The Weekend is gone . . . .

OK, so here's the recap of last weekend. On Friday, I finished Argosy, with very little to spare. See that little ball of fuzz? That's all that was left after binding off.



Then on Saturday, I gave it a good wash and soak and stretched that baby out. It was actually bigger than my blocking board, so the tips had to hang over the edge. I left it on the guest bed, opended the windows, and did a little happy dance through the house while waiting for it to dry.

On Sunday, we went to Sandy, Oregon, to SIL Faye and BIL Jim's house. But the Oregon weather caught up to us; the high was 58 and it drizzled most of the day. (Note to self: only plan an Oregon bbq in July or August. And even then it's not a sure thing.) But, we did have really good eats: spicy meatballs, veggies and dip, olive tapenade and crusty bread, shish kabob, potato salad, fruit salad, corn on the cob, and pineapple upside down cake for dessert.

Other BIL Myron and SIL Joan came over, which was good. I think the last time we saw them was Thanksgiving. We see them so seldom, you'd think they lived on the other side of the planet, instead of West Linn. After dinner, the men moved to the living room to watch golf, the Indy 500, and nap.


Tool Man in the back, BIL Myron on the couch, and the back of BIL Jim's head.

While the women played Muggins:


Left to right: SIL Joan, me holding the newest family member, the back of SIL Faye's head, neice Lisa, and neice Jane.

That darling miniature schnauzer is the newest member of the family. Neice Jane had to put her cats down last winter and decided to get a little dog to travel with her. Meet Bismark, affectionally known as Bis, or Bissy (Busy?):


Why would you guys want to play cards when I'm here ready to play?

Then on Monday, Argosy came off the blocking board. I am VERY pleased with the way it turned out; fuzzy, metallicy, beautiful colors, soft, and very drapey. The mohair wasn't too fuzzy to knit, but it bloomed beautifully after soaking.

One of my interviews for this morning fell through. So, here I am, dressed up with nowhere to go until court this afternoon. Oh, I know! I'll model Argosy!





Thanks to Tool Man for his photography; he's much better at it than I am. Now I'm working on some warshrags from Mason Dixon in funky, bright colors. I need a project that is fast and fun that I don't really have to think about.

WELCOME!

Thanks for coming to my new blog, Tiggywinkle Knits!

I decided to move off the old one since it had my name in the address. And I wanted to do some renovations to the picture on the left, the profile, and the header. All that's new, but you're still stuck with the same old me.

Please mark my new home in your favorites or bookmarks. Or better yet, leave a comment about how much you love my new layout.

We have a family get together on Sunday with the Tool Man side of the herd. I'll try to remember to take the camera and get pics to post over the weekend. Maybe even some pictures of Tool Man and Andy Rooney.

Job hunting is going well! The place I interviewed at last week wants me to come back for a 2nd with the attorneys. And I have 2 more lined up for Tuesday morning that sound very promising.

I promise to post more details on Monday, and possibly include some fiber content. To quote Arnold Schwartzenegger, "I'll be back."

A meme . . . .

What is a meme? A meme is an idea that behaves on the internet like a virus does in a body. They start with one person, are retold time and again, and end up travelling around the world. They infect, they reproduce, they mutate, and they spread.

Normally, I wouldn't do a meme on my blog. A meme seems like "Look at me! Look at me! I do this! and this! and this!" And a blog already seems like a lot of that, so I didn't feel the need to go over the top. Then, I saw this meme on Loves to Bike and Knit, and had to do it. So here goes:

Bold for stuff I've done, italics for stuff I plan to do eventually, and normal for stuff I don't intend to do. Let me know if you do the meme, so I can read it!

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with bananafiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffitti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money (actually I LOVE this idea!)
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colours
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies...)
Knitting socks on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone elses handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living (where do I sign up for this?)
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting (but not intentionally!)
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener Bind Off
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Did I mention that I knit?

My, oh, my!

Ok, if you didn't watch Dancing With The Stars tonight, you don't know what you missed! They all brought their "A" game to the show tonight and the judges awards a boatload of 10s. Even Len, who always has a constructive criticism, handed out 10s like nobody's business. They were so good, I had to stop knitting to watch!

