tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221951382024-03-13T13:37:06.590-04:00Same Knit Different DayMandie's knitting and stuffKnit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-4542424534275490652016-10-18T12:54:00.003-04:002016-10-18T13:09:55.703-04:00All Your Base on saleStill working on paying off medical bills, so here's another sale. This time All Your Base.<br />
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490 yards of soft 3 ply Superwash Merino fingering weight. Marked down from $24 to $20.<br />
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<a href="http://hyenacart.com/sheepytimeknits/mt/800/65713/All-Your-Base-100-superwash-merino-wool-FINGERING-SOCK-" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">SHOP HERE</span></a><br />
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<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-83641254044882944592016-10-15T16:43:00.002-04:002016-10-15T18:01:32.366-04:0010/15 update<div>
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The last batch of Middle Earth Club yarns are shipping today except for those with Eucatastrophe reorders. Those will ship along with reorders hopefully Monday or Tuesday.<br />
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If I'm really lucky Snowflake Choices will be out today. If not then definitely tomorrow. I will be dyeing those in 2 weeks and then dyeing the last month of Middle Earth club which should ship out on time in November. <br />
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Things are chugging along. Thanks again for your patience!Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-31510686704107855572016-10-10T14:37:00.000-04:002016-10-10T14:37:31.016-04:00Middle Earth Club updateThis yarn is in the final stages of dyeing, and a few skeins will start shipping in the next few days. It should definitely be dry and ready for packing by the 15th as expected.<br />
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I am pulling together Eucatastrophe reorders now to be dyed in the next few days. Expect invoices for those tonight.<br />
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Thanks everyone for your patience. <br />
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<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-46402031788983077762016-10-08T10:00:00.000-04:002016-10-08T10:00:04.647-04:00Lace on saleLace yarn is marked down from $24 to $20 (Sparkle Lace from $25 to 21)<br />
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You can make a whole sweater with 2 skeins!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HrsKqbyrSKQ/V_hBV1ZM1zI/AAAAAAAAFEc/N0sW3SplFV4uXQAtSJlKa5BWCDwGlj5gACLcB/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HrsKqbyrSKQ/V_hBV1ZM1zI/AAAAAAAAFEc/N0sW3SplFV4uXQAtSJlKa5BWCDwGlj5gACLcB/s320/IMG_1047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://hyenacart.com/sheepytimeknits/mt/800/14488/Lace-yarn-All-Your-Lace--Sparkle-Lace-Sheepy-Time-Yarns" target="_blank">Click Here to see what's in stock</a><br />
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Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-82134969285509831642016-10-07T20:05:00.000-04:002016-10-07T20:05:05.117-04:0010/7/16 UpdateMiddle Earth Club yarn is more than 1/3 done and the kinks are worked out so things are on track to being done within the window promised last week.<br />
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Looking ahead I'm going to have an undyed inventory problem coming up soon. NOTE: this does not apply to any already paid for yarn. I always have the yarn on hand before taking orders, but I need to place yarn orders in order to keep going in November and December and with medical and other bills that is going to prove difficult. <br />
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So I am going to put some already dyed yarn in inventory on sale. I have help on hand for shipping so this should not impact club orders that have been delayed in any way, it's just to keep us going in the future. I may also do some pattern sales to raise funds. Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-11573764968010565962016-10-01T19:37:00.000-04:002016-10-01T19:37:49.312-04:00Store Status UpdateThis is an email that was sent to club members on 10/1/16<br />
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Hello All, <br />
<br />
First let me apologize for not
sending this information by email sooner. Some of you may have seen on
Ravelry that we had a medical emergency. On September 20th a family
member was in the ICU out of town for 3 days, and it has taken longer
than I expected to recover. Things seem to be going about as well as we
could hope at this point, and that's really all I feel comfortable
sharing. <br />
<br />
That came during a busy work week for me, and l
have not yet gotten through that work. This means there will be delays
in all areas of Sheepy Time Knits. Here is where things stand right now:<br />
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All orders outside of club orders are completed. I will not be taking custom orders until all clubs are caught up. <br />
<br />
Middle
Earth Club yarn is delayed. It was to have been shipped by yesterday.
Some yarn that was in progress had to be tossed and started over. I
don't want to make a promise I can't keep so I am going to say it should
all be shipped by October 15th, although hopefully it will be sooner.
Reorders of the previous club color may add 2-3 days. We will not send
invoices for reorders until a few days before I am ready to dye them.
You are of course free to cancel those orders if you want to.<br />
<br />
Snowflake
Club yarn for October will also probably be delayed. I have samples
already dyed but it will take some time to get the choices page made. I
want to allow at least 2 weeks for voting and 2 weeks for dyeing.
