My friend Carmen got engaged today and asked if I would be her Matron of Honor (it is so weird typing/saying that). I said yes with the conditions the wedding not be when we might be moving late this coming summer,( what else can you say really if it is an old friend asking you), and I am beyond honored. I will be seeing her next week when I am home to talk to her about what she wants. I'm hoping for a nice bridesmaid dress in chocolate brown from Watters and Watters. The girls dresses we had by them ended up being perfect.
Currently on TV: Babes in Toyland

So I know it has been forever since I have blogged. I am now working part time at our local Pier 1. It is saving me money on car insurance and sanity for not having to drive in the snow. We have had some serious snow this winter season. Being from Florida and having spent some serious time in California, I am unused to the cold and snow. I am very slowly adjusting to single digit days. It was in the negatives for most of today. We are being told it will get up into the 30s by this weekend.
On the thesis front it is going slowly and has been a very negative experience on a whole. I need to add some details to it on my next day off of work as well as finish an entirely new chapter and hope it helps get me to the magic number of 50 pages.
The reason I am updating my blog is that I found a really neat Etsy store that I think would be good for people looking for unique holiday gift ideas Luca Chocolate. The owners of the store make the Bacon Box which is various chocolates with bacon as the main ingredient. It seems like a neat idea.
Currently on TV: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Wow, it has been a while since I have updated my blog. I successfully got married. It was a wonderful ceremony and a fun reception. We had a great honeymoon at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando that was so much fun and we got to see friends and my father and my siblings. I was able to change my name on my documents successfully.
I have been busy editing my thesis, knitting, and some temp work. I finished two sweaters, and two pairs of socks, plus half of another pair. I'm now working on a shawl out of Malabrigo sock.
Just for Jen because as she pointed out I have a birthday coming up, I have created a Loopy Ewe wishlist the wishlist. I have fiddled with this link which still is not working but the link on the sidebar is working. She also wanted to know my favorite colors of STR so they are as follow:
Siren Song
ST-1
The Claw
Sea Mar
Thraven
Turquoise
Mockaberry
I also have an Amazon wishlist under my real name.
Currently on TV: Nothing listening to Lime and Violet

I lucked out this month. I wrote an essay/story for the Never Not Knitting Podcastabout a shawl that is not working. I found out while listening to episode 17 that I won that months contest of 5 skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed. A nice silk cotton blend of yarn (although knitting with cotton dries out my hands). The yarn arrived this past Monday and I wound it all up and quickly cast on for Liesl a quick feather and fan pattern on US size 10.75 needles. I made it with a high neckline and sleeve that go to just about my elbows. I had this sweater finished by Wednesday. I am going to go to Shuttles Spindles and Skeins buy a button for the high neck just in case I wan to button it up when I wear it.

Sorry for the bad photo, Sean was not being a willing photographer.
On Tuesday morning, I found out that my grandmother had pasted away. She lived a long and good life at 92. She was married to a man who was devoted to her for over 50 years. Most readers will know that I was not close to my fathers mother at all. I was very sorry that I could not be with my father for the funeral. I talked to him over Skype on Tuesday and Wednesday. They were good conversations and I'll see him in just over three weeks for the wedding.
Currently listening to: Gives Good Knits episode 7

Just a follow up to yesterday's post, I had e-mailed the seller after looking back over all of my communications where we always discussed 5 items. She responded to me today in a tone that was embarrassed and apologetic. All of her other orders last week were for 4 pieces and she made mine on autopilot. She is making the last piece today to be put in the post no later than Saturday.
Currently on TV: The Moonstone

Warning up front, this is another wedding post. I love etsy.com. I have ordered everything from yarns and fibers to pillows for the bedroom from here. In fact, I have a good business relationship with a British photographer,Tiinateaspoon, because of the site. It was a no brainer to look at etsy for gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. I found a great seller who makes fantastic jewelry, and she quickly made four necklaces for the bridesmaids in the wedding colors. Sean and I tried to avoid the traditional type of groomsmen gift like cufflinks, beer or alcohol glasses, but it quickly became April and he had no clue what to give the guys. I turned to the same seller and convo'd her about making four sets of groomsmen cufflinks to match the necklaces. She didn't get back to me, so I just bought the guys package of cufflinks for the groom and groomsmen at $150 for 5 pairs of cufflinks, $30 each. She was great in communication and sent off my order.
The order arrived today with only 4 pairs of cufflinks and a gift for the bride. I had looked at buying one of her hair pieces, so she gave me one. I contacted her saying I loved the four sets we received and to see about getting the groom's pair. I didn't mention the financial reason for the message, but I paid for five, we really don't have money to waste with me not working. I'm now wondering if I did the right thing; I feel sick about this. There is a large part of me that wants to receive what I paid for, a smaller part of me doesn't want to rock the boat. I have a good business relationship with the seller and don't want to ruin it.
Does anyone have any advice for me?
This may not have been an issue if I hadn't received so many you are great but others were better for this job notices this week.
Currently on TV: Nothing

