Dog.Yarn.Knit.

What a week...

2009-12-12T19:29:00.003-06:00

It began with the death of the grandmother of my one of my dearest friends, Christy.

Then my friend and co-worker very unexpectedly lost her husband (who was only in his early 40’s) on Wednesday.

And today the father of one of my Loucon friend’s passed away after spending the last month+ in the hospital.

I really have nothing wise or insightful to say about all of this. Just that it feels like it’s been a crappy week and I hate the idea of my friends hurting. But I am glad to know that they are all Christ Followers who will look to God to see them through…

And Then One Kid Ruins It For the Whole Class...

2009-12-11T12:07:00.005-06:00

I hate to make things more difficult for everyone else, but I’m going to have to turn word verification for comments back on. This will require my readers to take an extra step if they’d like to leave a comment on this blog. I hate to make things more tricky for y’all and interrupt the conversation. However, the Spammers have been hitting my blog hard lately and ruining it for everyone else. I can’t keep up with deleting the spam. And I don’t want to leave it sitting there because – as I’ve discovered – I may not be able to read kanji…but I still recognize Asian p 0 r n when I click on it.

When leaving a comment you’ll be asked to type in a random word/set of words (that will likely look nonsensical) into a box below your comment, but above your name or sign-in. Just type that "word" in as printed and you should be done. This deters automated spamming programs which troll around the internet looking for unsuspecting knitting/IndyCar/makeup loving prey.

As the World Comes to a Screeching Halt

2009-12-09T00:04:00.002-06:00

The writing has been on the wall. The Soap Opera is a dying species. When, after 57 years, Guiding Light came to an end earlier this year I knew, eventually, the same could happen to My Show. Eventually. I really thought others would go before it. Well before it. Boy was I wrong. CBS announced today that they are cancelling As The World Turns. The soap opera I have watched (with my grandmother and my mother) nearly my entire life will come to an end, after 54 years, in September, 2010.

It feels kind of like I got bad news about an old friend today.

Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things You Want, but Wouldn’t Buy for Yourself

2009-12-08T22:47:00.005-06:00

10 things I want but probably wouldn't buy for myself

1. A Flip camera

2. A Nintendo DS

3. Diamond stud earrings

4. House of Harlow 1960 Necklace

5. A Tiffany & Co. key necklace

6. The entire stock of Sephora...

7. ...and MAC Pro.

8. A super fancy ghd or Chi flat iron

9. A suite at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

10. An engagment ring

Play along with Ten on Tuesday

iMix Playlist: A warm Heart in a chilly December

2009-12-07T23:08:00.003-06:00

Here are some songs I've been listening to lately.

my left eye

2009-12-01T19:02:00.001-06:00

I’ve had a migraine for the last few days. I think it faintly began sometime over the weekend after several nights of inadequte sleep. It didn’t become terrible until late yesterday morning while I was at work. Early in the day I began to recognize that familiar smoldering, prodding feeling behind my left eye and took a Midrin. As the morning went on I started to feel nauseated. My boss took one look at me and called me “gloomy”. The people who know me well know I wear a migraine/headache as an expression on my face. My mom can easily spot something different in my eyes. After the pukey feeling began I realized I was closing my left eye. When I wanted to close both eyes I knew it was time to cry uncle and go home.I got in bed in a dark bedroom and napped and watched TV for most of the day. Sometimes I think I’d feel so much better if I actually would throw-up. But it doesn’t come easily to me. After hours of feeling nauseated I gave in and took “the big gun” – Phenegran. That stuff does the job, but I hesitate to take it because it often makes me feel so groggy the next day. That’s on top of the “migraine hangover” I always experience. I went to sleep pretty easily after that and slept well throughout the night.

This morning I felt groggy and hung-over. I thought the migraine may be gone. But I realized I still had that prodding feeling behind my left eye. Before the end of the day I was closing my left eye, feeling nauseated, and was ready to head back into a dark bedroom.

I recently found this drawing called “The Cluster Headache”. It inspired me to create my own art that represents how I feel when I have a migraine. I remember once reading that many well known artists – of various mediums – have suffered from migraines. And those migraines have led to some of their better known works. Maybe there is a little something to that...because this is one of my more detailed blog posts in awhile...

tanksgibing.

