Computers stink!!!!!!!

Well my weekend was fairly eventful......spent Saturday shopping, only to come home and boot up my computer and receive the following error message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

Not good news here folks! My poor little laptop is suffering, and there is no one who can fix it for me until at least Wednesday.....if it is even fixable!!! I am praying that the tech guys can do something with it and at least get my files off it! If they can save my files, I'll happily have them totally erase the hard drive and re-build it! Keep your fingers crossed for me that some good news will happen!

I am in the office today so I could use my old spare laptop. Unfortunately it is too old to install my ADSL drivers on it, so I can not take it home with me and use it from there. It can still hook up to the office network which is what I am doing......a day off and I am in the office.....yuck! :)

I did take the down time from the computer to crochet some. I started on the doll blankets for my nieces, as well as another scarf and more ornaments. I am really liking the snowman marshmallow looking dudes - quick, easy and cute! I also started a scarf for my Holiday Gift Pal....not a hundred percent certain that I will send it - I am not really liking the pattern that much, but I love the yarn! Its acrylic (yes, ugh) but it is so soft I could not help but pet it after buying it on Saturday over and over again. I do need to contact her and see if she would mind receiving it a bit late....I can send it from here, but postage will be around 35 dollars for a package that size/weight! I am planning on flying home for Christmas around the 15th or 16th. I could easily mail it express the day I get home, but it might cut it close for receipt for Christmas. (Just looked, express mail, next day guaranteed is actually cheaper by 7 dollars to send the package!! Lets hope she will let me wait...its only 7 but then I could be sure that it would get to her!)

Oh, and I somehow managed to chip my front tooth. Its barely noticeable, but I can feel the rough edge on it....yet another thing to get taken care of while home in December! To make matters worse on it, its my real tooth and not the bridge tooth! I am hoping that they can just smooth the edges or something!

Yes, I am crocheting

Well its been a little bit since any sort of updates on my crocheting! I have been doing some, and have actually been fairly busy, although looking at my finished objects it does not appear to be so!

First I have been working on one of Deneen's Marvelous Totes - a little gem made out of wool and then felted in the washing machine. Well, I am still in the process of trying to get it to felt. Its being a wee bit stubborn in that department! Here is the before and after the first attempt through the washer:


Next up, Christmas Ornaments! (No, I am not turning into Grandma, Dad. I will not be handing them out at Christmas and crying when they are not on the tree / table / wall / where ever else she thinks they should be) I have been busy experimenting with more patterns and doing the snowman again in thread. Here are the results, plus a size comparison of the original snowman and the new snowman versus a book of my Dad's that I am currently reading.


My first scrunchie, done in the same wool as my felted tote. Matches my shirt fairly well! I do believe that this one will be staying in my possession....you should always keep your first! :)


And finally, since I have been a little bit forgetful about Travelling Thursdays, here is a shot of the skyline in Cologne, with the Cathedral in the middle!


My plans for the weekend are unknown at this point. For sure I will be doing some crocheting, although how much remains to be seen! I still need to do three of the fur scarves, two doll blankets, one baby blanket, several additional ornaments and lets not forget more scrunchies!!!!!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Hmmm...not so sure on this one!

Take the quiz: "Which Random Irish Gaelic Phrase Are You? "

Pog mo thoin
Pog mo thoin - 'Kiss my ass.'You're one tough bastard, and if anyone doesn't like it, they can kiss your ass. You enjoy fighting and causing grievous bodily harm. Hey! What are you lookin' at, punk?

First, I grabbed this quiz from Lynlee's blog.

Second, as some background info, this was the first Irish phrase I learned from my Irish boyfriend, and about the only one that I really remember from my year of living there!

Third, I just do not think that it fits! I hate pain, avoid confrontation unless I am pushed to it or feel that it is just the right thing to do. I can have a temper and do swear (especially in the car) like a sailor sometimes.

