OUCH!

May 26, 2005 By


Click on picture for super pollen detail!

Man, I hate when I’m a stupid ass.

Yesterday, I was so upset about that damn TV show, I posted something on the Internets (a board I used to frequent, but don’t anymore, precisely because it upsets me) and I didn’t get the reaction I was looking for. Well, DUH! That’s why I left in the first place. And then I just proceeded to get more and more upset. There’s nothing I hate more than stupidity – especially when practiced by moi. Nothing. Drives me batty.

Luckily, Jen saved me (as she does more and more these days.) She called and asked to run some errands (I hope D liked the chair!) which included buying some of these (which I proceeded to just about finish when you left – vomit much?) and watching this. At first I was putting together some cards, but quickly moved to knitting. I managed to drop three more stitches on Clap-o-TEE (my goofy spelling for the person who asked. Nothing wrong with a little goof, I always say.) I’m about done my fourth hank of silk, and I’m STILL not sure how long it is. But I think I’ll finish this and maybe drop one more stitch for good measure on the next hank and then start the decreases. I’d like to finish it up this weekend. I’m done with it. Don’t get me wrong – it’s beautiful and I love the pattern, but I’m bored. I want SHORT ROWS!

While she was here, Jen finished seaming a cutie pie raglan in Calmer – so super cute! And it was her first finished sweater! I was honored to be there for such a momentous event. I see lots more in her future.

So Jen left and I ate myself into sickness. What’s wrong with me? Basically, I just can’t have the stuff in the house. If it’s here, it’s like I have to eat it all until it’s gone. If it’s not here – I don’t think about it. Insanity. My middle name.

Anyway, it’s still cold and it’s still raining and it’s still crap. I need to watch a good movie and put cards together – my life for the moment. I don’t think I have much to complain about, so why am I still here? Have a great day – whatever you’re eating, whatever the weather.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous, Photographs

Not from a Jedi….

May 25, 2005 By

May 24, 2005. Mark the date. A momentus day in the history of Georgie and Cara. Yes, folks. The rumors are true. We actually went to the movies.

And, honestly, it wasn’t that bad. For those keeping count, the last time we went to the movies was to see Bend It Like Beckham. The movie before that was My Big Fat Greek Wedding. (Which, surprisingly enough, were both out in 2002.)

Anyway. My point being, we NEVER go to the movies. NEVER. EVER. We HATE going to the movies. But, you know, it’s Star Wars and all. At first, Georgie wanted to go to the theater where he saw the original but thankfully the times were bad. I’m pretty sure they haven’t renovated it or anything. We’re talking a lot of wear and tear on the seats people. So he came home from work a little early and we hit the 5:40 showing. The first nice surprise? That’s a matinee! It only cost us $9.00, for both of us, instead of for one ticket. Next nice surprise – when we took our seats there were only three other people in the theater. Three. Sorry George Lucas. (When the movie finally started, we agreed there were fifteen people total in the theater – including us.)

The seats weren’t bad. We were smack dab in the middle, a little closer to the front than the back. The theater was on an angle so people’s heads didn’t bother us. And you know, the movie ROCKED! Georgie’s favorite part was when Anakin asks where he can learn these super duper new powers and Palatine turns to him and says, “Not from a Jedi….” mwahahahahahahahaha! Yoda kicks ASS! SPOILER ALERT!!!!! Apparently Samuel L. Jackson told Lucas that he was fine with dying as long as he went out cool. And it was DAMN COOL! I didn’t think they used the Darth music to its full potential. I mean, c’mon, that’s why I was there! Padme was just a vessel to get us Luke and Leia. (almost wrote Laura! Hahahaha!)

My favorite parts were anything having to do with Anakin turing into Darth – although I thought he was a bit naive, especially considering he’s supposed to be the chosen one and all that. Anything with Yoda. And I love Ewan McGregor as Obi-Won – there’s a picture in the little playbill book they gave out in the theater that shows how McGregor’s face has the exact same symmetry as Alec Guiness.

