SP & Rocks (again) and Friday Craziness

I love getting packages in the mail! And getting packages from my amazing SP7 is awesome because I think she knows me just by reading my little blog. It is amazing (I sound like Katie Holmes)!

First of all - just look at the package itself:

That is right: hellokitty! I -heart- hellokitty! Ever since I was a little girl in Argentina, and I really wanted to get hellokitty stickers and stationary and bookbags, and my parents did not give in to my every little tantrum. So when I see hellokitty...it makes me happy!

Inside my hellokitty lovely package there was the following:

So so much cool stuff! Valentine's candy (yummie!), hellokitty tattoos - oh yes, tattoos!, hellokitty crayons, hellokitty erasers (for all my financial messes at work), a picasso calendar, so so lovely cause I love picasso and I needed a monthly calendar to keep track of the miles that I am running, an awesome postcard that I have now put as my picture in my profile, and... the BEST part - twisted sister hand died gorgeous yarn! It is GOR-GE-OUS! The picture does not do the color justice. It is a sherberty mixture of pinks, and greens, and I cannot wait to knit myself something with it. I am thinking of a drop stitch scarf, and that is what my SP7 recommended as well! I told you - I think she knows me already!

I thanked her over email - but I need to thank her publicly because she (and I know she is a 'she' because she packaged everything in a women's sneaker box) is making my first SP experience awesome!

Friday craziness:

We have been going through some crazy changes at work, and I think it is getting to us.

Exhibit A:

That is my co-worker and friend Bexters (names have been changed to protect the person's reputatio). She was doing the "happy deer dance" because her accounts did not have any issues while I was stuck scratching my head, crying and wanting a drink over a few silly numbers that did not match up!

Exhibit B:

We actually look up words on dictionary.com so we can acurately describe our moods. (and because we have to find any possible way to NOT do our work).

This was us at around..oh....11 a.m. when our blood was approximately 89.3% sweet tart:

"frolicsome: (adj.) full of high spirited fun; frisky."

Around 2:30 p.m. as we were coming out of our sugar high we were:

"inert: (adj.) sluggish; lethargic"

So this weekend, even though I have to fit in some time and work from home, I am going to go for a nice, long run, and do some major t.v. watching and knitting (yes, at the same time).

I have to block the baby sweater (I am procrastinating it cause it just does not appeal to me) and I have completed the back, front and half of the sleeves for my bolero jacket! I will take pictures today with my brand new camera and will post later.

Friends? What Friends?

I have two bestest closest friends:


Maria (Reese): Maria and I met the first day of high school where we bonded over General Hospital, crushes, cheerleading (I was the manager - not - a cheerleader.

Then she went to college, but she came back and we got into a fight and then we made up and then we got into a fight again, and then we made up cause she started dating Tony's close friend Drew (not perfect match - but the four of us had fun).

She got married October 2004 and I was a bridesmaid and that is how much I love her cause I WAS A BRIDESMAID. You can also tell I love her cause I made her this . (She is the blonde on the right in the picture, I am the brunnette on the left).


Michele (Michi): Michi and I met in Junior Highschool. We played basket ball together...ok, ok... she played basketball and I just kinda akwardly fumbled with the ball).

We also bonded over crushes, and over the fact that unbeknownst to us my older cousin and her older sister were friends since highschool. It still amuses us.

During highschool and college we were friends, then we weren't and then we were friends again and then we fought and then we made up. Sometimes because I am a drama queen and cannot seem to NOT fight (okay - alot of times) and other times cause Michi and I don't mesh politically.

Then in June 2004 she got married, and she called me and we talked and I was at her wedding too! We put aside our political and religious differences and I love her to death too. That is why I made her this.

Every month we get together and have "Girls Night". One of us cooks (some of us are better cooks than others - sausage and peppers - ) and we drink and we talk and we dance in front of open windows and wave at my neighbors. We vent about dads, moms, brothers, sisters, co-workers (not you Bex), husbands and triple L's.

I have not seen the girls in about a month and have been craving them. Reese called me yesterday and did not leave a message. I called her back as soon as I left work and all I heard was the annoying electronic voice "the person you are trying to reach does not have voicemail capabilities" blah blah (Why have a phone if it does not work? - Just saying). So I call her house and her huband tells me that he thought that she was out with me and Michi. Immediately I had thought:

1. Crap - Reese lied to her husband and used me as a cover and forgot to tell me - dummy!*

2. Reese and Michi are out together and did not invite me.

Since I was 99.9% sure that it was option 1. I called Michi so we could get Reese out of this mess. When she does not answer... it hit me... they are out having fun and drinking...without me! So I left a nasty message DEMANDING my scarf back. (a bit sarcastic, but still a nasty message)

I was upset, until they called me later and explained that they had both thought the other one would call me. And althought that made me feel better... I just wanted to publicly diss them on the blog. I wanted to put nasty ugly pimply pictures of them - but damn it if I don't have two of the cutests girls as friends!

