I've also done a couple more bowls. I used a mix of Emu Finlandia, Cascade 220 Tweed, Manos del Uruguay, Lamb's Pride and Tahki Donegal tweed. Once they're felted, I'll post a photo. In the meantime, keep cool and happy knitting.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Babies and Christmas
Those have been the focus of my knitting lately. I'm finished with Mason Dixon for a while (unless more pregnancies pop up) and once the bowls are done, I'll get back into my swallowtail shawl, a new chicken and some other things.
I've also done a couple more bowls. I used a mix of Emu Finlandia, Cascade 220 Tweed, Manos del Uruguay, Lamb's Pride and Tahki Donegal tweed. Once they're felted, I'll post a photo. In the meantime, keep cool and happy knitting.
I've also done a couple more bowls. I used a mix of Emu Finlandia, Cascade 220 Tweed, Manos del Uruguay, Lamb's Pride and Tahki Donegal tweed. Once they're felted, I'll post a photo. In the meantime, keep cool and happy knitting.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
"What the F**K?!?!" Wednesday
From the Roanoke Times newspaper... and including my pithy editorial comments
Firearm allegedly found on bus
A school resource officer, who was driving the bus of sixth-graders, was put on paid leave.
By Courtney Cutright 981-3345
Cpl. David Mays, a school resource officer at Staunton River Middle School, was placed on a paid administrative leave Thursday after allegedly leaving his loaded gun unattended on a charter bus, Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown said. No, the gun was definitely there and photographs exist to prove it.
Mays, who has been employed by the county sheriff's department since 1999, also moonlights as a bus driver for Linkous Christian Tours of Bedford.
According to Brown, the incident occurred Wednesday evening at a rest stop outside Charlottesville on Interstate 64 when Mays was driving a group of sixth-graders back to Bedford from Paramount's Kings Dominion in Richmond.
"Cpl. Mays took his weapon off to go to the bathroom," Brown said. Do you really believe this? My theory is he took it off for the three hour road trip and simply forgot it. However, if I were the sheriff, I'd never say, "My officer forgot his gun with a busload of children milling around."
A chaperone and a student photographed the weapon in an unsecured compartment near the driver's seat, Brown said. The images were turned over to the sheriff's department Thursday.
The incident, which Brown called "totally unacceptable," is under investigation by the sheriff's department.
"The weapon should be secured on the officer or in an appropriate locked container," Brown said.
He also said carrying the service weapon was not in conflict with the department's policy until it left Mays' possession.
It is unknown whether the tour bus company has a policy regarding employees' use of firearms. No one from Linkous Christian Tours could be reached for comment Thursday.
"We regret what has transpired in the last 24 hours," said the school system's public information officer Ryan "Please don't sue us" Edwards. " I can also vouch for the fact that Cpl. Mays has a genuine love for children." Brown added that Mays is distraught over the incident, which was brought to the school system's attention Thursday morning.
Edwards said complaints were also presented to the school system regarding Mays' behavior on the bus. He was unsure if the complaints over the officer's behavior were brought by the same individuals who reported the unattended firearm. I think that's pretty much a given folks.
Edwards said Principal Linwood Roberts spoke to all parents who chaperoned the trip and "a majority were supportive" of the officer.
Approximately 50 sixth-graders and 10 chaperones were on the trip, in which students were being rewarded for behavior and good grades.
Mays requested the day off from the sheriff's department to take the students on the field trip, Brown said.
It was not the first occasion Mays made such a request, Brown said, and there have been no previous complaints against the deputy. [End Article]
------------------------------------------------------
After 36 hours of "stewing," I finally calmed down and gained a bit of perspective. Here are my thoughts on my daughter's bus ride to Kings Dominion:
1. Mays forgot his gun. Regrettable, but accidental. No responsible adult and certainly no off-duty Bedford County police officer (we've got a great police force here) would ever deliberately leave his loaded weapon on a bus filled with children.
2. No harm, no foul. I have made my peace with the gun situation. The chaperones saved the day and I literally thank God for each and every one of them.
Firearm allegedly found on bus
A school resource officer, who was driving the bus of sixth-graders, was put on paid leave.
By Courtney Cutright 981-3345
Cpl. David Mays, a school resource officer at Staunton River Middle School, was placed on a paid administrative leave Thursday after allegedly leaving his loaded gun unattended on a charter bus, Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown said. No, the gun was definitely there and photographs exist to prove it.
Mays, who has been employed by the county sheriff's department since 1999, also moonlights as a bus driver for Linkous Christian Tours of Bedford.
