LATE BLOGGER!!!

No the title doesn't mean that I have stayed up late blogging . . . it means that its been a while since I have blogged and I don't have a good excuse either . . . haven't been sick . . . haven't been on vacation (I wish) . . . just have been plain lazy . . . so I hope that my friends and SP pals will forgive me this laspe! I promise not to make a habit of it. BTW . . . my camera is broken so no pics until I get a new one (hopefully for my b-day - hint hint hubby in case you are reading this) . . .

Before I tell you what I have been doing the last couple of weeks . . . I want to tell you about the surprise my knitting friends gave me yesterday (Sunday) . . . we had our usual CHAMPS get-together at the LYS and we were also celebrating Lynn's birthday (birthday was Oct 11 but she was out of State and this was the earliest we could all get together) . . . here we all are singing happy birthday to Lynn when those sly friends of mine also say my name also. . . boy was I surprised (I kind of forgot that my birthday is Wednesday- All Saint's Day - this is what happens when you have too much stuff going on in your life - you start losing brain cells) . . . and I not only had some yummy chocolate cake (which Julie's granddaughter Kaylee blew the candles out for we two old broads) I also got all kinds of other goodies . . . the group gave me a gift certificate to the LYS (which of course I had to use that day and still have some left to get more yarn - yahoo!) . . . Heather gave me the cutest tape measure, a set of snap hooks (for purse handles) and three skiens of white Lion's Brand Jamie Baby yarn (so I can make another cute sweater for my granddaughter-she emailed me the pattern today) and all of it was in a bag from the yarn shop "knitting arts" in Saratoga, CA (I have visited this store a number of times as it is only 10 minutes away from my favorite mother-in-law's home and LOVE IT!) . . . Devvy, the owner of the shop, also gave me a ton of yarn scraps for me to use on my scrapbooking pages (she knows us scrappers!) . . . Lynn also gave me the cutest fabric lamb orement and a coaster that says "did you say chocolate? I'm listening" which she brought back from Maine . . . I can't say it enough . . . THANK YOU GUYS!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

Now on to what I have been doing . . . which hasn't been much . . . let's see . . . at work we had an attorney from our firm sworn in as a judge . . . so we have been either completing her client's work before she left or continuing on with the matter now that she is gone . . . the last two weeks have just been exausting at work (working through lunch, staying late) . . . on the family front . . . my hubby completed the baby crib Thursday night and it is just beautiful . . . it is by far the best piece of furniture he has made yet (and he has made quit a few pieces) . . . this is a hobby that will hopefully keep him busy when he retires (I will publish pics soon) . . . the kids will be leaving Wichita on Friday (11/3) . . . Justin's last day in the Air Force is the third and they should be here by Monday (11/6) . . . weather permitting over the Rocky's (they are driving) . . . I can't wait to see and hold my granddaughter (can't wait to see my daughter either) . . . the kids are excited about coming back home . . . Justin will be attending college and Brooke will have to be the bread winner for a little while . . . and with family support they will be just fine . . . I have been busy with housework . . . practicing my songs for the christmas concert (BTW the hubby and I are singing in this year's community choir christmas concert - he sings bass and I sing alto) . . . church . . . a little scrapbooking . . . a little knitting . . . a little more scrapbooking . . . and just plain vegging out when I get the chance! I have to admit that I have been scrapbooking a lot lately (I am trying to finish up a couple of calendar gifts for family for christmas presents) . . . even though I did finally finish my first pair of socks and have almost finished a little (and I mean LITTLE) felted purse . . . just have to sew the handles on it . . . I haven't been doing much knitting . . . I will tell y'all in another blog (with pics) what I am knitting next . . . I have also been busy with the legal secretaries group I belong to (actually I am beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed) . . . . not only conducting meetings as prez . . . but attending meetings also . . . keeping members involved, etc . . . it will hopefully all calm down when the holiday's are over (ya right . . . I am such a dreamer!) . . .

So in a nut shell . . . that's what's been going on in my life lately . . . till later . . . ladybug kisses!!!!!!!

MORE QUESTIONS / MORE ANSWERS!!!

Okay . . . better late than never with the answers . . . some of these have more than 1 answer and some just plain overwhelmed me . . .

