Mother Nature is not having it!!!

Well, let me tell you. Don't play with Mother Nature!!!

I am now able to blog after cleaning my house up after the Memorial Day festivities at my house. Let me just start off by saying light beige carpet, 20 + people and Sangria do not mix. My carpet looked like crap. I have been deep cleaning it all week. We really did have a good time, it was some people first time at the house so they got to walk around and enjoy it.

Close to the end of the cookout it started to rain and thunder and my MIL said lets turn some of this stuff off because it is lightning and stuff in the house and I turned and looked at her and said, you older people are a trip, I don't believe in it (although, I had to do this as a child because my mother was not having it). So, we were playing cards and I said wait, I have to get something off the computer real quick. Turned the computer on walked away and heard this loud boom. It was Mother Nature showing me she was in charge (just like a woman)!!! So, now the internet isn't working, the t.v. in my bedroom and my daughters bedroom isn't working either. I will not mess with her again.

Of course I got some shopping done. I went to Leesburg Prime Outlet in VA and totally enjoyed myself, got more Off Saks 5th Ave tickets and can't wait to use it on their bags and shoe sell. I can not fine any cute shoes worth spending money on and I really need some shoes.

I really didn't get to knit much, I put the socks, the shawl and everything else down. However, I did buy a knitting book and some more knitting magazines. I want to get my hands on some Rebecca and Kim Hargrave (I think) magazines. The more I get into this thing called Knitting, I want to hoard it all. The world of knitting is so huge!!!

As always, I did not take pictures of my WIP, but I am uploading up unblocked shawlette and will upload the blocked version tomorrow (if my internet is up - Verizon will be there tomorrow between 8 a.m. and when sharks fly - I am pretty much betting on them coming a little before the sharks fly.

Oh, I almost forgot. Did I tell you my son is going to the Prom tomorrow!!! I can't wait, I am throwing a pre-prom party with family and friends before we sent him off. If I am doing this for my son can you imagine what I am going to do for my daughter????

I will show the block version later.

My new baby

Hello out there in blogland.

I have been a busy little beaver and am at work working hard as usual and I really haven't had time to post. So here is a quick update.

I have a new baby. Her name is Precious and likes to be called Cole Haan. I love her dearly. I rescued her this weekend and I am loving her already. I am thinking about going to get her sister this weekend in a darker brown, but she was helluva expensive and I don't know if I can afford her too. Here is a picture of Precious

Even if she doesn't become a twin, she has a lot of other sister's that I love just as fondly.

Okay, the last time I posted, I said I wanted to find a good read since I finished Walter Mosley and probably start to read a classic. Well, I was bored and since the new Potter book is about to start, I figured I would re-read the last Harry. You know this time around, it seems to be better. Maybe, it is because I am not racing to be finished. I am savouring it and loving it. Here's a little something I found in Harry that I wanted to share:

Slughorn asked Dumbledore why he was taking so long in the bathroom, was his stomach upset and Dumbledore stated:

"No, I was merely reading the Muggle magazines, said Dumbledore. I do love knitting patterns." isn't that the cutest thing!!!

Maybe not, but I am a Potter head, so it's whatever!!! Okay one more, when Dumbledore went to the home to pick Harry up and he was talking to the Uncle.

"I don't mean to be rude - " he (the uncle) began, in a tone that threatened rudeness in every syllable.

"yet, sadly, accidental rudeness occurs alarmingly often, Dumbledore finished the sentence gravely. "Best to say nothing at all, my dear man."

DDDDAAANNNGGG!!! he got straight carried (I know that is an old term). Anyway, I just had to write this because so many people make excuses for being rude and there just isn't any (is there, well).

Okay, just in case I don't post again, have a nice restful weekend and Memorial Day.

Words in quotes taken from J.K. Rowlings', Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

KnitPick Options

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Guess what I got, yes, the options needle set and some more dpns. I have been dreaming of these things since last summer, but that is when we started the house hunting and stuff so I could not do anything about it. Well, hell with being good, I found the perfect excuse to get them MY BIRTHDAY . I think that was a good reason, what about you? And, I ordered some other notions and the Vogue Knitting 25th Anniversary addition. Why this book? I figured it would be loaded with patterns, but to my dismay it is not. However, I just glanced at the book. It looks like it is good for someone who wants to design. I actually do and I love studying and perfecting techniques, so I am putting this on my to read list. I just finished Bad Boy Brawley Brown I luv Walter Mosley and Easy Rawlins I don't know why more of his books haven't been turned into movies or a t.v. series, people would fall in love with Mouse and Easy!!! Now what should I read next - a classic or something else....

