Yay! My very first Secret Pal package arrived!

It arrived at my new apt and I was so confused because it was addressed to me from me. My landlord asked me "Do you always send packages to yourself from yourself and forget?"

When I opened the package I was sooo excited to see the lovely surprises the brown envelope held!

There were two skeins of renaissance Wool yarn from Peru in a spectrum of purples, 1 roll of Necco wafers, 1 tin of yummy raspberry mints (the tin has a picture of a girl on the front being crafty!), 1 gauge reference booklet (soooo helpful!), and a cute handmade card. There seemed to be a purple theme which to me is delightful! Can't get enough Purple.

Here's the delicious contents! (Note: I already ate the Necco wafers so they did not get a photo op).


Thank you, SP8...whomever you are!

Who Knew?!

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English

15% Yankee

10% Dixie

5% Upper Midwestern

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

More Quizes

You Are Boston

Both modern and old school, you never forget your roots. Well educated and a little snobby, you demand the best. And quite frankly, you think you are the best. Famous people from the Boston area: Conan O'Brien, Ben Affleck, New Kids on the Block

What American City Are You?

Quiz Day

You Have A Type A- Personality

You are one of the most balanced people around Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Sam, you were a good dog and you will be missed. Love, Me.

One week ago today my family and I had to put to rest our Sam. He was a wonderful dog/ member of our family.

I never realized how hard it was to lose a pet till this past week.

I've always offered the sympathetic words like "I'm so sorry for your loss" to someone when their pet passed away. It's hard to imagine what that must truly feel like though unless you have experienced such a loss.

It's strange how you bring this animal/ stranger into your home. You get to know each other. They depend on you for food, shelter, fun, and affection. And to you they offer an unbreakable loyalty, a constant companion, and a friend.

Sam was more than a pet for our family. He was like a brother. He had habits, personality traits, likes and dislikes. He used to bark at the garbage disposal, hurd the cat to basement, sleep under the piano next to the pedals. He would never beg or steal food off of a table unless given permission. He loved to chase anything that you threw and he never knew when to quit. He'd often wear himself out and not take water breaks. He loved the dog park.

He was always happy to see you and never bit one person in his whole 7 years.

Yes, Sam was young and it seems unfair.

He had cancer in blood vessels, the doctors said he had amazing resiliance and they were amazed at how upbeat he could be. But he was a silent sufferer. Never the kind of dog to let you know he was hurting.

This type of cancer is usually know to affect German Shepards and Golden Retrievers that are 10-15 years old.

We are sad that he is gone, but gratful that he is no longer suffering.

I truly never knew that I was a dog person. After experiencing the joy and love of Sam I am certain that I will always want a dog in my life.

We love you Sam.

I'm Movin' Out!

Done! I have just spent the entire weekend moving into my very first 1 bedroom apartment! Congrats to me and thank you.

This is my new place and it's perfect! I have really enjoyed discovering the little things that I didn't even think about when I first moved in, like the strong water pressure in the shower, the shade of the tree in the backyard that blankets my bedroom and cools the tempurature of the house (helpful when you are experiencing a 90 degree heatwave), how quiet the street is, how and where the floors squeak.

The house and I are getting used to each other. I am listening for her distinct noise so I can find comfort in them rather than thinking there is a ghost living above me. I convinced myself of this the first night when I went to the bathroom and heard the pipes making noise.

Imust throw a grand shout-out to all those friends and family members that helped me move.

Would you believe that we started moving things out of the old house at 11:30 am on Saturday and were done by 3:30pm! Everything was moved out of the house and all that was left was unpacking it. It's like Christmas the way you have to pack up all your belongings, use all this tape, and padding just to tear into it a couple days later and disgard the wrappings.
So,thanks to all the help I not only moved out quickly but I am almost completely and totally unpacked. I just have one suit case with clothes and one box with linen closet stuff. Then I must decide where to hang pictures and get a few more pieces of furniture. Amazingly though we got it all moved in to the new house in time to go to Boordy to listen to Mood Swing and drink some fine local wine. Hello wine and live music, my favorite! Quite the perfect ending to a long day of moving.

Aside from the big move I must say that the best part of the weekend was when my childhood wish came true.

I'll set the stage for you: Ever since I was three years old when ever anyone told me to make a wish when I blew out the candles on my cake I would ask for a 6ft tall giraffe. Not a real one but either a stuffed animal or whatever one might use to create a 6ft tall giraffe.

So, on Sunday when my mother and Denny are suppose to come over and help me unpack I was very excited because they were already bringing me a chair and their help. They knocked on the door and when I opened it what should be standing on my new front porch? That's right, a 6ft tall wooden giraffe! The three year old me was jumping up and down. I immediately brought him and welcomed him home. He has been placed next to my new bay window so that he can watchover the property and scare potential intruders.

