Last one for now - I promise

This one is really for Daisy

You can do the look You scored 20% on knowledge of librarianship.

Thank you for thinking librarians are cool and wanting to look like one… but you’re not a librarian, not by a long shot. Perhaps you should be glad; it’s a profession that’s not for everyone.

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 0% on knowledge

Link: The Are You a Librarian Test written by attention on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Unfortunately doing well relies on an indepth knowledge of American Librarianship – sigh – I’m never going to be an American Librarian. Never mind. I’m quite happy being a British maths teacher really

Another one...

Oh Donni – why did you let me find this site? I’m a total sucker for quizzes like this. Still, I’m rather chuffed with the results of this one – maybe I’m not doing such a bad job as it sometimes feels. (And I did answer most of the questions pretty honestly.)

Atticus You scored 73 logical, 15 traditional, and 57 respectful!

Like the guy in the book, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, you will be respectful and very fair with your children, who will sometimes wonder if they have a parent, or just a good friend. I give praise to anyone who scores in either this or the HIPPIE category.

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 83% on logical You scored higher than 16% on traditional You scored higher than 83% on respectful

Link: The WHAT KIND OF PARENT YOU’D BE Test written by loveeverything2 on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Yes, I know, another one

Quite proud of this one! Thanks to Donni for the link

True English Nerd You scored 76 erudition!

Not only do you know your subjects from your objects and your definite from your indefinite articles, but you’ve got quite a handle on the literature and the history of the language as well. Huzzah, and well done! The English snobs of Boston salute you.

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 41% on erudition

Link: The Are You Truly Erudite? Test written by okellelala on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

(Shame the pic doesn’t fit tho’ )

Self Portrait Tuesday

(OK – so one day early, but I’ve got time now… )

I was delighted when I saw the theme for February’s SPT – “”all of me” embrace your mistakes, love the ugly bits.” – after all, I’ve already posted a pic of my belly (complete with stretchmarks) and my messy kitchen, so I’m there, surely…

But in fact I find I’m not so comfortable about posting this – it’s not that I’m far from looking my best – the messy hair and the red nose can be attributed to the cold I was suffering from at the time – no, the real feeling of nakedness and exposure comes from the smears on the bathroom mirror. Our house is a tip. If I spent less time knitting and messing around on the computer I could get it tidier and cleaner – but after 12 1/2 years of married life, not all of which was spent knitting or blogging, I’ve still not mastered the art of a clean and tidy house. But I hate that it isn’t “friendlier” – I squirm when people come round, and although I do generally run round like a mad thing trying to make it more presentable, it’s never the peaceful, ordered place I would like. So here is our front room – the room where I’m sitting now – this is painful self-exposure

Feeling like a bad blogger...

I’ve realised that it’s been a considerable while since I’ve done a “proper” post, with knitting and pictures of my stuff, so this is my attempt to redress the situation.

Knitting
Firstly, I have been knitting, but I’m not telling you what, so you’ll have to wait (sorry). But here is the evidence that knitting has been taking place:

(And yes, it is a sock, but that’ all the info you’re getting). And this brings us to another topic – we have a cat. I know this is not unusual, it’s even not unusual amongst knitting bloggers, but I’ve never really told you before, and you’ve certainly never seen her before – so this is Tolly, she’s nearly 7 years old. I’m afraid she’s been somewhat neglected since the arrival of 2 small children in the household, but they are getting bigger now, and more sensible around her – Ruth in particular adores her, and Adam is learning (slowly) not to roar at her. Oh, and note the large box of tissue – I hab god a code, add I ab feelig very sorry for byself. Still, I’ve got a great pic ready for this week’s “ugly” Self Portrait Tuesday! Red nose and great big bags under my eyes! Oh yeah!

I went to another knitters’ meet last week – for full details see Mary’s blog – it was another yarn swap, where I acquired

this:

and this:

and some other yarn – but the batteries on the camera died, so no pics this time I’m afraid.

