Age of Brass and Steam - Lakeside

I've now tried to start my Mom's birthday present three times. First, the shawl that I chose was going far too slow (the weight of the yarn was wrong, so I set it aside). Second time around, I managed to choose an appropriate pattern and a yarn that was in the perfect colorway, but unfortunately it contained 50% wool (a fiber she can't wear). So I've started again, using the same pattern (The Age of Brass and Steam pattern) and a 100% acrylic yarn in a deep, midnight blue. I'm midway through the second repeat of the stockinette stitch pattern. Pictures to follow.

Victories

I'm more than half-way through the TTL Mystery Sock pattern. I've down-sized the Cigar pattern to a glove that will fit my tiny little girl hand. That project is halfway done. I'm going (come hell or high water) to finish the gray stockinette stitch socks tonight.

And I earned a perfect score on my last Pharmacology exam, a first for me in the professional division. I can't believe that it's real. :D

I also successfully taught my boyfriend how to drive a standard transmission in a single evening. He drove his new car (a Chevy Cavalier) to work today.

Michigan, Fall Break 2010

I'm currently in Pt. Sanilac, Michigan for fall break. Mom and I went to look at vacation homes up here today. I'm thoroughly exhausted.

I have one repeat of the Little Trowels chart of the TTL Mystery Sock 2010 (sock #1, haven't even cast on the second one yet...that's for tomorrow). I'll be caught up by Friday, hopefully. I should probably learn how to do Kitchener stitch at some point.

I'm knitting yet another Felicity hat, because I currently have three socks in progress and I need something simple and straightforward. The yarn I'm using is Red Heart Boutique Eclipse, a worsted weight yarn (65% acrylic, 25% wool, 10% nylon) in colorway Tidal Wave. I'm up to the decreases on it, so it's nearly finished.

While I have enjoyed break, I can't wait to go home and have some time to myself. I've been surrounded by people 24/7 since I arrived at 3 AM on Friday night. All I want right now is to curl up on my couch with a cup of tea, my knitting and a movie.

Lee was supposed to come up earlier today, but his aunt came to visit from New York and he stayed behind to visit with her. I haven't seen him in a week. His friends hate me because he spends all of his time with me. What's the point?

I am very, very tired of this crap.

Making...a post of two days

So here's the post I apparently started writing yesterday:

So, today is turning out to be a pretty epic day for making things. For starters, I made an owl following this tutorial: http://moonstitches.typepad.com/photos/tutowlrial/index.html. I'm really pleased by this little dude, even though he lacks eyes (because I lack buttons). I picked up some gorgeous fabric to make a skirt out of, and I have several other little garb projects that I'm working on diligently.

I'm knitting Amanda a hat following the Shroom pattern from Knitty.com. It's a quick knit, and a hat that I particularly like so I figured that she would enjoy it as well. It's nearly done.

I'm going to be ordering some essential oils and other goodies from Atlantic Spice with my mom soon. On the agenda for Christmas presents: lip balm, lotion, bath oil and bath salts.

I bought some cotton dishcloth yarn today to knit dishcloths for Christmas presents. I'm thinking about knitting up little soap pouches for the soap that I've already purchased for presents. Also on the agenda: painting and decorating candles.

Random to-do item: crochet ties for the living room curtains. I get excellent sunlight for most of the day and could do without having the overhead light on all the time but the damn curtains won't stay open. I'm going to fix this.

Laundry.

And here's the stuff for today:
I declared my minors and filled out my application for graduation. Also emailed DW about my project for this fall. All and all, I'm getting a lot done today. I need to study some pharmacology.

Also, I need to do some toxicokinetics homework. :P

Also, I finished Amanda's hat yesterday. It's really cute. I'm well pleased.

Also, I made an owl yesterday. I need to make another one to accompany Amanda's hat and something else.

Lee is sick. I hope that I don't catch whatever he has.

I need to keep up with the online portion of my flash fiction class. Blarg.

Gift Knitting

I've been making lists of things that I'll need to start making if I'm going to have everything done for Christmas. As it stands, though, I have two belated birthday presents to get out before I become a thoroughly bad daughter/friend. Mom's shawl is about 2/3rds of the way done. I just cast on a hat for Amanda. The hat will only take me perhaps a day to complete (I have class and an APO meeting later tonight).

Oh, by the way, I'm currently a pledge of APO. It's a co-ed service fraternity. I'm very excited to be involved with this organization, though it is eating up a decent amount of my free time now.

I have not yet cast on my TTL Mystery Socks (2010 edition). I've cast on the second gray stockinette stitch socks that I've been working on (the completed mate to this sock is the first sock that I have successfully finished and I sat around yesterday for hours wearing just the one finished sock - because I'm awesome like that).

My boots are about ready to give out. I desperately need a new pair. I'm open to suggestions.

I absolutely have to get some work done before I have to go back to school for Flash Fiction. Pictures will be taken soon.