The new color....
And another smiling one for Jessica:
So Jody mentioned that she was going to dye her hair last week. This is something I've wanted to do for a while. In my early 20s, I changed my hair color all the time but I was young and didn't mind paying for it back then. These days, my cash is more important than my hair. But color is good. And with the Other Jody inspiring me, I colored my hair with L'Oreal Feria, color Chocolate Cherry, on Saturday. This was good. I was pleased.
Then, however, Jody had to post a picture of her hair and I was in complete and total love. Not to mention the fact that we had separately chosen the same all over color and this seemed like fate telling me that the highlights should be mine, too. {Love that woman and I haven't met her!} She had done her own highlights and they looked fabulous. Tuesday, with more than a bit of trepidation, I got the highlighting stuff and got to it. The results are above.
I'm starting to feel really vain about posting all these pics of myself. Perhaps I should tell you about more knitting soon...
I really plan on getting you good pictures but it's going to take time and I'd rather blather about other things than spend forever taking pictures so before you harass me any more...
That's the border finished on Spring Shawl and a bit of the eternal edge started. I looked back to see when I started SS and it seems May 7 was the official start date and that's only three and half months ago. Doesn't seem too bad for the amount of progress I've made considering that I'm not knitting all that much.
This is where I will also confess that I've started this...
But if Sue Ann's looked so good on me, how could I not...
The real purpose of today's post is to talk about Kool-Aid and yarn and how happy they can be when combined. Saturday night found Sue Ann, Tina, and I ready to embark on a quest for yarn dying excitement. We spent gads of time winding yarn into dye-able hanks - yarn that came in balls (much Ella Ray and other good stuff) and yarn that had already been wound from cakes because we wanted to knit it natural before realizing the error of our ways and yarn that had already been knit into socks that weren't meant to be. (Sue Ann, Tina, me. You may also note that in the picture of Sue Ann, there was a bit of adult beverage consumption to aid us in our creativity.)
We even had a mascot for support, our good friend Scrunchy whose tongue didn't always stay in his mouth and who sleeps with his eyes open in a mildly creepy (but oh so lovable) fashion:
I don't have many in progress photos, alas. We were too busy with our kool-aid and yarn to snap photos. There was much mixing of colors and unique application of said colors by all involved. Tina did one batch of RIT dye in fuchsia that turned out absolutely beautiful. Hopefully she will post pictures soon seeing as I beat her to it and that's waaaay impressive considering my track record...
Here's Sue Ann's fabulous accomplishment of the evening. This was what she was hoping for with this yarn:
Earlier in the day, an accident of the worst sort occurred. Apparently, if you leave a can of soda in a car in 100+ degree weather, said can of soda will explode. Assuming that the owner of the vehicle in question is a knitter, it is possible that yarn may be damaged in the explosion. If the yarn is a natural yarn that was accompanying said knitting owner of afore mentioned vehicle to request opinions of friends about what the yarn and it's compatriot skeins of luscious, only-available-at-a-wool-festival wool would like to become, the tragedy is further compounded when said wool is irreparably damaged by a shower of Diet Cherry Vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper (the world's longest named carbonated beverage ever). The only possible course of action was to immerse the yummy yarn is many packets of Black Cherry Kool-Aid and hope for the best:
Then, there was the yarn sausage (a big hit, let me tell you). I'm hoping that it will stripe because the color repeat is rather long. I'll let you know when I knit it up!
My three prizes (two KnitPicks sock yarn skeins and a 350 yarn {I think} yummy lace weight):
Everyone's results:
And finally because Jody asked last time about how much weight I've lost, a comparison from August last year. I've lost 60 pounds from my recent highest weight, though I don't know when exactly that was. I would say 40 - 50 lost since the beginning of the year.
Love to you all.
Phone conversation with Mom this morning -
And I did. That's right, people. My mother picked out my shirt for me this morning because I was too befuddled to do it myself. Sad, huh? It's a cute shirt, though. See?
