You Do It Your Way and I Will Do It Mine

It was the 3rd grade. Mrs. Hayden's class. That's the first time I encountered this particular nemesis.

The song, "Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head" was playing in the background and we were practicing our cursive letters in the air. Mrs. H was walking around the class making sure we all were "writing" the letter of the day correctly. That's when she came up to my desk and gave me it. Apparently the death grip I used on my pencil wasn't acceptable and without a pencil grip my future handing writing would surely suffer - greatly. I used it for awhile, but it was uncomfortable and made me hate writing things out more than it corrected this supposed problem. When I could, I would slip it off my pencil and go commando. Of course I got in trouble for this. And, needless to say, it was a long year of learning cursive.

For me it just boiled down to the fact that the death grip was a lot more comfortable than when I was using the "correct" form. I still use that death grip whenever I pick up a pen or pencil. I don't see this as a problem however, even as an adult I still get periodic comments from people about this. Yes folks, grown adults have a problem with the way I hold my pen. To them I say - You do it your way and I will will do it mine.

I've been knitting on a regular basis, and socially now, for two years.

So, you can imagine my surprise when a few people made comments after all this time. Had they not noticed before? But for some unknown reason, about a month or two ago I started to get comments about how I hold my needles when I knit. It was out blue. About half a dozen people took notice and led them to say - "You hold you needles strangely."

This is not something I didn't know. I've been aware of this for sometime now. However, it's just like the death grip. I really didn't see it as a problem or something bad. It was just what it was - comfortable and familiar.

The first time it happened I just simply replied, "Ok" and gave the person a "that's a random thing to say" glance. The next couple of times I really didn't say much because I was trying to figure out if there was a full-moon causing everyone to say something to me about this or if there was some e-mail being circulated around. I suspected it read:

"Subject: Froggie's Knitting Form

It's come to our attention that Froggie does not hold her knitting needles in the acceptable form issued by the National Society of Knitters. Upon your next interaction with said offender please make sure she is aware that of said issue and that should she continue to conduct herself in this manner, beyond this "first warning," she will be subject to further disciplinary action."

Ok, that was far-fetched. I guess the timing off all these comments was just random and coincidental. However, coincident or not, being told I knit strangely made me a bit uneasy. It's like being told a part of you is unacceptable and you need to change it immediately. At least that is how it felt at first. I didn't realize there was a proper way to hold knitting needles. If anything I would think it just gives me, and my knitting, more "character."

Interestingly enough, the night I got one of these comments someone in the group came to my defense by mentioning that the Yarn Harlot holds her needles in a different manner as well. From what I'm told she tucks a straight needle under right her arm - which I had never seen someone do until last week. (Can I just say that I think this is a great method should you find yourself without a place to sit and needing to pass the time?). I don't tuck my needles until my right arm. I just anchor the right needle on my right leg or sometimes my hip. The left one is held up in the air like I believe it's suppose to be held. I've tried holding my needles the "right" way a few times and it slowed me down by leaps and bounds. It was like what I would imagine watching the hare run-out of stamina and totally collapse while the tortoise began to go all "Speedy Gonzales" and take the lead in the race.

Today, as I was finishing up a sock I started to wonder why I hold my needles the way I do. (I also tried holding my needles the "right" way - once again.) I realized that I never really figured out why I hold my pen with a death grip, but surely there has to be some reason for my knitting form. Right!? Just as I was about to cough it up to the idea it was what it was; it hit me. Back in early 2007 when I was getting back into knitting I would take my knitting with me on the train to and from work. Back then I sat next to the same place day-in and day-out. I sat on the inner part of the bench and had someone to the right of me. Yep, that's right. My odd knitting style developed because I was being considerate of another's space. (If being a lefty has done anything for me, it's made me more aware of ways to avoid elbowing others when sitting in close quarters.)

The comments about my knitting form make me laugh now as does comments about my writing death grip. I hold no grudges about the comments and appreciate the directness those people had with me about it. They could have easily just stared at me with a strange look on their face trying to figure out what the hell I was doing. Instead, they asked what was on their mind. And in the same fashion I answered and eventually commented, in not so many words - You do it your way and I will do it mine.

