I have requested that Chrysta bring Joe Flanigan back from DragonCon for me. I cannot think of a better souvenir. Sadly, I fear that I may be let down on this request (though I'm sure Chrysta will give it her best shot).

This weekend has been a doozy. Thursday was a super stressful day, between some work stuff and then some dog stuff. Poor Kaylo made himself so stressed out over his parents' going away that he made himself sick, and as I was so swamped with work stuffs, poor Chrysta and Corey had to try to make arrangements for him to get to a vet and get checked out from the airport in Atlanta. He's doing much, much better now. I just think maybe he has some abandonment issues or something. Also, apparently my jeans has a flavor, as he is determined to lick them to death. Do not want. These are my new jeans!

I made plans to go on a Saturday morning hike with a co-worker, forgetting all about New Belgium's Tour de Fat. So I missed out on that, but had a brilliant time hiking up a little trail in the Roosevelt National Forest. We also stopped in the Colorado Cherry Company store (so much damage to be done there) and the Dam Store (less damage). And then we grabbed lunch at 3 Margaritas in Loveland and I returned to Fort Collins to do a little shopping, visit with the Vera, and then return to the doggies.

I bought purple Urban Decay eyeliner and mascara (and now I want this Book of Shadows business, too... darn you website!), as well as some silver nail polish at Sephora. Have I mentioned that there's a Sephora and an Ulta within walking distance of one another? It's no good, people. no good. And then I went to Lambspun and managed to walk out of there with only a lighter drop spindle (25g as opposed to my 79g spindle -- hopefully I can get some thinner plies with this one) and a niddy noddy and buttons for the sweater I'm working on. That store is a dangerous store. Okay, most yarn stores are pretty dangerous to me.

Today I had big plans for getting up, chilling with the dogs for a while before heading back to my house to hang out with Vera and get some stuff done. All was well until I got home, around 10:30, at which point I promptly passed out for about four hours. Vera napped with me, so I guess that was quality time. I eventually got up, watched last week's Project Runway (IMO, wrong person won, but right person went home).

So now I'm back over with the dogs and after a couple of hours of random barking and general doggie behavior, they're both sleeping on the couch behind me. One of them is snoring. I had brought my True Blood Season 1 DVDs with me, intending to knit and listen to the commentaries...but I didn't bring any yarn. I had yarn in my purse for a project that I need to work on, but didn't bring my purse (only my wallet). And I have a project here that I have been working on, but forgot to grab another ball of yarn. So I may have to actually just sit and watch the show... or figure out some other way to entertain myself because I don't think my hands can stay still that long.

edit: Chrysta, I borrowed your Zombie Survival Guide. Maggie curled up next to me while I was reading it, and then Kaylo got bored and laid half on me and Maggie and kept his back legs on the floor. I'm sure you wanted to know that.

I may go into Boulder tomorrow to hit up a shopping center with another co-worker. Gotta find a replacement khaki skirt, and I may buy some bright yellow cropped pants at Gap if they have them. Yellow pants are so in right now--go pick up the latest copy of Lucky and you'll see. *nods*

Oh snap! Apparently season 4 DVDs of Criminal Minds come out soon. *happy dance*

HELLO WORLD. Man, it feels weird to not post as frequently as I'm used to. I got a bit out of the habit when I was packing/moving/internet-less, but now it's just kind of weird. The job is going extremely well, keeping me super busy and occupied and I LOVE IT. My brain has been hurting every evening, because I'm literally not used to using it as much (I mean, it was definitely not taxed for a year and a half).

I've been keeping pretty busy still. ( My adventures in Colorado, so far. )

THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE HAPPY, SUPPORTIVE WORDS. I'm really excited, although right now I'm really just exhausted.

