I may also try a felting project...not sure what though. I am not a purse person. Maybe the cute slippers Jane knit for her mom.


I will learn to: splice wool yarn, modify a man's sweater pattern to fit me, do entrelac and a diagonal scarf.

To become a better knitter, I will: Knit something besides socks and scarves. I will stick close to my knitting friends.

So what about you?

Christmas Eve With Family

I am one happy Big Kid. My sister gave me a digital camera for Christmas. I will now be able to post more pictures on my blog. He are just a few. Above is a picture of the socks I knitted for my sister on her feet.

Secret Pal Package arrive via Jane

My secret pal really came through!!! I got tons of sock yarn, a vintage sock book, a journal, chai tea latte mix. I am so happy. I will try to get a picture to post for all to see.

Thank You Secret Pal

Stolen From Jane

TEN random things you might not know about me.

1. I'm the tallest I've ever been in my entire life.

2. I love warm/hot weather and hate cold.

3. I like making gifts for people.

4. I like being outdoors.

5. I can ride a unicycle.

6. Molly, my dog, is my best ever friend.

7. At my first job out of college, three older married men made passes at me.

8. I like to work on cars.

9. I like to Iron.

10. I don't plan to live in PA forever.

NINE places I’ve visited :

1. New Orleans (before Katrina)

2. San Diego Zoo

3. Grand Canyon

4. Pikes Peak

6. Smokey Mountains

7. Upper Penisula of Michigan

8. Key West

9. DisneyLand


EIGHT ways to win my heart:

1. Tell me I'm lookin' good

2. Make me a home cooked meal

3. Love my pets

4. Take me camping

5. Listen to me

6. Leave my home without asking for a lint brush

7. Give me a $100 Barnes & Noble Gift Card

8. Knit me a sweater


SEVEN things I want to do before I die

1. Foster/Adopt an abused child

2. Build a floor to ceiling bookcase along one wall of my home, complete with sliding ladder

3. Run a Marathon

4. Move out West to a more open-minded and liberal area.

5. Figure out whether Jesus Christ really did rise from the dead and is the Son of God

6. Thru Hike the Appalacian Trail

7. Ride across America on Bicycle

SIX things I’m afraid of

1. The Dark

2. Dying a painful death

3. Getting Alzhemiers (It runs in the family)

4. Making some Big Catestrophic Mistake

5. Losing my mobility as I get older

6. Living In Poverty

FIVE things I don't like

1. Our Government

2. Selfish and self-centered people

3. People who intentionally hurt others, including when angry

4. Pollution

5. Urban development


FOUR ways to turn me off

1. Pass Gas in my personal space

2. Flaunt your wealth

3. Demand perfection out of me

4. Ask for a lint brush when leaving my home


THREE Things I do everyday

1. Read

2. Breathe

3. Pee



Two things that make me happy

1. Spending time in Nature

2. Listening to Music

ONE thing on my mind right now

1. What will I be doing one year from now?



It's Been Fun!!!

It's Thursday Night

and Pam's Christmas Socks are finished!!! Now I need to finish the coat scarf I started a while back and wait for yarn to arrive from joanns.com.

Thoughts From Today

I had a wonderful time knitting with my friends Sunday afternoon at Panera's sitting in front of the burning fireplace. Mathew, Yvonne's son, was just as good as he could be. Quizzing us on movie and book trivia. He was cute and fun.

Today I had breakfast with my dear old dad. It was nice. Afterwards, we walked 30 minutes at the Cranberry Municipal Building. This is my way of easing back into exercise.
Tonight I started A Good Yarn the sequel to The Shop On Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. The first chapter was a summary of the first book and the beginning of the new drama with Lydia's sister Margarette.

Having finished A Million Little Pieces I am eager to start James Frey's second book My Friend Leonard. First I'll finish A Good Yarn.

Hi Yvonne. Thanks for reading my Blog.