Until later . . .

"I Can See Clearly Now"

"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind"

"I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared"


Those are very well-known words. And, rigthfully so. They are part of the lyrics to Johny Nash's 1972 #1 hit "I Can See Clearly Now" which hit the #1 spot Billboard's Top 100 chart on November 4, 1974 and stayed there four weeks straight.

So why the history lesson on this song?

As I was thinking about the topic for this past Thursday which asked us to talk about a time when we were rebellious – whether it be rebellion towards your parents, a boss or even “The Man" and this song came to mind when I came up with what I wanted to write about.

Picking out a time I was blatantly rebellious was difficult. When I was younger I was a good kid, for the most part, and as an adult that continues to be the status quo. Sure, I've gone rogue on several occasions, but I would hardly call any of those actions rebellious. Then there is the perception of being rebellious to consider. Such as participating in extreme sports. Or, when I got a navel piercing. Maybe even my seemingly, regular "defiant" attitude towards not posting my Thursday group posts on Thursday which has earned me the title of the resident slacker/rebel in our foursome. However, I believe most would agree none of these examples are outright rebellious as I'm not doing any of these things to spite someone. Then at the strangest moment possible it hit me. I recognized a time when I was rebellious. A person I was rebellious against.

It wasn't against my mom or dad. It wasn't against "the man." Nor, was it against a significant other. Funny as this will sound, it was against my BFF. Yep, that's right! BFF.

It's not a secret that BFF and I have had our trails and tribulations through the 20+ years we've known each other. I'd actually be afraid if we hadn't. However some have been greater than others. Like the one that took place about 6 years ago and lead me to stop speaking with her for close to two years..

As far as I'm concerned, BFF was born to be a mom. She takes care of everyone - especially those she cares about greatly. So, it isn't a stretch that she has (and is) extremely involved in my life. And, to some extent has an investment in it.

After I moved back, BFF made it a priority, whether she knew it or not, to focus on helping me be happy. I had just left a significant relationship and was starting over - once again (a theme that seems to persist in my life.) Like any good mom, she'd give me her sage advice on how to handle many different situations. I appreciated her advice, but didn't always take it. I was an adult and capable of making my own choices. However, this "rebellion" started to cause friction in our relationship (at least on my side). We never talked about it. Or, at least not when we weren't disagreeing about something.

Unlike the past, the "final straw" was something very serious. I felt that BFF (and hubby) had over-stepped the line and this time my rebellious nature seemed to push me even farther away than before. I had made up my mind and nothing that was said could change it. That's when I stopped talking to her. Actually, her and her family. Yes, I know that wasn't the ideal course of action, but that is the choice I made at the time.

Over the past couple of years I wondered if I would have acted as strongly as I did had other outside factors not been present, but then I realize I can't look back.

"I can see clearly now" what happened back then. It's on the very short list of regrets I carry with me - even after many conversations and apologies. Seeing the "obstacles"that were in our way"clearly now" is the price of hindsight I guess, but to some extent I think we had to go through what we did to truly appreciate our friendship (and each other) more. The "dark clouds that blinded me" at that time are gone. The pain and the bad feelings are gone as well. And what is left is a sincere and open friendship that I can confident will last a lifetime.

Guess sometimes a little rebellion isn't always a bad thing.



"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind"

"I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared"

Check out what my fellow bloggers had to say about this topic by clicking the links below:

Jenn @ Charmingly Random
Mel @ Me!!!
Shara @ Desperate Madness

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday (Bonus Edition): New Skill

Over the course of the four n' four sockfest I realized it was time to learn a new sock knitting skill. Nicely put, I can basically knit socks in my sleep at this point.

So, I had to decide what skill that would be. After some consideration, I decided it was time to learn how to knit socks on two circular needles. So, I got two sets of circular needles from Knit Pick - the Harmony Woods to be exact. I could have gone to JoAnn's or Michael's and purchased a set there, but from a cost prespective it would have been the same as purchase the Harmonys. So, I went with the set that would be the most pretty to look at while I was suffering through the learning curve.

