I don't know what it is, but I don't like it!

Today has been one of "those" days -- there seems to be something going on in my body, and it isn't happy. General feeling of malaise, and the memory is iffy. As in, I put a needle in a zipper, and then spent the next 5 minutes (immediately after) looking for it!

Sewed a new zipper into my Lind, it is lighter, and works better. Also, by sewing it by hand (ick spit!) it doesn't give the impression that I am reproducing toward the lower end. Really, sewing it in was restful (except for losing the needle!) Wonder why I resist so STRONGLY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG BROTHER! Yes, per our conversation, you are 57 today. Just because neither of us could remember for sure.

Just for fun, continuing yesterday's post:

Rooing Me

Several years ago, my mother told me something. I know, that's what Moms are for! But, Moms sometimes have to plant a seed and leave it, because it needs to internalize, and grow.

Mom had read an article about the way we look at things. When we lose money, we try to find it, or regain it. When I lose a book, a skein of yarn, or whatever, I look until I have found it. But then, we talk about losing weight. If I "lose" weight, shouldn't there be a directive, deeply buried in my mind, that I should retrieve it?

This time around, it isn't about losing for me. It is about regaining. Regaining health, shape, fun. Regaining time with my adult children.

Older breeds of sheep "roo". When the time is right, their body sends a signal, and the fleece breaks. As they wander around, the fleece catches on rocks, on trees, on bushes -- until the sheep is free of that encumbrance. I suspect, watching other animals shed their winter coat, they also roll in the dirt, trying to get that heavy weight off.

This time is right for me. I am rooing my excess poundage. As I move around, the weight will slowly drop off. Not all at once, life isn't like that. Not easily, I put in on and am responsible for each step that will take it off. Just as a sweater is knit one stitch at a time, so my health will knit back together.

I do NOT claim that rooing excess will cure my asthma, food intolerances, whatever. I am planning on increased cardiovascular health for my body. Less work for my heart and lungs. Blood pressure normal. Whatever gifts come from this, I will be happy.

does "I can't think of a good title" count?

Today has been difficult. I need to call the pharmacy, right now I have 3 different meds to be taken before I eat, each at a different time, with an obligation not to eat (or drink with one of them) for a time after. I could handle it when it was 1/2 hour, followed by 1 hour. But now it is 1 hour, 1/2 hour, 1 hour! The morning is gone! Not really, but by the time I can eat, it seems that it isn't long before Howard comes home for lunch! Not practical!

The new sweater/vest is coming along, probably 12" along. If I don't have enough yarn, it will be a vest, if I do, it will be a sweater. How is that for easy decision making? I'd prefer a sweater, but there are only 10 skeins of the brown. I'm on the third. That is setting off alarm bells in my brain.

We had WIND last night, luckily the only thing that came down was a bunch of small branches. No bigger ones this time, I guess they came down in the last one. We had sustained winds of 30-40 mph for hours, gusts to 60 mph, blew up in the night, and lasted the rest of it. Just for more interest, the power kept flickering. Kind of an interesting combination!

WHEE!!!!!

I am SO THRILLED! I had the BEST news from my doctor today. NO celiac sprue! Monday the doctor told me that one of my blood tests showed a strong possibility of gluten intolerance. I wasn't happy. I would have dealt with it, but sheesh! I really didn't want to take anything out of the diet. So, this was dancing in the street excitement for Howard and me!

This is my newest project, The yarn on the left if a rust/brown alpaca. The one on the right is a grey brown superwash. Together they make (hopefully) a nice jacket for me. I am planning to make Lind again, but we will see. Not sure if I'll have enough yarn for the sleeves. Stay tuned for future announcements. One of the yarns is moth nibbled. This is not happy. First skein was fine, second has been -- difficult. We'll see how it progresses.

Thursday Thoughts

Setting up a new computer for someone else can be frustrating. 'Nuff said.

