The patience of wool

I purchased some Ella Rae yarn in 2008.  I finally found a pattern for it in my 2009 Winter Interweave Crochet  for the Sunset Ruana. This is how far I got before it became too warm to work on it.	I picked it back up earlier this fall.  I finally turned the corner and added the second color.
This is a picture of my inspiration.  Interweave Crochet Winter 2009	The berry color is discontinued. Trying to find it online has been very difficult.  This is the heather mauve.
Today, I took these pictures on the floor rug.	My design is having some geometric troubles.  As you can see the neck opening is not centered. I have a solution for that. I am thinking the right arm will have an edging on it. When I wrap it around me, I will allow the side with the edging to be on top.  I should be at 86 inches on the right edge but I am 6 inches short. I will continue to work with the mauve color.  I want the next color to be heather pink

 I am have another wool project in hibernation. I think that I will need it next week when I attend a dance.  

 

I am using the Delta Stitch from http://www.hassdesign.com/DeltaCrochetTechniques/. 

This is Knitpicks yarn.

You will need to turn your head on its side to understand these photos

My 4ft double ended Tunisian hook helps me create amazing articles of clothing. I used to have a book for using it. Now I just wing it.  
I completed the hat and scarf for Trey.  He loved it.  When his father told him that I would be arriving to bring something I made. He shouted "not fair"  still thinking that I only made items for his sister. 

Office Shenanigans and such

I received my Vampire Swap package at work. We have Halloween and Fall decorations around the office. The table was the perfect place for opening my box of goodies.

I am excited about the tea and the Care Bears shirt. Getting the shirt was the best part of the swap. The lavender scented, candycorn sachets were made just for me. I have placed them in my sock drawer.

One of my co-workers and I have been having an ongoing battle of wills for the past 12 months. I am winning and not because I am the boss. I am wining because I have been using his coffee mug and leaving lipstick stains on it. And it has been driving him crazy. He will not wait for me to clean the mug either, he takes it off of my desk when I walk away. Can you believe that?

Today, I found a brand new royal blue mug on my desk. A gift from him. Funny thing is that I can barely see my lipstick marks on the new mug. I wonder if that means something.....

I work with a great group of people in my office, department and the larger university. I have made some great friends, friends with whom I can have a beer, glass of wine or a shot of tequila while discussing the latest novel, news or movie.

Random Halloween Facts from the Census Bureau

Halloween

Oct. 31, 2010

The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands

of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts and

vampires. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed

dramatically. Today, Halloween is celebrated many different ways, including

wearing costumes, children trick or treating, carving pumpkins, and going

to haunted houses and parties.

Trick or Treat!

36 million

The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2009 -- children 5

to 13 -- across the United States. This number is up about 190,000 from a

year earlier. Of course, many other children -- older than 13, and younger

than 5 -- also go trick-or-treating.

Source: 2009 population estimates <

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb10-81.html>

111.3 million

Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2009 -- all potential

stops for

trick-or-treaters.

Source: Housing Vacancies and Homeownership

<http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/historic/>

92%

Percentage of households with residents who consider their neighborhood

safe. In addition,

78 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they

would be afraid

to walk alone at night.

Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United

States, 2005

<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/extended-05.html> Table 4.

& Jack-o’-Lanterns and Pumpkin Pies

931 million pounds

Total production of pumpkins by major pumpkin-producing states in 2009.

Illinois led the country by producing 429 million pounds of the vined

orange gourd. California and Ohio were also major pumpkin producing states:

each produced at least 100 million pounds.

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

<

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/VegeSumm/VegeSumm-01-27-2010.pdf

>

Where to Spend Halloween?

Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood are:

-- Transylvania County, N.C. (30,203 residents)

Source: 2009 population estimates

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb10-81.html>

-- Tombstone, Ariz. (population 1,562)

Source: 2009 population estimates

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb10-81.html>

-- Pumpkin Center, N.C. (population 2,228); and Pumpkin Bend, Ark.

(population 307)

Source: 2000 Census

>

-- Cape Fear in New Hanover County, N.C. (population 15,711); and Cape Fear

in Chatham County, N.C. (population 1,170).

Source: 2000 Census

>

-- Skull Creek, Neb. (population 274)

Source: 2009 population estimates

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb10-81.html>

Candy and Costumes

1,317

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and

cocoa products in 2008, employing 38,369 people. California led the nation

in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with

146, followed by Pennsylvania, with 115.

Source: County Business Patterns: 2008 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

NAICS code (31132) and (31133)

422

Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary

products in 2008. These establishments employed 16,860 people. California

led the nation in this category, with

47 establishments.

