I have socks!

I made this gorgeous socks from Knitting Like Crazy sock yarn. My friend, Jen, dyes it, and it's amazing. It's called Crazy Soft, and the colorway was custom made for me. It's called In the Navy. It reminds me of waves crashing onto a shoreline. Blue, brillant water and white foamy crests... It's perfect, and I love them!

Family Emergencies Suck!

I'm in Ohio. Mom is having surgery tomorrow. Will update you all when I get home on Sunday.

And the pictures for the hunt...

Round Three for the Great Harry Potter

1. When Rita Skeeter prints a bad articles about Hagrid in the Daily Prophet, which Professor teaches Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class while he is away?

c. Professor Grubbly-Plank

2. What was the article Rita Skeeter wrote about Hagrid called?

c. Dumbledore's Giant Mistake

3. When the school champions were being chosen from the Goblet of Fire, whose name cam out first?

b. Viktor Krum

4. What is the spell Ludo bagman says to magically magnify his voice when he commentates?

a. Sonorus

5. What kind of dragon did Cedirc have to face in the first task?

b. A Swedish Short-Snout

6. Who raised the trophy after winning the world cup?

b. Troy and Quigley

7. How many bedrooms did Mundungus Fletcher claim to have?

d. 12

8. For what did Moody mistake his birthday gift of a carriage clock?

b. A basilisk egg

9. What did Mr. Ollivander produce for the end of Cedric's wand?

d. Silver smoke rings

10. The dark mark is on Snape's left arm.

a. Yes

New Me

So, I’ve been out of the Navy for over two years now, and last night, I was just thinking about life in general. You don’t have to respond. I just wanted to babble.

10 years ago, it was 1998. I was 19. I was a McDonald’s manager and living at my then boyfriend’s parent’s house because he was still in high school, and they didn’t want him to lose focus.
9 years ago, it was 1999. I was 20. I was living at my brother’s house dating Eric and working at Pizza Hut. I still didn’t have a driver’s license, but I was going to school full time and getting no where.
8 years ago, it was 2000. I was 21. I had been in the Navy for just over 10 months. I was stationed at Sigonella at the HazMin Center.
7 years ago, it was 2001. I was 22. My dad had been murdered just 5 months earlier, and my life was quickly spinning out of control. I think I spent most of my time drunk.
6 years ago, it was 2002. I was 23. I had been on the Truman for 4 months. Life had just started to feel normal again.
5 years ago, it was 2003. I was 24, and we were on cruise. Sean and I were engaged, and I didn’t know what I was doing.
4 years ago, it was 2004. I was 25 and stationed at AIMD Oceana. I was pretty happy in general.
3 years ago, it was 2005. I was 26, married and miserable. Charlie and I separated for the first time, and I had just been diagnosed with Celiac Disease.
2 years ago, it was 2006. I was 27. I had just gotten out of the Navy feeling mixed about it and was 1 month away from my divorce and starting a job.
Last year was 2007. I was 28 and had just moved to Chicago for a job promotion that disappeared. I already knew I had made a bad choice but was trying to make the best of it.

Now, I’m just over a week from leaving Ferguson. I’m starting a new job and staying in a city I haven’t always been fond of since moving here. I’m trying to embrace it more, and I’m excited about the year. I’m 29 and finally, I think I know what I want out of life. I have a new job, a great boyfriend and a cool set of friends. I think the Navy did two HUGE things for me, and they contradict each other. First, it let me stay as irresponsible as I wanted. I knew the basics in life were going to be covered. Job security seemed permanent. (Ha!) Lastly, it really made me grow up. When dad died, I gave up. I felt like my world was crumbling and didn’t care. The Navy doesn’t get that. I still had to be at work and perform. Then, with cruise and lastly having to get out suddenly, the Navy didn’t really “care” about me. It was about the mission, and the fact that I wasn’t expecting to have to deal with a lot of that stuff didn’t really matter to them. I’m excited about letting go of things in my past and really for the first time embracing my future.

It's starting to come together.

Finally!!! I am really starting to feel like I might survive this year after all. It must seem bad to feel like it was that bad since it's only March. It has been a rough few years since I got out of the Navy, and I thought coming to Chicago was a good decision. Things didn't pan out the way they should have, and I was all ready to pack up and head back to Ohio. Then, things started turning around. I ran into an old friend, and I'm smitten... madly in love. Things are going well there. It's long distance, but we are making it work. Then, on Friday, I got some good job news. I don't want to post it yet since there are a few boxes I have to check, but soon...

sigh...

just some quick pictures from last weekend...

