Friday, October 28, 2005
Rats -- so a new post
Blogger and I agreed to disagree earlier when I tried to show our partial "bookshelf" of Andre Norton books. It seemed such a perfect place to put paperback books when we moved in. And we had so many of her books... and so we have the Andre Norton "shelf". Only her books are on this, and we have about 9 feet of her books! It also is a handy place for the McMoran balance too!
Knitting Books
Of the 185 books logged in so far on my new online toy, 149 of them have been knitting books! Guess I can tell where my heart is! It is hard to believe that earlier this year I went culled them, and decreased the number by at least one shelf's worth! I haven't been buying new books much at all, can you imagine what my total would be if I had been purchasing them? The mind boggles! LOL
I keep telling myself virtuously that this is good for insurance purposes. After I get done with the fiber room, and the shelf down the stairs with the Andre Norton books, I'm going to use Howard's laptop and do the downstairs a bite at a time. That is where the preponderence of the books live. I think even more than his office. I don't know for sure. The problem is that books live all over the house, and I'm not always good about putting them back where they should belong. Right now I'm still missing some books from the last time I used/read them.
I'm entering the home stretch on the commission. Maybe today on the body, then just the seaming and the fiddly bits. Whee!
I keep telling myself virtuously that this is good for insurance purposes. After I get done with the fiber room, and the shelf down the stairs with the Andre Norton books, I'm going to use Howard's laptop and do the downstairs a bite at a time. That is where the preponderence of the books live. I think even more than his office. I don't know for sure. The problem is that books live all over the house, and I'm not always good about putting them back where they should belong. Right now I'm still missing some books from the last time I used/read them.
I'm entering the home stretch on the commission. Maybe today on the body, then just the seaming and the fiddly bits. Whee!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Oh-oh, new "toy"
So, I'm reading Cate's blog, and she mentioned a great "time suck" website relative to cataloging books. Of COURSE my ears prick up, and I have to go there! I've spent the rest of the afternoon there. It allows you to catalog 200 books for free, or, for the princely fee of $10 a year or $25 for life an unlimited number of books. I've started. JUST in knitting books alone (well okay, I did find one spinning and one art book mixed in there) that when I stopped for the day, I had over 130 books in there! TWO bookcases of the 3 in the fiber room. Life membership here we come!
It looks as if the site may be best visited earlier in the day, as I was kicked off about an hour ago and have not been able to get on since. Says too many users. But, way too much fun. It searches Amazon for the info once you plug in the ISBN number. So you don't have to type in very much info.
The commission sweater is moving along nicely, thank you.
Going to see the Dress Rehearsal of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirits" tonight. Howard is Tech Director, and I'll sit in the booth with him. That way I can see the performance.
It looks as if the site may be best visited earlier in the day, as I was kicked off about an hour ago and have not been able to get on since. Says too many users. But, way too much fun. It searches Amazon for the info once you plug in the ISBN number. So you don't have to type in very much info.
The commission sweater is moving along nicely, thank you.
Going to see the Dress Rehearsal of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirits" tonight. Howard is Tech Director, and I'll sit in the booth with him. That way I can see the performance.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Stash Comfort Level
There have been some posts on other blogs about stash comfort levels. I think each of us have to establish our own limit and not fret about it. Is it taking money from essentials in life? Is it taking up too much space in YOUR opinion? If both of these answers are no, then I'm not too worried!
My stash has been my sanity saver. I had to stop working for health reasons in 2000. Since then, I've pretty much lived off my stash. It has dwindled drastically since then. Oh, I've bought a bit, but not like I did before. There have been some generous gifts from friends who have enhanced the stash too. But the majority of my fiber adventures has been from stash shopping. By having the stash on hand, I could continue to do what I loved, without guilt.
Now I'm going to have to do some really thoughtful planning with my stash. What to do with about 2 pounds seconds (I think) of black 3 ply Kroy sock yarn. Things like that. It will take a long time to knit! LOL
Waiting for some yarn to arrive -- so I can finish test-knitting a sweater. Shouldn't take long once it gets here.
My stash has been my sanity saver. I had to stop working for health reasons in 2000. Since then, I've pretty much lived off my stash. It has dwindled drastically since then. Oh, I've bought a bit, but not like I did before. There have been some generous gifts from friends who have enhanced the stash too. But the majority of my fiber adventures has been from stash shopping. By having the stash on hand, I could continue to do what I loved, without guilt.
Now I'm going to have to do some really thoughtful planning with my stash. What to do with about 2 pounds seconds (I think) of black 3 ply Kroy sock yarn. Things like that. It will take a long time to knit! LOL
Waiting for some yarn to arrive -- so I can finish test-knitting a sweater. Shouldn't take long once it gets here.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Waiting
I think waiting is one of the hardest things in life.
