Finished!

The Lind is finished! At 11:07 the last end was tidied in. Whew! From 12/22 to 12/31 -- pictures in the New Year!

May this year be full of grace!

My 2004 totals were:

Knit Totals

• Sleeves/wristers – 5
  
• Sleeves in your Pi – 1
  
• Shawl – 1
  
• Hat – 1
  
• Vest – 3
  
• Sweater – 2
  
• Purse – 3
  
• TKGA Samples – 10
  
• Face Cloths – 4
  
• Afghan – 1
  
• Baby sweater – 6
  
• Baby Blanket car seat – 1
  
• Socks pairs – 2
  
• Soap sack - 3
  
• Toddler vest – 1
  
• Baby Blanket (reg size) – 1
  
• Scarves – 18
  
• Hot water bottle cover – 1

Sewing totals

• Pillow cover 1
  
• DP holder 1
  
• Rice bag

Spinning totals

• Worsted weight 256 yards
  
• Sport weight 48 yards
  
• Lace weight 50 yards

Other totals

• felt balls – 45
  
• skirted 6 fleeces tossed 1
  
• washed 1

KM totals

• Front and back for Dianne’s sweater
  
• Back for my sweater

Destashing -- End of the Year Thoughts

The end of last month, I managed to stay through my first guild meeting here. Second attended, first time the asthma didn't evict me. I'd been stash sorting before the meeting, and brought in a large garbage bag of stuff. It was fun sitting back and just watching people sorting through. Roving, fleece, yarn... everyone took something, and went away smiling. It was such a weight off MY shoulders, because those things are no longer in the "to be done" pile. Whew!

Then there is the Vivaldi Vest. Really neat pattern, really boring to knit 4 of the same thing! Okay, I exagerate, 2 of one and 2 of the other, reversing shaping. I tried to do all 4 pieces at the same time. Too many pieces of yarn, especially when I had the brilliant idea to carry the nonworking colors up the sides as I went. 12 strands of yarn attached to the same set of circulars. Um, no. So, I finished part 1. Getting close on part 2, and it has sat for a long time. A VERY long time. It was warm, I believe, the last time I worked on it. Checked with a friend and she would like it. I'll send it to her, she can finish it, and another thing off my shoulders! Whee! Too bad we can't get the projects we WANT to do done so easily!

Going in to the New Year, I have the following knit projects in process:

• Serena's replacement graduation sweater (2 strands of Brown Sheep Naturespun Sport knit to achieve worsted weight,
• Howard's birthday sweater that needs hem on the sleeves and bottom, and then crochet around the neck (should have been finished in November -- oh well),
• several pairs of socks from a trade that need to be kitchenered,
• my Lind, unless I finish it today. 7 3/4 inches of ribbing for the neck and sew the zip in -- possible. Still would like pockets -- still thinking,
• fronts and sleeves of a Elsbeth Lavold tunic, back was knit up on the KM, hasn't bee touched since,
  
• um, forgot the Unst Bridal Shawl started in merino -- time to forget it for a while? frogging sounds really good, it doesn't do anything for me,
  
• Forgot my poor Princess Line sweater! I love it, and haven't managed to get past the hem, I don't think! The charting scares me, to be honest. Would be a good project to distract myself with!

Spinning projects in process

• alpaca cria fiber that has now been washed that needs to be de-vegged, then spun,


• merino from Belinda Daniel that is being slowly spun up (Love it, but I'm slow!)

To do:

• put loom up for sale and actually get it sold
  
• organize magazines
  
• do an inventory of fiber books
  
• do a fleece/roving inventory

That's enough, isn't it?

Tomorrow I plan to post my list of completed things for 2004. After all, I may finish something today!

May 2005 be healthy, happy, and full of joy for you!

Thursday Blahs

I think I'm beginning to pull out of the depression. I think several things caused it:

• the gradual darkening of the days, it has been grey and overcast most of the time, there isn't any sun!



• The biggest, and the one I keep shying around. Asthma. Damn it. I've had to give up so much for it, and it still wants to take more. We went through a brief period of hope, misunderstanding the doctor, that it would go away. It isn't. Someone asked how long I'd been dealing with asthma yesterday. I said, "6 years." She looked surprised that I was still trying to come to a balance with it. Howard said, "Some people want to stay in denial, instead of dealing with it." Which angered me, but I also wonder. Is it better to live in hope, and keep pushing the boundaries, or stop?



• The trigger for this depression is, I think, having to give up weaving. Okay, I wasn't really good at it. But I loved it. Not warping, for heaven's sake, that seemed to be a nightmare almost every time. But weaving itself! The rhythm, watching FABRIC grow under my hands (and so FAST too!) I had plans, I was going to make blankets for friends. I was going to...
  
  and that is gone. I also spent a lot of money on the loom (and sundry), money from the sale of 2 very ugly vases that my great-uncle gave me, telling me they were valuable. I didn't believe him, but tucked them away where young children wouldn't break them. Several years ago, we took them to Sotheby's in New York, and put them up for online auction. The two went for $8,000.00! So, with part of that, I bought my loom, something I'd wanted for years. And named it Charlie, for Uncle Charlie, who loved family, and nice things.