Although I must say, I am who I am, and if someone has anything wrong with that and thinks that I should have to change, well they can Pog mo thoin! *grin*

Pretty smart eh? lol

Well, I guess that college education of mine did pay off...I could pass 8th grade math! Although to be honest, on a few of the questions I took an educated guess and went with my first instinct and resisted the urge to go back and change any answers....good thing!

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 10/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

Waving hello!!

Hi everyone! Miss me? I can not believe that I've not posted anything in almost a week! Its been crazy here! My training went really well - lots to do now because of what I learned! As if I did not already have enough on my plate to do!

Friday night I went to my friend Genevieve's for our monthly dinner. Had a nice time until I had to leave to go to the train station....why the train station? My friend Russ who lives in London took the train over for the weekend to visit! We had a really nice time together. Saturday we drove around Belgium - I took him to Waterloo so her could see the hill and Lion monument, and then we drove on down to Mons where they had a horse show in their Grand Place....not the reason that we went, but nice to see!

Sunday we managed to get going at a more decent time and we drove the 2 hours to Cologne Germany. Saw the Cathedral there, walked around the town some and then found a nice Irish pub where we could watch the football matches. Happy to say that my team, Newcastle, won their game 3-2 over Sunderland and while Russ's team, Everton, did not win, they tied 1-1 against Chelsea which is the best team in the Premiership.....Everton is currently ranked last! Great job for them!

We drove back to Brussels last night, and I dropped Russ off at the train station this morning while on my way to work!

Well, that was my weekend. Now yet another fun week at work! I have my tea swap packages all set and ready to be mailed out! Along with my reveal package for my Secret Pal! I hope to be able to get to the post office tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest!

Promise not to tell? I signed up for another swap! Bad me, I know! But Cordelia is hosting a Scrunchie Swap so I just had to jump in and join...especially since my hair is growing out so well! 2 years now since I last had a major haircut!

Ta ta for now! I am off to work on the pile of things to do that seems to be growing at an alarming rate here at work! Have a great week!

Mid week update.....nothing exciting

Happy Wednesday!

My week has been flying by it seems! I really dislike having to get up at 6:30 everyday so I can leave in time to miss traffic on my drive to Lessines in the middle of the Belgian countryside.....lets just say I see lots of cows every day!

The training is going good so far and is picking up in terms of being interesting after starting out with what was for me a refresher course on a software package I already knew! I really am learning a lot and even better, what I am learning will have good marketing value for my resume should I decide to ever leave the company! I am not planning on leaving them, but returning with them to the US probably, but I will keep working for them.

I read a disturbing article about women professionals. it seems that due to the growing trend of going to university, wanting to start and focus on a career, gaining more high profile positions, choosing to work in other locations etc etc etc has led to an increase in woman who are getting married later in life, not having children, choosing often to have kids via artificial insemination at a sperm bank........ I really do not want to be another statistic in this growing trend......anyone know a nice guy late 20s to mid 30s?? *grin*

I am over half done with my thread snowman..... I like the design in the acrylic but I am not liking it too much in thread....pain in the butt....no, wait, that's a pain in my fingers. I thought that my finger was going to go numb from the number of time that pesky tiny metal hook bit into it.....started to resemble a pin cushion...nah it looked like a thimble with lots of little dimples in it!!! I will persevere, finish the one and probably not finish a second one...unless he turns out so darn cute that I can not resist making more, even with the pain!

I am feeling a bit bad about my secret pal package - I have not found the time to finish it up and get it mailed out - it does not look like this will happen until at least next week! This weekend is filled up because I have a friend from London coming to visit and we are going to travel and see possibly Cologne Germany and part of Belgium. Should be good fun and nice to catch up.

Wow.....looking back, the word "I" was used 20 times....that's a whole lot about me! So hows your week going?

What Kimberly Needs......

I have been reading several blogs today doing a meme about needs.

