Catching up again

    It seems we have found the problem with my laptop. The power/charging cord was bad. Hubs and I went to Best Buy and got a new one, and so far it seems all better! There is only one little problem left. This blog site isn't recognizing the browser I'm using. That makes no sense to me, as I use Google as my browser, and Google owns the blogsite. As long as I can continue to post, it matters not to me.


   I did get to go visit with mom yesterday, at least for a while. Hubs had to go to the house in Fishkill to look at, and hopefully fix, a couple of problems they've been having. He dropped me off at mom's so we could visit. We had a nice time. Unfortunately, it wasn't as long of a visit as I thought it would be. It turns out that everything was OK at the house, at least for now.


    I recently purchased a new nook HD+. It's the big one. I love it so far. I love the touch screen, and I made it so that when I'm reading and turn the page, when I swipe the screen it looks like an actual page is turning. It really is the little things that make me happy.


    Since my laptop is back up, I've been busy transferring photos from there to my nook. I can use them for wallpaper! I need to get some photos of Chloe, Mason and Owen from far away, because of the scale thing. I put a close up of Owen as a wallpaper, and all I got was an eye, a nose, and part of his smile. It was scary looking.


   My days last week babysitting for Owen were lots of fun. He is such a joyful little boy. And at 5 months old, he loves it when you hold him up and he stands on our legs. He can actually support his weight, we just hold him for balance. He might be an early walker. I'm not sure if I should be happy for Sara and Mike, or sorry for them!


    Here is the latest photo of Owen, having tummy time.

    I am shamelessly adding the photo of Owen because it seems when I post photos of the grandkids, I get many more views!


    I was knitting on the legwarmers, but the new nook took my attention away from them. I do take them with me when I go to watch Owen. I hope to get some work done while he naps. Keep your fingers crossed, I might take a photo of them if there's any visible progress...

One from the new nook

    This one I'm writing on the new nook, my laptop is still messed up. I've been busy getting ready for the craft fair/flea market on May 17th. This will be a short one also, as I'm currently babysitting Owen. Right now he's happy but that could change in an instant.


    This weekend I plan on visiting my mom. It's been too long. I am still working on the leg warmers, but not a lot. One if these days I will figure out how to get photos from facebook to my nook. In the meantime, stay happy!


    It seems that from my nook, I can't put in any labels...

Today's Pet Peeve

    It's been a  while since I voiced any pet peeves. Recently this one has been really bugging me. I have a nook, and my Hubs has a kindle. When I go shopping for new ebooks, I like to read through the whole description. I want to know if it's worth my money to purchase it.


    That's all fine and dandy, except when I go to open a new ebook to read it, and discover I paid good money for a stupid book that's only 100 pages long! And there, dear reader, is my pet peeve. Why can't Barnes and Noble, and Amazon too for that matter, put in the descriptions how many pages a book is?


    I have actually gone to the mother-site of Barnes and Noble, looking for a way to let them know that this would be appreciated by their readers, but could not find any way to get through to them. I haven't tried Amazon yet, I got pretty discouraged by my experience with bn. I'm hoping they will be easier to contact.


    There has been more than one time that I was upset about the page count of a book. This was brought sharply into contrast yesterday, when I opened a new book to read and discovered it was over 700 pages! I actually cheered!


    You should know that I rarely spend more than $10 for an ebook. I even page through all the free and less than $5 selections first. So it really upsets me when I don't feel I got my money's worth.


    Has this become an issue for any of you, readers? If so please feel free to comment and tell me your stories. I would love to hear them.


    OK, OK, I shouldn't have listened to the Hubs. It turns out that Amazon DOES  tell you the page count. He just never noticed... Sorry for the confusion.

A Literary Rant

    I am a pretty easy going gal, almost always with a smile on my face for everyone. There are a few things that just plain piss me off. One of these is a bad book. Of course it's just my judgement that it's bad, after all someone somewhere (mistakenly)  thought it was worthy of publishing.


    So far in my life there have been four books that I have deemed totally unworthy of my money and time. The first three I don't remember the names of, but one was written by a best selling author. I read that one while on vacation in the late 70's. I remember we were camping, and when I finally finished reading that awful book, I took the walk down to the lake and threw it in. It was a paperback, so not a huge monetary investment. But I had to force myself to read it, hoping against hope that it would get better. It didn't.


    The second one was about an old German lady who told her life story. That one was awful as well. I remember that when I finished that one, I literally tore it up and threw it away. I was at work, and I remember the looks I got from other people in the break room at the time. It was also a paperback, if that makes any difference.


