midgeling: life in a shoe.

I finally made it to Web*sters here in Ashland. I bought some vacation fiber Heathery gray-blue and some heathery brighter blue), and two skeins of KPPPM in the perfect banana colorway so that I can make some Nanners Socks. I wanted to shop more, but Mr Midgeling made me hold back. So I didn't buy the hand cards I wanted. He promised he would make me some as soon as we finish moving completely out of the old house and into the new.

Later tonight we will be dining at Chateaulin with Grandma A. I am really looking forward to the French onion soup. Aunt Kelly says it is super delicious!

Tomorrow we leave for Vancouver, WA to spend the holiday weekend with my parents, sister and brothers. It will be fun! I really don't want to go back home and have my vacation be over. I am having way too much fun.

Posted by midgeling at 04:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Greetings from Ashland, Oregon! We are at out aunt and uncle's for a few days of hanging out and having fun before we continue down to Santa Rosa, CA for Cousin Sherrie's wedding.

This adorable creature is Pudge. He is the most adorable hamster I have ever seen in my life. He is sweet, affectionate and loves to cuddle. I never really cared for hamsters until Pudge. He is awesome. He reminds me a lot of my old pet rat Ivy that we had years ago - they have the same markings and very similar personalities. Chace has been wanting a hamster for quite a while now, but I never wanted one. If he does get one, it has to be of the Pudge variety.

I am going to try to get downtown to Web-sters today to buy some vacation fiber. Wish me luck!!

Posted by midgeling at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Happy Birthday to Mr Midgeling. 37 looks good on you.

Posted by midgeling at 09:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Weebug emailed me a bit ago with a couple of haikus she wrote. She is so much more poetic than I am. Her words always have so much more grace and descriptive power. My writing style is much different. What you read here is pretty much how I would sound if you were in front of me having a face to face conversation. I'm kind of goofy, but I am generally much smarter than I let on. When stuff pops out of my mouth it's usually something like "Fart on a duck!!" I yelled that the other day in order to avoid saying many foul words in front of the kids when I banged my toe.

But she inspired me. Here's my Monday Haiku:

My haiku writing
Shows a lack of skill and style
I should give up now.

Posted by midgeling at 02:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I've been under it, around it and even in the gift shop. But on Wednesday, I finally went to the top of the Space Needle. Mr Midgeling emailed me and told me to pick him up from work so we could go hang out for the evening.

Our visit was at sunset, and during some freaky snowy weather. Seattle can't seem to decide if it is Spring or Winter. The last four days or so have been spent at the mercy of a seriously bipolar Mother Nature. In the morning I would go out to the car and drive kids to school while admiring the sun peeking out from behind the clouds and showing off patches of blue sky. The drive to the doc a few hours later had me bundling up against sleet and blowing snow. Weird.

But I got to experience snow at about 500 feet above Seattle:

And Mr Midgeling even took photos of me:

And I took photos of him:

That's not the most flattering photo of me, but hey. I don't seem to take many flattering photos these days, lol. And guess what? I even got to knit up there while we had coffee and watched the snow collect in the outer windowsills.

It was a nice surprise.

Posted by midgeling at 09:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Happy 6th Birthday, Kassie. I hope it was fun for you.

Posted by midgeling at 09:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Joy and I went to Pike Place Market last Friday. For some history, Joy and I have worked together for years - well, until she got a better job last June. Joy is like a sister to me. I have precious few friends that mean that much to me. Anyway, for years, we have gone to lunch and spent endless hours on the phone together. Last Friday was the first time we actually ever went out to just hang out. Neither one of us knows why, but at least we are changing that now. Since Joy travels so much now, time with her is something I grab when I can.

(For those of you that think that all Asians look alike, Joy is the pretty, young one on the right, LOL! That's not the most flattering photo of me, but I look as happy as I felt.)

Joy and I love to eat. It is one of the things we do best together. Well, to summarize our day, we had chowder at Pike Place Chowder, cheesecake at The Confectional, tea at the Perennial Tea Room, then shopping all over the Market. Oh, and of course, I had to buy the kids some ginger pigs from the Three Sisters Bakery. Before we left for the day, we went to the Wasabi Grill for a sushi snack.

It was a Very Good Day.

Posted by midgeling at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I was tagged by Lady Nea Knitsalot!

The rules: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog those 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven other people and list their names on your blog. Then you leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1. My husband and I had several dreams of each other -eating at separate tables an outdoor cafe in Paris near the Eiffel Tower - when we were kids. We didn't meet each other until we were 18. It was really creepy when we first talked about these dreams and figured the whole thing out.

