Two of Hearts

Remember that song?
The one by Stacey Q.
Last night DH and I watched the movie 21.
Did you know that my step-cousin was one of the original group from MIT? I have only met him a few times; he is older than me and all my mother ever told me was that he was really brilliant and that he was out in Vegas counting cards or something.
My step-uncle and his wife never really talked about him much, and trust me, Uncle George can talk.
Anyway, he was not represented in the movie, but it was interesting to watch none-the-less; however, all that math really screws me up.
I can't think in numbers.
They are not my friends.
I do like to play blackjack, though.
It is one of the games I'm good at.

You Are the Ace of Hearts

Youthful and playful, you love life and the world. You have a kind spirit, and you bring happiness to everyone you know. Artistic and bold, you see the world in bright colors. And you certainly aren't afraid to express everything you see and feel. You are sentimental, and your emotions are very deep. You are easily swept away and easily hurt. A gamble you should take: Blackjack Your friends would describe you as: Unique Your enemies would describe you as: Weepy If you lived in Vegas, you would be: An up and coming chef or fashion designer

What Playing Card Are You?

She Smiles Way Too Much

Before I regale you with yet another example of my extremely high level of intelligence, a version of which will surely be included with my application to Mensa, let me pass on my knitting info.
I'm still working on my garter stitch shawl. Not bored with it yet.
Although I have found a pattern for Chunky Piano Mitts on Ravelry that will work wonderfully with the one skein of Colinette Zanziba yarn I had to buy and then did not know what to do with.
Honestly, one skein?
What was I thinking?
I was thinking about how expensive that one skein was, that's what.
I've cast on the for the Chunky Piano Mitts and that is as far as I have gotten, but in my defense last night I watched The Seventh Seal and since I had to read subtitles I really needed something mindless so I could pay attention.
And here is another story for you.
On Sunday, DN2 and I decided to ride our bikes down to Dollar General to buy some Whales. They're only a dollar there, and I think they actually taste better than Goldfish.
Personal opinion.
Well since our town has some strange/shady people I decided we should lock our bikes while we were in the store. We chained my front wheel to her back wheel and went inside.
We purchased our Whales (and some Iced Animal Crackers) and came back outside ready to head to our next stop, Express Mart for some Icee's.
Hey, no comments about our snacking - we eat healthy - we had fresh corn on the cob for supper.
I went to unlock the combination and it didn't open. I tried it again and it still didn't open. I looked at the numbers and it was at that point I realized I had completely forgotten the combination.
Let me say it again.
I completely forgot the combination.
Our bikes were chained together. (At least they weren't chained around a pole.)
We could not move them.
So DN2 is looking to me and asking, "What do we do?"
I didn't have my cell phone because it was supposed to be a quick trip downtown and then back home, so we had to go find a pay phone.
Do you know they cost 50 cents now?
Unbelievable.
DH eventually came over from SN2's soccer game and tried the combo but still couldn't get it to open.
We had to load the bikes up into his truck, still chained together, and DN2 and I walked home after going to see the ducks who actually wanted a piece of those Whales themselves.
We didn't offer them any because honestly, ducks don't eat whales, right?
The bikes sat in the driveway until 9:00 that night because I thought if I relaxed my brain I might remember the combination.
No go.
DH eventually got the chain off and Pippa and Rosie were free once again, but it really put a damper on my Sunday.
What is really bad is that I had used that combination lock all through the summer semester while I was taking my grammar class, and then it just vanished out of my head.
I'm such a dimwit.
Here's someone who is not a dimwit.
Check out that girl in the middle of the back row with the big smile.



That is DN1 and her group in Poland.
She'll be back on Saturday.
I know she's anxious to get home so she can start missing Poland.

In Which I Respond to Allegations of Dog Discipline

My friend Jean sent me an e-mail this morning:

I have to tell you that I laughed out loud yesterday when I read your blog. First, you must be the only person that I know that still has Dr. Scholl’s sandals. I remember saving up all of my money to buy them when they were the rage back in the day, and once I put them on, I kept telling myself that they were really cool even though they gave me blisters and were the absolutely most uncomfortable shoes I had ever owned! I believe that they were a neutral khaki color (you know, so they would go with everything). And, of course, I wore them everywhere, cursing every step of the way! I’m sooooo very sorry that the puppy-dog chewed yours to smitherines. If I still had mine, I would give them to you, but judging from the #10 that I saw in the photo, you would have been able to get your big toe into it since mine were a size 6. The most important question is, how far did you punt the puppy?????

