Pinterest Plus

Cool website, that Pinterest.  Great way to keep or save pictures that inspire me from around the web.  And some of the cute animal pictures.  Saving a ton of hard drive space, too.  :)  If you want to check me and my picture collections out, I'm here.

 So what prompted me to talk about it this morning?  Well.... this picture: http://pinterest.com/pin/253890497712801535/  I've tried to take pictures like this of the moon, but have never had that kind of success.  I have this ugly old tree in my front yard.  I hate it - it's a pain to maintain, and I can only imagine what the roots are doing the foundation of the house and the sewer and water pipes, and I don't even want to think about the gas line.  Anyway, about the only time I can appreciate it, is when the moon happens to be in the right place in the sky, that I can see it through the nasty twisted branches at the top of the tree from my back door.  (well, outside the back door - not by looking through the door.  Usually notice it when I come home from driving DH to work in the early morning)

Colour me jealous....

I didn't quite finish the afghan last night like I thought I would.  TV (news, NCIS LA x 2, Hawaii 5-0)was a bit too interesting, making me crochet just a little slower.  I was afraid it might not be big enough, back when I started it.  But, it is almost there now!  And I still have some repeats to make - two more white sections, and one more red.  I'll see how much white I have left at the end, and maybe do a fast border of single crochet.  Thing is, when I do stripes, I don't like doing a border along the sides in one of the colours.  I don't like the look.  BUT - I think the bottom edge needs a little something more.  Maybe what I'll do, is a single crochet edge (or maybe even a reverse single crochet - I do like that effect) to end off the top, then go back and do one across the bottom.  Just leave the sides as is.  Yeah, that's what I'll do. 

Then I can take a picture!  And get busy knitting socks. 

Afghan nearly done

I started on the last ball of the red variegated.  By rough estimate, that means I have about 32 more rows to do, then I can decide if I want to run an edge around the whole thing, or just weave in ends.  I'm really liking how it is turning out - both for looks and for size. 

Then, when that is done, I am going to tackle some of those socks again.  Really need to get them done.  And I really also need to get off my butt and do that cape.  I also really need to get going on that craft room.  I start to make some progress, then I get wrapped up in looking at everything.  I need to just box it all up, and stack the boxes out of the way, so I can get some sort of shelves or other organizational stuff going.  Really - I did have a desk that I used as a sewing table, but it was my son's desk, and he wanted it... so I had to give it up.  Bought myself a used desk from a thrift store, but somehow, it never made it upstairs - became a spare desk desk.  I do have one shelf unit - an old metal type book shelf from the late '60's early '70's.  Not very wide, and only three shelves.  Good for books, but not a lot, as it isn't very strong.  And I have an ironing board.  Oh, and a chair.  So - you can see how there aren't many options for organizing the room.  Originally, I was going to use plastic tubs and sturdy cardboard boxes, marked... Well, that meant, of course, that I started piling boxes into the room - and instead of putting things into proper boxes, I would "temporarily" put bags of stuff in the room, then a few loose items, then a pile of books (because I couldn't get to the book case) and so on, until it became the mess it is.  Now, I'm faced with emptying it, sorting it all out, getting rid of the things I know I won't use, finishing the projects that are half done, and seeing where I'm at with everything else.  For the most part, I haven't really come across a lot of things I didn't know I had - yes, I mentioned a book the other day - but mostly it is a case of I knew I had the stuff, but I admit I lost track of where it was.  Like, in which corner it had been put, pushed, thrown, etc.  I also hadn't realized just how much crochet thread I'd picked up over the years from the thrift store... I had a pretty good idea about most of the other yarn I have; run into the odd ball that must have been in a bag inherited or given to me by someone along the way (some of my friends/acquaintances know I knit and crochet, and would often give me stuff from a parent or grandparent, or an abandoned project - fortunately, not too many of those!).  Those balls I may keep or may pass on to someone else who can make good use of it.

Anyway - there is my confession for the day - I have a problem, and I admit it.  I have more yarn than I can store, and I am not willing to give it all up!!  I will give up some - I have to.  But not all of it!! I plan on living for a lot more years, and I didn't buy a lot of that yarn and those patterns (or save free patterns etc.) unless I liked them and wanted them.  But, since I was given a lot, or bought a bag of assorted yarns from the thrift store that came with yarns I could take or leave in with the balls I wanted for whatever purpose, I am sure I can pass on some of the yarns I really don't care for - colour is usually the deciding factor - or I can just get going on working on some scrap yarn afghans.  Knitting various rows or squares, crocheting granny squares, and using whatever leftovers then joining into a blanket later.  Or, maybe get back into doing some of the graph afghans, and using up some colours that way.

I mean, even if I end up with an excess of afghans - I can always donate the finished ones to some of the animal shelters or homeless shelters.  Heck, I could even whip up some pairs of mittens for the homeless...

For now, though - Time to get off this machine, and on with housework and a couple small errands.

Plans

Everybody makes them.  Not everyone work out, though.  Like my plans to get this house in order.  I have accomplished little.  I was going to say, nothing, but then I realized, no, I've made progress, albeit small.  I need to focus on the baby steps forward, even if the giant steps backward bother me more!  I found, during my wanderings, an inspirational quote - Before you quit because the road seems too long, turn around and look how far you've come - and I'm trying to let that be a guide for me.  It's working - helps keep the frustration from overtaking my thoughts.  Since it is almost the end of January, I'm taking stock of some of my goals for the month and the year.  So far, I've been journaling daily in the form of posting to this blog.  That is a "win".  I've not been getting my UFO projects completed nor really much worked on.  That is a "loss".  I met my first goal on the special project - "win".  I got back to tackling the craft room "win".  I'm running out of boxes for the craft stuff and places to put them anyway "loss".  I did not get the simple sock projects I was doing for January done "loss".  I did make a nice baby blanket for a gift "win".  My house is still a disaster "loss" but I got most of my kitchen table cleared off "win".  I managed to squeeze in some quality time with the doggies playing outside "win".  I got lots of sunshine therapy "win" (though I have little control over this, because I can't stop the weather! and I don't have/can't afford one of those special lamps).  Lady is doing so many more normal border collie things now, she's come such a long way in the past year "win".   So - total so far:  Wins - 8  Losses - 4.  Cool - I honestly didn't keep tabs on what I was writing, but it really is two steps forward, one back - but still, that shows progress!!!

So, goals/happenings for the next month:  February is birthday month.  Mine first, DH's second, then our anniversary.  So far, with other stuff that has been happening, I really hadn't planned anything special for any of those events.  Except, that, since the success of our pig roast at home last summer, we're going to have another one this coming summer to celebrate our 35th anniversary.  Yes, it will be a few months late, but better than trying to do a barbecue type affair in mid winter :). 
Journaling goals - Hey, I've made it this far - and it is slowly becoming habit.  I am going to keep it up! I'm also going to make sure I get off my butt, and clean up my rough draft of the baby blanket pattern so I can share it, and write up the sock pattern.  Finally, I've got to get going on another writing project, a document, that has been rattling around in my head lately.  Something I should have done nearly two years ago, but felt discouraged and put off.  Now, though, *something* is making me feel like the time is right, and that I best get going on it.  And, I'm reminding myself that I really shouldn't be afraid of it, because I used to write term papers at University, and get A or A+ on them, so I need to stop worrying about this one. I am allowing myself to admit to being a bit rusty (it was over 20 years ago!) but it is like riding a bike.  And this journaling daily is helping. 
Crafting goals:  Finish all the socks currently being worked on - toe up, flora/fauna, mystery, Hermione, and the one resting on waste yarn, work on the UFO's from before, and finish up the red and white afghan.  (which I've been working on for the last couple days instead of socks).  I will allow myself the option of starting or thinking about starting the new sock for Six Sox group, if it appeals to me.  If not, then I might allow myself another start - but ONLY if I get busy on dying the yarn for the copper dye.  (then I can knit those socks).  So, basically, I will either do the Six Sox (won't know the pattern until February 1) or will dye yarn for another pair.  (the dye process will take a bit of time, so these socks may be started but not finished by the end of February)
Other goals:  Take a good crack at finishing off the next two parts of the special project.  There are only four weeks in February, short month, but I can do one part in two weeks, so it is possible.  And gets that project nearly complete!!  Finish dealing with the craft room part one - boxing everything without losing myself in the more time consuming sorting process, even if I have to stack boxes inside the room - slightly counterproductive, but with everything scattered loose, it is difficult to really do much.  Spending more time with the doggies, continue working with Lady.  She still is trying to be alpha, not so much by being bossy, but by taking her time responding... sort of mild rebellion behaviours.  Like the joke about cats - you call a dog it comes, a cat will take a message and get back to you.  Well, that is kind of like what Lady is pulling - you call her, she acknowledges she heard you, but will come when *she* is ready. 

