CommonTators Commenting

I have crossed over from internet blog gawker to personal blog poster. Now I have gone to the true dark side, posting comments on other people's blogs.

I suppose I should clarify and say that it's not the TRUE dark side. After all, I'm not leaving comments of acid and vinegar. In fact I posted a few times to show support to other bloggers I don't know. I entered a contest or two (and I won! Randomly Generated ... That's Me!) I also like to comment on my friend's blog, it's really interesting to watch her explore her interest in photography, and just see her artistic talent on display. The best is by knowing the blogger, the voice is even stronger to me when I read.

It's amazing what people share, and though there are many sides of a person that may stay hidden, it's nifty to see at least one.

As far as my comments go, I think it's okay, there are only nice things to say. I haven't become one of the angry regulars on SFGate. In fact I highly doubt I'll ever post there, all my indignation still prevents me. Nice things to say in nice places. It may seem really superficial, but honestly, I don't see how it's wrong.

Mom Jeans the Saga Continues

I know that I don't REALLY need another pair of Jeans. However it could be argued that I need the "right" pair of jeans.

I am familiar with the idea that I choose comfort over flattering style probably more than I should. And without the self-deprecation that it sounds like, it's mainly because right now, there is not much that I find flattering on me. In fact tried and true items. Look snug and rumply and out of proportion.

I took in a pair of jeans to be hemmed last week. Because I had two pairs. One I figure I will continue to roll w/that summer feel, and even works with my rainboots. And one that I wouldn't roll, b/c rolling actually shortens the look of my legs. ( I watch what not to wear ocassionally). I found a pair of jeans that used to be too big on me that are true Momish old Gap jeans, but I had them in my imaginary disaster kit. I took them out washed and wore them and washed again. They are very comfortable, but I look like I should be working on a farm. My Levis ... one pair too tight to me in the waist. The other is a little to saggy booty especaily according to the HM.

So when we go to the Gap to get The Kid a pair of black plain front khakis for his singing performance on Tuesday and they are having a buy one get one 60% off. I sucker in, and I buy two pairs of my favorite style there, and run back b/c I got the wrong size. Or so I thought. I put on the pants this morning, before taking off the tags, and they were really comfortable. I should've noticed that in the beginning. They are already beginning to stretch out. They look okay, a little long. (should've noticed that.) So, I guess I will have to go back and try the smaller size on and if they fit better exchange the one other pair I have.

Like Mom used to say, always REALLY try things on, and not when you're in a hurry to get your kid to school.

Knitting Nothing

Knitting Nothing. That's me. or Ellen 0 for Knitting. Okay that statistic only kind of makes sense even to me.

I knit a handwarmer for The Shell. But I'm worried the bind off is too tight. So I started working a second one figuring I'll compare, and I can alwyas fix the first one. Well, almost finishing the ribbed cuff, I note a purl where a knit should be. Hmm. Well forget that. I frogged it. I will try again, later.

These handwarmers, the angry yarn that seems to fight and break in my hands is beginning to make this knit job feel like a chore. And, I said that I would knit 2 pairs of them. Sheesh! I was so fed up with the yarn, (Crystal Palace Taos) seeing how I still had 2 more balls left, I even offered the Quiet D one. She said she'd take it for a hat (the color combinations are quite lovely) but at this rate, I'll have broken and frogged so much I'll need it!

In times of project frustration, knitters usually turn to another project, but because I have a self-imposed deadline, I'm not really knitting much else.
The Scowl is languishing in the bedroom, but I have been trying to focus on sleeping a little. A girl can survive on 6 hours, but that doesn't mean she should.

December Days

The December days are severely marked. The Kid has one week and 1 1/2 days of school left till break. His parents are going to play the "fly by the seat of your childcare pants" game which probably involves a day bussing tables for dad (He is cute as long as he doesn't drop jam on any of the hipster child haters) and a day plugged into an iPod and comic book in my cubicle.

Holiday Cards are not designed, and therefore cannot be printed, shipped, signed and mailed. These may be New Year's cards ...

I am behind, I am always behind. However I feel some relief now. Maybe I'm still riding the high of having a craft tower (I could really use 2). Maybe it's the success of replacing Henry's bookshelf -- though the old one is still sitting in the hallway. Maybe it was the Oysters and white wine I treated myself on the way home from turning in school art projects that took me longer than I anticipated ... especially with procrastination. Then again, I needed to do a lot of it at work, that is um not during work hours so I should remember that for next year.

Quick shout out to home-slice Little Snoopy ... sorry you often get my scattered, recap of where's my head madness. You're like the first grown-up I talk to in the morning. Not my best side, but I do shower for you ;)

Anyways where was I discussing relief? Yes, but now, some holiday cards and wrapping and gift boxing, I think I can do this. My weekend balancing act is getting better. So this Saturday I shall strike again! I must fight the urge to dwell on what isn't getting done, and focus more on the doing and the enjoying and ho ho hoing of it all. For as I was sadly reminded this week. Not only are December Days numbered, but all of them.

Should always be the season to be merry! Oh and to say, "Falalalala!" Right???

Friday Perspective

Friday's perspective is no lie, kind of messed up. I don't know, maybe it was the slow slow start I had. I still feel the weight of sleep in my eyes. Maybe I simply am a moody beast and need a laugh.