Went to Fort Dodge with Howard yesterday, to pick up this and that. Got a dock for my camera, so it can recharge, instead of eating batteries. Wound up with a bass voice again, because I walked behind someone who had almost drowned in aftershave. Went to Hancock to get a separating zipper for the Lind, and arranged class time. Right now, I'm going to try to teach a series of 3 classes on knitting. Scary. Really scary. I've put on the announcement to please not wear perfumes or scents. I guess this is another aspect of denial. If this doesn't work out, I'll have to refund the $$, and add something else to my list that I can't do. I do have some hope about teaching 4-H kids, but haven't heard back on that.

Anyway, came home, having made it to the sleeve cap on one sleeve, wheezing and not really comfortable. Neb? Surely you jest? Then, and it just now connected, I had ice cream, and really reacted to that. Well yeah, already having allergic reaction, and then add to it? Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb! Drat, now I have to explain to Howard, who has been as confused about that as I was.

Trying to come up with something I can do for the tsunami victims. Not much $$ at this point of the year. But I will be sending money, as I can, because the need isn't going to go away for a long time.

Maybe later I'll post progress pictures. The new sewing machine is slow. Very slow. A very basic machine. It will do for a while. It did NOT like sewing steeks yesterday, but we wrestled through. Armscyes and front are now open, ready for the next step.

This is my first laceweight! 50 yards, 4 grams according to my scale. The merino roving came from Belinda in Australia. Gorgeous, isn't it! I had serious concerns as to whether I was up to spinning something so wonderful. I'm using an Anne Grout support spindle to spin, and a David Reed Smith Susan for plying. As I fill up a support spindle, I'm winding it off onto plastic straws, which fit on my Lazy Kate for plying.

Lind has the body finished but for the collar/steeks/zipper and the sleeves are started. Getting somewhere! Hoping to pick up the zipper tomorrow.

Seriously confused about the days. I know it is the holidays, and Howard is on vacation, but he had to go in for several hours today. Last night I could have sworn that it would be Sunday today. Today feels as if it is Wednesday. Somewhere, my body clock has gone on strike!

Oy!

Forgot to mention that Christmas Eve, after the two services, Howard was putting the crockpot into the refrigerator, and lost control of it. He burned his arm, his hand, and a great deal of his abdomen. Just a few blisters, but it is painful. The dangers of wearing polyester! Much to everyone's surprise, no damage to the crockpot! It seems it should have broken, for bad behavior, no?

Today seems to be a tired day. I've sat on the couch most of it, and just vegged. Too much to even pick up my knitting!

Happy 26th Birthday Kim!

What a Holiday!

Well, it has been a memorable holiday at this household. Nathan spent Christmas Day tossing his toenails. There was a serious concern for a while that he would wind up at the hospital. He eventually stopped, and slept fitfully most of the night. Woke up today with a very bad sore throat. Kim packed them up, and drove him home. She took him to the ER at their local hospital, strep test was positive. Many thoughts of healing go his way. And that Kim doesn't get it too, as she was also under the weather.

Serena went back to Denver today, Howard and I took her to the Des Moines airport, said our goodbyes, and then went to Barnes and Noble to spend out Christmas gift card. Serena text messaged me that she was boarded, and all was well. About 15 minutes later, we noticed that her glasses were in the back seat of the car. I had dislodged them when looking for something in her backpack. I'm so glad Kinkos is now a Fed Ex participant. We found one within a few blocks of the bookstore, and dropped it off for next day delivery. Of course, they don't do Sunday pickup, so they won't be there until Tuesday. But, as she only wears them in the evening just before bed and first thing in the morning, I hope she will survive. We've both been known to walk into walls without our glasses.

HOME! Watched some football, knit some more (amazing how much I've accomplished in driving time this weekend!) Read some more, and I'm going to bed soon!

Wow, did the family surprise me this Christmas. Kim, Nathan, and Serena got together and gave me a dollhouse kit! I am to put it together, they plan to paint it on one of their visits. Howard gave me a sewing machine (which I'd somewhat guessed) and A DIGITAL CAMERA! WOW! I cried on both the dollhouse and the camera! I've wanted a dollhouse for years. The camera -- pure indulgence. I'll show you updates as I get things accomplished.

My neat knit buddy Dianne sent me some yummy alpaca yarn (in MY colors) that wants to be a shawl for me and this gorgeous hand-crafted silver cross. They won't be used together, but the cross will be really useful on heavier shawls. Actually, I think the cocoon out of my handspun grey Corriedale that was one of the items I wove would be PERFECT with it. I'll experiment and see if you agree. (In other words, when I get a picture of it up!)

Kim began a beautiful counted cross stitch project while she was here. She chose a marvelous adventure for her 4th project. The butterflies on it use 2 strands of different flosses, which produces a marvelous affect. I'm so proud of her!

Experimentation is going on apace. How to photograph with this camera, some progress pictures were overwhelmingly blue. Not very helpful to see what is going on! Still checking around for tools to show progress on the blog. I'd like the charts which show percent completed. We'll see. Which reminds me, I need to send someone the information on how to put details in the blog.

