Saturday, May 31, 2008

More bad luck and my kind of logic (ha!)

More bad luck
I now have a reason why I have only completed projects that have deadlines ("have to" projects). I need (and have started) vision therapy.

Over the past few months, I've had problems with close range vision blurring. Typically only happens in afternoon. I've blamed it on allergies. Wrong...sigh. During an eye exam Thursday, it was pointed out to me that I am (once again) seeing double at close range. It stems from Duane's Retraction Syndrome which I've suffered with all my life due to an undeveloped eye muscle (birth defect). Basically my eyes are not working together as a team.

Wish me luck on getting it under control in a month. I need it back in order before the move. I have a fantastic doctor. And won't be able to go to her unless she's willing to move with us.

__________________________________________


My kind of logic

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins #74


I'm early (it's still Thursday here). However, it's Friday somewhere....so here it is!

1. For me inactivity is the opposite of creativity. If I'm sitting, I'm reading, knitting, or beading. Except during Lost. That's the only television show I watch and it gets my undivided attention.

2. Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter) was the last excellent book I read. While I'm always reading, I would say most books are good at best. For me, excellent means there will be a loss of sleep in order to find out what happens next.

I had planned to be in the middle of Odd Hours (Dean Koontz) by now, but hubby snagged it first (dang). And I'm sure it's excellent!

3. I like fill-ins because it gives me something to blog about that is (hopefully) not depressing! Surely our bad luck will run out soon, or the biorhythms will change....something....c'mon already!!

4. In nature I like looking at trees, flowers, the clouds, animals, mountains....all of it! I love nature. Although, like Indiana Jones, I hate snakes. (shudder)

5. I believe Dolores should win the US elections. Bleats the heck out of our choices on the ballot.



6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was....I can't remember. How sad.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to playing WII system with family, tomorrow my plans include a little housework and knitting, and Sunday, I want to see the new Indiana Jones movie!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Why....

....do I watch sad movies when I'm depressed? Do you? Seems like we'd pop a wonderfully hilarious movie into the DVD player instead to cheer us up. But no.

Instead I watched Philadelphia today (we're home with a stomach bug and not in the mood to be happy).

I did start a simple, no-brainer sock pattern with discontinued (and inexpensive) Magic Stripes.

I have no mental capacity for anything past a k2, p2, and do not want to blow it with a better yarn.

Feel sorry for me yet?

Friday, May 23, 2008

Memorial Day




They shall grow not old

As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them . .
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them!
-- Lawrence Binyon

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Friday Fill-Ins

Still no knitting to show you. I am working on a sample knit for Knit Picks (can't show it to you), and thinking socks but haven't started anything yet.

Since this is primarily a knitting blog, this Friday Fill-Ins # 72 is entirely fiber related.

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to pack and ship my sock yarn during this move! It now resides in a plastic tub at the top of closet, along with my sock bag filled with dpn's and sock looms. Now all I need is time to pick the next pair.




2. The rise in temperature reminds me that summer is almost here!


I hear that most people find it too hot to knit or crochet during the summer. Not me. Hubby cranks up the AC during the summer so much that I tend to need sweat pants in the evening to be comfortable. So sitting and knitting feels just right.

3. I cannot live (happily) without my sock yarn stash. The latest additions to the stash are the Noro Kyreyon Sock yarn. I'm not really pleased with the texture of the yarn (shock!) but am planning to reserve final opinion after swatching and blocking (hoping it will soften).

4. Needle felting and spinning my own wool are two things I'd like to try.

These birds are needle felted. Are they amazing?!

5. When life hands you lemons add it to the margaritas of course! But I won't knit while under the influence. I'm already a loose knitter....can't imagine how loose they would be then. ;-P

6. My great-aunt teaching me to sew is my favorite childhood memory. She had a pedal sewing machine similar to this one



I used it to make doll clothes with loads of matching petticoats! If she had known how to knit, I know she would have passed it on too.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing the neckline of the sweater I'm doing for Knit Picks, tomorrow my plans include casting on the sleeves and Sunday, I want to finish the sleeves!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Loom Knitting Pattern Book....


...from Isela Phelps is being released tomorrow. If you haven't ordered your copy yet, you can get it from Amazon or you can get an autographed copy from Loom Knits.

I'll try to have something else knitting related to blog about soon. I hope.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill In #71

1. The pork had an extra secret ingredient; it was apricot glaze! My dh is on a low fat diet and I am trying to find new, interesting meals. This one was not a hit with him. Oh well.

2. Sunshine through my window. It's a beautiful day in Southern California!

3. Right now, I need a stress-free zone. Is there such a place?

4. The living room is where I went Thursday night; it was LOST! night.

5. Why does selling this house/property hurt so much? We're officially listed now. (Listing details are here)



6. All I can think of is the upcoming move. I'm really quite boring these days (daze?)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some quality time with family, tomorrow my plans include calling my Mother in Texas and Sunday, I want to celebrate being a Mother!

Friday, May 02, 2008

Words of wisdom

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." (Fredrick Koeing)


In the few minutes I had this past week to read email, I read this as a signature line. It lifted my spirits, and inspired me to count blessings rather then dwell on the curses.

Sometimes we forget to celebrate the positives in our life, and let the negatives consume us. OK, I know I fall into that abyss at times. These words of wisdom should be tattooed onto my hand to help me remember how very lucky I am....even when it doesn't feel that way.




I hope that you too will be inspired to find joy in your everyday life.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Wow! The studio does have a floor!

That's because I have packed up a great deal of yarn and taken out filing cabinets (now in the garage until move). My looms had to be taken off the wall and stored in cabinets (where yarn was taken out) when hubby painted. I'm really going to miss all the built-in cabinets in this room.

We are all tired of cleaning, sorting, boxing, carrying boxes out to garage; painting, cleaning up after painting. But we're almost done. There are a few details to attend to this weekend around the house and property, but it will be ready by Monday. Then all we have to do is maintain the cleanliness day-to-day, and perhaps I can start knitting again. Or maybe a little beading. Wouldn't that be lovely!?

Real estate agent starts showing next week. Anyone want a wonderful little house with over 6 acres of horse property in the Palmdale (CA) Hills? Great views!


I really love this hill and will miss the peace that comes over me whenever I'm home. I fell in love with it the day I saw it. It became my refuge from the crowded urban sprawl that is Southern California.