At first I did not rock this technique. I was given a short tutorial on this technique and then it was time for me to go at it on my own. In the beginning I cast on a few stitches and just made a tube. Instead of worrying about a sock pattern, I first wanted to get a feel for the technique itself. Then I attempted a sock.

Let's just say it didn't workout to well. I had trouble joining the stitches. So, in true me fashion I started using one of the circulars for another purpose - working on blankie. However, the idea that I couldn't make socks with two circs still bothered me. The idea taunted me every time I looked at those damn needles.

Recently, I started the patter "In Season" which was one of my sock club pattern in 2009. I purposely picked this pattern because I knew I either needed to work with five double pointed needles (something I just can't do) or used two circulars. So, I dove-in and went for the circs. In the interest of full-disclosure, I will admit I didn't officially didn't join the stitches on the two circulars. The pattern called for the cuff to me knit on size 0 needles and I only had size 1 circulars.

I did as the pattern said and started it on size 0. Then, I transferred my work to size 1 circulars. Though I sorta "cheated" a majority of the sock was knit on the circs. I even figured out how to pick-up the gusset stitches on two circs which might I tell you is a very interesting process.

All said and done, I'm happy with the way the first sock has turned out and believe I'm hooked on two circulars. I believe they are easier to handle. Also, unlike sock of the past, my first sock has NO ladders in it. WOOHOO!!! I suspect the two circlar method of sock knitting will be helpful once I venture into the world of complex charts/pattern repeats.

Of course this now means my two sets of double-point sock needles will be neglected. Guess I'll just have to figure out different projects for them.

Now, I realize this post has been filled with a lot of knitting jargon. If you are a non-knitter and you'v made it to this point in the post I would like to say thank you and the pictures believe might give you a bit of an idea what I'm talking about. For all the knitters reading this blog . . . Well, I'm sure you'll like the pictures (or at least I hope you do).

Pretty color yarn don't you think???

Ooops! Forgot to dust before I took the picture; please excuse the mess!

See, no ladders.

Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: Summer Ambition

In a little over four weeks I have finished four pairs of socks.

Yes, that's right! You don't need to check your eye sight. Four pairs of socks. I realize that is a lot for me. Actually this current trend has been noticed by many. If I had to attribute my return to sock knitting to one specific thing I would say it has to do with the fact that blankie is almost finished.

Since last May I've spent so much time and energy on blankie that I've really put to the aside anything else. Sure, I've made a pair of socks here and there. And, there was the scarves I made during the Ravelympics, but once those "one off" projects were finished it was back to making sure blankie grew by leaps and bounds.

During this time there definitely has been vast stash enhancement in terms of sock yarn. I was actually got to the point of having to figure out a new place to hide store my sock yarn since there was no place let in my cedar chest. This led me to cutting back on the purchase of sock yarn. No, you don't need to check your eye sight, you read that correctly.

That has since changed over the past months. As I start to make more socks, gaps in my sock yarn stash are starting to develop. Honestly, this is starting to make me panic a bit. A month ago I was telling my friends that I had enough and now all the sudden I am afraid my yarn diet will leave me skinner than I had anticipated. And, if there is one thing I've learned about myself over the past few years, unlike my desire to shed some of my extra body poundage; as a general, overall rule, I have no problem carrying around a few extra pound of yarn.

So, once again I'm going to lay down a gauntlet. Starting as of yesterday, I am aiming to see how many socks I can make over the next three months (over a little over three months). The exact dates: May 28, 2010 (Memorial Day Weekend) thru September 6, 2010 (Labor Day Weekend). To make this even more "interesting" for every simple pattern I make I plan to make a pattern that is clearly something that will pose a challenge to me - and potential teach me a new skill. Also, I promise to blog about each sock including at least one picture of the pair in question as proof of completion.

