Madness, Madness, I Tell You!!

   This blanket will be the death of me. I mean it. The tones of the two yarns are so very similar, it's very difficult to differentiate between them on the needles. As careful as I am in counting my stitches for the pattern row by row, I am still making stupid mistakes. I am only finding them at the end of the row, when it doesn't work out the way it's supposed to. I am even frequently stopping to check every few segments. And I'm still missing the mistakes.


   This last one, I couldn't find the mistake. So I started at the other end, the beginning, and worked my way from there. And there it was. Two groups of four stitches next to each other. Waaay back close to the beginning of the row. So I had to TINK back across the whole fracking row to fix it. This wasn't the first time, either. It's happened at least three other times already. It's always on the rows which contain knit 2, slip 1, knit 4, slip 1, knit 2, slip one, knit 4, slip one. The other rows are easier, k2, s2 all the way across.


   But I am making real progress. I only hope my mind stays intact until I'm done.

New Blanket Progress

   Yup, I have made significant progress on the new blanket! I was concerned that the two yarn colors were too alike to really see the pattern, but as it's getting longer, it seems to be working out. The pattern is just more subtle, which is sooo not my style, but daughter Sara seems to like it. And it certainly will be soothing, and very very soft!

 

   You can see in the photo, the design is there, but not in your face. I like that it's not easy to see. Though it makes it harder for me to knit it.


   Last night, after sending Hubs off to work, I realized that I totally zoned and forgot a very important item at Michael's yesterday! I had on my list to get a new row counter. Ideally, one of the ones specifically for a circular needle. Today I found myself needing to go to the supermarket, and since there is one right near our Michael's, guess where I went? The fact that my favorite son-in-law works there had nothing to do with it...


   So off I went in Hubs' truck, since the Jeep is still making funny whistling noises and I don't want to travel that far in it until it gets fixed. It took a bit of searching, but I found the row counter that I wanted! I picked up two, since they are so easy to lose. I also grabbed a package of small stitch markers, since those get lost really easily too. I think I only have two left of the last pack I bought.  That's not counting the awesome ones I was gifted by my knitting buddy Kim, I don't use those very often for fear of them getting lost...


   Now I need to get back to work. Oh yeah, I am also supposed to be crocheting a pair of wrist warmers for my beloved son-in-law, too.  Maybe later.....

I Gots New Yarn!!

    At long last, I was finally able to satisfy my baser urges and get some new yarn today! YAY! I took daughter Sara with me, to help me pick out colors for the next baby blanket. After all, it could end up in her nursery.


   What she chose, I would not have chosen, but she marches to her own drummer. I'm sure it will turn out beautifully. So far, I have started the bottom border. This yarn is really soft, so it will be a pleasure to knit.  We went with Bernat's Softee Baby, in the colors of Flannel and Grey Marl. As soon as I get to the colorwork portion and have at least a few inches done, I will take new photos. Here is a photo of the yarn.

   Hopefully the colorwork pattern will show up well with these colors. I am tending to agree with Sara, she says that she finds grey a very soothing color. And these greys are very soft.  I am looking forward to knitting these yarns together.


   When I went out this morning, I borrowed Hubs' truck. He wanted to know why, so I had to tell him about the whistling noise my Jeep has been making the last few days. After starting it, and finally getting it to make the noise, he agreed I could take his truck. I really didn't want to bother him with this until at least tomorrow, when his work week is over.


   It was bad enough that when he got home this morning, we had no heat. I kind of hoped that it was just the batteries in the thermostat needed changing again, but no, we were out of fuel oil. We have a delivery scheduled for Monday. Did you know that for an "emergency" delivery our oil company charges $1.50 MORE PER GALLON?? That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in a long time... That's why we are waiting until Monday. In the meantime, he went and got a few gallons of an alternative fuel.


   So we have had enough drama for today, thank you very much... But I am happy I got to buy some new yarn. It's been a very long time since I could do that.
  

It's Been a Difficult Week... Temptation Wise

   It sure has been a very difficult week. I have been fighting with myself all week, as I want to go buy yarn. I had decided on Tuesday, I think it was, that I would wait until Saturday to go. But Wednesday, Thursday and even today, I almost jumped in the Jeep and drove off. It was with the greatest will power that I forced myself to stay home.


   I will be going tomorrow to Michael's craft store and, only if absolutely necessary, to Hobby Lobby. I am really hoping it won't come to that. I have even talked my beloved daughter into coming with me.  It has been nice having some cash in my pocket. There is even enough to do some more grocery shopping! Yahoo. But first, the yarn. You have no idea, it's been really hard for me to not just run out and buy what I want.