I had what I viewed as a weird comment to the blog today. Someone who I think is from the UK asked how my new air mattress from 2006 worked. To answer the question it was fine until it popped and woke me up at 2:00 AM on the slats of my bed sometime in 2007 during the CA camping season. That replacement air mattress works fine, however I am now blessed to sleep on a real mattress. I thank it nightly for its being filled with some sort of fabric and springs and not air. I have enough room in the living room that any overnight guests use the 2007 air mattress.
Tonight, I start the new Cassandra Clare. I gobbled up the first two of the trilogy last August and have been waiting impatiently for the final volume.
Currently on TV: Nothing listening to Cast On

I mention a lot about being people sick for my friends in CA. I still am although I get to see everyone in May, and I cannot wait. This week, however, I have been reminded about how awesome my friends are. Jen sent me a dozen of my favorite cookies that I can only get in Cayucos, Monday. I am done to only one cookie as I write this. They are so yummy. Tuesday, a package arrived from Amazon with a cookbook I wanted off of my wishlist and the new Anne Bishop from Lee. I sat down right away to read the cookbook. I am almost ready to start baking bread just need either a pizza stone or some unglazed terra cotta tiles.
The Anne Bishop has been finished. It was good not as good as the first two Black Jewel books and missing Sureal my favorite character, but good. I like Cassy the new female character introduced in this book, and the character of Grey is wonderful. This book really dealt with the scars that all of the characters possess. The book kept me up past 1 AM for two nights and I finished it yesterday morning. I still think the UPS guy thinks we have shopping issues. He has delivered six packages to us in two weeks. We haven't bought anything they are all gifts, but it is still funny.
We have wonderful friends here in CO. They come over for game nights and just hang out. We have one friend who when he heard someone was getting rid of their old TV brought it to us because he knew we couldn't afford to buy a new one. He has offered to throw us a Wedding reception here in CO for everyone who can't come to our wedding in FL. These things make me happy. It is nice to realize that people really do care about us and that I have such great friends.
On the knitting front I am working on the Loksin Sock Pattern for my mom. In Socks That Rock Lightweight in the Deck the Halls color weigh. As always I'm worried I will run out of yarn on the second sock. I'm working the gusset now. I should be fine. The color of the socks is like Raspberry Sorbet. I'm sure she will love them.
I'm currently reading several things at once. I am working through Hell to Pay by Simon R. Green. I need to then pick up his next book that is in paperback for his Nightside series. I have started The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood that I am like so far, and finally my travel book is By a Lady which is fun.
Sean goes away to a conference this week, and I need to reacquaint myself with being alone. It is sad that I have no Joy Feast to deliver food to me or pick up as I come home from work.
Currently on TV: Nothing

In November I wrote the Oh God its the holiday's again post.   I mentioned I was using a yarn and making a project I desperately wanted.  Last month I made the Shetland Triangle for myself.  It has not been heavy shawl weather here since then.

I used Blue Moon Fiber Arts Luscious Single Silk a 50/50 silk and merino wool in the color Braun's Woods.  It was knit on US size 9s following the pattern exactly.  This patten takes about a week to knit.  It was a huge hit at Christmas time as a gift.  I love mine the colors all swirl together very 1960s psychedelically especially the browns.  I can see making this shawl again as a gift.  I know a few people have made it out of sock yarn.

 

In school news, I received my first draft of my thesis back yesterday.  I made all of the changes which were minimal until the conclusion.  I tried to punch up and flesh out the conclusion and worked on explaining the relevancy of the section on the 1976 coup.  I really don't want to lose those 3 pages.

After two years, Sean and my wedding is almost here.  The preparations are as complete as they ever will be more or less, dance floor rented, cake paid for, DJ contract sent back.  Invitations are sent out RSVPs are coming back to us.  We got back an RSVP today (can not attend) from a cousin I have never met.  I am sure he has no idea who I am, and I didn't expect any response from him.  I have an aunt who I also don't expect to respond because she did not respond to my cousins wedding invitation or baby shower the following year.

