In an effort to increase my blogging availability, Mr. In The Loop got me a fancy phone for Christmas. I often share my blog worthy ramblings with him in the car, in a restaurant, or other computerless times...so here I am using my phone. So one would hope I would be on a bloggin role. Think I will keep this short in case my new toy requires some assembly. Comment if you would so I know I am "keeping you In the Loop."
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Creative Juice All Dried Up...
Today that is how I feel -all dried up. It is 5am and I am thinking about the shop instead I think I should be sleeping but no- I am trying to milk some creative juices from my little parched brain. What sort of ideas do I need you might ask? Creative class ideas. blog ideas. even some creative accounting ideas...but for now I feel like a little idea raisin. If you have any ideas of classes you would like to see offered at In the Loop, please comment before September 15th! If the class is scheduled and is a success -3 or more people participate-you will get 25% off of your next yarn purchase. Let YOUR juices flow!
Hey-maybe I do still have a few ideas-seem I just had one.
Hey-maybe I do still have a few ideas-seem I just had one.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Etiquette for Babies-2 Legged or 4!
This is not a complaint-as I have decided reading a blog about someone else complaining only is enjoyable to the sick and twisted who take pleasure in other people's pain-this is just some helpful guidelines or gentle suggestions.
When you are the caretaker of a child or dog, there are just some common courtesies you should extend to those who share your space.
Starting with the four -legged kids, be smarter than your dog. It is pretty much that simple. We are people, we do not meet new people and sniff their rears, we do not eat on the floor or drink out of toilets, we do not bite each other when stressed or annoyed-DOGS do all of these things because they are DOGS. It is our job as their owners to anticipate their needs, prevent some disasters, and solve their problems. Last weekend In the Loop's newest family member made a trip to the vet. She entered the vet on a leash with Mr. In the Loop, as she noticed another large lab she excitedly peed on the floor (typical puppy) and rolled over onto her back. The full grown lab stood over the little girl and bit her angrily in the face. Yes, a lab attacked my little Fancy(doing a total disservice to its breed, as everyone knows labs are "nice" dogs) Anyway, $350 later my puppy has stitches in her face and in her mouth and the owner of the other lab still has $350 and did not even offer to help out at all?? I think if your dog is involved in an altercation of any kind you should take some responsibility. If a human child walked up to another human child and punched them in the face, you would spring in to action, right? I can only hope...
This leads to the supervision of 2 legged babies. First of all I LOVE KIDS! My first profession worked with KIDS all day long, I want kids, I love my niece and nephew and my friends' kids, truly I LOVE kids. That being said last week a lovely little 2 year old entered In the Loop. She made a valiant effort to touch EVERY item in the shop. I did not mind until she wanted to hold scissors. I have no kids of my own but I have to believe 2 year olds +scissors = bad idea, right? Anyway, what I witnessed next was what prompted this lengthy blog about parenting suggestions. What I witnessed was adult rationalization with a toddler.
Parent: "You do not want to hold scissors that is the way you get hurt."
Toddler: "No, mine."
Parent:"If you hold the scissors, you may cut your hand and that would be painful. We would need medical attention. I am going to need you to place the scissors on the table. Please.
This dialogue continued throughout the visit to the shop. I am sorry but I think when I was a two year old or when I have a two year old. When it comes to safety or correcting behaviors, adult rationalization does not work. My suggestion:
Parent "No."
Toddler: "No,mine."
Parent:"Put the scissors down now before you get hurt." There may even be some counting involved-"I am giving you to 3...."
If this does not work, you do something truly revolutionary, TAKE THE SCISSORS AWAY!
The scissor scenario is just an example of the continued conversations between parent and child. This child interrupted a business meeting in the shop next door, spent time trying to get in the cash register, and simply felt like my charge the entire time her mom was shopping.
Like I said, just a few common courtesies, that are not so common.
When you are the caretaker of a child or dog, there are just some common courtesies you should extend to those who share your space.
Starting with the four -legged kids, be smarter than your dog. It is pretty much that simple. We are people, we do not meet new people and sniff their rears, we do not eat on the floor or drink out of toilets, we do not bite each other when stressed or annoyed-DOGS do all of these things because they are DOGS. It is our job as their owners to anticipate their needs, prevent some disasters, and solve their problems. Last weekend In the Loop's newest family member made a trip to the vet. She entered the vet on a leash with Mr. In the Loop, as she noticed another large lab she excitedly peed on the floor (typical puppy) and rolled over onto her back. The full grown lab stood over the little girl and bit her angrily in the face. Yes, a lab attacked my little Fancy(doing a total disservice to its breed, as everyone knows labs are "nice" dogs) Anyway, $350 later my puppy has stitches in her face and in her mouth and the owner of the other lab still has $350 and did not even offer to help out at all?? I think if your dog is involved in an altercation of any kind you should take some responsibility. If a human child walked up to another human child and punched them in the face, you would spring in to action, right? I can only hope...
