Well, I'm glad that there are many opinions on both sides of the indoor - outdoor schmoo issue. (I know you really want me to shut up about it, but it's my blog and I'm really stressing again! Can you tell?) Unfortunately, the bottom line here is that our landlord has said that the dogs must stay outside. Grr. So, for the time being, I believe I will try to live with them being outside. (I have to say that Chili, our bigger dog, prefers to be outside and will probably thrive in her new abode. Little Bella, however, is smaller (20 lbs) and might not be so comfy staying outside all the time. So a compromise could be to bring Bella in more often. Maybe.)Having said all that, here's a closer view of the doggy mansion that we prepared for the little ones yesterday. The wheelbarrow might give you some idea of how tall it is. And what's that? You want to see what's inside? Well, I think inside there might be a local farmboy working on some farm chores...oh, my bad. That's just Jacob raking some of the hay and cedar chips we put in there for the doggers. (Isn't he cute?) It really does look comfortable and warm cozy and happy in there...it's just different. Ya know? I'll be better once I've seen how happy they are....

This whole thing has made me think how I'm going to be a freakin' anxious mother. (No offense intended by comparing my dogs to someone's children.) If I can't send my little schmoos out in the yard, where they're bound to be happy and frolic in the sunshine, how will I send my child to daycare? Or kindergarten? Oh, the anxiety. I can't even imagine. I am, admittedly, a pretty anxious girl. And this I know. But how will I handle it?

I guess it'll be awhile before I have to worry about that anyways. Just food for thought....

I haven't been knitting at all since the move started...I've finished everything on my little cotton self-designed tank except for the straps, and I'm having trouble figuring out what to do with them. I may need to snap a picture of the tank withouth straps and get some opinions.

I also want to start working on that sassy Dale of Norway halter that Carolyn sent me, and it's starting to warm up just enough to wear a little number like that.

Maybe that's why I'm so wound up. I haven't been knitting enough. Too bad I have to move heavy furniture tonight and probably won't knit any. Maybe Wednesday night *fingers crossed*?

Posted by Carrieoke at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)

Posted by Carrieoke at 2:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I am tired.

I'm not quite as tired as Jacob and his dad Tommy who spent the entire weekend building a fence for the backyard in our new country home. You can see Tommy modeling the new fancy gate to our fence on the left (click to enlarge.) That little house in the back right corner of the picture is the smokehouse that is going to become a dog house for the schmoos. And you can kind of see what the whole fence itself looks like if you look next to the gate. Yes, it's a little piece of doggy heaven, complete with their own doggy mansion and 250 feet of fencing to keep them in their own not-so-little doggy run.
Despite the luxury of the aforementioned dog lodgings, I am still nervous about leaving my schmoos outside all the time. I really think there are two schools of thought on this issue, and it all goes back to how you grew up. I grew up with my Lhasa Apso named Ashlei constantly in my bed, on the couch, underfoot. So I am used to dogs being inside animals and often joining me on the furniture. Now Jacob grew up differently. They ALWAYS had dogs, but they were always outside. Now, Jacob's parents' dogs are the happiest, most well-behaved, healthiest dogs I know, bar none. They live out in their backyard in a large kennel and they are awesome. And I know that my little schmoos are probably going to be happier outside, since, ya know, they're DOGS and dogs like to eat dirt and dig holes and chase squirrels and run around in the sun. But what if Bella thinks I don't love her anymore? Or what if a bad man comes in the middle of the night and STEALS MY SCHMOOS out of the yard?Or, what if she cries all the time? And what if I miss her while I am sleeping? I woke up this morning to a cute little Bella-schmoo curled right up next to me..I will miss that! The real problem here, obviously, is that I can't handle the change. Not the freakin' dogs. So bear with me if I'm a little emotional this week...I'm letting my little schmoos go out into the real world of dogness, and I'm a little afraid.

We moved all weekend...the only things left are a piano, a king sized bed, a large couch, and two enormous dressers. That's all!! Ha Ha. But hopefully we will be able to get it moved by Wednesday. I can't even really think straight about this weekend because I'm so exhausted. All I know is that my mom and Jacob's parents helped tremendously and we would have been lost without them. THANK YOU!

Also saw Cathy's band and they rocked...when they played the theme song for "The Price is Right," I got to 'come on down!' It was almost as good as the real thing. Almost.

