Rachel's Ramblings

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I'm still here
2007-01-12 15:53:00
It's been a rough few days. I got my back pay from SSI and we went in search of a new (to us) vehicle. Tuesday was hell, we drove 60 miles to the city and came away empty-handed and pissed off. Wednesday we went back and to a different place, and two hours later, this is what we came up with, with OUR TERMS. Meaning what I had down and what I wanted for payments, as opposed to what happened on Tuesday. It's a 1994 Jimmy, four wheel drive. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it and didn't even look at another car. And it was only 3K. So, we were much happier than Tuesday.I am still knitting, just don't have photos. I'm working on socks, a lace wrap, and Mark's sweater. I showed him the internet references to the boyfriend curse and threatened him with his life and a few other things I don't think he'd want to live without. It's been almost sixteen years, though, so I'm hoping I don't have anything to worry about. Knock on wood!My cats are as weird as they usually are:L...
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It's heeeeeeeeeeeeeere
2007-01-07 18:10:00
Thank you Dani, for making the button for me! Now I know there's a lot of us out there, so go sign up, folks!!!!!! :)

I'm a joiner!
2007-01-07 16:07:00
It's all Dani's fault. I went and joined:Why not? :)Meanwhile, the antibiotics are really making me ill, so I've gone off of them. Will call for a different one tomorrow.Off to knit, maybe I'll get pictures later today or tomorrow. :)
More About: Joiner

More quizzes
2007-01-06 20:47:00
You Are A Walnut TreeYou are strange and full of contrasts... the oddball of your group.You are unrelenting and you have unlimited ambition.Not always liked but always admired, you are more infamous than famous.You are aggressive and spontaneous, and your reactions are often unexpected.A jealous and passionate person, you are difficult in romantic relationships.What's Your Celtic Horoscope?You Are 65% NormalOtherwise known as the normal amount of normalYou're like most people most of the timeBut you've got those quirks that make you endearingYou're unique, yes... but not frighteningly so!How Normal Are You?You Were Nice This Year!You're an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa's list.You probably didn't even *think* any naughty thoughts this year.Unless you're a Mormon, you've probably been a little too good.Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight?Were You Naughty or Nice This Year?Your Halloween Costume Should BeA Mental PatientWhat...
More About: Quizzes , More

Lace and Medicare
2007-01-06 20:03:00
I know, an unlikely pair....but that's the two things I want to write about! LOLFirst, I seem to now be addicted to lace knitting. I am currently working on this wrap. I'm new to lace knitting, but I've already learned two things:1. Generally, the even side rows are purled.2. Lace CANNOT be knit in a hurry. And it's best in a quiet spot. I'm also trying to do another pair of socks in between lace rows. I prefer short row heels to the slip 1, knit 1 version. Onto the Medicare . I signed up for part D in December. I just sent hubby to get 90 day refills at the store. I thought they would be around $75 each prescription, three scripts total, which still wouldn't be a bad price because they're normally around three to four hundred each for THIRTY days. Well. He called me on the phone and asked if I really thought we could afford 5.35 each. I almost fell off of the chair. So, if you have Medicare but no drug coverage, I strongly recommend it!!!!!

Friday meme
2007-01-06 16:37:00
Is being discontinued until further notice due to illness and lack of interest on my part....sorry folks, but thanks for playing! :)
More About: Meme , Friday , Frida

The shawl!!!
2007-01-04 17:05:00
I've finished the body of the shawl, now all I need to do is edge it, wash it, and block it. I just love it, and it's MINE, at least till someone tries to steal it...lolI finally called the doctor today for antibiotics for this sinus infection. I am sick of feeling sick! Hopefully I'll feel better soon.Happy Thursday, everyone, and maybe I'll actually remember to post the FFF tomorrow! :)
More About: Shaw

A FO and WIPS
2006-12-22 03:26:01
I finished the gift scarf, and was going to show you a picture, but Blogger is, once again, having a brain fart. Or, again, my internet connection is going slow, which has been going on for about the last week. Someone tell me why I pay for cable internet when it's down all the time? I am also working on an afghan & a couple more stoles / wraps. Meanwhile, I'm in quite the Bah Humbug mood. Social Security keeps giving me the runaround, which is just freaking wonderful this time of year. I had to borrow money to have Christmas dinner! This just sucks. First they told me I'd get my back pay in thirty days. Thirty days was the eighteenth which was Monday. Then they told me they had finished PROCESSING it then, and it could take up to 45 days to receive it. They tell me I should have it by the end of January, but I wonder what excuse they'll come up with then. Pisses me off. It's not THEIR Christmas they're screwing around with, now is it? Oh well. Off to knit.