Now my mother has the rule that you don’t acquire stash unless you have a project in mind – so the green shetland is going to be a small lace shawl, and the pink stuff is going to be mixed with the red eyelash to make a scarf for Ruth.

Cooking
I have been cooking too – and yesterday we went to the local Farmers’ Fayre (like a Farmers’ Market, but a bit less fussy about who sells stuff there – still mostly local stuff though) in Great Shelford. John bought us a pheasant, (plucked!), so I’ll have the fun of deciding what to do with that on Tuesday. (I don’t fancy it tonight – no point with this cold – did I mention I hab a code? Oh, I did? Well I hab, add I feel rodden, so you can gib be bore sybaddy if you wad.)

Gardening
Well, it’s still there – I walk up and down it on Friday, but there’s not a lot going on. As ever we’ve blown it with the brassicas – we shouldn’t be allowed to grow brassicas, we’re not winter gardeners. Still, we did have a tiny mouthful each of homegrown broccoli last night.

Mothering
Ahhh – they’re lovely. They’ve both got the same bug as me (a code, a ready sdotty horrd code – add my head hurds), so their polarised behaviour has swapped – usually Adam winds me up like nobody’s business, and Ruth is easy to manipulate. On Friday Adam behaved impeccably – obviously feeling too rotten to make his usual menagerie of noises, whereas Ruth refused point blank to have a nap. And oh boy did she need it!!! Favourite new word: “Tip taps” (= slippers).

Chocolate
I’m trying so hard not to eat any, and in one way it’s easy – we don’t have any gluten-free chocolate in the house – but in another it’s torture. Still, there’s a nice brown skirt hanging in the wardrobe, and if I can get rid of those holiday pounds, it should fit. (Why, oh why don’t calories understand that it’s different at Christmas?! – Can’t they go somewhere inconspicuous, or even do something useful like improve brainpower, why do they have to go straight to my hips!?)

Well, I’m off to go and read more Adriana Trigiani (I’m having a bit of an AT binge at the moment – good, light and readable – perfect for when I’ve got a cold – I’b still god a code), and to sniffle into tissues… maybe a Lemsip… we’ll see…

Why do I keep starting these things...

Yup – another total waste of time here – enjoy!

My Scarf

Now this is funny – being a bad International Scarf Exchange participant I had tried to work out who was knitting for me – and I thought I’d got it, but I was totally wrong. Ah well. But do not feel sad for me, no, not one little bit – this morning this:

arrived for me – isn’t it gorgeous – the colours are heavenly – I love, love, love the subtle variegation, and it is so soft.

And I’ve had so much fun, that I’ve signed up for Sockapaloooza (Shhh – don’t tell my dh!)

(Today is sign-up day – so if you want to do it, do it NOW!)

I know it looks as though I’ve not really been doing any knitting recently, as I’ve nothing to show. I have, and will have something to show you soon, I promise.

How many ways to waste time...

Thank you so much to my dh for alerting me to this one: WEBoggle – play it online against real people.

My SP is good – I had a comment, so I thought “Aha” I shall see when the comment was left, and then look at my stats and see if I can find out where s/he is. But no – the comment was left at 7:20 this morning – I looked at my stats – the closest I could get was someone who was on at 6:11 am – but where were they from?

Domain Name (Unknown)
IP Address (Unknown Organization)
ISP Unknown ISP
Location
Continent : Unknown
Country : Unknown Country
Lat/Long : unknown

That’s pretty good secret keeping Secret Pal! I’m getting very excited now though as I know there’s something on its way.

Timing - it's all in the timing...

