What does it mean?

I pulled into the gas station, amazed that the price was down to $3.77 a gallon.  Slid my bank card through the machine, typed in my password, and it said "CARD NOT AUTHORIZED".  What does that mean?  Clearly there was some error, maybe I put in my password incorrectly, so I tried again, same message.  How is this possible?

I could feel my heart thudding in my chest, my hands begin to shake.  I know there is money in my account.  I checked the balance yesterday morning.  What's more I hadn't spent any money recently.  I pulled my car over and contacted my bank.  Thank You Citibank!  

Apparently some guy named Brian Kim had put a transfer through my account in the amount of $100.  Then attempted another transfer for $400.  Citi put an alert on my account and basically shut it down.  I could kiss them for this right now.  After a taped conversation, where I swore I had not transferred money to Brian Kim, nor had I authorized the transfer, there was hope in sight. My money will be returned in 24-48 hours.  I can deal with that, surely it's no time at all in comparison to never getting it back..

I went straight home, used the secured computer to sign on and change my password as well as my ATM pin.  Apparently these are practices that we should all do every 30 - 60 days. I am very pleased with Citi for being so helpful in the whole process.  

The only other thing I want to say is, whoever Brian Kim is, may Karma take care of you.

Darn It! Darn It!

I got a ticket.  What's worse it was less then a block from my house, and I even pulled into my driveway instead of pulling over.  How Embarrassing!  What was the ticket for, you might ask?  My darn seatbelt!  Those of you who know me, know I always wear the stupid thing.  I've been known to refuse to move the car until everyone is belted up.  Yet, there I sat, totally embarrassed, because I didn't have it on...@#%!

Week's Summary

Last week was busy, and I didn't have much time for blogging.  It seems strange that I'm unemployed,  yet I'm so busy.  It is as if the hours fill so quickly with all of the things I had put off.  Now that I have the time, I want to get them done.

So, how did I spend the busy week?  I sent out the requisite resumes/applications.  I actually received an offer! However, I did have to turn it down.  It isn't a full time position, it would be one 40 hour week, and the rest of the month would be 24 hours per week.  It's also a commute, which means that my gas expenses would be increased, and the winter would bring with it our treacherous Tulle fog, which I do not enjoy navigating.  I did the computations, and I would actually make less then I currently do on Unemployment.  The positive side of it all is that "HEY! Someone wants me!"

I took care of some of the projects around the house that needed doing.  I got our carbon monoxide detectors up, and contacted my insurance agent, so that will result in a discount on my homeowner's insurance.  I figured out that the garbage disposal is close to 30 years old, and the part that I need to repair it is no longer available.  I will have to purchase a new one and install it.  I got some of the saplings that had appeared cut down, and the young roots removed.

On the knitting front, I've been equally busy.  I finished this pair of socks, and darn it, I can't remember which pattern I used.  Anyway, here they are:

I'm still working on Chris' birthday socks.  Thank goodness I have almost a month to get them done.  Colorwork seems to take so much longer.  I like the way they're turning out, and I know Chris will love them.

And last but not least, I'm finishing up this sweater for my Etsy site (which, by the way, I fixed the link to on my blog).  I like this pattern, and once I get the smocking done and pick out buttons, I think it will be quite charming.

I'm hoping the new week will bring a little more time for knitting and a little less time spent on house projects

Finished!

Finally!  I'm finished!  I've completed my first design for a cardigan.  I've knit it up and even written out the pattern.  I love it!  I wanted something classic with texture, and I think I've accomplished that.  A special thank you to my knitting buddies, Susan, Clara and Jenny, who helped with the button contrast decision.  The sweaters will be for sale on my Etsy site, and once I make the changes for the larger sizes I will sell the pattern as well.  This sweater is probably a size 1.  I haven't given it a name yet, still working on that, Come to think of it any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  So without further ado....here she is:

Isn't it sweet?

