Kitalia's Keep

Sheep!

2009-12-17T18:22:24Z

Comment and I'll:

a) Tell you why I friended you.

b) Associate you with something -- a fandom, song, color, photo, etc.

c) Tell you something I like about you.

d) Tell you a memory I have of you.

e) Ask you something I've wanted to know about you.

f) Tell you my favorite userpic from your list.

g) In return, you need to post this on your own journal

kitalias_keep @ 2009-10-24T08:00:00

2009-10-24T12:02:06Z

Happy Birthday to lady_emily09 !

UNITED WAY!

2009-10-14T16:30:52Z

So I've been working on the United Way Campaign for the past few weeks. There are three weeks left after today and I am about $500 short of my goal. We are looking pretty good for the long term.

I'm having a silent auction on October 30th here at the office, I have a few things figured out for it, and a few people have agreed to donate some stuff, but I'd like to have a couple more things. So far we have signed pictures of local bands, the Mountaineer, a week free of phone duty, a day free of phone duty, lots of baked goods(rice krispie treats, fudge, cookies, etc.), I'm going to do some beading, most likely a necklace/earrings set. What would be some other ideas? What are some things you'd like to see at a silent auction?

We are also having a "Pay to Dress Down Day" on the same day. I have done this before in other offices and it always seems to work out well.

Any other ideas? I have until November 6th. We were going to have a benefit concert but the school and the band can't work out a date that agrees with everyone, which has me bummed, but we are working on dates for next year already!

Beading Yesterday...

2009-10-11T16:11:00Z

I met Janet from work yesterday at the Bead Monster for some fun. She found some awesome purple shell beads and we made a smokey purple/grey/silver necklace and earring set for her...I need to get a picture of that. I make a set of Wine Charms for my sister's 21st birthday! Since I can't post the picture to my Facebook Album yet, i decided to share here...

...I'm pretty excited about them. They were way harder than I thought they would be. And working with memory wire for that short amount of times makes me NEVER want to work with it again!

There is a Black on with a music note, pink with the Support Ribbon(she's a huge Breast Cancer supporter), Orange with a Martini Glass(they didn't have wine), Green with a turtle(she LOVES turtles, they gross me out), Blue with a Birthday cake, and Purple with Grapes.

After she gets them in the mail, I'll post to my Facebook.

Weekend in review...

2009-10-05T14:41:44Z

This was such a great weekend!

Friday I didn't do much, had a pretty decent day at work, came home to relax, realized that everything I needed to pack was already in the car(WIN!) and watched my 2nd all time favorite movie, Top Gun while talking to a great friend.

Saturday I woke up earlier than expected and hit the road to go up to Queens Rapier Tournament. That's a pretty decent drive, not too long. I did get stuck in traffic once. The left lane was closing and a Tractor Trailor was broken down in the right lane so that was mass confusions, but it was smooth sailing after that.

After arriving on site, I got dressed, trolled in, and caught up with a bunch of friends I haven't seen in a while. The tourney was great. I really, really, like the idea of making Queens it's own event. The fencers deserve it, and I think Her Magesty enjoyed it as well. Watching everyone process in with their arms and heralds and consorts was great. The tournament was great too, lots of good bouts, some funny moments, and it seemed to move along nicely.

Osa showed up for court and we now have an AWESOME game plan in place for some ridiculous garb which I need to google some stuff on here soon. And court was great. I think Henri and Elena carry themselves well, and do well to keep the populace engaged in what is happening rather than sitting though another court. I was on pins and needles the whole time waiting for Emily to get called in and was so happy that I had the chance to witness her become the newest White Scarf in AEthelmearc, something I think she is totally deserving of. Congrats again!

The drive back on Saturday night was uneventful, the hubcap I saw on the way up was not mine, I got stuck in more traffic, and didn't get home as early as I had hoped but it was a great trip and a beautiful day.

Sunday I got up, cleaned my room, threw some laundry in and headed up to Washington. Christina and I went to Sarris's where I got some of my favorite Truffles. Then we headed over to Tanger Outlets to do some shopping. I got three, $17 shirts for $3 each, a leather jacket for $30 and a $300 wallet for $50, and was pleased as punch. Christina got a pair of Nike's for free though and that rocks.

I got back and went on an awesome date which was the perfect end to a really great weekend!

Happy Birthday!

2009-09-09T17:37:11Z

Happy Birthday, frrom!

this week...

2009-08-31T04:40:18Z

...Is shaping up to be a complete 180 from last week. Stay tuned!

I have the BEST boss ever!

