I am a bad recipient

I suck at being an SP recipient. I haven't posted a single pic. So, I am back in town after the week long, much deserved vacation. We had a great time! We were sad to leave and I wish we could have spent more time with them. I have TONS of pics of the holiday, but that will have to wait until I get the new harddrive for my computer installed. Hehe...not enough space on the ol' computer right now.
But...here are the two presents I received from my secret pal.




































Thanks Secret Pal! I look forward to discovering who you are!! =)

Wow, two posts in one day

I didn't want to forget, so I thought I would make a quick blog about this. I got a set of Denise Interchangeables with my gift certificate to the LYS in Florence. And, Aaron broke a toilet here at my dad's house. It was quite funny, though embarrassing for him. I am sure it was more embarrassing that we kept making fun of him, telling him he needed to use the bathroom outside from now on and that he couldn't eat as much as he had been. Anyways, the toilet started leaking and overflowing. It was hilarious. We have to replace a valve (purchased on our way home from the LYS) and hopefully that will take care of the problem.

Ooh...it is cold

We are in Colorado. It is cold. Very cold. We are having a good time. The drive out here was long, 6 hours to Amarillo and 6 hours to Pueblo. The drive to Amarillo was the worst. It took nearly and hour and a half to get out of Dallas. Plus, it was night and we were tired so it seemed to take FOREVER to get to Amarillo.

We met our grandmother on my Dad's side on Saturday when we got in to town. We met a lot of our family on my Dad's side on Sunday when we had a lunch time barbecue. Everyone was really nice. It is kind of weird that some of them remember me from when I was a tiny baby.

We went to Breckenridge yesterday to see some big snow. That was great fun. I have never seen so much snow. We drove up to the ski lift areas, parked and ate sandwiches for lunch in the snow. We also did a little sledding down the road. That was fun, especially since we have never been sledding.

Then we went up to their (Dad and Nita's) cabin. It was very rustic, I had to pee in a bucket (TMI). We took pictures, played Scrabble and ate dinner. Aaron shot a Magnum 357 right before we left. I knew the gunshot was going to be loud, but it was still a surprise when it went off.

I have lots of pictures, but I can't upload from here. I will post more pics as soon as I am back in town.

Oh, and I got a gift card to a local yarn shop. We are going there today.

PS: To my secret pal, THANK YOU for the wonderful yarn and yarn cutter pendant. It was wonderful. I took pictures right before I left town, but didn't upload them to my server correctly so the pics are unviewable. =(
There is a little story behind the yarn you gave me that made it extra great, but I can't tell the story until the Secret Pal 7 is completed.
I just wanted to say THANKS!!

Who is turning the big 25?

Yes, I will be turning half of 50 this Sunday. With all the prep and excitement of our upcoming trip, I almost forgot that I have a birthday coming up. I took my mom with me to The Shabby Sheep this weekend. I went to look for something for my secret pal, and I ended up getting a little something for myself as well. My mom asked me what I would like for my birthday and I told her needles, circular needles. She had no idea what I was talking about. =)
So, I have compiled a list of needles I currently own. It is not too detailed, but all the DPNs I own are aluminum except for one, the great bamboo set from my SP (size 8). All the rest of my needles are either plastic or aluminum. I am partial to the plastic needles. I thought that I preferred to knit on straights, that was until I started knitting in public. Now I realize the upside of knitting on circulars. I was waiting for a table at a restaurant recently and I was very aware of nearly stabbing the patrons nearby, not to mention the needle getting caught in the sleeve of my jacket. Though, one woman did say that knitting was "amazing".

Just 3 more days...

Project Runway finale is this Wednesday. Who do you think will win? I have a soft spot for Daniel V., but after seeing some of the garments that Santino will show I really believe it will be him. Daniel takes it too safe, and this is the reason I believe he will not win. Don't get me wrong, I think he has beautiful pieces, but I don't think he has put enough into his collection. He needs more color, more design elements, more oomph. We will see, I guess.