If I keep at the rate I've been going I should be able to crank-out at least 16 pairs of socks. However, this is life so who knows what obstacles I'll be thrown that will keep me from achieving that goal. Or, who knows, maybe I'll be able to make more than 16 pairs.

Like everything else, I guess only time will tell!

Until later . . .

It Is Drawing Near

The end of this project that is.

The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for May 25, 2010:

Squares Needed: 736


Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 676

Remaining Squares Needed: 60


It's hard to believe. All the decisions I said I would make once I finished will soon be upon me. Again, it's hard to believe.

Recently, I finished my last swap. When I posted this fact on the swapping forum, there was a few people who weren't happy to hear the news. One even suggested I start a new mitered square project just so I could keep swapping. I was flattered, but I believe once blankie has grown to its final size I will take a rest (most likely using blankie to keep warm). I need to regain my strength as I still have my mom's blanket to finish.

The other day I was taking a look at it. It's funny how small it is. I hope I will have the stamina to finish mom's after having run the marathon to create my blankie.

I've also been thinking about what other "big" project will be next. Maybe a blanket for my Auntie. She's made me numerous blankets throughout the years. I would love to do something special like that for her - especially since she was the one who originally taught me how to knit.

It's odd to be thinking about something other than making blankie. I feel as though I'm cheating on blankie.

Phew . . . All these thoughts and feeling are making me exhausted. I think it's time to pack it in for tonight.


Until later . . .

What Happened After

Implosion.

A clean-up crew came in and swept up the remains.

The land stood barren.

Slowly, but surely, the frame of a new structure started to appear.

Before anyone knew it a shell existed.

Poof! An interior started to evolve.

New individuals took up residence in this structure; not all stayed, but the important ones kicked up their heels and made themselves comfy.

Old residents returned and were happy to see that though there was a new structure hints of the old one still remained.

The new structure still undergoes changes, and challenges.

At times the implosion haunts the new structure, but nothing it can't handle.

Its fate vastly unknown at times, the structure's stability and strength is never doubted by those that currently occupy it; as they know they are there to support it so it doesn't crumble again.

Next

As you would imagine, there is a lot of behind the scenes communication between all the members of the Thursday blog project. As there should be as far as I'm concerned.

This past week, on my end it was about how I didn't want to write on the topic Shara @ Desperate Madness had given us - How we seek refuge when we're in a funk? After a few message exchanges we decided if I wish to not write my post this week they would all understand. I appreciated these words and decided to opt out. However, for some reason, unbeknown to me, I'm still writing my Thursday post . . . to some extent at least.

My decision to post something came yesterday as I was driving. A lot my "writing" takes place in the car actually and as I made my way home last night I kept thinking how maybe I should just post that I am not posting. Then I thought, why bother all the readers of my blog are probably close friends anyhow and they already know how I feel about this topic. Then I wondered if anyone, outside of this foursome, would even notice that I hadn't posted my Thursday post. Oh, that and the fact that I would officially be skipping a post which I haven't not done since this project started.

The topic we were given really bothered me because I felt it was beyond the level of personal detail I was willing to put out there. Also, I wasn't sure why anyone would really want to hear about how I handle my funks. Lastly, as I stated above, I would imagine most of those reading this post already know how I handle my funks.

So, there are my thoughts on the topic. Sorry if I have disappointed you. That said, my fellow bloggers have lots to share about how they take refuge when they are in a funk. You can read all about them by clicking on the links below:

Jenn @ Charmingly Random
Mel @ Me!!!
Shara @ Desperate Madness


Until later . . .

Home Is Where The Car Takes You

It was at the most two months since the move. The plan was simple. I would drop-off the ex at the airport for a business trip and then make my way home. The route was simple as well. Make like I'm going to Indiana, but jet off onto another highway towards Iowa. Who the hell could mess that up? Yeah, that's right! I can.

Instead of following the planned course, I totally bypassed the exit ramp to Indiana. I didn't realize what I had done until I was too far along to make a quick turn around. Guess the car knew I hadn't quite settled in to our new home because it led me back to my previous residence.