In other news - going to a fundraising dinner mid-month.  D'Arcy's A.R.C. is having a "Pawsta Dinner" again this year.  They've had them for several years, but I only really heard about it myself for the first time last year.  For a $12 ticket, you get a great pasta dinner!  Sure, it's only spaghetti and sauce (choice of with or without meat) and the usual accompaniments (garlic bread, salad, cake/cookies for dessert) but it really does taste good, and the money goes to help the shelter and the animals.  When I look at Delko, and think what my life would have been like without him, and how important it was that he be able to be cared for in those three and a half months he lived at D'Arcy's, I can't help but donate what I can when I can in gratitude and to benefit the future "Delkos".  Even if all I can do some weeks is to take in newspapers, every little bit helps. 

So - that's my post for today.  Sorry, still no pictures... That is the hardest thing for me - maybe I should make that a goal one of these months...

Didn't do pics. Did do chore.

So, two weeks ago, we had a cold snap in our mild winter.  Really, so far, this winter has been nothing to complain about.  Normally, January has nasty cold temps, with a cold snap in the forty below range.  This year - the cold snap was in the normal 20 below range.  (I'm talking celsius, here.  Normally would convert, but let's just say - water freezes at 0, forty below is the same whether it is C or F, so twenty below is about half-way to incredibly cold).  The worst thing about that cold snap - I didn't make it outside to clean up the yard (remember, I have two dogs) or to play with the doggies.  They do miss their play sessions.  We used to play with Bear in the house in bad weather. Not bad if you only have one dog fetching things.  But these two - just a little too big to be running after or play-fighting over a ball in the house.  That was the other good thing about Bear - he liked to play with stuffed toys, and he loved the squeak.  Delko hates squeaky toys, and must Kill The Squeaker.  Both he and Lady also love to gut stuffed toys.  About the only one that has survived, was an unstuffed racoon I bought for Bear a few years ago.  So, basically, there isn't an indoor safe toy for these guys.  Well, they do have various pieces of stuffed toys that had been dismembered.  Now and again, I'll find a piece of fabric on the floor, and wonder what it came from - then recognize an embroidered eye or a piece of foot...

Anyway, this week was warmer, and snow was again melting.  But we had wind.  And I had other things to catch up on.  So, I still didn't make it outside with them.  Today, though - it was/is a pleasant day.  Not too far below zero, no wind, lots of sunshine.  I took a couple of plastic bags outside, and the kids found some of their balls for me to throw.  They were pretty good about waiting while I did the yard - but I couldn't make them wait until I'd done the whole thing - so I took frequent breaks (better for my back that way, too) and threw a ball for them.  All in all, it took me 45 minutes to get the yard caught up, and I spent another 15 outside with them getting my undivided attention. 

So, I didn't spend time getting the pictures done on the computer.  I spent it doing other things instead.  Had an errand to do, that sort of thing.  Now, I guess I should do some dishes and spend time in the room.  Oh, that reminds me - I was talking about TV shows I like the other day - somehow managed to forget another of the new-but-bounced-around shows.  Terra Nova.  I really enjoy that one - but I'm worried that it might end up like so many other good shows, and getting an early chop... I really hope not.  But they did, after all, cut two other shows I liked from last year - Sh*t My Dad Says was a good show - one of the better sitcoms to come along in a while.  And Criminal Minds Suspect Behaviour.  Don't know why that one died...

And speaking of buying books... There is a book that I often get from the library, because I do like several patterns in it.  I am embarrassed to admit - when I was clearing the room the day before yesterday, I found the book - brand new condition - underneath some stuff.  I honestly don't recall having bought it before.  Fortunately, I haven't bought a second copy of it!!  I also normally remember buying most things, especially something like this.  I must have bought it, then it must have gotten covered up before I really had chance to look it over and make mental notes on it.  The book is Debbie Bliss Toy Knits. Heck, I don't even remember where I bought it!!  Had to have been from the book store, though. 

I do like to buy books to support authors, when I can.  And designers.  I do have a limited budget, so can't buy all the books I would like to.  That also wouldn't be practical.  There is only so much room for books in this house, and I can only read so many... I've been slowly weeding out the ones I've collected over the years from yard sales and such.  Ones that I know I'll never get around to reading, or that I have read and won't likely read again.  I do have a few books that I don't mind reading over and over.  And some that I'm collecting as a set.  But for the most part, I'll read library books, and I'll check out pattern books at the library.  Sometimes, it just isn't worth the price of a book if I only want one or two patterns - other times, the books are filled with valuable information and/or several patterns I know I would love to make, so those I try to buy when I get a little extra money.  Recent purchases include the reprint/updated versions of Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Knitting, and Encyclopedia of Crochet.  Hard to keep getting them from the library when I need them.  I have both now, and I know I'll use them.  In fact, one of my "New Year's Resolutions" was to practice and get familiar with a colour work method in Encl. of Knitting.  I still need to do that...

But at least I'm keeping up with posting to my blog daily.  :)  Nearly a whole month, and even though there were some close ones, I've managed to post every day!  Amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it, and you have no one else to talk to ;)  Of course, this isn't getting my dishes or my craft room done, so I'm off - talk again tomorrow!

shopping today

So, I went and did a bit of shopping today.  Had a bit of extra money, so I ordered a couple of books. Chapters, my local book store, used to have a thing where you could ask about a book that had a publishing date set, but wasn't yet available - a pre-order thing - and they would put a copy aside for you when they came in.  As well as a system where you could order books that were published, but not in that particular store, and have them shipped for free.  You could also access your personal account/wish list from that system.  Well, they upgraded the system, and you couldn't access your wishlist anymore.  Also, if you wanted to do a pre-order, you had to pay in advance by credit card and pay for shipping.  Well, turns out, that they now let you do pre-orders and free ship to store now, and pay by cash if you want.  :)  So, I ordered Amber Benson's How to be Death :)  I can hardly wait!!

I also ordered a book called "Crafting with Cat Hair".  Heaven knows I have enough of that around!!  I also picked up a few magazines.  Two issues of Spin Off, and one of Wild Fibers. 

No new knitting to report, but I did crochet several more rows on the afghan.  No pics yet.

Cute doggy story:  Background - the dogs knock on the door when they want to come in.  Some dogs bark to be let in; I'm glad mine don't.  That can get aggravating, when you are stuck in the bathroom at the wrong moment, or something like that... Anyway, I also (which you may or may not be able to tell from some of the pictures I've shared) have my laptop living in the kitchen, and I sit in front of the kitchen window while doing whatever on the computer.  Which is why I can talk about things like that mouse in the yard the other day, plus it really helps because the window faces south, and I get lots of sunshine when it isn't cloudy - important for a sufferer of S.A.D.  So, this morning, on another great day of mild winter weather, the dogs were outside in the yard doing what they do.  I guess, as it turned out, Lady was laying in front of the door, soaking up the sunshine, and Delko wanted to come back into the house.  Of course, he couldn't scratch at the door, so instead - - he popped up in the window to look at me!! :)  His way of getting my attention!  Not the first time he's done that.  Sometimes, I know they are knocking on the door when I'm stuck in the bathroom as I mentioned above, and I can tell by the sound that he checks at the window... or if I'm on my way to the door after being delayed, he'll be just popping into the window to see if I'm there. Smart dog.  Or smart @ss dog ;)

Ok.  That's it for today.  Hopefully, I'll do some pictures tomorrow.

No knitting

And I'm not feeling up to downloading pictures.  I did take them yesterday.  I also found that I couldn't seem to knit last night.  I did two or three rounds on the toe-up, and my hands just didn't want to keep going.  I did one round on the Hermione sock - and broke the needle for the third (and final) time.  I'm going to let those socks sit on the back burner until I find or free up some different needles.  I picked up the mystery socks - did one round, but just didn't feel up to concentrating on the graph. 

I have days like that now and again. I want to do some crafting stuff, but just don't seem to be able to settle in and do anything.  I did consider trying some crochet - that afghan I'm working on.  But, having just finished the baby blanket, I really wasn't sure about that, either.

I've just spent a little better than an hour upstairs in the craft room again.  Came across an older padlock - one I bought when I was going to University.  So, it is over 20 years old.  Needless to say, I can't recall the combination.  I actually came across the lock yesterday, but forgot to see if there was a way to get the combo from the makers.  There is, but it isn't really worth it, in my opinion.  For security reasons, you have to print out a form, fill it in, get it notarized, and provide a photocopy of the serial number (which proves it is not attached to anything, so you aren't trying to steal anything).  I get it, but, then you snail mail all of that, then wait 4 to 6 weeks for them to get back to you.  I figure, in four to six weeks, I can play around with the old permutations and combinations I learned back in high school, and it will give me something to do on those evenings I don't feel like knitting or crocheting.

I'm also getting a bit frustrated with the room - It really did get too full.  And I did haul a bunch of stuff out to the garage in boxes, but with the cold weather returning, I'm not as enthusiastic about doing that much more... Yes, today just happens to be warm and nice and sunny again, but it would still involve a certain amount of bundling up and snow trudging.  So, I'm trying to work around what space I have, and boxing and stacking boxes in the room.  That may or may not end up being a mistake.... But I have to try something.  Have to keep moving forward.

