Mermaid Body almost done!

I've finished with the main part of the body of my Mermaid. Still need to sew it together and do the i-cord finish (maybe in rust?) It is drying on the floor in the kitchen at the moment. I even washed it with the knitting needle in, holding all of the stitches!

I tried sewing up a shoulder last night, and wasn't happy with the results. I think Ms. Falkenberg has the slipped stitch edge at the shoulder to make a firmer fabric, but it doesn't seem to lead to easier sewing! I used the handy dandy sewing machine and sewed it up that way. The curl of the facing will disappear as I knit the i-cord on, but the needle in it is being difficult. I tried posing it, but wasn't successful.

After lots of talking with a friend, I've decided to do the sleeves in the rust color, with either the Brown or the Camel for the center stripe. The center stripe hasn't been decided yet. My main reason is that the camel/silk yarn, while it is wonderful after washing, resembles cotton while knitting. It doesn't knit as easily as the wool. I really struggled to get through the last band. Part of it was the "I'm almost done, why am I not FINISHED!" feeling, but part was fighting with the needle and yarn. So, I decided to knit it with something that I enjoyed knitting, instead of battling through 2 sleeves in a yarn that wasn't fun.

ER take 2 -- also known as Well, Darn!

I had one single tomato last night for dinner (hey we had talked about it in the ER and it was thought it was harmles) and we had a winner! sigh Within 15 minutes I started to have problems again. The longer it went, the more problems I had. Howard took me to the ER, where I got another IV with Benadryl (or something like it,) a shot of epinephrine, a nebulizer treatment, a Prednisolone taper, and a prescription for the something stronger than Benadryl (I'm feeling lazy and don't want to go see what it is.) See the doctor in the morning and STAY AWAY FROM TOMATOES! The ER doctor made a point of adding TOMATO Allergy to my chart. When asked if I could try tea again, she wasn't sure. I understand, she could have a lawsuit if a patient tried it on her suggestion and had more problems. So, I'll probably wait until the allergic problems swimming through my veins have a chance to go away, and try tea. Almonds? I don't know. Scary, isn't it!

I slept for a few hours, and woke up at 1:30 AM. Not able to go back to sleep, I'm on the computer and knitting.

Drat -- warning this is a vent

Another allergic reaction today, this one put me in the ER. Tongue swelling and some stridor. A feeling as if I was drunk, without having anything to drink. Speech was affected -- I SOUNDED drunk! (This did not help my self-esteem!)

Called the doctor's office, expecting them to tell me to take something and be fine. They sent me to the ER -- if I couldn't get a ride I was to take an ambulance. Luckily the first person I called to give me a ride was able to do so. At the time I wasn't thinking clearly (duh!) and was having problems thinking of someone who lives close and would probably be home. Later, of course, I came up with others. I should probably have that list of names (with phone numbers) on the bulletin board in case it happens again.

After a chest X-Ray and a Benadryl IV, I'm home. Still feeling as if the tongue is swollen (but not as badly) and miffed.

I'd had the same reaction, to a slighter degree last night. The only things that I had in common both times were raw almonds, tea and tomatoes. The ER targeted the almonds as most likely the cause with the tea next. The almonds because I've reacted to peanuts in the past, and many processing plants process many different kinds of nuts. So I am to avoid all nuts in the future. They also listed avoid tea.

Now tea has been a constant companion since I was growing up. I've had to restrict which teas I drink, because some give me migraines. But I've drunk probably 1/2 of a pound of this package ... I don't know if I'm reacting to it or not. Of all the many foods I have had to give up to stay healthy, this hits hardest. I really want to do a physical challenge on it, but don't know if it is worth it.

The tomatoes were passed over as being the problem.

I called my doctor's office once I got home about an Epi-pen, as we are going on vacation, and I don't want to be driving across Nebraska (that is a LONG drive!) and wind up in trouble. I need to go in tomorrow discuss the Epi-pen. Hm, I'd thought it would be a no-brainer.

So, I'm cross and crabby, because my body is being difficult. I know that some of you face many worse things with courage. I know I can too, but it doesn't mean I have to like it! LOL

I have less than 30 rows to knit on the body of the Mermaid. Before all this happened, I'd planned to finish it today. Now, I don't know. It will get done. Soon.

Secret Pal and visit to Denver

I volunteered to be an Angel for the Secret Pal 9 swap, and have a delightful person to spoil. I'm looking forward to this! Ideas are already racing through my head as to what to do. I will need to watch for surprises while in stores! Isn't it lucky that we're going to Denver, where there are so many nice yarn stores! I suspect I'm going to "persuade" my mom to go with me to Boulder, I love Shuttles Spindles and Skeins. Surely I will find things for her there!

I have 100 rows left of the body of the Mermaid. I can do this! As soon as it is done, I'll post a picture. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to do both sleeves at the same time, as I struggle with second anything syndrome. One option would be to put each on a needle, and do a section with one, then the same section with the other. Probably the best way out of the dilemma. Still debating on sleeve color. Isn't it nice to have choices? I have lots of yarn in all 3 colors, so that doesn't come into the decision.

What Flower Am I?

I am a Violet What Flower Are You?

