oddball sock monkeys

I sent Beth a message about these and now I can't resist posting a picture, too!

The pattern can be found at:
http://evelynclarkdesigns.com/

Zack's video

In school, Zack has been taking Digital Media Arts. This year's version is a 2 bell, all year long class. That means bigger and better projects. His latest, a group project is...

a movie they had to script, act, film, edit, etc. He the one who walks out of the door and down the hall.

EDIT: Not sure what's going on. It works in preview mode but not once it's actually 'published.' If anyone has any ideas, please let me know!!

Flash Backs

I keep meaning to post these pics and end up getting sidetracked.

In April, I had to head back to CT with Zack for his father's funeral. I decided to go across the Tappan Zee Bridge just 'cuz I always liked that bridge (as much as someone who is afraid of heights and water can, anyway!). It curves twice, rises in the center, and crosses a wide part of the river. Not the most cost effecient way to build a bridge but...
After that, we continue on some highway that does not look familiar but Yahoo Maps and Onstar both tell me to take. We were in north-eastern NJ. Then I see signs for Skyline Drive/Ringwood and Pompton Lakes, each only a few miles off the exit, in opposite directions. I lived in both towns back in the Stone Age. I don't remember as much about where the house in Pompton Lakes was but I'm pretty confident I remember how to get to the one in Ringwood. It was just off Skyline Drive, afterall.
I exited and headed to Skyline Drive. Good, twisty, turny Skyline Drive! I miss that kind of east coast mountain driving. And there is the park Mom took us hiking in. Do we remember Charlie Chaplin hiking??? Peanut butter and jelley and cheese and butter sandwiches? Tom? ;) And towing the Model A up over Skyline Drive with the wood paneled station LTD Station Wagon???
There were new houses along the way but I recognized most of it! We moved out of Ringwood between 6th and 7th grade (1978), I believe.
Edward Drive. That runs parallel to James Drive. James should be the next right.
Yup! Right turn. 3rd house (+/-) on the left, facing the T-intersection with Vanessa. There it is!


It used to be dark brown with an almost sold, bright green front door. There used to be a 'dike' on the left with a garden behind. On the right, at the back end of the driveway, there was a freestanding garage with a 2nd story that was our playhouse. Insulated, heat, lights. Mom could lock us out of the house any time she wanted to. Weather did not matter. The structure back there now is a different one-story shed or something.
All are now gone and apparently there is an inground pool in the backyard. How much dirt had been imported to try to level out the backyard and then it got dug out for the pool? Oh well! Different needs and wants for different families.
It does not show, but the monstrous mailbox structure still survives. Who else has a mailbox as big as a jungle gym, built from the old Kreosote railroad ties?
Zack and I took a quick trip through the original part of the neighborhood while I rambled on about crashing my bike here and riding the snowmobile there and...

Back to the road but I'm on a roll now. Maybe I can find Pompton Lakes, too! It's worth a shot. Afterall, I have Onstar in the new car.
Back over Skyline Drive, past the highway and right into Pompton Lakes. Over the railroad tracks, we're headed the right way. I think we're about there, is this it? I'm not sure but let me try this right. And the next right. We're on Durham! Should be down on the right, #40. And there it is???


Wow, that one changed even more. It used to be a basic little Cape Cod (what I see as war-time tract housing). The attic had been finished before Mom bought it and she used that as her room. Now it is 2 full stories with the attic above that! Bay windows, front 'stoop' with an overhang, and vinyl siding, too. I assume the inground pool is still in the backyard. Actually it WAS the backyard. Probably tough to change that unless they brought in all the dirt from the Ringwood pool...
I told a few more stories about my childhood (and Sandy and Tom - sorry Tom!) and then we headed back to the highway...
On to Connecticut and the business at hand.

Latest accomplishments

This week, I managed to finish the Seduction socks. I carried them around in my purse all week so I could show them off to anyone and everyone. God, I love them in the Bamboobaa yarn from Dyepot.com. Thank you, thank you Beth!


