Depending on how things go that could delay that club by up to 2 weeks
as well, but I should be back on a normal schedule after that. <br />
<br />
I
plan to resurrect the long silent blog to post updates rather than
email everyone frequently and clog your mail boxes. You can check there
for status updates<br />
http://sameknit.blogspot.com/<br />
<span class="gmail-gI"><br /></span><span class="gmail-gI">I'm very sorry that this has kept me from being on time this month with your orders, and I will do my best to complete them as soon as I can. I
want to be as transparent as possible. As most of you know I am the only dyer in the business, and I want to make sure
everyone gets high quality yarn as soon as I can.</span><span class="gmail-gI">If anyone has any questions please don't hesitate to ask. </span><br />
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<span class="gmail-gI">Thanks,</span><br />
<br />
<span class="gmail-gI">Mandie </span>Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-34934238201840292872014-04-01T14:15:00.002-04:002014-04-01T14:26:39.033-04:00Elphaba<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's a sweater I finished a long time ago but never got around to blogging. The original pictures I had taken of it were terrible.<br />
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The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elphaba-pullover" target="_blank">Elphaba </a>by Mary Annarella and it's very well written. Has short row and waist shaping, it's a simple but really well fitting sweater. Yarn is All Your Base South Pacific, and it only took 3 skeins, and not as long as you'd think to knit, either.</div>
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<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-41966564292444089112014-03-30T12:06:00.003-04:002014-03-30T12:10:20.730-04:00Swirl Hat Italian translation<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/nonnalu" target="_blank">Nonnalu</a> on ravelry has graciously provided this translation of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/update/swirl-hat-3" target="_blank">Swirl Hat</a> pattern into Italian, which now exists in EIGHT languages. Pretty cool. Thanks! </span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOrCzuu0qNs/Uzg-3rfVWDI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/l7LTgvNV5b4/s1600/SwirlHat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOrCzuu0qNs/Uzg-3rfVWDI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/l7LTgvNV5b4/s1600/SwirlHat.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Berretto Spirale</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Modello di Mandie Harrington</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Traduzione italiana di Nonnalu’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="mailto:SheepyTime@gmail.com" target="_blank">SheepyTime@gmail.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Berretto
facile da sferruzzare, lavorato con una lana soffice e abbastanza
sottile di resa veloce, abbastanza elastica per essere indossata a lungo
da bimbi che crescono! La lana soffice e il modello aderente rendono il
berretto adatto per un “chemio cap”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">FILATO: 20 – 50 gr. “Sheepy Time Yarns Panda feet”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">FERRI : misura US 3 (3.25) o altri adatti a ottenere la tensione indicata, circolari o gioco a doppia punta</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">TENSIONE: 13m = 5cm a maglia rasata </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">TAGLIE : prematuri, 30/33 cm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Neonati 33/35.5 cm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 4-12 mesi 35.50/40 cm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 12m-2 anni 40/48 cm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Ragazzi 46/50.8 cm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Adulti 51/56</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">ISTRUZIONI
: montare 72 ( 80, 88, 96, 112, 128) maglie. Unire in tondo, facendo
attenzione a non torcere le maglie; lavorare a coste 2/2 per 8 giri.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Proseguire con *2 m .a diritto, 1 m. gettata, 4 m. a
diritto, 2 m. insieme a d.*. Ripetere questa lavorazione ogni giro,
finché il lavoro non misura cm. 11.5 ( 12.7 – <a href="tel:14%20%E2%80%93%2015.3%20%E2%80%93%2016.5%20%E2%80%93%2017.8" target="_blank" value="+14153165178">14 – 15.3 – 16.5 – 17.8</a>) dall’avvio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Incominciare la cupola, lavorando nel modo seguente:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">1. *2md, 1gett.,3md, 3m insieme*, ripetere. 63 (70 – 77 – 84 – 98 – 112) maglie rimanenti</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">2. *2md, 1gett.,3md, 2m insieme*, ripetere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">3. *2md, 1gett.,3md, 3m insieme*, ripetere. 56 <a href="tel:%2860%20%E2%80%93%2066%20%E2%80%93%2072%20%E2%80%93%2084%20%E2%80%93%2096" target="_blank" value="+16066728496">(60 – 66 – 72 – 84 – 96</a>) maglie rimanenti</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">4. *2md, 1gett.,3md, 2m insieme*, ripetere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">5. *2md, 1gett.,1md, 3m insieme*, ripetere. 45 <a href="tel:%2850%20-%2055%20-%2060%20-%2070%20-%2080" target="_blank" value="+15055607080">(50 - 55 - 60 - 70 - 80</a>) maglie rimanenti</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">6. *2md, 1gett.,1md, 2m insieme*, ripetere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">7. *2md, 1gett.,3m insieme*, ripetere. 36 <a href="tel:%28%2040%20%E2%80%93%2044%20-%2048%20-%2056%20-%2064" target="_blank" value="+14044485664">( 40 – 44 - 48 - 56 - 64</a>) maglie rimanenti</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">8. *2m, 2m insieme*, ripetere. 27 <a href="tel:%2830%20-%2033%20-%2036%20-%2042%20-%2048" target="_blank" value="+13033364248">(30 - 33 - 36 - 42 - 48</a>) maglie rimanenti</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">9. *1md, 2m insieme*, ripetere. 18 <a href="tel:%2820%20-%2022%20-%2024%20-%2028%20-%2032" target="_blank" value="+12022242832">(20 - 22 - 24 - 28 - 32</a>) maglie rimanenti</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">10. * lavorare 2m insieme *, ripetere 9 ( 10 - 11 – 12 - 6 - 7 – 8) maglie rimanenti. Quando rimangono 12m o più sul ferro, lavorare ancora 1 volta 2m insieme.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rompere
il filo in modo che ne resti a sufficienza per passarlo nelle maglie
restanti (9, 10, 11, 6, 7, 8), stringere bene e nascondere la codina.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br clear="all" /></span>Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-3236499766862047692014-03-25T13:31:00.001-04:002014-03-25T15:39:03.588-04:00AdventuringI didn't realize how long it had been since I've updated my blog. I knew it was late but wow!<br />
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So I guess I have a lot to catch up on.<br />
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The There and Back Again Club is now in its' second month. Of course we had to start with a colorway inspired by the Shire<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhREyYn8IsM/UzG8Y9y7qhI/AAAAAAAAEys/xGwWRIFHa68/s1600/IMG_2698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhREyYn8IsM/UzG8Y9y7qhI/AAAAAAAAEys/xGwWRIFHa68/s1600/IMG_2698.JPG" height="355" width="400" /></a></div>
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With hat pattern modeled mostly by my adorable and photogenic daughter Caity<br />
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I had fun designing this cable and it will be available to the public in 2015.<br />
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<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-21493329585251949172014-01-12T18:13:00.002-05:002014-01-12T18:13:23.949-05:00Going on an Adventure!So last year ended the long run of the Time Traveler's club. We had great fun, but were starting to run out of color ideas and decided a new adventure was in order.<br />
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So of course I had to go back to one of my first loves, The Hobbit<br />
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I distinctly remember having the Hobbit read aloud to me when I was young and being completely enthralled. So I started a new adventure, the There and Back Again Yarn and Fiber Club.</div>
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This club promises patterns, as well as different weights of yarn or fiber. I'm really very excited about it. <br />
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For all the details, or to sign up,<a href="http://www.sheepytimeknits.com/shop/ThereAndBackAgain.htm" target="_blank"> click here.</a><br />