So, after I have a bit of a lunch break, I'm going to go back up, and see what I can get done this afternoon.  I really need to maybe take a couple trash bags up with me, or something...

Making footway

I know, the normal phrase is making headway.  But, this is more appropriate.  Besides, if I am being silly, then it is a good sign that I'm in a much better mood than I've been in lately. :)

I haven't taken pictures yet; too early in the day. BUT - I did a few more rounds on the Hermione socks.  Put my hand in and stretched it out.  Yes, the little purl bumps do show better now that there are more of them.  Still not perfect, but I kind of like it anyway.  First off, it is mindless enough to watch TV while doing them, but interesting enough not to be just another plain vanilla sock.  Now, if only the needles weren't such junk...

Knitted several more rounds on the toe-up Woolie Wellies.  Definitely won't be finished them - worsted weight knitting to a tighter gauge is hard on the hands.  But, they are coming along nicely. I didn't get the cast on perfect - if you look close you can see some imperfections, but as I said yesterday, that sort of thing will come with practice and besides, these are a good first effort.  Keepers.

Made a bunch of progress in the craft room.  I cleared up a bunch of floor space, so I can actually work inside the room, instead of just from the doorway. :)  See?  Footway.... first talking about socks, and now floor space.  :-D  Today, I made it pretty much all the way to the back wall - though not on the floor.  But took down some of the piles all the way to the back.  Now, the piles on one side of the room are only about knee to hip height.  This is mostly the area where I threw things one time when I was in full frustration - the two cats were helping me in excess one day - so that no matter where I turned, or what I tried to pick up or sort out or put down, there was a cat right there.  I got so mad, I just threw the boxes back into the room, not caring which way they landed - of course, mostly upside down.  That is why the room became such a disaster - reminiscent of those TV shows.  Wish I had the help they get, though.  Could use some help in the how to organize department, and some of the muscle - I really do get tired fast.  If it weren't for passing physicals from the doc with flying colours, I'd think it was something else.  I'm pretty sure it is just the physical exhaustion and lack of general exercise that comes with long term depression.  Which, based on the title of this post, I'm really doing well at being on the mend from. 

Today, this morning, I've already spent a whack of time in the room.  Oh, right, I kind of said that... Anyway, I found.... The pattern booklet I mentioned a few posts back.  It is called "Lullaby Layettes" and is a Leisure Arts Publication. :)  I read the directions for "Bubbles".  I was not that far off in the memory - sc, dc, dtr.  But I would never have remembered the other details - which stitch to start or end with, how many chains/rows, etc.  And, mine is so far different as a result, that I have no qualms about posting the pattern here :)  Just need to retype the directions a little bit.

Yesterday, also continuing with the foot theme... I did something stupid.  Dropped a chair on my foot.  I needed to look into one of the top cupboards - not the one that might fall, one of the others.  I keep the dog treats in this particular cupboard.  So, I took the chair over, climbed up, and looked in the back corners trying to see if I had any chew sticks or pig ears for the dogs.  Found none.  So, I went to put the chair back... Trying to make sure I didn't trip over the dog, I misjudged distance, and smacked my hand between the chair and table, dropping the chair.  Right on my foot.  I have nice heavy wood chairs in the kitchen...

So there was some concern that I might have managed to break my foot.  Which I was not looking forward to as a possibility - hours this morning getting x-rays, cast for 6 to 8 weeks, no driving!!!!!!  The foot swelled  up a fair bit - I had a big soft lump on top of it.  And the pain was excruciating.  After a while, though, I tried putting on some weight, and I tried wiggling and bending all my toes.  And gently probed under the puffiness to see if I could feel anything wrong.  Aside from a lot of limping and a fair amount of pain last night, though, it seems to be fine today.  Only a slight puffiness this morning, and no more pain at all.  PHEW!!!

Finally - when I got up this morning, and was stepping into the bathroom, my foot brushed against something.  Something rubbery.  Despite it being first thing in the morning, and my brain usually doesn't start functioning properly for at least an hour (I can do some things, but don't ask me to do math too early in the morning) I figured out what it was in a matter of seconds.  You ever see the inside of a tennis ball?  I have - far more frequently than I want to.... Sure, Bear used to kill them during play - they only last so long.  Especially if you buy the really cheap ones.  But Delko - much as he loves to play ball, a tennis ball doesn't last too long.  And Lady likes to chew on them, too.  But what is cute, is that the two dogs will play with one ball - each carrying half the ball, cheek to cheek.  I keep trying to get a good picture or video of them doing that, and I will one day.  But Lady started it - not sure if it helps that she's missing a tooth, but she'll manipulate a ball in her mouth so that half of it is sticking out the side, which Delko then grabs onto.  Amazing strength in those jaws!  They even play tug-o-war like that!

Anyway, this Christmas, I got them two toys, that I thought would survive them.  One, a non-stuffed soft toy.  Unfortunately, it still did have a squeaker in it.   Otherwise, it was like strips of fabric tied and braided, and sort of resembled a lizard.  Made by the Kong dog toy people.  Delko murdered the squeaker within a week  - which also meant murdering the head of the toy.  One morning, I found a foot at the bottom of the stairs.  I'm not sure if it is somewhere in the house or out in the yard - but it basically didn't make it to New Year's.  The other toy - also made by Kong, was a cool double tennis ball.  Looks, or should I say looked, sort of like a small "dumb bell" weight lifting thing.  Ball on each end, square part in the middle.  What I didn't know for a few days after Christmas, was that it squeaked. If it weren't for that, it would have been a perfect gift.  They got a lot of use out of that toy - they could both carry it, fight over it, bring it to be thrown for them - they brought it in the house with them, took it outside to play with.... Loved it.  Last night, it came in with them.  Went out in the middle of the night, and came back in again.  This morning - It now has a tennis ball on one end, and a square part in the middle.  And there are rubbery bits all over the house, and bits of chartreuse fuzzy fabric everywhere.  And it doesn't squeak anymore.  And it is one month since Christmas.  A new record for Delko.

I plan to take a picture of it - but it seems to have been left outside again.... I'll take a picture of that, and of the socks I've been working on.  No, you can't see the craft room yet.  You may get to see the foot, though.  I might put a sock on it to take a picture.

TV made me late...

I had to watch a TV show via computer this morning.  Among my favourite new shows this year is Once Upon A Time.  It's one that kind of needs to be watched in order to make proper sense of it.  I set up my PVR to record it, so I won't miss one.  See, one of the things that is particularly annoying, is since this past fall, when new shows and new seasons of shows started, is that some of them have been bounced around the schedule or line-up.  So, just because a show is on Sunday this week, it might be on Wednesday the next.  Or, two episodes shown on two days back to back - Sunday and Monday.  And I won't even talk about the timing - sometimes it will be on at 7, sometimes 10.  Using the PVR means less chance of missing something.  Another thing they did, was to advertise a new show, but wait until nearly December before airing it.  Or putting on the pilot, then waiting another month before the next episode - then rerunning the pilot on another night/time... Totally messed up.

So, why did I have to watch one by computer?  Because of the NFL.  Now, don't get me wrong - I do enjoy football - both CFL and NFL.  And I get it that sometimes the games run overtime.  Especially this close to the end of season.  But - instead of taping recording Once Upon A Time, I ended up recording A Very Stupid Show That Is A Waste Of Time.  (I keep thinking in terms of taping, but I guess really I should learn to say recording, since tape is no longer involved...)

The other problem with watching via computer - you can't fast forward through the commercials.  :P

Anyway - in case anyone shares my interests, the TV shows that I enjoy:  Once Upon a Time (I know, I'm repeating it), Grimm, Pan Am, Criminal Minds, (what the heck happened to Criminal Minds Suspect Behaviour?) Blue Bloods, Flashpoint, Hawaii Five-O, NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, and The Big Bang Theory.  There are a few other shows that if they come on, I'll watch - but if there is something better or I forget or miss them, I'm not upset.  The ones I listed are the ones for mindless knitting or crocheting - the rest I can do the more difficult patterns :)  I can do medium concentration patterns during reruns of BBT, but I still find myself laughing at the jokes, even though I've seen/heard them before.  And sometimes, you just have to watch the expressions on Penny and Sheldon's faces.