2. I taught myself to knit from a book I checked out at the library in the summer of 1996. It took me over 4 hours to knit a basketweave dishcloth. I spent the next year knitting dishrags and swatches I ended up ripping out. My first real project I knit was a cropped top from Family Circle Easy Knitting out of Peaches & Cream cotton. I had leftover yarn so I knit Harley some matching socks.

3.I am half Japanese and half Chamorro. Most people don't know what the hell Chamorro is, so to non-Asians, I just say "Yeah, I am Japanese."

4. I knit like I cook. I can't follow a recipe or pattern exactly. When I try to follow things to the letter they come out really bad. I always have to tweak something. It may be more of a superstition or self-fulfilling prophecy kind of thing now, but whatever. I have my groove, and in my groove I will happily live.

5. I sniff my yarn. Frequently. Yes, people look. My favorite? Zen String's Lotus Toes. I don't know what the heck Angelina soaks the yarn in, but it is divine. I have a skein of Jamie and I don't want to knit with it because it will be harder for me to bring myself to sniff socks. Especially after wearing them. I prefer my yarn to smell like good things - like Lotus Toes does. Or even lanolin. I don't like when yarn smells like chemicals or cigarette smoke.

6. I do other things besides knitting. I dabble in a WHOLE LOT of other stuff. Sewing/quilting, tatting, crochet, Romanian Point Lace, bobbin lace (though this is really more like tangling and cussing than making lace), drawing and spinning are some of the things that quickly come to mind.

7. I am pretty darn claustrophobic. I once almost passed out in a Kiva in New Mexico because I made the mistake of looking up at the teeny hole in the ceiling where the ladder led out. It took me several years to stop feeling really ill while driving through the I-90 tunnels that go under Mercer Island and parts of Seattle.

Okay, I need to tag my 7 people....

1. Weebug, of course.
2. April
3. Kung Fu Knitting
4. Stariel
5. Lexy
6. The Impossible Princess
7. Bubbles and Purls

Posted by midgeling at 07:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A Meme I got from Momo (Heheheh, a "meme from momo.")... Well you go to google and type in "(Your name) looks like" and pick the best or most fun result to post.

Using 'midgeling' doesnt get me anything. But using my real name yields "...looks like a real psychopath, with the red eye and sort of angry look, but here you can't see it too well!"

Dude, that totally describes my week.

Posted by midgeling at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So now that my head is sufficiently medicated and not going to explode just yet, I was able to find the photo of my swap package I received. It is from Lisa E!

Thanks so much, Lisa for the awesome package! As you can see, I got a book that I have had my eye on for a while - Sensational Knitted Socks, and FOUR balls of sock yarn. There is Baruffa in a great burgundy color (reds are my fave!) and some self-striping yarn with a name I can't pronounce, despite many years of German class, lol. I love it and can't wait to get started on some new socks from the book.

She also enclosed a cute little sheepy magnet, and had the whole thing wrapped up in pretty tissue paper. This was the first swap/exchange thingy I have participated in (not counting dishcloth or bookmark exchanges) and I had a great time. Thanks >Lisa!!

Posted by midgeling at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lexa Puts her Mom in Her Place

OMG. Remember when Lexa said "What's wrong with you? Don't you understand Chinese?"

She just started up with that again. So after a few minutes of listening to her tease her sister about not understanding Chinese, I said "If you are so smart then, say something in Chinese!"

So Lexa quips "Wo ei ni!"

Which is Mandarin for "I love you." (Thank you, Auntie Laura.)

Um, yeah. So I will just shut the hell up and let her go with her big, bad self.

Posted by midgeling at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We went to the Supermall in Auburn on Friday when he lights were out. Big Mistake. Everyone was at the damn mall. I had to go there twice that day. There was drama concerning Kassie leaving Princess Leia Bear at IHOP. When she was crying so hard she was choking on her own spit, I knew we had to drive back to retrieve the bear.

Anyway, Can you see what this photo is of?

Yes, it is a guy sitting on the guardrail next to us while we were on the freeway offramp waiting for our light to change. Can you see what he is doing?

Yup, that is a baggie in his lap and he is rolling himself a joint. I love my camera. They make Stupid People Watching even more fun.

Posted by midgeling at 02:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I never thought we would do it, but we did. We traded in the Little green Short Bus for a New Black Short Bus. The new one is PRETTY. I just love her. She is new and black and shiny and CLEAN. The dealer was having a customer appreciation event last night. They fed as dinner and plied as with wine. They gave out prizes, but we didn't win any. At about 8:30, we started talking to the sales guys about the car. After giving Nathan 6 beers or so and some intensive negotiations (LOL!), we drove off at 11:41pm with 4 Candy canes, 2 balloons, a magnum of champagne and a new car. It was a very weird experience.

