Knit'nat

I am a Bad Blogger.

Well, hi.

Sorry it's been a while. Things have been a little crazy in my world.  Job seeking continues, but I am working hours that amount to full time at NS, so that's good.  It keeps me busy and puts money in my pocket in more ways than one.  I have started seaming customers' sweaters and that has actually been a pretty steady income for me.  I have 10 sweaters that need attention, plus an afghan that has unraveled and is needing some TLC.  It's pretty steady and it's good.

Since I wrote you last, I have been to Rhinebeck, been to a Daughtry concert, finished Mr. Greenjeans, finished a pair of Bella Mittens, finished a pair of child-size mittens (both for a fundraiser for Ward Home, sponsored by Natural Stitches), started a dark side cowl, tried several new recipes, yelled at the school nurse, and I think that's about it.  

Kim and I have decided that my travels to Rhinebeck are cursed.  It isn't the festival itself -- it is the getting there that's the problem.  If you recall, the first year, they lost my luggage.  Last year, I was on the Greyhound bus with the Hari Krishnas.  This year, my flight was scheduled to leave at 8:20 a.m.  We took off at 4:08 p.m.  Poor Kim, by the time she picked me up, I was hyper and overcaffeinated. 

I did have a great time visiting with Deb, Misa and Shameka; I met Deb's sister MaryBeth, which was wonderful! I saw Ann & Kay (and helped them in a yarn consultation), Juno, Lily Chin, Ysolda, Laura Chau, and too many others to mention.  I saw a lot of great hand knits.  This year's popular pattern was, amazingly, Sally Melville's Einstein Coat.  It was rather cold at Rhinebeck, though, so no wonder.  I also saw a lot of owl sweaters.  Pictures to come, I promise!

I hope everybody is doing well, and I apologize to the few and faithful who check my blog for not blogging more regularly.  :)

Mumbo Jumbo

There is so much rattling around in my brain right now, I have no rhyme or reason going on.  I want to post about so many things but want to do it in a somewhat cohesive manner, yet just can't seem to find the right way to go about it.  So here is the mumbo jumbo for you:

KNITTING CONTENT:

1.  Mr. Greenjeans is nearing completion.  I finished the left sleeve yesterday and started picking up the stitches for the button band last night.  I wanted to take a break from sleeve island, and the button band is very simple 2x2 rib.  I'm looking forward to having this completed, because it is the official Rhinebeck sweater.**

2.  Bella Mitten #1 is done and #2 is about 1/3 of the way done.  Natural Stitches is going to raffle these off closer to the time of the release of New Moon.  Is it new moon?  Whatever the heck movie is coming out about sparkly vampires, that's when we're raffling.  The mittens are knit of Malabrigo chunky and are WARMWARMWARM!  Please watch the Natural Stitches blog for updates.

3.  I've started the 2nd sock from my Yarn Pirate Killer Bees yarn (did you even know I had a first one?).  I suppose pictures are in order. 

4.  Now I have to decide what the hell to knit next.  But I think I want to knit Margot, from the new Knitty.  I have an entire bag of Cascade 220 and I think that would be a perfect sweater.  I'm also jonesing to cast on for the Harbour Lights Shawl but haven't found the perfect yarn for it.  I have some alpaca from Highland Alpacas hiding in my stash, so maybe I'll do that.

UNEMPLOYMENT* CONTENT:

Last week, or maybe it was the week before, I had a call from one of the staffing agencies I'm working with about three jobs.  Then there was a lack of contact, and apparently the positions have been filled.  however, yesterday I was contacted about another job, so let's hope something positive is coming my way.

*I do realize that by working at Natural Stitches, I am not truly unemployed; however, NS was to be my "spending money" job and has instead become the "bridge the gap" job (meaning it bridges the gap between the unemployment bucks and the bucks we need to live on). 

I think it is pretty funny how unemployment forces you to re-evaluate things, such as how there is a hell of a lot more menu planning involved now than there was a few months ago, because I could always run to the store to pick something up or we could just grab a bite out.  Now, grabbing a bite out is a luxury, and running to the store is saved for when we're out of milk, or every other week when Bill gets paid. 

Speaking of unemployment, if you've never read any of Jen Lancaster's books, you are truly missing out.  I think she is hysterically funny, and am reading "Bright Lights, Big Ass" and laughing hysterically.  Yes, you do want to smack her when she takes the Prada bag to the unemployment office, but you do find she is terribly funny. 