So.  I didn't take a picture yet, but last night I ripped out the toe up socks.  And I restarted them without a knot.  The directions from Knitty.com on Judy's Magic Cast On starts with a knot, but she rewrote it without a knot here.  First time, I somehow lost a stitch in the set up row, so I had to try it again.  Good thing is, that I'm getting good at it. :)  I'll still need to follow the tutorials for a few more tries, though.  Since I'm not likely to use it as often as most other cast on methods.  Anyway, I finally got the socks going, and did the increases until it would fit my foot (not sure why it would have been way too small for me if I'd followed the pattern numbers... but that is the beauty of a toe-up sock, you make it to fit.)  and have done a few rounds even.  I might take the picture later today - or wait until I have even more done on it.  I can't share the pattern - it is posted in a Yahoo Group - Six Sox Knitalong - and at the end of this month, the pattern may or may not be taken down by the designer to offer for free or sale.  Or, it may, as some patterns have, stay in the group files indefinitely, for anyone in the group to make as often as they like.  This pattern is called Woolie Wellies and are a "boot sock" done in a worsted or heavy weight sock yarn.  The group, for those who aren't sure, is a knit along group that does six sock patterns in a year - two months per.  I'm not sure exactly what month the group started, but the new pattern will be posted February 1, then two months later, April 1, the next pattern will begin.  There are contests, too - if you post one progress picture and one completed picture in the appropriate folders as per instructions, and during the two month period for that sock, your name goes into a draw.  I won one once, and have sponsored a couple of draws since then.  So, there is no way that I am going to be finished these socks in time for the current draw.  But that is OK.  Like I said, I did win once already :)  And of course, I'm not going to get the other socks done, either.  Oh, well - I guess I'll just have to keep the same goals for next month.

Now, I best get off here, and get going on the craft room!! 

Sock progress

I'm not going to finish my socks by the end of the month.  I may try to focus on just one pair, and see if I can manage that.  Let's see - toe up, otherwise plain vanilla socks, working two at a time, but  need to frog and restart; January mystery sock, all clues saved now, but only about one sixth of the way into clue two, working two at a time, well written, nice easy charted lace pattern (so far);  Hermione socks, one at a time, wondering if it is the pattern or the yarn, but so far isn't looking like I expect, working on four dpns, one of which keeps breaking; pink sock, flora and fauna, my own new design, one sock at a time, first time with yarn, the sock is a bit loose but no problem, will use smaller needle in future but this sock is pure wool that should be hand washed, so I see potential for being able to shrink it a bit, am really liking how the design is coming now. 

So, that is the progress on the four pair of socks.  My January goal involved two other projects, neither of which I've been able to touch, and another sock, that I'd hoped to work on, but had to "steal" the needle from for one of the pairs above...

I will be doing the end weaving on the baby blanket tomorrow evening, then washing on Wednesday.  So that will be finished.  I wrote up the pattern, rough draft, so I wouldn't forget it.  Now I have to polish the writing, then I'll post it here.  It won't be tested, though...

Well, I guess it is too soon to post February's crafting plans - but I think I won't add any new projects to the mix.  I'll focus on finishing what I started in January, and the UFO's.

As for the house - yeah, I'm feeling a little better this morning.  But I'm still overwhelmed... I still don't know where or how to start.  So, I guess I'm going to start doing what *I* want to do - the craft room.  Then I can get it finished, organized, see what other UFO's and WIM's I have (going to call all those already bought enough yarn to make things WIM's, I guess) and maybe give me incentive to finish the ones I have going, and add in some other unfinished stuff.  And then I can start some new WIM's already in existance.  I have to stop looking at all the new and new-to-me patterns online, or I'll never finish everything!! 

DH is going to be working late nearly every day this week, so I should manage to get a lot of crafting done.  ;)

Pictures... Some may not look much different than the last time, but they really are.

The baby blanket border, but before the reverse single crochet was added.  And here is the corner of the border (again before reverse single crochet):

I mostly had taken these pics to help show how it should look for the pattern publishing thing.
Now for the sock progress pictures: 

I played with the editing a bit - trying to get an accurate read of the colour.  When I take pictures, it comes out a nice blue.  But it is really a turquoise colour.  I tried adding green to the pic - getting closer.  :)  Think the colour of... hm... I can't think right now of anything it really reminds me of... Maybe, some pictures of resorts in the Carribbean - the swimming pools, not the ocean.  That kind of turquoisy blue.  I also noticed that the yarn stripes subtly - I thought it would be more mottled.  No big deal.  I also noticed that while I didn't attempt to make them, the colours line up rather nicely...

I know I haven't gotten very far.  I'm only twelve rows past the ribbing... but I can't see the pattern coming up at all.  It seemed, when I looked at the picture that accompanies the pattern, there are a lot of little purl bumps on the sock... yet, when I look at mine, I can hardly see them.  Now, I'm going to continue with the socks anyway - I do like the colour for one thing.  The dark bits are actually a sort of lavendar-puple, not dark blue like they seem here (no sunlight today, and I think that makes a difference - look at the missing yellow again from the baby blanket).  And, I want to get further along the leg following the pattern, then put my arm in it or something - the pictures that come with the pattern are all take with the sock on a leg, so it is stretched out, not all bundled up on the needles... Speaking of which... Expensive, Lantern Moon, Ebony needles - snap like toothpicks... Not happy.  Can't return them - they were a special buy from a store that no longer exists.... This is the first time I've used them.  At first, I thought it might be because they've dried out.  BUT - this is the same needle that broke the first time.  Just in a different spot.  So, the needle is at fault, not the dry air.  Glad I don't own any more Lantern Moon needles.... and I won't buy more, ever, either.

I'm pleased with how this sock is turning out.  I like the butterflies at the top, and I am happy with the two rows (though I think I might write up the pattern with three rows, maybe making a second pair in a different colour and with smaller needles) of eyelet flowers.  I thought I could do a gansey style purl bump flower, but they just weren't showing up.  That is what I ripped out the other day.  I do like these little eylets, and they will be a nice segue into the lace cat's paw that I'll be doing next.  In real life, it looks like the ten rows below the flowers is enough of a break, but here in the photo it looks a bit close... maybe I'll add another five rows plain first... I am pretty sure I have lots of yarn left to make the leg a little longer.

So.  That's it for today.  Talk again tomorrow!

Little bit of sock progress then regress.

I did a bunch of rounds on one sock.  Then, I ripped four of them back out. 

I am working on a new design, and I thought I could try something, but didn't like how it was turning out.  So, rip rip!  Now I have to try something else instead.  I am pretty sure I'll be happier with it.

Otherwise - has been a non-progressive weekend.  I did so very little - I tried starting on the cupboards; took some things out, then put them back, since I really don't have anywhere to put the stuff right now.  I really hate climbing up on a chair or ladder, then getting down with one thing or two in my hand, putting them down, climbing up, getting one or two things, climbing down, etc.  My knees can't take it.  And then I get frustrated again and again and again.  I must admit, right now, I'm frustrated by everything to the point of tears.  They are hovering just behind the eyelids right now. 

I just looked out the window - thought I saw a blowing leaf coming across the neighbour's yard toward our fence - realized it was a little mouse.  Now it is running through our yard... Too fast for me to go grab a camera and try to take any kind of picture or video. 

Ok, so aside from little things like that - I mean, I was just collecting my next thought into a sentence to type when I was interrupted by the mouse.   What I was going to say, was that I am just about to a point of wanting to walk away from this house and never come back.  Except of course that I like what is inside the house - the dogs, the cats, the kitty collection, my craft stuff... most of my clothes.... I have bought clothes lately - dressy clothes for when I was working, under clothes because I needed them.  But my everyday clothes are wearing out - and I don't want to ruing the dressy stuff, in case I get to work again.  I was lucky to have a couple outfits I could wear the first time, and only worked part time, so I could build the wardrobe.  I don't know if I'll have that type of luxury again - so I don't want to wreck the good stuff.  But I'm seriously running out of things to wear around the house...

And I'm seriously not happy around the house anyway.

Wonder if it is time to go back to the councellor?  I don't *feel* depressed - just frustrated.  I need help with setting priorities... Not sure councelling is the way to go for that.  I've taken some seminar/classes in time management.  I just can't seem to figure out how to deal with everything being a priority one thing - I'm too overwhelmed...

Screw it.  I've got socks to knit.  The house can rot for all I care. 

Accomplishments and disappointments

I'm disappointed that I never quite made it to the craft room yesterday.  But, what I did do, was to organize the pantry cupboard.  And got some excess stuff off my kitchen table.  Last time I cleaned that cupboard, I ended up with some leftovers that just didn't go back in.  I put them on the table until I could figure out where else to keep them.  Worked around, shuffled them back and forth... Well, finally, I cleared the cupboard and not only fit everything back in, but also ended up with a bit of leftover room :)  Now, all I have to do, is use up some of the stuff that I really don't need (I was surprised at how much cocoa I own! - but when you can't find it, and need it, so keep buying more...) and I'll have even more space. :)  I'm also thinking of downsizing some more of the dishes I have - like casserole dishes. I already gave several to DS and family.  Now I have to decide if I really still need the ones I didn't want to part with.  I mean, I've got three glass 8 by 13 type dishes - Ok, one is smaller than 8 by 13.  One was a wedding gift from DH's late aunt.  One came from my mother with a bacon cooking rack for the microwave that fit into it.  I really only need to keep two of the three... Just need to decide which to let go... keeping the smaller one, but of the other two - one fits the bacon cooker better than the other, but the other was a gift... Ug.  I hate that feeling, that you *must* keep something just because it was a gift...

