Quick Post from Iowa

I'm posting from the Terrapin Coffee House in Coralville (right next to Iowa City and closer to where I live than downtown IC), because the cable company is confused. They think someone already has cable in my new place. They're very nice, though, and I'm sure it will get worked out.

Harley and I got to our new home around 5:30 last night. Turned out that she's a great little traveler. Of course, I did give her a light sedative, but it didn't seem to really affect her regular behavior -- she rode in the carrier next to me in the front seat, and dozed and woke up repeatedly like she does every day. However, she didn't howl, or even meow much. I think it just made her kind of happy!

When we stopped for the night in Wichita, Kansas, she came out and explored the room, after I made sure she couldn't get under the bed. She was pretty active all night, which is unlike her, so I assume that was the sedative wearing off. But in the morning, I have her another quarter-tablet mixed into some chicken baby food, and she actually put herself into the crate!

Right now, "home" has a air bed and a coffee maker and not much else. Furniture, etc., is supposed to be delivered on Wednesday. Harley has discovered the window seat in the front bedroom. I don't think she's been downstairs yet, though.

Checking In

Still in San Antonio, still packing up. Tomorrow they come to pack my "fragiles," of which I have many. Thursday it all goes on the moving truck, and by Sunday evening, Harley and I will be in Iowa City, in a townhouse empty of anything except a blow-up mattress, a Fighting Illini lawn chair, and a litter box.

Speaking of Harley -- I took her to the vet this afternoon, to be boarded until we leave town Saturday morning. It will be traumatic for her, but not as traumatic as all the strangers in the house taking our stuff away would be!

There have been many trips to Goodwill. I gave away half my clothes and about three-quarters of my shoes. And this:

That's a ca. 1985 microwave, from Montgomery Wards, a store that no longer exists. It's huge and weighs a ton, and I decided that maybe I had actually gotten my money's worth from it -- it cost $350! I think I'll be replacing it with this one.

There's been little knitting done.... Sunday was my last Stitch'n'Bitch :-(

Macro!

Thanks to Chris and Amy for reminding me about the macro setting on my camera. This photo is a little dark, but it's in focus!

The macro picture above is a necklace with a tiny handbell charm, a gift from my handbell choir. They threw a little surprise party for me after practice, complete with a wonderful cake with a handbell decoration. I was so surprised, and so touched!

In cat news....
My sister reports that Simon came out from hiding under the guest room bed when he smelled Chick-Fil-A, so I think we can stop worrying about him!

And Harley was embarrassed by yesterday's lazy pictures, and wants y'all to know that she can look regal, too.

Oops!

I totally forgot today was Tuesday, so I missed Tuesday Night Knitting. My last Tuesday Night Knitting. Luckily, there's one more Sunday Knitting left.

Today I cleaned out drawers. Again, I wear maybe a quarter of the clothes I own. However, that doesn't mean I threw out all those old t-shirts, going all the way back to college. I've heard about people making quilts out of them, but I don't want to do anything with them -- I just want to know I have them!

I had lunch with a former co-worker today. She retired a couple years ago, but she is probably more responsible than anyone else for my being a medical librarian today. We went out for Mexican, of course. I admired her earrings -- they were made by an artist we both know and admire -- and she took them out of her ears and gave them to me.

(One of my goals for when I get moved and settled is to figure out how to take non-blurry close-ups.)

What a wonderful friend!

And finally, a montage of Harley photos, doing what she does best... Look at that adorable tan paw...

Yeah, I'm awake....

Knitting?

Not feeling very creative tonight, but it's been a while since I posted. Mostly, I'm obsessed with my move. Today was really my last day at work. I finished cleaning out my office (you accumulate a lot of stuff when you work at the same place for 22 years) and cleared -- gave up my key, ID, university credit card, and parking pass. That last part -- the parking pass -- will make some lucky person really happy. I have a fantastic reserved parking space, right in front of the Library. Even for people who don't work in the Library, it's a really good location. The only problem with it is that, because it's such a great location, people tend to park there illegally, despite the big yellow letters that say RESERVED painted on the ground in front of it.

Last Thursday, there was a farewell reception for me, with lots of good food made mostly by a co-worker who should really be a caterer, not a librarian. It was really nice, and some of my faculty friends attended, too. The staff got together and bought me gift cards -- one to Target and one to The Knitting Shoppe, in Iowa City. They really know me, eh?

