12.23.06
Posted in The ins and outs...., Knitting.... at 2:30 pm by smarriott
Ah, it is that time, again. Time to pack up the dogs, say good bye to the cats and spend many-o-hours in the lovely wagon, eagerly awaiting family events. I really don’t mind road trips all that much. Something about being huddled in the car is slightly appealing to me. If it weren’t for the flattness of the Prairie State, I would be exstatic about all road trips. Well exstatic about everything, but the dreaded “Escape Pod.” Ooooh, how I loathe it. I’m not really sure what bugs me more: the crap-tastic stories or the endless droning of the host. Oh, I know I shouldn’t complain or use this medium for any ill-favored business, but something about the “wish-I-could-escape” pod just gets under my skin and makes me what t
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12.22.06
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 10:29 am by smarriott
I’m sure many of you are familiar with the website “Crazy Aunt Purl”. I, myself, am quite a fan. There is something about her posts that remind me of things I’ve done or would say, and scenarios I would find myself in or at least coach a friend through. Strangly enough, I find reading this site can really be considered the highlight of my day, overshadowed only by my new obsession with a television show that will remain nameless (to protect my psyche from merciless teasing by my avid readers). So as each day progresses I become more and more enamored by this site, but recently it has happened. “It” being that I have become the Great Imitator. I would feel ashamed of this were it not for the truth in the subtitle of this page and for my honest opinion that imitation is the greatest form of flattery (that being only if the idea is not snaked from you without proper credit). I, of course, do not feel snakey or scaley and strongly affirm that this is not my idea, therefore, it cannot be deemed as plagerism or anything of the sort. It is simply a good idea. Whew, I find that to be enough of a disclaimer to keep me from being penalized.
Now, you may be asking yourself, in what way have I become this alter ego? Well, my friends, it can be summed up as follows: I am contemplating the idea of taking a picture for everyday of the year, or by “Aunt Purl” doing the 365 project. That’s right, I feel that my days, and life really, are important enough to commit it to kodak paper. The exact parameters of this project are not defined, as of yet. It may end up to be a picture of myself like in the youtube.com video, which are remarkably intriguing, or simply a snapshot to chronical every day. One the one hand I find taking a picture of myself to be slightly depressing and vain, but on the other hand I think I might go mad trying to find the perfect picture to capture the day. I would then not take any pictures and would have to abandon the entire thing. I’m leaving it open for now, so as not to provoke anymore anxiety.
While this is the aim, I think it should be said that a more realistic perspective will probably be a picture of one, if not all of my pets 365 days of the year. I know, I know, PATHETIC! I have come to terms with it; along with the notion that what I think is cute, like making dog and cat sweaters, is in fact quite creepy to others (made abundantly clear by a certain Silberg).
Ultimately, I fear I will not become the Great Imitator, but the even sadder Want-to-be-but-not-quite-committed Imitator. Only time will tell, I guess.
In other news, I have been earnestly knitting, in between painting and work hours, but cannot post pictures of these creations. They are a bit confidential, if you know what I mean. Nothing dirty. Simply holiday related. I can show you the greatest thing since sliced bread (If you expect to find some life-altering “thing” by clicking that link I wouldn’t do it. I warned you!)….well, maybe not, but I do like it.
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12.15.06
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 12:33 pm by smarriott
Today the sun is shining brighter than ever. Why is it brighter, you ask? Well, my finals are over, as is a semester composed almost exclusively of chemistry, chemistry labs, and Anatomy & Physiology. I could not be happier to report that I no longer have to explain the process of urine formation, which enzyme begins the process of protein digestion, nor spit out every possible isomer, and its correct name, of the hydrocarbon pentane. Whew! That was even painful to write.
Gone are the days of lab partners that don’t read their experiments before class (and copy ALL of my answers). Gone are the constant sounds of test tubes breaking and the sickening smell of formaldehyde. Finally, gone are the days of dreaming about physiological processes and all of its terminologies! I believe I can now breathe a little easier, both literally and figuratively.
Now that this week of weeks is over, I find my self wondering why I am so relieved? I certainly didn’t study as much as I should have (which has really been a constant throughout my entire educational history). I spent most of my time intending to study and planning when to study, but ultimately knitting, doing crossword puzzles, annoying John, putting up things on this webpage (if you notice I have had a lot more posts recently….coincidence? I think not) and inevitably imitating Spudgy.
So since, my final’s week consisted of mostly piddling, what do I really have to be so relieved about? What burden could possible be lifted from my shoulders?
Well, I think it can be summed up as follows, I am now completely free to be as lazy as I want and as piddle-some as I can be without remorse. I can sleep until noon and I can knit and watch television all freaking night if I choose! (yes, yes, I admit I like that show…its so addicting…the drama, suspense, and end of the world excitement! But lets be honest I’ve never been one to have “good taste.”) I could clean, but I could always leave it until tomorrow. Ah, what a relief!
