Motoring

I have had some significant challenges with this blogspot and it's stubbornness in not allowing me to format things the way I need to. After consulting a web designer, a graphic person and a very skilled admin assistant (I love having great connections and friends), we all agreed that if I wanted novel things like spacing and formating, I should change the format. So I am over at www.knittinchickmusings.blogspot.com Come find me there!

A walk on the sketch side

I work with a non-profit in Alberta which means that we are able to qualify to work for a casino every 12-18 months which brings in around $75,000 for two days of having volunteers staff a good chunk of the casino. I have incredibly mixed feelings about casinos and the social activist in me struggles significantly but... I thought I'd share with you some of the interesting things I encountered.

1. The man who was upset that he had to sign for winning $10,000 as he was still down... don't you understand?
2. The guy who offered to sell his body to the other cashier for more gambling money... hate to break it to you buddy but she'd rather invest $100,000 into a mortgage.
3. I obviously do not have a lucky streak about me. The people who cashed out their chips with me ranged from $3.50 to small amounts (in comparison) with the other volunteer who would cash out $6,500 at the same way that I would cash out $100.
4. Drinking alcohol, being with your drunk buddies and being up at 1:30 in the morning causes people to view their physical bodies as much more 'impressive' than they truly are.
5. At 1:00 in the morning, you might be tempted to sing along with the music that is being pumped out of the stereo system in order to stay awake... and to not be frozen by the air conditioning in there. This might not be seen as impressive by your other rather tired volunteers serving with you.
6. And finally, what we have always known... chocolate makes the world go round. After midnight and a chocolate bar enjoyed by all volunteer staff, everyone always gets happier.

Now if you'll excuse me, there are international students that have had any meals made for them for a few days and there is a bed calling my name.

The House of Knittinchick

So... it would sound impressive if I made it sound like my knitting made me a cool person, wouldn't it? It seriously does make me cool and you are all jealous... just wait and see. I spent this weekend finishing off some Baby Surprise Jackets and they are so adorable, aren't they? They are knit in one crazy piece and then you have to figure out how they are put together. It doesn't reflect poorly on my intelligence if my international student figured it out in half the time it did me, does it? Anyways, hope your day and week is fabulous.

Stupid is as stupid does

So... I'm a part of the Spirit Committee at work. I had this great idea that I would help them be more creative and creating a spirit of valuing people there (which is a good thing). I thought that caramel apples might be a nice fall touch for everyone to have on their desk this upcoming week as we serve children and youth at our organization. However, I did not think ahead. Demonstrated by:

1. Knittinchick suggesting this idea and being the instigator.
2. Knittinchick reassures everyone that it won't be a problem... we'll just use the crock-pot after work to make them
3. She forgets to check the recipe before suggesting this. Apparently a crock-pot won't get hot enough for caramel sauce.
4. She purchases everything on the long weekend for the 40 people who receive a paycheque at her work.
5. She realizes that she'll have to do it the night before going back to work.
6. Apparently a large batch of caramel takes a long time to get to the right temperature and consistency (note to self: buy a candy thermometer... those $10 would be well invested)
7. Start dipping the apples before it is really thick... apparently it will run off the apples and everywhere in the kitchen. Did you know that caramel makes a mess?
8. Knittinchick does this late at night when you have done a little extra exercise during the day to try and lose some of the 15 pounds and is starting to feel it everywhere in her body.
9. Knittinchick turns her home into a sweatshop with begging the students to help her pull these messy apples into bags.
10. Finally all of the apples are bagged up and sitting at the front door. Four baking pans look so pretty but trust me, they are deceiving... they all represent a ton of work!

The good news is that my students have now tasted caramel, know about the tradition of students giving their teacher an apple and Knittinchick is extra committed to losing the pounds. I don't think that I'll ever crave a caramel apple, caramel anything ever again!