Orange ya glad to see me?

Everybody has these, don't they?

My favorite Christmas presents from my mom some years ago--I use the i-pod daily and the mug is my special "Saturday-lounge -around-drinking-lattes" container.

M's hat. Too small for me, but I love it anyway.

A well-used oven mitt made by Miss M many, many years ago.

My beloved riff on the Stormcloud shawlette.

My version of Nest.

Pants!!!

A gift from my girlie.

My phone.

My favorite spectacles....Dutz makes such desirable frames...

This is a long intro, but stay with me just a minute more. Our family car, purchased new and custom-built in 2002, has recently gone into decline. She began aging gracelessly about 6 months ago, and is picking up speed. There was the big issue with brake problems which resulted in our parking brake sticking "just a bit".  She conked out on the DH while he was waaaaay south working, and he took her to a shop, had some work done, and then had the same problems recur. Our shop checked and found that some of the fault was in the parts, some in the labor. GAH. Bizarre actions recently include all warning lights lit on our trip back from Vancouver; ABS, brakes, engine light, airbags--and all the electrics were out until we got home, shut it off, and turned it over again. Then it was fine.

Mr. Smartypants and I are not amused.

As a family of three drivers, we knew we needed a more reliable vehicle. We thought long and hard, looked at our options, and realized that we were going to have to return to the world of monthly car payments.

Since there was no avoiding the unpleasant part, we decided we'd make it as palatable as possible.

Meet our new car.

2012 Dodge Challenger, barely over 10K on the odometer.

a buncha pictures

 

A bad phone photo of a gorgeous patch of water. I want fabric made that looks like this.

Here's a scarf I made with wonderful yarn. Ravelry project page here.

 

M was supposed to take pictures of fractals. This was a backsplash at IKEA.

 

Recently the white car overheated when Mr. Smartypants was at a gig about an hour south of here. We went to get it last weekend and it wasn't ready. We consoled ourselves with another meal from here. Mmm.

Can you believe this was taken from a $5 seat? Way. 

I like the Mariner's stadium, even if they aren't my team.

 

M hates this picture. I love it. This is what's left after making some roasted tomatoes.

 

The cherry and plum trees are losing their flowers, but they sure were pretty.

 

And finally, we were absolutely crushed when we realized that we found this sign after the event had already passes us by.....

That's all!

It might as well be Spring...

I'm wondering if y'all know Emily? She's the bees knees. She's the official Dishcloth Diva in my humble estimation. With her encouragement, I've played a few rounds of Dishrag Tag. I've also marveled at her wonderful, whimsical animal patterns, and her adorable Ellie.

She's put together a Springtime Swap, and here's what the very kind Jennifer M sent my way!

Some zingy cotton yarn, a triptych of dishcloth patterns, and treats for me and my Spot-the-dog! Thanks so much, Jennifer! You are generous and thoughtful, and I wish you good knitting!

I'm a bit slower, my swap box heads out to NC today. My girlie is off to the theatre again today for her finale as Feste. It goes without saying that she's magnificent. She has the twinkly eyes and mischievous grin (with dimples) requisite for a fool...........so proud I am!

Enjoy the last bit of weekend!

A lovely day

Mr. Smartypants had a gig today. I got to come along. I love watching him run a sound board. That combined with the artist being as genuinely talented, kind and gentle as I'd ever imagined has me still in the clouds.

The delightful Dan Zanes.






Apres show nosh here

Started a hat for me with the thrice-frogged yet still delicious Noro I'd purchased many, many moons ago. It's going to be wicked cool.

Hope that your Saturday has been full of wonder.

MiddleMarch

Let's see. What's going on around here? Miss M is preparing for a college tour with her uncle--they'll use her spring break and get an idea about several far-flung (and a few not-so-far-flung) schools. I'm giddy and nervous and thrilled for her. I think it was a great idea to do this now so that she's really got some good groundwork for next year when it all becomes frighteningly REAL. She's also deep in rehearsals for a production of Twelfth Night in which she plays the fool for several performances. I'm nearly as proud as when she scored the role of A Drunkard in Tempest a few years back.

Mr. Fix-It has succumbed to the dreaded plague that is rolling around the Northwest. I think it's carried in the rain as most everyone has had one form or another. He's stoically working through it and trying hard to rest and recoup. He's recently turned his talents to the repair of a small RC helicopter, and we are waiting out the precipitation to give it a fair go.

Our 18th anniversary is tomorrow. Himself let me choose the date way back when, and I figured what the hell? Not that 18 years of marriage isn't enough reason to raise a glass, but hey, as a Murphy, I'm somewhat honor-bound to celebrate the day in as many ways as can be done!

The hound spaniel is all done with his long course of meds. He misses the steroids, but we are happy not to have him constantly begging underfoot in the now-slip-proof kitchen. His back legs are weaker, but he's getting around. Needs a haircut, but that is a large undertaking that I am not prepared to tackle on this day of rest.

