Presents!

I'm very excited about the gifts that I got this year. Eric's mom got me the complete Series Six of Doctor Who. I will totally be binging as soon as the kids are back in school. My parents got me, among other things, an Amazon gift card. I've been going through my wish list and just can't decide! My honey gave me a new video camera. It's really nice and really needs for me to make it a case to protect it from the dangers of life with me. Once again, too many choices. Should I go Harry Potter, Doctor Who, dragons, steampunk, or something that I haven't even thought of? It will become part of a set for the camera, my ipod, and my lip balm. Oh, my brain is swarming!
On the other side of the equation, I think the kids liked everything they got. I try very hard to make sure that they get things that they want, but it can be tough. Eric seemed to be interested in the Wii games that I found for him. We'll see if he enjoys them once he starts playing.
I hope you got lots of wonderful things and had time with the people who fill your life with joy.

Happy Holiday? Maybe.

Yesterday my dad spent the day in surgery. He needed a new valve in his heart, an aorta repaired, and a leak closed. Today he's doing okay but will be in intensive care for a couple of days before moving to a regular room. I'm pretty sure that the kids would like a fully repaired Grandpa more than anything for Christmas, so if you could spare a little prayer we'd sure appreciate it.
I hope that you are keeping calm and relaxed this week before the big day. It's a great time of year for tasty goodies and hot chocolate so please partake! I'll be sharing my knitted gifts in a couple of days - as soon as Dad's socks are done. I've even managed a little something for myself. I hope you have, too.

Thanks

As I sit here on Black Friday , I'm amazed at the nesesity of "things" for Christmas. There is nothing that I want so badly that will get me up to shop at 4. Today I am thankful that my family loves and appreciates the things that I knit for them. Much like a prayer shawl, I think positivity, love, and good health into each stitch in their new socks. My mom has expressed her wish for socks for every gift occasion because she loves them so much. My brother has requested a pair for a friend due to his own enjoyment of the pair he got last year. THey all know that a pair of handknit socks aren't on sale for four hours before the sun comes up.
I'm also thankful for all of you, dear readers. You've put up with much inconsistancy on my part. I'm blessed to have you.
Why has it been so long since my last video? Well, I've had a bout of accident-prone-itis like you wouldn't believe. In fact, the scar on my finger from the skirmish with a pair of scissors will probably be with me for the rest of my life. I hope that I've injured myself enough for the next several months and won't have to be afraid of sharp tools or hot food - don't ask.
Khloe wants to learn how to sew clothing. What books or videos should I look for? She most likely won't be patient enough for me to help her but maybe something from a professional would be worth her time. She's been watching Project Runway when it's on and would like to learn how to make pretty dresses. Are there learning tools from the show? I'm sure a day or two with Gigi Knitmore would be the best teacher - but Gigi is in baby mode right now - yay for babies! I'll just have to keep reminding the girl child that patience and practice are the best way to learn.
I'm off to have a turkey sandwich and pumpkin pie. Have a wonderful weekend!

The Amazing Blueberry Sweater

I don't usually knit for my kids. They tend to grow faster than I can get things finished. However, Khloe doesn't have a lot of cold-weather clothes so I knit up the sweater she's been asking for since she joined Ravelry. She's named it the Amazing Blueberry Sweater and has worn it three times since it's been done.
In other news, due to a medical situation in the family I won't be going to the Knittin in the Mitten retreat. I'm so upset. I really wanted to meet Coggie and learn all of the things that a big group of fiber lovers can teach. I have a local knitting group, but we only meet every couple of weeks and sometimes I can't get there. I've never been on a vacation since I've been an adult, either, so getting away would be so nice. I keep telling myself that there will be another chance.
Several of the podcasts that I listen to have book reviews. A recent one has me wondering about some things. Sometimes I wonder if people get good or bad reviews based on who they are and how popular they are. There's a podcast that I quit listening to because she offended me, but she's very popular. She has a book out that's getting great reviews - but I won't be buying it because I don't want to support her. Have books become big sellers that have been written by unknowns? People get famous somehow. No, I have no plans to be published. In fact, I haven't been inspired to buy any knitting books lately - except for the two that are almost $50 each. Do you think that sometimes a book gets bad reviews because of the author or publisher?
I've been having trouble with blogger lately. I can't seem to leave comments on most of the blogs I read. I get some sort of message about not having permission. I hope you all aren't having trouble, too.

Well....Poo

If you've seen my videos you know that I've been working on the Radian Yoke tee from Knitscene. Today I looked and realized that I had only one more skein left, so I decided to try it on. It looks terrible on me. So I frogged it. I've been knitting on this since June. I suppose I should have tried it long before now. Oh, well, you live and learn. Now I have the black sport weight cotton to make something else with - of course it will be another top.
Next week my boy child is having surgery on his leg. Sometime this week I'll hit the freaked out stress mode that I know is coming. I'll have to find some simple projects to work on since my brain will most likely be unable to concentrate on anything.
I'll let you know how things go for him, don't worry. Have a great week!