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12.12.06
Posted in Knitting.... at 7:09 pm by smarriott
UPDATE: So I consider myself to be an intelligent woman, most of the time. But it seems these days the little things make me feel so stupid. I have finally obtained a copy of the π sweater. Who knew you could just take a picture of the magazine picture with your camera, instead of finding the picture on the web! I certainly didn’t! SHESH!
Every so often my husband likes to come up with various new projects for me to do. There was the time he decided we should learn to make pumpkin pie from scratch (note how I said “we”), meaning I should learn to make pumpkin pie from scratch. Then there was the time he came up with a great ways to improve the “π sweater, by including the entire number sequence for π along the sleeves of the sweater” (sorry people, no pictures for the sweater…. I looked and looked), an excellent, but exhausting to think about, project. Then there was another time when he came up with a brilliant idea to create a crossword puzzle cookbook. Again, not a bad idea, however, this one banks on the notion that I am a) good at creating crossword puzzles and b) have a trove of cooking recipes that are not from the back of campbell soup cans.
Most recently, as in today, I have added fuel to this ever-burning flame by a mere email. It all started this morning as I was perusing the latest issue of Knitty.com. While scouring the patterns of this issue, one very special one caught my eye, most likely due to the fact that I have become trained at recognizing math and/or computer “things” much more readily than I would like to admit. Anyway, I saw it, pondered it, and promptly decided to send a joking email to my dear, sweet hubby. Little did I know it would be my DOOM!
No, you are not seeing things. It does indeed say “sweater.” Now I know what some of you may be saying to yourselves…”Listen, Mr. Crazy (my husband) your dear, sweet, gorgeous wife (me) just made you a sweater (that you don’t wear) and already has the yarn to create the ‘π sweater.’ What more do you need, man?” While you are, indeed, on the mark with these thoughts, he is not “Mr. Crazy”, but I am “Mrs. Crazy” and here is why…..I am considering this impossible venture. Thoughts?
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12.10.06
Posted in The ins and outs.... at 3:00 pm by smarriott
Well the hardwood is finished at last and my, my, my isn’t it grand. It amazing that this one project can add a whole new dimension to the room. You can’t even tell it was two separate rooms before. Hats of to these gentlemen for their hard work! Not only was it a long day of grueling bending and lifting and stapling, on their knees nonstop, but they were even up early to finish the job! I am impressed, indeed, as is Persephone. Whew! Now that that’s all done, as if I did much of it, I think I’ll take some advice from Wiley!
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12.09.06
Posted in The ins and outs...., Knitting.... at 5:19 pm by smarriott
Contrary to popular belief, I am not dead nor am I hibernating. Since my last post, many, many things have happened. I don’t even know where to start! Perhaps a chronological tour would be best……
On Thursday,November 30th a winter storm swept the MO-IL bi-state area and Edwardsville was pretty hard hit as far as ice goes. During the late, freezing, evening hours I shivered in my slippers as numerous creaking noises could be heard outside. One notable crash that night was a limb from our neighbors tree making contact with our lovely, newly-built, privacy fence. In the background you can see that the weight of this monstrosity was enough to instantly bend my tomato planters. Alas, now they are reduced to what I like to call creepy art. On the other hand, one could always say its an expression of man’s existential dilemma. Regardless of your artistic inclinations, I’m delighted by this new addition to the backyard, even if it means I’m doomed to less than perfect tomato plants for years to come!
Two thousand Edwardsvillians are still without power today and many are reduced to sign-making in the absence of television and video games. I feel perfectly legitimized in my insensitive mocking, as I did not lose a moment of my tv time and am therefore, far superior. The one good thing did come from this disastrous storm, I felt like I was living in “Edward Scissorhand’s” world where even the blades of grass were marvelous, ingenious sculptures, its a pity it only a few days. Ah, Johnny Depp…..
The next major event to hit the Marriott household is a new member! No, I am not with child, that being in the womb sense of the phrase, but have a lovely new surrogate pup. Murphy, our neighbor’s dog, greets me at the fence every evening when I return home, wags his tail, and gives me those adorable eyes. He has had quite the time on the town with Sigma and Wiley. I don’t think they will ever let us separate them again.
As we continue on our tour of our most recent series of events, I present to you some new construction. Thursday of this week I slapped up some primer and put the first coat of paint in our new kitchen. I must say, its very festive. I do, however, feel the need to salsa every time I enter the room! Just one more coat and it will be pure perfection.
Today has been quite a day for renovations, let me tell you. As we speak, my new hardwood floor is being installed by three of the handiest men. Joe is taking a break from hours of grueling bending and stapling. Levi, well, he had a hard job, too, this was a tough crowd to entertain. I’m jesting, of course! Levi was quite the handyman in fixing the damaged fence. Our spoiled pups now have their very owndoggy door!
Lastly, I have finished my recent knitting project, now named “Cha-cha.” I’m really hoping this piece is functional. Friday night I attempted to subject Nicodemus to yet another one of my torturous sweaters. He was obviously less than amused. Coincidentally, he has managed to put himself out of my reach today, so as not to be photographed? Let’s pray for all of our sakes it’s not so.
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