Ah!  Of course.... I could give the gift one to DS.  Solves *my* issue - it will stay in the family.  Doesn't put the same strings on it for him, because I tell him that he has first refusal in case he can use it, before I give to thrift store charity... So, he doesn't have to take on the baggage like I do.  Anyway - that is why I wish there were someone here to keep me company while I do things... so I can think out loud about what to do with some stuff, and help me sort it all out in my mind.

As for the blanket - finished the border rounds.  Am now doing the reverse single crochet.  Yes, now, while I think of what to write next ;)  It will be so nice to have this finished.  Then next laundry day I can wash it, wrap it, and DH can take it to work.  I've heard that the daddy is now off work, because he took his wife in to the hospital - he'll be gone a week or two.  So - when he comes back, DH can give him the gift.  Timing is not too bad at all.  :)

I wonder if I can get all four pair of socks finished in the next week?  Well, I do have ten days... two of them are being knit two at a time - so I should be able to pull it off.... Maybe.  I'm going to try...

And, today being Saturday, don't know how much work I'll get done on the house.  Tend to be lazy on weekends.... But, I really should try to do that other cupboard with all the heavy stuff in it.  There are a lot of microwave safe dishes, and some extras of glasses and fancy serving dishes in there.  Heavy, highly breakable... and DH thinks we might be able to reinforce the cupboard some, so it doesn't fall down.  But we'd need to empty it first anyway... so maybe we'll get around to doing that today or tomorrow, then I can sort and maybe not put stuff back in.  Just that if I don't, I'm not sure where else to put it all.... hmmm....

Oh, and I'll take/share pics of the baby blanket when I've finished washing it, just before I wrap it.  So you won't get to see it for a couple days. 

And I'll try to get some sock knitting done, and then I can post progress pictures, too.

I found it ;)

I found the template thing, so I can edit things on the side bar.  Now all I have to do is figure out how I want to edit them... ;)

Unfortunately, according to the helpful user friendly guides, I'm using an old template, and must update and use a new one.  I don't know if I want to change that much... I like the pink background.  But, I do  like some of the new stuff, and change can be good.  So, I might just go for it.  Don't be too surprised if you see some changes here next week.

What has me nervous is there is a warning that some things may not move to the new template - I might "lose" some stuff.  Not a good thing to tell some one with loss issues... so, before I start to play around, I need to do some copy and pasting of some stuff.  Just in case...  I don't know if they are referring strictly to the widgets/blog pets I have on the side bar, or if they include posts and pictures... If they do, I'll need to make some copies of all that first... Years of posts... OK, I heard that - I know some of my past postings were few and far between, and some were probably downright boring.  But, some of them, are "timeless" and the only copies I have of some pictures - lost others in crashes, etc. 

Which reminds me - I gotta back up some of these files....

I wanted to take a picture of the blanket - I've just started round three of the border.  I've decided to do a minimum of five border rounds, then I'll see how it looks (and how long it takes, lol)  I may finish it off with some reverse single crochet, too... We'll see.  Then a picture for sure.

And then I can get back to knitting socks!

Today, I plan to redo that fool pantry cupboard.  I think.  I'd like to.  I also have some dishes to catch up on.  And I have to get that craft room in order, before spring thaws... Ok.  So, that will be my priority - the pantry and the craft room.  I need to set priorities, and stop jumping from room to room and getting discouraged.

Just wish I had someone to talk to.... besides the puppies and the brat cats...

Not much to say

This thinking of something to write every day isn't as easy as it sounds!!  First off, I have to feel like writing about it.  Second, I have to make sure it is something fit for public consumption!  Third, I have to make it somewhat interesting.  I mean, yeah, sure, the blog is mostly for me - to empty out some of the random thoughts in my head, vent a little, babble in human words instead of talking to the dogs (I get a little lonely now and again, no human contact most of the time during the day - just the cats and dogs.  No people...) So, I consider my audience.  Sometimes, I wonder if I have one - not that it matters.  But the comments are few and far between.  Now, don't think you have to comment every time I write, or every time you read.  I just get curious sometimes, because I read other blogs, and there are ten or more comments per post.... Am I that boring? LOL... no need to answer.

I finished doing the rows on the baby blanket last night.  They didn't go as fast as I'd have liked them to.  Haven't heard yet that the baby has been born, so I'm not panicking.  Not that I would have - I had short notice, and it isn't like the gift is expected... Or that it has any kind of other deadline, like a baby shower.  But I'd still like to complete it while the baby is still a baby ;)  I'll be starting the border tonight - just a double crochet post stitch for a few rounds.  At least three, but maybe four, if the yarn holds out.  I don't know the yardage on the yarn - there is a website listed on the label, and it says to go there for free patterns, but all I got when I went there was an offer for cheap pharmaceuticals.  (Hey, I spelled that right!!  Spell checker didn't make a wiggly line under the word!! )  Anyway, there is a ball weight listed on the ball band, but not yardage.  I'm thinking of writing up my pattern for the blanket and sharing it - having a better idea of the yardages would have been nice. 

I'm running into another wall with the house.  I know what I should be doing, I know what I'd rather be doing, but neither of those are what bothers me the most.  What bothers me the most is the thing I can do the least about.  And that is only making it worse.  So, I'm having issues with setting priorities.  The kitchen is bothering me the most, because it is the least organized.  I want to get the living room into shape, because it is close.  I should be working on the craft room, because when that is done, it will help with the living room, and with the garage and basement, which will give me more storage room for the excess kitchen stuff.... So, I know what I should do, but for some reason, I can't, because I end up feeling guilty because I'm not doing more "public" parts of the house....  Argh...  So, I end up on the computer.  Not quite depressed, but certainly not in a happy place...More like, frustrated.  Every time I try to take one step forward, I take two back.  I wouldn't mind so much taking two steps forward and one back... That would be slow progress, but at least it would be progress.  Some forward movement.  But right now, I feel like every time I try to do something, I end up worse off than before.  For example, I have a pantry cupboard.  It isn't a pleasant cupboard - I think it was originally designed as a broom cupboard, but got shelves put in.  Very narrow, and deep.  So - a couple months ago, I decided to clear out any bugged stuff, sort what was good, group like things, etc.  In other words, organize and wipe down and clean it.  I feel like I was dealing with a can of worms - I have things on my table and counter that used to be in that cupboard, and I honestly am not sure what I did wrong to end up that way.  And I somehow messed up the grouping, because now I can't seem to find half of what I need easily... end up hauling stuff off two or three shelves before I find what I want.  So, I have to start over again.  :P 

So instead of doing anything, I sort of wander aimlessly, listlessly, around and putter here or there, and wonder why I even bother 'cause nothing ever turns out right.  Then, I check email, facebook, and ravelry instead.  And now that the weather has finally turned cold and snowy, I can't even just go outside and play with the dogs -which as least something productive.  I went to a councellor for a while, to help me get over the depression, and she suggested I try to learn to love my house again, the way I love my dogs.  To treat the house as if it were a "rescue" and needed me as much as or at least the same sort of way the dogs do.  I'm trying that - but it is awfully hard; I can see progress in the dogs' behaviour, but the house seem to get worse instead of better - the two steps back thing....

Well, all I can do is keep plugging away at it- do a little at a time, try to take those steps forward.  Eventually, there will be enough progress to make it noticeable, and then I'll take some sort of pride in it again, and start to care about the house, and then I'll be able to tackle the bigger parts.  At least, that is what I keep telling myself....

This date in history

Ok, so not ancient history, or even distant history.  But, two years ago on this date.  It was a Monday.

The night before, I'd been looking on some websites, for something in particular. Something special.  I didn't find what I was looking for.  So, I figured, I'd try a different route... I thought I'd drive to a particular place in my city that *might* have what I wanted... DH thought I should wait instead.  So, I said that I would see how I felt in the morning, when I was doing my errands, and take that as a sign.  The next morning, when I woke up, I felt a strong urge to not bother going to that particular place.  A few hours later, when I was getting ready to go out the door to run my usual grocery shopping errands (literally, I had my hand on the door knob), I had a sudden desire to check another store, that I knew was close to the grocery store.   So, after the groceries were bought, I went to D'Arcy's A.R.C. 

I went in, and was met by the store greeter dog, Fipper.  (on a side note, I'm wondering now if Fipper is being retired  - I don't see her anymore when I go into the store...)  I pet her while walking past the kitty rooms - Normally that would be difficult, but I was there to see if they had any border collies.  So, I resisted looking at the kitties, and headed around to where the dogs were - in kennel/rooms with windows into the store.  As I was now no longer petting Fipper, she let her feelings be known (either a thank you or don't stop) with a single bark.  Just as I reached the first window... And a dog popped up to see what the bark was about.  First, the dog looked at Fipper, then up into my eyes.  I read the information posted on the window - male, German shepherd cross, born July 2009.  Named - Delko.  I continued on - I was here to see if there was a border collie.  Looked in all the little rooms, through all the windows.  Some dogs were alert, watching.  Some were sleeping.  I went back to Delko's window.  Looked at him again.  Then went to the counter and asked, "So, what is Delko's story?"  (Ok, wasn't my first question, but anyway....)  He'd come into the shelter the end of October at three months of age with his sister and brother, and they were all given names based on characters from the TV show, CSI Miami.  Calleigh and Horatio were adopted nearly right away, but Delko had been passed over because he was shy, not very outgoing or friendly.  So, after some discussion, about adoption policies, Delko's history, and so on, I asked if I could meet him.  I was taken to a room for that purpose, and waited for them to bring the dog in.

