Answering Comments Questions......

Hi Sandie (Stash N Stitch)and Judy (Happy Acres),
Thank you so much for the beautiful comments of my FO pix.  It inspires to know that they're being viewed.

Sandie - the pattern for the tam is from the book "Homespun Handknit", a compilation of patterns edited by Linda Ligon, published by  Interweave Press. I know it's sold in book stores and yarn shops.  It's a plain stockinette pattern, but I took a stitch pattern from "365 Knitting Stitches in A Year - Perpetual Calendar"; published by Martingale & Company. I bought it at a wool festival some years ago. You can probably get it at a book store; ISBN: 1-56477-432-5.  It's great for finding other patterns to substitute for plain knitting.  I've used it a lot!! 365 stitch patterns!! Lots of info, too.  This was day Nov. 27, called "Small Twist Pattern".

As for the blue yarn, oh yeah!  It takes me a while to spin up 8 oz. or so, especially when I'm plying it with other colors!  I'm still spinning blue!! Working on 4 oz of a medium blue now; then there's 8 oz. of a navy blue to be done.  Goal --- enough blue for a sweater.  That's if the urge to knit a hat, mitts and socks don't take over!  I always buy a color in abundance!  Don't know why --- I think it's a "hoarding" thing. Hehehe.

Judy, the poncho is a pattern I bought about 5 yrs ago at the Michigan Wool Festival.  This is the second poncho I've made with it.  But some day, I want to try and change the bottom patterning from lace to something else.  The pattern is from  Ellen's 1/2 Pint Farm.  Website: www.ellenshalfpintfarm.com   Designed by Red Oak Designs and the pattern is "Poncho with Lace".

I don't know if they're still in business, or if the pattern is available for sale still.  Hope you can find it ok.

Thanks again, gals!  Happy spinning and knitting!

FO's......Finally!

Finally - pictures!

Worsted wgt.; 3 ply. 2-Romeny/Columbia, 1-Merino

This worked out great! Love the patterning.  Ski hat and fingerless mitts.

I think this is more Romeny/Columbia in maroon. White is generic wool.

Tam and mitts; merino with beads added as knitted.  "Wave" pattern

Sorry about that streak in the middle. Don't know what that's all about!

You can see the beads better on the mitt.

And now - the poncho.  Finally got the collar knitted.  The colors look a little off in the pictures; sorry.  But they are beautiful Fall colors!

This is the true color of the poncho

Wishing you all a great spinning and knitting day!!

Still in Pain........

After 5 days of the heating pad, ibuprophen and muscle cream, I've given up. It is what it is.  My neck and shoulder do have moments of fooling me into a false sense of being healed.  But alas, the reality is something different.  So I've decided to let nature take it's course.  All things heal in time.

But time is the one thing I didn't really want to lose.  I was on a roll.  I was feeling great.  I was proud of my accomplishments and looking forward to steaming ahead til all was done.  Crap.

For the past 3 nights I have gone to bed feeling pretty good; visions of getting back to the duties at hand; laying out plans for continuing with the rest of the house cleaning-decluttering day by day.  Only within a few hours after getting out of bed, reality strikes again.  No - better not attempt that today.

Well thank God it hasn't interferred with spinning or knitting.  At least I can still do that without much after effects of pain.  And, as you can see, I can still type! Hehehe.  Only this does cause more discomfort.

BH and I walked to the back yard on Thursday.  We were going to pick the apples.  "Ehh, let's pick one, cut it open, taste it and see if it's 'apple-ee' enough", was my suggestion.  So we did just that.  Nope.  Not 'apple-ee' enough.  Well, we'll take our chances and leave them on the tree for another week or two.   We made that mistake some years ago, the first time the tree bore fruit.  Picked too soon; we didn't taste them; went ahead and prepared them for the freezer.  Made our own apple pie for Thanksgiving.  No taste!  No apple-ee taste!  What a disappointment.  Ahh, but the next time, we left them on the tree until the frost.  Perfect!! Very "apple-ee"!! 

We had 2 good frosts last week -- 28 and 21 degrees.  It didn't do any damage to the apples.  So here's hoping that by next week, they'll be good to go.  And so will I.

I'm Too Old for This......Seriously

Well it's Fall housecleaning season.  Actually, it's "anytime the mojo hits" housecleaning season.  I haven't been one for this seasonal waste of time business for a long while.  Spring, Fall, Summer, Holiday seasons....whenever the mood strikes.  It has struck this season.

