Hello, Fall!

Fall is officially here when I start getting the urge to cast on for multiple knitted projects. Vests...sweaters...tweed...you get the picture. I'm nixing the urges for now though. My main priority is still studying for the LEED exam, which I'll take in December. So for now, I'm sticking to finishing my Pi Shawl, which I can knit while reading, and a pair of socks for Mike.

Oh. You think I'm being sweet, don't you?! Ha. I promised these to him for his birthday in January 2008, so really, I'm just following up here. And being the sweetie that he is, he changed a flat tire on my truck in his limited spare time before work.

They're Hedgerow Socks in Schaefer Heather yarn, another easy pattern that shows off the variegated yarn beautifully. The color is a bit subdued for my particular taste, but I'm enjoying it nonetheless.

In the meantime, I'm looking for ways to say yes to new ideas and events out there. I'm feeling a bit bored and antsy, so I'm trying to focus my energy to areas of my life that have flexibility. If this doodle (while paying attention) during a meeting at work tells you anything, something is trying to get out... We shall see.



Lastly, but probably most importantly, we said a proper goodbye to Summer this weekend, with coke floats and a mountain range of ice cream sundaes at Franklin Fountain.

Cutting + Cutting + Inspiration

I've been desperately wanting a dedicated workspace in our living room to work on my drawing, sewing and crafting. We carved out an area by pushing our couch away from the wall. A trip to Ikea and some allen-wrenching later, I had my new workspace.



The first thing I did was take the opportunity to slog through a collection of design magazines, and edit what I wanted to keep. I purged mercilessly, and only kept the good stuff. (And yes, this included a photo of Wonder Woman as shown below).



Some items were to remember specific patterns, color, pieces of furniture, silver painted radiators, indoor tents or inspiration for things to make. Other items were cut out because they make me want to create. Create, in whatever sense that may be. Knit. Sew. Draw. Paint. Etc.

I felt so professional sitting at my little desk, facing towards the room. It made me remember rearranging my bedroom at midnight or after school as a third grader. One time, I changed my desk so that it was facing the doorway to my bedroom. I set it up like my teacher's desk, and even hung a poster of a dog on the front of it. I guess that gene was always present.

This page below shows you some of the material items I would most like to have (furniture wise). Believe me, there are chandeliers and glitter aplenty in my books. For a girl who rarely wears jewelry, I find that amusing.

I've been wanting to create these books for awhile. They're cheap Target photo albums with the plastic sticky sleeve to keep things in. It was fun to group the cuttings by color or just put things together haphazardly.

I must say, it's even more fun to look at them and dream about the things you want to do. Or make. Someday.

What do you do when you need inspiration?

9.9.81

Today is my brother Andrew's birthday. He would have been 27.



We were always friends. I was a big sister. Am I still a big sister even if he's no longer here? I've decided so. You never stop being a big sister. You remember the ache in your heart at the thought of anyone hurting that little brother. Of anyone making him sad or hurt or embarrassed. You cluck over him like a miniature mother hen and invite him to your tea parties with real hot chocolate.



You remember having a partner in crime. A travel buddy on any given road trip. Another person to play chinese jump rope with besides a wooden chair. He was always game for whatever harebrained idea or talent show I proposed.

You remember the pretend monorail driver of the red train on the way home from Disney World after you declared a truce from whopping each other with the old school middle seatbelt made of lead.



Two peas in a pod. Someone who loved you no matter how dorky you were and vice versa. Someone that shared your history, knew all the family stories, the sad ones, the ones so funny you could pee your pants from laughing, and the mundane in between. That person who loved your mom and dad in the exact same way that you do.



The kid who gave the best hugs, and could comfort someone like nobody else. After he got past the weird pre-teen boy hugs that guys do so there is no accidental brushing of the chestage area.

The boy that started 2 fires in one month.



The keeper of all of our inside jokes, dance routines and made up games.

The best son, the best brother. My best friend of all time.



1/4 of my family.



1/2 of my parents kids.



My favorite boy. And a huge chunk of my heart.



I miss you, kid.

The Golden Goddess

I would have told you sooner about my gorgeous new bike, but I went home to Florida to see my very missed parents, friends and most importantly, my 8 month old nephew with the sweetest face, best personality and chunky legs with so many rolls, they could compete with a bakery delivery truck. (The last part of that run on sentence should have been read in a squealing voice. I can't help it, and don't ask me to!)

I had given up on affording a new bike or finding a used bike that was not stolen by a person who might cut off my head and use it as a hat. When all hope was lost, my friend Tim (bike pusher and enthusiast) started looking on eBay and Craigslist for me. He not only found good options for me, but went with me to check it out.

So here she is, my sweet bright yellow, not stolen bike. She's totally sporty and kind of flashy, but with a few minor scars here and there...just like her owner. She needs a catchy name though, I'm mulling some over in my head. What do you think?



I was hesitant to get a road bike as I wanted to be able to mount a rack and use my grocery pannier. Thankfully, I found a way to mount it, and my heels don't even clip it while riding.



That was extremely lucky. Otherwise, how would I have been able to carry all of this booty from the farmer's market this morning? I'm serious people, that bag is amazing. It is truly liberating to carry things on your bike rather than on your back.



And the tomatoes?! How is it even possible that I just started liking tomatoes a few years ago. What was wrong with me?



I know, I know. I am totally a blogger now. My non-bloggy friends make fun of me for taking pictures of random things. But just look at these tomatoes!



Why wasn't my lazy butt going to the farmer's market the rest of the summer? (Insert disapproving sound and shake of the head).

Things That Are Pink

For a self proclaimed tomboy, I sure have a lot of pink things. I drew this after realizing that I have a growing collection of hot pink belongings.



One day after knitting circle, a group of us were gathered outside of Rosie's Yarn Cellar. A woman walked past and exclaimed, "Oh, I wish I could knit, but I'm just not that domestic or girly." I understood what she meant, but it was also in a slightly condescending manner.

One by one, my friends chimed in with other 'non-girly' things that we do. Belt sanding, running marathons, camping, biking, archeological digs, horror conventions, etc.

I replied, "I have also done some roofing!" (Of course I was probably wearing my hot pink Puma shorts and a camoflauge bandana...)