Still sick...but I think I'm finally on the mend

So, if you can believe it, after 2 weeks, I'm still sick with this nasty virus. In fact, over the weekend, it started getting WORSE. My fever started going up, I had a harder time breathing, and my cough was worse. So, I finally had enough yesterday and went to the doctor. It was a good decision because the doctor figured out that my oxygen levels in my body were very low (around 88-89% when it should be around 99%). So, she ended up doing a nebulizer treatment in the office and prescribing some asthma medication to open up my lungs. Can you believe that I basically had an asthma flare up after all this time? I haven't had problems with asthma since i was about 9 years old - so this virus thing has been a real doozy. Plus, I'm on an antibiotic. I do admit though that since yesterday I'm feeling MUCH better. Thanks to all of you for your well wishes - it is greatly appreciated.

It's been very hard the last few days because I've still been managing to go to work with everything - but coming home early right after classes. Luckily, it won't be long before I'm totally better - and then I can be back to being my enthusiastic hard working self...for now, I'm just focusing on getting well.

Well, in the midst of all of this, I got a wonderful surprise from my One Skein Pal. My final package! My One Skein Pal's name is Bekka and you can find her blog at: http://potlikker.typepad.com/bekka/. She's an academic librarian from Tennessee and just seems so cool - well, I already know that she's super cool because she's been such an awesome one skein pal - but now it's nice getting to learn a little about her after all of this time. Anyway, check how she brightened my lousy day yesterday with this great package. First, I opened the box:

Look how lovely the little packages inside are. I just love the tissue paper and ribbons. So coordinated! In the note at the bottom, my one skein pal revealed all about herself which was a great read for me because I was so curious after all of this time!
Then, look what was inside:

At the top, another set of great notecards! I can't wait to use them - they look beautful! Then, the very special one skein gift! SOCKS!! My very first pair of handmade socks! Aren't they gorgeous? Look - and they fit too - here's what they look like on my feet: Don't they look great???!! I LOVE them and they fit perfectly!!! They're made with Artyarns Selfstriping on two circular needles - and they just look fabulous! The funny thing is that my one skein pal and I must be on the same wavelength because I had sent my one skein pal, Kimberly, 2 skeins of Artyarns Supermerino because she just learned how to knit socks with 2 circular needles! What a coincidence!

Anyway, I should run - sadly, no knitting news to report because I've just been trying to get better. I can't wait to get back though.

Also, quickly for those of you who use Bloglines - I believe that the problem has been solved. However, all of my subscribers were deleted - so you'll need to resubscribe to the blog to get your Professor Knitwit fix! Thanks!

I hate being sick!

So, in my last post, I mentioned that I was feeling a little under the weather. Well, since the point, it's been more than a little. I was hit HARD by a very bad virus that left me with a fever of 102. Not fun! So, between the body aches, and the chills, and the coughing - I haven't been able to do any knitting - zip, zilch, nada. All I've been able to do is focus on sleeping and watching bad tv to pass the time.

I'm feeling a little better today - my temperature dipped slightly below normal for the first time. So, I think I'm out of the worst of it - which is a good thing because I had an advising day today and classes start tomorrow! It's just that this virus was such bad timing - there was so much that I needed to get done in the few days before classes started - but instead, I was stuck.

So, yesterday I was feeling pretty lousy - until - I got a surprise box in the mail! From my Secret 8 Pal!!! I opened it to find a wrapped box with a card:
How festive!!!

I opened up the wrapping and look what I found!:

On the left, a birthday card (my birthday is on Thursday!). Not just any birthday card - but probably one of the BEST birthday cards I've ever received because when you open the card, the "Chicken Dance" song starts playing. Let me tell you, I was feeling so sick yesterday that it was exactly what I needed to cheer me up - I just burst out laughing when I heard that music!! Too funny!

Then, on the right, a bottle of cabernet chocolate sauce!!!! It's supposed to be used with desserts - on ice cream, poundcake, strawberries, etc. This looks so awesome!!! I can't wait to try it!

So, thank you again, secret pal!! This was such a surprise!! I was not expecting to receive anything like this - I am truly spoiled!!! What am I going to do when this month is over, and I don't have you as a secret pal anymore??!!!

Before I close for today, I just thought I'd leave you with possibly the cutest picture of Sam and Frodo EVER!!

School is right around the corner! Aaaah!