Colleen, a good good friend, came to Chicago to visit... We took a ton of pictures, and we did a ton of stuff. Here are a few to keep you all happy. Long post next Monday.
We took flat Stanley on the Red Line.
We saw the half frozen river.
Flat Stanley had a Chicago Style hot dog.
And we saw Wicked!!! We had AMAZING seats and so much fun...

"So, if you care to find me, look to the western sky..."

Malabrigo Swap Love

I joined the Malabrigo Swap on Ravelry cause I love the stuff, and my spoilee, Black Rayne, came through like a champ. Truly, this is my favorite yarn gift I have ever gotten. I felt like she really spied on me and just, it's truly amazing.

I would go on more, but I have a friend in from Ohio. She wants to go downtown (brrrr).

a row counter GORGEOUS bracelet!!!
All of my goodies... Two skeins of Malabrigo Chunky, One skein of Malabrigo Lace (I've never done lace.), some gluten free Brownie mix (yummy), two organic chocolate bars that I will have to find here (double yum) and a row counter bracelet I love...

Scavenger Hunt

Quidditch Round 2

1. With whom does Ginny go to the Yule Ball?
a. Neville
2. When Harry arrives at the Burrow and Mrs. Weasley makes them all dinner the night before they leave for the Quidditch World Cup, what does her wand turn into?
a. rubber mouse
3. Since some of the sixth-year girls didn't have any quills on them, what did they think Krum might sign their hats in?
c. lipstick
4. How old does the Quick Quotes Quill say that Rita Skeeter is?
a. 43
5. What color cloak is wormtail wearing in the Riddle house?
b. Black
6. What color is "Mad Eye" Moody's magical eye?
d. Blue
7. What color are the robes that Rita Skeeter was wearing when Harry meets her at the Weighing of the Wands ceremony?
b. Magenta
8. What does Sirius Black tell Harry, Ron and Hermione to call him when speaking around anyone else?
b. Snuffles
9. Which team beat Wales, disqualifying them from competing for the Quidditch World Cup?
c. Uganda
10. What does Madame Maxime say is the only thing her steeds will drink?
c. single-malt whiskey

Off to Ohio...

I wasn't planning on being back in Ohio this weekend, but I am going home to see the family and the "boy"... Will post lots of pictures hopefully when I get back.

miss you all...

Slytherin Homework

1. How many unforgivable curses does Lord Voldemort use on Harry in the Goblet of Fire? Name them.
3 - Avada Kedavra, Imperio and Crucio (used three times; hit twice)

2. How long does it take to brew Polyjuice Potion?
almost a month

3. In the Chamber of Secrets Professor Sprout welcomes her Herbology students to which greenhouse?
Greenhouse 3

4. What is Harry's number on the Quidditch team?
7 in the movie

5. Who is the oldest actor to play a Hogwarts student in The Chamber of Secrets?
Martin Christopher Bayfield (December 21, 1966) plays Hagrid

6. On what day do Harry Potter and the Dursleys arrive at the hut on the rock, on the island in the sea (SS)?
30 July 1991

7. How many times has Gilderoy Lockhart won Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award?5 times

8. How many years does Sirius black spend in Azkaban?
12

9. How many Famous Wizard cards does Ron tell Harry he has in his collection on the Hogwart's Express?
about 500 - He's missing Ptolemy and Agrippa

10. What number is Dumbledore's vault at Gringott's?
713

11. How long has Scabbers been in the Weasley family when he becomes Ron's?
11

12. What number is Harry Potter's vault at Gringott's?
687

13. What is written where the number 12 should be on Molly Weasley's clock (COS film)?
prison

14. How many presents does Dudley receive on his birthday (SS book)?
37 originally and 2 more at the zoo

15. What is the license plate registration number on Mr. Weasley's Ford Anglia car (COS film)?7990TD

16. How many points are scored for a goal in Quidditch?
10

17. What is the exact time the Hogwart's Express leaves King's Cross station?
11 o'clock

18. How many players are there on a Quidditch team?
7

19. How far back in time does Tom Riddle's diary take Harry?
50 years

20. How many flavors of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans did Harry eat on the Hogwart's Express (SS book)?
9 though only nibbled on 1

21. According to the Chocolate Frog Card how old are Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle Flamel?
Nicolas Flamel 665 years 7 Perenelle Flamel 658 years

22. What is the number on the front of the Hogwart's Express train?
5972

23. How many eyes does Fluffy have?
6

24. What was Harry's room number at the Leaky Cauldron?
11

25. How many points did Slytherin have when Dumbledore announced the scores for the House Cup in the Sorcerer's Stone?
472

And the winner is...

Jen!!!