And, check out this fabulous sweater that Jenny knitted...how cute is that? And how cute is her hair?

Posted by Carrieoke at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

I feel so alone without my digital camera! My sister brought me some batteries today (not my rechargeable ones, since she left them on top of her car as she was leaving for Athens and they flew off the car.....) but she brought me some temporary ones to charge up my cam. So, I have some pictures for you today! Yahoo! (click to enlarge!)

here we are after Britney. fun times!

And may I present to you, my lovely gift from my Secret Knitting Pal?

click to see the whole box!

the whole package!

Thanks for letting me vent about my issues up in this piece. I mean, I know it's my blog and everything, but sometimes I wonder if the readers get bored with the petty dramas of life... but hey, the petty dramas are good fodder for TV shows like 90210.

(You can click on the extended entry link below if you want to hear about the continuing saga of Carrie's crazy drama friends...)

By the way, I talked to Carolyn from Girl Reaction yesterday and she is as funny on the phone as she is on her blog. Hey girl -- thanks for having my back! You are awesome.

I got bored at work yesterday and started playing with my blog, only to suddenly realize that it's blue and I have a new banner. Photoshop is a dangerous tool, folks. But thanks for all the nice comments! I think, maybe.... *hesitating* .......that I'm going to try to learn how to skin the site and have a link to the old look. Just because I really want to learn how to do it, and I think I can if I read up on it, and because I like to change my banner every five minutes. But, don't hold your breath.

Oh! and the good news! Remember when I mentioned a while back that these guys heard me sing at karaoke and they wanted me to audition for their band? Well, they called. I auditioned. I recorded some vocal tracks for them. And I think, and I will know by this Sunday, that I'm going to be the new female vocalist in a local electronica-pop-etc. band. Ain't that cool? And they are super nice guys, and they actually know what they are doing (as in, it wasn't two dudes with guitars and a cassette recorder, they had AWESOME equipment and a booth and fat microphones and they mixed what I recorded and it sounded like a real song. Woot!) So, maybe, if things go well, and we play out in the future, I'll be playing in a town near you soon. We'll see. But I'll keep ya posted.

Hey - have a great weekend. And by Monday, I will be living in my new country home!

Okay, so I went to dinner with the email lady last night and brought the email along with me. And here's the deal, folks...she named names. She named her sources. And the woman she was talking about is one of the cast members I called as soon as I got her email and asked if she knew what this was about (and of course she said, no way, it's not me.)

So, now it's a he-said, she-said situation, and I really don't have time to stress about that. And, it's only one woman, not the whole cast, and I think she's mad at the situation of this play we're doing, and just blaming it on me. Grr.

So, I decided this : Now that I know it's one freakin' person, and it's not a cast of 10+ people all deciding I'm a bitch, I'm just going to blow it off. If it comes up again, I will share the information I have, but, really, I'm just gonna be Carrie the peaceful morale boosting cast member, and if people want to spread lies, FINE. I will be the better person.

It may be wimpy, but I don't think it would do any good to have like a town meeting because everyone's going to deny what was said, so blech. If they want to gossip like fifth graders, they can.

And I've got an army of bad-ass knit bloggers who will step up for me if it happens again...thanks you guys!!!! What a kick-ass community this is!

Posted by Carrieoke at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Hello!

my schmoos playing!

First things first...I left the batteries for my digital camera in Atlanta, so I can't show you a picture of the absolutely fabulous gift that my Secret Pal sent me. So, I'll tell you about it and post a pic as soon as I can. I got a beautiful little jewelry box -- it's blue with a big red C on it. So cute! And inside... TWO pairs of earrings, an adorable little button, and a pretty silver stone. Secret Pal, you made my day! What a great package to come home to! I promise I'll show you how cute everything is soon. Thank you SKP!!! I even wore one pair of earrings to the Britney show! (how'd you like my segue?)

The Britney concert was fantastic. It was almost more like a Broadway show than a concert...complete with elaborate set, costume changes galore, and some completely awesome dancers, including Britney herself. Our seats were really great too (thanks Cat!)

Cathy and I did however, feel like Waldorf and Statler on the Muppet Show as we grumbled about the teeny boppers who were there. Their outfits were ridiculous! As in, too short, and inappropriate, and I don't get offended easily. Then, the show itself was VERY risque, which again made us grumble about the younger kids (as in, why did their parents bring them to this show when it seems like Britney is moving towards a not-fer-kids image??) Makes you realize how old you are when you start grumbling about them young kids.....