   Hopefully I can find good yarn and colors for the blanket at Michael's. But I am not holding my breath. It may conceivably be unavoidable, the trip to Hobby Lobby. Is it scary that I am willing to betray my beliefs for the right yarn? I don't think so. It will take a very special project for that to happen. And this blanket for my future grand baby is that special of a project.


   As a post script to last night's post, The color work sample washed and dried beautifully. I am ready to go, just need to get through tomorrow and buy the darn stuff. Wish me luck, please.

What's New in My Knitting World

   I have sort of changed my mind about the frogging of the never-ending-garter-stitch baby afghan. I've decided to just put it away and keep looking for the yarn.


   I have decided to end my color work sample too. It was getting kinda long, and I needed to check on it's wash and dryability. It is in right now in the dryer. I had used two yarns that turned out to be 50% cotton, 50% acrylic. I didn't know this when I started! I had picked the one yarn for its color, and tried it out with an acrylic yarn. I didn't like the way they looked together. I frogged it, and went looking in my stash. I came across the one skein on the multi-colored yarn, and the textures of the two yarns were very similar, so I started the sample over with the two of them.


   About 4 pattern repeats later, I decided to check on the fiber content of the yarns, and found out that they were the same! Happy coincidence. Now I am seriously considering using that blend in the actual blanket. I really like how the knitted fabric felt, and am just waiting on the wash/dry results for final decision.


   It just pains me that I may have to go to Hobby Lobby for the yarn, as the mulitcolored one is one of their store brand baby yarns. I really really don't want to shop at that store. I object to their throwing their religious stuff at me. I object to the Jesus mints and bible verse wrapped gum they sell at the checkouts. I object to the sign on their door that states that they are closed on Sundays so their employees can worship with their families. Not all religions worship on Sundays.


   Once I noticed these things, I decided I wouldn't shop there unless I had no choice. I truly object to having religion thrown in my face. I don't throw mine around, have the same courtesy, please. My close knitting friend thinks I'm crazy, and can't wait for me to voliate my principles.


  I think I'm done for today. Babysitting for two full days has drained me completely, I am soooo ready for an early bed time tonight!

Another Fishkill Treasure

   Monday in Fishkill, I noticed that the kids had moved the corner cupboard from the dining room out to the front porch. This is good, that means they want to keep it. I also found the box on the dining room table in which they put all the stuff that was left in the corner cupboard.


    I started looking through the box, and among out dated vitamins and other various old OTC meds, there was a little black case. I opened it, and inside was a small camera! Just for shits and giggles, I turned it on. To my surprise, the batteries weren't dead! It blew my mind, the first photo that came up was one of Betty's friend Wes. I discovered later that this was actually a short video.


   It brought tears to my eyes looking through all the photos she had taken. She was not among the best of photographers... Here is an example of her photographic skills:

We can't even figure out what it's supposed to be! Here is another, more typical of her efforts. She usually cut people's heads off:

   But, there among all the really bad photos, was a good one! Obviously, someone else had taken it. It's a photo of Betty and her friend's granddaughter, Shana. It was taken Christmas of 2008, I believe.

   It literally brings tears to my eyes. She looks so healthy. This is how I remember her. Miss you, Betty!! 

In Which I Make a Painful Decision

   We spent the better part of yesterday at the house in Fishkill, we didn't get home until 9:30 pm. By that time, it was too late for me to eat dinner, but I cooked for Hubs. I made a lot of Spanish Rice, since I was hungry. I broke down and ate a small amount of the stuff, and quickly chomped on four papaya tablets to aid my digestion.


   On the way home, since we were passing anyway, I asked Hubs to stop at A.C. Moore so I could check for yarn for the never-ending-garter-stitch baby blanket. With high hopes, I entered the store. But it was not meant to be. They had the yarn, and plenty of it, just not in my desired colorway. There wasn't even an empty slot on the shelf for it.


   So it looks like I will not be able to get more yarn for the stupid blanket. I have therefore decided to frog the whole thing, and start over. Now, I can hear you out there, "But there's the internet!!" I looked, I really did. I looked on ebay, and the average price per skein was almost double what the stores charge. I just can't afford that much right now. And as Hubs pointed out, the blanket is too big anyway.


   Here is my celebratory photo I took when I reached the 1/4 done mark:

   I am trying not to be sad. There are so many pretty baby yarns out there that I can choose from, And the stupid blanket was/is too fracking big. I will not be distracted by this setback. I will persevere. I will win! I AM WOMAN!  I AM KNITTER!!

