Zoom Zoom..Screeeeeech

It's Monday, I'm back in my office, and back online.
This weekend...was a whirlwind.

Friday I received my first gift from my Secret Pal. It was a big bar of milk chocolate made locally (well in the same state, I'm not sure if it's 'local') near her, and a pretty glittery pink card with a little note inside. I tried really hard to not try the chocolate until I could get home and take a picture... but it was calling to me... Actually it was yelling to me, especially since the note said that this was the best chocolate. So I tenderly opened the chocolate thinking I would have just one sliver to taste it. And then... it was gone. I did offer a piece to one of my co-workers, but I enjoyed the rest of the absolutely awesome chocolate. I saved the wrapper to take a picture for the sp11 rules... and poor HG saw it on my table at home...empty. He had wanted a piece :-p Heehahha too bad it was so good that one sliver turned into the bar over the course of the day.
That is why I don't have a candy jar on my desk!!

I also started my motorcycle course on Friday night after work (and an hour drive south), which continued Saturday and Sunday. It was a great course, with lots of information and little bikes so that even the short people had no issues. (Although there was a couple of tall guys in the class that looked funny on the same bikes.... like gorillas effing a football) I can see the state making such a course mandatory for licencing for new riders. Really, I can. Although I think that the cost will have to be more reasonable if they go that route. I had two instructors, Doug and Jim, both who had been riding and teaching for years. Doug was more animated, and a bit more humorous and a tall Harley guy- which made it so hilarious to see him on the little 125 or 250s. Really funny actually. Jim was a much smaller guy, he was probably about 5'5, was more quiet and soft spoken, but was from the other spectrum of motorcyclist. He used to race sport bikes on a pro-am circuit, he also has a collection of bikes with sporty Honda CBR's to the touring bikes. Jim was a nice person, but his quietness translated into dry classroom time. Either way, they both were good instructors, and had some different aspects. Like I said, the course was good. I was amazed at how quickly (less than 5 hours) I became comfortable with the bike and tight cornering, quick stops, and swerving. I was having so much fun weaving thru the cones once I was able to go thru with some speed. I'm not joking, I could sit on a course and do that all day, it was that much fun.
The down side... I froze up under pressure. The Eval, yeah I over thought the course then. I had spent the day whizzing thru the course, with little to no issues and when they said "Eval" my confidence was replaced with anxiety. So much anxiety that I missed a corner. There was a 130 degree corner and a 90 degree corner I had to take, I took them both, but the 130 I was on the wrong side of the cones. I realised this as soon as I went by the first one, but it was too late then. The good part... I wasn't the only one. Nor was I the only one to miss that corner. Thankfully because I felt like a complete effing idiot when I did that. So I completed the course, but I have to go to the DMV to complete their test to get my license. No big deal really, it was more that I was really pissed off at myself that I did it. Still it made me a more aware and confident rider, and my skill set is stronger so the course was still worth it... I'm just angry at myself for fumbling the touchdown football.

Anna was in an incredibly social mood Saturday night. I had dinner with my two brothers and their wives, it was a good time. Anna, as usual, was our entertainment for the night. At one point it was us 3 women in the den with Anna (In the AC because it was hot!) and she started jabbering away. It was way too cute, so cute that if I were to go into details you would be puking. I don't care what anyone else says, she is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen!! The other surprise of the evening, and quiet impressively also was that hippy brother & hippy wife did not know of our engagement. My mom, had told them I had news, but wouldn't tell them what the news was and said I had wanted to tell them. I had wanted to tell them, but when I couldn't reach them I sort of forgot about it thinking they would find out anyway. I was absolutely shocked that my mom had been able to resist telling. I was actually very impressed. Anyway, that was the big news.... and then I was told that she thought I was going to say I was pregnant.
Yes the cycle continues. I was telling HG about it last night when I got home, and in humor I said, "I wasn't even a whore growing up, but everyone expects my announcement to be about a baby"
(Actually the onset of the whole whore phrase came up because of a line in a movie we were watching "As sticky as a whore". Yes. I bet the directors are wondering why they weren't up for an academy award for that one.)
Also discussed was the Vegas wedding. Which they were also in favor of, mostly because they wanted to go to Vegas. I think if we do a Vegas wedding that butterbones may try to convince his wife to renew their vows in front of Elvis too :-)
I didn't make it home until around 10 from their house, and after the long day on the pavement in 95+ heat, I stayed awake for about 10 minutes before falling into a deep slumber. Sunday morning (at the ass crack of dawn) I was getting ready to leave for my commute down for my last day of riding, when I was scared to see a face staring back at me in the office. That face wasn't mine. It was HG. HG had been called out Saturday evening for work because we got hit with an incredible storm and had been out all night. He got called out around 7 pm on Saturday and he continued to work until 2:30 pm on Sunday. Can you say grouchy?
And suddenly it is Monday again.
I have to head further south for work on Tuesday and I'm toying with the idea of riding my bike down. Toying because technically, I'm still not licensed for a motorcycle... hmm... I wonder if I can get pulled over for driving without the correct endorsement in another State?
Maybe I'll stop over to the DMV today and pick up my permit.