But the show was highly entertaining, and worth every penny (of my sister's hard-earned money). To the Britney haters: SHE ROCKED MY FACE OFF.

It's been a rocky week for me, I have to say. We are in the middle of moving, and finding the time to load up and make trips over has been really hard. We've definitely made a dent in the furniture, but there's still SO MUCH. And a piano. Acck!! Send muscles.

And, to top that off, the woman who I was having problems with before (see this entry ) emailed me last night and basically said that everyone in the cast of my play is mad at me and thinks I'm selfish and I'm ruining the morale of the cast. Without going into too much detail, I have no idea what she's talking about and neither do several cast members. But her email was long, and detailed and super hurtful and I stressed about it all last night. Yay stomachaches. Why do I care what people think or are saying? Someone is always not going to like me, I know this....can't please everyone all of the time. Right?!?! Right?!!?

So, I'm ready for a long, relaxing weekend of....moving. Ha. No, I really do think it will be refreshing to get out of the old house, into a shiny new house with more space to stretch out. I do have some good news, too, but I'm saving that for a picture filled, happy time post!

Posted by Carrieoke at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (19)

At any rate, the girl who won first place completely rocked my face off. She sang "All That Jazz" and danced up a storm and she WAILED. Then, for #2, she freakin' pulled out the Tina Turner version of "Proud Mary." Oh yeah. And she did the Tina Turner dance, too. (doot doo doo doo, doot doo doo doo) So, she was totally awesome and deserved first place.

(Now, the second place girl....hmmm. I'm not gonna be a sore loser, but let's just say that she was okay. And "I Will Survive" does not count as a difficult song choice in my book.) But I digress....

The best part of the night, by far, were all of my friends, my sister and her fiance, one of my co-workers! coming to a crowded bar and cheering their heads off for me. Isn't it fun when all your social groups combine into one big party? (When the winners were being announced, my friend Natalie, pictured above on the right, kept saying, "And the winner is ...Carrieoke! " and then yelling and screaming at the top of her lungs. It was funny.) It was just all around a really fun, silly, drunken, karaoke fest with my fun friends.

Of course, I would have loved the $1000. But there's always next time, right? And karaoke for karaoke's sake is outrageously fun anyways. Thanks for all the well wishes and good lucks and help with my song choice and outfit, etc. (FYI, I went with a purple halter dress that Jacob gave me a long time ago, and a pair of heels. It was a trendy classy look. )

Knitting! Did I knit this weekend? You bet I did. My orange and white tank top is almost finished, just a few more rows on the back and seam it up! Yahoo! I got to knit that while driving to Atlanta on Saturday....I also randomly decided to make a felted bag on Friday night. I've had this black wool sweater on the needles for a while that I just wasn't feeling anymore...my gauge was off, it's getting hot, blah blah blah. So, I cut it up, sewed it into a bag, and felted the darn thing. I added a little knitted decoration, and .... voila!

Well, I gotta go work some. I'm going to the Britney Spears concert tomorrow night!!!! Tickets courtesy of my fabulous twin sister! Acckk!!!!!

Posted by Carrieoke at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)

Carolyn rocks my world! Look at the prettiness of the yarn that she dropped in the mail for me! She also sent me a fiesty little halter top pattern. Thank you so much! I can't wait to start the fabulous halter with this yarn. Ooh, yummy cottony summery yarn....










And if you will turn your attention to the right, you will see the tank top that I have been working on.I'm using Lion Brand Dishcloth Cotton because that's what I had in my stash, and I'm just ribbing ribbing ribbing until the shirt is long enough. Making up my own little tank has been a learning experience. I've gotten to see about shaping, and adding straps and a neckline to a top. Now I didn't do any shaping or a neckline at all with this one, and the straps are super simple. But I think next time I go to actually design a top, I will have a better idea of what I want to do. And I can't wait to wear it! I also started another project last night that involved felting something I had been knitting...more on that next week...