What fun! I think it fits, too, although I've never thought of myself that way. LOL

Secret Pal Questionnaire edited slightly 10/16

Questions in bold, my answer next.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
After many years of knitting with acrylics because they were all I could find at the time, I now prefer natural fibers. Wool, mohair, alpaca, angora, llama -- I have loved knitting with them all, and wearing them. I do use acrylic for baby hats and for people who prefer that. Cottons are hard on my hands.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
The straights are stored in a vase from flowers my son and daughter-in-law sent me when I had an emergency appendectomy. Double points are sorted by size and are in PVC tubing from the hardware store. Each size has its own tube. Circulars are in a paper/cardboard file (check) folder with a divider for each size.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned in 2nd or 3rd grade in Brownie Girl Scouts. Probably 2nd grade, as my sister didn't learn and she was in the troop with me when I was in 3rd grade. I take on advanced patterns without a qualm.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No, I've not been asked for such a wish list by the family.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
Unscented please, I have asthma and scents can set it off. Darn it.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I do, but between food allergies (why is corn in almost every candy?) and trying to shed pounds, I have to be careful. I love Altoids Cinnamon Gum.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I spin. I have a Louet S-10, and have temporary guardianship of my daughter's Sleeping Beauty wheel. There is also a Great Wheel that lives here, but I'm still not sure that it is spinnable. A Judi drop spindle, an Ann Grout acorn spindle and a lace-weight Spin-Dizzy are my portable spinning supplies. I enjoy needlepoint and counted cross stitch, although I've not done either for a while. I'm threatening to pick it up again for my dollhouse.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Classical music. Yes, I can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
Rust, browns, orange (in small bursts), teal, periwinkle -- I love them and they look great on me. I can't wear black.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married with 2 adult children away from home. No pets, it is in the lease. Not even FISH! sigh

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves and mittens. I usually feel like an idiot wearing a hat, although I love the way they look.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
socks, lace and textured sweaters I almost always have a pair of socks on the needles.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Hanne Falkenberg Mermaid, a pair of socks, Ashforth and Plummer's Penrose (I just had to start it -- am using 3 strands of sock yarn held together) and a self-designed Aran sweater for my daughter that is languishing on the needles. I almost forgot -- Kinzel's Rose of England is trying to jump onto my needles.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
A handmade gift is a gift of self -- I love them!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circulars, please, as straights hurt my wrists. My current favorites are the Knitpicks Options -- I love the sharp point!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes to both, and I am indeed grateful to have them.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years? Less than 3. Said languishing Aran sweater.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Books. Yarn perhaps -- but it will eventually be used up. I used to collect small Nativity scenes, but there just isn't room in this house to display the ones I have.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have subscriptions to InKnitters (but I don't know if I will continue that), Vogue Knitting, Knitters and Interweave Knits. I need to resubscribe to Spin-Off and Cast On. That will happen fairly soon. Norah Gaughan's "Knitting Nature" is on my "to buy" list as is a subscription to "Twists and Turns". Living an hour away from yarn stores these past 3 years I've not seen or fondled many of the lovely yarns that are out there. I have heard about them, but...

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'm fascinated by Shadow Knitting. I've knit one thing using that technique. Not a new technique, but I'd like to improve my stranded knitting.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I love to knit socks. I have a high instep, so I need a heel flap of 3 inches (7.6 cm) or more. My foot is 9.5 inches (24 cm) long and the same around at the ball of the foot.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
January 26

The broken is replaced! Yay!

I forgot to mention that my Spin-Dizzy Shaft arrived today. It broke in the move -- my fault, but still a sad loss. She even had the same weight (2 grams) that I'd had before. No, I've not tested to see if the whorls fit, but I can adapt them so they will. Now I can get back to spinning the laceweight merino that Belinda sent me from Australia. I really ought to photograph this roving, it is beautiful! Shades of warm brown -- my colors. I don't know what my WPI are for this yarn, but it is the finest I've spun so far. I've also used my Anne Grout acorn spindle with this roving. I THINK that I prefer the Spin-Dizzy, just because. No really logical reason except that the acorn spindle needs to be anchored and the Spin-Dizzy doesn't. I TOLD you there wasn't a logical reason! grin I can use the acorn spindle to ply, I think. Or else I'll use my David Reed Smith Judi to ply it. Who knows. I suppose I can also use my wheel. As you can tell, I don't have enough spun up to THINK about plying.

I have lavender Zephyr on hand to start Marianne Kinzel's Rose of England. I really need to be off the prednisone before I start it though. It is a pattern I've wanted to knit, although in this color, perhaps it would be more appropriate to do Balmoral instead!

Saturday thoughts

Hm, I'm not sure thoughts is actually true. This is one of those days where the brain seems to have been left behind. sigh

Howard bought a large stockpot for me not too long ago, after I complained that the crockpot just isn't large enough. I made some wonderful venison chili earlier in the week. There are some people that love to go hunting, but don't like to eat the venison. We are the lucky recipients of their bounty. We're almost out, we need to ask for more. I'd actually started it in the crockpot, and realized that with 2 pounds of ground venison, there was going to be more meat than anything else in the pot. So, I transferred it all to the stockpot, added more ingredients and tried it out. Success! The back burner on the stove can substitute for the crockpot! Yay!

So, yesterday I made chicken and barley soup in the crockpot. Added aleppo chili from Penzeys to give it more flavor.

It sometimes feels very difficult to cook without herbs, onions and garlic, but I must because of my food allergies. So, I tend to use a lot of chilis, because they add different flavors, even if some of them add heat, which we don't mind. Aleppo is a smoky flavor with more heat than Ancho. The chili had dried jalapenos, arbol peppers, cascabel peppers, guajillo peppers, aleppo and ancho peppers all from Penzeys. The chicken and barley soup "only" had the aleppos, but it added a great smoky flavor without adding much heat.

We have an extra coffee grinder, which has become my default chili grinder. Pop dried chilis in there, and turn it on. Somehow, I don't think Howard will want coffee ground in this! LOL After all, he HAS a coffee grinder of his own.