Oh, and trip countdown is 5 days. We leave on Friday.

I'm listening...

It has been a little bit since I last posted. Not much to tell since I didn't finish my Olympic projects. I didn't finish the second project (hat for Grandma, I gave her something else for her b-day) and I didn't finish the secret project. I am kicking myself about the secret project and I know I have to get that finished soon. The Grandma project was okay to miss since she liked the gift I gave her anyways. It was a couple of books on hairpin lace and a large hairpin lace tool. I bought it last year and kept forgetting to give it to her. She hit me when she received it since she had been waiting so long for them. ;) Love you Grandma! (She just learned how to use the internet and can now check her own lotto numbers)

Grandma says "Wow, so this computer is useful for something other than playing solitaire and using as a personal stereo via iTunes."

On the knitting front...
I picked up the new IK this weekend along with the Knit.1. Yeah, wasted my money on the Knit.1. I should know better since I never really like the projects in them so much, but I can't help myself.

It is an addiction...

Deva in a store to purchase groceries, spots knitting mag from 7 aisles away, goes into trance mode, "Must have magazine", check out at register, get in car, put away groceries. "Hey, where did this magazine come from? I don't even remember picking it up."

Seriously, that is my story and I am sticking to it. Also, I went to Half-Price books the next day and that damn Knit.1 was there at half off. That will teach me. hmph.

I need to be put on a knitting magazine diet...or at least a calorie cut. You know, only buy magazine if there are, hmm, 2 patterns in the magazine that I would at least want to try and make? But the pictures are so colorful and pretty. I guess I will have to think about it.
I am also supposed to be seriously starting this losing weight thing and purling the pounds away project. It sure is easy to talk about shedding the, oh, 40 pounds I have put on in the past 6 years. There is something about moving out of your parent's house that puts weight on your bones. Late night dinners, eventually they catch up with you. Who knew?

Oh, lastly, I have been forced to listen to a light rock station, 103.7, and I think it is called Lite FM (original, I know). Well, on this station they play this song. Click here and just listen. It should be the first song that plays. It is beeeautiful and I fell in love with it. I play it all the time and it is the song on my MySpace page. Though, that song changes quite often with whatever new song strikes my fancy. But, this song rocks so you must listen.

Deva

Aah!! Knitting Olympics deadline is kicking my butt!

So, the Knitting Olympics will officially end in 4 days. I have not finished the hat (project #2) that I am making for Grandma - and her birthday is today! Aah!! I am panicking. I was going to work on it today at lunch, then I remembered that today is the chili cook off at the office. How am I going to work in chili tasting and knitting? Even if I work on it at lunch, how will I ever finish on time. Not to mention the project #3 to complete my knitting Olympics projects. I think my heart is pounding faster...can't breathe...gasp.

My First SP Gift!!

Yay! I am at work so no pictures, but I checked my mail this morning in hopes that I would have a little something in there. I did! I got a ball of beautiful purple wool yarn and a set of bamboo DPNs. I have never knit with bamboo, but I have always wanted to try it out. I can't wait! She also sent me some instructions on DPN knitting, which is helpful. Though I have recently started knitting on them, I have had absolutely NO luck knitting with them completely. I can knit with them just fine when I start on circulars, but I am all thumbs if I try to knit the whole piece on DPNs.
THANKS SP!!!