What did I learn during the movie? That I don’t like going to the movies. I had to pee the whole time. My seat gave me hemmorhoids. I was dying – DYING – to rewind – it was driving me crazy! But all in all it was a wonderful date – we had a very nice dinner after – and I’m happy we went to see it. In the theater.

The best part though was coming home and popping in Revenge of the Jedi and watching Darth Vader die in baby Luke’s arms. Very, very cool. So in the end, I’m thanking George Lucas for endless hours of entertainment. We had fun!

Okay. Now I’m about to get really, really upset. Really upset. So be forewarned.

Speaking of people who provide entertainment, WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY THINKING!!!!!!!! NBC is bringing out a new show called Inconceivable. Here’s the description they provide for this bit of entertainment (and when you say that, say it like you’re saying FUCK YOU! WE DON’T CARE ABOUT PEOPLE – ONLY MONEY!)

This delightful ensemble drama concerns one of the most complicated questions: to conceive or not to conceive. The doctors of the Family Options Fertility Clinic are on a noble quest to help desperate couples give birth. Except these doctors are often distracted by their personal quests involving sex, deception and secrets. Navigating through ultrasounds and super-egos, missing frozen embryos and impending malpractice suits, it’s positively clear that life inside this clinic is anything but sterile. [Bold emphasis mine.]

(Please, make sure you watch the preview for the ultimate in fuck yous.) It’s about, get this, the fun to be had in a FERTILITY CLINIC! Clearly, and I mean this sincerely, no one, not the crew, not the maintenance people, not the writing staff, not the producers, not the actors, NO ONE INVOLVED WITH THIS SHOW, has EVER dealt with infertility. Since when do pain, misery, hurt, shame, guilt, frustration, heartache, anger (should I go on?) make for enjoyable television? Oh, yeah, when you can make jokes about implanting the wrong embryos, having sex and I’m sure getting pregnant when your patients can’t, and completely mis-educating the public about infertility. I’m laughing, this is so stupid. If you’d like to email NBC – do it here: nbcshows@nbcuni.com. I’ll be sending an email, but I think I need to let the anger steep a little before it’s good and ready to write what I need to write. I’m dumbfounded.

And if that doesn’t get you upset, check out their new show, Thick and Thin. NBC. Must Offend TV.

Thanks for the link from Karen, via mamacate.

On to happier subjects, here’s a mean ugly spider I hope bites Jeff Zucker in the ass:


Enlarge for super cool details.

Actually, this is for my rebel friend Kathleen who declared this week bug week. Who am I to argue? Look for a cuter, more friendly bug tomorrow! (Don’t worry about Ann, Kathleen, I got your back!)

Filed Under: Miscellaneous, Photographs, politics and other crap

Surely You’re Joking! *

April 27, 2005 By

Yesterday’s New York Times crossoword. Check out 40 Down.

Thanks so much for all the compliments on Short Rows! It means so much. I’ll be SO proud of this project when it’s finally finished. I’ve got a long way to go, but I’ll get there. I’ve given myself a projected deadline of June 5th. I’m thinking if all goes well I’ll wear it to The Secret Garden opening. Hopefully it won’t be too hot! I’m thinking a nice denim skirt? Cross your fingers. I did the first part of the second short row sequence – I figured out that decreases were built into the pattern – but in the end I have one stitch too many. So I’ll be ripping out the short rows – AGAIN. Yes. I’m a glutton for punishment (and apparently, chocolate covered raisins.) And the ends are getting really out of hand – so when I rip it, I’m going to try and weave some in. Hopefully clean things up a little so the wires don’t get crossed so much, so to speak. It’s all good!

Yesterday I did a little shopping, but not before having a fabu lunch with my honey! First I got my hair cut – it looks cute and cleaned up – then met Georgie at a doctor’s appointment he had. While we were waiting for him to be seen, I received a mysterious text message. Georgie says to me – who’s text messaging you? I said I don’t know and wouldn’t you know it, the message read KISS THE PERSON TO YOUR RIGHT. He’s so sweet! I’m SO, so lucky!