Heather's Needs Kari's Needs Deneen's Needs Natalie's Needs

So the basic concept - go to google and search on your name plus needs in quotations i.e. "Kimberly needs" You're supposed to post something like the first 5, but these are the ones that I found....interesting!!

Kimberly needs to eat something and keep her ugly mouth shut, she is so superficial and can't keep her legs closed. ***I think they got that backwards on what I need to do!!!***

Kimberly needs to continue sitting in the waiting area ***I hate waiting***

Kimberly needs a woman in her life ***Oh really? Imagine that....As long as its a personal maid***

Kimberly needs all five of her riders around her at all times! ***5 at all times.....Kinky***

Kimberly needs to get the media on her side, she seduces an overeager
newscaster with a line from a cheesy porn movie ***That means I must have watched the porn film to begin with.....and why am I in the media??***

Kimberly needs help in dealing with the situation with Rick ***Who is Rick????***

Kimberly needs to hitch a ride to the park ***I'll catch the next tram***

Kimberly needs to take some chances and mix things up a little....she also needs to shut up shut up ***Why does everyone keep telling me to shut up?***

Kimberly needs a stable environment to help her address her problems ***Oooohhhh - I got problems!!***

Kimberly needs Professional Help, Again! ***I had help a first time????***

Kimberly needs her mouth washed out with soap for her bad language ***I do not have bad language! Putain!***

Kimberly needs a lot of TLC and I know you're the one who can give it to her, but for gods sake chain her to that bed ***Chains and a bed.....sounds interesting***

Weekend catch-up

Oh goodness! Its already almost midnight and I have not even started getting my things together for my training course tomorrow! I will be in training all week at one of our plants in Lessines Belgium, about 45 minutes away! I rented a car so I could drive out there all week.....oh joy!

I've been busy this weekend and have finished two projects - I had hoped to finish more, but two is better than none!

The first is a cream scarf that I've been making using the Caron Jewel box that my summer pal Jessica sent me - I really love this yarn, and love how the scarf turned out! I need to add a fringe or something more to it, but here is the current state:

I also finished a snowman ornament in worsted acrylic. I love the pattern and will try it next with size 10 thread. The buttons on the snowman are some that Mimi sent me with my thread order a while back - they look perfect on Mister Snowman!


Here are the pictures of my finished squares, and close-ups of a few of my favorites:



Next on the list of pictures is the wool that I bought in Ireland. One massive skein of Tivoli Serene in a blue colorway and 3 skeins of Baby Delight in a really nice pink - white colorway. I've started to work the baby yarn up into a Star Afghan - it is working up nicely and is very soft!


And finally, a glimpse of the current status of the tea swap (yes, I am addicted to swaps everyone) and what my poor ironing board has turned into! I think that I have gone a bit overboard on the tea I am sending out, but there are so many kinds that I want to share with my partners! I have written the brewing suggestions on each of the loose leaf tea zip-locks so my partners know how long to brew each cup. I still need to get to the store to buy some chocolate to send with each!

Swap Updates!

Well, I've been busy as always with Swaps and the like over at Crochetville. Actually a little bit too busy at times! I keep fearing that I am forgetting to do something, but can not think of what it is! Eeek!

Anywho, here is an update on the status of my swaps:

Stitch Marker Swap - Have received markers from 3 of my 4 partners (thanks so much again - I love them all!!). I have finished creating mine, packed them up and as of this afternoon, mailed them off to their recipients....I hope that they all like them! I was so nervous about one set getting crushed that I got creative and packed them in a mint tin...hey, whatever works right??

Blue Squares Too Swap - I am FIANLLY done with all of those pesky squares and tying in those little ends! I stopped on my way home tonight and bought tags for the squares, so I spent 30 minutes filling those out and attaching them to the squares! I should be able to get to the Post Office again tomorrow morning and get those mailed out as well!