TRIVIAL STUFF:

I think the following songs should be banned from the radio:
1. All Summer Long, by Kid Rock.  The opening strains make me think I'm going to hear Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London for just a second before I realize that it is ONCE AGAIN the Butler, PA Anthem***.
2.  Anything by Lady Gaga.  Seriously.  Poker Face makes me want to puh-puh-puh-puh-puh-poke her eyes out.  
3. Touch Myself by the Divinyls.  Nothing worse than a group of teenage boys realizing that the song is about masturbation and laughing themselves sick in the back of your car.  (Thanks, Bob!)
4. Waking Up in Vegas, by Katy Perry.  Oh-ver-played.

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I am annoyed at the number of people on Twitter who follow me for no apparent reason other than to feel important.  I receive at least one message a day that so-and-so is following me, and when I look them up, I'm all like huh?  At least three times have been links to "adult" sites, then today was someone who must have an app that lets him know if someone uses the word unemployment in their tweets because suddenly "thejobguy" was following me, and I made the mistake of following him, only to have a bazillion tweets from him in the space of 30 seconds.  Then there was some exercise or fitness dude.  (I had a gym membership until unemployment hit and then I had to let that go because food for children is more important than exercise equipment for me.)

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On my way to work this week, I saw a black smart car with a flame job being driven by a big burly guy.  It was at the corner of Negley and Washington.  Do you think I've seen him again?  NO.  Do you think I got a picture?  NO.

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I do, however, have other pictures that have been begging to be posted.

Someone needs an intervention:

I see you:

Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi:

One of These Things is Not Like the Other:

Is that a plastic sword in your shirt or -- nevermind.

Dude has more hair than Aslan:

Ain't no way I'm riding that!

Where the hell are the (fashion) police when you need them?

**Yes, I'm doing Rhinebeck even though there is a lack of full-time employment.  I have a birthday in November and that's what I've asked for is $$ for Rhinebeck.  Plus, the bills are paid and we have food, so I can buy the plane ticket and not feel bad.  Nobody said I had to buy yarn.

***Because it consistently makes the "Top 9 at 9" on our local radio station, All Hitz 97.7 FM.

Please Make It Stop

I’m pretty tired of being bitch slapped by Karma.  I don’t know what on Earth I’ve done to deserve this, but I’m pretty much at the end of my rope here. 

 

Just a quick recap of the last week, for those of you not in the know:

 

Monday – begin week of dog watching for friends.  Am in charge of 2 JRT’s (Willy and Daisy) and a German Shepherd (Lindy) with the canine version of MS.  So far, so good. 

 

8:15 p.m. - head out to feed and water dogs.  Get about a mile from home, notice that all of the idiot lights on the dashboard are coming on and my car looks like a Christmas tree.  Call husband who advises me to return home.

 

8:30 p.m. – receive word from husband that problem is alternator. 

 

8:39 p.m. – call Auto Zone and Advance Auto and discover that new alternator is $195 and $198, respectively.  Decide to wait until husband can go to work to get me an alternator at cost.

 

9 p.m. – have argument with husband because I am interfering with his plans for the evening (going 4 wheeling) by asking him to take me to feed dogs. 

 

10:15 p.m. – arrive home from feeding dogs and go to bed where I don’t sleep but toss and turn because 1) I have a $200 car bill to worry about, 2) I’ve had an argument with my husband, and 3) my husband has gone out to return who knows when.

 

Tuesday – look at clock at 1:15 a.m., husband still not home, but fall back to sleep.

 

6:30 a.m. – am informed that I will be driving Skeevy Tim’s* truck to work today. 

 

8 a.m. – receive phone call from husband who tells me that he forgot his lunch, can I please run it to him at work when I go feed the dogs.

 

1 p.m. – feed dogs, run lunch to husband.  Ask husband to smell my clothes to make sure I don’t smell, as Skeevy Tim’s truck smells like a mix of cigarettes (Pall Mall brand), sweat and skank. Give husband $$ to buy cough syrup for congested 12 year old.  Am also informed that alternator through work will cost $180 (wow, a savings of $20!).  Take what I can get because I have to.  Continue on to work at Natural Stitches.

 

10 p.m. – arrive home to check on 12 year old son, who is having difficulty breathing.  Check what medicine has been given.  Discover cough syrup was not bought and therefore not given. 