Some details: My title will be Assistant Editor, and I'll be working on a variety of projects in different forms of media (print, TV, electronic). My last day with this company is June 30, and my first day with at the new job is July 13. THAT'S NOT FAR AWAY. I literally have 2 weeks to get everything packed and ready to move before I start driving out there. Of course, in the mean time, I still have to go to work every day for 4 more days--okay, 3 and a half as of this posting--, go to Orlando on Sunday to see some friends who are visiting from out of state, go back to Orlando on Monday night for the Jenny Lewis concert with turalu_21 (a more prudent person than I would skip it, but I need some C-time, I've been looking forward to this show for months, and I've never seen Jenny on her own), take Vera to the vet to get her shots up to date, drive across the state to my parents' house for my grandmother's memorial service and family time, and then drive back and load the pod. All told, I'll have three full days of packing, and that's it. Obviously I have evenings and half days here and there, but whew.

My mother is coming over this Saturday to help with the packing efforts, and I've already started a bit myself, but man. A smidge overwhelmed.

Thankfully I don't have to immediately worry about finding a place to live, because myras_girls and her delightful hubby have volunteered some space at their domicile. The one concern I have with that is the fact that Vera is a diva and she gets riled up around other animals, but hopefully she will either a) learn to coexist peacefully with other beings or b) learn to love being cooped up in one room.

I've been trying to make a mental list of things that are going to have to go in the car with me (and my mom and Vera). I'm torn, because I won't have a lot of room for yarn paraphernalia, but I am also going to have to go at least a few weeks without access to any of the stuff I put in the pod, so... I have to plan that carefully. I'm thinking about taking the yarn and magazine for the next large project I have in mind (the Elemental Boatneck pullover from the Summer IK issue), as well as the yarn for my mom's blanket (note to self: wind yarn) and a couple of skeins for socks (one sock I'm test knitting, one sock I'm "re-designing", whatever is still on the needles at the time). Money will be tight so I can't just buy more yarn until I can get to my stash! Clearly I'm going to need more projects in the project box. Meep.

I also am figuring out the reading material situation. I plan on setting aside whatever Harry Potter books I don't finish before I leave, but as I just finished Chamber of Secrets last night and will likely start on Prisoner of Azkaban today at lunch or dinner before knit night... well, at least Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, and Half-Blood Prince are fairly long.

See, this would be a good time to have a Kindle. They take up much less space.

Please, when I lament about the fact that I have all of this stuff with me, everyone just keep your mouths shut and don't point out the fact that it's really only about 3 and a half days of trading off driving with my mother and I'm packing entertainment items like it's 3 months. The yarn is the important thing, though, I'm sure I can find other entertainment for myself until I can access my boxes.

I'm leaning towards throwing in my Sandman volumes. They're skinny.

( entirely unrelated MGG pics )

My grandmother passed away early this morning. She was a loving and wonderful woman. Many years ago, she first taught me to knit. She cast on some stitches for me and showed me how to knit, but what I really remember is that for some reason, she couldn't remember how to bind off. So we both were just knitting to two together for row after row until we only had one stitch left.

She wanted to be cremated, and a memorial service will be held in a month or so when my aunt and her family and my cousin can make it into town. Hopefully it will be held before I move anywhere, but I'll deal with that if/when I have to.

Pajama Day* is in full effect. CSI: New York is on the TV, and I have the third disc of Season 1 from Netflix. There's knitting work to be done, and yarn has been ordered to knit a new top. Damned yarn stores and moving sales. It's really hard to pass up 30% off yarn to make a top.

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day doing whatever makes you happy while keeping the service men and women who have died to protect our freedoms in your thoughts.

*Pajama Day: Day in which pajamas are worn exclusively and leaving the house is to be avoided as much as possible. Exceptions include leaving the house for Starbucks breakfast because you woke up at 4 AM; however, pajamas must stay on, although bra and cardigan can be added.

Ah ah ah so much to do so not enough time need LISTS.

Friday:
-Wind yarn for February Lady Sweater
-Swatch for February Lady Sweater
-6:45 pre-wedding/post-hellish week pedicure (OMGYAY) (OMG should probably do a quick shave, even though legs aren't that bad)
-Work on Alice socks
-Block Kate's scarf so it can start drying

HO LOOK AT THAT PRODUCTIVITY PEOPLE AND IT'S NOT EVEN 8:30. I even cast on and knit the first three rows of the FLS. I amaze myself. Also, my legs are soft and smooth and toenails are a pretty orangey-pink for summer.