I am not having any of the traditional pre-wedding parties.  I'm a little sad about not having a bridal shower, not because I would like the gifts or attention rather I really miss my close friends since moving to Colorado.  A friend was telling me on Saturday about having to go to Lincoln, Nebraska for a friends shower and then how for her sister they are doing a send the sister a recipe and maybe something from the Pampered Chief catalog.  That idea sounded nice, but seemed to be missing the bonding element.  I'm not sure I would really like a traditional shower.  I would more enjoy an afternoon with my friends, baked goods, and the BBC North and South to drool over Mr. Thornton.  The one thing I am doing pre-wedding is holding a bridesmaid lunch.  This way I get to spend some time with my closest friends just getting to be goofy and to hang out.  Enough of the poor me, I don't get to have what other people have and back to my thesis edits, I need to figure out a way to save three pages of work.

Bad Horse Chorus:

Guidelines: 

1. Put your iTunes or Windows Media Player on shuffle

2. For each question, press the next button to get your next answer

3. You must write that song name down no matter how outrageous it sounds!

If someone says, "Is This Okay" you say?

I Know I Know I Know by Teagan and Sarah, Veronica Mars Soundtrack

What would best describe your personality?

The Perfect Nanny (the kids) by Karen Dotrice, Mary Poppins Soundtrack

What do you like in a guy/girl?

One Man's Rain by Anthony Stewart Head, Music for Elevators (I still want to know if I can have the singer.)

What is your life's purpose?

Count Your Blessing Instead of Sheep by Diana Krall, Christmas Songs

What is your motto?

I Died by Bif Naked from I Bificus

What do your friends think of you?

For Good by Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, Wicked Original Broadway Cast

What do you think about often?

Overture and Have a Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

What is 2+2?

Track 13 from vol 4 of Cowboy Beebop soundtrack

What do you think of your best friend?

Help Me Mary by Liz Phair, Exile in Guyville

What do you think of the person you like?

Dear Old Shiz by Kristen Chenoweth, Wicked Original Broadway Cast

What is you life story?

Sway by The Perishers, Veronica Mars Soundtrack

What do you want to be when you grow up?

My Boyfriend's Back by Me First and the Gimme Gimmies, Blow in the Wind

What do you think when you see the person you like?

The Kids Don't Like It by Reel Big Fish, Why Do They Rock So Hard

What do your parents think of you?

The Bonny Swans by Lorena McKennit, Live in Paris and Toronto disk 2

What will you dance to at your wedding?

Track 20, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (not even on the list what would the tempo be?)

What will they play at your funeral?

March of the Witch Hunters by Ensemble, Wicked the Original Soundtrack

What is your hobby/interst?

Survivor by Knock Out

What do you think of your friends?

Nobody Does it Better by Me First and the Gimme Gimmies, Have a Ball

What's the worst thing that could happen?

Track 19, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (It is an awkward situation while the girls are in London)

How will you die?

Hateful by The Clash, London Calling

What is the one thing you regret?

Not Only Human by Heather Nova, Siren

What makes you laugh?

Throwing Fire at the Sun by Heather Nova, Oyster

What makes you cry?

Wheel by Rhodes, Half a Mind to Stay

Will you ever get married?

Overture by Richard M. and E. Robert Sherwood, Mary Poppins Soundtrack

What scares you the most?

Even Here We Are by Shawn Colvin, These Four Walls

Does anyone like you?

Cowboy Beebop track 2 (I close My Eyes) from Cowboy Beebop Soundtrack

If you could go back in time, what would you change?

I Don't Give a Damn by Joan Jett

What hurts right now?

Track 7 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (Col. Brandon is just introduced)

What is your biggest secret?

Track 1 disk 3 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (Lucy Steel is secretly engaged to Mr. Farris)

What will you post this as?

Randomness over soundtracks and Jane Austen

The next song played was the Bad Horse Chorus from the Dr. Horrible Soundtrack.  That is this Meme's new name sorry Jane.

Randomness over soundtracks and Jane Austen

I am so tired and I have no idea why. The major drama of the wedding thus far is over. All of the bridesmaids dresses are on order with the bridal shop (mostly). I had to e-mail the owner of the store my younger sister's measurements. The owner is starting a vacation until Thanksgiving, so I have no clue when the dresses will actually be ordered. I just have to thank my friends (Jen/Nina) for being so awesome in helping me find the dress and putting up with the copious e-mails. It seriously shouldn't be that hard to find a dress.
The worry that I have now is that every part of the wedding certain relatives are involved with are going to be pulling teeth like this one was. I still haven't heard from my father.  It has been over a month, and I have heard nothing from him.  
Currently on TV (yes we have one now): Nothing

