Good news, bad news revisited

It's been a crazy week.

Bad news: UPS online is difficult to get a shipment prepared for finished test knit. Two hours and several bad words later, I gave up.

Good news: The local UPS store is fantastic! My finished test knit (a cardigan) was shipped and has been received.

Worse news: Elderly next door neighbor (in her late 70's), was in an auto accident. The car rolled a couple of times and is totaled. Her 80's plus husband called for us to help as he couldn't reach their son to meet her at the ER.

Blessing news: She had a few bruises - that's it! Counting blessings.

Horrible news: My 84 yo Mother was taken to the hospital (2nd time in March) with dangerously high blood pressure. She was admitted and was under observation over the past weekend. Admitting doctor thought she might be in the early stages of Alzheimer's. And the anxiety caused the rise in blood pressure.

The best news: Her regular doctor says not Alzheimer's. The medications that she is taking for blood pressure, high cholosterol, allergies and depression do not mix well and can cause anxiety....which in turn caused a rise in blood pressure which in turn causes the inability to relate to surroundings. Doctor changed meds and when/how they're taken. I talked with Mother this morning. She sounds better then she has since major stroke two years ago. (another blessing)

Uh oh news: My daughter's wisdom teeth need to come out. Oral surgery isn't cheap!

Relief news: It's a 30 minute procedure done in office. Dental insurance will cover most of it (whew!)

(reverse order)
Good news: I'm managing some knitting time.
Bad news: Nothing to show you yet.

But I will leave you with this on STRESS

I am not sure exactly how it works, but this is
amazingly accurate. Read the full description before
looking at the picture.

The picture below has 2 identical dolphins in it. It
was used in a case study on stress levels at St.
Mary's Hospital.

Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The
dolphins are identical. A closely monitored,
scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact
that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress
would find differences in the two dolphins. The more
differences a person finds between the dolphins, the
more stress that person is experiencing.
Look at the photograph and if you find more than one
or two differences you may want to take a vacation.

No Need to Reply, I'll be on Vacation
I need a vacation!

Spring

Spring brought blooms to the desert (pear tree),



a beautiful sunset,



and a stomach bug to the family

(trust me, you do not want pictures of this!)

Counting

I always mean to blog more often but there are times when I'm busy with exciting stuff like doing laundry, dirty dishes real life stuff which really isn't fun to write or read about. I've also been busy with counting...

...stitches and rows for this test knit I'm working on.



...cholestrol in the dishes I'm making since my cholestrol count is up again. I found the recipe for this crab and pasta salad that is low cholestrol.



It tastes great!

...the amount of money I spent on yarn recently. The local Hancock Fabrics is closing and has marked yarn down so much that I finally talked myself into Lion Brand's cashmere blend.



...the number of projects I have going and patterns I need to write. Hopefully April will be the magic month for finishing touches on these!

....and I'm counting the number of days I have left before the article I'm writing will be due. Stay tuned for that!

Knitting Pattern Central and "white"

Loom knitters have been heard! The web home of free knitting patterns, Knitting Pattern Central, has added loom knitting to the list.

Thank you Knitting Pattern Central!

If you haven't read Yarn Harlot blog entry yesterday, buzz over there. Yeah...white hahahaha

Polymer clay

How many artistic outlets do you have? More then you have time for, right? Yeah, me too. I knit (needles and loom), crochet, weave with beads, and dabble with polymer clay. This post is all about claying.

I cannot do canes with polymer. When the clay was first on the market, I tried. I would get the cane put together and then start the process to reduce it....but obviously do not have the right touch as it became distorted. That has always frustrated me as polymer was meant for people to make canes with. Or so I thought.

Recently a friend sent me to this site. Wow. I can use it just to sculpt? Like this guy....



And that's OK!?!?! (happy dance!) I'm not a failure!

So I ordered Christi's books and they arrived arrived this past weekend.



This lady is so talented. I have clay and the tools. Now all I need is more time. Got any to spare?

A loom story

Today's Knifty Knitter class was a great group! We made easter bunnies and talked about how the pattern could be adapted for any number of other projects...including a skunk! What a terrific idea....I may have to try one. ;)

Here's a little loom history for you....
One of the looming ladies had experience with a knitting board as a child. She brought this board with her to class




and told us how someone had made the looms for the entire class so that they could knit scarves for armed forces during World War II.

Yep, knitting looms have a history!

Loom Knitters Circle Magazine

Check it out....a new e-zine has been born!



Welcome to the web world! Live long and prosper.