I feel lousy today...and don't look so good, either. Yesterday Fanny the dog head butted me while she was trying to climb onto my lap. Actually, she uses the afghan as a hammock and climbs onto that as it cover my legs while they are extended onto the hassock. It's much more comfortable...for both of us...except when she gets a claw tangled in the afghan and panics! And that's what happened yesterday. While I tried to get her foot untangled she head butted me in the face/cheek and I think we both saw mini stars for a couple of seconds. I got her untangled and she settled down for a couple of minutes of snuggling. I know she can hear/feel my mechanical heart valve and I like to think she cuddles to check it out. After she went back to her own chair...she allows Jeff to sit in it when he's here...I checked my face and couldn't find any bruises or marks...just a sore spot. All day my sinus/nose dripped and by bedtime I had decided it was time to dig out the Coricidin and make it stop so I could get some sleep. It did and I did but this morning I woke up with the lower right side of my face swollen but with no pain! I look like a fat baby...on that side! But my sinus are still dry! Maybe when it starts to drip again the swelling will go away. It has gone down some...just not all the way.
I got one of my new socks finished and the 2nd one started. They're going faster than they do for Jeff but that's because of the difference in sizes. I hope I get the 2nd one finished today then I can start a skirt and sweater set. Can't wait to see how they work out.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
It's Here!
After lunch Fanny (the dog) and I dashed to the car for a quick trip to the Post Office and grocery store. The air temperature was +8 degrees (I don't even want to think what the wind chill was!) and found a box from KnitPicks on the passenger seat. It was my yarn order that they had shipped on Friday! I almost went back into the house and skipped the trip to town but I needed to mail the cowl I had finished and we were out of bread. (The trip to the PO, grocery store and back home...including unloading the car only took 45 minutes.)
It was like Christmas opening the box and oohing and aahing over the colors and textures of the yarn. I got Stroll Fingering yarn in Kindling Tonal to make Jeff socks for Valentine's Day and Stroll Fingering in Hayride Hand-painted to make him socks for his birthday in March. There's even some Stroll Fingering in Herbal Wreath Hand-painted for socks for me!
Then there's the Comfy Worsted I'm going to use to made skirt and sweater sets for the shop. The size 1 outfits have white or ivory short sleeve raglan sweaters worked from the neck down on US 8's with a 3-buttons back closure and embroidered floral detail on the front . The skirts are done on US 8's circulars with 3/4" elastic in the waistband. The buttons and floral detail are done in the same color as the skirt. I got the cotton and acrylic Comfy in Celestial, Lilac, Zinna and Peapod...all bright colors. (Last season the sweater and skirt sets sold well done in Red Heart acrylic but I think the cotton blend might be more comfortable to wear.) I also got some Comfy fingering in those colors to do matching socks.
Now that my yarn is here I better get busy! The shop opens for the season Friday, April 3rd (Good Friday!
It was like Christmas opening the box and oohing and aahing over the colors and textures of the yarn. I got Stroll Fingering yarn in Kindling Tonal to make Jeff socks for Valentine's Day and Stroll Fingering in Hayride Hand-painted to make him socks for his birthday in March. There's even some Stroll Fingering in Herbal Wreath Hand-painted for socks for me!
Then there's the Comfy Worsted I'm going to use to made skirt and sweater sets for the shop. The size 1 outfits have white or ivory short sleeve raglan sweaters worked from the neck down on US 8's with a 3-buttons back closure and embroidered floral detail on the front . The skirts are done on US 8's circulars with 3/4" elastic in the waistband. The buttons and floral detail are done in the same color as the skirt. I got the cotton and acrylic Comfy in Celestial, Lilac, Zinna and Peapod...all bright colors. (Last season the sweater and skirt sets sold well done in Red Heart acrylic but I think the cotton blend might be more comfortable to wear.) I also got some Comfy fingering in those colors to do matching socks.
Now that my yarn is here I better get busy! The shop opens for the season Friday, April 3rd (Good Friday!
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| Comfy Cotton/Acrylic blend |
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| Washable woolblend |
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Time for Some Slippers
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| The cuff is still in progress here...only 2" high. |
Monday, January 5, 2015
No Power!?!
