“In a way, it’s someone else’s story, June 26, 2009

I don’t see myself as taking part at all. “

This is kind of how I have been feeling for a while. The lyrics come from a song I used to sing at just about every audition I ever did. I’ll tell you about it in a little bit. But let me first return to the fact that I have been feeling so far removed from my own self lately, that I don’t even feel like its me going through everyday life. I can only think that its a coping mechanism for things like dealing with mourning, dealing with missing my husband who works a completely opposite schedual from me, dealing with the status quo of life as of right now.  Detatchment is not something I am well practiced at, but its something I’ve been doing an awful lot of lately. I suppose that is part of the reason the blog has been neglected, I don’t return phone calls except mostly to my husband and mother. I’ve let a lot of my social life just drift past. What has worried me the most is that I haven’t cared.

The last few weeks I have kind of, woken up, I guess is the best way to say it. I have realized that I have stepped completely out of my own life and let something else that is not me take over. Well, I just can’t function like that anymore. I am doing my best to re-engage myself with the world and my life.

So, as re launch, what like number 100 on this blog, here I go again!

Let me start by telling you that the lyrics previously mentioned, stem from the musical Chess. Chess was introduced to me back when I was about 10 singing in children’s choir in CT. I was assigned the song “Someone Else’s Story.” Most likely, at the time, it was given to me by my teacher, because the range of the piece suited my voice. Little did I ever know, was that the song is kind of the anthem of my life. It deals with struggle, with pain, but yet also deals with a “get off your ass and do something” mentality. It’s a woman who is so out of touch with her own life that she has forgotten to live it. But this is the moment where she realizes it and does something about it.  I was re-introduced to my Chess when it was redone as a concert version starring Idina Menzel (would like to be her in another life), Josh Groban (swoon), and my dear dear Adam Pascal (if you know me you know how I feel about this man!!!!). What an amazing performance. The music is fabulously written. Tim Rice is really a genious. I strongly suggest you either DVR it the next time it shows up on PBS or just go buy the thing!!

I was going to find you a lovely video clip of the song on YouTube, but all the ones from the recent concert are crappy cell phone videos. Searching for one, however, led me to an amazing find… My Broadway junkies out there will know who this is almost immediately I am sure.

Lea Salonga, for those of you who don’t know her, was in original casts of Les Miserables, Mis Saigon, and did the singing voice for Mulan. Those are only her most popular, she has a very extensive resume.

Ok, so I have totally exposed my Broadway geekiness. Bretheren come a runnin, we will talk musicals all day!

On to knitting. I have actually done quite a bit of that.

The most recent being a pair of fabulous socks I have finished.

I am participating in the WendyKnits, Socks from the Toe up KAL 2009 AND Summer of Socks 2009.

You are going to see a lot of socks for the next couple of months.

Pattern: Lacy Ribs
Toe: JMCO
Heel: Slip stitch
Yarn: Chewy Spaghetti
Colorway:Lucky
Needles: US2 Circular Needle (KnitPicks Harmony), 32”
Start Date: June 1, 2009
Finish Date: June 21,2009
Size: Large
Cast off: EZ sewn BO

I also dabbling in crochet. Yes, I said crochet!! And I’m not half bad!

I’ll give you all the details on this once its finished.

Tomorrow is a big Saturday. Hobby Lobby, Charlotte Purls meet up, and possibly another yarn shop with YeaIKnit!

Sorry for the kind of emo start, but I hope I have left you with something enjoyable. I promise I will be back!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Happy Valentines Day! February 14, 2009

I have the best husband ever. Really I do. Here is what I found on my desk at work yesterday. I had stepped away for a moment and came back to a little bag full of….

He is so cute!

When you pull the arrow off his head he says, ” Jumping toadstools, your cute!” When you put the arrow back on, it makes a sound like the arrow just hit a target.

It’s a frog, and I adore frogs!

The card was absolutely lovely and touching. Made me cry even! For those of you who don’t know, my husband is very sentimental, but not the most romantic person. So this was HUGE for him. And I love him dearly for it!

Now, from me to you, a small knitted valentine!

Project: Valentines Cloths (Ravelry Link) by KrisKnits

If you haven’t seen her patterns yet, you need to check them out! Her blog is absolutely a joy to read as well (Linked above).