Have a great week! =)
Deva

Tada

So, the umbilical hat was finished, wrapped and gifted. It was received well. I was quite proud of it since it was my first venture into circular knitting on both a circ needle and DPNs. I did have some slight trouble since (yes, I know this is bad) I did not read the tools needed for the pattern correctly. I needed 5 #7 US DPNs and I only had 4. I was so close to finishing it on Monday. I even thought, hey I am going to complete this tonight and it didn't take me too long. In fact, it would have only taken me a couple of hours if I had dedicated actual time to it instead of working on it on my lunch break and when in the car. I started on Saturday evening, didn't touch it on Sunday and would have finished on Monday had I had the needles. On Monday night I transferred all the stitches to the 4 DPNs I had, I then realized that I was in need of one more. A quick trip to Hobby Lobby on my way home on Tuesday solved that problem and the hat was quickly finished.
This was a fantastic project and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to knit on circs or DPNs as it was quite simple to do and a very quick knit. I did it in Sidar Snuggly DK in some powder blue color holding 2 strands throughout. I was going to use a wool blend, but I wasn't sure about babies and allergies.
I do, however, wish I had chosen a different color as the blue didn't do the hat justice. The yellow in the picture was a good choice. Something bright and fun would have been the way to go as it would have matched the hat better.
I have a cousin who is pregnant, and since this was so fun to knit she will probably be receiving one. I do not know if she is having a boy or a girl, so maybe I will wait a bit. Or, I will just make one and hope for the best. =)
I also want to make the devil hat or the official kitty hat. Umm...I think I may be addicted to hats. Really, I am addicted to knitting in the round on circs. It is such an amazing process and I love the look. When I was working on it I told Grandma that I was only going to knit things in the round from now on. =P

Okay, I am off to work on the other aspects of the Olympics projects. I will post pics and details on them tonight or tomorrow morning.










*Pics above: hat on 4 DPNs waiting on the 5th, pic of finished hat with Stitch N Bitch, another pic with finished hat on Stitch N Bitch. *

The New Morning Edge with Lex And Terry Sucks Donkeys!

If I wanted to listen to talk radio I would tune in to a good one on an AM station. Just because you put a rock song in the intro to the show does not make it a rock morning show. What was Clear Channel thinking? And who are these idiots who think this is better? At least, prior to this crappy morning show, I got a small dose of rock music on my morning commute along with the sports, weather and (though I don't need it) traffic. Now, I listen to my CDs and wing it with the weather. My husband fills me in on the sports. The Edge does not get air time in my vehicle in the morning. Let's face it, if a CD is playing in the car in the afternoon then I am just too damn lazy to change it. The Edge gets no air time in my car in the afternoon either.

Yes, my morning showers are a little out of tune since I have to sing without any backup, but my neighbors will just have to deal. If they don't like it then they can take it up with the idiots at Clear Channel.

On a happier note, I got an e-card from my SP and she says I should be getting a package soon. I am positively giddy. Also, I have completed one aspect of my Knitting Olympics project, but I can't post pics until after the baby shower on Saturday since I am not sure if she reads this blog or not. I don't want to ruin the surprise.
As far as the Knitting Olympics goes, I chose 3 smaller projects in which I will have to learn a new skill instead of one large project. This way I get three things completed and actually accomplish a feat worth being in the olympics. I am well on my way to getting the gold. Let us hope I don't lose steam. I will go over the olympic details on Saturday.

UPDATE: ARE THEY REALLY GONE? DESPITE THE LOVELY COMMENTS THEY APPEAR TO HAVE MOVE ON.

Crime Deterrent

I did not watch the whole superbowl, but I did have time to pick a fave commercial. It was the Sprint commercial in the locker room. You can view that commercial at Video Google.
Yes, there were nice, sweet commercials like the Budweiser commercial with the pony pulling the cart and the horses pushing the cart. BUT, I am all about the funnies. =)

Morning Edge, where are you?

This morning I was listening to 102.1 The Edge. This is the radio station I listen to every morning, but it was different this morning. Why? Well, because I realized that my favorite morning show was no longer my favorite morning show...because it was no longer the morning show! Oh, Morning Edge, what happened to you? I searched and searched, but I couldn't find you.
I was a little suspicious earlier this week when the talent was discussing their contracts. Then yesterday morning as I approached the parking lot at work it suddenly dawned on me that all I heard on the way to work was music, no talk. Then this morning I decided to pay better attention. Yup, no talk just music. So, I rushed out of the shower and turned on the computer. What do I discover? No more talent slot listed for the 6-10 am slot. Is there anything in its place? Of course not. They just cut us off. No explanations, no apologies. Just cold turkey.
Yes, I know that all Jasmin did was laugh and Mondo was annoying (you should at least be hot if you are going to act like you are hot). But Dean was a sweetheart and who doesn't like a good dose of Jagger (arrogant as he is, it was fun to listen to)?
The new people are supposed to start in two weeks and I hope they don't blow because there isn't another rock station around. Plus, I happen to like to listen to the ranting and talk and games.
Obviously, change is not for me. They should have never gotten rid of Slim Jim.

