The Disqus Report (Among Other Things)

Can I just say I'm loving Disqus? It it so much easier to reply to the comments whether an e-mail has been left or not. I know it's on the blog and a person has to go back to see the reply, but it makes me feel good that I have replied to every comment. And I can reply from my Droid. Very cool.

And among other things (which means mish mash...)

• I put the edging on the crochet cardigan I've been working on. I think I'm going to go back and re-do it, but even with re-doing the trim I think it's just going to be an "at home" cardigan. 
• I finished another book for the YA of the 80s and 90s: A Girl Named Sam. It was terrible. So is that book #3? (Yeah, it is.  I just went back and checked.) 
• I am currently working on two scarves and have plans to cast on another. Scarves take forever. Someone please explain to me why I am doing this to myself?
• The day after I wrote my letter to Old Man Winter, we had sunshine and temps in the 70s. Wonder if I wrote to the money fairy if I could get Offspring's grad school paid for.
• I think I have my February poem and project chosen for Crafting Poetry.
• I find myself thinking that I spend too much time on the computer. I need to start letting go of some of my online activities. I'm thinking plurk needs to be retired. I don't spend a lot of time on there, but I don't spend enough to see why I keep the account. Most of the time I feel invisible anyway. I have to keep Facebook...so I can stalk Offspring. I also think I need to slash the number of Ravelry groups I'm in, too. Again, I don't spend a lot of time in any of the groups, but why be in them if I'm not active?
• I know I told myself no animal fiber, but dagnabbit I want to try some Wollmeise. That is, if I can EVER find some!

Me Again

These are not the droids you are looking for...please move along.

Charity mentioned not being able to comment. Hope I fixed it.

Testing--Anybody There?

I don't think my feedburner feed is working...

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6

Friday Fill-In 1/28/11

1. Up , up and away in my beautiful balloon....

2. There's a stomach bug going around.

3. Coats and scarves, mittens and boots: everything needed for a day in the northeast (oh, and snow shovels.)

4. I always enjoy a nice back rub.

5. I'm thinking about casting on another scarf.

6. I'd love to be someplace warm.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Triunfo del Amor and knitting, tomorrow my plans include spending time with Offspring and Sunday, I want to cry because there is no football!


As a completely random Friday bonus, I'd like to share with you a recent letter I wrote:

Dear Old Man Winter,

I hate you. You make my skin dry and my toes numb. I am forced to bundle up in restrictive clothing. The sunshine is anemic and the days are too short. I am sluggish and depressed and I place the blame squarely on your shoulders. I wish you never existed.

Sincerely,

Old Cranky Lady

Hmmm...

Well, I'm getting comments via disqus, but Vivianne posted a comment that came through Blogger. It shows up in my comments on my Dashboard, but is no where on the site/post comments.


Anybody know what that is about?

From The Comments

Crafty Cripple stopped by and mentioned that this is not the time of year for photos and that the sock would look better in the daylight. I am sad to report that the photo was taken in daylight. It's that dark in my house...even in broad daylight.

MrsFife mentioned her preference for metal needles due to using acrylic yarn most of the time. I agree! I have several lovely sets of Brittany needles, but I use metal 90% of the time. I switched over to bamboo for Seaweed because it's a lacier pattern and I'm such a loose knitter. I'm trying to avoid a needle-dropping disaster. That and the circs just felt constraining for some reason.

Charity says she can't wait until Spring. You and me both!!! She mentioned that things can feel "off". "Off" doesn't even begin to cover how I feel.

Blog Tweaking

And post bombing.

I've added a new comment system. Disqus.

Hope it's not a huge PITA for everyone to comment. I'm hoping it makes it easier for me to reply back to you all.

er...

Feel free to comment...just so I can figure things out.

kthxbai.

Debbie Downer Post

Feel free to move along if you are not in the mood for whining and general self pity.

I am a boring teacher. I admit it. My Spanish class is dull.as.mud.

