Thank you to my Secret Pal for the card. It was a nice little pick me up after being in the hospital. The chocolate coin was sweet! I am gaining strength everyday but not as fast as I need. This recovery is pretty rough. But I have been told that I am fairly resilient and what does not kill you only makes you stronger. After this, I should be able to take on Mike Tyson!
I know that it is unusual to not hear from me for a few days but this time I had a REALLY good reason. Monday October 16th, I went home from work with the worst head ache that I have EVER had in my life. I took a ton of Tylenol, then I went on to prescription Ibuprofen and then followed all that up with Darvocet. By the time Tuesday evening came around and the pain was worse, I knew that something was wrong. So off to the O'Connor ER I went. A little morphine, CT scan and spinal tap later I was admitted with Meningitis. They were not sure whether it was bacterial or viral so they immediately masked everyone that came in contact with me and found me a private room to be with my infected germs. But cutting to the chase, they found that it was Viral and not bacterial which if you were to have a choice, viral is the better option. Bacterial can kill you apparently and now I understood the need for my caregivers layers of protection. I will say this, I have NEVER felt such misery in my life as the pressure and pain in my head continued with what seemed like no end in sight. Even know, I am not feeling 100% but I am feeling better. I was discharged from the hospital Sunday afternoon October 23rd with a prescription of Vicodin. Getting the perscription filled is a whole other story and if I try to tell it now, the pain in my head will get worse. But Vicodin for most is a fairly strong pain reliever, it is a narcotic. I think my body was having a little giggle when I started taking that because all along in the hospital I was given Dilaudid, which I was told that is 10x's stronger that Morphine. But I am doing better, getting stronger every day. I am shooting for going back to work on Wednesday (tomorrow.) But I know that I have to get in touch with my Secret Pal so that she doesn't think that I have fallen off the face of the earth for good, I was just gone for a week. But I have to day, I got out of the hospital in time to make my Stitch n' Bitch meeting and I told my boyfriend, "Look I could still make it SNB" Of course he though I was nuts. I was really kidding with him, but I did miss seeing everyone. So, I will be checking in with you all in a couple of days.
Knit ya later...
Today was the Grand Opening of Purlescense in Sunnyvale. There was a very big crowd, I got there just about 20 minutes after they opened and there was hardly enough walking room. And at the rate that they were selling yarn and the amount of people, it looked like they were going to run out of yarn, and that is not really a bad thing! The store is beautiful, they have done a great job. So my contribution to the new store was the purchase of Scarf Style and 2 skeins of navy blue and 2 skeins of gold yarn. I was needing the Scarf Style book for the Lady Eleanor Stole that I have Noro yarn sitting and waiting to be knit. And well the navy and gold yarn is for my Notre Dame scarf that I am going to knit. It was a small contribution, but it is important to support your yarn store.
I am so close to finishing my Clapotis that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just one more increase and I will be down to my decreases. I need to hurry up and finish it because I have to start my grandmothers birthday gift soon if I want to get it to her on time. I will be getting lots of knitting done tomorrow, I have a karate tournament to be at for our school SJJKC and they are fairly long. I will have plenty of time between our students events to hopefully walk out of there with a completed Claoptis! I will have to let you know what happens.
At one time I used to live in San Francisco and the amount of bicycle riders was huge. If you lived in the city and you drove a car, you had to learn to get along. And for the most part, the bike riders obeyed traffic laws. Well this morning here in San Jose, I found an idiot bike rider. I am at a stop light at the intersection of Market and San Fernando and I had a red light, a bike rider comes up along me and just cycles into the intersection! Oh, but did I mention that he bumped into my car before riding into the intersection against the red light? So I was a bit annoyed with this guy and he has cycled on ahead. But I end up catching up to the guy once the light turned green because a delivery truck was double parked and he darts out into my lane without looking and I had to slam on my breaks so I didn't hit him. And no, he had no mirrors on the bike either and again, he goes on and I end up at a red light. Once it turns green I move forward and I start to approach another delivery van (its downtown, what do you expect?) and just past the van half way into MY lane is the idiot OFF his bike leaning over with his back against traffic picking up his backpack, he is now certifiable an idiot. The manufacturer of my car gave me horn and I used it! He then has the nerve to look at me like I was crazy! And that is how my day started. I hope everyone elses' day was not as annoying.
On another note, I think I have found some great yarn for my Secret Pal. I still have to get a few other things too.
I meant to post this yesterday but I got to busy and forgot. OOPS
For the record, I am a Project Runway fan. I love the art of the design. I am actually in awe of someone that can design and make clothes. I can barely sew a button much less hem a skirt or pants. I did try to make curtains once, I was told that it was REALLY EASY. Well, easy my ass. Fabric, thread, scissors and tiny sharp needles are NOT my thing! But I digress.
Project Runway is about to end its 3rd season, I have seen them all. This season is by far the best one yet. I thought by the second episode that Michael Knight was going to win and I fee even stronger about that now that I see who is in the finals. We will see if I am right soon.
I am just to addicted to reality TV. But let me clarify what type of reality TV. I like watching the shows that are contest based. You have to have a certain level of skill or talent to participate. I am not a fan of show like The Bachelor or any "hook-up" shows. But I am a huge Survivor fan.
