But I did have a little fun last week. On Friday, I had a visit from none other than Wendy from Lanas de Lebilula. She was on her way back home, and only had a few hours to spend, so we hit Rumplestiltskin's, had some lunch and hung out a bit. Rena and Picabou LOVED her. I liked her quite a bit too. And also, without her, I would have a parking ticket right now.

Auntie Wendy gave Rena a stuffed Kangaroo, and so far he has most of his stuffing. She must like him a lot to keep him around so long:

Thanks for stopping by Wendy! Let our home be your official Sacramento pit stop!

I started knitting again last night. Woo Hoo!

(Click for big) This photo was taken on the American River levee, one day before all the trees, grasses, and flowers were turned into dirt. Levee upgrades are in process.

Whoo boy, that was quite a break, eh?

There is absolutely nothing to blog about, and I'm starting to question the wisdom of paying for this domain.

March zoomed by, yet took forever. I have no idea what happened in March.

April came in and whacked both me and Sean with the Flu. The hideous flu, that hangs on forever and makes you exhausted. Six days of fever, 12 days of not being hungry, 14 days and counting of the hacking cough. I'm at about 95% recovered, and had to come in to work for three very busy days of meetings at day 7, 8 and 9, which extended my illness and gave it to everyone else. Good times! Everybody loves me around here!

I have not knit a stitch in forever. But, I did buy a sweater kit, the Sweet Baby Boy Sweater kit from Coldwater Collaborative. My niece is due with her second boy in May so I need to get hoppin' on this sweater! I also have nothing but good things to say about Coldwater. I ordered the sweater on Friday, and received it Monday. That's pretty darn good!

So soon, I will start knitting again. Soon. As soon as I have the energy.

After chat yelling (in all caps) at like, the tenth customer service chat person, they gave me an email address, and told me what to put in the subject line to have it "elevated" (Attn: Management Team, in case you're wondering.) and my account was restored the next day.

Now I can't remember what I wanted to buy.

It was the principle of the thing.

Whew! But now I appear to be up. Let me know if anything weird happens.

I had a moment where I thought I might just pack it all in with MT and switch to WordPress. Anyone know how hard it would be to convert?

Anyway...

I had another needle mishap the other night. My fault entirely. I was using my Denise needles to knit on Arian now that I've finished and joined the sleeves, and was using one of their extenders to connect to cords together. The cords aren't really bendy enough when it comes to the sleeve part of the equation, and in forcing my stitches around I snapped off the end of my cord.

Dropping 3 inches worth of stitches.

You gotta love sticky wool though. Even though the stitches were hanging in space, they all stayed together enough for me to get them back on an emergency needle.

Looking around for a non-Denise size 8 with a cord longer than 24 inches proved fruitless and so I decided to order me up one of those KnitPicks Harmony needles with a 32 inch cord. And a sock pattern. And yarn.

Oh the rationalization that went on!

So now I'm waiting on a needle for the homestretch of this sweater.

Rena is back in gulag (crate) during the day because of massive destruction. I just don't know what the change was, but we went from a perfectly good dog with no destruction, to a dog that in 2 hours destroyed Picabou's new special orthopedic bed, a library book (mostly just the paper cover), cord to a lamp, cord to a surge protector, a couch slipcover and the lid to our new coffee pot.

But, Sean got a new car (Honda Element) and her crate (which used to be Picabou's crate so it's XXL) fits in the back and on the cooler days he takes her to work with him. She's just in the car instead of the garage, and he can visit her periodically throughout the day and take her for a walk at lunch. It's fun for him and nicer for her.

So that's it. I worked long long days while sick all last week, and worked Saturday, and then worked a 12 hour day yesterday. Today, I'm taking it easy. Hence this quick mid-day blog.

Now back to work!

Almost two finished sleeves for Arian, Some earphones, my Creativ Zen player that I use for listening to audiobooks.

But let's take a detailed look, shall we?

There used to be a needle here...

Um...this used to be one continuous cable...

Two ends...chewed.

Decorative teef marks...

I never liked these headphones anyway...

But Mom, I was booooooored...

Oh Rena McBeana.. I can only blame myself for leaving my knitting basket out and on the floor. And thank you for sparing the yarn and only decorating the mp3 player.

I know!

I'm working on the sleeve for Arian. It took a little while to get back in the groove, and then I got stuck in a rut. Knit, tinK, Knit, tinK, Knit, Knit Knit, tinK, Knit, tinK. I stopped when I realized I would need to tinK again.

The table incident is fading into memory. We shall never speak of it again. It went back in it's box and back to the store where it can fool someone else into thinking it's smaller than it actually is.

Today I'm using a new keyboard/mouse combo that I bought for work. Of course, I hate it. Can I ever get something new that I like? Why am I so averse to change?

I'm sure it will grow on me...

That's it for now... I need to get back to work.

