Mermaids!

This is my finished Mermaid. I have received so many compliments when I wear it. I love it!








I told you I loved this pattern! Here is Serena's Mermaid so far. Kim's will be the same colors, but in different combination. The gusset yarn is closer to a steel blue than shows in the picture.

Another Adventure in Renting

We came home Friday to find the bathroom toilet in the garage. It has been leaking for a long time, longer than we have lived in the house. Today our friend Al was hired to look at the floor, with the hope that minimal work would be needed. As he gets ready to leave tonight, this is what you see when you look in the bathroom...










To be fair to Al, he is putting a piece of plywood over the hole so we can use the tub and the sink tonight. But that isn't nearly as impressive to look at than an open floor!

Welcome Titania to the family!

Serena has a new cat, "Titania." She was really reserved when we first got there, but decided that, as is the case in many things which must be endured, to accept us. LOL Welcome Titania to the family! Now most of you perispicacious readers would think that I was actually foisting off pictures of people with Tora-chan, Serena's other cat. No, Titania is ALSO a female tortoiseshell cat, almost the same size and shape. The distinguishing markings are in the muzzle, Titania's has more black and is narrower -- more pointed.

Hm, also the sound levels. Titania is much more demure a cat, she has a dainty mew, where Tora-chan is not afraid of announcing her demands.

Tora-chan, may it be known, was not afraid of demanding her due, she stood on Howard and Nathan's shoulders, and persuaded both of them to bend over, so she could view life as a cat should -- in the dominant position!

Titania is less concerned with appearances, and is quite delighted to be enthralled by such things as cat toys and lazer pointers. May it be noted that Tora-chan is above such things. LOL

Coming Home

Well it took just over 12 hours to get home. We saw a sunrise and a sunset today. I tried to take some pictures of those events, as I honestly don't see both in a normal day! sigh Funny, looking at the pictures, it is hard to tell those which are sunrise and which are sunSET! The first three are sunrise in Colorado, the last two are sunset in Iowa.

This is to announce that we ARE home, and safely. Which is a delight and reason to cheer! There are some changes in the house, the vinyl flooring has been installed in the kitchen and the laundry room. Both rooms are painted (both things a result of severe leaks in the house -- in fact, we left so we could be away while they were affecting these repairs.) We also came home to the surprise that there is no commode in the main bathroom. I'll call tomorrow to find out exactly what is going on as to time to fix the problem. There was a serious leak there, and the flooring has been affected. It would be nice to know if A) it is going to be addressed soon and B) exactly WHEN we will have it. LUCKILY, there is a commode in the laundry room, or I would be greatly distressed! LOL

Snow, take 2

So, I took a lot of photos of the snow. Something about being snowed in. Luckily, Serena had taken the day off of work, so there wasn't an urgency about going anywhere!

Snow pictures continue

Okay, Blogger is not allowing me to post more than 5 pictures at a time. So, more pictures for your delight. I hope.

Snowstorm!

Okay, the "official" total for the storm where we were was 25 inches or 63.5 cm of snow. I thought I'd inundate you with photos, as I took so many. It was an experience. It was really glorious to look at! We built a fire in the fireplace for warmth (thus the picture of Serena and Nathan "discussing" building a fire.) Luckily, there wasn't a lot of wind until the storm was over.

Nathan's Birthday Celebration (early)

Nathan, unwrapping gifts. We celebrated his birthday...several days early. There was a lot of laughter and fun had that evening.





This is my Dad. Looks pretty good for a 92 year old man, eh?

My Mom and Kim. The color didn't turn out really well, but, hey! one takes life as it comes, some time.


This is Howard, my guy.

















This is Serena.

We met in the meeting room of Mom and Dad's condo, and the food came from a wonderful deli not too far from them. I understand the hazelnut chocolate mousse with the strawberries and raspberries was wonderful. I looked and drooled -- but had whipped cream with the strawberries. YUM!

Waiting at the airport

We waited several hours for Nathan and Kim to arrive. Airports are wonderful to people watch. There was a darling toddler with her Daddy who was waiting for her Abuela to arrive from Spain. (no pictures of her, I didn't ask permission.) Howard and Serena were having such a great time laughing I had to take pictures.