Another cool meme
2006-12-18 03:22:02
I found this over on the Manic Witch's blog, and thought I'd try it. :)It's only words.You.Can.Only.Type.One.Word.No.Expla nations.1. Yourself: pissed2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): out3. Your hair: crappy4. Your mother: demanding5. Your father: old6. Your favorite item: money7. Your dream last night: sick8. Your favorite drink: late9. Your dream car: Bentley10. The room you are in: living11. Your ex: stupid12. Your fear: poverty13. What you want to be in 10 years? childless14. Who you hung out with last night? family15. What you're not? liar16. Muffins: blueberries17. One of Your Wish List Items: swift18. Time: 11:4719. The last thing you did: yell20. What you are wearing: jeans21. Your favorite weather: fall22. Your favorite book: knitting23. The last thing you ate: doughnuts24. Your life: insane25. Your mood: pissy26. Your best friend: Loni27. What are you thinking about right now? quiet28. Your car: troublesome29. What are you doing at the moment? typing30. Your summer...
More About: Meme , Other , Cool , Another

And yet another meme
2006-12-18 03:22:02
Taken from LunaNina's blog:I say ... and you think ... ?Hardball :: Chris Mathers (?)Sleepless :: In SeattleGraduation :: I can't waitPresents :: Christmas for the kidsToe :: RingLotion :: Censored...lolSnicker :: BarEve :: AdamInvestment :: No money Pain :: AlwaysAnother meme from the Question of the day blog:In one way or another, everyone is a minority. In what way are you a minority?I'm the oldest goth I know. I'm also a parent who likes all kinds of music, including rap. I'm one of those old-fashioned folks who believes in men's work and women's work, to an extent. I also believe in more consequences for your bad child than time out. I'm also a dying breed of Southern ladies (I was raised in Texas) whose bite is MUCH worse than our bark. :)Tag, you're it again....
More About: Meme , Other

Introspective Saturday
2006-12-17 03:21:07
I've been thinking about things today, things I'd like to tell you all about myself. I am Wiccan. Yah, I know, you all already KNEW I'm a witch, right? LOL Seriously, though, I know that conjures up images of satanic shape changing evil people in some of you. That's not us at ALL. First of all, we're Wiccan, NOT satanists. It's a whole different thing. We don't worship satan in any way, shape, or form. We believe in a God and a Goddess, the Goddess being the main being, as opposed to Christianity's male domination. We don't believe we can turn people into toads or any such thing. We're Wiccan, not Voodoo. However, some of us do combine religions. I once knew a catholic witch, and if you think about it, it's NOT all that different. Wicca has rituals involving prayer (usually to nature or the Goddess or both) and so does catholicism. Wicca has a female figure, so does catholicism (Mary). They're both highly ritualistic religions. We don't sacrifice live toads or little ch...
More About: Turd , Saturday , Introspective , Intro

WIPs and Friday Fiber Five
2006-12-17 03:21:07
These are pictures of another gift scarf & Mark's sweater in progress, front and back, made from Elann's Devon. It's a wonderful yarn. I might just have another favorite! LOLSo, I've been bored. I have seen all these memes on the net, and thought I would come up with one of my own for all of us fiber crafters out there.I am going to call this Frida y Fiber Five . Feel free to steal it and post your answers to your blog. I will post new questions every Friday (unless I just do not feel like it or there is an earthquake in Iowa or something).Ready?1. What are you working on now? I am working on a scarf for the school bus driver for Christmas, a sweater for Mark that I can only go so far on (I need to buy more yarn! Yay!), and another lacy stole.2. What is in your UFO (unfinished object) pile? The Pomatomus socks and the test socks.3. What is your favorite fiber? Anny Blatt angora yarn. It is super expensive but dreamy soft.4. What is your favorite thing to make? Socks and shawls / ...

