THE POST OFFICE IS DELIVERING UNTIL 9PM DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND OTHER STUFF

YEAH!!!!! And I am still expecting four swap packages I guess from that you can do the math and figure I have received some in the last couple of days. Nothing yet today though. On Wednesday I picked up my KnitnPlay package from KyleAnn and yesterday I had my Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap package delivered all the way from Japan. WOW this is my first swap that I received a package from so far away. I can't wait to open it and it will only be a few more days until I can open my swap packages.
OH NO this has been sitting but not published. So sorry about that. Sometimes I leave my blog while I am writing in it to go and do something else. Then time passes and I forget I am working on it. When I shut down the computer it just ends up sitting there waiting for me to finish it.
It is now Christmas eve (Monday). I have received a puffy from Connie from the dishcloth group holiday swap in my mailbox this afternoon. I will open it later. AND also today Purulator came by with the two items I got from Avon using up my 11 credits before they expired. For nine credits I chose a Hamilton Beach Proctor Silex Toaster Oven and for two credits a Hamilton Beach Protor Silex Sandwich Maker/Waffle Iron.
I wrote to my Harvest Swap pal to see if she received her package I mailed back on November 23. PHEW!!! She said she has.
Other news since I started this entry last week is I found today reading my blog I won a pair of sock blockers for my bookmark for the whoduknit Dead of Midnight project I knit. I have always wanted a pair of sock blockers and I finally have a pair. Of course it will be 2008 when they arrive and isn't that a wonderful way to start the new year.
AND I did finish Solara's sweater. Either she can't walk in it or she dislikes it so much she is slinking around when she has it on. I think it is a bit of both. I don't think I did the arm holes correctly but it does fit.
I still have three outstanding swaps to receive, my whoduknit holiday swap, my love2knit dishcloth group holiday swap and my weluvknitting package four of four.
I finally received the item I had ordered for my SP Rochelle third gift. I ordered some Lorna Laces Shepard's Wool Top for her. I had other items here but wanted to send them all together. First I was told it would take 4 - 6 weeks and when the six weeks rolled around it became 6 - 8 weeks. I was beginning to give up hope it ever was going to get here for me to package and mail. BUT it finally did arrive and I was able to mail it out and get it to her before she left for NY. I was told when I mailed it Tuesday December 18, it would take four working days to get to her in Toronto. She got a card on Friday and picked it up on Saturday. She seemed very pleased with her package and the wool top and I hope she truly is. The top certainly was lovely. I ordered it having only seen a photo of the color I chose on the computer. I mailed another puffy the same day to the Toronto area also and was told it would take three business days for that to get there but I haven't heard if it was received. I really hope so as I can't find the receipt from the postal outlet with the tracking number.
Remember how that postal worker from you know where told me in no uncertain terms the two packages I was mailing were not going to get to their destination in time for Christmas since the cut off passed by a week. The date then was December 12.
WELL!! they did!. My package to Sharon in weluvknitting had an attempted delivery on Dec 22 and they left a card so maybe she has gone away for the holidays and the package to my friend Rori in Florida was delivered this morning!!!

STARBUCKS HAS RECALLED THE WHIPPING CREAM

Earlier today I was at Starbucks with a friend. I ordered one of the holiday specials, the Eggnog Latte. When I received it I thought something was missing and sure enough I wasn't given any of the creamy thick cloud like mass of whipped topping. The reason I noticed is that my friend just walked away with a ton of it on the top of her Gingerbread Latte she ordered. So I asked the barrister how come I didn't get any which is just an oil based product and NOT the real whipped cream. The barrister explained to me that Starbucks "RECALLED" the whipped topping. I am sure I had a strange expression on my face when I looked at her and said BUT BUT BUT how could they RECALL it between when I ordered my Eggnog Latte and my girlfriend ordered her Gingerbread Latte? She told me it was only "RECALLED" from the Eggnog Latte but I could have some if I wanted. I thought how strange and so I asked why did they decide (as I felt the word recall was way too silly for this situation) not to put whipped topping on the Eggnog Lattes. She said the company decided that with all the calories etc etc in the eggnog it was over the top to add the topping to the finished product. Thus, it was RECALLED!!!! In other words, Starbucks is saving me from myself. If I am going to go all out and order a full regular coffee with regular eggnog and whatever else goes in it "full" if I really didn't want whipped topping I would say so. I did get some whipped topping on my latte but only a teeny tiny bit. Guess I am being saved from myself also.

