A Diversion...

Am getting back to blogging, slowly, and reading and commenting...

And then I found THIS.

I do so love Roxanne's yarn (she dyed The Meezer Yarn...yes, I know, I need to knit that, too!)

This is a cool sock yarn club, colors from the great artists...and you can opt out, it's month-to-month. You're charged monthly - JUST my speed. (Altho, I am not expecting to opt out much! lolol!)

C'mon, you know you want to join us?
(((hugs)))

Knitting Thru Sadness...

As the Blonde Bombshell fell seriously ill this weekend, I decided to start a project I'd been putting off...something soothing without much thought, not expensive, but pretty...


Caron's Simply Soft (colors white, bone, and light, medium and dark Colonial Blue), in the Old Shale pattern from Jan Eaton's book knit on Susan Bates Quicksilvers size 9. I'm using silver cat stitchmarkers made by Kelly (and the blue hearts are my own). This is the pattern of the afghan I was making when I first learned to knit 35 years ago (when I was just a kitten...*wink*). I was so surprised to see it in this book. But considering I made the better part of 2 afghans with it, it seems the most natural pattern in the world!

I worked on it as Blonde Bombshell went from bad to worse...it's a comforting knit.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on the loss of my little girl. She was my heart. I will miss her forever. My other two kitties are jockeying for the "top cat" slot in the house, not realizing that neither one will win first place in my heart. They share it already. We're all a bit sad around here.

Rest In Peace Blonde Bombshell

The Delicate Lady, The Princess Ruff of Fluff-Tail, The Precious Ditz, My Preshie-Poo, Sweet Prissy Gal, Miss Fluffy Britches...

No more painful joints, no more tummy woes...

And no more "love me while I drool, please Mommie"

Her first Mommie and I helped BB out of this world about an hour ago. The best vet in the world (who is not just my boss, she's my friend) made her anguish go away.

We'll meet at the Rainbow Bridge, dear girl...
(((hugs)))

The Back is Better By Stages

But things are much better than they were. I just wish I could get thru an entire day and only just begin to feel really sore about an hour before bed. That hasn't been the norm here lately. But we're getting closer to that again. The massage was great, it just never lasts long enough! :(

But this week, I've been able to get a few bags made that have to ship out tomorrow - I'm a bit late, and I cannot thank everyone enough for being patient.



Here is a Kerri bag in the Fancy Cats Frames print (Fancy Cats was so popular a fabric that you can't touch it now - I've seen pieces of it "across the pond" but the per yard price is out of my reach - too bad, it a darling fabric - and this one takes the BEST parts of that one and showcases them in frames - too cute!



Then here are three non-cat bags (tho' all of these were ordered at the Persian Society Show in Richmond, VA a month ago!). All have a travel theme going on - the Parisville Stripe on the right, Mademoiselle in the middle, and Edogawa Stroll on the left. Two prints are Michael Miller and one by Alexander Henry - two of my favorite designers. I don't think I can make any more of the Asian fabric, as it's out of print. I can still do another of each of the French-flavor bags.

While I was trying to get the photos out of the camera and onto the new computer, The Meezer decided to pay a call.



"This reality up here on the desk has been rearranged, Mommie."


"What happened to the big THING, Mom? This is just a little bitty and ohh! Two clicky clacky boards. It feels so funny when my toes hit those clickers and they pop down under my toes. Mommie gets a bit frantic, too."


"Well, you know, I'll have this thing figured out in a New York Minute, Mom! Umm. Why are there TWO keyboards?And why did you keep the mouse when you've got that thumb stroking thingy?"

So I don't have to try to learn to do something new when my brain won't handle it, Meeze. Mommie's ability to handle anything new these days is limited. The old keyboard works just fine! And I cannot work that thumbpad, to save my soul. I know Old Dogs can learn new tricks, but I'm just not ready to devote the time necessary.

"Old DOGS? I was sure you were really a CAT, Mom!"
(((hugs)))

(sigh) So Do You Think The "Something" I'll Be Passionate About Is Knitting?

You are The Lovers

Motive, power, and action, arising from Inspiration and Impulse.

The Lovers represents intuition and inspiration. Very often a choice needs to be made.