I also added the buttons so the BSJ for Wallace. I ended up putting the buttons on back-to-back in order to hide the yarn ends. (Tough to weave in ends on the wrong side when it's reversible!) On one side, the buttons are on the 'boy' side and the other they are for a 'girl' even though the baby is a boy (due in Feb.). Yellow ducks and purple hippos...














On Ravelry, I signed up to be part of the Sock Knitters Anonymous group. October's project is either a pair of cabled socks or a pattern by Nancy Bush. I was trying to use stash along with a pattern I already had earmarked so I came up with Father and Son Socks from Interweave Knits Fall '06 out of KnitPicks Risata. It it a cotton blend, somewhat stretchy/springy yarn. I started on US2 to compensate for my usually 'taught' knitting style. I pull the working yarn tight but the larger than usual needles keep the stitches loose enough to create a normal fabric.
I was worried about big feet and limited yarn so I cast on at the toe with the intention of knitting till I ran out of yarn. If they turned out to be anklets, so be it. I also did a garter stitch short row heel as it is symmetrical up/down.
Turns out I have plenty of yarn!

What awaits inside our front door

Thursday evening I came home from work,

walked through the door,

And saw...





Another view...





And when he left for school Friday morning, he had managed to put a rubber band in it like a little itty bitty pony tail. Yikes!

Steve shaved it off Friday afternoon.

What will Brian's next stunt be????

What is this world coming to?

UConn is ranked in the BCS poll?!?!?
For the time-being, we are ranked 23rd in the nation!
But we host #10 South Florida today.
Next week we host Rutgers.
And then we come to Cincinnati.
Tough days ahead...

Conference play, real football, and in the Big East?!?!? The Big East currently has 3 teams nationally ranked (there have been others this season as well) out of approximately 117 teams in the nation. Not bad for a conference known primarily for basketball!

EDITED: UConn beat #10 USF 22-15! Ranked for another week!!
Nebraska has lost their 4th in a row. 1st time they've had a 4 game losing streak since 1961 (before even I was born!).

Kings 8th grade football (Bri included) won the FAVC Cardinal Division, 8-0 this season.

Biorythms?!?!?

Beth posted hers and got me curious. I figured that since our birthdays are close, are charts should be as well. It looks like it's roughly a month long cyclical repeat. A couple of weeks difference on birthdate makes quite the difference! (Beth is headed into hibernation while things should be looking up for me!)


If you're curious, too....
try it here.

Hufflepuff Wins!

Congratulations to all my fellow Hufflepuffs for winning the house cup. It was a nailbiter but you did it!

Looking forward to the next round of HSKS...

The Bengal Socks worked!!

Last week they were finished but not worn (was saving them for Tues SnB).
This week they are on my feet.
It took some time for the Bengals to wake up but...

THEY WON!!


(I will do laundry between now and next week...)

Seduction

The name does fit!

I am sooooooo..... in love with these socks! I only started last weekend and have now turned the second heel.

And some BSJ progress:

Which side do I put the buttons on?!?! I haven't figured out how to ask Wallace whether they are having a boy or girl without giving it away so I may give it to him in 'kit' form and then do the buttons later...

Which HP minor character are you?

...and which lesser Harry Potter character are you?

more risky football update(s)

Poor Beatcats ;)

Let's see...
UC lost to Louisville. UConn beat Louisville.
UC lost to Pitt. UConn beat Pitt.

Hmmmmm......
GO HUSKIES!

On the homefront, 8th graders get scouted?!?!?
Apparently they do.
Brian reports being contacted by the Freshman coach. He wants Bri to be the starting running back next year and then have the current running backs figure out whether they want to be backups or play other positions.
GO BRI!

Kings 8th Grade Football

They were undefeated this year! Congrats to Brian and his teammates.
For the last game of the season yesterday, Brian's brother, De'Anthony, was able to come up and visit. He wanted to see if #41 was really as good as he claims.
Brian only played defense yesterday but had 2 solo tackles and several assists.
Next up, wrestling...