On the knitting front, the Mermaid is past 3/4 of the way through for the body. Whee! I'm on the downhill slope for knitting it! Still wondering about the sleeves. The design has the sleeves knit in the same color as the first band/collar. What would it be like if I knit the sleeves in one of the contrast colors?

I've been wondering about the second Mermaid for me. I'd thought about doing it in a single color, but I'm wondering if the lack of color changes would take away the delight in knitting it. There wouldn't be something new happening almost every other row, instead it would be 18 rows before something else happens. I can see that as a problem. Decisions. Since I know I want to use Brown Sheep Naturespun, I wonder how it would look in tones of teal? Tornado teal, Mallard and Meadow Green? What do you think about Butterfly Blue, Sapphire and either Platte River Blue or Catblue? I wish I could wear purples, don't you think Plum Line, Alpine Violet and Purple Splendor would be gorgeous together? How about Saddle Tan, Bev's Bear and Roasted Coffee -- as those are more my colors? I have Burnt Sienna and Roasted Coffee, that is what I've been making this with, using the camel/silk. I suppose I could use one of those as the main color, Bev's Bear for the third? Any input?

There is a possibility that we will be going to the Brown Sheep Outlet Store in the next few weeks. Wouldn't THAT be fun. Hm, how am I going to reward Howard for that?

We plan to visit my parents and Serena next week. I'm delighted with the prospect. It has been a while since we've seen them. While we are gone, hopefully the laundry room and kitchen will be changed from carpeting to vinyl, and the laundry room will be painted. This will hopefully take care of a lot of the problems with mold in the house. Every time the furnace runs, it grabs mold from the carpeting in the laundry room and spreads it throughout the house. I'd like to be able to get off the prednisone and BREATHE!

The "S" Word

Well, it had to happen. Winter does tend to arrive in Iowa. And we woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning. I had seen isolated flakes around 5 yesterday afternoon, but nothing to make a fuss about. Actually, what we accumulated was nothing to make a fuss about, but it certainly was there until it melted this morning! You can see the sad looking shed in the back yard, almost graced by the snow.
You can see the light dusting of snow on the rocks in the back yard. Just barely there, don't you think? Harbinger of things to come, though.

Still knitting on the Mermaid and loving it. All other things are on hold while I am so enamored of it. I keep telling myself that I'll be able to wear it -- SOON!

Fall is here!

This morning about 7:30 there was a mighty rush of wind, and the temperature dropped. Wham! It was almost as if the wind was aware that it was time to get moving!

Remember how I said the squirrels weren't on the bird feeder that looks like a house? HAH! They started feeding there THE NEXT DAY! I shouldn't have said anything! Yesterday the yard looked as if we were welcoming half of the birds in town, every spot on the feeders was taken, and as soon as a bird flew off, another filled the spot.

The flooring in the kitchen and the laundry room is to be replaced, and the laundry room painted the last week of the month. Hm, I wonder if Serena would like me to visit? LOL

Can I get the Mermaid body done before then, so she can try it on to see if she'd like one? Yesterday I passed the halfway mark for the body. Whee! This is so much fun!

Should I continue to post progress photos, or does it feel as if it is more of the same?

I'm back to knitting

Funny how 5 mg of prednisone makes a difference. While I can knit again (YAY!), I'm also wheezing. Which doesn't seem fair. I'd prefer to be able to knit WITHOUT wheezing, thank you very much! Looking forward to the new flooring in the kitchen and the laundry room, which will hopefully remove a lot of mold from the house.

I am within 1 row of being at half of the body. I'm hoping to get the other half of the center back gusset done today, although I am being silly to set goals. I should just enjoy it, and sit back and watch it unfold.

Hm, the hospital where I used to volunteer (and that still keeps me on the rolls as a volunteer) needs more baby hats. Time to whip some out to keep newborn heads warm! I'll have to check -- I don't know if I actually have any baby yarn on hand. Choices are to buy more (what a thought!) or adapt the pattern to use sports weight yarn. I like that idea, I wonder if the hospital will go for it.

Thoughts? While on Prednisone

I find that prednisone makes it difficult to think some days. Actually, I can think, but it is the detail of making sense that sometimes eludes me.

Yesterday I battled the idea that it would be great to rearrange the furniture in the living room. I managed to avoid doing that, but did move things out of the guest room and into the closet in the fiber room. The closet now holds 2 bedsteads (one double, one twin), the great wheel, the knitting machine and almost all its parts, a rigid heddle loom, my wedding dress and lots of roving. I CAN close the closet doors, which is somewhat amazing.

Today the urge to defrost the upright freezer hit. Now let me tell you that is a task I don't usually do willingly. But there you have it, I defrosted the freezer. No surprises on the contents luckily. Hm, actually, there was a LOT more chicken than I expected. How it wound up in the door instead of on the meat shelf I don't know. But there it was. No, we are NOT out of chicken. LOL

Unfortunately, knitting is almost impossible right now on this dose. I did get 2 rows knit yesterday, but it was a battle getting that much done. In fact (whispering) I stopped in the middle of the row! I am so CLOSE to being to the center of the Mermaid body, it would be wonderful to sit down and GET THERE! Hopefully as the dosage tapers that will be possible, and I'll post a proud achievement post.

On the spinning front, I ordered a new Spin-Dizzy shaft for my laceweight drop spindle from The Bellwether. Unfortunately, it snapped in the move. The old shaft and the new one are both 2 grams. It is a great Turkish spindle. I'm spinning up some brown variegated merino from Belinda in Australia.

