Ding-dong, Avon calling!

So, I'm doing this project at work that involved me doing a bunch of research on independent sales reps. You know, like people that sell Mary Kay, or Pampered Chef, or Avon. One of the things I thought would be helpful (and it was) was to actually go through the sign up process to become an independent rep. I chose Avon because it was easy, and they don't make you have parties. It turns out, they have some really cool stuff (aside from the skin care stuff, which is not really my cuppa. I got no time for skin care. Yeah, I know I'm going to regret it in a few years, but I just can't stand putting a bunch of stuff on my face at night and then in the morning I'm pretty lucky to get my hair and teeth brushed, much less apply stuff to my face. I don't even put makeup on until I'm on the train. But anyhow.) like the mark. accessories and clothes, and some of their jewelry and stuff. Plus, they have what I think might actually be the absolute most awsome beauty care thing ever: Instant manicure/pedicure. It's nail polish that comes on these strips that you just apply to the appropriate nail and then peel off the backing. No muss, no fuss. No wet polish to deal with while chasing a 15 month old or waiting for it to be dry enough after she goes to bed so the sheets don't leave an imprint. No waiting for it to dry so you can knit! And it lasts. I put on the pedicure about 2 weeks ago and it still looks fresh as a daisy. Amazing. Love it. So anyhow, I'll be adding a link to the sidebar soon(ish) so you can order some Avon from me if you want.

Also soon to be added to the sidebar is a lovely pic of Ramona's Campanula sock pattern, which you yourself can own for a small donation. It's a great pattern for a great cause: she's doing the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, a 60k walk. Sponsor her, get the pattern.

Which makes for a nice segue into my knitting news: I made a little progress on my Ring Cycle socks this morning. I started the charts, only I started them from the top (non-knitters: charts are knit from the bottom up, not top down). Not only that, they didn't work out quite right with a non-twist round as the foundation, so after the first chart and half of the second one (not as bad as it sounds, only about 20 stitches) I tinked and knit another round of ribbing -- a twist round. Then I got about halfway through the second chart again before I realized my mistake and tinked back. I started to just go ahead with the charts from the bottom, but it turns out that they really do work better on top of a non-twist. So I'm working round 2 of the charts and dropping/manipulating stitches from that extraneous twist round. Turns out it's not so bad -- lots of the stitches for R1 of the charts just continue the ribbing. Nice not to have to tink back. Also, I have not yet cast on for MS3 -- I finally got needles the other day, but given what I've been reading about it, I need some nice quiet alone time to work on this one. And what with the beads and everything, I'm thinking not on the train. Maybe next week sometime.

And I'm headed to opera #3 (Siegfried) tonight. This has really been one of the best Christmas presents ever. I'm totally enjoying the operas, despite the snarky comments from those around me who seem to be upset that the stage isn't traditionally dressed. Well, duh. Did you not see the pictures of the Kirov's production when you bought the tickets? I did, and I knew everything would be very stark and symbolic. That doesn't take away from the marvelous music and singing (well, mostly it's marvelous. I was a little disppointed in Brunhilde. I can't think of any other way to describe her voice than "unattractive."), as far as I can tell. So, thank you again, Kit -- this is something I've wanted to see and hear live for a long time and I really appreciate you giving me the time and opportunity to do it.

Finally, the contest. We need a baby name. Whoever comes up with the baby name I like best (leave a comment) gets a skein of Schaeffer Anne (pic in next post). If we actually use the name you suggest, I'll throw in some additional surprise goodies. If the two are not the same, the one I like best gets the yarn and the one we go with gets the surprise goodies. A suggestion has been made by a friend of ours that the name should anagram -- you get bonus points if it does (please include the anagram -- remember, I'm burning water over here. It is highly unlikely that I will spot your nifty anagram all on my own.). Also, Nathan and Zachary are already taken by Kit and me (and if you read his blog you know that) so no fair picking one of those. Well, you can pick Zachary, but you're not going to win anything.

posted by Laura Y. @ 11:16 AM