Happy Holidays!

Wow, hard to believe Christmas has passed and it's been so long since I've been here. I've been busy at work and home, not even close to ready for Christmas. Put in a full day on Christmas eve at the lab, drove from Gainesville, Florida to Apopka (Zellwood Station, to be exact) for the annual DiBiasio Family Christmas. Think Chevy Chase and Christmas vacation, just minus all the lights. For the first time in 22 years, hubby had to see his family without me for the first few hours. It was odd being the last one there, as we are usually the first! My two youngest went with their dad early; all cousins wanted to see Stevie's shaved head. He had grown his hair for 4 years. I now have a 15 inch ponytail to send to Locks for Love. But Stevie complains his head is cold. Soooo, we have to find all the Superman logo hats we can.....Steve says that's his symbol....."S" is for Steven, after all!

Jeff and Sam came with me. I was hoping to have Jeff drive, so I could relax and crochet. As I have said before, the best laid plans.......no crocheting and I drove. The ghans posted here are gifts for folks at work.

Here's what I have been working on for an exchange. Late, but almost done:

That's all for now. Will post more this weekend...purses I have been making, too! I hope you all enjoy the holidays with your family and friends!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Got up at 7am and started cooking. We are smoking a 25.69 lb mac daddy turkey and baking a 21.41 lb. one. Stuffed with faud (meat stuffing); making regular stuffing for me. Rutabagas, mashed potatoes, homemade whole cranberry sauce, green been casserole, corn, hawaiian rolls, sweet potatoe casserole, and greens.....I'm sure I'm leaving out something, but it will be a veritable feast! Enjoy your holiday with your family and friends...I am very thankful for all of you that read this! Beth

Best laid plans......

So much for wanting to post on my vacation. I did well for a few days, but got a stomach virus at the end. Finally feeling better, so I can post more frequently. Here's a pic of what I did while on vacation:

my neckwarmer and fall purse. These pics are from Universal:

The first pic is of the whole gang, boys, gf's and me. Hubby taking picture. Then us on the teacups and the last of me and hubby at the end of the day. Can't wait to go back and ride the rides!

CAL Bag done!

My CAL bag for Universal is finished! Can't wait to use it tomorrow. Have to upload some pics and clean out my card so I can take plenty of pics tomorrow. Will upload them this weekend.

Another CAL

This is a bag to go along with the hat and scarf. I don't have the entire pattern yet, but am going to improvise it so I can tote it along as a carry-all on Wednesday on our trip to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. Yes, all of us and the girlfriends are going on an outing. Should be interesting as the Timm and hubby don't do roller coasters. I'm good for a couple of rides, but then I get dizzy. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the rush of riding a coaster; I finally have learned that I don't get sick to my stomach if I keep my eyes open. I even like riding in the front row. My fave coaster so far is Shekra at Busch Gardens.....supposedly two 90 degree drops. (More like 86 or 87 degrees; if it was actually 90. the cars would fall off the track...that would NOT be a good thing). Coolest thing about Shekra is the 4-second hang at the top as you look down to your death. Scary, but a lot of fun! I am looking forward to riding The Hulk and Double Dragon coasters. Will post photos later in the week. The weather promises to be grand and cool. My boys are great at figuring out where the cameras are on the coasters and waving their arms.....I hang on white knuckled and scream for dear life. Yes, they all laugh at me.
But Timm promises to ride one with Shelby....she likes them too. That ought to be fun to watch!
Off to finish my bag and make another On the Go Sunshine purse in gator colors....I'm being paid and have to have it done for Friday.

VACATION!

I'm hoping to be able to post more, now that I'm on vacation til Monday November 3. Have lots of projects to work on, painting of my living room in "corvette" orange, cleaning my closets and LAUNDRY.....yech. Oh well, must be done. We are taking the boys and their girls to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure next Thursday. Should be fun as my youngest doesn't like roller coasters. His girlfriend, Shelby, does. This should be fun.

Saturday marks Steven's 17th b-day. Wow, hard to believe. He has vowed to cut his hair by Christmas. It's rock star long, but he's tired of brushing it. I'm going to try to get him to donate it to locks for love. Tim is going to cut his too. His head is a mass of curls and difficult to manage.