HSKS3 picture trivia

Bertie Botts:

Chocolate Frogs:

Jelly Slugs and Blood Pops in my package from Niela!

Jenean's 1st kit:

HSKS 3

1. What was the name of the book Dumbledore left for Hermione in his will?
a. The Tales of Beedle the Bard


2. Whose sign was on Xenophilius Lovegood's chest?
d. Grindewald

3. Was October 30, 1980 the night that Lilly and James Potter died?
b. No (1981)

4. What's another name for the Elder Wand?
a. Deathstick


5. Whose Potterwatch code name was 'Rodent'?
d. Fred

6. What was so special about the peacocks at the Malfoy Manor?
d. They were all white

7. Who does Harry say was "probably the bravest man I knew?"
a. Snape


8. What thing was Lockhart giving Hagrid advice about getting out of a well?
b. Kelpies


9. What was the occupation of Colin Creevey's father?
d. Milkman

10. Which Professor of Hogwarts was a dueling champion when he was young?
a. Flintwick


(Bonus Point: Who made the kit? Ansly)

Kings v. Little Miami 10/15

Brian only played approximately half the game yesterday. Steve's estimates on his stats are:
8 carries
140 yards
2 touchdowns
2 fumbles but no fumble losses
1 incomplete pass

He still has 'Johnson' in his name. Should we contribute him to the collection on the Bungles?!?!?

Football update

Brian scored a touchdown in Thursday's game against Wilmington! He gained about 60 yards overall and had a solo tackle on defense. He says he's going to totally dominate in tomorrow's game against Little Miami. I'll let you know how it goes!

UConn is no longer undefeated. They blew it at the end at Virginia.

Nebraska also had a (very) bad day. At home. I think there will be some mutiny going on in Lincoln...

And I'm sure we all know the Bungles also blew it. Again.

This weekend's checklist

1. Ravelry came through and I started entering... (Where am I supposed to get the time for this?!?!?!)
2. manicure/pedicure - done
3. 2+ weeks of Steve's, my, Zack's laundry - done. Brian's is next.
4. Lambikin's Hideaway Yarn Tasting - fun!
8 skeins to use in the Color-Work Cardigan from Handknit Style II
5. Color Party Parka sweater knit last winter, finally finished!

6. Bengal socks - done


7. HSKS3 bag - done
8. HSKS3 stitchmarkers - done
(still have to put the finishing touches on and get the owl ready to fly all the way to California)
9. Seduction socks cast on, heel turned and gusset completed

10. Harmony Needles received

HSKS3 update

I felted the bag today. It felted more than I expected on the first run and lost more of the cables than I would have liked. You can still see some of them, the beads definitely still show, and I do like the size! It's what I originally had in mind before getting carried away... Have to add handles once it dries.
Also managed some stitch markers. I had found some beads I thought would be really cool as they were blue with flecks of silver in them. Would have been perfect. then I took them out of the package and found that was only the front side. The backs were a solid, ugly, weird-shaped, weird-hued blue. They're going back.
After church this morning, I took the little car out on the highway and over to a new (to me) bead store in search of Ravenclaw-worthy beads. I wandered in there for almost 2 hours. The blues I liked were too big and heavy, the shapes I liked were not blue. Bought a few things and came home.
Dug out what I had in my stash (should have looked before I left), added the new purchases, and came up with something that even my husband likes! Pretty sharp if I do say so myself.
I have the sock pattern(s), the yarn, the bag almost done, the stitch markers...
Oops! I forgot to get the needles.
Zack has a doctor appointment tomorrow so I already have to leave work early to get him there. Maybe I can get to the store Tuesday...

Nikki won!

What's Wrong With Mud? won the ABC book competition! Congrats to Nikki!
You can check out her blog here...








And as part of Angela's incentive competition, Nancy won this piece. Congrats to her as well...












(I think this is one of my favorites, so peaceful and carefree.)

