Clearing the Cache Part 2 [CoA 42 – 52]

And now we head down the home stretch.

Weeks 42 – 52.

42. I started knitting an infinity scarf back towards the beginning of August. It is MASSIVE! It may be the most knitting in a single project I’ve done thus far. it is wide, but also about 90 inches long. (Well, before the ends were joined together.) It took the better part of three months, but I finally finished it around October 19th or 20th. It’s even taken a little getting used to for the wearing, due to its size. But I’m now fully smitten with it in every way. I’m even considering starting in on another one (probably not quite so wide this time) once I’ve finished up another knitting project. The herringbone pattern was actually pretty enjoyable to work on. And the finished product is purdy.

43. MILO GREENE’S DEBUT ALBUM WILL BE OUT IN THE SPRING! I found this out the week after I finished my scarf. THIS IS SO EXCITING, IT REQUIRES ALL TALL LETTERS! Finally, there will be an official album out. That I can buy! AND LISTEN TO! OVER AND OVER AGAIN! BECAUSE THERE ARE MEN WITH BEARDS AND GUITARS! OOOOOH!

44. The wee toddler guy that lives next door was Buzz Lightyear for Halloween. He was out and about in his costume over the weekend. That Saturday afternoon, as I made my way up the stairs, I could see out the front window. He and his dad had been playing in the leaves in the yard for a bit. His dad was now laying on his back, with his arms behind his head. So the little boy got down on the ground and mimicked his dad’s pose. It was just so heartwarmingly sweet and adorable.

On Halloween, he showed up about the time the trick-or-treat action was winding down, so it was decided to empty the candy bowl in his bag (it was getting low, as it was). When he saw what I’d done, he turned to his mom and said, "But… her bowl is empty," as though he was concerned that I was now out of candy and no one else would get any. SO CUTE, YOU GUYS!

45. On 11.11.11, I was inside Kansas. With George Clooney’s Batman, and Dean Cain’s Superman costumes. And a whole lot of salt. Wearing a hard hat. It was a big day.

You, too, could experience this wonder if you’re willing to travel to Hutchinson, Kansas and take a trip to the Underground Salt Museum.

It is actually pretty cool. And part of the tour includes seeing some of the movie props and costumes stored in the salt mines (though you don’t actually see the storage facility, itself). Also, they have an Event Center they rent out for events. That night there was going to be Boy Scouts camping out in there. There’s also a Mystery Dinner Theater thing that happens every so often.

And you get to wear a hard hat! (Okay, that part is probably not the most exciting. Or comfortable. But it’s still better than the rescuer you have to wear. That thing is small, but heavy.) These things you do not have to wear if you’re in the area set up for events.

It’s mostly a low-light situation until you get to the storage exhibits. So, there aren’t a whole lot of photos. But, here’s a blurry me in a hard hat, followed by a movie memorabilia collage.

46. The following weekend, the one before Thanksgiving, involved a trip to Branson, Missouri. I GOT TO SEE MOUNTAINS!!!

Kansas is very flat, you guys. Well, until you get to the Western or Eastern most edges. The Flint Hills are pretty in their own way. And they are in Kansas. So, it isn’t completely flat. But it was so nice to see some mountains again. And a lot of trees were still decked out in their autumnal splendor. I say this, and I didn’t really get photos of it. It was dark upon arrival and the next day was filled with getting from one place to another, with a lot of misty atmospherics. Which helped remind me of California (my motherland). It was a lovely trip, for so many reasons. And the scenic views definitely were one of those reasons.

47. Woot.com changed a dynamic in my relationship with my mother. We have long had an anti-Snuggie alliance. We shun the Snuggies. We might threaten to gift the other with one on occasion, but it is merely in jest. We know this. This is how this works, our anti-Snuggie alliance. Who needs a backwards robe (now with pockets!)?

And then one day Woot.com was offering Snuggies for a ridiculously low price. Apparently a price so ridiculously low, my mom though it was time to break our anti-Snuggie alliance and get me a Snuggie. For reals this time. FOR REALS!

It sheds like a dog in July, wee little fuzzies, even though I’ve washed it several times. And this winter hasn’t been terribly cold very often thus far. But I suppose I can see the utility in the Snuggie now. Against my will.

And, despite it being against my will, my mom did it to keep me warm. So, now I can knit or read or compute without my arms getting cold. It was out of love, this alliance breaking. And that’s kind of awesome. Even if it is a Snuggie.

48. So, apparently if you don’t let Nickelback sing their own songs, they don’t suck so bad! Also, even if you don’t dig the tune, you have to admit, that tambourine man is AWESOME!

49. David Crowder Band is soon to take a respite from their banding and touring to pursue resting and other projects. It is an indefinite hiatus at this point. And they are closing in on their last shows quite speedily. I thought I wasn’t going to get to see them again any time soon. Then Yimmels (my stepdad) finds out that they are playing in Wichita, because he’s been asked to volunteer for Compassion International’s booth at the show. And there were still tickets available. So I got to go see them! In Wichita! With Yimmels! Who is the person I’ve always seen them with! And the owner of the salon I go to was there with her parents, all adorable and awesome as usual! It was just a really splendid and amazing experience, and one I didn’t think I was going to get to have again for a very long time.

50. I’m glad to know this exists. Thanks, Annelise! (It might be more impressive if you’ve seen the original first – or just watch the side-by-side comparison.)

51. A most dear and beloved friend that I miss even more than the scenery or the always-at-the-ready excellent coffee supply totally rocked my Christmas socks by sending three pounds of my favoritest coffee to ever grace these tastebuds, straight from the source in Corning, New York! I’d just been hit with a hardcore craving for it, too. His timing was impeccable. And the coffee is DELICIOUS!

52. And for the last week of the year, on the second to last day, it was all about the B’s.

Bows, Buxxin’ and Babies!

I’m leaving 2011 on a glorious note!

December 30th proved to be warm enough that I could wear capris on my legs and bows on my feet (I think I’d been sitting with one of my feet tucked under me not long before I decided to take this photo. can you guess which one?):

Later, while out and about, running errands and hanging out with my mom, we went to Starbucks. Well, the drive-thru at Starbucks. I ordered a tall quad gingerbread latte and got there in time to get a mistake iced quad pumpkin latte (they accidentially made it iced when the person wanted it hot). I drank both. And, as the pumpkin one was iced, I could drink it right away. I HAD EIGHT SHOTS OF ESPRESSO! I have been loving life ALL DAY LONG! 😀

Upon return home and checking the mail, I had a Christmas card waiting from Dorothy, Awesome Woman who is an awesome mom to Awesome Kid and Awesome Baby, the Second. Inside were photo magnets of the fellas! The refrigerator is now sporting magnets that never fail to make me smile.

2011 has one more day to try to top that magnificent combination.

I hope your year ends on an equally happy note and that 2012 finds your days brimming with awesome of all shapes, sizes and varieties!

[what the "CoA" bit is about]