Nearly a week ago I heard that the woman who chairs our Toddler group is moving back to Canada at the end of March/beginning of April. (I did explain to her that we require her to work out at least 3 years’ notice, but somehow she wasn’t that impressed… ) Then a couple of days later, she sent round an email offering various household goods for sale – including a washing machine. Now this washing machine is basically the same as our current one, except much younger, and with a few more functions. And our current one has been showing signs of getting rather elderly. So I jumped up and down and said “Oooh, yes please, don’t sell it to anyone else, we’re very very interested.” She reminded me that she’ll need it until the end of March, and I felt very happy with myself as I was sure our current machine would last another 10 weeks.

But oh. It turns out that I am overly optimistic, and my rose-tinted spectacles have been shattered Tuesday morning I put a load in the machine, turned it on… and the house went dark and silent. I turned off the machine, John reset the circuit breaker, the house came back to life. I turned the machine on again. Dark again – not good. Machine off, circuit breaker on. John then went to check the computer (which had been turned on during all this) only to discover that the UPS was being annoying. Hence the explanation I made to my father later that day – “The washing machine has broken down, so the computer isn’t working.” I tell you, that was a looooooong Tuesday with no access to the cyberworld.

Anyway, back to the washing machine – our favourite electrician came round this morning (he comes when he says he will, he does the work that’s necessary – no more, no less, and if he thinks it’s not worth fixing, he says so… ) – and it’s the bearings, and it would cost about as much to repair as the second hand one will cost us, and it’s not worth fixing anyway as it’s probably damaged more stuff on the way.

We only needed ANOTHER TEN WEEKS! I’m totally on Pixeldiva’s wavelength here.

In knitting news: I’ve done another sock, but shhh, no pics, I’m saying no more for now. I’m also trying to decide what to do for Yarn Harlot’s Knitting Olympics – I have lots of acrylic left over from Adam’s jumper (and I mean lots) I might use it to knit charity jumpers for Feed the Children – I just need to decide how many. Oh, decisions, decisions.

Arrrghhh – just seen the time – I need to go and make lunch, and then go to work.

Fifteen minutes...

My husband is famous! His blog is mentioned in the Daily Telegraph today! Look here

I've been tagged again!

I’ve been tagged by Kirsten

Four Jobs You Have Had In Your Life:
1. Optician’s receptionist
2. Demonstrator in a Museum
3. Finishing ceramic parts in a factory (can’t remember the job title)
4. Teaching Maths

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
1. Monsoon Wedding
2. Singin’ in the Rain
3. Casablanca
4. Babette’s Feast

Four Places You Have Lived:
1. Birkenhead (Merseyside) UK
2. Manchester UK
3. Cambridge UK
4. ... nowhere else – I lived in Manchester 3 different times – as a baby, as a student and for my first teaching job, but although I lived in the other places in between, I can still only notch up 3 different towns/cities.

Four TV Shows You Love To Watch:
1. Lost
2. Desperate Housewives
3. Life on Earth (v old now, but we just bought the whole David Attenborough “Life” series on DVD for ourselves for Christmas)
4. As Time Goes By

Four Places You Have Been On Vacation:
1. Amsterdam
2. Oslo
3. Perpignan
4. Many many many places in the UK! (My favourite has to be Grasmere in the Lake District)

4 Websites You Visit Daily:
1. bloglines.com
2. babycentre.co.uk
3. guardian.co.uk
4. well – as someone else who’s done this said – see no. 1 – that leads me to many, many, many more!

Four Of Your Favorite Foods:
1. rice pudding
2. cheese scones
3. coq au vin
4. anything the children will eat without fussing about it (= pretty much anything if it’s got enough ketchup on it – or comes with chocolate icecream!)

Four Places You Would Rather Be Right Now:
1. in bed
2. in the Lake District
3. somewhere with decent reliable snow
4. in bed

Four Bloggers You Are Tagging: (if you hate this, don’t do it!)
1. Mary
2. Tari
3. Nickerjac
4. ... – if someone else feels like having a go (I’ve not tagged the usual suspects this time…

Hi Pal!