And now for squeee the second. ("Squeee" is a term I have become reacquainted with courtesy of Ms. Lime and Ms.Violet.) My Socks that Rock arrived, so I started searching for the perfect pattern. I thought I would do the Broadripple socks, but for some reason I decided I wanted to do them Toe up. I can't recall why I wanted to do them toe up. But I did some research and found the Magic Cast On for Toe-up socks. So I happily knit away and got several inches into the toe when it dawned on me that the sock was awfully W-I-D-E.Yup, my gauge was right on, but my feet are just really small. So I had to alter the pattern to make the circumference about an inch smaller. I also had to reverse the decreases to make everything point the way I wanted the zigs to zag.

So I explained all this to Nathan last night when we were going to bed. He pointed out that I had basically written my own pattern and just based it on a design I liked by the time it was all done; and I should write it all down and post it. Good idea. (BTW, this colorway is called "Henpecked".)

Posted by midgeling at 08:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here you see Snow White, a cheeky Asian chick and Cinderella.

And here you see someone else trying to be Darth Sidius. Or however you spell his name.

I am tired and I need to go to sleep. Life has been kicking the crap out of me lately. The Midgeling Mobile has been making funny noises. We have been test driving new cars. Well, I test drove 2. Work still sucks. We were in Porkland for another tournament last weekend. Chace is still having issues at school. My house is a mess. I haven't been doing nearly enough knitting.

Things will get better. All will be rosy. I know it.

Posted by midgeling at 09:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have this ratty old pair of Kenneth Cole clogs that I love with all my heart. They need to be replaced, but I was never able to find another pair I liked as much. Here are the clogs my Mommy bought me for my birthday. I have been visiting them at Nordstrom quite a bit these last few weeks, and yesterday I finally got to go buy them!

And here I am enjoying my beer and not really wanting my picture taken:

And here are some photos of the family enjoying the night of bowling fun:

Posted by midgeling at 09:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

1. First thing you did this morning?
Woke up, staggered downstairs to get my zippy robe from the dryer and then dropped Nathan off at the transit center.

2. Last thing you ate?
Last night's levtovers were for today's breakfast - beef, tofu and eggplant in spicy bean/black bean garlic sauce.

3. Is your cell phone a piece of crap?
Not really. It isnt the latest and greatest but it works fine and I know how to use it.

4. What's something you look forward to in the next 7 days?
Harley has her first Taekwondo tournament of the season on Saturday and my SISTER arrives on Thurs for a visit!

5. What's annoying you right now?
The little girls kicked me off my computer (I am on my tablet right now) because they wanted to play on the Polly Pocket website. So I came upstairs to watch TV and work using my tablet. So they followed me up here, and we are now watching Winx Club.

6. What's the last movie you saw in theatre?
I really can't remember right now. It was sort of a long time ago. We hardly ever go to the theater.

7. Do you believe in long distance relationships
I believe they can either be good or they can suck.

8. Is there someone on your mind right now?I lost my mind. Can you help me find it?

9. Where is the last place you went?
Talbot Hill Elementary. Chace missed his bus again.

10. Who is the last person you called?
The dentist yesterday to tell them I was going to be late to my appointment because Chace missed his bus.

11. Do you look more like your mom or dad?
Most people say my mom, but a while ago I scared the crap out of myself. I woke up, looked in the mirror and swore I looked like my father dressed in drag.

12. Do you have any siblings? (oh boy)
Mom+Father = Me, Laura and Graham
Mom+Mark = Nick and Tim
Mark+Robyn = Andy
Father+Kaz = Alex and Alyssa

13. Do you smile often?
Yeah, though sometimes I don't know why and other times I won't tell you why.

14. Do you think someone is thinking of you right now?
Probably.

15. Choose one to have (love, beauty, creativity)?
Probably love. If yo have love, then the others sort of follow naturally.

16. Do you wish on stars?
Doesn't everyone?

17. Do you untie your shoes every time you take them off?
Nope. And I don't have many pairs of shoes that tie.

18. What is the most disgusting food you've ever eaten?
Baby octapus. I normally really like octapus, but these were whole babies, no more than 2" from head to tip. It was just creepy.

19. Would you kill someone?
If I was protecting myself or a loved one.

20. When did you last cry?
I don't remember. Probably the last time I had PMS.

Continue reading "S.P.I.L.L. Y.O.U.R. G.U.T.S." »

Posted by midgeling at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You have a sunny disposition and are normally one of the first to show up for the party. You don't need too much attention from the host once you get there as you are more than capable of making yourself seen and heard.

Posted by midgeling at 11:04 AM | Permalink

Here's Kassie enjoying Newcastle Beach Park in Bellevue. Nathan's mom is out here for a few days so we hit the water and the sunshine yesterday.