Yes, I have big feet.
Let's just clear the air on that right now.
As my brother-in-law Gary always says, "You need a platform to stand on."
Does having big feet make it more difficult to knit socks?
No, it just takes more yarn and more time.
And to answer Jean's question, here is my funny story that I wasn't going to blog about, but I have decided to anyway:

what could I do?
I'm so totally bummed
but here's the funny story I didn't put on my blog
although I should
a month ago I was heading into the Union for our Friday knitting group meeting
I was sashaying down the hall, holding my box of yarn and needles, feeling cool and wearing my Dr. Scholl's
it was a SOAR session day, and the Union was filled with professors, future students, and tour groups
hustle and bustle to the max
so as I walk past a tour group I'm swinging my butt and thinking about just how cool I really am
when all of a sudden
I walk off the side of my Dr. Scholl
and what I mean is, I took a step and instead of keeping my foot on the shoe my foot went over the side
I felt myself flying forward ready to land face down on the carpet
my yarn box landed with a loud thwack and clang (damn those steel needles)
and then people come rushing over
"are you okay?"
"are you okay?"
and there was one who looked straight into my eyes and asked,
"are you okay?"
I pushed myself up off the floor and with my knee throbbing I smiled the fakest Miss America smile I could ever plaster on my face and said through gritted teeth, "Yes, I'm fine"
mustering whatever dignity I had left, I stood and hid my limp as best I could and made my way painfully down the stairs
above me I heard the tour guide say to her group as they passed (and this is the truth): "I'm sure she's fine, just embarrassed"
you think?
so, when you ask me if I beat the dog for ruining my bargain Dr. Scholl's (the pair which NEVER gave me blisters), I can honestly tell you....
I think I have just grown too old to wear them

Does This Look Like a Bone to You?

DH's dog likes bones.
Well what dog doesn't?
So can anyone tell me why a dog would think a shoe is a bone?
Look at her, barely able to keep herself away from my Dr. Scholl's sandal.



I'm just tempting fate because you know she just wants to latch onto it again.
Here is a better look at the damage she inflicted:



I'm so sad because I bought these on sale at Kaufman's, now Macy's, for $6.00!!!
Yes, that's right, six buck-a-roos.
I won't find another bargain like that anytime soon and I can't figure out whether to throw the pair away or find a cobbler and try to salvage them.
I might just want to get some sandpaper and have a go.



This incident does highlight one thing for me: no wonder the dog begs for people food, all her bones must taste like wood.
It's a damn good thing she doesn't like the taste of yarn.
She leaves that for the cats.

Ahhh, Bach

Does anyone remember that line from Mash?
DH and I still chuckle over it.
Radar was trying to woo some girl, and Hawkeye was giving him lessons on how to act. He told Radar something along the lines of, "You don't have to know about the music, just say, 'Ah, Bach', and then it will appear that you know about the music without really knowing."
They put Radar in a smoking jacket, gave him a pipe and he would knowingly say, "Ahhhh, Bach."
So yes, Ahhhhh, Bach.
According to this quiz I am classical music, and it is something I really enjoy listening to.
On the radio (my favorite station here is Classical 96.3 from Toronto) the announcers voices are smooth and soothing. It is not like listening to some early morning jocks with cackling laughs and grating voices.
Not how I want to be awakened.
And I do like Bach, especially his Brandenburg Concertos.
Perfection.

You Are Classical Music

You are a somewhat serious person who enjoys studying subjects deeply. Art of all kinds interests you, and a good piece of art can really effect you emotionally. You are inspired by human achievement, and you appreciate work that takes years to accomplish. For you, the finer things in life are not about snobbery - they're about quality.

What Kind of Music Are You?

How could anyone not love Baroque music?
Take a listen to this - it always fills my heart with joy.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, Allegro:



One more point in favor of classical music: you can actually buy it pretty cheap. It is not that the music is bad, but rather that there is such an abundance of it (and I believe it is in the public domain) and there are so many wonderful renderings that you can buy a good CD such as this one with Sir Neville Mariner conducting for only $4.97.
We should start a movement and stop paying $18 for pop music and start buying classical.
It's less expensive and much better for your soul.