Episode Fifteen - Hello, September!

England Calling

By now you all know that I'm a bit of an Anglophile. Over the past month or so I've found some new British podcasts to enjoy. It started with the Plurk Podcaster Challenge. Miss Elle is a challenger, so I started listening. She led me to a podcast called Knit Spin Cake. Yes, cake. From there is A Playful Day and the Caithness Craft Collective. These ladies are all from different areas of Britain and have different accents and I love them.
Back to the Challenge for a moment. I got my pattern today. I can't say more than it's in fingering weight - but I'm excited to get to work on it in a couple of weeks. I'm kind of upset, though, about a few of the challengers. When asked who they would be watching they said only the popular few and just don't have time for the rest of us. The idea behind the challenge was supposed to be support for everyone. Maybe if the Popular Few would watch the rest of us the video world wouldn't be so cliquy.
My guitar lessons are going well. I really like playing and making music, even if it is rough right now. Sometimes it's tough to find practice time, what with the kids and the house and the whole food thing, but when I have time I make the most of it. I don't even mind the short nails!
I'm off for now. I'll be back soon with more news from the house of Bobbi.

Bouncing With Squees

If you watch my videos you remember that in episode ten I'm wearing my Doctor Who tee shirt. I sent a link to the podcast that I bought it from, Hoo in Who, who is sadly not yet linked on the right because I'm terribly bad and haven't updated the list in a while but will be very soon. Today I was listening to their latest episode (they talk about The Aztecs, an awesome First Doctor story) and the talk about me! They told the listeners to check out my video to see my work and see the tee. I couldn't be too loud because the kids were still sleeping, but boy am I excited. I probably will be smiling about it for, well, all day at least. You should watch the episode, though, just to see my Dalek.

Rough Times

For the past week or so I've been struggling with a really tough bout of depression. It's hit me completely out of the blue. Some great things have happened lately - a field trip to the Abraham Lincoln museum with the fourth graders, Khloe got an award for her great grades, and Erica graduated form high school - but nothing is shaking it. I'm trying to keep busy so my brain doesn't just grind itself into a black hole, but I could really use any support you could give. THanks.

Rain - Go Away!!

It's been raining for so long now that I don't remember warm sunshine. Know what else I don't remember? A clean, dry basement. Ours flooded - twice - last week. I have saved a little bt of my stash so far. I've lost, at least, two sewing machines and my beautiful Christmas tree. There's a ton to go through before I can get to the rest of my stash and see what's salvagable. I've stopped crying for now - we have a whole family room setup down there that's probably all ruined, not to mention the need to take apart woodwork and bleach the crap out of the walls to prevent any molding. I know I'll be crying more. Yesterday I made so many trips up and down the stairs that my legs don't want to work. My washer and dryer will be getting worked like crazy for a few days (better get some more detergent!) and the kids will be earning a few dollars tomorrow (no school - thank goodness). I thought about calling in for my counseling group tomorrow, but I think going would do me some good. The biggest problem? More rain in the forecast. Sometimes I really hate the weather.
Please send good thoughts if you can. I'll need the energy by the end of the week!

So Very Sad Today

One of the reasons that I'm sure there was Doctor Who in my childhood is a memory of Sarah Jane. She's the connection that I've always had with the show. I learned on Twitter this afternoon that she had passed away. I'm heartbroken. I had kind of hoped for more appearances on the show - and I'm barely familiar with her show. I'm going to spend some time with Netflix tonight, watching some of her Doctor and Sarah Jane adventures and missing her very, very much.

Bad Knitter!

I recently noticed something - my ravelry project page is months behind. It's terrible. The knitmeter is probably even less caught up. Apparently my brain thinks the project is done when the ends are woven in and forgets the "share it with everyone" part. Well, it's supposed to rain for a few days. Maybe having to stay inside will motivate me to take some pictures...that and writing myself a big note.

Wheel Shots

Yesterday afternoon was beautiful. I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and warmth by spinning out on the front porch. Khloe was taking pictures so here are a couple for you to enjoy.

Assistance Request

If you've watched the videos you know that there are some problems with the site. Because of the way that the video links, I have no idea how to do show notes. No surprise to regular blog readers - I don't know how to do nice links here, either. I could really use some help. I'm not a tecchie by any stretch of the imagination. I need tutorials best suited for great-grandparents - or if you were explaining it to, say, a character from a Victorian novel. For some reason the "helpful" videocasters on Plurk have ignored my requests for assistance many times. (I've not been invited to the virtual knit nights, either - am I too cool?)
I'm also on the lookout for some artwork. I'd love an opening scene to go with the misic I'll have soon (I'm going to spend a great deal of time on the podsafe music site) to use as an intro to the episodes instead of the image of me smiling on the couch. I have editing software to figure out, too, so by episode nine or ten everything should be awesome.
My biggest problem is itunes. I seem to be the only video not approved yet. It's very, very annoying to me. Do I need to brag about coffee or swear or something? (I don't drink coffee or swear, maybe that's the problem.) I hate trying to contact itunes. When I've had problems in the past it's been so frustrating for me just to get my message across that I usually quit trying. ( I still can't get my audiobooks to drag to my ipod - why?)
If you can assist in any way, please contact me. Maybe we can work something out.

