Unfortunate names

I'm sure you've all had experiences where you've seen a billboard, or a store name, or a person's name and thought to yourself, "Why would someone want to do this to their (store, child, business). I had one of these experiences today, my friends. There's some construction going on next to my local Costco, and my eye was caught by the signage in front of the site. The sign publicizes the name of the construction company working on the site. Now, this company is named after a person, the owner of the construction company, I'm sure. What is this person's last name? Manlove. I'll let it sit with you a minute. Now, if that was my last name, I think I'd change it. When I saw this unfortunate surname, I was reminded of the name of a TV and stereo repair shop that was on a main street of Vallejo, when I lived there. This store was also named after it's owner, a Mr. Harry Butts. I mean, really. Or how about this one, Polly Esther Sheets. Not cool, not cool. I finished up the Hermione Mittens for my mitten swap pal, and will be sending them along in a couple of days after then finish blocking. I'm quite proud of them! I think I finally mastered the bobble. Now, I know that bobbles aren't to terribly difficult for most people, but they always seem a bit fiddly to me. I usually avoid them for that reason, but they really add to the mitten, so I had to add them. I love this pattern and will be making many more. The Hermione mittens I received from my pal, is making giving away these mittens a little easier. I hope my pal likes them! Project specs: Pattern: Hermione Mittens from Atypically Knit Yarn: Cascade 220 in a kind of teal/turquiose heather (still can't find the ball band. Rats!) Time: These mittens took about 2 weeks to complete. That's really quick for life at Chez Craftylilly. What I learned: I think I've got a handle on bobbles, and now thumb gussets don't scare me! Now, before I post my last pic for you today, I should touch upon the reference to Annie's post and my trepidation to post the lovely mittens that Karen knit me for the mitten swap. After reading Annie's post (scroll down and hit the link in my previous post if you're interested), I began to worry about how people were perceiving me posting the gifts and swaps I've received from various secret pal exchanges and swaps I've been involved in. I sat and pondered whether or not the posting of these gifts/swaps are in bad taste, and might make someone feel excluded from the knitblog community. After some discussions with my family, friends, and other concerned knitbloggers, I've decided that writing about these swaps and exchanges are, for me, not in bad taste. I feel that an appropriate thank you sometimes includes a more public thank-you on my blog. After all, these swaps and exchanges are organized and executed online. Plus all the swaps and exchanges I've been involved with are open to everyone, and are not exclusionary. I hope that if you are a reader of my blog, whether new or have been reading for a while, that you experience my posts in the spirit with which they are written, a little humor, some exasperation with the trials and tribulations of life, a whole lot of enthusiasm about knitting and beading, and a sharing of the experience of knitting and life. SO, in that spirit, I want to share with you what Stephanie sent me as part of the Romance Book Swap for Knit the Classics. She has spoiled me with two fantastic romance reads, Age of Innocence by Wharton, and Anna Karenina. She also is feeding my sock obsession with Koigu, and Over the Rainbow sock yarn(Woohoo! Have been wanting to try this out for some time!). There's some recycled silk in there too, and a few other goodies. One of the awesome parts about Knit the Classics, other than the great discussions, great reads, and fun knitting related contests, and knitting projects, are the book swaps. I encourage any of you who love to read and to knit, join us over at Knit the Classics. Well, I think I've blabbed enough for the day. Have a good week everyone! (Edited to add: I don't think Annie's post is meant to criticize all knitblogs, nor that her commenters are picking on everyone. Her post just brought this idea to the forefront for me and caused me to think more about what I blog and why I blog.)