For the cat who enjoys tropical weather, margaritas, and sunning by the pool.

http://orangefish1.blogspot.com/2006/09/cat-muumuu.html

Well, the wrap sweater is going well (if my camera was working a picture of a the second front being working on), I am about to start the Central Park Hoodie (another picture will go here of more yarn).

This afternoon I went to sns for some afternoon knitting and progression on the sweater. Ironically, Margaret showed up unexpectedly so we had a small group knitting. What put a damper on the day was noise from upstairs (but only two more months to go cha-cha-cha until we move) after we got home. Call me crazy but I think that if your stomping causes the lights on my chandelier to flicker and I can hear your impressions of a monkey louder than my tv, you are noisy ( and thus the problem with my neighbors).

Oh, if you remember the hats I knit for the pregnant co-worker well I got a very nice thank you card from her, a compliment from another co-worker who we carpool sometimes, and another co-worker. The thing is the last co-worker I never met before and she introduced herself complimented me on the work and then asked me if she would buy the yarn if I would knit her grand-daughter a baby hat. Hmmm, um, no. I have a few projects of my own sorry.

Whoops: I forgot to add the movies I rented. We got in honor of Halloween, The Feast and X-Men 3. We have been catching up on the horror films through all the movie blocks, AMC has been playing the classics while FX has been playing some new ones and SciFi has a mix. The Feast was the Project Greenlight film which is more gory than I would think.

Why not, borrow a meme, and answer more questions since I've been reading this meme everywhere so after reading Crafty Weasel today, I decided to be a copy cat, like Fluffy, and do it too. Here goes.

1. FIRST NAME? Monica
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I thought I was named after the bar named after my cousin especially cool because we had glasses with my name on them.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Tuesday night after I got back an exam I studied for and didn't do as well as I thought (if I may explain I have a 4.0 GPA and I got a C+ on the exam and I did study).
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, when I can take my time as I am left handed I am very conscious of my handwriting.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCHMEAT? I don't like lunchmeat.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? If I cloned myself I wouldn't be my friend, but if I was a different person I would be. I guess I like my friends to compliment me and vice versa.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Blog.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I used to think when I was younger I would but now No.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? Pops.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope (formal or otherwise, no).
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Depends. Usually I think so.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby.
14. SHOE SIZE? US 7.5
15. RED OR PINK? Red but dark like burgundy.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Right now, I am chubby, squeezable like charmin.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friends.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I think I emailed this to my friends, but online community post all you want.
19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Dark blue sweatpants with some paint on it, and a black PAWS t-shirt covered in cat fur. No shoes.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Curried Cauliflower and Spicy Thai Shrimp all from Whole Foods.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Veronica Mars.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? Grey.
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Cranberry Orange from Illuminations, Coconut, garlic, but not all together (different smells for different things).
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My dad before class explaining how I am not happy about going to class.
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes, smile, voice.
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM? Yes. I have seen this on several blogs and I enjoy all the bloggers.
27. FAVOURITE DRINK? Mountain Dew or Cafe con leche (depends what time of the day).
28. FAVOURITE SPORT? Softball
29. EYE COLOUR? Brown.
30. HAT SIZE? I don't wear hats.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes.
32. FAVOURITE FOOD? Thai, Japanese, Indian, Ethiopian, Creole, spicy.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Depends. right now, I am loving all the scary movies but that will end next week.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Autumn, then Winter, then Spring, last is Summer because of the heat and humidity.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs by friends, hugs and kisses by DH.
37. FAVOURITE DESSERT? My cousin Angela's flan. It is heaven.
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don't know.
39. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don't know.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Career Counseling.
41. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Frida Kahlo.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Hellboy-it was pretty good. I wanted to watch Halloween 2 and 3, but i already saw them.
43. FAVOURITE SOUNDS? Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, then it goes to AC/DC, Korn, classic Heavy Metal bands, then it goes to Red Hot Chili Peppers to ...
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
45. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME? Costa Rica or Spain (I don't know which one is further).
46. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Fast typer (65 wpm), memorizing phone numbers, memorizing pop culture trivia
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Hackensack, Jersey.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I took it.

Let me preface this post by stating that my digital camera is broken and worst of it all I found out while taking Squid Knits photo. So, this will be a photo-less post.

Rhinebeck

Rhinebeck was interesting, overwhelming, and satisfying all at once. DH, Margaret, and I had a late start on Saturday which put us directly in traffic. Blegh. So we arrived later than we anticipated and in time for my lunch time stomache to growl. I dragged everyone over to the fried artichokes, because, well I have been craving them for a year. While DH held our space on line Margaret and I cornered our first few bloggers (none on my card) but they were Spin Weave Knit and Cake, The Wandering Knitter, and Three Sheeps to the Wind. Well, afterwards DH went in search of wine while Margaret and I went in search of fried dough and mountain dew. Well, at this point I saw Stacey (Sheep in the City) and Cynthia (I hate Waiting). After chasing them down the hill, I was very happy to finally two individuals whose blogs I have been reading for over a year.

We headed over to blogger meet up which was overwhelming. The first fifteen minutes was great but then I felt bad because I became distracted by just finding my squares. I felt bad asking "Who are you? ...Um, ok, you're not on my card. Nice to meet you."

Anyways, Margaret and I walked around but our energy was low. I did pass up the samoyed yarn (yarn made from a samoyed dog) which fascinated me, but I did pick up some yarn for my secret pal (the one I am spoiling). I was tempted when I saw Cynthia's needle case from Crippenworks but when I went to the booth they didn't have the pattern I really liked. I love Moving Mud but then felt overwhelmed by the rush of people a few minutes later and skipped picking anything up (and to be honest I don't need the buttons right now).