According to Brown, the incident occurred Wednesday evening at a rest stop outside Charlottesville on Interstate 64 when Mays was driving a group of sixth-graders back to Bedford from Paramount's Kings Dominion in Richmond.
"Cpl. Mays took his weapon off to go to the bathroom," Brown said. Do you really believe this? My theory is he took it off for the three hour road trip and simply forgot it. However, if I were the sheriff, I'd never say, "My officer forgot his gun with a busload of children milling around."
A chaperone and a student photographed the weapon in an unsecured compartment near the driver's seat, Brown said. The images were turned over to the sheriff's department Thursday.
The incident, which Brown called "totally unacceptable," is under investigation by the sheriff's department.
"The weapon should be secured on the officer or in an appropriate locked container," Brown said.
He also said carrying the service weapon was not in conflict with the department's policy until it left Mays' possession.
It is unknown whether the tour bus company has a policy regarding employees' use of firearms. No one from Linkous Christian Tours could be reached for comment Thursday.
"We regret what has transpired in the last 24 hours," said the school system's public information officer Ryan "Please don't sue us" Edwards. " I can also vouch for the fact that Cpl. Mays has a genuine love for children." Brown added that Mays is distraught over the incident, which was brought to the school system's attention Thursday morning.
Edwards said complaints were also presented to the school system regarding Mays' behavior on the bus. He was unsure if the complaints over the officer's behavior were brought by the same individuals who reported the unattended firearm. I think that's pretty much a given folks.
Edwards said Principal Linwood Roberts spoke to all parents who chaperoned the trip and "a majority were supportive" of the officer.
Approximately 50 sixth-graders and 10 chaperones were on the trip, in which students were being rewarded for behavior and good grades.
Mays requested the day off from the sheriff's department to take the students on the field trip, Brown said.
It was not the first occasion Mays made such a request, Brown said, and there have been no previous complaints against the deputy. [End Article]
------------------------------------------------------
After 36 hours of "stewing," I finally calmed down and gained a bit of perspective. Here are my thoughts on my daughter's bus ride to Kings Dominion:
1. Mays forgot his gun. Regrettable, but accidental. No responsible adult and certainly no off-duty Bedford County police officer (we've got a great police force here) would ever deliberately leave his loaded weapon on a bus filled with children.
2. No harm, no foul. I have made my peace with the gun situation. The chaperones saved the day and I literally thank God for each and every one of them.
Remember that line about, "behavior on the bus....?" That situation, separate and apart from the forgotten pistol, still makes me simmer. How did Mr. Mays, the bus driver, behave on the bus? Here's part of an the e-mail I sent to the school board, amongst others, on that subject:
- ...Mays told the children that they were not permitted to use the bus restroom....(Note: Mays had told the children that they were not permitted to use the restroom at all during the three hour trip because he would have to clean the bathroom that night).
- ...Mays shouted at two male students, calling them "girls" because they had to use the restroom....
- ...Mays spent a significant amount time talking on his cell phone while driving the bus....
- A chaperone parent on the bus told Officer Mays to keep his eyes on the road and to stop talking on his cell phone while driving.
So folks, how the hell was your Wednesday?!?!?!
Credit: The brilliant mind of Noolie created today's title, "WTFW?" She does "WTFW?" on her blog and it's great fun to read. Check her out (and please do forgive me for pirating your title this one time, Noolie).
Monday, June 04, 2007
Sock Sisterhood
In a lovely card, Dianne and Linda wrote, "By the power vested me by NSK (Notorious Sock Knitters): You have been nominated and unanimously voted into The Local Sock Sisters Association."And accompanying the card was this work of art. It's Blue Moon Fiber/Socks That Rock heavyweight yarn in the "Rolling Stone" colorway. I was blown away by all of it. The card was wonderful, the adoption was great and the fiber....oh the fiber....it's magnificent. :)
Thank you sooooooo much Dianne & Linda!
Now having this incredible yarn, I had to find patterns "good enough" for it. That said, I found the following two sock patterns from Fiber Trends.
On the left is "Leaf Lace" and on the right, "Hellen's Favorites." Below is what I started this weekend.
I had already begun a new pair of socks before receving the STR. Needless to say, I finished them off as quickly as I could and here's the end result. I used the Cascase Tweed and a "Bed Sock" pattern that came from my Stitch 'n Bitch Page-A-Day calendar.
Linda and Dianne - - Thank you again! I'm thoroughly loving my new sock addiction, as well as being in the sisterhood! XOXOX
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Finishing Touches
What a weekend! I knitted, played, cleaned, played and knitted. The kids and I went to see Pirates 3 and if you haven't seen it, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) is absolute eye candy at the end of the movie. I won't spoil it for you, but I will say that man makes a delicious-looking pirate.