Photos of the lace wrap!
2006-12-13 15:19:01
It only took me two months to get it done...lol I love the yarn, it's gloss from Knitpicks, and I think I'll be doing the jacket pattern from White Lies Designs in this yarn also, just a different color. I just love it, and no one is going to beg or whine enough to get it from me! LOL
More About: Photo , Photos , Lace , Wrap

Even MORE quizzes!
2006-12-12 03:18:01
Yes, I'm a little bored today, can you tell? LOLYou Are an EspressoAt your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energeticAt your worst, you are: anxious and high strungYou drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleepingYour caffeine addiction level: highWhat Kind of Coffee Are You?You Are a Newborn SoulYou are tolerant, accepting, and willing to give anyone a chance.On the flip side, you're easy to read and easily influenced by others.You have a fresh perspective on life, and you can be very creative.Noconformist and nontraditional, you've never met anyone who's like you.Inventive and artistic, you like to be a trendsetter.You have an upbeat spirit and you like almost everything.You make friends easily and often have long standing friendships.Implusive and trusting, you fall in love a little too easily.Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming SoulWhat Kind of Soul Are You?Your Blog Should Be PurpleYou're an expressive, offbeat blogger who te...
More About: Quiz , Quizzes , More

More time wasting quizzes
2006-12-11 21:17:01
Let me say from the outset, I've always thought of the archangel Gabriel (MALE version!) as my guardian angel. I don't know why, he's just always been the angel I've called on. So here's some quizzes about angels, and other things. :)Which Tarot Arcana are You? High PriestessHidden influences at work, unrevealed future. Creative forces of the subconscious, the female side of the brain at work for the artist, poet and mystic. A woman of great intuition, inner illumination.Take The Quiz Now!Quizzes by myYearbook.comWho is your angel?Gabriel is the archangel of the moon. like him, you have an aura of mystery around you, lighten up a little!Take this quiz!
More About: Time , More , Sting

Back among the living
2006-12-11 21:17:01
Well, the fog I've been in for the last few months seems to have lifted a bit. I adjusted my bipolar meds back to what they were and am now feeling almost human, instead of just blah. I'm also knitting more than I have been, so that's a good thing! I finished Mom's shrug this morning, and it's in the laundry basket, so now I'm working on trying to get my purple wrap done. I'll get pictures for you all as soon as I get it done. Meanwhile, here in the armpit of America, we're supposed to get rain and thunderstorms tonight! In DECEMBER! I somehow doubt if we'll have snow for Christmas this year. Boy, talk about global warming. We've certainly had some strange weather the last few years!Off to try to finish the wrap, just wanted to post & say I'm still here, kicking and screaming! LOL
More About: Living , Back , Ving

I forgot
2006-12-11 09:16:02
I have been hanging on to a couple of photos to put on here. First, Charlie's enjoying my yarn cubby that Mark made almost as much as me!And Jack seems to have an attitude problem.Especially since he's doing this in his SLEEP!!!

No idle hands
2006-12-11 09:16:02
Yes, I'm still alive, and yes, I'm still knitting. Here's proof! The orange, pink, and blue are scarves for various people, and the purple is a shrug for Mom's dog (don't ask) and the blue & gray is a shrug for Mom.Plus, I still have lots of projects in the sidelines while I'm making Christmas gifts for everyone. And with that, I'll leave you with a picture of our tree... :)
More About: Hands , Hand

Nothing like a bunch of packages to make you feel better
2006-12-02 15:07:45
UPS and the mail lady are going to hate me. The vacuum, boots, wood for Mark to craft, and chocolate covered espresso beans came UPS. I'm making the UPS guy a scarf for Christmas, just because he doesn't complain! The smokes and yarn came in the mail. The cigs took a while to get here because they're from Russia, but they were cheap enough to be worth it! The yarn is just amazing, it's Highland Silk and Baby Cashmere.I'm still waiting on more yarn from Knitpicks, a smoothie maker, a white Christmas tree, an under the counter coffeemaker, a Shop Vac, and a comforter from Walmart, a bed in the bag from Linens N Things, something from Cafe Press, more yarn from a private party, a book from Ebay, a heated blanket and router bit set from Fingerhut for Mark, a stationary mouse, and some Black Cohosh (for hot flashes). Got my split ergonomic keyboard from Ebay and a new dvd player from Walmart Friday. Think I've been going a little crazy?
More About: Nothing , Better , Make , Bett , Like

