Knitting software recommendation

I'm in love. Truly in love....with Intwined Pattern Studio software (think kniting charts).

I've looked at chart producing software for awhile but wouldn't commit my money because there was always something it couldn't do that I needed it to do. The most recent issue was over combining color and stitch - not one or the other. Intwined does that.

In the past I've used Excel for creating charts. Most recently a chart showing complicated color changes. It was a long and arduous use of Excel's drawing tools. Intwined has simplified that for me by allowing user to create new stitches fairly easily for use in charts.

Oh...and it creates text as you create the chart so that the basic knitting instructions are written by the time you've completed the chart. What's not to love?

Goodbye using Excel to make charts! Hello more time to knit!

I have no affiliation with the company that produces this software. Just a very happy user. :D

People First: Empowering People With Disabilities

We live with a disabled person - our daughter. She has a beautiful smile and loving heart. She also has some vision loss and mild cerebral palsy that includes seizures and intellectual disability.

While it has been a painful and often frustrating journey for 22 years, we wouldn't trade it for anything. She has taught us to love unconditionally, how to have patience, and how to make lemonade when life hands you lemons (she does it everyday).

Remember to look for the ability in disABILITY.

Recipe to wash dog who met a skunk

• quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 tsp liquid soap

Credit for dog wash recipe goes to vet after I told them the...ahem...situation. Stupid dogs.

Scarves for Special Olympics 2011

I am currently planning my next projects for Scarves for Special Olympics. Next year's colors have been decided - Red Heart Super Saver Cherry Red and White. Plenty of time for us to overwhelm them again. :D

P.S. Even though boot cast is still on, I am happy to say I'm feeling better mentally....pity party is over! I may even have pictures to show you soon! (I'm wondering if the pain medication I was on actually caused the depression....?? )

A look inside "I Can't Believe I'm Loom Knitting"

Lugging this boot cast around has become old. I'm hot, tired and cranky most of the time....and trying hard not to share that (aren't you glad?) And since I will have to wear it for at least 2 more weeks, you won't hear much from me. In the meantime, I'll keep my misery complaining to myself. ;)

However, I thought you might like to see more of what is inside of I Can't Believe I'm Loom Knitting...in case you haven't picked up a copy yet. You can look here, and here on Leisure Arts website.

Not again!

Tuesday was a good day until....


The label of clumsy has never been applied to me before. Time to rethink that. I tripped....again...left ankle turned side-ways as I tried to regain my footing, landed on the side-ways ankle and heard the dreaded POP! as I fell. Horrible pain and immediate swelling make me think I've broken the ankle....again. *@#*(!! $*&@&^!! (G-rated version of the words echoed through the house).

Within 2 hours, I was at an orthopedist office to be x-rayed. Results are good news - no new break in the ankle. But the bad news is the fracture from Dec 2008 never completely healed. Or perhaps it broke - again?

Whichever, I'm back in the boot cast for at least 3 weeks at which time I see the doctor again to determine what's next. Lovely.

And if that wasn't enough to make Tuesday miserable....

It was raining when we left the doctor's office. And since it was late, Gary suggested dinner out at a little Mexican food restaurant. As we finished eating, we notice restaurant staff scurrying around with brooms and mops. Water was coming into the restaurant under the doors. Within 15 minutes, the floor was covered with 2 or more inches of water. We looked outside and saw water everywhere.

The street was flooded to the point that firefighters and police were rescuing people stranded in their autos. The parking lot had water up to the doors of my little SUV.

We had to stay put for about an hour waiting for the water to recede. This is the parking lot as we left...



At least dinner was on the house.

Happy 4th of July