In other news, the new year is starting out with a mixture of good and bad, but mostly good.

Good: We had a rockin' New Year's Eve party this year, people seemed to have a good time. You can see pictures at my mySpace page (LINK). There is also a nearly idential blog post to this one, except it has links to other mySpace people and the pictures they took. But mostly, I think this picture from the party sums it up pretty nicely:

(Photo by Erika Thomas)

Good: We survived the BIG! STORM! just fine and had a nice day at home because both of our offices closed for the day. So, that means I was off work from Christmas Eve through January 2, went to the office for one day, then had a three-day weekend. Sweet!

Good: I won an iPod shuffle in an online contest! At least, I think I did. Whenever I click the link to check my prize status it takes me to a page that says "Thank you for entering the Post It® Tote Bag Sweepstakes!" So, I might have won a tote bag. But I really think I won the iPod and they just forgot to update the prize status page. I guess I'll have to wait and see which one shows up.

Bad: I also entered an online contest to win a car for Sean. I think I might just have wasted all my winning luck on the iPod (tote bag).

Bad: My 10-year-old eBay user account was deleted by eBay. I don't know why, and they don't know why. The sequence of answers from three days of Live Chat help (the only help they provide) went something like this:

1. Sorry, I can't find your user name. Please go to this link and tell them your problem…they will be able to help you.
2. Sorry, we can't find your user or registration. Nothing we can do about it.
3. Sorry, I can't find your user name or any record that you were ever registered. Just go ahead and re-register.
4. Your account was deleted by request.
5. Sorry, but I can't find your user id or registration. Please sign in and change your email address. (Oh eBay, if I only could…)
6. Yes, it I can see that you had an account, but it's gone and can not be retrieved.
7. Oh yeah, you know, there was a glitch in the database recently and some accounts were accidentally deleted. All but a few were restored. I guess yours was one of the ones that wasn't restored.
8. Maybe we can restore it…we'll call you back.

So now I'm waiting for a call back to see if my account can be restored. I'm not thinking my chances are very good.

Good: I've been looking forever for a new kitchen table, one that was counter-height and could maybe double as a kitchen island. Let's just say I had a vision of what I wanted, which is rare for me because my mind's eye is usually blind. After months of looking, and trying to find the best table at the best price, one that wasn't rickety, and not fugly. I finally found a deal at Costco, and bought it today.

Bad: After putting it together I'm not sure I like it. It does not fulfill my vision (I think my mind's eye was just a little farsighted) and I'm the tiniest bit depressed about it, because it was a total bitch to get it here, unpack it, get it all set up, and now… I think I made a mistake. There is no way to get it back in the boxes to return it. And it's huge. And now I have to sell the previous kitchen table somehow, and there is so much Styrofoam and cardboard to deal with. I know, "poor me, I got a new kitchen table." I feel like a total jerk.

Work. Walk the dogs. Dinner. Clean up. Guitar Hero. TV. Bed.

Repeat daily. That's been my life this week. I'm exhausted.

But this year, I found myself suddenly facing a four day weekend without a power adapter for my computer (BAD DOG!) and so I had to drive up to El Dorado Hills and bring home the one I use at work.

Since I was near Folsom, I decided to just pop in quickly to Sports Authority and see if they had any hiking shoes for me. I need a new pair, since mine have holes in them and I've been walking in them everyday for two years.

They didn't, but I decided just to browse the other stores in the center. It wasn't bad, or overly crowded or anything. I bought some necessities, and one I-just-want-it item from Linens 'n Things. Useful things, like a rolling pin, a new cutting board, a pie server. I also bought this wierd thing that holds your knives, but doesn't have slots. It's called Kapoosh. It's pretty cool.

Anyway, that's not why I ROCK!!!1! I also stopped by Best Buy on my way home and picked up a little something called an XBox 360 for Sean. And THAT's not even why I ROCK!!!1!

The game came with Guitar Hero II, which I totally ROCK!!!1! I currently have the high score for Surrender as made famous by Cheap Trick.. On medium level no less. (I'm sure it won't last long). The thing really hurts my wrist, and it totally bugs out my vision. But it's TOTALLY fun.

We're going to go get another controller so we can play duets.

Here's a picture I stole from my friends Kris and Rich. They had invited us over for beer and laughter and we insisted on bringing the new game and forcing them to play. I am really concentrating hard in this picture and rocking hard with my six-fingered hand.

I ROCK!!!1!

The last time we tried this, Rena knocked down the gate and, it seemed, tore around the house moving shoes and couch cushions and jumping on the bed.

Being optimists, we tried again, but just to be safe, before I left I stashed the computer, the remotes, library books, and other important stuff in the bathroom where it would be safe if she did break through the gate again.

Then as I was driving to work, I got about 2 miles away and realized I hadn't closed the bathroom door! Doh!