2009-08-28T19:18:11Z

I've been stuck in the Mountaineer Room at the Lair freezing my butt off and my boss just brought me and my collegue Hot Chocolate!

You Rock Riffonavich!

What is wrong?

2009-08-28T16:58:43Z

The boyfriend: I broke up with him. And while it was the right thing to do, it still sucks. We've been really close friends for years and now in the post-relationship bitterness we haven't been talking.

Work: Work has been stressful to say the least. Running a Federal program at a State University the first couple of weeks of school is not my idea of a good time. While I love my job and the people I work with, it's nothing short of shitty right now. I haven't been in my office for the past two weeks. We have been in other rooms in the Mountainlair to be more convenient to the students. I can't wait until Monday when I'm back in my own office and I can get that disaster straightened out from all the calls and mail I've received. Not to mention that in the past two weeks, I have to let others help out with my job and things haven't been as smooth as they should be.

Champs: I put in a bid to Autocrat Bog Champs, it's not been completely awful at all, I'm just having the worst time finding an MOL and the timing SUCKS, it was supposed to be tomorrow and now it's next weekend which has limited some people's availability. The Event and the start of school coinciding with each other are proving to be stressful. Though I have a friend coming to help out and have most everyone lined up so things should be ok, next week I need to prep the food and get it there along with talking with the afforementioned ex boyfriend's Mom to get the key for the site.

Birthdays: Tomorrow is my Dad's 50th birthday and I won't be there. He has lots of plans for this weekend, he's in Atlantic City right now, and tomorrow is his Fantasy Football Draft followed by Dinner with the family. I hate that I won't be there, I didn't have the money to go home. My due date was August 29th, and I was a week late. So the Week in between my Dad's birthday and mine have always been really special to us. We would always do something special to celebrate together and we haven't been able to do that for the past couple of years and that sucks. Next Monday is my birthday and I have no plans, I'm not in any better place this year than I was last year and I don't like that. We'll see how it goes.

Fleas: I got back from Pennsic to a whole bunch of unexpected and unwelcomed houseguests! My roommate has two cats that she moved in with without asking. When I walked in from Pennsic they were ALL OVER THE PLACE. Then she had the audacity to tell me that she didn't have the money to fix it. I don't have the money to fix it either. Well guess what? It's STILL not fixed. Thank goodness I have a fantastic friend who is letting me stay with her.

The Boot: My car got booted, which is entirely my fault, but still couldn't have come at a worse time. And the University really should ahve parking for it's employees or a shuttle or SOMETHING!

BB&T: When I bought my Dad's birthday present(a silver and mother of pearl pocketwatch) from Things Remembered, they charged me for it TWICE. Thus overdrafting my checking account. So I called the bank to get it taken care of, they can't do anything since the charges are still Pending, and Things Remembered is saying that they did nothing wrong, so until this resolves itself in the next 3-7 DAYS I have negative $300 in my checking account, leaving me with $10 casht o last me that 3-7 days!

That is pretty much what is wrong. That and not having the time to sleep/cry it out like I want to. Sorry this isn't cut for those of you that care about that stuff, I seriously just can't get them to work!

...

2009-08-26T13:47:53Z

I lost 4.6 pounds this week! Go me! Financial Aid won Mountainlair Biggest Loser this summer, and we are trying to keep the title for this fall!

I'm pretty excited about it. I need to do something since I feel so gross lately.

Woot!

ETA: I won BIggest Loser for the Week! Woot!

Meme

2009-08-16T04:34:19Z

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
Retirement. We have a mandatory 6% contribution. While it's awesome that it's matched, at my age I could really use that 6% for student loans.

2. Do you miss being a child?
Sometimes.

3. Chore you hate the most?
Cleaning up messes that I didn't make.

4. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
My dining room table.

5. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be?
Rush a social sorority.

6. Name of your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Wilshire. She was awesome, that was the year I got chicken pox and didn't get to make a fossil, but I did collect enough feathers to be the Indian Chief for Thanksgiving! (My "indian" name was Trailblazer, because when my dad and I went backpacking he made me go first to "blaze the trail" but really I was getting rid of all the Spider Webs for him)

7. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Exactly what I'm doing. Watching Steel Magnolias with one of my best friends!

8. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A philanthopist.

9. How many colleges did you attend?
One. WVU! Go Eers!

10. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
It was in the dryer, and I wasn't doing anything important today.

11. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
As much as I want a truck, I'm glad I have a Corolla right now.

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
No alarm, thank goodness I remembered to turn it off last night.

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
This nail polish is NOT orange!

14. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
The Pope

15. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
Yes.

16. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?
Definitely. I volunteer now and I work. I also coordinate a volunteer program for students at work as well as serve at the United Way rep at work.

17. Get up early or sleep in?
Depends.

18. Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Droopy.

20. When did you first start feeling old?
When students birthdays that I look up are in the 90's.

21. Favorite lunch meat?
Virginia Ham :P

22. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
A Diet Mountain Dew!

23. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
Nope.

24. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
Everyone I know knows my taste in movies sucks!

25. What's your favorite drink?
Water

26. Whom from high school would you like to run into?
Sherry

27. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
WVAQ

28. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives?
Desperate Housewives

29. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
Wasting time trying to hang on to something I didn't really want in the first place.

30. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work?
I have my own office and love everyone I work with!

31. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purposes?
No.

32. Last book you finished reading?
Eat, Pray, Love.

33. Do you have a teddy bear?
No, an elephant.

34. Do you go to church?
Yes.

35. How old are you?
23 until Labor Day!

Post Pennsic

2009-08-09T22:16:39Z

Pennsic was a good time. I did a whole lot of nothing. I pretty much alternated days between my camp down at Bog and Talbott's Keep and wandering back and forth between them while stopping through merchants, parties, battles and about 8 lemon shakes.

I didn't buy near as much as I had planned on, but still got a decent amount of swag. Two underdresses(one gold and one black) a Black/Blue tunic for Vidarr, a Viking Key and Needlecase that are magnificent, and some awesome german goat hair trim that should rock out my rust-colored apron.

I also learned how to do the Viking Wire Weaving/Knitting thanks to the famous Marci, and bought some wire when I got back to town. I think I can get my dad to make me the drawing board and I can get/make the mandrels then I'm all set.

The weather was pretty fantastic. Not too hot, the only time it rained I was asleep in my tent and there was a nice breeze most of the time. A few nights were rather cool but I had plenty of blankets and barely noticed.

All in all it was a good time. There was way too much drama before and after for my taste, but the during was great and I had a great time. If I can get the time off next year and a tent, I will most assuredly be back for Pennsic 39!

On The Other Hand...

2009-07-30T17:22:03Z

I'm being SUPER productive at work today! Here's what I did already:

* Mailed out copies of all signed contracts for Summer
* Mailed out reminders to those I still need contracts from(SLACKERS!)
* Wrote and mailed out invitations for the Program to those who haven't participated in the past year
* Keyed in all the Timesheets I have already so that tomorrow is not HELL
* Processed requests for Fall that I have
* Worked on revising Fall Contracts
* Will hopefully mail those out today or tomorrow!

Go me!

On the other, other hand, here's what I still have to do before leaving tomorrow:

* FINISH PAYROLL!
* Clean car out so I can cram stuff in
* Finish packing food
* Pack Toiletries
* Pack Mundane Clothes
* Pack Garb/Find out if my other garb is on the way to Pennsic already
* Check finances
* Cram stuff in car
* Pick up cooler from Christina's
* Pick up perishables
* Pick up last minute crap
* Find my flask
* Shower/Shave one last time! lol
* Fill up with Gas and hit the road!!!

We're getting closer!

2009-07-30T12:15:48Z

I stopped at Sheetz this morning to get quarters since I have to feed a meter to work(*grumble*) and walked past this car to go in and I see a Pole Arm sticking out of one of the windows. I didn't recognize anyone inside though.

On the packing front, I've pretty much got nothing done! Everything is at my house somewhere, mostly in my room, the spare room or kitchen. The dry food I want to take is all out on the table, the alcohol I want to take is packed and ready to be thrown in the car. All of my garb is in a pile in my room as is most of the mundanely things I want to take, they just need to be organized and packed and I'll do that tonight along with all of my toiletry things.

The plan is to pack pack pack tonight, work work work tomorrow(I have to run Payroll, the suckiest two days of the month for me, and I have to do it the day I leave!) then stop by Christina's on the way to I-79 to pick up a couple things I left in her fridge and a cooler(must remember to leave a cooler-sized hole in my packing), I'm wondering if it would be worth it to take one last real shower then when I get to her house, or in the interest of time just get on the road. We'll see how tomorrow goes with that.

I know I'm forgetting something, and can't figure out what yet, it may be slightly driving me crazy!

Attention Pennsic Vets:

2009-07-27T13:28:39Z

What is a must see/must do at Pennsic for you?

Thanks!

ETA: OK, now I have lots to do Sunday/Monday and not much Thursday/Friday! Great.