I got the new issue of Creative Knitting the other day. I just subscribed and received my first issue. Here is the start of the Checkered Stripes dishcloth. The pattern doesn't show too well from far away int he variegated yarn, but I think it is still pretty.

I also finished the Mid-July Dishcloth from the KAL group, but that will have to wait until tomorrow to get posted. I am on a dishcloth jag, can you tell? Now if I only used them to clean my house...

Posted by midgeling at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It is really disturbing to get an email from your son asking if your penis is too small, and if I wanted a pill to remedy that. He should know that I did not come equipped with one. (Okay, so they spelled his name slightly different than my son's, but it was still disturbing.)

At the end was this little gem of a quote: " A stitch in time saves nine. Marry in haste, and repent at leisure One of these day is none of these days." A stitch in time? Almost knitting related. Mmmmmmaybe not.

Atlanta was fun! There was some weirdness going on with some of the people some of the time, but all in all, it was a good trip. We didn't get to stay in the Fancy House, but it ended up turning out in our favor that way. I love the families we stayed with. I am so glad we all got along so well. Harley brought home a bronze medal for sparring. She didn't do as well in forms, but then our teams rarely practices forms. They are mostly focused on the olympic style sparring stuff.

So here is Harley sparring. Most of the pictures we got of her weren't all that great because the damn ref was directly in front of them the whole time. I was really irritated. Harley is in blue, and as you can see, Paulina (from NC) is quite a bit taller than her. Despite the height difference, Harley managed to score 3 head shots on her. Both girls did so well! I got a bit of knitting done while I was there.

While in Atlanta, I started a new sock, and worked on my Flower Garden Shawl done in deep purple Zephyr. I can't find the pics I took of that so I might have to take new ones. But here is a photo of a critter that had his relatives all over the Big House that the other families stayed at. This is right by one of the swimming pools.

Cute, huh? I thought so. His older cousin peed in my hand earlier in the week. I better get the kids up and going now.

Posted by midgeling at 07:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Okay, I decided that since the moon looked cool, I needed to get out the telephoto and snap a picture of it.

And if you look closely, you can see that I need to clean my lens.

And my book came in the mail today. WOOT!

I like it and I think that I will definitely have to start making some stuff in it. I'll have to read through it again. Not bad for $9.95, eh?

Posted by midgeling at 10:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I found this at Mason-Dixon Knitting and thought it was really cool. I have never seen anything like it. So here's my "flower":

You can get yours here.

Posted by midgeling at 02:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Marc Jacobs has a sense of humor. I like these!

They come in slingbacks, too!

But... I can't find my size. And Nathan would probably kill me if I spent $300 on mice for my feet.

Posted by midgeling at 02:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are Shetland Wool.
You are a traditional sort who can sometimes be a
little on the harsh side. Though you look
delicate you are tough as nails and prone to
intricacies. Despite your acerbic ways you are
widely respected and even revered.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Posted by midgeling at 01:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I got this "task" from Monkey's blog.

Basically, you type in "Your Name + needs" in Google (the + sign is important to get good results) and then list the first 10 results.

1. So Midgeling needs three tools to get started on a retirement savings plan. ...
2. This is something Midgeling needs to resolve within herself, her influences and what she wants to say and how...
3. Midgeling needs to hear a lot less about commitment than most people Dan and I teach, and a lot more about living for Christ in the real world. ...
4. Midgeling needs to be pushed...
5. Midgeling needs your help, please email her.
6. Midgeling really listened to our needs and then presented several interesting designs and pages all in a very short time.
7. Midgeling's number one goal is doing what it takes to protect your best interests.
8. Midgeling needs info to update database of ENPC instructors.
9. Wendy and Midgeling described how great the need is for better demographic information both in ALA membership and for the profession as a whole.
10. Midgeling said she has completed the dance venue list...

A bunch of websites were down (hurricane?), so I did the first 10 that were readable.

Interesting.

Posted by midgeling at 07:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Midge. Midge the kitty. Adopted today. Mama Midgeling didn't think that having a husband, four human kids and three felines at home was enough. She saw me and we both knew I was destined to become one of the family.

As you can see from the photo above, Mama Midgeling dragged me around naked at Build A Bear for a while. I mentioned that I felt a bit cold and exposed, so she bought me some clothes.

I am now sporting a lovely white tee, pleather skirt and matching pleather purse. Perfect for packing my knitting supplies in, as Auntie Weebug pointed out. Mama Midge promised to teach me. My feet are a bit chilly, and I could use a sweater. We better start on those knitting lessons soon.

Posted by Kitty Midge at 09:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What Your Underwear Says About You

You like to think of yourself as innocent, even though you're not! You're comfortable in your own skin - and don't care to impress anyone.

Posted by midgeling at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)