if you need a laugh (and this one will make you will laugh), you must read this story by dooce.com. it's absolutely the funniest thing i've read in a long time.

there's something very strange about shipping your luggage ahead of time via a postal carrier. since i lost my luggage a couple years ago on southwest i've always been a little aprehensive about checking luggage. i'd have to say that worrying about my luggage showing up on the arrivals carousel is almost as nerve-wracking as flying itself.

so, after pondering the process for awhile, i decided this was the option. not only was i packing in a tiny suitcase to begin with, but i had to figure out what to pack two weeks in advance for weather that's 2000 miles east of my normal 65 degree southern california "winter." challenge indeed.

i want the gap's striped scarves and "sweater bags" in every color, please.

i've recently finished a super long scarf (just over 10 feet!!) that is based on the "knitted headband" i did a few weeks ago. pictures coming soon -- although, it's the exact same yarn as the headband, just a whole lot longer. :)

i also made some knitting needles. they're really big and heavy, not sure i'll actually use them. i'll get around to posting the photos and directions as soon as i sort through everything.

otherwise, i'm going home in about 3-1/2 weeks and i've got a list of stuff to accomplish between now and then. 'tis the season to be busy.

so, the nice thing about writing to someone "famous" who you never expect to hear back from, is when you actually do hear back from them.

not only did i get an email back from the author (who's book i'd read and really enjoyed) several months ago, but today i opened my mailbox to find a selection of cool stuff from her! how sweet!

i can no longer consider myself well traveled. accrording to a poll conducted by the bbc, here are "50 places to see before you die."

i've only seen six and a half. sigh.

while inquiring about which needles to replace my metal ones with (bamboo, plastic or wood) on the about.com knitting forum, someone made a really great suggestion: make your own needles!

basically, you get a wooden dowel (cheap) from the hardware store that is the size you want, cut to the length you want, make a point on the end, sand it down, then add a decorative topper.

the poster provided three great links on the whole concept. looks like i need to head to the hardware store!

acorn and clay toppers
painted wooden ball and cube toppers
chopsticks and polymer clay toppers

UPDATE: I finally made my own knitting needles!

i have succumb to the goodness that is nervousness.org.

i know zero about knitting, aside from how to cast on, knit and perl. so, when i read a post in a knitting forum on about.com describing a dropped stitch bind off effect that created "lace," i thought it sounded easy and interesting. i made a small swatch to test it out and see what it looked like.

i liked it so much, and didn't want to waste the effort, i made myself a little headband. the whole process took about a half hour or so.

spinning-jennie made a beautiful project: paper mâché ornaments. great gift idea, just in time for xmas!