I don't know what's wrong with me. For over 20 years, I have had the perfect canvas for a great yarn bomb right in my back yard! And it's only now, that we are fixing and upgrading, that it suddenly occurs to me. The chain link fence around our pool! I want to wait until the new fence is up, but that gives me plenty of time to make 2" wide strips. Some of my friends are even chipping in to help!
I have one crocheted purple strip done, I'm estimating it's about 12 feet long. I am currently knitting a strip, and also have another crocheted strip in progress. All this, as well as working on a new knitted blanket for O.G.
The blanket for O.G. sprang from that wrap project from a few posts ago... As I was knitting it, I thought if I put a garter stitch border on it, this would make a cool blanket, and after a while I couldn't resist the call any more. So the wrap is in a time out, along with all my other projects that I got bored with.
This past week, I went to visit my mom. We had a lovely visit, but it's funny how these visits bring up childhood memories that you think you've forgotten. One of the strongest memories for me is once I was sick, in bed, and mom brought me a glass of apple juice. As I drank it, I got a mouthful of apple juice mixed with dish soap.
Now, it was a very insignificant event, in general, yet it affects me to this day. Whenever I'm at mom's and take a glass out of the cupboard, I habitually put the glass to my nose and sniff the inside. You know, to make sure it doesn't have any dish soap residue in it....
It goes without saying that to this day, I will not drink apple juice either. But the most significant consequence of that little episode is that it's made me what I call a "Super Rinser". When I wash dishes, I rinse them so well, there couldn't possibly be any dish soap residue left in there to dry and mix with anything in the future, saving future generations from the trauma.
Showing posts with label childhood memories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label childhood memories. Show all posts
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Memories of the Knitting Nazi
You all remember my beloved maternal grandmother, the one I refer to as the Knitting Nazi. There are so many memories of her in my life. She would come for a visit for two weeks and stay two months. She drove my mom crazy with her digs at my dad.
One of my favorite stories, and I actually witnessed this, is the time she was laying on the couch in her nightie and robe, covered by an afghan. Her hair was a mess, and she was complaining that she wasn't feeling well at all. My dad needed to go out for something. He stood at the door and jingled his car keys. Grandma sat up, bolted off that couch, and in less than five minutes was at his side, fully dressed with her hair brushed, face made up, and her purse on her arm asking "Where are we going?"!
When she couldn't take care of herself any more, my mom and her sister decided to move her to a nursing home in Florida, near my aunt. She would look after her and make sure she was OK. That left us to pack up her belongings in her little apartment in upstate NY. One weekend my mother-in-law and I went up, to go through what was left and see if there was anything I wanted.
Apparently, my aunt told grandma about this. I heard from my mom that she was telling people that I had gone to her place and stolen her things. It makes me sad to think she thought that of me. She had dementia by that time, and wasn't all there. But it still made me sad.
Anyway, she passed away a while ago. I recently went through a bag of her stuff that was in my closet. I found a box of embroidery thread and notions. In there was a tiny pair of scissors. They are really good scissors. I've had them next to my bed since then. Yesterday I decided to put them to good use. I remembered that she used to have them on a chain stitch necklace around her neck. She said, that way you always know where they are and don't have to go searching for them.
So, I crocheted a long chain and put the scissors on it. Now I have a scissors necklace too. It's in my notions bag with all the other things that crafters need like stitchmarkers, little crochet hooks, yarn needle, and a small tape measure.
One of my favorite stories, and I actually witnessed this, is the time she was laying on the couch in her nightie and robe, covered by an afghan. Her hair was a mess, and she was complaining that she wasn't feeling well at all. My dad needed to go out for something. He stood at the door and jingled his car keys. Grandma sat up, bolted off that couch, and in less than five minutes was at his side, fully dressed with her hair brushed, face made up, and her purse on her arm asking "Where are we going?"!
When she couldn't take care of herself any more, my mom and her sister decided to move her to a nursing home in Florida, near my aunt. She would look after her and make sure she was OK. That left us to pack up her belongings in her little apartment in upstate NY. One weekend my mother-in-law and I went up, to go through what was left and see if there was anything I wanted.
Apparently, my aunt told grandma about this. I heard from my mom that she was telling people that I had gone to her place and stolen her things. It makes me sad to think she thought that of me. She had dementia by that time, and wasn't all there. But it still made me sad.
Anyway, she passed away a while ago. I recently went through a bag of her stuff that was in my closet. I found a box of embroidery thread and notions. In there was a tiny pair of scissors. They are really good scissors. I've had them next to my bed since then. Yesterday I decided to put them to good use. I remembered that she used to have them on a chain stitch necklace around her neck. She said, that way you always know where they are and don't have to go searching for them.
So, I crocheted a long chain and put the scissors on it. Now I have a scissors necklace too. It's in my notions bag with all the other things that crafters need like stitchmarkers, little crochet hooks, yarn needle, and a small tape measure.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Sara Found Some Old Photos!
I know I promised you guys a good photo of my dad, well I didn't have one. But it looks like my daughter Sara did! She posted a bunch of photos on facebook last night, so I put some in my computer's photo files.
Here is an early one, my parent's wedding photo! January 22, 1955!
And another wedding photo, this one is Sara and grandpa at the wedding of my friends, Beth and Tim. September, 1978:
Here is an early one, my parent's wedding photo! January 22, 1955!
