Almost The Weekend

May I say that I'm glad tomorrow is Friday (I am not alone, I know).

And may I say "thank you" for all your lovely sympathies? We will manage to get thru this, but death, when it comes to someone younger than it "should" hurts more, I think. It feels so dratted unfair. But this someone faced it with grace. I only hope to be able to do the same when the time comes.

I'll tell you that the person in question always had a sunny disposition, always went the extra mile to help someone in need, cared deeply about his family and his friends and colleagues, was involved in good works. There will be, for this person, the sort of eulogy that we would all wish for (and strive for, I hope). Sometimes, those things are offered in platitudes, and stretch the truth. But not this time. Not this time.

The world will be much less good without him.

I think I'll be sad for awhile. I think a lot of us will be. But we'll all go on and we'll remember him, and try to do as he would have done. Maybe that's the best testiment to someone...we want to strive to be like them.

During my initial sadness and grief, I finished some knitting:

The Double Bubble socks, tho' I drastically altered the pattern (putting in my own preferred heel style), are finally finished. They took longer than socks usually do, but I don't think that has much to do with the pattern. Everything to do with me, my attention span, and my other commitments that tend to get in the way. I did use my Addi Turbo size 1.5, 16-inch circulars...
and this is how much of the Zen Yarn Garden Discarded Roses colorway I have remaining!

I think, maybe, I'll make a pair of fingerless mitts. Maybe Anne's Delicato?. I'm pretty sure there's enough yarn, and I've had the pattern since it came out.

Anyway...I'll touch base over the weekend, and try to get back to more normal posting next week. Thank you again for being the best pals in the world!
(((Hugs)))

I'll Be Back...

Sadness over the loss of a friend....as a photographer, I think he'd have appreciated this white rose.

Where'd The Weekend Go?

What weekend? Where? I didn't see a weekend? Did you?

Well, I surely hope your holiday weekend was more relaxing and restorative than mine was! While I enjoy doing the various shows, and love both seeing old friends and making new ones, they certainly fly by fast, and take much out of me!

Below is the only photo I can share:

A shot of Big Sis, shortly after we arrived Saturday morning and finished set up.

Now, I'm sorry, I can't share much more right now. It's kinda late, and I've got to go to work in the morning, so I need to get to bed earlier than normal...I'm BUSHED!
:)
(((Hugs)))

Sock Summit is Just Around the Corner!

And I'm getting excited...these came in the mail today:
The three colorways that Tina came up with for Sock Summit - I think they're gorgeous. I couldn't wait to get them, so ordered them right away. (And this way? No worrying about fitting them into a suitcase or mailing them home!)

I'm especially fond of ST-2. That's the shades of red/scarlet/plum up there. Are you surprised?

The cat show hits first, of course. I am ready! Well, after I drive up to Charlottesville tomorrow to pick up Big Sis...
(((hugs)))

Wednesday - If It's Broke?

I'm about to scream - I cannot load Gmail. Period. I keep getting shut down "IE has encountered an error and must shut down, we apologize for any incovenience"
Oh...shoot.

eta: Oh yes, Tiff, you're right - I needed to reinstall IE - so of course, I just downloaded IE 8, as I had version 6 on this laptop (installed at the factory!) Anyway, I'm IN to my gmail account! whoohoo!

So if you've emailed me, I don't know it. (sigh)

I'm better, folks...have the second injection scheduled for mid-month. Now, just the left side hurts...and occasionally the right side is sore...

And I have frogged the second Double Bubble sock back to the turn of the heel twice now. Hopefully, I'm back on track but it surely puts my Personal Sock Club behind.
(sigh)

But...on a more positive note? Tomorrow is "Friday" and the Star City Cat Show is this weekend - Big Sis is coming in to help as Sis-in-law is away. I'll scoot up the valley with Lynette on Friday to meet Big Sis and her hubby in Charlottesville, then we'll fly back down the interstate and set up late afternoon.

See you there?!?

Right Side Done...

and the Left will be, if today is any indication - except that I know the anesthetic is talking.

Anticipation and not knowing what to expect are the worst parts. I probably said "ouch" a few more times than necessary, but the pain really wasn't a lot worse than a beesting, until, of course, the steriods went in...that's pressure (think 10x what you feel with a flu shot, only in the derriere?) and then even my toes on that side were "tingling" (which they said happens with some people, but not all).

