Finally!!! My Own Spinning Wheel

I was fortunate enough to be the first person to contact the seller of this Lendrum spinning wheel. Six other people wanted the wheel and one even tried to offer $100 over the asking price to get it. The seller and I had made a deal which she honored.

I am so excited and could hardly contain myself. I hardly slept last night in anticipation feeling very much like a young child on the morning of Christmas.
Briley (Brian) and I got together today. He lives in the area where I had to pick up my wheel. (See below what Brian arrived with!!!) Brian and I have been blogging friends for quite some time and have gotten together several times for a craft "show and tell". I didn't take pics of his crafts today as he will be blogging about it all soon. Trust me, his work is truly inspiring.
I met up with the seller in a mall parking lot as we both had to travel some distance. Above, Brian is helping set up the wheel for me.


I'm just as happy as can be with my new wheel. Brian and I spread out a blanket under a shaded tree (with beautiful flowers), sat on the ground and with the wheel slightly below us off the curb, Brian proceeded to give me lessons in plying, etc. Unfortunately, I didn't take pics of Brian doing the plying. Trust me, it was a lot of fun.
We also had lunch and went to a bead shop. Lucky us!
Brian gave me the following:
4 oz. of multicolor merino, 1 oz dyed brown colonial, 1.5 oz of natural brown blend, 1 oz. of blue bamboo, 2 oz. of cotton, 1 oz. black alpaca
So sweet and thoughtful of Brian to do this.
I'm on vacation this week so there will be plenty of time to test drive my wheel. My caller ID will be used to the fullest and I will take calls from my kids but not from anyone local. No, I don't want to go shopping, no I don't want to go to the museum, no, I don't want to go to lunch nor dinner....I just want to spin.
Now, if you'll excuse me, this gal wants to go spin!!
Happy Knitting & Spinning!
Joansie

Grandkids and Knitting

Just a quick update on grandkids and knitting!


This is Jakob, now age 18 months. Hasn't he grown from previous pics on my blog. He is just so darling!
This is Joe, now age 13, (duh, can you tell from the candles). He had a large party with friends while I was visiting on Memorial Day weekend. Joe made highest honors on his report card with an average of 97 in math. We were delighted!

And this is Nick, age 10. He just got a new trumpet as a reward for excellent grades in school. Yesterday was their last school day.

On the knitting front, I'm down to the heel of the 2nd Dr. Weissgold socks. Can't wait for those to be finished. I'm then going to return to some UFO's.

Not much time to knit lately. My new thing for June is bridge lessons. I'm challenging my brain. The lessons go till the end of August.

Oh yes, my daughter, Amy received a spinning wheel from her husband as an anniversary gift this week. He is always so thoughtful with his selection of gifts for her. Lucky girl!!!

My spinning wheel purchase keeps getting put off. I just paid $300 for new glasses and 3 weeks later I had the incident with my eye that now requires at least one new lens.

Happy Knitting!

Waldo, Where Are You?

If you've been reading my blog since the days of blogging on Yahoo 360, you know that I try to do one new thing per month. I've learned to kayak, (or tried to), spinning, attended presidential candidate rallies, ate new foods, etc.

For May of 2008......here's the new thing.

It's a chick incubator!

Can't remember why we had to add water!

This gadget automatically turns the eggs. Mother hen would normally do that. It's done so the embryo doesn't stick to the membrane just inside the shell.Waldo, Waldo...where are you? (from the children's book) Can you see one of the chicks beginning to crack through the egg? (Bottom left, 2nd up)
I didn't get pics when first hatched. Not very pretty at that stage. They sure are tired. Pic above shows them about 1-2 days old. There were 49 chicks that hatched while I was there.
A closer look! Chirp!, Chirp!, Chirp!

Daughter, Amy, after having collected the eggs from the coop! (She said to ignore the stain on shirt!..lol)

Going to market! Not sure if you can tell, but there are a few "blue" eggs. Can't remember the breed hen but those eggs usually sell for much more because of their taste. Many of daughter's customers are co-workers.

Happy Knitting!

Oh My Gosh....Free Yarn!

Did the title get your attention? My younger daughter (who doesn't knit) called me last evening. She and her dad are going to this warehouse today. Read the ad.....it says bring a van, bring muscle, bring plastic bags, etc. I hope it's good yarn.

http://providence.craigslist.org/zip/712040192.html

She is calling me on my cell when she gets there. What fun!...even if it is junk yarn.