Just a v. brief post to let my secret pal know that I got my ecard – thank you – I shall now sit back and wait for spoiling to commence (I love being spoilt, I love the idea of being spoilt, I love the fact that I have no idea what my pal will send me, and I’m stupidly excited about the whole thing – I lie awake at night making lists of things to send to my spoilee… )

Hat in progress...

So, a little while before Christmas I bought myself this:

Noro yoroi wool from the bargain basement at Celticove I was a little disappointed as the colours weren’t really anything like those on the website. But then I needed something to knit in the car on the way “Ooop North” after Christmas. So I cast on an odd number of stitches on my Denises, did a deliberately off-set K2P2 rib until I’d almost run out of yarn, did yo, K2tog for a round, then K2P2 for another round, then cast off. The remaining yarn Adam and I used to finger knit (probably finger crochet really) a cord, which I put through the holes – I had a lovely “thing” which could be a hat, a scarf sort of thing or a hood – except that it was too narrow to be really warm enough for a scarf, and too big as a hat – so I frogged it, and started again with fewer stitches on the needles – and so far I have this:

Well anyway, I’m enjoying it, and it knits up really quickly, so when I decide that it’s now too small, it won’t take to long to frog it and knit it up again…
(oh, and sock two is now about halfway down the leg…

Come on, I know you're out there...

Apparently this is National De-lurking Week so go on, do leave me a comment (and I know I’m getting hits – so even if what you really wanted was a picture of risotto, do at least stop long enough to say hi).

200Sox

The Purling Ps have declared this to be the year of the sock – 2006 – 200Sox – geddit? The deal is that you email them that you want to take part, then let them know when you’ve finished pair of socks – go on, do it, there’s Opal sock yarn to be won…

A sock!

My very first sock!!

I could list plenty of flaws, but I’m not going to – I’m just going to enjoy the fact that I have knitted a sock – and I have cast on for the second one – my so-called swatch has been left to one side for now (although it has grown since you last saw it – it’s blending into gorgeous, yummy middling grey as it moves towards almost black – the subtlety of the colour changes is magical.)

I can also proudly present the first photo of Ruth “knitting”:

Yesterday I walked into the lounge to discover that she was investigating the back of the sofa – where all my knitting was waiting to be put somewhere sensible. She hadn’t done any damage, but was furious when I removed it from her (she is very good at furious). So I offered her some needles and a small ball of leftover yarn of her own – she was thrilled, and sat poking the needles in the wool for ages – until Adam decided to muscle in and take it off her!

Pal!

I’ve got my pal – she’s someone whose blog I’ve not read before, but I’m going to enjoy spoiling her. (It’s a bit of a nightmare, I found out just as I need to be cooking dinner – must go and get on!)

Just seen...

... the new Magknits is up – lots of children’s clothes – I want to knit them all!

SP7 Questionnaire

Here it is – getting very excited now!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I love the feeling and colours you can get from more expensive yarns, but I also appreciate cheap, machine-washable yarn. I can guess what Red Heart and Lion Brand may be like, but I’ve never actually seen any.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
No, no (although I’d like to learn to crochet one day – if only to do edgings).

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Er… – my mother has given me a needle bag, but I have yet to get organised enough to transfer everything into it.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
On and off about 30 years – I would describe myself as an ambitious intermediate.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, two – see links in side panel (one at Amazon.co.uk and one at Amazon.com)

6. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Not sure – I love my chocolate bath/shower gel, and I’ve got some lovely jasmine stuff – but so long as it’s not too sickly sweet, I’m fairly happy.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I do love chocolate, BUT I’m Coeliac (Celiac) and on a gluten-free diet, so unless you’re absolutely sure about it, it’s probably best to avoid sending me food (sorry).