I've been at it for a week now.  Dining room - check.  Family room - check.  Our bedroom - check.  However, a couple of slight injuries and a commitment on Friday have now led me to postpone further drudgeries until possibly this weekend.  There is still the bathroom, hallway, kitchen and utility room to be done.  There's also been little cubbie cabinets that haven't seen a dust rag or cleaning solution in years that have finally been done.  Cleaned, cleaned out, re-organized.

The realization is this:

**I am getting too old to be climbing step stools, at least a thousand times, with arms stretched over my head, scrubbing ceilings.

**I am getting too old to be flapping my arms up and down, as if I'm getting ready for take-off, scrubbing down walls.

**I am getting too old to get down on my knees, up again, down again, up again, etc., scrubbing baseboards, bottom of walls and floors.  Also scrubbing vinyl blinds in the bathtub.

**I am getting too old to struggle with a caulk gun and a tube of caulk that somehow seems to have dried up in the tube and takes all the might of Hercules to squeeze it out; caulking all the piecemeal woodwork around the gigantic window (from the previous owner).  Total time: 2 1/2 hours.  Results: Beautiful.  Though I ended up with pulled muscles in my shoulder.

**I am getting too old to be running back and forth, hanging washed curtains, blinds, shades, lampshades, blankets, quilts on the wash line and retrieving them.

**I am getting too old to be ironing newly sewn curtains for said gigantic window, once again stretching arms out as far as they will go.

**I am getting too old to be shampooing wall-to-wall carpeting throughout many rooms, stopping, emptying dirty water resevoir, refilling clean water resevoir too many times to count.

**I am definitely getting too old to be pushing heavy, enormous furniture back and forth  and lifting smaller (yet unbelievably heavy) pieces.

I do have to say, though, that once it's all done, the results are amazing!!  Everything so clean and fresh, a few new adornments here and there.  BH even said it all looks great!  I told him to enjoy it because it's probably my last "Hurrah"!!

The injuries?  Well, there was the pulled shoulder muscles on Sunday.  I took Ibuprophen before bed and was much better Monday.  But last night I have like a pinched nerve on the side of my neck and something wrong with my thumb - feels like arthritis - kind of numb feeling -  hurts like hell.  I forgot to take the Ibuprophen last night.  So I will suffer in silence today and nurse the sore areas.  No cleaning.

There's always next week.  I'll start again.  Ah, but the apples are about ready to be picked.  I'm hoping we don't get a hard frost before I can get to them.  We figure about 20#s worth.  To be peeled, cored, sliced and frozen.  Then there's the perennials to be cut down (lots of perennials!) and weedwhacking for the last time.

I also got my form for the school craft show in the mail yesterday.  It's held on the first Saturday in November - deer season opener.  I so wanted to take part in that this year.  But I didn't knit up as much as I thought I would, and never did get the storage house cleaned out.  All the bins of crafts are stored there.  I wanted to go through them to see how much  and what items I had left from years before.  I'm not making crafts anymore, but I did want to get rid of what's left to free up the bins and the space.  Aaarrggghhh!!

But, who knows.  Maybe that mojo will strike me, I'll get it done, and be on my way to the craft show once more!  In the meantime, I gotta take some pain medication and rest.  Us old folk have to do that.

New Season......New Plans.........

Oh, yeah, baby......Fall is on it's way!! My favorite time of year!  I've just about had enough of Summer.  I'm not a big fan (no fan, actually) of hot, steamy weather.  And all the "have to's" of Summer are wearing thin.  Don't want to weedwhack, don't want to water, weed, replace batteries (in the solar lights), chemicalize and clean the pool, don't want to hear the constant drone of the A/Cs and the fans, don't want to keep the windows and door closed all day and the shades, blinds and curtains drawn.

  Turn me over and stick me with a fork ----- I'm done.

We started emptying the pool yesterday.  It'll take about 4 days for all to dry out to be put away.  Also gathered up the paraphenalia and stored it.  Clipped most of the annuals - too overgrown.  But there might be another 2 months of decent weather, so maybe they'll grow back to their bushy, flowering self.

BH thinks he's cutting the grass for the last time this season.  Hehehe, silly man.

Today we go to the big box stores.  Gotta get some things for the upcoming season.  New chain for the chain saw, roof gunk to seal the roof and caulk for -- something.

I've been debating for 2 days whether I should paint the family room.  And do some cleaning that was never done in the Spring or Summer.  Well, my better side tells me "no. Paint next Spring".  Ok then.  But I will do some cleaning starting tomorrow.  Washing curtains, shades and blinds; window frames and windows.  Hopefully I'll get to shampooing the carpets, sofa and recliners.  I can also wash down the walls and ceiling in the family room.  Do same in the bathroom.  The bedrooms are pretty clean, but I do want to change out the bedspreads with comforters and maybe clean out the closets.  Oh yeah,  gotta put Summer clothes away and bring out the Winter ones.