We don't play games.
We don't watch movies.
We don't color.
We don't make posters.

I speak *gasp* Spanish in class.
I expect my students to *gasp* memorize vocabulary.
I expect my students to *gasp* translate from time to time.
I expect my students to *gasp* use complete sentences.
I give *gasp* homework.
I give *gasp* quizzes.
I give *gasp* tests.

I'm tired of being made to feel guilty for not "engaging" my students. ("Engaging" is the word people use when they mean "entertain." )

I'm tired of being made to feel guilty because I actually use the textbook instead of making my own materials (I pay a 10% sales tax to help fund the schools...I'm using the text, dammit.)

I'm tired of being made to feel guilty because I choose to go home and be with my husband instead of doing school work.

And I hate being told that I shouldn't give so much work because students have other "important" classes. If the state has made this class a graduation requirement, then  it too is important.

Thank you and good day.

WIPped Into a Frenzy

My brain has been going at warp speed lately. I'm just flying off at the fingers and just kind of stream-of-consciousness winging it. Sorry it's not the high quality writing to which you have become accustomed.

Oh gawd, let me stop laughing before I continue...

Ok, I think I've got it under control.


Gumdrop Socks.

I thought I was all kinds of brilliant picking this yarn, but once I knit it up I had second thoughts. Not enough to frog them, mind you. I'm just a little disappointed in how they are working up. I expected a something a little different. This has also been a fairly frustrating project. Not the pattern. It's well written and clear. I just had a few issues counting. Not to mention the yarn is dark and my house is a cave. (Note to self: Check out Ott lights.)

I've also started a scarf:

Reversing Tide Scarf

Yes, the photo is terrible. I don't know what is up with my camera. It is a Nikon CoolPix that is less than a year old. Anyone have any tips? I'm afraid patience is one of the reasons I can't take good pictures. (That and  the aforementioned cave lighting in my house.)

I started the project on those circs, but I think I might frog and start over on some straights. The circs don't feel right to me.

Quick question: Do you prefer circs or straights?  I don't mind circs when I'm working on socks or a seamless knit, but they annoy the stew out of me if I'm doing flat knitting.

ETA: After writing this, I did switch to straights. The circs were 4.0MM, but my stitches just looked sloppy. Right now I'm working on 3.5 MM needles...but I'm considering starting yet again on size 3.75 MM.


Let's see, I mentioned the Socks, showed you the scarf...hmm, you got a report on the crocheted cardigan on Saturday (and Sunday)..what's left...

oh. kiama.

Still haven't touched her.

Oh wait!

I've made some pretty decent progress on the Strangling Vine Scarf.

And I did sneak in an FO.

Pinwheel Dishcloth

I did this one for the Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup on Ravelry. This was a fun one. You knit triangles around to a square.

And I've another scarf I want to start too...

If I don't watch it, I'm going to end up buried by WIPs

Ten on Tuesday 1/25/11

So this week's list is 10 Favorite Health and Beauty Products. I don't really use any beauty products (and it probably shows), but I do have some favorite things that I think keep me healthy.

1. Water. I try to keep myself hydrated. Some days I'm better than others. In the winter, I mainly get my water from herbal teas.
2. Rest. At least 8 hours a day. (Sometimes I have to catch up on the week-ends)
3. Vitamins. I take them to enhance a good diet, not as replacements for a good diet. (And yes, I often do eat crap.)
4. Diet-I eat an animal free diet. My doctor loves my cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
5. Exercise. Hubadub and I try to walk briskly at least 30 minutes every day...when it's not raining or waaaay too cold.
6. Knitting (File that one under Mental Health)
7. Crochet (Ditto number 4)
8. Laughter (Ditto 4 and 5...)
9. Cats (Hmmm, I sure am concerned about my mental health...)
10. er...can't think of a ten...

Captain's Log Day 2- I Continue To Seam

And finally it is done!


I've folded the sleeves so you don't get the full scale of how long they are and how short the body is.