Chain Reading

I think I am about ready to stop reading for a while.
I have been chain-reading The Mitford Series. I checked out 6 books from the library on Friday and I am almost finished with book number 6.
Perhaps it is time I did something else for a while, like knit (or clean).
I think I am about ready to go back to knitting, though I won't be too involved with it not to be able to find time to read this new book:



It is a comic book (or graphic novel) created by different artists who interpret Tori's songs. Here's Tori's take on the book.
I placed an order with Amazon (yes, and paid state tax) and I can't wait to get it; it should arrive at my house about the same time that DN1 comes back from Poland.
She was interviewed on Polish television the other day. As soon as I can get a video I will put it out here.
She knows I miss her but I know she's having a great time (Prague this weekend), and I always know where to find her (especially at 6:58):

104

Our charity knitting/crochet at work has been a success!
So far we have collected 104 afghan squares.
I am overwhelmed by everyone's hard work so far.
And we're not done yet.

Things I Give Up As I Get Older

So much for Diet Coke with caffeine.
I think I have to switch to decaf if I drink it at all.
Lately I have noticed that my heart has been racing, but my BP is normal.
On Wednesday I sat in a meeting and drank a Diet Coke. After a bit I noticed my heart was racing and I finally figured it out -- caffeine.
I'm a non-coffee drinker anyway (it makes me crazy), and it is mostly because of the caffeine.
But I'm a huge tea drinker!
My cupboard is now over-flowing, but the tea doesn't seem to bother me; perhaps I am immune to the caffeine in tea.
So I guess I'll be giving up soda, which in truth I should have given up a long time ago.
Oh well, it is just another product my body attrits from my diet, just like those who can't eat white sugar. You learn to live without it and it is not a big deal really.
I've been avoiding my Summer of Sock(s) projects and trying to get my mojo back by working on a simple garter stitch shawl with Lion Brand Homespun. If anything the boredom of garter stitch will drive me back to my socks, don't you think?
And to make this post more interesting, because lately my life has been uber-boring, here are some pictures I stole from DN1's facebook album. Here she is on her first night in Poland:




And this goes out to you, DN1. My very favorite song by Pink Floyd:

Thursday Quiz - Yet Another Glimpse Into Who I Am

So here's another quiz.
It is amazing that we can figure out our personality traits based upon 4-5 simple questions.
Even the Myers-Briggs test has more than 4 questions (I'm an ENFP, by the way and just in case you were wondering).
Here we go, you're walking through a city....

What Your City Walk Means

You are thoughtful and contemplative. You enjoy spending time alone with your thoughts. You are generally confident and friendly with strangers. You are well mannered and sociable. Money is fairly important to you. You aren't super greedy, but you enjoy spending money on yourself. You are curious about ideas. If you had the means, you'd like to explore the whole world.

The City Walk Personality Test

And while we are at it, big shout out to DN1 who is walking through a city of her own looking for gnomes!

This One Is For Jean and Sheri

Last night I went to dinner with my friends Jean and Sheri.
Sorry, no pictures.
We had pasta at the Brook House.
The meal was delicious, as always, and I was with some delicious company.
(And Red does actually greet you at the door; last night as DN2 and I walked in we got a "Hi girls!")
Neither Jean nor Sheri are knitters, but they just lurve to see pictures of knitting on my blog.
That's a joke.
Because they really don't.
But they are faithful readers who take my quiz every Thursday whenever I remember to post it and email me directly about whatever the current topic is.
And it keeps us connected (break out the violins here 'cause I think I'm gonna cry).
You can't beat that, right?
Being connected, not crying.
(And what is it about string music that prompts one to cry? Has anyone ever done a study as to why that happens? Or is it only me?)
Anyway, to please them both I am posting a picture of the project that actually took my knitting mojo:

(And on a side note, can women actually have mojo?
Oh, I guess you can.)
Sorry, it is not a sock, it is a cabled square for the afghans we're creating at work.
There you go, girls, enjoy the view because this one is for you!
(P.S. I actually went back and posted some pictures on this blog post.No it's not pictures of me in a bathing suit. I wouldn't inflect that punishment on you; it is bad enough you have to look at pictures of my sucky knitting skills. These are VBS pictures.)