I want to start spinning again -- just need to sit down and do it. I started some angora/wool blend while Dianne was here in May, I want to keep spinning it before I forget entirely how to do it. There is so MUCH to be spun up around here, I think my slogan should be "just do it!"

Brag on Two of My Knitters

Mary D and Debbie are relatively new knitters in my knitting group. They bought the Elegantly Simple Triangular Shawl pattern by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer and are having a good time doing it. At first they both thought the pattern was beyond them, but have discovered that they CAN do it! I'm proud of them! I want to brag about them -- they have learned they CAN knit lace!

Debbie is knitting hers out of Webs Barrington Mohair -- the rust isn't on this page, but the yarn is magnificent! Doesn't it look good? We'll block it sternly, and the lace pattern will really sing! She wants to make the smaller shawl at this point, she doesn't want to stop at the scarf.

Mary D is using Heritage Yarns Cloud 9 in Black and Grey in a Rainbow World. She hasn't stated how big she is going to make it -- she gets distracted by her other projects. The marking rings are NOT knit in, but got caught by her lifeline. When she takes that out, they will drop off. I've done THAT!

Fall is Falling!

We are having roller coaster temperatures, Monday and Tuesday were in the 80s, yesterday and today in the low 70s. The trees started to fall some time back, but they are doing it with seeming eagerness now. There are leaves on the ground, more would be visible, probably, but there was a strong wind that came through yesterday and cleared our yard of them! A nice change from the old house, where we caught all of the neighbor's leaves! When Mike came to rake them up (using a power mower) it would take about 5 hours to get them all. NOT a task to be taken lightly!








As you can see, we have changed the thistle feeder for the suet feeder. The double squirrel baffle is the result of Howard's long-going battle with squirrels. They were able to ignore the first baffle, the two together didn't quite stop them. The squirrels at this house aren't as determined to destroy the feeders. Even the little house feeder on the pole hasn't attracted them -- yet. I wonder if winter's arrival and the scarcity of food will. There are 4 feeders visible in this photo, with another just out of the camera's range. The bird bath has been emptied in readiness for the first frost, which could come at any time.

Mermaid Update

I'm having so MUCH FUN knitting this project! There is enough going on to keep my interest, I don't feel as if I am knitting acres and acres of garter stitch, which is what I usually feel. Instead, I watch the changes, and keep interested. I'm not normally into garter. But, I happily knit away on this! Hanne Falkenberg deserves a lot of credit for designing this.

Busy two days!

We took off yesterday for another doctor visit in Iowa City. On the way we drove through the small town where my Uncle and Aunt had a heating and air conditioning business for years. It was satisfying to see that the business has retained their name, and seems to be thriving. We saw 5 vans around town with the company's name. We then went on to our friends Julie and Bill, where we spent the night. They didn't have Missy in the house this time, Bear was in for a while but decided that she'd rather be outside. Julie and I did some knitting and talked spinning -- debating the pros and cons of a Woolee Winder (I LOVE mine for my Louet) for her Reeves wheel. She demo'd spinning somewhere, and somehow the person in charge sent her bobbins to Goodwill. As this is an older Reeves model (before it became part of Schacht), it is hard to come by bobbins. While we were doing OUR thing, the men were solving all the problems of the world. It is fun to have friends like that!

Today we went to the orthopedist for my shoulder (another steroid injection in the shoulder) and started toward home. We stopped and had lunch with that dear Aunt then came home.

With over 8 hours in the car over these 2 days, I got a LOT knit. Here is my progress so far. Almost to the first underarm.

By yesterday evening, I wasn't sure the camel/silk was a good color with the other two. It is a cooler color. But, to be really honest, I don't want to frog all my progress, not to mention the fact that I don't have a coordinating yarn on hand! I think it was a tantrum brought about by looking at it too long! At least I certainly hope so!

Well no freaking wonder!

I got new glasses 2 weeks ago. I couldn't see well out of them. I called, the office told me to try for 7 days to allow my eyes to adjust. I went 9. I could not read the print on the television screen, couldn't see street signs, and was very frustrated. I gave up and went back to my old glasses. Today was the appointment to check and see what went wrong. The new lenses were an entire diopter off too weak! The doctor was baffled as to how it happened. Actually, there was no change in my prescription, but the old pair were so damaged from a bad glare coat job that I wasn't able to see as well as I should out of them. So, a new pair of lenses are on order. I'll be glad to get them! Thank God that the office has a "we fix until you are satisfied" policy. Today's appointment and the new lenses will not cost me.

By the way, Alison has a blog, so if you like her stories, bookmark it! Serena and I enjoyed our visit with her during our California visit.

And Mom brag alert, Serena had photos accepted to an online Travel Guide for Ireland! She heard yesterday that 3 photos from her trip in April are in the Guide!

Gauge

It is very frustrating when a gauge swatch doesn't match the real project! I dutifully did a gauge swatch for the Mermaid, and started knitting. About an inch into it I decided I'd better check to make sure it matched the gauge I wanted. Nope! At 181 stitches a row, that hurt! My only consolation is that the gauge swatch said I needed to be knitting on 000 needles, now I'm knitting it again on 0s. Which is nicer. I'm now beyond where I was when I had to frog.

I'm debating whether to knit it all in one color as this person did or to knit it as the designer planned. I have enough yarn to knit it either way. The yarn I'm using for the lightest color is some camel/silk from Alison (thanks Alison!) in, well, CAMEL color! I think it would be a very dressy jacket. I also have a dark brown and a rust (or a medium brown) that can be the contrast colors. My biggest concern is that I really do NOT need to emphasize my hips!