Last night as I was getting ready to go to bed the electricity went off. Came on and went off again. Since I had already turned off many of the lights there wasn't much more I could do there. I grabbed my cell phone (no electricity means no land phone service)and both rechargeable flashlights and called Jeff. He suggested that the dog and I come down to his apartment for the night. Now that didn't appeal much to me for several reasons...the highway was dark--the power outage was pretty widespread--no street lights or stop lights; if I parked on the street in front of his building I'd end up with a parking ticket and if I parked behind his building I'd have to walk thru the alley/driveway to the front door...even if he met me in the parking lot; and the tub in his bathroom is still leaking into the apartment below his so it can't be used. And finally, my house would be without heat...what would happen to the water pipes? If I stayed home and the power stayed off I could keep a fire going in the stove and that might help...wouldn't it? Jeff offered to come up but I knew after our trip to the ER the night before he really wanted to spend the night alone in this own bed. He called National Grid to find out how long the outage would possibly last and called me back to say they estimated it would be back on around 3am. So I crawled into bed and pulled the covers up. Fanny stretched out next to me and we went to sleep.
Everything was fine until I tried to roll over and found out that all this time I had been accusing the wrong bed partner of hogging the blankets! Fanny would not let me have any of the blankets that would have covered Jeff if he had been there. The dog did not want me to use his blankets!! I ended up getting another blanket...it was easier and quicker than fighting with the dog!
I woke up around 5am when the furnace came on and different appliances started beeping...to tell me they were back on! I quickly reset the kitchen stove and microwave...to silence the beeping...and turned off the PC and dryer and various lights and went back to bed. Jeff called around 7:30am to make sure everything was working. I was asleep again but gave up and got up. There wasn't any mention of the power outage on the local news this morning so maybe it wasn't as wide spread as they thought it was last night. Today we had a series of snow storms with whiteouts. So far we've gotten 3-4" of snow...covering 1-2" of ice. It's cold, too. Glad I didn't have to go anywhere. Jeff was here this afternoon and the dog didn't want to stay outside and play with him for every long! Got to keep remembering, Easter is only 3 months away!
Everything was fine until I tried to roll over and found out that all this time I had been accusing the wrong bed partner of hogging the blankets! Fanny would not let me have any of the blankets that would have covered Jeff if he had been there. The dog did not want me to use his blankets!! I ended up getting another blanket...it was easier and quicker than fighting with the dog!
I woke up around 5am when the furnace came on and different appliances started beeping...to tell me they were back on! I quickly reset the kitchen stove and microwave...to silence the beeping...and turned off the PC and dryer and various lights and went back to bed. Jeff called around 7:30am to make sure everything was working. I was asleep again but gave up and got up. There wasn't any mention of the power outage on the local news this morning so maybe it wasn't as wide spread as they thought it was last night. Today we had a series of snow storms with whiteouts. So far we've gotten 3-4" of snow...covering 1-2" of ice. It's cold, too. Glad I didn't have to go anywhere. Jeff was here this afternoon and the dog didn't want to stay outside and play with him for every long! Got to keep remembering, Easter is only 3 months away!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Oh, What A Night!
Like most couples our age, Jeff and I don't go out as much as we use to...and when we do it's usually something special. Well, last night was one of those 'special nights'. Jeff was here for supper and was kind of quiet. It was obvious he wasn't feeling well. He said his right side felt kind of numb all day...like he had gotten a king size shot of novacaine. It had worn off but still didn't feel right. Finally around 7:30 he suggested a trip to the Little Falls ER to rule out anything serious. Now, if you remember, last night we had a wintry mix...snow, sheet, freezing rain and the roads were lousy. But I drove slowly...very slowly...to the hospital. Jeff kept saying if they kept him overnight I'd have to drive home alone and I kept saying no, I'd stay with him till morning. (That was not true love, that was pure fear. I wasn't going to drive anywhere again in that last night!) His BP was high at first but came down after awhile...a little 'white coat' fever? Anyway, after a couple of hours in the ER they let him go home. All test results were OK and it was probably just reaction to his meds. Better safe than sorry, anyway, Jeff drove home!
When we got home, we found that the dog had had a party. Cleaned out the garbage pail. Shredded cardboard and eggshells everywhere...even in bed! She ate the rest of the stale, hard-as-rocks Christmas cookies that I had thrown away! Had one of my shoes and one of my work gloves as 'party favors' (but didn't chew on them). And was so-o-o glad to see us. We were only gone for 2 1/2 hours! She kept trying to sit on my lap (remember she weighs 70 lbs) or getting between Jeff's legs and the chair. She knew he wasn't mad at her but she wasn't sure about me. After everyone calmed down and had a snack...including a glass of wine for me...we went to bed...with the dog in the middle! It was a restless night for the humans. Jeff kept getting up to check what was going on when he heard the snow & ice slide off the roof as the temperature warmed up and it came crashing down, and I kept waking up when my stuffy nose won and I couldn't breath without wheezing but the dog slept like a...dog...safe and content with her people next to her.