It's been a few days since I've posted - I meant to post sooner - but I'm actually feeling a little under the weather. I've just been feeling achey and tired and just generally out of it. I'm currently on tylenol and feeling a touch better which is why I decided to set some time aside to blog. I think I'm just basically stressed about everything that needs to happen before school starts - next week on Aug. 22nd!! Yikes! I've had a lot of aggravation trying to get these computers set up for the experimental course - not fun at all! But, I'm hoping that everything will get sorted out in time.

In knitting news, I've made major progress on Matilda Jane. Everything is done except for the sleeves!!! Hooray!! Here's what it looks like right now:

Just realize that the hems need to be sewn down - and at that point you'll see the pico hem. Also, the button bands need to be sewn down as well - but this really gives you a nice sense of what it looks like. I really like it a lot except that I'm a little concerned that some of the lower buttons won't close or that they will close but will be a little too tight. I'm hoping that everything will be okay and that maybe a little blocking will take care of it. But, I'm also thinking that maybe that won't be a huge deal since I never actually close my cardigans - so we'll see. Regardless, I love the sweater - the yarn is so soft and the cardigan is really well constructed.

I'm sorry to say that there's been no progress on the afghan - I just haven't been that motivated to work on it...but I bought that new Crochet Today magazine..and boy is it good!! Here are some of the highlights:
Don't you love this jacket??!! I can't wait to make it. This is definitely going on my list of things that I need to make.

Next, this little capelet.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of ponchos and capelets in general - but I really do like this one - it really says "fall" to me.


Last, look what they've done with the edges of these napkins.


These look like they'd make a great gift. I'm actually thinking of making a set of these for a friend of mine that's getting married labor day weekend. They seem easy and quick enough.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this new magazine. I'm really looking forward to seeing other issues and making things from this one. But - I really need to get to that afghan!!!

Before I close I just want to mention something to my bloglines subscribers. There seems to be something very strange going on with bloglines and my blog. Just thought I'd let you know that I'm aware of the problem and the tech people are in the midst of investigating. Until then, you'll just have to keep checking for updated content.

Look what came in the mail!

Yesterday, I had such a pleasant surprise in the mail. Yet ANOTHER package arrived from my sp8 pal. As with the previous packages, my pal really went above and beyond the call of duty. So, I was greeted by this HUGE package and look what was inside:
Don't the separate packages look gorgeous??!! Really - it looks like it was wrapped professionally with the paper and the beautiful ribbons...and of course, this was very exciting for Sam who had to inspect as well.

So, I went ahead and unwrapped everything - and behold!

I should first mention that my pal put together a package with a "keep cool" theme. So creative!! As you know, I was complaining quite a bit these last few weeks about the hot weather over here so this package is certainly very appropriate.

Anyway, so starting at the bottom left and moving clockwise, another amazing handmade card!! My pal really does have this incredible talent for card making - each one that she's sent me (and there have been many) has been a work of art!!

Then, above this a little battery operated fan. Certainly useful in the hot weather! I think I forgot to mention it on my blog, but the other week we went to go see a minor league ball game (so fun - DH and I just love baseball) - and this woman next to me in the stands had one of these little fans - and I was quite envious at the time because it was quite hot and humid at the game. Anywya, so next time we go to a ball game, I'll be sure to bring it!

Then, to the right of the fan, huge sunglasses with hearts!! So fun and glamourous!!

Then, to the right of that, in a plastic drink container (with fun tropical drink umbrella straws) - containing 3 skeins of Rowan kid silk haze - 2 in bright pink and 1 white!!! I just love both colors!!! If you remember, I had made my To Dye For sweater in kid silk haze - I loved the feel of it then - and I love it now. So luxurious!! Can you believe the creativity of putting it in a drink container as if it was some cool drink???!!! Love it!

Next, a package of raspberry lemonade mix. This looks delicious!! The perfect hot weather drink. I can't wait to try it. Yum!

Next, underneath that a pattern for a lace scarf - to be knit with one skein of kid silk haze. It looks beautiful and certainly a perfect pattern for the warmer weather.

Last, a great new knitting book - "The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting". Notice again the keep cool theme! This book looks great - as you know, I love all knitting books, and this one has some great fun and funky patterns that I can't wait to try.

And before I forget, both cats had a lot of fun with the box it all came in!!

So, thank you secret pal!! I can't believe how you managed to put all of this together. So thoughtful and creative! As I mentioned before, you've really gone above and beyond what was required of a secret pal. I am truly the luckiest spoilee!! I really love everything - so thank you so much again!!