And because I mentioned them several times, here are the Crusoe socks, still on the blockers.  I really enjoyed this pattern, and found it to be a very fast knit.

That's all I've got, back to Chris's b-day socks...

Blame it on Peri

So, who is this guy, Peri?  Apparently he's Peri-menopause.  According to my doc, he'll be sticking around until Menopause shows up.  When will Menopause be here, well that seems to be the question of the day.  Menopause arrives when you stop having menstrual cycles.  All I can say is could it get here soon?!

I had my list of questions for my doc today.  After a congratulations on my blood pressure, which apparently is genetic, since it failed to be controlled with diet and weight loss. I had to ask, what's with the aches in my joints and swelling, which only seems to happen when I'm PMS'ing?  That would be Peri's fault.  The lack of hair on my arms and the appearance of it on my chin?  Peri's fault again.  The continual trek to the bathroom during the night, well, partly the blood pressure meds, but possibly Peri's fault.  Waking up in a pool of sweat?  Peri doing his thing.  The sudden flash of heat that seems to start with my face?  Thank you Peri.  The bouts of nausea that resemble the worst of morning sickness?  Yeah, Peri.

So I'm stuck with this guy Peri, for an interminable amount of time.  I can't even divorce this guy, like I did that other horse's behind.  All I can say is, he better leave soon, cause I'm just not in the mood!  I'd have a glass of wine or tequila, but Peri seems to dislike that as well.  So for now it appears Peri and I will live together in some form of peaceful war until Meno shows up.  Lord help us both.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

Eye Catching

I love to check the new patterns on Ravelry.  Lately I've been obsessed with socks and mittens.  I'm also thinking fingerless gloves are in my very near future.  Shawls and scarves are a major part of my wardrobe, so I'm always on the lookout for those that catch my fancy.  This is what caught my eye this week:

Love this dainty look of First Frost

Fun mittens, appropriately titled Bug Mitts

These socks are a definite must, especially with a name like Dog Days of Summer

That's what has been catching my eye this week.  I'm ready to move on to the next project, since I finished my Crusoe socks, which I'll post later this week.  I know I should be starting Chris' Giants socks, I want to have them done for his birthday, July 3rd.  Since they are colorwork it will take me longer then the usual 72 hours to complete them.  Perhaps I'll start tomorrow, I just feel like I want to do something light and airy right now..hmmmm....decision making.

Random Ramblings

The boys sometimes accuse me of going on a rampage or rambling about inconsequential things.  I'm feeling a rampage coming on, and since Tim already rolled his eyes at me, I'll have to opt for blogging it instead.

1.  50 is not the new 30.  So quit saying that it is.  No one at 30 has these aches, pops, pains and issues.  Now I'm not denying 50 is easier then 30, I'm just saying the spirit is willing, but the muscles are definitely weak.
2. Toilet paper rolls that are not thrown out, are not art.  It doesn't matter if you stack them in neat pyramids on the edge of the tub. It's not art!
3. I'm a parent, I love kids, okay, mostly my own.  Please don't put your kid on the phone to talk to me, I don't understand them, they're not great communicators at age 2, and hello, I have things to do.
4. Could you not have family conferences in the middle of the supermarket aisle? Really, I just want to get my shopping done, not have to pretend to ignore your family drama.  By the way, I think "because I said no!" does not hurt your child's ego as much as you think it does.
5. I understand you haven't seen that person you have stopped your car in the middle of the street to talk in ages, but does that have to mean the rest of us have to wait while you become reacquainted.  And by the way, putting up one finger, whether it's the index or middle one, does not make it right.
6. Whoever invented that all plastic packaging that requires C-4 to get the item out of..there's a special place in the "hot spot" for you.

Phew...that completes today's rampage.

On a lighter note, I just started knitting these great socks Crusoe.  It's hard to believe I hadn't knit socks until this year!  Next sock project will be Giants socks for Chris.