Purple Flu-Scarf

Finished the Purple Flu-Scarf last night while watching Dexter. It's a little bit short...but I ran out of yarn, and thought I could use a really short scarf. I have zillions of huuuuuuuge and chunky scarves that go down to my knees. Yes, I like to be warm, but I do admit you'll sometimes see the scarf before you see me...it's a little bit ridiculous. I imagine myself on one of those make over shows and the hosts/fashion divas are throwing my big scarves in the bin while shaming me for wearing them.

Here is the scarf:


It's not blocked yet, but I'm going to wear it today, anyway. The brooch is there to keep it in place, since it is so short and because I love pairing scarves with big, costume-y brooches!

Amy Butler's LOVE Collection

I have been keeping an eye out for pretty, but hardy fabric. I have a friend who is expecting and, being a fan functional gifts, I have been thinking of making her a diaper bag. I checked out Amy Butler's LOVE collection today, and guess how I feel about it? All of it is adorable!

As painful as it is, I think I am going to avoid pink or any pattern that is too precious, since we don't know the sex of the baby yet and my friend already has a cute little daughter - needless to say, she is already surrounded by pink and precious goodies, so something different would be nice. Plus, the fabric needs to match the mom's sassy-ness, because she will be the one that carries it.

So far, I think I like these two fabrics from the LOVE collection for this project.

Oh, Shatner...Have You Lead Me Astray?

The day has finally come...I thought it would never happen to me...
But was I just internet-scammed??

The story: I booked airline tickets from Priceline and while I was done with my online order, a pop-up from another company called Great Fun appeared asking me whether I would be interested in getting rebates, deal alerts, and coupons. I was intrigued (and foolish) enough to click the link to their site, and filled out my name and address, thinking they would just mail me coupons here and there.

I did not fill out any of my credit card information at this Great Fun site, which I now know is an 'affiliate' of, but separate company from Priceline. But somehow, they still obtained this info from Priceline and was able to charge $11.99 on my credit card without my authorization.

When they charged this, my bank sprang into action and called me - this company is on their blacklist for customer complaints. I then called them to express my grief and to cancel my 'membership' immediately. It was no fun process...but it is done. There seems to be a lot of complaints all over the internet about this Great Fun and their sneaky, scam-y charges. Grrrr. Some people have had this small amount charged every month for years, without their knowledge.

This was the first time I booked something through a third party, like Priceline...and I don't think I will do it again. I really can't trust giving my personal and credit card information to agents that may give it out to other parties.

I apologize for this bummer post - but I was curious whether there are others out there that had similar experiences.

On a happier note: I am making a butternut squash soup today, so I can't wait for that! I will be picking up some crystallized ginger and heavy cream for toppings :-)

Hallow's Eve

Am I silly for my love of turning back the clock for one hour each time this year? I slept in, AND got up at a non-embarassing 9.a.m. on a Sunday morning. Hooray to that ~

I hope everyone had a really great Halloween this year!

I was still pretty sick, so I stayed in with my blanket and hot apple cider all Halloween night. It was not all bad because a) I did have a fellow flu-infected victim to loaf about with me while everyone else we know partied the night away. I had planned to do some work last night, but we just ended up watching old, cheesy horror films on cable all night. And b) we had lots and lots of whipped cream on our hot apple cider.

Here is what I have been working on for the past two nights. Would it be gross to call it my purple flu-scarf?
I was hoping for Hocus Pocus to be on T.V. - I feel like it's always playing on Halloween...but no luck for us. I think it's still my favorite Halloween cheese movie (even though it's not even horror). We watched Bram Stoker's Dracula instead - it was more gory than I remembered (remember when vampires were still gory and scary?) and Keeanu Reeve's English accent was ridiculous and adorable.

From my quarantined cell...

Love the Fall...but not so much a fan of the flu season that comes along with it.

I am a piece of cake for flu viruses; I have no immune system to speak of, so when people around me were getting sick, I knew my time has come. So, here I am - in my pjs, robe, bear feet slippers, and my flu kit (which consists of cough drops, an array of drugs, my herbal pal, yogurt, and Sleepy Time Extra). But it could be worse, because I'm still knitting...

I found this fun yarn in my random yarns basket - it's Sensations: Bamboo and Ewe Pattern. The colors are quite pretty, and I started a knit and purl thing - something simple and within the capabilities of my flu-addled brain. I think I'm going to end up with a scarf! Hopefully, I'll have something good enough to post tomorrow.

The Fiend is Back *shame and embarrassment*

The shame and embarrassment is for abandoning this blog for so long...thinking that I don't have enough time...and not thinking about knitting, or crocheting, or embroidering, or blogging for a while might give me more time to be a responsible person who takes cares of life matters and maintains meaningful relationships with others.

But Fall is upon us, and I can't help but start knitting again. What a fool I am for thinking I can avoid the knitting bug this year!

Very excited to see what others are knitting this year...and to see what some of my projects will turn out. Christmas is almost here, and my workshop is busy as heck getting these presents on the road!

The Fat Fiend

I have not worked out since I arrived in California...about 2 weeks ago. I have also been gorging on my mother's delicious cooking, eating disgusting fast food and processed meals (when we are on the road with not much of a choice), or stuffing my face with dim sum.

Other than the walking when we are out and about, sightseeing, I'm pretty much sitting on my rump all day. Rocking out with a small, plastic guitar with Rock band cannot really qualify as much of a physical exertion, sadly.
I know I should just lay back and enjoy my little piggy vacation..I can't help but notice my lowering energy level, my crankiness, and my feeling of bloat-y fatness.

I had hoped to be able to have access to a gym, but have been prepared to give up on the idea if it is too much work than it is worth it. I don't get to see my family very much; the last time I saw my parents was last year, and I probably won't see them again for another year. This vacation is about being with family, so I decided if I have to go through the process of joining a gym for a month, drive through traffic, work out, then drive through traffic back...it would not be worth it. I do miss going to the gym for some "me time"...but I can wait until vacation is over. I shall waddle off the plane, and be ready to gym it up with a vengeance.