Fun with knitting

So one of my many snowed in projects this winter was to knit a sparkly pink scarf, which I am calling "Esme." It is the first project I've done where I actually created my own pattern (and wrote it down). I was inspired by one of my Ravelry groups (TKB- a Twilight Books group) to try my hand at designing something. Anyway, long story short, the moderator PM'd me (personal message for you non-ravelry goons), and asked if I would submit my design for a book they are creating called Twilight Knits. It's a book of knitting designs inspired by the Twilight series, similar to a book done for the Harry Potter books. Needless to say, I've said yes, and am very excited to have my design part of a book that people will actually buy. So crazy. So that's my story! Woo hoo!

Woo Hoo!

First, I have the best little sister in the world (well two of them, but Katie for now). She drove with me out to Cd'A to get my new ride, sat with me while I waited for the financing OK, and hung out while I filled out paperwork. I bought her dinner, but owe her soooo much more. At least dinners of her choice for a week!

With that said, the car quest is over. I bought myself a kicky little Kia Sportage, the car I started out thinking I would get. I got a pretty good price on it, and am happy with my new baby. Let the driving fun begin!

New car?

Well my friends, this is the vehicle I'm leaning towards: a KIA Sportage...actually, I'm pretty sure it's the one I test drove too. So exciting! It looks like I might be able to get into it at around $16000, not including whatever payment I can negotiate with my insurance. They offered me $4100 today, but I am trying to get them to come up to $5000 at least. Hopefully, the invoices for equipment installed on the BMW will get me in that ballpark. Wish me luck!

The car search is on

Well, the insurance called and the news wasn't great (although it's what I expected), my car is a total loss. Not hard to imagine with the new header pic, eh? So as I get over my stress of having to buy a new car, and try to move onto excitement for having a new vehicle, I have begun my search. I am leaning towards purchasing some sort of small SUV or at least something with f-wheel drive so that I can continue to make it to school and back with all the lovely snow the East side has been seeing for the last couple of winters. Hard to say exactly what I'll get as it depends on what the insurance gives me to put towards a new car. Thank goodness for Dies and her sage wisdom on the value of a crushed BMW. Right now I'm leaning towards a Kia Sportage, a Jeep Liberty, or some sort of Subaru. Thank goodness the economy's in the dumps. Maybe I'll get a good deal. If you all have any vehicle suggestions, I'm all ears. In the meantime, throw up some prayers that they'll give me around 5K.

Mix-tape challenge

My cousin Megs had the brilliant idea to do a "mix tape" of songs that she love in 2008, and threw the challenge out to do the same. I can just picture you rocking out to your junior-high mixes while Ryan shakes his head wondering why who ever married someone who chose Gangsta-rap as a fav song of the year Megs. Katie also got in on the fun, so I figured this is as good a way to get a new post up as anything else. I mean, how many times can you write about the snow really?


Here are the rules:

-The songs do not have to be released in the particular year that you are making the CD...rather they are songs that have been discovered or rediscovered and have been particular meaningful or enjoyable or worth listening to that year for some reason.

-no repeats from year to year (this prevents the CD from being an all-time favorites album).

-you can include as many songs by one artist as you want.

-songs are limited to those that fit on a standard 80 minute CD.

Pia's Soundtrack for 2008, in no particular order
1. Never Think - Rob Pattinson (love his voice, love the lyrics, love him)
2. Brown Trout Blues - Johnny Flynn (so catchy, never heard anything quite like it)
3. Same Mistake - James Blunt (always a fav.)
4. Chasing Pavements - Adele (beautiful voice)
5. Samson - Regina Spektor (Discovered her this summer, and couldn't get enough)
6. I Caught Myself - Paramore (must be sung at the top of your lungs)
7. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz (reminds me of my trip to Hawaii last summer)
8. Love Story - Taylor Swift (I love her voice, plus she put R&J in a song, what English teacher wouldn't love that?)
9. In My Place - Coldplay (rediscovered this song this year, plus you have to have some Coldplay)
10. Mercy - Duffy (just so fun)
11. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley (same reason)
12. Single Ladies (put a ring on it) - Beyonce (hate the unitard, but love her)
13. If I Had Eyes - Jack Johnson (hard to choose just one from this album-my favorite of the year)
14. Come on Over - Jessica Simpson (just because I'd like a man to come on over! Plus you've gotta love her ditzy glory)
15. Jackson - Johnny Cash & June Carter (all-time fav. Cash song)
16. Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake (for those times when you just need to get your dance on)
17. Crawling - Linkin Park (this is the year I discovered that I like LP. Who knew?)
18. New Soul-Yael Naim (you just have to smile when you hear this song)

Finish or Frog it

This one's for my knitting gals.

I've been having tons of fun playing on Ravelry since mom and Aunt Sue got me to sign up. Actually, it's inspired me to get some stuff done and start some new projects. This weekend I found a new group which I love called Finish or Frog It. The idea is every Friday, you are supposed to assess your unfinished projects and decide whether to finish them or get rid of them. And let's face it, any extra motivation to get my finished projects done is good at this point.

Anyway, check it out. It seems like it'll be a fun group. Here's a link to the group rules: F or F rules

New Year's Fun

As you can guess, it's been a rough end of the year at the Longinotti abode what with Katie's and my cars and all. So we decided to have fun last night. After a nice dinner at The Elk with our friend Tara, Tara and I got all beautiful and walked around downtown hitting a couple of bars (which were crazy) and laughing at all the idiot women wearing high-heels in the very icy snow. We also got to eavesdrop on quite a few conversations which got funnier as the night wore on. It was definitely a good time and we burned quite a few calories with our two hours of walking and talking. Katie decided she was too tired to go out, so she and our friend Michaela held down the fort here with some beer and movies. We all joined up at the apartment a little after midnight to hang out a bit more. It was a fun evening all in all.


Tara, Katie and I hit downtown in my rental car today to do a little shopping (thanks to Glo and Pat for our gift cards). We also tried out the local Browne's Addition pizza place for dinner. A joyful start to the new year. Hope you all had safe and wonderful nights as well. Happy New Year!!!