I realized part of my frustration with all of the lace weight yarns. Right now, I want to knit, but not with that fine of yarn! Still thinking, but I came up with 3 cones of 2/28 merino from Silk City (ice green and seafoam-- I think) that look great knit together. The darker color has 2 cones, the lighter 1, together they make a light green tweed that will be gorgeous in our bedroom. So, I'm going to make a light-weight afghan -- face it, how heavy can 3 strands of this be! On top of which, I only have 3 pounds total. So, I'll be casting on for that tonight. As in, gauge swatch.

I have some gorgeous lace-weight (2/20) wools from Australia, courtesy of the wonderful Belinda Daniels. We have enriched each other's stash over the years. I'd thought about weaving them into something, but since that is out, I am back to the idea of a lot of lace with it. And it will be MINE, as she picked them out with me in mind (colorwise.)

Then, I put together 2 sport weight yarns, one a brown wool (from Dianne at some unknown time), the other the rust/brown tweed alpaca from Dianne for Christmas. Gauge swatch coming up on that one too! Dianne and I have this odd relationship, we are knit buddies from the knitlist -- have been since 96, I believe. Anyway, we seem to send stash each other's way. After all, we didn't BUY it, but it is new to the other. Actually, Dianne MIGHT have bought this yarn just for me at Christmas... Isn't it nice that we like the same family of colors?

It is Wednesday?

Howard's laptop arrived today. I'm going to have to buy a wireless hub so he can get his mail here at home, I think. Rats. I had thought his office was wireless, but they aren't.

Hm, still not started any knitting projects. Too much happening this week? I think I'm at the "I could do...what?" stage. There is this lovely rust/brown Alpaca yarn from Dianne, made in Peru. It is 1325 ypp. So a sportweight. I have 1450 yards...

I have this lovely alpaca (Dianne and I went in to buy this) silver, I'm planning to overdye it rust when the dye arrives (plus the ball bearing for my Susi Spindle -- Thank you WoolRoom! I appreciate your fantastic service!)
It is ALSO 145 yards per skein, she got 6 sts/ 8 rows per inch with it. I have 1595 yards...

What I WANT to knit:
Dale Tuja -- rewrite it for new gauge? Is the alpaca (either one) going to pill too?
Another Lind, as the first one is pilling so badly. rude grumble I have a bunch of Bartlett 4-ply, I'll bet THAT would make a comfortable jacket. Mainly for around the house, I seem to be cold most of the time in winter.

Seriously considering changing Howard's eternal socks into wrist warmers for Serena -- you would wear black long wrist warmers, wouldn't you? Think over-the-calf socks, I've knit to the heel. Wouldn't take too much to "finish" them, and have a long UFO project DONE! Thoughts?

I need ideas -- I have all this wonderful lace-weight yarn. POUNDS of it. Suggestions?

Musing on differences, why is it that most of the men I know, when they need laundry, if they do their own, they don't do anyone else's? Yet every woman I know (please let me know if you know of others who don't fit the pattern) when doing her laundry checks to see if anything else needs to be done.

Just for fun, a post I saw recently, author's name and info is withheld for reasons of privacy:
"I live with people who have the social graces of dead cows, and I believe I'm insulting the cows!"
I have to admit I laughed out loud at that one.

Final totals for 2004

I forgot, when I made the list of completed items in 2004, to finish off the information.

I have been keeping an Excel spreadsheet for my yarns. So:

at the start of 2004, I had 45.94 pounds of yarn.
I added I used up 58# (knitted, wove, sold, or gave away)
At the start of 2005, I had 76.11 pounds of yarn. Now, since this was a tremendously DECREASED purchase year, I have to figure several things:

1. I screwed up somewhere in my figures
2. A lot of that came in earlier, but wasn't logged in
3. I don't know where a lot of this came from! LOL
4. Stuff left, and wasn't logged out

So, I started 2005 with a clean/er slate. I know I had 76.11 pounds logged in when the year started. The things that came in before the end of the year (there aren't that many, but Dianne is to blame!) are being logged in and considered to be THIS year. Hopefully, that means I can get the record straight. Although, I do know there are yarns that left last year, that didn't get logged out. That means I need to pull out my trusty scale, and weigh sock yarns. Eventually.