Presents! These are all qiviut scarves -- the purple lace is Serena's, the purple stockinette is Annette's, the natural lace is Mom's and the natural Seaman's scarf is Dad's. Think they'll like them? We already know Serena likes hers! Waiting on the others

This is my Lind on Christmas Day. Lots of knitting done, as Nathan was so sick, we didn't open presents until evening!

fun

The sweater is growing! I'm about 5 inches up the body now. Wonder how much I'll get done tomorrow in the drive to Des Moines, and all the running around there? I'll let you know when I get back!

Tomorrow afternoon we drive to Des Moines, drop off quilts at several shelters, go to Barnes and Noble to spend our Christmas gift from the ladies, eat somewhere, then eventually go to the airport and pick up Serena. Then we drive home, and Nathan and Kim will probably already be in bed! But won't we have fun once all of us are awake on Friday! First time ALL of us have been together since ? I'm not sure!

This is the sweater that has attacked me! I'm only on the rib, but doesn't it look comfy! 

New Project!

I've been attacked by the desire to do a new project! Sheesh! Here I was, working somewhat diligently on Serena's graduation sweater (progress pictures to come when I borrow Nathan's camera) and suddenly... Wham! I've been attacked! It is a DO IT NOW!I'm doing it in 2 strands of the caramel color yarn I bought from Webs. I figure that the yarn for this will run less than $15! The ZIPPER will probably cost almost that much!

It wants to be the replacement for my poor Red Jacket from Denver 87 that needs to be retired. It has been my comfort jacket -- the thing I put on when I'm upset or feeling badly. It has been a great friend, but it is tired. The zips are all broken. It has holes. Since I never put the hood up, I don't think I'll miss it. May continue the zip up the collar, though, for warmth when I'm REALLY cold! In wool... YUM!

Another thought for that yarn from Webs, but how many sweaters can Serena handle? I thought briefly about starting her off on one, good plane knitting (I'm steeking it), but I don't know if I have the yarn for it. Her call. I have the grey and the blueberry yarns waiting for activity...

I am avoiding like the plague working on the newsletter this morning. Got a call just before 7 that someone had died, and wasn't able to go back to sleep. Too cold. My feet wouldn't warm up. The fiber room is 65* right now. If Nathan complains about his room being too cold, I may have him sleep in there! When I went in at 7 to write down the note, it was 64, and that was AFTER the furnace had been running. No WONDER I'm cold in here.

3 bulletins are done for this week. Newsletter and another bulletin for next week. One bulletin for the next. Then Jodi should be back.

I need tea. I missed the coop order the first of the month. I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and drive down to Ames for tea. Lipton gives me a headache. Hm, just asked Nathan to pick some up. We'll see how that goes.

Hope Nathan and Kim were able to meet their deadlines last night!

Right now, they are saying -13 wind chill. ouch

White Stuff!

We have several inches of scattered flurries on the ground. Yesterday afternoon Howard called and said the rain had hit -- it was hitting as frozen chunks of ice. Oddly enough, the streets and sidewalks turned white first -- then the lawns. It then moderated to snow and DUMPED. About an inch in the first hour. Then it slowed down, but what a surprise! We weren't supposed to have any appreciable snow. Mike came by around 9 and started shoveling, he didn't want to hitch up the trailor and snowblower for this. His call.

He reminded Howard last week that a year ago the first big surprise snowstorm had been last weekend. Missed it by a day this year, but interesting. The weekend before Christmas may be the target for snow here.

Family time soon! Whee!

Saturday evening

Okay, football has taken over the season. 'nuff said

Started a glove (why do I keep typing mitten?) in 3 ply Kroy -- black and silver. Really looks good, even if Raider colors. For this family, should be orange and blue. Sorry, not in stock. I can do one row of corrugated ribbing at a time ( 2 colors, knit in rib) on size 0s, and then need to put down. "Only" 5 more rows to go on the ribbing. Then the "fun" part -- the glove itself. The burgundy/black or burgundy/grey just didn't do a thing for me. That's the problem when you have LOTS of black, silver, and grey in this weight of yarn! I really don't have too many other colors to add to the mix.

Have finished the first repeat of one pattern for Serena's sweater. Row by row...

Christmas is almost here! Doesn't seem real.

Saturday whinges

I've decided that only a fellow fiber person would appreciate the gloves. Right now I'm trying to persuade myself that I really don't want to start a pair. Hm, traditional colors? I don't know yet.

Did 2 gauge swatches on the caramel yarn, both are just a hint undersize. whine. The yarn is sport to dk, I think that is my first problem. It is written (the Rogue) for Aran weight, 4.5 st per inch. Why did I think it DK? Because I WANTED it to be? One option would be to carry along a strand of sock yarn. It will then looked marled, not sure that's the effect I want.

The wind has kicked up with a vengeance. Temps are supposed to be miserable by tomorrow.

Oops

My, has it been THIS long? Sorry Serena.

Still wheezing after Wednesday's asthma attack. Just moving around sets me off. grumble.

I've been charting a Scottish Glove pattern, I think Serena and I are the only ones worthy of them, and I don't know if she would wear them. Fine sock yarn, 84 sts around... An old pattern, gauge isn't given.

Graduation sweater is about 4 inches along -- 24 rows. Which means, I think, that I need to check row gauge, and make some pattern changes! I want to buy a digital camera, so I can show off!

