Look what I got!

This was waiting for me when I got home from work ~ a box full of goodies. Its from my Secret Pal and boy did she spoil me. Thank you very much SP!

My goodies:

2 skeins of Koigu ~ fruit punch sorta colors

The Magic Loop book

#3 Addi Lace Turbos

Chocolate Truffles

Very lovely card

You are awesome SP ~ thx for a lovely package!

~ Fall Dishcloth Swap ~

Check out the awesome package I got from my swap partner Chrissie
"She rocks!"

DCS ~ Topic of the Week #6

How was your experience in the exchange? Did you enjoy the folks you met? Did you just love the cloth and goodies you received? Please share any thoughts, criticism, and things you loved!

As we wrap up our swap ~ we are answering our final question. My experience has been wonderful and great. I have enjoyed meeting all the folks especially my upstream and downstream pals. My package came today and I love every single thing that my pal sent. It was just me (pics tomorrow), she took great care in picking things I would love. I love spoiling and being spoiled ~ my pal will receive her package in the next few days. I've enjoyed the weekly questions and the opportunity to get to know everyone. I'd definitely do this again and hopefully real soon. ;D Thx to all for such a fun swap.

Swapping Fun

Did you miss out on Knit 1 Tea 2 swap, Knitters Tea Swap 4 or Knitters Coffee Swap 3? Well, I've got news for you. There is a new swap just for you but you must be prepared to act quickly and to adhere to the swap requirements. Its a swap of some of my favorites ~ coffee & yarn.

What is this swapping fun I'm talking about ~

You can find more details here.

They are having a beginning swap contest, which I am participating in by posting this. I'm not sure that I will actually join the fun due to my current swap engagements. However, this one will be starting when all of my others end. Hmmm...I may have to give this some thought. The swap opens October 24th so don't delay, go on over so you'll be ready and enter the contest too. You won't be disappointed. ;D

Hey look....

Cool huh?! Its Veggie Art by James Parker. ;D

While I was writing up my wordless wednesday, I realized I failed to you all about James. He's a chef that gets away with playing with his food. LOL He creates the most awesome things with vegetables and fruit. Here is the link to his website and some pics for you to drool over. Oh yeah, did I mention he is way cool and lives on the best side of the planet. (James you can pay me later. heehee)

~more pics later, blogger is being fickle. ;D

Pics....

I managed to upload my pics from the cell but blogger won't let me upload any. Pooh! You'll have to visit my ravelry to see the progress pics on my ISE5 scarf and new peds. I added them to my flickr and uploaded w/o a hitch. Hmm, blogger is having technical difficulties of late ~ wonder whats up with that.

Anywho ~ on the knitting front, I'm about to start the toe decrease on my first ped. I got some expert advice about my ISE5 last night ~ didn't like the look of it but I was informed it is right. I can't see the diagonal as it shows on the pattern but the colorway is very nice. My pics aren't very bright but they are better than nothing and I'll try again later to upload here. I even manage to get my knitted oreo pic uploaded, woohoo! Don't know if my swap pal got it yet.

Around here ~ I'm considering my ways. I've been wondering how to make the ends meet each month and not feel stressed. I'm home alone w/the dog and its very peaceful. I've enjoyed the quiet to think and ponder what we should do next. I've been sorting my coupons and reading sale ads. I need to write up my grocery list but I don't feel like it. LOL I cleaned up the laundry room and put some kitchen linen in bleach water to soak. There is a tornado watch for our area today and I'm feeling a bit lazy. I'm going to wash out the linens so they can dry in the breeze the storm is bringing ~ feels really good blowing thru the open windows.

Better go now, been on long enough. I'll check in later.

Assessment day

Wow a lot has been going on around here and I realize today that my life has been moving way to fast. Not only am I moving fast, but nothing is really getting done. I will be 40 in less than 20 days and I haven't done anything that I'd hope to do before that big day. The biggest issue I have, is my lifestyle which has changed back to my old life. Hmm, my life isn't looking very simplistic or frugal at the moment and I'm not happy. I was wondering why I was beginning to burnout and feel discontent and now I know.

