Purls and Pugs

Luau

So, I am called the party planner at work. Well, I guess that's what I do. I am in charge of recognition and events, so we plan some fun ones. Today was a luau inside the factory. We had planned to do it outside, but there was threat of rain. Instead we suffered in the humid factory...just like Hawaii, right?

So, here I am wilted and passing out leis to my coworkers. Don't worry, there was no kissing going on. Though some of the dirty old men would have liked it!

So, I think I have my paper done...all I have to do is edit it for errors. I know you all are so tired of hearing about it, so don't worry...no more! Now, Operations Management, that I can't guarantee you won't hear anything about.

I also wanted to thank everyone for the book recommendations they made. I will add them all to the list.

Orange you glad...

...that I have an orange pen! My friend from school Kim was so awesome and gifted me with this orange pen. I had no idea that there were really orange ink pens. Seriously, I need to get out to the dangerous stationary/office supply store more often. Ok, maybe not...I might end up with orange paper, pens, markers, paperclips....whew, then I'd need some blue thrown in there. *wink wink*

Speaking of orange, I did a bad thing while slacking...and you may have noticed the updated progress bar on the Puffed Sleeve Cardigan...um, I think I am actually closer to 85 or 90% done. Yeah, it's addicting. Oh, yeah, and the paper is about 90% done, too. I'm getting there...now I just need to get up to speed on my Operations Management class that began last week...

 **Note: Don't drink a bottle of Pepsi during class if you are used to only drinking Diet. And by no means eat a cookie while drinking the full sugar, grows hair on your teeth soda! Trust me on this....

SLACKER!

I am supposed to writing a paper right now. Yeah. Instead I am doing everything but writing a paper about an awesome trip I had.

So, I have been reading a little bit more lately.  Usually when school is in, I don't get to read for fun as much as I would like, but lately, I feel I need to read. I need to go to some far away place and just let my mind go.

Now, I have talked about my book philosophy before, but I will recap it for those of you who are new. See, I like to read to relax, take my mind off things. I read enough boring books for school, so I like to go for the, well, easy stuff when reading for fun. Do you blame me? My mind needs a rest!

So, my friend suggested that I start reading some Dean Koontz books since I like those weird mystery/horror books (not horror movies, though). So, I started out with Odd Thomas, and I liked it. It's about a guy who can see dead people. No, not like that movie...well, similar, but not the same. This guy can use his ability to stop by things from happening...you know, mass murders and stuff. Now, I am on to the second Odd book--Forever Odd. I haven't started it since I just picked it up from Target. But I am sure that I will soon since I am procrastinating and all.

Back to Harry Potter

It's back to school for me...Operations Management! I was so engaged last night, I actually pulled up my development environment and coded while in class! How much of a nerd am I?

So, in order to combat some of the craziness that is going to happen with this summer class, I have decided it is time to read something fun. And since the new and final Harry Potter book comes out in 31 Days, 14 Hours, 09 Minutes, 21 Seconds.31 Days, 14 Hours, 19 Minutes, 06 Seconds., I decided to get caught up. I borrowed from my sister, the teacher, the Mugglenet book

I haven't gotten very far, but I think it'll be a pretty quick read.

Blogversary Winner!

Congratulations to Cynthia of 'I hate waiting' for winning the blogversary contest. She sent in two stories, but I would like to share this one because something similar happened to me (ever wonder where the banner picture came from?):

"I had thought long and hard about the yarn for my first clapotis. It was one of my first ever real knitting projects, and I finally painstakingly decided on SWTC bamboo.
Great price, great yardage, great drape, great colors. Great, right? The yarn is kinda slippery, so I wound the yarn into balls (this is before I figured out how to wind
center pulls). Put down the yarn to grab some soda, check the email. Come back out to the living room to find the yarn ALL OVER. Rolled down under the ottoman,
then under the couch, all around the wall column thing, through the legs of my pub chairs, and then ending up under the entertainment center. I think the two cats
played some soccer with my bamboo yarn. It only took me about 90 minutes to painstakingly re-wind the yarn. SIGH."

