Sparkles?

Last week, the texture was applied to the ceiling, and for some reason, this brought a childhood memory back to me. I remembered a house I used to live in, where the ceilings had sparkles. I used to lay in bed at night, and pretend they were stars. I asked Jerry (Charlie's son, who's been working in the room) if people ever ask for the sparkles anymore. He told me no, but if I wanted them, he'd sure add them. Of course, I told him I didn't want them, but for a brief moment, I have to confess I was tempted. I'm sure it's just nostalgia that made me temporarily want them.

Beautiful!

My new shawl is really coming along nicely. I've already gotten this much done in just a few days, and that's only knitting on it in the evenings...and that's only on TV nights! This pattern is very easy to memorize, which makes it the perfect project for the times when I just want to knit, and not think about it. I can talk to the cats (or Dave), watch TV, or listen to music, without making mistakes. :) I highly recommend this pattern, even if you're a beginner. It's fast, fun, and the instant gratification will encourage you in your knitting journey.

And The Job Gets Bigger

What began as a simple ceiling repair has blossomed into a redo of the room. Instead of simply putting up new tiles, we had decided to sheet rock and texture the ceiling, like we did when we remodeled the kitchen. This way, when it's up, it's going to stay. As I was washing and ironing my curtains yesterday, I was thinking that it's too bad we couldn't texture the walls, too. For those of you who haven't been to my house, we have old fashioned sheet rock panels. They were much thinner, and have seams where they meet. It sort of looks like paneling that's been painted over. I was also thinking how nice it would be to cover that door. Again, for those of you who have never seen my house, we have a door leading to nowhere. Well, it actually leads to the back of the bathroom closet we had built back in 2006.
At the end of yesterday's work day, Charlie gave me the perfect opportunity to mention my thoughts. They had finished taping and bedding the ceiling. Since they couldn't do anything else until the mud dried, they were getting ready to leave. Charlie asked me if I'd like them to just go ahead and paint the whole room while they had it all emptied. I told him it sounded like a great idea, and now that you mention it, I do have some other ideas....
I explained all I'd been thinking, and after discussing it with Dave, we decided to go ahead with the total room makeover. It's going to cost us a lot more, but we do have the money in savings. It also means a longer period of my house being in disarray, but the idea of a fresh, new room, makes that all worth it. Besides, it gives me a chance to go through my stuff, throw out what I no longer want, and clean up what I do.

Repairs Began...

They got started on my ceiling. They had to work us in among thier already scheduled projects, and, due to a delayed countertop delivery for another home, they were able to get to us today. After pulling all the old tiles down, and removing what looked like millions of staples, they put up the sheet rock. I took this opportunity to do some serious cleaning. I washed and ironed all my curtains, and dusted all the things I normally leave undone, because I can't reach it. Since they can't do anymore work until the tape and bedding stuff has dried, they've quit for the day. I'm sitting here surrounded by all my extra bedroom furniture. I'm not sure if I'll spend the rest of the night washing and dusting, or if I'll just knit on my shawl, and do it tomorrow. I know this sounds wierd, but I'm actually exhilerated by the work. Maybe it's because I know the finished result will be a fresh, clean room.

My Springtime Shawl

Where I live, the daytime temperatures have become warmer, but there is still a chill in the morning and evening. I've decided to knit myself a shawl to combat this chill as I enjoy my back porch. I chose the pattern, Sweet November, a free Ravelry download, designed by Caryl Pierre. It's the perfect pattern for now, because it is easy and quick (I figured it would defeat my purpose if, by the time I finish shawl, it’s too warm to wear it). I’m using Cascade Sierra, a mostly cotton yarn with a small amount of wool, and US size 10 needles. The pattern suggests 10.5, but this size tips isn't included in my addiClick set. It doesn't look like the change is going to hurt the finished look one bit.

Homemade Pizza Day!

Dave and I have had so much fun cooking together. Actually, I'm not much of a cook. My job, normally, is to keep the dishes washed up, and the countertops wiped down. That way, after we eat, there's no huge mess to clean up. Today, however, I got to actually help. I took some pictures hoping my readers would really get to share in our fun...
First, Dave made the pizza crust in his food processor, then we left it to rise, while we went to feed Max, then pick up a package of cheese from Kroger. When we got home, I washed up the cutting board and knife, while Dave sauted some mushrooms he had previously sliced. Then I opened up a can of black olives and sliced them, while Dave cooked some sliced bell pepper (only long enough to soften them a bit). He then rolled out the dough, brushed a little olive oil over it, then sprinkled our first layer of cheese. Here's a helpful tip- Dave has found that if you start with a layer of cheese, then apply your sauce, dotting it across your cheese by the teaspoon, your crust doesn't get soggy. After applying the sauce, I helped Dave top it. Today's toppings of choice were sauted mushrooms, sliced green bell peppers, sliced jumbo black olives, low-fat turkey pepperoni, and low-fat Canadian bacon. Add another layer of cheese and bake. Yummy! The best part? Eating, of course :) And, happily, today is another warm day. That means we got to eat our lunch outside. It is just so relaxing to feel the sunshine, and fresh air while enjoying the lunch my husband and I made as a team. Life may not be perfect, but it really is good.

More Sweater Blues :(

What started out as an easy project has turned into a nightmare. I updated my Ravelry page yesterday, and I'd like to copy and paste what I wrote so you can see the kind of day I had...

Notes
2-16-11 After giving myself a little break from this project, I decided to get it out this morning. I had finished the left side, and it was probably a mistake to wait so long before starting the right side. It has been long enough for me to lose the feel of the lace pattern. After I completed side #2, I held it up to look at it. I noticed a spot where I got off the pattern, and I’m going to have to unravel again. I’m starting to wish I’d never seen this pattern.
Later Very frustrated. When I went to do the back portion, I discovered a huge mistake. I got completely off when I separated for the armholes, so I had to rip all my work back. It looks like, once again, I failed to reach a goal. I’m developing a very strong dislike for this pattern. It started out so easy, and a breeze to follow, but that armhole separation line is so confusing. Then after that, it’s left up to the knitter to guess the rest of the chart. I’m not good at guessing.