OMG OCD

2009-07-23T16:47:25Z

Mantinence is doing their yearly "deep clean" of the building. So starting at 10:30 this morning I was displaced from my office. Now, at 12:45 I come back and EVERYTHING has been moved. I'm very particular about where things go and how things are and now EVERYTHING is off just enough to bug the crap out of me.

Also, apparently none of them have heard of cleaning from the top down because they did my desk first, which is now covered in dust that was wiped from the shelves, making it look worse than before.

50 Questions You've Never Been Asked Before

2009-07-22T19:50:58Z

(I would cut this, to save your friends pages, but everytime I do it doesn't work. Sorry)

1. What color is your toothbrush ? Orange and White, unless it's Gameday then it's Blue/Gold of course!

2. Name one person who made you smile today ? My mom.

3.What were you doing at 8 am this morning ? Putting money in the meter.

4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Sitting on the green during a fire drill.

5. What is your favorite candy bar? Heath

6. Have you ever been to a strip club? Not a real one, but I've seen strippers, lol.

7. What is the last thing you said aloud? Thank you.

8. What is your favorite ice cream? Vanilla Bean

9. What was the last thing you had to drink? Diet Mountain Dew

10. Do you like your wallet? I love it! It's cute, and versitile, and designer, and was on a super sale!

11. What was the last thing you ate? Sbarro

12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Nope

13. The last sporting event you watched? Hockey

14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Ranch or Cinnamon/Sugar

15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to? Daniel

16. Ever go camping? Yep, hopefully going in a week or two.

17. Do you take vitamins daily? Yes.

18. Do you go to church every Sunday? No, I am trying to get back into the habit.

19. Do you have a tan? Absolutely not.

20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? Definitely!

21. Do you drink your soda with a straw? Yep, am right now?

22. What did your last text message say? "This day is dragging on"

23. What are you doing tomorrow? work work work

24. What would you rather be doing? Spending time with friends

25. Look to your left, what do you see? My door. (My office has a DOOR! muhahaha!)

26. What color is your watch? Which one?

27. What do you think of when you hear Australia? Wallabies!

29. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? Depends...usually drive thru though.

30. What is your favorite number? 8 or 29

31. Who's the last person you talked to on the phone? My mom's on the phone now.

32. Any plans today? Nope, I was going to go to Sam and Bety's but everyone is busy and I should save the money!

33. How many states have you lived in? 2

34. Biggest annoyance right now? Not knowing about my vacation!

35. Last song listened to? Dream On

36. Can you say the alphabet backwards? I did the other day when i was driving and was thuroughly impressed with myself!

37. Do you have a maid service clean your house? No.

38. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? My black flip flops!

39. Are you jealous of anyone? No.

40. Is anyone jealous of you? I doubt it!

41. Do you love anyone? Yes.

42. Do any of your friends have children? Almost all of them.

43. What do you usually do during the day? Work.

44. Do you hate anyone that you know right now? Not really, I'm highly annoyed with a few though.

45. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? Yes.

46. What color is your car? Silver

47. Do you like cats? ABSOLUTELY NOT! They are gross and unsanitary, and smell and leave hair everywhere, and scratch and vomit, and are NASTY!

48. Are you thinking about someone right now? Yeah...

49. Have you ever been to Six Flags? In Atlanta I think, it was cool, Atlanta was not.

50. How did you get your worst scar? A friend cut my finger with a pair of scissors once.

Mmm...Mmm...Good!

2009-07-19T01:04:13Z

These were chicken and bacon skewers. The chicken was marinated in either Italian or Teriyaki seasonings/marinade and then woven onto a skewer with bacon and grilled to awesomeness. I'm not a huge fan of chicken and bacon together but grilling it really made everything *pop*.

I was going to stop on my way home and get my dad a Peach Pie at one of our favorite roadside stands, but there were complications so when Dad brought home fresh peaches and GIANT blackberries from the Farmer's Market I made this Peachberry Cobbler. We ate it warm...yum!

I came home this weekend and wanted to share with you guys my dinner, it tasted as good as it looked!

You know what I don't appreciate...

2009-07-17T14:35:22Z

...having to battle giant spiders at 6:00am...

...WHILE DRIVING!

Really? Living out in the middle of no where is cool and quiet and all, but why do the insects and spiders have to invade my car? Besides, isn't that what the annoying bats are for? To eat the bugs? I'm not buying it anymore!

ETA: Apparently the Bats are endagered and are not going to be herded out by an exterminator. I guess I can add killing an endagered species to my list of crap I've done in life.

Woe.

2009-07-08T12:18:58Z

I guess getting Friday off was pointless.