The kids had a ball "grass surfing" yesterday. My daughter, Andie, hitched a heavy-duty styrofoam wakeboard to the back of our lawn mower and the next thing I knew, my son, Skander, was surfing over the hills of our yard with his sister at the wheel of the mower. Oh well...Jamaica has a bobsled team. ;)
I spent last week and this past weekend putting finishing touches on several projects. You've seen the bibs I did for Emma & Isabelle, but here's a new pair for Saylor (a cousin's daughter who's due in August).
I found adorable polymer clay buttons, a heart & butterfly, and added them to my pink and yellow bibs below.
Note to Self: Get new digital camera. Also photographed below is a pair of baby booties (the first and only pair that I've made so far).
A couple more mesa bowls made with Emu Finlandia and Manos del Uruguay
And Miss Chicken. I plan on either putting a little garland around her neck or (if I can learn how to make one) a mini-shawl.
I also made a tomato hat with Shepherd's superwash.
I attempted to start the Flower Basket shawl, but the provisional cast-on stonewalled me. I'll give it another shot this week. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and Happy Knitting!
The kids had a ball "grass surfing" yesterday. My daughter, Andie, hitched a heavy-duty styrofoam wakeboard to the back of our lawn mower and the next thing I knew, my son, Skander, was surfing over the hills of our yard with his sister at the wheel of the mower. Oh well...Jamaica has a bobsled team. ;)
I spent last week and this past weekend putting finishing touches on several projects. You've seen the bibs I did for Emma & Isabelle, but here's a new pair for Saylor (a cousin's daughter who's due in August).
I found adorable polymer clay buttons, a heart & butterfly, and added them to my pink and yellow bibs below.
Note to Self: Get new digital camera. Also photographed below is a pair of baby booties (the first and only pair that I've made so far).
A couple more mesa bowls made with Emu Finlandia and Manos del Uruguay
And Miss Chicken. I plan on either putting a little garland around her neck or (if I can learn how to make one) a mini-shawl.
I also made a tomato hat with Shepherd's superwash.
I attempted to start the Flower Basket shawl, but the provisional cast-on stonewalled me. I'll give it another shot this week. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and Happy Knitting!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Weekend SEX
Stash-Enrichment-eXpedition(s).
(The title got your attention though, didn't it???)
I had a very busy, fiber-filled weekend. I'm sorry to say that one of our local LYSs', Tapestry, is permanently closing its doors at the end of this month. I visited Evie, the owner, on Friday and while I'm happy for her that she's retiring, I'm selfishly sad also. Evie's always carried very nice British woolens and Manos del Uruguay in every color. While at her shop, I couldn't resist the following:
Two beautiful skeins of Manos del Uruguay (a rust and a burgundy color), a Cascade tweed, a Donegal tweed and several balls of Rowan cotton glace.
These beauties are going to be Christmas socks. The sage-colored cotton glace will be a shawl (I hope I can do it) and the Manos is part of the "bowl-a-polooza" I've been knitting up lately.
The second expedition was Customer Appreciation Day at Yarn Theory. Jan outdid herself with finger foods, a spinning demonstration and just creating a really warm atmosphere. While there, I found these two shawl patterns. They're beautful and they're scary. :)
Flower Basket & Leaf Lace, both by Evelyn Clark/Fibertrends.Happy Knitting all!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Here's my first attempt at a Mesa bowl. I knitted the body of the bowl with a very light gray Emu Finlandia. The top, an I-cord bind off, was knitted with a combination of "No Name" olive-colored wool and Lamb's Pride Pine Tree.
Here's the finished, felted bowl. The bowls knit up very fast and easily. I knitted a second, larger one last night in about two hours using Galway and Galway Paint. The wool isn't as fuzzy and I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Happy Knitting all.
Here's the finished, felted bowl. The bowls knit up very fast and easily. I knitted a second, larger one last night in about two hours using Galway and Galway Paint. The wool isn't as fuzzy and I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Happy Knitting all.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Tagged
I've been tagged by Noolie and the rules of the game are that each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog. Here are my facts:
1. I like vampires. Before you think that I'm a complete oddball, let me explain. After almost a decade spent living in Africa, I returned to the U.S. and re-discovered American television. The one show that captivated me was "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" simply because it was so darned different (and wonderfully humorous). When Buffy was cancelled, I stumbled upon the authors Charlaine Harris & Maryjanice Davidson and have had a roaring good time with their Sookie and Betsy characters.