After waiting forever, it was off to TAO for lunch. Georgie’s been wanting to take me there, and I have to say, the steak I had was very, very good. The decor was neat as well, but don’t you just hate restaurants that don’t label the bathroom doors with GIRL/BOY, WOMAN/MAN, FEMALE/MALE? These bathrooms said YIN and YANG. There was a man that was behind me and we both just stood there and I said this is so not fair. Finally we both chose – and you guessed it – we chose UNwisely. The male attendant (who for the record, was in the women’s room at first) corrected us. Why? Why is it necessary to be COOL all the time? Anyway. The food was very good.

On the way back I stopped at Borders. I needed to pick up this:

I’ve listened to it about a dozen times all the way through – it’s looped on WINAMP – and for the most part I’m pretty happy with it. For all those people I told it was a cross between Tunnel and TGOTJ – I’m revising that. It’s more like a cross between TGOTJ and Lucky Town. But better on both accounts. Nothing’s going to make me cry, (there are a few like that on The Rising – My City of Ruins never ceases to amaze me) but I did get a few chills listening to Long Time Comin’. The woman’s name is Rosie and it’s clear they’ve been together for a long time. (They have two kids and another on the way.) It’s also clear that mistakes have been made but he stills loves her, wants her very much. This is a theme near and dear to my heart. Georgie and I have been together for fifteen years and are very much in love, still. It’s always nice to have that validated. This song did that for me. Okay. Enough Bruce. If you want to talk about it, let me know. Email me.

I also bought a couple of knitting books:

Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham

Instant Expert: Knitting by Ros Badger

I’m really split on these two. I only bought the Ros Badger because I saw a pattern I liked on Kristine‘s blog (go on over and congratulate her on the new online store! www.knithappens.net!)

I thought it would be perfect for some Jo Sharp Silkroad Tweed I have stashed. Problem is, the book only gives one pattern size and that happens to be ONE SIZE FITS NONE! You know, one of those anorexic sizes – like if you eat an entire carton of chocolate covered raisins and need to purge for the next week and a half (just kidding!) So, if I want to make this sweater to be able to fit my humongous boobs I’m going to have to do some knitty math – and you all know how much I hate THE MATH! We’ll see if I keep the book. It’s kind of disappointing all the way around.

But Loop-d-Loop? This book is gorgeous genius. There’s a million patterns I’d like to make!


Click for bigger pictures!

Of course, my favorite is this:


Are you seeing a trend here? Can you IMAGINE the ends? Someone stop me!
Please!

I highly recommend this book – really – it’s very, very well done.

And finally – a stash addition:

It’s 50% Tussah – 50% Merino from Chasing Rainbow Dyeworks in Mary’s colorway. I’ve got 840 yds. I’m thinking my very own Clap. It’s taken a LOOONG time to get here. I bought it on my Boston visit.

Have a great day!

* Surely You’re Joking is a reference to Richard Feynman – I bought his collection of letters yesterday. I’m thinking I’ll read them out loud to Georgie, since he’s the one who introduced me to this phenomenal personality. Check him out if you haven’t already. It’s worth it. Hey Lauren – I also picked up Freakonomics!

Filed Under: Books, Miscellaneous, Short Rows, Stash

Home, Diabetic Coma Inducing Sweet, Home

April 19, 2005 By

Nothing like sleeping in your own bed, crapping in your own toilet. Oh wait. None of that. Now we’re having the OPPOSITE issue. I can’t crap to save my life. I’m also hacking up a lung, but at least I’m home.

And don’t think I didn’t think about the fact that my own poops went all awry after I realized I was sleeping in poop. I said to my sister, do you think I have e-coli? She said, don’t you have to EAT poop to get that? Sure. Lot of sympathy there.

The best part of coming home was seeing Georgie. When he picked me up at the train and I saw his face – I thought WOW. I forgot how CUTE he is! Love that feeling. I remember once a long time ago I was coming home on a commuter train. It was late, I was tired. There was this really cute guy checking me out and I was checking him right back. I was getting all into flirting with him when I realized it was George. You ask how I couldn’t recognize my own mate – well, as I said, I was tired. And it was totally out of the ordinary for him to be on that train. It was, though, a competely satisfying feeling to know the hottie I was daydreaming about was GOING HOME with me!