Fox

Here is the fox we saw in Serena's driveway.

Snow, snow, snow, and more snow!

Well, I didn't make it to the Knotty Knitters! We woke up to SNOW!

The snow is up to my knees and still falling. The evergreens around this house are almost white. Some are dropping the load of snow as it gets to be too much, but most are bravely holding on. There wasn't any wind until just a bit ago, but it has started to pick up a bit. I have some wonderful pictures to unload from my camera, the mailboxes just down the hill have snow peaks -- it looks as if the mailboxes are nestled in a cave of snow!

We are planning to grill, so Howard cleared the deck to be able to get TO the grill. The kids decided to go get something from the store (which is surprisingly open) and took the only vehicle up here with 4 wheel drive -- Serena's truck. The other two cars are buried in snow. I suppose we are going to have to free them before evening, as we plan to drive home tomorrow!

Whoops, a big drift just fell off the roof. There was a "whoof" as it fell.

I am so glad that Serena had decided to take today off from work to spend a day with us! This would NOT have been fun early in the morning. The news was saying whiteout conditions for part of the morning. Up another thousand feet in elevation had even more snow than we did, I wonder if our friends made it in to work today!

The ski resorts must be thrilled!

Vacation Musings

It is lovely to have the whole family together. Even nicer that Serena is hosting it, instead of us! grin (Our turn is coming at Christmas, I hope.)

Nathan and Kim got in early Tuesday morning, their flight was delayed by many hours. Yesterday they explored the area with Howard, and finally were able to get their rental car. They took some gorgeous photos of Red Rocks.

Last night we celebrated Nathan's birthday early. An evening of laughter with the 7 of us together at my parent's condo.

I was pleased to see that their is a gathering of "care scarves" for all of the students and faculty at the school nearby. This is the school where a teenaged girl was murdered in school not long ago. The organizers are asking people to knit/crochet/weave/sew scarves as a visible sign of support. According to the bulletin note, they have gathered 300 of the 600 needed. I'm hoping to get a couple together when I get home and send them this way. If I had known before I left... but isn't that how life goes?

I finished my Mermaid yesterday. Sewed in the last ends this morning, and have realized that I want either a button or hooks and eye for closure. It fits really well, though. Photos to follow when I can download! grin

Hm, what to knit now? I have a partial pair of socks knit, but forgot to bring the information on length of feet for the victim. I have yarn for another pair of socks along. But I really want to knit another Mermaid. Should have brought the yarn along (even though I don't have all that I need) or ...

A winter storm watch for tonight. That means much more snow up here than down in the city. Good thing I don't plan to go too far tomorrow! Tonight I hope to make the Metro Denver Guild meeting, and tomorrow morning is the always fun Evergreen Knotty Knitters. If I have the name wrong, I'm sorry! Not a lot to show off but that's all right.

Vacation!

We drove 13 hours Friday to visit family. We are staying with our Daughter, visiting my Mom and Dad during the day. We are up at about 8,000 feet in elevation, with the most gorgeous view from the house.

Friday night we arrived just ahead of a snowstorm. Whew! There were warnings along I-76 and I-70 for the truckers that the chain law was strictly enforced. That eastbound 70 was closed. But the worst we saw was a high plains cloudburst that obscured the road briefly and passed.

The next morning we woke to the glory of snow. Glory not because it was snow, but because of the way it looked. Clear blue skies, and the snow making puffs on the trees. Glorious! Looking down the mountain, you can see a snow covered lake, looking straight out is another mountain. I love it here!

Yesterday when we came back from running around, there was an adult red fox curled up in the sun at the edge of the driveway. He (she) allowed us to take a few pictures, then left. Pictures will have to wait until we get home again, as I don't have the upload capability on this computer (oops.) If we get Serena to take some pictures, I'll upload them.

What a wonderful way to recharge our batteries!

Our Son and his wife are coming in tonight! The family will be together again. Yay! Tomorrow we celebrate his birthday, a bit early, but won't it be nice to do it together?

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!