Detroit's New Graffiti

These and many less destructive paper versions of the same message have been popping up all over the city. As Flashpoint says "An exposed coverup is worse than the original transgression."

When we moved to Detroit, both Weatherboy and I had serious questions about Kwame. The rumors of the infamous party and missing stripper, the Escalade episodes... but he also still gave us such hope. Projects like the Monroe Block deal have given me hope that when I tell non-Detroiters that the city is growing like a sunrise from the river out and up, that I am not talking out of my ass.

The bottom line is that Kwame cost us $9 million because he couldn't keep his d*ck in his pants. He fired three good cops to cover up his booty calls held nationwide using city funds. And once again the city of Detroit gets another black eye.

Over the next few months I plan to attempt to chronicle some of the reasons why I love this city so much already. My camera isn't the best and neither are my skills but I hope that you can understand why I am so outraged. This city has so much promise, hope, and soul.

For mom

Duke models shifting sands
Originally uploaded by kbelle.

What could be better than a dog modeling a scarf?

This entry gives me a chance to update everyone on Duke. About 6 weeks ago someone decided to give this dog a chance with a new family and threw him over the fence at Canine to Five. He was emaciated and scared, but has grown into the sweetest boy ever. He has a lot of puppy left in him, but he is eager to please and is just a love who likes to be cuddled. My ferocious pit bull also likes to spend quiet time with his girlfriend at day care, and shies away from the rambunctious dogs.

This weekend he shared his kong with Annie. After he worked it, she picked it up to get the peanut butter in the bottom, and Mr. Man Dukus cuddled up next to her and let her work on it. We are so blessed to have this dog in our life.

And this morning, he did the Tawny-dog head turn and talked back to me. Mom knows what I mean.

Pattern: Shifting Sands by Grumperina
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft DK in opulence
Needles: Size 5 knitpicks options

It curls a bit in this lighter yarn, but is still lovely. And I am now an absolute expert in cabling without a cable needle.

Whoops. Stash happened.

I've always thought my stash was small, especially compared to the legendary stashes one hears about all over the kitternet. It's mostly purchased for specific items, with a few early exceptions when I was new and made very stupid yarn purchases.

So after my resolutions yesterday I sat down and created a list of projects that I have the yarn ready and waiting for. A sweater started and put down so Christmas knitting could start. Another sweater's worth of yarn - birthday gift from DH. A few pairs of socks.

And then I started thinking about the non project random yarn. And all of the green yarn I bought for Wicked, that was absolutely the wrong shade of green. And I came up with a list of at least 16 items, some big, some small, that I can make from my current stash. And I guarantee you that I can make more than those 16 since some projects will mean leftovers. Ouch.

The good news is, I can absolutely make it until I go yarn shopping with Tracy.

Resolutions

Seems like I am always behind the ball lately, so here are my late resolutions for 2008:

1. Knit from my stash with the following exceptions: yarn needed to finish a project, or if I am really down to the novelty yarn only I can consider the stash complete. I have some strange novelty yarn. This is in anticipation of my June yarn event with Tracy and Missy. In preparation, I purchased yarn for one last baby gift on my list. That reminds me of another exception... babies. If one of my very close friends gets pregnant, all stash bets are off.
2. Enjoy what I knit and don't take on projects that will feel like a chore.
   
3. Have less WIPs.
   
4. Knit more, Ravel less. I spend a lot of time oohing and ahhing and not finishing my own work.
5. Work out more often, but don't diet.
   
6. Eat more veggies and keep up the cooking streak I am on.

Last year I also pledged to work out more. It went well for a while and then life got in the way. Let's see if I can figure out a way to make it a habit.

Projects planned for this year, that I have the yarn for:

1. Finish Mom's Christmas scarf
2. Anemoi mittens, attempt #2
3. Bird in hand mittens
4. Baby gift #1
5. Baby gift #2
6. Cabled Jacket
7. Socks for J
8. Socks for me