Happy Knitting!

What's In The Box?

A few years ago, my daughter, Emily, sent me this lovely box. The price was a steal at the time and she said she was sure I would find use for it somehow. Over the years I've stored a number of things in it.

The box is lined with cedar (I think) and is a cigar box with a humidor. I've most certainly never stored cigars in it. Except for a couple of experimental cigarettes when I was 14, I've never even smoked. Yeah, yeah....at one time it was considered boring but no more.

So I am using it as my sock box.

The "humidor" unscrews and I can put lavendar in it if I want.

However, the box is not large enough to hold all my socks. (sigh!)

A closer look at some of the socks.

And now on another note..... Amy said I left her curious with my last post. I was somewhat vague with my heritage. I am French Canadian and also speak the language. I was brought up Catholic and went to school 1/2 day of French and 1/2 day of English.

I told you about my friend's funeral last Saturday and they played "J'airai La Voire Un Jour" which is a song saying that the person has gone to heaven to see the Blessed Virgin Mary. Now, I think a mother's role in life is pretty important and Mary, being Jesus' mother is to be looked up to.

The food I enjoyed at the reception afterwards was a tourtierre which is a French Candian pork pie. Traditionally, I have it during the Christmas season only. It's the spices that makes the pie unique. I like mine with mustard on the top. It really is delicious. When I visited my daughter a couple of weeks ago, she pulled one out of the freezer for me to enjoy. A couple of years ago, my daughter and I made 23 of those pies (in one day...superwomen we are!!!) and stored them in the freezer.

Must go..there are severe thunderstorm watches and tornado watches for my area. Work sent us home early because of the weather. I'm prepared!!!

Happy Knitting!

Weissgold

A message for Dr. Weissgold........... (Friday's reflections)

Where are you, Dr. Weissgold? You needn't hurry too much on my account as I am knitting these socks while waiting for you to see other patients. Of course, I want to make sure you take good care of my eyes and we don't waste time so that I can continue to knit for years and years. Thanks for explaining to me what is vitreous detachment and how it created two holes in my retina.

I'm also enjoying your 14-week old St. Benard who is running around the coffee table and plopping down in the middle of the room. The dog made the elderly gentleman across from me smile in spite of himself. The dog found the man's inner child so that put a smile on my face as well. One must be thankful for the small things in life as it is those small things that accumulate and overcome everyday problems and sadness.

Ok, back to the socks....I needed mindless knitting while at the doctors. It's the waffle pattern I've knitted so many times. The yarn is, oh, ok...I just don't remember where the darn ballband is at the moment. It is hand painted and was purchased at a LYS sale a few weeks ago. 100 grams for $7...how could I go wrong!!! The picture shows how much I knitted this week while waiting for my eyes to dilate and waiting to see the doctor.

Reflections on Saturday.............

Thank you, thank you, thank you...........no more flashes in my eyes today. I hope to find time to knit for a little while before bedtime.

I attended a friend's funeral this morning. It was a truly beautiful ceremony. He was loved by many and he had a doting family. It was especially touching for me because we shared the same ethnic background and one of the songs that a trio sang at the funeral was in my native language.

Aftwerwards there was a wonderful luncheon with some of the ethnic foods I enjoy. The location overlooked beautiful Lake Champlain on a beautiful and sunny day with the Adirondack Mountains in the distance. I'm sure there are many beautiful places in America but it is difficult to beat the beauty that Vermont possesses. (One of the reasons it is so expensive to live here.)

Many, many of my friends were there to reflect on the good times. Some happen to be here on vacation from as far as Arizona. I had not seen them in almost 15 years.

I may start a new knitting project. It depends on how the mood strikes me this evening.

Happy Knitting!

My Newest Stash Addition

My latest addition to my stash includes lace weight yarn in the peach colorway, gloss burgandy and blue colorway. The brown tweed is yarn my daughter wanted for socks for her husband. All of this loot is from knitpicks.com.

I'm most excited about the Cat Bordhi book. I started knitting the Ocean Waves socks and gave up but only for now because of new developments in my life this week. I loved the "Judy's Magic Cast On" that is featured in this book and I used to start my "Ocean Wave" socks. I like the challenge that the Cat Bordhi patterns present as I have become way too comfortable in my sock knitting with only slight variations in patterns, etc.