IT IS A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TREE

That is what I now have, a 2' long trunk on what I consider a Charlie Brown tree. It is called a mixed pine tree as the top two feet of the tree the two feet above the trunk consists of different kinds of pine branches. AND so far my darling Solara has just sniffed it. The trunk that is. She has been staying away from the actual tree branches too. It is oh so very lopsided I keep hoping it doesn't fall over. I did shimm it but the floor in the apartment is not very straight either. I am thinking of putting a few twinkling lights my tree if I can find them now but then that would mean another cord running across the floor. I have very few outlets in this old apartment which is a definite fire trap. I can put some tinsel on the tree as the tree branches don't start until after the first two feet (the trunk) and this way they will be away from my furchild who may decide she is interested in the tree after all. I have four small ornaments received in previous swaps on the tree and Solara isn't showing any interest in them either. I know this is good but not normal for a kitty. I have two beautiful glass balls which I won't put on the tree or for sure Solara will show interest then and knock them off the tree. Then I would have broken glass balls like a broken Humpty Dumpty and you know they couldn't put him back together so those nice glass balls would be in pieces forever. I guess I need to wrap some presents now and put them under the tree. I wonder if I have some white fluffy stuff that looks like snow I can put under the tree to put the presents on.

Now here are the photos of my tree. Sorry these first ones are not that great but you can get the idea of what my tree looks like.

Here are some close ups of the branches.

TODAY WAS A MOVIE KIND OF DAY

AND I do mean that literally. YUP I just got home a short while ago after having being an extra in a new series being filmed in Winnipeg. It will be released in 2008, probably in the fall. The name of the series is Less Than Kind. I was an extra in episode the 7 of 13. I was a patron in a restaurant. For the first few takes the person I was sitting in the booth with and I weren't on camera and were real background. BUT they told us they wanted us back later to film us as we walked toward the booth we were to sit at but when we were called back we went in through the back of the restaurant and not in through the front door. We were led to the same booth we were in earlier. Next thing I know the director, assistant director or someone changed our places so we were sitting opposite how we were earlier which meant I would be facing the camera when this time while they filmed and they didn't film us walking toward the booth. OH NO!!! You never know which set of takes will be used in the actual series and I could be seen in this episode. I won't tell you what I was wearing so you won't be able to find me and anyway by then you should all have forgotten. The episodes will be a half hour long and it took hours to film this very short portion. About five hours to do only a few lines by one of the main characters.

There is not much information on the series yet but you can find some here: http://www.breakthroughfilms.com/production_showlistings_show_default.asp?sid=166 and here: http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=breakthrough111507.htm.

All in all it was a fun afternoon.

Now I guess I should update my papers, I hate to say resume and put down all the films I have been an extra in and also sent in a new photo. I should do one for the other extra casting agency in the city too. ARRGGHHHH!!!! I don't like having my picture taken but then you never know what the director is looking for. AND I could be it.

What will I be paid you are wondering? Good question. Actually, they didn't say so I don't know but most likely their minimum non ACTRA wage when you are not paid actual ACTRA wages. Sometimes you are paid just minimum wage and sometimes they ask you to do it gratis. Doing extra work gratis makes for very good karma in this business. I have even been paid ACTRA wages while an extra. When I was an extra in Shall We Dance, all I saw of myself was the back of my blouse which is okay. I was there for only a few hours and I lucked out and got paid a full day pay at ACTRA wages. You get paid whether you are in the movie or on the cutting room floor. That sounds really good doesn't it?

So Janice that is why I wasn't home today when you phoned.

IT'S ALL KNITTING GOODNESS

Knitting Goodness

First let me thank my SP 11 Lisa in Toronto and also apologise for being tardy in posting and saying thank-you to her for a surprise puffy I received on Wednesday.

I debated on if should open it now or save it for Christmas but seeing I will have several swap boxes to open it I tore into it. The puffy was squishy soft. HMMM and yes there was yarn inside. Lovely yarn. Hand Painted Opal yarn to be precise. It is similar to what I had purchased from Mona a couple months ago that disappeared after a Tuesday night knitting at NcNally's. It is a slightly different shade. Lisa also sent me a lovely little red M&M compact with an M on the cover and when it is open it the inside lid says always room for chocolate and the bottom has a little bear with his head on a yellow M&M pillow. Isn't my yarn lovely?

Here is a close up of one side of the skein.
And here is a close up of the other side.
AND here is the inside of the M& M compact.
This was quite a wonderful mail day for me as I also received my 2008 dishcloth calendar. There are wonderful patterns in the calendar. I got one last year. I hope there will be a calendar again for 2009. There is also a yahoo group to join where there are more patterns to share. I chose to purchase the actual written calendar and not the down loadable version.