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The club starts very soon and there are just a few spots left. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a currently available color and NOT one of the surprise club colorways.</td></tr>
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Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-4472457660309080482014-01-01T15:24:00.000-05:002014-01-01T15:50:15.876-05:00MonumentalSo this happened<br />
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I haven't blogged in so long because the next blog post was supposed to be about the marathon, and I really just didn't have the words. I'm still not sure I do but I have as many as I ever will so I just need to write about it.<br />
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I have never thought of myself as athletic at all. I was a sickly kid. I spent a lot of time in the hospital and I had a special humidifier in my room. My lack of ability at sports was a clear disappointment to my dad. I was always last or nearly last on the mile run tests. My lungs sucked. I was a book worm. I was that person who said I would only run if something was chasing me.<br />
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I would have said I could never run a marathon.<br />
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The year before I turned 40, I decided running might be a thing I might try. I wasn't as sickly as I was as a kid. I knew I'd never be a "real" runner, but I thought I might run a few miles. I started a couch 2 5k program. It was my goal to do a 5k before I turned 40 (one that I failed miserably I might add). <br />
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That was 3 years ago.<br />
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I am still deliriously proud of myself 2 months later. </div>
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2 years ago I clomped and walked through one of my first 5k races at the <a href="http://monumentalmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Indianapolis Monumental Marathon</a>, finishing in over 47 minutes, (at a pace too slow for the marathon cutoff), and feeling like I couldn't take another step. We were really impressed with the way that race was run, and we watched as some of the slower half marathoners finished and thought maybe...we could do that. 1 year later I managed the half marathon (right AT the cutoff). </div>
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Somehow I managed to convince myself to try for a full marathon, even though it sounded completely impossible. I like torturing myself, I guess. During training I got bursitis in my hip, and got a cortisone shot so I could keep going. The few weeks before I had bronchitis and I was really worried I wouldn't make it. And actually I was still a little sick the day of the race. </div>
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My husband ran with me. It was an awesome thing for him to do. He'd had a stress fracture in May so he was recovering from that while I trained. He's a much better runner than me and I think it's hard to go slower than you can. But I just didn't think I could go on a 6+ hour run by myself. (I was probably right).</div>
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The first half of the race was great. We hit the 10K split at 1:24:40 with a pace of 13:40min/mi. Pretty much perfect. I was well under the 15 min/mi cutoff but I knew I would need those minutes later so I was happy to bank them early.</div>
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Half Marathon split - 3:05:36 for an average pace of 14:11min/mi. (11 minutes under my half marathon time the year before!)</div>
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We joked about just going home at mile 14, which was pretty close to our house, and in the neighborhood I did a lot of training runs. </div>
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Miles 14 and 15 were a bitch. My legs hurt and we had bathroom breaks which ate in to my extra minutes. </div>
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One of the few times I remembered to take a picture.<br />
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From here to about mile 21 I honestly don't know how I kept going. I was tired. There weren't many people around, there wasn't a crowd cheering. They ran out of most of the food and gels at the fueling stations. Did I mention I was tired? Everything hurt. I lost a lot of my extra minutes. I was worried.<br />
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When we finally turned on to Meridian and there were 5k left Rob said "You got this!" to me and I said "I KNOW!" Because for the first time ever, I did know. I didn't know if I'd make the time, but damnit, I knew I could make it 3 more miles, even if I had to walk, I was going to finish.<br />
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By mile 25 I knew I could make the time and I was so happy. I managed to finish running (barely). I had nothing left but I was upright and had my hands in the air, exactly the way you want to finish.<br />
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Having friends and family there when I crossed the line was just the best thing ever. I don't even have the words for that feeling, it's amazing.<br />
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I couldn't have done it without Janet, who rode her bike all over town delivering us supplies at scheduled stops. I can't ever than you enough for that, really. <br />
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Later Rob wrote an email to the director of the IMM about the lack of supplies, and he ended up taking us out to lunch. He was very apologetic, and was busy trying to figure out what went wrong that there weren't supplies for some of us. I was really impressed with how involved he was and I wouldn't let it stop me from signing up again. (I'm already registered for the 2014 half. I want to run it faster, then think about a full in 2015 when I can cut a lot of time off. Maybe.)<br />
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The swag is really awesome too. The women's shirts even have a girl runner on them.<br />
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Two months later I still feel like it's the best thing I've ever done just for myself. I want so much to encourage everyone in the world to do something monumental. Sign up for something you think there's no way you can do, because I bet you can, and you will be so proud of yourself when you do. <br />
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<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-54930089226226443782013-10-27T17:34:00.000-04:002013-10-27T17:35:33.998-04:00IdrilSo the socks have a name, and are finally available.<br />
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On sale at introductory price of 3.50 until the end of the month! <br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=idril-knee-socks"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=idril-knee-socks&t=.gif" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/sheepy-time-knits/179493"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a><br />
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<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-15921636790844910852013-10-16T18:30:00.005-04:002013-10-16T18:32:19.740-04:00Nameless<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally have something new to share:</div>
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I finished these grey ones last year. I love them.<br />
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I particularly love the way the cables work their way around the heel and gusset.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBXDIwhnagc/Ul8O57VuDhI/AAAAAAAAEt0/7IiXsfhzlX4/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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It took quite a long time to size the pattern right. </div>
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I did a survey of calf sizes on ravelry, and there's a huge range, as I expected, but also a lot of variability from top to mid calf to ankle, so it took a lot of work to come up with a knee sock pattern that would fit just about anyone. </div>
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The purple ones are my daughter Caity's. She's got itty bitty wee calves, unlike my thick ones. </div>
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So now they just need a name. <br />
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Got a suggestion? Let me know. If I use it, I'll give you a free copy.<br />