It's been a tough week. I had to have emergency laser eye surgery on Wednesday. Just when I thought everything was going to be ok, I became concerned the following day only to be reassured by the doctor that my symptoms were normal. I called again today and was more insistant. The symptoms were more pronounced. I was seen again and the doctor discovered the laser surgery performed the other day was not 100% successful and I had to have more laser surgery today. It's worrisome knowing I have two holes in my retina and could lose my sight in that eye if things worsen. I just had an eye exam a month ago, new glasses, etc. I'm not diabetic or have any condition (except getting older...and who isn't getting older?) that would contribute to this eye situation.

On the plus side, I started a new sock (pics later) while waiting to be seen "in between" patients. Because the surgery was not a scheduled procedure, I had to wait till all other patients were seen which was either a break at lunchtime or the end of the day. So, with eyes dilated, I did my best on the knitting and decided that if there were any mistakes, I was not frogging back. The mistakes, I decided, would be symbolic of what was happening the day they were being knitted.

Ironically, someone sitting next to me in the waiting room was protesting loudly and constantly how far behind the doctor was in seeing patients. I wanted to tell her to take up knitting (and shut up) and take advantage of the "down time", but I think it would have fallen on deaf ears as she was not even picking up a magazine or a book.

So, if the eye situation wasn't enough stress, a good friend passed away a couple days ago. I attended the wake this evening and the funeral is in the morning. He had been in poor health for some time so in a way, it was a blessing.

I'm sure something very good is about to happen. Perhaps I'll win the lottery and go on one heck of a yarn shopping spree.

Happy Knitting!

Sadness and Joy!!!

Sadness and joy........both have touched my life this week . The sorrow.......!!!!

While on vacation, I received the news that my beloved Aunt Anita had passed away. I returned home to Vermont and then traveled to Maine for the funeral.

My Aunt Anita had a quick wit and really was a "together lady". She was 88 years old. There are many wonderful memories to comfort those of us who loved her very much.

The picture was taken December of 2006.

I was introduced to someone at the funeral home that I had not seen in 40 years. Neither one of us recognized the other but someone who knew the two of us brought us together for a few moments of reminiscing. I babysat this man's children for at least every Saturday for a couple of years. However, when told who I was he said, "Oh, yes.....you taught my wife how to knit!". I must have been about 15 years old at the time and did not remember this at all. I was an avid knitter back then so I must have. It pleased me very much that he remembered.

and for the joy..............!!!! while in my home town I was also able to see the newest addition in my family, Kaleigh Noella, only 10 days old.

On the knitting home front, I finished the caramel Primavera socks and have started another pair using a Cat Bordhi pattern that I am finding quite challenging. It involves a casting on method I've never tried before and other construction that makes me feel like I've never knitted socks before though I have completed at least 25 pairs.

I am way behind in blog reading and leaving comments. I hope to get caught up this week. I'm sure you all have been creating some very interesting things.

Primavery Socks - Yarn Selection Makes A Difference

One more pair of Primavera Socks (see previous post for pattern info). Can you tell how much I like this pattern? I’ve pulled the pattern down to the toes and I’m quite nervous because I think I may run out of yarn before they are completed. I purchased this yarn several years ago and I’m not sure if I knitted something with it or now but the yarn sure looked like it had swam in that famous frog pond.

I wanted to show you how different the same sock pattern can look depending on your yarn selection. I have now knitted so many pairs of socks that I want to focus more the pattern and color than self-striping yarn. However, I have quite a stash of that which I really love so I will probably go back and forth.

I purchased this yarn in the first month I started knitting socks and paid $5.25 skein. Haven’t seen that price in a long time. Comments from anyone who has used this yarn will be appreciated. (Brian…think you have.) Instructions say to add 1/8 cup of white vinegar to the last rinse. Is that each time the socks are washed? Will this color fade with repeated washings? If it will, break it to me gently.

I hate resolutions and I have great difficulty keeping them so this year in January I made none. However, the time has arrived and I need to reevaluate things. I have promised myself that for every new project I start (and finish, of course), I must finish a project that has been languishing on my needles.

Darn, then I remembered that I am waiting for my KnitPicks order to arrive. A sock book and yarn are traveling to my home as we speak. I’m embarrassed to tell how much sock yarn I have.

Happy Knitting!