Anyway, I’m not sure if I talked about this or not, but while I was in Philly, Georgie was exploring far off lands. He spent the week in Shanghai sidestepping violent protests. Everyday he’d call me to tell me China and Japan will be at war in about a minute. Then he spent the weekend in his beloved Tokyo.

He used to go to Asia a lot – Tokyo, Hong Kong. And everytime he went I practically begged for Kimono. Now Georgie is one of the most generous people I’ve EVER met – but he’s not a gift giver. This trip completely made up for that. He took a tour of a silk factory and brought me home THE.MOST.BEAUTIFUL. silk robe! I haven’t taken it off!

I tried to get a picture of me in it – but it didn’t work so well. Maybe when Georgie gets home tonight.

He also added to the collection:

Yup – that’s right. Fanta from around the world! That’s China on the left, Japan on the right. (Oh and Crazy Aunt Purl – that’s a Billy rearing it’s ugly head!)

What else? Oh yeah. There were some beautiful chopsticks – good enough to knit with. And a super uglycute Buddha bank. Only problem is – there doesn’t seem to be any way to get the money out!

Besides my dear husband, there was some other good stuff to welcome me home! Some lovely odds and ends from Kerstin!

That’s a compact note pad, a lipstick pen, a beautiful wood bowl (perfect for knitting knick-knacks) and a gorgeous hand-made card. There was some chocolate too, but yeah, that survived for the picture. My favorite part though – her personalized stationery. Now that’s cool! Thank you Kerstin!

The best thing though, is that I’ve had two photographs accepted for The Secret Garden – an exhibit at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this summer. Opening day is June 5. Be there or be square!

These are the pictures chosen:

I was so excited, I was inspired to go out yesterday and take these!

Next up: I need help with my Pinwheel! Get your thinking caps on – what would you do with the border?

Filed Under: Miscellaneous, Pinwheel

philadelphia

April 17, 2005 By

My sister told me that when Max first saw his new brother, he eyes got all glassy and he exclaimed, “He’s just what I wanted!”

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Chaos

April 15, 2005 By

You got it. I’m a mess. I’m exhausted. I think that my nephew Max’s strep somehow morphed into a stomach thing because I honestly don’t know whether I’m pissing or shitting when I hit the crapper. It’s actually quite fascinating. I don’t necessarily feel bad, and I’m hungry, it’s just that occasionally I get a rumbling in my tummy and I piss out my ass. And I gained a pound even though everything’s passing go without collecting. Go figure.

Speaking of poop, I’m up to my eyeballs in it. The other day my niece had a poopy diaper and somehow it fell off of her – poop explosion. It was on her leg and her dress. And wouldn’t you know, when I woke up the next morning and I was fixing up the air mattress I had been sleeping on with Max, there was poop on my pillow. The same pillow I freaking slept with all night. Beyond gross. To infinity and beyond gross. Man did I yell at my sister – here I am helping her out and I’m sleeping in shit! When she managed to stop laughing, I think she said she was sorry. I can’t be too sure though.

It’s been an exhausting but exciting week. Today was Baby Eli’s Bris. (Please refrain from negative comments. I won’t publish them, so don’t bother.) We had about thirty-five friends and family over to celebrate – which is crazy given my sister is only eight days post-partum. The last few days have been spent getting everything ready for today. We picked up my sister’s new mini-van on Wednesday! A definite need since you can’t fit three car seats in a car (or an SUV for that matter.) It’s the top of the top of the line and is a big change for my sis. She’s used to driving a Toyota Corrolla with manual EVERYTHING. It was pretty funny – we’re parked outside of the house playing with all the bells & whistles and I ran in the house to get something for her. When I came out she went to lean over to roll down the window or unlock the door and I was laughing signalling to her – just push the button! It’s going to be a big adjustment – but Max is loving it. There’s a DVD. Doesn’t get any cooler than that. So I’m driving the van (my sister wasn’t comfortable driving yet) to BJ’s to fill up on stuff for the celebration today.