I'm nearly done with a hat for M. Actually committed the cardinal sin of thinking I had enough yarn for a project and running out several rows short. Have been waiting for it to come in at the LYS and will check on it today. Also picked up a cool book at the library, Knitting for Warm Weather. Would have served me well in AZ, but it has a lovely little leafy scarf pattern that I've been noodling with anyhow. Hoping to sit at the sewing machine later and play.

We're kicking around ideas for our next destination. If the girl winds up in California, it will likely be northern, and although I have no objection there, himself says Nevada is as close as he'll go. We'll see. If she heads east, we may be moving to colder climes. I know that I've got the chops to find something at the Cleveland Clinic, but I'd really like the next move to result in a different line of work.  Don't know what yet, but I'll figure it out.

February, adieu.

Mr. Spot continues to improve. *huge sigh of relief*  Miss M even convinced a school chum who has an old, ailing pup to get a vet's help--turns out he had the same thing! Ye gods!


For Valentine's Day, my wonderful mister gave me a lovely little orange vase and some really beige carpet for the kitchen. The carpet prevents dogsliding on the faux-Pergo floor. I lurve my man.

The girlie and I had a splendid evening in town recently; shopping at thrift shops, dining, and seeing Spamalot!

I have finished her leg warmers (please, not more K1P1 for a while, thanks) and snapped photos, but the legs that should be in them are off at Twelfth Night rehearsal just now. Update soon on Ravelry page.

Himself and I enjoyed "The Monuments Men" very much last eve, and tonight have stuffed ourselves on dry-aged top sirloin and a tasty salad.

I spent the afternoon with my dear MIL, playing with my new Singer 6180 Brilliance sewing machine! She is a sewing goddess, and I got the machine in Canada at Christmas and just haven't had time to play with it until now! I forsee several pairs of neatly hemmed work slacks appearing this week, and a recurrence in my stuffed animal (softies) creation soon.....

January, get thee gone

O my people, what a week, what a week.

• Mr. Spot had a horrible sudden onset of  (and I kid you not with this name), "Old dog vestibular disease". Essentially, it's vertigo. He'd had a small attack a few weeks ago and I thought it was a seizure, but he bounced back in about 15 minutes. Then a week ago, he couldn't stand. Big shout out to Seattle Veterinary Specialists and their fantastic 24/7 crew. He's on motion sickness meds, steroids and antibiotics, and is rapidly improving. Still has a bit of the drunken sailor in his walk, but the tail is wagging again. This dog is amazing.
• Work has become quite schizophrenic. New boss is a winner, hands down, but has a big learning curve. Upper-upper management is leaning on us to get 6000 things done per day, all the while seeming to brush aside the fact that we have patients to care for while still short-staffed. I think Mark Knopfler sings it best. (Wait for the chorus)
• Miss M has her hands full with school (finals) and shows (Singin' in the Rain and 12th Night coming up) and teens behaving teen-ishly. She's fighting a cold and being a trouper.
• Mr. Smartypants has been trying to help me keep it together, working his two jobs and building a ramp for the dog (who won't use it) and postponing and postponing a lovely dinner out with his folks. That, fortunately, will be remedied this evening. He's also a trouper.
• I have fallen far behind in a knitalong that I'm still very excited about, despite the fact that my stitch count veered off-course just at the end of the first clue. Will begin to remedy that today and try to catch up with my dear Princess Caspian across the sea!

We made it through, and here's what M and I did this morning for therapy:

These are destined for our lovely neighbors. We have a back and forth baking exchange with them. A sweet young couple and their two adorable wee girlies (one is so wee that Miss M suggested a naked doughnut to be safe--clever, ain't she?). This Winnie-the-Pooh plate is ALWAYS used as the designated serving vessel--it was Miss M's when she was wee, and the lasses next door are muchly in lurve with it.

Thanks, Saturday, I really was counting the days till you got here.

It's not 2013 anymore!

I generally prefer odd numbers. Last year, however, had an inordinate amount of dumb stuff in it--enough to make me pleased to greet the even-numbered annum. I'm going to toss up a few things here since I haven't fed the blog much of late. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions, and enjoy the non-2013-ness, everyone!

Christmas stuff

Do you know Suebob? If you don't, you should. I don't know why the link isn't functioning, but try this:
http://suebobdavis.com/
Stop over and say hello. She's very cool. Here's a list she posted.

A Few of My Favorite Things:

Song: "Let It Snow". It's been the one for me since Mr. Smartypants taught M and I the words while waiting in line for Santa. I think she was 3 or 4.

Fictional character: Raymond Briggs' "The Snowman". Saw the video many times, and then M and I saw a live production in Covent Garden when she was 6. It snowed in the theatre. Oh. My. God.

Present: Well, I do love me some yarn, but I'd really rather someone gave a goat or a water buffalo or some ducklings. (Oooh, there's THIS.)

Tradition: Wrapping at the last minute. Waking up and finding the girlie sitting quietly reading in her room.

Food: Tamales whenever possible. Pork is best.

Cookies: Mr. Smartypants' Little Nut Balls. Don't ask for the recipe. He won't share, and I'm sworn to secrecy. They're worth it.

Drink: I like me some tasty nog, and I won't turn down the bubbly neither.