 

10:15 p.m. – go to local WalMart**.

 

10:45 p.m. – return from WalMart with cough syrup, Vicks patches, and ginger ale.  Give child cough syrup and junior strength Motrin, and advise him to rest.

 

11 p.m. – Fall into bed exhausted.  Toss and turn because child is sick.

 

Wednesday –  8 a.m. – call doctor.  Speak to someone.  Am told to wait for call back from nurse.

 

8:30 a.m. – receive call back from nurse who advises us to come in for 9:15 appointment.

 

9:05 a.m. – go to doctor’s office, where first words out of receptionist’s mouth are “Does Matthew have new insurance, because the information we have is he’s been termed.”   Explain to receptionist that there is no new insurance because I have lost my job and therefore lost my insurance.  Wait while receptionist calls billing manager to see “what, if anything, we can do about this, because we do expect payment at time patient is seen.”

 

9:20 a.m. – am informed that child has asthma and will need hundreds of dollars of medications.  Try to keep myself together in front of child (who is receiving breathing treatments) and physician’s staff.

 

11 a.m. – go to pharmacy to pick up prescriptions.  Go through the routine again of no insurance.  Am appalled when pharm technician tells me I’m under no obligation to buy the prescriptions.  Hello, this is my child.  Do you not have a maternal bone in your body?? 

 

Spend rest of day beating myself up for being bad mom, plus making various phone calls to Natural Stitches staff to arrange for changes to my schedule for Thursday, plus phone calls to friends to let them know I will not be at Hurricane Knitters that evening. 

 

Make phone call to ex husband to inform him of health issue.  Explain that because of asthma, Matthew should not be exposed to smoke (ex husband’s current wife smokes).  Ex husband determines that instead of asking wife to smoke outside, it is better that Matthew just not come visit him at all.  

 

Thursday – Decide to keep Matthew home from school because he’s still not 100%, we’re both still trying to recover from Wednesday’s events, plus need to find a routine with the medication. 

 

Spend ½ hour on phone with doctor’s office about medications, how to have medications refilled, how long medications will need to be taken for, and make arrangements to attend asthma clinic. 

 

Friday – Send child to school.  Go to work.  Come home to find that despite having MULTIPLE signed prescription slips from the doctor, more paperwork is needed for both Matthew’s absence and for ability to carry prescription inhaler. 

 

Go to Cranberry to take Robert to meet his dad.  Enjoy dinner at favorite Chinese restaurant where I proceed to burn (and therefore clear) my sinuses with loads of homemade mustard sauce. 

 

8:30 pm - Continue on to tend to dogs.  As JRT’s are being put back in pen, Willy makes a right turn instead of a left, escapes through the gap in the porch fence, and takes off for the back yard.  No amount of begging, pleading or promises of treats brings him back. 

 

10 pm – make the dreaded phone call to dog’s owner, who assures me that it is okay, that Willy will come home.  She recommends I go home and get some rest, then return in the morning.  Of course, I hang out until 11:30, hoping that he comes home before I leave.  Doesn’t happen.

 

Saturday – arrive home at midnight.  Collapse into bed.

 

5:30 a.m. – wake up and bake brownies for coworker who could use some chocolate.  (Hell, at this point, I could use some chocolate, so enjoy licking the spatula and bowl, breakfast be damned.)

 

7 a.m. – find Willy at the top of his driveway, looking at me like where the heck have you been? 

 

7:01 a.m. – slam finger in car door in excitement to see Willy.

 

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So you see, it’s been a hell of a week.  And I do believe I have been on the receiving end of more than my share of bad luck this past week.  Of course, as a shop customer said on Saturday, maybe this is all in preparation for something bigger that’s coming up, because I’ll need to be stronger.  I certainly hope not, because I. Do. Not. Think. I. Can. Do. It.

 

Of course, probably in a few weeks the bitch slapping will stop, but I’ll be taking it up the arse instead.  Because this is how my life goes.

 

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*Skeevy Tim – works with hubby.  Generous guy but kind of creeps me out.