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Counted thread embroidery. And Adam enjoys sticking stuff together.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Mostly classical, jazz, big band etc although I’m more than happy to be educated. (And yes, my computer can play MP3s)

10. What’s your favorite color? Or—do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
My favourite colour is red, but I love most colours – although I don’t wear yellow, and I’m not a big fan of really girly pink.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married for 12 years, two children – Ruth (2 in April) and Adam (4 in Feb). We have a cat (Tolly).

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, hats and mittens, but not ponchos.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino – I do love soft yarn with interesting colours. There are lots that I haven’t used, but lust after – some of the beautiful soft variegated silks have me drooling, and I’m loving my Kauni.

14. What fibers do you absolutely not like?
I’ve yet to be convinced by eyelash yarns and other novelty stuff.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I’ve recently finished a fair-isle jumper for Adam – I want to do some more colour work soon (I only worked out how to hold one thread in each hand just as I was getting to the end of the last piece!). I enjoy lace, but get very frustrated with cabling.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Generally fairly small stuff that doesn’t take too long – hats, scarves, socks etc, or stuff for the children, although I do plan to make a couple of smart sweaters – one for dh, and one for me (see below).

17. What are you knitting right now?
A lace scarf, two hats, a pair of socks, an illusion scarf, a donkey (!) and a pair of mittens.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Oooooh, yes!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
It depends on the job – I’m loving using my Denises (still fairly new).

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Never tried bamboo – happy with aluminium or plastic.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No.

22. How did you learn to knit?
My Grannie taught me, about 30 years ago.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
About a year – the mittens mentioned above, which have completely stalled – the rest are all only a couple of months at the very most.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
er… I loathe Disney stuff (sorry), but like quirky offbeat stuff – favourite animal would probably be cat.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Anything that involves the chance to relax – preferably with extra adults around to help entertain the children! Having said which I’m not much of a beach holiday person – if we go away somewhere I prefer to have things to go and see – or some hills to ramble on.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Books – see Amazon wishlists! Patterns – there are so many online that I love, and so little time to knit them – although I’d love a pattern for a smart v-necked sweater for myself for work (something that will work in black – it’s about time I stopped wearing my husband’s old school jumper – it’s just so useful!)

29. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I’d love to have a go at entrelac, and I want to have a go at knitting socks from the toe up with short-row heels, preferably both at once on circular needles. I also want to try a Moebius scarf sometime!

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I’m just losing my sock virginity – I’m partway through my very first sock – which is being knitted top-down on dpns with a Dutch(?) heel. My feet measure 8 inches around the ball of the foot and they are each (note update) 9 inches long.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
05/24

Just for Daisy...

Here is my so-called swatch (so far!)

And on the subject of Daisy – she’s going to be talking live about Knit Lincs (her knitting group) on Radio Lincolnshire tomorrow morning (Sunday 8 Jan at about 11:20 am GMT) – you can hear her live on http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/radiolincolnshire/ (click on “listen live” ).

I could spend hours doing...

this falling sand game – thanks to Pixeldiva for the link

(oh, and the “swatch” is coming on nicely – I’ve done about 4 inches… – I love the yarn – the colour changes so subtly)

Not even a smidge of heresy...

Thanks to John for this one – rather disappointing though – I rather fancied myself as a heretic… ah well!

You scored as Chalcedon compliant. You are Chalcedon compliant. Congratulations, you’re not a heretic. You believe that Jesus is truly God and truly man and like us in every respect, apart from sin. Officially approved in 451. Chalcedon compliant 100% Monophysitism 67% Pelagianism 42% Modalism 33% Apollanarian 25% Adoptionist 25% Nestorianism 25% Socinianism 8% Arianism 0% Docetism 0% Gnosticism 0% Albigensianism 0% Monarchianism 0% Donatism 0% Are you a heretic? created with QuizFarm.com

Quick update...