    The third book I have written about before, the one about the werewolves that was so badly written that I thought it was either written by a child or (very) badly translated from its original language. I never even finished reading that book. In fact I'd like to find it and try reading it again, this time with a highlighter so I can mark all the horrible grammar and literary offenses.


    Those three books were actual paper books, purchased at stores. This newest bad book is on my nook. I thought the cover looked interesting, and the story blurb sounded like it might be as well. I was wrong. I am once again forcing myself to read a book . But when I'm done, I won't be able to have the satisfaction of ripping it up, or throwing it in a lake. The name of this book is The Cambodian Book of the Dead. It's author is a man named Tom Vater. I am currently on page 202 of 259, so I'm nearly finished with it. I did have a thought that maybe my Hubs would like it, so it wouldn't be a total waste. If he does read it, I'll let you know what he thinks of it. 


    I am still knitting on the knitted super secret project. As long as I remember to stretch my shoulder out I remain pain free. YAY!

Baby bootie, take II

    Today I had to take the Hubs' truck in to have the windshield replaced. He had to work unexpectedly, so I got to take it for him. It just so happens that the glass place is right across the road from Michaels craft store.


   So I left early, and went to Michaels first. I wanted to buy some new yarn for the crocodile stitch baby booties. I found some nice dark grey Patons Kroy Sock yarn. It will work. Of course, I was done waaaay before my scheduled appointment time. I drove over there, and figured I'd just have to wait.


    It turns out that they could so the windshield right away! In fact the guys were thrilled that I was so early. I guess the earlier they get their appointments done, the earlier they can go home.


   While I was waiting, I was reading on my nook. But that new yarn was calling to me. I had brought everything I would need in case I decided to crochet instead of reading. I had three hooks, sizes D, E and F, a scissor, four lockable stitch markers, a pencil, and the pattern. I even brought the first bootie sole I made to compare the new one to.


    I completed the first sole while I was waiting. The last thing to do on it was to single crochet all around the edge of the sole, using 50 stitches. I only managed 47. I still might rip that last round out and do it over. But I don't see any places to put three more stitches.

 

    That's the photo I took of both soles. The first one from yesterday, and the one I just did today. That is the same dime, by the way. Why oh why do babies have to be so freaking tiny?                                                                                                                

Reading, Crocheting and Arthritis Report

   I am currently enjoying the 12th book of the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton.  It's called Incubus Dreams, and like all the rest, it's really good.


    I actually crocheted today, in between bouts of reading. The day passed pretty quickly, and before I knew it, it was after 6 pm! I woke up at 4:45 this morning, which really is the ass crack of dawn. I made a trip to the ladies room, and then in my half awake stupor, went into the kitchen and turned on the coffee maker. I forgot that Hubs wasn't scheduled to work today.  I got back into bed, but couldn't get back to sleep, I couldn't get comfortable. I eventually got up and had some coffee. But by 9,  I was getting really tired even after two cups of coffee. So I went back to bed and took a nap.


    A few weeks ago, I noticed that the exercises I had been doing with the hand weight weren't working any more. I was at my wits end, I didn't know what to do next. The pain was becoming excruciating. Suddenly I had a thought. Couldn't I stretch the joint out in a doorway or an outer wall corner? I've been doing that now, and it's working! It seems like every other day I feel uncomfortable, which is way better than pain every day.


    I asked Hubs to model the move for me for a photo, so you could see what it looks like, but he wouldn't do it. So I had him photograph me while doing it:

    After this move, I usually turn sideways so I can stretch it out the other way. I usually do it in the bathroom, on my way out. It is really working. You may not be able to tell from this photo, but the  burgundy wall end that my arm is on actually sticks out about 4 inches from the short wall. That way, I can really step into the stretch.

A random literary story and more

    I have been rereading the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series on my nook. All of them, in order. Yesterday I finished #3. I am having trouble getting #4 to load on my nook. But that's not the point.


    I've been living in this woman's world for a long, long time. I love these books, they are like old and dear friends. Anyway, any man in Anita's life knows that she is always armed, and never to walk on her right side, or hold her right hand. That's the hand she needs to draw her pistol from her shoulder holster.


    Well the other night, Hubs and I went to our favorite BBQ joint, Billy Bob's BBQ, in Poughkeepsie. There is no parking lot there, so you park a ways away and walk to it. We enjoyed our food, and as we left we were walking down the sidewalk hand in hand. As we were walking, I thought that he should be walking on my right side, since I'm left handed and would need my left hand free to pull my pistol from my shoulder holster. That is how immersed in Anita's world I can get. 