Saturday:
-Work on commissioned Baby Booties
-Work on Alice socks
-Photoshoot at the beach for Michelle's maternity photos (so nervous! I don't know a lot about portrait shooting)
-Possible trip to Joann's for knitting needles and buttons for baby booties
-CLEAN
-Catch up on TV, preferably while working on one of those knitting projects
-Beta one chapter of the two in my queue

Sunday:
-Star Trek in the AM for cheap, because if I don't see it this weekend I'll probably forget all about it until it comes out on DVD
-MORE KNITTING
-MORE CLEANING
-Beta the other chapter
-maybe laundry?

Monday:
-Work
-Post office at lunch to mail Kate's scarf, baby booties, pick up postcard stamps (OH HEY THAT REMINDS ME)
-WW meeting
-MORE KNITTING

Tuesday:
-Work
-Leave work early for hair cut (should probably tell boss about that, oops!)
-Laundry if it wasn't done Sunday
-Make packing list
-Re-block Chrysta's shawl

Wednesday:
-Work
-Bring Office Amy to my apartment to show her where Vera's food and whatnot are kept (REMEMBER TO GIVE HER THE KEY)
-PACK
-Watch Criminal Minds to make sure they don't do what the preview threatens (because I am obviously in a position to "fix" it if it does...)

Thursday:
-Wake up early, get ready, drive to Orlando, get on plane, forget about everything for five whole days

It's probably not such a bad thing that I seem to have a bit of insomnia right now, eh?

+ Five more working days until I'm on a plane to Colorado.
+ Tomorrow is pay day.
+ I bought a book full of crochet square patterns, despite the fact that the only crochet squares I've made involves a lot of single crochet.
+ Finished knitting myras_girls' shawl and I'm in love with it. Not so in love with it that I'm going to keep it for myself, but I am super proud of it and I hope Chrysta finds many occasions to wear it. Because sparkly, lacy shawls are totally for every day wear. :D
+ New Criminal Minds and CSI: New York tonight. I opted to come upstairs and save them for another day (and avoid commercials).
+ First disc of CSI: New York came in today (along with Alvin and the Chipmunks, shut up). I watched the first two episodes, and I have to say, I'm really glad they abandoned the dark filter they either shot or processed with. Blech.
+ The other skein of yarn that I won came in the mail today, and it's pretty. I'd post a picture but I'm a bit lazy. Maybe tomorrow.
+ Vera is softly snoring at the end of the bed. I tell you, small creatures, like cats, dogs, and babies, are adorable when they snore. Full grown humans, not so much.

I do have to share one negative thing, and that is this: my mother's idea of covering up my knee while wearing pants was a good one, in that it kept my pants from scraping against my wound. However, this needs to be modified somewhat, because pulling off said bandage this afternoon? Not fun.

It seems that many people that I care about are having a really crap time with things right now. Family illnesses, employment troubles, etc. To everyone on my flist, whether you're struggling to stay afloat or not, give yourself a big hug from me.

In completely unrelated news, I do not have a dreamwidth account, nor do I have any immediate plans to get one, so I do hope that those of you heading that way will come back to visit little old me from time to time.

In news that is even more unrelated, I have somehow magically become a magnet for "winning" yarn. First, a gal was having a blogiversary comment contest, and so by leaving a comment to her blog and having the stars align in such a fashion as to favor myself (and a few others), I won yarn. And then another gal who dyes and spins her own yarn was having a Knit/Crochet/SpinAlong contest, in which you entered by knitting or crocheting with one of her yarns, or spinning a roving that she had dyed. I knit up a little scarflet and entered into the competition, and once again the stars aligned and my number was drawn. So now I will be getting more prize yarn. PEOPLE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ME. I don't win things. I had become content with that fact and now it's out the window. My entire world, it is upside down.

I am so looking forward to the weekend. I'm going to attempt to hie myself to the gym tomorrow after seeing Wolverine at the early bird (read: cheap) showing. And I'm going to clean. And watch the special features of The Life Aquatic. And work on Chrysta's shawl. And maybe work on spinning up some more yarn. And possibly, just possibly, ignore all of that in favor of staying in bed all weekend. All of those options sound good to me.