Bob and I went to Kanapaha gardens in Gainesville on Sunday for their annual fall plant sale. It was free to get in. We bought another bamboo stripestem) and a camelia plant. That brings our total bamboo count to 11 plants (including 2 heavenly's that don't spread and run). Bob and I both took lots of pics, so I will post some later this week.

This is our first plant, called golden goddess (clumping). That was followed by 2 arrow, 1 seashore (resuce missions from our local home depot), 2 buddha belly's, one miniature buddha belly, and a black. I also found out that a friend/rep at work has some either timber or blue he's trying to kill with roundup, so we are going to make a road trip and get some from him!

This is my camphor tree. When I bought it ten years ago, I thought I froze it the first winter. It took FOREVER to grow to this height, but it is getting HUGE! This is my most fragrant tree. Now, if only I could figure out how to rotate the pic so it's not crooked!

I have to go pick the boys up from school; will post more later!

Crochet along

Finished! Mine, Mine, Mine! Yipeee! Now, I just need it cold enough to wear! Gotta love the sunshine state....it's now 88 degrees.

Doily with a twist

Here it is. I was sent this pattern back in August, finally getting to it NOW! I love it...16" across. I was sent the pattern and thread ~Aunt Lydia's in cream....nice and shiny! (along with another doily the girl had made) in a box.

It is my duty to finish this one, send it along with another pattern and thread to the next person on the list. I love this pattern and picked up some Aunt Lydia's bamboo crochet thread at Walmart. This stuff is soo soft, it feels like silk. Can't wait to make my doily with this stuff!

Click for donating mammograms!

Use the link here http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2&link=ctg_bcs_home_from_ars_thankyou_sitenav to click on the breast cancer site, donate a mammogram or two! I'm also gonna post to the donate a bowl of food to rescued animals on here, too. http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_home_from_bcs_home_sitenav I am a softy when it comes to animals. Guess that's why I have tons of cats and 3 dogs. Will post photos tomorrow. They are not rescued, they are mine. One day, I hope to rescue some. I cry all the time when these commercials come on tv. Drives the boys crazy! LOL.....

crochet along scarf

Here's a pic of my dawn and susans comfy corner crochet along scarf. My fave colors, as this is for ME! You may not be able to tell, but I did run out of a few colors, but since it's mine, I don't care! Now on to the hat!
And to finish watching TALLADEGA, Baby! I love that track. Talking to hubby, I'd be happy just going there, camping, walking around, tailgating and listening on the radio. GO TONY, ELLIOTT, Juan-Pablo and JR!

Dave's ghan and Arlene's cap

Dave's ghan is 1/2 finished! Yippeeee! I accidentally have the ribbon rows going in opposite directions, but that'll make Dave remember my chaotic ways! Orderly, nicely lined up in the same direction is just SOOOO NOT ME! Besides this way, there is no proper way to use it.

I also have an online friend who I've known for years, named Arlene. She is the sweetest lady I've known in a long time. Recently, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently undergoing radiation treatment and has been depressed. With all the breast cancer afghans I've been doing, I decided to make her a ribbon hat. Yes, that's me modelling it....only for a true friend, as I ABHOR having my pic posted. I used Dee Stanziano's (of CrochetingwithDee) Tulip Preemie Cap, which is a variation of her light and lacy chemo cap. I hope it helps to cheer up Arlene.

By the way, if anyone is interested in donating to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, here's the link: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY09Florida?team_id=310736&pg=team&fr_id=11638

The team I'm on is the Gainesville, Florida Chapter named "Cure or Bust." Friends of mine from Occupational Health had me join three years ago. Glad to support the cause, especially since I now personally know someone and I feel like I'm really helping out! If you would like to donate, go to the link and look for my name, Beth DiBiasio. If you have trouble, contact me at wadefan420@bellsouth.net. Thanks!

Ribbons and Roses

This is the Ribbons and Roses Afghan I made for another Breast Cancer team from Gainesville, Cure or Bust. I am a member of this team. They are raffling it off the day of the walk, October 3. If you would like to make a donation, e-mail me and I'll let you know how.

Here's a comfortghan that one of my groups had me put together for a member whose hubby had died unexpectedly. I am also putting together another for the daughter who is also a grandmother this past week. Hope to post more often soon!