... the Kauni is now being swatched. Surely being swatched isn’t really the same as knitting, is it? I mean, it’s just part of that pre-knitting, ruminating stage, where you have to consider various possibilities before you get started – just think how frustrating it would be to finish a pair of socks, pick up the new yarn and then not be totally sure what to do with it – much, much better to start playing now…

Besides, it’s been a looooooooooong day – parents’ evening until 6:15, then home just in time to scoff dinner, do my bit of bathtime, then my tutee arrived for another hour of maths – a little gentle swatching would be medicinal really…

Introducing...

Billy Blunt (on the left) and Milly Molly Mandy (on the right):

Just don’t ask about the names! Adam was given a fantastic craft set for Christmas, and we made these yesterday (and Daddy helped to finish Billy Blunt this evening) – note the glitter striping on Billy’s body, and Milly Molly Mandy’s elegant feather boa.

(Oh, and for the record – it’s now 10:40pm and the Kauni is all balled… – well, I did deserve a little treat after doing some marking… )

Bedtime! It’s a school night!

Some little gems

First (and most excitingly) when I got home from work (first day back ) I found a little box waiting for me inside the front door. Of course this had to be opened straight away – especially as it had a German post mark on it. – inside was this:
– gorgeous, gorgeous hand-painted Kauni wool from Wollsucht – and of course the first thing I did was to pick it up and sniff it (please tell me I’m not the only one who sniffs yarn… ) – and it smelt wonderfully sweet – a little further investigation revealed why:
– thank you so much Uta- especially with your help with the order – I can’t wait to start knitting up the yarn – I’m thinking a lace scarf (for myself – selfish knitting is winning the day at the moment) – maybe the Field of Flowers scarf from here – or maybe something using the shooting star/frost flowers pattern (I’ve seen it given both names in different places) – but I’m not allowed to start it until I’ve finished these:

(start timing me Daisy – it’s now 7pm on Wed 4th Jan – how long will I hold out?) – But did you see, my very first socks! Heel is turned (not sure I like the heel that much, I really want to try a short rows heel, but there’s some yummy purple 4-ply Jaeger Matchmaker earmarked for that very purpose… )

And I just wanted to show you one of my favourite presents:
– Organic Chocolate foam bath and shower gel (YUM!!) and a deodorant crystal (which appears to work – although it’s not getting that much of a test in this weather! ) in a very pretty shell.

A quick "hello"

Just saying “hi” to a couple of readers – a big HELLO to Denise and her mum

New Year Meme

Daisy tagged me with this New Year meme:

What new knitting techniques did you learn this year?
Circular needles, short rows, dpns (although I did use them once before about 20 years ago, but the project was never finished), grafting.

Which completed project from the last 12 months are you most proud of ?
Senryu cardigan which I kind of designed myself (heavily adapted from Knitty’s Haiku)

What was your biggest knitting disaster of the last year?
Dryad – I still love this pattern, but it doesn’t fit the recipient and was handed back (very politely I might add).

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your knitting in 2005 ?
Look at my blogroll – and Knitty.com

What knit craze grabbed you this year ?
Not sure – I don’t think I really do crazes – it took me a long time to be convinced by Clapotis (funnily enough I liked it better once I discovered how to pronounce it!) And I did make a Curly-Whirly. And I’m currently embarking on my first socks (with 3 more pairs already in the pipeline… but I mostly prefer to design or adapt my own stuff.

Finally, some New Years resolutions:

In 2006 I will knit – a “smart-enough-for-work” jumper for John, lots of socks (with any luck in matching pairs), a new hat for my mother, a black jumper for myself instead of John’s old school V-neck that I regularly wear for work.
I will learn to – do a provisional cast on, knit a pair of socks from the toe up on, both at once on two circular needles… (hey – if I’m going to do this sock thing I may as well go for it!)
To become a better knitter I will – pay attention to the details, and be more prepared to frog stuff if it isn’t right.

Name the folks to pass this meme on to:
Er… my usual victims friends have mostly done this one already – go on Ruth – have a go – and anyone else reading this who feels that it’s time to pause and reflect on their knitting.