This leads to the supervision of 2 legged babies. First of all I LOVE KIDS! My first profession worked with KIDS all day long, I want kids, I love my niece and nephew and my friends' kids, truly I LOVE kids. That being said last week a lovely little 2 year old entered In the Loop. She made a valiant effort to touch EVERY item in the shop. I did not mind until she wanted to hold scissors. I have no kids of my own but I have to believe 2 year olds +scissors = bad idea, right? Anyway, what I witnessed next was what prompted this lengthy blog about parenting suggestions. What I witnessed was adult rationalization with a toddler.
Parent: "You do not want to hold scissors that is the way you get hurt."
Toddler: "No, mine."
Parent:"If you hold the scissors, you may cut your hand and that would be painful. We would need medical attention. I am going to need you to place the scissors on the table. Please.
This dialogue continued throughout the visit to the shop. I am sorry but I think when I was a two year old or when I have a two year old. When it comes to safety or correcting behaviors, adult rationalization does not work. My suggestion:
Parent "No."
Toddler: "No,mine."
Parent:"Put the scissors down now before you get hurt." There may even be some counting involved-"I am giving you to 3...."
If this does not work, you do something truly revolutionary, TAKE THE SCISSORS AWAY!
The scissor scenario is just an example of the continued conversations between parent and child. This child interrupted a business meeting in the shop next door, spent time trying to get in the cash register, and simply felt like my charge the entire time her mom was shopping.
Like I said, just a few common courtesies, that are not so common.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Keep on the Sunny Side!
I heard in yoga class today that no person could make you happy, it was up to you to make you happy. But if you decided to be happy no one could make you unhappy. I think there is a lot of truth to that statement. So today I am sharing the things over a very lazy weekend that made me happy. Saturday night we had an a tasty cookout with friends. The wonderful hosts used this book http://www.buildabetterburger.com/cookbook/ -great ideas for a twist on a cookout classic! We enjoyed lots of laughing and cold Corona Lights with lime-perfect for a hot summer night! Sunday morning we had breakfast at one of our favorite breakfast spots. We headed over the Gervais Street bridge to Cafe Strudel -if you have never been there- this is a little West Columbia treasure! French toast with a fabulous view of Columbia without breaking the bank-perfect way to start the day. (Sorry about the poor picture quality but it still captures some of the charm!)
Finished up the weekend with the completion of my summer shawlette with only a few yards of yarn to spare! Feeling pretty happy about that too-thinkin' I am going to wake up tomorrow to start the week deciding to be happy!
Finished up the weekend with the completion of my summer shawlette with only a few yards of yarn to spare! Feeling pretty happy about that too-thinkin' I am going to wake up tomorrow to start the week deciding to be happy!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Doing More T-I-N-K-I-N-G than Knitting!
I spent much of the weekend in the car. Mr. In the Loop and I are really working on saying the word "no"! It seems we are always agreeing to something no matter how geographically challenging! We were totally unsuccessful this weekend and spent half the weekend in Cashiers, NC before getting in the car Sunday and driving 5 hours to Seabrook Island (past Charleston)I would like to report that I finished the many UFO's (unfinished objects) I have on needles but instead I spent all but the last 2 out of 12 hours in the can ripping out. I had started a summer shawlette months ago and could not seem to pick it back up without making numerous errors so row by row I disassembled this shawlette.
At about Exit 199, I started to knit not tink! This is going to be an upcoming class-do not fear the pattern as I now know it backwards and forwards! Going to work on the shawlette and the August class schedule!
Monday, June 29, 2009
July Class Schedule-just trying to get the word out!
July Class Schedule
July 1st and July 8th 6pm Norah Gaughan Flower Power Top $30 Summer top that teaches many bobbles and cables.
July 7th and 14th 6pm Beginner Class $25-Learn all of the knitting basics-refer a friend to the class and get 20% off your next purchase. Just tell the new knitter to let me know you referred them.
July 7th and 14th 6:30pm Patchwork Baby Bloomers $30 Adorable baby gift. Learn a cable cast-on, color work, and increases/decreases while making these precious bloomers.
July 15th, 22nd and August 5th 6pm Christmas in July $30 –Two great felting projects this year. Learn to make a wine bag and a dog leash. Start these now-they are easy and you can finish many gifts
before December. 