As I was surfing Ravelry, I stumbled upon a couple of groups that made me stop and think. Now as I was reading the intros to these groups, I started to assess my lifestyle and how far it was off my original plan. Yeah, I know some of you are going I told you so but I am finally getting it. I need to get back to my plans for living a more simple life. I really need to slow down the stash enhancement, swapping and running around that I've been doing. I need to spend more time at home, using the stash I have, reading my books, relaxing and simply being. My focus has been off and I know that my turning down a full-time job the other was the beginning of the process for me to realize I was burning my candle at both ends. Now to get my family on the same page with me. My dh didn't understand why I'd turn the job down and I didn't think we were on the same page for awhile. I have a full-time job ~ I'm a homeschooling mom of 2 college bound teens. ;) Well, sometime in the past 2yrs my family, and I, have lost sight of our purpose. I'm not sure where to start again but I'm willing to start. I subconsciously knew I was headed to this realization when I dropped out of several swaps but now I understand fully why it is important for me to weigh each endeavor I pursue against my goals.

What are these goals you might ask? To live a full life, enjoying the simple pleasures it brings. I don't desire to be striving to make a living, to acquire the latest and greatest on the market, nor do I desire to be always going and never sitting and being still. Unfortunately, our society breeds this attitude and I must stay one step ahead to keep from falling into the lie. Now to get my family back on track and focused so they too can avoid the trap. It will have to begin with me, right?! They say the mother is the heartbeat of the home. I choose this day to live a life full of the simpler things in life, to stretch our income to meet our needs and serve others, to live within the boundaries of that income and to be content where I am.

I can do this and still be a blessing to others. I'll just have to do it in smaller doses. Off to read some, clip my coupons and get organized ~ school starts next week.

~ Missing Layout ~

I'm happy to report I found a copy of my template on my other computer and am putting all my links back in. My original layout isn't working with blogger any longer and I'll have to find a new one at the of the month.

I'm not sure what has happen but its a blogger's worse nightmare for sure. I've lost my template....and all my links and rings. They are gone and I don't even know what happen. I'm in several webrings and I will be working to restore my blog to its formal luster over the next few days. Please bear with me as I reconstruct my layout. Thx for your patience ~ don't give up on me, I'll be back.

DCS ~ Topic of the Week

Now that it is getting cooler here, it makes me think of apple picking and hay rides. Are you the type that likes to go to participate in all the fall festivities like apple picking, pumpkins, decorating for the fall, hay rides, baking fall goodies, etc. or do you just sit and count the days till Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukkah?

I am more prone to sitting these days but love to participate when I have a chance. I usually decorate around my home. The temps have become cooler here too and I'm lovin' it. I need to pull out my fall decorations ~ my wreath, candles and such but I've been a bit under the weather so have put it off. I think tomorrow will be a good day to spruce up the homefront. Give it a fall feel to get ready for the holiday season. Hmm, I can already smell the baked goodies, pots of soup and fresh homemade bread. I think I need to make a trip to the store to stock up ~ don't want to be without the necessities to whip up some sugar cookies or a batch of cream of potato soup. See ya.

~ Knitters Coffee Swap 3 ~

We are off and here is my questionaire answers:

1. Whole bean or ground? both
2. Fully-loaded or decaf? fully-loaded but will try a good cup of decaf
3. Regular or flavored? Either ~ really not suppose to have hazelnut ;D
4. How do you drink your coffee? cream and sugar, please
5. Favorite coffee ever? too many to choose especially flavors but enjoy starbucks alot.
6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do? I can be fussy.
7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee? lemon crumb bar or the new chocolate cinnamon bread ~ cookies are good too
8. Anything else about your coffee preferences?I like it very hot so I can linger over it longer.
9. Yarn/fiber you love? cashmerino, sock yarn and anything soft.
10. Yarn/fiber you hate? not fond of novelty yarns or anything too rough but will work w/it if called for in pattern.
11. What's on your needles? hmm, pr of not pedestrian peds, a colorway vest, a dishcloth and frozen lake shawl. oh another sock but there isn't enough yarn to finish them so they are hibernating. lol I will cast on a silk scarf soon for another exchange.
12. Favorite colors? reds ~ deep autumn/fall colors
13. Allergies? hazelnut (but claritin rocks!) and cat dander
14. Anything you really love, really don't like, or just need to get off your chest? nope ~ I'm really easy to please. oh yeah! I love chocolate. ;D

I'm here but really....

I'm not. As I mentioned, I've not been feeling well for the past week. Today was pretty low ~ cold chills, feverish, achy and just plan grumpy. LOL I'm not doing much better now after a nap and some soup but I don't want to lay around either. I promised to update on my swaps and I want to work on my new peds since I've had to frog the work I did back to the heel turn. ugh! I still don't like the look of the heel turn but it will stay for now.

My current swaps:

Fall Dishcloth Exchange

~ I've finished the cloth and plan to make another one. I've picked the yarn but need to select the soap and a goodie but that shouldn't be too hard. Need to order a special item too.

Xmas Around the World Knitters Swap

~ need to pick an item to make for my pal. I will work on this package next week.

International Scarf Exchange 5

~ picked up my yarn today and will get started tomorrow. I'm using Noro Silk Garden and making a Silk Diagonal Scarf for my pal. I'm hoping to pick up some goodies from my store too but I'm not schedule to work this week. I was today but my symptoms kept me home. ;(

Vegan Pal 2

~ need to pickup snacks and get in the mail tomorrow. This is a neat swap especially since I learned alot regarding foods, types of yarn and such. I look forward to another round.

Knitters Coffee Swap 3

~ its on and I'm ready. I've already started shopping, well actually I started after round 2 ended and picked up some goodies for my new partner. Now I'm waiting for a partner to pickup treats and coffee.

Prayer Shawl

~ still debating on if I'll stay in this swap since partners haven't been assigned. I'm to make a shawl in 12wks for my pal. I'll keep you posted on this one.

Secret Pal 11

~ I've sent out my first package and have collected goodies for another one that I will send out next week. ;D I'm happy that my pal liked her package ~ hope she likes my next one.

Thats all ~ I dropped all the others or they are done like the Chocolate Lover's. I sent that out because I liked that one alot. I'm waiting for several packages to arrive and I'm looking forward to making things for others and hope they like them. I'm starting to feel achy again, so I'm off. Have a great evening.

Left out the best part...

I don't know how I did it but I did. I forgot to tell about the best part of the fair for me. ;D

On mon, Tree63 performed. They were great and I got to meet them and get their autograph. I even got to go backstage for a little bit and joke around w/Jump 5 and some the guys from the radio station. that was fun and I got Jump 5's autograph too for the kiddos since they are disbanning this year.

On wed, I got to see and hear "Air Supply" live. Yes, you read that right. I didn't think this would happen in my lifetime and they sang all of my favorites. It was wonderful.

But the best thing ~ was fri night. I had been waiting a long time for this night because this band has been to OK 3 times in the last year but I hadn't been able to go to a concert. This time they were in my backyard and I couldn't wait. The bonus was, my boss took me backstage and I watched the entire show on a raised platform. Who was the band you ask? None other than "Switchfoot." They were totally awesome and I got to meet them afterwards during the signing. I sang, shouted, jumped (well not exactly my platform wasn't very stable) and had a rockin' good time. Woohoo!

I've got a few pics but none are really very good so I may not upload them. ;D Better go now, been online a bit longer than planned. Later.