Anyway. I walked out on my own (no chair!!), and tho' I was wonky from the pain pill, my best bud Lynette and I went to Panera for a late lunch (she having been kind enough to play chauffeur today).

I'm off for a nap now, to sleep off the last of the pain pill. And will see if the steriods do their job. If so?

Please schedule the Left Side for as soon as possible?

Bless you all for your good thoughts!
(((Hugs)))

The Weekend Before A Show...

is usually one of the busiest times for Nana Sadie Rose but not so much this weekend.

I'm truly sorry to make anyone worry, it was never my intention. My "procedure" is really apparently pretty much a non-event, but since I've never had one, I'm a bit on edge about it. I have a "new" diagnosis (which is pretty common, I guess, in women, especially with other rheumatic-type illnesses). It's called sacroiliitis.

I'll be having an ESI injection tomorrow. It's all outpatient, so can't be too terribly bad, right? But not to worry if I don't get right back to you, as I'll be a touch wacky in the head from the pain pill I've been told to take ahead of time. I'll get online as soon as I can, okay? Probably by tomorrow evening...

However, this PITA (literally!) has indeed slowed down the works in this household. Over the past week I've been able to make a few Sundry Cases and a couple of checkbooks...
but nowhere near what I usually produce. It's been a challenge to stand...sit...lie down...walk...sleep - oh, yes, that's why I have to have this procedure, because I really can't do very much at all!!
I have decided that this year's show will just have to be all about the orders, not so much about the "cash and carry sales" for once. But I do hope to see you at the Star City Cat Show next weekend!

I've been knitting some, too...somehow using my right "pedal foot" at the sewing machine really aggravates sacroiliitis. But sitting with my legs elevated and straight out isn't nearly as bad. As a result, I've made a couple more mini socks for the Sock Summit exchange:
#17 and 18 made from the yarn Chris dyed and sent me a couple of years ago...

I've also turned the heel on the second Double Bubble sock, but since you've seen one of those completed already, I won't bore you with another photo of that.

Instead, I'll show you what else I've been able to do (albeit for shorter periods of time than someone would like):

I'm curled up in my Mommie's lap. Even if it IS in the 80s outside

Quiet Friday Night...

I'm really glad it's Friday. And I've considered all evening how I wanted to write this post, or if I wanted to write it at all.

I'll start by saying it's been a difficult week in many ways, not the least of which is discovering I have yet another medical issue that's cropped up. There'll be a procedure next week, it's supposed to make a world of difference (it had better!) even if it won't be pleasant (these things so seldom are...)

There's been a decent amount of bad news, too, with regard to the failing health of friends, so I've been struggling with my feelings over that. I was saddened to hear that Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer yesterday, such a valiant struggle she made against the disease! May she rest in peace.

And tho' I'm not a fan, it's sad, too, to see a young man like Michael Jackson taken so soon. His music was not my style, tho' I knew it when I heard it, and certainly the way he chose to live his life pushed the boundaries. But still I'm one to recognize the loss of a life too soon.

(The news media, it seems, could have been a bit more fair with their reporting - two stars, warrant a bit more equal treatment! IMHO...hmmmm you don't suppose it had anything to do with the fact that he was a YOUNG man, and she was an "old" woman, now could it? No, I'm sure it's more that his was sudden and hers was expected, right?)

So tonight I chose a quiet evening, knitting and listening to music. The CSA veggies were in and I had a simple meal of roasted beets, steamed yellow squash, locally baked bread. It was delish, of course...(there are photos here)

I made myself pull the "current" WIPS out for a photo shoot:

Four different projects! The second Discarded Roses Double Bubble sock is making progress and so is Shawl That Jazz. You might notice the small toe in the upper right? That's the Trekking colorway I bought at Sedalia. I had to rip about 1.5 inches in the doctor's office yesterday when I realized I'd dropped a stitch several rows back and knitted the stockinette above it quite tightly...(sigh)

There is also the lace shawl up there, tho' I haven't touched it in days...

Shawl That Jazz has captured my attention. Perhaps it's that it's plain garter, and I need simple knitting right now...garter allows me to fade into the background letting my thoughts come forward.
And this yarn definitely helps me do that with it's soothing shades ...
The two gals in my household think it's time I went to bed...they're probably right.

I hope Saturday is a more uplifting day!