2009-11-28T17:47:00.001-06:00

e r a

2009-11-22T23:36:00.002-06:00

I’ve missed my blog just a little bit the las t few days. But just a little bit. Enough to feel like I wanted to come here and say something. I’m not sure what, though.

Hmmmm. Let's try this...

I’ve been reminded, lately, of how good a decision it was for me to move home to Bowling Green a few years ago. Sometimes it’s hard having one life in two cities. But you do what you have to do. Beyond being able to have some high quality time with my incredible parents and being back at my home church, I’ve made some really wonderful new friendships that have enriched my life immensely = Laura + Misty + Louis.

They’ve become part of my journey. I’ve been learning some really big, important things lately. God is teaching me. I feel myself changing as I’m walking my road. And these friends are often lampposts lighting my path. Other times they are like reflectors casting light back at me…showing me I already have the answer or affirming that I’m still heading in the right direction. Some days I end up in a dark tunnel. And they’ll shout out to remind me that I’m not alone. Or they’ll let me follow their voices as I find my out of the dark.

The Dangerous Wonder Era
The Dangerous Wonder Era is sort of like the Mesozoic Era in that it….oh nevermind. I have no idea that I’m talking about. But really…Several years ago I read the Mike Yaconelli book “Dangerous Wonder”. I was profoundly changed by that book. It intensely changed the way I see myself. I think that book gave me clearer vision to see myself the way God does. And it freed me a little more. I felt freer to be myself. Which is all I am called to be.

The Value City Era
One of the more traumatic experiences in my life was the time I got separated from my mother in a Value City store in Louisville. I wandered around the aisles for what was probably five minutes, though it felt like seven months, until I was in tears. Then a kindly, young motherly type came across me and told me she’d help me find my mommy. And she did. If you ever go shopping with me and you detect a look of panic on my face or in my body language if you suggest we “split up”…please understand. If you round the corner of an aisle without me and we get separated, please, just stand still. Call out the words “Value City!” and let me follow your voice. I will find you.

Well, that really had nothing to do with this next part (or does it?). I just wanted to reference Value City…Because I’m currently in the Value Era. I am learning (knowing) in new ways that my value comes from God. No person gives me my value. And no person can take my value away.

That knowledge is being woven into the fabric of who I am…

It is a great way to live.

As I see own self through this lens I’m able to see the God given value of others more easily.

This is a great way to love.

2009-10-26T15:13:00.002-05:00

G-O-D & d-o-g

2009-10-17T17:11:00.003-05:00

My cousin, Katrina, posted this on my Facebook wall on my birthday.

I look up and I see God. I look down and see my dog.

Simple spelling...G O D. Same word backwards...D O G.

They would stay with me all day. I'm the one who walks away.

But both of them just wait for me. And dance at my return with glee

thanks to everyone who made my brithday so great today

2009-10-15T21:18:00.000-05:00

ten on tuesday: 10 favorite current athletes

2009-09-29T21:57:00.003-05:00

Several years ago a director I worked with would start telling me some sports story when he'd notice a glazed over look on my face and would say, "Oh Jennifer, I forgot. You're not a jock." It's true. I am not a jock. I like college basketball. And I love IndyCar racing. The end. And over the last few basketball seasons I’ve barely paid attention – not even to my beloved Louisville Cardinals. Regrettfully, I can’t, in good concience, put a single Cardinal, Wildcat, or Hilltopper b-ball player on my list. I kind of want to put Steve Nash on my list, but honestly, I don’t really know anything about him. I just think I would like him…if I knew anything about him. Maybe I’d list maybe Phil Mickelson. But only because my dad follows golf so closely. And he’d want me to mention Bluegrass Boys, Kenny Perry and J.B. Holmes. So, I guess I’ll have to list 10 current IndyCar Series drivers - most of which have probably already ended up on some Top Ten list of mine on Dog Yarn Knit. There is one exception, Scott Sharp, who does not have a full-time ride in the IRL, but is driving in the American La Mans Series (for now…?).1. Helio Castroneves
2. Ed Carpenter
3. Sarah Fisher
4. Vitor Meira
5. Tony Kanaan
6. Graham Rahal
7. Ryan Hunter-Reay or...maybe Rafa Matos. I can't make up my mind.
8. Will Power
9. Justin Wilson
10. Scott Sharp

You can play along! Visit the Ten on Tuesday website.