Yarn: Peaches & Cream Solid color Teal

Needle size: US 5

To quote one of my favorite bands for today,

“If you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with.” -CSNY

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

No Day But Today February 2, 2009

So my favorite Broadway show in the entire universe is running it’s Finale Tour. The show will no longer be on Broadway, nor will it be in the touring circuit.

.At least until they decide to do a revival when my kids are my age.

Oye. Anyway.

But last night, I got the chance to see the show here in Charlotte.

For obvious, copyright infringement laws, I couldn’t take pictures in the theater. But, I can show you the swag I got!

So, upper left we have a nifty nylon bag with the logo that came with the souvenir program you see in the bottom right corner.

The freebie programs and tickets are on the left hand side there.

And the shirt on the bottom has a story.

WAAAAAAAAY back, when I was just a little tweenie bopper and RENT had just surfaced on the Broadway scene, I got to see the touring cast. Mom bought me an awesome long sleeved shirt that had the logo on the front and “No Day But Today” on the back. Well I wore the hell out of that thing! Until one very very sad day, it went through the wash with some bleach.

Well, I got a new one!!!! Same shirt, sans the bleach!

Ok and now for the poster in the middle. This is where I reveal my inner dork.

I am 100% Renthead.

This is my “Star Trek.”

I did absolutely stand outside after the show and get as many of the cast’s autographs as I could.

I was very sad that Adam Pascal snuck out another door. He is one of my favorite artists ever and I was really hoping to get to meet him. But, I did get to meet Anthony Rapp who plays Mark!

So sorry for the crappy cell phone pic, but I left my camera at home! D’oh!

DH was sweet enough to stand by and watch me drool over my favorite actors and take this picture as Anthony was signing my poster! I’m the blur on the right of the picture.

Sigh. It was a night for the books people.

So, in fiber news, Handspun Monday actually does have a post, but was pushed back due to today’s excitement. So tomorrow you will get handspun!!!

Love&Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Monthly Dishcloth KAL February 1, 2009

Two posts in one day!! I KNOW!

But I didn’t expect to get this done until later tonight. Well, no harm in sharing with you now is there?

I joined my first ever KAL (Knit – A- Long, for all you non-knitters). I’m going to just go ahead and blame this on Dani.  She posted about doing this KAL, and I said, huh… what a great way to go through my cotton stash. So yeah… her fault.

So the Monthly Dishcloth KAL is where you knit 2 dishcloths a month. 7 or so lines of the pattern are sent out to the members everyday and thats how you keep up. At the end of the 6 or so days, you have a lovely new dishcloth with a fun pattern! Easy enough right? I can do 7 lines in less than 30 mins.

So, here is what I did today!

And now, I promise, that is all my posting for today!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Yes, I am still alive! February 1, 2009

I have actually blogged more in the past two months than I have in a while, I know. I am still a live, and yes, I do still knit believe it or not! Life has just sort of taken hold and DH and I have been trying to decide what strategy to use to deal with it. It’s not easy being grown up. I much prefer childhood, no matter what akward social crisis I had to deal with, they were a cake walk compared to real life.

Ok, now that that is off my chest, the bunny is doing well. We are currently working on litter training.

Yes, I did say litter training.

If cats can do it so can bunnies! We will prevail!!

Just right now, if you visit us at the apartment, those are NOT milk duds on the floor!

Winter finally hit NC in the past few weeks and I have been enjoying the cold weather. Still haven’t really had any snow to speak of, but they are teasing us about tomorrows weather.

I’m not holding my breath.

Today I am excited, I am going to see the Finale tour of RENT. Two of the original cast members, Anthony Rapp and … sigh…. Adam Pascal are going to be preforming with them and I am sooooo excited! hopefully I can stalk them a bit after the show and get a pic or two to share.

Other than that life is muddling through as usual. DH is still looking for a job unfortunately and if one doesn’t come through soon we may have to take drastic measures. More on that when I have more of an idea myself.

I know I usually bombard you with pictures, but I’m saving most of them for next week, so let me leave you with a bunny pic!

Apparently, it’s hard out there for a pimp, or bunny….

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Weekend Warriors January 18, 2009

I have never considered myself a very “handy” person around the house. However, I think DH and I have outdone ourselves here. I am not sure if I have introduced the blog readers to the new fur baby or not.  Well, when we went to Asheville for our Anniversary we stopped over at SAFF for a few days. Well, while we were there we spotted all the fluffy bunnies, and well, this one wormed his way into our hearts.