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<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-4428791350051974832013-10-01T17:22:00.000-04:002013-10-01T17:23:18.317-04:00Cladonia Lately all of my knitting is things I'm designing and can't post pictures of, which makes for boring blogging. I've been filling in space with projects I finished a while ago and didn't blog. <br />
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Here's a recently finished one, though<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cladonia" target="_blank">Cladonia </a>by Kristen Kapur<br />
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It's a running joke among my knitter friends that I change everything
I knit. Because I always start out saying "I didn't change anything"
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Well no exception here. I
intended to not change the pattern but then I didn't like the increases
so I ripped out several inches to start over. I wanted the increases to
be in the second row of each color change, so it would be less obvious. I ended up doing make ones on the purl side, which worked out well, and I was pleased with the result.<br />
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I also made the shawl bigger, but that hardly counts, right?<br />
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I actually made this color set (Electric Watermelon) for Snowflake Club over a year ago because I wanted to make this shawl with it. Of course it took me forever to actually make it but once I started it, it went pretty quickly.<br />
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I actually DIDN'T change the lace at border at all. I think it's perfect as is. And the picot bind off might be a pain in the ass to knit, but it's totally worth it. Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-80911383551582033562013-09-26T13:55:00.002-04:002013-09-26T13:57:46.720-04:00Random ThursdayHere's another sweater from a while ago that I never blogged:<br />
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Partially because I didn't like the pictures. I love my husband but he's not a photographer. But there's a few good ones. <br />
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The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/versio" target="_blank">Versio</a> and it's a pretty cool way of making a top down sweater with set in sleeves all at once in the round, which makes the stripes match.<br />
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Here's a shot of the set in sleeves.<br />
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The yarn is my All Your Lace, it took only 2 skeins total for the
sweater. Colors are Deep Purple and Grey Matter. I actually had a lot
left over, the sweater weighs 140g. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nc_8SywNc40/UkIDxxKhUQI/AAAAAAAAEoA/76tJKLydNsY/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nc_8SywNc40/UkIDxxKhUQI/AAAAAAAAEoA/76tJKLydNsY/s400/017.JPG" width="400" /></a>I took the hood inspiration from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/rililie/versio" target="_blank">rililie</a>'s but made mine smaller. These open gauge lace things have a tendency to stretch out on people, so I made sure to wash and block mine as I went (and it DID so I was glad).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFlynWnM-GE/UkID6DITACI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/cuAgnokjkww/s1600/IMG_1544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFlynWnM-GE/UkID6DITACI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/cuAgnokjkww/s640/IMG_1544.JPG" width="426" /></a>I like the sweater so much I decided to start a Featherweight cardigan. Same idea. loose gauge lace weight cardigan. This time I decided to spin it. This was my Tour de Fleece project.<br />
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(Oh look, purple.)<br />
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It's a slightly heavier weight than the All Your Lace, just what I was going for. I spun a little over 700 yards during TdF, and started the sweater a month or so ago. <br />
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So far so good.<br />
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While I was finding pictures of the Versio from last spring I also came across this birthday cake my kids made for my 42nd birthday which I thought I needed to share. <br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Panic_%28The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy%29#Don.27t_Panic" target="_blank">Because that was pretty awesome</a>. <br />
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I also got a new giant purple mailbox. That's a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrington_knot" target="_blank">Harrington Knot</a> on the front. I also got a TARDIS beach towel but I don't have a picture of that. But I know where it is so I don't need to panic.<br />
<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-54489183306949610322013-09-24T18:30:00.002-04:002013-09-24T18:39:30.021-04:00Swim Bike Run<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVHwfCuh28w/UkINJtgCtBI/AAAAAAAAEqE/BQUry0FWgaA/s1600/avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVHwfCuh28w/UkINJtgCtBI/AAAAAAAAEqE/BQUry0FWgaA/s400/avatar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm totally sucking in my gut</td></tr>
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So my friend Janet talked me in to doing a Triathlon this year.<br />
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I have never been able to swim so that seemed like the big challenge to me. I still can't swim in open water because I need a wall to grab on to every 100 meters, but I spent the summer practicing and I can at least make it through the water.<br />
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It turned out that the swim was actually the easy part. It went pretty
much how it's gone in practice. Other than one woman who kept back
stroking in to me on the last lap, it was smooth and I had a good time
(for me). 400m in 15:27, that includes getting in and out (diving not allowed).<br />
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Transition was pretty good. After we left I realized I FORGOT MY SHIRT. I had the triathlon t-shirt so I used that but note to self: bring the shirt.<br />
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I was already breathing hard from swimming and running through the tunnel and to the transition area so that made the bike harder than expected. Also the first almost 4 miles were very slightly uphill. So little that you barely notice it but , it's just that tiny bit harder.<br />
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10 miles in 48:52. Tiring, but pretty good, I'll take it.<br />
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The RUN, which was where I was the most confident, was where I really struggled. Coming off a bike and running is <i>really </i>hard. It's so bizarre but your legs just don't want to go. They don't even want to walk. I felt like I was barely moving and it was hard to breathe and not fun at all. I also really hated running without my iPod. <br />
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I was pretty sure I was last after the last woman I could see passed me half a mile in. I kept up with her and actually caught and passed her once but she passed me back and then she never stopped running. My first mile was 15 minutes. The second was around 14, the third was something like 13:20, so I did finally get my legs back, but man was I exhausted. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4w02bHYTqHw/UkIQjOTuDdI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/JC9ldWOdq54/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4w02bHYTqHw/UkIQjOTuDdI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/JC9ldWOdq54/s400/IMG_2163.JPG" width="400" /></a> Caity found me a little before the end and ran along with me. She is a fantastic cheerleeder. Coming in to the stadium you can see the woman I could never catch up with, and me and Caity.<br />
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She sang to me the whole way around the track which was my favorite part, because I was really dead. <br />
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Run time 42:59 for 5k/3.1 miles</div>
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Overall time 1:53:23. It turned out I wasn't last, there were a couple people who were way behind me and I couldn't see them at all. Janet beat me by about 9 minutes. She's a faster swimmer and biker, and this was her second tri. </div>
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I haven't decided if I'll do another one. If I do it will not be while I'm training for a marathon (I'd run 16 miles 2 days before - really bad planning). </div>