Why are cars racing up and down our street? There are children along here!

I got some yummy yarn in the mail from Webs, and it is nice enough that I'll probably buy some for Serena. There are several choices, which do you think she'd prefer, http://www.ardithkeef.com/yarnroom/Patternbooks/DaleGarn/116/15.jpg,
or http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/rogue/detail.php
or http://www.ardithkeef.com/yarnroom/Patternbooks/DaleGarn/116/12.jpg

Howard did shopping today, and I don't know what he bought. That's all right, I bought him stuff earlier in the week, and I didn't leave home to do it!

decisions...

Hm, Serena's graduation sweater was of worsted weight yarn, and I've been trying to recreate it in sport. I think the stitch patterns will be lost, because I'll either need lots of "free" space (purls between patterns), or more patterns in there. Right now I'm leaning toward knitting 2 strands of the sport weight, and see if that will come closer to the worsted weight. If I guess correctly, that will mean a difference between 400 sts around and just over 200. A bit of a difference! Hm. I guess I'll do some swatches and decide.

I just agreed to take on the Association newsletter. I think I'm nuts. We'll see. I'll have to find out just how to do it -- hopefully soon!

While Jodi is gone, I'm also typing up the January newsletter here, and the bulletins. Are we having fun?

Here's the front of the sweater. I took a pattern from SweaterWizard, tweaked it, and here is the result, needing a bit of refinement as to the way it is presented for your delectation. Sigh. It was taken in a hurry. I hope it will generate some interest in Knitting 102. Or whatever I call it. I figure that from this simple project people can learn: changing colors, grafting, increases, decreases, reading a pattern... anything I'm missing? 

ah, the back of the baby sweater, to be used for a class demonstration. To learn increases, decreases, changing colors... all in a short period of time. Brave, aren't I! 

Wednesday blather

We got a text message from Nathan on Sunday morning that he and Kim were in the ER, she was having severe abdominal pains. If you remember, Howard and I were both bleary/bleery? from his sleep study the night before. By late afternoon, it had resolved that Kim had appendicitis, very rare in her family. They were able to do a laparascopy, and she came home Monday. We drove up to help entertain Tucker (their dog) and keep him off her. I managed to finish the baby sweater, start a scarf for my dad in qiviut, and not much else.

Got home tonight, to very little desire to do anything. I know I need to change the sheets. I know I need to ... fill in the blanks. I'm tired. I'm wheezy. I don't care.

Wish I knew what was in the air between here and St. Cloud that sets off the asthma every freaking time! Or, if you prefer, from St. Cloud/Sartell to here. There were 3 areas that set me off on the way home. Whoopee. Have I mentioned lately that I really don't like asthma?

I'm glad Kim is doing better, Howard showed her how to cross stitch/back stitch/French knot today. She was doing a FANTASTIC job, really tremendous for a first project! I was impressed! I hope she enjoys it!

groggy thoughts

Howard had his sleep study last night, the technician told him he will probably be a good candidate for the cpac (or however it is spelled.) If he can sleep soundly, and waken without a headache, actually refreshed, what a delight! I know he has not had a GOOD night's sleep in a long time. I guess the report now goes to a neurologist, who makes recommendations, and then forwards it to Howard's gp. I can hope! Wouldn't THAT be a nice Christmas present!

However, with him gone, I didn't go to bed until after 2, and he got home at 5:30. I'm a bit bleary. Hah! bit?

Did manage to get the loom sleyed and tied last night, as well as finishing almost both of 2 baby sweater sleeves. I cut off the yarn for the contrast color, to realize that I'd mis-counted, and needed one more repeat of it. That was the point I decided to call it quits. Today will be the other arm, and maybe the body? The hood and bands would be all that is left. I'm going to try to get everything to the store early this week, to start people thinking about classes in January.

Today, we need to work together some more, and figure out the brake. It is NOT holding. I can advance the loom without releasing it. sigh

Happy Birthday Howard! This is his almost complete sweater, just steeked, and popped on, to prove that it was "wearable" by his birthday. The fatigue is not feigned, he had spent the last 2 days laying a ceramic tile floor at Nathan and Kim's. I used Sweater Wizard to create the pattern, knit in the round, set-in sleeves. 

The back of the coat, I really like the fun from having the tabs, don't you? 

Kim in my Turkish Coat! No, she doesn't look happy, but I am when I wear it! 

Hm, Friday?

Well, no further on Howard's sweater. Delighted that Serena has a new job, to start in a week. Actually, THRILLED!

Howard saw the doctor yesterday. He has an ingrown toenail, antibiotics for a week, then remove part of the toenail, and retard growth Thursday. He has either a frozen shoulder or a bone spur in the shoudler, PT for the next few weeks, then referral on if that doesn't help. He has a sleep study for apnea tomorrow night. Poor man!

The jacket Kim is wearing is my own handwoven, the whole thing is Bartlett worsted for the warp. The brown is alpaca. The pink variegated is from Valentina Devine, and was purchased at Maryland Sheep and Wool. I loved it, but had no clue what to do with it, so it sat until I wove it up. Then I wondered... again, what to do. When Dianne came over break, she helped me vision, then put it together. The fabric is heavily fulled, but so comfortable!