Knitting Progress on Blanket

   Today I made some significant progress on the never-ending-garter-stitch baby blanket. My second skein of three is almost gone. I have the third ready, this time I am going to make an effort to match the yarn up. I can hear my friend Kim yelling "Huzzah!" ...  I feel hopeful that at some point in the near future, I will be able to find more skeins of this yarn. When we go to Fishkill, I plan on hitting the A.C. Moore craft store down that way.

 
    After this current (first) quarter of the blanket is done, I will take a few photos. I don't know where I can take them, it's already pretty big, and waaay too big for my usual tray table to be used as a background. Never fear, I will find some place.


   Since I was so very tired after Clermont yesterday, I thought I would sleep really good last night. I was wrong! I didn't sleep good at all. I kept waking up and having trouble getting back to sleep. Oh, well, tonight for sure I will make sure I have pharmaceutical help...  Then I will sleep well, for when I have to get up at the ass crack of dawn tomorrow morning...


   Since we ate dinner so late last night, I had a small bout of my tummy troubles. That could be why I didn't sleep very well. But I did find some of my papaya enzyme tablets in the kitchen cupboard, and ate four of them last night after dinner. They did help, just not enough. No worries for tonight, though, since we have already eaten dinner tonight, and we ate plenty early.

Clermont Sheep and Wool Festival Report

   Today was the big day! We had a really great time, and learned a few things too. I even remembered to take some photos! We got there earlier than we had planned, only because Kim and Cherub were ready sooner than expected. I hurried and got there as soon as I could.


   We got all set up pretty quickly, and settled in to await the crowds! Here is what the booth looked like:

 This is a shot of Kim's yarns, a closer view:

  

   Here is a photo of Kim's fiber braids:

    We had a really fun day, it was so nice to meet so many people who love yarn! For some reason, I am totally exhausted, and I am not the only one. All three of us were yawning on the drive home. The Cherub managed to keep herself entertained, both at the crafts for kids booth, and on a sort of treasure hunt. I had to accompany her on that one, she had to prowl around the grounds of the estate looking for sheep, writing down their names, and figuring out the clues to the next sheep. And she won! She was the first to get the names of all the sheep. Yay for the Cherub!                                   

It was a long day, and now I'm ready for either a nap or a pot of coffee. I haven't  decided which it will be.                                                                                                    

One last photo, this is a felted rabbit that I bought, he was so cute that I couldn't resist!

                                               

I Found The Camera!!

   P.S. to earlier post! I found the fracking camera! And I took the photos of my colorwork knitting sample. Here they are:

   And here is one a little closer:

  Please let me know if you like it!! I am very proud of this, now I can't wait to start the full size blanket. I do realize that the variegated yarn will have to be different, as the colors are a bit too close to looking tie-dyed. I have been told I am not allowed to buy my future grandbaby any tie-dyed onesies. I have decided I will buy them, but keep them for wearing at grandma's house! So there!

Tummy Trouble Update / Planning Next Project

   After changing my eating habits a little, my tummy troubles are better, it seems my tummy likes the change. All I did was not eat dinner so late, and cut snacking way down after dinner. It sucks, but when your body lets you know it's not happy, you had better listen.


   Last night, I made dinner for Hubs and myself, but it was so late that I was afraid to eat it. I saved my chicken breast for tomorrow. Today I ate dinner shortly after Hubs left for work. He leaves by 5 p.m. I cut up the meat from the two ribs that were left over from the weekend, and ate them in the rice left over from last nights dinner. I will eat the chicken breast tomorrow, at least I plan to. Unless the boy comes home starving later, and eats it.

  
   Can you believe it, I'm planning my next knitting project already. The garter stitch baby blanket is coming along nicely, but it is going to be so huge that it would be better for a giant's baby. I am seriously considering just finishing this first quarter square and calling it quits. Maybe I will add a crocheted border to it.


   I ordered a new knitting book from Amazon.com. It's called Baby Nouveau and its designer is Amy Poleyn. There are only ten patterns in this book, but I think I could make several of them. The first one really intrigues me. It will be my first foray into colorwork. If and when I start it, I will take and post photos for you all to see.


   Today I actually started a swatch of the colorwork, to see if I could manage it. I think I can do it! The colors I used were too alike in value, I used a purple solid and a variegated jewel tone yarn. I ended up frogging it after 5 rows, but I am determined to try again, with better color choices.


   I have unmitagated success in the colorwork department!!  I used two yarns from my stash, a deeper purple and a kids yarn, colorway Crayon. It turns out that they are both 50% cotton, 50% acrylic. They look great together. Unfortunately, I have misplaced the camera! I was going to take photos this morning, and when I couldn't find it, I spent what time I had today searching for it. I still haven't found it!!


   On a different front, it seems the crafting black hole has had enough of holding onto my spindle and fiber! I found them today while searching for my iron, which is a whole other story... one for another day.