The package I picked up Friday that was not an Avon box was I am guessing but I am pretty sure it is my Harvest Swap. It is from Jane in Kansas. I have put it aside for Christmas. What I do know is in this package is one sock completed, a pattern and yarn to complete it's matching mate. Anything else in the box is a mystery until it is opened. I will work on finishing the mate to this sock as one of my first projects after Christmas. My Harvest Swap package was mailed out November 23. It should be arriving shortly as I was told it would be about three weeks since I sent it surface and the other packages I sent out that day have now been received. I now have five packages to open on Christmas day. I will be receiving several more (five if I am correct which includes a gift from my friend Rori in Florida) and I have been told they have all been mailed. WOO HOO!!!!

BUT there is more knitting goodness. I also received my whoduknit Slip Knot project prize this week. That I found stuffed in my mailbox. It consisted of two skeins of yarn one being a variegated by Kroy and the other Hot Sox by Bernat in turquoise, a lovely pattern called Old Shale Two Yarn Sock Pattern http://stitchesofviolet.blogspot.com/2004/12/old-shale-two-yarn-sock-pattern.html which reminds me of pattern called Cut Your Teeth socks from knitty http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/PATTcutyourteeth.html, and of course there was candy. AND here is the candy or should I type here was the candy. HMMM HMMM HMMM!!!
I now should write about knitting goodness going to others.

For my whoduknit November read The Dead of Midnight by Catherine Hunter project I chose to knit a bookmark since this mystery is about a fictional cafe bookstore which takes place in my area. What better to go with a mystery book than a bookmark. It was an easy pattern to knit and you can find it here: http://www.grannys-garret.com/pattern/leandra_e.pdf. I used Grace cotton so my bookmark probably came out a little bigger but it will still work. I am now going to give this bookmark to my friend Paula for a belated birthday gift. She will be getting it later today along with a card and another small gift from Avon. Here is the photo of my bookmark which is in blue no matter what the photo looks like. Here is a close up of the pattern. Because I used Grace I only knit six repeats of the pattern.
AND with these yarns which are not my favorite colors I am making one of Paula's Christmas gift.Here is just the beginning of her gift. AND no matter what the color on your monitor of this tea cozy it is olive green. The yarns above are yellow, brown and olive green.

Another project in the works and needed to be completed by Christmas is a sweater for Solara. I am going to try to knit one especially made for her and the pattern is here: http://www.christinelandry.com/. To start with she wasn't pleased with me taking her measurements but I got that done and have even knitted the required swatch!!!. I am going to make my first attempt in a chunky variegated yarn of pinks, blues and purples.

Here is a cute photo of my little sweetie no I mean my big sweetie. AND here is a photo of her after her mouse catching ordeal all tuckered out which I forgot to put in with that post. AH the poor baby.

POSTAL TIRADE & EXPLODING SHEEP

Last week brought some more goodies. If only the post person in the truck would actually ring the door buzzer which connects to my phone I would know when he/she is here. No the first time I find a note taped to my door that there is a parcel to pick up at the postal outlet. It is timed in the morning so it was taped to my door in the morning and I was home!! I had hoped to pick it up Thursday after I dropped off the brochure but it was too cold without my long johns on and so I went home. Friday morning I actually received a phone call from the postal outlet to let me know there was a package for me waiting to be picked up. Jokingly I asked if there was only one since I am expecting several more packages and she said actually there were two. When I asked about them she did say one was from Avon. Later in the day on my way out when I checked my mailbox I found the card indicating that there was a second parcel at the postal outlet to pick up. This notification was dated 8PM Thursday evening. AGAIN I was home!!! The only reason I can think of for the second parcel getting to the postal outlet so soon is because it was sent expedited. It has been taking two or three days to get the packages dropped off at the postal outlet for pick up if you are not home when they attempt delivery.