This house is COLD! So I've given up and brought an afghan upstairs, to throw over my legs while I'm on the computer. Now, if I could warm up the REST of my body!

Dishwasher is repaired! Yes! One of those intermittent problems that was driving me nuts. One time it worked. The next, the water didn't circulate and baked all the dirt on. Next 2 times it worked... You get the idea. Drove the repairman nuts for a while too, until he could figure it out. A valve was on its way out, not enough to fail constantly, but enough to be a problem.

Howard's new laptop (work provided it) is here. I'm being good, he can unwrap it. Then I'll check it out.

I detest Fair Isle

Well, another cold day has gone by, it is supposed to start warming up Tuesday. Whee! I frogged the second attempt at Princess Line. darn it. Gorgeous sweater, but I do NOT like Fair Isle. Not, not, not. I went so far as to decide that I might as well sell all my Fair Isle knitting books -- why keep them, using up space, if someone else could use and enjoy them! Pulled out a stack to go. Checked with Serena, she doesn't want them. So, more things that can be let go without a qualm. While I was at it, I also pulled out Handwovens. They might as well go too. Sheesh, I had better be careful, or I'll start spring cleaning early! Nah, I doubt it.

finished (almost) Clapotis. I noticed after the picture was snapped that there is one line of stitches that hadnt 'been dropped. It has now. I think you can see why I need to do an overdye job. The cream really stands out, doesn't it. As in "I ran out of yarn!" I made it a bit wider than originally called for, I think it is going to be too big for a scarf. But it will be a great shawl, and it has already proven useful as a lap robe!

Howard's finished sweater. I am HOPING/Praying that there really isn't a difference in dye lots between the 2 cones.
The wash water had a LOT of blue in it, as did the rinses. When it was first laid out to dry, there were splotches where it looked much lighter than the surrounding area. Not sure why, as I don't USE bleach. My asthma doesn't like it. Whatever, I really hope the problem disappears as it dries! This picture was an attempt to see if the colors really varied, but, as it is very difficult to see the v-neck on this side, I don't think it will.

As usual, it was much easier than expected to sew up the hem and the neck. I just needed to DO it. A shame I hadn't done it earlier, as Howard COULD have been wearing it during this freezing cold snap! Oh well.

Oh Baby, it is COLD outside!

My title says it all -- -6 with a -20 windchill at 9 in the morning.

Second day of wheezing, so no working out today. But I know what caused it, so improvement is in sight. I wonder if there IS an osteoporosis medicine that doesn't cause damage esophagus.

Do you have some words that insist on being consciously spelled? There are some that nimbly jump off my fingers onto the page. Others need close attention to get out correctly. Some, alas, almost always come out wrong, and need to be corrected. I do not know why my fingers insist on typing "teh" instead of the. But they do. They don't resent then or there. What is their hangup with teh?

My Lind is so comfortable, but pilling. I want to make another, out of sturdier wool. Suggestions? 3.5 sts an inch. Thought of the wool on Elann, Gjestal Naturgarn No. 1, it looks as if it is a lot like Lopi or Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride. I need to check Wiseneedle. Just did, Thank you Kim! and good reviews. One said not immediately next to the skin, but hey, that's what long sleeved turtlenecks are for!

Ice, Snow!

Yesterday afternoon the ice started falling. Okay, it wasn't ice, it was rain, that froze as it landed. In other words, SLICK! Today we were supposed to get nailed by it, fortunately it decided we aren't THAT interested, and hit further south. So, instead of 1/2" of further ice, then 2 inches of snow, the weatherpeople are kind of scratching their heads going, "we think we're still going to get some ice, then snow, but we aren't sure." Schools all around are closed, they stayed open here.

