Argh!

I have complained about the back burners on our stove not working since we moved in. Supposedly someone came and said that they work, but are slow. I tried an experiment today. I put the right back burner on high, put a pan with boiling water on, and waited. 2 hours later, it was cool enough I could put my finger in and leave it in (remember I gave the stupid thing a head start -- it was started with BOILING water.) I tried changing it to the next level down on the burner. An hour later it is a bit warmer. How is anyone supposed to cook on this!

Next experiment will be with the left-hand burner. I'll update here. sigh

ETA Half an hour later and the left hand burner is not hot. I'd say that whoever looked at the stove was a tremendous optimist. I know that we live in a people with older people, many of whom no longer cook. But I do. May I please have a working stove? As in, 4 burners working?

Hm

My camera was among the missing for almost a week. I have no idea why it was hiding in the bathroom. All I can do is roll my eyes (I am sure I was the culprit, but why? Perhaps it is better NOT to know!)

This month I decided in a fit of insanity to join in NaKniSweMo, National Knit a Sweater Month. The idea is to knit 50,000 stitches in the month of November, at the end the knitter will have a sweater to show for the effort. I didn't want to be working on a sweater, but had two projects that would make my total. I started a hat for Big Justin and picked up my portion of the 3 generation baby blanket for Merri. I finished BOTH on the 24th. 87,442 stitches between the two projects. I am no longer counting stitches for the month. I did make and finish a hat for someone else, and still have knitting time this month. Do I finish projects on the needles? Probably. But how nice to get these out of the way!

Pictures will have to come at Christmas, after the presents have been gifted.

Testing

I'm trying to post via my phone.

Knitting away at Christmas presents. LOTS of stitches!

I realized a few minutes ago that I somehow deleted my list of stitch patterns and stitch counts for all three baby blankets. Now I don't know which pattern I was going to use for the other two baby blankets is gone! Tears!

NaKniSweMo

Okay, I admit it. I'm a glutton for punishment.There is another side to NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month. That is NoKniSweMo - National Knit a Sweater Month. Knitters pledge to knit 50,000 stitches during the month of November, most planning to knit a sweater, starting November 1 and finishing before the of day November 30.

I wasn't going to do it, really truly! But then I started doing the math for a hat for DSIL - 3 ply yarn on 0 needles. I realized that it would take pretty close, if not more than 50,000 stitches. So, I signed on to the bandwagon November 8th. You will notice that I was already behind the eight ball, eh?

I decided to add Merri's baby blanket (the three generation one) to the mix, to give my hands relief, worsted weight for a while, then sock weight. Back and forth, forth and back. So, I started a spreadsheet, to track the stitch count on both projects. The other night I realized that I was close to the 50,000 stitches, but neither project was close to completion. My current goal is to finish both projects by the end of November. Insanity? Probably. I'll let you know the final stitch count at the end of the month. Can I do it? Dunno. But next year I will plan the project ahead of time!

Advertising sigh

So, it is what, 36 days until Christmas, right? Why are we still being "treated" to ads talking about layaway programs where the payments are spread out for 8 weeks? Or the ads that speak of "it's summer, so I want to clear up my skin for my bikini." Hello, we are 5 weeks away from Christmas and it is late autumn. Reality check here, don't the advertisers think we can do the math? Do they think that we can suspend reality enough to believe them?

Ads on tv take up more and more program time. They are louder than the program. I find myself muting the ads, just so I don't have to hear them. I'd rather miss part of the program than listen to their drivel!

Eek!

I was sitting in the hall today, knitting with another lady that lives in the building. Over the years, people have brought lawn chairs to this end of the hall, so people can sit and chat, while enjoying the sunshine (when there is such a thing!) and looking outside. She had been so sure that she wasn't able to knit, because her hands shake. She was finishing her second dishcloth today. Yay!

I heard a crack as I sat in my chair. It was one of a pair we purchased in NY. The chairs were very comfortable. But, as I sat there, there was suddenly a second crack and I was sitting flat on the floor! Not sure how the arm brace breaking would cause that, but it certainly did! I tossed both chairs out. It was questioned as to why I'd throw the second, whole chair. My thought process (if I actually can be said to have one!) was that if one broke, the second was probably not far behind from doing the same. I really do NOT want to be responsible for one of the residents of the building being hurt because of a chair collapse!

