Sunday, April 29, 2007
They're Done
I will post a pic either tomorrow morning, or early Tues. Tomorrow is a busy day for me with one job from 6:30am- 12:30pm followed by the other job from 2p - 8p.
Then Tues I will have some time before I go off to my first Accupuncture appt. I want to regain some balance in my health. This last time that I was sick is the 2nd time since January and this is very unusual for me. Especially since lately I have been eating better and trying to walk on my treadmill at least 3-4days per week. Since my blood pressure is still not responding I am loooking to Accupuncture to help my body do it's work. Mainly because I really do not want to go on blood pressure medications at this point in my life.
I wish everyone a good start to their week and .....
Keep on Knitting!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
I guess this just proves what lots of people have told me
| You Are Cookie Monster |
Misunderstood as a primal monster, you're a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth. You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you'll eat anything if cookies aren't around. You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking How you life your life: In the moment. "Me want COOKIE!" |
I have had several people describe me as the Cookie Monster over the course of my life, I guess they were all right - "who'd a thunk it??"
I am finally beginning to feel like myself again. Been away for a few days. Some sort of 'buglet' crept up and jumped me from behind. There I was enjoying myself on Saturday - outside in the sunshine, working in the yard, transplanting flowers and trees and then - ALL OF A SUDDEN - BAM!!!! I am laying on the couch feeling like I have been run over by a truck and 3hrs later I have a fever of 101.2 (which for those of us who usually run 97.6 is close to death). So being the naturalist that I am I try to burn those little buglets out for my system for a bit and just let the fever do it's thing. Only trouble was, I was so hot that I could sleep, sit still, or do much of anything with out everything (including my hair) hurting. I should remind you all that this was a Boys weekend - and the boys do not like it when I am sick - life just isn't as fun when Cheryl's not either around, or feeling well (it is so good to be loved).
So anyway, by about midnight I decided to go for the Tylenol. Then spent that whole night not sleeping, of course neither did my DH. Sunday comes and goes - I call out sick to both my jobs - very unusual for me, especially these days ($). Lots of Echinaccea, Hyland's Homeopathic Sinus and Insomnia formulas and then a little bit more sleep. 2hrs at a clip was better than none. Still could not get the temp below 100.0 . Monday comes and I call of sick again to my job at the store and the sniffles, sneezes and coughs start. DH comes home from work and promptly goes to the Vitamine Shop for more Echinaccea, (between the 2 of us - me trying to cure and him trying to keep from getting what I have) we ran out AND some Hyland's Flu formula. Let me tell you with in 1hr of my first does life was already beginning to improve.
So here I am today at 98.8 (still up for me, but much much more liveable), and with a bit of cabin fever so I think I shall go do a few errands just to ge out of the house for a bit. Good thing the weather has been gorgeous the last few days and I could have the house open. It doesn't feel like such an icky place when the house is open while someone in the house is sick. I guess if I have my druthers I will choose getting sick at this time of the year instead of during a time when the house is all closed up for either heating or air conditioning purposes.
Yes Viv, I did get your email with my "meme" in it, and now that I can actually think clearly I think I shall work on that after I go outside for a bit.
Stay well everyone, and if you must get sick - open the windows and let the fresh air blow through.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Here it is - the new ME

Saturday, April 14, 2007
Yep, I did finish it finally
Would have been easier if I had followed directions, and not had to cast off 5 times in order to get the body correct. But alas, this is how we learn in life. The Plymouth Baby Alpaca yarn is just wonderfully soft and I haven't even blocked it yet.Luckily my LYS (the one that is "going out of business" but not really now that someone else has purchased the store) had another batch of the Baby Alpaca - enough for me to do another sweater (maybe for my DH or not - haven't decided yet), only this time it is burgundy and only one color. I think I need to figure out how to knit a bit tighter with this yarn, since the pictures indicate quite clearly what color bra I have on. DH says you really don't pick it up in person but it is very obvious in pictures.
So next on the needles is the baby sweater for my new great-nephew who just arrived 2 nights ago. Yep, I am already behind with this one, but I am hoping that since he is still small the sweater won't take too long.
You will all notice I now have 'functioning' buttons on my side bar. My wonderful friend Que at my Meet-Up mtg this morning enlightened me on the how-to's of getting them to work the way they are suppose to. Now I am really dangerous - look out world - here I come.
Well, I am off to work on my baby sweater and maybe even finish Dad's socks this weekend. Wish me luck.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
This Time For Sure....