(Either that or it knew I needed some retail therapy as the alternate route back to Iowa would take me past the mall.)

This time, the plan was simple as well. A drop-off at the airport and then to Wisconsin for brunch. Again, how could one screw it up? And again, apparently very easily.

This time I actually did take the exit ramp to Indiana. I'm surprised I didn't notice this sooner. (Maybe it was my slight preoccupation with finding something decent on the radio.) The tip-off I wasn't heading towards Wisconsin came when I saw the signs indicating the ramp for Iowa was just a few miles away. "Crap Monkey!" I said in an annoyed tone. Quickly I plotted how I would get myself back on track and sprung into action.

As I turned myself around it hit me. The annoying feeling that had entered my body when I realized my mistake was suddenly replace with laughter because that's when I realized . . .

Home Is Where The Car Takes You - and not necessarily your intended destination.

Until later . . .

Devil Blankie

With all the crap that is going on in my world lately I kind of skipped a step last week and forgot to post about Blankie's one year birthday. (Yikes!) Because of that, Blankie has become, well. . . just look at the update and you'll figure it out . . .

The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for May 18, 2010:

Squares Needed: 736


Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 666

Remaining Squares Needed: 70


That is all for now. I have bit of a . . . ummm . . . "situation" on my hands!

Here's hoping for a later . . .

This Wasn't

Your typical Sunday stroll . . .






Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: When Boring Is Good

At my last doctor's appointment I was told "Boring is a good thing."

My doctor was speaking of overall health, but I can say the same about socks as well. I've been struggling for the past couple of weeks on which pair socks I would make next. I tried Jaywalkers, but it has a 76 stitch count. Though it doesn't have a lot of give to them I still think that is a lot for my tiny feet. Then I considered Giles Wave Socks. I still wasn't inspired. That's when I decided to go back to the Basic Rib Socks.

A bit on the boring side for me - yes as I've made three pairs already. However right now things in my life are a little too "exciting" and I just want something easy.

Don't you love the colors?

Yarn goodness supplied by Regia.


Don't forget the toe close-up!

Time to get crackin' on sock number two!

Until later . . .

What's My Name?

It started when I was working with BFF. We sat on opposite sides of the same floor. When we weren't at the others cube chit-chatting we would use company e-mail to report the latest and greatest happenings in our ends of the world. Or, to voice our opinions about the happenings. That's when we created a set of nicknames for all the main players around the office. (Ok, there was a list already started by BFF and MC, but over time it got added too.) This is how we would make sure the nosey IT guys, who most likely read our e-mails, wouldn't have a clue who we were talking about. That was my first time using nicknames.

When I started dating after my return to Chicagoland I would give nicknames to all the guys I went out with. Whether or not they were flattering had to do with whether or not I liked the guy. The more entertaining ones were not flattering as you might imagine. Basically, I would identify each suitor with the quality that made them "standout" amongst the others. This way it was easy for my friends to know who I was speaking of. And, in some cases, who to stay away from should they cross paths. For better or worse it was a system and, like the work nicknames, the system served its purpose.

My goal is to protect the innocent. Or as I know them, my friends who happen to get dragged into the stories I write about from time-to-time on this blog. Sometimes the nicknames I use come to me without much thought - like Happy Hooker. The enthusiasm she had when she pulled out her copy of "Stitch N Bitch: The Happy Hooker" . . . How could I not nickname her that!? Then there are others whose nicknames are not set in stone which makes the naming process a bit fun because it presents me with the challenge of finding the best name possible to suit the person.

As for nicknames I've been given . . . Nothing that I am aware of really stands out. Ok, there is is one that has a special place in my heart, but that is between me and that person. With the exception of that one, most of the time my nicknames are just variations on my name. No good stories on this aspect of the topic folks - Sorry!

My Thursday blog friends have their own nicknames so check out what they have to say at one of the links below:

Jenn @ Charmingly Random
Mel @ Me!!!
Shara @ Desperate Madness

A New Flavor Please

I have 20 left.

