Art.Music.Jaffacakes.

Well I made it through week #1.  Didn't know that casual friday existed, so everyone, literally, EVERYONE was in jeans, but me!  Trying to learn a lot of finance and actually apply it has been difficult.  I feel like as soon as I start to feel comfortable with a topic, something comes along to knock me down a few pegs.

I feel like I just started college again and have no clue waht to do about anything! I know it will pass, but I want to do well and this is just frustrating me immensely!

I HAVE A JOB! 

I START MONDAY!

HOW FREAKING AWESOME!

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A. from Knitty, winter 2006.
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi in Happy Valley Colourway
Started: 2/25/08
Finished: WIP
Modifications: none
Needles:  Addi Lace Turbos US1 32"

Since starting to listen to the SheKnits Podcast, I've joined Sharon's Ravelry group and participated in my first ever swap!  It was a super secret swap, and all but two people were paired with someone other than the person they were sending to!  Wonderful idea!

So my package that I sent to SarahMKnits arrived successfully and I forgot to take a photo of the goodies I sent, but here is a list:

Magic Loop instruction booklet
Addi Lace Turbos, US 1, 32"
1 skein handpainted sock yarn
1 skein noro cash island
1 tape measure, lantern moon (i think), peppermint twist candy!

Here is what I received from 1to1:

I just got my new camera today!  I ordered a Canon EOS Rebel XT, 8MP.  I purchased the lens separately, on the advice of my brother, and ended up with a 28-105 mm lens.  And all I can say is that I am in love!  There is a lot to learn with this camera and I fully intend to take a class at the community college in NJ once I get up there to make the most of this investment.  So far I've only done some silly little photos of the kitties, but this one is my favorite so far:

That's our miss priss, Sophie. 

LOVE IT. c

Okay it has been ages since I have felt that I have had anything to blog about.  Still unemployed. Still interviewing.  Still Knitting.  Still wedding planning.  But! I have news.

We have a photographer.  Rick Blanco is just awesome.  It is a husband and wife team and they have already sent us a small planning binder.  Just so many personal touches, I am just very very impressed.  Mom and I went to a bridal fair at La Massaria last weekend. Spoke with the florist that we will be using, as well as Kharissa about the planning at the site.  Tasted food at the site, chicken marsala, which was just excellent.  We also spent saturday trying on dresses at two bridal shops - one in East Greenville and one in Harleysville.  No luck.  So things are going along nicely. 

Monday, my mom, godmother (Aunt Charlotte) and I drove out to Lancaster to see the Alfred Angelo store.  I *found* my dress. Here it is: MY DRESS!!! Thank goodness.  Now we can really talk to the florist and figure all of that out as well as the baker. 

Knitting wise, I'm working on finishing up my wicked sweater.  I have a pair of knucks to knit for a friend in the UK and that is about it.  I just participated in the She-Knits Super Secret Swap and received my package and it is just wonderful.  I will post a photo later.  I also received my shipment of Malabrigo from Fabulous Yarns!

I am getting a new camera too!  Yay.  I ordered a Canon Digital Rebel XT  8 MP body and a 28-105 mm lens since my piddly sony cybershot 4.1 mp is on it's last leg - the usb cable is dying and the display screen is shot.  I have been saving my pennies for this.  The yarn above was a weak moment after a job interview that won't lead to anything until June as it is with how the economy is lately. 

Ok back to purging my room, I have too much stuff.  Eep!

Right, so until September 2008, actually September 27, 2008, I am not allowed to buy anymore yarn. It is stash busting time, and well, I need to save $ for the wedding.  Plus, I am totally addicted to knitting socks! So far, I have finished the following:

A pair of RPM socks from knitty.com knit using magic loop and out of Koigu KPPPM,

A pair of hot pink fetchings, knit using magic loop and debbie bliss cashmerino aran,

And the first sock of a pair of Cookie A's BFF socks, knit using magic loop and out of koigu KPPPM.