Phooey

Two months ago repairs were done to our apartment, involving a plumber and a roofer. The plumber was supposed to also fix our shower, but, despite having a month lead time, hadn't ordered the shower part. Hm, a month's notice and didn't get the part ordered. This morning the building maintenance man told me that the plumber was going to come by, if he had the shower part. He told the maintenance man that he wasn't sure it was in stock, he may have to order it. Now, do you blame me that I didn't believe it? I went ahead and showered, I didn't wait for him to arrive. No, he didn't arrive. I have a difficult time accepting that after 3 months the man has not been able to order/keep in stock the piece to repair our shower. I'm not sure that even if the appointment is made for the repairs, that I will actually believe that the repair is going to be made. Cynical, aren't I! In this economy he can afford to blow off repair jobs?

Hm

I have been thinking that Merri looked more like Justin than Serena. But then I saw these two photos next to each other. What do you think?

This and that

Justin and Grandpa. Justin was asked to hold Grandpa's hat, he is certainly keeping it safe for him! Under Grandpa's hat he is wearing the bear hat that Aunt Serena and Uncle Justin gave him at Christmas. Welcome to Minnesota, where it is considered normal to have snow on Halloween! We drove up Halloween morning.

Unbeknownst to either set of parents, BOTH grandkids were bumble/honeybees this year! Merri was almost to big for her costume, Justin obviously enjoyed buzzing around!

This is Tutti-Frutti #4, she'll have to grow into it, hopefully this year!

Why?

An ongoing problem in my life...haircuts. What in the world about my face/body/head is it that causes almost every hairdresser to cut my hair SHORT! I go in with a picture of the desired cut. I ALWAYS wind up with a cut that is much shorter. This morning's cut was supposed to be based on a cut which ended about chin length. What do I have? A cut that ends barely at the base of the ear lobes! That is a difference of several inches.

When in high school I'd take my mom or my sister along to oversee the cut. After all, I can't see a darned thing once my glasses are off. I usually wound up with hair even shorter than today's!

What is it about me that inspires/drives/whatever the cuts to be so much shorter? I do NOT understand! The usual reaction when people see my hair is "it is so SHORT!"

Blast.

Rats!

Remember just last post when I rejoiced that I'd finally used up all of that black 3 ply Kroy sock yarn? Yeah, the exhiliration lasted less than 24 hours, I was looking for a different yarn, and found an entire bag of the stuff. I don't know, but I'm beginning to suspect it of breeding. I lost my yarn data base due to an unexplained computer error, so I can't tell when I bought it. I think I created the original yarn database in 2002, I know I had the yarn before that, because I made Howard several pairs of over-the-calf dress socks from it. I stopped in the middle of a pair in 2003 when he told me that purchased socks were more comfortable. I don't think I've made a pair for him since.

I'm making cranberry oatmeal cookies from my archive. I had thawed 2 packages of cranberries, so tripled the recipe. There were going to be so many cookies, I decided to try them as bars instead of drop cookies. I'll update as to how they turn out.

I made 2 scarves from Sally Melville's book with her daughter, "Mother-Daughter Knits". I used the tabbed scarf pattern. The second was a variation on the theme, I only had 2 buttons that went really well with the yarn, so I made 2 tabs instead of 3. I think I'll make one more of the 3 tab version of the same yarn I made the first (alpaca with a twist baby twist) for me. The other is for a friend. I thought it was a great pattern for cold Minnesota weather!

Thursday

I decided to knit something small for several friends. So, when one of the people was asked what color he wanted, guess what he said? "Red or black." sigh I am certainly seeing a trend here. I suppose I can't use the excuse that I'm almost out of black yarn? A second person also requested red. Luckily, the other person wants earth tones. Hm, what quick items can I make?

I bought a lot of Kroy sock yarn when we were still in New York from the Paton's outlet (before it closed.) I have FINALLY used almost all of it up! By the time I finish this sweater for Merri I will be out of it. I didn't really think it would ever happen! I have some burgundy Kroy, do you think that counts as red? Actually, I will, now that I think of it, will still have enough enough of the red from this sweater to make a hat or scarf for him. I don't have enough black, but red... Don't know if there will be enough of the red for the second person.

Welcome Merri!