ACTOR: James Garner, Harrison Ford and any hunky looking ones
ACTRESS: Reese Witterspoon, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine
ANIMAL: Cats
BAND: The Eagles
BEVERAGE: - HOT: french roast coffee - any type of tea / COLD: iced chai latte (love this one winter and summer) - Pepsi (regular) and white wine
BOOK: Harry Potter series, any on knitting - just about anything I can get my hands on
BUBBLE BATH/SHOWER GEL: anything spicey/citrus
CANDY: this is the one that overwhelmed me as I love all candy EXCEPT anything with PEANUT BUTTER - NO PEANUT BUTTER anything
COLOR: right now PURPLE , then green, rust, brown - NO PINK!
DESSERT: pies
FLOWER: orchids, roses, daisies
FOOD: Mexician, Chinese, Italian
LIP BALM: whatever is available
LOTION: Oriental Spice by Camille Beckman
MOVIE: Shall We Dance, Twister, all Harry Potter and any mystry type
NUTS: all of them
SONG: I Have A Dream by ABBA and Hotel California by The Eagles
TV SHOW: House, Monk, Cold Case, Without A Trace, Law & Order and Sex In The City (even watch all the repeats of these over and over)
VACATION SPOT: Victoria, Britsh Columbia
VEGGIE: artichokes
WEB SITES: SP9 (home, pals & friends), Ebay, knitting pattern central, CafePress, Sizzix Shop and Aha! Clean Jokes

That's about it for now!!!!

HELP! WHERE DID MY PAGE GO?

So I went to check my blog yesterday and when I logged on all I got was a pretty solid green page (which is the background color of my blog) . . . but I did do not know where everything else went to . . . no postings-no buttons-nada . . . this is very very very frustrating!!!!! I thought maybe my computer at work was acting up so when I got home I tried it on that computer but alas still just a solid background paper .. . . I can still post to my blog by putting in the bloggers address and accessing it that was . . . but I CAN'T SEE MY PAGE (btw I CAN see everyone else's page)!!!!!! . . soooooooo I AM HERE . . . I REALLY AM . . . I JUST CAN'T SEE MY PAGE . . . I NEED HELP!!!!!!

HEATHER'S CHALLENGE!

I know that this is really a test to see if I am reading my hostess's blog . . . so here are my answers . . .

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot?

Okay as a true knitter I will knit anywhere, anytime . . . but the sofa in my living room seems to be where I get most of my knitting done . . . even though lately I have been thinking of knitting in the bathtub . . . I'm thinking it will cut down on "felting" time.

2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead?

This is a very frightening thought . . . something that my chocolate swap pal Joan is going through right now . . . so I guess that I would scrapbook . . . or read . . . and if I can't do either than I guess it would be to watch (gasp) "Murder She Wrote" reruns.

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why?

Okay I know that this is not technically a foreign country but I have always wanted to go to Flordia and I have also always wanted to go to England . . . no particular reason just places I have always wanted to go to!!!!

4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it?

I wanted to be a stewardess . . . I even interviewed with American Airlines . . . but alas it didn't happen (during that time which was long long long ago the major airlines just lowered the age to 19-1/2 but you still had to look like a playboy model-not a pixie) . . . so I went to college and ended up becoming a secretary . . . which has been fun (you know you make your own fun!)!!!!

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Rocky Road!!!!!!!!

This just proves the point that I will answer anything in order to have my name added for a contest (hey I am easy - not cheap - just easy)! hummmmmm that doesn't sound right . . . but my friends know what I mean.

I AM IN CHOCOLATE HEAVEN!

A big box arrived at work the other day from my Chocolate Swap pal Joan full of all things chocolate related and of course my co-workers made sure I opened it up right away (they are really good at smelling chocolate within a 50 foot radius) . . . there was so much in that box that I had to take 2 different pictures to do it all justice . . . Joan sent me a pattern for a B-4 Bag (4 B's meaning bobbles, beads, bumps, and buttons), with everything to make this purse . . . 2 skiens of chocolate brown Patons classic Merino wool, 3 skiens Noro Silk Garden yarn, 6 silver buttons, 2 packages of silver beads, and 1 package of glass ladybug beads . . . now those were just the goodies to make a really cute looking purse . . . Joan also sent ediable chocolate goodies from her hometown candy shop, Watson's . . . I got a jar of Watson's original hot fudge sauce, a bag of Watson's famous sponge candy (this was a very special treat for me as I have not had sponge candy since I was a child and I had forgotten how much I loved it) . . . and a container of Watson's famous milk chocolate "Buffalo Wings" with white chocolate dippin sauce (this was a hit with my co-workers) . . . there was also a large Jolee's labybug for me to use when I scrapbook . . . now I know that you are amazed at everything I got . . . but believe it or not there is still more . . . Joan found out that I just discovered knitting socks and sent me a skien of Cherry Tree Hill SuperSock yarn in a color called "Chocolate M&M's" (don't ya just love that name) and 4 Hersrey chocolate bars . . . JOAN . . . YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOIL!!!!!! I cannot thank you enough for my box of goodies . . .

I just want to leave with one more thing . . . I hope everyone who reads this blog checks out Joan's blog site (www.thejoyofsocks.typepad.com) and DO SEND HER your good wishes . . . life is being a little rough with her right now . . . Joan is going through chemo - was recently on the receiving end of a hit& run (the family car was hit and Joan says no one was hurt) and just had a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR boo boo to her left hand . . . I have so much adminration for this lady and her family - she is a true inspiration!!!!!