Finished Wavy Scarf

Brian was supposed to work on one of these along with me but once I got going with it, I couldn't stop!
Very easy pattern (just use a row counter so you don't lose track), great for taking along. Directions can be found here.
And the yarn is here. Just over 1 skein. (I have almost a full skein of red left as well as a skein of black. Maybe an illusion scarf with the suits from a deck of cards?)
I used US size 8 Knitpicks options needles.

Football, football, and more football

We are 5-0!! And top of the Big East!!
(This posting may cost me my life since I do reside in the Cincinnati area, but, oh well!)

GO HUSKIES!!

2007 Football Schedule
Record: 5-0, 1-0
Head Coach: Randy Edsall

SEPTEMBER
1 at Duke W, 45-14
8 MAINE W, 38-0 WTNH/ESPN Reg.
15 TEMPLE W, 22-17 MyTV9/ESPN Reg.
22 at Pittsburgh* W, 34-14 ESPNU
29 AKRON W, 44-10 WCTX My9/ESPN Reg.

OCTOBER
13 at Virginia 3:30 p.m. ESPNU
Fr.19 LOUISVILLE (Homecoming)* 8:00 p.m. ESPN
27 SOUTH FLORIDA*

NOVEMBER
3 RUTGERS*
10 at Cincinnati*
17 SYRACUSE*
24 at West Virginia*

* Denotes BIG EAST games.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

and Brian's 8th grade team's standings:
FAVC Cardinal Division
League / Overall
1. Kings 3-0 / 5-0
2. Walnut Hills 2-1 / 3-1-1
3. Wilmington 2-1 / 3-2
4. Little Miami 1-1 / 1-3
5. Amelia 0-2 / 0-4
6. Nagel Silver 0-3 / 1-4

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

and Steve's Huskers are ranked #25 in the country (currently 4-1 with a game to start in 15 minutes)

Sep 01 Nevada - Memorial Stadium 52 - 10 (W)
Sep 08 Wake Forest - at Winston-Salem, N.C. 20 - 17 (W)
Sep 15 USC - Memorial Stadium 31 - 49 (L)
Sep 22 Ball State - Memorial Stadium 41 - 40 (W)
Sep 29 Iowa State - Memorial Stadium 35 - 17 (W)

getting closer!

Another Ravelry update...

Found you!
You signed up on August 18, 2007
You are #26768 on the list.
2405 people are ahead of you in line.
13442 people are behind you in line.
59% of the list has been invited so far

How girly am I?!?!?!

You Are 20% Girly

Um... you're a guy, right? If not, you're the most boyish girl in the world. And for you, that's probably the ultimate compliment.

How Girly Are You?

And that probably fits right in with:


Yes, those are greasy hands. Car grease. A couple of weeks ago, I went into my local Saturn dealer to pick up a special order cup holder for the back of the Ion. $15 and the boys had better stop giving me a hard time about my car. I was worried about what it would take to install because the parts guy said something about taking apart the whole console when I ordered it. I hate to pay for stuff like that if I can help it. Turns out, it just snaps in! Installed before I left the parking lot, no tools required!
As long as I was on a positive roll, I asked how much a valve cover gasket would be for the 93 SL we have. She loses oil but does not drip. She also rarely has a blue cloud behind her so she's not burning much. Hmmm... Well, they have been known to leak from the valve cover but it burns off before it hits the ground and apparently does not leave much residue on the engine either. Since we've only had the car for a little over a year, I have no way of knowing when, or if, it has ever been replaced. She's only got 81,000 miles on her but she is over 14 years old.
I did the valve cover gasket on my beloved 95 SL, 'Sarah' before she was murdered by that Jeep Cherokee that attacked her from behind April 30, 2004. (153,058 miles and my largest repair bill was $20!)
I should be able to do the 93 also. How much is the gasket kit? At Saturn, it's pushing $40. Did he not hear that I was asking about an old 93?!?!? I'm not sure the whole car is worth that much!
I finally stopped at the parts store on the way home one day. How much is....
He looks at me funny. You're gonna do it?
Uh, yeah, why wouldn't I?!?! I've done radiators, air pumps, master cylinders....
Ok, I guess you can do this. (No kidding mister!)
But he keeps looking out the window at what I was driving, not believing that it was a 93. Nope, that's the 07 Ion. The 93 SL is at home. I do know the difference!
Then he goes to get one before even telling me how much. How do we know if I want to buy one yet?? Something had caught his attention on the computer screen and he wanted to check out what was involved.
He brings back a standard gasket box:










He proceeds to open it and pour out the contents. He might still be laughing, I'm not sure.