Yes, I admit it, I did a Viv. But let us face it folks, it is Saturday, and I have been frantically trying to get this right (icluding a run to the LYS for advice - and yarn of course), so I am not really looking my best. I will save that for once the sleeves are on. I can honestly say I am hoping that will happen really soon, so that I can wear this one once or twice before it is time to put it away. After all we have had SNOW off and on all day here in Viginia Beach. Can you believe it??!! You could have nocked me over with a feather. Infact yesterday I was telling people they were nuts for actually listening to the weather guessers. But alas now it is just sunny out and windy and not a flurry in sight.
Well I am off to go start on my sleeves. Have a great weekend everyone!!
Remember Life is what you make it....so make it GREAT!!
Friday, April 06, 2007
OOooooo I am such a Lucky Girl!!!!
This is my best attempt at a still-life photo grouping. I guess I really need to talk to my son to get some tips.
The yarn on the left is absolutely scrummy. The Wooly Washers in the middle, all I can say is the soap smells soooooooo wonderful, and the wool it comes with, I don't know - it almost seems too pretty to make into a soap-y thing. Let's see, on to my lovely Lantern Moon 5" sock needles. This will be a first for me. I have only used 6" and thought they were little, but my SP tells me once you have used 5"ers, 6 seems huge. On to my wonderful Chocolates, she really knows the way to my heart. My name stitch markers on the left came just in time for me to start working on the repeats in my lace shawl and the oriental case just above them is perfect for storing stitch markers. Last but certainly not least is the treat she enclosed for my four-legged daughters - peanut flavored dog biscuits with 1/2 dipped in carob. As you can see from the pics below the girls LOVED them. Thank You from Misty and Naya for our treats!!!!


Can you just see the sisterly concern Naya (the silver one) has for Misty - wanting to make sure she got all the crumbs. The the final shot with Naya offering to help Misty vacuum the carpet really well. I do promise we feed our dogs twice daily and these shots occured AFTER breakfast.
On to some knitting stuff...the promised pic of the Baby Alpaca Neck Down Sweater need just a bit more time. I casted off the bottom edge of the body this morning just before rushing off to work only to realize that I bound off too tightly and could not get said sweater past my arm pits. Errrrgggg Arrrrggggh!!! So that my dear friends is what I am off to do right now.
Have a lovely weekend.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Just to let you all know
Needless to say, I have not gotten much knitting done, nor much sleeping, but I am hoping I will get back to my routine here very soon. Maybe tomorrow after I get home from work I will be able to post a pic of my Baby Llama sweater.
Take Care Everyone and enjoy the Spring time
Friday, March 23, 2007
Catching up with SP
THANK YOU TO MY SECRET PAL for the lovely postcard I recieved this morning. I have been on off my puter for several days now and not always keeping up. It was so lovely to see the roses she sent (I am a sucker for roses). Yes, the first few days of spring have been great.
Next up....
My contest entry is the sweater pictured in my previous post. I absolutely love working on it. It is from Knitting Pure and Simple and is called the Weekend Neck Down Pullover. I am working it with Plymouth Yarn's Baby Alpaca Grande. It has got to be one of the softest sweaters I will ever own. Yep you saw that right, I am making this for me. I have been a bit selfish with my knitting lately what with my Einstein Coat and now this sweater... but I know there are many pairs of socks already on the list (and the needles for that matter) that will go to others.
This will be my first attempt at a sweater, so I am really hoping it comes out well. Plus it seems to be working up fairly quickly (as long as I get chance to work on it).
Must run now and go visit with my friend who is here visiting, and then it is off to work for me.
Tootles
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
I am in Love....
It is just the prettiest blues I have seen. It is a very loosely twined dk & lt blue, but as you knitt it, it just becomes totally lovely. This is the neck portion of my Weekend Neck Down Pullover from Knitting Pure and Simple. Silly me, I thought the title meant I could knit this in a weekend - yes Viv I had you in mind (silly me thinking I might be fast enough to make this true) - It took me nearly ALL weekend just get these 40 stitches cast on and connected and knit in the round (which I might add I have done in the past). I tell you everyone, after the umpteenth attempt at this, I was ready to throw myself off a cliff and just join in with the dumb rocks below. But alas, I finally go a bit smart and went to Knitting Help and watched the video a couple times and low and behold I was able to not only cast on, but also join in the round and subsequently start actually knitting my sweater.

