inkdarkmoon

Oh my word. That's a helluva zucchini. Did you know that there's a "leave zucchini on your neighbor's porch" day? Can you imagine the recipient's faces when they saw that one?

Seconding the adorableness of the parents, I don't even need to see their faces, I can just tell from the rapt tilt of their heads how cute they are

If you are still struggling with some of the basics (and that is OK! I struggled for a looo-oong time honey-chile) I might stick with knitting on a single strand of yarn.

As a matter of fact I have been knitting two years now and I don't think I've ever knit anything with two strands held together. Some of the basic things I started with were the Ribbed for Her Pleasure scarf (learn to knit and purl), and the kerchief in SnB (learn increases and decreases), then this bell sleeve shrug (learn how you deal with lots and lots of boring stockinette, and seaming), and then the French Market Bag from Knitty (learn picking up stitches, knitting in the round, how to put things on stitch holders, how to felt, and how to scrap an entire 4 months worth of work and start over again. Good times.)

As far as meltdowns...I know a little bit about those two. I have my own, quiet type of meltdown every so often. I had a big one a few years back and it involved a trip in an ambulance, a stomach full of charcoal and a week in the psych ward under observation. One thing I took away from that little vacation? After being in group therapy 5 times a day for a week straight I learned that there are people WAY MORE f*cked up than me!

So, if nothing else, take heart in that

You know...I don't think I've ever layered my BPAL. How strange!

I do that with other scents all the time (Fresh Patchouli Pure + 10 Corso Como is INCREDIBLE!)

I will have to try and come up with some combos...I love Snake Oil and Haunted, for example, but they are just...too...much.

What do you think I could layer them with to tone them down, Miss Valentina LayersAlot?

I know what you are saying and I think I agree. Both sides of the coin make me feel a little weird, though. I guess I am of the school that if you don't have anything good or nice or productive to say, then stick a cork in it.

People complaining about ship times AND those shushing them for whatever reason make me uncomfortable.

I think I just ended up saying that people should totally censor themselves.

Whoops!

But hey, that works for me:P

You know Valentina, I was so THRILLED to see summer on it's way out until I read your post here. Now I think maybe there was something I was missing.

Must ponder this!

(everytime I think of romantic summer songs I think of that Richard Marx song "Endless Summer Nights" -or something like that- and then I SERIOUSLY ache for fall!)

I know I know I know! I am totally swooning over all the new scents, esp. swarzehausermoon ( I can't remember the actual name for the life of me)...it sounds to die for with that opponax.

Unfortunately, due to financial restraints, I have to pass on them all right now

Congratulations Lady! Whoo hoo! And Double whoo hoo for having yarn and food in the house. What more could you need?? Er, except the BPALs of course and I totally feel ya on that one. I am dying to try the swarzerhausermoon or whatever it is called

So, what is it that you are doing? Have you mentioned it before and I am just either blind or I skim and miss things? Or is it all secret-y secret?

I don't know...I think the thought itself is extremely awesome, and were it something like a scarf or a dishcloth I would be like ...wow! Cool! Go Novice Knitter! But if it's a pair of, oh I dunno, heel-less socks or a sweater with three sleeves or something I might be thinking "hmmm, now what am I supposed to do with THIS?"

I don't know if that was the answer you were looking for, but I hope that gives you some direction...

You've caught the knitting bug! Yay! I think your needles are just plain old size 10s. The gauge refers to the stitches and rows per inch. ( I think) Like when knitting up a pattern it usually always mentions that you should get so many stitches per inch and if you do your test swatch and it comes out that same amount of stitches per inch as recommended, then it's a good chance that it will fit the way it's supposed to! Of course, I never swatch so nothing ever fits With scarves and wraps and things like that gauge doesn't matter so much.

As for your nephew, maybe a tiny pair of booties?

PS

If you need more instruction than your little tutor can provide, go to knittinghelp.com . I didn't have anyone to help me when I was learning and pictures in books just didn't cut it - this site has actual videos that you can watch over and over til you get it!