And I've been knitting, too. On Spring Shawl. Bunches. In fact, I've only been knitting Spring Shawl. No flitting from project to project here. All Spring Shawl, all the time!
I told Nancy that I would post pictures for her a super duper long time ago but the weekend I planned to do it, I got significantly sick. While I was only sick for a few days, I was so distracted from the plan that I never able to refocus on my mission of acquiring pictures. Now, I'm almost finished with the border and it doesn't seem right to post pictures until the border is finished. Only 25 more rows to go! Of the border. Then there's the entire edging to knit. That's going to take a long time. An ungodly long time. But it will be worth it. So. totally. worth. it.
In other news, I got to see the the Yarn Harlot last weekend. She was fabulous. I may write another post soon (soon = later this week) about that.
Though, as I was typing that last bit about soon, I realized that the National Poetry Slam is starting Tuesday evening and I'll be going to lots and lots of that and may not have an opportunity for blogging. I might blog about the NPS. We'll see. You never know what you'll get here.
Or if you'll get anything. Do you?
Gotta keep you guessing!
Last week I told you I was busy having a life - going out of town, spending copious amounts of time with friends, all the poetry and music I won't shut up about. Blah blah blah. It's probably getting old for you by now. Me repeating the same stuff, just more of it. If I would take the time to go back and read what I wrote, I might be able to assess my repetitive nature more thoroughly, but with five posts in one month and all the blogs I know you people are reading, in all likelihood you don't recall what the hell I was writing about two weeks ago any better than I do.
But, seriously. With all my recent flitting about, I've been holding back on you. And I want to apologize for that. In part it's because my schedule has been firing so rapidly but on some level I don't think I've been ready to let you know everything. I've hinted about it here and there, given you some information and not so subtle clues. A few of you who know me on a more personal level are more aware than most. I haven't talked too much publicly because I haven't been ready to share. It's delicate and not something to display to the world if you aren't prepared to follow through. But this is important and I really want to let you know about it because it's a commitment that's dear to me.
It's been almost a month now. A bit more than that, actually. But only seriously for a month. We started flirting in April and I had a really good feeling about it from the very first. But I've felt that way before at the beginning, the flush of excitement that quickly dwindles after you really get to know each other. This seemed different. Very different. It was a challenge in the beginning because I'd never met another quite like this. But the excitement hasn't slackened and the passion runs deep.
When I wrote to you guys on May 16th, that was only the beginning. We've come so very far in just a few short weeks. (And don't be fooled by the appearance of completion, we've only finished the first step of a long journey.)
If I ever find a man I feel this strongly about, he better be very careful because he won't be straying far from my sight.
I've been somewhat hesitant 
to make a serious public commitment to Spring Shawl. I know we are meant to be together but ours is a relationship of convenience, moments stolen here and there - an hour at lunch, a 15 minute morning break, the few free minutes before going to sleep. We have no idea when blocking will commence. It is difficult for me to show you why my love is so strong when on the needles, a photo simply cannot convey the magnificence.
But then, the Amazing Lace came along, and we decided none of that mattered. We could declare our love for each other openly with so many. While others will strive for completion, we will savor the experience of one stitch following the next. Ours is not a summer of competition, but one of communion. A summer of wool and needles and simple joy in Austin, Texas. A summer of Amazing Lace.
Spring Shawl, how I love thee. Your garter stitch lace pattern on each row for constant interest, except on the border, that's every other row for a bit of a rest. Your vivacious violet color that brightens my day. Your tiny, woolly thread-like yarn that brings me pleasure each time I have a moment to fondle it. The excitement of the charts yet to be discovered. I savor our time together. If only you photographed better, I could share you more fully with others....
I tried to capture Spring Shawl for you but things didn't go well. I'm hoping some natural light will combat the shadow issues I was having tonight. Perhaps I'll make it home one evening this week before the sun goes down and I can get some better pics. This is the best I could do and it's really crappy:
I did manage to get a cute pup picture out of the deal, though:
But enough about the knitting.....