I think he has been looking for me his whole life too but realized it was best to wait till I had my own place. He is most definitely going to be a conversation peice.

Now my last concern (which is crochet related), I had originally decided that my livingroom colors were going to be chocolate brown and aqua blue. I had pictured it looking ok with my buttercream livingroom walls. However, once I got inside the place and put one of my granny squares against the wall I realized that the colors did not flatter each other. So now I have gone with buttercream yellow, sage green, peach tones, and chocolate brown. Here's a photo of the couch with the new pillows and new carpet.

The problem you ask. What am I going to do with this blanket I had started? Now I want to start a new one but can't buy anymore yarn because I signed up for Summer O' Stash. Maybe I could just exchange. I'll have to see if that is allowed.

One more box to go (linen closet) and all the moving will be done!

100 Things about Meeeeeeeeeeeeee!

1. My favorite colors are blue and purple.
2. I don't like to wear purple but I do wear a lot of blue.
3. I have a cat named Bobi after a friend who died when I was fifteen, her name was Beth.
4. I have fallen in love twice.
5. I love to travel.
6. I have traveled outside the US three times.
7. I question faith, destiny, religion, and spirituality.
8. I believe in faith in people, manifesting destiny, and finding spirituality.
9. I am an only child.
10. I am the second old child.
11. I am a sister, an aunt, and daughter.
12. I love irises and Gerber daisies.
13. I hate the smell of beets.
14. I cannot stand hearing the word "moist" pronounced.
15. My step parents names are Ken and Barbie.
16. I love to dance.
17. I grew up taking ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance classes.
18. I was on my high school Dance Team.
19. I'm about to move into my very first, very own apartment!
20. I have about 5 friends who know me better than most.
21. I love to dance in the kitchen while cooking.
22. I like cleaning.
23. When I do clean I like to turn music up to an obnoxious volume and sing loudly.
24. I like to read some fiction.
25. I don't really like sci-fi although i do love Harry Potter (books) and the Lord of the Rings (movies).
26. I LOVE wine.
27. I LOVE Burger cookies (Baltimore specialty).
28. I leave candy wrappers tucked into sofa cushions.
29. I leave half drank cups of coffee in the microwave (thanks, Mom).
30. I'm learning to cook. Haven't killed anyone yet so I think I'm doing well.
31. I last skinned my knees when I was 11, my mom took a picture as a keepsake.
32. I am not athletic.
33. I throw like "a girl".
34. I can speak in multiple accents.
35. I don't crush easily.
36. I am in touch with my emotions.
37. I like math.
38. I do not like grammar.
39. I do like poetry.
40. I am the 2nd woman in my family to go to college.
41. To hide from the world's ugly reality I watch TV on DVD (no commercials).
42. This is hard.
43. I love live music.
44. My favorite two instruments are the Saxophone and the Harmonica.
45. I once had a pet cat named muffin, I came home from school one day and my dad told me he had thrown my cat out the window because it was a farm animal. I was dumbfounded.
46. I cannot wiggle my ears.
47. I used to hate the taste of pickles and coffee but loved the smell. Now I like the taste of both.
48. I read before bed.
49. I tend to say inappropriate things at the wrong time (funerals, weddings, birthdays, etc.)
50. I am 1/2 this number.
51. I used to take violin and piano lessons.
52. I tend to quit things I don't enjoy doing.
53. I have moved at least 9 times.
54. I have lived in 2 different states.
55. I have lived on 2 different coasts.
56. I have lived in 2 major cities.
57. I once told someone I was a professional job hopper.
58. I have been at my current job for 2 years.
59. I am a free spirited, type-A person.
60. I go with my gut.
61. I tend to put all my eggs in one basket.
62. I over analyze people.
63. I'm impulsive.
65. I lived in the mountains for 5 days, slept under tarp, hiked miles, rocked and boulder climbed, repelled...I'd do it again.
66. I have one tattoo
67. I do not like spicy food.
68. I will always opt to eat Italian food when given a choice.
69. I'm not very political, I do pay attention.
70. I do vote.
71. I sometimes wish I was a little more selfish.
72. When I was a little girl I used to keep pet worms.
73. I've never broken a bone.
74. I've never been stung by anything.
75. I hate my calves, I call them "mamajama beaters". (it makes me giggle).
76. My mother will always know me better than I know myself.
77. I love popping bubble wrap, it relieves stress! Try it.
78. I like Garfield more than Snoopy.
79. I often have to bug my family and friends to read this blog (who else will I wonder?).
80. Hershey Kisses are my favorite chocolate.
81. I have 6 aunts named Mary. My grandma Mary named them.
82. I don't believe in Heaven or Hell but have a sneaking suspicion that reincarnation is possible.
83. I make snap judgments but try to be open minded enough to know I could be wrong.
84. I want to go skydiving but not bungie jumping.
85. My all time favorite candy is Necco Valentines Candy Hearts.
86. I don't believe that Valentines Day should be for lovers. I think it should be for family and friends, those are the people you sometimes how much you love, appreciate, and need in your life.
87. I am Anti-MySpace.
88. I like Independent Films.
89. I think God Father III is a joke.
90. I have freckles.
91. I never knew I was a dog person till we had to put our family dog to sleep.
92. I will one day own a dog and two cats.
93. I procrastinate.
94. I own a 6ft tall wooden giraffe
95. I start projects and put them down for months, sometimes years at a time.
96. I have a problem thinking of 100 things about myself.
97. I am right handed.
98. I give all animals I see a personality by talking in a funny voice that I think would suit them if they could speak English, then I name them...All of them.
99. My most favorite person in the world is my little brother
100. I value friends, family, and my relationships with people more than work or schooling.