This season start was a bit different. I am not exactly sure if I am or should be offended by the division of the tribes. My boyfriend RB and I are an inter-racial couple and I had mixed emotions about this season. I thought that it would be interesting to observe the behaviors of each tribe as they were divided but felt that it was going to possibly set our culture back a few steps in regards of our prejudice levels. But now that they have integrated the tribes again, then I guess the experiment is over. I truly believe that this was just Mark Burnett's way of boosting his ratings for this season. But like his tactics or not, he does produce good television and we all are talking about the show on Friday mornings! For instance, almost the whole tribe turned on JD last night!! Just goes to show you men, don't lay around barking orders and being lazy, you will be voted off the island.
Still another day of sharing a car with my DBF. I sure hope that we get that car fixed soon, getting up at the crack of dawn and going to work is cutting into my knitting time! Anyway, today he had to be in a bit earlier and I suggested that he go ahead with out me and come back to get me when he got free and take me to work; translate=Knitty Gritty starts at 8:30am where I live and this is the only chance that I get to see it. So I said that I would be ready at 9:00am. Well, I kinda lost track of time and I was rushing to get half ready so I could watch the show and finish getting ready during the commercials. I had my current project on the couch with me knitting as I watched the show, today Cat Bordhi was on demo'ing her scarf. So you know that I was totally engulfed in the show and my knitting that I didn't move during the commercials and finish getting ready. But let me give you a bit of back ground on my DBF, he would be late to his funeral! The man is hardly ever on time, but this morning was a different story. So back to the couch; I was knitting, my teeth were brushed, my hair was pulled up, I had half of my clothes on it is 8:55am and the gate latch opens! He is here and I am not ready and I am sitting on the couch knitting, well at least I was until I heard the gate open. I dropped the needles and yarn, ran in the bedroom and furiously started getting dressed. He greets the dog and walks in the room and the look on his face, well it was something between anger, anxiety and confusion, mostly confusion. Needless to say, I was out the door in just a few minutes because we were both now running really LATE to work. I thought I could try to explain how gripping the Moebius knitting was and he would understand, but reality set in and I opted not to explain but to smile sweetly and talk about his Fantasy Football team. I know, smart girl!
On another note, I am waiting on my yarn order from Ewe-Phoria Yarn. I have 6 skeins of Noro and one large skein of their handpainted 50wool/50silk. They have really great yarn and great customer service too. I highly recommend them. So once I get my Noro I will have completed my amount that I need to knit the Lady Eleanor Stole. I am getting excited about it, I now just have to get the pattern.
On my last note of this post, I am so happy that a new yarn store is opening up soon Purlescence Yarns. I have heard such great things about the owners that I am excited to see the new place!
As promised, here is the Big Bad Baby Blanket. I almost forgot to post the photos until I ran across them while cleaning up my photo folders. As I mentioned in my previous post for those of you who are knitters, you can see the one twisted row pretty clearly. But since this was my first blanket ever made, I was pretty happy with it and so was my co-worker who I received it. Boy it was a struggle to complete the thing on time. I drug that blanket around and knitted on it every free moment that I had and some that I didn't have at all, I just made the free time. But over all I really loved the ease of the blankets design. I am going to be making a lot of these in the future, maybe make it bigger, adult size. Full details are at my FO page.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like all types of yarn, I even like acrylic for some projects. However, no offense to Lion Brand Yarn, I love lots of their yarns, but I do not like Homespun yarn by Lion Brand. It frustrates me.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a cotton wrap needle case for my srtaight needles, I can fit a couple of circulars, but I don't have a good place for my 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 have been knitting since June of 2006. I started by teaching myself from a book and then joined a knitting group where I learned more in one day than I ever did by myself. I would say that my skill level is between beginner and intermediate. I have dedicated a lot of time to improve my skill. I still like to knit a scarf but I have started a childs sweater and some wraps.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No, but I sure can make one very fast! There are a few books that I want that I still do not have. Scarf Style, Vogue Knitting-The Ultimate Knitting Book, Knitting on the Edge, Big Girl Knits. Anything really other than the Stitch n' Bitch books, I have both already.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
Oh that is easy, Jasmine
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I love dark chocolate. Truffles are always excellent. But if I am at the grocery store or drug store I have been known to buy Dove Dark Chocolate Promises they are wrapped in red tin.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I do not spin. I don't have a lot of time for other hobbies because of the karate school that my boyfriend and I have. But I do like to make the schools website. Oh and I love to take photos.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes, I can play MP3's. I love all kinds of music.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Hands down, RED. Not an orangy red, a true red or blueish reds, blood red. I have been very partial lately to greens too. I have so dark brown hair that it looks black and I wear red and green pretty well.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a boyfriend of 3 years and my dog Mugsy he is a Pekingnese or a Tibeatan Spaniel. I have been told he was both by differnet people, they look so similar.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves and wraps.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
So far it has been the Clapotis and my nieces pullover sweater. Oh I did a baby blanket that I am pretty proud of!
13. What are you knitting right now?
I am still trying to finish my Clapotis and my nieces sweater.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Absolutly.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular needles, bamboo or aluminum.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
About 1 month.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Now days, YARN!
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have any subscriptions to any magazines. I want the Lady Eleanor Stole pattern because I have a stash of Noro SIlk Garden especially for it. That pattern is in the Scarf Style book. I want more circular needles. I need small sizes like 2-5 and 7-9.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Yes, I want to learn how to knit socks. I have bought sock yarn, I have size 2 dpn's and not a clue in the world what to do with them!!
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
See above answer...hehehehehe
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
December 20. I know, it really sucks being so close to Christmas, trust me!!
I hope this helps my secret pal out and any family members that were wondering what to get me for my birthday or christmas.
Knit ya later...