To continue on my postal tirade while I was out with Shelagh Wednesday we stopped at the postal outlet in Polo Park so I could send off two packages; one to my friend Rori in Florida and another to Sharon the fourth of four in the weluvknitting yearly swap. Before I took them I measured them and weighed them to guesstimate the cost of mailing both packages. Shelagh and I get to the postal outlet and wait our turn in line with more people getting in line behind us. First let me say I weighted and measured correctly and I got the correct amount for both packages. BUT the postal clerk there is the one who causes so much grief when I mail swaps. Generously, she fills out the customs forms for me and even the top part (where the weight and cost etc go) which few postal clerks fill out. Then she asks me what is in the package for the custom forms. I don't always list everything or the all the correct items and I tend to try to write illegibly so the recipient can't read what is in the box and has to wait to see until it is opened. Gives away the surprise when you can read what is in it before opening it. ANYWHO, to go on I tell her yarn and she says can't mail yarn. I am sure I looked confused when I said (again as we have gone through this before) what do you mean I can't mail yarn? She replies well yarn is wool and you can't mail wool. Shelagh says, well all yarn is not wool and I added the yarn I am mailing is not wool. She says, in the big book of dangerous good it lists as highly flammable yarn/wool. This has been a continuous contention when going to this particular postal outlet and it has been discussed numerous times on different groups and even at my knitting meetings. BUT this postal clerk insists wool/yarn can't be mailed due to it's highly flammable state when wet. I said to her when was the last time you saw or heard about sheep in the pasture exploding when it rained? I wondered what the people in the line behind me were thinking? Then she said I won't put that down. What else is in the box? I said cookies. She said to me I couldn't mail commerically prepared cookies and candies, only those personally baked and prepared BUT then adds but it is okay during Christmas. Excuse me!!!!! I can't normally mail commerically prepared items but I can mail them during Christmas????? She really doesn't know why that particular rule is actually in effect. It has nothing to do with homeland security in the states but has to do with bankrupting the cookie and candy industries. Apparently also this includes the inability of mailing other food items including dog and cat foods to the states. Imagine the cookie. candy, tea, coffee industries going bankrupt b/c people are mailing treats down to the states. On with the story. Next she asks what else is in the box. I say jewellery and she says you can't mail real jewellery either. I tell her it isn't real. She says oh it is costume jewelry and I say yes. Then she tells me I can't mail leather. I say there is no leather in the boxes. We went through this with both boxes. I didn't know what to list as everything I mentioned wasn't able to be mailed.

I keep imagining all the packages mailed within Canada without custom labels on them having possible exploding yarn and other non mailable items in them no one knows about. Also, yarn shops don't receive all their good via UPS and FEDEX. I am sure some companies must use the postal system to mail their wools and yarns to and within Canada. One of these days there is going to be a mighty big explosion when all these wools/yarns get wet. I hope I am around with my camera to get some photos of that and those sheep exploding for my blog to show everyone amazement it actually does happen.

COLD WEATHER

Boy is ever cold out. In fact it is frigid!!! BRRRRR! I notice recently whenever I go out when I come home I am just exhausted and all I want to do is sleep. I have not had these experiences before. I wonder if it is age related. Yesterday I went out for just about 4o minutes to deliver an Avon brochure and didn't wear any long johns. WOW did I notice the cold. I have two pair and guess I will have to get another couple of pairs. I never used to wear them as I didn't really notice the cold on my legs but these last couple of years is another story. So today when I went out I made sure to wear them.
PS It is now Saturday and so far there is no order from the people I went and brought ANOTHER brochure to in the frigid cold.!!!!!

WINTER WONDERLAND COFFEE SWAP VERY LATE TOPIC OF THE WEEK

For many people, Winter is a time of cold weather and snow - and many fun outdoor activities that can only be enjoyed during those times! What's YOUR favorite activity in Winter, and is it even outdoors??

No I rather stay inside and knit, watch TV, listen to music even read or even play on the computer. What would make it nicer would be to have a lit fireplace. BUT, alas, I don't have a fireplace so I just have a cup of coffee or tea and turn on the TV or listen to music while I knit. Of course, a trip to a nice warm climate would be wonderful also when it is so very cold out.

STUFF

A good way to start out my blog today will be with some:

Knitting Goodness

I received more packages last week. AND they are still unopened. Thursday Dec 6 I received two packages. Here is what they look like.The white box contains my Hand Dyed Yarn Swap 2 from Tammy in Alberta and the brown box is my Christmas Around the World Swap from Chris M.Then Friday I received my Monkey Swap package from Caryn H. I don't actually know if my monkey socks are in the box and I won't know until I open it on Christmas day. So I now have four packages waiting to be opened.

I did mail out my Christmas Around the World Swap, my Winter Wonderland Swap and my Dishcloth group holiday swap last Thursday Dec 6 to my partners.

Tomorrow I will be mailing out my Lovetoknit dishcloth holiday package and some cards and a birthday gift for a gal in my pen pal group. On Wednesday I will be mailing out my weluvknitting final four or four packages to Sharon. I need to pick up something first tomorrow for the box. I will also try to mail out my girlfriend Rori in Florida her package. Then I will be just about caught up. PHEW!!!!!

On the knitting front I am working on several items. I am sewing in linings in two bags and have completed sewing a lining in another bag already. Two of these are for my friends in Florida and one is for one of my swaps. Photos to come when the linings in the other two have been completed. Then I intend to work on my whoduknit project for my November book The Dead of Midnight by Catherine Hunter. I am making a bookmark since the story line of the mystery is selling a series of mystery books in a book store cafe. So why not sell or give away book marks???? For Christmas I want to knit my Solara a sweater from here: http://www.christinelandry.com/?p=5. I also want to finish my Mixed Jelly Bean Socks before the end of the month. I have a few projects decided on for the new year all ready. I even know what I am going to do for my December whoduknit book project which will be due Jan 15.

