Happy Birthday to Me!

During my wonderful birthday celebration I didn't realize that yet again someone got a hold of my corp credit account (Diners MasterCard) and shopped accordingly:

Sep-20-2008 ROSS STORES #125 SAN FRANCISCO CA $ 176.72
Sep-20-2008 NORDSTROM #0427 Q18 SAN FRANCISCO CA $ 250.00
Sep-22-2008 RADIOSHACK COR00138552 SANTA ROSA CA $ 410.39
Sep-22-2008 SAFEWAY STORE00015628 SANTA ROSA CA $ 200.00
Sep-22-2008 SAFEWAY STORE00015628 SANTA ROSA CA $ 209.18

I traced it back from a phone call I made to a seedy Indian restaurant; they overcharged my card for a meal I had there the weekend before. That was my going away present for being up there one more time for the client. "Tandoor" restaurant charged me for the base and then again including my tip on the charge slip - those bastards!! I called them 9/12/08 and referred to the invoice # transaction and whalah! Fraudulent charges. No wonder our economy is the way it is. Diners closed the card, my work is aware of this event for the second time on their corporate card!!!


On a lighter note, I completely enjoyed my past weekend Knitting Retreat away with the knitting ladies of Ventura County (and one from Huntington Beach). We rented a huge house for the weekend (back in April) for this wonderful gathering. I wanted to be in a sleeping room where nobody snores since I am very light sleeper. Ended up in a room with 2 other twin beds. One night the latest person to join the group woke me up snoring, the second my other roomate. Both claim they didn't know they snore...LOL Anyway my feedback after the 2nd night is that if we were there a third night, I would be the one snoring. So instead of calling it the "no snoring room"; I call it the "part-time snoring room".

2 acronyms for knitting:
SABLE
Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy

SEX
Stash Enhancement eXpedition

Both very much in my real of this knitting addiction. I proceeded to buy even more yarn: Noro Blossom in Cambria. This is discontinued yarn that I thought I would never see any more of. So what do I do? Scoop! We enjoyed the different knitting skills that was brought to the table as we shared different techniques/idea, etc. The enthusiasm is great that we will get together again same time next year. Since Stephanie doesn't want to facilitate it again I volunteered for this undertaking next year.

Will Work for Quilts

Look what Flo has made me! How beautiful is this? This was the loving return of making the Blossom pullover top for her. I owe her big time. As you can see, I am not the only fan of this warm quilt. Ditto posing in this photo.



Freckles on the opposite corner. They both were originally laying close together until I had to get up and get the camera for the rare moment. All 3 of us love the quilt! Thanks Flo!

Knitting UFO with a Bonus

Work hiatus has allowed me to focus on my knitting mojo; not that I am asking to do nothing for work. Finished my Cherry Blossom pullover that took me 5 months to finish. Looks better on someone than on this hanger.

Meanwhile I knitted another Clapotis shawl wrap that is a perfect color match for the Cherry Blossom.



Just because I finished the Clapotis in less than 2 weeks, I rewarded myself by starting another "Champagne Leaf & Acorn" wrap with the same rayon yarn as the Clapotis. I am still working 4 project simultanesouly - will I ever learn to finish one at a time? No Way!


For the shawl wraps I am thinking of selling them in a local boutique specialty store in town. If one place doesn't like the idea of selling hand knitted items, then there are other means of marketing them.

Another Summer - Another Turning of the Page

It's been a while since I posted here as I have been through a hiatus of "psychological realignment". I realized that I have been trying too hard to win over others that are truly out of my league; at the same time I am trying to keep others that are trying too hard to win me at arms length. Strange balancing act. No wonder I love animals, they are much easier to be around and there is always the unconditional love that is predictable. I do know who my friends are and I have to admit that I am not a social butterfly yet an event organizer with friends.