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Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-66102860389697451382013-09-17T14:47:00.002-04:002013-09-17T14:47:34.975-04:00Feeling like fall<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZzCtDXpMVY/UjidjYfGQTI/AAAAAAAAEnc/n8LFy8dieRA/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZzCtDXpMVY/UjidjYfGQTI/AAAAAAAAEnc/n8LFy8dieRA/s640/026.JPG" width="450" /></a>I finished this vest last spring right when it got too hot to wear it.<br />
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This is a vest designed by Elizabeth Zimmermann and published posthumously in the book <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/knit-one-knit-all---elizabeth-zimmermanns-garter-stitch-designs" target="_blank">Knit One Knit All</a>. <br />
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This particular pattern is called the Waistcoat Vest and I spent almost the whole time I was knitting it saying "That's so cool!" It's really an ingenious design. All of the icord edging is knit as you go. The entire thing is knit in one piece, and except for the shaping, every stitch is knit.<br />
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The icord edging is knit on as you go. There's great waist shaping that you can see in this picture.<br />
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The finished vest is very flattering, and I expect to get a lot of wear out of it this fall and winter. <br />
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The yarn is Bartlet Yarns Fisherman 2-ply in Mountain Berry, which can be gotten from Schoolhouse Press, and other places. <br />
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<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-87808722451321430152013-09-10T12:13:00.001-04:002013-09-10T12:14:56.445-04:00Blocking Summit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I get a lot of questions about blocking <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEss10/PATTsummit.php" target="_blank">Summit</a>, so the last time I did it, I took pictures. <br />
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Normally I use blocking wires, but there's really no good way to do it here.<br />
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I soak (and wash if necessary) the shawl, the spin most of the water out. I like to block it right side down, since the tendency for it is to curl backwards. I start by putting one pin at the corners and then pinning the short sides.<br />
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Then starting in the center I'll put one pin in an outside curve, then one half way between that one and the side, then continue until every curl has one pin.<br />
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Then go about adding pins until the curves are smooth. <br />
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That's it, really. It's not difficult, just a little time consuming.Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-71685270443906117602013-09-03T18:34:00.000-04:002013-09-03T19:09:07.125-04:00Speaking of being a nerd....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I made it to <a href="http://www.gencon.com/" target="_blank">Gen Con</a> for the first time for real (I've been in the convention center before, but not had a badge).<br />
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It's quite an experience, I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance.<br />
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I finally learned how to play Dungeons & Dragons. I've always felt like not really knowing how to play D&D was a huge hole in my geek cred. I'd tried to learn way back in the 80's but the guys who were playing were kind of assholes so I quit. But really, as huge of a fan I am of the fantasy genre, I really should at least know HOW to play.<br />
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Jumping in to the game was intimidating, I've got to say. I was under the impression that I'd be playing with other beginners, but when we sat at the table everyone else was all "Oh I've been playing every week for 30 years". Great. It was a little like knowing the knit stitch, being given a lace chart without a key and told to knit a shawl. It had me feeling quite stupid for about half an hour and I really don't like feeling stupid. But I did get it figured out eventually. <br />
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We got to watch Wil Wheaton and creator Mike Selinker play Unspeakable Words at the <a href="http://tabletop.geekandsundry.com/" target="_blank">TableTop Table</a>. <br />
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Someone said something funny as Wil was taking a drink and he spit on the guy next to him which was pretty funny. I wonder if he's washed his face yet.<br />
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I still haven't played Unspeakable Words but it looks really fun.<br />
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There are all manor of weird and awesome things to be seen at Gen Con. Like this Wookie/Klingon/Pirate/goth fairy band. They were pretty good. <br />
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There's a Settlers of Catan van (being driven by 2 sheep). (Got wood for sheep?)<br />
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And Sun King made a special Flagon Ale which was part mead. It was good if you remembered it was part mead, but if you forgot it was a little like drinking a Sprite you expected to be water. <br />
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They turned a local restaurant into Munchkin Tavern which was awesome. One of my favorite games, too. </div>
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Requisite TARDIS picture</div>
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On Saturday Rob went and played D&D for 13 hours. </div>
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Sunday we brought the kids with us. We played the same D&D game I played on Thursday (Candlekeep), but a different scenario. This time was a lot better and Caity and Sean are now dedicated RPGers. </div>
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Rob won a contest on Twitter and got to play Munchkin with one of the creators who's name I can't remember (sorry!) </div>
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About the only thing Molly liked at Gen Con was the Doctor Who America booth. </div>
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She really liked the Dalek on the left, which moved and talked, and there was a TARDIS pillow that she hugged a lot. Otherwise she didn't like it much at Gen Con at all. She went home with my mom for a while and we spent the rest of the day looking at the huge expo, playing lots of games and picking up some things. </div>
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We had an impromptu game at dinner before heading home.</div>
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Yeah, we're geeks. Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-35443140301621083642013-08-31T11:32:00.000-04:002013-08-31T11:32:11.104-04:00I am a Tolkien nerdBack in May when I posted my <a href="http://sameknit.blogspot.com/2013/05/mithril-maiden.html" target="_blank">Iron Maiden shawl </a>I mentioned that I'd post more about the yarn later. <br />
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Well it's a lot later, but I've been reading The Lord of the Rings to my daughter this week. For a good many years I read this book every year at Christmas break. I own all the books and accessory books. I may have made a database of Elvish languages (and have a printed out dictionary on that continuous feed computer paper with the perforated holes on the side from 1992). I spent the better part of a year working on an enlarged detailed map (with corrections to the book map based on reading plus notes from Christopher Tolkien). Yeah, I'm a Tolkien geek. <br />
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Which is why it should be of no surprise that I combined 2 of my favorite obsessions and created a Middle Earth yarn and fiber collection! <br />
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I'm rather proud of them, I think I managed to capture the richness of the colors of the world Tolkien created. <br />
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Each color is stocked on specific bases that I think pair well with the colors, and can be found <a href="http://hyenacart.com/sheepytimeknits/mt/800/39798/Middle-Earth-inspired-yarn-and-fiber-click-for-prices" target="_blank">here</a>. Each has a laceweight, fingering weight, and fiber, and some have a heavier weight as well. All can be special ordered in different bases if you have a different idea in mind. For a long time I couldn't keep the Mithril Silkie in stock (but there's some there now!) <br />