Happy Monday.

Viva Las Vegas

It's beginning to look more appealing...

People actually take out loans for weddings.
Dude. WTF?
Are you crazy?

I've been emailing with Butterbones about weddings, and all the hoopla that goes with it... it's nice to know my niece has got my back. Anna has promised to leave stinky diapers filled with poo under the pillows of people who give us grief over our wedding plans.

That's what I'm talking about, my little niece is going to be a rock star.

Wedding planning could quite literally drive me to drink... but at least HG will pick me up ;-)


Knitting:
Hmm.... seems that my UFO bag is slowly accumulating knitting projects that I've just sort of lost interest in. Some only require seaming, or just sewing in the ends, but I've found a new interest. Socks. I am knitting my first sock. Lois from White River Yarns talked me into it when I was buying yarn for my SP11 match, and took the time to show me the "magic loop" method. I went home and cast on immediately for my first sock. I ran into some little problems with the heel and turning, but I went back to Lois to tell me what I had done... and she got me fixed and on my way. I am now working on the toe of my first sock and I'm excited.

I asked HG if he'd wear socks if I made them... very quickly "NO"
What is the matter with knitted socks? (He won't wear scarves, sweaters, gloves, not even the hat I made.) Not even socks? Who's going to see?
Evidently my knitting must not be pretty. I'm going to get a second opinion.

I received an email from my sp11 spoiler who said she's shipping me something soon... I'm excited. I wonder what it will be.... It's like early Christmas, the anticipation of a package :-)

Times are a changing...

Lots of news.

I took my first jaunt on the motorcycle this weekend. All went well, that is until I freaked out. Then I was frozen in space and couldn't get my head beyond releasing the clutch and giving 'er some gas. It was weird. I literally was riding around and around in circles around my work parking lot but when I stopped I couldn't do it again. Yeah. I dunno. I'm going to try it again of course, hopefully when the parking lot is empty. The other influencing factor to me "giving up" this weekend was when the big ego (aka HG's boss' boss) showed up and slowly began to fuel HG's work related rage. It wasn't a pretty sight and I didn't want to chance the Big Ego coming back for more, so decided that was enough for the day.

I am 3 inches away from being done on the shrug for Nicole Richie, and yup I think it's going to fit a 8 year old. I'm actually considering leaving it as it is, and just using it as a scarf. Well because, I really need another scarf. No not so much.

And the biggest news... I'm engaged! HG proposed last week, and I really had absolutely no idea. I mean not even the slightest inclination. Of course given that HG was spending the weeks in Mass there really wasn't any hiding, and believe me I'm a sucker for ruining surprises because I love surprises that I would have figured it out. Long story short I said yes. Well, sort of. I actually could only nod my head because I was speechless, and the water works where going.
Later I began to call my family to let them know.
First I tried Butter bones, but only got his voicemail. I left a message- call me.
Then I tried hippy brother- no answer.
Then I tried my parents- answering machine.
I left a message for my sister since I knew she was working.
I finally am calling my family, and no one is home. Dude.
I call some family friends... and tell them. It's kind of funny sharing the news, especially when I have to hold the phone away from my ear because one is screaming...
I try butter bones again... nothing

I try my parents- and they answer, I made my parents put me on speaker phone so I could tell them together.
My father's response: I knew it!! How many bands are you going to have?
My mother's: Oh good, I just bought Jeihsyn a new suit on sale.
I'm not joking.
We are talking (still on speaker) and I ask my mom not to call my siblings as I was trying to reach them. My mom, who can't keep anything quiet asks if she can at least tell Mary and Sue. My father says well the whole world will know then... I laugh. What else can I do? This is my mom. I agree she can tell anyone but my siblings.

I get off the phone and try butter bones again- nothing. I give up. I call Angelic wife, and tell her. After the initial excitement, I also tell her that I had been trying to reach her husband with no luck but wanted to try and get the news to them before my mom made the announcement to the world. She laughs, and promises to have him call me when he gets home if he hasn't already talked to my mom.
He calls. I say: "Hey, I just wanted to talk to you for a minute before you talked to mom and dad."
He's a little quiet, and says "Oh, ok."
me: HG asked me to marry him, and I said yes.
him: Congratulations. I though you were going to tell me you were pregnant.

Anyway, I was relieved to have been able to tell him before my mom's call center called. I'm not super close to much of my family except for butter bones and my father. It was important to me that I be able to tell them both myself.

My sister calls me the next morning. I relay the info and she says "Oh, I thought you were pregnant (disappointed sounding)"

Ok people. I'm not prego, I'm just getting married.


We haven't set a date, and I can't believe I'm saying this but I stopped telling people (aside from immed fam/friends) because that question got old quickly, really really quickly. What's the rush people? Between that and my mom's constant "When are you going to buy a house" or "Are you looking at houses" I could go crazy.