Delko came through the door, saw me sitting on the couch, bolted across the room, jumped up onto the couch, put his head in my lap, then turned it sort of upside down to look up at me.  Love at first sight through the window - for both of us - and firmed up at that moment. 

I've always said, that things happen for a reason.  My sudden urge to go to D'Arcy's that day, the fact that Delko was passed over by so many - I know that it was a difficult three and a half months waiting for me, and I suspect his first three months of life weren't exactly the greatest either, but two years ago today was one of the best of both of our lives. 

Then:

Not my hands in these pictures - I was holding my camera, so I could take pictures to show to DH. 

Now:

Ok, so Christmas is the most recent picture I have of  him, but that's close enough :) Maybe I'll try to take a picture of him later today.

Anyway - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MR D!!  LOVE YOU AND GLAD YOU ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY!!

What should I write about today?

Daily progress reports getting boring?  Especially when not accompanied by pictures?  Well...

Guess I could talk about how I finally went through the boxes of stuff that had accumulated under the bathroom sink.  You know, the extra shampoos and bubble bath, the extra soaps and razors, the odds and ends that you think you should keep handy but really, all they do is take up space and get buried under the towels and such.  So, I sorted it out, and found new homes for the storage stuff, and dumped the junk.  A couple of things had to go back, but hopefully, they won't be a problem.

I did do some more rows on the baby blanket, but not as many as I'd have liked.  But I was down to the end of the ball, and it was getting tangled, so I spent nearly as much time detangling as I did crocheting.  Now I need to rip out and rewind the yarn from the first attempt, so I have enough to finish the blanket.  I have thirty repeats - Ok, I started with a row of single crochet, then a row of pattern/texture stitches (the bumps), then a row of single crochet.  To end up with a square, I counted the bumps across - 42.  I need 42 rows of bumps - so, I can't say I've done "30 rows", but that is kind of how I think of it, for some strange reason... I guess, because I am using a sort of thinking short hand, and I mean "30 rows of bumps".  Anyway - I will finish off with a row of single crochet when I have 42 bump rows.  Then, I'll start the border.  So, my point, is that I now have 30 bump rows done, so only 12 to go.  I *think* I can manage that tonight.... If I rewind this afternoon (instead of doing boxes... hm....I could still do *some* boxes...)

So, I guess that is all I can think of - oh, wait - I've been reading some library books lately, too.  Found a new-to-me series of books co-authored by Anne McCaffrey.  Unfortunately, the great lady passed away recently.  The books were co-written by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough.  I'm wondering now - a lot of the recent A.McC. books have been co-authored by E.A.S., so I wonder if the latter is planning to carry on with any?  She does, after all, have a number of solo books of her own.  I kind of hope so - the books I just finished were Catalyst and Catacombs - and while the second one did end in a nice closure sort of way, there is potential for other books.... And since I enjoyed the so much, I really hope there are more!! 

Another book series that I was following via the library is one I'm way behind on.  I did enjoy it, but for a while, I guess I sort of changed interest in the genre... That is, just as I will often exclusively knit for a long period, then suddenly put the needles down in favour of a crochet hook for months on end, or pick up a latch hook or cross stitch needle or quilt fabric and sewing machine... I read a certain type of book for a while, then get bored, only to pick it up again later.  Sometimes, the spacing and timing work out - a favourite author takes a break, or something, at the same time as I need one, then a new book comes out just in time.  Right now, I'm waiting on a book that will be published in February - Amber Benson's Death's Daughter series latest.  I really want to read that as soon as I can get it into my hot little paws... Been "too long" since the last one ;)  In the meantime, I have a Joe Grey book that I could read - but I'm not quite ready for that one yet.   I could/should/is on the to do list sort out what books I've bought from that series I'm behind in.  Started out reading Midnight Louie books via the library.  For a variety of reasons, all of which are to support the author, I swore that when I could, I would buy the books, even if only in paperback.  Well, I started doing that - but ended up with a couple out of order - so I need to take the time to make sure that I have a list of what I have/still need to get, and start filling in the gaps. 

Even though that is an organizing job that needs to be done as a part of the overall whole, I always feel guilty if I attempt to do it - because it is for my pleasure as well.... and seems less visible or noticeable in the overall picture... Then again, sorting the junk that was in the bathroom cupboard wasn't/isn't exactly "in your face" either -  Ah, heck, maybe that is what I'll do this afternoon - sort a couple boxes, rewind some yarn, and check what books I have...

Progressing nicely!

The blanket is coming along.  Got way past the half way mark.  Didn't take a picture yet, though.  Might wait a while....  But, at this rate, it should be done fairly soon.  Once I get the piece squared up, I'll add a border made up of double crochet post stitches in white. Then, a fast wash and dry, then wrap it up!

This morning has been a bit interesting.  I suspected we had a mouse in the house.  And yesterday, DH thought maybe Lady had found one.  Well, we do - and it was under the fridge.  But, moved from there. So, just a short few minutes ago, we had a bit of "excitement" while one of the cats and one of the dogs (Mica and Lady) tried to capture it.  They didn't succeed, and it is now back under the fridge.  :(

So - that is my rather short post for today!  See you again tomorrow. :)

I done been busy....

So I'm posting late in the day.  While cooking chili for supper. 

I was going to crochet last night, maybe knit a little, and do some more progress picture posting.  But, of course, that plan changed.  Our TV bit the dust.  And we know from experience, that not having a TV can be detrimental to our marital health.... Strange, but true - we can go without *watching* TV for lengthy periods, but somehow, not having the choice seems to put us both on edge... Anyway, last night was spent going out to buy a new one, then assembling and setting it up.  By the time it was done, it was relatively late and I was tired.  So far, though - seems like a nice enough TV.  Still getting used to it - different brand than the last one.  We could have gotten the same brand, but... well, the last one was less than two years old.  And when it started acting up, we looked into repairs - cheaper to buy new.  So, we did. 

Hopefully, I'll be able to do some progress on other stuff now.  Have got the special project part one completed.  So I have a little time between now and part two... I could either get a head start on it, or I could do some house catch up.  I think I'll do housework for a couple days, then start on part two.  I like doing it, but by the time it is over, I'm glad to be done for a while.

I will try to spend time tonight on the crochet blanket.  My hands are getting stronger all the time.  Knitting uses different muscles and hands - which is why I could knit while one hand was broken.  But the crochet muscles are out of shape, and my hands kept getting tired quickly.  I'm getting back to working in longer sessions before I want to give up all together on the blanket ;)  So, I crochet for as long as I can, then push myself to go till just before I start to hate working on it, then I stop for the evening.  It would have been nicer to have a bit more time to work on it, or to not have hand exhaustion so frequently.  But, it is what it is, and I want to finish it. :)

More updating tomorrow. :)  Closer to the usual time, too.

Missed adding titles yesterday and almost today!

So I have some pictures for you.  I took several different angles to show the different texture of the blanket.  I mean, really, it is tactile.  Which is had to convey except with a lot of words, and a poor help of a photo... I also made sure to show how much of the ball of yarn was used for the tighter gauge compared to the loose one.  Again, hard to see properly, but I did my best.  I've now got the new version larger than the old, and have still hardly made a dent in the ball of yarn.  I probably will not need to rip back the first version to finish.  I'm going to be adding a border in white when it is squared up.

 In these pictures, the first one I made is bigger - I hadn't really gotten very far on the new one when I took the pics.  I also had one of my "helpers" - the camera hog...

She likes to climb up on things... my chair, the table, the bed, the dresser... Nothing is sacred to this dog.  We *think* she gets up onto the stove, too, but we're not positive... but somehow between Lady and Delko, they manage to reach things on the back of the stove...  See the edge of my chair on the right hand side of this next picture?

You can also see all the colours much better in these photos, too.  Pink, blue, white, and yellow.

While I was downloading these pictures, I decided spur of the moment to show you all something I bought a few months ago.  I was looking for a new sugar bowl, since mine had been on the counter and ended up on the floor, broken.  I didn't see anything I liked, but I *did* find some cute animal salt and pepper shakers.  They had pigs, and dogs, and duckies, no kitties, but they did have....

Sheepies :)

 Aren't they cute?