I had help, too:

Pre-set up. I had to answer the phone and returned to this.


During.

This cat is always welcome to help. He just got comfy and took a nap. Didn't bother the yarn, pins or anything.

Seaming Saturday

I decided I better sit down soon and do the finishing on my crocheted cardigan. If I don't, I'll never get it done.


All set up and ready to seam.

This picture was taken about 10 minutes before "the attack." Chunk was sitting quietly watching me and then all of the sudden grabbed my seaming yarn and took off, taking a bit of the sweater with him. The yellow pins scattered. I screamed and cursed. The other cats ran under the bed. Eventually, I got everything settled again and continued the drudgery seaming. It only took 2 hours (with stretching breaks), but I got one side done. I'll do the other side tomorrow. I can't handle any more seaming right now.

Friday Fill-In 1/21/11

1. So many of us knit.

2. I love my husband even in hardship.

3. Those who are accepting of others are accepting of themselves.

4. A cat is is waiting quietly.

5. Light is in both the source of life and the bane of my existence.

6. I am a fan of all that is ordinary.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Triunfo del Amor and knitting, tomorrow my plans include seaming and knitting and Sunday, I want to watch football and knit!

WIP Wednesday and Burning Questions

So I find myself again at Wednesday morning and not one picture to share of my WIPs. I hope rav links will suffice (and no, the pictures there aren't any more updated than they were last week.)

After finishing my Afton Water(fall) socks and the doily, I wasn't sure what I wanted to work on; however, I knew that if I didn't pick up something the malaise would get me and I'm trying to avoid the slow-down that always seems to occur in January.

So I pulled out the Strangling Vines scarf again and made a bit of progress on it. Enough progress that I started feeling productive again and thought "Hey, maybe I can actually try to knit from my queue. And hey, while I'm at it, I can try and reduce the number of things in my queue by half this year." (The trick is not to add anything to my queue this year.)

• I started some Gumdrop Socks (which have been in the queue at least a year) and I am pretty proud of myself...but not in a cocky way. I still have a healthy fear of them. Yes, fear. I'm pretty much a "toe-up plain vanilla" kind of sock knitter (shocker, yes?) so doing a top-down, multiple-charts-needed, short-row heel and toe sock is nerve wracking for me, but I've finished the leg and I am pleased.
• I have finished most of the crocheting on my cardigan. Now I need to seam it and crochet the edging. There's no football on Saturday, so I might do the seaming then. I'll need bright sunlight to get it done. (Note to self, stop choosing dark yarns.)

As for the burning questions, they aren't really "burning." They are more like "Questions that just popped into my head as I worked and I thought I would share."

1. What do you consider project monogamy? Strictly one project? Or one project you work on 90% of the time along with some minor projects? (I'm a 90% monogamist.)
2. On that note: What about Hobby monogamy? I rarely give equal time to my hobbies (reading/knitting/crochet.) I will focus on one while ignoring the others. I just seem to rotate who gets attention throughout the year. Reading is currently being ignored in favor of a pair of socks.
3. Why do I feel the need to be a speed knitter? Why do I think every project is a race? 
4. For the bloggers out there-Would you rather have a squillion non-commenting/non participating readers or a low number of comment-often readers?
5. Also for bloggers: Do you hear your English teacher's voice when you write posts? When I write I keep thinking "That's not a paragraph! It's not three sentences! Why are you starting a new paragraph?" Sheesh. Leave me alone Mrs. Stevenson.
6. Do you spell it "BlogIversary" or "BlogAversary"? 
7. Completely random: What do teens have to be so angry about?

Re-Kindling An Old Flame

I have picked up the hook again.

A long time ago I used to crochet a lot. Almost exclusively. I knew how to knit, I just didn't. Somewhere along the way I started knitting more than crocheting. Before I knew it, I was thinking of myself as a knitter and crochet just fell to the side.

I forgot how much I liked crochet. My last few FO's have been hooked and the latest 3 are no exception.