So tonight's the night...gotta go sing for some money! Even if I don't win, it's going to be a really fun night. True, it would be a lot more fun if I come home with $1000, but I'll be a happy girl either way because I get to sing and dance around and have fun times with fun people. Send me rock vibes, friends. And to those who rock, I salute you. (Now I'm making the International Rock On symbol with my hands. If you aren't sure what that is, here ya go: Now go see Brainy Lady and check out her Rock Along Gallery!!)

Oh! Good news! We are about 99.5% sure that our current house has been leased for April 1. !! Which means that we DON'T have to pay rent in two places. That was an actual possibility the closer we got to the end of the month, and although we were trying to not to stress about it, I was stressed. So, yahoo! that means we have about two weeks to move into our new country home and get this old house clean. We can DO it. (I'm saying that in my best Ah-nold voice.)

Well, I'm a happy girl today. I'm going to go eat animal crackers and work on my department's website. Hope ya'll have a good weekend! Mwah! I kiss you all!

p.s. sorry if things look a little crazy around here. i'm playing with my stylesheet again and playing with arranging images, etc. so pardon my progress. ha ha.

p.s. again - how hilarious is thisdog? He's the dog of the week at Dogster!

Posted by Carrieoke at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

here is a random picture of Bella to brighten your day.(click pic to enlarge) Bella likes to roll around on her back, kicking her legs in the air, ALL THE TIME. We haven't decided if her backs itches, or if she wants attention, or if maybe she's exercising. She is a schmoo.

I'm too tired to think about a title. Oh yeah! Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I stayed up late watching Capturing the Friedmans last night. Jacob wanted to see it, and then he fell asleep before it was over in true Jacob fashion. And I stayed up til 12:30 watching. But it's a really good documentary - not a feel good movie by any means - it's actually kind of sad and depressing - but it's really well done.

Okay, my big karaoke competition is THIS Friday. $1000. And here's what I think I've decided to sing:

1. Gloria (Laura Branigan) (if they don't have it, I will move to #2...)
2. Flashdance (Irene Cara) (then, if there's a tie breaker, #3!)
3. Let's Hear It for the Boy (Deniece Williams) (and finally, for my encore, haha)
4. Never Can Say Goodbye (Gloria Gaynor)

Are you dancing around yet? Realistically, I'll probably only be asked to sing one song, but I figure it can't hurt to have some back ups. I'm trying to think of this as lots of fun and NOT think about how I could REALLY use $1000 right now. It's all fun. It's all fun. So send me star vibes Friday night around 10:00 pm...by the way, do you think I should dress 80s style, or dress really nicely, (like sexy shirt and skirt)?? I can't decide.

I'm in the middle of designing and knitting a summer top for myself. So far, so good. I'm using some cotton that I had in my stash and just making it up as I go along. It's all 2 x 2 rib on size 6 needles and it's actually going really fast. I'm looking for something quick and gratifying after the years of knitting my Homespun pants. Pics soon!

Hope you're having a great day. I'm going to go surf the knit blogs.

Thanks for all the cheeriness about my fuzzy pants and jeans issues. It's nice to know that everybody feels like this from time to time. And, obviously the jeans companies are on a mission to confuse women everywhere about what size they are. So there.

Thanks for Maggie over at Click Clack for help with my stylesheet code. I've been wanting to know how to put a pretty border around my pics for a while and Maggie helped me! Thanks!!!

Posted by Carrieoke at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Here are my No-Sweat Pants in all their fuzzy glory:

comfy and cozy am i!

ATTENTION: GIRLY COMPLAINING AHEAD.

This weekend, I went shopping and tried on jeans. Now, it has been awhile since I've tried to buy new jeans, because I have had two beloved pairs of J. Crew jeans that have ALWAYS fit me and I've never thought twice about it. Lately, though, my beloved jeans can't fit around my beloved tummy, so I decided to get a couple of pairs to tide me over for a little while.

The jeans that I tried on and could not get to fit me at the store were FIVE sizes bigger than my beloved jeans.

Okay. I don't care if I'm not a size 2. But it's disconcerting to go up so many sizes without realizing, don't ya think? And again, it's not a matter of size, necessarily, but I need to have a pair of jeans that I can wear out and feel cute in and count on. You know what I mean. Grr. So I'm feeling a little self conscious about the old waistline today.

I will never be a girl who worries about what she eats...I just can't. I love good food, and I can't count calories. I CAN eat healthy, but if I want a damn ice cream sundae, I'm gonna have it.