Somewhere in all that I managed to hit a yarn store with Max to pick up some Koigu for Kippahs! I knit Baby Eli a kippah for the Bris using the famous pinwheel pattern and a garter stitch border. I didn’t have time to finish a matching one for Max, and I bought some complimentary yarn for Charlotte – so I think I’m going to finish them for Passover next weekend. I promise I’ll take some pictures.

Honestly, we’ve all be so crazy, I think I’ve taken one picture of the new boy. Tomorrow is photo shoot day if it kills me.

I should be going home on Sunday – Georgie’s been in Shanghai and Tokyo while I’ve been at my sister’s – he comes home on Sunday too. Of course I’m coming back to Philly on Thursday for the Seder on Saturday night which will be at my sister’s. She’s just hosting, not cooking, so don’t think she’s too crazy. This way she can have both sides of the family at her house and can end the evening at home. And by seeing both sides at once – she doesn’t have to go anywhere second night. Pretty smart.

I’m way behind on blogs. I miss mine and everyone else’s. I pretty sure Jen and I are planning to go down to MD S&W. I’m excited. I’ve never been to a Sheep & Wool – plus, rumor has it everyone’s who’s anyone will be there. 😉

Thanks for all the wonderful comments over the week. Checking my email at night was a really nice part of the day.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Afternoon Theater

April 11, 2005 By

I forgot how much fun it is to take turns holding a newborn while we watch our soaps. The big kids are at school. (Thankfully! We need the break!) There’s a lot to get done – laundry, cleaning, baby loving – but a quick break for lunch and some Days of Our Lives never hurt anyone.

My older nephew (love saying that!) had strep over the weekend. Ugh. Guess who’s been sharing the air mattress with him? You guessed it – me! We’re all hoping not to get it – but it seems if anyone is going to it’ll be me. So far so good – my stomach hurts a little – but that’s probably because I’ve been eating all the crap everyone keeps bringing over – and my nose is a tad stuffy due to allergies – but so far no sore throat and no fever. Cross your fingers for all of us.

Knitting? What’s that? I give you Moms a lot of credit – how do you get anything done with all those kids running around?

Thanks again for all the good wishes! Baby Eli is definitely a keeper!

Love,
Cara

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

I’m in love….

April 8, 2005 By

Sorry Georgie! There’s a new man in town.

Before everyone gets all crazy – I don’t have pictures yet. Now remember, I’m a photographer – specifically I take pictures of kids. There will be pictures and hopefully they will be fabulous. I think Eli’s first photo shoot will be Monday – when the kids are in school and it’s just my sister, me and the baby at home. What they say about going from two kids to three is true – and has much as I love it – I’m the surrogate while my sister’s at the hospital.

You know, babies should come with a warning. I’m always amazed at how fast (and furious) I fall in love with these beautiful babes. Eli is no different – I’m missing holding him and kissing his soft cheeks. My favorite – kissing little tiny baby lips. Oh my god! My poor sister is still stuffy from her miserable cold and the thing she’s so upset about is that she can’t smell his baby goodness. And oh my does he smell divine. He’s got the same monkey feet his sister and brother have – the same ears – but he’s his own little guy. I could just cuddle and kiss and love him all day long.

Thank you all so much for all your good wishes for my family! It means a lot. I can’t wait to tell my sister how much you all liked the name – it’s the hardest thing for her to choose, so I think she’ll be happy to hear the comments.

I’m afraid no knitting will be done anytime soon. I did a few rounds on the Pinwheel Blanket at the hospital today, but duty called quite quickly, so it went back in the bag.