   Hopefully, at this time tomorrow, I will be sitting here, typing my heart out about the success we had at Clermont! I am sooo looking forward to this. I need to go look for the camera again, I really want to get photos of Kim's booth! Good night!!

The Big Family Get-Together

   For the second year in a row, we had a big family get-together at daughter Sara's house. It's held the Sunday after Easter. A good time was had by all. In attendance were: My mom Mary Lou, the matriarch, my Hubs and myself, my brother Chip with his wife, Carol and son Christopher, my son James with his wife Jessica and their two kids Chloe and Mason, our son Jesse with his girlfriend Julie, and mom's friend John. The only one missing was my niece Kristen, who was feeling under the weather that day.

   Yes, I brought my camera, but I never even took it out of the case. I'm hoping Sara got some good photos, and I will steal them to post here for you to see. We started out outside, with Jess and Julie playing ladder ball. Then my Mike and Christopher challenged them to a team match up. I'm not sure who won.

   After a while, it started to sprinkle, so we took the food inside and all sat in the sun room, talking and munching. Sara's cats are afraid of crowds, so they remained out of sight for the whole visit.

   It is a very good thing for all of us to get together at least once a year. The other time we gather is Christmas, usually the day after, for lunch or dinner. Because of so many different families some with small children, it's harder to manage on Christmas Eve or Day. So we decided on the day after, or thereabouts, if everyone can make it.

    Sara finally posted photos I could steal, so I put a few in. Hope you like them!!

Lottery Winning Fantasies

   I think all of us, at one time or another, have had fantasies of what we would do if we won a very large amount of money in the lottery. Of course, the first things we would all do would be to pay off mortgages, credit cards, etc. Then buy new cars and houses. But there are a few other things I would want to do:


1> build me a new house, a castle.
      Thought this one up this morning. I saw a show on castles in New York State over the weekend. There's one nearby, in Millbrook. I would love to live in one. I would want a regular size house, though, and have it look like a castle on inside and outside.

2> open a book store
      I have always wanted to have my own book store. I would even  go so far as to say I would like to sell only science fiction/fantasy, mysteries, and "new age" type books. I would have to come up with a really interesting name...

3> open a yarn shop
       Friend Kim and I have discussed this before. We would go in together, and show yarn by appointment only. I doubt we would allow any yarn to actually be sold.  "It's MINE!, you can't have any!"

4> open a combination book and yarn store!!
      Then I would have to add crocheting and knitting books to my short list of genres that I would sell. Frankly, I don't see a problem here. Does it get any better than this? Wait, maybe having a book/yarn shop IN a castle....  That's the ticket!

Craft Report, Progress is Made!

    Today, I am pleased to report that I have turned the first corner in the never-ending-garter-stitch baby blanket. It's cool, short row by one stitch every other row til there's only five stitches left, then work back, adding a stitch every other row. I have turned the corner, and now I'm adding the short rowed stitches back on. It looks cool:

   I am very excited, even though I only have one more whole skein of this yarn left. I am hopeful that the A.C Moore store in Wappingers will have some, when I'm there on Monday next week. I figure I need about six more skeins. Please send me positive thoughts on this...


    I realized that this blanket will be about four feet across when it's done. Oh, well, it fits in with my life philosophy: Go Big or Go Home! I just have to hope she doesn't have a giant baby.
  

    I decided I wanted to make a small version, a washcloth, just to see how it looks when done. I have gotten half way finished with that, here's how it looks:

    That is my report for today. I am looking forward to working on the blanket at Clermont next Saturday, while I'm being a good minion and hope to get lots done. If I don't run out of yarn in the meantime.  < shudder >

Come Up To Clermont!

   This coming Saturday, April 21st, the annual Chancellor's Sheep and Wool Showcase is taking place up at Clermont. I believe it's a historic site. But it will be lots of fun! I will be there, helping man the booth of my friend Kim, of At Knits End Yarns! You've seen her etsy store, now you can see her Kool-aid dyed yarns and fibers in person!


   This is a small festival, not as huge as Rhinebeck, so it can be a lot more fun, especially for the kids! There are lots of crafts and things for them to do, and animals to see. There are demonstrations of sheep shearing, and of dogs herding the sheep. There are other things going on too, it's a good time for all! So, pack the car full of people and head to Clermont, it's only $8 a car load!


    I believe the hours are 11 - 4, so come early to get a full day of sheepy fun for the whole family! Come find the At Knits End Yarns booth and say hi to the two Kims! Tell me you heard about the festival on my blog. Unfortunately, I can't give you a discount or anything, but it will be fun to meet new friends, and I hope to see some old ones too!