And another wedding photo, this one is Sara and grandpa at the wedding of my friends, Beth and Tim. September, 1978:
At least that's what I think. If I'm wrong, I'll let you know! This next one is my favorite of Sara, she was so freaking cute!
The only other photo of her I liked this much, she was running down the hall in a dorm at Potsdam State, with a beer in her hand!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Another No Crafting Day
I know it's late, for me at least. I thought I'd better write my post for the day. I didn't get to photograph anything today, the weather didn't cooperate. And I spent most of the day today at my mom's apartment, helping her pack her things for the move to a smaller place.
On the good side, she found another of my class pictures from grade school! This one is from 4th grade. I will add the class photos to the list of things I will photograph at some point in the near future. I'd like to see how well they come out.
Talking to mom today, she told me that the table from yesterday's post was one of the first pieces of furniture she and dad got when they got married. That makes it even more special. I asked her, and my memory was correct, it was originally blonde wood. Very 1950's.
I know she needs my help; it's very hard for her to sort, and organize, these days. She gets overwhelmed easily. We have all been chipping in to help, and her friends have been especially helpful.
I am still not working on anything, craft wise. I forgot to ask Sara about the colors for her friend's pot holders. I haven't even started decorating my felted purse, and I used it today when I went to mom's.
Oh well, there's always tomorrow for crafting!
On the good side, she found another of my class pictures from grade school! This one is from 4th grade. I will add the class photos to the list of things I will photograph at some point in the near future. I'd like to see how well they come out.
Talking to mom today, she told me that the table from yesterday's post was one of the first pieces of furniture she and dad got when they got married. That makes it even more special. I asked her, and my memory was correct, it was originally blonde wood. Very 1950's.
I know she needs my help; it's very hard for her to sort, and organize, these days. She gets overwhelmed easily. We have all been chipping in to help, and her friends have been especially helpful.
I am still not working on anything, craft wise. I forgot to ask Sara about the colors for her friend's pot holders. I haven't even started decorating my felted purse, and I used it today when I went to mom's.
Oh well, there's always tomorrow for crafting!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Still Recuperating, and Other News
Today, I'm still recuperating, sort of. I feel much better than I thought I would. Spending that much time on my feet was... difficult. It got to the point where I had to just keep walking, or I would have fallen right over.
After I got home, I took some Advil, and put my feet up for a while. I was actually getting cramps in my leg muscles, and couldn't really get comfortable. But I slept well, and got up to find that I wasn't in too much discomfort. I'm still taking it kind of easy today, but I am doing laundry. Up and down the stairs is fun.
Last week, I went to my mom's to help her pack up some stuff for the move to the new, smaller apartment. I ended up bringing more stuff home than I packed! She gave me a box of kitchen stuff that she doesn't need, and a coffee table.
Not just any coffee table. This table was a very large part of my childhood. I have memories of turning it upside down, and playing in it. Looking at it now, I couldn't have been more than 2 or 3 years old! Maybe 4 at the outside. Mom has kept it all these years. She, of course, has painted it. It now has two children in olden days clothes on it, all done up in folk art painting.
Unfortunately, it also has a pretty good crack in the top. I have asked Hubs if he can perhaps repair it with clamps and some glue.
Here is a shot of the right side of the top, you can really see the crack.
And the left side, with the matching daisies.
Perhaps tomorrow morning, when the light is better, I can carefully turn the table over, and show you my favorite play area.
I am currently not working on anything, craft wise. Although.... a certain pregnant lady greatly admired the pot holders I made for Sara.... Maybe I can make her a pair. I'll call Sara later, and ask her about color combinations.
And P.S. - Today is my mom's 80th birthday! She is from a tiny little town in upstate New York, which doesn't actually exist any more. It became overtaken by another town, as it grew. I think my mom is the only person I've ever known who actually attended a one room school house. It boggles the mind, doesn't it?
After I got home, I took some Advil, and put my feet up for a while. I was actually getting cramps in my leg muscles, and couldn't really get comfortable. But I slept well, and got up to find that I wasn't in too much discomfort. I'm still taking it kind of easy today, but I am doing laundry. Up and down the stairs is fun.
Last week, I went to my mom's to help her pack up some stuff for the move to the new, smaller apartment. I ended up bringing more stuff home than I packed! She gave me a box of kitchen stuff that she doesn't need, and a coffee table.
Not just any coffee table. This table was a very large part of my childhood. I have memories of turning it upside down, and playing in it. Looking at it now, I couldn't have been more than 2 or 3 years old! Maybe 4 at the outside. Mom has kept it all these years. She, of course, has painted it. It now has two children in olden days clothes on it, all done up in folk art painting.
Unfortunately, it also has a pretty good crack in the top. I have asked Hubs if he can perhaps repair it with clamps and some glue.
Here is a shot of the right side of the top, you can really see the crack.
And the left side, with the matching daisies.
Perhaps tomorrow morning, when the light is better, I can carefully turn the table over, and show you my favorite play area.
I am currently not working on anything, craft wise. Although.... a certain pregnant lady greatly admired the pot holders I made for Sara.... Maybe I can make her a pair. I'll call Sara later, and ask her about color combinations.
And P.S. - Today is my mom's 80th birthday! She is from a tiny little town in upstate New York, which doesn't actually exist any more. It became overtaken by another town, as it grew. I think my mom is the only person I've ever known who actually attended a one room school house. It boggles the mind, doesn't it?
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