Originally, this card was called just LOVE. And that's actually more apt than "Lovers." Love follows in this sequence of growth and maturity. And, coming after the Emperor, who is about control, it is a radical change in perspective. LOVE is a force that makes you choose and decide for reasons you often can't understand; it makes you surrender control to a higher power. And that is what this card is all about. Finding something or someone who is so much a part of yourself, so perfectly attuned to you and you to them, that you cannot, dare not resist. This card indicates that the you have or will come across a person, career, challenge or thing that you will fall in love with. You will know instinctively that you must have this, even if it means diverging from your chosen path. No matter the difficulties, without it you will never be complete.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Eye Candy Sunday

As a Thank You to everyone who has been so supportive of me, in spite of my "bad attitude" during this back episode (!) I give you a shot of my lovely housemate from about 3 years ago...I love this shot...


She still sits this way (I have two of these chairs and she shows no preference as to which she uses as a perch!). But three years later, her coloration is a bit darker than this...lolol!

BTW, I've frogged the hat. The crap yarn will be donated to dear friend Jane who doesn't mind working with it and has plenty of use for it! I'm heading to AC Moore with my coupon this afternoon to buy a skein of Caron's Simply Soft in pale yellow to make this hat in comfort! lolol

I spent about an hour this morning working on my Lacy Prairie Shawl in lovely Latvian Lavender Peace Fleece (yarn from my dear friend KarY)...I adore it. It's gorgeous...It's mohair and wool. It feels soft and warm and fuzzy and wonderful...I'm in repeat 30 of 33. On the home stretch, so they say.

And I'm better. Not great, yet, I still "seize up" if I try to do too much. But an appointment with the massage therapist has been made - OH...YES! The doctor? As he was giving me the muscle relaxer samples, he admitted that the BEST thing I could do was have a massage. Thank you, dear doctor for then also accepting my co-pay??????

Geesh.
(((hugs)))

What I Have to Show For My Time...

I think I mentioned that I've been having a fibro/Lupus flare - frankly this symptom is more fibro - and my right upper back has been in spasm since Wednesday morning when I made a left turn. Mind you it was my NORMAL left turn to make it off my street and go to work. I do this every morning. I did nothing different. But the back went nuts almost instantly, and I've been up a creek ever since...I managed this:

That is indeed the Steeler's Aibhlinn, frogged. I did not take out any aggressions on this yarn. It was all I could do to wind it into a ball, with my shoulder screaming at every move. Have no idea what I'll do with it, but it's lovely DK weight wool. There are 4 skeins of Knipicks Merino Style in black, and 2 skeins of Gold Cleckheaton Country 8 ply. Something will come to me, I'm sure...

Then, because I could not tolerate anything with any challenge (no lace these days), I started something for this year's NoSoKnit. This yellow yarn is plastic crap (sorry, but it's true) and is killing my hands - but it was donated for our use to make charity items so I suppose it must be used. I'm knitting it with a skein of fluffy fuzzy Shachenmayr Brazilia-Pompon in color Parti (I think it looks a lot like the leaves of celery!) in an attempt to make the knitting less painful. I can't do much at a time.



Oh. What IS it? A hat. I'm using the Dulaan Cloud Hat pattern. The pattern is terrific, the yarn? Not so much...Do they really think that people who receive charity items don't MIND that the crap yarn scratches and is HOT???

There is no excuse for crap yarn. None. There is perfectly GOOD acrylic yarn that's not expensive - Caron's Simply Soft immediately comes to mind.

The remainder of my charity knitting will be made from that!

Oh. Those are my Denise needles. They've already come apart in my hands once. I really should send them back for replacement - this has happened way too many times. I broke down last night and ordered 2 sizes of Addi Turbo circs in the 16 inch length for hats. Should I tell you how much more difficult it was to knit this crap yarn hat on my bamboos??? ROFLOL! I'm sure you can imagine.

Reading this I really do think I'm starting to sound like a needle and yarn snob...How FAR I've come in 3 years, huh?

Oh and yes, I know there's not much done on that hat. The doctor gave me muscle relaxers and pain meds. Can you say "La-La-Land?" Well, that's where I've been residing for the past several days...no sewing, no knitting, no blogging. (I promise, I'll come visit you all soon!)


Um...Mommie? Stop complaining and give me a Greenie!
(((hugs)))

Decision Reached...

Remember this?
It's the Steeler's Aibhlinn...being made so I could endure freezing my behind at all those Steeler's football games I was going to be forced to sit thru because of the MFMP??

Well, I think it's time to admit defeat (kinda like The Steelers had to this past season, hehe). I am never going to wear it - might I remind you yet again that this shade of gold is simply the worst color I can wear? - as the relationship with MFMP is now history? (And can I tell you that I really am not into football, so there is little regret on that point...)

It wasn't a sweater. But the curse was just as deadly. Do not make something because you are in love. It will seal your relationship's doom!