When Nathan and Kim come for Christmas, I'll put up pictures of the cocoon of my handspun/handwoven!

Tuesday?

Sheesh, what a day so far! At least, I haven't burned anything. Of course, unless it has finally happened, the pictures aren't on my web page either, but not for lack of trying! I'm going to have to write Barb soon, if I can't get it done!

You know Howard hurts when he makes his OWN doctor's appointment! Thursday morning. Hopefully he will get some relief for his shoulder and thumb, and also get his toes taken care of, he has 2 ingrown nails -- both big toes. Still no date for the sleep study.

EEEKKKKK!!!!!! I feel as if I'm still on pred, and the squirrels are running races in my brain! It would be nice if they would slow down! So far, they are being nutty.

Saturday grogginess

Nathan and Kim took us out to dinner last night, to thank us for the work in the kitchen. Very nice place, Timberlodge, I think.

This morning, after precipitation all night, their is white stuff coming down. It is supposed to end soon, but we will go home on major freeways as much as possible, instead of back roads.

Howard and Nathan are attempting to grout the kitchen floor.

While here, I've knit up a scarf out of Fun Fun (wondering about having students make it on larger needles), a purse, 2 wrist warmers of different lengths (the small ones really don't do much good, do they?), and almost finished Howard's birthday sweater. Need to sew in the neck, and do the hems. You will notice (if you are reading this) that I'm still waffling on the hems. sigh

I'm thinking about undershirts, for warmth. A strand of alpaca, and another of silk wool? I need the neck rather high, but don't want buttons on the back. Do I make sleeves too, or ... thoughts? For fun, I brought up some forest green alpaca, a cone of Zephyr silk/wool, and a cone of cashmere/wool, thought about blending them together. The cashmere is more silvery, the Zephyr is cream.

Ha-ha!

Well, the advantage of working your tail off on Thanksgiving is that we didn't overeat! In fact, we didn't have another meal. Well, Nathan, Howard, and Kim all ate around 12. At night. I had a piece of cheese. Sam's smoked cheddar. yum

Happy Birthday Grandma Hewes! Since it is your birthday... Hope you are enjoying it, wherever you are!

Thanksgiving

Okay, today was a celebration of family -- in doing. Nathan got up early, went out and bought a turkey, then came home and prepared it. After we ate, it was all hands on deck to get the kitchen floor tiled. We are still at it, at 10 in evening. 21 tiles to go. Saturday morning will be grouting, then we'll head for home.

While here, I got the main part of Howard's birthday sweater done (hems on sleeves and bottoms to go, as well as tack down the neck edging. I'll try for some pictures from Nathan's camera before we go home. I also did a scarf for a beginning knitting class, and designed a purse. A baby sweater left to go for the class -- that way absolute beginners can do a scarf, next group can knit a purse, and next a sweater.

I've decided that wristers must be only for people that "get" it, if someone doesn't have a clue what to do with one, it isn't a good gift.

traveling

we are in Sartell MN, I sometimes think this town hates me. Asthma kicked in on teh way up here, nebbing is part of my life while here. I find it frustrating, irritating, and debilitating.

On the way up, we stopped at Hancock Fabric in Ft. Dodge, where I'll be hopefully doing some knit classes soon. I came away with 2 balls of a ribbon yarn, 2 balls of Wool-ease for a baby sweater, and 1 ball of Fun Fur. One purse of ribbon is almost done. Need to sew it up, and make the straps. Fun Fur will be next, just to do something mindless.

Nathan and Howard are HOPING to finish tiling the kitchen floor tonight. As they haven't started, I don't know.

Tuesday Musing

Well, it is supposed to be warmer today, but right now it is 48, and damp. I'm cold! Isn't THAT a big surprise. sigh

I have just about decided to try to make an alpaca/qiviut camisole. The lower part fo the back that is always cold thinks it would be great!

When putting a project down for a while, make darned sure you make notes of what you were planning! At THIS point, Howard's sweater is a mass of confusion to me! What in the world did I plan for the hems? I think I'd decided NOT to do ribbing at all, but to do hems of sock yarn (for less weight). But did I? What was I going to use for the v-neck? I think I'll steek it, and then tack it back? oi

Then there is that little detail that the pattern doesn't match the count. I think I can honestly say this is frustrating!

Well, in honor of TC,

Oops, Friday!

I realize that someone checks daily to see if I've written, and I kind of apologize. I'll try to do better.

Got a call last night about 10:30 that Audrey's mother had died. That is 2 in a week for the church.

Right now it is 32 and cool. My feet say COLD!

Not a lot going on today, 7 loads of laundry yesterday, and a general malaise.

I'll forward Rachel's most recent post to Serena.

Does this make you think of going to the necessary? Does me!


Mary who really likes this smiley! or is it the ability to add these?

Sunday night

Hm, tonight we went to bed early. Bill called. Nathan Called. Serena called. Serena said she'd call back, I gather Nathan told her we'd gone to bed early. This is what happens when we do something terribly out of character!

I didn't get to see Nathan's meteor shower, and will admit to being disappointed. Would I have gone outside to see? NO! But I would have gladly watched from the upstairs windows.