We're supposed to have beautiful, sunny, warm (not HOT) weather for the rest of the week.  This sure spikes the adrenalin! 

Today we have a meeting with daughter and her case worker to find another provider for independent living.  The group she's been with for the past 16 years has really been boiling my water for quite some time.  This past month was the last straw.  Helpers who don't show up, cut the scheduled time with her on a moment's notice, or just quit their job without notice.  Now they're telling her to take the bus to her appointments and errands; "to make their clients more independent in the community"!!!!  Mind you, this organization gets thousands of dollars from the State, every month, just for her, to provide services.  Very frustrating and aggravating.  Especially when we are an hour from her and can't always get there within a few hours notice.  AAAARRGGGGHHHH!!!!!   Here's hoping we find a more conscientious, professional  provider.

Still spinning 1 1/2 - 2 hours each morning.  Doesn't look like much of a dent in the stash, but persistance pays off.  Right?   Knitting too.  Finished a patterned ski cap and fingerless mitts.  Got one sock finished, moving on to the next.  I still need to knit the collar on the poncho.

Anybody else thinking of Christmas?  This has been on my mind lately.  What to make for who, when can I get started, how many gifts can I make in time.  My brain is scrambled.  It'll be here before we know it.  And I'll still be scrambled!

I can't think about that now;  I'll think about it tomorrow.  Afterall,  tomorrow......is.........another day!  (Scarlett O'Hara, "Gone With the Wind").

You all have a great week!  Sure hope Fall is as calming and colorful for you as it will be for me!!  (Fingers crossed)

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.........

Soooo, this weekend BH and I went to the Cities to help son and fiance move into their new house.  Son had told me earlier in the week that there wouldn't be much for us to do.  He had a lot of friends to help move in all the furniture on Friday, so it would be all boxes in a UHaul on Saturday.

I volunteered to make the supper and dessert and bring it down.  Sloppy Joes on real hard rolls (not mushy hamburger rolls), home made baked beans, macaroni salad, calzones!!, a chocolate fudge cake, strawberry/rhubarb pie, a blackberry pie, 2 bottles of wine and half case of beer.  Along with the paper plates, tableware, plastic cups, table cloth, napkins and serving utensils.   All turned out great and everyone was so appreciative.  I felt good.

We also gave them the "Harvest" table and benches that my dad made for me some 15 years ago.  When we remodeled the kitchen 6 yrs ago, we put it away; got a small table for the new dining room.  The kids were all gone and we didn't feel the need for such a large set anymore.  The table is trestle style, and I had woodburned and painted a grape/apple/vines design on the crossbar and outside trestle legs when we received it.

They loved the set!  I thought they could use it in the garage for cookouts and such, but they set it up in their kitchen right away!!  I felt very happy that they love it as much as I have.  It felt wonderful to be able to finally pass it down as a way of remembering their Grandpa.

Ok.  Here's what happened.  As we're driving I tell BH "this steering is pretty bad. It feels like there's no power steering."  He says "we'll stop at WalMart and I'll check it out; buy some fluid".  And we did.  Yep.  The reservoir was DRY.  It took almost a pint.  So, we were on our way.  Much, much better.

An hour and a half later we arrive at the apartment.  Told everyone was at the new house.  Off we go about 3 miles to the new house.  Take care of business.  A few hours later, the men are going back to finish getting the rest of the stuff at the apartment.  A van, a pickup truck and our big van.  Off they go.

When they come back, BH comes up to me and says "I'm gonna tell you now; I don't want you to panic, but we had a small fire under the hood of our van.  We put it out with water.  It was just a small fire".

Okey dokey, then.  I have never in my life ever had a "small fire" in a vehicle.  "We'll be ok", he says; "We'll get a fire extinguisher tomorrow for the ride home".  Did I tell you he is the extreme Polyanna?!

Sunday morning I tell him I'm really nervous about this; I'm not comfortable driving 3 hours on the freeway to get home.  He gets frustrated and argues what else are we going to do?? If it happens again, we'll be prepared!

So Sunday morning, he and son take the van to buy the extinguisher.  They come home.  The van started on fire again.  Ehhhh, yeahhhh, maybe we better have someone look at it Monday.

Thanks to the future father in law, he knows a garage that does very good work; he will call his friend who owns the place and see about getting the vehicle in.