Right now Nathan is waiting for things to work out. He needs 60 hours at the internship. After being assured that his job would support him on the internship hours, they changed their minds. His work had originally said that he could split the weeks out 2 days at his internship, 3 days at work at 10 hours a day for 4 weeks to get it done. This week he was told that it was off. He either had to work full time through his internship, or become a part-time employee of the company. After much wrestling with the decision, he and Kim decided to take the part-time and he will have to start looking elsewhere with his new degree. In the meantime, it means he will be working extra hours, packing, selling their house and wondering how long the tunnel will be.
Life is like that. Yeah, it is.
Right now Nathan is waiting for things to work out. He needs 60 hours at the internship. After being assured that his job would support him on the internship hours, they changed their minds. His work had originally said that he could split the weeks out 2 days at his internship, 3 days at work at 10 hours a day for 4 weeks to get it done. This week he was told that it was off. He either had to work full time through his internship, or become a part-time employee of the company. After much wrestling with the decision, he and Kim decided to take the part-time and he will have to start looking elsewhere with his new degree. In the meantime, it means he will be working extra hours, packing, selling their house and wondering how long the tunnel will be.
Life is like that. Yeah, it is.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
I saw this meme at “The Diet Diary Blog”. It’s not about knitting, except for the fact that it’s circulating like wildfire at knitting blogs.
Naturally, I had to follow the command at the end of the list of reasons.
1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, liposuction and air conditioning.
2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog box turtle has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can’t marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn’t be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren’t full yet, and the world needs more children.
7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.
9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven’t adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans…
Re-post this if you believe in legalizing gay marriage.
Naturally, I had to follow the command at the end of the list of reasons.
1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, liposuction and air conditioning.
2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog box turtle has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can’t marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn’t be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren’t full yet, and the world needs more children.
7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.
9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven’t adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans…
Re-post this if you believe in legalizing gay marriage.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Knitting and survival
I was asked to speak at a local service club today about two friends who were in a Communist Concentration Camp after World War 2. I made a comment in passing in the knitting group, and it led to this speech today. People really listened.
I met Kathy and Katrina through our church, but our real point of contact was knitting. Very early in our friendship, Kathy looked at Serena and me knitting, and said, "You would never have made it in the concentration camp -- you would have starved to death!" It shocked us, and surprised her that she said it! She and her mom had worked in a knitting factory after the war, if they made their quota, they ate. Not a lot of food, but it kept them alive. They insisted that we learn the "proper" way to knit -- their way -- Continental. And kept us at it until we were proficient and fast. Not as fast as they were, but a decent rate.
Over the years that we lived there, some of their experiences were told. I expect not many at all. But we heard a few. And some of those I shared today. Without sugarcoating. Starvation, Cold, Depravation, Exile and Death.
I met Kathy and Katrina through our church, but our real point of contact was knitting. Very early in our friendship, Kathy looked at Serena and me knitting, and said, "You would never have made it in the concentration camp -- you would have starved to death!" It shocked us, and surprised her that she said it! She and her mom had worked in a knitting factory after the war, if they made their quota, they ate. Not a lot of food, but it kept them alive. They insisted that we learn the "proper" way to knit -- their way -- Continental. And kept us at it until we were proficient and fast. Not as fast as they were, but a decent rate.
Over the years that we lived there, some of their experiences were told. I expect not many at all. But we heard a few. And some of those I shared today. Without sugarcoating. Starvation, Cold, Depravation, Exile and Death.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
What a compliment!
The doorbell rang this morning. When I answered, Katy was there, and she handed me this...
I feel so complimented!
I feel so complimented!
Friday, October 14, 2005
Thoughts
Nathan graduates with his Associate's Degree December 14th. I'm so proud of him! He has worked full time while attending college full time. This has been a long, hard slog for him, and he has done really well! There have been quite a few jokes as to what he will do with all the free time when he is done. Hey Nathan, I'm PROUD of you!
Migraines seem to be my body's weight loss management program. I do say it is working. Slowly, but it is working. I do wish I wouldn't come up with new foods I can't eat. We bought 25# of dried garbanzo beans with the last food coop order, and the first batch I cooked found out that they trigger -- migraines. Now I'm trying to find someone who will take the rest of the beans from us. Just called the local food pantry, and they are delighted. They are low on food, as people have contributed so much of their charitable dollars to hurricane relief instead of local needs. So, there we go! Whew! I don't need to worry about THAT any more.