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I'm also pleased to be announcing there will be a bimonthly There and Back Again club beginning January 2014. Signups will begin in November.Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-36719460156255485642013-05-28T13:01:00.000-04:002013-05-28T13:01:20.835-04:00Actual yarn contentI started spinning back about 6 years ago. I didn't have money to buy a wheel, so it was all spindles. <br />
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I heard more than once something that basically said spindle spinning is inferior. When was I going to move up to a wheel. Wheels are better, spindles are just for learning. Someone told me I wasn't a real spinner because I didn't spin on a wheel. <br />
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Seemed like I was making yarn, I don't know why she thought it wasn't "real". <br />
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One of these that seems like it's still hanging around is that you can't spin long draw on a spindle. Can't be done. <br />
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<b>Oh Really?</b><br />
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So I guess that's totally NOT what I'm doing here.<br />
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In fact I've been spinning in some kind of hybrid/modified long draw for years. At <a href="http://sameknit.blogspot.com/2013/05/stringtopia-spring-string-thing-aka-my.html" target="_blank">Stringtopia </a>last month I finally got to take a class from Abby Franquemont on spinning long draw on spindles.<br />
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I already had a pretty good base idea but this class really gave me new wings. I learned some ways to make the whole process faster, and some tricks to getting out slubs by slacking the yarn and then re-tensioning it. <br />
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And I'm learning about myself that I really like doing things I'm not very
good at (yet). I've started swimming which I am TERRIBLE at. Just really really bad, I've never learned how to freestyle swim at all. I started out a month ago with this long draw things at a pretty beginner place. There is
so much room to learn new things and the learning curve is so steep at
the beginning, there's nowhere to go but up. And I have no expectations, so I can't beat myself up for not being better yet. <br />
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I bought 4 ounces of the class fiber, some brown carded wool, strictly for the purpose of practicing. I didn't really care how it came out, I wanted to be able to spin automatically. I intentionally practiced during tv shows that I wanted to look at, instead of my hands. I did not micromanage, because I learned from several exercises that the yarn comes out a lot better than I think it is. I spun for efficiency. <br />
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In no time at all I had 2 full spindles.<br />
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And a day later I had plied yarn.<br />
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Which washed up into this really squishy 260 yard skein<br />
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Which is really pretty amazingly even considering it was a learning skein, and I wasn't really even trying for evenness. <br />
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I really like this long draw spindle thing. Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-47083582353298514542013-05-26T18:35:00.003-04:002013-05-26T19:23:19.554-04:00I am a runnerAll my life I've considered myself unathletic.<br />
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As a newborn I was hospitalized with respiratory illness that would today probably have been diagnosed as RSV, though it wasn't called that in 1971. For most of my childhood whenever I got a cold it went straight to my lungs and I spent a lot of days in the hospital on oxygen. As I got older I was just sicker than everyone else but haven't been in a hospital for it in decades. <br />
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I've never been able to run or do any other sport that includes running. Getting to first base left me winded. Soccer was right out. I was constantly told that I was terrible, that I sucked, and also, mostly by my dad, that I should try harder, suck less (at other things too but this post is not about that). <br />
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The year that I was about to turn 40, I decided that I wanted to try out a couch to 5k running program. I definitely had some extra weight I wanted to get rid of, and as my youngest was 7 years old it was time to stop calling it baby weight. And it was a year of trying new things. A few of my friends started C25K too. We signed up and some Brew Miles, one mile runs here where you end at a brewery and get a free beer for running. I was terrible, but that was ok. Janet and I did Wine at the Line which I'm pretty sure was my first 5k. (Apparently I will run for alcohol.)<br />
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<pre> 832 65 MANDIE HARRINGTON INDIANAPOLIS IN F 40 16:34 51:29.9</pre>
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Pretty bad, but at least I made it.<br />
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I knew I wouldn't be able to do it in the 9 weeks the program takes, but I really thought that if I just stuck to it, I would make tiny incremental improvements and after several months I'd be able to run.<br />
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Well, I was wrong. I don't think I ever made it through week 5 of the C25K program. I asked for advice. I tried running slower. So slow I could walk faster, slow. Still could never make it through the 8 minutes, not even close.<br />
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Talking to some runners on Ravelry I decided that I should give up on the idea of running continuously, at least for a while, and focus on running intervals. One in particular had run some pretty fast marathons by running intervals, and people pointed me to Jeff Galloway. <br />
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That was great, I got a little faster, and more importantly I liked it more. Running SOOOPER slow isn't any fun.<br />
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In November Janet and I did a 5k at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. <br />
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<pre>810 65 MANDIE HARRINGTON INDIANAPOLIS IN F 40 15:20 47:39.0</pre>
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Lots better! Still, you know, really slow, but improving. And we were really inspired by the slower marathon runners we watched finishing. They didn't look like elite athletes, they looked like us. Some were walking, some were running slow, but they were still going and we thought what the hell, we could do that! So we signed up for the half marathon next year.<br />
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I don't know how many times in the next 12 months I wondered what the hell I was thinking. There's a 15 minute/mile time limit and we were very worried about being picked up by the bus. <br />
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2012 was terrible for many reasons too personal to share here, but through it all I kept running. Some days running was the only thing that kept me going. It almost always made me feel better when I was having a breakdown.<br />
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I don't think I got much faster over that year at all, but we sure upped our endurance! And had a little fun, too.<br />
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And then the Monumental came and we totally did it! <br />
<pre> </pre>
<pre>4793 326 MANDIE HARRINGTON INDIANAPOLIS IN F 41 1:27:15.2 15:00 3:16:43.9
4794 450 JANET DALZELL INDIANAPOLIS IN F 33 1:27:15.5 15:00 3:16:44.1</pre>
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Caity and Rob did too.<br />
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So I felt pretty good about myself, and I didn't care how fast I was because it was my first one.<br />
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I got kinda lazy over winter and when I went to start training for the next half marathon (the Indianapolis 500 Mini Marathon), I had lost some. And my life was getting hard again. And this time I was doing it on my own. Up until this year the farthest I had EVER run alone was 3 miles. </div>
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I really had dreams that I was going to be SO much better at this one.