Joey always has such a great time dancing and it shows all over his face; and tonight he was really on his game. Ian finally loosened up, and it really shined through; even with the cheesy Elvis wig. And Laila sure knows how to work it, baby; let's hear for big girls!

But, let me tell you, when Apolo and Julianne did that cha cha, I think I had a hot flash; had to open a window and fan myself! Len thought it was raunchy, but I agreed with Bruno and Carrie Ann, it was FANTASTIC!

Here's where you can watch the video, in case you missed it tonight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7IODjKDCoM

OK, so I know I'm old enough to be his mother, and don't tell Tool Man I said this, but that boy can put his speed skates under my bed anytime. Just sayin'.

Progress is Made

When we moved in, our living room looked like this for quite a while:



Of course it was white when we moved in; this was the first room we painted. Five, that's right, five coats of red on that wall. Then Tool Man made progress on shelves and valances, I made progress on decorating, and Horizon made progress on repairs. Now, it looks like this:



Yessiree, that's progress. Isn't that new carpet great? It looks tons better than the previous beige low plush. But I WOULD NOT recommend an overflowing toilet as a means to get new carpet. Trust me on that one.

Remember the last time you saw the kitchen? Well, lookee here:



Beautiful new flooring. And doesn't that fridge look big? Tool Man believes in buying the biggest appliance possible. Hence, a 27 cubic foot fridge for a house that holds two people and a dog. But for an ice tea drinker like me, the icemaker is the cat's pajamas.

Here's how the dining room started:



I call this picture "Still Life With Dog Butt". Andy Rooney seriously loved that sun spot on the carpet. Until we did this:



Yup, more progress.

And Tool Man has been painting this week. After almost 3 years here, we're starting on the master bath and bedroom. Here's what he's got done so far:



Horizon did the new floor. Tool Man did the new light fixture, the new faucet that you can't see, built that nifty magazine rack for me, and painted. What a guy! Next on his list, a "bath pantry" since we have no towel storage in here. Here's the one I asked him to build. Should be no problem for a talented guy like him.

And the employment front. Made progress there, too; youbetcha.

Had an interview on Thursday that resulted in a offer. A nice offer. But the commute is going to be a killer; I have to take the train AND a bus to get there. Estimated time: 58 minutes each way. Doesn't sound so bad now, but this winter when it's dark and raining and cold, it will be miserable. They know I have other irons in the fire, and I want to do lunch with the staff before I make a decision.

I've sent emails or made calls to every attorney and paralegal I know, plus I've made contact with Northwest Legal, so something should happen pretty quickly. I have more interviews next week. And then this afternoon, I heard about an opening at a firm that would be only a 15 minute train ride each way, so I sent an email to an attorney in that firm that I know along with my resume; hopefully I'll hear from them early next week.

I made progress on Argosy:



Would you just look at the fuzzy lusciousness of that mohair? I tell you, I am really digging this pattern in this yarn. I can hardly wait until it's done.

But perhaps Jeeves should go off that diet he's been on. See what I mean?



I, however, lost 6 pounds in the last 3 weeks. Now, THAT'S what I call progress.

Gathering Speed . . .

So, I completely blew off posting last weekend, but otherwise it was productive. Last Saturday was a milestone birthday for me. Nevermind which one is was; let's just say I'm on the downhill side and gathering speed. . . .

Tool Man said he searched for a gift after I warned him that if he planned a surprise party that I would not be "frisky" for a long, long time. And I also warned him not to spend too much money; I will soon be out of a job, remember? So all he would tell me was that we were going somewhere Saturday morning and had to be there at 10:00 a.m. I waited with baited breath, ready to feel un-"frisky" at a moment's notice.

So on Saturday morning, we wake up, have coffee and tea, shower and dress, get in the car, and . . .

he drives to Shari's. I wait for the balloons, the singing, the pancakes with a candle, anything. Nothing. Just our regular weekend breakfast. Tool Man pays the bill, and we get in the car. He drives to Streets of Tanasbourne and parks in the garage. Then he says,

"I shopped in all of your favorite stores and couldn't find anything special enough for your birthday. So I'm taking you on a shopping spree. You've got $500 to spend on clothes, shoes, and jewelry. Strictly on yourself, whatever you want. I thought this would be something that made you feel better about yourself. You haven't felt well for a long time, you've had a lot crap at work for the last six months, and now a big birthday, and I want you to feel as beautiful to yourself as you are to me."