Past News

The little knitting group I go to twice a month had it Christmas Dinner on Sunday November 25. We had the restaurant to ourselves mostly since it was Grey Cup Day here in Canada. The food was wonderful, the service great and the camaraderie terrific. There were 17 of us in attendance. AND I did take some photos to share with everyone. Yes we knit while we gab and eat.




AND here is Mona with Pat at our dinner.
I think these photos will be quite dark but I can't tell how bad with this monitor. I am sorry about that. AND the restaurant seemed brighter than when we were at Paradise Restaurant the last three years. I am sure the vote is already in to return to Pembina Village next year.

This next photo is easier to see. It is of the second skein of yarn I spun (on November 18) at my second spinning class. AND one day I will get myself a spinning wheel. It was so much fun and relaxing. By the end of the day I really was getting the knack of spinning. Only with having to purchase this new computer and needing to save for the co-op fee I feel it will be quite a while until I can even consider a spinning wheel now. I just can't seem to get the hang of using the hand spindle. I was able to use one years ago when I was younger but I definitely seem unable to master it now.

Here is a photo of something I put in a swap I sent out. Actually it is crocheted. I am very proud of myself. I do not crochet very much. They are icicles. It would have been nicer if I sewed a small backing on the the reverse side of where the berries and leaves were sewn on but I didn't think of it until after I sent it out. Here is a close up of the crocheted icicles.
I don't crochet much and I am unable to crochet items that have a lot of shaping so when I do I try to make it worth it. In a group I was in we had a hat swap and my partner requested a specific hat. I explained I would do the best I could being a non crocheter and she wanted a crocheted hat. I asked my girlfriend to help me with the directions. She did a great job except the pattern was in the British terms and neither one of us picked up on that. I finally did after completing the first section of the hat and it was big enough to be the entire hat. ANYWHO, have a good laugh as here it is completed in the colors she chose pink and purple. It is called the Hat of Horns and you can find the pattern here: http://www.theanticraft.com/archive/samhain06/horned.htmm/

Here is a front view of the hat.

Here is a side view of the hat.
AND here is a close up of the hat.
I wonder how many times she was brave enough to wear it outside.

I would like to close with a photo of Solara but she is sleeping somewhere. She is quite tuckered out from her evening of excitement. It seems she was stalking a mouse. Yes a real live one. AND in my kitchen!!! She wouldn't leave the dresser I have in my kitchen (it is filled with plastic stuff and dish towels and cloths). I just couldn't get her to go away from it. A while later when I came into the kitchen there she was as proud as can be sitting over a now dead mouse. I had to take a dozen or more plastic bags to pick it up and toss it while trying not to upchuck. YUCK!! YUCK!! YUCK!! Solara wasn't very happy with me but was quite pleased with herself. I thought if you had a cat in your apartment mice tended to stay away. Guess that is an urban legend also.

Responses to Posts

I have posted some responses to comments made in some older posts.

WHAT IS RAVELRY?

Again I have been asked what is ravelry? This is a repeat from my July 21 post.
WELL for those of you who do not know, ravelry is a knit and crochet community.Now this is directly from ravelry and is their words from their site so it is in quotes "Ravelry is a place for knitters, crocheters, designers, spinners, and dyers to keep track of their yarn, tools and pattern information, and look to others for ideas and inspiration.The content here is all user- driven; we as a community make the site what it is. The Yarn Harlot wrote recently about Representing, showing the world the power of our community, and I believe that on this site we can really show the strength of our numbers and the depth of our creativity.So what can you personally do on Ravelry? You can talk about your own projects, integrate that information into your personal website and contribute to someone else's project a world away.If you are not a blogger, we give you a great way to share and show off your projects, participate in -alongs, and socialize with other crafters. If you are a blogger than Ravelry is the perfect complement to your online journal; it provides structure and organization. All of your information is easy to enter and easy to find. You will not need to update your own FO album again- it is all here on Ravelry!"You can check it out and sign up here: https://www.ravelry.com/account/login.You can read the ravelry blog here: http://blog.ravelry.com/.
Hope this helps all those who are curious about Ravelry. It is a great place and a lot of fun with a lot of interesting content BUT you will have to patient until you get your invite. I assure you it is well worth the wait.
Now I need to get back and fix up my photos on Ravelry.

WHERE SHOULD I START....

....since I haven't blogged for so long. I think I will start with today and add the past as I go alone.