Sorry about the crappy, out-of-focus picture. I just don't have the patience for taking good pictures. I'd rather spend my time crafting. (Which is obvious by my poor-quality writing as well.)
Pattern: Pineapple Doily
Thread: Aunt Lydia's Bamboo
Hook: Steel Size 5 (1.7 mm)
Commentary: super easy pattern. I love doilies because they are really easy crocheting, but are always impressive.

I also managed a hot pad yesterday.

Pattern: Origami Hot Pad
Yarn: Lily Sugar n Cream
Hook: US Size H (5.0 mm)
Commentary: No matter how hard I try, I will always end up with wonky squares

And I followed that up with:

Pattern: Little Granny Heart Square
Thread: Aunt Lydia's size 10
Hook: Steel size 6 (?) Too lazy to get up and look
Commentary: Cute!

For my knitting friends--Have no fear! I've picked up one of my knitting WIP's and today I'm thinking of casting on Gumdrop Socks.

First Book of 2011 (Which Was Supposed to Be The Last One of 2010)

#1

I started reading this back in late November and I finally finished it last night. I bought it soon after the movie: "The Devil Wears Prada" had come out since it was supposedly about Anna Wintour. (Yeah, it took me *that* long to get around to actually reading it.)
I was underwhelmed by this book. It wasn't bad, just slow. It jumped around an awful lot time-wise. I mean, it was somewhat chronological, but mid-paragraph there would be a "perhaps this was foreshadowing for what would happen 20 years later when...." 

After that slog I needed a quick read and there is nothing quicker than:

#2

I read this in maybe an hour and half as part of Book Vixen's YA Fiction of the 80's and 90's challenge. I couldn't get over how adult the kids were...considering they were supposed to be 6th graders. Boys being described with broad shoulders? Girls getting facials? All this in a book written on a 4th grade reading level? Still, pretty good escapist reading, though.

So I read 24 books last year and I want to outdo myself this year. Only 23 more books to go!

And since I'm in a finishing mood, might I share my latest FO?

As you know, I started the Crafting Poetry Challenge in December. One of this month's poets was Robert Burns. I can't remember what inspired me first: the yarn's colorway (Black Watch), the pattern (Waterfall Socks) or the poem (Afton Water)

How wanton thy waters her snowy feet lave, 

As gathering sweet flowrets she stems thy clear wave.

But they all came together to make these:

Here's a link to my Rav Project Page.

I made them a little longer than usual. When making socks, I always seem to forget that what looks long enough on the needle is going to stretch in the opposite direction on the leg and end up a little shorter.

It's the play-offs this weekend and Monday is a holiday. Will there be more FO's in my future?

Stay tuned!

Friday Fill-In 1/14/11

1. Right now I need to get off the computer and get ready for work.

2. Coffee is what's in my glass cup.

3. A copy of this letter is being sent to the IRS.

4. Soup is best eaten with a spoon.

5. The best movie I've seen lately is The Tourist. (It really was quite good.)

6. Long week-ends I like; Summer vacation I  love.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching my new telenovela: Triunfo del Amor and knitting, tomorrow my plans include Mexican food, football and knitting and Sunday, I want to watch more football and knit!

Late WIP Wednesday Which Borders on Mish Mash

The easy part is getting the WIPs. The hard part is posting about them each Wednesday...well, pictures of them are hard. I never seem to get pictures of them.

So the list hasn't changed much. Still working on this:


Although now there is a back and a left side and it's a completely annoying shape that makes turning a PITA. Plus I now realize how awful the lighting is where I sit to craft. (Note to self: buy new lamp.) Coupled with the dark yarn, I get a little cranky. Or so Hubadub says. I hate to tell him this, but I've noticed that he constantly wants to talk to me when I work on this. That's what makes me cranky.

Hubadub (after interrupting several times and getting a terse response): That project makes you cranky. Why do you keep working on it?