That I was going to finish in under 3 hours, and I was going to run more
than 45 seconds at a time. It became apparent this spring that I was really not going to be able to do that. I was really worried about even finishing. Running is hard enough that my higher brain functioning goes straight out the window. I can't do VERY simple counting math (like to figure out if I'm on lap 8 of 10 that I have 2 laps to go. Or is it 3?) Apparently that's the same part of my brain that tells me it's ok that I'm slow and can't breathe. I start telling myself how much I suck, and that I should be able to be better. That I should suck less (sound familiar?). </div>
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I was out running 3 miles one day in April, trying to finish in under 40 minutes (a long time goal) I was half way through that run, and beating myself up about how TERRIBLE I was, pushing myself past feeling like I was going to throw up for at least 10 minutes before it dawned on me that it was HOT and VERY humid. That this was *maybe* not the best weather to try to break a record and there's NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. Like I said, my brain doesn't function. </div>
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Running alone is really hard. There is the kind of struggle that you have to will yourself through. Leg cramps, shin splints, blisters. And there are things you CAN NOT will yourself through. No amount of will power will make up for shitty lungs, and this is something I've only recently started to accept about myself (which is ridiculous as I would never feel that way about someone else). I cough and sputter and wheeze when I run. </div>
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So the morning of the 2013 Mini Marathon I was really nervous. I really came very close to not going. But I'd told a bunch of people online (Hello TLM!) that I was doing it and they were sending me so many amazing cheers. It was really unbelievable to me, still chokes me up a bit to think about.<br />
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The Mini Marathon is HUGE. It's the largest half marathon in the country, with over 30,000 participants. For reference, the start finish line is waaaaay up there past that blue building.<br />
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I started off and I felt like maybe I was ok. Maybe I could make my 3
hours. I was on pace to do it for a few miles. When we got to the
Speedway and I heard someone say this is half way and sure enough, 1
hour, 30 minutes exactly. <br />
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EXCEPT. I felt like shit. I was never going to finish the way I was going. There were people cheering all around the track (which is 2 1/2 miles around) and I kind of hated all of them. Seriously shut up with your "you can do it!" YOU DON'T KNOW. </div>
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OK I can't keep on like this. And I had to pee. I ducked in to a portapotty along the route and I kinda gave up. Not on finishing but on my 3 hours. Screw it, it's not worth it. And while I was taking my break I remembered all my friends who cheered me on. And a shirt I saw at the expo that said <span style="font-size: x-small;">I got this</span> <span style="font-size: large;">I got this</span> <i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I got this </span></i><b>I got this</b> I GOT THIS. And I said to myself:</div>
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I've got this.</div>
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<b>I've got this.</b></div>
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Fuck it! It doesn't matter if I break my record. It doesn't matter if my dad thinks I suck. It doesn't matter if I'm fast. I'm NOT going to kill myself, I'm going to finish and that's good enough. </div>
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I've got this! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front straight at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway</td></tr>
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I entered the speedway feeling terrible and by the end of the 2.5 miles I had had an epiphany.<br />
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I more or less kept my same running intervals, but if my time to run
came up and I didn't feel like I could, I didn't. An extra 10-20
seconds of walking made all the difference. Sometimes I ran 40 seconds
instead of 45. (Sometimes I ran longer!). I GOT THIS. <br />
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And this song came on my play list</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/q7yCLn-O-Y0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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This song is amazing. It brought me to tears and kept me going. </div>
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If you're lost and alone
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Or you're sinking like a stone
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Carry on
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May your past be the sound
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Of your feet upon the ground
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Carry on
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Really there's just nothing better than this song when you're 11 miles in to a half marathon and you don't think you can keep going. <br />
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We are shining stars
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We are invincible
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We are who we are
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On our darkest day
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When we're miles away
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So we'll come
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We will find our way home
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OH YES WE WILL<br />
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And in the end I totally did it. I made it. I don't believe I have ever been more proud of anything I've ever done in my life. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vYdJjA2kpY/UaKLDsW8OjI/AAAAAAAAEc8/X2Mq1kEg_x8/s1600/Mini+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vYdJjA2kpY/UaKLDsW8OjI/AAAAAAAAEc8/X2Mq1kEg_x8/s640/Mini+010.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishers! Mini Marathon 2013</td></tr>
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<tr class="clicked"><td class="data" nowrap="nowrap">17575 </td>
<td class="data" nowrap="nowrap">Mandie</td>
<td class="data" nowrap="nowrap">Harrington</td>
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<td class="data" nowrap="nowrap"> 5K: </td>
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<td class="data" nowrap="nowrap" style="text-align: right;"> 42:12</td>
<td class="data" nowrap="nowrap" style="text-align: right;"> Brickyard: 1:47:59 11M: </td>
<td class="data" nowrap="nowrap" style="text-align: right;">2:34:52 Finish: </td>
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<td class="data" nowrap="nowrap" style="text-align: right;">3:04:46 Pace: </td>
<td class="data" nowrap="nowrap" style="text-align: right;"> 14:07</td></tr>
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In the end I didn't break my 3 hour goal but really, I was not that far from it considering. I was the only one in our family that had improved from last fall. But none of that matters. I don't think I would have cared if I hadn't gotten faster. I came out of this feeling like a runner.<br />
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So today, on the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 I was thinking about this and thought I should blog about it. I was talking to someone the other day and I was saying I am a terrible runner. She kept trying to tell me I'm not, and she's wrong. I mean I AM a terrible runner. I can't breathe, I cough and sputter. I don't have a good stride. I have apparently very short legs as I was just measuring myself for a bike and my leg length was NOT EVEN A CHOICE because it's so short.<br />
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But I was trying to actually say something positive about myself and failing. I am a terrible runner. But I AM a runner.Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-54980937217723449752013-05-24T09:44:00.003-04:002013-05-24T09:44:51.326-04:00Mithril MaidenWhen some of my Ravelry friends started an <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/iron-maiden" target="_blank">Iron Maiden</a> KAL I immediately had an idea. You could practically see the cartoon lightbulb over my head.<br />