 

**There is NOTHING like going to WalMart at 10 p.m. because the freaks truly do come out at night.***

 

***Scratch that.  Go to our local WalMart during PennSic and enjoy the people watching.

 

 

Nothing Special

Unemployment continues (save for Natural Stitches), and life goes on.  The kids returned to school last Wednesday, and it is fun to see how much they’ve changed.  Matthew was terribly worried about his first year at the Junior High and swore he’d get lost, but hasn’t so far, although he is suffering a great deal from seasonal allergies, what with the unseasonable weather we’re having.  Although I don’t mind the cool mornings and the lack of humidity, it is almost like summer just flew by us and there is no hope of seeing 80 degrees ever again.  Robert is doing well with his first year at the high school, though he complains about the way lunch there is handled.  

 

Working at Natural Stitches is a treat.  I get to play with yarn and I get to see wonderful people.  One of my favorite customers is Nancy, who is just a pip.  We recently had occasion to work together on repairing an Aran sweater for a friend of hers.  The sweater had a huge (silver dollar size) hole in the upper sleeve from unknown origins.  We worked on the repair on Saturday and I’m hoping that she’ll stop by today to let me see the finished results.

 

The other great thing about working at Natural Stitches is there is (almost) always time to knit.  I have been working on a Mr. Greenjeans sweater in Dream in Color Classy in the Good Luck Jade colorway.  This is my “work” project, because I can put it down mid-row to tend to a customer and not have to worry about where I left off.  And I remembered to take pictures for you!

 

 

I’ve also been working on a scarf from Victorian Lace Today.  Charissa and I were discussing how none, or very few, of the titles in VLT are short.  This one was “scarf with wide and handsome border for a mantle drape” – or at least I think that’s what it was called.  It was a different technique for me, as you knit the first border, cast off all but one stitch, pick up edge stitches, knit the body of the scarf, cast off all but one stitch again, then knit the second border on sideways, connecting it to the scarf with a K2tog through the back loop.  I was about 2/3 of the way through the second border when I deduced I wouldn’t have enough yarn left to complete the scarf, so I had to rip the border back out, plus a couple of the repeats through the main body, then re-knit.  I was so disgusted by this that I put the project in time out, and just picked it up again with any real fervor in the last week.  I finally finished it yesterday.  See?

 

 

 

 

Project:  Scarf with wide and handsome border, from Victorian Lace Today

Yarn:  Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple, Colorway “Novea Melon”, 2 skeins (with very little left over)

Knit Time:  Oh, I don’t know – a month and a half?

 

This project, after being weighed and measured for the Natural Stitches Summer of Socks & Lace contest (which I have no hope of winning), will be winging its way to New Jersey to my good friend Kim.  The color is just totally her.  Kim, I know that stoles and wraps aren’t your usual thing, but I have no doubt that you will find a use for this, whether as a mantle drape or paired with jeans and a T-shirt. 

 

Yesterday I went to see “Julie and Julia” with my friend/neighbor from across the street.  It was an excellent movie and, if you’re culinarily* inclined, very inspiring.  I wonder how many people will do something similar now but with other cookbooks – like Martha Stewart’s baking book or a 1940’s Betty Crocker Cookbook?  I am sure that there are a few, but I’m hoping that people realize “been there, done that”.  I did make bruschetta, though, as an accompaniment to dinner last night, because I thought that the way it was done in the movie was very clever (pan-toasted bread as opposed to broiler-toasted).  I was thinking my family wouldn’t like it and I’d get to have most of it since the other dinner accompaniment, at allergy-ridden Matthew’s request, was boxed macaroni & cheese, but so much for that, as Bill and Robert devoured a good portion of it. 

 

Part-time employment has also been good for me in that the house is being better tended to (a little something every day, and a little something more on the days when I don’t work) (I don’t think my bathroom has ever been this clean), and there is more culinary creativity going on (see, I didn’t even need the movie to get me in the cooking groove).  On Sunday I made lavender-almond biscotti, and yesterday I made pesto (which will be gracing some penne pasta for my lunch today before I leave for work). 

 

I also made some rosemary cheese breadsticks yesterday.  It’s a Giada DiLaurentis recipe and involves (gasp!) Pillsbury refrigerated breadstick dough, gruyere & parmesan cheeses, and fresh chopped rosemary.  VERY delicious. 