   In closing, here is a shot of the progress so far on the never-ending-garter-stitch baby blanket! I am almost through one whole skein of yarn, and I'm not through one triangle yet!! There are eight triangles in this blanket, and I only have three skeins of yarn. I went to the local craft stores looking for more, but no one had any of this particular colorway. I'm using Bernat Baby Jacquards,  colorway Easter Basket. If anyone happens to see any, please let me know!! Thanks!

My Recent Tummy Troubles

    For the past few weeks, I've been having tummy troubles. I know that I can't have a beverage just before going to bed, because when my tummy is full, and I lay down, it threatens to come back up. I need to sit upright for a while after I drink something.


   Now it seems that the same thing is happening when I eat. You see, we tend to eat rather late. Sometimes very late. And lately, it's been affecting my sleeping habits. It seems that I need to eat earlier, and not to snack after dinner. I tried this for a few nights, and it seemed to help.


   This is bad news for me, as I really love my evening bowl of kettle chips, or ice cream. I even need to try to eat my dinner earlier. As an aid to digestion, I used to have a bottle of chewable papaya enzymes on hand. A friend of mine uses them, especially when on a trip to Las Vegas, as she loves food, and frequents the buffets there. She eats until full, then chews some papaya enzymes tablets. This digests the food faster, so she can go back and eat more at the buffet.


    I used them when my tummy was full, like after Thanksgiving dinner. Now it seems I must get some more and take them after I eat my dinner. Of course, that's only if I can't manage to eat dinner at a reasonable hour. By the Goddess, it sucks getting old.


   And it seems it's not only at night any more. I've been getting an acid stomach during the day too. So what am I supposed to do, stop eating altogether? Maybe I should eat something when I have my morning coffee. I hear a rumor that there's a meal that's usually served in the mornings. Personally, I don't believe in it. Ask my family....

Stitch n Bitch Report!

   Today, both Kim and I figured we were on our own for Stitch n Bitch. Jan had work stuff to do, and Bonny had to watch her grandson. Imagine our happy surprise when into Cranberry's walks Cheryl, our long lost fellow knitter! We were so very happy to see her! It has literally been months since she was last able to make a meeting.


   For her, it's rather a long trip, so we understood. And shortly after that, Bella came through the door! It was one of those days when the unexpected happens, and we were all happy about it. Both Bella and I had to leave, before we wanted to, due to prior commitments. I had been waiting for a text that would tell me that I didn't have to babysit today, but it didn't come, so off I went.


    First I stopped at the post office, then home to set up the coffee maker for Hubs. Then I was off to babysit for my favorite 15 month old. And she was a pistol today, let me tell you. She is usually about ready for a nap by the time I get there at 11:15, but today, she did't collapse until 1:45! She really wore me out today, let me tell you! Running and dancing, and trying to make herself dizzy. At least she was having fun.

 
   Much later, I got to go home and hang out with Hubs while he woke up, and then got ready for work. I left for my interview just after he left for work. I was there in plenty of time. The interview went well, I thought. If they liked me and think I would be a good fit, they will call me in seven days or less. We shall see!


    After that, I went to Michael's craft store for more yarn for my new blanket. They didn't have any of the color I need. Of course. Then I tried Jo-Ann Fabrics. They didn't even have the yarn at all. It's no problem, really, I have three skeins of it, and I can look another time. On my way home, I stopped at the Karate School, just in time for Kim and Jan to be leaving. My next stop was the supermarket, to get some meat for dinner, since I forgot to take something out of the freezer this morning.


   And now that meat is cooking, and soon I will be applying some barbecue sauce. And that is about the end of my day. I plan on sitting here, eating my dinner, maybe having a drink later on. But for sure, I will be watching Dark Shadows. I am actually nearly through all the episodes currently available on Netflix...

No News Isn't Good News.....

   Well, due to the overwhelming non-response to yesterdays post, I have frogged the baby surprise jacket. I won't give up forever, just for now. I have instead started the square garter stitch baby blanket from the same book. It's going well, so far.


   Tomorrow is our weekly Stitch n Bitch, and I am excited about attending. We have such a good group, even if it's a small one. We do have some lively conversations! I can't wait to see the progress on the other girls projects.


   My mind is all over the place tonight. It's full of Dark Shadows, and I have some observations. Dr. Julia Hoffman has a lab set up in the basement of the old house on the Collinwood estate. My question is this: How much work can she get done, seriously, when there is no electricity in the old house?? How can she make up the experimental serum that she is injecting into Barnabas? With candles?

