I have something important...

to blog about, however I do not have my camera connector/ubs/thingerdoodle. More to come when I find it!!!

In other news, I ran today. Well spurts of running amidst longer periods of 'walking while panting' One should not run at 10:30 CST in Florida in August. Not.A.Good.Thing. But after the extreme heat wore off with the help of a cool shower, Aveda Foot relief (ahh...peppermint cools.), ice water with lemon, and a delish ripe peach, I feel like a new Ashley. A new, stronger, I can do this Ashley. I can get back into the shape I am used to. YessireBob! Does anyone know of any good podcasts about running/exercising/fitness at home? I would love a link or a nudge in the right direction! :)

Ok, off to look for that darn camera cable!

Don't even want to think about food.

I don't know what is wrong with me. Last night about 9:30PM I was sitting on the couch watching Anne of Green Gables on youtube. All of a sudden this burning sensation came over my stomach, from the pit of my stomach all the way up into my head. I was constantly sick, no warning, just a slight escalation of the cramps that followed the burning feeling. Luckily I was able to reach the bathroom in time, but I couldn't keep anything down. Even water was too harsh. I slept in the guest room last night so that I wouldn't keep Phillip awake. I slept with a trashcan next to the bed, fortunately I did not have to use it.

I have not attempted to eat yet today, so wish me luck with that. I have managed to drink some water today, but I feel a little dehydrated still. I hate this feeling....

A sad aspect of today.

I had to throw out 3/4ths of all of my orchids today. One orchid I bought at an auction last year infected two rows of my plants with scale. I fought the good fight, but ultimately lost. I threw out over 10 plants, and at rates of $25-30 USD per plant....*shudders*. Some of those plants I have had since I moved here from Orlando 2.5 yrs ago. I am so very sad. I learned my lesson the hard way. Inspect every plant thoroughly before purchase, isolate/quarantine each new plant when you bring it home for at least 3 months, and for heavens sake, routinely look over your plants for signs/symptoms of something amiss. My plants used to be in my bedroom before I married, and now have a grow-room of their own, which lead to a bit of neglect on my part.
Learn from me, a mourn a little for my babies that are currently in the trash bin . Pots, saucers, medium, plants. All in the trash.

What a waste....R.I.P, my dears.

I give up.

You know, I really tried to post the Enc. of Me meme, but I am simply not the post everyday type of blogger. With my work schedule the way it is right now, I simply cannot maintain the level of mental fortitude needed to post after work. Blah. Maybe after I get that new J.O.B I want. We shall see.

In the meantime, I am knitting away on my Retro Redux Shrug (heretofore known as RRS), and I have an upcoming car trip to Atlanta for Southern Belle Swing Bash, and i am going to finish Roza's socks on that trip. So now I must start planning my next pair of travel-socks. I have to always have a sock on the needles to work on while riding in the car/knitting at work/knitting at swing during songs I don't care for/beach knitting/etc... :) What to knit? What out of the SockStash shall I cast on? Hmmm...decisions. I should have you very fine knitterly friends help me out!!

from the top:

(a.) Lime and Violet Box of Wishes (b.)L&V The Dancers (c.) L&V Carolina Shag

(d.) L&V Lindyhop (e.) Yarn Pirate Rum Runner (f.) L&V Pisces

(g.) L&V Lyra (h.) Lout Gems Opal French Blue (i.) Yarn Pirate Calamity

Now for Pattern Options: Monkey for the variegated yarns?, Charade for the Rum Runner? what about the legwarmers form One Skein converted into socks for the Louet?, Any ideas??? HELP!!!!

What should Ashley knit next? What is my new sock project??

Catch up

C: cookies, creativity, coffee, cupcakes, CLIMBING!!

(we miss you, Michael. Have fun in Va, and come back soon!)

D: Dancing. I don't know where I would be without all of the friends I have made dancing. I can count the number of people that I consistantly hang out with on one hand that don't dance in some form or fashion. Heck, my husband even got me into the form of dancing I do today. I teach, i learn, I travel every month around the country with the man I love and my friends for one thing. To dance.

SP11 Contest

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
My tape measure! I didn't realize how much it came in handy until I left it at home on a trip.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? Ifso, how much and what type of project?
Of course! I always have a sock, and I have a scarf that I use for KIP. I am enjoying this scarf so much I don't want to finish, so if I only knit on trips, it will last longer....

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
Right now Spain would have to be #1, but Park City Utah is right there on the #2 spot. We honeymooned at Park City, and it will always have a place in my heart.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?
No, but I would love to! I lust over the Sock books: 25 sensational sock, knitting vintage socks, 25 more sensational socks...my stash of sock yarn would tremble in fear!

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?
Lime and Violet was the first podcast I listened to for knitting. They feel like friends I would meet for coffee and to chat about knitting and would roll around in yarn with me.:) I also listen to Stash and Burn. Cast on, Hey Mister Jessie (lindyhop podcast), the yehoodi Talk Show ( again about lindyhop), and I really like Ready,Set, Knit by Webs. Sheesh, I listen to tons of Podcasts.