Things that are planned to be knit,

• anthropologie inspired capelet
• wicked sweater - just waiting on size 7 needles
• more socks
• more fetchings

I managed to take a few pics of yarn I received for xmas, or purchased on 12/31/07 (stash busting started jan 1, 2008), and some that has been marinating in the stash for a while. 

Job wise, more interviews have come and gone, still waiting on a decision on one position, and have decided to seek certification to teach in the state of NJ - so I will be sitting the PRAXIS I/II hopefully by March, so I can seek employment as a HS Math teacher. Nothing else is really going on on that front.

I've decided to go Wheat/Gluten Free with my diet.  So far it is working out well.  I made this decision because there is a wheat/gluten sensitivity in my family - my one nephew is in fact allergic to both, as well as soy.  I find that I feel more together and my blood sugar seems to be more stable.  Plus, losing 5lbs right off the bat always helps ;)

Wedding wise, we have met with a photographer, probably the one we will go with, an have scheduled a meeting with the DJ for the reception.  Soon I will have to start looking for my dress, but I'm trying to slim down a little more before that happens! Things are going smoothly, but this stuff is expensive, makes me fear for when/if my children decide to get married (when we have kids that is).

So, today,  I have another interview, and it is only a 15 drive from the new apartment - we've relocated to Princeton Junction, NJ and I love love love it.  We are in driving distance of great things like Whole Foods and Wegman's and several other things. 

What changes am I making for 2008?  I've decided to go Wheat/Gluten Free and so far, it has been a great thing.  I've lost 5 lbs, increased my vitamin uptake since I've been scarfing down fruits and veg like crazy.  When I eat wheat based products now, my cheeks get very red, just like my 2nd nephew, who has a wheat/gluten/soy allergy.  So there is definitely a family thing going on since my one aunt is on a wheat free diet now too.  The boy has volunteered to join me on this quest and I hope he is okay with it. This whole thing was spurred by watching episodes of You Are What You Eat on BBC America. 

Knitting wise, I want to learn new techniques and try to reduce my stash - this means knitting a lot of socks.  I want to try toe up socks, norweigan purling, more fair isle, and will be doing my first knit a-long, on the wicked sweater.

Not much else has been going on.... boring yes, but relaxing at the same time. 

I'm now 25.  Exciting? yes. My birthday was kinda dull, hung out at the house all day, worked on xmas presents, got lots of love on facebook and myspace and my brother called, but that was about it.  That evening it was the pierogi fest and we decided to make some ricotta based gnocchi.  Delish.  Red velvet cupcakes? Even better.  Birthday presents included the following: 

• pink nintendo ds
• tempurpedic pillows
• skully umbrella from castingon
• knitting beyond the edge from jc
• second season of fraggle rock from jc
• laptop sleeve from jc's mom & dad
• gift certificate to Purl Soho from jc's mom & dad
• gift certificate to Yarnings from godmother

Xmas was nice.  Spent the morning unwrapping presents and eating delicious banana bread french toast!  Went over to my brother's house for dinner with jc and unwrapped more presents with the nephews.  Was a great time!  Lots of delicious food and coffee and homemade hot chocolate! Some xmas gifts:

• ott lite floor lamp
• cashmere sweaters
• bedside water jar + glass thing
• 2 manic street preacher cds
• older lidia bastianich cookbook
• french onion soup crocks
• mini food processor
• gift cards to VS, the new outlets, and crate & barrell

Tomorrow is move in day for jc to his new apartment in NJ.  Totally excited.  Already found Pins and Needles and will hopefully get to stop in there tomorrow.  Next interview is on Jan 4 for an entry level data analyst position in NYC.  Hopefully something comes of this. 

The first big payment was made on the reception site today.  Just means that the wedding is coming that much sooner.  Jan 12 we are meeting with the photographer and at some point I have to go meet with the baker and the florist just to let them know that ya we have a wedding on sept 27 and start talking ideas with them.  And of course, I still need to get my dress and talk to all of the girls involved.  So much to do, and not really being able to do any of it is frustrating. 

Hope everyone had a great holiday season and has a safe and happy new year!