This evening, my sister came over and got Simon and his accoutrements. Harley doesn't see too concerned so far. I suspect we'll both miss him more tomorrow morning.

I also wound up one last skein of KnitPicks Shadow for Hidcote. Most of my stash is in some of those giant ziplocs, and will eventually be packed in the big Rubbermaid tub with my Christmas ornaments. I'm taking Hidcote and the second Embossed Leaves sock in the car with me. The Brooks Farm Primero might want to become Midwest Moonlight, from Scarf Style -- it seems an appropriate knit for my move to Iowa, although I guess mohair is a sort of odd choice for such a textured pattern.

top: the first 4 rows of Midwest Moonlight, about to be frogged (because everything gets frogged at least twice). bottom: Hidcote

Oh, and I'm still chugging away on Arwen's back in Beaverslide Fisherman weight.

(Sorry for the lack of links tonight.)

Quick question

Does anyone have a tattoo on the inside of their wrist? How much did it hurt? The one on my back didn't hurt at all, but the inside of the wrist seems like it would be a lot more sensitive....

Still here.....

and not knitting much. But would you care to see the the giant garbage bag full of stuff I shredded last night?

I didn't think so. I've got records going back to when I was married (basically, the 1980s). So I shredded a lot, although I decided to keep my check stubs from my first real job after college. I also kept a copy of a letter my ex wrote after we got divorced to convince USAA to give me a credit card in my own name. Even then, that seemed really nice for an ex-husband -- and they did give me a card, with a $500 limit. I still have that card, but they've raised the limit for me! ;-)

Tonight was handbell practice -- next week will be my last one. I love my handbell choir. We have lots of fun and make pretty music, even though we're definitely amateurs.

I was also going to make one last batch of my famous Bailey's Brownies for my co-workers, but managed to burn the chocolate while melting it in the microwave. I didn't have any more Baker's German's sweet chocolate (yes, "German's" is possessive, too -- look it up!) so I guess it will wait until tomorrow night.

I actually have done a bit of knitting. I finished the first Embossed Leaves sock, and the Brooks Farm Primero decided it didn't want to be Cozy after all, so I frogged it. I've started on Hidcote once again, in KnitPicks Shadow in Oregon Coast. I got through a few rows last time and frogged. I suspect it was the KnitPicks Options needles I was using -- they're nice and pointy and the cord is fantastic -- not twisty at all -- but they're a little slick for me. However, I'm trying them again ( because, believe it or not, I don't seem to have any size 3 circs!).

But mostly I've been shredding, sorting books, and facing the fact that I only wear about a quarter of the clothes I own....

I didn't buy any yarn in Iowa, but.....

I visited Crazy Girl Yarn Shop in Coralville (next door to Iowa City) and drove past The Knitting Shoppe, but I didn't buy anything. I didn't have to -- I had yarn waiting for me when I got home!

The day after Yarn Focus Challenge ended, I succumbed to two yarns I had been wanting to try. The blue-green is Sophie's Toes Sock Yarn (superwash merino) in Seafoam. Her shop is empty right now, but keep checking back -- it's definitely worth it! The two skein sof reddish yarn is Jessie's A Piece of Vermont sport weight merino/tencel in Long Time Gone. The color is way off in the picture for both, but probably more off for the Piece of Vermont. It's really a gorgeous, sort of faded burgundy almost-solid. And it's squooshy, squooshy soft!

Obviously, the Sophie's Toes will become socks -- maybe Theresa's Whiskers and Paw Prints. I've been looking for the right almost-solid sock yarn for that pattern. I have no idea what the two skeins (about 825 yards total) of Jessie's yarn will become. I'm thinking maybe a shawl of some sort....

Hmmmmm.......

Moving Along

Four days in Iowa City convinced me that I'm really moving there, and I'm happy about it. Everyone I met was really nice, which doesn't surprise me, since Iowa City feels like central Illinois, where I grew up. I found a place to live -- a three bedroom townhouse with a little pond behind it -- despite the fact that it's totally the wrong time of year to find a rental in a college town. My mom drove over for a day while I was there, because it's only about a 3 and a half hour drive from where she lives. Mom got to meet my new boss and some of my co-workers-to-be.