I put everyone's name in a hat and drew one. I want to thank everyone who donated to my walk fun in the month of Janauary. Jen is now the proud owner of a surprise skein of sock yarn.

If you didn't win this time, no need to worry. I am drawing for all February donations on the 29th. Donate now or anytime before the end of May at http://ramblings-of-a-silly-girl.blogspot.com/2008/01/donation-goes-39-miles-for-great-cause.html.

Scavenger Hunt

Quidditch Round 1 - Go Slytherin!!!!

1. What was Harry dreaming about the first time he woke up with his scar on fire?
b

2. What is the problem with leprechaun gold?
a

3. Why did Mad-Eye Moody turn Malfoy into a ferret?
c

4. Sirius warns Harry to be careful around Karkaroff because he had been a Death Eater. Which one of the professors at Hogwarts, who also used to be a Death Eater, is frequently bothered by Karkaroff? (Answer is One Word, Last Name Only)
Snape

5. Voldemort could have used the blood from any foe to make the potion that revived him work, but he held out for Harry's blood. Why?
c

6. How old would Frank have been on his next birthday?
d

7. Amos Diggory works for?
b

8. Who shared a carriage with the three friends on the way from the train to Hogwarts? Answer: (One Word)
Neville

9. What date in October did the delegates from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive?
a

10. What color were Percy's dress robes at the Yule Ball?
a

I can speak to snakes!!!!

Power hungry Slytherin
loved those of great ambition.
(This is from the sorting hat's song in Goblet of Fire)

In Slytherin you'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
(Also, from the sorting hat's song in The Sorceror's Stone

There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it.
(Professor Quirrel to Harry in the Sorceror's Stone)

a donation goes 39 miles for a GREAT cause

Okay, Knitters and other friends and family and random strangers!!!

Please click on the I'm Walking for Boobies link at the bottom of this post.

I am doing the walk, and it will be nuts. I need some help though. So, for everyone who donates, I’ll enter you into a monthly drawing for some yarnie goodness if you are into that kind of thing.

Did you know that every three minutes, another woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer? Every three minutes. Because I cannot ignore this shocking statistic, I’ve made a commitment to work toward changing it, and I need your help.

On May 31 - June 1, I’ll spend the weekend walking, along with thousands of other people, in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I will walk at least the distance of a marathon (26.2 miles), and I may choose to walk as far as a marathon and a half. I will also raise at least $1,800 in donations to the cause. I’ll have to spend the next few months training, fundraising, and preparing for the event. It’s the biggest challenge I’ve ever taken on, but I’m very excited about doing it because I know it will make a real difference to the millions of people affected by breast cancer.

The money raised is managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity with a mission to fund access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. The Avon Foundation funds both local and national organizations in five key areas: medical research; education and early detection programs; clinical care; and support services, all with a focus on the medically underserved.

Please help to support my efforts and this critically important cause by making a generous contribution. You can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message, which will bring you right to my personal page. Please remember as you’re making your donation that in less than the time it took to read this e-mail, another woman in the U.S. was diagnosed with breast cancer.

You can also help me by passing this message along to others who may be interested in being a part of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Thank you for your support.


P.S. you can find out more about the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer by visiting http://www.avonwalk.org/
I’m walking for boobies!

I finished socks!!!

Sorry for being missing. Working 50 plus hours a week is exhausting. I did finish socks though. :) See!!!

I'm going to Ohio for the weekend. I promise a long update on Monday.

7 January 2008 Update

Well, it's been a long week. Work has been wearing on me a lot more than it had before, and I am trying to find that joy that I used to get from my job again. I woke up this morning though with a tragic migraine, and it finally broke about 4:oo this afternoon. I got up and showered again. I went grocery shopping, but I digress. I worked all week. Friday, I drove home to Ohio to see the family and my friends. I did do some yarn shopping. I'm supposed to be on a yarn diet, but most of it was for presents. The only thing I bought for me was a skein of sock yarn that is ROYGBIV. lol I couldn't resist. The pics are below. Apparently, I'm a boring girl.

Navy Blue
Cream
the sock yarn for me...
grey for a sweater I need to make
Oh, and I started Eric's Dale Jr. Socks!!!

So, back to my grocery shopping experience... I got up to go to the store since I had NOTHING in the fridge. I hit up the Trader Joe's, but I need a few things from Jewel. Well, don't go there hungry. What should have been a $20 stop turned into a $113 stop. Go figure...

That's it for now.

a few pictures...

It's my birthday!!! I turned 29 and had dinner out with friends.
taking by my dear friend in my mama's living room... He always takes the best pictures.
And look! It's an actual sock!