So, I've decided that I will be a girl that exercises regularly. I walked every day this weekend and I'm going to keep trying to do it this week. I just want to feel PRETTY again...

P.S. I have to say that I didn't think snug Homespun pants would do wonders for the old ego either. But they are comfy and stretchy. Yay.

P.S. again. Poor Jacob had to listen to me rant about these things all weekend. He never knows what to say, because if he says, "Good for you! You should exercise and be healthy!" I think that he thinks I'm fat. And if he says "Don't worry honey, you're perfect!" I think he's lying. I was being such a GIRL about it this weekend!

Posted by Carrieoke at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (29)

So it's Friday, it's 65 degrees, and I'm sending some swatches to Ann and Kay! Here they are:

swatches for the afghanalong!

I used the cable pattern from the pink sweater in the latest Interweaver Knits for the orange swatch, and I just did a basic basketweave stitch for the red and white one. They're not perfect, but they're mine! I hope to send more soon.

If you look at the bottom left corner of the picture, you'll see that I brought a little knitting to work today. And what is that cream colored project tucked away in my knitting bag? Click
here to see....that's right, it's a pair of No-Sweat Pants getting finished up! Don't they look huge? I'm a little scared. If you head on over to the Blue Blog, you can see that Alison's pants look pretty awesome...but she actually followed the pattern and knit them flat. I knit each leg in one big round piece, and I'm afraid that I'm going to look like one big round girl when I put the pants on.

But hey! They're not done yet...there is still hope. And anyways, the pants are for lounging, not for a fashion statement. And I can say I knitted a pair of pants.

Thanks for all the suggestions on affordable summer yarn! I can't wait to go to Hobby Lobby and Elann.com and check out the selections. (My sister has promised to buy me a skein of yarn if I come shopping with her...do they carry cashmere yarn at Hobby Lobby? Just kidding, Cathy...)

Today is a lazy, lazy day at work...I'm the only person in the office, so I'm relaxing a little bit (but still getting all my work done, of course. just in case Big Brother is reading my knitting blog.) This weekend will be spent resting and trying to help Jacob feel better...he's got a yucky case of laryngitis and sounds like an old man. I might move a few boxes over to the new abode too...if the weather's nice and I'm so inclined.

Hey, if you have a minute, check out Em's article at The Slant Review. Great article about the Great Starbucks Debate....

And while you're surfing, check out my twin sister's 80s nostalgia band, The Hill Valley Preservation Society. It just seems like a good day to listen to 80s TV show themes, don't you think? After all, it is Friday!

Oh, speaking of bands...and don't laugh at me....last week at karaoke, these two boys heard me sing a couple of songs and they actually came up to me and asked if I would audition to be in their band. hee. Now, I don't know what it's going to be like...or if they'll suck....or if I'll suck...but I'm meeting them after work today to sing for them. So, send me American Idol vibes..or bandworthy vibes, anyways. tee hee!

Posted by Carrieoke at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

So, my friend Leslie took care of the schmoos for us this weekend while we were rocking Panama City Beach. We decided to bring her back a present in true PCB style:

the schmoos love leslie!

Leslie SAID she was going to wear it to work today, but I have my doubts. Maybe we'll go to karaoke tonight and she'll rock it there.

Here's one last pic from the beach, and something for all the Grammar Avengers to giggle about. When we were at St. Andrew's State Park, this sign describing some greenery made me laugh because the plant is called "Woody Goldenrod." (Sorry, I'm immature. Ha ha.) So I took a pic (click to enlarge):

but then I looked closer at the sign....do you see the mistake? click here to see it!

I mean, come on, Florida State Park people! Sound it out. S-H-U-R-B is curb. Rhymes with blurb. or Serb. S-H-R-U-B is shrub. Rhymes with flub. or tub. This moment of self-righteous spelling was brought to you by the Grammar Avengers. Go team.

Anyways, in knitting news, one afghan square is drying right now after being blocked to appropriate 8 x 8 measurements. I am finishing my second tonight. And the pants....oh, the pants. Will they ever be finished? I am 19 inches into the 30inch long pant leg and it feels never-ending. I just want to get to the top of the pants! And then, I will be finished! Is it going faster for you guys who knit them flat? Maybe knitting them in the round is causing a slow down....