Been distracted in knitting in the summer with this hiatus but now I am back into working 3-4 projects simultaneously. I decided that I am going for apparel where I can try selling them in local boutiques. You think, who would pay that much money for hand knitted items when the yarn is already expensive? Well, I will try to give it a shot based on my favorite items: cables and shawls. Sock knitting was fun while working with size 0 needles but I need to get back to items that will be marketable. Socks are more of a personal item; like underwear :)

I saw "A Chorus Line" this past weekend with my friend Camille in Orange County - nice production but the orchestra was over bearing at times for the performers' solo singing. I also had lunch with Flo, Nancie, Terry and Preita at the new location of Brophy Brothers in Ventura Harbor.


The weekeend before that I ran into Beatriz at Cold Spring Tavern. What a cool historical place in a Santa Barbara canyon. It's a great place for people wathcing with all the bikers; both motorcycle and cyclists.

Hey - kinda boring but who is really reading this for fun anyway? ;)

"Felix Unger" Photos

Finally got around to uploading pics from my vacation...here are photos of Frank. What a handsome guy but a real piece of work!

Note his kitchen counter is immaculate - there was only one spot that had clutter of something not shown here.


Finally got him to smile nicely.



I guess I wore out my welcome

Picture Posting

Ok...so I haven't been keeping up with logging my thoughts, trials and tribulations here lately. So I thought I take the opportunity to upload a few photos. The Summer Solstice party in particular.

Before you view the photos - I want to say that I have truly enjoyed my
work week at home instead of on the road. I have no kids and not married but I am fortunately lucky and unfortunate depending on perspective. Am getting a bit tired of the road warrior lifestyle but this pays the bills.

Tuesday I met up with a hand-full of knittsters a the Coffee Bean closer to me! How convenient! I gave up a date with a guy that evening knowing that I planned to be there. Discovered my sensitivity of how Becky harps on me with my personality especially with men around. I think I communicated my background for her to understand. I know there are things that people say or do that I don't understand as well - we are all different.

Wednesday - stayed home and enjoyed my kitties; they are getting spoiled on my presence here this week.

Thursday - I meant to originally go to knit night but the date that I witheld on Tuesday evening I took on :) His name is Charles or Chuck. We met since he is a shuttle driver for Roadrunner. He is older than me and oversees million dollar home rennovations in the ritzy area of Camarillo. Went to Happy Hour at California Grill and met a very personable man named "CC" I asked what those initials mean; he said "Cup Cake". All three of us had a great conversation on race, region and politics with the up and coming election. CC was distracted by young blond females that cracked me up!

Friday - exhausted and awaiting the big day to go to Loop & Leaf tomorrow!!! Lisa, Flo and Prieta are joining me on this road trip to the fabulous fibers.

Here are photos from Nancie's Summer Solstice party - I looked terrible so no photos of me here:

Recap of Vacation

Florida 2008:
Told my father about his Scimeca side of the family; that I am in touch with his nephews. I told him that they are responsible parents so things are working out well for them regardless of the relationship with his brother. I told him when my mother was not in earshot. He was ok with it after all!

Went to Epcot Center and Bush Gardens with my parents. My mother almost had a heat stroke at Bush since we were mostly outside and getting dehydrated from the heat. Otherwise, I enjoyed the quiet environment for my knitting and didn't take my laptop from work with me. I made my father a pair of socks (photo will be on Ravelry shortly) for Father's day. He loved them so I am working on monm's pair now.

Had dinner with my work colleague Frank. He makes great Italian sauce with sausages with casing. I bought him a bouquet of flowers before I arrived at his house; he insisted he is not gay. I said, "I know, put them in water!" He claimed he didn't have a container but he eventually found a biscotti ceramic jar and the flowers looked great on the table. Yes, I know he's not gay but it was as though I was in the house of Felix Unger of the Odd Couple. Holy shit if I didn't put the fucking lid down on the toilet after MY visit to the bathroom. No clutter, everything in it's place and prestine. He said his mother helped him with the interior decor which included nice draping and color combinations. He says he likes the color purple - the guest room. It's all about him in his surroundings. Had a great dinner, great minimal conversation while I was there but in the end it is all smoke and mirrors afterwards. He would rather be by himself because of himself. I must erase the memories!! I took a great photo of him over the stove, I forgot to take a photo of my flowers and now I am regretting that mistake. So much for my distraction of a potential relationship - WTF!!

Back to work and still not enjoying my time without the knit sisters. :(