Friday, July 25, 2008

I don't really give a rat's behind. I'm moving in. I'm tired of living in a van down by the river!

Well friends, it's done. My townhouse is sold and hubby and I are the proud owners of a new home. I've been doing a happy dance ever since I got the phone call to say everything was finalized. Hubby didn't hoot and holler until he had the keys in his hand. Then I got to see his happy dance. I ran through the house like a 5-year old and then laid in my beautiful grassy back garden and stared up at the clouds. The seller left us a wonderful note to tell us the neighbours names and even told us not to worry about the big dog next door (his name is George) because he's ever so friendly. She wished us many happy years in our new home. What a lovely thing to do.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Movin' On Up?

I preface this post by informing you that I started my monthly visit with Auntie Flo this morning, so it's likely I'm a bit more emotional than usual. That said.....

Pardon my french, but this moving business is quite shitty. I have lived in my townhouse for almost eight years. It is the only place I've lived (since I moved away from home at 18) that I've found peace, quiet and security. Leaving that to go not only to a new house, but a new neighborhood as well, is quite the shock to my system. We haven't moved in yet, but I am already starting to feel the emotions of leaving my home and starting a new one. As we did our final walk through today, I discovered that my next door neighbour is an incredibly large Bull Mastiff. He greeted me by standing against the fence and poking his head over (He's taller than me!!!).He then proceeded to announce his presence by loudly barking. I can only imagine how my two little mutts will react to this. I see a barking war in the near future. Unless my dogs are such chicken shits that they immediately run inside. That's the option I'm hoping for. I'm also hoping that the monster dog does not bark all the time. I have a small anxiety issue when it comes to things like this and I know I need to find a way to try not to worry about things I cannot control. Maybe this beast is a life test for me. On the other side of the worry fence, our closing is possibly (most likely) going to be delayed due to the buyer of my buyer's home. Their docs are not yet at the title company and that transaction must close before the sale of my townhouse can go through. The purchase of our new home cannot close until the sale of my townhouse goes through. And the dominos tumble. I'm trying to keep hope alive and send positive vibes and what not out to the universe (I've watched 'The Secret' several times). It just gets tough to be optimistic sometimes. The thing that keeps me going is knowing that once we've moved in, we get to spend some money on new furniture. Shopping always has a way of lifting one's spirits.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Mamma Mia

Since I'm a slacker knitter and still have no finished object photos to show you, today I'd like to show off the work of my Mum, Lorraine. She is my knitting heroine. She's full of knitty wisdom, her cables are second to none, and she knits so fast you can see smoke coming off her needles. She's an underarm knitter. I've tried it several times, but it felt really funky and made me feel like I was born with a deformed right arm that's several inches shorter than my left arm. Mum doesn't at all look like that when she knits. I, on the other hand, was in serious risk of having my right shoulder become permanently higher than my left because of the way I contorted my body while knitting.
I wish I had photos of her many knitted goods from when I was a child. They are truly cabled bliss. Seriously. It's like Medusa's head snakes formed themselves into a sweater. I do however have a photo of the Clapotis she recently finished. Proudly I tell you that she started it due to inspiration from the one I made for my Sissy. My Mum is fantastic. I love her so very much.

A pair of eyes
That are brighter than the summer sky
When you see them, you'll realize
Why I love my sweet lorraine.
Sweet Lorraine - Nat King Cole

Saturday, July 12, 2008

The Fat Lady Aint Singin' Yet

It's almost over. 2 more weeks....it will all be over in 2 weeks. I have a feeling this will be the longest 2 weeks I've ever experienced. We're almost done because......WE FOUND A HOUSE!!!!!!! The seller even agreed to close on the same day my house sale is closing. So no short-term housing for me. You have no idea how relieved I am. I watch "Intervention" on A&E a lot. A lot of the addicts stay in extended-stay hotels when one of their family members kicks them down some cash. I didn't want to be staying next door to Crackhead Connie and her friend Heroin Helen. Now I don't have to! WOO HOO!!!! The house we found is perfect with the exception of the master bedroom. It's a little small, but the 4th bedroom is next door so essentially we could break through the wall and create a master suite. The absolute best part about this house is this......

IMG03762.jpg

This will be my knitting room. Look at the built in shelves and workspace. I'm pretty sure this room was made to be mine! I cannot wait to move in my books and stash! I also can't wait to rip down that frilly thing hanging over the window. I'd really like to paint the room but I'm a terrible decorator. So I have no idea what would look good. Any thoughts?

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Ah, Please To Forgive Me. I Am Ashamed.

I have been a bad, bad blogger. One might think I'd forgotten my website address. One might also think that after such a long absence, I would at least have knitting content to display. Think again. I haven't forgotten my blog address and have zippo knitting to show you. I've had my house on the market for the past year and I finally got an offer at the end of June. The close date is set for July 24th so I have to find a new home by then. It's not looking good. I fell in love with a house, only to find that I couldn't afford it. All the other houses I've looked at have paled in comparison. Much to my dismay, it appears I will be looking into some short-term housing. Blah. I don't want to live in an apartment or {gasp} an extended-stay hotel. Needless to say, I have been stressed. Actually, stressed doesn't even begin to describe what I've been feeling. My hair is dull and stringy. I have more pimples than a 15-year old boy. I have round the clock anxiety. I eat as rarely as Mary Kate Olson. To sum it up, I'm a hot mess. I do have semi-finished and believe it or not, actual finished knitty items. I just don't have photos for you yet. Soon, I promise. I will redeem myself. I will at least leave you with some photos of non-knitty content. Here's a few things that put a smile on my face during this stress filled period of my life.


(From left to right (top row first))

1. I think that's in Cornwall, England.
2. My Mum stroking a swine in Seattle. (Sounds like the start of a limerick doesn't it?)
3. My gorgeous nieces
4. My Uncle Mark (In England) holding hostage the bags of Monster Munch Crisps he was supposed to send me (I can't buy them here in AZ)
5. Hubby tormenting the oh so neurotic, Chopper (he'll likely need therapy for this incident)
6. My darling little Izzy
7. Fabulous friends with me on my birthday
8. The loves of my life
9. Yet another love of my life, Artyarns Regal Silk {shiver}