I know that a few of you who have led sheltered lives wonder what Iowa looks like. I've made a Flickr set with a few pictures of the University of Iowa campus. So far, I don't know the names of most of the buildings, but the Hardin Library is where I'll be working.

Of course, on the way back to San Antonio, during my layover at DFW, I got a little teary at the idea of leaving San Antonio. I've been here almost my entire adult life. I've worked in the same place for over 22 years, working my way up the ranks. I've sold the only home I've ever owned. Simon will be going back to live with my sister, his real human mom. It's the first time I've ever moved anywhere alone, unless you count going off to college.

Actually, I won't be moving completely alone, because Harley will be going with me. I've talked to her a lot about the adventure we will be going on together, but she seems skeptical. She's never traveled anywhere except to the vet, and a 17 hour car ride will probably be a trauma. If any of you have advice on traveling with a kitty -- especially a skittish one who doesn't like to be held -- I'd love to hear it!

YFC

You can tell from the ticker up there that it's been over three months since I bought yarn. Well, we were allowed a free day each month, and I used two of mine, but still..... Thanks to Rebekah for setting up the Yarn Focus Challenge. It was really a good thing!!

And of course, I should keep it up, since I'll have to pay to move every skein of yarn that comes into my house. That didn't stop me from ordering a beautiful skein of Seafoam green sock yarn from Sophie's Toes this morning, of course.

And later this week, I'm flying up to Iowa City to find a place to live, and I plan on stopping by Crazy Girl Yarn Shop (actually in Coralville) and the Knitting Shoppe (no website?). They're already marked on my map, along with the realtor's office and my new boss's home. Priorities, people!

Hi there!

Yes, I'm still here. This getting-ready-to-move business is very time-consuming, especially since work is sort of freaking out about my leaving. I mean, pretty much everything I do will have to go on once I leave, and figuring out how that's going to happen takes a lot of meetings!

There has been knitting, though. In fact, I flew to Dallas and back yesterday for a meeting, which supplied quite a bit of knitting time.

Oops! That would be Simon....

I just turned the heel of my first Embossed Leaves sock in Lorna's Laces Shepherds Sock in Yellowstone. I like the way the colors stripe/pool differently in the stockinette heel, as compared to the lace leg. This is a really fun pattern--enough going on that I don't get bored, but simple enough that I could knit during my meeting yesterday.

And I hope you noticed the pie plate it's laying in. Here's a better picture:

Yes, Armadillo Pie! My meeting yesterday was (most likely) my last SCC/MLA Board meeting, and this was their surprise farewell gift to me. Our chapter's "critter" is the armadillo, and the current Past President (who was President-Elect when I was President) had been holding onto this dish for just the right occasion! My favorite part is the little line of 'dillos marching around the edge.

Sorry for the blurriness--I need to figure out how to take close-ups!

One of the hardest part of this move is leaving SCC. I'm sure the Midwest Chapter of MLA is very nice, but any group with an armadillo as the chapter critter is special!

FO: The Black Purl Socks

But first - BRRRRRRR!!!!! The high yesterday was 55ºF, but that was at midnight and the temperature dropped through the day. It stopped dropping around 9:00 p.m., when it got down to 35, where it stayed most of the night. This was a new record low for April 7 in San Antonio. Last year on April 7, we set a record high -- 99º. All in all, I'd rather it be colder than average, because it will be plenty hot soon, but still -- almost freezing in April is unheard of! (The average high for today is 79º and the average low 55º.)

Today, Easter Day, was a little warmer -- it got up to about 50º -- still chilly, but it was definitely warmer for those taking part in the San Antonio tradition of "camping out" at Brackenridge Park. Several days before Easter, the park district lifts the normal curfew, and families stake out tables and barbecue pits at the park for their Easter picnics. I looked for pictures online and couldn't find any, but I'll bet they were chilly Saturday night!

Remember the Black Purl socks? I finally finished them!

Here they are, modeling with their friends, the Mitred Squares

and here they are on my feet.

Specifics:
Pattern: Marietta Rib Socks, with Scalloped Turn-Over Top, from Lucy Neatby's Cool Scoks, Warm Feet.
Yarn: About a skein and a half of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Black Purl on size 2 bamboo DPNs
Modifications: I used the Round toe instead of the Common Wedge Toe, and I used Grumperina's pretty method for picking up the gusset stitches
What I would change: I would make them a little smaller, probably on size 1 DPNs -- the socks I make for myself are always a little big, because I'm so worried about them being too small. I also worry about running out of yarn, but I had a half skein left, so in the future I can make the legs a little longer, at least from LLSS.