sometimes i feel very sad

2009-09-19T22:00:00.005-05:00

This is one of my favorite Brian Wilson songs. Ever. In the history of ever. I would even say it's in my top 3 (...God Only Knows also being on that lists...and I'll have to think about #3...).

wasnt made for these times

Sometimes I feel very sad
I guess I just wasnt made for these times

the riveters

2009-09-15T23:52:00.002-05:00

On Sunday I was trying out a retro pin-up/Marilyn Monroe makeup look (winged liner, red lips). I also wanted to try a pin-up/Rosie the Riveter/Bandanna/50's Housewife hairstyle after watching a tutorial by Kandee the Makeup Artist. I pulled the whole look together and decided...I really like it! And I put on a little Rosie Jo the Riveter Show for my parents. ha.

Today my mom came across this picture of my grandmother rocking a similar look!!!

That's Grandma and my mom (and a dog who was probably named Lady...because that's what all of Mom's dogs were named...)at Aunt Myra's house in the early-mid 1950's.

Esther Pennyrile

2009-09-13T22:20:00.001-05:00

While I'm trying out some ideas for my new webiste and blogging formats I will be moving my beauty blogging to EstherPennyrile.

ask me how much i love hope in a jar

2009-09-12T22:10:00.001-05:00

I opened this 0.5 oz container of Philosophy’s Hope In a Jar on Friday, August 21st. And I emptied it tonight, just three weeks later. I have to say, I L – O – V – E it! I love how it feels on my skin both under makeup and alone. I believe it has improved my skin's texture and appearance. Not to mention, and this is very important, it has not made me breakout! I’ve had a difficult time finding a moisturizer that actually does the job a moisturizer is supposed to do that doesn’t also make me breakout. I’m heading to Sephora or Cosmetic Market on Monday for more. This time a 2 oz. jar!

to thine own self be kind

2009-09-12T16:31:00.004-05:00

Through all of my back problems and migraines, one of the things that I have had to learn to do for myself is how to rest. If I allow myself to rest I have more energy and stamina to live life. To work, to do things with friends, to be part of my church family, to go to IndyCar races and family gatherings. And you know what? I don't apologize for it anymore - not to others or to myself. It is easy to beat yourself up and call yourself lazy and put pressure on yourself to do, do, do, and go, go, go. Sometimes you need to just be. I think in the past year I have gotten to a more peaceful place with myself where I have decided to listen to my body and be easier on myself. If some things in my life don't get done ... OH WELL.

This means my bed and I have a wonderful relationship. When I'm in/on my bed I'm not always sleeping. Sometimes I'm just laying on my side, knees bent, low back arched, slightly propped against some pillows watching TV. Other times I lay on my back on top of an ice pack with me knees bent - watching TV, reading, or doing something on my laptop. I let my muscles relax, spread out, and chill.

It feels SO good to have taken the pressure off of myself. I don't know about you, but I am my toughest critic. While, yes, it is important to hold ourselves to standards and not shirk responsibility, it is a good thing to be kind to oneself. Stock the bedside table with a big glass of water, a favorite lip balm, a TV remote. Keep good books, magazines, a journal and a favorite pencil or pen within reach. Load up the bed with fantastic pillows, linens, and blankets...then tell your muscles to let go. Be kind to your mind, body, and soul.

urban decay book of shadows, volume deux...you put your weed in there?

2009-09-10T22:21:00.001-05:00

Beatles fans have had their fun with the 09.09.09 release of The Beatles Anthology. I will admit that it took me until late last night for it to dawn on me why a Wednesday was chosen for the release date (“Number 9, number 9, number 9…”). Now, this may not be exactly on par as far as historic pop culture moments. But makeup lovers are joyful over the recently released Urban Decay Book of Shadows, Vol II now available at http://www.urbandecay.com/.

There were some complaints (and by “some” I mean “a lot") about the packaging of the original Book of Shadows. While the die cut pop-ups and fairytale notion were cute, the eyeshadow “drawer” was difficult to pull out. I think most makeup nerd’s, especially those fond of Urban Decay’s unique and richly pigmented shadows, overlooked the design flaw in favor of the value of receiving 16 shadows (plus two brushes, a travel size Primer Potion and a full sized mirror) for $45.

(click photos to enlarge)

I have yet to see Vol. 2 in person, but the reviews I’ve come across say the design is still not ideal, but better.

