non-Knitti-me

Almost Halfway There!

I neglected to mention in my last newsy post (or as Kathy jokingly called it my late/early Christmas letter), I have been on a weight loss quest.

I am a mere 8 pounds from the halfway point to my goal!

Lest we forget where I started, here are a couple of pictures:

And here I am down 32 pounds as of this morning:

Those are my daughter's jeans! A size freakin' 10, which I haven't been in for over 16 years!

I still have a ways to go, but I am determined, determined I tell you, to finally shed those pounds.

OK, so it's been awhile...

As I alluded to in my last post, I have a new car! A 2007 Chevy HHR. I love the vintage feel...And yes, my son did put a little wrinkle in my back bumper.

Remember this guy?

Well our evil neighbor went on a cat trapping and euthanasia spree and Oliver got caught up in the round up. It's been over a year and I am still too angry to really talk about it...

Anyway, we have a new kitty! Precious Cameron is now the newest member of our family.

Work is going well - very, very busy and traveling a bit (Kentucky last week, SF Bay Area next week...). Have I mentioned I love my new job?! Night and day difference from my last job in the Hell hole.

Ally is still cute and annoying as all get out. Courtesy of the Ally Archives:

Son Gabriel is in the midst of his Rugby season and is covered bruises most of the time these days - brutal game, but he loves it! He obtained his driver's license in December and has been tooling around town in my old Honda - what have I unleashed upon the world?! Next hurdle - new suit and haircut for the Junior Prom in two weeks - Ah, my boy is growing up...!

Daughter Sarah is in the throws of finalizing the school yearbook (she's the editor) and getting off to the presses. She's also flitting from one Indie (underground) concert to another around town, but gets offended when we say she's a "groupie." Pictures like the one below keep cropping up on her MySpace, posing with various bands. Her Sweet 16 birthday is coming up next month and we booked a couple bands and have invited everybody. Should be fun...

You may recall Graeme fell and broke his elbow, ending up having major surgery in June with intense rehabilitation therapy. He finally returned to full-time work in October; however, due to the nature of his injury, he will not regain full use of his arm - although he can still do his job with accomodation. Also, Graeme and Gabriel will be winging their way down to Australia in August to visit his family. Graeme's parents will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and Graeme wants to surprise them. Sarah and I will be holding down the fort while the boys are away. Sarah will travel down with her dad next year.

Knitting, crocheting and beading activity has been sporadic at best. I knitted up a chunky scarf for a co-worked, no pics though. I've started a little crocheted purse out of some banana frond yarn I picked up a couple of years ago...

A couple of other exciting things going on in my life right now, but I'll tell you about them in subsequent posts - gotta keep you coming back - all two of you - HA!

Well, that's my life in a nutshell right now.

We're back and had a great time!

We should do this more often!

We even hooked up with an Aztec warrior.

I was expecting a "party ship" with lots of horney boys and girls, but it was mostly middle age and seniors in all shapes and sizes, so Graeme and I fit right in - and I'm sure some rocking and rolling was going on.

Everything on board was first class - the multi-national staff was very friendly, the food superb (and lots of it), the shows (musical reviews, comedy, magic) were excellent. There was an "oldies" cover band that was pretty good, but the other acts in some of the lounges - not so much. The disco was very high energy and fun.

I was very disappointed in Ensenada. No personality at all - felt like I was in East LA or the Mission District in SF. We did take a ride up into the hills outside Ensenada to attend a Fiesta with folkloric dancers and a Mariachi band that was very enjoyable - so it wasn't a total waste.

Of course when we got back to California and I could access my voicemail I got a message from the son saying he got into an accident - in my new car! Perfect...!   

Achors Aweigh!

Graeme and I are off on a long overdue vacation on the high seas! Mexico here we come...!

We're farming the kids and animals out to various families around town. You know, this will be the first time Graeme and I have been away on our own (for more than an overnight) for over 17 years!

Each era has brought its share of memorable hairstyles that have stood the test of time; the beehive, the bob, the shag, feathered locks of the 70's, just to name a few. But there is one hairstyle that has risen above the rest for its staying power - I give you the mullet! I'm sure many of us has at one time or another sported this short-long doo.

Case in point - knitti-me circa 1984:

While many mullets defy description, there has been some attempt at classifying certain mullety trends.

This photo indicates I went for a straight, natural cut; however, my niece Christine opted for a perm-embellished mullet.

I challenge you - post your mullets. Hold your head up high and admit that yes, I once fell victim to this phenomenon.

Norovember Revisted

Yes, I know it's January, but I started this hat in November, so according to the unofficial rules of Norovember, if it was started in November, it counts - right Kathy?!

Pattern: Horndal Hat by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton from Noro Revisited.

The pattern called for Kureyon and Blossom yarns, but I used Kureyon exclusively. Color #154.

This hat was knit flat and seamed (yay, no dpns!). A very fun knit - love the top knot.

Thanks to my precious Sarah for modeling.

~~~

Friday we went to the Agyric Society Benefit Concert, aka The Blue MAN Group and it was a fabulous experience! Highly recommended.

(I went to Celine Dion's concert while in Las Vegas last December and the blue guys totally blew her out of the water, IMHO.)

I Can Only Imagine...

Hey, one of my jewelry pieces actually made it to the stage and video!

See my beautiful niece Christine sing with one of my necklaces wrapped around her neck.

Click on the second video, "I Can Only Imagine."

We Love Mayberry!

For a good laugh, here's the musical number I was in for A Mayberry Christmas. Enjoy...

We had Christmas in Mayberry!

The weekend before Christmas I had a bit part in play based on The Andy Griffith Show.  Jebby, the musical genius behind the rock operas, Picture of Jesus and Brothers, expands his experience to play writing. Of course any Jebby production wouldn't be complete without a musical number of two.

Welcome to Mayberry! Thanks to my mother and grandmother's pack rat ways (and my overwhelming sense of nolstalgia), we had lots of vintage suits, dresses, coats and hats direct from the late 50's and early 60's!

Andy, played by Jebby and Deputy Barney Fife. "Hi Doll!"

Barney and Floyd outside the barber shop. Of course Graeme had a hand in set design.

Gomer and Otis. Otis is now sober and is the director of the AA group in Mayberry.

No Mayberry story would be complete without the Darling Family making a showing.

Andy and Aunt Bea at the Taylor residence.

Thelma-Lou.

This play was a tribute to a great American TV show.

Blue Christmas Contest Winner!

We have a winner! The amazing and talented Cory Crooks! Cory is a writer with an intriguing tale to tell (her book is due out in the Fall 2008!). She also makes beautiful jewelry.

Inspired by Cory's off-the-wall approach to the Blue Christmas Contest, I wrote the following article and presented it to my family.

The family is thrilled to be attending this "benefit" concert. It shoul be a great time!

Thank you Kathy, Michael - and of course Cory for submitting some great captions for this contest.

Cory will be receiving a hand knit scarf - and I know exactly what pattern I will be using!