SP9 QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS

Greetings . . . here are my answers to the SP9 Questionnaire . . .

1. WHAT IS /ARE YOUR FAVORITE YARN/S TO KNIT WITH? WHAT FIBERS DO YOU ABSOLUTELY *NOT* LIKE?

I do not have a favorite yarn, I like all of them, but fibers are another story. I do not like eyelash yarn, the fibers keep on falling out so you end up leaving a little trail where ever you go or stand or sit.

2. WHAT DO YOU USE TO STORE YOUR NEEDLES / HOOKS IN?

Right now all my needles (straights/circulars) are being stored in a little fabric bag that school kids use to put pencils/pens in. I would love to have a seperate case to store all of my circular addi turbo needles in.

3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN KNITTING? WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR SKILL LEVEL TO BE BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE OR ADVANCED?

I have been an on-again / off-again knitter since I was about 10. I stopped knitting during my teenage years (it was not the "COOL" thing to do) and took it up again when I had my son. I kept on knitting through my daughter's baby years and then stopped. I picked knitting up again a couple of years ago when scraves were all the rage. I consider myself a beginner.

4. DO YOU HAVE AN AMAZONE OR OTHER ONLINE WISH LIST? I do, but for the life of me I have not been able to get the link to it set up in my side bar.

5. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SCENT (FOR CANDLES, BATH PRODUCTS, ETC.)?

I am an earthy kinda gal. I like anything that contains citrus, spice and cinnamon. I usually buy Camilla Beokman "Oriental Spice" and I love Claire Burke's "Apple Peel" products for the home. I am NOT into the flowery scents.

6. DO YOU HAVE A SWEET TOOTH? FAVORITE CANDY?Boy do I ever! I LOVE dessert!!!!! I am participating in a chocolate swap and I like any kind of candy as long as it does not contain PEANUT BUTTER! (candy cover nuts are okay - just NO peanut butter).

7. WHAT OTHER CRAFTS OR DO-IT-YOURSELF THINGS DO YOU LIKE TO DO? DO YOU SPIN?

I am into scrapbooking big big time!!! My craft passions are scrapbooking and knitting in that order. I have crafted all my life it seems and have tried just about every type of craft out there, so whenever the need arises I will craft what has my interest at that time or if it is a gift that I know a particular person would love to have. As for spinning . . . no I don't do that (neither wool or bike).

8. WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE? CAN YOUR COMPUTER/STERO PLAY MP3S? (IF YOUR BUDDY WANTS TO MAKE YOU A CD).

I like mostly easy listening music, broadway show tunes, oldie goldies, swing and light jazz. No my computers do not play MP3s.

9. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? ANY COLORS YOU JUST CAN'T STAND?

My favorite color is green even though lately I have been getting tired of green and am leaning toward purple. Some years ago I had my "colors" done and I found out I looked best in the "fall" season and I have pretty much stayed in that color range for clothing and furnishings in my home (I have 2 red walls in my living room). I do not have anything in the "PINK" range in my life because I personally do not like the color for myself (coral is as pink as I get). Also I wear gold jewerly . . . no silver jewerly.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY SITUATION? DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?

My husband and I have been married 37 years. We will be celebrating our 38th wedding anniversay on July 5th. We have two children . . . our son is 34 and our daughter is 29. In January of this year (2006) our daughter gave us our first grandchild . . . a girl, Kyra. Right now it is only my husband, myself and our two cats (Chloe and Gato) living at home.

11. DO YOU WEAR SCARVES, HATS, MITTENS OR PONCHOS?

I wear scarves, hats only in very cold winter, gloves (nomittens) all the time. I do not wear ponchos.

12. WHAT IS/ARE YOUR FAVORITE ITEMS/S TO KNIT?

WOW that hard . . . it started out being felted purses, but now it's whatever I am working on at the moment. I have just started knitting socks and am having a lot of fun with those! I also like to make things for my granddaughter to wear.

13. WHAT ARE YOU KNITTING RIGHT NOW? Okay I went and got my projects so here they are (a) the second half of a sock (my very first pair) . . . (b) a shopping bag (from knitpicks called a Flordia Bag) . . . (c) a neck down pullover for myself . . . (d) a felted bowl with a lid . . . (e) a slip stitch felted purse . . . and last but diffently not least (f) premie baby hats to donate to local hospitals (have made 6 so far).

14. DO YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE HANDMADE GIFTS?

Yes! Yes! Yes!

15. DO YOU PREFER STRAIGHT OR CIRCULAR NEEDLES? BAMBOO, ALUMINUM, PLASTIC.I prefer circular needles and will use them whenever the pattern does not require straight. I have started purchasing "TURBO" circular needles and most of my other needles are bamboo.