[Visit MakeupGeek.com for reviews, swatches, + a tutorial of Book of Shadows Vol. I + Vol. II.]

Book of Shadows Volume II contains 16 shadows (eight exclusive shades, eight existing shades, with Perversion being the only repeat), two 24/7 Glide On eye pencils (0.03 US oz) in Bourbon (brown with gold micro-shimmer) and Zero (black-black), a travel size Primer Potion, a full-sized mirror, and a Look Book to draw inspiration from for $48.00.

Exclusive shades:
AC/DC (deep eggplant shimmer)
Nylon (champagne sparkler)
Mushroom (taupey-gunmetal)
Sphynx (pink sparkle/shimmer)
Jinx (bright blue shimmer)
Homegrown (bright green shimmer)
Misdemeanor (deep teal sparkle)
Perversion (matte black)

Existing shades:
Sellout (pink champagne shimmer)
Gunmetal (gunmetal gray w/ silver glitter)
Ecstasy (bright purple w/ slight pink tint)
Midnight Cowboy Rides Again (golden beige w/ bronze, gold & silver glitter)
Twice Baked (brownie brown w/ gold glitter)
Half Baked (subtle, lustrous bronze)
Flipside (electric teal w/ blue sheen)
YDK (mocha w/ golden microglitter)

I do have two areas of concern that give me pause before running out to buy this set.

Area of Concern #1

Unfortunately for me the UD Get Baked set I purchased earlier this year contained a Bourbon pencil and three of the shadows in Book of Shadows II – Half Baked, Twice Baked, and Flipside. But they are all great colors that I get a lot of use out of.

Area of Concern #2

I’ve always thought that Urban Decay had some really witty colors names (a shimmery white called Polyester Bride; a medium brown called Stray Dog). But a few give me pause. To mention just a few: Roach, Mary Jane, Half Baked, Homegrown, Chronic, Stash. Do you see a possible theme here?

Some people may laugh at me for this. But being a girl who prides herself for being high on life and having someone dear to me with substance abuse issues I may be more sensitive than others. Please humor me. I am bothered by the apparent references to marijuana as well as other illegal drugs. I’m not saying that I think Wende Zomnir and Sandy Lerner are using their fantastic makeup brand as a front while they hustle joints and dime bags in the back parking lot at the Urban Decay warehouse. But these names do give me pause. I have to ask myself if this is significant enough for me to stop purchasing the brand. Or will I wait and see if they include rolling papers in Book of Shadows, III?

a few labor day makeup/beauty treats

2009-09-06T22:25:00.003-05:00

SMASHBOX

Get a FREE Overexposure Lipstick Pencil with any $65 purchase.

Enter code AFTRHRS at checkout.

Expires: September 8

Click here for more info.

PHILOSOPHY

Free Shipping all weekend long. No minimum purchase.

Enter promo code LABORDAY at checkout.

Expires: September 7

Click here for more info.

MAC

Free shipping on all purchases

Expires: 11:59 pm EST Monday, September 7

Click here for more info.

LAURA GELLAR

Receive a free full-size blush with a purchase of $70 or more (while supplies last).

Enter promo code FABFALL at checkout.

Expires: September 30 at midnight

Click here for more info.

Four Random Things

2009-09-04T23:00:00.001-05:00

Why four? You tell me.

1) I love to chew ice.
2) My dog loves tennis balls.
3) My second toes are just slightly longer than my big toes.
4) I have met this guy.

what may be one of my favorite photos from the 2009 indy car season

2009-09-03T15:49:00.004-05:00

IndyCar Series driver, Nelson Philippe posted this photo of himself with fellow driver and Sonoma accident survivor, Will Power, on his Twitter.

HIS CAPTION: Two crippled guys in Indy... Willy P and Nelly P...

In the accident both drivers suffered concussions. Will Power has two broken lumbar vertebrae and Nelson Philippe's left foot was fractured when the (oh this is painful to even write) brake pedal went into his foot. He also has a broken right leg.

like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land - Proverbs 25: 25

2009-08-31T22:16:00.006-05:00

(Or...Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. - Deuteronomy 30:4)

That pretty girl in the blue shirt standing next to me is my cousin. She's about to embark on a new adventure and will be moving far far away. Farther away from our family than she's ever lived. While we've always been within a few hours' drive of one another (like our WHOLE lives) we're both busy gals who don't get to see each other very often as it is. But there is something about knowing she'll be states and states away (I counted four) that I find distressing. I will just have to be proactive about going to visit. All the new places and things to see! I'm already packing my bags in my head and her moving van hasn't even pulled out of her driveway.