Dave's last day at Rocky Point

My now former boss Dave and I, after his party. After weeks of taking, organizing, developing pics from our lab, here's the last one his lovely wife Sonya (yes, of Sonya's sweater) took of him and I together. Lots of food, fun and yes, PRESENTS! Of course, Dave's afghan is NOT yet finished, but will be by the time the snow flies in PA. Penny made dave a Gator beanie on her knitting looms.... Oh yeah, and I HAD to give him a PONYKEG........actually, it's a Bubba Keg.
If you look closely, you can see my Bobicus Maximus pin from the Ravelympics on my lanyard. Yes, I wear it every day.
RPL is not going to be the same without him, I will miss him; good thing I have him on my facebook friends! I'm just glad I didn't cry....almost, but didn't do it!

Absenteeism

Been away from the blogging world for awhile. work has been nuts; boss is leaving tomorrow, planning a big bash for his send off. Learning all the fun things he does, entertaining all the reps he used to talk with, plus all the other things that go along with a hospital lab. Staff, instrument issues, patient/nurse/doctor complaints, budgets, supplies, filling in for sick and vacationing people. Just been too tired to do much of anything. Am working on a blanket for Dave, a variation of the pink ribbon ghan. This one has green ribbons, as Dave had a liver transplant last September. I won't have it done by tomorrow, but it contains the same green that is in Sonya's sweater. Long story, but my way of keeping the family connected. Will post photos of my progress this weekend.
Hope all are well, those of you in Ike's path are ok. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Nicole's Inga Bag

I began this bag on May 6th for Steven's girlfriend Nicole. She loves highlighter colors, so I went with Caron's simply soft brites. The squares were bigger than they were supposed to be, so I only needed 12. Nicole also wanted a LOOOONG strap (yes, she is way taller than me!), so I made a chain of 150 and sc all the way around twice. She liked it, so I guess that's all that matters. The first pic is what I'd had done up til Sunday. It's cute and fun to put together.

Here's a link to the pattern. http://www.scribd.com/doc/3313248/Ingas-Granny-Square-Crocheted-Bag I know I found it on another blog, not this link, but this will work! Maybe that's what I'll use all those grannies for that I have!

On to the next project, which is Dave's green ribbon ghan for his going away gift. And a doily, and a CAL from a yahoo group that I want off my coffee table! The list is never ending, LOL

Breast cancer awareness afghan

I made this for Kara (pictured holding her afghan) to raffle off for her MSABC team. It was supposed to be 20 squares, but being the procrastinator I am, I only was able to finish 9. I will get started sooner next year!

Now I need to start on my boss' (soon to be ex) green transplant ribbon ghan for his going away gift. Something to keep him warm in Pennsylvania. I see ribbons in my sleep! LOL

Sonya's Country Car Coat....Completed!

Yes, children, it is completed! I really like it, it is very warm. and if you are wondering, yes, I have to stand in my bathtub to get a good photo from my big mirror. I promised Sonya I wouldn't take her pic and post it on the web. So, I guess this is the fashion show you are going to get. Now, I have to finish the breast cancer ghan and figure out what color I want to make MY Car coat! I really like this pattern. Moves fast and seeing results fast (yup, instant gratification, baby, that's what I'm all about!) certainly helps to push to the end. Not to mention the accolades from Bobicus Maximus on Ravelry for successfully completing my Olympian task! BRING IT ON!

All done but the edge and collar!

WOOHOOO! 3.5 hours to go and just the edging and collar to go. Can't wait and the excitement is building! I did add 5 rows of inverted edging to the bottom and like the length a lot better!

It fits!

finally got this together last night. Started the outer trim before making the collar/edging. Had to model it to send photo to Sonya to see if she likes the length. I do not. Covers my butt, but needs to be longer to truly be a "coat" for my tastes. Am going to invert the pattern stitches along the bottom edge about 3- 4 rows. I'm really liking this sweater....will have to make one for me now! Can hopefully finish today, but laundry and kitty litter do stand in my way....not to mention cleaning my kitchen and making meatloaf for dinner...! I'm sure chauferring a teen or two around will be added in there somewhere!