Here we have my sweater after just the first skein of wool. It looks kind of goofy in this picture, but I still have it on the small circular needles with all the little markers and such. I am just about ready to split off for the sleeves, but I need to join a new skein of wool (but first I need to wind it into a usuable cake)
Of course this also means that I have not been working on my Dad's or DH's socks. I figure I will keep those for my plane rides.
Oh and the other exciting news is..... I just got my Secret Pal assigned to me and she is a sock knitter (whoo hooo). I have my SP too, but I will not say too much about that or I am sure I will give something away. I am so excited to have a SP, I have not ever done something like this before.
Off to do some laundry and wool winding, and maybe even some knitting.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
The Pics I Promised



So here they are....
First me looking 'sheepish' in my Einstein Coat. Although I must admit I am very proud of it. It is so toasty and comfy. I sometimes come in from outside and don't even remove it.
Then we have my oldest who was here last night on a stop-over for spring break. I took him to the airport this morning and about now he should be arriving in West Palm Beach, FL to visit his Aunt & Uncle.
Lastly we have my lovely Daffodils. They were looking very chilly and huddley the other day, so I went and snipped them and brought them into the warmth. By the next morning this is how they thanked me.
Today was a great day, in that I got to spend a bit more time with Rich, and then went to my monthly Knitting Group mtg. We are called Yarn for Breakfast. This morning there were about 10-12 of us, and we really raised quite the din in that little coffee shop. I think the computer users were glad to see us finally leave at about 1230. As I wrote in my comments for our mtg - Chitty- Chatty; Chitty- Chatty ... KNIT KNIT KNIT. For those of you familiar witht he muscial The Music Man, there is a tune that fits just perfectly.
I am off to go do some more knitting.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
...and then there is this

Here it is my very first Dish Cloth/Rag. It seems strange to be calling my hand knit item a 'rag', but that is what it is and what it is meant to be. Please excuse the center glitches near the top. After all this is my first attempt, and oh by the way I did it in 4 separate sessions of walking on the treadmill for 20-30 min at a time. I have found that I am capable of walking 3mph while knitting (in a controlled environment). Plus the use of 5mm bamboo needles helps too - a) they are big enough so not too hard to keep hold of and b) the bamboo isn't so slippery like aluminum.
Since this seems to be my most recent way of motivating myself to get on the treadmill I guess everyone can look forward to Dish Cloths through out the year. Plus it is a really great way to satisfy that desire to finish 'something' when working on other projects.
As I live and breath my dish cloth knitting will NOT travel anywhere with me unless there is a treadmill to be walked upon.
I am hoping to be able to wear Einstein to work tomorrow or definitely by Tues so there will be modeling pics soon.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Heeeeerrrrrreeee's Einstein.....


Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Here is Einstein


The Secret Pal Questionaire
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
So far I cannot say I have a 'favorite' yarn so I guess any and all are good for me. I have found that I am not really into the ribbon yarn type fibers.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A Burt's Bees Demo Bag (sock needles), and original packaging for all others
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned to knit Christmas of 05' and I would consider myself intermediate. I have taught myself lace knitting, and enjoy doing all kinds of socks. Have not yet tackled cables.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I think I have an Amazon whish list, will need to check on that.
5. What's your favorite scent?
Fresh Lavender
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
OH BOY do I!!! My favorite candy is European Dark Chocolate especially Ritter Sport Halb-bitter and Dunkel Voll-Nuss. In a pinch Dove Dark Chocolate is a good stand in.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I do counted cross stitch but not cutesy things usually more involved projects.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like New Age type music, Classical, Country, and Celtic. My computer can play CD's but not sure about MP3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like blues, purples, colors of Sedona Red Rocks, and mauves - the can't stands would have to be neons, primarys, and especially orange and green
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married to my Beloved and we have 3 sons that live with their mom. We have two 4-legged daughters Misty and Naya.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do like scarves, but more accessory type than warmth type (due to where I live) not so much mitten, and no hats. Ponchos if they are light in weight might be nice.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks and Shawls (right now)
13. What are you knitting right now?
I am finishing my Einstein Coat, I have 2 pairs of socks on needles and a lace shawl, oh and a sleeveless top for me.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Oh yes, as I know the love and care that goes into them.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like both straight and circular needles and both bamboo and aluminum but not plastic.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes to both and am very willing to share its use with anyone.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Probably the sleevelss top it is about a year on the needles.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
I would have to say Christmas as I am a Santa collector - anything neat or unusual
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Santa's and unique ornaments, and of course sock yarn
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
No subscriptions, (trying to keep the clutter at bay), books any of the Yarn Harlot's would be lovely, and Alton Brown's I am just here for more food.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I would like to be able to get better at what I am doing and learn cabling.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes to being a sock knitter and my measurements Leg Length 3.5-5inches; Heel to toe 7inches; Toe length 2.25inches; Heel flap length 2.25inches; Foot circumference 9inches. I wear a size 8-8.5 shoe (US) or a 39 (European)
23. When is your birthday?
May 20th - by the way Emerald Green is the only color green I like, but only in small quantitites.
So that should cover it all.
I Promise...
The hotwater heater from h**l is due to be replaced (yes, the new one is being replaced with another new one) on Wed Mar 7th.
So if we put it all together chronologically it looks something like this:
Dec - New Hot Water Heater
Feb - New Washing Machine
Feb - New Hair Dryer (mine chose to grab a good size chunk of my hair and then burn up)
Feb - New Dishwasher
Feb - New Garbage Disposal
Mar - New Hot Water Heater
SO FOR GOODNESS SAKE CAN WE PLEASE BE DONE WITH THE APPLIANCES!!!!!!!!
On to the really good stuff. I promise later this morning I will take a picture of Einstein where I am currently at and post it. It really is looking like a coat. I am almost done with the sleeves. Tomorrow evening I go to my knitting class to seam up the arms and shoulders and probably cast on the collar.
My LYS is going out of business!!! Bummer. She asked if I wanted to buy the store... much as I would like to have that kind of access to all the yarn I want I think the price would be too high. So I will continue to knit from stash and find other places. Good thing I have my groups.
Off to my busy day, so more later...
Friday, February 16, 2007
OUT with the OLD.....
This poor old washer has done quite well by me. I personally have been washing clothes with it since I met my beloved back in 1996. He got it from his Aunt some time after she passed on, but it sat at his parents ranch until he needed it for a couple years. The guy who swapped them out said this old girl is at least 15yrs old. Gotta love Kenmore - but they just didn't have what I wanted for my new washer.
You will take notice to the wing nut that I have been using as a knob for oh so many years (at least 6)May your rest in peace and go to the happy resting grounds of wash machines in the sky (or wherever it is that washers go to their final peace at).
...and IN with the NEW
Yep, I got a new washer, I got a new washer, (du de du de du du - can you hear the sing-songy joy in my voice??)
The girls had to check everything out just to make sure it was all up to snuff and could be allowed to stay in "their" laundry room.Bosch was sweet enough to include handy little magnets with tips and trouble shooting items (in both english and french I might add) and also a little lingere bag.
Now if I only had time to actually start playing with my new toy today. But alas work calls and one needs to do something to pay for said new toy (especially since there will be a dishwasher joining it soon). The cool part is, this one had a tiny little dent on the front therefore it was 10%off and then Bosch offers their annual green sale discount of $100 rebate. All in all a very good deal.
Rachael, just one more way for you to feel right at home here in VA Beach when you come.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Romance isn't completely dead
See, I got quite creative yesterday during my wildly romantic day (not exactly). For me Valentines Day consisted of doing laundry, researching Dishwashers and Clothes washers, until I was absolutely bleary eyed. Baking, as can be seen above, cleaning up the kitchen from the last 3 days of ... well we won't go there.Then my Beloved came home. Now right in front of this lovely little message brownie made by moi was 5 sheets of paper fanned out, all with Dinning Certificates for our favorite restaurants. He literally had to be encouraged to look at the table as he blithely passed by and what did he focus on first.... the pieces of white paper, and then walked toward me. I could tell by his eyes, he had not even registerd the plate with the brownie so nicely positions 2.5" from the papers. So I said HEY!! go back to the table! So he turns and it still takes him about 3 seconds to register what else was there. Once he figured it out I hear "Wow that is a brownie" (to myself - 'do ya think???' "You have been busy today".
I guess it just never ceases to amaze me that men figure if you have made a brownie, and printed out some pages from the computer you have obviously had a busy day. I am lucky enough that he often asks "so how was your day and what all have you been doing". It gives me the perfect opening to say "...well there are the six loads of laundry washed/dried/folded/& put away, the vacuuming, the cleaning of the kitchen, and oh by the way the 5hrs worth of research so as to get the exact wash machines I want at the best possible price." The good thing about my man is he is very adept at then saying .."you have had quite a busy day, sounds like you got alot accomplished. I guess he knows the more he fluffs my feathers the more likely I am to fluff his.
So with all of this said...My beloved gave me a book of photos with captions titled Why I Love You. It is really quite neat. After oohing and aahhing over everything he asked me, so what do you want to do with our evening??? I very honestly looked him in the eyes and said "Honey can we go take a nap?"
PS - I must add, a great dinner of left-over Taco Guaca-Salsa Salad followed our nap. All was well in the Griset House (and yes there was brownie for desert - he claimed the part with the heart and I claimed the 'I')
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Oh Dear not another online yarn site.....
So if you would like to go and check them out, please feel free to do so. If you register on their site, not neccesarily buy, but just register they give me some credit as well.
I plan to have some pics later today to post. Almost done with Einstein's right sleeve and have made more progress on Rick's sock.
See you all later.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Yes, I really do have a family.