    P.S. The laundry detergent works pretty good! I am officially pleased. I did another load yesterday. Also yesterday my Hubs did some work on my Jeep and used it as a hand cleaner. He said it worked better than the store bought kinds. YAY! If at some future time I become disenchanted with this stuff, I will be sure to let you know. I think I have an idea of what some people are getting for Christmas....


    Now if you will excuse me, I need to call the 800 number that keeps appearing on my nook screen, "if this problem continues".

Knitting and reading

    That's me, knitting and reading. I am working on the super secret project, getting close to 25% along.  And when I'm not doing that, I'm reading. I read through all the books I got for my nook, and I don't want to buy any more at this time, so I'm rereading the whole Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series, from the beginning. All twenty two books. I started book 1 yesterday.


    Tomorrow I get to hang with my granddaughter for a while, while her mom takes her little brother to the dentist. I'm looking forward to that. Can't wait to see what she'll want to do.


    When my son and his girlfriend went on their cruise, they brought mama back a bottle of Vaanilla Rum from St. Maarten. I broke into it last evening, and it's really good! I just poured a shot over ice and filled the glass up with Seagrams Ginger Ale. My usual treatment for alcohol, usually vanilla vodka.


    I've been buying those little cans of my soda, because they are just the right size for my drinks. I was highly disappointed to discover that they are part of that whole "controlled serving size" thing that is so popular these days. But I'll buy them anyway, because they are the perfect size for my drinks without wasting the rest of the bigger can.


    So that's what's keeping me busy, knitting and reading, and a little drink or two in the evening...

I stand corrected

    I had a nice visit with my expectant daughter yesterday, she came over to swim. We spent a good part of the day together. It was good to see her! Of course, we talked a lot. And it seems I was premature in stating that the baby is a boy. The doctors are saying that "so far, it looks like a boy." So they aren't truly sure yet. What you can be sure of is that when we are positive, I will shout it from the rooftops!

   
    The pool water has cooled off a little bit, it was 84 yesterday, and is still 84 again today. Believe it or not it still felt refreshing when the air temp was over 90!

   
    As far as the knitting goes, I'm still working on the arm warmers. They are coming along slowly but surely. It's just been too darn hot to think about knitting. I have been reading, however! I'm so thankful for my nook! I also have a kindle fire HD, I use that for playing games, although I do have several book in it as well.

In which records are set, then broken

    This has been one hell of a summer. We set a record for pool temp last week, when the water reached 83 degrees. You need to understand that our pool has NEVER gotten that warm. In fact it's famous for being cold all summer.


    For most of the years we've lived here, our pool was only in full sun for maybe 5 or 6 hours a day, from around 10 am to 4 pm, maximum. We have a wooded lot on one side, and the trees block the afternoon sun. We petitioned the owner of the property to cut down some of the trees, and they agreed. We got a little more sun, a little later in the day.


    Last year, we got more time when the trees blocking the morning sun had to come down. Super Storm Sandy undermined the trees roots, and they  started leaning pretty badly. Taking those two trees down seems to have really helped our pool sun time.


    Until this year, the warmest our pool ever got was 82 degrees. it usually hovered around 76 or 78. It only got warmer if it was really hot out and didn't cool off at night. Well, since taking the trees extended our morning sun, we hit the previously mentioned 83 last week. Then rained some and the temp cooled off to 78. but we were soon back up to 82, then 83. And then yesterday, we hit a new high of 84!!


    Unfortunately, I preferred the pool cooler. I swim to cool off, not to feel like I'm in a bathtub. Anyway, it was a proud moment. If you'll excuse me, it's time to put my suit on and go down to the pool. I'll be taking my nook, as well as my knitting and crocheting projects. I like to mix it up.

What I'm Doing Instead, and Why

    Since I have confessed that I haven't been crafting, I must state that I haven't just been sitting around watching TV like a zombie. I've been reading. Now, it's been my habit for many, many years to keep a book in the bathroom. When I will be in there for an extended period of time, I pass the time by reading.


    For the past few years, the bathroom has been the home for my nook. It's like having an entire library in there. I read all the Game of Thrones books, and discovered a new series, The Iron Druid, by Kevin Hearne.