Mike came by today -- I suspect Audrey was annoyed when looking at the lawns, because she and Dick came out of the church, stood outside for a while, went back INside, and then came out again. Less than an hour later, Mike was here with his riding lawn mower, hand mower, trailer, and pickup. Poor man looked at the bunch of leaves Howard had raked up and bagged (9 -- 39 gallon bags!) and figured it had to be from the whole yard, not just the tiny area he could see cleared -- less than the corner of the house to the garage. But, he looked in the back yard, and realized, I suspect with a greatly SINKING heart, that he was wrong. He filled the bed of the pickup 6 times, as full as he could, and drove them to the leaf dropoff. He and Dick left after dark. I don't know how many are left, but those two worked like crazy. In the process, of course, all of the mold in the area set me off, and I wound up going up to our room and running both air purifiers. In the process, I chilled, so curled up under the comforter, with sweats, mohair socks, and such on. When Howard got home from the theater (breaking down the set), we went to bed. By the time Serena called, I was warm again, so took off the sweats, and am at the computer, so I can grab the phone before it wakes Howard up.

I'm on scarf #14 -- waiting to see where the excess of this batch will go. 9 of them are promised, some are purely decorative, some are warmth/decorative, only one is plain. But I'm starting to itch to knit something else, so I guess this obsession is finishing. I still want to do some with the qiviut, as that should be used, instead of just sitting here.

adjusting to necessity

okay, the swift broke again. This time, the screw to hold the tension on the yarn. So, we went to the local hardware store, and got micro clamps. 2 to hold it to the table, one to hold the tension on the piece. Does mean that as the hank nears its end, I have to "help" it over the clamp. Next thing to fix. While setting that part up, another bit of linen frayed out. This poor thing has seen more miles!

So, the yarn for Ballerina is now balled up. Hm, do I ball up the yarn for Serena next? Have been wondering a bit about doing yardage out of it on Dianne's machine, sew it together, and then let her finish the edging. Do you think the chances are better for her to wear it then? If so, I need the measurements she wants it to be!

Blech! Too many emotional issues going on right now! I'll be glad when a) Dianne's visit is over; and c) the PLAY is over! Now, if only I could get rid of asthma!

Another week has gone by!

This week I've:
started and finished a pair of wrist warmers for me (leftover Jamiesons from Mom's sweater)
started and finished a baby sweater (old gold, bulky sw wool)
started and finished a baby car blanket (old gold, bulky sw wool)
started a pair of socks for me

tomorrow I go to the eye doctor again. blech. Seeing how much the allergic attack last week affected the eyesight. Since we know this last prescription isn't right. I may or may NOT decide to replace the right lens. Why is it that the LEFT lens is the scratched one? sigh


You appear to be a Knitting Goddess.
You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with
reward, you simply want others to love knitting
as much as you do. If someone wants to knit
miles of novelty yarns, you are there for them.
If someone wants to learn short row shaping,
you can help. There are no taboos in knitting,
only opportunities to grow. Everyone should
have friend like you around if they want to
learn to knit, and there's a good chance that
your passion has rubbed off on a few others.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Wednesday blech

Well, the voice is almost to the tenor range, but the sinus infection seems to have gained ground. Airflow is still "interesting". I have a sneaking suspicion that the doctor's office thinks I'm still on pred, because they didn't put me BACK on it. sigh I really don't want to go back on it, even for a short dose. If improvement isn't significant by tomorrow, I'd better call again.

Sunday!

Well, we certainly weren't home long from the last trip to get going again! By Friday night late/early Saturday we knew we were on our way again, this time to Chicago. It is hard saying goodbye to good people!

Been too tired to blog up until today, and I seem to either have a cold or an asthma attack that doesn't want to listen. blech!

HOME!

Wow, it is NICE to be home! I love traveling, but there is such a pleasure to come back to our own things.

I'm still bothered by the trip to Missouri, I guess it is a "shut up and deal" situation, and I need to let go of it. Why do we try so hard to hurt each other?

The rummage sale is tomorrow, for some reason I thought it was today, and that I'd miss it. I'll mosey over later today and check out what is there. Always curious, you know! Did check, nothing insisted it be brought home.

There was a definite temperature/weather change about the border between MN/IA today. Very odd. Went from cool, overcast, and occasional sprinkles to windy and clear! It was in the 80s when we pulled into town.

packing thoughts

okay, I have realized a wool skirt for a trip to Missouri where it is supposed to be in the 80s is a bad idea. Another way to tell you that I haven't sewn it up yet.

In the process of thinking about what to knit/spin during the trip. Had ordered a lace spindle last week, but the store hasn't shipped it yet. With express she thinks she could get it there Saturday. Forget it. I'll get it, but later! I suppose I'll take the lace spindle I do have, it will be good in the hotel. Not so good on the plane, there are still a lot of arm movements!

The goldenrod is blooming, and the church is acting in ways we've lived through too many times. sigh

Called in about my cell phone turning itself off -- it is dying, and is out of warranty. For $50 I can get another refurbished one. Gee, this one lasted less than 5 months? I think I'll spring for a different model. Just in case, I just created a file with my entire phone book in it. I also decided AGAINST the two of us doing internet on our cell phones. Any words of wisdom why I'm wrong?