 

Back to knitting…since I only have the forgotten Monkey socks (maybe I’ll finish them before the end of the year)(HA!), a Cat Bordhi sock, and the Greenjeans sweater on the needles, I am contemplating another lace project.  I really want to knit the Harbour Lights shawl from Sivia Harding, but can’t find a yarn that I want to use with that.  I am also thinking about the Shetland Triangle shawl, and if I can get moving on that, perhaps it can be a Christmas gift this year.  I’m also thinking of trying the Diamond Fantasy shawl again, only with a better yarn this time around, and since it’s knit bottom up with the edges incorporated into the design, I can stop when I feel the need to stop.  Thoughts? 

 

Lastly, I called this cute, but Peanut called this abject humiliation.  I think the caption would be "Oh Merry Men..."

*No, I don’t think that’s a word.

Enough of the Oh-Woes-Me Stuff

I'm back.  I'm alive, I'm working part-time at Natural Stitches, I have the best friends anybody could ever ask for.  I am job searching, and that is really all I can do, right?  So there will be no more self-hosted pity parties, no more schlepping around in my pajama bottoms and tank top.  I am woman, hear me roar. 

Or rather, see me knit.

I started working on the Mr. Greenjeans sweater a couple of weeks ago.  Unfortunately, I do not have any photographic evidence of it.   I am also working on what I've dubbed the pumpkin scarf, which is actually a scarf of Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple in novea melon colorway.  It is a scarf from Victorian Lace Today, and I had to rip a good portion of it out on Friday, because I did not have enough yarn to finish the 2nd border. 

I have finished the 1st upstream sock and need to cast on for the 2nd.  Again, we are lacking in photographic evidence.

However, I do have photographic evidence of my Norwegian Woods shawl being finished, and blocked...

...and winning a blue ribbon at the Butler Farm Show!

Now, I was rather disappointed that it wasn't all spread out so everybody could see its beauty, but that's okay.  I won! 

I also won a blue ribbon for the Cardigan for Arwen:

My winnings, other than a sense of pride and accomplishment, were $4 for the sweater and $3 for the shawl. 

Probably the most memorable thing from the Farm Show, though, was this sound byte from Matthew:

Mom, why is that sheep wearing Spandex?

Week One

I am still alive.  I have signed up for unemployment, talked to a few people that I used to work with, and have combed the newspaper for jobs.  I have also been to two employment/temporary agencies, one that sounded promising and one that somewhat frightened me. 

 

I am working part-time at Natural Stitches, having started there last Thursday.   It is very enjoyable and very necessary to keep my sanity (what little of it I do have left). 

 

The boys are off to my mom’s for the week, spending time with Grandma as I never quite was able to do, with one grandmother who maintained her distance and another grandmother who died when I was 4. 

 

I am knitting quite a bit, both at NS and at home to keep my sanity.  I’ve also been working at straightening the house up, and – and I’m trying to put up a good front, but I’m afraid I’m cracking a bit. 

 

I have discovered that being separated from your job, when it is not of your own doing, is rather like being asked for a divorce from your spouse…especially if you didn’t think anything was wrong.  You want to know who is she, who’s replaced you, what did you do wrong, what could you have done to make it better.  You’re tempted to call their friends (or in my case, your coworkers) to ask questions.  You want to drive by the “house” and spy, and maybe you do.  But does it get you anywhere?  Not really.  Only a little more hurt, because you find out that it really wasn’t you, it wasn’t anything you did, there was nothing that you could have done to change anybody’s mind because they felt that it wasn’t working and you were going, and that was it, period. 

 

That doesn’t make you want to stop, though. 

 

Tomorrow is the first day since I’ve been off that I don’t have a plan.  I have to meet up with Lori from The Bee Folks to pick up some honey and hand cream that I ordered.   The Bee Folks are at Pennsic and I didn’t have to pay shipping/handling if I could wait to pick up the order.  I also have to do Robert’s papers (his friend has been doing them the other days) and I have to see what on earth is going on with my tomato plants (they look almost burnt and I’m not liking what I’m seeing).  I suppose I will go down to Career Link and see what help, if any, they can offer me. 

 

Ah, well.

 

The last time I posted, I told you that I had a post all worked up in my mind.  I still have it there…it’s picture heavy and will probably make it up next time.  J

Gotta Say, I Didn't See That One Coming

So yeah, it's been a while since I posted.  I had a post in my mind, and it was going up this weekend.  It probably will still go up, maybe later today or tomorrow. 

It seems that I am continuing my journey on the SS Schleprock.  I was let go from my job yesterday for being difficult to work with. 