Well, all was arranged.  Son and BH took it over there Sunday evening.  Monday morning we get the call.  Spark plug wires are all chewed up - possibly by mice.  The clamp on the power steering hose was loose, leaking fluid onto the bare wires.  That caused the fire.  The air cleaner is burned up, as is the power steering sensor wire, and the engine block is covered in oil!!!  All the hoses need to be replaced, everything under the hood needs to be degreased including the engine or it'll all go up in flames------ oh, and your A/C is leaking freeon.

Estimate?  About $1200.00.   I think my heart stopped.  BH rolled his eyes and then his head fell onto his chest.  If I had food in my mouth, I would've choked to death on the spot.

Sooo, after checking the balance on our 2 credit cards, the OK was given for the work to be done.

Should be done by 12:30 Tuesday we were informed by the garage.  1:30 comes.  Son calls.  Still working on it; will try to have it done by 5:00.   4:45, son calls again.  "We just finished degreasing the engine and rinsing everything down.  It needs to sit overnight to dry.  I don't want you taking the vehicle out of here until it's all dry.  It'll be ready by 8:00 tomorrow morning." was the final determination.

Another night at son's.  Not bad except that we packed NO clothes other than pajamas and an extra shirt for me because I tend to spill something on myself every time, and some toiletries.  Because we planned on being home Sunday.  Sooo, we're wearing the same clothes for 3 more days!!  And, of course, by this time Mark Twain's words are ringing in my ears:  "Both fish and guests should be thrown out after 3 days"!!!

Well, we picked up the van Wednesday morning at 8:15, said goodbye and thank you, and we were on our way back home.  After we met for breakfast with second son who didn't get to see us all that time because he was just getting over strep throat.  So actually, we hit the highway at about 11:30am.  Got home a bit before 3:00.  Exhausted.  Mentally and physically.  Probably from all the giggling we did on the way home.  You never saw 2 happier people going home!

And we're done.  No more committments for the rest of the summer.  No trips to help anyone.  No good deeds to be done.  Thank God!!  We just couldn't afford it right now!!

The End is Near..........

Of all the summer hubbub, that is.  Thank goodness!  Wow, for 2 retired people who don't do much....this has been one heck of a summer.  And, as usual, not filled with anything we had planned for ourselves.

Niece's wedding was last Saturday.  My sister and "adopted" sister flew in from NY and drove up to our house on Thursday.  We had 2 days together before all of us drove down for the wedding.

It was a beautiful wedding, with the usual little hiccups that always seem to come into play.  But what would wedding memories be without them!

We came home on Sunday;  had to take daughter to ortho doctor Monday morning.  A swollen elbow she's been dealing with since October!  12 weeks of therapy, brace, pressure bandage, ice, heat -----and it is still there.  No xrays were taken back then (!), just a diagnosis of tendenitis.  Turns out it is tendenitis, or so the Doc is pretty sure.  But he did schedule her for an MRI just to be positive.  Can you say "Duhhhhh"!

This week I've been concentrating on spinning and knitting.  I'm plying the light and denim blue together, a 3-ply.  I love the color!!  I'll wind up with 5 bobbins full.  I finished the poncho except for the collar.  So that is sitting in the tote bag until that mojo comes back.  I started a watch cap and mitts set.  Found a nice intarsia pattern.  It turned out really nice on the hat.  Only now I'm at the point where I need to decide how to finish it off.  Decrease to form a rounded cap, or square it, stitch together, form 2 triangle points on the inside, stitch them together, and ------ it forms a squared off ski cap.  The instructions are in "Homespun, Handknit" by Linda Ligon.  I love this book; lots of good patterns.  It's my "go to" book.

Next Saturday, we are due to go down to son and fiance's to help them move to their new townhouse.  I volunteered to bring supper and dessert down for all the movers - 12 at last count, including us.   I have the menu planned out in my head, I just need to get it down on paper and then write out the corresponding shopping list.  And I need to get started with the baking and cooking -- like Monday.

I just pray that next week and the weekend we have decent cool weather!  It's been very nice this week; sure hope it continues at least til next Sunday.  Then I don't care.  We will be done with our summer obligations!!

And for our prize-------we're going to the Wisconsin Sheep Festival the weekend after Labor Day.  Can't wait!!  Had to miss the Michigan festival AGAIN this year; haven't been to the Wisconsin one in 3 or 4 years.  I'm really excited!  We're thinking of making it a week-long camping trip.  3 days somewhere and then 3 for the Festival.

Hopefully we'll be able to get a couple more camping trips in before the cold weather sets in.  But if not, there's next year.  Oh yeah.  We're already planning LOTS of trips.  Just like we did this year............!!??  Ahhh, to dream!!