And I'm really not stressing about this, y'all. I'm past it. But I was looking at the sidebar and seeing all those 2006 OTN projects, saw this one and said, "You know, it's time to face facts! To the frog pond it goes." I know I'll use the yarn in something...maybe a ripple blanket?

And a quick question: That Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts? Since the foundation is stockinette - does the finished scarf EVER lie flat? This is such a wonderful knit, especially in the Koigu, but please tell me I'm not going to hate this scarf because it's one-sided and curls up on itself?

Oh...btw. I just finished Stephanie's latest book and if you haven't read it you must! In light of the muscle spasms I'm enduring (ok, fibro/Lupus flare continues, but who's gripping?) I spent the evening lying on the microwaved rice pack with pain-killers in my system, but it's an hysterical read even without the pills, I promise!

I'm so glad I found the "Land of Knitters!" (especially blogland, and my local RVKnitSpin group!)
(((hugs)))

Cute Kitty Pics!

I have nothing to show you, or to relate today (except you might note down on my sidebar a new section relating to things I want to find again...this is a list of triangle lace shawls (and I don't want to lose it!)

But because I have nothing, and I know the cats (especially The Meezer) are the stars of the blog...I give you ...


TADA! The toy box has been unpacked! Yippee!


Inside was a wonderful stuffed bear. A CATNIP Stuffed bear. It was the Blonde Bombshell's - but do you see who has a certain, and sudden, proprietary interest?

It's MINE. Don't even think that I will share.

What do you mean I'm fickle? This is MY tearstrip...the original one. Who needs catnip bears?

All is becoming right in her world I do believe....knitting content sometime soon, I promise.
(((hugs)))

Happy Mother's Day! & Blog Comments...

Hope all the Mom's in blogland are having a lovely day...

I was reading Dave's post today and realized that this is why I'm having trouble replying to folks..

"If your email address was public before, you've been reset to private. If you edit your profile and check off "show my email address," your email address will show up with the comment and restore reply-ability. Pass the word around, eh."

It all has to do with the New Blogger (of course). So if you have a Blogger profile and would like to have me reply to your comments here, please take a moment and make this minor change to your profile, okay? (I just did!)

If not...I can't reply! :(
And I do sooo want to recognize your visit to my blog!!
(((hugs)))

One More MeMe - Tag Yourself?

Originally from here by way of Margene and of course, you know I had to do it!

Bold for stuff you've done, italics for stuff you plan to do eventually (oh, I used BOTH if I have done and plan to do again!), and normal for stuff you don't intend to do.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with bananafiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffitti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colours
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies...)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items)on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone elses handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Wow. That's some list. If you answer this, let me know so I can check it out!
(((hugs)))

Friday Night Fun-d-raiser

I really didn't think you'd hear from me tonight. But then Melanie tagged me for the 8 Random (Strange) Things You Don't Know About Me MeMe.
So I bring you
#1- This Little Lovely sits on my desk at work

#2- Her name is Carmelita (she's a Whimsiclay statue)
#3- For the first time in my life, I work with women in positions of authority and we get along pretty darn well and we get things done. (ok...we're NOT a Utopian workplace, but we're pretty close, and I like to think it's a little like what the world would be like if women were in charge)
#4- I have every tax return I've ever filed all the way back to the one my mom completed for me when I had a part-time job in high school (the year was 1974). I have all the paycheck stubs for documenting the detail, too.
#5- I have an issue with clutter.
#6- I'm loyal. I still use the same hairstylist who was my first boss at that first job back in high school. I have my shoes repaired by the same repair shop, tho' they had to move when the rents got to high in their little strip mall.
#7- My 30th high school reunion was 3 years ago and many of us are maintaining an email relationship because one of our classmates, a lovely gal with a physical challenge that limits her ability to get into the community, has taken on keeping all of us in touch. While we all care about each other, the REAL reason we do this is her. We CARE about her. The "cliques" don't matter anymore. What counts is that we are there for her and for each other. That's soooo cool.
#8- I just spent an evening in a parking lot, putting wrist bands on people who came to listen to a live band and drink beer. It was loud, it was hot, it was not the sort of thing I do, because I don't like to be around alcohol when it's being used somewhat indescriminately.
But I do it b/c it's a way for my agency to earn funds to purchase assistive devices for the consumers who use our services.

And you know...I didn't really mind it all that much!

But when I got home, fed the cats, and collapsed on the bed to read the book that came this week (shown below)...as I settled down and got to the page where I read abuot "the password, 'just one more row'" as I started to grin...I heard a cling-clang...rollll.