This week I exercised for 159 minutes, going 10.5 miles on a Gazelle Edge. I'm listening to Anne McCaffrey's "Gift of Dragons" as I do, because just exercising without listening is boring. I'm sure I'll go through other books, next on the list are the Jasper Fforde "Tuesday Next" series, for pure giggles. Right now, as a personal encouragement to work, I don't listen unless I'm exercising. Takes a LONG time to get through a book! But, if I start listening while knitting, will I get on the machine? Probably. Actually, I get more knitting done while I listen to a book, instead of reading it. Hm... I would like to finish Clapotis, it has hit the stage of "won't this EVER get done?" Almost finished with 3rd skein, which seems to be smaller than the others. 2 more skeins, and I'm out of yarn. rats. This row marks the 7th dropped stitch out of the first 13.

Look what came in the mail today! Absolutely gorgeous yarn from Artyarns. The one to the far left is more denim-y, the one at the top and the one at bottom left are both more purple/lavender. I don't know why the colors are off, but I wasn't able to edit them to correct.

Sunday evening

Evenings go better with Blogs. Howard is having his second test with a CPAC machine, to see what settings he needs. I didn't promise to go to bed, but plan to do so. I hope he has a great night sleeping! It would be great to have his apnea under control! Just think, if he stops waking up with headaches, how much better he'll feel! I admit, there is a thought in my head that if HE sleeps better (i.e. without snoring and waking himself up because he stopped breathing) I'll sleep better. Selfish, I know, but there it is.

Clapotis is moving along slowly. Very slowly, darn it. I'm on section 3, the straight part, and it feels as if I'm toddling along. 4 dropped stitches out of how many? 13 alone on the straight portion. Second skein of yarn finished tonight. The DARKER end of that skein wound up at the wrong end. Once again proving that you can plan all you want, but the universe doesn't always agree!

see my nicely striped Clapotis? Hard to tell, but there is actually one line of dropped stitches (per pattern) there. The yarns are going to get paler each skein.

This is Lucy, my Louet S-10. She was painted by a great friend, Candy, in upstate New York. We did a trade, I knit her grand-daughter a sweater, she painted Lucy. I like her portability. She fits easily in the back seat, and is seat-belted in for safety.

This is one end of the living room, with the little stained glass window, and two wheels. The great wheel and I are trying to come to grips with each other. The yellow door is a cupboard, my Nativity figures are in there.

Clapotis

I am in the what the ??? stage" with Clapotis. Thanks to having to look up the web address to copy it for here, I've found out the problem -- a missing [ in my printout. According to my printout, row 8 of section 3 doesn't have the start of a repeat, just the end. A tad confusing. sniffle

Remember how the directions usually say to work with 2 different skeins of hand-dyed yarns, to prevent striping? Guess who didn't? Guess who has a "nice" line on her Clapotis where one skein stopped and the next began? Oh well, it is a design feature, eh? sigh. I got tired of the pattern after I'd been at it for a while, so it isn't going to be nearly as wide as I'd orignally thought. Oh well.

My Lind is pilling. Already. Bad words. I wasn't happy with the weight of the zipper on it, but I really can't blame the zipper for this. It has already become a very comfortable sweater that I enjoy wearing. So, I'll probably make another out of other yarn, and search until I can find a lighter separating zip. But what am I going to do with the nearly a pound of yarn left? EEK! Can't be a sweater, it isn't going to hold up to the wear. grumble

Would anyone like to explain why we've had a light snow all day (woke up to the sound of snow plows going by) with a forecast of clear? whimper And COLD! Oh well, grumbling over.

I'll try to get a picture of Clapotis up tomorrow, as I've just done the first row that ravels. That is fun, for an occasional delight. Not too often, I'd hate to get into the habit.

Must pull out Lucy, my Louet S-10 and give her a spin. She is so nicely painted, she goes well with the plants in the living room! Mom and Dad want pictures of the house, I really should show them at least part of it, right? Hey, you saw the OUTSIDE now!

looks as if we have a tree that's been damaged by the snow on the south of the house. What do you think? The part that is near the ground USED to be even with its partner.