  
   That is just one of the things I'm thinking about tonight. I have another interview tomorrow, at the Awesome Store! This one will be a one on one interview. Thank goodness it's not until 5:30, so I can still watch Malia tomorrow, as well as send Hubs off to work. Then I can head to the mall.


   The other day, Hubs and I were in Home Depot. I looked for my beloved door, that I fell in love with last year. They didn't have one on display in the Poughkeepsie store! I did get a brochure, so I can at least look at it and choose the finishes etc. One of these days, I will own that door, I swear! For those who have forgotten, here is the photo I took of "Diego":

   The only thing I would change, I would to add a knocker to the door. Have a good night everyone!!

I Need Help From Fellow Knitters, Please!

   OK, so I'm stumped. I started making Elizabeth Zimmermann's baby surprise jacket, but have gotten stuck. I love the way she wrote, but.... the directions for this jacket in her book, E.Z.'s Knitting Workshop, have me very confused.


   If there is a knitter out there who has translated this pattern into comprehensible language that a relative beginner can understand, would you please answer in the comments? I would really appreciate it! I got confused, and would like to see simply written directions.


   I placed my stitch markers where she said to, but I still have to count all the stitches, because each marker sits right smack in the middle of the two stitches that I must knit together, so there's a lot of moving stitches around, to move the marker. All I require are simple, "pithy" directions, like for the Pi shawl, of which I have made two.


   Thanks in advance for any help!

Some Future Plans, and We Need More Cats...

    I feel like a horrible mother, for I have been making plans for things to do when the boy moves out. Not that I am rushing him, or anything. It's just an epiphany I had a few months ago, that the boy would not be living here forever, and that we could make plans for when he's gone.


   When I brought this up to Hubs, he played along with me. We thought that it would be really cool to temporarily move into his bedroom, so we could do something we've talked about for years: Re-doing our bedroom. We have put it off for so long for the simple reason that there is not enough space in our little house for us to move our furniture into, while we do the redo.


   And now that he is moving out, and taking our sectional with him, that means we get a new couch! But before that can happen, Hubs has told me that he wants to rip all the carpeting out. And there is no better time than when the huge sectional is gone for good. I'm up for that too.


   One evening while we were discussing these plans, I mentioned to Hubs that after our current cat Ozzy has passed on, perhaps we should be pet free for a while. He agreed with that. However, as we sat in silence, watching the TV, the cat jumped up on the couch with us. I reached out to pet him. And as usual, he shied away from me. I continued to "torture" him, as Hubs calls it, by petting him and talking to him, and to really piss him off, pick him up and hold him.


   This got Hubs to thinking, "Who is she going to pick on when this cat is gone? ME...". So now he's thinking maybe we need more cats in the house. I think he's afraid of having all my attention focused on him alone. He says I have a strong tendency to "poke the rat" as he says. He might just be right....

I Had a Job Interview!!

   Yes, after three long years, I have had a job interview. There's this local store, called the Awesome Store, which is run by a local family. They make most of the things they sell, and what the don't make themselves, they get mostly from local people.


   I frequent their store here in Hyde Park. I love the smell when you walk in. It is a very herbal garlic-type smell. Absolutely delicious. They have the best soup mixes! I have used them regularly for at least three Winters now. I even bought the Cream of Broccoli mix just for my son, who loves broccoli. He only ate a little, as he had already eaten that evening. But Julie liked it, and so did I. I added a bunch more broccoli to it, from a bag of frozen chopped broccoli.


   I had to travel down to their second store, in the mall, for the group interview. There were three young chickies and my middle-aged self. I was intimidated. But I think it went pretty well; after all, I have used quite a few of their products, and after the interview, the chickies left right away. I stayed and talked to the assistant manager, and bought a couple of things. That may have given me the edge.

  
  Now I just have to wait. The assistant manager said that she will go over her notes with the manager, and if they are interested in any of us, we will get a call for a one on one interview. Yay, something to look forward to.


   Technically, this was my second interview in the three years that I have been unemployed. The first was last summer at Michael's craft store. That went well too, but the man never called me. And to start the interview, he kept me waiting, with no explanation, for about a half an hour. I thought maybe it was a test of sorts, where they keep you waiting and watch and see what you do. It wasn't a test.


   Let's all just hope that this one turns out better than the last one! Thanks for your positive thoughts!

How I Spent My Sunday

   Today, I was going to stay home while Hubs went to the house in Fishkill. Our son was there, an Graeme turned up too. They were all there to help do some work on the house, I really wasn't needed.


   Hubs told me I was going to come with him. I had other plans for today. I was going to go grocery shopping.  I was going to get some more laundry done. And I was going to overdose on Dark Shadows episodes, which are now in color, by the way.