I cried.

Then I went to Macy's. Hell, I had $500!

And like he hadn't already done enough, he waited in the lingerie department while I got fitted for new bras! Wandering out of the store, with nothing in particular to look at, Tool Man heads for ladies suits and grabs a red (he knows I can't resist it) Kaspar skirt suit off the clearance rack and insists I try it on. Perfect, even the sleeve length. Regular price: $289; markdown to: $79. SCORE!

Next stop: Chico's. There, I picked out this, and this. I've shopped in Chico's enough that the clerks know me, and Tool Man by name. He picks out stuff; I try on the stuff; he waits patiently and critiques. Even other customers ask Tool Man to pick out clothes for them. What can I say, he's got good taste.

Quick pop into Claire's for some earrings. Jeez, Tool Man even picked out earrings for me. I thought for a second about buying some temporary tattoos, to freak out my co-workers on Monday, but he put the kibosh on that. Spoil sport.

Now, I'm on a roll and gathering speed. On to Nordstrom's Rack. I start looking at separates. Tool Man makes a beeline to the suits. I find squat. He finds a sage green silk Kaspar pants suit and a beautiful gray peachskin Kaspar 3 piece suit. Then he grabs a buttercream silk sweater, a black silk shell, a hot pink top (to go with a brown and pink suit I bought a month or so ago and couldn't find a top to go with), and a white silk weskit, and says, go try these on.

By now, it's noon. On Saturday. In May. Right before prom, graduation, and weddings. In The Rack. The line out the ladies dressing room is out past babies, past children's, past boys' and heading towards menswear. I suggest just buying, trying on at home, and returning what doesn't fit. Tool Man insists he'll wait while I try on. Now, he's really earning brownie points. It takes 20 minutes to get to the front of the line; he waits patiently. (Who the hell is this, and what has he done with my husband?) It all fits perfectly. Except of course, the length on the pants, which are at least 8 inches too long. Hell, if I'd known he could pick out stuff this good, I'd have sent him by himself!

By now, I'm whipped. Done. Completely lost speed. Didn't even stay to have the pants altered. Home, James.

But, he was right; I did need the boost. And all of this stuff is what I need to go out and find a new job. Which I've been working at pretty hard this week. I updated the resume, contacted a headhunter, made more phone calls, sent out emails, and put out a notice on the OWLS listserve. I've already had three serious contacts from the listserve, plus two emails resulting from word-of-mouth, a phone call from the headhunter, and two interviews set up for tomorrow. This job search thing is definitely gathering speed.

Think Tool Man would find it was funny if I said I don't have anything to wear?

Moving right along . . .

So S&L went to the frog pond (Note to self: ripping out mohair is NOT fun.), then got rewound into balls (Boy, do I LOVE that Ball Winder that Tool Man gave me for Christmas!), and is being reincarnated as an Argosy Shawl. Thanks to Knitting In A Happy Camper for her pattern; excellent work on expanding the Argosy line and congrats on the pattern in MagKnit! I have to admit, this pattern is addictive; after less than 10 rows, I had it memorized and am knitting right along. And this does show off the yarn much better than S&L did. Although I have a cone of dark red bamboo that would be luverly as S&L.




I've had a few tentative nibbles on the job front. I think some of the higher level attorneys have been poking to see if Beth was coming back to work or the firm was going to survive without her. I got the feeling they would talk to me if I was looking, but they didn't want to be accused of luring me away. Today I made calls to several legal assistants, two retired judges, three sitting judges, 5 court clerks, lots of custody evaluators, some CPAs and real estate appraisers, and to the head of each county family law bar group (You make really good contacts by doing volunteer work!) to let them know I'm on the market and looking, so I expect word to get around pretty quickly now. Hopefully, I'll have something sooner rather than later.

The new carpet and flooring looks beautiful; and it is SOOO NICE not to have workmen here every single day! You'll have to wait for pictures on the next post; the camera battery crapped out on that one picture of Argosy. Tool Man is painting the master bath; he's already installed the new light fixture, the new faucet, and new knobs on the vanity. And when he's done painting, he's going to start on a "bath pantry" for me. I am so lucky to have him!