I like this view of the church better. Isn't the sky BLUE!

This is the north side of the house, from across the street.

isn't our house (okay just one side, I didn't want to stand in the snow to show all of it!) look pretty with it's white cover?

piles of snow in the middle of the street. That is what the trucks and "snow blower" are picking up. The plows went down both sides of the street, making a gorgeous pile in the middle. Do NOT attempt to drive over!

It took 6 of the trucks you see to gather just the snow in the street right before our house! The Yellow machine is a huge snowblower -- blows the snow into the trucks who carry it off somewhere to melt. Eventually. A truck is filled, and drives off, the next truck pulls in right behind and the process starts again.

This is the church from our side yard, with LOTS of nice clean snow!

I refuse to look outside!

Okay, the windows upstairs all have been visited by Jack Frost. It is 14 degrees F right now, somewhat miraculous as it was 9 at 4 o'clock. Wind chill is -5F. That means, sitting in the fiber room (here at the computer), I'm cold!There is a lot of snow outside. Supposedly we had 5-6 inches around 10 this morning, and it has continued most of the day. I don't want to go outside to measure. Take my word for it, cold and white fits the situation. Very little traffic outside, most things have been cancelled.

I've spent the day reading, exercising, knitting on Clapotis, and on the computer. I spent a bit of time trying to find progress charts to put on this, to show how I'm coming along on projects -- no luck so far. Checked the knitting bloggers group, no info there that I can find. Oh well.

The Lull Before the Storm

We are supposed to be nailed by snow for the next few days. The ground is already covered by last night's "clear sky" which decorated everything white on top of the ice. Right now, projecting 8-12 inches, but we all know that is anyone's best guess at this point. We'll have a better idea when the storm is over.

I've joined the ranks of Clapotis lovers! While Serena was here, I overdyed a cashmere twin set of hers from grey to -- I thought -- purple. Well, the cardigan is navy, the pullover is dark purple. Okay, we can live with that. They still look as if they go together. It is still here, waiting for darts, so it will fit better. Same dyepot had 2 qiviut scarves, which seemed to come throught the experience wonderfully. Well, there was dye left over, which seems a TERRIBLE waste! So, I had some blue-faced Leicester/alpaca/Shetland which came in a trade. Dyed 5 skeins of it, and the dye hit in various ways across the skeins. So, that will become my Clapotis. Just as an afterthought, I added a strand of gold metallic that Dianne had sent to me, challenging me to see what I could do with it. In the ball, it is gorgeous! We'll see how it knits!

While I'm thinking about it, why does the doorbell ONLY ring when I'm tangled up with yarn? I was winding the first skein (and I did NOT use enough choke ties) and the doorbell rang. Luckily I was in Serena's room, which meant I could hear it. It isn't the loudest bell in the world. In fact, a train whistle in the distance is better able to be heard throughout the house than the doorbell. Anyway, I was untangling. And had to answer the door. Which tangled my mess even more. Could lead a person to frustration! After all, maybe once a week does someone come to the door. Is there a sign that says "Mary's Occupied, ring now!"?


This is my Clapotis yarn.

Monday Cold!

The stores seem to be about out of ice melt (or so I understand), and we are in for a big snow. How "exciting". I spread a 5# bag on the back stairs and concrete pad, Howard used up almost 50# between our sidewalks and the church's. That is a LOT of salt, but also a LOT of territory to cover. Until the house walks are safe, we are trying to flag the mailman and the paperboy to deliver at the church, so they don't get hurt. Just too slippery!

That being said, we had a UPS delivery today, and the poor man almost lost it just before he got back to his truck! The paper boy slipped across the street, trying to get up a wheelchair ramp. It is just that slick out. The main streets are clear down the center, the side streets haven't had enough traffic to clear them.

