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!

Still here...

Dega and I at Stiches in August... Got to meet the Malabrigo peeps and got yummy sock yarn, too. Yes, I'm still knitting. It is a full on addiction now with the collecting of yarn. I am running out of space, and I am currently trying to knit more than I buy. Ha!
Still in love with Eric... the 12 of October was a year! How freakin' nuts is that? I adore him though, and I'm very lucky to have him in my life. Now, if I could just convince him that living in NW Indiana is the place to be...

Earlier this month, Melissa (friend from work) and I went to the NKOTB concert. It was AMAZING!!! I haven't had that much fun in a long time, and I couldn't speak for the rest of the weekend. The only downer? I dropped my BB in the toilet. Luckily, it still works.

Finally, here's Dega. He's sweeter than ever, and he is growing into his puppy personality more and more. He is definitely more chill now, and it's funny how he likes to be near me. Like now, he's under the chair as I type this. Earlier when I was doing laundry, he was laying on my feet. Too cute!!!

I am going to be better about blogging. This was just a picture update for now. I have math homework to do!

Back into the Swing of Things

Life has been crazy. October always sucks for me. I can't wait for it to end. I haven't been doing much of anything exciting.

Work. School. Dega the Monster Puppy. Sleep. Eric. Repeat. It's amazing I find time to knit. I am going to take more time to blog though. I miss it, and laying on the couch isn't helping much.

Until then...

Save the Boobies!!!

My friend, Nick, is participating in the race for the cure! Please consider supporting him and SAVE THE BOOBIES!!!

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=277583&lis=1&kntae277583=0AA306A2462F4A9280CD396377EC0C55&supId=231787835

world's cutest puppy

I hate Stitch by Stitch (yarn store in Highland, IN)!!!

I'm sick of it being okay to get back service or be disrespected while spending good money at yarn stores. I went to Stitch by Stitch in Highland, IN when I first moved to Merrillville. It's a small shop. They seem to mainly carry Noro, but they do have Dream in Color and some other fun stuff. I felt that most of their stuff was overpriced considering all the yarn stores in the area I've been, too, but that's her right as the owner. The Classy DiC was $22 and $27 for the Smooshy. I browse for about an hour, and then, after feeling a bit guilty, I felt like I needed to buy something. That was my first mistake. So, I grabbed [this][1] because Eric wants camo colored socks, and it was the perfect colors. It was $19 on the tag. I felt that that was more than I had paid before, but whatever... I love the boy. When I got home, I realized I had been charged almost $2 too much. I called, and we agreed that she'd fix it next time I came in. Two months went by, and I found the receipt. So, while I was out running errands today, I thought I would stop by. I found a skein of yarn in the sale bin that I liked, and I figured I would be on my way. They did have the Smooshy color I had been hunting for in the sock area, but the price was still $27. I asked the owner about it, and she said that stores in the area were obviously underselling by several dollars. I said fine. In my head, I thought, well, I guess I'll be shopping there. It didn't stop though. She kept going on about how I was wrong about her overpricing which isn't even what I said to her. There were at least 5 people in the store, and needless to say, I didn't appreciate being humilated in that way. Her loss though... I won't be bag, and I spend way too much money on yarn! Hell, I spent $1500 at Chix with Stix in like 6 months. I guess I'll just have to cruise down to the Valpo store because they have great service and many options.

Yummies from a Starbucks Swap

Yummy stuff from my Starbucks swap pal, Lisa. I was truly spoiled. Thank you so much!
I didn't even know Cascade made sock yarn! Fun!!!
probably the only Starbucks cup I hadn't bought and one I really wanted...