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What's better than Iron? <a href="http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Mithril" target="_blank">MITHRIL</a><br />
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And the pattern does have a sort of chain mail look to it.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4PfZ_VCCMq8/UZ9mI0i7rVI/AAAAAAAAEWU/CWelphNKtpI/s1600/2810.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4PfZ_VCCMq8/UZ9mI0i7rVI/AAAAAAAAEWU/CWelphNKtpI/s640/2810.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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So I set about in my dye pots and made myself some yarn. Silk yarn, obviously because what's better than silk? NOT MUCH.<br />
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You could see me wearing the finished shawl in some of the Stringtopia pictures from the last post, but Caity is a better model (and I am a better photographer than my husband, but I love him anyway). <br />
She's channeling her inner elven princess:<br />
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The pattern is a really quick and easy knit, once you get over some weirdnesses in the chart. Kind of like potato chips. I could easily see myself making another one. </div>
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More about the yarn later.<br />
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<br />Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-82688719876718308742013-05-22T21:04:00.003-04:002013-05-22T22:21:24.820-04:00Stringtopia Spring String Thing (AKA my birthday party)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm warning you now, this is a picture heavy post.</div>
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So for my birthday every year at the end of April Abby Franquemont and <a href="http://www.carolinahomespun.com/" target="_blank">some </a><a href="http://entwinements.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">of </a><a href="http://thespinningloft.com/" target="_blank">her </a><a href="https://stringtopia.net/wordpress/2013/04/team-wheel/" target="_blank">friends</a> throw me a huge birthday party:</div>
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OK, so not really, but it IS a big spinning and fiber arts event and it HAS been on my birthday for the past 3 years so, I choose to think of it that way. This was my third year and the first year I've had very many pictures. (Also the first year I brought my husband. Not a coincidence.) </div>
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We came in Friday afternoon and didn't take any classes on Friday (I hear they were great).</div>
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But we did attend the Bash. This year there were spinning games. One was distance spinning, how much can you spin in 2 minutes. There were several spindle rounds </div>
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This is a picture of my friend <a href="http://entwinements.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Janet </a>(who has way better <a href="http://eighteenstitches.blogspot.com/2013/05/stringtopia-spring-string-thing.html" target="_blank">pictures </a>of her classes of which I have none)</div>
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I *think* Devin won.</div>
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There weren't as many wheels in the room</div>
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Hey that's me:</div>
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(that's WAY farther than it looks like it is)<br />
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I didn't win, but it was a really interesting thing to do because I thought I was spinning the most terrible, lumpy, awful uneven yarn, just for speed, and it turned out to be really not bad. I should spin faster. <br />
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On Saturday I took an Andean backstrap weaving class from Abby which was really fascinating. It might have to be it's own blog post later, but I learned a lot and didn't quite break my brain (but almost did). I am now equipped to weave like an Andean 5 year old, apparently. </div>
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Saturday night's party had more games. This one was longest long draw - teams. The teachers demonstrated:</div>
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This team made it all the way around the corner and down the hall: </div>
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Janet and Carol and I failed miserably after about a yard, we overspun our yarn and it snapped. There is no photographic evidence but we totally went really far and around a corner when we were practicing. </div>
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Team spindles did really well, I just don't have a picture of it. </div>
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Janet and I talking about knitting apps with <a href="http://sandiwiseheart.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sandi Wiseheart</a>, one of my favorite people. </div>
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And someone dared Abby to spin on an 8 pound boat anchor they brought along. </div>
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Which she totally did. </div>
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So. Many. Jokes. </div>
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I took a spindle long draw class on Sunday which was excellent and I got a lot out of it. It's the main thing I've been doing since I got back (more about that later). I have no pictures of that class, either, but if you ever get to take it from Abby I highly recommend it. </div>
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The one thing I notice from all these pictures is that my husband is in none of them. Lebanon, OH, where Stringtopia is, is a really cool small old town, and he is a history nerd so he had fun exploring town while I was in class, and hanging out with the fiber weirdos at night. I even got him to spin a very little. </div>
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Going to Stringtopia is like finding my people, people who get me. Can't wait for next year. </div>
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Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22195138.post-40464709181372505152013-04-24T20:13:00.002-04:002013-04-24T20:15:50.589-04:00Time sure flies I missed blogging on Caity's birthday last week.<br />
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Dear Caity- You have changed m life in so many ways. Almost all for the better.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7eRuzBWP_w/UXhp-jeb8sI/AAAAAAAAEMs/iKYnNCDCBF0/s1600/Caitie2days.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7eRuzBWP_w/UXhp-jeb8sI/AAAAAAAAEMs/iKYnNCDCBF0/s1600/Caitie2days.JPG" /></a>When you were born you were SO tiny (that's a Beanie Baby in that picture for scale) and I didn't know what I was doing. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0uaBYynhwg/UXhqAGpPquI/AAAAAAAAENI/yA9CMI92jiQ/s1600/MomylvsC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0uaBYynhwg/UXhqAGpPquI/AAAAAAAAENI/yA9CMI92jiQ/s320/MomylvsC.JPG" width="226" /></a>With you I became a mother. Changed my identity.<br />
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(Also, look how young I look there! 27 seems like a long time ago.) <br />
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I may not have known what I was doing, but you were you from the very beginning. Stubborn and smart, creative and strong. All wonderful qualities in a person (if frustrating qualities for a parent of a toddler!)<br />
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There was the unfortunate haircut incident of 2001<br />
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And you grew up so fast<br />
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And impressed me every day.<br />
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But you were still my baby <br />
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And you've always had the <i>best </i>laugh</div>
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This last year you have gone to high school, ran cross country, kicked ass in show choir, and run a half marathon. I am so proud of you.<br />
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But I was really not prepared for this:<br />
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When on earth did you get so grown up and go to prom?</div>
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You still have the <i>best </i>laugh, though<br />
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Knit Withttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13381030381314952382noreply@blogger.com2