On a happier note, yesterday I received an email from my dad and a snail mail note from my SP7 pal! Yay! My pal is doing the Knitting Olympics, which is another reminder that I have to pick a project. I will pick one this weekend.

Who is good?

I am good. Last night I went to the yarn shop and bought some thing. And, do I have pictures? Of course I do!!
Okay, I bought some pink bamboo yarn and some blue baby DK yarn (I see an umbilical hat and some booties coming out of that) and some self patterning sock yarn (because it was on sale and I want to try my hand on socks).


I also bought some really pretty stuff for my secret pal, but I can't show any pictures of it of course. I am thinking of knitting up something for her as well, I hope she likes it.
I am also thinking of knitting up a scarf to be one of those little gifts you give away at baby showers from the games. I won't offer it up until I am actually done with it, though.

I mentioned before that I was planning a trip to Colorado in March. Now that we are just about into February I am getting really excited. We are also planning on going to Boston in May for Bea's graduation and that should be fun. I haven't been anywhere in the US other than Texas and San Francisco. I can't wait to go exploring more. =)

Well, that is all I have for now. I will post more this weekend.

It has been a while

What makes a good blog, pictures! Knowing this you would think that I would have some pictures to post, but I don't.

I have been thinking about what I will make for the knitting Olympics, and I think it will be a baby blanket. A friend of mine is having a baby boy in April and her baby shower is on 2/18. This means that I will absolutely have to complete the blanket in the 16 days allotted for the Knitting Olympics in order to have the present ready for the baby shower. Damn, I hope I get that done. Maybe I should come up with a backup present?
Also, my cousin is pregnant, so I have to think about a suitable baby present for her as well.

I have started swatching for the item I will be knitting for the Purling the Pounds Away. I will be knitting the Shapely Tank Top. I chose a tank top because it will show my arms and I hope to be done by the start of the summer. Well, that is my goal.

And, I have decided that I want to learn how to knit socks, but I don't know where to start. I guess I should look up some patterns and go buy some needles.

On the secret pal front, I have a list and I am heading to PassionKnits at Snider Plaza tonight since they are open late on Thursdays. I hope I find what I am looking for.

Okay, once again this is my lunch hour so I have to get going.

Knitting Olympics, Reality Shows and Naps

Yesterday I got on the elevator to go downstairs for lunch. When the doors closed, I was all by myself. The first thought in my head? Wow, it would be so nice for the elevator to get stuck between floors for a couple of hours so I can take a nap.
I was really tired yesterday. Why was I tired? Well, on Saturday I discovered a reality show that I enjoy watching. I added the show to my Season Pass on my Tivo. On Monday night I decided to catch up on the series and I watched all the episodes. I was up till 2am.
I have never been really in to reality shows. I never liked the Real World, I do not watch Survivor and the idea of sitting through a whole Fear Factor makes me ill. But, I turned on the TV on Saturday to the Bravo channel. And what possible reality show caught my interest? Project Runway! I have seen commercials for it, but did not think I would be interested. Then I watched an episode and now I am hooked.
Well, I am better rested today, so on to the Knitting Olympics! I found a post yesterday about the Knitting Olympics and now I am determined to try it. I want to work on a sweater or something like that since I have never completed a sweater. I will pick one this weekend. I am thinking maybe the Ballet Wrap Cardigan in IK Winter 2005. We will see. Anybody have ideas for a beginner knitter ready to move forward?
Aaron's birthday is tomorrow. He will be 27. Wow, time flies. I haven't bought him a present, but I am taking him out to dinner on Friday. I won't say where because he may read this post, but I know he will love me even more by the end of the week. =)
Also, my grandmother on my dad's side will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow as well as Aaron's dad. A lot of January 19 babies. HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE!!
That is it for now, since I want to finish my yummy peanut butter and nutella sandwich. More later!