Round 3 Photos

Round 3

1. When Hagrid returns to Hogwarts after being sent to see the giants with Madame Maxime, Professor Umbridge questions him on his late return to school. She suspects that Hagrid had been to the mountains, but where does he tell her he has been?

d. South of France

2. Professor Umbridge comes to Hagrid's Hut and searches his cabin one evening (as she believes Harry, Ron and Hermoine are there visiting him at night when they are not supposed to). When she walks past the place where Harry, Ron and Hermoine are hiding under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry holds his breath. True or False?

b. False

3. A stately-looking witch in an emerald green shawl is one of the members of the Advance Guard who rescues Harry from Privet Drive. What is her name?

a. Emmeline Vance

4. What is the name of the witch who was killed two weeks after the photo of the original Order of the Phoenix was taken?

b. Marlene McKinnon

5. Which two fifth year Ravenclaw students does Dumbledore choose to be prefects?

d. Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil

6. Which house was Rose Zeller sorted into?

d. Hufflepuff

7. What is the color of Murtlap's essence?

c. yellow

8. Name the Ravenclaw girl who became prefect in Harry's fifth year.

b. Padma Patil

9. According to a healer's portrait at St. Mungo's hospital, which disease was Ron suffering from?

d. Spattergroit

10. Which book did Harry give Hermoine for Christmas?

a. "New Theory of Numberology"

What movie will Robert Patterson star in this December?

TWILIGHT

a reason to smile

I want more than I get.

I want more...

more love from Eric

more respect from work

more peace from family

more obeying from Dega

more completed knitted things

more patience

just fucking more!


You ever have a few weeks in a row where so much happens that you can't even blog about it... that it's just too exhausting to relive by putting it all out there. Well, I'm there. I wish I could verbally blog. I could just talk and the computer would put it on here...

a girl can want more, right?

HSKS5 Kit from Emma Kettleburn - AMAZING!!!

Look how spoiled I am! A great handkit bag in my favorite colors, Navy Blue and Hot Pink, puppy face magnetic page markers, Size 2 Harmony DPNs, Harmony Cable Needles, a row counter bracelet (I love these!), 8 stitch markers, a sock pattern, a Kooky Klicker pen, People Crackers for Dega, a hot dog toy for Dega, a puppy pack of toys for Dega, Andes mints (my fave) that didn't last 5 minutes, Lindt chocolate, a lovely note, a HP Timeturner Sticker kit and not 1, not 2 BUT 3 skeins of yarn! Yum! Thank you, Emma K! You truly amazed me.
Dega loves the People Crackers. That was the coolest idea!
Truly spoiled!

Can't Get Online at Home

:pout:

I left my personal laptop in Ohio for Eric to use, and come to find out, my work laptop is having issue with my internet. I have lots to post, and I can't do it here at work. Please be patient with me.

Emma K, I did get my kit, and you are amazing. A full post to follow...

Starbucks Swap! Yummy!

1. Full nameTanya Michelle but most people call me Tia
2. Ravelry ID TiaPixy
3. Email address at the gmail
4. Blog address (if you have one) www.ramblings-of-a-silly-girl.blogspt.com
5. Handmade item you desire in the swap (bag, cup cozy, etc.) Whatever my spoiler's heart desires
6. Starbucks item you desire (gift card, mug, beans, etc.) gift card or cup I love love love their travel cups.
7. Favorite Starbucks beverage/bean Whipped Caramel Macciato or Whipped Caramel Apple Cide
8. Favorite snack food chocolate
9. Favorite color(s)Navy Blue, Hot Pink, Emerald Green
10. Favorite fragrance spiced cider
11. What types of things do you like to knit?anything really
12. Do you spin?no
13. Do you dye your own yarn?no
14. Favorite yarns Malabrigo... Though, I've always wanted to try Socks that Rock
15. Favorite needles I have some harmony needles, but I find that I knit tight... So, they can snap.
16. Do you have any allergies? Gluten
17. Would you be willing to prepare an angel kit if necessary? I could help.
18. Do you have any special requests? no
19. Do you have any pets?Dega the monster Maltese puppy
20. Is your home smoking or nonsmoking? non though I smoke outside