All right, let's see if this works...

I just spent several hours playing IT guru.

I now realize it's easier being a doctor.

Hopefully, I have upgraded my Movable Type successfully....let's see how it goes....If your comment somehow doesn't get posted, don't take it personally. I'm still trying to figure out the spam filters on this new edition. So far, it appears to be pretty aggressive. That's a good thing. My penis doesn't need enlargement.

Or existence, for that matter.

And you thought I could keep from starting another project

Yeah, like that's ever gonna happen. I decided my fingers needed a cable break, so I dug into that three skeins of wool this week and embarked on a new project. Here's where I am:

For those who haven't seen the pattern, it's the beginning of a felted bag featured in the latest issue of Knitters. The quilt block has a number of names, but one is Ohio Star. See any similarities?

That's my Buckeye Bruin quilt that hangs in the craft room. OK, so I'm a little stuck on colors. It looks good, don't it??

Anyhow, I'm doing the bag in Cascade EcoWool (that's the beige) and Harrisville worsted. I'm hoping the felting doesn't get all wonky with two different brands of yarn. If so, Grady could have another cat bed to attack.

I also got some work done on a sock during the Browns latest debacle on Sunday. I'm working with Socks that Rock yarn that I got at Stitches West back in February.

This is nice stuff, but I think I'm deep down much more fond of Opal. Maybe it's the German heritage.

Now I have a sudden hankerin' for a bier.

It's starting to become a reality

The new practice, that is. I received my contract offer yesterday--very fair, and with the bonus structure, should be pretty lucrative. I'll be signing soon. Today's little taste of reality was my hour and a half with the practice valuation guy. This sweet old guy named Howard wandered all over my office after I was done with patients this morning and took note of every little thing "of value" that I have there. Thank goodness I held onto the invoices from when I started things up 6 years ago!

It was definitely bittersweet to observe the beginning of the end of solo practice. I know that this is the right thing for me right now, but it was nice to be on my own for a while.

I'll be much happier when I see that first paycheck. MUCH happier.

Thanks to all for the kind words about Kato. We're moving on here without too much trouble. I've tossed Kato's old cat bed (she wasn't using it anyhow) and knitted a new one for Grady. He seems to like it.

That cat hasn't missed Kato at all. The little bastard. What's interesting is that he is continuing to use the catbox Kato used exclusively (I have two next to each other). "His" box is waste-free. I'm sure some cat sociologist can make sense of that, but I can't.

As for the knitting, the cables are coming along:

If I can keep focused, I should be able to finish the back this week. Of course, I may be distracted by the mystery project that will be using up this lovely wool:

Any ideas what I may be up to?? It's a new published pattern...that's all the clue I'm giving out at the moment.

I suck. Yes, I know. It's one of my strengths.

Kato

When I came home from work yesterday, I found Kato weak and dry heaving and in definite pain. She wouldn't even eat ice cream. Now, she has been tiring for the past few weeks, so I knew things were about to go south, but I didn't expect it so suddenly.

At the vet this morning, we found out that she had lost three pounds in the past year, and he discovered a mass in her belly and a small kidney. After weighing the options, none of which were good, I decided that it was time to give her the peace she deserved. It was hard to say goodbye, but it was the right thing to do.

Came home and gave Grady a big hug.

Goodbye, friend.

October is National Completion Month...here at least

There is one more item to complete, but I think I'll wait until a TV evening that doesn't include Lost and The Nine. Tonight needs to include a project that doesn't require a lot of sight to get done (I do love being able to knit stockinette by feel...allows me to stare at the boob tube without feeling like I didn't accomplish anything). So, with an hour to spare, I finished up the Buckeye Cardigan, which will be on my body at work on Friday:

I really heart this sweater. The colors are perfect, the yarn is yummy, and it was easy to do. Not to mention I can look like an Ohio State fan at work without dogging it in a sweatshirt. Class all the way, baby.

Speaking of completion, the final cog in the bathroom machine has been placed:

That's the old mirror with a little stone spray paint over a base of a very light sage (which looks beige to me anyhow). It completes that room like you wouldn't believe. I need to put the door back on, but I figure that can wait until I actually have company. The cats don't seem to care if I use the facilities with the door gone.

They're very Bohemian that way.

A beautiful weekend...snow's in the forecast for Thursday

I do love fall. The trees are looking great, the air is crisp, the apples are yummy, and football is on TV. Of course, with fall comes one inevitable truth:

It's coming.

The meteorologists around town are all cheeky about the possibility of snow this week. Last time I looked, we weren't even halfway through October yet! ARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!

San Francisco is less than a month away. They'll probably have to de-ice my plane if this keeps up. And I do so love sitting through a de-icing letting my panic attack ripen.

OK, so I did get some stuff done this weekend. My lawnmower, which has been announcing the arrival of a new Pope for the last two months, made it through what is likely to be the final mowing of the year. I'm guessing it's on its last legs, but it has been a good mower for 10 years. Of course, my Dad hasn't gotten hold of it yet...it may have another decade in it that I don't know about yet.