Me: *sigh* Why do you insist on talking to me when you see this project in my lap? If you don't like my peevish behavior, then just don't interrupt when you see me working on this.

Luckily, he leaves me alone when I'm working on these:


Waterfall socks. I'm knitting them as part of Crafting Poetry this month. (I'll post more when I'm done.)

I don't have pictures but I started a doily on Monday. I don't do doilies often, but when I do I tend to go with pineapples.

I also don't have any progress pics, but I've made some progress on Haiku, but mainly I've ignored it to work on the socks and the cardigan.

I still periodically look at Kiama, too. I don't know what I'm going to do about her. I want to finish her. But I'm a little worried about how I will take care of her when I'm finished. Weaving ends in will be a bear. The yarn isn't going to felt, so the ends are sure to work themselves out in the wash. Speaking of wash... despite washing the swatch, I'm afraid that she will grow with wash and wear. Perhaps I could avoid sweating when I wear her....

Comment Round-up and a Mini-Rant

I suck at responding to comments. I admit it. So let me share some recent comments and my responses.

From accountantgrrl:

Good for you. Why let those handknit/crochet sweaters and vest just languish in the closet?

Why indeed. Wanna know a secret? I almost let them do just that.

From Lupie:

There aren't enough beautiful sweaters in the world that would get me back into a classroom.

I don't blame you! I like my job, but it's exhausting some days! The one perk though is having long vacations. Which gives me time to knit sweaters!

From Sara:

What a cool way to get dressed for a week!

I wish I could say I planned it, but really it's more like I realized on Thursday night that I'd worn one of my handmades every day.

From Bubblesknits:

You've made some beautiful sweaters. : ) Love that you have enough to wear one each day of the week.

But please note, most of them don't have sleeves. Except for 2.0, I have made very few full sweaters.


Thanks everyone for taking the time to drop me a line. I'm sorry I didn't get to each one individually.

< rant >
On Friday, the announcement was made that school would be canceled on Monday due to the predicted ice-storm-of-doom. Well, here I sit with no ice or snow. I really hate when school is canceled for nothing. Especially since there is only one holiday planned between March 21st and May 27th....and it's the weather day. This could easily lead to another rant about having a squillion holidays at the beginning of the year and nothing at the end when teachers and students are tired and ready to kill each other, but I did say "mini-rant."
< /rant >

Oh well, at least I can get some knitting done.

Interviewing Myself

LKP: It's Blogiversary time at Lazy Knits and Purls and I'm sitting down today with Self to talk about Blogging, Yarn, Life, and anything else that pops up. Hello self.

S: Hello.

LKP: Let me just start with the basics...Why did you start crocheting and knitting?

S: Hmmm. I don't know. I was 12ish (13ish?) and bored. I actually started with crochet. I can't honestly remember when I picked up knitting. I taught myself both crafts.

LKP: Do you remember your first project?

S: Two projects come to mind: a hideous granny square that ended up being used as a seat cover (I just kept going but got bored before it was an official blanket) and a lace collar...that I never wore.

LKP: Do you do that often...make things and never use them?

S: Yup. I mainly crochet and knit to keep my sanity. I generally do not like people which means I do not have a lot of folks to craft for. I mainly craft for charities. Babies especially.

LKP: Babies?

S: They're smaller. Takes less time to knit for them. Plus they don't give a hoot if it's a work of art or not. They are pretty happy with garter stitch, seed stitch and stockinette. I'm pretty lazy.

LKP: Speaking of lazy, you have a blog: Lazy Knits and Purls.

S: (sheepish grin) Yeah. I've been at it about 6 years.

LKP: How did that come about?

S: Basically, I like to talk to myself. Quite a bit. I'll have whole conversations. Blogging kind of keeps me from doing so out loud. I've found that people look at you funny when you do that.

LKP: For our readers out there, can you describe your blog in one sentence?

S: If I thought about it for a while, maybe.

LKP: Well...?

S: Quit pressuring me, ok?