My office had gone out for lunch (I believe it was a new hire lunch) that day and we had just arrived back to our mail sitting between the main-door handles (as it always was when no one was in the office when the mailman came by) and a box on the ground. Being one of the first to door I bent down and picked up the box. It read:

"Froggie
c/o Froggie's Company"


"Why is there a box from Amazon.com for me? Did I buy something and just forget?" I thought to myself. Shopping at Amazon.com wasn't uncommon for me, but I knew I hadn't bought anything recently so I was a bit perplexed. I fumbled through the rest of the mail to make sure there was nothing I needed to bring back with me and proceeded to my office. I have to admit I felt a bit of anticipation because I wanted to know what was in the box.

Once the box was open I stared at its contents with as much confusion as I had looked at it just 5/10 minutes earlier. In front of me was a box busting at the seams with Bigelow Chinese Oolong tea. MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY boxes of it to be exact. There was so much tea I just had to calculate approximately how long it would take me to finish it. The final count - I could have tea every work day for the next year and a half. I say "work day" because I didn't drink tea at home as much as I did at work.

I then let out loud laugh. There was only one person who could have gotten this for me.

That was almost three years ago. The tea that "should" have taken a year and a half to finish still has a home in my cub bard. Over the years there have been a few times I thought I was finished with them, but more just seemed to rear its ugly head. When I found the last box I chuckled inside and shook my head in disbelief. (This tea was becoming like a loose-ends.) Just when I thought I was done with them more came out of the woodwork. It isn't surprising, but you just get over it. It's just the same ol' flavor - once again.

This time I am fairly confident only 20 more tea bags exist. (Hope I can say the same thing for loose-ends.) This is a good thing too! It's time for a new flavor.

Any suggestions?


Until later . . .

Cue The Music

One of the things that made the show "Ally McBeal" special was that the main character - Ally McBeal portrayed by Calista Flockhart - had a "theme song."


This week, Mel @ asked us to talk about our theme song.

In the show, the initial idea of Ally McBeal having a theme song was so she would have a song that made her "happy" and kept her going when needed. For Ally, that song was "Tell Him" by The Exciters.


For me, the theme song I've chosen going is not necessarily a song that makes me happy. Instead, it's a song I've come back to periodically throughout my life for different reasons. Sometimes it just inspires me and others it's just speak the words that I am feeling. The first time I started listening to it was back in 2001 when I was going through just one of the many difficult times in my life. Actually, I believe it was BFF whom introduced me to the song. I can't tell you the number of times I listened to that song during workouts. Even back then when the words didn't have as much significance as they do today I still couldn't get them out of my mind.

When I was setting up my most recent version of an iPod I designated this song as my "Power Song" per the Nike+iPod add on - it just seems like the obvious choice.

The song I speak of is Survivor by Destiny's Child.

My friends and fellow bloggers have written about thier Theme Songs as well. Check what they are by clicking on the below links:

Jenn @ Charmingly Rnadom
Mel @ Me!!!
Shara @ Desperate Madness


Until later . . .

Cup Of Joe

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• I don't think he expected a HR person to be as interested in it as I was.

• It made me so sad. And then I was sad because I was so sad. And then I was even more sad because I was so sad about it making me sad.

• Never thought my invitation would get such an enthusiast response.

• Only I would think to ask if it was possible to spin the coat that camels shed.

• I'm glad she made the mistake because it was something I needed to know about.

• Sock Madness

• I work to live, not live to work - thank you very much!

• She's a lot brighter than I would have ever thought.

• One burden I would be happy to bear.

• The good stuff always comes back to me after I push "publish."

• This was not your routine traffic stop.

• It was so inappropriate, but I enjoyed it so much.

• It always seems to come back to knitting.

Until later . . .

May The Fourth Be With . . . Blankie

The Official Sock Yarn Blankie Square Count for May 4, 2010:

Squares Needed: 736


Squares Knit and Stitched Together: 636


Remaining Squares Needed: LOTS! In real numbers 100!!!

One week before blankie's first birthday I am so pleased to report that I have only 100 squares left before reaching the 736 squares I have agonized about all these month.

