Saving Money the Hard Way

Its Stitches West weekend and I feel like I am missing out on fun, yarn, laughter and all the excitment that comes with attending Stitches. Last year on Friday, a group of 4 of us rose in the dark early morning hours and prepared ourself for a Yarn Frenzy. We were at the train depot at 6:50 AM. As daylight came into being, we saw others standing in small groups and we begin to see a pattern. Women with knitting were silently gathering to board the train to the big yarn event. I had not been on a train since I was a small child, so the train trip held as much excitment for me as the yarn market heaven. I saw parts of my own community that I had never seen before, as the train moved down into Sacramento and on to the Bay Area. Somehow we found ourselves in Emeryville and someone said Oakland. We thought we had reached the station where we changed to buses. So this 4 some climbed off the train. Imagine our shock when the train pulled out of the depot and the sign DID not read Oakland. The station people were wonderful to us and found us a cab driver who agreed to drive like the wind, so we may catch up with our bus. Once on the bus I saw more knitters. In fact the bus was totally knitters except for 2 passengers I think. The bus driver was so good he drove us to the front door of the convention center and we lined up for Market. I looked around and soon realized I had not come prepared. Women had HUGE suitcases on wheels they were pulling into the market place. This was some serious yarn shopping I could see. The doors opened and I felt like a 4 yr old in a candy store. I split off as I was sure I could see more faster and didn't want to miss one skien of yarn or one book in the place. About 3 hours later I actually stopped long enough to eat a sandwich and find the others. It was thrilling, it was exciting, it was blinding, it was breathtaking, it was just flat magical to see it all. Everywhere you looked were people knitting, people selling supplies to do more knitting and color..... lots of color. By late afternoon people were slowing down. Me among them. We got back on the train, found a table with 4 spaces for us, and shared all our purchases. Then it started to get dark and I watched lights out the window. I had not seen these sides of the small towns the train raced through. Some were beautiful, with re furbished Depots, others were in scary not so nice parts of towns. All n' all it was a great day. I also attended Stitches East last Nov. 3, 2006, in Baltimore, MD. It was a great Market Place. My son took me up from D.C. but it didn't hold the magic as the first one on the train did. I skipped this years Stitches West. I will go next year.

Life Repeating Its Self

Its true. Life does repeat. During the 1960's and early 70's I had a framed print hanging in my home. It looked just like what you see to the left. There was a war called Vietnam. It was the first war ever to be televised. It was scary as I had a son that was moving closer to the age to registar for the draft. I wanted peace. It saddened me each night to see Walter Cronkite give the total of lives lost each day. Imagine the families suffering those losses. Once again we are in a war. Once again we are losing lives and families are suffering. Is there ever an end? 33 Americans died this week in the war.

Stitches West is this weekend. Help me out here. Do I want to get up at 5 am and take the train to the Bay Area? Shop Shop Shop, and take the train back arriving home at 9 PM? Please feel free to vote in the comment section. Today I will REALLY talk about knitting. I am up to the heel on my Jay Walker sock and am impressed how it lets the colors strip. I think I will be doing this pattern again with other sock yarn that I currently have in stash. I have managed to take a photo of some of my sock yarn stash, and wish I could remember where I 'stashed' the other!!! This weekend we are looking at stormy weather so it will be a wonderful pajama/knitting weekend. I need to get these UFO's finished so I feel like I actually accomplish something with sticks and string.

Fat Tuesday

Its Fat Tuesday!!!!!!!!! Eat, Drink and be Merry!!!! The design to the left I borrowed from the Times Picayune Newspaper. I love those masks. Then I have some Red Beans and Rice for you to feast on and some beads to toss around your necks as you party till midnight. Then Lent begins.

I Have Returned

Another view of Mt. Shasta means my return from seeing Mom. She has been in a Hospice House since Dec. 8th, and is doing so good she will be a graduate on Weds Feb. 21st. This time we are taking her home to live in her house with my brother and his wife. They both work so we have caregivers coming in to take care of her during the day. We will judge from there how much more time we need to have caregivers in. Her friend of about 50 years was in the room next to her. She lost her fight last Weds and services were this morn. The friends daughters and nieces were all my friends yrs ago in school. Its a small town and the support system for all of us circles us with hugs, while one goes through difficult times. There are not enough words to discribe the people who work at Hospice House. They are angels. Loving people who care for us family, as they do their patients. It was difficult to say good bye to them this morning.

On Sat. I took Mother for a ride over the Siskiyou's into Oregon. She loves the park in Ashland and it was such a beautiful day that I parked her by the creek and she could hear the water while I snuck into Websters. Websters is a wonderful yarn shop in Ashland. I got needles, new Interweave Knits Magazine for spring, and 2 needle cases. My treat to myself was some Colinette yarn for socks. They seem to have a new sock yarn called Jitterbug. Feels yummy. I also recast on the right size needles, the Jay Walker socks out of the Treking yarn. That about sums up my knitting time.