LKP: Ok, let's move on. No worries. What do you think sets your blog apart from the rest?

S: Nothing really. I'm just in it for the conversational value...with myself and the folks who stop by and comment.

LKP: How would you describe your writing style?

S: Um, running off at the fingers/stream of consciousness/keyboard vomit.

LKP: What are your plans for the blog in the coming year?

S: Much of the same. No big changes. I'm  a creature of habit, really.

LKP: Ok. I have to ask. I hope you don't find me cheeky or rude. You know, most people have a contest or some sort of giveaway for their Blogiversary. Why aren't you?

S: hmmmm. Most of my yarn is crap and honestly I'm a bit like Golem with his preciousssssss. I really don't want to part with any of my books and I'm not honest with myself enough. I'm still convinced I'm going to actually use the yarn in my stash. And I suck and coming up with contest ideas.

LKP: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today. I look forward to another year with you.

S: Thanks. We'll see what happens.

Friday Fill-In 1/7/11

Here I am again! (For the record, I decided to wear 2.0 again.)


1. It's 2011; I hope it's a good one!.

2. I adore Gundelsheim Garlic Barrel pickles.

3. Thankfully I have my knitting with me.

4. Laughter and coffee are two of the best things in life.

5. I am so glad it's Friday.

6. The Cotton bowl is on tonight.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to knitting, tomorrow my plans include football and knitting and Sunday, I want to watch more football and do more knittng!

A Week of Sweaters

I have worn one of my hand-made sweaters every day this week!

Monday
Back to work! No students, but my colleagues liked this:


Tuesday
Students come back and I wore my Impatient Vest (yet, I was very, very patient with the students.)


Wednesday
A little Shalom for the middle of the week.


Thursday
Circle shrug kept me warm.


And as I write this (Thursday evening), I can't decide if I want to wear Monday's sweater again or one of these:
 
*Update: it's Friday morning and I still haven't decided.

I'm thinking next week I should celebrate a week of scarves/shawls.

I'll return this afternoon with the first Friday Fill-in of the year!

WIP Wednesday 1/4/11

Well, with the return to work there is an inevitable slow down to my crafting and blogging (not that blogging was that regulary.)

I would love to show you everything I'm working on, but I just haven't taken that many pictures. The only picture I have it this one:


It's going to be a crocheted cardigan. It's from a pattern booklet in my collection (it's close to 20 years ago that I bought it. Uf. I'm getting old.)

Other WIPs include:

• Waterfall socks (no pics)
• Haiku (Link to my Rav project page. No new progress pics.)
• A charity scarf (straight garter stitch. Nothing to write home about.)
• Lacy Bib (Link to Rave project page.) I have to be honest about this one. I'm not sure how I feel about the project. I may have to frog it and start over with a different thread. The mercerized cotton I'm using is really stiff and I wonder if it will soften up even after I block it. 

So that's is for this edition WIP Wednesday. Dull and picture-less. Whee.

Ten on Tuesday 1/4/11

Ten things you can't live without

1. My faith
2. My husband
3. My daughter
4. My cats
5. Friends
6. Football
7. yarn
8. TV
9. Books
10. Sweets

Things That May (or May Not) Happen in 2011

Please note: These are not resolutions.

• I might make a sweater for NaKniSweMo.
• I might read 52 books and maybe Outdo Myself in the process.
• I might knit a pair of socks that I am completely happy with. (Yup, all those socks I've knit and there's a flaw with each pair.)
• I might finish more than I start (oh, now that's funny.)
• I might complete an O.W.L for HPKCHC.
• I might get my queue in some sort of order and then actually knit stuff from it.
• I might use Ravelry more effectively and become a more organized crafter.
• I might read some classics.
• I might do a little cross-stitching.

Official Entry Post Crafting Poetry-January 2011

If you are choosing Option 1, the poets this month are: Robert Burns, Lord Byron and Edgar Allen Poe.


Can't wait to see the entries!


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