Actually, it's surreal to believe that this goal has almost been realized. As I've been getting closer I've actually been doing the unthinkable - using sock yarn from my own stash. (And that was after I made a pair of socks.)

A lot of people have asked me if I'm going to stop at 736 squares and honestly I don't know the answer to that. Though I feel it's at a good length I still feel it might need more length to it. Also, once I have settled on a length I need to consider what I plan do do about the border. Oh, then there is the matter of taking care of the ends that need to be weaved in. I have a plan for those, but I really haven't done much research about it because . . . well . . . I didn't think the time would really come that warranted thinking about it. Though a bit of a pain, I'm looking forward to having to make those decisions.

Until later . . .

The Ultimate App

As much as I've talked about getting an iPhone, I really haven't played with one. The most I've done is browse the web a bit and see if I could manage using the "keyboard." That all changed this weekend.

Recently, a friend of mine has the oh so excellent honor of planning their law school's Barrister Ball (a.k.a. - Law School Prom) and they were talking about how they were trying to come up with an original idea, but it's been held at every venue that the advisor would approve of - which apparently means a fancy hotel or reception venue. After my idea to hold it one of the areas upscale bowling alleys was rebuffed I mentioned a hotel that might be a happy medium between "fun & funky" and "upscale." There was a small, tiny problem. I couldn't come up with the name. It was one of those situations where the name is on the tip of your tongue, but not 100% there. Since I had Yelped the place about two years ago I had the brilliant idea that I would log into my Yelp account and figure it out that way. And, maybe somewhere in the process of everything the name would magically come to me.

After an extremely painful 10 - 15 minutes of trying to log into Yelp via a web browser PT mentioned that the phone had the Yelp app. I looked at him with confusion. "I tried to tell you earlier, but I didn't want to step on your toes," he said. Let's just say I got into my account with no problems from the Yelp app and I admitted to being a special kind of stubborn. Once I was logged in that's when I magically, without even having to look up the review, remembered the hotel name. (It's the Hotel Sax that I was thinking of for anyone who was wondering.) Since that problem had been solved I asked if it was ok to play with the app for awhile. I was having TOO much fun. Had I thought anyone would really care, I would have given into my temptation to "check in" at the location we were at just because. However, I refrained.

After returning the phone to its owner I went on to comment on how much fun it was to play with the Yelp app, but not enough to get me to buy an iPhone. Then without thinking I said, "Man, if there was a Ravelry app then I'd be all over buying that phone. Could you imagine that!? That would be the ultimate app." Ok, PT doesn't knit so he couldn't imagine that. More than anything that comment probably just added to the "Froggie is a special kind of" file in the back of his brain. With that in mind, he humored this addiction and let me press on with my train of thought.

Imagine it folks . . . Imagine have how many times have you been in your local yarn shop and find yarn that is to die for, but have no idea what you're going to make with it and wish you had something you could access Rav? How many times do you have a pattern in mind and have a question about it while you're out in public knitting, but no access to the internet so you can't consult Rav? Or, how many times have you wished you could alert your friends that you're at your favorite LYS and invite them to join you?

Maybe, just maybe, this is something Casey, and the rest of the Ravelry geniuses, are working on and I'm just stealing their thunder. Maybe it's not. But, either way I think the time has come for the ultimate app - for knitters at least.


Until later . . .

Socktacular Saturday: No Prize

Two friends of mine and myself formed our own little sock club. The idea was simple. We all get the same yarn in the same colorway and make the same pair of socks.

Kit #1:

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock
Colorway: Caribeno
Pattern: Sunday Swing Socks
Time Frame: Cast-on - May 1st; Cast-off - May 31st.

Well, I kind of started early and kind of finished early too. I needed an easy sock to work on while I was sitting in construction - and this definitely was that type of project. I wasn't expecting to finish it early.

Unfortunately, there is no prize for finishing first. Which is fine . . . though I may have to get myself a gold star just because!

(Pictures to hopefully come soon once I've freed my card reader from my office.)

Until later . . .