So, last Wednesday, Jennie and Cheri came over to the apartment and Jennie wielded some feng shui brilliance, improving the feel of the place fantastically.
This is what you see when you enter the apartment (before on the left, after on the right):
And another view:
I'd like to show you the kitchen to complete the apartment tour but it's not fit for display at this time. And please don't mock me for the hideous love seat. It's bad. I know. I'm aware. Painfully. What I'm trying to show you is how much things have changed. I never considered moving the bed out of its nook and was seriously disturbed by the suggestion (and that was the first thing Jennie said: Let's move the bed). I now love it in its new location.
The weekend was quite nice. I didn't do a damn thing on Friday other that watch movies and I loved every damn minute of it. Too tired to knit, I just sat there and absorbed the rays of the tube. Saturday was a fabulous day at Bluebonnet Yarn Shoppe (got the new Interweave Knits - some things to knit in there for sure) and an evening of live music with Cheri (which was a freaking blast even if Sunday was a bit difficult because of it!!!). And it was topped off by a late lunch with the family for Mother's Day at the Salt Lick - killer barbecue for those of you out of towners.
And I feel it is my obligation to let you know that I still haven't obtained light bulbs. But I haven't been to the store, either, so it's not like I've forgotten, I simply haven't had the opportunity.
There will be little knitting related information in today's post. Just wanted to let you know up front. Get it out in the open and all that.
Knitting Content: The yarn made an amazing arrival on Saturday. It left the United Kingdom on Tuesday and arrived in Austin on Saturday. I was incredibly excited. I felt rather dumb not checking my mail until after I got home at 10:00pm. I spent the entire afternoon at home working on Print o' the Wave and could have been spending time with Spring Shawl instead. The travesty. All because I wasn't expecting any good mail. Sheesh.
This is where a good blogger would show you pictures of knitting. But I don't have any. Because I'm tired and lace pictures take effort and I'm not exerting any more effort other than to write this post tonight. Perhaps tomorrow. If you're lucky.
I was supposed to spend the weekend cleaning. That didn't really happen. I was completely unmotivated on Saturday and spent most of the day knitting. Saturday evening I went to dinner with my mother and sister and then had coffee with the sister - Katy - who loves it immensely when I mention her on the blog. So here she is modeling a hat and mittens I made for her:
That's right, we were having fun that night. Other Saturday news: the question about the guy from the previous post remains unanswered thanks to Mother Nature and her need to pour large amounts of water from the sky at inopportune times. Drat.
Sunday was a little better on the cleaning front. Sure, I spent the majority of the day with Spring Shawl and then spent the afternoon with a friend, squeezing in an illicit yarn drop along the way (Amy needed her Merino Lace fix real bad), and then on to dinner with another friend. But, there was cleaning when I got home. Some. The big accomplishment was hanging the curtain for my closet. I've lived in my apartment for two and a half years with an exposed closet. It's been an eye-sore, to say the least. But it looks much better now, and this picture gives you an interesting view of my apartment and some of the more cluttery areas that need attention:
But tonight was all about the cleaning. I went to the laundromat after work and washed my sheets and duvet cover and clothes. When I got home, I had to wash the pup because she was super dirty and since she sleeps with me and curls up on my pillows, cleaner is definitely better. Before on the left, after - the other three:
I also vacuumed and mopped the floor and washed dishes and took a bunch of stuff downstairs to the garage that didn't need to be in the apartment. There's more to be done, for sure, but it's a very good start and I feel good about having Jennie and Cheri over on Wednesday. I'm really excited about that!
And some kitty pictures because I've been told that people like the kitties:
That's about it. I really need to remember to buy some light bulbs. I've needed them for a few weeks now and still haven't managed to acquire any. Perhaps if I tell the world this tidbit of information, it will somehow stick with me and when I go to the store next, I will return with needed light bulbs.
Also, please note the return of all pictures on all posts. Woo Hoo! This is a very good thing. I had to edit every single post and update the url for every picture, but since I shouldn't have to do it again, I figure it was worth it. Yeah!