HG wants to elope to Vegas and get married by Elvis. I've already made that clear that there is no effing way I'm getting married by some strung out Elvis impersonator. Um yeah, no not happening. I'm thinking a bach/bachelorett party in Vegas would be fun though. That or Mardi Gras :-)
So after the repetitive "when", I started looking around for places to have the shin dig. Um...and the price tag. Again, I am my father's daughter, but damn a "cheap" wedding in the area is going to run us $10K. I mean what the ef? For a wedding. A glorified party where I get to wear for a couple hours an overpriced but beautiful dress that I will probably never again wear. Hmm. Ok.
One of the places I looked, the meal was going to be $65 a plate.... um, or list is over 100 so quick math...
Exactly! This is insane. Dude. I'd do better just to take everyone out to a restaurant...man. A friend's text response: "Have my dad marry you and I'll buy beer".
I'm actually considering it. Ok well maybe not yet, but I might.

Thankful Thursday

I received my match up for SP11, and I received an email from my secret pal sender.
I'm so excited!! This is my first exchange, so I'm looking forward to it!
The person I'm matched up with is a sock feign, so I'll be out looking for some great sock yarns.

Later tonight, some friends will be dropping off my new toy... a Black Kawasaki Ninja 500.

And tomorrow HG comes home from training. He'll be home for a month before he has to return for a few more short sessions.

Today is a good day!

Just like riding a bicycle

I changed the template, and now I'm having issues with some of the formats.
I'll figure it out... at some point.

In other and more exciting news:

I bought a motorcycle.

I take delivery on Thursday, and if the weather is cooperative hope to get some ride time in this weekend. I expect it'll take a few days before I'm comfortable enough to go out of the parking lot :-) and maybe the local roads.

I have yet to inform my family, and am choosing not to immediately. I want to get used to having the bike, and decide if I'm going to like it. No point in freaking everyone out if in a month I decide I prefer to be a passenger and sell the thing. I'm not so much worried about my immediate family, more the D's because, well, I know it will be an issue, and I don't want them to feel like I just slapped them in the face. Or more importantly their hearts. There is a valid reason for them to be stunned, and a valid reason for me to be concerned about their reaction, but frankly it'll be a long post, and dredge up old scars that perhaps I'm not as ready to share with the Internet. Another day. Maybe after I've gotten the bike and can decide if I want to pursue it further.

If I sell the bike... I might just cash in the money to get certified for solo skydiving :-)
One heart attack to another

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm really not yarn exclusive, but I'm not a big fan of the "fun" yarn like eyelash... for whatever reason I can't knit with it.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Um, sadly...they are kept together with a band, and stored...ahem..in the bottom of my knitting bag. But at least they are all together :-)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for a couple years, a co-worker would sit with me at lunch to get me started on the basics. I'd say I'm a advanced beginner, some things still dumbfound me... like ssk.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Not currently

5. What's your favorite scent? I like fresh floral or citrus smells... I really like the smell of clean cotton too.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Hmm, Chocolate!! I also like jolly ranchers, and blow pops as a kick back from my younger days.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I sew, sporadically, but aside from knitting, that's it for crafts. Well, I do some scrap booking as well but not obsessively.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like music from most genres, my mp3 player currently has Pink, Nickleback, Godsmack, Amy Whinehouse, Ray Charles, Rihanna, Beyonce, Ray Charles, Three Days Grace and Trapt. I am starting to like some country, but I'm not an all out Country fan.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I'm not a big fan of neon colors, and blues and greens tend to be my favorite.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I live with my boyfriend, and we have one really loud and obnoxious cat named Jinx.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I love scarves and mittens, I rarely wear hats, and I don't know how I feel about ponchos. I've never tried one on... so I can't say I'm opposed to them.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I was obsessively knitting scarves and hats, but with a new addition to the family of a baby girl I've taken to knitting baby sweaters and dresses.

13. What are you knitting right now? A baby Yoda sweater, a shrug and fingerless mittens.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I love handmade gifts!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I started out on aluminum, but after trying some bamboo needles, I am a convert. I can't say I've tried plastic. I prefer circulars generally. I like not worrying about loosing my work when I'm pulling things out of the yarn bag :-)

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Neither.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? 6 months.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Given that I haven't been able to convince anyone that my birthday should be a recognized holiday, I like Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Nope.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I only have online subscriptions. I've been on a knitting for baby streak, but would like to pick up "Fitted knits".

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I'm really not that good at seaming... I dread it. I think I have it, but then I don't.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I've not knit any socks, mostly because I'm a little intimidated. I'm still working up to it.

23. When is your birthday? February 23

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Nope

Current Mood...

Disappointed, Dejected, tired.


Sometimes the truth you've been avoiding decides to break down your door.
Constantly expecting the best, only to be let down... do you lower your expectations?