Updates: I can not find my Interweave Knits, so I can't block the damn shawlette because I do not know what the measurment is suppose to be after blocking and if it is light blocked or soaked then blocked (I don't thinks so). Anyway, I need to find the magazine. I started on the socks for my daughter, so far so good, I love knitting cuff down.

Anyway, pictures will follow. I am planning on celebrating my bday this weekend, with shopping and more, as you read in a previous post about the damn shoes!!! I think I need some after the trauma....

Have a great weekend!!!

They say it's your birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

As you can see, I am happy as a lamb this morning. I am a 33 year old, beautiful black woman and happy. I like to make goals and I try not to do it on New Years, but on my Bday. So, I would like to reflect on 32, before I make goals for 33.

What did I accomplish at the age of 32:

• I married the man I have been with for 15 years.
• We bought our first home.
• We bought a car.
• I went driving (three times, but I did it) I have my driving license, just scared to drive.
• I went to the mountains for the first time.
• We went on a romantic trip without the kids (haven't done since the beginning of the relationship - damn kids (smile)).
• Learned new knitting techniques, and branched out more
• Exercised more (not enough)
• Date my kids - give them their own personal time
• First full body massage (happy ending - I don't think so!!)
• Pay everything with cash (this was actually very easy - goal -house)
• Save at least 30% salary every pay period (this is hard as hell - did someone say sale!!!)

Okay, so what are my goals for 33

• Get into somebodys damn Master Program, this was on the list last year and as you can see I did not complete it.
• Do a new resume, everyone needs an updated one.
• Date my kids more - especially my daughter (13 and is starting to develop - need I say more) and the 8 year old - my 17 year old and I are already close.
• For the husband keep everything as is, we have a wonderful relationship, so I don't want to change anything there, he respects me and I respect him. So keep doing whatever I have been doing.
• Exercise more and I am going to set a goal of losing 30 lbs.
• Drive more. I AM GOING TO DRIVE TODAY (we will see)
• Continue to save money and try to stick to a budget.
• More me time (please)
• Travel more
• Swim more
• Read classics, expand my reading. I already read a lot, but I would like to go back and read some of the classics.
• Expand knitting technique (double knitting, dying, steeking, etc...)
• Learn to crochet.

Okay enough already, let me get started on this damn list.

Oh and let me say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD!!! His birthday was yesterday. He told me when I was little that I was his present. Please!! We will go there another day with my father.

HAPPY MOMMY DAY!!!

I just wanted to say Happy Mommy's Day to all the women out there handling there business. Whether they are a stay at home mom or a working mom (it's all the same).

I would also like to send a shout out to my mom and dad for laying down for a good cause. THANKS, I am happy to be here!!!

Drop it's like it's hot, Drop it like it's hot!!!!

Hey,

Guess whose been dropping it like its hot???? Me!!! The best part of doing the clapotis is dropping the stitches and I am loving it. I have dropped two so far and I LUV it. I am still not feeling the colors, but now that the stitch is dropped it makes the scarf looks different. We will see. Here is another skein of Lorna Lace that I will have to wind soon because I am almost through with the first one. Here's the pictures of Miss Clappy #3 (sorry for the messy desk - a sistah gotta work!)

H A R R Y P O T T E R

Have you seen the previews???? Oh my goodness, I just can not wait for this movie or book. I went to see Spidy 3 this weekend and it was okay. I was forced to go with the hubby and kids. We go every year and the kids joke and say that it is my birthday present (Bday - 15th next Tuesday).

Anyway, I saw Pirate of the Caribbean 3 and Fantastic Four 2 trailer and some more. But the one I can't wait for is HARRY!!!! Oh my goodness, this is going to be the best movie yet (hopefully) annnnnddddd I don't have to wait until November, it will be out in July. I felt like such a nerd, I had to be held down. My husband and kids were like mom please be quiet. I was yelling and whooping it up, until I realized that i looked like the other nerds.