    While waiting impatiently for the latest Iron Druid book to come out, I decided to reread one of my favorite books. The Witching Hour by Anne Rice. She used to be my very favorite author, but then she went and got all religious on me. But even though I liked her vampire books, I have always thought that the books about the Mayfair Witches were better. And The Witching Hour, I consider her master work.


    One day before the anxiously awaited new book came out, I finished The Witching Hour. Unfortunately I didn't know that. So I decided to reread the second Mayfair Witches book, Lasher. I was hoping I would like it better the second time around, since many years have passed since I first read it.


    So now I'm trying to rush through Lasher, so I can read the newest Iron Druid book. But I'm savoring the waiting too.


    It's like with my all time favorite series, Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter by my very favorite author, Laurell K. Hamilton. I have all of the series in hardcover as well as on my nook. The twenty second book is due out soon. I can't wait! So she's getting twice the money from me. In fact, when I first got my nook, my goal was to buy all the Anita Blake ebooks. And I did, a few at a time, and reread them all. It took all of that summer, but I got them all.


    Ms. Hamilton writes another series about Merry Gentry, a fairy princess. I have read most of them also, but the Anita Blake ones remain my favorite. I recommend these books to anyone who will listen.


    As to why I've been reading and not knitting or crocheting, it all has to do with this future grandbaby. I swore I wasn't going to make anything else until we knew for sure the sex of this child. And my daughter and son-in-law want to know before the actual birth. So I'm anxiously waiting, crochet hooks and knitting needles at the ready. I'm even planning on making something on one of those round knitting looms.

No knitting, little sleep - A rant

    I am very grumpy this morning. I am forced to drink my luscious chocolate truffle coffee with "white trash" powdered "creamer" and not real sugar, but Equal. All in the name of love. I wonder if it's worth it. Hells yeah.


    I am also grumpy because I couldn't sleep last night. My legs really hurt, and all I did was toss and turn until about 1:30 am, that's when I got up to read for a while. And of course, just as I open my nook and wake it up, it's power is low. So I had to find a working plug close to where I was sitting, so I could still read. I think I read until 3 or 4, I don't remember.


    Then there's the issue with my laptop. I had it plugged in, but this morning no sooner did I fire it up and begin my perusal of facebook, than it died. Apparently there was no power in the outlet to which it was plugged, and had been plugged into since yesterday afternoon. Who knew?


    So now my morning headache is rearing it's ugly head. And I have no Advil. It will go away, it's just a nagging thing that I don't really want to think about. You see, every one of my medications has headache listed as a side effect. Nice, huh? So I usually live in a pretty constant state of headache. I take some Advil in the morning, and some in the evening. That usually takes care of it.


    And I haven't begun to knit yet. The Boxy sweater is still in Time Out, but Sara's sweater, and my own are with me, as well as some last minute yarn that called to me as I was winding. Side note: Boxy may never get done. I am really pissed at the Malabrigo sock yarn. As I was re-winding it off the needles, it got so tangled that I had to cut it. THREE FRACKING TIMES. (I'm pretty sure it was because the knitting got twisted) I may end up just burning that ball. It will be a fitting sacrifice to the Yarn Goddess.

I think I was knitting too much, is that even possible?

    My yarn finger hurts. It's actually sore! I may have been knitting too much, even though I doubt it's possible. So I have therefore decided to cease and desist the pain causing activity for a few days.


    Watching myself knit, I realize that I hold the yarn with my index finger and throw it with my middle finger. I don't know if that's normal, but it works for me.


     It just so happens that I downloaded three new books on my nook, and I've been reading them. They are a series, The Iron Druid Chronicles, by Kevin Hearne. They are named, in order, Hounded, Hexed and Hammered. I've finished the 1st, and started the 2nd. I am enjoying them immensely.


    I feel much better today, well enough that I went to work. I put in my four hours and then came home. I still enjoy working at the Awesome Store! Then I will turn  around and do it again tomorrow. Since the Hudson Valley Marketplace has closed, we are at the original flagship store in Hyde Park, on 9G. That's where they do all the cooking and pickling and stuff. It's fascinating!


   

and a good time was had by all

    I am so very glad, in a way, that the whole hoopla over the holiday is over. It was a difficult one, for me, because of the empty nest thing. Jess wasn't here. But we did get to see him today, and Julie too. We were invited to her mom's house for Christmas dinner, and we went. I usually have trouble getting Hubs to social functions. But this was a small one.