• My underwear is moving in ways it shouldn't underneath these pants.
• I'm typing with handwarmers on, because I'm so cold. Thank goodness for Earl Grey and Malabrigo.
• I don't think I have a single top that can hide my chubby anymore.
• HM says my favorite pair of jeans are Mom jeans. It's too unsettling for her to be right, but she has the knowing sisterly look. drat. The pants I'm contemplating getting rid of, because I think they are unflattering and possibly a too young cut, she says ... are fine, if not better than my MOM jeans. wtf. How has this happened. I mean I know I've given up a bit ... but ... sigh.
• My husband is threatening to pick up my Crate and Barrel tower of Craft love. Must manage my expectations, because everything won't fit in there.
• If I want to make a potroast ... the el dorado of cooking attempts as HM calls it, I should get the groceries for it on Saturday. I can do this, but do I want to is the question ... is the thrill going?
• If I don't get to knit for a sufficient amount of time for the next three days I might strangle someone.
• HM said I deserve to knit this weekend. I would knit myself into a momentary coma if I could.
• Riding the Peaks of manic depression right now. HM said that my house wasn't the hoarding cluttering disaster she expected. (I didn't show her the pit of dispair)
• Would my chakras misalign if I used a camping mat for a yoga mat?
• I will have to watch my son's Club Penguin intake. This stuff is bizarre. Watch for a future analysis post.
• I can feel my husband's grumpy from here. Going downtown during rush hour to pick up a heavy piece of furniture really has got him sunshiney. hehe
• Maybe I can suggest pizza to keep them each calm.

Time to do some heavy lifting.

December already

As one of the nice Social Worker's said to me the other day after asking about my Thanksgiving Weekend, "Now it's 'All Hands' and 'Pedal to the Metal' from here on out."

True, I think that New Year's Day is beginning to look like some convoluted finish line. I think I am getting better at minimizing my rehashing of the year and my ineptitude at completion. It's still an issue, just an improvement.

Honestly I have more loose ends than I'd like to have, but the one that I'm obsessing about the most, is not being able to knit as much as I'd like. I mean really, I can't have it too bad right? Besides part of the reason I haven't been knititng as much is because I've been doing things during my half hour lunch like walking, and I've been going out to dinner with my family and friends in the early evening and ... I've been reading in the later evening. Sooooo knitting and cleaning have been shoved to the side.

I have been gently toiling away at the Tuesday Night "Scowl" - (based on a cowl but is now a scarf) trying to figure out what my next steps are, since the Harry Potter sweater seems intimidating and another shawl feels very ... L O N G.

Then I remembered I want to make a few handwarmers with nice yarn for some friends in England, and that is exactly what I'm going to do...

This weekend, I will do my best to appease the knitting & cleaning gods, while obeying the rules of filial duty and I'll be damn festive about it as well! Fa ... la freaking LA!

Post Turkey Day Deconstruction

These are just a combination of partial realizations and happenings of the last 4.5 days...

• You know you have a problem when you are lying to your husband about leaving work early and buying your son an undeserved comic book to justify going to the yarnstore.
• Feel better about self, seeing friend from work sneaking out with her own bag of loot.
• Feel bad because even though LYS is having an excellent sale you are unable to find the yarn you want for your project and you buy extra recreational yarn that is not on sale.
• Avoid making eye contact with anyone at Safeway the night before Thanksgiving. Come out alive and sane and with Cranberry Jelly. Gross to some, beloved by all in my family, except for baby big head nephew.
• Convince yourself that you don't need to bake pies that evening because the day has you spent. Bake pies the next morning along with all other food prep with husband's help on schedule. Commence the happy.
• Day After Turkey: Decide children get ill to give me high blood pressure and there is not enough tissue in the world for my son's nose. But this is after a playdate with Mr. Sweetheart. The entire house exploded with toys, costumes and goldfish crumbs, later snot rags.
• Saturday: The Kid wakes me up to tell me he feels much better and he's sure he'll be fine to have his other Bud over to play. I say, let's watch you. Small cough, but nothing frightful, just working it out every now and again. I make him pick up his own snot rags and it is apparent if the child doesn't have some sort of energy outlet my world will explode. So I walk him in the rain to Walgreens (more tissue) and another playdate ensues. This time, it is a much controlled War arrangement with Hot Wheels and specifically built Lego Minifigures. Things go well until it's time to take The Bud home. I let them watch soul sucking t.v. and peeling them away brought out the wrath.
• At his friend's house we have a nice dinner party with parents of The Bud and another classmate's parents. We talk a bunch, I'm probably the least smart in the group, but they are all very kind and funny telling great stories. It really made you think, I love this non obligatory, easy breezy, social holiday gathering. This is what I think of as ideal when you say Holiday Season.
• Sunday: I knit for two blissful hours in the morning with cold cup of coffee and Star Wars on the t.v. with The Kid lounging, Man friend goes to farmer's market and returns with yay! not turkey tacos! We lose time and scramble to get out of the house to go to Oakland. Lovely neice birthday, she allows me to channel my inner puppeteer with her hamster puppet and shows off her room and favorite things to me. Boy children don't want to eat, just play video games. My boy child coughs and needs an attitude adjustment.
• Guess what, it's Monday and I still just want to knit!