At any rate, when these projects are done, I seriously need to do some summery knitting. I'm talking tanks and shells, people. No more of this wool sweater crap for me. So, what yarn do I use do make summery clothes? I am not experienced in this field. And, I'm talking affordable yarn, so Debbie Bliss and Rowan are out. (For now, until I win my $1000 next weekend at karaoke.) Suggestions? Anyone?

I sent my first Knitting Secret Pal package yesterday! What fun!

Posted by Carrieoke at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Before I start my photo journal of my trip: My Secret Knitting Pal sent me the cutest little package with stickers, a little stuffed chickie, and the sweetest card. Thank you SKP!!!


Also, in knitting news, I am nearly done with the second leg of my No-Sweat Pants. I completed one afghan square for Ann and Kay, and am halfway through another one.

Now, if you would like to see what happened on my trip to Panama City Beach, click on the picture!

Panama City 2004

Oh, man. Panama City Beach during Spring Break is such an adventure. Here is our trip, in pictures (click on images to enlarge!) :

We got up at 6:00am and left at 7:00am on Saturday.	After seven long hours, we arrived in Panama City. The spring breakers were already in full force, so Jacob and I decided to join in the fun with a little airbrushing: (if you can't read Jacob's, it's the theory of relativity. Airbrushed. On a mirrored license plate.)
We spent lots of time with Jacob's sister Alison and her boyfriend Kendall: (they are pictured here wearing their knitted Xmas presents from me! And looking very Gap commercial, don't ya think?)
We also spent lots of time with Ali and Kendall's dog, Yoda. This is Yoda:	I took lots of pics of Yoda. I may actually need a separate Yoda photo album to use all the pictures I took. Here's Yoda with me: Yoda weighs 5 pounds and is the cutest thing EVER.
On Saturday, Jacob was very sleepy because he drove the whole way, so he took a nap and me and Alison played salon. I got a haircut and dye job:
before:	after!
Alison also shaped my eyebrows and showed me some new things to do with my eye makeup while I was there. She's awesome! And she's going to makeup artistry school in Canada this year, so I guess she's going into the right field. Yahoo!
On Sunday, me, Alison and Jacob took a trip to St. Andrew's State Park to walk on some of the nature trails. It was only 10 minutes away from our condo.
Here's Jacob taking pictures:	Here's me and Alison walking on the trail: Here's me and Jacob on the pier: Aren't we cute?

We really did have a great time. Spent some time with Jacob's grandparents and spent lots of time with Alison and Kendall. On Sunday, we ventured out into the Panama City Beach Spring Break 2004 world and had some drinks at a karaoke bar. It was HILARIOUS. I love karaoke anyways, but add a few drunk college kids who are in "Spring Break" mindset and it was highly entertaining. And I got to sing some songs. (I never went to PC Beach or any of those places for Spring Break in high school or college, so the carefree abandon and lack of decency was really funny!!)

We had to leave Monday afternoon so we could come back to work on Tuesday. We brought Jacob's great-aunt Jean with us:

Posted by Carrieoke at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

First things first: my twin sis Cathy finished her first sweater! Wanna see?

Look at Cat's first sweater! Wow!

(Okay, don't tell her, because I might lose my position in the family as the Knitting Oracle, but I think hers looks better than mine. ) It's perfect! Look at those raglan increases! And in her school colors! (She's a high school teacher) You go on with your bad self, Cathy....

In other news... ooh! I'm leaving for Panama City, FL, today! Yahoo! today is also the start of Spring Break for the University. So we will be driving on down with lots of college students around us, ready to party. Oh, boy....maybe I'll break down and get me a airbrushed shirt with fringe that says "Carrie + Jacob 4-Ever"....

WOOOOEEEEEE SPRING BREAK 2004!!!

Just kidding. We're actually going to visit Jacob's grandparents and Jacob's sister, who all live down in Florida. I'm hoping for nice weather and lots of knitting time. I know I will have lots of time in the car, so here's my plan:
1) Finish No-Sweat Pants (I think I can do it!)
2) Make a couple of swatches for Ann and Kay's Afghanalong
3) Hmm..work on my Chickami, or this new free tank pattern from Berroco called Irene..

or maybe I'll just sleep.

Either way, I'll take lots of pictures of the beach while I'm there, and I'll be sure to eat some good seafood, because I know you would want me to.