Making Progress

I'm always amused when anyone asks me how I do everything I do. First, no one here will ever be invited to my house! Second, remember I live alone with two cats: they do require that I feed and water them, and change the litter box, but other than that? No real requirements. (oh, well, I do take the trash and recycling out weekly!)

My downtime is craft time. So I either sew or knit. I rarely read, but am getting better at listening to books on my MP3 or on CD and that means I can do two things at once (usually knitting, but I do listen as I sew). And I carry knitting with me wherever I go. I pack my lunch, eat at my desk (almost exclusively), and when I'm finished, I spend the rest of my lunchtime knitting (barring any crisis that cancels my lunch, of course - and that is a rare thing). If I'm in front of the tv for any given amount of time, there is knitting in my hands. Today, I had a rare webinar during which I could knit and listen.

See? I'm not so amazing! And if you'll look at my Ravelry projects page, you'll see that this accomplishment is long overdue!
The Double Bubble (Ravelry link) pattern was started on June 3. That's 20 days for one sock! I don't usually take that long. This is the Discarded Roses colorway of Zen Yarn Garden's Art Walk Sock Yarn Club (February 2008). I think it's knitting up well, tho' I suspect I'd have liked the cabling better in a solid yarn. Still this is scrumptious stuff - soft and cushy. I probably have plenty of yarn left and could have knit another repeat of the cable pattern, but I didn't want to run the risk of not having enough for the second sock.

Which, by the way, I'll cast on tomorrow.

I have managed to complete about 2 inches on my Beached Shawl That Jazz. That has the benefit of straight garter. Routine, and I don't have to look at my hands!

I'm really not all that out of the ordinary, nor am I a particularly fast knitter. I just like to knit a lot. (Although I keep thinking I really should put the needles down long enough to fit in more exercise!)
;)

Joce Is a "Bad" Influence! *wink*

I cast on again...and Joce said she was enabling me with a chant of "Cast on! Cast on!" from all the way across the country, so I guess I can blame her for my weakness? You'll see what I mean in a minute.

Today? I finished up an order for Nana Sadie Rose:
This is a first, it's pinwale corduroy! (And it will only ever be available in the Mera-to-Sadie sized bags) It's a little more expensive (depending on the size of the bag) but it does make up nicely. The pink Cutey Pirates is a Michael Miller print...
Here's a shot of the inside. I love the print in the large file folder pocket, don't you? It coordinates nicely with the flower in the outside print.

Ok. Now, as if I don't have enough on the needles? I just couldn't put off casting on for Shawl That Jazz (Ravelry link). For one thing, the yarn was calling me, badly - the blues, taupes, and amethyst tones? Heaven. It's the Beached colorway of Blue Moon's BFL Sport. For another thing? Joce finished hers. It's gorgeous. And I was envious. I am loving the colorplay in the yarn:

And I realized quickly that I'd need stitch markers to keep myself straight, because knitting garter easily becomes hypnotic with me (or perhaps I should put that another way, it becomes meditative?) so I went off to find my favorite stitch markers in the whole world:
The ones from Weeones. (I love her sheep, too)

So. My Sunday was full (I also did laundry). And if you'll excuse me? I'm off to listen to Andre Previn piano jazz and knit Shawl That Jazz!

Hot Saturday in June

Today, my sis-in-law and I hostessed a picnic in the park for our Ravishing Reds of Roanoke, Red Hat Ladies group. We bought prepared chicken, and everyone brought a dish, we decorated in a red-white-blue patriotic theme as the event fell between Flag Day and the Fourth of July. My contribution to the food was this:
It was a last minute thing, as we thought we had enough desserts, but were short when someone dropped out. So I phoned Kroger and ordered this. In chocolate.

It's a wonderfully done decorated cake. And it was very good. But it wasn't chocolate. I was disappointed.

While we laughed and chatted and ate and fought the wind (which at one point, blew over an entire 2 liter Diet Coke in one big gust - it was wild out there, and very very hot!) and I knitted these:
That's number 15 and 16 is on the needles...

My sis-in-law was in charge of decorations and favors (she not only enjoys doing it, she's very good at it). She also did a three bean salad at the last minute (it was wonderful!). Her favors where little red and purple net bags with Dark Chocolate Kisses and Andre chocolate mints.

When I got home, I set mine on the desk and proceeded to untie it...I soon had company:
(I can't believe my sweet little dark chocolate porker could neatly sit her pudgy bottom on the tiny ledge of my desk there...)