I've Been Sucked In

I held out for as long as I could, but I've been sucked into the abyss known as The Mitford Series.
I knew that people were overwhelmed and overly effusive about Jan Karon's storytelling about the exploits of a small North Carolina town and its Episcopal priest, but I had never picked up the books even though they were always prominently featured in Books-a-Million in Potomac Mills mall.
I had better things to read.
So I moved away from Virginia and our local bookstore doesn't really stock Jan Karon, but even still, three years later, I've been sucked in.
I'm now on Book 4, Out to Canaan.
It started because my friend Flower was talking about finding books for the book club she wants to start.
Flower kept saying, "Oh I just love Jan Karon's books."
I had to confess that I was a literary snob and hadn't read them.
So I jumped in and read book 1 and you know where I am now.
The books are really very pleasant and bucolic, pastoral if you will, and remind me of Miss Read's chronicles of Fairacre. No overt sex, everyone is nice, there is still some strife, but it is usually resolved, so a good read for the summer.
My problem is my self-diagnosed OCD. When I start a series I like to begin on book 1 and then see it through to the end.
I'll let you know when I've finished book 9.
Although I still have to get my hands on books 5-9 because I borrowed books 2-4 from Flower and I don't think she has any more either.
This is where the obsession comes in.
I HAVE TO READ THEM.
I should just see if the dang library has them.
Off to read some more, and maybe as soon as I am done with this series my knitting mojo will come back.
Pray for me, Father Tim.

My Bathing Suit Has Been Getting a Workout This Summer

Too bad that the body inside the suit isn't working out.
No pictures.
Please.
We have been super busy.
Well, I have.
My grammar class finished on 3 July (got an A - yea!) and then we had the 4th of July weekend.
We went to the beach, which DH constantly likes to remind me is not a real beach.
Hey, again, we're up north, if the beach abuts a large lake, then it is still a beach.
Then we spent time at Darien Lake and yesterday we went to Seabreeze.
And I was in a bathing suit each time.
No one's eyes were blinded either.
In between times I was helping out at Vacation Bible School the week of the 7th.
But I didn't wear my bathing suit, not even on water day.
I have a picture of the imps in my class but I'll have to post that later - so this is where I will insert a picture.
Here's the picture:

As well as one with DN2 looking like she's having good time:

(For the record, DH took this fuzzy picture. I'm just saying is all...)
It was a lot of fun, but then once VBS ended at noon I had to rush to get to work by 12:30.
So I took off on Friday the 11th and after VBS ended that day we went to the movies to see Journey to the Center of the Earth. I liked it, DN2 liked it, DH liked it, but the critics don't seem to care for it too much. (Let's be honest here; it had Brendan Fraser, how could it be a bad movie?)
Oh well, can't please everyone.
Of course I considered taking my knitting with me, because I have totally lost my mojo, but decided that since the movie is in 3D and I would be wearing those stupid glasses it would not make sense for me to bring it.
And speaking of 3D, I hate those movies.
Want to know why?
Have I already discussed this?
Well I will tell you again.
I can't see in 3D.
Well, that's not true, I can see 3D in real life, but at the movies I don't get the special effects.
Everyone else will be oohing, ahing, and gasping when the 3D part comes at them, and I'll be sitting there thinking, what? Did something just happen?
Kind of irritating and not scary at all.
I wear the glasses and don't get the extra cool stuff so not a lot of fun for me.
Now let me tell you about our Seabreeze experience.
The day was supposed to dawn sunny and hot.
It was sunny for a bit, but then it slowly became cloudy.
And the clouds continued to roll in. They weren't going back out over that big lake and towards Canada like they should have been.
No, they stayed right on top of us.
And then it started to rain.
You should have seen the people scattering and running for cover.
They were lined up under the overhang by the locker rooms, covering their heads with towels, and ducking into the shops.
Now let's consider this.
2,000 people in swimsuits in a water park and they are all afraid of getting rained on.
It was sublimely hilarious, to say the least.
Back to a regular work week now for the first time in 6 weeks.
I think I need a vacation.

Thursday Quiz - World Travel

Hi.
Remember me?
I'm the one who has not blogged in about 2 weeks.
I am still here just distracted and in a funk.
DN1 leaves for Poland today, so in honor of her trip I thought I would use a quiz to see if any of us are good citizens of the world.
I am.
Nanny nanny boo boo.

You are a Model Citizen of the World

You care deeply about the world, and you do everything you can to help. You feel like the injustices in the world are your injustices, and you fight to fix them. You have a deep appreciation for the differences that make up the world. You feel like you have something to gain from every culture and country.

Are You a Citizen of the World?

DN1 will be back at the beginning of August.
Too bad it's not a trip that is all fun and games because she is taking 2 classes while she is there.
But she will have fun, I'm sure.
And we will miss her.
I'm sure of that too.