The Classics On Kindle

Not much has been happening here lately, which is not unusual.  The Summer heat often brings with it a loss of energy to do much activity.  Reading is always a great way to spend the hot months cooped up inside, and I've now embarked upon the world of ebooks.  It all started one night several weeks ago. (technically it's morning, but if I haven't been to sleep yet, I call it 'night').  It was 4am, and I had read my last library book.  Not sleepy enough to sleep, I went though my stash of paperback, only do discover that I'd read them all.  I'm not one who likes to read books again, so I went back to bed.  I lay there, trying to go to sleep, but it's wasn't going to happen.  I got my phone and went to Facebook, but of course, there's very little activity at 4am.  I decided to visit the app market, where I discovered the Kindle app for Android.  With the Kindle app freshly loaded, I used my phone to search the Kindle library.  I wasn't planning to buy anything, just wanted a free book to get me by til I could visit the library, so I went to the classics section.  I loaded an Agatha Christie book called The Secret Adversary.  Great book!  I'd never read any of her books, and quite honestly, I've never been a big fan of the classics.  What was I thinking?  These books are really good!  I've read my first Jane Austen, and my first Mary Roberts Rinehart, and have loaded many more.  Needless to say, I never did make it back to the library. :)

Our New Toys (Picture Share)

Dave's new tv.  We found this shelving unit at Target, during a Sherman shopping trip. It's perfect for that corner.

My new camera. While we were sitting in the car in back of Sears, waiting for them to load our tv, I took this picture with my phone. 

Just for fun, I included the first picture I took with my new camera. Max wasn't in the mood to pose.

Dave's New Toy

For the longest time, Dave has been wanting a flat screen tv.  For just as long a time, I've been telling him to get one.  He finally took the plunge last week, and bought a 55 inch flat screen tv from Sears.  I guess he finally decided the price was right.  We cleared everything off the coffee table, and pushed it into the corner, so he could set up it all up (we plan to get a real corner tv table, with a back mount, just haven't found one yet).  He loves it, and I must confess I love it too.  We turned to The Learning Channel hoping to see what a nature show looks like on it, and we were not disappointed.  They were playing one of those deep-sea fishing shows, and the waves of the ocean looked simply amazing!
Later, Dave decided to register for the free trial of NetFlix that comes with the tv.  Out of their vast sellection of programs, you'll never guess what Dave chose for his first show to watch...Futurama.  Really, Dave?  What is it with men and these cartoons?
After we find just the right tv table or cabinet, I'll share a picture using MY new toy, a new Cannon camera!  After we had decided to buy the tv, as we were checking out, I noticed this camera locked up in a glass case.  Turns out, they were selling last year's demo cameras at quick sale prices.  I got this beautiful camera for only $87.97!  Yes!  A Cannon camera for under $100?  You bet, I want it!

Change Of Plans

Yes, folks, it's only been two days, and I've already changed my mind about finishing the tee shirt.  In fact, I had changed my mind almost immediately.  While going though my WIP's to find the shirt, I was distracted by a lovely blanket I'd started two months ago.  I can't tell you much about it, because if I can finish it in time, I'm going to enter it in the crafts exhibit at this year's fair.  According to the rules, if the judges know who crafted an item, the item is disqualified.  I don't know who the judges are, but in case any of them are reading this blog, I don't want to give it away.  I'll tell you all about it, pattern and yarn, after the judging is over.   Of course, that all depends on whether or not I finish it in time.

Overwhelmed

I don't know what's going on with me.  For the last couple of weeks, I seem to be frozen in an unsettled daze.  I need to get my knitting needles back in gear.  I just know that's the key to getting my spirit back. I love my books and magazines, my yarn and needles, my hooks and threads, but none of that brings me joy if I don't use them.  Instead, they become a sourse of guilt, and a reminder of goals unrealized. 
Last year, when I planned my Woolie Ewe year end sale shopping trip, I did it differently.  Instead of going in there and buying for the sake of buying, I played it smart.  I picked out several projects from my Ravelry queue, figured out the amount of yarn I needed for my size, and entered that amount on my list.  Using my Ravelous phone app, I was able to recall that list as I shopped.  I used this app to buy only the yarn I needed to complete the three sweaters I most wanted to knit, plus a cardigan for Dave.  Yay!  A plan, right? Guess what?  I started one of the sweaters, got distracted, started a scarf for an instant gratification fix, set that to the side, then started haphazardly working on different unfinished WIP's (for those non-Ravelry members out there, a WIP is a work in progress). 
Before I knew it, Summer was here, and I hadn't finished anything.  Having lost my desire to work with wool yarn, I decided to start a summer project.  I found a simple top-down, one piece in the round tee shirt pattern on Knitty.com, and ordered some Cotlin, a beautiful cotton/linen yarn from Knitpicks.  I almost made it with this project, but once again, my work remains unfinished.  There's really no excuse for this one.  All I have to do is finished the sleeves and this one's done.  Hmm...maybe I should get this one back out.  Finishing a project might be just the thing that gets me past this slump.  I'll let ya'll know...

Independance Day

Last night, Dave and I went to our city's annual Celebrate America event and fireworks show.  Today, we're spending a nice, relaxing forth of July at home.  While he's grilling up our steaks, I just wanted to pop in here and wish everyone a very happy and safe Independance Day! Have fun, but please take a few moments to reflect on what this day really means for Americans.