Why is it every year I am surprised by how much knitting I have left to do for Christmas? I thought I was done with Sean's mother's gift. I pulled it out Thursday and was shocked by what I was smoking. The shawl doesn't work as a shawl, blanket, or anything. I am using my Luscious Single Silk in Valkyrie to make a Shetland Triangle for her. I have wanted this shawl for myself in this yarn. It has a lot more color than the photo shows. Does anyone want to buy me a skein from bluemoonfiberarts.com for the holidays? I still have to knit a sweater for my mom and socks for Sean and maybe Nannie.
Currently on TV: Nothing listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me

Last night at 9:34, Sean and I were sitting listening to Fresh Air from NPR. My cell phone rang which was odd. There was no one who would call at that time of night this close to Halloween. It was a political call asking me to vote no on Prop 8. I very kindly explained that I no longer lived in California and had already voted in Colorado. She explained what the people who support Prop 8 are doing to get out the vote thus their measures. She then asked me to tell my friends and family in California to go and vote. I do think that get out the vote measures are good. I do not however believe I should be called after 7:00 PM or even on the voter roles still in LA County. I don't know how voter rolls are purged. I am still getting e-mails from the LA County Democrats and the lieutenant governor of the state.
Currently on TV: Nothing listening to Forgotten Classics

There has got to be another person on the planet who has my problem. I am physically unable to wear shoes other than my Rainbow Sandals. I could probably buy them multiple times a year I wear them so much, instead of every May. Since May in the closed toe shoe department, I have bought a pair of Mephisto Mary Janes, a pair of Padigonia ballet flats, and some Clarks Slip On Loafers. They all cause me to blister in different parts of my foot. Today I went to The Walking Store; I had my foot measured (I do know my actual shoe size 7 1/2 or an 8 so the wrong size shoe isn't an issue ) tried on about 6 pairs of shoes. There were only three pairs of shoes that possibly could work. One pair was so ugly that there is no way I would ever spend $119 on them. I liked two pairs one is $124 (I need to see if we have the money) the other pair is a pair of clogs that are $190. I haven't gone absolutely nuts. There isn't any way on God's green earth that we can afford those. I don't know how I am going to cope with the cold coming on.
Currently on TV: 27 Dresses (yes again)

Wedding plans are coming along. My mom made my hair appointment for 8:00 AM in the morning her appointment is 7:30 AM. The wedding is at 3:00 in the afternoon. It is going to be a long day.
Currently on TV: Allo, Allo

So I finished my fall chevron scarf just in time for the weather to get cold. I have been wearing my scarf constantly due to the cold. A daily high of 58 degrees Fahrenheit when it is grey and damp is cold for me. I don't do seasons; I'm from FL. The actual change in weather and being with Sean everyday has put me into a holiday mood. I am happily knitting on Christmas projects, Jen's shawl has four of nine repeats done. I then have to make a sweater for my mom and maybe two pairs of socks. I definitely need to finish Sean's pair.
I bought lighter fluid for the lighter the other day so I have been able to burn candles, which is something I've missed doing. We just need to find appropriate smelling candles to cover up the smell of cooking bacon.
Currently on TV: Nothing.

I didn't really sleep last night. I tried but I saw 4 AM. I woke up today, and I walked all over town doing wedding stuff. I discussed when we should sign up with Men's Warehouse for tuxes (answer soon) to Barnes and Noble to get a book for Sean and I found the CD Filteau wanted. After BN, I went to the Boulder wedding shop. We finally found a bridesmaid dress that works for everyones body type and in the wedding color. I have already heard one person say they loved the dress. When I got home, Sean was here and we discussed what tuxes he was looking for. I found out what Sean wanted and I went back to Men's Warehouse and got all of our information entered. The next thing I know it was 5 PM. Tonight we are going over to a friend's to watch Fringe and Heroes. I'm excited, but a little tired.
Currently on TV: Nothing

I found out that I was not put forward to round two for another job. I was 9 points short of the qualifying score. I'm so disappointed. I really thought I had done a fantastic job on the essays. I think it may have to do with the lack of experience supervising people. I am allowing myself to wallow for the rest of the night and tomorrow I am contacting my Appleone rep.
On the plus side, we bought a trunk today and now all the books are put away. I also am working on sleeve one of my sweater.

I got news most knitters love to hear. My cousin (who is a fantastic person) is pregnant with her second child. She is due in May, and since she told people I assume everything is going well. When my mom told me, my reaction to the news was should I make the baby sweater I was going to use for Heather? My mom responded with "She is due in May; you can wait until June or July to deliver the present." I responded that so was Heather two baby sweaters made in the 12 month size wasn't a problem. It has now been about 30 minutes since I talked to my mom. I now realize why two babies due in May is a problem. I'm getting married May 23rd. I may be a little busy then. I might need to get started knitting now.