Primavea Socks For Kim

These "Primavera" socks along with the "Blueberry Socks" were sent to Kim earlier this week as part of an exchange. I believe she is away so I have not heard from her yet as to how she likes them. She selected the color and I selected the pattern. She in turn quilted me a beautiful wall hanging that you can see in a previous post.
The pattern is extremely easy to remember and can be found for free on Ravelry. The first 5 rows are the same and the 6th row creates a mock cable stitch. I like this pattern so much that I have already started a pair for myself in a dark caramel color which really looks more like "brick". More on that later.

The book is one of my favorites because I, too, am from Maine originally. One of the women featured is Margaret Chase Smith who was a U.S. senator in days when there were only two women in the Senate. She was a great lady. Her signature mark was the daily fresh rosebud she wore in the lapel to her business suit.

On the home front, the neighbors decided to be quiet last night and I got to sleep. I actually got dressed at 1:30 a.m. the other morning and went over to tell them to turn the "dang" music down. This has been going on for about two weeks. I have spoken with them, etc. and they are always polite but keep it up. Fortunately, they are moving shortly. Not soon enough for me.

I felt like I hit the lottery last Thursday. My new glasses finally arrived after a serious delay at the lab. It was also payday. (Glasses are not the ones in the pic.) I can see well again after suffering without glasses for about 3 weeks after I broke my last pair.

Today, I visited my LYS. They were having a sale. I was good. I purchased very little and will post the yarn later when my Knitpicks order arrives. That was shipped last Thursday also. So, feeling lucky with all the positive things of Thursday, I purchased two lottery tickets today.

Life is good......things are looking up. I'm visiting my family next weekend in R.I.

Happy Knitting!

Rosette Baby Sweater

Pattern: Valley Yarns #200 April to December
Yarn: Southwick Valley Yarns - 52% Pima Cotton - 48% Bamboo (DK weight)
(5 skeins)

I’m delighted with this sweater. It was an easy knit and the yarn was yummy. This project brought me much joy and I felt a touch of melancholy seeing it come to an end. That is probably the reason (at least one of them) as to why it was so very near completion, yet sat in my knitting basket with an occasional loving glance from me while I was cheating and knitting my next project. The sweater is smaller and daintier than how it appears in the pictures. It is a size 3 months.

The cost of the sweater set was a little $$$ but it was worth it. With a 25% discount on the yarn, buttons and rosettes, the final tally was $30. Non-knitters, when receiving such a gift, are not aware of the cost of quality yarn, never mind the labor.

I have a thing for buttons. I will search high and low for just the right ones. When working on crafts we sometimes revert back to childlike habits. My mother had this long, rectangular, beige-colored button box. As a little girl I spent hours stringing like buttons together so that she would know quickly what she had in case the need arose. I enjoyed the rustling sound of the buttons in the box as I searched as if I were putting a puzzle together. Of course, I never ever saw my mother even thread a needle though she had a sewing machine, etc.

For the baby sweater, I wanted the simplest of buttons so as to not detract from the beauty of the sweater and rosettes, themselves.

I added my label for a special touch!

And, of course, you remember the bonnet from a previous post.

A little close up for you!

On another note, I have finished Kim’s socks, and though I gave her a sneak preview of the two pairs I knitted in exchange for the beautiful quilted wall hanging she made me, she has not yet seen the completed brown pair. They were shipped today and once she has received them, I will post pictures. I'm a couple of projects behind in my posting.

Happy Knitting!

Calling All Sock Lovers!

Pattern: "Primavera Socks" (free pattern on Ravelry)
Yarn: Plymouth Rockin Sox (superwash merino, bamboo and nylon)

I'm working on Kim's socks. The pattern is (and colorway) nicer than the pics show. The pattern is "springy" and "pops out" and it will fit the leg nicely. The pattern is easy to remember with increases and decreases every 6th row.

So what is your favorite sock yarn? Needles and size? Cuff down, toe up? The other day I was reading the Yarn Harlot's blog and she was trying to gather enough sock yarn to take with her for sock knitting. She said it takes her 9 hours to knit one sock. Hmmm, that sounded like a challenge to me. Wish I had asked her if she knits continental or to knit a row and show us her technique.

When I think of my favorite sock yarn I have to go with Opal though I really like the Plymouth yarn I am knitting these socks with and many other brands. Why Opal? Opal is like remembering your first kiss as a giddy teenager. It was my first sock yarn? Though not always easy to find, I like the challenge, the selection, etc.

A friend of a friend goes to Germany to visit family and returns with colorways not yet available her in the U.S. One year I received a skein for my birthday that was not yet locally available. What a nice surprise!!