So, Cynthia, please email me so we can get your prizes out to you!

Thanks to everyone that helped to celebrate the blogversary!

I cheated a bit...

So, I did it. I caved. I said I was only going to work on things that are on my side bar, well, in addition to my paper for my Germany class. But I went to this sewing/yarn store near work to pick up some things for the Amy Butler Cabo Halter, and I decided I was going to buy yarn for swatching.

I have been eyeballing the Airy Wrap-Around Lace Sweater from Fitted Knits to wear over a dress for a wedding, so in my moment of weakness I picked up some yarn for it. You see here Crystal Palace Aran and Kid Merino with a size 11 Denise Circular. I only have done a couple rows of the swatch and I can already tell I will need to go up a size in the needles...hey, at least I didn't just buy all the yarn!

So, Yoda and I are marveling in our famousness over here...today we became the  featured blog on Typepad...She was so excited that she decided to try and hide!

Yes, my little princess decided that she didn't want to see the paparazzi...she really does like the simple life. But then I convinced her that it's not so bad..she can get free stuff when she hosts award shows, she can get into any restaurant...so she dolled up and went to see her public...and now she is napping!!!

Puffed Sleeve Wings

Ok, so I finished the increases for the Puffed Sleeve Cardigan. Yeah. It totally looks like it has wings. I know this is because of the 'puffed' part of the sweater, but, yeah. It does fit around well, so I guess I shouldn't judge a book by its cover...or maybe a sweater before it's complete.

I think the body is going to fly...ok, maybe if I didn't have to purl it would, but you know, that slows me down. I really need to try that steeking thing.

So, I managed to tame the wild Yoda long enough for a picture. She is totally cranky in this picture. I think she knows how to tell time. I really do. When it is bed time, she starts to whine and get all cranky...it's as if she is saying, "Damn it! I am tired, let's go already." Yeah, my dog swears. Where do you think she learned it?! So I guess I better get her to bed...

Puffed Sleeve Cardigan Update

I have been working diligently on the Fitted Knits Puffed Sleeve Cardigan...Well, when I am not falling asleep on the couch. I have about 2 more sets of increases to do and then I can take the sleeves off the needles. I will try it on at that point and make sure everything fits correctly.

I have been all over on if sweaters should be knit in pieces, in the round from the bottom or in the round from the top. I think I am going to have to continue really liking going top down. I have some of the best fitting sweaters knit this way, and I really don't have a problem with raglan sleeves. I think at some point I will try a top down set-in sleeve sweater, and who knows, maybe I will like it.

On another note, I have been using this Windows Live Writer for posting, and I actually think it's pretty neat. You can write posts while not even connected to the Internet and have them upload...

That poor sock

So, this is the sock I was supposed to finish and do its mate while on my trip. As you can see, that didn't happen. While I was able to knit on this a bit, it's just not all the way there, which is good in a way. I am thinking of ripping out the sock to right before the heel...the heel is a bit, um, small, so I was thinking that if I went up a needle size, I should be ok.

You know it's dangerous when I think, right?

So, school begins next week. I will warn you that the posts might be a bit slower...and I'll try to get some Yoda pics...she is just not being very cooperative these days with the camera...fickle pugs!

So, some of you might have noticed that I have a new sidebar item...I am going to be a featured blog on Typepad. Seriously. According to Typepad, I should be up on June 17. It's pretty exciting...

Are you all having problems coming up with stories for the contest? Do I smell? How about we simplify the contest...send me a funny story about crafting...put it in the comments...I just want to laugh and give away stuff...Yoda is still working on her part of the (sur)prize...she will be disappointed if there are not a lot of entries. Have you ever dealt with a pouty pug? It's not pretty...am I begging? That's not very becoming either...I just know there are people out there!

Surfing the River Isar

Who would have thought there was surfing in landlocked Munich, Germany? There is, and these guys are pretty good! Since I haven't been very good about posting Germany stuff or knitting stuff, I thought this would be interesting and different.

Don't forget to join in the Blogverary fun by sending in your entry!!! Prizes to be won...Yoda is helping with some of them...hint, hint!!!