What's this?

Where'd this come from?


It would appear to be the beginnings of something. It would be the beginnings of Cozy, a pattern I've considered frequently. It's made out of Brooks Farm Primero in a sort of golden/pinky/peachy color, which I purchased at Kid'n'Ewe and have been saving for something special. Unfortunately, I don't have enough yarn to make it as long as the pattern, but I think it will be a nice scarf-y accessory.

If you've been paying attention, you may realize that the Black Purl socks are not yet finished (although I'm past the heel on the second one), and I already cast on for a pair made from Yellowstone. And there's Arwen, whose back isn't even finished yet, although there's lots more done than there is in that picture I linked to. And the Mitred Square Baby Blanket -- all the squares are knit, but only 3 are sewn together. I really need to get it done before I move to Iowa....

And I should be cleaning out closets.

Shiny Things, and the Interview Meme

Remember when La asked us all to post pictures of DeFeet of Cuteness? Well, I posted Harley and Simon's toes, not realizing that La had once had a tortie/tuxedo set, too. Just because of that, I won a prize! Not only that, but obviously La has checked out my blog, because the stitch markers she sent have a ladybug and dragonfly theme....

It's hard to take a picture of such shiny pretties!

Thank you so much, La! (And thank you, Simon and Harley, for having such charming toesies!)

The Interview Meme
I'm jumping on the Interview Meme, with questions from Amy.

1. What do you feel is your biggest knitting accomplishment?

Definitely Seraphim (which my fingers always want to spell Serpahim) – it was my biggest project up to that time (and, I guess, still) and my first real lace project

2. What's a book that you disliked but everyone else seemed to "love?"

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. I’ve started it many times and recently discovered that I own two copies. I’ve read and enjoyed several other John Irving books, though.

3. What's a favorite childhood memory of yours?

Thanksgivings at my Uncle Bill’s, with the crazy side of the family – my dad’s 8 siblings and my approximately 30 first cousins.

4. What will you miss the most about San Antonio?

My sister, followed closely by green chicken enchiladas. And my knitters.

5. What are three products that you absolutely love

• Vanilla Spice Body Butter from The Body Shop (available only at Christmas time, so I have a stash!)
• Jam Session lipstick by Origins
• Gerber Chicken baby food (the only way I can get Simon to take his meds!)

Wanna play? Leave me a comment and I'll send you some questions!

Big News of the Non-Knitting Sort

But first -- I couldn't resist winding up the oddly-named LLSS Yellowstone (although notice how much more yellow that skein has than mine) and I think it's even prettier as a yarn cake that in was in the skein.

I'm pretty sure that this yarn wants to a pair of Embossed Leaves Socks. In fact, there seems to be one already cast on! (My Black Purl socks are almost done -- I'm about to pick up the gusset stitches on the second one. Unfortunately, I left it at work this evening.)

And in case you wondered -- knitting on the back of Arwen continues....

Oh -- the Big News! Well -- I'm moving! To Iowa! After almost 23 years in San Antonio (almost all of my adult life), I'm going back to the Midwest. In a couple months, I'll be working at the Hardin Library at the University of Iowa. (Did you know a big river runs right through the middle of the Iowa campus?) I'm going up in a couple weeks to find a place to live. And yarn shops. So -- if you know anything about knitting or LYSes in the Iowa City area, please comment!

Irrational Fear Meme

Rebekah has started an Irrational Fear meme. I knew immediately what I should post, because I have one huge, stupid, irrational fear.

I cannot start down a flight of stairs without envisioning my ankle giving way, causing me to tumble all the way down. Obviously, I really like holding on to the rail when I go down steps (or at least for the first few steps).

I understand a bit about this fear -- when I was younger, I sprained my ankles all the time. I also had a habit of stepping off of curbs and falling down. But I've never fallen down a whole flight. Oddly enough, my sister did once (with a giant suitcase falling with her), but my fear pre-dates that.

So -- what's your irrational fear?

Ladybugs

Growing up in a little farming town in central Illinois, ladybugs were a standard component of summertime, along with lightning bugs and mosquitos. Here in south Texas, you occasionally see ladybugs, but not as commonly, unless you're in my kitchen.