So I drove back, and closed it, calmed the dogs down (they were So! Happy! to See! Me!) and went to work.

When Sean came home, everything was good. The gate was still in place, and Rena hadn't destroyed anything. Yay!

But, when he opened the bathroom door, he found a very annoyed Moon Pie. I had accidentally locked her in. Sean said she followed him around the house for about an hour, constantly meowing at him. How could he have done that to her! hahahhahh.

Most people love getting that hour back, but I think we should just stay on DST year round. I'd rather have my evening sun.

Thinking of trying to walk Rena in the dark makes me anxious. Last winter was no problem, I was unemployed. This year I'm super busy, and so is Sean. Oh well, usually I worry about stuff like this too much and it ends up not being the problem I think it will be.

Had an uneventful weekend. Sean cleaned the garage, and I cleaned the house, with the extra bonus of clearing out one closet, tidying up my craft room, and winding up a few hanks of yarn.

Have you seen these new Harmony Wood tips Knitpicks needles? It's not often I see something I really want but do not need in the least. But still ... WANT!

Knitting on Ariann has slowed to nothing, due to the fact that I am now ready to knit the sleeves. I started one, but when I realized I should probably knit them both at the same time, and that lead to the realization that I would have to wind up another skein of yarn, and that would require, getting off the couch, and going into my incredibly messy craft room…well, it was all too much. I get to that point and all I want to do is lie down under the binkie and nod off in front of the tv.

I swear, I think I have a lot to talk about, then I start typing and nothing. I have nothing to say.

This is my most major news: I finally found some jeans that fit. Dang, I’d been searching and searching, and wearing my stupid too tight highwater jeans and hating them every minute. I wanted jeans made of a little bit heavier denim, with not a lot of Lycra (I’m sick of tight jeans), not too low-waisted and not high waters. I finally found them at Target, and they were on sale for the bargain price of $16.99. I bought four pairs. Well, actually, I bought six pairs, but that’s only because I tried on my regular size, thought they fit ok, and bought two pairs. I took them home and washed them in hot water and dried them on hot, hoping they would shrink up just right. They didn’t.

Then as I was wearing them for the first time and thinking “these would be perfect if they were just a little smaller” it came to me: I could try on the next size down! What an idea! The size I haven’t been since 1998.

Due to woman’s clothes sizing being ridiculous, I tried on the next size down and they fit perfectly. So I bought four more pairs. Now I have enough jeans to lastl at least until I gain weight and can go down another size. Har har.

I have also bought just a whole bunch of new things. Upgrades, if you will. In addition to the jeans, I bought a new showerhead, new frying pans, and new kitchen towels...an egg poacher. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but for me it is. I’ve been holding out forever on those upgrades. Now I just want new towels, new flannel sheets, a new pillow, and a new pair of hiking shoes and I’ll be done.

…“And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair.”

But, maybe this will be just what I need to get back on track with knitting.

Things have been pretty busy around here. I don't know why, exactly. True, I'm back to working full-time, but that's really no excuse. I also spend over an hour a day walking the dogs. Still... I haven't kept up with the housework at all and the place is a mess. I feel like I have no time.

Ah well...maybe I can get caught up this weekend. I have Monday off, so that should help. (That's what happens when you help write your company's enterprise handbook. I made sure to slip in an October holiday.) I feel like if I could just get orgainized I'd feel so much better.

Anyway.

I took Petey to the Vet last Wednesday for a dental procedure. I knew his teeth were in pretty bad shape, and that can cause all sorts of problems when cats age. I didn't know how bad. He had to have 5 teeth pulled and has the beginnings of kidney disease (so he'll be on prescription food from now on. Soft food, of course, the expensive prescription kind). Poor Petey! I also found out that he had no top front teeth at all. Isn't that weird? Where did they go?

Moon Pie is her fine, fat and sassy self, and Schmacky is great and is just now starting to be in the house more. He's the cat that's always out and about, and stays out practically all Summer. But once the weather turns, he's in like Flynn. He just climbed up on my lap and is lying (laying? I NEVER kniow.) like a baby in my arms. He's such as sweetie...at least until he tries to rip you apart.

The dogs are good. Rena is still a challenge. We finally figured out that she is not the Alpha dog. She's the Alpha dog wannabe, and that's a very different thing. It means she's a spoiled BRAT. So, we made a few changes and support Picabou as the Alpha and things are fine between them again. We also had a week-long experiment with not locking her in her crate during the day. The destruction gradually escalated until she did the ultimate worst thing. Yes, she destroyed the X-box controller and headphones. So she's a dog-in-the-box again. We also had a short experiment with using a baby gate to lock them in the kitchen, like we did when Pic was a puppy. But, Rena did not respect the gate like Pic did (and still does). So it will probably be another few months before we try again.

So that's an update. Knitting... not so much, but starting to get back into it. And I'm tired. The End.