Happy Knitting!

New Stash

One of my readers asked me to post my stash purchase from my trip to Webs and the Yarn Harlot event of last Sunday. Top left to right are:

Blue: 57% Extra Fine Merino 33% Acrylic Microfibre 10% Cashmere
Blue/Pink/Cream: Louisa Harding angora & wool blend

Brown: Plymouth Yarns - Rockin Sox Superwash merino wool, bamboo and nylon

Maroon/Black: Plymouth Happy Feet

Black: Louet Gems - 100% Merino Wool

Webs donated 10% of their sales last Sunday to a local midwife program that was in jeopardy of closing. The total donation was $47,000. When I mentioned in my previous blog that Webs was so very crowded, the total sales were almost $500,000 that day. Staff maintained their composure and provided excellent customer service.

Correction: Kathy told me I had a huge $$$ error in the total. Darn, I think so highly of Webs that I was thinking big while awaiting my new glasses to arrive....lol. Can you see the egg on my face?

I forgot to mention the wonderful doorprizes that Webs had at the Yarn Harlot event. For fear of getting the amounts wrong, trust me the prizes were very generous and the winners were delighted. They included Visa gift cards (to help with gas), books, Webs certificates, yarn, etc.

Brian so generously brought along a large bag filled with cotton yarn that he shared with Rebecca and I. I'll be knitting dishcloths and baby bibs.



Brian also compiled and bound a vegetarian cookbook which he gave to me. Lucky me!!!



Need I say more?

Happy Knitting!

Yarn Harlot at Webs

The Yarn Harlot's book tour took her to Webs in Northampton, MA today. It was a thrill to see her and actually hear her voice. (See yarnharlot)

With all sincerity, I say that I wish that all my blogging friends had been able to come.

As a result, Tammy, you were correct. The combination of the Yarn Harlot, Webs and lunch with Brian took me out of my knitting slump.

Stephanie spoke with everyone in line for the book signing, and trust me, the line was very, very long. The blond is me, of course, and that is Brian (Brileyknits) in the background.
Brian and I kept checking each other's basket to see what the other was purchasing. Brian did well for himself. :>)

I'm not owning up to my purchases. I was good!
Rebecca and I traveled together. Remember Rebecca and the wonderful mitten she designed awhile back. Sorry, but she doesn't blog so I can't give you a link.

While waiting for Brian and I to "cash out" ,a/k/a "emptying our pockets", Rebecca amused herself and showed the fun side of her personality.


This gal is on the Vermont Ravelry group and said she was going and to say hi! She would be the one with the red-headed baby! ...and we did find each other. Isn't this baby the cutest little thing! Personality plus is what that baby girl has already!
The marquee outside the Calvin Theater welcomed the Yarn Harlot. Looking at the seating chart on the web, the place held 1,100-1,300 people. The place was packed. Because of the lighting I was not able to get pics but perhaps you'll see some on the Yarn Harlot's blog.

Stephanie was hilarious, absolutely hilarious! You must see her if you ever have the opportunity. As she spoke, occasionally you could hear the sound of a metal knitting needle falling to the floor. It was quite melodic!


We had lunch at Paul and Elizabeth's which has a menu of very healthy selections. The walls are covered with quilts and tapestries. It is open and airy.
One of the tapestries on the wall.
Rebecca and I at the restaurant!

Happy Knitting! I'm off to bed as I was on the road by 6:00 a.m. this morning and didn't return till almost 9:00 p.m. I'll catch up on blogs and comments tomorrow evening.

Rosette Baby Bonnet

Pattern: Valley Yarns #200 April in December (pattern available for download at Webs)

Yarn: Southwick Valley Yarns (52% Pima Cotton - 48% Bamboo

Needles: Size 4 circular

Before I tell you about the bonnet, if you haven't read Brileyknits yet, please do so as he is having a bloganniversy contest that expires this Monday. Please tell him I sent you in his direction as he is awarding points for doing so.

Also, please wish Briley/Brian a Happy Birthday! Today is his "big day" and I hope he finds a lot of craft time. I know he was going to a sale at his LYS.

The bonnet was so much fun to knit. It's been completed for awhile. The sweater is almost done with just one more sleeve to attach and buttons to sew down the front. You'd think I'd get myself in forward gear and complete it but I continue to be in a knitting slump. The yarn is incredibly soft and great to knit with.