Dratted waterfall factor

I think it is very unfair for parents to train their children to potty train using running water. How many of us get overwhelmed by running water? Sheesh!

New Projects started

With a great deal of enthusiasm, I've started Penrose by Pat Ashforth and Steve Plummer. Instead of the 2 strands of DK weight yarn, I'm using 3 strands of 3 ply sock yarn. I'm pretty sure it will be smaller, but it is also using stash yarn, which means I could start it now, instead of waiting for yarn to arrive. It also seems a good idea, to make an afghan out of washable yarn, but with wool for warmth. Um, at least that was what I was telling myself when I made the decision. LOL If I use entirely stash yarn, it will be black, silver gray and red. Don't you think it would be...distinctive? I'm not sure if the dimensional effect will show in that. I've wondered a bit about buying some of the Knitpicks dye your own sock yarn and using that in its undyed state. Of course, there will be the problem of the other colors being in 3 ply, and that (I think) is 4 ply. Might matter, might not. Opinions? Know of a 3 ply equivalent in a washable wool?

I've also started Rose of England in a blue 2/32 wool. Blue, because that is what the intended victim wants (given the choice of yarns in my stash. Do you see a trend here?) It is being a bit difficult, mainly because I'm having trouble getting myself to sit down and work on it. Hopefully the asthma will get back under control and I can stay off pred so I feel like working on it! I didn't swatch, but started it on US 0 needles. I switched to the Knitpicks DPs, because my Inox greys just weren't sharp enough. I tried some rosewood 0s, but the yarn grabbed hold of the needles and didn't want to let go! So, I will also be ordering the size 0 circulats to match the DPs.

Oh Bother!

I was knitting along on the sock. Working away at the gusset, when I noticed something odd. Investigated further, and I saw this.When I started knitting the gusset, I REVERSED the stitch pattern! It isn't really clear in the picture, but you can see a change of texture. With a few well-chosen words, I dropped those 36 stitches back to before the error started, and knit them up again, this time IN THE CORRECT PATTERN! There are a couple of tiny holes that need to be adjusted, but it is back together and beyond where it happened. For a while, when I first dropped the stitches down, it looked as if I had a bunch of burgundy spaghetti hanging off the sock. Unfortunately, that picture didn't turn out.

My Stash

I'm trying very hard to organize my yarn and fiber stash. I'm frustrated with my data base of yarn -- I am finding yarn that wasn't entered, as well as yarn that is in the database that is gone.

With the roving out of the freezer, I've had to confront the fact as to how much I actually have! I have a lot -- at least in my opinion. This closet has become home for the roving.

I have 4 totes filled with yarn so far. I have 2 or 3 boxes of yarn that haven't been unpacked into totes. There are TWO TOTES of sock yarns that haven't been sorted yet.

A tense spot in a DVD

We were watching "Sharpe's Challenge" last night on DVD, and BOY  did my gauge tighten up! LOL I looked down at one point to see that I was bending the needle on my size 0 doublepoint! It isn't bad, because it is the gusset on a sock, but could have been disastrous on something else! Um, I don't do suspense well. sigh

I highly recommend that series. I was first exposed to it on BBCAmerica. I liked it enough that we ordered the complete set (at a discount, NOT  full price!) nor as a boxed set but as the individual tapes of the Sharpe's series. We'd started getting them via Netflix, but I wanted to watch them more than once or twice. They are great for simple knitting, I can watch and get a lot knit in a session. Hopefully there won't be too many instances of bending needles!

Something else I want to buy fairly soon is the edition of "Pride and Prejudice" with Colin Firth. That one was a delight to sit and knit through. Honestly, I usually prefer to listen to books when I knit, as I can then use my eyes to pay attention to the knitting. We actually had very few DVDs, I doubled our number when I purchased the Sharpe DVDs. BUT, sometimes it is nice to have the visual affects, as opposed to creating the setting in my mind.

Still dealing with mold almost throughout the house. Howard didn't bring home the laptop, so I come to the computer for a short while, then go back to our bedroom with the wonderful air purifier. I'm hoping it will settle soon!

More "Excitement"

Let me think, what has been going on? Turns out the water heater in our new home had been leaking for some time. All over the carpeted laundry room. That was replaced. Today someone came and pulled out the carpet, to find that the shut-off valve for water into the house was ALSO leaking. The room flooring is a mess. We don't know if the subflooring will have to be replaced or not. The amount of mold in the room has triggered my asthma since the water heater moved out. So, I'm staying pretty much in our bedroom with the air purifier going. Sniff. Luckily we have a wireless setup, and while my computer is next to the laundry room, I can log in on Howard's in here.

The stained glass windows have been removed from the old house, the kitchen cupboards are going to one family, the dishwasher to someone else, a different person is taking the picture window...I'm sure there are other things that have been claimed, but I don't remember. It feels good that the things will have a new life, instead of being demolished!

Our chest freezer, which usually houses my spinning stash, my more valuable knitting yarns, some food and the heirloom quilts is still out of commission at the old house, waiting to see if it can be brought back to life. In other words, we are waiting for parts and repair. Much cheaper than a new one. If it can be, it will come over here into the garage.

On the knitting front, I'm down to the gusset on another pair of socks, and I've got the yarn wound for the Rose of England by Kinzel. Now, to start!

House Demolition

Here are the pictures of the house at the end of day two of demolition -- they are removing the aluminum siding to recycle it. If you look carefully, you can see some of the paint of the wooden siding below -- another shade of green. There is a little of the siding left, but not very much at all. As one of the men working on it the other day said, "it is a TALL house!"