I always thought my mother should have named me something else.

Your Outrageous Name is:

Sofonda Peters

Outrageous Name Generator

The Blanket

A while back, I think it was my first post, I mentioned something about having finished my first blanket ever. I was very excited but hadn't taken any photos of it yet. Well guess what!!!!

Ta Da! Isn't she pretty? I'll tell you one thing, she is HUGE! This blanket covers my entire body and then some. I think it measures something like 6' x 6'. It took me 2.5 years only because I kept putting it down for months at a time. Hopefully the next blanket doesn't take as nearly as long! I used all TLC yarns and then washed it in Wisk with some fabric softener and it is now the softest blanket I have! Yay ME!

Your Inner European is Irish!

Sprited and boisterous! You drink everyone under the table.

Who's Your Inner European?

Sometimes one just isn't enough

Let's just start off by saying that I had an amazing weekend! I feel like I should record it in a diary or something so that some day I can go back and read about it when i am sitting around my house with so much responsibility/laundry to do over the weekend that there is no chance any fun will be had. I will pull out my diary and read about this amazing weekend I had back in May 2006! I would drink wine, read the diary, laugh...and then probably cry because I am now sitting in my livingroom with way too much laundry/chores/responsibility.

What did do? Well on Saturday I went to Brew at the Zoo at the Baltimore Zoo. I know what your thinking, "they allow you to drink and walk around the Zoo, looking at animals in cages who can't have beer or wine?" No, they section off this grassy wooded area and they set up two stages and about 15 vendors. You pay $20 and you get 10 drink tickets and a plastic beer stein. One ticket gets you 1/2 a stein of beer, so if we do the math...two tickets get you 1 full beer. Essentially you are getting 5 beers, and if you are 5'3" like me five is all you need! Now, at some point I got this great idea that I was going to find a lion and get him a little sloshed too, but alas we were not allowed to leave the roped off area, too bad for Mr. Lion.

Later that evening, I went to this great Cabaret at the Hamilton Arts Collective called Hole in the Wall Cabaret. This Cabaret group often features one of my new favorite up-and-coming bands called Walkout. I swear they are amazing. The lead singer, Rachel gives me goosebumps everytime I see her. They just incorporated a Sax player and a Basist. The band also features this guy named Damien who does Oral Beatboxing. If you don't know what that is, it's someone who can use there mouth/voice to create percussion sounds. This guy has such talent that I am often in jaw dropping awe when I watch him perform. They did this song I had never heard before last weekend where Damien made a noise like the band had just put a record on a record player. You know, the sound a record makes when an entire room is quiet and the record is spinning round and round? Love it!

I also saw this band perform the next day when I went to the SoWeBohemien Festival in South West Baltimore. And except for one patron that kept telling the Sax player how to blow her horn, it was a good time!

After this already jam packed weekend I barely found time to do anything crafty. So, I dedicated Monday to all things crafty and....Desperate Housewives. I admit it, willingly, I love Desperate Housewives. Once again I did that thing where I rent the entire first season and dedicate my time to watching it all in one weekend. Then I wake up in the middle of the night thinking I'm one of the characters. I did this with Lost a couple months ago and I kept waking up feeling like something mysetrious was about to happen in house.

While watching DH I managed to start crocheting a granny square blanket. It's going to be chocolate brown, aqua blue, and carmel brown. I am just using a TLC Acrylic yarn. I used this same type when I made my last blanket and it turned out quite soft once I washed it (plus it didnt' fall apart!!). I figure the blanket will take me about a year to make, but I am crossing my fingers and hoping to have it done before the end of the summer!