| Goals for the 26th year |
- Quit Smoking.
- Write to Someone I Admire (Can be anyone from friend to celebrity).
- Send 27 Post Cards (I miss connecting with people outside of the internet).
Leave the State for vacation.
- Pay off my credit cards.
- Give handmade gifts for special occasions. (Due to my schedule, I will give as many as I can)
- Publish writing.
- Sky dive or bungee jump.
- Start a work out routine.
- Debate with someone and try to see their side.
- Walk for a cause.
- Take a dance class.
- Read a book a month (at least).
- Give a gift to a stranger.
- Hang out with my brother more often.
- Seek Grammar/Writing Education Opportunities.
- Volunteer my time outside of school.
- Stop to reflect on the good things. (May decide to blog it, may decide to write it down in a journal).
- Maintain a sick time balance at work.
- Save up for a cushion/emergency fund.
- Slumber Party/Diva Evening. (I miss sleep-overs!)
- Learn to walk in heels!
- Bring lunch to work (at least 3x a week).
- Take a financial workshop.
- Learn to cook/cook more often.
- Go Camping!
- Stop spending all my money on coffee!
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| Happy Blog-Versary!! |
| Sunday, January 20, 2008 |
It's been one year since I started this blog. It simultaneously feels like I started it yesterday and forever ago. My first project I posted here was a Basketweave scarf I was working on for Grim's brother. Since then I have tried to advance my abilities as much as possible. So on this Blog-versary I am proud to unveil the Montego Bay Scarf!!!
It turned out perfect. In my opinion it's the best thing that I have made yet! I was a little iffy on the blocking but it really looks better this way. It was curling so badly before it was blocked that it just didn't look right. What do you think guys?
In other knitting news, I frogged the Accidental Drop Stitch Vest. I finished the front part and I was seriously not liking the finished product. After thinking on it for a while I thought it would be best to just frog it and use the yarn for something else. After that I decided to Cast On a baby blanket. I seem to like knitting under pressure. -=giggle=- I chose a maze pattern. It's fairly easy and it's knitting up pretty quick. Let's hope that I can get it finished before Sunday. If not then it will be a little belated. I also looked deeper into the Thin Mint Scarf, I didn't realize it was knit on two circs. I'm not sure if I am ready for that. Is it as hard as it sounds?
I still need to frog the Tree Jacket back down to the lifeline. I'm not entirely pleased with that but I'll live. Speaking about patterns, I went a little pattern crazy on Ravelry today. -=giggle=- I loaded up my que and if I actually complete a couple of them I'll be surprised. -=giggle=- I am a little impulsive.
Alright about the Blog-versary, right now I am just not financially capable to have a contest. Sorry you guys but next year I'll do something special. In parting, here's an adorable picture of Kiya. She apparently loved my poncho as much as I do.
 Labels: Accidental Drop Stitch Vest, Blogging, Blogversary, Kiya, Knitting, Montego Bay Scarf, Thin Mint Scarf, Tree Jacket |
posted by Valerie @ 9:03 PM  |
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| As Promised, A Post! |
| Sunday, October 28, 2007 |
This weekend was a real joy. Friday night was cram night. I forgot that I had a Biology test Saturday morning so, you know the drill. Lots of coffee, lots of smoking and a late night. Saturday wasn't too bad, if you don't count that I had to wake up at 8 to take a test. I have NO idea how well I did on it. Saturday was also Grim's Birthday. So I put up a Happy Birthday Banner and laid his present out for him so it would be there when he got up. I had already bought him one of his gifts (Game Book for W.O.D) so I decided to get him 28 Days Later, so he would have something to open on his Birthday. The rest of Saturday was pretty laid back. He did a lot of video games and I got a lot of knitting done. Then it was time for game night over at Pounce's house. He got more gifts and got a cake. We got home at about 2 am, more knitting and more video games. Then we went to bed. Today was the family birthday. I got up at 11, about 5 minutes later, I get a call saying we're going to meet up at 2. Oh Shit.. I haven't started the cake yet. So I rush through and do that, while it's baking, I go and redye my hair and start getting ready. All the while I am still trying to get the Birthday Boy out of bed. -=giggle=- We end up meeting up with them about a 1/2 hour late.
Dinner was wonderful (Olive Garden), then we came back here for presents and the cake I made (with over the hill trick candles =P)
I think he had a really nice birthday. I could tell he doesn't like the idea of turning 31 so I wanted to keep it simple and relaxed this year.
I also managed to get through a lot of the Baby Wrap Dress. It's looking really cute so far and I just reached the shaping of the arm holes. I can't wait until it's finished up. By the way, I have come to agree that having a baby is contagious. I went from one baby to knit for, to three babies! -=giggle=- I haven't cast on the Tree Jacket yet only because I got circular needles that have a 24" cord and it says use a cord that 16" or 20". Does it really matter in relation to the pattern?
