Blogging from the couch

That's right.  I'm on the couch.  With possibly the cutest little laptop ever created.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The Toshiba NB205"][/caption]

It is great and tiny.  It's just over 10" wide.  It works really well and should be nice to take with me wherever I go.  Loops laughs at me, but I just LOVE the way it looks.  Check out the outside.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Yummy texture in frost white!"][/caption]

Ok.  Enough about my little netbook.  On to the knitting updates.

I actually haven't been getting much done with the knitting the past week or so.  I've been in a bit of a funk, I suppose.  I'm trying to get out of it though.

Uhura is pretty much at a standstill.  I did get to the bottom of the back half and did the hem.  I now want to hem everything I do.  I think it's great.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Not so great picture, but a great hem!"][/caption]

I have also started another Ishbel shawl.  It's going to be more summery since I'm using a cotton/silk blend.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Ishbel in my favorite color, grey."][/caption]

Last on the list of projects I've actually been working on, the sock.  This sock has been in progress since last year.  I just couldn't get into it, but recently decided I wanted to get on with it so I dug out the few inches of leg I had done and started knitting.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="378" caption="Sort of like a rainbow got sick, huh?"][/caption]

Sadly, it seems too big.  Last year, I wasn't nearly as careful about getting the correct gauge as I am now.  I'm happy that I can actually make a sock though.  Turning a heel just seems very impressive to me, even after doing it and finding out it's actually pretty easy.  Now I just have to get to the toes.

Adding to the family

Back in November, I wrote a blog and introduced Moxie.  Here's what I had to say:

Sure we didn’t need another cat, but we’ve been wanting a third.  We’ll try to stop at that number though.  I have a feeling between her and Dottie we’ll have our hands too full for any others.

I guess I was wrong because the past month we'd really been talking about getting a fourth cat.  We went back and forth with the whole need and want debate and changed our minds about 20 times.  In the end, the desire to have another cat won out so we went down to Pet Helpers.  It's a great shelter.  They have most of the adult cats in 4 different rooms with all kinds of things for them to climb and sleep on.  You can just walk right in and meet them.  Between the two days I went there to pick out a cat, I must have spent 5 hours total just going back and forth from room to room meeting all the cats.  It's sad how many cats were there and some have been there for years.

As a little introduction to who our new cat is, I've copied his description from the Pet Helpers website

Ok I don’t want to seem conceded but I may be the coolest cat to have ever entered the pearly gates of Pet Helpers. Ask any staff member you pass who the most awesome cat in the shelter is and they will invariably say me. I will be the first to great you when you walk in the room and try to ride out on your shoulders. It is a crime to think I have been here for almost a year, don’t make me wait a minute longer. I scored nearly perfect on my felinality test but you don’t need a test to see I’m over qualified to be your cat.

They were not exaggerating about him riding out on your shoulders either.  He will jump right on if you let him.  Anyway,  I know y'all are all wanting to actually see him.  Meet Bob.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="370" caption="Mr. Bobertons"][/caption]

He seems to be settling right in around here and is not bothered by all these crazy girls hissing at him all the time.  Hopefully they'll become more friendly soon and Bob will get over his "I must explore the kitchen countertops" phase and we'll be able to let him roam the house freely at night.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Ready to attack!"][/caption]

Bob request that any "welcome to the family" gifts you may feel like sending be little tinsel balls like the one above.  He LOVES them and doesn't understand why the girls would like furry mice more.

Today was vet day for Luna and Bob.  They were very good kitties and were only fussy during shots and anything involving their butts.  I don't blame them.  Do you?  Bob's got an antibiotic shot because he's running a bit of a fever.  Hopefully, he'll be better soon.  Otherwise, both cats were in good health and are now being lazy at home.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="352" caption="Lazy kitties"][/caption]

Ishbel

I never thought I would make a shawl.  I mean, when am I gonna wear one?   They always seemed so dressy and fussy, but after seeing so many Ishbels made by others I couldn't resist.  I figured if I made the small version, it would almost be like a scarf so I went on and bought yarn and cast on for one.   It ended up a little bigger than I expected, but it's so pretty.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Ishbel, all blocked and ready to wear!"][/caption]

Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine

Needles: US 8

More details… here (ravelry link)

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Ishbel, up close"][/caption]

I loved making this.  In fact, I can't get over how much fun I had.  I want to make 50 more.  I probably won't go that crazy, but I really am considering at least one more.  We'll see.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="333" caption="Lambie modeling Ishbel"][/caption]

For those who can't wait

You know who you are (mom).

I finished my shawl on Sunday night.  Right now it's blocking and I will post a full post about it once it's dry.  Here's a sneak peek.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="333" caption="Ishbel Unblocked"][/caption]

I have yet to finish my other main project, the Uhura tank top.  I'm still working on the back, but here's the latest:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Uhura's latest progress"][/caption]

Well, that's probably the shortest post ever.  Sorry Mom.