P.S. I've been exercising. I've decided to do the Self Challenge (no snickering, please) because I''m tired of feeling lethargic. I know Teresa will be proud of me! Anyways, this week, I exercised more than I have in the last 3 months. Literally. Hopefully I can keep it up...

P.S. again. I had play rehearsal for the first time in a month last night. I can't find my script, but I remembered all my songs. That's a good sign, right? Of course, my voice was still recovering from Wednesday night's karaoke escapades that included whiskey and the songs '9 to 5', 'Gloria', 'Borderline' and 'Flashdance'. (I was hurting a little yesterday at work.)

Have a great weekend!

Posted by Carrieoke at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

So, I was so excited about making the Poppies pattern from MagKnits that I raced home last night and knitted one up. What fun! I used some Noro Kureyon that I had left over from Christmas, and check it out:

Oh, Kureyon, how I love thee and thy wondrous felting abilities.

Yay for felted flowers! (By the way, in the picture above, my little flower is nestled on one finished leg of my No Sweat Pants. Started Leg 2 last night! So fun!) I have a feeling that a lot of my leftover wool scraps are going to turn into little felted treats to embellish my knitted items. I'm inspired by this pattern to create my own flower designs! Yay for Magknits! Seriously, these flowers are fun and fast..and can you imagine it pinned on my shirt? I'm so Carrie Bradshaw a la Sex and the City. And my name's Carrie, too, so that means I'm even MORE Carrie Bradshaw....(too bad Jacob told me the other night that I was like Charlotte! What?!?!? I refuse to accept that)

It's another beautiful day, and I'm gonna take another walk that might morph into a run. We shall see. In any case, I know that I will be knitting tonight, and maybe karaoke-ing, and hopefully sleeping at some point. Probably in that order too.

The $1000 karaoke competition is inching closer....March 19...any more suggestions for songs? I'm leaning towards Flashdance (What a Feeling!) because I know it and I'm comfortable with it. And I can RAWK it out. But I know some of you MUST have some rawkin' suggestions of your own...come on....I need the money! I promised my friends that I would buy one drink for every person who comes to cheer me on if I win $1000. The offer is open to you, too, dear reader, if you can make it to Georgia! Hope everyone has a sunny, happy day!

Posted by Carrieoke at 3:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

It feels great here! It's 72 today! Notice that only two entries down, I was talking about our snow day. The weather is very bizarre here, but I'm fine with it now -- I love me some hot weather. We ate lunch outside today, and I took a walk last night....blissful. Here is proof that we really did have snow less than a week ago....
(click to enlarge..taken by Jacob!)

Thanks for all the nice comments on my top down. I have a question for you guys -- do you think Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride is a little itchy? I do! It felt so soft when I was knitting but then wearing my sweater without a T-shirt makes me itchy itchy!

I will be going to Panama City this weekend to see Jacob's sister and grandparents. Long car trip=knitting time! I'm so excited! I want to finish my no-sweat pants and maybe the Chickami I'm working on. I also need to make a Kitty Hat for a friend, and maybe knit a big felted bag for me.

Last night I started making some petals for some Perky Poppy Pins....so easy and fast! I made three petals while I was watching the American Idol Untalented Episode (very weird)....I CANNOT wait to felt these. This pattern is awesome! I think I'm going to make a pin at first, and maybe add some to a felted bag. Fun times!

My sister Cathy is almost done with her first top down, so I will post pictures of that soon. She learned to use dpns all by herself (with many phone calls to me) and I'm so excited to see her sweater!

More knitting time tonight...gotta watch American Idol and vote for my favorites, and secretly wish I was on there....*sigh*

P.S. I have revamped my photo gallery so it's a little easier to see my finished stuff and all the info about the projects is in there..take a look!

Posted by Carrieoke at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Yahoo! We signed the lease on Sunday, and we're going to start moving stuff next week.

Click here to see how excited I am! We still have a few details to smooth out, but the lease is signed, and the house is sooo cool, baby. Wanna come over? We have a guest room!

And, in other exciting news, here is my finished blue top down in all her glory...

I wore it all weekend and I wore it to work today! Here's what I look like at work (Click to enlarge....)

Yay! It's Monday. Go check out Magknits, a brand new and super funky online knitting magazine. Love these patterns!

Posted by Carrieoke at 2:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)