The knitting is moving along nicely. As it is garter, it is always slower than I think.
Hint 1 When knitting the two fronts and the back at the same time (in separate pieces) I'm putting one ball on my right side, one ball in my lap, and one ball on my left side. That seems to stop the atrocious tangles that have happened in the past. Of course, it does mean that getting up quickly is a thing of the past. LOL
Hint 2 When working several pieces together (to make sure they are the exact same size) pin the pieces together with safety pins, so you have, in effect, one continuous piece with several ends. When you get to a split, change yarns and keep going. The only time you turn and go back the other direction is when you reach an UNPINNED edge. Just don't stop at a pin, you'll confuse yourself! Let me know if you need a visual.
Migraines seem to be my body's weight loss management program. I do say it is working. Slowly, but it is working. I do wish I wouldn't come up with new foods I can't eat. We bought 25# of dried garbanzo beans with the last food coop order, and the first batch I cooked found out that they trigger -- migraines. Now I'm trying to find someone who will take the rest of the beans from us. Just called the local food pantry, and they are delighted. They are low on food, as people have contributed so much of their charitable dollars to hurricane relief instead of local needs. So, there we go! Whew! I don't need to worry about THAT any more.
The knitting is moving along nicely. As it is garter, it is always slower than I think.
Hint 1 When knitting the two fronts and the back at the same time (in separate pieces) I'm putting one ball on my right side, one ball in my lap, and one ball on my left side. That seems to stop the atrocious tangles that have happened in the past. Of course, it does mean that getting up quickly is a thing of the past. LOL
Hint 2 When working several pieces together (to make sure they are the exact same size) pin the pieces together with safety pins, so you have, in effect, one continuous piece with several ends. When you get to a split, change yarns and keep going. The only time you turn and go back the other direction is when you reach an UNPINNED edge. Just don't stop at a pin, you'll confuse yourself! Let me know if you need a visual.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Chuckle
Yesterday a girl asked Howard: "How could Jesus be a carpet layer if they didn't have carpet yet?"
Carpenter and carpet layer are so close, don't you think? Probably to a child, they do sound close. and to many children, they have more experience with a carpet layer than a carpenter!
Carpenter and carpet layer are so close, don't you think? Probably to a child, they do sound close. and to many children, they have more experience with a carpet layer than a carpenter!
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Great Knitting Weather!
Wow! Fall Fell! Yesterday we brought in the houseplants, and today we are adapting to cooler temperatures. Earlier in the week the air conditioner was running, that is now a thing of the past. Even with the thermostat set at the new low temperatures, to save energy, the furnace has clicked on a couple of times.
All in all, good weather to curl up on the couch, put a good book in the CD or tape player and knit away!
Earlier this week I did a gauge swatch. I always do a gauge swatch for a sweater. I was right on target. But somehow, as I got to the top of the sleeves, I realized something was not right. In the process of going from gauge swatch to sleeves, my knitting had tightened up. The sleeves were WAY too small. I had to frog both back (I knit both at the same time to make sure they are the same size when I'm done!) and start again with larger needles. I'm about to measure again to make sure they are still the same. Don't want to do THAT again. Would hate to have them turn out too LARGE this time, now wouldn't I!
Isn't that how life turns out sometimes? You plan ahead, but the actual details change as you go. Life IS a challenge!
All in all, good weather to curl up on the couch, put a good book in the CD or tape player and knit away!
Earlier this week I did a gauge swatch. I always do a gauge swatch for a sweater. I was right on target. But somehow, as I got to the top of the sleeves, I realized something was not right. In the process of going from gauge swatch to sleeves, my knitting had tightened up. The sleeves were WAY too small. I had to frog both back (I knit both at the same time to make sure they are the same size when I'm done!) and start again with larger needles. I'm about to measure again to make sure they are still the same. Don't want to do THAT again. Would hate to have them turn out too LARGE this time, now wouldn't I!
Isn't that how life turns out sometimes? You plan ahead, but the actual details change as you go. Life IS a challenge!
Monday, October 03, 2005
Migraines -- again
Started week 2 of migraines. All clues of what has caused them have been exhausted, and I'm tired. Two a day since Thursday. I'm tired. We thought we could trace it to environmental/food, but that seems to be out as well. I don't see the neurologist until next week, which seems a heck of a long time away right now. Stress? Well, I'll give you that one! These migraines cause a GREAT DEAL of stress!
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Vagaries
The other night we had a frost advisory. So I carefully covered the houseplants that spend the summer outside. I made SURE they were all covered. The next morning, this is what it looked like. The largest plant is claustrophobic? Just had to see out? Sheesh? I don't understand.
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