The last things in the old house came over today -- some houseplants that we are putting on Freecycle. There isn't room in this house! Unfortunately, as we've had them since we moved here. As you can see, they didn't fit easily in our small car! Even though there are only three of them, the car was overwhelmed by the experience.

The Old House

Howard went by to pick up mail today (we hadn't put in a forwarding order, because I was waiting for some newsletters which are mailed bulk) and said that they have started dismantling the house. I don't know how far, but he said the mailbox had been "ripped off the house". I really want to go by and see what they've done. It feels as if I need to go by and watch, for a sense of closure. I want to photograph the different stages, a memorium to the house? This is the first house that we've been able to paint the rooms to reflect our personalities. Perhaps that is why it is so painful -- we put so much of us into it.

Oddly enough, as I write this, I'm clouding up. We had good times there, so did other families. And now it will be a parking lot. I hope they salvage the building, we've still not heard.

Yes, Serena, will will be replacing the living room curtains. In fact, we have the vertical blinds from the other house that are going to go up in there and in our bedroom. I still need to find a place for the peacock kite, though, as we don't want to put a hole in the ceiling. The windchimes that Howard gave me are hanging on the front porch where they catch part of the breeze, not enough to really blow them around, but just a gentle chime.

You know you live in a small town when the appliance delivery person calls you at 7 in the morning to let you know what time they will be delivering! LOL I was quite astounded at time. This, along with the noise ordinance that says you can start doing noisy things such as mowing the lawn, using a jackhammer or cutting down trees at 7 in the morning! THAT was an even bigger surprise the first time it happened! The gentle tones of a tree being cut down by chainsaws ripping through the quiet at 7 were enough to energize the day.

We bought a portable dishwasher we found on sale yesterday, and it was delivered today. Now we only need to handwash things that I don't want in there. We are both delighted with the purchase, even if it hasn't been used yet! Well, we've started loading it...

On the fiber front, I have 2 fleeces ready to go for processing -- after several years of waiting to wash them myself, I decided that having someone else do it was a really smart idea, or they'd never get done! The fiber room has so MUCH roving already, it is an embarrassment of riches. When you figure that the 23 cubic foot chest freezer was probably 3/4 full of roving, it is a bit daunting. Still trying to figure out storage, but the freezer is waiting for parts to repair it.

I'm knitting on a pair of socks, and my fingers just don't want to pick up the rhythm. It is slow going, compared to my normal knitting speed. Very frustrating. They'll look nice, but need a bit of concentration instead of reading while I knit them. sniff I've signed up to knit the Rose of England from the Kinzel book, but still haven't decided what yarn to make it from! Must get going on that!

Sunday Photos

I thought I'd do some shots of what it looked like the evening of the move, and then the next day. The first 3 are the kitchen. The next 4 are the hall leading into the fiber room and the fiber room itself. It was impossible to walk in the fiber room at all, there wasn't even a path.



The last two are part of the living room, we needed to put the books in the bookcases so we had room for the furniture!

AARRGGHH

Well, the phone isn't connected, we are on the second trip to the house to pick up stuff that didn't get moved today (using both our car and a loaned pickup), the chest freezer stopped working while after defrosting it (didn't realize until some of it had partially thawed -- luckily the upright was working and everything went back in there), and we are frantically unpacking while we make trips to the old house to pick up the remnants.

I took pictures of the house last night to show where it was at the end of day one. I plan to take pictures of the progress tonight too. All will be posted when we get phone and internet -- promised Wednesday.

Physically we are very tired. Can't imagine why, can you? But almost everything was ready when the people showed up.

Home Stretch

Well, the house is packed except for our bedroom. That I plan to do tomorrow morning while Howard is at the church. Thank God for Mary D and her daughters Roni and Angie. They came over today and worked like Trojans, packing Nathan's room, Serena's room, the upstairs bathroom and the laundry room. Without them, I would have been sunk, as Howard had a wedding this afternoon. Actually, I'd have been sunk, because of the sheer volume of work they did!

I'll tell the stories of what happened later. Right now I need to close and go to bed. I'm exhausted!

SURPRISE!

Boy did we get a surprise last night! About 8 Howard got a call that we are being moved Sunday. Gulp. WHAT? Oh my!

Well we are packing frantically, and hope to have everything ready by Sunday at 1. blink

I've spent the ENTIRE morning packing the fiber room, and it isn't done yet. Soon, I really, really hope! I'm down to the stuff that you have to sort through, to decide whether to keep or not.

Well, I did spend some time on the phone arranging services to be changed to the new house. Phone will be available Monday morning, Internet not until Wednesday morning (WAH!) and tv not until the following Monday. Sad to say I'll miss the internet the most! I'm hoping that Howard's laptop can pick up the signal from the local tower (it can here at this house) and that I can use it several times a day. If not, I'll whine, and have to make do.

Packing

I have realized that yarn dominates the house. The only places I haven't found it are the 2 bathrooms and Nathan and Kim's room. I really didn't recognize that it had spread out so far. Do you think it moves by itself? Today I started a box for the "little bit of yarn I have downstairs." Finished that one off, and filled a second! I told Howard that I was surprised that there had been so much, and there was a long pause. Then he said, "I refuse to comment on that statement!" LOL


Here is a photo of the new house. We packed the car today and went over. Kitchen stuff that we can do without until we move, mainly. There was a little spread throughout the rest. We measured all the rooms except the laundry room, so we can discuss placement of furniture. There isn't ROOM for anything else in the laundry room. Well, we did try to figure out if we can easily move the washer and dryer out and put the new ones that are here in. The jury is still out on that. We still plan to do it, but...

Several members of the church have offered trucks or trailers to move our stuff. So hopefully a date will soon be set to move!