It was extremely crowded. Really crowded.

When I arrived home I found a special surprise. yeah! (Imagine a photo of the package-remember broken camera). So, I opened the package to find a rectangular tin with daffodils on the cover. Yeah! So, I opened the tin which has a Halloween card signed from my SP. Inside is a white chocolate skull (and we all know how much I love skulls-so Day of the Dead), two skeins of Knitpicks Andean Treasure in yummy brown, a candle, and a book of Frida Kahlo postcards, YEAH!

Thanks to my Secret Pal. I am sorry my camera is busted. The package was wonderful!

Here I am in case you were curiious for Rhinebeck tomorrow. Now, I will bring my red poncho in case it gets super cold, but I will attempt to keep the t-shirt and scarf in view.

I met Stitchy McYarnpants (Deb) this afternoon at stix-n-stitches. It was so much fun! I can't tell you what great fun the visit was and I learned new vocabulary which is always beneficial. I was chilling working on my sweater, sipping coffee with Remy, and Deb busted out the super finds.

While most people chuckled at this use of this pattern, I thought with five cats why not knit them a baby bundler. My cats would like fabulous!

The granny square sweater, who knew?

Stitchy (Deb) holding the loopy fringe and multicolored vest.

I love this picture so I am posting them twice.

I forgot what everyone was saying something about the Supremes or The Beatles, but here are three models of fugly (the models are lovely, the yarn is grandma's acrylic). Patty is wearing the granny square sweater (left), Danielle is wearing the multi-colored resemblence of a top (center) while Jaime is wearing another vest (right). What you don't see on Jaime's vest is that it has granny squares, knitting and fringe (not pictured)-an all occasion vest in all occasion colors.

Jaime agreed to model the vest (what is sad is she makes the fugly look nice).

Coulrophobia- The fear of clowns.

Troll fashion forward. This post is in honor of Project Runway. Please notice, Fran knit one fashion item in sock yarn (Pink) and the other piece in chunky yarn (chunky for a troll in Orange), while Red remained in its birthday suit.

Sir Mix-a-lot may enjoy this perspective.

Sexy Sexy

Budweiser Fashion for the masses - another way this lovely accessory can be worn.

Ok, so I am very photo shy. But, I will be wearing this lovely t-shirt from Modern Yarn. I love this t-shirt because it has a skull. DH will be with me and I always advertise his English accent because that is pretty easy for people to recognize. I am a brunette and if my Bingo button doesn't arrive tomorrow I will make something so you can see me.

I will see if I can post anything tomorrow with photos of something else I will wear. Maybe, my pink malabrigo mistake rib scarf. Hmmmm....

Ok, so there is no physical progress on the Central Park Hoodie, but my yarn purchase did arrive. Webs announced a great price on Classic Elite Skye Tweed so I glanced over ordered enough to make the CP Hoodie and then saw the Elizabeth Lavold at a great price. So, I couldn't decide and considering the downfall of internet purchases is not being able to touch the yarn or see the actual colors (monitors alter the colors), so I ordered both. It seemed logical at the time. Essentially, I can swap the yarn I don't use or I can someday eventually use it.

The five pound box arrived this afternoon. This is perfect timing. When yarn arrives on your doorstep is it not perfect timing (whatever time that may be)? Anyways, I finished a difficult exam yesterday so the yarn makes me feel good.

Well, I have joined my first Knit-a-long. In fact, I am joining a couple. Why not? I am very excited since I never did a KAL. All the planets are aligning, so since I just learned to cable a few weeks passed at Margaret's b-day party coupled with my fascination with the Central Park Hoodie. I have found two KAL's that meet one garment. I thought about this for a while. I am so impressed/overwhelmed/awestruck with how so many online knitters can join a KAL. I think about what I am going to knit for so long (it has nothing to do with my intimidation to make clothes). This time, I thought, as Maya on Girlfriends would say, "Hell no". I am going to knit a cable sweater.

Now that my yarn has arrived from Webs I have to compare and contrast the two and knit up some swatches. I am leaning towards the Classic Elite because I like the tweed factor. I think that Elizabeth Lavold can be used for another sweater.

So, below, are up close and personal photos of the two yarns that are my options. Hmmmm...

I got this from Hy's Blog (a fellow NJ Knitter) who got this from Shelby, one of the SP9 Hosts. Ah, so much sharing....

List your favorite:
Actor - Ewan McGregor; Kevin Spacey; Denzel Washington
Actress - Diane Keaton, Angelina Jolie
Animal - Penguins; Wolves
Band - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Book - 1984 or Animal Farm by George Orwell;
Candy - Maynard's Wine Gums
Color - Sage Green; Burgundy; Chocolate Brown
Drink- Mountain Dew
Flower - Orchids
Food - Thai, Chinese, Japanese
Lip Balm - Burt's Bees, Kiehls, a lot (I collect these things!)
Lotion - A fruity scent from Bath and Body Works
Movie - Harry Potter films, Usual Suspects, Joy Luck Club
Place - My home
Song - most songs performed by Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday
TV Show - Law and Order SVU, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I don't care it is no longer made), Battlestar Galactica, That 70's show
Yarn- Malabrigo, Malabrigo, Malabrigo
Vacation Spot - New Zealand (my dream vacation); Costa Rica (my dream vacation I actually went on)