Thanksgiving
2006-12-02 15:07:45
Ok, I'll warn everyone now, these are my beliefs, and if they make you mad, oh well. Don't read it. There's the disclaimer, now onto the show.I am thankful that we live in a country in which we have freedom of choice. We can choose to elect idiots, or not so idiotic leaders. We can choose to have an abortion or a gay marriage if we'd like. We can choose our own healthcare. We can choose what we would like to do (or not do) for an income. We can choose to be alcoholics, drug addicts, or none of the above. We can choose our own God or Goddess or whomever we choose to answer to. I believe in freedom of choice. If you wish to have an abortion or get drunk or marry your own sex, you don't have to answer to me (and shouldn't have to explain your actions to anyone but your "higher power", if you choose to have one). If you want to have a different person to worship than I do, that's your choice. It's also my choice to ignore you or tell you to get the hell off of my por...
More About: Thanksgiving , Giving , Thanks , Ving , Hank

Sorry
2006-12-02 15:07:45
I haven't been posting. I've just been blah about everything lately. I think it's my med adjustment. I'm still waiting for a decent lump sum on my disability, but you know how that goes, it's not like it's THEIR money.I'm also pissed off at a place called Sysqs. I bought a book from them. It wasn't what I expected, and according to the packing slip, they'll take it back with no questions if you're unhappy with your purchase. What they DON'T say on the packing slip is that if they do, they'll take a 35% (no, that's NOT a typo) restocking fee and shipping costs out of your refund. WHAT THE HELL???? I emailed the guy back & asked him if he was out of his mind. I haven't heard back, naturally. So, don't buy from them, their customer service SUCKS.I have been knitting a bit. Working on lace and a little bit of socks.I'll try to post more, I promise.
More About: Sorry

As promised
2006-12-02 15:07:45
Yarn pr0n!And a close up of the WIPs....The purple is a stole I'm making for myself (at least until someone whines enough), the black is a scarf for a friend, and the blue is a cabled scarf for the poor UPS guy. You'll notice the couch looks different, I got an ill fitting slipcover online. It's my own fault, I thought any old loveseat cover would work, however, I forgot to take into account the "t-cushions". Blech. Anyway, I am still working on socks, just not motivated to do them lately, as I said in the last post. I'll leave you with a picture of my gay cats:
More About: Prom , Promise

Sorry
2006-12-02 15:07:45
That I haven't been blogging as much as I should be. I have just been in a blah mood lately. I have LOTS of yarn pr0n to show you, probably will get photos tomorrow. I haven't been doing socks lately, I seem to be wanting to knit winter stuff lately and dreaming of sweaters and coats. I woke up this morning with a raging, light seeing, I'm going to ralph migraine. I went back to bed for another three hours and it's subsided to where I can somewhat function now. Will get photos tomorrow, I promise!
More About: Sorry

The crazies are back
2006-12-02 15:07:45
Here I go again, whining on my blog about my mental status rather than talking about knitting. So, if you're not interested, stop reading here. Hopefully I can post knitting content soon.I don't know what my problem is. I've been getting depressed in the evening, obviously my meds are wearing off, but that's not all. I've been feeling pretty tense lately, and I'm not sure why. I have Xanax, but fear taking them more than once every few days because I've ridden the benzodiazepine train and I really don't want to go there again. It was not pretty. I've been approved for permanent disability. I thought I'd feel better about that than I do. Maybe it's the fact that I'll never work again, which is fine, considering I'm agoraphobic and only leave the house when it's absolutely necessary. Maybe it's the fact that I'll never be rich. I feel unwanted, ignored, unnecessary. I feel overwhelmed, and trying to get out of my commitments, which also makes me feel like a flake. Ugh...
More About: Back , Razi

I am such a dork
2006-12-02 15:07:45
I decided Thursday to clean some stuff out of my computer. I should have known something wasn't right, in my infinite wisdom, when it told me "cannot delete Windows, the current file is in use" while trying to delete a folder I didn't think was important. Well. Friday, the 13th, of course, I wake up to an error stating that it couldn't load explorer. Not internet explorer, oh hell no, WINDOWS explorer.So, I lost everything in my mail, including all the Sockret Pal swapper addresses. Remind me to quit thinking I know what I'm doing.Meanwhile, I decided to try some Koolaid dyeing.Bailey was also pretty happy to get her Elizabethan collar off, if only for a little while.And look what the hubster made for me! No, it's not perfect, but hey, it's got character!And notice the empty and half filled shelves? I should do something about that, wouldn't you say? LOLIt's raining here today. Kind of cool, but not cold out. Nothing like what Sonja got!
More About: Dork , Such

