LONG night, last night

Sorry, if this post doesn't make much sense, I only got about 2 1/2 hours of sleep last night. I finally decided to just sit down and finish updating the website for the Midwest Civil War Civilians Conference (which has given me several headaches). And except for a few minor additions, I think its finally done (at least until next year). It's definitely been a learning experience. Now, I have to decide whether I want to update my personal/business website (which is definitely on the boring side) or wait awhile. Waiting sounds like a great idea right now. It's not like I don't have a million and one things to do. More corsets will be coming shortly, I've got at least two ladies' civil war dresses to finish, not to mention several girls' dresses (a couple of them are for my daughter - believe it or not.) and I have to get started making boys' pants, shirts, vests and jackets. First, I have to clean up my sewing area so that I have room to cut things out. Oh and don't forget the knitting. I've only got 5 or 6 projects started there. But at least those I can work on while I'm watching television. Probably, won't get to much knitting done tonight though, I can't knit and watch Criminal Minds. It just doesn't work. I get maybe two or three stitches done then I'm glued to the screen. Oh well, I'd rather not get any knitting done than miss CM.

This has definitely been an interesting couple of days. I had to go to jury duty on Monday. I finally got to start the second Criminal Minds book, Killer Profile. I will try not to put any spoilers up with out warning (on the book or on the show). I was kind of surprised when I picked up the book and found that it takes place in the Chicago area (I'm originally from the northern suburbs.) in areas that I kind of grew up in. I love the fact that I know most of the area the book takes place in. Wauconda, Lakewood Forest Preserve, North Barrington & of course Chicago (I can find my way around) are all in the book. BTW, Wauconda is in LAKE county not the lakes counties. That's the only thing I've found so far that kind of bugged me. I've only gotten through Chapter 3, so I can't say too much about the book itself yet.

Speaking of Wauconda, we have some friends who live there and breed Morgan horses. They have a cool video on YouTube featuring their farm. Here's the link.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyZ7rmp5uvs . I'm even in a couple of the pictures! One of them you'd never guess was me.

That's all for now. Time to go take a nap!

Knitting & Criminal Minds

Okay, its been a couple of weeks.... I've been busy with all sorts of

sewing, knitting and other stuff. Besides 7 corsets, I've also finished

some blue eyelet socks for my daughter. They were suppose to be a surprise for Christmas but when I finished the first one it didn't look quite right so I ended up having her try it on. I was right. I couldn't do math the night I started the toe, 8 1/2-1 1/2 is 7 1/2 right???? OOPS! I ended up taking out the toe (after it was finished and shortening it an inch and a half.) Oh well, the other one went together right.

Other Projects on Needles (can't have just one, now can I?):

1. Neckdown Pullover - Lanaloft (Maple Praline) - almost 1/2 done - sleeves and hood to go
2. Be Mine Socks - Sunshine Yarns Twist Sock Yarn (The Hope) - just cast on
3. Hope Socks by Janel Laidman - Araucania Ranco (Pink) - frogged and restarted
4. Going Dotty socks by Anna Tillman - Fortissima Mexiko (Madagascar) & Cascade Heritage (5629) - frogged 5 or 6 times - crossing fingers I don't have to do it again!!!!
5. The Classic Sock (approx. Men's Size 13) by Melissa Morgan-Oakes - ONline Supersocke 100 City Color 918 - one done, one to go.

For those of you who don't know, I'm a HUGE fan of Criminal Minds (okay, I'm addicted to CM and I have been since the beginning. I really enjoy the fact that the show does make you think, that and I was always interested in deviant behavior in psych class). The last two are definitely two of my favorites for the show I've really enjoyed watching the team grow over the last two years, especially Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler). I've also enjoyed watching the actors growing in their rolls as well. Criminal Minds has an incredibly talented group of actors and actresses. (Yes, I have favorites.......hmmm, I wonder who????)

My Top Criminal Minds Episodes by Season (not in any order):

SEASON 1
The Fisher King, Part 1
Somebody's Watching
LDSK - (loved this episode probably because of my IL roots)
The Tribe
Derailed

SEASON 2
The Aftermath
The Fisher King, Part 2
Bogeyman
The Big Game
Revelations

I'm still working on which ones to add to my Season 3 favorites. After I figure that out I will list my Top 10 (or 20.... lol).

I usually try to knit while I'm watching television but I honestly can't while Criminal Minds is on. Thankfully, they don't usually freak me out to the point that I wish I had someone sitting there watching with me. (just the one with Wil Wheaton! I definitely will not be staying in a motel in the middle of nowhere!) I've definitely sat on the edge of my couch several times this season! Thanks for a GREAT show!!!

One more note about CM... for those of you who don't already know, Matthew Gray Gubler has his own website, http://www.matthewgraygubler.com/, go check it out. Not only is he an incredibly talented actor, but he's an artist too and right now you can hear him read Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe (one of my favorite poets)!

For those of you who can't get enough of Criminal Minds, check out the books!! I've already read Jump Cut. I'll be starting Killer Profile on Monday, while I'm sitting waiting for jury duty.

I know I promised to share poems I wrote awhile ago but I'd rather share this one instead. This has always been one of my favorites.

Nothing Gold Can Stay
by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower,
But only so an hour.
Then the leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So Dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Next time.....

Halloween and more???