I understand shame and guilt, trust me - I do. And I understand knowing that maybe you wouldn't feel so badly if you ended up with that person whom you loved so desperately...I don't think that makes you a bad person, (or me) I think that just makes us human.

I am sorry to hear of the Mister's grandmother's passing...my thoughts are with you guys...

Also...good luck with your interview! Let us know how it goes!

Yup, I am definitely in! I love learning about people and getting to know them so this is right up my alley. Although hopefully THIS TIME I won't get paired with someone who basicially just drops off the face of the earth. However on the receiving end I was very, blessed

(thanks, Grace!)

"Don't beat me down Big Playah valentina Flava!"

- Sugartastic I. Squeeze

Beautiful bride, stunning dress, handsome groom...I love the "look" that is passing between the both of you, I am a big sap and it made me all teary

Well if blogs aren't for bleeding angsty psychic pollution and drama, then what the heck are they for?? Ha, but seriously folks! If it wasn't for abject misery I might only have two posts

I do hope that your funk peters out soon, I mean how could it not with all those mangy slugs around?

Oh my goodness. I think you are so incredibly brave. I know what it is like to fear the doing of something because of potential looking stupid/ridicule/etc.

There are so many things I would LOVE to do but just...don't.

I understand you about speaking out in class (hell, being in class at all); I have those issues as well. -

For you to have gone through that and still think of going back is AMAZING.

I think you should do it. You are my new role model!

Goodness, what an interesting read! Not a "viewing your life under a microscope like you are some sort of amoeba or one celled organism" interesting, just interesting and wonderful how you can take all of these disparate issues and tie them all together so well. Clothes and marriage, body hair and emotional issues...wow, I had to read this twice.

I do hope that it doesn't come to donning the (leather) pants and weilding the whip, but if it does I am sure you will be up to the task...and you'll look great doing it

...my positive thoughts are with you and The Mister!

Wow, that's some hairstory! (I had the Rogue Le Pew streak as well, btw)

The things we do for our menfolk, I tell you. I would have chopped off this landmass sitting on my head a long time ago if he wasn't so damn insistent!

Well, good luck with the growing, and I do have to say, in the one pic you are definitely more Bjork than Benatar. Bust out with the swan dress already!

Ha ha, just kidding. But seriously, that's an edgy, funky do...all of them are, and they're great

Wow, lavender, tomatoes, cucumbers - sounds like you are not doing as badly as you think, Snarky! Keep up the good work

Beeeeoootiful! I am so envious! And I think I am going to have to break my "NO BUY" to find that dragon

A minister endorsed those shoes for church?? WHAT CHURCH??

Maybe this one

Heh, I jest.

Still, I have, on occasion, attended services at several different churches and I have to say I NEVER saw anything like those there

I am with you; being the least graceful person I know -tripping, stumbling, stuttering, stammering - having a name to live up to would definitely be inspirational. Grace connotes elegance and refinement and all sorts of lovely polished ideas.

Best of luck Grace! And even if you still trip or bump your head every now and then you are still every bit entitled to your new name

An "Ani" mood -I love it! I have those days too, most of the time I listen to NPR or quiet folksy stuff...but there are some days when only angry angsty Ani will do. I particularly like the song that starts out something like "I'm a pixie, I'm a paper doll...a chipper cheerful free-for-all" - somedays that describes me to a tee.

-Although, out of context it doesn't quite make sense until you read the rest of the lyrics!

I hear you. I have been on the forum a long time too. Probably since the first day it opened. I was under another user name at the time though and the email I used for the account was compromised. That has nothing to do with anything though.

You're right, it has changed and not really the kind of changes I like to see...but I've been in enough forums to see that just happens after a time. The people come and go and the essence of the place starts to reflect those changes. I mean I still post, but I too like it better on the blogs. I prefer the authenticity over this way.

Holy moley! Are those tomatoes HANGING? You can do that?

Oh...I have so much to learn...