I started to chuckle. I'm not Franklin and balls of yarn and needles do not often "talk" to me. But tonight (and last night, for this was NOT the first time...) I clearly understood that THIS dishcloth has had it. It's more than time to finish it and CAST OFF!
Appropriate, no?


Oh. If you read this? Consider yourself tagged!
(((hugs)))

Making Up For Lost Time? :)

Yes. I know it seems as if all I'm doing is posting now, right? lol

Well I wanted to assure you that I do still knit. So...here is a glimpse of what I've been working on for the past couple of weeks (in between everything else).

Remember Catharina?

This is my Faroese Style Shawl group that I run on Yahoo. I've been working on this shawl since last May (ok, I never once said I knit lace fast!). I stopped in January when I had to rip back a ton of work for an error. And then picked it up a couple of weeks ago and knit a bit...well, long story short, I suddenly realized that the one pair of Addi Turbo Lace Needles that I own was the right size for this shawl. So I switched needles. And Catharina is FLYING thru my fingers (have I told you yet how much I love love love these needles???)

Here's the requisite "lump of unblocked lace" shot, but she's draped over my storage ottoman for the dark burgundy contrast, and it at least shows there's a lot of yarn there...My Big Sis should be reading this and getting very excited. While I haven't yet used up the first ball of 880 yards of Knitpicks undyed laceweight merino, I'm thinking that there's really hope for this project. Big Sis will be here in July and I hope we can do a "test fit" to determine the length she'll be happy with.

Then here's the Chevron scarf. It's only as long as the ottoman is wide, but it, along with my STR Rooster Rock second sock are my carry everywhere projects.

Finally, because it arrived while my computer was completely out of commission, I have sadly neglected a lovely gift from Chris. Is this not gorgeous yarn? Chris hand dyed it. It's the deepest, richest burgundy and purple yarn...Thank you so much Chris. This yarn is scrumptious, and you've done an outstanding job! I can't tell you yet what I'll make from it - either socks or a lace scarf. I'm kinda leaning towards another pair of Feather & Fan socks (ooh! that's both socks AND lace!)...

(Should I tell you that today I broke down and bought yarn for two more sock projects? As well as placed an order for two more sizes of Addi Turbo Lace needles?)
(sigh)
I have said it before...knitting is my passion. Socks and Lace. But I promise this is it for a bit...I simply have to put a curb on things...

I suppose I could have a far worse compulsion, right?

(Also as a reply to Barbara Kay...thank you for helping me put my Lupus "flare" in perspective? I am adding your daugther to my prayers. I'm grateful that I can take medications that keep it under control with only relatively minor symptoms that are pesky at best. I have never been so serious as to require the treatments your daughter goes through, for which I am grateful - but I was being a bit selfish last night, and I apologize! It's important to be reminded that there are many who are so much worse.)

My deepest thanks to everyone who wished me well last night - it is my blog pals who truly do get me through! I don't know what I'd do without you folks!
:)
(((hugs)))

Red Letter Day...

You know. It's been a really rough couple of weeks - first without the computer, but also because (and I haven't mentioned this and won't dwell on it) but I've been having a Lupus flare of symptoms from H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks that have made me feel worse than having been run over by a truck. Let's just say that this particular symptom attacks my mouth. Which makes it hard to eat, or talk, or even think. It also tends to bring on migraine and while I haven't (eyes skyward, THANK YOU GOD!) had one of those yet, I've had headaches all week. This is one of those times when all the wonderful meds in the world will not do a thing. I just have to wait it out.

It's been a hard wait. (ok...pity party over!)
:)

Tonight I knew I had to go to the grocery store, and the post office box. I was craving crab fried rice and I make it low-fat (it's also pretty bland, and a nice comfort food)...

I stopped at the PO Box to pick up a couple envelopes I knew would be there and there was a key to a package locker. I looked. It was one of the BIG lockers.

Huh?

Well....There's a certain someone out there in blogland who is such a caring and giving person, and she's been having a really rough time...Rachel has been one of the Sockret Pal mom's. She helped me out when my first pal was unable to follow thru. She has kept my spirits up (and those of others in the KAL who were not happy for much the same reason) but she really, really struggled with the task.

She had told me she was going to send me a "little something." Well this is the box


Does THAT look like a "little something???" No. I agree. That's a BIG something!

I think Rachel has stalked me thru my blog (I say this in a good way, she admits to being a blog stalker, is even a member of the group! LOL!).