My Pit Bull, Pika

My dog, Pika, is a great little dog. She is a 2-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier with a brown coat and a red nose. I see all these posts with pictures of their dogs, so here is a picture of mine.
I did not get much done this weekend. Actually, I really haven't felt too well. Maybe I will feel more normal tomorrow. I will post more then.

On my way out, but can't help myself

I have to get going since Aaron and I are meeting a friend for dinner, but I wanted to get a post done in case I was too tired when I got home. I received an email from my secret pal, that was great! I am excited now. Also, since I know somebody is reading this blog, then I will actually post some things about myself. I will work on it this weekend, make the page all nice and spiffy. =)

I am also hoping to get some shopping in this weekend as I have a person to get things for! I have so many ideas. It is like Christmas all over again!

Also on my agenda this weekend is to pick up a skein of some bamboo yarn to start Bambozelle for someone I know. I have gone to one LYS and didn't really like the colors of the bamboo yarn they had. Plus, they had a really tiny selection of about 5 colors. Maybe I will use a different fiber, though I was so hoping to have an excuse to buy some bamboo yarn. We will see what I come up with.

I am also seriously considering teaching myself how to knit socks. I think I will stop by the library and pick up some books. Then it is off to the store to purchase some sock essentials. I really have no idea what those would be. I will keep you posted. hehe.

Lastly, I just emailed my dad a link to this blog. So, Dad, in case you are reading this. Hello!! =)

One of those days

It has been one of those days. You know, when you get on the road to work and you catch every red light, see 5 cops, get stuck behind every slow driver and it all makes you late to work. So, I was about 2 minutes late. This is irritating since I wanted to get to work early today. Oh well.

I have been working on the dog sweater and hopefully I will complete it this weekend. I will post a pic of it then. I am also about to continue the shrug. Since I knit on my lunch break, and I am on my lunch break right now, I will continue it when I am done with this post. I will probably get a pic of that by Saturday. It is kind of a boring knit, so it is taking a lot of effort to keep my interest on it.

I spoke to my dad last night. My husband, sister and I are planning a trip to Colorado in March to visit him and his wife. It should be fun. We have never been on a real road trip. There have been a few trips to Houston, but that is only about 4 hours away. It will take us all day to get to Colorado. We are planning on hanging out there for a week. We are going to spend my birthday there...it will be a first with him.
I am working on a list of yarn shops that I can hit on the drive from Dallas to Pueblo. If anyone knows of any good ones, email me or comment.

I am going to look for some yarn this weekend to do the Corset in. Hopefully I find something I want to work with.

Oh, and I received my SP7 info. WooHoo!! Now I can shop around and pick out some things for her. This will be cool.

SP7 Questionnaire

Hi, the following is my SP7 questionnaire. If you are my pal, then you are probably interested in the list. If you are not my pal you might not be interested in it, but read it anyways!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I tend to stay away from Red Heart as I do not like straight worsted acrylic (like the SuperSaver stuff) because I do not like the way it feels. Some acrylics are okay-like the baby stuff. I do like natural fibers, but don't purchase the high end stuff too often for myself.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I can crochet, though I do not do that often. I do not know how to spin, though I would like to eventually learn that skill. My husband thinks the knitting takes up so much of my time already.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a needle case that was my first sewing project. I also keep needles in vases on my desk and in bags throughout my home.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for about 6 months. I would say I am an advanced beginner. There is still a lot I would like to learn.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have a Froogle list