SP11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love to use natural fibers. Wool is probably my favorite. Mainly I choose yarns based on the project, and on the softness of the yarn. Softness is the key! I have used cotton before, but I really didn't like it at all. I have heard Cotton Fleece is nice, but I have never tried it.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I made a DPN holder for my bamboo DPNs, a couple glass jars for my aluminum straights, and my wooden straights are hanging out in a box. i am not what you would call "organized

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned to knit 19yrs ago, but seriously picked it back up last winter. I am an advanced beginner, I suppose.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
yes...


5. What's your favorite scent?
mmm...food scents, apricot, shea, lavender, basically anything organic and natural. I am allergic to Bath&BodyWorks products, so I rally don't like their scents;)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, but I have maore of a salty-tooth:) I love lifesavers gummisavers wildberries, chocolate with almonds in it, and wite chocolate. Do you remember Alpine White? Yummy.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I have a spindle and am learning to use it. I love to sew, both by hand and machine, and I am really wanting to learn to embroider.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants
to make you a CD)
I listen mainly to 1930-40s jazz and big band swing. Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, The Cats and the Fiddle, Slim and Slam...

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love all colors as long as they are saturated. I am loving purples, burgundys and greens right now.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my husband only. He is allergic to pets, so I can't have any furry friends. *sadface*

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I love knit hats. We go snowboarding every winter, and gaiters/hats/scarves get used out on the slopes! I have never had mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I am loving shrugs and sweaters right now, and I always have socks on the needles. I have extreme project ADD, and need frequent doses of Knitalin to stay focused. (thanks miss violet for the term!)

13. What are you knitting right now?
heeheehee...Retro Redux Shrug from Lace Style, Feminine Puffed-Sleeved Cardigan from Fitted Knits, and Roza's Socks form the Spring Interweave.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Oh Course! Handcrafted = happiness ;)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I always loved straights, but now that I am starting to knit sweaters I have been using more and more circs. My needles are a wide variety of material, but I always head to my bamboo/woods.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I love them.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Wow, from last fall, my first big project clapotis in silk garden. I majorly screwed up, and need to frog and rewind all of the 3 skeins that I knit up. Still makes me mad to even look at it. Grrr...

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving. Pumpkin Spice lattes are in the stores, pumpkin pies, orange colors everywear, sweaters, and lots of comfort food!!

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Beside sock yarn? I collect American Fostoria, unique coffee/tea mugs, exotic coffee, orchids, and sewing notions.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What
knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I subscribe to interweave knits. I have looked at other knitting magazines and none of them really impress me. I love any project that is posted on ThePurlBee. I am always in search of soft yarns to make a cozy shawl or scarf from, and I love patterns that my friends have knit so that I can share in the fun.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Toe-up socks!!! The only way I'll be able to knit HusbandSocks.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
See #21 :) I wear a US size 7 shoe. length:

23. When is your birthday?
March 5th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Flashalee

B is for.....

beaches,

best buddies,

being lead in a dance that.just.feels.right.

beginning my fairytale...

This post is for a special person who knows who they are..

How long have you been knitting?
I learned to knit in elementary school, but didn't pick up the needles again until last year

Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate, or advance knitter?
I think I am an 'adventurous' beginner. I have knit socks, basic shawls, a mini-sweater, and I am working on my first cardigan!

What needles do you prefer? Wood?Metal?Plastic?
I mainly use wood needles, I love my bamboo needles!

If variegated or solid yarns were sitting in front of you, which would you go for?
I have tons of variegated yarns, I love them, but I have been drawn to more solid yarns as fall draws nearer...

Any other crafts or hobbies?
I knit, spin with a spindle, sew, and I am wanting to learn to embroider. I also teach a dance class with my husband, and we are surfer/snowboarder/rock climbers! :)

Are there any colors you love/hate/would tackle someone for?
I have always loved saturated colors. Lately I have been loving jewel tones such as rich greens, browns, reds, blues...

Are you a choco-holic?
Chocolate is good, but I love candy of all forms. I am a nurse, so we love our sugar-rushes!! I am a HUGE coffee addict. I am addicted to the bean! ;)

Smells? Scents??
I am allergic to most bath&body works products, but I am always bringing home new lotions and soaps. Lavender is good to toss in the stash, and anything organic get a second and third look from me! :) I am extremely allergic to anything with melons in it, real or fake....bleeech!

These questions have been pulled from many questionnaires and memes, and I hope this helps. If you post the same on your site, that would be nice!!! :)

Thank you for being my "Angel" I can't wait to reciprocate!!!!!

Encyclopedia of Me

Shamelessly borrowed from BellaDia, I have decided to do the Encyclopedia of Me meme. Today I start with the letter A, and progress through the alphabet until I get to Z day by day. Hopefully I will be able to post everyday, although on the days I work my posts will be latelatelate.

A

apples: biting into an apple on a crisp fall morning watching the leaves change

altitude: that feeling you get standing on the ridge of a mountain before you push off down the slope

alpaca: comfy shawls that wrap you in softness

activity: be it snowboarding, rock climbing, dancing all night at an exchange, surfing...my life is filled to overflowing with activity

athletic: why, yes I am!

Anderson Cooper: mmmm...makes silver hair sexy

adaptable

a good friend

academic

Ashley D Ingram