Rat in the Library

I can't believe I have not posted this yet. We got 2 rats as pets for the library. We had a name the rats contest and they are now named Luna and Roxy. I was calling them Laverne and Shirley but the new names are really cute. We have some pictures, I will find one to post. They are really cute. One is a Dumbo and the other is a Russian Blue (at least we think she is). I have gotten really attached to them.

Stretching

Well, I think I will have more jewelry choices if I stretch to 1/2 inch. However, that will not be for a while. The last stretch was pretty icky. The lobes were pretty sore. But the move to 1/2 inch is not very big.

Last Stretch

Well I have just done my lobe stretch to 7/16. I think this will be the last one. The are kinda achey. It was a pretty big jump.

Who are you

I just took this fun quiz online to find out which Dark Shadows character I am. I came out as Carolyn Stoddard

http://www.collinwood.net/quiz/

Lazy Me

I have been reading and knitting a lot but just have not been posting. I will put up some pictures soon. The most fun thing that has happened is that I got eyelets for my first earlobe. They are so cool.

New Piercing

I got a medusa piercing a couple of weeks ago. It is going to be really pretty but right now the swelling is going down so it is sticking out a bit like an antenna. I should be able to replace it with a shorter one in a week or two. It was more painful than some I have had but not as bad a the snug I got a while back. Of course Patrick at Koi did it.

Final Pair for SOS08

Finally got around to posting again. This was my final pair of socks for Summer of Socks 2008. I made them for my knitting bud, Lisa. She really likes them. Summer of Socks was great fun. I will do it again next year.

Summer of Socks Pair 6

This is my 6th pair of socks for Summer of Socks 2008. Basic sock pattern and fancy self-stripe yarn. Love the Black and Pink.

5th SOS08 Socks

Here is my 5th pair for SOS08. The pattern is Jaywalkers. It is a nice zigzag pattern. It does not show up very well in this picture but I made them for someone so I did not want to put them on my big old sweaty feet to model them. If I can get Katie to model I will put in a better picture. I used Knit Picks Felici in Mixed Berries. This pattern is fun and easy and looks great in self-stripe yarn.

First Crochet Hat EVER!!!

I crocheted this cute hat for a crochet along on Ravelry. I don't usually crochet but it was just so cute. I made this for a friend. Now I want one. Since I shaved my head I have been looking at more hat patterns. It gets cold in Utah.

Orange You Hedera?

So here is my 4th pair for Summer of Socks 2008. The pattern is Hedera by Cookie A. I made them from Knit Picks Palette yarn in Apricot. They are very orangey. I think they are great. The lace pattern looks difficult but it was really easy.

Hair Issues

I have been wearing a hair "system" for years. They put it on and once a month I would go in, have it removed, cleaned and styled. In between I would shampoo it and all but it would get itchy and start to get loose. Sometimes I would have to retape the front. Well I did this because my hair was really thin. But I had been thinking that it was just too much work and I was not that good at styling it anyway. So I bought a wig and shaved my head!! I like it. I will wear the wig to work. It is really cute but I don't mind going bald. Just a couple of years ago I never would have thought if going bald. My how we change.

Third SOS08 Pair Finished

This is my third pair of socks for Summer of Socks 2008. I had not used this brand (ONline) before but I really enjoyed it and it was easy to line up the colors so the socks match pretty well. I am really enjoying this SOS thing. I know I will do it next year.

Monkeys!!!!

I finished the Monkeys for Summer of Socks 2008. I just love this pattern by Cookie A. I found it on Ravelry.com. It such an easy pattern but it is really pretty.

A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander

The third book in the Lady Emily series does not disappoint. This time Emily travels to Austria as she tries to clear the husband of her best friend of a murder. These books really take you right into Victorian times but the characters are modern enough to keep me interested.

Monkey Love

Well, this is the start of a new love affair. I love this sock pattern called Monkey. I am making my first pair of this pattern for Summer of Socks 2008. I am using a pretty banana yellow. It is called Lemon, but it is really more banana, which is suiting for a Monkey sock.

First Pair Finished

I finished these on 6/29 but just got around to posting them. I could not figure out the color repeat so they don't match but I think they look OK. One pair down for Summer of Socks 2008.