I have a very peculiar (read I wanted to freaking kill her) KIP story to tell. I was on the train Thursday morning heading down to my sister’s house – it was about 7AM. I had the seats to myself until Princeton when a Chinese woman took the seat next to me. I was knitting on the Blanket. She started asking me about my knitting – or really, telling me about her knitting life. How she knit as a child – they made all their own sweaters, hats, etc. She told me she knit a different way than I did then (and here’s where it gets scary) SHE TOOK MY KNITTING OUT OF MY HANDS AND STARTED KNITTING MY BLANKET! I don’t know about you, but unless I specifically ASK someone to take a hand in my knitting – KEEP YOUR FUCKING MITTS OFF IT! I was too shocked to grab it back. Then she was getting upset because she wanted me to knit the way she did. She kept saying – see how much faster I am than you? I can’t believe it, I haven’t knit in 20 yrs. All I see is this utter stranger, with a nasty cold sore on her lip and flaky skin fingers TOUCHING MY PRECIOUS NEPHEW’S BLANKET. I wanted to puke. Somehow I got it back and thankfully a few minutes later my sister called and I stayed on the phone with her until the woman fell asleep. Am I being too sensitive, or was that overstepping personal space? Ugh. I still get upset when I think about it.

I will be down at my sister’s until at least a week from Sunday. I will try to keep blogging and keeping up with my reading and commenting as best I can. Bear with me if I don’t get to email you back as fast as I usually do – and Kathy and Johanna – give me a few to get the contest prizes together.

Alright. I’m beat. Big day tomorrow. Baby Eli comes home. Thanks again for all the well wishes. Love you guys!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Honey? HONEY!

April 7, 2005 By

It’s time….

I’m on my way down to Philly. Details when it’s over. Wish us luck!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Attachments Spice Up ANY Home!

April 6, 2005 By

Or The Happy Househooker: How to Keep Your Husband Happy and OUT* of the Bedroom.

[Look people, if you’ve come here looking for baby news or knitting news go home! There’s no baby yet and the only knitting being done around here is ripping. The short row section of the short row pullover to be exact. I couldn’t stand the ends anymore. Thinking I might try a Russian Join, but I’m not sure how to get it all to match up perfectly. Fine. There’s your knitting content. Happy now?]

So yesterday I was bored out of my mind, which is not a good thing for Ms. January One. Being bored out of my mind tends to drive me out of my mind very, very quickly. So to keep the demons at bay, I decided to continuing cleaning. I finished the dining room, aka mail dump location, and started on the living room on Monday. Yesterday I finished the living room – but not without a little attachment fun.

Here I am stroking a cushion with the brush head.

Let me tell you, I worked the furniture over so good it would’ve made the Fly Lady cream her panties.

No position was left unturned…

It was all quite scandalous. The stuffed animals were appropriately shocked…

Well, not really. Here you can see Little George trying to sneak a peak:

And Mr. Cool Red Faux Leather Jacket Bear? He provided the mood music.
Squeeze his hand and he belts out “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Baaabe” by the Love Maestro himself, Barry White.

Want a close up of the action?

Whew! I worked up quite a sweat.

It was worth it though. G was extremely happy when he came home. So happy, *I couldn’t get him off my newly cleaned couch. By the way, that’s the worst part about cleaning. Two seconds later, it needs to be cleaned again.

The living room is all in order again:

Even the monkeys are happy!

Look – can you see it? It’s my first project ever! A four color (trust me on this) slip stitch afghan with a crochet edge – it’s something like 5’x6′ – maybe bigger. Life size BABY!

Today, I might have to bring the vacuum into the bedroom – Sorry – NO CAMERAS ALLOWED!

I’ll be back….

I’m back. Heard from my sis. She’s now a whopping 2.5 centimeters. We’re going to be here all night!

And a disclaimer. It may look to you, from the pictures above, that I like to clean and/or do it often. If you think this, I apologize for misleading you. I can count the number of times the cushions have been off my sofas (for cleaning – doesn’t count fort making – with the kids of course!) ON ONE HAND. And I don’t use all my fingers on that hand either.

The cleaning you see here was a way to stem the insanity of waiting for my sister to have her baby already. That and the fact that things that were once living were beginning to get stuck in the cobwebs. I’m not lying about that, either.

So don’t see my burst of Spring cleaning as anything other than that. Try to remember that Spring only comes once a year.

Hope that makes you all feel better about your own cleaning habits. I think I may knit today. Hmmm. There’s a novel idea.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous
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