heat, jobs, and library internet

Sheesh.. A few weeks ago, I was complaining about it being too cold.. Well, here in Virginia, we got two days of nice weather, and then it went straight to the 90s. Yesterday, it was 92. Sigh... It's supposed to cool down a bit the rest of the week, which is great. Plus, I'm heading to New Jersey for the weekend, and I'm sure it's much cooler there than it is here!!

But, on to knitting. =) I just finished up two sampler squares, and and moving on to the purple/pink squares for this months' swap. I'll also be making my bookmark this week! I'm doing another test knit this month - a really cool looking scarf called Boombox Scarf that involves two colors - mine being teal and royal blue! I've got a lot of knitting to do, and this heat doesn't help!

I'm still searching desperately for a full-time job, but no luck yet. The clothing store I worked for a year ago before it went out of business has now reopened, and I'll probably start working there soon! The manager of the store is one of the manager's that worked there before, so I shouldn't have a problem getting hired back.

I'm currently sitting in my car stealing the internet's wi-fi because my computer just isn't getting along with the dial-up at my house. (The motherboard is going, and it's only a matter of time before my computer dies all together!) Once I can file my taxes, I'll be able to pay the $300 to get my computer fixed.. Yay for buying a Mac.

Well, happy knitting!

ER Trips, Frogged, and Overall Blahness

Bah.. Well, that wonderful cat bite that I got on Saturday decided to get infected.. So I had to spend a quick hour in the ER Sunday morning. The bad part is that since I'm allergic to penicillin, I had to get Levaquin, which doesn't have a generic, and me with no health insurance, I had to pay $136 for 9 pills.. Well, I had to borrow the money from my mom, as I have $6 in my checking.

Anyhow, on to things that make me happy! I was making fingerless mittens for my color swap, and I decided to make something else, because the pattern I picked was wayyy to complicated and detailed, and I want to make sure she gets something that I really worked well on!!

Well, back to knitting...

Test Knits, Cat Bites, and Color Swaps

I got up this morning around 7:30am, with the intention of finishing one mitten for my test knit, and half of the secret knit for the color swap. Well, as I came out of my room, my fat cat Missy was sitting in front of my bedroom door. As usual, I started petting her with my foot, and I must've hit a spot she didn't like, because she turned over and sunk her teeth into my foot, and would not let go. So for now I've got a nice cat-tooth shaped cut on my foot. Fun, right?! Bleh!

I've got about 4 rows left on my test-knit mitten, minus the thumb, but they're looking very cute!! (Mommy and Me Mittens on Ravelry!) If you haven't seen them, then you should really check them out!

I'm not telling what my color swap project is, but it's only about a quarter of the way done, so I've definitely got a lot of work to do this weekend! I want to get the package out as soon as I can, so my partner won't have to wait all month for her surprise!

Well, let me get back to knitting instead of sitting on the computer!

March already?! // On The Needles!

Geez! I'm starting to wonder if I should even bother with the "on the needles", because I don't think I get to half of them during the month. =D Buuut, old habits die hard, so here is my list for March:
1. 2 squares for my Friendship Square Exchange swap
2. A bookmark for my Bookmark swap
3. A secret surprise for my Color Swap buddy, since I told her who I was this month, I can't share just yet!!
4. A small surprise for the Color Swap
5. Mommy & Me Mittens for a test knit! these are adorable if you haven't seen them!! Search "Mommy and Me" on Rav, and you'll find them!
6 . Possibly start on the Jessica scarf for myself!

I made the Promenade Cowl last month, and bleh.. it came out way too small, and not quite right. I'm thinking about frogging it and making fingerless mittens out of that glorious Malabrigo!

I want to get into designing my own patterns.. The first one I've already got mostly planned out in my head, I just need to get it knit to make sure it works.. I want to make a scarf that will represent Breast Cancer Awareness, in honor of my sister's friend's mother that is fighting breast cancer.

Well, I spend so much time on ravelry, that I hardly get to knitting, so I'm off to work on my squares! (And look for a job.. =D) Subbing is not quite cutting it.. So if you've got any ideas, let me know!!

color swap = happy!

Today I got my Color Swap package from miss andrea (ALFCreations on Rav)! It contained the prettiest lime green scarf (not to mention super soft!), an afghan square in yellow, pink, and purple, 5 gorgeous stitch markers, and a packet of mint green tea (my absolute favorite)!

Totally made my day.. yesterday I found out that I have about $62 to last me through March 28th (oh joy), and I have to figure out how to pay 4 bills (about $150) with that money. Bah!

Soo, if anyone out there reading this knows of a place that will hire me, then by all means please let me know!! =)

I've been subbing a little bit more this month, but I won't get that money 'til March 28th, which doesn't help this month's bills.. Oh well!

to make me happy, I'm knitting a cowl with a skein of Malabrigo, which is by far the best yarn I've ever worked with.. It's so soft and pretty, and I can't wait to wear the cowl!!

Off to knit some more!!

weekend in richmond

For the past few days, I've been in Richmond, VA with my mom sitting with my grandma! With all that free time, I worked a while on the Four Dates test scarf, as well as the Maggie Mop Hat:

The Magical Maggie Mop Hat WIP.

Today we're going to the Maymont Home Show at the convention center because the company my brother works for has a display at the show. Afterwards, I'm dragging my parents to The Knitting Basket on Grove and Libbie so I can try to find some pretty grey manos or malabrigo for the Jessica Scarf! =D (I can't go to a city without going to a LYS!!) If I find some, I'll have pictures soon. For now, it's off to get ready and knit a little before we leave!

Oh, and it's going to be 50 outside today. =D PERFECT day!!

wishing my driveway wasn't a swamp..

Bah.. after all the snow, rain, and sleet, my driveway is currently nothing but slippery mud! Makes me wish I had a pair of rainboots so I wouldn't sink two inches in the mud everytime I try to go get the mail! I won't be happier 'til it's at least 50 degrees outside, and I can wear flip-flops, t-shirts, and jeans everyday. =) (Yea, I figured I didn't want to say 'I won't be happy 'til...", 'cause I'm relatively happy now!)

I'm getting pretty far along on the test-knit scarf! I'm also test-knitting a baby hat in 4 bright colors!

I had a little bit of a "blast from the past" yesterday when I was subbing for the 7th graders. One of the students came up to me, and said "don't you know me?" I was a little confused, becasue I didn't recognize him, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings. Then, he says, "I'm Matt's brother". I mean, whoa.. Matt was a very close friend of mine when I was in high school, and he was killed in a car accident my freshman year of college. The last time I saw his little brother, he was in 2nd grade! It was really nice to see him, and see that he seems to be doing fairly well! He's a smart kid, and really sweet. =)

Well, much more test-knitting to get done this evening! Going to work hard until Lost comes on, because that's a show that needs your full attention if you even want to have the slightest clue as to what's going on... =)