   But no, I had to go to Fishkill. I helped out where I could. I scraped the walls in the two bedrooms, in preparation  for painting. I gave some advice when the boys were pulling out the posts from the ramp that is no longer there. I threw out some old mildewy books from the front porch. I sat and ate some really good barbecue from a place called Dickeys. It really was good!  It has to be the first time I've had brisket that wasn't all dry and nasty.


   By the time we got home, the supermarket was closed. Of course, we had to stop at Home Depot. So no food for dinner tonight.  All because it's a holiday. I hope everyone had a very nice Zombie Jesus Day. It's a fact, people, Jesus was the first zombie. He came back from the dead after three days. That is the textbook definition, people. I know there aren't any stories passed down about him eating brains or flesh, but I've decided that those aspects of it have been covered up by the church.

  
   Well, I have offended enough people for today! I'm exhausted, so I will be going to be early tonight. 5:45 comes really early, folks!

Knitting Adventure Day

  Today I started another project, the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann. I have some self-patterning sock yarn I found in my stash, and bravely started it. I read the intructions over, and over, and over again. I ended up deciding to just do what I keep telling my friend Bonny, "Just do what it says!".


   I have been working on the log cabin baby blanket too. I was doing that this morning while contemplating the baby surprise instructions. Then Hubs went out, and I had an errand or two to run. I needed to get him more cigars (don't ask me why he can't get them himself), and I needed to get some gas. I had to dip into my change for enough money for the gas.

  
   Then after I got home, I had a visitor and got paid for sitting last week! So I have some money for groceries now!  I only sat for two days last week, so the amount was smaller than usual. But it is enough for now!


   Well, I am watching Dark Shadows now, so I will sign off, See you all tomorrow!!


     

Craft Progress Report for 4.6.12

   I am very pleased to report that this morning I finished the knitted basket weave patterned afghan for my future grandbaby. Whew! It is currently in the washing machine, and needs to go into the dryer. After it's done I will photograph it for you.

   I am also pleased to announce that I have already started another afghan for future baby! This one is crocheted, a log cabin blanket done in Simply Soft yarn that I found in my stash. I had five pastel colors, with quite a bit left in the skeins. There's even a baby colors ombre yarn too.  So that makes six all together. Sometimes it's good to have a large stash!


   I got confused about how to do the log cabin, since I am doing it from memory. I went to the Lion Brand website and looked at the pictures they have, and I am doing it right. Whew. So now I can keep going! I am very excited about this one. Even though it's crocheted, it will be light, because the yarn is light. It will also live up to it's name, and be very very soft. Here's my progress so far! 

       The crochet hook is placed to remind me where the next section goes.  Hopefully, there will be more photos when it gets bigger. I am stopping every few sections to weave ends in, as it would be an overwhelming task, if left to the end. Hopefully it will look good when it's done. And I can go as big as I want!                                                  

Facing an Empty Nest

   Yup, that's right. My youngest child is going to be moving out. All the way to Fishkill, into his grandmother's house. Her husband wanted him to have it anyway, so he should be smiling down at us from heaven. That is, if he's not mad at us for moving his ashes...


   So the son wants to live in the house in Fishkill. At least he will have a roommate, Graeme,  to share expenses. It makes sense, since Graeme works in Fishkill most of the time. Of course, Jess will now have a nice commute to Hyde Park to work, but he will be closer to his girlfriend. I think she likes that idea.


   Now I can start planning the Empty Nest Party! Of course, I haven't mentioned it yet to Graeme's parents, but I bet they'd be down for one. And after the actual move, we can finally start doing some work in this house, that we've wanted to do for a long time, but just haven't been able to get done because there was no room to move anything.


   There is still a lot of work that needs to get done in the Fishkill house, before the boys can move in. Floors to be refinished, a bathroom to be reassembled, carpet on stairs to come out. As well as painting and general cleaning. But it will get done.


   Hubs has even told Jess he can have our sectional! I'm so excited, because this means I get a new couch!! I've been looking already, on line. I'm leaning towards a double recliner couch, but I have always wanted a chaise. We shall see....


   I am also extremely excited at how much money I will save on groceries! TRUTH! When Jess comes home for dinner, I need twice as much meat as I would need for Hubs and I alone. And don't get me started about those nights when he says he'll be home for dinner and then changes his mind and doesn't let me know.


   Either way, I know he's ready to live on his own. He's more mature than his father and I combined! He has a really good head on his shoulders. I know he will make a go of it.