Autumn Secret Pals - I have been having a blast with the Secret Pals! I am so glad that I signed up for a second round! I can not wait to find out who my SP is! I am in the process of putting together the reveal package for the person that I have as a SP - I really wanted to make several items for her, but have ran out of time! I did pick up some awesome yarn that I sooooo badly want to keep for myself....I will be good and send it on to her though!

Tea & Coffee Swap - I am already having fun with this swap, and its only just started! I've been sending e-mails like crazy out to my various partners (I am sure that they are all getting sick of hearing from me! Lol). I bought some items tonight on my way home and spent some time tonight dividing the loose leaf tea into smaller portions and gathering up the other tea that I have. I think that I have gone a bit overboard on the teas that I am sending! And I have not even gotten out to buy any chocolate yet! (did you think that I could send tea without sending chocolate?????)

Ornament Swap - I am still waiting to find out the names of my Swap Partners. Once I know, I will begin to crochet like a mad woman in order to get them all done in time! I am still searching for some patterns to use - have some ideas in my head, but finding all of the materials I want will be a challenge!

Holiday Gift Exchange - This one will be happening in November / December time frame. No partner yet! :)

Scrunchy Swap - I am still debating on joining this one....would be fun and scrunchies are very practical.....especially since I've been in the process of growing my hair out for almost 2 years now!


I think that is all of them.....I hope that is all of them.....

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

I am so lucky to have been given two such wonderful parents. Both you and Mom have always been there for me, ready to cheer me on as I tried whatever I put my mind to, and ready to dry my tears on those occasions when I fell - telling me to get back up and try again!

Than you so very much for all of your love, support, guidance, opinions, belief in me, caring, nuturing and at the end of the day, thank you for just being my father and my friend!

I love you Daddy!

Your Princess

Sheer boredom = random quizzes

Extra, Extra! Read All About it! Sheer boredom results in finding random quizzes to take!

Well, They got the travelling part right! * grin *

Your Hair Should Be Pink

Hyper, insane, and a boatload of fun. You're a traveling party that everyone loves to follow.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

I think that this one is actually fairly correct for me! Well, I don’t always say whats on my mind…I hold too much inside at times and I hate to say “No” to anyone, even if inside I am screaming with frustration on how I would get everything finished in time!

How You Life Your Life

You have a good sense of self control and hate to show weakness. You say whatever is on your mind. Other people's reactions don't phase you. You're open to new people and friends, which makes you a pretty popular person. You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable.

How Do You Live Your Life?

* Giggle * Just wrong……enough said! LOL

Your Outrageous Name is:

Betty Humpter

Outrageous Name Generator

Hmm…I was indeed the second born, and I am an accountant…

You Are Likely a Second Born

At your darkest moments, you feel inadequate. At work and school. you do best when you're evaluating. When you love someone, you offer them constructive criticism. In friendship, you tend to give a lot of feedback - positive and negative. Your ideal careers are: accounting, banking, art, carpentry, decorating, teaching, and writing novels. You will leave your mark on the world with art and creative projects.

The Birth Order Predictor

BTW - the Irish are mad!!

Forgot to mention in my last post and I figure that it deserves its own post. As you might recall, I was taking off to drive through the countryside in County Mayo.

Off we went, driving on the wrong side of the road (the left) on the wrong side of the car (the right) with a stick shift. Great fun, and like riding a bike - you don't forget once you've done it.

Anywho, the Irish speed limits have all changed from Miles to Kilometers since I last drove there due to the EU I believe it was. Anyways, picture the road from my last post - here it is again:



Looks like your typical country lane, kinda small, no shoulder to speak of, in the picture there are at least a little bit a side to the road, which often is not the case as the grass is replaced by hedge rows, rocks, boulders, fences, bridges etc.

Being the oblivious American to metric speeds, I toodled around at the given speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour on these narrow, windy country roads. Today I decided to see what 100 kph is in miles per hour....would you believe that it is 62 mph? There are highways in America that are not that fast (oh how I love to drive through Indiana (course, it might have changed, but it was 55 when I lived there)) and this is a narrow road with blind corners, in a country where it rains a lot so the cement is often slick.....and the Irish wonder why the fatalities on their roads are so high????