This afternoon I went and had my B12 injection so that is taken care of for a month now. AND I showed my doc a lump on my right wrist. He thought it could be a lipoma, a cyst or a ganglion. I have had several lipomas removed, many many cysts removed and also a ganglion removed but that was on the inside of my left wrist. Then he pushed and squeezed it some more and said HMMMM I think maybe a cyst as I think I can feel some fluid. If you want I can stick an 18 gauge needle in next month and see if any fluid comes out. My face turned white and I felt weak in the knees. Stick a hugh needle in my wrist that I need for knitting to see if fluid comes out. If there is no fluid then that would eliminate it being a cyst. He knows I use it a lot and knit a lot. He also knows I am not going to let him stick a hugh 18 gauge needle in me even with some lidocaine if I can help it. I first saw a new doctor who may end up working there and then I saw my doc. It was funny they did their chatting about me after I saw the new doctor with me present consulting with me and my doctor checking this new lady doctor didn't miss anything. BUT I will say doctors don't know how to give an injection. My arm still hurts. You have to give a needle with a sorta dart throw. I am not sure if that is how to describe it but it is definitely not putting the needle to your arm and stabbing you. Anyone can give an injection like that and those hurt. Sorry that is the nurse in me speaking.

After I came home I did some sewing very little just some lining for a swap package and wrapped some gifties up for packages and then got ready for my Avon party.

This evening I went to an Avon party with Santa, gifts, and line dance instructions. There was only about 12 of us but we did have fun. It was a pot luck meal each of us bringing something and also a gift for $5.00 which was given to us by Santa, (Sue's Husband). I got a box of yummy yummy After Eight Dinner Mints. I wrapped up a tin of Tim Horton's coffee to bring and put it in a gift bag. I was happy with my gift and the person who received mine seemed extremely happy. We also brought a tin for the bin to be donated from the Avon ladies of district 672. There was a ton of food to eat and, of course, lots of Avon talk including about all the shorts we receive and especially the shorts at this time of the year. My Avon order comes in to be packed on Thursday evening and in the one of the boxes will be a gift from Avon for me. Yesterday I got a Christmas card from Avon in the mail.
Her are some line dancing photos BUT you won't see me in any.

AND here is Sue my Avon manager. She was taking a photo of me while I was taking this photo of her.
OH and yesterday I also received this: It is my Coffee Swap 3 package from Allena. I am going to try to wait and save it to open on Christmas. You may see me show other sealed packages and write that I am going to try and save them so I have a lot of goodies to open sometime after I get up on Christmas day in several more posts. You will have to continue to read my blog to see what goodies those boxes contained. Allena also received her package from me yesterday BUT she opened hers. I am very glad she liked all the gifties I sent her.

I have mailed out other swaps which include Harvest Sock Swap, KnitnPlay, Whoduknit Holiday Swap and Hand Dyed Yarn Swap 2. I have received confirmation from Canada Post that my partner in the KnitnPlay has received her package only I haven't heard from her myself. Here is a photo of what I sent her. Here is a close up. I discovered the Ram Selkirk doesn't felt as well as Paton's Classic and Galaway. I hope she likes her bag and the goodies I sent her which included an Avon Cinnamon Bun candle and Celestial Seasoning Dessert tea so she can have some treats without excess calories, sugar or fat, a knitting magazine, small scissors great for snipping yarn ends, a nail emergency kit and some Avon lip balm.

I have heard from my Harvest Swap partner that my package is now on it's way, my Christmas Around the World was mailed a while ago, my Hand Dyed Yarn Swap 2 package was mailed and should be here in a couple of days since it is coming from Canada and my Monkey Swap package was mailed but I don't know if it includes the socks as I couldn't understand from her email if she hadn't finished them or hadn't even started them from her email she wrote me more than two weeks ago. BUT according the the group hostess she has mailed something to me. It is a bummer to read about what others get and see such lovely photos while you wait and wait and wait and hope you get something and are not stiffed. I do understand that life does happen BUT I don't understand why people join and don't follow through and play nice. It is not only bad for the person who gets nothing but also for the hostess, the person who puts the swaps together, everyone in the swaps as they feel bad when others don't receive there packages and are so thankful it wasn't them that was stiffed, and the swap reputation. Well enough ranting.

BUT I also received another puffy yesterday which I opened. My puffy was from Susan L in the addictedtoknit dishcloth group where we are completing a three month swap. This was the third and final package.

The package included a lovely triangular cloth, a soap sack with what looks like two pecans or walnuts, a bookmark and some Grits. I have some southern in me. I love grits. I do have to admit I am not that crazy for the Cheddar flavored ones.

Tomorrow morning I am off to try out for another Hilltop Study (which is visit #1). If I make the study it will begin on Sunday but again you have to re qualify for the study. There will be a total of 17 more visits with three on each day Sunday - Wednesday, two visits on Thursday and one on each day Friday - Sunday. Wish me luck.

The latest photo of my hussy cat Solara. I know it looks familiar but it is a new photo taken yesterday.