There is really no gasket involved. Just some RTV sealant (which you can buy for about $4 a tube) and 2 rubber grommets. Gotta buy the kit to get the grommets. But with tax, it was only $11. I can do that! One so called gasket kit sold.

I went to replace it earlier this week but some of my tools have been lost and/or trashed by the (true) males in the household. I now have a lock on MY toolbox. I had a Torx screwdriver that should have worked but I couldn't get the leverage to break the bolts free. Went to Sears hardware and bought a bit (and whole extra set of goodies) to go in a pivoting, ratcheting screwdriver I already had but had never used. First time I tried it, it broke!!! Argh!
After a rough day at work yesterday, I stopped at Ace Hardware and bought more tools. Knitting tools, tool tools, I'm equal opportunity.
I didn't even go into the house before opening the hood and getting to work. Felt good to put a little frustration strength into it! Broke 2 bolts loose, cleaned off the old gasket, disconnected some assorted lines off the back of the cover, and had Steve get some scissors to clip the nozzle on the RTV tube. I wasn't sure how big to make the nozzle opening and it probably was a little tight but that just allowed me to put some more force into squeezing it! It felt soooooooo...... good.
Steve even went in and got me a couple of the liquor filled chocolates he brought back from Toronto this week. (He followed them up with some real drinks later!)


The old grommets were probably the originals for as brittle as they were. And there was oil up around one in particular so I'm thinking that's where some of the missing oil was going. All better now. It's all replaced and reassembled.



And I need a manicure!!! (or would that be too girly?)

HSKS3 TRIVIA

Trivia

1. In Deathly Hallows what does Harry step on when exiting his room to wash his cut?
c. A teacup

2. Which two members of the Order of Phoenix came to escrot the Dursleys to a safe place?
b. Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones

3. In order to throw off the Death Eaters, several of Harry's friends take Polyjuice Potion to resemble him and each Harry goes with a different member of the Order of the Phoenix to a different location. Where do Ron (disguised as Harry) and Tonks go?
a. Aunti Muriel's house

4. At Bill and Fleur's wedding, Harry must disguise himself by taking Polyjuice Potion and takes on the appearnce of a redheaded Muggle boy from Ottery St. Catchpol. He was introduced to wedding guests as Cousin . . .
c. Barny

5. Kingsley sends a message via Patronus to warn the Weasleys and wedding guests of the coming Death Eaters. What form does his Patronus take?
b. A lynx

6. In the Half-Blood Prince what drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?
d. Gillywater

7. What is the name of the person that heads the Holyhead Harpies?
a. Gwenog Jones

8. What tatoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?
b. Hippogriff

9. What color robes do the staff at Weasley's shop wear?
b. Magenta

10. Where do Nicolas Flamel and his wife Perenelle live?
d. Devon

Surveys

Reading another blog and ran across a cute little quiz (never mind that we are still having record highs and summer-like days, I can hope can't I?!?!?)...
As for what part of fall I am, I have been determined to be:

You Are Warm Nights by the Fire

Peaceful and romantic. The best part of fall.

What Part of Fall Are You?

And while i was doing that one, I ran across this one:
(not much of a surprize here!)

You Are 90% Burned Out

You are extremely burned out. You work too hard, and you're not getting the results you deserve. It's time for a life change, as soon as you can manage it. You're giving away most of your energy to something you don't even enjoy.

Are You Burned Out?

Mom's William Tell Overture

This came through the HSKS3 email chat - hilarious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM

Almost forgot!

I picked up the pillows on the way to SnB last night.