16. DO YOU OWN A YARN WINDER AND/OR SWIFT?

No the neither item, but I forsee somewhere in my future where I will purchase a yarn winder.

17. HOW OLD IS YOUR OLDEST UFO?

9 months now and aging more and more every day. 9 months ago I took a "glove" class and got the cuff almost done when the class was over so that I at least went home with what I called "a puse warmer". Well needless to say at home I did some kind of boo boo, riped everything out and started over again about 20 times . . . never saw my pulse warmers again . . . have put everything except the needles in a bag in a drawer that I hardly ever open. Some day I will get back to them!

18. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY?

I LOVE them all and decorate for each and every one of them!!!

19. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU COLLECT?

LADYBUGS big time!!!! Ladybug clothing, jewerly, decorations, shoes, umbrellas, pens, pencils, paper; you name it. I also have an umbrella collection. My kids gave me my 1st one when they were little (its Mickey Mouse-his ears pop up when the umberlla is open) and they have added to him. I now have 16 unusual umberllas. And of course I seem to be collecting yarn and knitting projects.

20. ANY BOOKS, YARNS, NEEDLES OR PATTERNS OUT THERE YOU ARE DYING TO GET YOUR HANDS ON? WHAT KNITTING MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS DO YOU HAVE?

Well as I am basically new to this again and do not have alot of knitting stuff yet so I will make my answer simple . . . I want everything . . . I want it all!I do not have any subscriptions to any knitting magazines yet. I am still purchasing them at the store, waiting to see which one I like the most before I start subscribing.

21. ARE THERE ANY NEW TECHNIQUES YOU'D LIKE TO LEARN?

The exciting thing about knitting is that everytime I start a new project I also learn a new technique or two.

23. ARE YOU A SOCK KNITTER? WHAT ARE YOUR FOOT MEASUREMENTS?

I just made my very first sock (have its pair on the needles) and LOVE making them. I haven't figured out how to that foot measurement thing yet for socks but if it helps, I wear a 6-1/2 shoe (7 when I am having a hot flash!).

24. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY?

It's coming up very fast . . . its All Saints Day, November 1st.

So those are my answers and I can't wait to find out who I will be gifting . . . I have already made a "hello there" gift for my SP9 pal!!!!!!! LET THE FUN AND GAMES BEGIN!!!!!!!

WOULD YOU CARE FOR A CUP OF TEA?

WOW! would you look at all the fabulous goodies I received from my secret knitting tea pal Stephanie from New Hampshire (www.sharpsticksandstring.typepad.com) . . . a few blogs ago I mentioned that I was participating in a short term tea/knitting exchange and today at work the package arrived (having delivery issues to home with the post office . . . something about national security and not leaving unattended packages at your front door) . . . well I was going to be a very good girl and not open the package until I got home in order to take pictures . . . but my co-workers insisted that I open it . . . so being one who always follows orders (ya right) I opened the package and discovered under very colorful tissue paper many little packages wrapped in red tissue paper and tied with purple yarn and one brown box tied with just purple ribbon (Steph I saved the yarn - I can use it in scrapbooking projects) . . . so I decided to open just one wrapped package and of course I choose the brown box (hey it was the biggest) and inside were 3 skiens of luxury aran yarn called Silkroad and in a wonderful shade of mossy green called Hemlock . . . now I told you I was a good girl (stop laughing Lynn) . . . I closed the package up and took it out to the car as I did have to get some work done this afternoon . . . boy talk about a long work day . . . at 4:30 I had purse in hand and I was flying out that door . . . I made it home in 31 minutes instead of the usual 45 to 55 minutes . . . said hi to hubby and then tore into the box . . . Stephaine really out did herself . . . along with the 3 skiens of yarn I mentioned earlier she sent me 5 packages containing Republic of Tea loose leaf tea in such yummy flavors as Ginger Peach, Cinnamon Plum, Orange Ginger Mint, British Breakfast and Republic Chai . . . she also included a box of Twining's Irish Breakfast Tea (how she knew that I am half Irish in beyond me) . . . there was a candy bar of Green & Black's organic milk chocolate with whole almonds (hubby grabbed that one fast - he did save me some and it was great - even without tea!) . . . and last in the box but not the least was a chai tea fragrance pillar candle . . . I will be trying one of the teas shortly (got the water on) . . . and relaxing for the first time today . . . the weather here in Northern California is changing (today it was overcast - hint of rain) and fall is in the air and its time to hug a nice warm cup of tea . . . so Stephanine I want to say a big THANK YOU . . . you did good and anytime you get the urge and want to spoil someone you have my address . . . ladybug kisses everyone . . . TTFN . . .