There, you'll see them:

Above the windows (along with bumblebees and dragonflies)

On the opposite wall (this would be the boy ladybug, who refused to ask for directions)

In the flower pot on the kitchen table, and on the window sill in the background

And under the flower pot

Recently, some new ladybugs have come into my house, for non-kitchen-related use.

This little guy, a gift from my mom's friend Ray, sharpens pencils

And these hold my DPNs!

These great DPN protectors are from Three Owls Knitting. She's got all sort of cute designs for $8 to $10 for a set of two! Plus, she tweaked these for me to fit the 6" needles I usually use. You know you need some!

Yes, I am alive

My mom and her "gentleman friend" were here visiting for a week, and they kept me busy! We went to Fredericksburg (and what used to be called the Nimitz Museum), the LBJ Ranch, the Alamo, and a performance at the Josephine Theatre. We took a ride on the San Antonio River. We ate at Sea Island, the Rather Sweet Bakery, and Mi Tierra. We got up at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday morning to put this really yummy Italian Beef in the crockpot. And I went to work for at least a couple hours every work day.

Not much knitting was done. I worked on the sock occasionally. Last night, when it was once again just me and the kitties at home, I cast on for Hidcote, using Knitpicks Shadow in Oregon Coast Heather. Simon helped by literally grabbing the needles and watching the stitches slide off. There were only 21 stitches, so I was able to get them all back on the needle. Why I did that, I don't know, since I always have to cast on at least twice for any project. Sure enough, a few rows later, I felt the need to rip out and begin again.

Along with the yarn, I ordered some US #3 circular needles from Knitpicks. I have to agree with the reviews that rave about the wonderfully non-kinky cable (not that there's anything wrong with kinky....) and the wonderfully smooth join. The tips are definitely pointier that Addys, although not as pointy as most of my bamboo or other wood needles. And..... just as I suspected, they are very slick. This is not necessarily a good thing for me. However, I'm going to persevere. I didn't think I would ever be able to knit continental style, but I learned, so maybe I can learn to love slick needles, too....

Tattoo Meme

Scout has asked us to post pictures of our tattoos, so here it is. Long-time readers (it's all relative!) will remember that I got this to celebrate my birthday last summer. It's on my upper back, and shows when I want it to. I'm thinking, though, that I might want to get something little on my wrist, too.

It's really hard to take a picture of your own upper back!

YFC, WIPs, and UFOs

YFC

See that ticker up there? It's been 1 month, 2 weeks, and 4 days since I began taking part in Rebecca's Yarn Focus Challenge. In the YFC, sock yarn does count, but we get to have one day a month to buy yarn. In the first month, I used my day to buy dishcloth cotton for the baby kimono. This month, I splurged a little more.

I've finally decided that my next shawl will be Hidcote, so I bought that pattern from Mim, and bought the suggested yarn, Shadow, from KnitPicks. It's really inexpensive (less than $7.50 for a whole shawl's worth!), so I bought two colors, Lost Lake Heather and Oregon Coast Heather. I like Sunset Heather a lot, too, but I don't need another red shawl. I also dropped by one of the LYSes and came home with some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the poorly-named (I think) Yellowstone. I think this looks like some sort of spring flower myself. I think I'll use it to make some plain stockinette socks for me.

WIPs
Remember the Mitred Square Baby Blanket from M-D Knits? I've finished the squares, but I'm not sure about the layout. What do you think? (click the pictures to embiggen)

Solid squares in the middle?


Or solid squares at the corners?

After they're all put together, I'll add a border - probably one row of each color.

After much talk about Arwen, I've cast on, using the Beaverslide Fisherman Weight in Wood Violet. I've never made a grown-up sweater, so we'll see how this goes!

The second Black Purl sock continues, too - I've got to fly to Harlingen again on Wednesday, so it will be airport knitting.

UFOs
I'm sure no one but me remembers the Flared Lace Smoke Ring from last fall. I really wanted it done in time for cold weather, but it got put aside for Christmas knitting. Actually, it and the Black Purl socks were both put aside at that time. I'm working on it again, but suspect it will be put aside when the yarn for Hidcote arrives. I'm on the fourth and last chart, but I'm guessing I need to do about 14 repeats of that chart - and I'm only on the fourth!

It's not really this pink!