(How can you not love that fluffy face?!)

(Even Dad loves the bunny kisses)

So, Penguin (the bunny) came to live with us, and it’s been an adventure since.

As new bunny parents, we didn’t know a whole lot. So the cage we initially got him ended up being kinda pathetic. I got the notion that I could build one of the really great ones out of the NIC cubes I had seen on all the bunny webistes I go to. This weekend we finally got it constructed, and I am damn proud of how it came out!

(No Dad! That’s not your cage!)

(Not too sure about this thing yet!)

(Oh, you caught me! I like it!)

(Chillin’ in mah cribz)

So for now he is in there during the day. Once we have him completely litter trained he’ll be in there all the time!

I have to say, even though it wasn’t a huge project, I feel pretty accomplished! Might have to take on something else one of these days!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

To You and Yours, December 25, 2008

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Give us your money, All thatcha got. December 6, 2008

Think Avenue Q people!

Just wanted to let you all know that you need to go check out my friend Crystal’s Blog post today.

It will only take you a moment and its for a good cause!

Thanks ya’ll!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Where Does a Year Go? November 24, 2008

A year ago October 21st, my life changed in a huge, marvelous way.

When in the world did more than 12 months pass me by?

I am, in a way, glad that it has seemingly been so fast. Time flies when your having fun right? I really couldn’t have asked for a better first year of marriage. We have had some ups and downs like most couples do, but I can’t have asked for a better husband/partner/best friend in the whole world.

This post is obviously coming a little later than our actual anniversary, however, we were away in Asheville, NC on the actual day! So, here is a lot of pictures of everything we saw!

Hard to see, I know. But this is DH at the Mellow Mushroom where we had our first “official” date!

My favorite day was the day we spent at Biltmore. I never get tired of going there. We were lucky enough to get to go on the roof top tour on an absolutely gorgeous day!

When you go, it is like stepping into another time.

The Gargoyles were really neat, except….

Sitting up there bare-assed cannot be fun!!

The gardens were gorgeous! We had fun walking through all the green houses.

The flowers they had laid out for the fall “carpet” were absolutely stunning!

Of course, after the tour was over and after we had walked the grounds for several hours, DH found a place that was all his!

One last image before I wrap it up…

Yes, we still had our cake top. Yes we ate a piece of it. Yes, we ripped off the outside of it, because it was the ugliest cake ever. (grumbles again about the woman who didn’t listen to me when i said BROWN and GREEN! You do see the pink in there right?) However, it still tasted as good as it did on our wedding day!

Happy One Year Anniversary!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Starting Over November 21, 2008

I am not sure if there is any easy way to transition after my last post.

Hi.

I know it has been quite a while, but it is taking a while to feel anywhere close to normal again. Well, I know things will never be completely normal again, but I would taking being able to function on a day to day basis. I have good days and I have bad days. Mostly the bad days consist of really lonely ones when I hear a song on the radio that Dad and I used to listen to.

I am learning to cope.

I suppose that is all anyone can really be asked to do.

So, I am trying to steer us back to regularly scheduled programming.

I thought I might try doing that with the Plurk Swap that I signed up for, oh, ages ago it seems. I received my package from the lovely miss Stephanie (aka Bugaboo1). She really was able to nail my loves on the head. Ok,

I’ll shut up, here are some pics!!

You can see all that green right? And the cute froggy?!

The froggy is a great little magnet clip. He is so going on my fridge! And can we say PB Twix!! OMG. Yum!

The fiber is gorgeous. As you can see it is Wool/Acrylic blend. It is so soft and I cannot wait to spin it up! It was purchased at the legendary Rhinebeck in upstate NY. It comes from The Little Barn.

And of course there was yarn! JoJoland Melody! So smooshy!

The little handmade music pouch with the stitch markers in it was so adorable. I am going to use the hell out of that little pouch and those stitch markers!!

These two bags are amazing! They are going to be so wonderful for my projects and my fibers! I can’t wait to use them! And ya wanna know why I love the one on the left so much?!?!

Oh yes. It is lined in FROGS!

So once more, Bugaboo1, a deep and heartfelt Thank you for being such a fabulous swap pal!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.