Source: County Business Patterns: 2008 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

NAICS code (31134)

24.3 pounds

Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2009.

Source: Current Industrial Reports, Confectionery: 2009 <

http://www.census.gov/manufacturing/cir/historical_data/ma311d/index.html>

1,814

Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation

in 2008.

Source: 2008 County Business Patterns <

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/cb10-114.html

>

--

The Trouble with Roommates

Bender: Not enough room? My place is 2 cubic meters and we only take up 1.5 cubic meters. We've got room for a whole 'nother 2/3rds of a person

I am buying a single family dwelling in my hometown. The original blog on yahoo was all about being a new homeowner. I searched for months for this house. I selected it based on assumptions that I made about my life at that time. I thought things were going to happen that would make the house a perfect place to start a new life. Those things did not occur.
I had a 1200 square foot house and six months later, I had my first housemate. About a year after that I had my second. And since then I have kept an average of 1.5 housemates at a time.
Having housemates helped me to plan several renovations earlier than scheduled. I use all the monies that I receive from rent for the house in the form of repairs, updates, and maintenance. A douchebag has said to me on several occasions, "with so many roommate, you should have lots of money." Who gets roommates in order to make money? That is the purpose of rental property. This is my home.
After five years as a homeowner, I have found that I prefer living with someone else. I just go nutty by myself. When my current housemates move on to their own home owning adventures I will twiddle my thumbs until I find someone else.

Bender's Bender
www.comedycentral.com
Ugly Americans New Episodes Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Night of Too Many Stars

Bender's Bender www.comedycentral.com

Ugly Americans New Episodes

Nick Swardson's Pretend Time

Night of Too Many Stars

The benefits gained from having a housemate number in the hundreds. The negatives, vary from dirty wine glasses left on the counter for two weeks to sounds of a couple that does not include me having loud relations in the morning to mysterious counter-top crumbs to ambulatory gnomes in the garden.
Then there are the events of a few weeks ago.
I arrived home to a slightly tipsy housemate, Raynell. I asked her if she planned to drink for the rest of the evening. She indicated to me that she planned to get "pissy drunk." She had had a hard week of training for her new assistant manager position. I decided that I would purchase the next round of beers for us. I felt like some relaxing beer smuggery with the housemate. I sent a text to a work friend letting him know that I planned to relax at home with a cold beer or four. He suggested that we relax together after a hard week of work. In my case, a hard week of data entry and records review. In his case, a hard week all around.
First, I had to tell housemate #2. that I had company. I spoke with Stoney. She tweets so much of her life, that I will not be surprised to find descriptions of her BMs on there in the near future. I said to her, "Stoney, I am expecting company. You will need to refrain from tweeting it."
Do you know someone with whom you have to actively remind to participate in real life rather than broadcasting your collective activities on Twitter? It is silly.
I then informed Raynell, that I would not only be purchasing the next 12 pack but that we would be honored with a guest for our beer unwinding event.
Back to my company. I will refer to him as VW. He is a friend from work that I have known for years really and isn't something for Stoney to tweet about. My Facebook profile DOES indicate that I am single, so there was really no harm being done. I merely wanted to cut-off any speculations about my company from Stoney's twitter friends.
The evening went well. We watched The Color of Magic and drank copious amounts of beer.
Don't you find it embarrassing to have to excuse yourself to use the bathroom? Even when it is your own house? I did. So I waited until VW excused himself and I would take his absence to use the other bathroom. Which led me to the basement bathroom that Raynell uses rather exclusively.
I enter her domain and tell her that I have to use the bathroom. She yells at me, "you better not be shitting in my bathroom," I reminded her that I pay the mortgage and I will very well BM wherever I want. She reminded me that she pays rent to be able BM in that particular toilet at her will. I countered with "That is why you park in the garage and not on the street." She replied, "Don't be sh*tting in there." I realized that she was unnecessarily loud. I walked over to her and noticed the glazed over look in her eyes and realized that she had accomplished her goal.
This scene occurred two more times over the course of the evening. I accepted it like hair in the drain or three open jars of salsa in the fridge. I cringed each time hoping that no one could hear her drunken ramblings.
I thought her outbursts would be the most embarrassing component of the evening. Nope.
After my 3rd beer, the doorbell rang after 10 p.m.
I waited. I heard no one heading for the door to meet a delivery guy. I finally headed toward the door after about a minute or so. I spied Stoney at the top of the stairs. I asked her if she expected company. That jerk says, "Were yooooooooooooooooou expecting company?"
A strange man is at the door, another on my couch, and she is making jokes. She continues with, "Were you expecting company tonight" several more times. I stared at her in disbelief. She made it obvious that I was NOT expecting company and the idea of a surprise visitor made me uncomfortable. She finally admitted that the company was for her.
Of course it would. Jerk. A handsome man, six bottles of beer, and a purring cat are hard to explain to unexpected guests.