Let's review here, shall we?  I've I had been there nearly three years.  Last year, I left and they asked me to come back.  I went back.  I probably shouldn't have, but I did.  But meh, what's it matter.  I can't change things.

The Kubler-Ross model says there are five stages of grief:  Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.  I think I had a little mental denial yesterday (I'm fine, I'll be fine, I can't believe this is happening to me).  The anger is mostly with two individuals within the company whom I'm sure orchestrated the firing.  The bargaining?  What is there to bargain?  I think I'm better off.  Depression has come and gone.  I felt a little sorry for myself last night, had Taco Bell for dinner, and then felt REALLY sorry because I had Taco Bell and it didn't make me feel any better PLUS it didn't sit well in my stomach.  Acceptance?  I'm there now.  I filed for unemployment compensation this morning, I looked up the local temporary services last night and have their names/numbers written down, ready to call.  I have plans to do some job hunting today/tomorrow/Monday. 

If you're close to me, you know that I've not been happy at work for some time now, so this was probably just the kick in the pants I needed to get me out there and job searching with a little more direction, and a LOT more time to devote to it. 

So hey, how are you?

 

 

I'm Still Standing...

...though perhaps not better than I've ever been*.  Things are still plugging along; what can I say?  School is out, the boys are home for the summer, doing what boys do.  I am still stealing my neighbor's wireless, which is rather difficult sometimes because I can only get it outside or if I'm near a window, and the front window works best, but requires me to use the back of the couch as the laptop support.  Can I tell you how difficult this is? 

Since we last spoke, I've completed the Norwegian Woods Shawl, started a scarf from Victorian Lace Today, fallen in love with that scarf to the point that I would TOTALLY call off work to knit if I had a sick day (which I don't, so that's good), worked a few rows on the Goddess Anniversary ohmygoshwillitneverend Shawl, agreed to knit a baby sweater shop sample for Natural Stitches, taken the kids to Cedar Point (yes I rode most of the rides, including coasters), and on July 6, my first son will be 16, at which point I expect to totally go gray. 

I have many pictures to share with you but tonight is not the night, I am feeling woozy and need to get to bed, it has been a rather long day. 

Before I go, though, I have to mention it.  Michael Jackson, dead at the age of 50.  We all knew it was coming but who would have expected it so soon.  The radio program I listen to in the morning was talking about how this has become a media circus, just as it did when Heath Ledger passed away.  I am going to show my age here, but I remember when Elvis died (we were vacationing in Vermont and my dad saw it on the front page of the daily newspaper there).  My mom bought every paper she could find during that vacation, because it was Elvis.  I liken the passing of Michael Jackson to the passing of Elvis; for he is the king of pop, one of the biggest stars of my generation.  My kids think Michael Jackson was weird and, granted, he was a bit out there..but I tell them how in the 1980's, he was The Big Thing.  The glove.  Moon walking.  Billie Jean.  Thriller.  Beat it.  I remember that I wore out one Thriller album and had to buy another one. 

I'm sorry to see him gone, but I'm glad to have been around when his music was IT.  RIP, MJ. And may you find the Neverland you were looking for. 

*with apologies to Elton John**.

**who I totally thought would have died before Michael Jackson. 

There Are No Words.

 

 

 

 

Thievery

Someone in my neighborhood has an unsecured wireless network...and that means WOOHOO!  It's spotty but we'll see how this goes. 

Yes, I will occasionally resort to thievery.  And no, Jenn, I will not grow up.

So last night was Hurricane Knitting -- what a blast.  I have been able to move forward in my fears and knit lace while surrounded by this crazy bunch, and am happy to say that I'm on the last repeat of the 3rd chart of the Norwegian Woods Shawl.  I've bought some beads and am ready to be done with this thing. 

I've also got an upstream sock, a la Cat Bordhi, on the needles.  Don't panic, but I'm using some Yarn Pirate yarn that's been marinating in my stash for about a year (or maybe longer!  I'm not sure!). 

I'd better cut this short so that I can get it posted before that spotty internet service goes down again.

Oh, and Misa?  The Pence Jugs?  I have actually given both of them away -- the first one to my pal Melissa, the 2nd one landed in my friend Jamie's hands tonight.  So I have to knit another one.  (Seriously, they're entertaining little knits and really hold change, and I had mine hanging from a key ring, but now Jamie has it hanging from a key ring).