Monthly Archives for June 2010

Do the New Sink Shuffle!

Yes, we finally have a new sink. No more having to keep myself from leaning on it at all. No more picturing the sink falling off the wall when I’m at work, spilling water all over the place and getting the cats wet. No more having to warn people who come over about it.

Sink Before

See, I wasn’t lying about textbooks as sink proper-upper. That was Alison’s idea when the sink started its final fall and I was still groggy from my nap.

Sink After

And now, our pretty, new sink. Complete with pedestal so there’s a lot smaller chance of it falling off the wall.

Ally

I spent the majority of my day yesterday watching Ally McBeal with Alison. Ran five miles (only took an hour, despite the high humidity and 76 degree temperature), had breakfast, took a nap, had a quick lunch, watched Royal Pains, then watched Ally McBeal until Matt made dinner.

During my nap, the sink finally started to fall off the wall. It’s currently be propped up by a stack of textbooks (“Glad to know they’re still useful.” was Matt’s comment.) until the plumber comes later today to install a brand-new sink. Well, hopefully it’ll get done today. He came by yesterday, looked at the current sink then new one and decided he didn’t have some part he needed and would have to return later. After taking over an hour to find our house that’s really quite easy to find – just off a rather major street. Oye.

But, for now, I will try to forget about our house that seems to be falling apart this week and focus on my work. And be happy my work doesn’t have a co-ed bathroom like Ally’s does.

Random Friday

This may become a regular Friday topic though, really, I am random on other days of the week.

1) Still worried about the 26 people (and three) kids coming to our place tomorrow. Where will everyone sit? Will we have enough food? Just how much beer should I buy? Will I get the house clean in time? Will I have any alone time at all before people show up? Would it be wrong to go to Dan’s house tomorrow morning for waffles and leave Matt at home to clean up and cook?

2) I’m getting very good at reading pages upon pages of requirements. Not sure this is a good thing, as it means I’ll be required to do more of it in the near future.

3) The crochet hat isn’t going as bad as I thought. I’m actually doing things correctly. It now looks like a dinner plate instead of a hat but I’m only two rounds away from decreases. Still not used to starting a hat at the tip-top rather than the brim.

4) Ran again with Alison this morning. Wasn’t feeling great so ran faster than usual during the running parts. 2.5 miles at perfect 13:00 minute per mile pace Now quite sore and reading for a nap as a result.

5) Saturday and Sunday is the Old Town Alexandria Craft Fair. Really hoping I can make it on Sunday, post party recovery.

6) I brought frozen pizza for lunch today. The cooking time was given in table format. For each of three possible oven wattages, there was a range of cooking times. I zapped it for four minutes and hoped for the best.

7) The edges are crispy, the middle is a puddle of molten cheese.

8) Decided I can no longer take work notes in an actual notebook. Have moved to engineering paper inside a three-ring binder. I already feel calmer.

Listy

1. We’re having a party on Saturday and a total of 23 adults and three small children will be taking over our house. I’m surprised we even know that many people and even more surprised that almost everyone we invited is coming. Matt has to buy some more protein and I’m on the hunt for more folding chairs to seat everyone.

2. Walking home yesterday, I noticed these flowers blooming on the sidewalk side of our front fence. We certainly didn’t plant them and I don’t remember them being there last year. Quite the happy surprise.

3. Our oven is working again (after suddenly ceasing to work on Monday). The electric starter had burnt out and needed replaced. Twenty dollar part, likely over a hundred dollars in labor. But, whatever, we didn’t have to pay it. The repairman didn’t finish until 10:30 pm so I decided to skip my 6:00 am run with Alison. She also had a really horrible day yesterday (including 4 hours at the Maryland MVA!) and didn’t feel much like early morning exercise.

4. Yes, I will try to get my run in tonight. Or tomorrow morning. It’s supposed to be almost 90 degrees when I get home so tomorrow is far more likely.

5. I am having serious issues with the hat I started so I’ve put it aside for a bit to work on this instead. Of course, all I’ve managed to do thus far is foundation single crochet about 100 stitches. Takes for-ev-er but supposedly it’s worth it.

Knitting Mojo

I think I’ve lost my knitting mojo. I still think about yarn, but it’s in the context of crochet anymore, versus knitting. I look up crochet patterns for blankets and hats instead of knitted items. There’s something about the geometric properties of crochet. It lends itself perfectly to highly-structured items of geometric repeats. Knitting, sure, it’s got the whole drape thing going for it which I enjoy, but not right now.

So, I think I’m going to be taking a break from knitting for awhile and stick with crochet.

Scary thought, I know, as this was starting out as a knitting blog.

But, yeah, it happens.

Maybe it’s just that I know anyone could use a nice, warm blanket. Sweaters take forever, I’ve made socks for just about anyone who would want them, and I have three shawls without recipients sitting in a plastic bag under my desk. I keep knitting things, hoping I can find someone to give them to. People tell me “Oh, you never know when you might need a gift!”

I’m sorry, but the average 20-something does not want or need a shawl. I know they’re big with knitters but, the Muggles, not so much. They think “Ooh, that’s nice.” in the same way I think about a Dali painting. Wonderful art, but not for me.

So, why bother? All I wind up with is a pile of things with no home and this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I’m just wasting my time. I spend tons of money for great yarn but then it just sits there when the project’s finished, taking up space.

I do get requests for items every now and then, and I’m more than happy to make them (unless they’re non-specific like “a slouchy hat” or “you pick a good color”). Because, then, I know the item will get used.

Maybe that’s my problem. I’m simply too practical.

The fact that I enjoy knitting, that should be enough to make me want to continue to do it.

It was enough for three years but, now, not so much.

For now, I’ll stick to crochet blankets.

And the hat I started yesterday because I was interested in the construction of a crochet hat.

It’s Phannie from Berroco, designed by Phannie Gaughan, Nora’s mother. Cool, huh?

Slow Start

No, I didn’t blog this weekend. I sort of forgot on Saturday, didn’t feel like finding the time Sunday, and decided that yesterday was a holiday and I deserved another day off. But, have no fear, I return to blogging daily again and am hoping to keep it up until another busy yet slow weekend comes along.

1. I got up at 6:00 am to run with Alison this morning. I was painfully slow (as per usual) and felt like all I was doing was slowing her down. Despite the early hour, it was already extremely warm and I struggled to get through our whopping 30 minute run. But, hey, it’s not yet 9:00 am and I am already done with my run for the day.

2. Alison moved in on Saturday and, the same day, informed me that she’s now a blog subscriber and that I have to be good and not write bad things about her until she moves out in early August. That cuts out an entire series of blog entries, right there..

3. Not really. I love Alison dearly and have nothing bad to say about her. Except the whole making me feel like I should run faster thing. And her coffee-pushing tendancies.

4. I finished Veronica’s socks but have no photo evidence. I’ll be delivering them to her Wednesday (assuming she’s working that day) and will try to get a pic then. It’s that or try to convince Alison part of her way to repay us for living in our basement is being a sock model.

5. All of my favorite summer trash televsion shows are back on. Bachelorette, Royal Pains, Top Chef (this time here in DC!). I look forward to many hours spent judging people I don’t know.

6. My boss is coming back to work today after two weeks in Hawaii. I half expect him to walk in wearing a Hawaiian shirt and grass skirt but somehow I don’t think it’s going to happen. Funny mental picture, however.