To go back to what I mentioned earlier, here are a couple of things that are going on:
1. The doctor says that my stomach problems and weight loss are probably directly related to the loss of my gallbladder. Bile production is to high, so it's irritating my innards and causing them to wig out. (How do you like my medical, non-icky version?) I have been given a medicine that I have to drink, Yuck, and regulate based on my digestion speed.
2. They believe Kiya developed an allergy to her food. So we switched it to a prescription digestively helpful food. No problems since. Although that Vet visit, we almost adopted a cat. -=giggle=- Then my brakes went out and I had to get them fixed. I think it was for the best though. 3 cats in our apartment might have been a little scary.
3. I went into the Country Wool Yarn store after my doctor's appointment. This store is in the middle of nowhere and easily a goot 45 minute to an hour drive from my house. (I was in the area for the appointment) So I get there and I do my shopping. I go to grab my debit card and she doesn't take them. Oh no. So I rummage through my bag, no cash and NO CHECKS! Ahhh! I apologize and go to put the yarn back and she tells me, "It's alright, I'll Bill you." Whhhattt? -=giggle=- Turns out she bills locals and hasn't had a problem doing it ever, so I asked her if she was sure. She said yes. How cool was that!?!? The green and purple yarn from the previous post was what I got..
4. The Double Date. -=giggle=-
*A.* There was a lady on her cell phone the whole time.
*B.* Man behind said lady on cell phone, got really loud with her when he realized what she was doing.
*C.* Said Lady's Boyfriend stood up and tried to pick a fight with said, yelling man. I missed about 30 minutes of dialog just from the yelling. What I did catch, was a little sad. The Vampires and concept were cool. The acting melodramatic. The pace a little rushed. All in all, a renter movie. The part that pissed me off about the whole thing. I asked for my money back since, I missed part of it. The dipshit at the counter gave me shit. Argh! I resolved to just not come back again.
Labels: 30 days of Night, Baby Knitting, Birthday, Country Wool, Doctor News, Double Date, Grim, Kiya, Knitting, Vet, Weekend, Yarn |
| posted by Valerie @ 10:01 PM |
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| Saturday Relaxation. |
| Saturday, August 18, 2007 |
So I am hanging out at the house tonight solo. Grim and his friend went to see his father's band play. I was planning on going but I ate something that didn't agree with me. My stomach has been bothering me since this morning. No worries, just the basics.
In other news, the Record Bag.. Frogged. I am not upset about it really. I knew the yarn was thicker than what it called for but I didn't think that it would make such a difference. The bag turned out HUGE! So it's an excuse for me to buy more yarn. -=giggle=- I think I am going to cast on fingerless gloves tonight. We'll see. I don't usually feel like knitting when I feel blegh.
As far as my Kitty troubles. Kiya finally stopped getting sick and all is well again.
Sigh is going into the vet on Monday. So we'll see what happens with that.
Otherwise all is well and I don't have much to tell.
Talk to everyone soon!
Labels: Kiya, Record Bag, Sigh, Update |
| posted by Valerie @ 11:03 PM |
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| Kitty Dilemma |
| Thursday, August 16, 2007 |
So I have been absent since Sunday morning when I posted the meme. This is why...
Sunday afternoon we went out and saw "Transformers". Awesome movie I might add. The effects were fantastic. I was never a big fan of the cartoons, I think they were a little before my time. Anyways, we have a wonderful afternoon and come home to find.
Vomit. 
Lots and Lots of it. On the couch, floor, rug.. Everywhere. Sigh being the sickly one, most of the time, we assume it's him. Most of the time it passes. So we do what we do, we clean it up and wipe down the house. Then, as I am putting more dirty clothes in the hamper, I smell it.
If you have read previous blogs, I bet you know what I found.
Urine. 
Now this, unquestionably Sigh. Kiya has never once gone outside of her box. Not even an accident. I walk in and tell Grim. Unfortunately, the last time this happened we came to the conclusion, we had to do something if he did it again. We have a Vet appointment set up to see if he is sick. If he is, we let it slide. If he's not, discussions continue about the solution. I have asked a friend of mine if she would take him if I needed her to. I won't find out the answer until Monday. We'll see how it works out. If not, we can't bear the thought of giving him to a stranger. There is no way I am putting him to sleep just for that. We just can't afford to pay for damages if he ruins the hardwood floors in the apartment. I think I have said it before. He ruined an entire bedroom when he went on a rampage. Lucky for this apartment. He's only done it about 5 times and all the times were on rugs or clothes.