So, maybe tonight I'll get a bunch more blanket done, and I'll take some pictures again tomorrow. I might even manage to do some of those socks!  I've got too many projects on the go, not enough time to finish them all, and too many new ideas rattling around in my head.... I'm seriously considering making four afghans for the grand kids for next year's Christmas... But first I need to finish off some of these projects I've got started, before they become UFO's and tie up more needles and hooks :(

Late night post

I was out most of today.  Went for a hair cut, then to the chiropractor (bad news - the joys of getting older - osteoporosis is in my very near future - :( - I gotta do a bunch of exercises to prevent issues with my spine. )

Then, I did a little shopping, and went to the shelter I got Mr. D from.  (aka Delko).  They're having a fundraiser dinner next month.  We went last year, and enjoyed it so much, that we are definitely going this year.  One of the ladies who was working today was the first person I talked to the day I met Delko.  I have taken him back for visits now and again, when I go to drop off newspapers or whatever.  And I took Lady there once to get a collar for her.  But this lady was never there - and lately, I've been running into her again. So, today, I decided... I took my groceries home, dropped them off in the house, loaded up the dogs, and took them back for a little visit. :)

So, by the time I finished all the errands, put the groceries away, it was nearly time to start the dinnertime routine - and I nearly forgot to post here.  But, it is still Friday, and I'm posting, so I haven't missed a day yet this year :)

I did take a picture of the blanket - both the new larger stitching and the older tighter version.  This time, the yellow showed up.  But I didn't pull them off the camera yet, so I don't have them ready to share.  I will try to get that done this weekend some time.  I also did a few more rounds on the flora/fauna sock.  No pictures of that, yet, but I may manage a few more rounds sometime over the weekend.  I hope.  I also have a few other pressing things, so I'm not sure what time I'll have.  But, with all the changing of the crochet blanket, I'm kind of sick of it already...  Which is why I'm working on the sock, too - so I don't get too frustrated or bored with the blanket.  Baby is due this weekend give or take, so I don't want to take too long. As soon as it is done, I push on the socks.  I have four pair to finish by the end of the month!  And the house to get in order.

But at least I posted here today! :)  Some goals are being met just fine!

Not much again

Today is garbage day -  I decided to tie up and toss the half bag of kitchen trash, because we had a couple meat packages in there that were starting to smell... So, I use those smaller kitchen trash bags - 24 X 30 inch or something.... When I put it into that bin I was talking about - that was the only thing in the bin this week!  (Ok, so, I got two dogs and two cats - the dog stuff, I confess, didn't need to be tossed - I use one of those handled plastic grocery bags, and I didn't do the clean up a few days, because with all the melty snow, the "stuff" was too soft and mushy to pick up, and then it snowed finally, and covered most of it - plus was still snowing and blowing at the time of day yesterday I would have gone to do it, so it didn't get done.  Cat stuff - small, compact, clumping litter, bagged and tied and added to regular garbage.  Told you the other day I don't have a lot of trash)  Meat trays are not recyclable, and I used to rinse them off.  BUT - they now put in some sort of absorbant thingy, almost like a paper diaper, that soaks up whatever liquids that come from the meat (and I wonder why the meats cook up so dry?)  Anyway - used to be, that the absorbant stuff was easy to pitch out, didn't really smell bad.  Now, though, these new fangled things are thick, and they suck up everything - can't rinse them, I'd clog my drains.  No need to rinse the trays... After a day or two, these things tend to start to "ripen".  I find myself going through a lot of trash bags, because I have to tie them up and take them out so often.... Gotta get back in the habit of going to a real meat store/butcher instead of supermarket prepack stuff.

Got a good bit going on the baby blanket.  I definitely like the larger, looser stitching.  For softness and snuggly-ness.  I sort of like the smaller, tighter, more dense stitches for looks.  But, since this is to be for a baby, to be wrapped up in and stuff, I am going with the snuggle factor.   If I were to use the stitch pattern for a sweater or something else, or for an older child, I'd go with the firmer fabric.

Didn't take a picture yet, and since my entire day is running late due to an early morning "emergency" trip, I won't be taking a picture now.  I did plan to this morning, and would have.  Tomorrow.  I will for sure.  Even though tomorrow is another of those run around half the day - hair and chiro appointments.  But I'll still pop in here. :)

No pics, short post

I didn't take pictures.  DH (that is dear husband, in 'net speak) is working overtime for a while - January is inventory month.  Delko loves waiting for Daddy, and takes up a position by the fence watching for him about ten minutes or so before his usual home time - now that winter had finally hit (for now, at least, not first time it got cold) I have to make sure he understands Daddy is working late - poor little guy would freeze his nose off waiting... Anyway, so, because of the late supper and all that, I spent way less time last night knitting or crocheting, so I didn't get far.  Took the second ball of yarn I'd bought for the blanket, and started crocheting with a larger hook - went up two sizes - and already I'm liking it better.  May be a bit too loose - but won't really know until I get more than two and a bit pattern rows done.  Need something substantial to really "finger block" it into place, to get a proper idea.  So, no point in taking a picture, until I have something really good to see.  And, today is my "favourite", laundry day.  So it will be a stressful day.  Already managed to jam a sliver into my finger from one of the wood posts along side the stairwell to the basement :(

So far we've had a mild winter - a couple deep freeze days in December, but mostly little snow and lots of melting.  Now we're back to deep freeze temperatures for a few days, at least.  Still, nothing to complain about - it is nearly mid January, so winter is pretty much half over already.

And, it is almost D's second anniversary with us.  Sometimes, hard to believe it has only been two years - other times, it is like, Two Years Already???  I still love and miss Bear, of course, and Spud, too.  But I so adore having Delko in my life. :)  And Lady.  Two wonderful dogs... Both have come a long way.  D still has a few issues, but Lady seems to have settled in now.  I love them both so much :)  Ah, maybe I'll share a picture of them from Christmas Eve - maybe I did already, (I've shared the pics a few other places for sure, so I can't recall and don't feel like opening another tab/window to look), but here is my favourite of the batch I took Christmas Eve:  (they didn't object to wearing the props like I thought they might!)

Trash Talk

I was going to post last week about how much my doggies love garbage day, and how they probably won't get as much pleasure by the end of the year.  I'll be happier, but they won't.

Several years ago, our city gov't ("they") officials decided that instead of having to hire lots of people to collect residential garbage by the can/bag, (labour intensive, not cost effective, not always "easy") that they would put out large bins every few houses, to "automate" the system.  Some people were putting out too many bags, others put out loose yard waste (branches, etc.) or heavy items that were not easily picked up.  So, these bins were supposed to fix that problem.  It didn't - the bins took up space that vehicles were to drive on, people put big heavy things beside the bins, the person whose home it was placed near got junk everywhere, they smelled bad, they were often overfilled/overflowing, and they were definitely attractive to graffiti artists and fire bugs.  So, part way through converting the whole city, they stopped... some areas had the bins, some didn't.  A few years ago, several ideas were tossed about for a user pay system.  I personally liked the idea, but was concerned about how it would be policed - I would not want to be charged if a neighbour put there trash outside of my yard.  Eventually, they came out with things like a blue box program to reduce the amount of garbage going to a landfill.  Great - too bad they found it more cost effective to send about half of what they collect to the landfill than to truck it off to a recycling center.  They still collect it, though.  Then, they finally came up with a different automated type bin system.  We now have a garbage cart.  It's about four feet high, and about two or two and a half feet square (slightly tapered, and I haven't actually measured it).  So, now instead of a truck driver and one, two or three men following along to toss bags and empty cans, there is just one truck driver who comes along and scoops up the cart/bins, then dumps and returns them.  The blue boxes are still collected the "old fashioned" way.  The dogs like to watch the truck, but they are even happier when the blue box gets emptied - they love to bark at/to the men, who I've seen smile, wave, and greet the dogs, too.

That will change.... They are going to now go to a similar cart/bin system for blue box stuff.  I'll be happy - the bins hold quite a bit.  They will be smaller than the trash bins (anyone else see anything wrong with that picture?) but still bigger than the boxes.  And they don't have to be kept indoors to keep the recyclables out of the wind and rain... 

The drawbacks?  Well - besides the fact that my doggies won't get to greet the workers anymore, there is the obvious - those people will be out of work.  And, it is not going to be a user pay system - we'll all be paying to have the new system put in place.  Why does that bother me?  Well - because the idea is to get people to reduce the trash they send to the landfill.  So, where is the reward for the people who do, or are trying to reduce the waste?  That is why I support user-pay trash collection - those who put the bigger burden on the system should pay more to maintain the system, in my opinion.  And, again, if they want people to throw less out, and recycle more, why is the trash can bigger than the recycle can?  (oh, right, because they only take about half of what can be recycled, and send a portion of that to the landfill anyway).  Oh, and they are also instituting a compostable/yard waste pick up as well, which we all share in paying for.  Even if we will never use the service.