    We had a really good time! Not that it was a surprise, or anything. We just haven't gotten to spend much time with them. Last year, they all went to the Giants game on Christmas Eve, then we all met afterward at her house, and had a big wing-ding. That was lots of fun! This year she promised it would be quieter, just Linda and Chip, Julie's grandmother, Jesse and Julie, and us.


    We really enjoyed their company, and the food was good. I've never had German food before, being of Italian extraction.


    Santa was good to me this year. I got the Kindle Fire I wanted, even though I was told I wouldn't be getting one. I initially had some trouble connecting to the Internet, then I realized I was attempting to use the wrong router. Once I got that straightened out, I was golden.


    First thing I downloaded? Angry Birds! I love that game. Hubs also got me some gift cards, Visa and from Barnes and Noble. I also have a nook, that I absolutely love, and will never give up. Technically, I own the nook, a regular Kindle, and now the Kindle Fire. Hubs uses the regular Kindle. I don't see me downloading many books to the Kindle Fire. I think it will be for playing games. But we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?


    I feel I must report that even though I took my knitting with me, I didn't knit at all today.

An Almost Perfect Day

    Today will be one of those. I got to sleep late, and now I'm having my favorite chocolate coffee. I really don't want to go anywhere, or do anything. Just sit here, drink my coffee, and knit.


    Oh yeah, and keep an eye on the pool filter. And finish the laundry I started last night. And there are some dishes that could use a washing. I guess it never really ends, does it? But if I'm lucky, maybe I can get a few good knitting hours in.


    I am currently working on the Arachno Shawl by Jennifer Dassau. (Available on Ravelry) My bestest knitting buddy, Kim, had started it, and I thought it was really cool, so I bought the pattern too, and started it a few days ago. I know, I am making the Wingspan shawl, but I am taking a break from that. I'm using that for my purse project right now. You know, the one you keep in your purse for when you travel? In my case, it's for if I get stuck somewhere, or the Jeep breaks down or something. I always either have my nook, or a knitting or crochet project with me at all times.


    I have the next few days off from babysitting Miss Malia, so that's nice. Even though she is a sweetheart, it's nice to take a break. I go back Wednesday.


   I am supposed to visit with friends today. But I just don't want to leave the house. I went to Bonny's last night and we sat by the fire pit and talked. It's fun when we do that. But I can't do it too often. Being that my lungs are bad, I can't take the smoke too often. In the Winter, she uses her fireplace, and I can't visit then, either. The smoke makes it really hard to breathe.


    So, for as long as I can, I am going to enjoy this almost perfect day! I hope yours is perfect as well!

My Nook, The Yarn Harlot's New Book, And Me!

   I have always, always, been an avid reader. Both of my parents were teachers, and encouraged us to read. In grade school, the teacher would give out the Weekly Reader sheets, and I would order the most books of anyone in the class! Now, we didn't have very much money, but that's how much my parents valued reading.

   One of the bedrooms in our house has been turned into a little library. There are nearly wall to wall shelves, and a desk where our old computer sits. Unfortunately it's not big enough to add comfy chairs. But the book shelves are full, the books are doubled or even tripled up on each shelf.

   A little over a year ago, I bought myself a nook e-reader. My daughter has one, and so do some friends. In the first month, I bought, and read, every book in my favorite series that was published at that time. Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. At that time I think there were 17 or 18 books. I re-read them all in just over one month.

   About a week ago, I read on the Yarn Harlots blog that she had signed some e-readers at Rhinebeck. A light bulb went on over my head! I had never thought to look for her books for my nook! So when I finally remembered, and had my nook with me, I shopped for her books. I purchased the newest one, and put the rest on my "wish list". Except for At Knit's End, which I bought and had signed at Rhinebeck.

   Now, these days, I am not reading as much. I am spending lots of time knitting, so my nook sits in the bathroom, waiting for me. For many years, I have kept a book in the bathroom, for those times when, let's say, it may take more than a few minutes to complete my business.

   Lately, that's where my nook spends most of it's time. I take it with me to other places, like the doctors office, where I may have to wait for a while. Especially if my current knitting project is too big or complicated to work on while I'm waiting.

   So the other day, I finally finished the book I had been reading, and was able to start Stephanie's new book. I have come to realize that the bathroom may not be the best place to read this book! It is so funny and entertaining, I can't put it down! My legs have fallen asleep as I read to the end of the current story.

   So what am I to do? I think I will just have to hang in there and try to force myself not to read too much, to put the nook down. I am just really glad that All Wound Up isn't over 800 pages, like a couple of books I have read recently. If they were that long, I bet I'd lose the use of my legs.