This post is going to be a bit random, it’s just hard to be coherent while trying to think through things. So… as I posted before, on Thursday, my car died. The radiator cracked, and it wasn’t worth fixing it. Then on Friday, we bought a 2005 Mitsubishi Galant in silver.

On Saturday, we got a call that Joe’s grandfather had cancer. It had already spread to his liver. Then on Monday, Joe got the call that his grandfather had passed away due to a heart attack.  We will be driving to Florida on Saturday for the funeral.

I’ve been trying to write a lacework tutorial, and I’ve gotten it mostly written. I’m trying to knit some samples for it, and I was wandering on the Knitty website, and found out that article submissions for the next issue aren’t due until September 15. I’m going to try to get this done and submit it and see what happens.

I’ve also been trying to design a piece of lacework, and  I think I’ve ripped it out at least six or seven times because lately I’m just too tired to focus enough. For now, it’s been set aside.

I also found out that Virginia Tech started calling my job references yesterday, so hopefully I’ll be in a new job with more normal hours soon. Joe is working 9-6 and I’m working 3-11:30, which is making it very difficult for me to get any sleep at all. It’s also hard not getting any time with Joe during the week. I really hope I hear something soon… I really want this job.

Anyway- enough rambling for now… I’m trying to rest a bit before work today, I’m just really tired. Emotional extremes have been the norm this week, I keep going from happy to depressed, depending on what I’m thinking about. It’s just about impossible to focus or concentrate on anything, but I guess that’s to be expected right now. Sorry for a bit of a depressing post, but I needed to get a few things out, and writing it all down seems to help somehow.

I don’t have pictures yet, but we did find me a car yesterday! It’s a 2005 Mitsubishi Galant, and it’s silver with a black interior.   After 10 years of driving my saturn- I’ve got a new car!!!

To start with- it’s raining- which I usually don’t mind. But it’s 6:30am and I didn’t get to sleep till 2am and I’m WIDE awake. Lightning woke me up…

I also can’t get back to sleep cuz my brain is running. The night before last I stopped for gas and checked the coolant level on my car since it’s been leaking a little. Unfortunately, it had started leaking all over the inside of my engine compartment.

Yesterday I get my car into South Main (luckily dad was on his way to go camping in Wytheville and took me home). Not much later I got a call that the radiator had cracked. After a few more phone calls, I find out that’s going to cost $500 to fix and the car is only worth at most $600. So after 10 years of being my car… the Saturn is toast.

Now we have to find me a car, and my brain just will NOT shut up this morning. I’m going to try to go back to sleep, but I have a feeling it’s not gonna work…

Anyway- rant over… just kinda had to get stuff out of my head…

I’ve started playing with a beaded celtic knot design…  and I think I’m going to start designing more :)  I’ve got several free clip art designs I’m going to try to chart now that I’m getting the hang of it.  Here’s a picture that shows the beads and some of the design:

This picture shows the knot better but it came out a bit blurry– it gives you a better idea of the interlaced knotwork design:

We’ll see how the design process goes!  Some of the knots are pretty big, so they would have to be a shawl or a stole… yummy!

I finally finished the third clue of the Mystery Stole this morning, and the sixth one is already out- I’m trying to catch up!! I’m absolutely loving this design- it’s beautiful!

I also finished my second evolving punk, which will be going to Andrew today

He’s made using hand-dyed multicolor wool, and I love how he turned out!!

How do y’all deal with that anxiety after a job interview? I’ve been in the same job for five years and I’m starting to absolutely hate it.
The week before last, I interviewed for a job at the local university… and I have previously worked with all three shift supervisors, so they know I would be very good at the job.
However, I’m having trouble coping with the waiting. 
Yesterday, all I could think of was that the manager said that one of my answers was the best he’s ever heard. I also got an unsolicited very positive reference from one of the supervisors, and the other was already on my list of references.
However, now all I can think of is that it’s been nearly two weeks and I haven’t heard a word, and maybe I’ll be stuck in the job I hate and never get out.
At my current job, they just reassigned a training class to me because their trainer ended up very sick and they were getting bounced around. This group is being very difficult, and I’m really struggling to stay positive when they so obviously don’t want to be there. I want to tell them that if they hate it so much, they can just quit..

Anyway- just figured I would get all this out of my system, so thanks for letting me a bit. I just hate the stress of waiting when it’s something I feel I’m perfect for and I want so much…

Hoping and praying…

I decided my hair was frustrating me… sooooo….

I got a haircut…

I finally got my copy of Vogue Knitting’s 25^th Anniversary issue today.  Of course, first I had to hunt for the bits in there about Mosaic!  The first is an entry in VK News about the Hokie Healing project and the second is the advertisement and “Thanks” on page 77.  I love it!

So far, there are a few patterns I must find from the ads… Primarily in the “Silver Palette” special advertisement section.  The first pattern I want is the Alpaca With a Twist Honey Bees Stole- I like the center motif, and might even throw in some beads.  There is also a pattern by Fiber Trends and one by Koigu that I’m really liking.   Unfortunately, the pattern isn’t available yet… grrr.  The pictures are here:

http://www.vogueknitting.com/vkm/?q=node/356

The Koigu shawl is third row, middle column. Fibertrends is just below that, and the Alpaca with a Twist pattern is bottom right… I want em all!!!!!!

Of the patterns in the magazine, there are two I’m considering. The first is the Lacy Butterfly Scarf (pattern #2) though I may use another yarn.  There is also a lace hoodie (pattern 40) that I’m liking, however, it’s made side to side, which I haven’t done yet.  Hopefully it’s not too horribly difficult… 

This came across Knitting Help and I figured I would put it up here…

1.) What are your favorite things to knit? Lace!  Anything from shawls to tanks to anything with lace
2.) What yarn/fiber do you like most? I love the feel of good merino wool… it’s also incredibly practical for so many projects and is relatively affordable!
3.) What needles do you tend to use (i.e. type/material)? Mostly my KP Options, but I also use bamboo or my Brittany DPNs for socks.

4.) Do you tend to knit more in one specific part of the year than others? Always, every day, as much as I can. Does that count?

5.) What style of knitting do you use? English… I have yet to get the hang of continental purling, though I’ve tried.
6.) Do you consider yourself a “fast” knitter? I guess, people say that I am, but I really don’t think about it.

7.) Who is your favorite knitting author? Don’t really have one…. anything I can get my hands on.

8.) What is your favorite by said author? See above… anything I can get

9.) How long ago did you learn to knit? Three years or so

10.) How do you knit small in-the-round objects? (i.e. double points, 2 circulars, or the magic loop) Double points… I’ve tried the others, but keep going back to DPNs for whatever reason. I just don’t see any point in changing since I like it.
11.) What is the most useful technique you’ve learned so far? Not sure… can’t think of anything right now.
12.) Do you prefer to knit fine gauge items, mid-range gauge items, or large gauge items, or do you like it all ? Anything not large gauge. I like mid-range or smaller, I prefer the finished lookl

13.) How do you like to knit your sweaters? In the round, seaming is tedious and boring.

So… just a bit about my knitting style…

I finished the evolving punk from mochimochiland… he’s so cute!!!

He’s made with sugar & cream yarn… love how he turned out!

I also played with jacquard acid dyes today- the yarn is drying outside right now!

I’m not sure what that white spot is on the second skein, something got on the yarn, but I’m sure I can fix it.  Right now it’s a bit warm still from heating it…  gonna just leave it to cool and dry for a while!  Love the color!!  I’m really enjoying dyeing yarns, it’s fun and then I’ve got personalized yarn that no one else has… it’s just mine, which makes the finished projects all the more special.