Keep the scarves girls - I love you! but the next time you forget to call me... I am scanning in highschool pictures and posting them

*Editor's Note: Much like James Frey did in "A Million Little Pieces" I have taken certain literary licences with the charactarization of my friends. Of course Reese would never ever ever lie to her husband. I added that comment to bring a certain dramatic effect to the story. (And if she did I would not tell her husband because Reese is my friend and friends come first).

Update

Tony's sister took his camera on her cruise, so I do not have any photographic updates. I did finish the bebe sweater... and showed it off to anyone that would walk by me. Even the lady at the fabric store where I bought cute pearl buttons for it. I also started (and finished) the back of my Bolero Jacket. It is going to be a fast knit - I cannot wait to wear it.

(shhh... ordered a new camera and yarn for a new project today... tony is going to KILL ME!... I am always complaining that I am broke) Will write more about that later.

My Secret Pal rocks!

I have been so excited about SP7 starting. I used to be so jealous of these knitters that got secret gifts and notes from total strangers. And now I am lucky enough to participate in a round of Secret Pal.

My secret pal contacted me via email this past week and she totally brightened up my day! She made me a button for my blog (you see it on the sidebar?). It is so cute! Then on Saturday when we got the mail, she had also sent me this cute card.

I am excited about getting to know her better!

On the knitting front - I stink - I can't read directions. So on the baby sweater (the one I was going to finish this weekend) where it said to decreate at the neck - I decreased at the shoulder and did not figure it out until I was putting it all together. I don't care if I have to stay up all night - I am finishing it this weekend!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Sleeves baaeebeee!

That is right - my first pair of sleeves! WOOOOOHOOO! I had to frog and redo, because I had messed up the tension, it was not perfect, and it was annoying me. But they are done!

I started finishing the sweater, joining the shoulder seams together, and will (hopefully) block this weekend. That is if I do not have to spend a long time figuring out how to put the whole thing together.

I have also started working on a birthday scarf for Tony's mom. Her birthday was in December, but I need to have an easy project going while i work on more complicated ones. I will post the blog where I found the pattern later. Now... off to work :(

SP7 Questionnaire

1.Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?

I have just started knitting, so I have not yet become a “yarn snob”. My last two yarn purchases have been Jaeger cotton and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky. Just from the little experience I have had with “better” yarn, I think I will become a yarn snob. (was that explanation long-winded or what??) short answer – YES.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

Nope. Before I try either I want to “master” knitting.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have Denise interchangeable needles – I store those in the case they came in. The others are just kinda lying around my knitting bag or basket.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

My mom taught me the basics when I was a little girl. I have picked it up more and more the past year. I would consider myself to be intermediate (because I like to challenge myself) although my FO are still beginner.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Not one I update frequently.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Vanilla or Sugar Cookie candles – (I love the “baking” smells – probably because I am a HORRIBLE baker)

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I prefer chips and salsa… lime chips… UMMMM (insert Homer sound here)

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I always start learning something and then put it down. Knitting is the one thing that I am consistent in.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

My ipod has anything and everything, from tango (I am from Argentina) to country and bluegrass to jazz, classical… and even some Britney and JLOs for my long runs. Not ashamed at ALL.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like neutrals and natural colors. I am always into soft pinks, and now recently into greens. Blue just does not look good on me – so I don’t like it.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am single, but have been with my boyfriend, Tony, for almost 7 years (GULP) (Hi Tony if you are reading). I am extremely close with both my family (mom dad and 2 bros) and Tony’s family (mom dad and two sis). My dad has a cat – Macey – who I adore, but she hates me since I moved out in April.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves – all the time! And they are my favorite “easy” project to knit on the side. I love making people birthday scarves. Ponchos are not me.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

I don’t have favorites yet. But I love my new Debbie Bliss Cahmerino… gosh I cannot wait to start that bolero jacket!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Haven’t gotten to the point where I hate any…

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

I am finishing (hopefully by tomorrow) a sweater for a baby (not mine Tony – don’t worry) and cannot wait to start my Bolero Jacket. I am always knitting a scarf for someone.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I just want to get to the point where I can actually make myself something!

17. What are you knitting right now?

See 15

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes, as long as they do not take too much room in my small closet and small condo.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circulars… looooovvee them!

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I really want to try bamboo… but I hear aluminum are faster - and I def. need to get faster!

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No.

22. How did you learn to knit?
By watching my mom when I was little, and more recently by reading books (Stitch ‘n Bitch) , browsing the web (not at work – OF COURSE) and reading blogs.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Don’t have any yet.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

OOHH… hello kitty!

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Besides my birthday that I make a HUUUUGEE deal out of (May 30)? Christmas.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Books – I have way too many, but cannot stop buying them.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

None yet, but thinking about Rebecca and Rowan international as they are my faves.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

Not recently.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I need more knowledge about finishing. And blocking.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

No – I am not.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

May 30.