When we got home, we found that the dog had had a party. Cleaned out the garbage pail. Shredded cardboard and eggshells everywhere...even in bed! She ate the rest of the stale, hard-as-rocks Christmas cookies that I had thrown away! Had one of my shoes and one of my work gloves as 'party favors' (but didn't chew on them). And was so-o-o glad to see us. We were only gone for 2 1/2 hours! She kept trying to sit on my lap (remember she weighs 70 lbs) or getting between Jeff's legs and the chair. She knew he wasn't mad at her but she wasn't sure about me. After everyone calmed down and had a snack...including a glass of wine for me...we went to bed...with the dog in the middle! It was a restless night for the humans. Jeff kept getting up to check what was going on when he heard the snow & ice slide off the roof as the temperature warmed up and it came crashing down, and I kept waking up when my stuffy nose won and I couldn't breath without wheezing but the dog slept like a...dog...safe and content with her people next to her.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
New Year's Eve
Today's the end of 2014 and it's not too soon for me. It's been an expensive year with the Forrester rusting out and having to be scraped and replaced, and the septic tank having to be dug up and the dry well replaced. We lost pallets... without a trailer hitch on the Outback someone else got them, and then time... with Jeff out of commission doing PT for a 50+ year old injury that only caused more pain. Now we're cutting, stacking and burning wood at a steady pace. The woodshed looks good for a day or two and then it's nearly empty again if we get a couple of days of bad weather.
Jeff and the table saw had a disagreement last week and of course, the saw got the last word. Luckily, his reflexes are still good and he just got cut. Bled like a stuck pig but so far no signs of infection. His thumb....right up to his shoulder... are sore from the jolt of the saw blade!
We both had doctor appointment last Tuesday and I came away with less meds...my MD couldn't answer when I asked why she had prescribed hydrochloropthiaxide for me last year. My bp averages 108/66...high for me is 118/70...and my right ankle is swollen because that's part of the broken leg site not because I'm retaining fluids. She agreed to discontinue it. No wonder I was cold all the time! Between HCLT and Warfarin I didn't have a chance! I also came away with a cold. Woke up Christmas morning with a sore throat but I've been lazing around drinking hot tea and not doing much so it's not too bad. I asked the pharmacist at Hannaford's to recommend something for night time so I could sleep without getting stuffed up and coughing. If you know me, you know how I can cough!
Jeff is still disagreeing with his doctor about his medications. He feels he's taking too much but she doesn't want to discontinue any so he just stopped taking some. (Yea, not the safest way to do it, but that's how he does things.) He feels better taking less and his blood sugar is back under control. I think we... the patient...really do know more than the doctor sometimes...especially when we need an interpreter to understand what the doctor is saying. I think it would be safer to request a different doctor but....
The shop is officially closed for the season. I cleaned out my area Monday and was surprised to find that the man's hat I had done sold! I think I'm going to order some good cotton yarn and do some skirt and sweater sets for the spring. We reopen Good Friday so they may sell right away...or during the summer. And I've got to do more baby hats, baseball hats, maybe some stuffed toys...the list goes on. I've just got to remember, I'm just 1 knitter and I can do just so much. I also want to do some wool socks for me...mine have holes in them! And I usually do a pair of socks for Jeff for Valentine's Day and for his birthday. Hey, I'd better get busy!
Jeff and the table saw had a disagreement last week and of course, the saw got the last word. Luckily, his reflexes are still good and he just got cut. Bled like a stuck pig but so far no signs of infection. His thumb....right up to his shoulder... are sore from the jolt of the saw blade!
We both had doctor appointment last Tuesday and I came away with less meds...my MD couldn't answer when I asked why she had prescribed hydrochloropthiaxide for me last year. My bp averages 108/66...high for me is 118/70...and my right ankle is swollen because that's part of the broken leg site not because I'm retaining fluids. She agreed to discontinue it. No wonder I was cold all the time! Between HCLT and Warfarin I didn't have a chance! I also came away with a cold. Woke up Christmas morning with a sore throat but I've been lazing around drinking hot tea and not doing much so it's not too bad. I asked the pharmacist at Hannaford's to recommend something for night time so I could sleep without getting stuffed up and coughing. If you know me, you know how I can cough!
Jeff is still disagreeing with his doctor about his medications. He feels he's taking too much but she doesn't want to discontinue any so he just stopped taking some. (Yea, not the safest way to do it, but that's how he does things.) He feels better taking less and his blood sugar is back under control. I think we... the patient...really do know more than the doctor sometimes...especially when we need an interpreter to understand what the doctor is saying. I think it would be safer to request a different doctor but....