Anyway, it's getting a little late - and I still need to eat some dinner - but just a quick knitting update...the body of Matilda Jane is done!!! I've been working on the buttonholes but have been delayed again because I'm a little stuck..however, I've been in touch with Ysolda and she's been very helpful so far so hopefully my issues will get resolved soon. In the meantime, I'm going to get some work done on those squares.

One last thought - only 9 days until school starts! Yikes!! I'm so not ready for summer to be over!!

Knitting delays and a new pet (sorta)

The weather has been slightly cooler the last few days - so I've been more in the mood for knitting..but I was delayed in my knitting attempts for a few days anyway. In the midst of working on Matilda Jane, I realized that there was some unevenness in the stitch counts between a few markers. So, I emailed the lovely and helpful Ysolda who provided some much welcome advice (basically, I'm ignoring it since you can't tell anyway) - and in the last couple days, I finished the bust shaping! Hooray! Plus, I can actually try it on - here it is so far:
I had a lot of trouble trying to take this picture because the flash kept bouncing off of the mirror so I decided to take it without the flash - and the colors aren't quite right..but I think you get the idea. Anyway, I LOVE how the cardigan is turning out. It's really a fantastic design. And the yarn - the yarn! I know I've gone on and on about the Rowan Wool Cotton - but it really is fantastic. Well, anyway it actually won't be too much longer until I start working on the button bands and facings - which should be interesting since I've never knit a cardigan before..but this is such a well-written pattern that I know I'll get through it!!

In terms of the afghan progress, I managed to crochet one more square. I know - not very impressive. I just really can't bring myself to play with wool right now...but maybe in a few days I'll be able to get over that.

In other news, DH and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary this weekend! I can't believe that it's been 5 years - the time has really flown. My husband is big into surprises so he managed to plan this whole anniversary bonanza - from breakfast to dinner with a concert in between and just got to spend a lot of time together (which is a bit of a luxury given how busy we both are). Plus, to mark the occassion, he got me a Nintendo DS with a bunch of games. I know that this might sound kind of odd to most of you - but if you remember from my 100 things post - I have this guilty pleasure for video games. Anyway, one of the games is called Nintendogs - and I have a new virtual dog - meet Chewy!!!

Chewy is a shetland sheepdog and is very cute. Anyway, it's been an excellent source of procrastination.

Lastly, something very excited happened in the mail on Saturday....I received my first Crochet! magazine!!! They have a couple of patterns that I'm thinking about making - but it was just so cool receiving the magazine in the mail - it really made me feel more like I'm part of the crochet community. Thanks secret pal, again!!!!

Anyway, time for me to deal with dinner - have a great night.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

It's very hot here in knitwitville - I know it's very hot just about everywhere in the country - but I've just about had it with this heat over here - it's supposed to get a little cooler this weekend - but who knows??!!

So, to keep cool (aside from staying in A/C as much as possible) I think about fall - my favorite season! I just love that crisp air! Sweater-weather - you know, the weather where you need a sweater but NOT a jacket. Love it!

Well, it's actually been easy to think about fall because so many fall previews are up for the knitting mags. I just love checking out the previews - even if I'm not so interested in a particular pattern - there's something about getting those sneak peaks! I'm very much digging this Bianca Sweater pattern at Interweave in particular:
There's something about it that seems so earthy - maybe it's the yarn - but I just love some of the details in the sweater pattern. So, I think that may be on my list at some point!

Did you also see the new Rowan? Also, very intruiging. Some of those fair isles are fantastic - so British!

I must say that I'm also very anxious to see the new fall Interweave Crochet and the new Crochet Today magazine.

So many magazines - so little time!!!!

Now that I think about it, it's pretty funny that I take such pleasure at looking at the fall knitting patterns because I am not a fan of looking at the fall previews in the clothing stores. For some reason, it just seems to hot to be looking at fall clothes - but not fall patterns - go figure! Maybe I'm just odd that way.

I've been continuing to make good progress on Matilda Jane - I'm still really loving it. I haven't made any progress on the afghan though - I think it's just too hot to deal with all of that wool!!! Even in the air conditioning!!!

Anyway, I've got a big day tomorrow - I'm meeting up with my TAs for the lab class. Let's hope it goes well - I've put so much work into this course - it better be great!!!