Been along time...

did ya miss me?! well, I've missed my time online as well as my house. LOL I've pretty much lived at the fair for the past month and half. I had a blast though and I would only change how much sleep I got. Hmm and maybe worked out so that I'd have more energy. ;D I've added that to the plans for next year, well thats if there is a next year. This week has been busy getting the fair taken down and all the entry items returned to their owners. We finished up on Wed, which was an awesome feat. We are all tired and ready for rest. Unfortunately, only the seasonal help will get the needed rest now, because the full-time staff must start preparing for next year. Sorry guys ~ we love you. ;D

I was able to meet and get to know some wonderful people, especially that Chef Landry guy ~ who knew he really was funny. He is a real chef that does a comedy style food demonstration from Louisiana. It was lots of fun hanging out w/him and he even helped with our live food contests. heehee ~ tasting all those Hidden Valley dishes and such. It was great fun and I learned alot about being a food judge. I also met a wonderful man name Brian Hammill. He and 2 other guys were called Native Spirit Dancers. It was awesome to watch them perform, he even plays the flute. The spiritual aspect of the dances was really moving and I enjoyed learning more about the native american culture. I can't wait to see these guys again. The Sugar Art show was beautiful as always. The theme this year was Movie/Hollywood and the winning cake was based on "Sabrina" the original w/Audrey Hepburn ~ it was beautiful.

I spent a lot of my time outside during the day managing our interactive exhibit "Fun on the Farm." It was fun for me until about the 5th day ~ thats when I started to have sleep deprivation issues. All in all it was great, the kiddos had a great time ~ we served over 7000 of them this year. My children worked in various areas of the fair and Riley was awarded the trophy for the volunteer with the most hours ~ 173.5 of them to be exact. Way to go! I really don't need to tell you where she is at the moment, do I?! We are all very tired but had a good time. I even rode 5 rides this year, not as many as I'd like but that was all I had time for.

On the knitting front ~ not much happened. I did managed to complete the dishcloth for my pal in the fall dishcloth exchange. I also went to the LYS before the fair got busy and bought some new self striping Regia, one in a blue and the other a orange/red colorway. I started a new pair "Not Peds" in the blue. I started them about 2 wks ago and this past wed I started the heel flap. ;D Slow going but worth it. I haven't finished my vest yet but will pick that up next week. I've put off making "Mirepoix" since the yarn I've chosen will require more than I can get at the moment plus one of the ladies at the LYS thought the Tahki Cotton Classic would be to heavy. I really don't have the time or energy to really do the research again for a substitute to the Louet so I'm going to wait til November to do this, by then I should be able to buy the additional yarn or pay for more pricey stuff. LOL

In my next post ~ I'll update on my swap status. Yes, there are still swaps in my life. A new one just began too. I'm looking forward to these, some actually end next week and others begin then. All will be over by December. Yeah! Swapping is great fun especially when you have the time and energy to do them.

Well, I'd better go now and work on some home stuff. I'm still not feeling 100% but better than yesterday and thats a plus. Its sad that I should get sick after the fair but glad it didn't happen during. There was enough going on that it would have been very miserable indeed. I'll try to add that update later today, if not it will be Sunday b/c I'll be offline due to a family friend's funeral.

Take care and have a great day!

I'm back....

however my blog is experiencing some technical difficulties that has resulted in me changing my template temporarily. I'm not sure what is happening but I don't like how it looks. LOL I've decided to go pink ~ in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. I will add my links back over the weekend but I would love to have my template back instead.

There hasn't been much knitting but I'm resting and working on my new peds. Hopefully I'll get a camera this weekend so that I can take pics. Well, I'm off to take a nap, I've not been feeling well for the past few days plus sleep deprived. Thank goodness the fair is over. ;D

Talk w/you all soon.

~ MIA Notice ~

Just a quick pop in to let you know I've not forgotten my blog friends. I'm very busy working my seasonal job but I promise to visit soon and give a proper update. It is a quarter to 1a and I'm exhausted. Talk w/you all soon.