The shop is officially closed for the season. I cleaned out my area Monday and was surprised to find that the man's hat I had done sold! I think I'm going to order some good cotton yarn and do some skirt and sweater sets for the spring. We reopen Good Friday so they may sell right away...or during the summer. And I've got to do more baby hats, baseball hats, maybe some stuffed toys...the list goes on. I've just got to remember, I'm just 1 knitter and I can do just so much. I also want to do some wool socks for me...mine have holes in them! And I usually do a pair of socks for Jeff for Valentine's Day and for his birthday. Hey, I'd better get busy!
Friday, December 26, 2014
The Day After
Ah, Christmas is over and was enjoyed by all, expect maybe, the mouse who was caught and released... thrown outside...with Sherry's help. Jeff laughed and said I knew you could do it. All I did was drop a small box over it and use a card to keep it in the box on the way out. Fanny wanted to help but Sherry wouldn't let her near it. It was mild enough outside that the mouse...after shaking off the landing....left on it's own. Hope it found a new home...just not in mine.
We had a good dinner just not a traditional one (opps, I forgot to cook the squash) steak and baked potatoes, onions, hot biscuits and gravy, with pumpkin pie and Italian cookies for dessert. My cousin Ed brought wine and Sherry chocolates...both perfect for Christmas! Fanny spent dinner under the table next to Jeff but finally reached out to check out Ed and Sherry and found out that Sherry was willing to pass down bites of steak...but not Ed! One glass of wine was enough for me...after dinner I dozed off as we sat by the fire and talked. When everyone had gone home I tried watching TV but started to doze off again and ended up going to bed around 9pm. (Jeff had spent Christmas Eve trying to download something on my PC...working at it until 6am! Fanny kept him company and at one point woke me up when she started barking and growling at something...maybe the mouse?) I left all the dirty dished soaking in the sink! My Christmas present to myself!!
I finally finished Jeff's socks Christmas Eve in the afternoon ...that's an accomplishment since I usually get them done Christmas night. Remember they're a size 12 for a 6'3" man. Took 2 1/2 skeins of sock yarn on a US 2! Patons Kroy Socks FX in Clover Colors (orange, green, blue, red). He likes the heavier weight. I did a pair of socks for Ed in Patons Kroy Socks in Grey Brown Marble...suitable for everyday wear. For Sherry, this year I did a lacy cowl in Knit Picks Comfy...a cotton...Fingering in Sea Foam on US 4's. (She doesn't like wools.) Everyone was pleased with their knitted presents. I've got to finish another lacy cowl for a swap with a friend...and mail it...before I can pick out sock yarn for ME! I think I'll aim for 2 or 3 pairs of socks out of Hawthorne Yarn superwash wool from Knit Picks. Then it's back to work, knitting for next season for the shop in Cooperstown. Until then I think there's time for another cuppa (cup of tea) by the fire and a couple of chapters of a Kerry Greenwood mystery.
We had a good dinner just not a traditional one (opps, I forgot to cook the squash) steak and baked potatoes, onions, hot biscuits and gravy, with pumpkin pie and Italian cookies for dessert. My cousin Ed brought wine and Sherry chocolates...both perfect for Christmas! Fanny spent dinner under the table next to Jeff but finally reached out to check out Ed and Sherry and found out that Sherry was willing to pass down bites of steak...but not Ed! One glass of wine was enough for me...after dinner I dozed off as we sat by the fire and talked. When everyone had gone home I tried watching TV but started to doze off again and ended up going to bed around 9pm. (Jeff had spent Christmas Eve trying to download something on my PC...working at it until 6am! Fanny kept him company and at one point woke me up when she started barking and growling at something...maybe the mouse?) I left all the dirty dished soaking in the sink! My Christmas present to myself!!
I finally finished Jeff's socks Christmas Eve in the afternoon ...that's an accomplishment since I usually get them done Christmas night. Remember they're a size 12 for a 6'3" man. Took 2 1/2 skeins of sock yarn on a US 2! Patons Kroy Socks FX in Clover Colors (orange, green, blue, red). He likes the heavier weight. I did a pair of socks for Ed in Patons Kroy Socks in Grey Brown Marble...suitable for everyday wear. For Sherry, this year I did a lacy cowl in Knit Picks Comfy...a cotton...Fingering in Sea Foam on US 4's. (She doesn't like wools.) Everyone was pleased with their knitted presents. I've got to finish another lacy cowl for a swap with a friend...and mail it...before I can pick out sock yarn for ME! I think I'll aim for 2 or 3 pairs of socks out of Hawthorne Yarn superwash wool from Knit Picks. Then it's back to work, knitting for next season for the shop in Cooperstown. Until then I think there's time for another cuppa (cup of tea) by the fire and a couple of chapters of a Kerry Greenwood mystery.
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