Tomorrow, I am catching up to my co-worker and fellow knitter who is visiting family about 3 hrs. from here. We will then proceed to "Webs" and catch up to Brian/Briley for yarn shopping/lunch and see the yarnharlot at Webs and the Calvin Theater which has a seating capacity of over 1,000. Can you imagine an event with that many knitters! What fun it will be. Stephanie is on her book signing tour and as of yesterday, was stranded in Chicago due to bad weather. I think the weather probably will be cooperative today and let her continue on her journey. If you don't read the Yarn Harlot's blog, she is so very funny. She appeared at my LYS about 3 years ago but has since become so well-known that she is now going only to the larger knitting markets. Vermont has difficulty attracting anything that many of you may take for granted because of the low population of our state.

I'll post when I return with lots of pictures. I wish you could all be there.

Happy Knitting!

In A Slump!

I have been knitting, and am almost done, with the rosette baby sweater. Pictures for you in a day or so.

Also, have been having difficulties leaving messages on 360 blogs. What else is new? Also having problems leaving messages on other blogs where the hosting site is not well-known. Will keep trying to catch up to old blogging friends.

I've been out of sorts with my knitting. I still need to work on the 2nd pair of socks for the exchange with Kim and have been having difficulty finding just the right pattern. I want it to be a pattern that will inspire me to not want to put my needles down.

Kim wants a brown pair of socks. I started a pair and didn't like the yarn till a few inches had been worked. However, if you make a mistake or drop a stitch, you might as well "bag' the project. Tuning in the the stubborn streak that I have, I've started this pattern four times already and have succumbed to defeat. The pattern is not so pretty that it is worth the hassle. So, I will look for other sock yarn and a new pattern at Webs this coming Sunday when I catch up to Briley for the Yarn Harlot event.

I have to tell you this cute story. My former co-worker came to visit last week. I had not seen her two children in quite some time. The conversation went something like this:

Joan: "Keagan, honey, how old are you now?"
Keagan: "I'm three and my sister, Julia, is five!"

There's a pause and...................

Keagan: "And how old are you?"
Joan: (Knowing that I was setting myself up!) "And how old do you think I am?"
Keagan: "I'd say, ahhhhhhhhhhhh 100!" and.............Julia noticing the look of shock on my face...
Julia leans over, cups her hand over Keagan's little ear and says......"No, tell her 89!"...as if that was going to make me feel better!

Don't you just love the innocence of kids!

Happy Knitting!

Maine Blueberry Socks - Finished

"A Day Late and a Dollar Short"........let me tell you why!

It's going to be in the 70's in Vermont tomorrow. It will probably be even warmer south of here. Not exactly wool-wearing weather. However, I've completed Kim's Maine blueberries socks made of wool and bamboo. She lives about 6 hrs. south of here and will be even warmer there. The colorway for the socks is a bluish/greyish and much nicer than in the picture. It was my first project using bamboo and I really, really like the yarn. My co-workers, after viewing the socks, were amazed at how soft they feel.

I also completed one "Pay It Forward" gift to Briley and sent that package last week. The package contained a wool scarf and other goodies. For those of you who have not seen Briley's blog, I'll post pictures later this week. Of course, that also will need to wait for colder temperatures. Cotton anyone? What was I thinking?

I started a new pair of socks for Kim. I searched and searched for just the right pattern. (Remember the Goldilocks syndrome I seem to have lately?) It has to be fingering weight, size 2 needles and around 64 stitches. I wanted it to be a pattern I've never knitted before so I would not get bored. I made a decision to knit "Diagonal Rib Socks" from Interweave and on "Knitting Daily" After knitting two inches of cuff and starting the pattern, I am not happy with it so I'll be swimming in the frog pond again. (For you non-knitters like Kim, it's unraveling, ripping out.)

I'm getting quite excited as the 27th of April approaches. My co-worker and fellow knitter, Rebecca, and I will be going to Webs in Northhampton, Ma. to see the Yarnharlot. Brian/Briley will be going also and we hope to have lunch together. Stephanie Pearle-McPhee is having very large turnouts at her events so it should be a lot of fun.

Happy Knitting!

Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back

I'm posting this picture because it puts a smile on my face. You don't even have to read the entire blog as I am just venting today and I need imagined sympathy.

Taken at Easter, I'm with my grandchildren, Joe (age 12), Nick (age 10), and Jakob (age 16 mos.) Those kids absolutely warm my heart. The bunny cake, which some years does not always look like a bunny, is a tradition I started when I was a young mother, trying desperately to impress my young daughters. Never mind that it is just two round cakes, cut and assembled to reach the desired result.