Labret

Well, I just could not help it and I got a labret piercing. It is pretty cool but it takes some getting used to. You catch the end in your teeth. In 2 or 3 weeks I can put in a shorter bar so hopefully it will not catch so much. It looks good now. It will be great when the swelling and redness is gone.

First Summer of Socks Sock

So this is the first sock of my summer of socks 2008. It is actually done now and I have started the second one. Just a plain sock out of fancy self-patterning yarn. So much fun to do.

Last Day

Well, it was finally the last day at my old library. I am sort of sad about it. But I have a new challenge at Hunter library and I will still be going to the old branch for my knitting circle. They had a really cool party for me at the branch on Thursday. Really good food. And Cake!!! Anyway, I am ready for a change, I think.

Stretching

So I have gone up to a 2 in my first lobe piercing and today I put my 10's into the second one. I will not go any higher than an 8 (if that ) in the second piercing. My bindi has gone all wonky on me. I hope it does not reject but Patrick is worried about it. We are going to give it one more week with sea salt soaks.

Fan-cy Bookmarks

Fan-cy Bookmarks,
originally uploaded by libraryhag.

I have not crocheted anything in years but I could not resist these. I got a basic crochet book from the library to refresh how to do some of the stitches. I found the pattern on Ravelry.com. I just love them. Very easy to do.

Silly But True

I started reading Enlightenment for Idiots and I just could not keep reading it. In the book the main character goes to India. She keeps talking about this poor little dog in one part and I just could not stand it. It totally ruined the book for me. I actually cried. OK, silly might not be the right word. Maybe Pathetic is more like it. I also get upset when dogs die in the movies or on TV. I just loved Dead Like Me until JD died. My husband was like, all these people die these horrible deaths and the dog messes you up???

Small Favor

I finished Small Favor. It so ROCKED. If you are a fan of the series I don't have to tell you how great it is. If you are not, well that is just WRONG.

Long Weekend

I had a really nice long weekend. I finished a pair of wrist warmers in grey. It has been cold and rainy so we stayed in most of the time. Watching a lot of Dark Shadows. I am reading the new Dresden Files book by Jim Butcher, Small Favor. I love this series. It is urban fantasy and full of non-stop action. The books are really hard to put down.

Hunter

I worked at my new library today. It is the Hunter Library and is bigger than my current library. It gave me a chance to get a feel for the library. I worked there one day last week too. It will be interesting moving to a new place. New staff, new customers. I am excited. I still don't know when I will be going there permanently.

Wristwarmers

goth wristwarmers,
originally uploaded by libraryhag.

I made these from some yarn I had left over. The first one was way too small and I did not like the way I seamed it. I made another on a size 6 needle instead of a 5 and did 6 pattern repeats instead of 5. When I make a pair for me I will need 7 repeats. Most people could just be 5 repeats. I have had several people ask for a pair. I got the pattern on Ravelry.com

The Zekester

zeke,
originally uploaded by libraryhag.

This is my other puppy Zeke. We adopted him from the Humane Society. He is such a good boy. He has been with us for almost 3 years.

New Piercing

Well, I was not going to get any new piercings for a while but one of my friends got her lip pierced and I got piercing fever. Today I got a snug on my right ear. It hurts and Patrick said it would swell for a while. But it is going to be cute, cute!!!

Cold, Cold

It has been so cold in Salt Lake City. We will have one nice day and then it is cold again. Not really cold, but not springy. I am ready for some really warm weather that lasts more than 24 hours. I would love to be in South Carolina. It has been really nice there according to my sister. Oh, well. It is funny that here people start wearing shorts and flip flops when it gets to be about 50 degrees. I am still wearing sweaters.

headband

headband,
originally uploaded by libraryhag.

Finished this headband for De, my friend at the library. It is such an easy pattern. I am going to make more. It covers the ears and most of the top of the head so it is practically a hat. De told me that her daughter already tried to steal it. I will have to make her one too.

Ouch!

I was having some soreness in my earlobes so I went and had my glass 12's put in the second lobe hole instead of the silver earring. They are much better now. The hoops moved and I think that was irritating. I am already wanting something new. Maybe snugs???

Piercing party

Some friends and I went to Koi. One was adding two surface piercings, one on either side of her navel which is already pierced. It really hurt her at first but it looks really good. I just had to do something so I got new earrings for the second hole in my lobes.They are twelves so they are stretching too.