Knitting Report / Blanket Update

   Today I have managed to take a few new photos of my progress working on the blanket for my future next grandchild.  I am very pleased at how much I've managed to get done! Here is the last known photo of the blanket's progress:

   That was last week, I believe. Since then, I've been working on it as often as I can. When I'm babysitting, I work on it when the princess is napping. At home, I'm working on it while watching TV, either with Hubs or without. And now for the most recent photo! :

   Sorry about the blurriness of the photo, it seems my hands shake a little after only a couple of pictures. But at least you can see how big the blanket is!  I have even started a second skein of yarn, and it's getting used up, I may need the third one I bought.


   I am looking forward to finishing this thing, let me tell you! Now we just have to wait for the news. I am excited, my friend Kim will help me make baby stuff. I told her today, she gets to make the lacy blanket, since I suck at lace knitting, and she's really good at it.

   I don't recall if I ever mentioned that I a knitting this blanket because knitted fabric is lighter than crochet. I already have some crocheted blankets put away, and I wanted a few knitted ones so no matter what season the baby will be born in, he or she will have the right weight blankets all ready and waiting for him/her.

   I also would like to make the Baby Surprise Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmermann for baby as well. That will probably be next on the schedule. Then all we have to do is sit and wait for the news...
  

I Remembered a Few More!

   When we lived in Fishkill, after my mother-in-law passed away, both Hubs and I had experiences there. First, I should say that Betty's ashes were kept on a shelf in the living room, and after we had his dug up, her husband Tom's were there too. I would talk to her quite often. Betty was there for 6 months, Tom only about 4 weeks.


   Hubs was working nights, and sleeping during the day, as he is now. There was more than once that I would be watching TV, reading, or knitting in the living room and I would hear a knock on the door. I would get up, and go to answer it. Each time, there was no one at the door. Sometimes, I would sense that someone was behind me, or I could see someone out of the corner of my eye. Again, there was no one ever there. I have to say, I was never afraid or uncomfortable at these times. Just frustrated. When these things happened, is when I would talk to Betty, and tell her to stop laughing, it's not funny.

  
   After we came home, Hubs and I would still go there on his days off from work, to keep clearing out the house and getting rid of unusable stuff. Sometimes Hubs would have to go by himself. He finally remembered to tell me that more than once, when he was working upstairs in the bathroom, he also heard someone knocking on the door. He would have to stop what he was doing, and go downstairs to answer the door. And every time, no one was there. He was getting frustrated, thinking maybe he was hearing things. At least until I told him I had the same experience when we were living there.


   And now for some reason, he doesn't like to work at the house alone.....

Unexplainable Occurrances II

   After my first marriage ended, I lived in an apartment with my daughter. After a while, I could no longer afford the rent, so I took a roommate. Some of you may remember her, I wrote about her in a very early post.


   For a long time, nothing extraordinary happened. But after C. moved in, some strange things began happening. We both worked the same shift at the same company, so we traveled to work together. One weekend we noticed that the clock in the living room was ticking very loudly. This was unusual, I had never heard it do so before. It was a plug-in clock, not a battery operated one, if that makes any difference.


   Well, C. told the clock to quiet down, stop ticking so loudly. And it did! The next morning, the clock was quiet. For the rest of the time we shared that apartment, every so often that clock would start ticking loudly again, and she would tell it to be quiet, and it would stop. Strange.

  
   Also during that time, I had a necklace that was a zipper on a chain. It was very unusual. One evening as we were getting ready for work, I looked at the necklace. It was weird, I had not really looked at it in a long time. But that day, I specifically remember noticing it hanging on its peg on the wall in my bedroom.

  
   Later that night, as we were working, I was walking back to the clean room after break about 3 a.m. For some reason, I was looking at the floor as I walked along. And there was a necklace that looked just like mine, in the hallway, at the base of a wall.  I picked it up, and stuck it in my pocket. How could it be mine? I hadn't even touched it on its peg, I had just looked at it. I promptly forgot about it and got back to work.


    In the morning, when we got home, I felt the necklace in my pocket. I told C. about how I had found it. With it in my hand, we walked into my room. The peg where my necklace had been was empty. How did it go missing? How did it get to my job? I never touched, or even brushed up against it in passing. Yet there it was, on the floor at my job. Very strange.
  

   After I married my beloved Hubs, we lived with his mother and her husband for a while, to save money to buy a house. We were there about 8 months. Just before we were to move out, I had a really wicked nightmare. I woke up so terrified, I woke Hubs up and told him about it. I dreamt that a woman, a very evil woman, was trying to get me to leave the house. She looked like a gypsy or something, and when I woke up I could feel the force of her, up near the ceiling, in a corner. It was like she was still there, floating. I have never been so scared in my life. Strangest of all!


   These stories are true. I lived through them. And they are the only ones I can remember right now. If any more come memories come back to me, I will let you know!