2. I proposed to my husband on our second date.
3. I was the only right-handed person in my family as a child.
4. I enjoy housekeeping, but I really loathe ironing.
5. I've never had the flu, but I have had dengue fever.
6. I'm a 39, born in August and a rabid E-bay'er.
7. I'm afraid of spiders.
Now, it's your turn Dianne, Marianne, Michelle, Flo, and Angie.
1. I like vampires. Before you think that I'm a complete oddball, let me explain. After almost a decade spent living in Africa, I returned to the U.S. and re-discovered American television. The one show that captivated me was "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" simply because it was so darned different (and wonderfully humorous). When Buffy was cancelled, I stumbled upon the authors Charlaine Harris & Maryjanice Davidson and have had a roaring good time with their Sookie and Betsy characters.
2. I proposed to my husband on our second date.
3. I was the only right-handed person in my family as a child.
4. I enjoy housekeeping, but I really loathe ironing.
5. I've never had the flu, but I have had dengue fever.
6. I'm a 39, born in August and a rabid E-bay'er.
7. I'm afraid of spiders.
Now, it's your turn Dianne, Marianne, Michelle, Flo, and Angie.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Socks and Baby Blanket are Done
Yippee! I didn't do the full Mason Dixon Moderne because I didn't want a crib-sized blanket, but what I did end up with is a very large receiving blanket and/or nicely sized lap blanket.
The Horcrux socks are finished too. I had a ball doing those, but I need to work on my kitchener stitch (or have someone standing over my shoulder to make sure that I'm getting it right).
I've started a chicken and so far, so good. It's unnatural how much I like Lamb's Pride. Don't ask me why...maybe it's just my first love, but if I could bury my basement in this stuff, I would. (I know a few who'd say the same, but with Blue Moon sock yarn, so I know I'm not alone in this fiber obsession). :)
Happy knitting all!
The Horcrux socks are finished too. I had a ball doing those, but I need to work on my kitchener stitch (or have someone standing over my shoulder to make sure that I'm getting it right).
I've started a chicken and so far, so good. It's unnatural how much I like Lamb's Pride. Don't ask me why...maybe it's just my first love, but if I could bury my basement in this stuff, I would. (I know a few who'd say the same, but with Blue Moon sock yarn, so I know I'm not alone in this fiber obsession). :)
Happy knitting all!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Knit.Drink.Tink.
I saw this blogsite, Knit.Drink.Tink., referenced on the Yarn Harlot's site and thought to myelf, "How much fun would this be on a Friday night?!?!" (It'd sure beat laundry, housekeeping & cooking). That and I adore the logo.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Along Came a Sock
My Horcrux socks are coming along nicely. The first one is finished, but for the Kitchener's Stitch on the toe. The second sock is at the "gussets" point. This is a terrific, very user-friendly pattern!
And here's my first square for Hokie blankets.
At some point the near future, I'll be starting the chicken doorstops as well. For this project, I purchased Lamb's Pride.
And here's my first square for Hokie blankets.
At some point the near future, I'll be starting the chicken doorstops as well. For this project, I purchased Lamb's Pride.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Here ya go Mobishobel & Dianne!
We interrupt this N.Y. Yankee baseball game for ummm....a naked prance.
At least the policemen are amused, if not the streaker.
Naked trots are genuinely (and this is real) a problem at
Pomona College in California.
Tonight's dinner...I'm eating crow. :)
And here is the sock I've started....
At least the policemen are amused, if not the streaker.
Naked trots are genuinely (and this is real) a problem at
Pomona College in California.
Tonight's dinner...I'm eating crow. :)
And here is the sock I've started....
Monday, April 30, 2007
Slumber Party et al
I am finished knitting slippers (for a while at least).
I am finished knitting slippers.
The slippers are done.
I am in shock.
I started knitting for the first time around April 2006 and my second project was a pair of felted slippers and/or clogs. Those slippers, and the 3o or so pairs that followed it (no, I'm not kidding about the numbers), consumed me. It feels very strange not to have clogs on the needles and I'm kind of "punch drunk" at the thought of what's coming up next. I plan on jumping into....
a) Crazy little chickens for Christmas (I really liked the Camp Cockamamy chickens on the Harlot site and want to do them as doorstops), and ummmm....
b) socks on dpns.
Yes, the Sock Basher/Hanes Queen/ "I will run down Main St. naked before I ever knit another sock" is going to knit socks. Between Marianne's wonderful gift and watching the beautiful socks that Dianne and LW have worked up these last several months, I have to take the plunge on dpns.'