See, that is what bothers me the most.  I have three compost bins in my yard - and I use them year round.  I've gotten a lot of good dirt for garden and yard dressing.  I love my compost bins, and no way am I giving away my compost raw materials!!  Second, I do use the blue box, and put my recyclable stuff in there all the time.  But that is another of the things that sort of irks me - I know that "recycle" is the THIRD "R".  The first is "Reduce" - - reduce the amount of waste you produce as much as possible.  I try to buy bulk, look for items that do not have excess packaging, and move on frequently to the second "R" - "Reuse".   A great many items that come into this house get repurposed for something else.  A lot of packaging can be reused several times before finding its way to the blue box.  So what this all boils down to is, people need to be educated to encourage them to reduce the waste, not just penalized with an across the board fee while the city has to deal with the problem.  Heck, I've reduced my "trash" (admittedly, there are only two humans living in this house) to the point that if it weren't for the fact the dogs like to watch, I would only need to put out the bin once every two weeks.  And that includes the fact that we do have two dogs, and two cats, that produce absolute waste matter....

So, that is my rant for the day.  I've been posting mostly craft stuff for some time - and this blog was supposed to be more than just craft information - it was supposed to be a place for me to do this sort of venting and journaling of my opinions.  But, in all fairness, I could give a progress report - if any of my craft fans are still with me ;)  I did a few rounds on Hermione's Everyday Socks, and I'm a little concerned about the pattern showing up after all.  The original design was done in a subtle variegated yarn, mine is a bit brighter.  So, I'm afraid the texturing won't sow so much.  That, or the pattern doesn't really match the picture- I'll need to inspect that a little closer, though, to be sure.  And, I worked some more on the baby blanket - which I'm starting to feel uncomfortable about again.... I've gotten nearly 20 repeats done now, but have used more than half a ball of yarn - so I'll either have to go buy more (need to do 50 repeats), or I think I want to rip and restart again on a larger hook again.  While this effort is not as stiff as the first, it still isn't as soft as I'd like it to be.  If I'm not happy with the project, I'll start dragging my feet on it.  And it will take forever to finish, and I won't be happy at all.... On the other hand, it will definitely set me back timewise to restart.  *sigh*.  I'll think about it today, and hopefully I'll have made a decision by the time my crafting session starts tonight.  So, no pics - nothing picture worthy at the moment.

3 project progress pics

Too bad the word for "3" doesn't start with a "P", or I'd have a great alliterative title :)

Anyway, here they are:

The new baby blanket - that I will write up a pattern for when it is done.

The yarn is a "print" yarn called Baby Combo, and it has blue, pink, and not visible in the pictures yellow, and white.

I'm also ready now to start clue two of the mystery socks.  I thought it was kind of cool how these turned out - I mean, in the first early pictures, there was a garter stitch triangle forming, that I thought would represent leaves...

Then, when I finished off the chart, and did the "set up rows" for the next section, the directions arranged the starting point at a different place, and when I looked -

There are really cute little leaves showing :)  With garter diamonds between.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the next clue brings - and it will need to be done in a week.  Hopefully, the crocheting goes quickly enough.

Because, I also want to get moving on these socks - a new design by me.  But with the theme of flora fauna - the colour, as I've said before, is rosewood, (flora) and I'm going to knit some butterfly theme and cat theme patterning into the leg (fauna).

So, that is where I'm up to now.  Today, I'm going to hit up the store for some shopping - the brand of margarine I use is being offered at a great price this week, and another store has a super special on a tool set, plus I guess I should get some more potatoes, since I'm low....Oh, and we discovered at an inconvenient time that I forgot to replace the spaghetti sauce in the cupboard.... One of the few things I still buy pre-made, since I haven't found a decent recipe we're happy with yet.  I do need to pay attention to brands, though - some I can eat, others I can't.  Anyway, I do like to keep a can or two in the cupboard, so that if I feel like making mock veal parmesan, or lasagne, or even just pasta and sauce (I don't make "spaghetti" as such, I tend to go for fatter cuts, more like linguine - and I do mean, "make")

See you tomorrow!!!

Hah, Almost forgot!!!

I've been posting every day.  Almost didn't do it today- keep shutting down before I remember to open the blogger page to post.  BUT - here I am.  Don't know that I have anything significant to share, but figure I will babble a bit anyway.  The important thing about keeping a journal, or a diary, or anything like that, is to try to get in the habit of posting/writing daily.  Even if it is only a few sentences.  The idea is to form the habit. 

And since this is sort of my diary (though I must confess that there are some thoughts I wish to keep private, and a blog is pretty damn public!) and sort of my craft journal, I guess I should start treating it more seriously, and posting more regular.  Besides, I need the typing practice, so I can get off my lazy procrastinating butt and type up a document that needs typing up.  I keep going over and over in my head what I need to write for it, but when I get in front of the keyboard, I look at the icon for MSWord, and I click on Firefox instead. 

On the crafting front - I've been remembering that I need to get off my procrastinating butt and practice spinning, and start working on some of my needle felting projects.  I also have to take those promised pictures of the baby blanket I'm working on (oh, right, another writing exercise - write up the pattern, since I kind of am designing it in a way) and the mystery socks before I start the next clue. 

So, I will try to make sure to do that first thing tomorrow morning. :) In the meantime, here's a picture that a friend/extended family member found and shared on Facebook, that is really rather appropriate to this post:

Waste of time?

Some might think so.   Because I'm sort of on a deadline, I sort of think so.  I always used to. I spent 2 and a half hours last night working on a crochet baby blanket.  I picked a hook that was best suited to the size of the yarn, and did five and a half rows.... Realized that the blanket would be too stiff to be a soft baby blanket.  Ripped it all out, and started over with a larger hook. 

So, no progress pictures, as I barely restarted before it was too close to bedtime and I was too tired....

I consider it a learning experience.  Not really a waste of time.... But, considering I'm on a self-imposed deadline to get it done ASAP, it is a little frustrating to have done all that work and spend the time with nothing to show for it.  But, on the other hand, a larger hook means it will grow faster, so be done sooner with fewer stitches (first attempt was done over 151 chains, new one is only 101)and fewer rows... :)

So - that is my post for today.  Hopefully, will have more to say tomorrow (plus, tomorrow the second clue comes out on the mystery sock, so I need to take a pic of what I have before I start on clue2.)

Ugg....

Not much progress yesterday.  Spent too much time away from home.  BUT - the weather was unseasonably warm (6C) so I was able to get out and clean up dog stuff and play with the dogs for a while.  Got them so used to me being outside with them, and having a daily play session when the weather was nice in the summer...Now that it is colder out, they don't understand that it isn't fun for me to stand shivering while they play "keep away" with the ball between tosses... I don't blame them, they both want to be the one to bring the ball back and get the praise.  Sometimes, they get smart, and each one has their own ball - that really keeps me busy (and warmer, lol)

Anyway - I did finish off the complete clue for the mystery sock (will take a picture, but not today) and decided that I'm going to rip out that little toe for the Six Sox sock, and redo it without the knot.  The directions said to start with a slip knot, but then I have that nasty little lump - and putting it on (I know it is really tiny, but I got a pretty good idea which part of my toes it would cover) told me that I would have that little lump in the tip of my big toe - Not a pleasant thought.  And too much "work", especially doing two at once, to make sure I did a "left and right" sock (by changing the side I do the heel on) to make sure the lump never goes at the big toe side.  So, I'll just rip out, consider the first attempt a learning experience (which it definitely was) and restart them tonight.  About the mystery sock - I pulled it on, and discovered, that while the cast on number was what I normally would use, the style made it a bit tight.... I can still get the sock on and over my heel, but it will make for a pair of socks that I'll have to ensure I never let shrink even a tiny tiny bit, and they probably will be ones I don't wear as often as others.  I have a couple pair like that - I need to sort of stretch them a bit before pulling them all the way on.  Sometimes caused by the nature of the cast on/pattern, as with these socks, others because I was a little tense when I started knitting them, or had slippery needles so tightened up my knitting. 

Tonight I hope to make some more progress on a few of the projects.  Oh, and I have to start another new one - Turns out I have a week to whip up a baby gift again.... DH apologized - he first heard in November, but forgot again until a couple days ago, when discussion turned to inventory and overtime with a co-worker.  I want to do something a little more than the usual let the yarn do the work project, so thought I'd go with a crocheted blanket I've made before - but of course, misplaced the pattern and even though I've made several, I just can't quite recall exactly how.... But, yesterday, I went ahead and bought yarn for it, and was able to go to the bookstore to pick up a book I'd special ordered - Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet - and found a stitch in there that is pretty much the same as the one I couldn't recall!  The original is in a pattern leaflet from Leisure Arts with four baby layettes that I bought several years back, and is called "bubbles" or "baby bubbles" or something similar - bubble for sure in the title.  The one in the book is "granule".  I'm going to hybrid them  - I remember a treble and I think a three stitch one row repeat, but the book uses a chain picot and two stitch two row repeat.  I'll use the treble and two stitch two row repeat.  I'll also dig out the link to my blog where I showed the last time I made a blanket using the pattern - it has been a few years....  But that will be tomorrow or the next day.  I'm now a day behind in what I want to accomplish (well, part of what I want to do) so - on to the housework and special project!

(oh, and notice how I'm keeping up with another of my personal goals?  I've been posting here every day since  January 1)