This is Merridyth Ann, our new(ish) granddaughter. She was born in July, sorry I've been so lax in keeping up with the blog! I knit the christening gown (finished it the day before we left to meet her!) It is from Knitpicks bare, DK weight. I freely played with the pattern, only the yoke looks as it was designed. That's okay, I complied with Serena's wishes to have a true cable down the skirt, and then a cabled edging instead of a lace edging. The cables in the skirt are the same as the one in the yoke. The edging is Barrington Braid.

Minnesota has been interesting. We have been so busy (and tired) from work that we are still unpacking. The apartment is lovely, the people are so welcoming.

A new game being played in the apartment building: what are they cooking? Long before we moved in, some of the residents started sitting in the hall outside of our apartment and chatting. The comment was made that we have such nice smells coming from our apartment, they usually spend some time trying to figure out what is/was cooking.

This has been a rough year. But, the important thing I am holding on to is that we've made it this far, we can make it! Yeah, I wish Dad had been able to see Merri. That didn't happen. We rejoice in the fact that she is here and is healthy!

As you can see, Justin is taking his role as the big cousin seriously!

On the needles, another Tutti Frutti by Hanne Falkenberg, this one for Miss Merri. For some unknown reason, Mommy wants the exact same colors as I knit the 3 for Justin. That will be 4 sweaters using the same colors and pattern. The only differences has been the sizes. Sigh. I love you guys!

MN here we come!

May 7 we got a call that we are being transferred to Minnesota. About an hour from Nathan and Kim. They have found us an apartment, we will be there May 25 but won't move in until the 26, as they will celebrate their 8th wedding anniversary on the 25. Boy, have we been moving frantically to pack everything up and be ready to move this Sunday! We are exhausted!

Whew!

I am SO close to finishing these two sweaters for little Justin. I made the first, then realized my gauge was off, so it will fit him next year. I know it is getting late in the year, but I just need to sew in the ends on sweater #2. Actually, sweater #3, as I made it for him (in the same colors) last year.



Okay, so I read the above and guilted myself into sewing in all of the ends before I could take pictures. Now they ARE finished and can be mailed off. Hmmm, looking at the bigger sweater, it may have to wait TWO years to be worn. Does that mean I need to make an intermediate size for next year? I'll find out.

I'll post a picture of Justin wearing it later.

Still moving slowly

I'm still moving slowly after Dad's death. But, I'm starting to recover.

It helps to know that there is new life on the horizon. Serena and Justin will be parents in July. I'm trying to decide what to knit for Merridyth Ann. At least there is a 95% possibility that it will be Merridyth Ann, known as Merri. I'm going to try to do another 3 generation blanket for her (Mom, me and Serena.) I want each of the grandtads to have that, don't want one to be left out. That means I need to get going soon, to make sure that it happens. I'm thinking cables for this one. Haven't decided quite what, but...

Justin L's winter sweaters for this year and next are almost finished. A couple of more days of knitting on break and lunch and the 3rd will be finished. Then putting it together and sewing in the ends for both. Then they will be mailed off. I'm sorry that this year's is late, but circumstances conspired to lose my momentum.

It has been a colder winter here than normal. I'm so glad that Howard bought the winter coat that he did. When he did I thought (with some private snickering) that he'd wear it a week a year here. Who knew that he'd need it for over a month this year!!!

Thank God that the roof leak has finally stopped! I started off putting one container down. It gradually grew until there were 8 containers in and beside the closet. The roofers came to fix it, the next day it still leaked. But, whatever they did must have taken care of it, for the containers (I didn't dare pick them up) have stayed dry. If only I didn't hear the drip in my dreams, even though it isn't happening!

Not a lot more to post, but I'll try to get more active here. Some days are harder than others, still.

More photos

Serena and Justin T. Serena saw this coat at Cabelas. The clincher to buy it (and a matching one for Justin T) -- see that fur? It is raccoon. As she says, "Revenge is SWEET!" Remember the raccoon story?Annette was delighted with raccoon fur too, as she has had run-ins with raccoons in the house too. Not to mention that they found that the raccoons were almost in the house when Serena moved out. They figured a few more weeks and the animals would have made it down the chimney -- again!

The two Justins, and they are both smiling! They took to each other immediately.

Justin L with Grandma and Grandpa.

Here is Justin L with his new sweater from Grandma (me.) Daddy (Nathan) is behind Mommy ignoring us. I thought of waiting until Christmas to give it to him, but with weather becoming cold, I thought it would be better for him to have it now.

