Odds and ends

Captain’s Log, Stardate 12.14.04

The insurance got cleared up rather painlessly. My company admin called because apparently she needs to verify all Open Enrollment changes, and she also had power to add benefits changes for employees. So she added our health, dental and vision coverage.

I am rather apprehensive about going back to work. The physical therapist recommended that I not return until January 5th, 2005, but I am already dreading the day. Today I read Psalm 37 and took perverse pleasure in imagining all the horrible things that will befall the wicked, shame on me. But the Psalm also talks about not fretting and trusting in God, and I need to remember that His hand is over all things. “Pray and let God worry.” So I will work hard at my writing while I’m still home, and thank God for this time.

Speaking of writing, it’s slow going. I’m struggling with that scene worksheet for some reason. Well, I sort of know the reason: I have a general outline of events, but as I do the more detailed scene worksheet, I’m realizing that some things I stuck in there 1) cannot physically happen, 2) disrupt Scene/Sequel flow, or 3) describe horribly improbable character reactions. But I’m almost 2/3 of the way through with it. Once I finish it, I’ll start writing (hopefully) like crazy.

I also started a Yahoogroup, Camy’s Loft:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Camys_Loft/

Ha! Look-it me, with a Yahoogroup even though I’m not even published! Anyway, I thought I’d send out monthly newsletters to let people know what’s up with my writing (as of now, just the pain and suffering of plotting), and to unload WAY more information than anyone would ever want to know about me. ;-) Feel free to join. I didn’t set it up as a standard newsletter-only group, but as a forum for people to chat or ask questions or just hang out.

Oh, and I got rejected by Waterbrook. Just a generic, “I think I’ll pass.” Lord, I know it’s all in Your hands.

The knee is the same. Still stiff with some inflammation and swelling inside the joint, but getting better. I have a PT appointment on Thursday, I think (gotta check my calendar for that one).

Been reading a lot lately. Finished a few disappointing books (plot holes, “too stupid to live” characters), finished a few entertaining books (but not five-star keepers), and blasted through DOUBLE VISION by Randall Ingermanson. Waaaaaaaaaaaay cool, dude. I’ll write a review later.

I am also on a DIET. Capital D-I-E-T. My sedentary days are showing in the size of my behind. Whereas before I could go for a run with the dog, I now have to suffer and eat less food. Waaaaaaaaaaa. This is totally brutal for someone who loves to eat. Drink more water, eat more vegetables, eat smaller portions.

Well, off to write more.

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No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures...

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th...

What Is a Brutus Cut? A Regency Hair Trend Inspired by Ancient Rome

Regency Haircuts and Disguises in Lady Wynwood’s Spies In this excerpt from Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Volume 8: Traitor , Phoebe prepares for a dangerous mission—one that requires her to disguise herself as a young man. The hairstyle she receives, called a Brutus cut, was actually quite fashionable during the Regency. Read on to find out more about this curious trend and why it suited her new identity so well. Excerpt from Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Volume 8: Traitor : By far, the absolute worst part of Uncle Sol’s plan was that Phoebe had to cut her hair. Of the four agents, Phoebe and Mr. Coulton-Jones would be the least likely to be recognized when they entered the Ramparts building—Mr. Coulton-Jones, because of his skill in altering his facial features and his posture, and Phoebe, because she could play a convincing young man, which no one would expect. A disreputable hat would hide her long hair to an extent, but it would not fool anyone who looked closely. Also, because she would lo...

A Wallflower’s Slip of the Tongue – Free Regency eBook

If you enjoy Regency romance with wit, awkward ballroom encounters, and a heroine who can’t quite keep her thoughts to herself, you’ll love Lissa and the Spy . This free Christian Regency romantic suspense novella is the perfect entry point into my Lady Wynwood’s Spies series. Get it free when you join my newsletter (details below). Miss Lissa Gardinier survived her last London Season by pretending to be as inoffensive as possible. But at this ball, she lets her true thoughts slip yet again . And this time, they involve an unfortunately named spaniel. Excerpt Last year during that first dance with Mr. Collingworth, upon seeing him excitedly discuss his dog breeding, she had been encouraged to also speak without restraint. So she had voiced her exact thoughts rather than hiding behind a vapid facade. “Why in the world would you name a dog Lickspittle Furrybottom?” At Mr. Collingworth’s startled look, Lissa realized that she’d said that out loud now , in this dance with him. “… Not...

Toilet seat cover

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Update August 2008: I wrote up the pattern for this with "improvements"! Here's the link to my No Cold Bums toilet seat cover ! Okay, remember a few days ago I was complaining about the cold toilet seat in my bathroom? Well, I decided to knit a seat cover. Not a lid cover, but a seat cover. I went online and couldn’t find anything for the seat, just one pattern for the lid by Feminitz.com . However, I took her pattern for the inside edge of the lid cover and modified it to make a seat cover. Here it is! It’s really ugly stitch-wise because originally I made it too small and had to extend it a couple inches on each side. I figured I’d be the one staring at it, so who cared if the extension wasn’t perfectly invisible? I used acrylic yarn since, well, that’s what I had, and also because it’s easy to wash. I’ll probably have to wash this cover every week or so, but it’s easy to take off—I made ties which you can see near the back of the seat. And...

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