New House

I spent 4 hours this morning waiting for the gas be turned on and the window person to come to measure for 2 storm windows that need to be replaced. The gas man came. The window person never did.

While there I took pictures, but the one of the front of the house didn't show up. I think my camera is starting to have serious issues. Several pictures a session just aren't there. The camera registers as having taken a picture, but it is blank.

This is a gorgeous tree in our back yard. There was a male cardinal on the power line that serenaded me as I wandered around.

Miscellaneous

We visited Nathan and Kim the end of last week, and had a great time. Here is our "grand-dog" Tucker. His face looks a lot like the dog we had growing up. Tucker, though, is a lab (mom) basset (dad) mix. He IS a character!

Here are my new socks that I finished on the trip! I used Kroy 4 ply from the Paton's Outlet, and STILL have lots of the forest green left over. I made a mistake and knit the length according to the pattern directions, and they hit about half way up my calf. sigh I should have tried them on, to make sure they were knee length. But I wore them yesterday (hey, my feet get cold in the house!) and they stayed up.



On the house front, we signed the paperwork today, and can move in immediately. We hope to find out tonight how and when we will actually move. We are moving from a 4 bedroom to a 3 bedroom, not impossible, but it is going to be "interesting!"

Fun Visit

Monday we drove down to a friend I met on the Spinlist, some time ago. We'd never met before, just corresponded and talked on the phone. We started corresponding when I responded to her request for help in knitting socks. I knit the christening gown for their granddaughter (who is now 5!) Sheesh, how time goes by!
Anyway, they raise Schipperkes, and have a puppy in the house who is as cute as can be, and looks like a black bear cub! Here are pictures of Julie and Bill with Missy, as well as one of Missy.

Just because I've never shown it off here, I've also attached a poor picture of the back of the christening gown. The glass buttons weighed more than the gown itself! I used some finer than cobweb wool/silk that Jaggerspun did as a one-off. I WISH they would do it again, it was gorgeous! The pattern is from Gladys Amedro's book, "Shetland Lace".
Laughing at myself, I blocked the skirt carefully on a bed pillow, only to realize I'd blocked it WIDE and SHORT instead of LONG and NARROW! sigh Which meant I carefully unpinned all of it, changed the way it was on the pillow, dampened the piece and blocked it again. sniff Luck lace is so forgiving! It was fine enough that it was almost dry before it was pinned out! Lots of spray from a water bottle!

New Home?

Well, it looks as if we have found a place we can move to soon. Waiting on the final information to be sure, but we viewed it today, and all seems to be in place. It is smaller than this house -- 3 bedrooms instead of the current 4 with everything on one floor -- but it is much better insulated, and DOESN'T HAVE ANY MOLD! That alone should make my lungs happier! Although my body will miss the exercise of going up and down the stairs several times a day! There seems to be enough room at first glance to accomodate all the bookcases, which is a plus!

One thought is to finally decree that some of the metal bookcases that have been with us so long be formally retired and Howard build new ones. We'll see. That may be just too much to do AND move. Maybe we can move, then build the bookcases!

My sister and her husband moved today. Serena moves next week. Now us. Something is in the wind!

I have started packing seriously again. I got discouraged when it seemed that there was nothing on the house front, and I was frustrated with not being able to get a book that was packed. Not to mention some of the kitchen stuff that I packed thinking it wouldn't be very long. HAH! You know the stuff you don't use often? As soon as it is packed away it is NECESSARY! I refuse to unpack, though, until we are moved. That way is too dangerous.

Yet another pair of socks!

I finished another pair of socks for me yesterday! Since I like to wear them with the purl side out on the foot (and the smooth knit side against the skin where I'm putting pressure on it by walking) I knit them with the foot purl stitch, and the top of the foot in knit stitch. This way, there is a "normal" looking heel and top, but a comfortable foot. It took a bit longer to knit, because I needed to be careful with the change from knit to purl, but I like the way they look and feel.

For a difference, I've started the next pair using a pattern from a book! I'm knitting from Nancy Bush's book, "Knitting Vintage Socks" and am using the pattern for men's hunting socks. I think. Over-the-calf socks with little purl flags on the leg and instep. I'm knitting them with hunter green Kroy from the Paton's outlet in Toronto, yarn that is WELL aged in my stash. I have so much dark colored 3 and 4 ply sock yarn from there! These are mill-ends, so the skeins aren't regularly sized. That's all right, they knit up beautifully. At this point, they are planned for me, unless I decide differently further along. Nice thing about socks, you have such a long time to make the final decision about ownership!

I need to repair a pair (now that I think about it, the ONLY pair that he had that was wearable!) of Howard's over-the-calf, black, 3 ply dress socks. I've knit 2 pairs for him, and I call them Howard's Eternal Socks, because that is how long it takes to knit them! The toes are going out. So, I'll snip a stitch on each foot, take out the toes, and knit the toes again. MUCH better than knitting the sock over again! The other pair needs new feet, and I've avoided them for quite a while now. In fact, probably for 2+ years! I really OUGHT to fix them! I cut those off at the ankle, so I'll have to do the heels and feet again on them. I can do this! Once I find where I safely PUT them. snivel

Socks

Right now I'm on a sock knitting kick. They are easy, and I love the results -- especially wearing them! LOL I usually knit a basic sock for myself, this time I didn't do left or right toes, but a "normal" toe. I have another pair that are ready for the gusset, so it won't be too long before I can complete them and wear them too. Which is good, because the socks I finished in 1999 are finally wearing out. I keep a list of Finished Objects (FOs) and my list tells me that I finished the pair that completely wore out on May 17, 1999. So, they lasted 6 years of weekly use. Not bad return of my time and effort!