I can only hope for revenge and patience.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Don't they have it?

I received this email today:

Attention:

 I wish to inform you that the prime minister of London and the Minister of Interior made an arrangement due to the delay of your $25 million  boxes of  consignment  under your name, which was returned to the London refugee office as undelivered.

 The diplomat who was assigned with the responsibility to delivery your funds to you at your door step could not complete his assignment unfortunately he had a car crash and died.

    The prime minister of London  want to assist you to make sure you don't lose your funds because in your document i have here , you did not state that your funds should be used to support this scheme,i am very sure there is a mistake some where that was why i am writing you to be sure and how i can help you delivery your $25 million dollars to you in your country through a diplomatic means in London.

 I wish to inform you that your funds has been deposited with a security company here in London, I have been assigned the responsibility to deliver your boxes of consignment to you.your urgent reply will facilitate the delivery of your funds to you in your country.  I  need some of your information to make sure no mistake is made on my behalf:

    Your Full Name.............................

    Your Sex.....................................

    Your Age....................................

    Your Country...............................

    Passport / driving license..............

    Marital Status..............................

    Your Occupation.........................

    Your Personal Mobile Number................

    Your Personal Fax Number.....................

    +4470 35 97 1913 (London UK)

    Regards

    Tony Wright

Why can't he get this information from my Facebook page  like everyone else?

My effort for Vegetarian Awareness Month

Acorn Squash with Tomatoes and Pesto

I adapted a menu that I found online to fit my ingredients; the original recipe can be found here

Ingredients

1 acorn squash
2 TBS olive oil
1/2  onion thinly shaved
1/2 small turnip chopped
1 carrot chopped
1 celery stalk chopped
3 tomatoes chopped
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
1/4 tsp kosher salt
dash of pepper
 1/4 cup of pesto
Vegetable broth

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cut the ends off of the squash and then cut it into four rings.  Remove seeds and string.

Arrange squash rings in a casserole dish. Add 1/2 inch  of vegetable stock.  Bake  for 25 minutes. Flip rings and bake for  30 minutes, squash should be easily pierced with a fork.

Pour olive oil in a frying pan, heat it on low and add the onion  and garlic.  Stir occasionally and let cook until the onions are clear.  Add turnip, carrots and celery.  After five minutes add chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper.  Cook until most of the water has boiled down.

Spoon tomato mixture over the squash. Top with pesto. 

I didn't but you could broil the squash ring in order to warm the pesto.  I found that the pesto warmed up quite nicely from the heat of the tomatoes.  I ate the squash right out of the skin.

Most of the ingredients came from my garden.  I liked the crunch of the turnip, carrots and celery.  They are not essential ingredients. I wanted to add as many garden foods as possible.

The Gnome Home Invasion

Shocking isn't it?

He has invaded my bedroom.
This is the desk that sits in front of my bed. I use it for makeup, for hair styling and in a pinch a dining table. On it sits my TV. In it I gather all of my hair products. There are tons of the stuff. I am a girl after all. It is supposed to be a computer desk. I have repurposed it. It works better as a TV stand/vanity/storage.

The gnome has my glasses out. Perhaps, he perused the summer issue of Real Simple magazine. I only ordered the ad dominated magazine for a school fundraiser. That girl down the street is so cute.
Or maybe, the gnome completed some light calisthenics with the one pound weights. I personally use them while walking on my rebounder when I am not knitting and walking on my rebounder.

You stopped reading didn't you? You have no idea what I am referencing.

A rebounder is a mini trampoline. If you are as amazing as I am, you can walk or jog on the rebounder while crocheting or knitting. I use my project bag to hold the project and relieve any pressure that the rebounder would create while bouncing. I used to watch TV and rebound. I felt that I was wasting time. Today, I can complete a WIP and work up a sweat in one motion.

Urban Rebounding Workout

Urban Rebounding Workout

I see that my "Bus Stop Crimson" nail polish has caught his attention. I feel pretty sexy when wearing that shade of red. I would take a picture of my toes for you but I am in need of a pedicure.

In the back, the tin of Lavender scented lotion bar from my favorite vendor, Natural Bathtime Essentials.

He would do best to leave it alone.

Well, I guess his presence in my bedroom means that he has left the garden for the Fall. I will watch him show up in various locations around the house. I just hope that he wipes his feet.

