to TATTOO or not to TATTOO...

Okay... For those of you who don't know, my dad was murdered in 2000. I struggle with that every year all year long. While I believe that it has made me a stronger person overall, I feel the need to do something to achieve some peace. I thought about doing this a couple of years ago, and I wanted to tattoo the day he died on my wrist. A lot of people told me how morbid it was. So, I did some thinking over the past few years, and I have decided to tattoo some of his handwriting on me. I'm still debating on the wrist or under the current tattoo, but it is true. This Saturday I'll sit down in a chair and let someone tattoo his last written words to me on my body.

Here's to hoping my mom doesn't kill me.

Lazy but Productive?

So, I finished my Prairie Kimono today. The pattern was by far not my favorite. I should have been 1 skein short, but I still have 1 1/2 left. I might take my bind off out and add a few inches. I also need to figure out how to have to a bit looser on the bind off edge. Other than that, Dega and I laid on the couch ALL day. It was quite nice.

Insomnia sucks!

I can't sleep. This is like the 4th day in a row. I have Ambien to help with this, but I am trying to not take it all the time. Sleep shouldn't be this hard to come by. I wish I could just turn my brain off light I do the lights in my house. :flick:

I have nothing exciting to report. My new semester of school started, and while the classes are only 9 weeks long, they are starting to get to me. I haven't taken any time off between them, but I think next time I might wait at least a week. They are going fine so far though.

Knitting is going well. I am on a self proclaimed yarn diet. I know that they rarely work ,and it's not that I want to get rid of a certain number. I just want it to stop being so overwhelming. I worked on the Sampler Afghan today. I'm only 30 rows into the first block, but it is my forever project. So, I will survive. I also worked on my Praire Kimono and Double Cable Scarf (for a girl at work).

Dega had a vet appointment today, and all is well. He's going to have his neutering surgery after Christmas, and I'm pretty sure he knows. He is always so tired after going to the vet, and I feel so bad for him. He's all curled up in his cage. Which he uses all the time now that I took his bedding out of it. How weird is that?

That's about it for now. I'm going to put on a boring movie and pray for sleep.

a couple of pics from last weekend...

Eric and I on the way to the Museum of Science and Industry.
Eric trying to nap at the U505 exhibit.

New Me, Same Year!!!

Dega fresh from the groomers... :) We were on our way to pick up Lisa and her boys.
Me while at the groomer's (lol)... I was due for a highlight, and we added a brighter purple to the mix.

So, I am working on a new me. I quit smoking (again) on October 6th. So far so good... I'm still going to school full time, and that is going well. All is normal at work. Eric and I love each other more than ever. He was here last weekend, and we had a nice chill weekend. I can't wait to see him again. I can't believe that it's been about 14 months already. Long distance relationships aren't easy, but he makes it easier on me. :) I have been working on losing weight, and it's going well. I am on a yarn diet. Not super strict, but just trying to work through the massive stash I have already. Next, I am hoping to give up Mountain Dew. I'm not sure I'll ever fully get there, but my overgoal is just a healthier lifestyle.

The next six weekends is going to be nuts. I have finals to finish today, and my next block of classes starts tomorrow. Next weekend, I volunteer at the Museum of Science and Industry again. I also have a knitting class to wrap up this Wednesday for the Fireside Stocking and a Cable Club class on Saturday for an afghan I'm working on. The weekend after that is Thanksgiving weekend, and I'll be driving with Dega back to Ohio that Wednesday night. Doris is getting married the first weekend of December, and I'm driving to Iowa for that. Let's see... My move to the bigger apartment with a washer and dryer in the unit on December 12th. We have a yarn swap that Saturday, too. Then, I go back to Ohio again for Christmas on the 23rd.

Oh, and on December 22nd, I turn 30. I have been very bitter about this birthday because no one ever remembers my birthday to begin with. I know it shouldn't be a big deal, and it's not like I'm asking for someone to make a huge deal out of it. I guess it's just difficult that no one seems to celebrate your life. I don't know. It's part of the reason I'm working on me. I need to be happy by myself and forget about this little crap. Anyways...

Yesterday was a fun filled day. I took Dega to the groomer's and myself to the salon. We then picked up Lisa and her two boys to go to the yarn store to see some friends. We ended up have bad traffic, but we had fun overall. I came home and knitted a bit, but I fell asleep early.

That's it for now!

Secret Pal 13 has begun!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Socks that Rock Heavyweight, Malabrigo and Manos Wool
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? most acrylics (sorry) and I find cotton rough on my hands.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? My straights are in a glass jar on a book stand. I need a thing for my circ's. I have a lantern moon thing, but it is flimsy.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
3 years; self taught
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
intermediate

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Fireside Woodwick Candles, NASCAR tracks and orange cranberry

6. Do you have a sweet tooth?
yeah
Favorite candy? I love soft peppermint sticks from Cracker Barrel. I have Celiac Disease. So, that's a bit hard.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
scrapbooking
Do you spin?
no, but I want to...

8. What kind of music do you like?
anything really... I love country, Christian rock and even opera...
Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
yes

9. What's your favorite color(s)?
Navy Blue, Hot Pink, Emerald Green
Any colors you just can't stand?
not really

10. What is your family situation?
long distance relationship
Do you have any pets?
yes - Dega, the monster Maltese

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
YES!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Hmmm... most anything. Maybe fingerless mittens/gloves?

13. What are you knitting right now?
Dear God! That's a long list. I hope you are on Rav so you can see!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
yes, but I have enough coasters. A previous pal made me 10! They are everywhere.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I love Addi's, and I have the Options. Bamboo is cool, too.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
yep

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 1/2 years

18. What is your favorite holiday?
the 4th of July

What winter holiday do you observe?
Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Besides yarn? lol Art for the walls...

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Yes. The 20 Powder Jacket
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I subscribe to Interweave Knits

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'm learning fair isle right now. Maybe lace next...

22. Are you a sock knitter?
yes
What are your foot measurements?
I wear a size 9 Medium in women's.

23. When is your birthday?
December 22, 1978 No one remembers though. So, I think I'm going to move it.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
TiaPixy

Yes, We Did!

Obama is the President-Elect!!! I am so happy, but I guess a bit sad at the same time. I am a conservative person and a Republican. Obama inspired me, and that doesn't make me sad. What does, however, is that the Republican Party doesn't or did not this year. The negative campaigns made me willing to listen to Obama/Biden. They convinced me they had the change we need, and that was that. Had McCain ran his campaign like he gave his concession speech, I imagine he wouldn't have lost so many of us to Obama...

Now, it is time to unite and work together regardless of who won. I, for one, am excited!