A Black Black Day

It is a black, black day in my world today. This weekend, as you all know, was the NFL draft. So far as I can tell my beloved Steelers did alright. Who can really tell for sure at this point, but they always pick very smartly. But the reason that today is a day of mourning, is that somehow, beyond my comprehension, the Browns were able to finagle 2 first round picks. And who did they choose with that second pick??? None other than Brady Quinn, former quarterback to Notre Dame. This is unacceptable. I would have been fine with Brady going anywhere but to Cleveland.

Wait a minute, don't I live in Cleveland?? I'm sure you're all asking how a girl born and raised in Cleveland is a Steelers fan. Simple, my dad is originally from Pittsburgh, and we were not permitted to live in his house and be Browns fans. So why do I not want to see Brady in Cleveland? Most people will assume that it's because I don't want my team to have to compete against him, that I'm afraid that he'll beat the Steelers. Not so. I don't want him in Cleveland because they don't have anything that resembles an NFL offensive line, which means that poor Brady is in for a beating, every Sunday. So in two years time, he'll be injured and burnt out and will never reach his full potential.

Now, why do I care so much about Brady Quinn? Simple, I am also a huge Notre Dame fan. So I want the boys who graduate from ND to do well.

So today is a black black day. And come The first Sunday of September, my Steelers are going to have a field day with poor Brady, if he starts, and run him into the ground. So sad.

A Brief History of Knitting (according to me)

Once upon a time, let's say the summer of 2002, my sister Ellen, and a friend decided that they wanted to learn how to knit. So they bought a kit and "learned." So, she was excited and wanted to teach me. I said alright and went with it. I was intrigued. So I went out and bought a small pamphlet thingy that described the basics of knitting. Soon, I moved onto purling, with a little help from my mom. My sister was a little irritated. Then I said, heck, I wonder how easy it is to crochet?! So I went out a bought a kit, and in the course of an afternoon had taught myself to crochet. And seeing as it's easier and faster to crochet, I dropped the knitting needles and went on a whirlwind of afghan making.

For the next three years, I always had a blanket in progress, if not more than one. I made hats and mittens and scarves for my roommates the first year, but after that I stuck to blankets. Needless to say, I ran out of people to make afghans for. So last spring, I went out and bought "Stitch'n'Bitch". And from that, I taught myself to knit, again. But this time, I learned to hold the yarn in the left hand, which seemed to me, so much easier, and more natural. I don't know it's because I did so much crocheting or that I just think it goes faster. And so, for the past year, I have had at least one project on my needles at any given time. My mother thinks it's unhealthy to have so many unfinished projects, but her friend who is a knitter says that it's completely normal. And in the various blogs of knitters that I've read, I think that only having 2 or 3 projects at a time is pretty good.

To this point I have made this: the "Berry Tart" hat from Knitty's website (isn't my goddaughter Kaylee the cutest!!!!) I know it's not the best pic of the hat itself, but it's the best of her in the hat.

And this:

My brother Tommy showing his displeasure at my asking for him to try on the camouflage beanie. He's a Marine stationed in Okinawa and it was like 75 degrees that evening.

My biggest achievement thus far has been: the Samus sweater from Knitty. This is my wonderful cat, Maddie, luxuriating in the pure, undyed, sheepy-ness of the sweater. It seriously smells like the wool was just shorn from the sheep, it's natural wool color. So, think of that when purchasing wool, the dyed stuff has at least been washed.

I have yet to block the sweater, I don't know what I'm waiting for exactly. I am a little afraid due to the fact that I don't know how to block exactly. I can read the directions, but in each book or magazine I read, they outline a different method, so I'm not quite sure which to do. I'll get around to it eventually. Not in too big of a hurry, hopefully spring has finally come to northeast Ohio.

Hello

Hooray! First blog. I never thought that I would reach this point, never thought that I would end up with a blog of my own. I resisted even reading my sister's for the first six months of it's existence because I thought it gave her an excuse not to call and talk to me. She expects everyone to read her blog to know what's going on in her life. I hope not to fall into that trap. I'm thinking that this will end up revolving around the things that take up most of my time - my job, which is athletic trainer to a rich private high school (that I don't think I'm allowed to mention the name of) through the Cleveland Clinic, and all of my various crafty projects. I am mostly into scrapbooking and knitting, but occasionally delve into the realms of jewelry making and crocheting.

I don't have much to talk about job-wise at the moment. Today everything got rained out and they cancelled the baseball tournament that was supposed to take place tomorrow already. Very excited at the prospect of a free Saturday. There haven't been very many lately. I do have to put in an appearance at an open house sometime tomorrow afternoon. My best friend's husband graduated from the Cleveland police academy today and so they are celebrating tomorrow. Very gald that he's finally out of the academy. I've gotten quite tired of hearing his "squats to pee" stories. Don't ask, I actually forgot the true story a while ago, but they keep mentioning references to it and I nod accordingly. Let's just say that he likes to shoot things in the head. So, if ever in Cleveland and in a situation where a cop is telling you not to move your hands, don't move them. He will shoot you in the head.

Knit-wise, I am currently working on a pair of socks (the first sock is done and the second is started), a sweater for afore-mentioned best friend Bridget (haven't gotten so far, but c'mon, 19 inches of stockinette stitch is nothing if not boring), and most recently a couple of small animals to be stuffed and sewn for my gorgeous nephew Charlie, who happens to be 2 and loves "Happy Feet", so is getting a penguin.

Scrap-wise, I need to begin the scrapbook for my other nephew, Elliott, who will be one in June. I did a scrapbook for Charlie's first birthday and I think it's kind of expected for Elliott. Hopefully, I'll get some help with it though, I'm hoping to use it as a way to spend more time with my sister-in-law, Peggy, so that we can get to know each other better. Can't start without photos though, and we don't have many of Elliott that aren't of him lying on the floor, or sitting on a blanket, or sitting with dad (my brother Paul). So that makes for a very boring scrapbook. Paul is supposed to be getting pics to me soon. Hopefully, I can get something that resembles and entire book together by the time E's birthday rolls around.

Okay, so this got kinda long. I hope to get pictures up as soon as I figure out how and do all sorts of other stuff eventually. We'll see how good I am at this blogging stuff.