Busy day!
2006-12-02 15:07:45
Rolled out of bed this morning with Buddy yowling at the door because he thought he was starving, and pretty much haven't stopped since! I had to go get new glasses (I'm not even going to tell you how much all that was, but let me say, I had to upgrade to super thin because I'm blind as a bat & have BIG lenses otherwise), and before that, we went for hair cuts. Then I had Mark buy me lunch. Came home to find this in the mail.The orange and blue in the back is Swish superwash and going to be used for Alex's teachers scarves, and the purple in the front is the Gloss I've heard so many good things about. Not sure what I'm going to do with that yet. And I needed some stitch markers for the lace stole so I got some split rings.I also got a book for Dani, plus ordered her some other things, but I can't show you because it would ruin the surprise. We already know we're swap pals, no secret there, but the box contents will be! I'm hoping her move to North Carolina goes smoothly, I ...
More About: Busy

She's got THE LOOK
2006-12-02 15:07:45
Bailey is NOT happy. She got spayed yesterday & is really concerned about having a bad hair day today:Buddy wasn't too sure about this whole thing either.That cat is TWICE his size in this picture.Meanwhile, Pugsley is being his usual evil self.Jack remembers those days.Meanwhile, Charlie, the momma's boy, makes me promise not to do it to him again.And even through all this, there IS still knitting going on!I'm finally starting a stole from the huge cone of 2/20 wool, the blue are the Pomatomus socks, the red in the back is going to be felted socks for Mark, the white is the feather & fan socks, and the bag is the test socks I'm knitting and can't show you. And the cat, well, he's just Jack.We got a new digital camera. Can you tell? :)
More About: Look , The Look

Search query
2006-12-02 15:07:45
All right, which ones of you loonies found my blog by searching for these????1. "top 100 things i hate about you -10"2. "wiccan estes park colorada"3. "who discovered pot"4. "scampi size 18/24"5. "slipcover seamstress austin texas"6. "2 needle fun fur knit socks"7. "austin texas natural blonde"I mean, come on, I know I'm weird, but some of these are a little out there, wouldn't you say?I'm still fighting this cold, going to call the doc for antibiotics tomorrow as I think it's turned into yet ANOTHER sinus infection.I'm working on the Pomatomus socks still, plus slowly working on my lace stole (I had to frog 11 rows and switch to smaller needles as I couldn't really see the pattern), another pair of feather & fan socks, and my test knitting sock, which I can't show you or tell you much about because it is a test thing and highly classified. Let's just say I'm learning a bit about stranding. It's cold here in Iowa today & is supposed to stay that way all week. Is fall fi...
More About: Search , Query

No I haven't croaked yet
2006-12-02 15:07:45
But not for lack of trying...lol Still very congested & coughing a lot. I need to take out stock in Nyquil, Dayquil, and Benadryl!!! At least I haven't hurt myself today....YET!Meanwhile, these are what I have been working on. The garter socks are big white socks for soldiers,and the very pretty lacy feather & fan scarf for the groomer's daughter, and of course, the Pomatomus socks that had me soooooooooo intimidated until I actually started working on them:Sorry the photos aren't too great but hubby's in a hurry. I have Mr. Handyman himself making me some cubbyholes for my yarn and things so I can get things out from under my feet and in the living room and PUT AWAY. Yeah, right, I'm sure all of you know how THAT goes. Out of sight, out of mind, and then you have to get MORE yarn.This came today from Webs, which is quickly becoming my FAVORITE online yarn store. Steve there is AWESOME and the customer service can't be beat. He pretty much told me I was insane for wanting to m...
More About: Have , Haven

I hate blogger
2006-12-02 15:07:45
It took me three tries to get in here to post. What is WITH blogger lately?Anyway, sorry I haven't been posting much, I've been busy with the Sock-ret pal goings-on and designing a sock for Mark (and yes, it will be ANOTHER free pattern!). AND, guess what??? I got a sorta job! I get to be a test knitter for Mary! Naturally, no money will change hands, but this may support my sock yarn addiction! I'm so excited, I just can't wait to get started. I'm also gathering things up for my pal and partner in crime, Dani. We decided that since we'd each have a list of the partners that we might as well send to each other. This should be fun! Okay, enough yakking, I'll go try to finish this sock so I can get the pattern up for everyone! It's a simple knit / purl texture pattern. I think you'll all like it. :) TTFN!
More About: Blogger , Blog , Hate , Hat , Logger