Since I have in the past, (and in my profile) alluded to the fact that I do have a family - I have finally decided to post some pics and news about said family. No I did not pay these people to pose as my family. Unfortunately the only one missing is my oldest who is off and away at college, but not to worry, because next time we are in his prescence I will snap his pic and plunk him down here so you can all see him in his glory.
But until then, here is my rag tag crew in all their glory.
1st in line is Rick (last night while he was preparing an absolutely fabulous dinner called Taco Guaca-Salsa Salad). Said recipe can be found on www.foodnetwork.com under Rachael Ray's Recipes.
2nd view would be Josh, my 6'2.5" (almost)18yr old. Accepted into George Mason University for the fall of 2007. He was being his ever so pleasant self as usual.
#3 is Matt, getting Math homework help from Rick (while he is working on above stated recipe). Believe it or not he is (almost)15 and at least 4-5" taller than me.
Then of course is the Oh so cute Misty. Quite the camera princess. Don't let all that cuteness fool you. She is full of vim & vigor (enough for all of us and then some).
Last but certainly not least is the Queen of the household - Naya. These days her age is showing, and we all know to bow down to her wishes lest she should not be with us forever.
So there you have it, my rag-a-muffin crew in all its glory. Loveable and laughable, and totally great. That is mom speak for I love them dearly even though some days they make me want to tear my hair out by the roots.
Hope you enjoyed the show.
Updated Knitting Pics
I am hoping that this pattern will cover all those bases. It is an 8 stitch Twisted stitch ribbed pattern that looks decidedly "Gentlemanly" In other words, it won't bore me to tears while making long socks for a very wide foot.
Next we the ever present Einstein coat at the end of Phase 2. 2 separate views of the very wooly coat. (Pretty fancy getting these pics to sit side by side don't cha think...huh? huh? huh?)


The mere fact that I am able to get these pics from the camera to the blog is just amazing in my world.
Hope you all enjoy them. Next there will a new post with pics from the family and some family news. Be on the look out.
Happy Knitting!!!