Still thinking

I am still thinking about gastric bypass. Doing a bit of research. I have been asking around and everyone knows at least one person who has had one procedure or the other. I have only heard about one death. Most of the stories are good. Hearing some good things about the Lap Band.

I just finished reading The Fortune Quilt by Lani Diane Rich. I know it is supposed to be a fun read, and it is lots of fun. But this book really touched me. It is about a woman whose world comes crashing down and she escapes to an artists' colony to try to rebuild her life. In the wacky world of Bilby, Arizona, she learns to live the life she is supposed to live. My friends in knitting circle all told me I should read it. They were so right. It is funny and warm. It is a very fast read. I did not want it to end. I think I have found a new author. Yea!!! Check her out: http://www.lanidianerich.com

I am considering...

Gastric bypass surgery or the Lap Band. It is a major decision but my dr and I talked about it yesterday and he thinks it would be a good choice for me. He wants me to research it and find out if my insurance will pay for it. That is a big if but I checked and it is under the "Prior Approval" section so I guess there is a chance. It is not something I would do until the fall at the earilest. I have to get settled at my new library before doing anything like that. More on this topic later.

Home

I am originally from South Carolina. I miss the people and my family but I don't miss the humidity. Oh, I really miss the ocean. It was always within driving distance. I love Charleston and have not been there in years. My home town is Columbia, the capital of the state. I have also lived in Florence, Greenwood and Abbeville. If you have never been to South Carolina, there is a lot to see and do. It is a great place for golf and hanging out on the beach. Check it out http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/

Heather Wells Mysteries Rock

Meg Cabot has created the best mystery series with her Heather Wells Mysteries. Heather Wells is a former teen pop star trying to make her way in the world. To get deferred tuition, she takes a job working in a dorm, ah, resident's hall, at a college in NYC. Size 12 Is Not Fat is the first in the series. Let the deadly fun begin!!!

Home Away From Home

Park Library,
originally uploaded by libraryhag.

This is the Park Library where I work. Soon I will be leaving for another branch (sobs) but I will always love Park. And my knitting circle meets here, so I will still see everyone. Park is a great library with lots to offer its users. And I am not just saying that because I work here.

Love Tasha Alexander

I only recently discovered Tasha Alexander and her wonderful Lady Emily Ashton mysteries. They are set in Victorian England. Emily is a recent widow who finds her new found freedom as a chance to learn about the world and ends up investigating various crimes. These books are great! This is the cover of the first in the series, And Only To Deceive. Of course there is also romance.

Pierced!!!

So I got my new piercing in my forehead. I love it but I am going to have a heck of a bruise. It was not very bad but I bled a lot and I needed a sugary soda for my blood sugar. It looks really good. I LUV it!!!!!

Weekend Plans

Well, I am going to get a new piercing tomorrow. My jewelry has come in. It is going to be a bindi shaped like a flower. I can't wait. Will do pictures soon. I am getting it done at Koi Piercing Studio where I get all my piercings. Here is their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/koipiercingstudio

What I Am Knitting Now

I am working on a blanket for Project Linus. I am doing a pattern I got from Ravelry. It is easy. All garter stitch. I have not taken any pictures yet. As soon as I do I will post some here. If you are not familar with Project Linus, it is a charity for people to make blankets for children in need, hospitals etc. There are local chapters all over the country. You can knit, crochet, quilt or sew the blankets. I have a link to the national website in my Favorite Places.

Knit Therapy

green and blue socks,
originally uploaded by libraryhag.

I have been knitting for over 40 years. Socks are my favorite item to knit. They are fast and easy. Everyone loves them. They are practical too. Every now and then I teach a sock class at the library where I work. Everyone always seems to enjoy it. If you can knit you can knit socks. And I am convinced that everyone can knit if they want to learn.

Dark Shadows

mini-logo,
originally uploaded by libraryhag.

The gothic soap opera that ran from 1966 to 1971. My husband and I are huge fans. We watch the DVD's all the time. We also own some of the books and are contemplating going to the festival this summer. How sad is that?

Hap

Hap,
originally uploaded by libraryhag.

This is my happy dog, Hap. That is short for Haphazard which he still is but really was when he was a puppy. His hobbies include, taking naps, barking at nothing and waking me up at 4 AM.