As for Fay, we never lost power for any length of time. Just a few blips. Hubby thought I was nuts for turning off the air (until the house started filling up with teenagers and girls who's power was out and NEEDED a shower!). After living without it for 3 years after the last round of hurricanes that moved thru here, I WAS NOT going to chance it again. Hope my friends in Daytona fared well, as the storm stalled there for a few days. I also hope they don't have to make a mad dash for UF this weekend as KeiLani starts classes on Monday. Ok, I'm off to see what I can accomplish today!

Oh yeah, and don't tell, but I ordered a Bobicus Maximus lapel pin for Sonya to wear on the sweater, notating that it was done for her for the Ravelympics 2008 on ravelry! (I ordered one for me too!)

It's beginning to look like a sweater!

RAIN RAIN AND MORE RAIN

Yes, it is raining here. Tropical Storm Fay is stalled over our little corner of the world. Work and school have been cancelled. Gotta love it, the kids went to school Monday and have been off the rest of the week. 4/5 Hurricane days gone. It is better to be safe than sorry, I know.
This means I may finish Sonya's sweater by Sunday! Woooohooo! Sleeves (and laundry) will be done today. Will post pics later.
Hope you all are staying dry. I'm stayin' inside...funny, we haven't even lost power (yet)....keep your fingers crossed. Living out in the boonies, we used to be the first ones to lose it! Better get to the sleeves!

no time for sleeves

Haven't had too much time these past couple of days to work on sleeves. Bummer! What with the kids going back to school for a day, then having hurricane days Tues and Wed. Thank goodness Fay turned farther south. Sorry for the Orlando folks, but it was breezy, cloudy, and sunny up here yesterday. Oh yeah, not to mention attempting to go live with two new analyzers at work. Yippeee!
Am hoping to get home this evening and at least make ONE sleeve a reality! Have a great day and I'll keep you posted!

SUCCESS!

Mean old Sonya won't let me post her photo here, but I do have her back (in more ways than one!). I did rip out the entire back and both fronts as my boys were driving to Gainesville to do some school shoppoing on Saturday. By Sunday evening, I was back where I started, plus the beginning of one sleeve; it fits so much nicer now! I have pics of me wearing it so you can see the front pieces.

Yes, I did take the pics in the bathroom at work, as you might tell from the lovely sink faucets. Am now headed home to attempt to finish at least one sleeve!

Too Small

well, the results are in. The sweater is too small in the armpit area. Yeah, that happens all the time. I was going to try to add to it, but want it to be right. I am going to ripit all out and start again. Luckily, it's a fast moving pattern and I should still be able to finish by next Sunday's closing ceremonies!

Today, I need to take the boys clothes shopping. School starts Monday...thank goodness. Since they can both drive, I can work on the sweater in the car! Little do they know the evil genius that is their mom! LOL. Anyhow, hope to repost my progress tomorrow after the MIS race...GO Tony Stewart and Elliott Sadler, and Juan Pablo Montoya!

progress!

attached are the updated pics of the sweater I'm making for the Ravelympics. For those of you who don't know, Ravelry is a site for knitters and crocheters to showcase and log their creations. Meet fellow crafters, acquire new patterns, and just share with your crafting buddies.

Anyhow, the two front pieces are done. I attached the fronts and tacked the shoulder seams. I will take a pic of Sonya with it tomorrow. I'm hoping the armholes are big enough, but I always have problems with armholes and sleeves. I think I'll be adding length, ripping out seams and elongating the armholes. But I KNOW I can get this done by next Sunday and the Olympics end!

Ravelympics update

These are projects I'm making for the Ravelympics 2008 and Crochet Games of Ancient Greece on Crochetville Forum. The sweater is LionBrand Country Car Coat. I'm making it for my friend Sonya at work. Have to finish it by August 24.....I think I can, I think I can! The Pink Ribbon squares are for an breast cancer awareness afghan for raffle at work. Needs to be finished by Aug 29....I KNOW I CAN! LOL....Will keep posting pics as I progress. I WANT TO WIN! Blades of Glory...How about Hooks of Glory? Blazing Hooks? I'd better get back to crocheting!

My first blog

Wow. Here it is. My little place on the web to put my stuff. Pretty cool. Hope to get some pics posted during the coming days. Right now, I'm working on the Lion Brand Country Car Coat for the Ravelympics. Did most of the back during the Nationwide race at Watkins Glen yesterday. Pic will follow as soon as I get it taken!
Have to take Tim to Shelby's house. An hour round trip. Yippeee! Later, Beth