While out with friends we were told over 240 this year alone.....and there were at least 6 this weekend while we were there! This is a country the size of Maine!

The 2 lane divided motorways in Ireland only have a speed limit of 120 kph (75 mph)! Not much difference when you consider the difference in driving conditions on the two!

I've been a wild rover for many a year....

Well, my roving days are done.....for at least 2 weeks! :)

Ireland was great! We were fogged into the Brussels airport on our way there, so we were a good 2 hours late arriving into Dublin. We rented a car and away we went off into the countryside! I drove the first day out there - had a little Ford Focus that drove really nicely...oddly enough it was easier to drive and shift than the BMW that we have driven here in Brussels. I think the whole 4 days I only stalled out twice - once during a construction stop when I was not paying attention in the stop-go traffic and a second time at a corner when turning!

Here are a few pictures from our voyage around. They include - a view from the half way point on Croagh Patrick (Mt. Patrick), the mountains around County Mayo, Irish mountain sheepies (the pic of me with them seems to have gone AWOL), the typical Irish "traffic jam" as a farmer moved his cows from one field to another, and a view of moi and one of the 4 rainbows that we saw (what is Ireland without rainbows, pots of golds and leprechauns - if you look closely to the left of this rainbow you can make out the beginnings of a second rainbow!!)



Now, what I am sure that you have all been waiting to read...I found a yarn shop and bought WOOL!!! I bought a giant skein of a neat navy blue wool that has variegation's in it - the lady told me it was for knitting only, but I don't see why I can not crochet with it! I also bought 3 skeins of a soft pale pink color to make a baby blanket for an unknown baby! I know enough people in the baby making time of life that someone is bound to get pregnant with a girl....so long as its not me, all will be good! :) I have to still unpack - will try to post a picture of the wool later.

Mail update: Huge thanks go out to Jessi for sending to me the Family Circle easy crochet mag - it was waiting for me today when I got into work! Can not wait to get home and sit down with it for a read!

Off I go to read some blogs.....with over 200 posts waiting to be read, I do not think that I will be able to comment on everyones blogs...apologies, but at least I will be reading them all!

What is Crocheting????

Thanks to Sarah for introducing me to Googlism!

Since she searched out what Knitting is, I of course had to search out what Crocheting is:

crocheting is for everyone
crocheting is my stress reducer
crocheting is a passion of mine
crocheting is one pastime that prisoners may undertake while in their cells (hence Martha's poncho LOL)
crocheting is very easy
crocheting is still a popular pastime for women and some men too
crocheting is a wonderful craft/art
crocheting is one of the most fun and interesting types of needlepoint
crocheting is just plain fun
crocheting is like an art
crocheting is one of the easiest crafts to accomplish
crocheting is used to make all types of things from roses to decorative towels
crocheting is beautiful and very creative
crocheting is a deep passion for me
crocheting is not just for grandmas
crocheting is cool
crocheting is how to hold the hook
crocheting is so easy and rewarding that you may become obsessed and find yourself doing it in all sorts of odd places such as the subway or restaurant (Who me? Nah, no way!)
crocheting is many different things to many different people
crocheting is a reference to everyday work
crocheting is a wonderful hobby
crocheting is an interest of mine
crocheting is a nice and peaceful pastime that is traditionally seen as something fit for ladies
crocheting is still going strong
crocheting is a dying art (I don'so)
crocheting is more satisfying than sitting behind a computer screen
crocheting is about the only thing i can do
crocheting is my art
crocheting is kinda like knitting but its not
crocheting is my main passion besides my husband
crocheting is centuries old
crocheting is my meditation and i never cease to be amazed at the peace it gives me when i devote sufficient time to it
crocheting is becoming a lost art
crocheting is great