Wrap Class July 28th - continued throughout the year
Afghan Class July 29th - continued throughout the year
Afghan Class July 29th - continued throughout the year
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Movin' on Up...Up Devine Street that is!
Awfully exhausted to type, but wanted to give a little update on our wonderful new location! Yesterday, we moved the yarn trash bag by trash bag. After every last ball found its way to a new home, we called it a day. Today, with the help of two pick up trucks, we transported every last fixture to the new location 2900 Devine Street! Things are starting to shape up, slowly but surely as moving often is. We called it a day early this evening, to save some sanity. When you are moving, have you ever gotten to that place where everything ends up in the junk drawer? Well, I needed a break before the junk drawer looked more like a back room! Early to bed, one more day before the doors open at a new store!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Belief in Mankind
So, today my belief in mankind was renewed!!!We are in the process of painting the new store(2900 Devine Street-in case you have not heard) and it is a beast. The walls were the color of a terra cotta pot, making it feel more like an adobe than a delightful store and the ceilings were painted baby food green, like the sky was falling but you were a tiny person on a baby bib and the sky was the mouth of a baby newly on food! Can you picture it?
Anyway, Mrs. Jot, the store I share space with, happened upon a painter yesterday! We could not afford for him to paint the entire store but the ceilings were a job only Mr. In the Loop and Mr. Jot were tall enough to complete, you can only imagine their excitement (can you say not so silent business partners?) This afternoon we went to pay the painter for our brand new ceilings and he had finished the ENTIRE store for no extra charge. Just said he had and slow morning and "wanted to help a sister out." Praise the Lord-what a man!!! If any of you need a painter, I know just the guy!
Anyway, Mrs. Jot, the store I share space with, happened upon a painter yesterday! We could not afford for him to paint the entire store but the ceilings were a job only Mr. In the Loop and Mr. Jot were tall enough to complete, you can only imagine their excitement (can you say not so silent business partners?) This afternoon we went to pay the painter for our brand new ceilings and he had finished the ENTIRE store for no extra charge. Just said he had and slow morning and "wanted to help a sister out." Praise the Lord-what a man!!! If any of you need a painter, I know just the guy!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Big Furry Decision
How do you make big decisions? Do you make pro and con lists? Research it on the Internet? Ask friends? Take a survey of complete strangers that pass in the park? Flip a coin? At this point I think I have tried them all.
I want a dog, but what kind of dog is the question. Most of you may know that I had a very loyal and durable toy poodle for 18 years. We buried him in September and I miss having that canine connection. The past few weeks we have visited animal shelters, websites, and breeders but are still perplexed. Here is what I know we are looking for a female, puppy that will grow to be a medium to large dog. Other than that we have been pretty open. Through some unusual conversations, we ended up at a Great Pyrenees breeders' house. They are wonderful white puffs. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatpyrenees.htm
But I mean they are BIG WHITE PUFFS! They are called gentle giants-pro. They shed a ton-con. They are very calm creature-pro. They are very loyal and great protectors-this can be a pro or con depending upon the website you read. My new way of making a decision... Ask blog readers to weigh in-come on leave me a comment about what you think!
These are my knitting projects right now-they are neither big nor furry. I just finished the darkside cowl-great
quick project and I really appreciate when someone has written a pattern that just involves knitting and purling but turn out visually interesting.
I am also in the middle of the February Lady Sweater-many of you may have already made this but if not it is definitely the modern/trendy look that inspired me to start knitting years ago.
I want a dog, but what kind of dog is the question. Most of you may know that I had a very loyal and durable toy poodle for 18 years. We buried him in September and I miss having that canine connection. The past few weeks we have visited animal shelters, websites, and breeders but are still perplexed. Here is what I know we are looking for a female, puppy that will grow to be a medium to large dog. Other than that we have been pretty open. Through some unusual conversations, we ended up at a Great Pyrenees breeders' house. They are wonderful white puffs. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatpyrenees.htm
But I mean they are BIG WHITE PUFFS! They are called gentle giants-pro. They shed a ton-con. They are very calm creature-pro. They are very loyal and great protectors-this can be a pro or con depending upon the website you read. My new way of making a decision... Ask blog readers to weigh in-come on leave me a comment about what you think!
These are my knitting projects right now-they are neither big nor furry. I just finished the darkside cowl-great
quick project and I really appreciate when someone has written a pattern that just involves knitting and purling but turn out visually interesting.I am also in the middle of the February Lady Sweater-many of you may have already made this but if not it is definitely the modern/trendy look that inspired me to start knitting years ago.
What to knit next??...a dog sweater, perhaps!!!!
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