I'M BACK I HOPE TO REGULAR POSTING

Yes, it has been a while since I have posted. I have a new computer BUT I am not sure of it yet. It was better I think before I tried to install my old CD Creator 4 and download a firewall update from Panda. It turned out I don't have the Panda firewall but the Microsoft firewall that comes with service pack 2 on Windows XP. If only I was told when I took my computer home after it was built. I had to bring it back to the shop and have them fix that and reinstall Panda. Then I had a hard time activating my Panda again. I just have no computer technology, There still seems to be a file from CD Creator 4 that can't be taken out. I tried installing it so I could access the jewel covers I made using that program. I also tired installing CD Creator 5 but it didn't work either on the new computer. Also, the software for my scanner was installed but it turned out the scanner motor wasn't working so I tried to uninstall the software and some of it still is in the computer including the program listing when you go to programs. AND the print on this computer seems to be too small and I keep changing it but it doesn't seem to want to stick so I have to switch it every time I open up the first page when I go online. So much for the new computer. I got it home the first time only to discover my monitor is slowly dying also. The colors on it could make you blind. Occasionally and only occasionally is the color good. So any photos I put on the blog I can't tell exactly if they look good. I have to admit that it is much much faster than my old computer was. BUT at least I have a working computer for several more years.

I also got a new computer desk. It was an early holiday pressie from my friend Genie. Her boyfriend put it together for me and as he would get up he would lean on the desk and I could just see it breaking again. He did a fairly good job. He only messed up with one bracket and screw which he stripped or something. The one connecting the shelf to the the desk that holds the tower. It needs to be puddied he said but he hasn't come back to finish the job. That is a guy for you. BUT thank-you Cliff for putting the desk together for me and thank-you Genie for getting me the desk. I would have been typing on my coffee table if not for the early pressie.
Here is a photo of my new desk. It is a photo of the picture on the box. One thing I am having a hard time getting used to is the fact that the monitor is on a shelf above the desk and the keyboard is on a shelf below the desk. I think that is another reason for not seeing the print as well. I am not too sure this monitor is for this particular desk. It will just have to last as I have no more money to get another monitor at this time. I finally even organized the area around the desk and eventually will get to tidying up my apt. that would make me feel so very good.
Some knitting news and Solara photos in my next posts.

I AM GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWL

I am writing this from the library as I am computerless. My computer finally said "I have had enough". The hard drive was fine but it was old and I was running Windows 98 still. I brought my computer to the doctor but every time he fixed something, something else wasn't working. I was told for about $100 or so Windows 98 could be reinstalled but there would be no guarantee the computer would work for very long. Also, that would mean finding and putting in all the updates for Windows 98 over the past eight years which would take forever and with Microsoft no longer supporting this operating system I decided it wasn't worth it. Thus, I got a new computer system. If I had more time to think about what I was getting I may have chosen something else BUT I do think I got a good new system. I am having the techie doctor transfer all my documents, photos, favorites and what is on my desktop to the new computer for me. He is also checking to make sure my Cannon Printer will work with my Cannon scanner. Ever since I got the i560 Cannon printer my scanner won't work with it. Thus, I should have a new computer in the next few days. I am not only computer less but my desk also fell apart. Yesterday I got a new desk as an early holiday gift from a friend and it is now partly put together. I am getting the rest put together tomorrow (Tuesday). I will need it to put the "NEW" computer on. My place is such a mess now.

Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap Weekly Topic #2

Here are my answers to the Winter Wonderland Weekly Topic #2

As the cold of winter approaches, do you change the projects you work on? Do you work on gifts for others or do you continue working on projects for yourself?

I don't change the projects I do based on the weather or season. I just continue to knit what catches my fancy and what is on my to do list. Of course, socks is always on my list.

I make very few gifts for friends now. This is b/c of the response I have received after previously making gifts for them. When the items I carefully choose and make don't get used for one reason or another I decided it isn't worth doing it anymore. I still have a few friends I will knit or craft something for. When I make gifts for those friends that I do, I don't just make them for the holidays. Thus, I first mainly make items for myself, secondly for others in swaps in hopes that they like what I have done and appreciate it and third for those few friends who appreciate hand crafted gifts. I have no family to knit or craft for.

I AM MELTING, KNIITTING and MORE

It is so blasted hot in my apartment. The heat has been on full blast most of the last few days and it is quite warm outside. Thus, it is a steam bath in my apartment and I am melting. The caretakers certainly either don't know how to regulate the boiler or don't want to. I have either been wearing shorts and a tank top or a summer halter outfit in the apartment. The windows are open and my fan is on. It sure makes figuring what it is like outside difficult.