You know you have adapted too well to text messaging when you call a phone number like 1-800-Ramada and start off 1 800 777 (R) !

Oops

how time flies when we are having fun! This has not been a week to write on the blog. No one wants long descriptions of frustrations, doctors, or such!

Gee, if I sit on the couch and spin, my left hand goes numb! This is not fun! The laceweight (I think) is slowly building up. At this rate, I'll have enough to make a scarf in a year!

Once again I'm cold, while Howard wanders the house in minimal clothing. I think I'll get in bed!

Mary

Monday?

It didn't feel like Monday! It was a holiday for Howard, and he took most of it AS a holiday! Wow! He went over to work until I got up, then came home.

Today has been spent in frustration.

Found a stain on the afghan my Mom knit. Spotted it with Dr. Spot. It took all the lanolin from that one area, leaving the lanolin everywhere else. Or else it bleached the fibers. Whatever, there are 2 whiter areas in one panel.

Tried to spin laceweight. At the moment, my hands do NOT want to communicate with each other and spin on either the drop or support spindle. Both managed to break yarns repeatedly.

Not done any knitting either. At the end of the day, I really wonder where it has gone, because I don't accomplish anything!

We did try Turkey Bacon Cream o Wheat waffles today. Very good, but it needs more time with the cream of wheat and water to absorb. Doesn't do it as fast as cornmeal. Any other experiments substituting cream o wheat for cornmeal will have to wait until we restock the supply. I think the decision was that Cheese Spoon Bread with cream of wheat was lighter than normal! whee!

I have a skirt I want to sew before I fly to Missouri. There will be material left over, wondering about a ruana or a jacket. Haven't decided. This is material given by Marie Elston's family, so I want to use it with pleasure!

Sleep deprivation is the only reason I can see for the thoughts but no actions. I tend to just sit and read, instead of doing anything else. Oh, and the fact that the fingers on the left hand are still sore. Not much, but enough to let me know they are annoyed when I do the wrong thing!

I have some gorgeous yarn that varies from a chocolate brown to burgundy to cherry. Any suggestions about a color to use with it, to contrast?

Books read this weekend:
Sherryl Jordan Winter of Fire excellent!
Diana Pharoah Francis Path of Fate very good
Diana Wynne Jones The Merlin Conspiracy lots of fun
2 books on cutting my own hair -- who am I trying to kid? Does anyone really think I can cut my own hair, and have it anything resembling straight? Answers not really required, I think we all agree my straight leaves something to be desired. Yes, it is time to cut my hair. No, I don't think I'll do it. Suggestions anyone?

Happy September!

As I get older, the years seem to go by faster and faster. It isn't that long ago that there were great fears that the world was going to fall apart 1/1/2000. And now 2004 is officially 2/3 done!

Friends and family, if I get to the point where I carry my family's geneology in my purse to refer to constantly, thump me!

My e-mail is down at present, hopefully it will come back soon. Seems to be a system problem.

I'll write more later.

Rambling!

I now have tickets to fly to Springfield MO. From Minneapolis, via Denver? Oddly enough, Mom will be on the flight to Springfield with me. Her ticket is more expensive than mine! On the way home, we'll separate and I'll fly via Chicago.

Nathan, put it on your calendar. Your parents are coming! Twice.

My hand is better, the bruising is doing the nicely weird color scheme. No, I still haven't figured out how I shut the 2 fingers and thumb of my left hand into the driver's side door, as I was getting in and closing the door. I thought I was doing really well to remember that I had to reach across with the right hand to grab the door handle to open the door back up! Of course, my first reaction had been to try to do it with the left...bad idea.

If I'm going to be gone for more than a week, I need to come up with some fiber things to take along. hm, complex or easy? I could take the brown variegated merino and the drop spindle... that should keep me busy the whole time. Not a good idea on airplanes, or in cars, unless I go with a support spindle. Hmmm, it isn't as if I don't have anything to knit: a jacket for me, Howard's sweater, a vest, another sweater, lace...the list goes on!

If knitting a Moebius strip, is it the same as knitting on the public side the whole time? I'm trying to wrap my mind (no comments) around the idea. It would seem that it would be as if knitting in the roung, the public side is always in front of you. Right? Someone help me on this!

Photos from California are being processed. More photos taken today. Probably will use up this roll on the Missouri trip.

Monday

Ah. Aunts Ivadell and Muriel are coming by tomorrow morning. They aren't staying for lunch, leaving me to wonder if I have a reputation for poor cooking or poor housekeeping. Whatever, I haven't seen Muriel for years, and look forward to it.

Had a brief moment on indecision, wondering whether I should clear all of the fleece and roving out of the living and dining rooms. Nah, might as well be honest. There is "just a bit".

Hand is doing better, I'll try knitting today. Really, for what I did to it, I'm very lucky!

This morning I made brudgies, goulash, ran the dishwasher twice, and various other insane things. Now I plan to sit still for a while, and listen to a book on tape. Probably "Dragonquest".

Tomorrow I will have to buy plane tickets for Denver, I guess.