Some I agree with, some I don't. For shits and giggles (can I say that on here???) I did "What is Crochet"

crochet is only fun until someone loses an eye (huh? is someone crocheting differenetly than me?)
crochet is dead (really. I had not noticed)
crochet is back
crochet is a "simple" technique and "surely must" have been discovered earlier
crochet is fun
crochet is its own art form
crochet isn't work
crochet is cool
crochet is done very often for monetary purposes (Really? whos getting paid decent money?)
crochet is an easy technique that can have stunning results
crochet is derived from the middle french word croc or croche (sounds like a bunch of croc LOL)
crochet is a 1958 graduate of louisiana state university with a degree in art education (huh???)
crochet is more popular than ever with great new stitches
crochet is certainly an art form

How can I wear that costume????

Mimi posted a comment on how I could wear the Geisha costume...Frankly, she is right! Now, lets put this into perspective. I am on a slouchy day 5'6 on a stand up straight day 5'8. Add to that what looks to be 3 inch platforms with an additional 3 inch heel, that makes me 6'2. How the heck do you walk in those shoes? I have issues with my 3 inch heels lately (darn cobblestones!!) I would be a walking disaster waiting to happen...Add to it that really short (and tight) skirt which might look just a wee bit odd with my slightly out of shape thighs...nu-uh! Cute as it may be its not my ideal Halloween Costume!

I am flying back to Ireland tomorrow. It is Zori's birthday and we are renting a car and taking off for the west coast. Do you know what that means? Lots of sheep and the really high potential for YARN!!!!!! And not only yarn, WOOL!!!!! I can not wait! Now, lets just hope that I remember how to drive a stick shift car on the WRONG side of the road! Eeek!! It should be an adventure to say the least...especially since its me and Zori - things never go exactly as we plan!

My Halloween Costume

I saw Halloween Costume quizes on several blogs today, including Bron's, Mia's and Kari's....here are two of my results!


You Are A....Dragon Geisha!
-relaxed

-peaceful

-sweet


What's Your Halloween Costume? .:with pics:.
brought to you by Quizilla

Your Head Turning Halloween Costume Is

Fairy-Licious Vamp

What Head Turning Halloween Costume Are You?

Picture Pages, Picture Pages

Time to get your Picture Pages, time to get your crayons and your pencils! (Are y'all singing along with me here???)

Here are the pictures of the recent crocheting results (proof that I am crocheting) and two pictures of me and my parents in Rome. More pictures of Rome to come! I promise! :)

Sorry for the naked CPK - that is Christina Ann my very first CPK that I received from my Grandmother way back when! I asked my mother to bring her over so I could use her as a sizing model for the clothes and accessories I am making for my nieces Christmas Presents! Unfortunately when I told my mom to bring her along, I neglected to inform her that she should have some clothes on, so my mother brought her as was - naked as a jay bird with the exception of a beaded necklace...my kinda gal - goes nowhere without her jewelry!

I'm back from Rome and still alive!

Just a quick check in to say hello. Rome was great - I was sick and not feeling 100% but I had a great time none the less! Pictures will be coming - I promise!! Only disappointment was my inability to find any yarn - had I been a sewer or quilter I would have been in heaven!! The fabric shops were amazing!

Crocheting - I finished two doilies - one of which I must have frogged about 50 times - it just did not want to get finished! I sat on the couch yesterday and whipped together two fur scarves for my nieces for Christmas for the dolls that I bought them - they match the scarves that I made for them to wear!

I received the color cards from Knitpicks that I ordered after talking with Jessi - I love them!! I can not wait to plan my first purchase from them!

I also received the stitch markers from Kathy - again, will post pictures later - thanks Kathy!! I really like them!

That's it for now - short and sweet! I am taking my parents out to dinenr tonight to Le Fruit De Ma Passion - my favorite french restaurant - I hope that they like it!!!