Nathan, Kim and Justin L left early for the airport. Serena and Justin T left within minutes of us so we went to the airport together. We asked someone else in the waiting area to take our picture together. Turns out he is a professional photographer.

Goodbye Dad! (photo heavy)

This is a really difficult post to write.

Last Tuesday, December 1st, my sister called shortly after we got home from work. My Dad had died that morning. He was 95 years, 5 months and 16 days old. This is the last photo I took of Mom and Dad together, last August.

We worked that night, I spent it in floods of tears, honestly. Thankfully, we had the next 2 nights off. Work was really supportive, and gave us bereavement leave for the next 3 days after our weekend. Thursday we flew to Boise, to be with the rest of the family. Nathan and Kim with Justin L flew in that night (late!) while Serena and Justin T flew in Friday. My sister Annette was already there when we got there, her husband Steve arrived Saturday. Mom and my brother Bill live there.

We had a great time together, sometimes crying, sometimes laughing. It was a time to remember the man that had meant so much to us throughout our lives, as husband, father, father-in-law and grandpa. Justin L was a bit young to comment on his being great-grandpa.

It was fun to watch Mom meet Justin T. What a difference in height! grin

Saturday afternoon we held a family memorial service. Two cousins and their spouses were able to come, John and Josie from right in town and Renee and John who were in town for a missionary furlough from Russia. Howard conducted the service. Almost everyone there spoke and gave a memory. From Dad suggesting that Serena and Nathan pick up rocks to form a rock wall (with the suggestion that Dad chose that activity to wear them out - grin) to how much he loved his family.


Justin L was such a delight. Annette bought a pair of sunglasses for him, he had a great time with them. Here he is with Mommy (Kim.)




After the service we all went out for a dinner full of memories, laughter and some tears. This is a photo of all of us.






Bill, John Michno, Annette and Steve.










We flew back Sunday and arrived in miserable weather. Snow, wind, ice and low temps. :-( And the temperature continued to drop once we got home.

We had put a duvet cover lined with a plastic shower curtain in front of the sliding glass doors to the deck, to cut down on heat loss. It is frozen to the doors and has been since we arrived home.

I'll do another post with more pictures.

SNOW!

Oh my goodness. Some of you may have read or seen that Denver is having a snowstorm. It started Tuesday evening and hasn't yet stopped. Howard went out this morning (thank God it is our weekend!) and cleared off the car and shot a couple of photos. This picture is just past the front door to the apartment building. Normally that branch is high overhead. I would guess that the car on the right has not moved since before the storm started.




We worked Tuesday night, leaving for work early because of the forecast. It started to snow as soon as we were on the freeway. By the time we got off work, the car had several inches on it. It was a white knuckle drive down the mountain, the road was completely white. Oddly enough, the last little bit was the hardest -- the plows don't go through so much and climbing the hill was almost too much for our car. We parked the car in the parking lot (can't get it in our garage space yet) with the understanding that we did NOT need to go out again until Friday night. Whew! (This is the back view of that car.)



This is what our car looked like, having missed the first night of the storm. The one in the center of this photo, looking as if it has a thin line between the end of the snow on the car where it hasn't QUITE met the snow on the ground. Yet.









Howard cleared part of the windshield and took a photo of the contrast.

Howard used the shovel blade as a measuring tool to measure the depth of the snow on top of the car. The blade is about 14-16 inches deep (we need to measure to be sure.) As you can see, the snow extends a bit above that.

Our car is being protected a bit by the apartment building. I don't want to walk out and see what the cars that are unprotected look like. Call it lazy or call it cold. Forget it right now. Almost time to go to bed!

Welcome!

At their own wedding. I'd like to welcome a new member to our clan -- Justin. Serena and Justin married September 30th.
Photo taken in June at Justin's brother's wedding.


That makes 2 Justins, now to be known as Justin T (or Big Justin) and Justin L (or Little Justin or Justin the Small.) We figure the initials are safer, as Justin L will grow. Will he be as BIG as Justin T? Who knows. grin

Justin and Serena were best friends her freshman year of college. They lost touch, but found each other again.


The newlyweds live in the Chicago area. With 2 cats and 3 dogs.

Serena is still looking for a job. Good thoughts her way would be appreciated.