Who I am

I have been thinking about my hair a lot lately
I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by another blogger at
Crown and Temple.  The post about being a professional woman with natural hair is here .  The experience made me reflective.
I love my hair.  I love its curls. I love its twists. I love its kinks. I even love the knots.

Actually. That was a lie.  I hate the knots.  I have to keep my hair tied up during the weekend or I will pull out all of the knots.  It is a nervous habit, I guess.  It actually hurts me.  Can you believe that I have the nerve to be tender-headed?
I have a collection of hair clips, bands, combs, brushes, and books. The collection could be considered out of control. 
Eh.  Maybe not, it certainly does not rival my yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, craft books, and bead collection.  Nothing will. Not even my love of chocolate. 


 I will share a secret. 



My favorite possession... The denman brush . Oh my gawd. This brush has awesome written all over it.  I use it for bushing my hair after applying styling products and wrapping my hair after it has been flat ironed. It amazes me so much, I would forgo chocolate for a month in order to have it.  

 I want more shirts with afros on it. I am gathering a collection of sorority inspired shirts that reflect my love for my hair.  You can  send any gifts to me, my email is ibfrizzy@gmail.

Despite all my years in the sorority, I did think that my hairstyle might keep me from being considered for higher positions.  Instead, my work in the sorority made me the natural choice for those positions.  So, on my first day as president, I wore my glorious hair natural and not pressed and proceeded to forget the names of my executive board.   

Finally, I would be willing to mortgage my house to buy this print.







When it became available a few years ago, I waited too long to purchase it. It is back and looks a little different.  It is also quite a bit more expensive. 


Alas..... I may never be able to hang it on my wall opposite this beauty.  
To the archives after the jump

Vintage Storage

I went through my old photo boxes the other day. I have them labeled for bienniums.  I treat them like scrap books, too. I throw pictures, cards and stuff into each two-year box.  In back tracking, I found some pre-2007 pictures in an unlabeled box.  

I found these old floppy disks.

I 

I didn't really know what to do with them, so I took them into work.
I mean, I didn't see any reason to possibly crash my home computer.

I placed the disks into my hard-drive.  Nothing.

I  pulled it out, tried another. Nothing.

What happened to plug and play?

I asked my co-worker if he thought that he could pull the pictures off of the floppy disk and make a cd for me.

I was met with laughter

Between guffaws, he asked me to repeat myself

"JibJab, I have these 3.5 disks here of old pictures. "

"What did you say?"

"I have these floppy disks. Do you think you can open them?  My computer doesn't seem to recognize them."

"Did you say floppy disks?"

I just stared at him..

"Yes, a floppy disk.  Now can you try to open it??????"

 He had no luck. I didn't expect this response from Jibjab, he is over 5 years old. I mean his is over 50 years old.   Of course, he had seen a floppy disk before.

So, we (together) went into the third office which belonged to the youngest member of the office. In hindsight, Jibjab had no reason to accompany me into Ambriel's office. 

"Ambriel. Jibjab and I cannot open these disks."

"Did you say disks?"

I hear Jibjab snickering behind me.

"For heaven's sake, can you open the disks?"

(ha, ha) "Why do you have disks?" (ha, ha)

I had to explain that I wanted to tidy up my photographs.  I wanted to move the pictures off the disks onto a cd-rom. Being only five years younger than I, I saw no reason for her to mock me. 

I mean, really...

I did not understand why this brought on so much laughter from my co-workers.  I still do not.

Ambriel's computer opened the files.  She laughed and laughed at the quality of 35 mm pictures.  She said, "Oh Gawd, I forgot how horrible 35 mm was."

Ambriel was the person who dragged me to the electronics store to purchase my first digital camera back in 2007. She insisted that I needed to upgrade.   I would have resisted harder had the camera not been on sale.  Hey, I still miss my Polaroid camera. 

After we succeeded in creating a new cd-rom from my disks Ambriel  decided to bring in her old disks to convert them to cd-rom. She did so quietly. Without any fuss.  She stole my idea.....

I tell you this tale to warn you.  To those of you like me born in early years of Generation X who came of age in the 1900s. Just in time for health science to warn us about AIDS before we headed college.  Thanks guys!
Dusting off your old tech tools may lead to mockery by the those who followed us. 
Gen Xers are half analogue and half digital.  I began my life analog.  I am okay with that.  Now stop laughing at me.  
☝☝☝☝☝ BTW I want this shirt.  
This blog entry speaks to me : 

Bury It: The 3.5" Floppy Disk Is Officially Dead. Wait -- It Wasn't Dead Five Years Ago?