Light: Big old bulbs for me, please.

Reindeer: Yes, please! I guess I'd say I like 'em all.

Thing to do on Christmas day: We miss attending the McCurdy's party in Arizona. If there's a movie worth seeing, that's fun, too. Then again, lazing about is always delightful.

Friday

We are introducing the girlie to "The West Wing". She loves "Sports Night", so this is the next phase in our master plan.

I worked today. I made sure that several people who needed the day off today got it. I am greedily plotting for much time off near the upcoming December holiday.

We (I) gorged on potato pancakes last night for Thanksgivvikah. OMG, YUM. Thank you, Aunt Bess.

I am working on leggings. They are annoying me. I want to return to the ease of this.

It's Friday and I am pissed off that there is no pinball within striking distance.

We are investigating southern New Mexico as a possible landing spot when the girlie chooses a college/university.

*ulp*

Pay attention!!!

Here's something from the backyard:

Here's something from the front yard:

Here's someone wonderful I met last night:

Do yourself a favor and go hear her speak and read ALL of her books.

I was puttering in the backyard this evening, doing a little fall garden cleanup, and as the sun was disappearing, I noticed crows overhead, playing on the wind currents as they headed for their roosts. Then, as the pink clouds drew my eyes one way, a faint honking caught my ears. I looked up and further west and saw a skein of geese wending their way south. Just lovely.

Thanks, Lyanda, for the wonderful evening and for sharing your joy in the world we share with many other beings.

lookit

It's a variation on Abi's lovely Drop Stitch Cowl--I'm using chunky yarn and 13 needles. It's frabjous. I think it will be a Christmas gift. I know someone who loves GREEN, and the idea of having a handmade Christmas gift ready in less than 24 hours well before the end of October is a heady thing.

hello, fall

new camera. macro lens. lovelovelove

it's rainy again here. notsomuchlove.

must reschedule M's birthday party with bunnies as she's got la grippe. poor lambie.

go here. how utterly right. morelovelovelove.

we are keeping on and are a bit more solvent. thanks, Don!

Just in case you need someone to tell you this......I'm happy to oblige.

one of my tiny favorites

What is it about bushtits? They seem happy. By virtue of size and song, cheerful is the adjective that comes to mind. I enjoy the way that they move as a body. Apart and together--stretching one or two at a time to cross a street, then the inevitable regroup as others notice that someone's moved on.

Is it food that propels them ever onward? Do the lallygaggers look up from the pursuit of a particularly plump gnat or aphid and think, "Oh shoot! Phil's in that other bush! Gotta go!". Is it the safety in numbers? Surely that plays a part.

Bushtits are the consummate flitter-ers--buzzy, zig-zaggy flight, wings all over the place. They look straight out of a cartoon or fairy tale.  If a bird is going to zip around trailing garlands or draping ribbons or strewing flowers, the bushtit is the logical choice. This then makes them fairly vulnerable to predators--certainly that's the reason for their flocking together so interconnectedly. That and it must take a large number of them to hold the larger banners.

Anything's possible......

Mr. Smartypants and I had a nice little trip to Phoenix last weekend. We arrived on Saturday and were picked up at the airport by our friend, the TallMan. We picked up his new Ladyfriend and proceeded to one of the best restaurants on the planet and stuffed our faces. It was wonderful to see our friends there.

We stayed here, and it was just right. A nice room, vats of icy fruit water in the lobby, and a summertime in Phoenix price. Not to mention it was walking distance to the hotel where the auditions were being held on Monday. The heat didn't seem too bad (108 or so), just a bit tiring.

Sunday was a knockaround day--drove by the old homestead and visited a favorite bookstore (I used to work here when the girlie was a babe in arms--would love to again!)

Stats from the Jeopardy! folks:

# of people who sign up for the online test:                                    20,000
# of people who actually take the online test:                                10,000
# of people called in for the next step/audition/test:                       2,500
# of people invited to LA who might get on the show                         400

That last one is might because it depends on how the players are doing--a champ with a winning streak will take up a place that a new player would otherwise fill! 

On Monday, there were about 19 people in my group, equally split female/male, and more than half had been through the audition phase before. We took another 50 question test, similar to the on-line test, and then moved on to the mock game and interviews, both of which were filmed. All involved stressed that they wanted us to have fun and enjoy ourselves--the game in game show being the critical descriptor.

It was fun, and the crew was great and the time flew by. We all made the cut to the pool, if I understood correctly, and so could be called up any time over the next 18 months.

Whatever happens or doesn't happen, I'm happy! It was a great little getaway and we had a blast.

brain rotting stuff

I got 26 of 44

Friday night fun

SURPRISE!

Look what came in the e-mail today....

 

Congratulations!  You have been selected for a follow-up appointment at an upcoming Jeopardy! contestant search for the XXXX area, exclusively for those who successfully passed the online test.  This is the next step in becoming a Jeopardy! contestant.

 

Apparently I passed the online test a couple of months back....completely forgot about taking it!

 

I guess I'm going to have to arrange a trip.....in June......*ulp*!