Day off?

The temperature for today is projected to be 102 again. Since my daughter has a seizure disorder which can be triggered with high temps, we're skipping our outside volunteer work at the local dog and cat rescue.

A day off? Not really as I'm planning an exciting day filled with....



...catching up on laundry and class paperwork.



And going over my math on where the armholes were suppose to be on this loom knitted sweater pattern....then frogging and starting again.



Not really a day off but at least we're in the AC!

The ending of HP 7...

...was, in my opinion, perfect. I love this book! I wasn't able to snag my copy until the 23rd (Monday). I read in every spare moment I could squeak in and finished on Wednesday. It's a fast read despite the fact that it's a huge book. There must be some type of charm on it that grabs you and doesn't let go until the (not so bitter) end. In fact, I started reading it again last night...but this time, I will resist the temptation to stay up until the wee hours of the morning reading...so that I can catch the hidden tidbits I might have missed the first read.

Have you seen the Dark Mark Illusion Scarf? I think I will be knitting this as a Christmas present for a student I tutor. He's a fan of the Harry Potter books too.

Wordless Wednesday

A fellow?? mmm...nope

What color of sock yarn do you prefer?

You like blue sock yarn. You are a fellow. You don't like bars, you prefer pubs.
Take this quiz!

Wordless Wednesday

Always knitting

It's fun to see something you've knitted on someone else's website. I was particular proud of the "At the Lake Cardigan" I did for Knit Picks. The yarn is so soft that daughter has requested a sweater knitted with it. And the pattern is a quick knit.

Here is a photo I took before sending it off.


So see? I am always knitting something. I just cannot always post about it.

Have you seen this sweater blocker??

Here's the link. Let me know if you've tried it out. I'm adding it to my knitting wish list.

Wordless Wednesday

A day doesn't go by that....

...I'm not anticipating the 21st....release day of Deathly Hallows (HP #7)

In the meantime....I'm beading, knitting, and counting down the days. Days!!

And just for fun.....

The sorting hat says that I belong in Ravenclaw!

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Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose intelligence is surest."

Ravenclaw students tend to be clever, witty, intelligent, and knowledgeable.
Notable residents include Cho Chang and Padma Patil (objects of Harry and Ron's affections), and Luna Lovegood (daughter of The Quibbler magazine's editor).

Get Sorted Now!

7-7-07 not so lucky...

...for us. First there was flood...



...when our waterbed mattress sprang a leak.

Then there was smoke billowing from this fire...



...and invading our house. It had us watching the news to see where it was headed. I am thankful it was out quickly and we didn't have evacuate like we did during the Crown Fire in 2004.

I sincerely hope the newlyweds who rushed to the alter to have 7-7-07 as their wedding date have better luck with it. ;-)

Beadin' the heat away

West sizzles They aren't kidding. It's projected to hit 115 today in the Los Angeles high desert where we live.

This calls for hunkering down with the AC (hopefully uninterrupted by a rolling black out) and beading...



Notice what I use for thread wax?



Carmex! It's inexpensive and always available.

But I did do a little loom knitting.



A water bottle holder for when I do venture out.

Happy 4th of July

May your day be filled with cold watermelon

Hand painted yarn

One of my summer goals is to give hand painting yarn a whirl. And Scout's appearance on Knitty Gritty has encouraged me.

I've given hubby a new "honey do" to make it easier. It may take a couple of weeks for him to get time but that's OK....I'll wait. In the meanwhile, I'll knit socks with my new Tofusies



(the colors are great but the picture is terrible!) and play with beads.

Out with the old....

Sometimes little changes make a huge difference in attitude....both mine and the house.

Front door....old


....new


Master bath....old


...new

Knitting the week away

This past week flew by as I knitted this project for Knit Picks....



....taught two classes, felted a couple of projects (no pictures yet), and got my yarn order from Herrschners. I couldn't help it. They had Debbie Bliss cotton cashmere at a price that made knitting a sweater with it affordable.



And since I'm paying for shipping anyway, I had to order something else.



Never too early to think of Christmas.

Loom knit tidbits

New loom patterns coming along. I'm in a bag phase....



Can't go too long without beading something. This bracelet was loom knitted with wire. I really like the affect of "top layer" and "bottom layer" of beads.



New loom! This one came from Isela's de-stashing (lucky me!)

Dear Daddy

Dear Daddy,

I had you in my life so briefly (only 7 years). I treasure the few memories of you that I have.

I remember you taking me shopping for my birthday. You bought a little princess dress-up table for me. I had it for most of my childhood and thought of you each time I looked into that little mirror.

I remember Sunday afternoon drives with you and Mom. We would take cans of vienna sausages and crackers for a picnic. And one time, you let me sit in your lap and "drive" even when Mom was very vocal with her concerns about it.

I remember you sitting at my bedside and playing the vinyl record of Jim Reeves singing "We Thank Thee." You sang along but I can't remember your voice. Whenever I hear a Jim Reeves song, I think of you.



I remember the time that my sister Doris took the garbage out after dinner, and came running back into the house swearing a panther was in a tree in the back yard. You went to check and found nothing. And while I don't remember the sound of your voice, I do remember your laughing face as you teased her about it.

And I remember running to you from the house while you kneeled on the ground next to the car with open arms.

The last memory I have of you is saying good bye at the hospital the day you died. I wished I had told you then how much I love you and would miss knowing you as I grew up. But 7 years old was too young to fully understand the importance of saying good bye.

I wish I could remember your singing voice or guitar playing. I know you were a very talented muscian and played with Jim Reeves.



I wish I could remember hearing you say "I love you" and the feel of your arms around me.

And since I don't remember ever saying "Happy Father's Day" and thank you for my life, I want to say it here....in hopes that there is some kind of magic that will send this wish and my love across the barrier between life and the spirit world.

Daddy, I love you,

Kathy, your baby girl

Visual DNA test

While visiting a few blogs, I stumbled across this little DNA test. Fairly accurate...with one exception. The test says I have a traditional eye for art. That's probably because I chose the Mona Lisa of the choices offered. I don't think I'm traditional....considering I like fiber and beads as art mediums. Perhaps if they'd had something that fit that category?

On the other hand, I did watch the DaVinci Code last night. That could have influenced me. HA!

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

LKC e-zine issue 2 is LIVE!

Check out the latest issue of Loom Knitter's Circle e-zine. Don't ya just love those socks!? Big thanks to Isela for that design.

The flip flop topper patterns are almost ready for publishing (hopefully tomorrow). I've had a tough time getting myself out of sock mode. Does anyone know if there is sock knitter's anonymous? hehe

Pet diary entries

I'm busy working my way through all the chore's that waited for me to return from RV trip. But I thought you might enjoy this while I'm dealing with the mountain of laundry, the accumulation of dust bunnies, and the paying of bills.

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!


10:30am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite
thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!




Excerpts from a Cat's Diary


Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little
dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat,
while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some
sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for
the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat
something in order to keep up my strength. The only
thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an
attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the
carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless
body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear
into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what
I am capable of. However, they merely made
condescending comments about what a "good little
hunter" I am. Bastards!




There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices
tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the
duration of the event. However, I could hear the
noises and smell the food. I overheard that my
confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I
must learn what this means, and how to use it to my
advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to
assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his
feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow
-- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are
flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special
privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be
more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him
communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain
that he reports my every move. My captors have
arranged protective custody for him in an elevated
cell, so he is safe.

For now...


Graphics from Free Animal Clipart