I remember when she told me she was going to be moving. We were standing in the Columbia, Kentucky Walmart printing photos of us grandchildren with our granddad to be displayed at the funeral home after he passed away last summer. She told me where she was planing to move to. And right there in the middle of the Columbia Walmart next to the Kodak Picture Maker tears began filling my eyes before I could even process her words.

Despite my tears, I am flat out incredibly proud of her. She is being so bold and following God's call. She knows the cost and the merits of following and trusting Him. Boy, does that take courage sometimes. Like when that call takes you away to foreign lands...four states away from Kentucky.

one month to live - thoughts

2009-08-27T23:56:00.006-05:00

I want to...

make some big funky leather wrists cuffs

go to London

eat French food in Paris
get Derby a new collar

change the way the world looks at plus size women

change the way the world looks at plus size people

figure out why my finger nail polish always chips no matter how much top coat I use

go to my first road/street course Indy Car race

make more time to journal

make more time to sit with God

figure out what I would do if I only had 30 days to live & not take a month to do it

stop putting off so many things until tomorrow.

where there is hope...

2009-08-24T14:58:00.003-05:00

I have not forgotten the promised post on skin care. But I want to put it off for awhile because I’ve added a new product to my skin care regimen and I want to give it more time before I offer a review of the product. I want to be able to always provide to my readers an honest and helpful assessment of products so that you can be informed before spending your hard earned money on something.

So, give me another week or two of using Philosophy’s Hope In a Jar and then I’ll tell you about it and the other products I use in my skin care routine.

to thine own self...and thy blog readers

2009-08-20T17:54:00.001-05:00

In a few short months my blog will celebrate its 4th birthday. It’s hard to believe so much time has passed since November, 2005. At the same time, it feels like I’ve had this blog most of my adult life. When it’s only been a fraction.

I started this blog with the name “The Randomness of Jennifer Coomer”. I figured that was broad enough. This was after I had begun knitting. I was inspired to begin a blog because of all of the knitting blogs I was reading at the time. And there are a lot of knitting blogs. The cool thing about that is that several of those knitting bloggers have gone on to become published writers. Some of them write about knitting and how it changed their lives or pervades their lives. Some are teaching tools. And others have published patterns they have created.

Eventually, I renamed my blog Dog. Yarn.Knit. I thought it was a catchy name and I was spending most of my free time doing one of two things
1) knitting
2) playing with my new puppy, Derby Pie.

But, the randomness of Jennifer Coomer never went away. I end up all over the place. It seems that no matter how much I try to narrow in and give this blog focus I get all ADD and distracted by something new and shiny.

And really, I like to think of myself as a teacher of sorts. I also like to think of myself as a story teller.

When it comes to teaching on the art of knitting I feel ill-equipped. Sure, I have taught a few people the basics. But I am not a pattern designer. I am a slow knitter. And in the summer…I am barely a knitter at all.

However...

However, I feel like I do have something to share and feel able to teach when it comes to makeup and beauty tips. And I’ve enjoyed exploring that side of myself as a blogger lately.
I can try to focus in and make my blog more marketable. But really…if I’m not enjoying it, I’m not going to do it. So, I’m going to follow my heart and be a little all over the place. And be random. And be okay with that. And, if you’re interested, you’ll follow along.

I do have some exciting plans - a re-working of my blog. A new look, a new format, some categorization…and…a new name. But that’s the only part of the cat – or dog, in my case - that I want to let out of the bag right now. Just a little paw and maybe a glimpse of an ear.

I will say that the new blog format won't be all about makeup. Just like Dog.Yarn.Knit. has not been all about knitting. It'll still be a mixture of IndyCar racing, knitting, beauty products/tips, and thoughts on Faith. Basically...my randomness.

I do appreciate your feedback. Readers’ comments left on a blog are always a very encouraging thing to a blogger. Even if it’s just a, “Hi, I read this” it is a welcome thing. It lets me know you’re out there. It lets me know when I’m on the right track. It lets me know you’re listening. It makes us feel connected. I love hearing from you. And I hope you’ll stay tuned and keep in touch.