I'm Not Surprised

This evening I took Khloe to see the Justin Bieber movie. I have enjoyed watching his videos with her and have heard that could see that he's very talented. The movie is quite interesting and entertaining. Justin was an adorable little boy. The videos of him playing drums as a toddler are too cute to describe. He seems like a very honorable and focused young man. There were only a few of us in the theater - and I prefer it that way. Khloe wasn't too shy to sing along and she wasn't alone. On our left was a little boy (maybe five or so) who was having a great time singing and dancing. I'm really considering buying Justin's accoustic CD to practice guitar to - the scenes of him playing inspired me to learn some of his songs. The only criticism I have is this - Justin needs to pull his pants up. The saggy jeans look is old.
That's all I have for today - it's late and I need to get some rest. Check the movie out if you're at all interested in his music or his phenomenon.

Lawn Art

The other day Eric and I were sitting quietly and watching Dalek, an episode of Doctor Who from 2005. After a few minutes I told him about sites that tell how to make daleks and how people take them to conventions and then it hit me - how about a couple of daleks in the yard? Wouldn't they be great? I would especially love it if they could keep the neighbor's dog from using our lawn as a potty - and other people's children from walking through thinking it's okay to get from their house to Kmart or Shake Shack without asking (I don't like strangers in the back yard while my girl is in the pool or something). Needless to say, he wasn't as excited about the idea as I was. Maybe I'll just build a dalek with a cupboard bottom for kitchen storage - and add some sort of lights to make it more fun and scifi. Or maybe I'll just make one of those cool dalek dresses so my geekiness can be worn all over the place!

Oh, The Frustration

The other day Khloe came home from school very, very upset. She'd not done well on a math test and was worried that I would be disappointed. I really wasn't upset. It must be hard for a ten-year-old to do algebra. I have gotten a bit frustrated with her lately, though. She's asked me to teach her how to knit, so I did. She worked on a few rows and quit. She says it's too hard. I told her that if she really wants to do it she needs to practice. She doesn't want to practice - she wants to be good right away at everything she tries. So, fine. Don't knit. I wasn't forcing her to, anyway. Last week I started a video podcast. (I'll link it in the sidebar.) Tonight I got the episode up - yay! - and showed it to her. Guess what? She wants to start knitting again so she can record with me. Sigh.

Videos

Khloe has been asking me to make a video podcast with her and we recorded Monday night. I'm having such a hard time getting it to upload anywhere that I'm close to throwing my computer against the wall. I need someone to come over here and help me. I'm not a computer person. I can make loads of things and love working with my hands. Code is not my thing. Hardware, software, any kind of "ware" isn't legible for me. If any of you can come over, call, draw pictures, or help in any way that uses no technical language I would greatly appreciate it.
I'm going to work on what does speak to me - yarn and fiber. I don't have pictures right now because it's all on the video.

More Spinning

This is the braid of fiber that I got in the Camp Half-Blood KAL/SAL. We took a quiz to see who our God parent was and wrote a bit about ourselves, then Jess dyed up yarn or fiber specifically for us. I was very surprised to see so much green - after all, I'm not much of a green fan. After thinking about it, though, it makes sense. I enjoy being outside and working with my plants. The braid is six ounces and super soft. I almost didn't want to spin it - almost. But spin it I did.

I wound up with a bit over 1000 yards of fingering to lace weight yarn. I've kept the skeins in order so I can knit it up in the same progression that it came ffrom the braid. I plan on making a pi shawl - something simple yet open to show off the colors.

I can't thank Jenny enough for selling the wheel to me. When I spin I feel like everything in the world is okay. My mind relaxes and I work on instinct. It's like meditation, only easier and productive. I feel like as long as I'm behind the wheel nothing bad can happen in the world. I really need to thank her for soothing my soul and invigorating my spirit, too - but there really is no way to pay her back for that.

Have I Mentioned

How much I adore Coggie from the High Fiber Diet podcast? She sounds like such a fun, exciting person to be around. I really wish I could go to her retreat in November. Maybe if I start saving now....
Also, if anyone has beads left over that they don't want, please keep me in mind. Maybe we could work something out. Thanks!

A Splash of Color

Here are a few skeins that I've spun on the new wheel. They're not perfect, but I'm pleased with how they've turned out. There's enough of each to make a small project. Right now I'm working on a braid that was custom-dyed for me. I'll share it when I have more done.

Stay safe, my loves!