I did absolutely no knitting yesterday, nor have I yet today. It all started last week and I'll make it brief. I just want a little sympathy along with ideas of what you would have done...lol.

Thursday: What is that smell? Office computer emits a strange odor that really is offensive, if you know what I mean! Laptop loaner is delivered but no links, printer, etc. Ugh!

Friday: Home modem dies. Tech support tells me I need to be home for them to remotely test the line.

Saturday: "Yes, m'ame, its the modem but customer order support not open on the weekends."

Sunday: Out of desperation, I venture to the Verizon store, hoping they have a modem in the back room they can dust off. Silly me!!! Best Buy, etc. modems not compatible.

Now, I am feeling really isolated! No internet!!! No blogging! No e-mails. Not even a puppy to wag it's tail at me.

Monday: Ma'me we need your customer # in order to help you. Trying not to let my face get flushed with frustration, I explain to the lady that Verizon has sold out to Fairpoint Communications. (this past month). Because I have PAPERLESS billing (don't do it, don't even think about it....just let them kill another forrest!) I can't give them my account number, nor pay my bill online as that feature has been discontinued. I finally plead and convince them to help me. Yes, we'll have a new modem in the mail to you along with a paper bill. It will arrive tomorrow.

In the meantime, I go to the P.O. to mail daughter knitting needles and they won't let me mail them. Not getting much accomplished today.

Tuesday: Note on the door from UPS. Modem has arrived. The note tells me I need to pick up the package in person and bring a PASSPORT and/or a picture driver's license. I'm beginning to wonder if I am on some terrorist's watch list? First the P.O. and now UPS. The dang modem only costs $39.99 but obviously someone thinks it's gold.

However, Kim's quilted wall-hanging to me arrives and that keeps me from going over the deep end.

Wednesday: I excitedly rush home with modem in hand after a frantic visit to UPS, anxious to connect via internet to my family and blogging friends again. No dial tone. I'm told that the problem is at the house and I need to find some Verizon box outside and test the line, being careful that it is not raining as they don't want me to electrocute myself. Yikes! Issue is mine and they will repair it for $96 for the first 30 minutes and then $46 for each additional 30 minutes. But check the box first and make sure.

Not even a bottle of wine in the house, I go to bed in tears. I'm exhausted. I hate phones, computers, anything dependant on electricity or some utility service. Can't even get a signal for my cell phone for the area where I live.

I can't even call in sick on Thursday. Can't send an e-mail telling them I'll be out with a migraine. Can't use my cell phone unless I drive down the road a couple of blocks so I might as well continue on my way to work.

Thursday: I find the little outside box, plug in my phone. No dial tone. Ah ha!!! The problem is theirs. In the meantime, I realize that anyone who knows about that little box can use my phone service if they want to (when it's working, that is).

The phone company apologizes when I call again (from work, of course). They will have service for me by 6:00 p.m. I'm so grateful that I am ready to kiss the customer service person's feet. Wait a minute, it was their problem right along.

If I don't blog for a few days, you can find me with my sleeping bag in a batless cave with my battery operated headlamp so that I can peacefully knit!

Happy Knitting!

Feathered Star

Kim and I have been blogging friends for about two years. I’m a knitter and she’s a quilter and a beautiful one at that. We agreed to exchange a hanging wall quilt for two pairs of hand-knitted socks. Then, we both got busy and the plan was set aside for awhile. This week, Kim surprised me with the feathered star quilt hanging. She is so talented and I am envious that she can make as many quilts as she does. Her local fabric store must love her not only for her purchases but for her sense of humor. Every year she has a ‘peep war” (you know, those marshmallow critters) during Lenten season. It’s hilarious to say the least.

Oh, yes, Kim is the one who sent me the “carrot” buttons for a bunny sweater I knitted when JoAnn’s was out of them at my store. She is really a great blogging friend. I’m pretty fortunate, wouldn’t you say!!!

I have Kim’s first pair of socks almost completed. The “Maine Blueberry” socks I blogged about last week. I have a great pattern selected for the second pair and am trying not to cast on yet till the first pair has been completed.

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I have no idea if the settings on this blog are reader friendly or not. I've made so many changes as I hear from folks. My home computer is still not operational. The new router box has arrived and hopefully that issue will be resolved by tomorrow.