Needless to say... That upsets me... Greatly. He's my boy. -=frown=-
I'm not done yet.
Today, I call Grim to talk to him about the vet appointment tomorrow. I ask him if he's sure it's not Kiya. He says he doesn't think so.. Then she vomits. Guess it was Kiya. She throws up 4 times in the span of a half an hour. Emergency vet appointment. 2 hours later and $350.00 poorer. It is determined that she has a bug. I am ecstatic about the fact she is healthy. She's my first kitty. I love her and I adore her. Losing the money, still hurts a little though. Lucky for me, I got the loan check cashed today and paid off all debts before this occurred. I still have a little left over.
But Sigh has an appointment tomorrow. -=exasperated giggle=-
That's why I have been absent. That and well -=giggle=- the Record Bag I am working on! It's almost done! I need to make the handles and finish seaming. It's looking awesome and it's huge! I'll confess that I haven't been working on the socks much. I dove head first into the bag project. I have never made a bag before.
I got a package in the mail today!
The yarn is a purple, brown and green. I actually thought the brown to be black but it's still really pretty. I figure once I get the hang of sock knitting. This is going to be the yarn for a lovely pair of knee socks.
I also received this from Patti! Isn't she awesome!
The first button for the bag! -=does a jig=-
A lot of people have been asking me about the tattoo I want. I don't have anything official drawn up yet but here is the basic foundation. Something like this, only in bronze/gold. Earth tones. Egyptian looking.
(I am fanatical about Egyptian mythology and art) Then somewhere I want. "Do Not Bear Witness Against Me" In Hieroglyphics. I have actually translated how it would look via the net. I compared some of the markings to a cartouche and they match. Why would I want this ?
"It is a plaintive prayer to the heart of the deceased not to bear witness against the deceased when their actions are being judged before Osiris."
It's probably going to go in the middle or upper part of my back. I haven't gotten any prices yet because I am sort of hanging around to see if a friend of mine can get it for me at a discount rate. We'll see though. It might take a while to complete and I don't want to get half done with one person and go to another. Like I said, I also don't have it drawn up yet. I don't like flash at all. I like original works. I like unique pieces. So I am sort of sitting on it. I know a couple of people on my blog were/are directly involved in tattoo work. How much do you think something like this would cost ?
Okay. -=giggle=- I rambled enough. Night night dears. Thanks For Reading. It helped to type out my long week. 
P.S. I probably won't be back until Monday. Lots of company coming! Labels: Kitty Dilemma, Kiya, Sigh, Update, Vet |
| posted by Valerie @ 9:39 PM |
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| Knitting Pretty |
| Tuesday, June 5, 2007 |
I got one of the washcloths done on Sunday. I really love this pattern despite the fact my fingers hurt for a little while after doing it. Here's the finished project.
It's weird though, I don't know why it leans to one side like that. On another note, Kiya gave her approval of the yarn.
I show pictures of my cats like some people show pictures of there kids. Typical behavior though, as I do not want children my cats are fitting into the catagory for me to "nurture". Basic psychology. -=giggle=-
I feel a ton better. Work has been extremely busy and I have basically been coming home and hanging out with Grim. Other than finishing the washcloth, I have not been doing much knitting. I'll probably work on another cloth tomorrow. I want to clear out all my promised knits so that I can start making the stuff I want for summer. I have been shopping for yarn for the bathing suit pattern. Fixation won out, and I found it at yarnmarket for $4.95. Seems expensive but I shopped around and can't find anything that has the same yardage and the shipping won't bite me in the arse. So here is what I am going to make the bathing suit out of. Oh, what bathing suit you ask ? This one. Here's the yarn I have been looking at for it. It's dye lot 3628-Yankee Red. Pretty eh ?
Oh Yea! On Sunday, I went to buy cloves from the Gas Station. They have been doing construction in the lot lately so I guess they let this organization set up their benefit sale there. I searched through the books and I found every single book on my to read list. Feminine Mystique, Wuthering Heights, Pride & Prejudice, Devil's Advocate, 3 Shakespeare Books, and A WWII book for Grim.
Then to the library where I got Mansfield Park - Jane Austin for KTC. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on CD so I have something to listen to at work. I'll probably write a review on the Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire when I have a little bit more time. Anyways, I think that's pretty much it for now. Less than a month now and I will be on vacation.. God I can't wait. -=giggle=-
Labels: Books, Kiya, Knitting, Washclothes |
| posted by Valerie @ 9:58 PM |
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| About Me |
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Name: Valerie
Home: Troy, New York, United States
About Me: I am 26 years old. I work, go to school, participate in roller derby and knit every chance I get. Oh, I also love hanging out with my boyfriend (Grim) and two cats (Kiya and Sigh).
See my complete profile
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