Knitting with Friends @ Panera's

Mathew was so well behaved while Yvonne, Jane & I knit Sunday afternoon at Panera's in Butler. Next to my nephew, Mathew is the sweetest boy I know.


Pam's Christmas Socks. I will definitely have them finished by Christmas Eve. Hopefully by Friday.

Radio City Music Hall Rockette Christmas Spectacular

Today I went with Mom, my sister and two nephews to the show. It was terrific. Afterwards my sister, mom, dad and I went out for dinner. I don't remember the last time just the four of us did anything together. It's probably been decades. It was nice. A family. The only family I have.

My sister's socks are almost finished. I tried taking a picture but it did not come out. Maybe I'll get a digital camera for Christmas. That would be lots of fun.

I have not yet heard back from my penpal from England. I hope I hear from her soon.

Tonight I went to B&N and read three Kids Chapter Books so when I recommend them to customers I know what I am talking about. I want to start doing more of this. Stopping by the kids department and reading for an hour or so. Chapter books are quick reads. I picked the most popular series.

I am still reading A Million Little Pieces. I love it. It gives me hope. I do not recommend it for everyone though. It is heavy. Many find it depressing. I don't. I find it encouraging. So many books, so little time.

I saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Thanksgiving Day. I enjoyed it. There were only a handful of patrons there. I'm ready to read book five now.

I ordered yarn from Joanns.com during there free shipping promotion. I hope I get my yarn in time to knit a couple of scarfs for christmas gifts. Next year I am going to knit vests and sweaters for gifts. I'm comfortable and confident knitting socks. I still enjoy them. AFter Christmas I plan to knit a pair of cable socks I saw in Interweave Knits. But then I am going to graduate from socks and try a vest or sweater. I'll probably start with a vest, it is a less expensive investment.

iF anyone knows of an inexpensive indoor pool where I could swim laps during the winter months please let me know. Or if anyone would like to be a walking or exercise buddy let me know. I'm miss exercising and want to get back into it. HELP WANTED.

Thank you to my Knitting buddies who have become my friends. Y'all mean a lot to me. I have a male friend who is a beautiful knitter. He put his needles away after his marriage ended and he no longer had anyone to knit for. I've seen his work. It is absolultely gorgeous. His mother taught him to knit when he was a young boy. He is/was a knitter without shame. I wish I could get him to join us at Barnes & Noble. He is not much for joining groups though.

A Million Little Pieces

I've finished Pam's 1st sock and started the second sock.

I'm reading A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. I love reading it. I don't relate to his story of addiction but I do relate to the feelings of despair & hopelessness and the thin thread that he holds on to life with.

Work went well today. Christmas shopping is definitely in full swing.

I have 70 pages left of The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. It has not been a favorite. I'm reading it because it is a book club selection.

I had a piano lesson the other day. I felt such joy playing the piano again. I do want to keep up with it and hopefully improve significantly.

Today is a Gift

I'm almost finished with my sister's 1st sock. It will have taken me 4 days to complete one sock. It has been fun to work on. I spent two day at the Carnegie Library in Oakland knitting. If people can sleep there I can knit there. I'll get a picture of the sock as soon as I get access to a camera.

This morning I woke up to a phone message from mom telling me she wanted to take me shopping. How could I say No? It was wonderful. She bought me blazer, wool sweater, knits shirts to go with both, and a pair of jeans. Thank You mom. It definitely helped me feel much better. As I had been really in the dumps lately. That's a long story I never want told.

I went on an internet site and got a couple of penpals. The other day I received a letter from a penpal from England. She sounds like she has a wonderful bright spirit about her and a good sense of humor. I am looking forward to corresponding with her.

I'm in the process of boxing up another package for my secret pal. I've decided to change a few things from orignally planned. Hopefully I'll get it in the mail MOnday.

Today is definitely a Gift. I don't know if it is a gift from God because I don't even know if there is a God. But it is a blessed gift.