She was terribly interested in the little net bag of chocolates...
not tied up with string, but with a piece of red yarn (really soft stuff, I must ask her what it is...).
I wasn't too surprised to see how intrigued she was by the chocolate smell...
But I was surprised especially to find that she wanted the red yarn (she usually leaves yarn alone).
In the precise moment I snapped this shot, she was off the desk, yarn in teeth, and I snagged it (don't ask how, I don't know, I'm not usually that fast)...

She was down on the floor looking blank and bewildered - Where'd it go?

Ah...Mommie's got it

PLAY, Mommie!

Well, that's how I spent my Saturday - a very hot, humid, and windy one in June!

How'd you spend yours?

Startitis! Beach Glass Shawl

In the past couple of weeks I've put 3 items OTN (2 pairs of socks and a shawl) and knit a bunch of mini-socks - (the mini-socks are addicting, let me tell you, but I have taken a break from them).

It's not much to look at, but it's the first 8 rows of the Beach Glass Shawl as promised:
I've worked all evening, the past two evenings getting this far. Sounds like very little, right? Consider that I also tinked 1/2 a pattern row twice. Consider also that the cast on was 388 stitches, so each row, while decreasing, is really long. REALLY long.

That's Jaggerspun Zephyr 2/18 wool/silk in colorway Ice (from Knitter's Knook, so there are those memories surfacing as I knit, too - Hi, Becky!! That is if you're able to read blogs again from China - I miss you!).

It's been a long week. I'm glad tomorrow is FRIDAY!

What? Lace? Yes!!

Today I saw Beach Glass (Ravelry link) the lovely new lace shawl by Susan Lawrence over at Kim's blog.

I immediately snatched up a copy for myself, and tonight dug down into stash for a single skein I knew I had of ice blue Zephyr laceweight. I cast on after dinner (388 stitches!! OH MY) and while watching reruns of M*A*S*H on Hallmark Channel.

It took me a long time...and then the set up and finally have managed (after tinking) to get thru the first row of the first charts.

(It's been a long time since I had to concentrate on lace!)

There's no photo of it because there's really almost nothing to see. I feel no real pressure to finish this quickly, but I did feel like I wanted an easy lace to work on - please, please don't remind me of my Diamond Fantasy Shawl in Shaffer Andrea silk, okay? I know she's waiting (sitting right next to my chair in fact).

And now it's off to bed. At least we're more than half-way through the week, right?

OH...and if you're local and you're reading this? And you're hankering for a new spot to eat? I had lunch today at a WONDERFUL restaurant downtown. Tony Pope's Le Bistro! I had the roasted vegetable and melted cheese sandwich (which was absolutely wonderful, if a tad bit of a challenge to eat - but I persevered and used my knife and fork!) with the most amazing French Fries I've ever had. Their dinner menu sounds wonderful, too. You.Must.Go.
:)
(I threatened to come back just for fries and dessert next time...sinful, no?)

Ten On Tuesday!

It's that time again!

Ten Things You’d Bring On A Desert Island:

1. The Meezer (goes almost without sayin')
2. Sock yarn and my KP Harmony size 1.5 circulars with rubber ring stitch markers
3. Lace yarn and my Addi Lace needles (and more stitch markers)
4. DK weight merino wool and my KP Harmony interchangeables (unless I succumb at Sock Summit and buy the Addi Clicks) and my “Eye or Horus” marker – I use it as good luck, and also as a great “knit in the round” starting point marker.
5. Coffee – good coffee
6. Dove Dark Chocolate with raspberry, and almonds
7. Bernina sewing machine and all the scraps I’ve accumulated since starting Nana Sadie Rose – I plan to quilt (which means I’ll also need all the sewing essentials, pins, needles, rotary cutters, scissors, etc etc etc)
8. My computer – because if you all can’t come with me, I must have a means of communication – so there will be access to books online, music online.
9. My best friend Lynette – because if I don’t know how to do it, she does. We’re a good pair (and I suspect she’d have to bring her favorite kitties, too, which is fine. The Meezer will ADJUST)
10. Plenty of Hogue & McManus Merlot (a girl needs variety) –

Please notice there’s no mention of any man. That’s because I’ve never met one who could figure out how to relax and enjoy life. They all just want to be workaholics, and while I’m much the same way? I figure living on this desert island is like retirement – so guys, either figure out the method? Or forget-a-bout-it!
*wink*