Hm, the Lind is starting to pill already. Not a lot, but considering this is only the second day of wear... The leftover yarn will have to be a shawl or something that won't show pills!

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I spend a lot of time online. A LOT of time. This is my main method of communication, as I am very sensitive to chemicals, and cleaners, perfumes, diesel fumes, pollens (you get the idea) start an asthma attack. I'd been looking at asthma as a thing to be gotten over. When the doctor told us a bit ago that I won't, I went into a depression.

Today, in chatting with a dear friend from England, she made a very simple statement to me. "Welcome to Holland." With those 3 words, it felt as if light came back into my life. She was referring to the gem "WELCOME TO HOLLAND" byEmily Perl Kingsley. I will not copy it here, because of copyright constraints. It was written by a mother trying to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability. But it fits my life. I had made many plans for "Italy", and haven't adjusted to being in "Holland." As she says, if I spend my life mourning the loss of "Italy", I'll never adjust to Holland. Rachel is also in Holland, because of her asthma. She understands. THANK YOU RACHEL!

Today was good. I frogged the Princess Line last night, and started, oh so slowly, with a transmogrified "Navajo" from "Meg Swansen's Knitting". As in, I have kept her chart (with my own variations) for the Navajo pattern. From there, I am taking off on my own. I think I'll use the 2 main colors I had for the Princess Line. At this point, too much is up for grabs. But, to my astonishment, I have been able to do corrugated ribbing with one color in each hand! Well, I'm doing the purl when you can for all the dark color, and it is working! Two colors of Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport. I'll post pictures when any progress can be actually seen. At 360 stitches a round, it may take a while!

Doesn't that look as if it is wet with rain? I wish!

Here you can see a bit of the ice on the trees, as well as how icy the streets and sidewalks still are!

Our own ice rink! Stairs, sidewalks, yard, and street, all covered in ice. Didn't that low spot fill in nicely with ice?

Okay, I find this odd. This is the EAST side of the house, that seems to have gotten the brunt of the ice storm. Isn't that a pretty drip pattern? The coloring isn't quite on, think of it as more of a faded mustard.

Back stairs (wooden) down to concrete pad under them then concrete walk. funny, we haven't even ATTEMPTED these stairs. The white is ice, not paint!

This is the "hill" where the sand truck started to slide. I wish you could see the gorgeous ice on the trees! See how shiny the street is? That is ice. Happy New Year!

This is my completed Lind. I'm still thinking about removing the zipper and trying again. At the moment, though, I'm wearing it, because the house is cold, and it is warm! If I make it again (and I might) I'm going to make it longer.

I surrender!

Howard's birthday (11/29) sweater has been languishing, waiting for the hems. Which I do NOT like doing. So, today, I picked up sts all the way around, and knit up a hem for it. The problem? Getting the hem to attach, without showing on the "public" side. Several hours later, several attempts down, and Howard said, "I thought you were going to have me do that." Fine. Frogged the attempted hem, and he is sitting in comfort, watching the bowl games, crocheting his hems. Around the bottom of his pullover, the sleeves, and the neck. That should take him through the Fiesta Bowl, right? That also gives me the opportunity to hopefully write another project off my "to do" list soon!

Need to look at my lists to see what should be done next.

My Lind is drying at the moment, I'm really hoping that blocking will help the bubbling of the zipper. If not, I'll think of something.

We had freezing rain in the night, several times during the day, and more expected tonight. Whoopee. There has been VERY little traffic on our street. The sanding truck started sliding down the very shallow hill beside the house, and put down the plow to stop the slide. Scared me, because there were several cars parked nearby that could have been hurt. Not ours, thank goodness, it was in the garage. I wonder why they salted the end of every driveway, and not the street itself? Seems a bit odd to me. I'll try to get pictures of some of the windows tomorrow, the ice coated the window and looks as if it were done that way where manufactured. Think the old windows that were deliberately bumpy to prevent people from seeing through them. Clear, but impossible to see details.

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!