Friday zzzz

Okay, 4 AM came, and I was wide awake. What is this? I gave up, and have been reading since. Decided to prepare for the day, as I don't seem to be going back to sleep.

Bread turned out really well. Minor difficulty that I forgot you can't use oil to grease bread pans. NON stick bread pans too, to add insult to injury. So one came out in bits, but very good. The other came out whole, so I popped it into the freezer for later. Anyone noticed that bread bins no longer fit home made bread? They are made for machine bread! sigh

Rough idea of the bread: steel cut oats, 1/2 stick of butter, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt covered with boiling water, stir, and let sit for over an hour. 2 cups of white flour, 1 1/2 tbsp yeast, then whole wheat flour until the dough is right. I was a bit overzealous with the water, so wound up adding 6 cups of ww flour. Let the mixer bread hook go at it until I liked the texture. Rise in the bowl until double, grease the pans and let rise again. Bake 350 about 40 minutes. Fresh bread for my dinner last night. Yum!

I know the mixer isn't supposed to handle that much dough. I left it on slow speed (1) and didn't push it. Checked it for heat. I was stuck, since I'd started off with too much water. Love my Kitchenaid!

I've noticed a child-like tendency. Decide that I can't start a new project until the last 2 on the needles are off, and the new projects call out to me, and the old ones seem boring. The lure of the new? I wanna start a new project! I need to remember that I can do whatever I want, but I am responsible to finish projects, not just start them.

Wow! We had a thunderstorm last night! Enough continuous low rumbles to warn me in time to turn off the computer, then an earth shaker! Don't know yet how much we got, but it certainly lasted a while! Radar shows we are getting more at the moment, but I don't see evidence here.

Thursday!

Howard is flying home today. He'll be in tomorrow. Yay!

Something is in the air right now, sinuses are complaining. Good day to sit back and do little!

Started a loaf of bread, anyone want to come by when it is done? This one is going to be oatmeal, using steel cut oats that have been soaked in boiling water a while. No, I am NOT going to use the bread machine, it is still in exile on the back porch until someone else wants to use it. I know my limits -- bread machines are beyond me. Something about "exact measuring". Right.

Also made a crockpot of navy beans with turkey ham. I am wondering how making corn bread, but using cream of wheat would work as a substitute. Any ideas? Serena's suggestion about cheese spoon bread using cream of wheat is on the test list too. Been waiting for Howard to get home to try that.

Today is HOT with the chance of severe storms. Whoopie.

Sherrie has been by twice for the door code.

Whee!

I'm on a roll! Finished a sock last night, and today finished a purse that has been "so close" to being done for a long time.

Put in the mail today:
box # 1 the two socks to be photographed for a book,
box # 2 yarn for Serena
box # 3 Mom's vest
box # 4 package for Dianne Noe
box # 5 the purse
box # 6 thread
box # 7 the yarn from hell that is being returned to the store.

For someone that doesn't go to the post office much, this was a bit of overkill!

The pickup has some scent that gives me a headache. Good thing I don't need to go somewhere!

Completed while Howard has been gone:
1 soap sack
2 adult vests
1 toddler vest
1 sock
1 purse

The toddler vest and the soap sack are the only start to finish projects, though.

Visited someone today that has 4 sewing machines and a serger! Plus a spinning wheel made in the Amanas, a small loom, several drop spindles, and a Navajo spindle! A fiber fanatic, though more interested in quilting.

Monday!

It has been a MONDAY!

Phone has been ringing, people stopping by for visits.

During one of the visits, I almost finished my Sunset Vest! Just a bit more to go! I'd thought about trying to finish Howard's sweater before he gets home, but that may be a bit much. Soon though!

No comment from Serena on the cinnamon rolls, did you get any of them?

I am slowly working on translating a Danish pattern to English. I do as much as I can figure out, then send it to a friend in Denmark, who cleans it up. It is a good exercise in concentration. This is the second time we've done it, I got more this time than the last! I do it in bits, I can only puzzle out the abbreviations for so long. The knitting dictionaries don't use the same abbreviations that the writer did.

To be honest, I'm tired and haven't accomplished much of anything today.

Did refill the finch feeder yesterday, and gracefully dropped the last of the thistle seeds down my clothes when the bag slipped. I really should watch and see how Howard does it, I couldn't get it down, so had to hold the feeder down with one hand, while pouring out of a plastic bag with the other.

I need to do laundry. I don't want to do laundry. Somehow, it doesn't get done if I don't!

Why Do I Do this to myself?

Decided to try to knit 2 (count em, TWO) baby sweaters by tomorrow morning, so DH (also known as long suffering sweetie) can take them to a family gathering, and he can pass them on to Serena, for baby gifts. I think it is about time SHE started making her OWN baby gifts!

That puts the second sock for an upcoming book on hold, while the sweaters hopefully race on. First one is the famous 5-hour baby sweater. I'm making it of Sirdar Tiny Tots in a mustardy yellow, with a strand of Jamie Baby yarn in white. I'll let you know what I think when it is finished. The second is still out with the jury -- will it be red, or a variegated blues, or pinks, or... I need to decide FAST!

By the way, Nathan and Serena, do you prefer cinnamon butter rolls or plain butter ones?