You know why? Well...There's the Artic Lace book for starters, the Home Sweet Home sign (okay, it's under a lot of other stuff so you may not see it too well...), a huge box of Hersey's Pot of Gold and another bag of Chocolates...

There are stitch markers and a blue bracelet from her etsy shop Charmed Stitches - CAN YOU BELIEVE those little teensy kitties? There's a red one and a meezer and a calico! (and a red tabby and a grey & white...)


Then two skeins each of royal blue yarns...I LOVE royal and rarely buy yarn in this color (now why? I wear it a lot, I'm into blue and white china, my living room is a bright navy - almost royal - and white and taupe????) There are two skeins each of Peruvian Highland Silk and Baby Cashmere (both from elann) and then two skeins of Frog Tree (I don't know this yarn, but it's lovely!)...and can you see those blue and white ankle socks? SHE KNIT ME SOCKS! They're wonderful! She tucked in bath stuff! Oh my!

Rachel also sent a lace dishcloth in bright pink - (another favorite of course, with Nana Sadie Rose...) And then this fella...

If you're not familiar with Jim Shore's cats...this is Jasper. I always thought he looked like the Blond Bombshell, myself! Isn't he spiffy??

Ok...The Meezer was rather underwhelmed by Jasper, but she wanted the Greenies that were tucked inside for the kitties!

Rachel had added teas, a t-shirt, a "Got Yarn" tea mug (or coffee!), a cute little wooden doll...I'm sure I'm missing something...

Ok. It didn't make my mouth stop hurting, but it sure took my attention away from the pain! In the best of ways...

OMG. Rachel, this is way too much and entirely more than a "little something!" What a sweetheart you are...Thank you thank you thank you!


Now. Just an aside, quickly - because I promised. Here are a few more of the Posy Sock Sacks I've been working on...there are more, but I don't show multiples of the same fabric...lolol!

Ok. This Is More Like It!

There's really been a lot going on around here, behind the scenes, so to speak...I know, I really DO feel as if I've been away forever!

There have been purchases, including a copy of this (and I also joined the KAL) and also bought this as well as a couple of others that I can't remember...oh, yes, they're about mindful eating, not knitting related at all...I'll show you a photo of the Chevron Scarf I'm making currently for the No End In Sight Ripple Along soon, I promise. And then...

if you remember a couple of weeks ago, we were reeling from the shock of the Virginia Tech tragedy? A fellow VT grad, Kimberly sent me a gift as a way to help her process her pain...here, the Trekking XXL yarn she had in VT colors...a wondrous chocolate bar, and the cutest card...
Kimberly is just the sweetest thing, and a customer of mine, too...drop by and give her a hug, okay? Thank you, Kimberly!

Then, because I was off-line at night, I started searching through old (would you believe this is Jan/Feb 1995?) magazines (a Piecework to be precise) and discovered this pattern...an adaptation of a "centerpiece" by Christine Duchrow by Charlene Schurch. I also discovered The Lacemaker website (during my lunch hour) for supplies. I did indeed purchase the 000 steel needles (8-inch!) and the linen "yarn" - oh sure...that's thread, folks! I'm struggling with this, so don't expect to see anything anytime soon, okay? (I had so much fun going thru the old Pieceworks, that I renewed my subscription)

...And then Margene and Birdsong enabled me into Larger Than Life Bag and I ordered the issue...That one will take me a long time, as I can't crochet very quickly...

I also was web browsing one day and found this lovely stuff - I've been drooling over at Deb's. This is the Miracle colorway, and I decided I simply had to have enough for a shawl...I think Anne's Wing o' the Moth will be gorgeous in this, don't you?

And lest you think all I did was play while I was without a computer, I give you these...only a few of the several Posy Sock Sacks that I created....


OH. I also joined KTS3. This will be my second time. I so enjoyed it last time!

I promise...more photos soon. Including The Meezer. She was a big help to me while I lost my "mind." (ok...it was really my computer, but I swear it really IS my brain nowadays!)

Thank you for being patient with me...
(((hugs)))

I'm Back! Sorta...

The new computer has arrived, and I'm online. But I can't do much about posting here yet, as the photo software hasn't been loaded, etc...

So at least I can surf! And I've got some photos to share and such - after all, it's been a week (plus!). So hang in there a little longer, okay?
(((hugs)))

(sigh)

Looks as if the new laptop won't arrive before Monday. Which means another blogless weekend. Another weekend I can't touch base. At least I have lots of orders to fill, and the new IK Summer came...but still...

I'll miss you all!
(((hugs)))