This pair, I'm surprised to see in the picture, isn't as tightly knit in the toes. I think I'm going to have to go down a needle size to a 00 for the heels and toes in the future with Opal yarn. Rats!

This is Opal Crocodile, I have enough more for 3 pairs in the black/red, 4 pairs in the plum/black, and one in blue/black. I'm not sure it will all become socks, still pondering over other uses. I tried mitered squares with black contrast, I may go back to that but use a different contrast color. A shawl just using the plum/black? I don't know. Still thinking.

Long time since I posted

This has been a rough period of time, and I just haven't posted.

Here are a couple of photos from our B & B. This one is the view from the deck.

This one is Howard standing on the deck.

So in revenge, he took my picture there too.

I regret that while I took the camera along to Alison's, I forgot to get any photos. Much to my chagrin, I had planned to take more photos of family, and I didn't. So, we had a great trip, but little photographic evidence of it! I'm hoping to see some pictures from Serena.

Home Again

We had a wonderful time in California, it is great to touch base with family members who have similar senses of humor! We laughed and laughed during the trip. Learned new games, talked, and got to know each other again...priceless!

Nancy's vest is finished, ready to go in the mail Monday. There was a wrench when I declared it "done" as this vest and I have gone around and around, trying to reach accord. I think we did it. True test will be how it looks on her, though.

Started a pair of socks in some Opal, a discontinued color in black and red which makes random color blips. They are going fairly effortlessly, if I remember to leave it off the floor. During the trip the needles would stick out of the bag, catch on something, and be pulled out of the work. Not so bad once it was well and truly started, but such a pain when I was on the first 2 rows -- I think I restarted each twice because of that. I was not amused. These will replace a pair of mine that finally have bitten the dust after 5 years. Not the same color -- will have to find some blue sock yarn for that.

We stayed in a bed and breakfast that was wonderful. View of the ocean, close enough to hear the waves, and quail running around. The quail would get on the roof, and we'd hear them go racing across the roof. We never knew when we'd open the door and surprise a covey. Julia, the owner, also has a small yarn store, which made it perfect for me! I bought more sock yarn on the last day as a souvenir. Enough for, cough, 5 pairs of socks. That should keep my feet happy! Nope, no blue in the lot, but some other gorgeous colors.

Serena and I drove up to visit our friend Alison, and spent a great knitters day, just talking.

P.S. Happy Belated Birthday Mom!

California Fun

We've had a great week in California, visiting Howard's family. We've visited the Monterey Aquarium, gone to the beach (no chance of a sunburn -- it was FOGGY there up until today as we left!), visited, played, relaxed, Knit (me), laughed, and had a good time.

The B & B where we stayed part of the time is owned by a knitter, which added to the fun. She machine and hand knits, as well as crochets. A delightful lady, the time slipped away as we talked.

Yesterday we went to the Farmer's Market in San Luis Obispo. That was so much fun, and yet very different. So many blocks of booths, and such a crowd of people! I bought a new variety of avocados (bought hard ones so they should ripen after we get home) and some artichokes. I'm hoping that the hot weather bere in Fresno doesn't prove to be too much for them. Oh, and also some dried figs. I usually don't like dried figs, but the vendor gave one to me to sample and it was delicious.

I THINK Nancy's vest is finally done. I'd had to frog it back almost to the beginning again, and I was starting to despair of my ability to finish it. But today I did the armhold edgings on the drive from the coast back to Fresno. All that needs to be done is weaving in the ends, wash and see how it turns out! In celebration, I cast on a pair of socks. Something simple and brainless.

More when we get home, we need dinner!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy 92nd Birthday to my Dad yesterday!

High School Graduation
College Graduation
Undated -- 1950s?

Now

He's seen a lot of changes in his lifetime! He went to school with his siblings in a wagon pulled by a horse. His circuit riding minister father bought the first Model T in the county to make going between charges easier. He worked his way through the last year in high school, all of college and seminary. To pay his way, he was a migrant worker in the summers, harvesting crops and saving his money for the next school year.

He served churches in Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and Utah before taking early retirement because of a massive stroke.

Dad race-walked "just for fun" and just recently hung up his racing shoes. It wasn't nearly as much fun when he wasn't winning! The senior division has too broad of a range, from 65 on up -- he can't compete with them! But he was named Jefferson County Racewalker of the Month while he was competing.

Here's to the man with a wicked sense of humor, who's never given up.

Love you Dad!

Books

You know, there is something about packing books. And packing books. One keeps doing it, and the bookcases don't seem to appreciably empty! Well, they do, but it takes a LOT of boxes to empty a bookcase.

I don't remember counting the number of book boxes the last two moves. So, the last firm number of boxes of books for the family was 63 in 1987, and that included children books and Howard's office books. Now you realize that the children are out of the house, they are adults! We got rid of books before we moved this last time. Howard's office books are not being moved at this point. And I have 20 FREAKING PAPER BOXES FULL OF BOOKS SO FAR AND I HAVEN'T MADE A DENT IN THE BOOKS! In fact, I have 6 bookcases left to go! That doesn't count the books that are scattered around the house that aren't IN bookcases.

When I say paper boxes, I mean the ones that reams of paper come in.

This Old House

The vote taken today decided the fate of this house. It is to be torn down and the lot will be a parking lot for the church. There are just too many things wrong structurally. So, it is time to start looking for a new place around town, and to PACK! Can you say EEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!! I understand you have to pack just as well for a cross-town move as for a long distance one. Oh well...a good time to clear out...again.