I also started work on the final detail of the bathroom (thanks for all the nice comments, by the way!). Here's the first step on the last step:

Another nice use of PostIts. I was initially trying to slide masking tape under that edge, but the PostIts worked so much better. I'll spare you the further prep work...suffice it to say the mirror is drying in my garage as we speak.

When football hit the airwaves, I hit the knitting. The Buckeye Cardigan almost got sleeves, but I didn't feel like doing it. I did start the finishing on the mystery project I haven't mentioned over the past week or so:

This is a simple cardigan using a free Berroco pattern knit up with that sparkly stuff my Mom got me for Christmas last year. Size 10.5 needles rock after you've been using 4's and 6's on the last project. Up close, you can see the sparkles:

It's going to be one toasty sweater.

I also decided to start something new when the sparkles were blocking. I grabbed the wool I bought at the Lismore Sheep Farm in Nova Scotia last summer and started on a pullover:

And a crappy close-up:

I'm using one of the patterns from Carole Wulster's Cables Without A Cable Needle booklet. It's a lot easier than it looks: every cable row is either row 3 or 7, and the pattern is quick to visualize. It's actually pretty fun to do...then again, I found redoing the bathroom to be fun....

Your mileage may vary.

After all of that, Grady is wiped:

OK, Ohioans, we need to get this word out!

I am anti-smoking, period. Hate the smell on my clothes when I'm in a restaurant, hate how it makes my lungs feel, hate how it invades my space.

Those of you who smoke out there, sorry, but I don't want that shit near me.

So, Ohio has finally put a smoking ban on the ballot for this November. Problem is, so has the tobacco lobby. Issue 4, for a "Smoke Less Ohio," basically leaves things as they are, but it also is a Constitutional amendment, meaning it supercedes any clean air acts that have been passed by Ohio cities up to this point. That's the lovely issue that RJ Reynolds is pushing. Issue 5, for a "Smoke Free Ohio," is the one that needs to pass--it basically turns Ohio into California or New York from a tobacco standpoint. No smoking in public places, period.

Problem is, if both pass, Issue 4 supercedes Issue 5. We're right back where we started.

So, Ohio, vote for clean clothes, clean hair, and clean lungs!

Vote NO on Issue 4!!!

Vote YES on Issue 5!!!

Oh, yeah, and vote for Sherrod Brown and Ted Strickland while you're at it. This state needs a different party leading it.

10 songs, Lorette? Are you nuts?

I've been tagged for the first time since second grade, when I gave up both tag and red rover due to my lack of speed. Thanks to the lovely Lorette, of the blocking board fame, I now have to come up with my 10 favorite songs of all time.

10? I'm having trouble with one!

My problem is that I don't have "favorite" songs. I have songs that bring back moments, but I'm not sure that qualifies as a "favorite," per se. I mean, The Rolling Stones "Emotional Rescue" brings me a smile, but only because it reminds me that I heard it on the radio each of the first 40-odd days I was at Miami University. It also reminds me of my dopey freshman roommate, so there's a not-so-good side to it.

However, I'm not about to give up on this little chore! I will give it a good college try!

Which is more than what I can say for my beloved alma mater, whose football team is presently 0-5 and ranked in ESPN's bottom 10 with the likes of Florida International (do they even have a team?).

So, heeeeeeeeeerrrrre we go:

1. At Last--Etta James
My wedding song. If that day ever comes. Right now, I'm living la vida loca, baby! OK, maybe la vida slugga.

2. Crazy--Patsy Cline
There is nothing like how I sound when I'm channeling the spirit of Patsy Cline. I could bring down karaoke night.

3. Desperado--Eagles
OK, with this one, I did bring down karaoke night.

4. Even Now--Barry Manilow
I could easily put a dozen Barry songs on this list, but I'll stop with one. Yeah, I know it's only a 10 song list...it's my little world; I can have a dozen Barry songs if I want. I could have two dozen!! Bite me...I'm a Fanilow.

5. In The Stone--Earth, Wind & Fire
We played this in marching band in college. Our lone greatest hit.

6. On My Own--Les Miserables
One of the most beautiful and sad songs ever put on stage.

(Please excuse the break...I'm perusing my list of Itunes...)

7. Teach Me Tonight--Al Jarreau
Starts out slow, finishes powerfully. I'm thinking it could be a good makeout song. Not like I've ever had any opportunity to use it, but it's the thought that counts, right?

8. This Night--Billy Joel
OK, this one is a favorite without question. Great song, and it's based on a classical tune. Sorta makes me feel cultured.

9. Paradise By The Dashboard Light--Meat Loaf
I sing a pretty mean duet all by myself. Of course, I look somewhat schizophrenic to passing motorists, but that's their problem. They should keep those eyes on the road.

10. Can't Help Falling In Love--Elvis Presley
He's The King. Can't leave him out.

OK, that's it. And to think of the songs I've left out. I could easily fill up another five or six top tens.

On Barry songs alone.