Anyway, I am going to start reading the book over again after I finish reading Walter Mosley's Bad Boy Brawly Brown.

Oh, I will take pictures of the Clementine Shawlette whenever I get a chance I still have to block it and little miss clappy is moving along even though I am not feeling the colors.

Shhhhh something new!!

Hey,



Guess what I started last night. A new clappy - for me of course. I don't like the colors so far, I hope it grows on me. Oh, and the clementine shawlette is finished except for the kitchner stitch.

And the stitch markers were a house warming gift from one of my coworkers - she made them herself. I will take a close up of theme later.

Why Me?!?!

Do you ever experience those days when you ask yourself - Why me???? Who have I wronged!!! Karma maybe??? But for what!!

Yesterday, I got up early and decided to look really nice. My office was taking a coworker out for her last day and hell it's finally Spring in the nations' capitol. So, I get up, do my hair and as I am doing this I can hear the news and it is saying that Eastern Market is burning down and I am like WHY!!! I love Eastern Market, my meals are planned around Eastern Market. There are very few places in Washington, DC where you can buy, fresh organic meats, flowers, smoked Gouda, a painting and a vintage belt!!!! I know they will rebuild but my heart goes out to the vendors and I will be out there this weekend trying to support the outdoor vendors. I guess I will have to go to Whole Foods (pay $15 for cherries - no kidding, that is what I paid last year for a freaking pound (I was desperate)) or wait until the open air market opens in Anacostia - June. Bummer man!!!

Okay, than I get to work and I am looking FIERCE (if I do say so myself). I have on my teal linen and bejewelled sandals. I bought my "F" me shoes to work to wear when it was time to go to the Tabard Inn for the lunch party. Well, the food was okay but the red and white wines we had were awesome. I am adding it to my list for my wine tasting party. DELISH!! Anywho, I say my good byes so that I can go and pick up the brat (love the little one but that is what I call him).

NOW, this is where the drama starts. I call the husband and chat with him why I am walking to the subway station. Oh, did I tell you I changed back into the bejewelled darlings, didn't want to walk a long way in the "f"me shoes.... I am walking in the wrong direction which means I have to now run/walk because it is 3:15 and I have to pick the babe up @ 3:15 - so I am late. My shoe hit the sidewalk hard and the DAMN sandal break - WTF!!! So, guess what boys and girls??? I had to take the sandals off and put back on the "F" me shoes!!! Mind you I am like 8 blocks away, I have 10 dollars on me and I can't catch a cab because I didn't see any ATM machines. That means, I have to walk in 3 inch heels for it seems like forever before I got to the damn metro station!!

So, by time I get to my sons' school (4:13), I am limping and my foot is burning, I can barely see straight because of the pain. I am trying to still look cute because you are not suppose to let them see you sweat. I begin to talk to myself and say, "MAN UP BITCH" and "WORK IT" So that is what gets me across the street to the school, where I almost pass out from the pain. Dad doesn't get their until 4:30 to relieve my aching feet. I get to the car take my shoes off and i have a damn blister on my right foot. I say a small prayer, "please Lawd (Lord) don't let this grow into a blister.

Does it stop here??? Of course not!!! I decide to look down at the "f" me shoes and take another guess - my "F" ME shoes are broke as well!!! - the heel is almost sawed in half!!!! It looks like a dog has been chewing on it. I told my dh to look at it and he says, you can take it to a shoe shop and get it fixed!!!! I don't have time for that crap!!!!

Anyway, I ended the day soaking my feet for an hour, him rubbing them and watching Flavor of Love Charm School - them girls are crazy!!!

Oh, this weekend was awesome too, smoked salmon, asiago cheese, a bottle of Riesling and the fireplace. Awesome. And I made Sunday dinner for my godsister, her husband and their two boys. The menu - chicken, greens (collard and kale mixed), cornbread, potato salad and fresh squeezed lemonade.

Knitting - not too much, a shame too, because I am just about finished the clementine shawlette. maybe I will finish today, or tomorrow.....