What Next?

Well, I made lunch time trip to Knit Wits to see what wonderful things they had. It had been a while since I had been there. Here is what I found. What am I going to do with it, you say. Since many others in SSK have been working on shawls, I thought I would give it a shot.

Mary and I have decided to to the Clapatis and I think this would look great for that. You really can't see it but it also has some green in it. I am anxious to wind it to see what it look like out of the hank.

Not sure when I will get started on the Clapatis but it is not like I don't have enough things going. On the lacy shell I am ready to start binding off for the arm holes then finish the top part. I have not had a lot of time to knit the last week or so due to trying to get yard stuff and house stuff done. Unfortunately, I am slowing down and cannot multi-task the way I used to.

After returning from Stitches I am going to have to tighten my belt and and stop spending so much money on knitting. I think with the potential purchases I may be making at Stitches I should truly not need to purchase any more yarn for this year. Will have to wait and see if this is the case.

I have discovered that I really must pay more attention to the maintenance of my car. I have neglected to have the brakes done and find that I do need them now, pretty badly. You know how it is when it seems to be working OK sometimes things get overlooked. I went to Sears and thought I would have them done there. Let me tell you it was a very slow evening at the mall. Automotive at Sears was not busy at all so I thought this would be a slam dunk.

Na Na! I was told that the cost could be $150-$1400. After an hour of analyzing they condition of the pad and rotors the figure I heard was $852. This was a no sale. I had them put the brakes back together to be done another day. This car has over 90,000 miles. I am not excited about spending that much when the dealer quoted $189 each for front and back. So...hiho...hiho off to the dealer I go.

It has been a month for such things. Since I am in the midst of high dollar dental work to the tune of $1,000. This was very unexpected.

Hopefully, once the car thing and dental thing are done the money going out can slow down.

Is it Friday yet?

You Knit What for Dogs

I am cannot believe anyone would actually make this much less put it on their poor dog. It is a Lion Brand kit to boot. For anyone interested it is 50% off. What a waste of time? No self-respecting dog would voluntarily put this thing on. The model looks pretty humiliated.

I have not been doing a lot of knitting this week. I am still trying to get caught up on my outside work. Hope to get that done this weekend so I can get back to some intense knitting.

I am lining up projects to do while I am on vacation. I think the main one will probably be the clapotis. I need to get the yarn picked out and bought probably this next week.

I am really excited...I finally got my wireless to work. After a process of elimination I found the setting that needed to be changed. Did some other hocus pocus which has helped to run faster so I am 2 for 2.

I am so ready for a weekend. I hope to get a lot done. I had been moving very slow recently and not feeling 100%. I had a little bit of a headache the other day but had nothing with me to take so one of my friends had some Aleve. I had forgotten how much I love Aleve. I felt so much better after taking it. Evidently, my arthritis was causing me pain that I did not key in on. I guess I was consumed by the pain cycle and did not realize it. Now I am taking the Aleve prior to retiring and I have been sleeping much better and not waking up in pain. I used to do that and for some reason stopped. I guess I was feeling so well that I stopped. I know now not to do that. Here is to better living through chemistry.

Preparing for Travel

It seem I have a bit of traveling to do this summer. My long awaited trim to Cape Hatteras is looming in the very new future. I am starting to count the days. I can picture myself lounging on the beach listening to the surf roll in. Hope there are no hurricanes thinking about getting fired up by then. My track record in recent years has not been good for long range planning of vacation anywhere place there could be a hurricane.

My last experience was the cruise to Cozumel that was supposed to leave from New Orleans the day Katrina stuck. I have yet to have the heart to reschedule. That trip had been planned since April. Wouldn't you know I would pick the wrong day for a cruise.

That is why I have been excited about this trip but not too exuberant. I do not want to tempt fate. Anyway I was checking the TSA regulations with regard to knitting needles, etc. Since it is not likely that I am going to a trip with no knitting. Here is what I found.

Transporting Knitting Needles & Needlepoint

Knitting needles are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage. However, there is a possibility that the needles can be perceived as a possible weapon by one of our Security Officers. Our Security Officers have the authority to determine if an item could be used as a weapon and may not allow said item to pass through security. We recommend the following when bring knitting needles on an airplane:

1. Circular knitting needles are recommended to be less than 31 inches in total length
2. We recommend that the needles be made of bamboo or plastic (Not Metal)
   Scissors must have blunt points In case a Security Officer does not allow your knitting tools through security it is recommended that you carry a self addressed envelope so that you can mail your tools back to yourself as opposed to surrendering them at the security check point.
3. As a precautionary measure we recommend that you carry a crochet hook with yarn to save the work you have already done in case your knitting tools are surrendered at the checkpoint
4. Most of the items needed to pursue a Needlepoint project are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage with the exception of circular thread cutters or any cutter with a blade contained inside. These items cannot be taken through a security checkpoint. They must go in your checked baggage.

I am not sure why these regulations apply to both carry-on and checked but I am sure it made since at the time to the ones making the rules. I can just visualize a knitter going off because or a dropped stitch or mistake and stabbing someone with an Addi. We are a pretty dangerous bunch.

This is something to consider for those going to Stitches Midwest 2007. I will probably definitely buy some needles while there. It make me wonder why the would not add yarn to the list of items not allowed. Some of us are so creative that we could probably fashion a weapon out of a wool nylon blend that could be deadly. Ooops! Now I have done it. They may be monitoring my blog and now they will know that there is that possibility.

On second thought naaaa, I think I am save. Why would they want to read about knitting anyway. I am sure they have better things to do.

New Camera

Last night I broke down and bought a new digital camera (pictured above). I have had my old one for a long time. Close to when digitals first came to be. It is bulky and heavy and while it does take fairly good pictures, I just wanted to have something new and more advanced.

The new camera was purchased at Nebraska Furniture Mart. They always seem to have pretty good deals on most things, althought as with anything you need to know your pricing. They do not always have the best prices.

Will take some pictures tomorrow of WIPs to see now they come out and do some experimenting with features....so stay tuned.