Last week was spent at Hilltop on a study. I was quite busy with three visits and day and doing Avon but I got it all done. On Friday after the study was completed off to the bank I went with my check and put part of the money I received on my MTS bill which is now paid up for last month. I also put some more money on my VISA. VOILA no money left!! It seems I am forever robbing Peter to pay Paul. Wednesday morning November 14 I am going back to Hilltop and pick up soap for an arm wash which will run from Monday November 19 - Friday November 23 if I make the study. There will be only two visits a day for this study. Then I can pay most of this month's MTS bill.

BUT on to more interesting things.

This past Sunday I took the first of a two day spinning workshop. The class was held at Mona's (Woseley Wardrobe). It was a lot of fun although I don't think I did a great job. My yarn is quite lumpy. First I spun on an Ashford spinning wheel and then I tried the Lendrom wheel. When the day was over Francine from Rovings who was teaching the class wound the yarn into two small skeins which she then wound together. Look at all that lovely yarn at Mona's who now has Manos del Uruguay in stock.
Here is a close up of Francine winding my small skein of spun yarn.
AND here is my yarn. It looks really interesting. I will keep it as a remembrance of my first attempt at spinning yarn. Now to be able to afford my own spinning wheel BUT I also know I need to save for a new computer system since mine is about eight years old. It is still working well BUT I want to be prepared for when that new one is needed.

I have also been busy knitting. One bag has been completed. I hope my partner will like it. Here is a close up of the flap and the flowers which were all hand sewn on. I hope they don't fall off. I didn't put a snap on the flap since the flowers make the bag flap heavy and hold it down.
I am also working on another bag for a partner in a swap but it isn't ready for a photo yet. I am deciding on whether I should line it, if I should put pockets inside and what type of handles the bag needs.

I have also dyed my yarn for my Hand Dyed Yarn Swap #2 but can't show a photo yet so the yarn is a surprise. I hope she likes it. I am not a professional dyer. I think it is nice BUT it sure doesn't look like all those nice ones I see on Etsy. Maybe their cameras take better photos and they certainly make a skein from the dyed yarn better than I do. It was my third attempt at dyeing. It was fun. I used Kool-Aid. Here are two different views of the second skein I dyed also using Kool-Aid. The yarn was Dura Sport Briggs and Little and there was a bit a glitter to it which could have possibly been b/c of the nylon content in the yarn.
This is a photo of the socks that my partner made with the yarn I dyed for her.
OH and here is a photo of the first yarn I ever dyed rolled into a ball. I dyed it with Kool-Aid too. This is also Dura Sport Briggs and Little yarn. These colors are very dusty and muted (lighter) which you can't tell in the photo but I really like it. I need to make some socks with it. I have knitted a couple of other small items but I can't say or I would give it away. So that will have to wait for a later post.

Avon has these neat rubber kitchen gloves for sale in their Home Expressions flyer. Unfortunately they are only in size large. They are black with rhinestones and ruffles. Here they are along with Solara. The gloves sell for $9.99 and you can also purchase a little black velvet apron with ruffles and rhinestones for $14.99.

I received an email from my Monkey Swap partner. She has misplaced my address so my package has yet to be mailed out. Also, everything is ready to send but the Monkey socks. I couldn't quite understand if she has started the socks and they are just not completed or has yet to start the socks. The swap started in Sept as sign ups were until August 31 and packages were to be received by November 1. My partner told me earlier she was running behind apparently due to some health problems and a new job. I do hope she is feeling much better now and she didn't have a serious health issue. The package minus the Monkey Socks is going to be mailed once she receives my address which I did send her and the Monkey socks will be mailed as soon as she is able.

I haven't received my Knitters Tea Swap 4 either. I was told I should be receiving it very soon last week. BUT with the holiday in both countries and the fact that the Canadian postal system is overly busy and bogged down due to lots of people purchasing from Ebay with the change in the US dollar who knows when it will get here. AH HA since I have written this it will show up tomorrow morning. Isn't that the way it is? I am sure it has to do with Murphy's Law. HEE HEE

I myself have a few swaps that are ready to be mailed if I can sit down, pack and label them. What is waiting to be packed is the Harvest Sock Swap, Knitters Coffee Swap 3, my third and final package for addictedtoknitdishcloth group three month swap partner, and my knitnplay package. I hope to get them packaged and sent out tomorrow or Thursday the latest. I still have other packages that are not quite ready to be mailed but will be soon.

I was very disappointed to read that there will not be a spring felted bag exchange due to the failure of so many swappers to fulfill their obligation to the swap and mail out their partner a package. It seems that the ITE4 also had a lot of people not fulfilling their swap agreements. Why join if you are not going to play fair? I find it fun not just receiving pressies and gifts in the mail but knitting and shopping for someone else.

And to close for today here is my Solara resting on the arm of the chair.