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Though I do not like fruits, I do like fruity, berry scents like raspberry and strawberry. I also like Sweet Pea from Bath and Body works.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Sweet tooth? Me? Okay, I admit, I love milk chocolate and dark chocolate.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I am learning how to sew since I received my sewing machine for Christmas. I do like to crochet when I find an interesting project to work up.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Rock, punk, emo, alternative stuff mostly. I do have a soft spot for some country. And I can play MP3s.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love jewel tones and dark colors. I like green and black. I am currently into pink, but who knows how long that will last. I will try almost any color, though. Well, except for yellow, orange and anything too neon bright.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married to a great guy. We share our home with an american pit bull terrier named Pika.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do not on most occasions since it doesn't really get cold in Texas, especially this year.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I will knit with almost anything and I have not developed a favorite.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Straight, plain worsted acrylic that feels yucky.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Don't have one. I just want to try everything.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I am enjoying knitting the dog sweater I am working on now.

17. What are you knitting right now?
A dog sweater for a friend's dog and a shrug for myself.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I haven't really received any except for doilies and I don't use doilies.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I prefer straight because I find circulars to be a bit awkward for something that can be knit straight. And, since I don't have many circulars anyways, I usually knit on straights.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I haven't ever tried bamboo. I prefer plastic, though I also knit on aluminum.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Nope and nope.

22. How did you learn to knit?
Books and then the internet. My grandma wanted to teach me, but I always thought it was too difficult. When I was finally ready to learn, she told me to get a book. haha! Gotta love her!

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
3 months, the amount of time I have been working on that shrug.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I dont really have a favorite, though I love my pit bull.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving, because it centers around food!

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn and needles. Not knit related? Nothing really.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Any lace patterns and lace weight yarn. I have a list of books on my Froogle list. I am always interested in just about any yarn.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Lace work, short rows, socks and knitting on DPNs.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
No, I cannot knit socks though my foot is a 9 US.

31. When is your birthday?
03/12/81

Oh, and per the comments, I do not have any allergies.

Filipino food, Chamorro staples and resolutions

Okay, so New Year's has come and gone. This year just may be a great year. It is going to be the first full year of knowing my dad (I will tell that story soon). It will be the year I resolve to spend less money and save more of it. It is the year I will revamp my website and make it more functional with more content (old pictures be gone!). It is the year that my dog turns 3...and maybe gets a little better trained. It is the year I am going to learn to sew (now that I have that new sewing machine). And it is the year that I hope to get some real knitting done.
Yeah, all these resolutions and so little time. How will I pack it all in? Maybe this is the year I will stop procrastinating...maybe.


I bought the Crochet a day pattern calendar today and noticed something...it was compiled by Annie Modesitt. I thought that was cool since I read her blog. Ooh, another thing I want to do this year...knit the corset. I haven't really gone through the calendar, but I did see a pattern for a crochet needle case that I want to make for my grandma. Her birthday is in a month and she would love that.


This long weekend I finally made the Beef stew with lechon sauce. It was good! I was looking for a recipe that would taste like the beef stew I had at Rambies on Guam. When I ate the stew, I realized that I no longer remember what the beef stew at Rambies tasted like. ha! It has been 6 years. So, I have decided that the lechon sauce was the missing ingredient and I love the beef stew that way. You can find the original recipe here. Or, you can go here to see my recipe for it. I adapted it to do in my pressure cooker. I wasn't exactly sure if the Asian stores sold lechon sauce, but they do. Sometimes the bottle is marked "special sauce". Do not ask me why.
In case anyone is wondering...lechon sauce? A Filipino condiment used with lechon (pig). It doesn't have pig in it.

Also, in case anyone knows what I am talking about...does anyone know where to get lemon powder in Dallas? You know, the kind that is in the little yellow package and is sold about 3-4 packages per can. The can is blue. Anyways, email me at deva at gumaperez dot com if you know of a place in Dallas that sells that. Just put in the @ and .com

I think that is it for now. I will post pics of some in progress things this weekend.