In the meantime, I've been knitting away on my Moderne Baby Blanket and here's where I am thus far:
I am finished knitting slippers.
The slippers are done.
I am in shock.
I started knitting for the first time around April 2006 and my second project was a pair of felted slippers and/or clogs. Those slippers, and the 3o or so pairs that followed it (no, I'm not kidding about the numbers), consumed me. It feels very strange not to have clogs on the needles and I'm kind of "punch drunk" at the thought of what's coming up next. I plan on jumping into....
a) Crazy little chickens for Christmas (I really liked the Camp Cockamamy chickens on the Harlot site and want to do them as doorstops), and ummmm....
b) socks on dpns.
Yes, the Sock Basher/Hanes Queen/ "I will run down Main St. naked before I ever knit another sock" is going to knit socks. Between Marianne's wonderful gift and watching the beautiful socks that Dianne and LW have worked up these last several months, I have to take the plunge on dpns.'
In the meantime, I've been knitting away on my Moderne Baby Blanket and here's where I am thus far:
I didn't get much knitting done this weekend because I had a "slumber party" of sorts. Emma and Isabelle spent Saturday night with me, but Emma refused to sleep until 4 a.m. Still, who could resist these girls?
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Finished Projects
I finished several projects over the weekend but none of them can be photographed because they're gifts. That said, your slippers will be mailed today, Marianne! (AT LONG LAST! and I do apologize for the extraordinarily long time that it's taken me).
In addition to the gifts, I also knitted up a burp cloth and bib with Peaches 'n Creme. I really like the pattern and the cotton; it washes well and knits up nicely. Here are the latest additions to the "baby hoard".
I'm still working on the Moderne baby blanket and I'll photograph that next. Happy Knitting all!
In addition to the gifts, I also knitted up a burp cloth and bib with Peaches 'n Creme. I really like the pattern and the cotton; it washes well and knits up nicely. Here are the latest additions to the "baby hoard".
I'm still working on the Moderne baby blanket and I'll photograph that next. Happy Knitting all!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
I Caved....again!
And it was wonderful. All told, I spent less than $40.00, so I'm tickled pink (and yellow and a variety of other colors). Here's the new "baby stash."
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
I Hear Voices in my Head
...whenever I'm in a yarn store. There's an angel saying, "No! No! Dana. You've got projects to do and more yarn in the basket. Do not be tempted!" Then there's that other voice that says, "Damn the torpedos! You've earned this. Shop 'til you drop...you know it's fun!"
I was standing in Yarn Theory this afternoon and decided to compromise with my alter-egos. I went to the sale section (yes, 50% off) and found some luscious yarn, Wings and Shepherd's, Colour 4 Me. Now on principal, I already had all the "baby yarn" I needed, but I decided to (a)indulge and (b) not feel guilty because it was on sale. My parting thought was, "The devil wins today." Two hours later, I learned that my cousin, David, is having twins (in addition to my other cousin, Chad, having a baby too).
...
I was standing in Yarn Theory this afternoon and decided to compromise with my alter-egos. I went to the sale section (yes, 50% off) and found some luscious yarn, Wings and Shepherd's, Colour 4 Me. Now on principal, I already had all the "baby yarn" I needed, but I decided to (a)indulge and (b) not feel guilty because it was on sale. My parting thought was, "The devil wins today." Two hours later, I learned that my cousin, David, is having twins (in addition to my other cousin, Chad, having a baby too).
Ummmm....Sorry God.
(And thanks for the new reasons to buy fiber!)
...
Monday, April 02, 2007
Sittin' & Knittin'
It's been a blessedly quiet couple of weeks and I've just been sittin' and knittin' lately. Our recent highpoint was Andie's first formal dance. (The principal of her school said not to go out and buy fancy clothing and/or formal wear, but my child turned deaf ear to his statements). The "princess" would not be satisfied with anything less than a new dress and new shoes (she made a run for a pashmina shawl and evening bag, but I shot her down as the dance ended at 5:30 p.m.) ;)
The morning of the dance, I was "pleasantly" awakened at the crack of dawn to do hair and makeup. The end results are below....
The "Moderne Baby Blanket" is coming along slowly, but surely. Pardon the photo (my camera likes to turn the color white into some sort of neon affair).
The morning of the dance, I was "pleasantly" awakened at the crack of dawn to do hair and makeup. The end results are below....
The "Moderne Baby Blanket" is coming along slowly, but surely. Pardon the photo (my camera likes to turn the color white into some sort of neon affair).
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