Dan's not going. Which means my tent isn't going. Which, on a good note, means I won't have to put it up in the dark.

Woot!

2009-07-07T14:46:59Z

I got Friday off!

So hopefully things will be organized and I won't be putting a tent up in the dark.

Well I *won't* be putting a tent up in the dark, but hopefully things will be less tense about it.

Woooooot!

Now to wait and hear about my Pennsic Week....keep your fingers crossed!

Reconstructing History(TM)

2009-07-01T12:11:15Z

This is a vendor who was at AE War Practice back in May. I've been reading the LJ of the woman who runs Reconstructing History for some time. I stumbled across it as I was looking into doing a project of my own. What I love about them is that they are committed to not only historical acuracy but also to their customers. It's a small business run out of their home, but they produce fabulous products. They are known mostly for their patterns but also carry all sorts of other notions such as lace, rope and even fabric. They are always very helpful in answering questions, and span a variety of different time periods, giving them the option of serving many different re-enactors. I have a few Scadian friends who have bought their patterns and have loved them, not only for their historical accuracy, but for the easy to follow, written by a human instructions that come with them. I also gave the information to a group of Civil War Re-enactoers at home and they instantly fell in love. Go to their site and at least have a look.

www.reconstructinghistory.com

"We'll never tell you it's your job to figure out if our products are historically accurate. That's OUR job! We do not sell compromises. We sell historical accuracy."

WORDS!

2009-06-29T01:11:55Z

A meme brought to you by unique_name_123.

Reply to this meme by yelling "Words!" and I will give you five words that remind me of you. Then post them in your LJ and explain what they mean to you.

Here are mine:

fencing - I fell into fencing by chance. Marching band was dwindling down, and so was college for that matter so I needed something to do to fill the void that those two would leave behind. Enter the SCA, a few of my friends were in it and I've always been interested in History. I joined by going to local fencing practices and picking up what I could. I really love fencing, the adrenaline that you get in a melee, the camraderie of the other fencers, and the general good time that it provides. Lately, my knee has been screwed, and I don't want to risk further injury to it by fencing. My doctors told me years ago to quit band/colorguard, goodness knows what they will say when I tell them I'm fencing. I have found that most events are boring without it, though I have been making new(non-fencing) friends, and finding other activities that I enjoy at events in the meantime.

career - I'm not sure I have one right now. I have been employed by WVU for six years now, so that would be my "career" for the moment, but it's not where I want to stay forever. I love it there, but the money isn't there, and I'm not using my degree at all. I love my job and plan on staying there until I get my Master's since they will pay for it, but past that I'm going to try to break into something using my degree. Not necessarily politics, but some form of civil servant. But for now I'm happy right where I am.

friendship - My friends are my world. I moved 250 miles away from ALL of my family when I was 17 to go to school. My friends then became my family. Most of them are from home, Marching Band, Kappa Phi, and the SCA. I have a few from work, but try not to let work/personal life mix too, too much. Not to mention, since moving away my family has made the transition more from "family" to friends, which I'm rather enjoying.

party - I may have gone to one of the biggest Party Schools in the country, but I'm really not all that much of a "partier" I follow a local band with a girlfriend and we love doing that. I have a really good time at Homecoming every year with the Alumni Band, and I like to have a good time at events. Other than that I am too much of a worrier to get out of control anymore.

future - I'm not really sure what the future holds. I'd like to say I have every minute detail planned out, but I don't. I used to be like that, then I got a clue. Now I'm just along for the ride. Everyday that I wake up, smile, and enjoy life, is just one more day I get to be me.

FABRIC-GASM!

2009-06-27T19:01:15Z

I had a coupon for Joann's Fabric and thought I might as well go up and get a cut of red linen for a new apron dress. So I trudge out there and walk in the door and they are having some ridiculous sale. Then I get over to the linen and it's 60% off! So I got 4 yards of red and 4 yards of a rusty color that I've been in love with for a while, both were 52 inches wide! Then I went back and saw this awesome goldenrod color that I just had to have, but there was only about 1.5 yards left so I grabbed that. The woman gave me the Gold as a remnant for a dollar fifty. The rest of it ended up being around $3 a yard. How fantastic is that!?

I got all that plus lots of beads/tools/findings for $40. And the best part was it was $40 that had been in a check waiting for me at Hallmark that I didn't know about!

Score!

I'm Pre-Reg'd for Pennsic!

2009-06-14T22:30:10Z

Nothing like waiting til the last minute, eh?

Now let's just see if I get the time off from work.

*crosses fingers*