This last picture is coming down the south side of the Siskiyou Summit looking out over the valley towards Hilt and in the far background you would usually see Mt. Shasta from the north. The clouds block it. This is the highest summit on all of Interstate 5. I am off to unpack, relax and find some dinner.

What Happened To Winter?

I am wondering what happened to winter? Is this the false spring we sometimes have? Driving home from work today I noticed trees all over in full bloom. Convertibles with the top down. People in flip flops and shorts. I fear if this is all the winter we get, we are going to be having some major water problems before July is over. I am not sure my yard will live through the no water, then the big freeze of January. It is very brown looking. I'll spray paint it green if I have to. Think of the mowing I won't have to do. I am including pictures I have seen of the train yard in Roseville, and the rice fields that start about a 1/2 mile from my house and are all over the northern part of the state.

On Friday I drive north, searching, again, for Mt. Shasta on my way to Mom's.

On the knitting side of life. I just keep plugging away on the Clapotis. I think I must be the last soul in the world still knitting on this 'hot' pattern of 2 years ago. I have always been behind somewhat. I took tap lessons when I was four and half. I got lessons free cuz I was cute and they used me in posters for dance reviews. But Dad always told me I was called half step. Not because I was shorter or little. Because I was always a half step behind the others in my dance group. A few dozen years later I seem to be doing the same with knitting. My knitting is packed for this weekend. I have an idea what clothes to pack, and I need to pack up all Mothers paperwork for the Tax Man. It will be a busy 4 days this weekend.

Singles Worst Holiday

Singles not so favorite day starts in a few hours. The holiday that was created by women, supported by Hallmark, candy makers and the florist. Thats ok we all claim we don't really care about living alone and being single, until we see all the hearts, flowers and couples in the world out for that special dinner and or day. I will be attending 'Chicks and Sticks' at the local yarn shop. With 12 single women and 3 men. There will be no dancing, music, candle lite. Just lots of needles and yarn with some desert tossed in that the shop owner is making. I guess life isn't so bad after all. The chocolate covered strawberries at the left I give you with the promise of no calories (looking at the photo that is). And I leave you with a photo of the Eternal Hug. This is a for real photo. Happy Valentines Day.

The Dreaded Household Repairs

A day of very little knitting. Household duties and repairs and a huge dose of lazy. Its Sunday. I did wade through the Sunday paper and all the ads before hauling it out to the garbage. I like getting that out of the way. Takes time away from knitting to do the Sunday paper. I have a bad rain gutter on my back deck. The contractor put up a temp mickey mouse rain gutter before he vanished from the landscape. Two years later the mickey mouse thingy is not working well. I am just not into household repair things. My tool bag has a roll of duct tape and a can of WD 40, one hammer and a couple screw drivers, that I only have as my Dad owned a parts store and there were lots in his garage. My idea here is if it moves and its not suppose to, duct tape it. If it doesn't move and it is suppose to, WD 40 it. Now duct tape isn't going to stop the leak in this rain gutter, and WD 40 is out of the question. So I found some yellow plastic cord in the garage, cut a piece off found some matches and melted the ends so it didn't fray. Tied the cord around the broken rain gutter, so it stays attached to house. Then I put a long 2x4 I found in back yard, left over from MIA contractor against it so gutter stays where it is suppose to. To hold that in place I used the metal table on deck braced against the 2x4. Got a picture of this? Of course I don't. You think I would share something that bad? We shall see if it holds up during next few days of storms.

On the knitty side of life, I worked on the top of some socks I had started a while back. I have 3 pairs of socks on needles and need to finish them before summer arrives. Tonights Grammy show will give me plenty of time to knit. I do want to see Police, with Sting open the show. It looks like I will go up to Mom's next Friday and come home on Monday. I need to help my brother get things ready to bring Mom home from Hospice House. She is trying hard not to be a cry baby. She is so use to where she is and fears moving back home. I have to upack some of her things and make her feel like she is back home. I will leave with one picture that is knitting related. Some Cherry Hill sock yarn in Old Rose colorway. Beautiful soft yarn. I am looking forward to knitting and wearing these socks.

Life Changes

NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA

Today is a homesick day. In the late 70's I moved to a small community in the Gold Country of California. The far northern part of the Gold Country. The little town I liked the best and live the longest in is Nevada City. This is a picture of the main street of town. When I retired I was living alone in an apartment in Nevada City. I lived on the 3rd floor of this apt. building with a big deck on the back that was up in the trees. There were old abandoned gardens in the back and nobody could see inside the apt. It was so secluded I made a small bedroom at one end of the deck and in the late spring, summer and early fall I slept out there. Very safe. Nobody could get to the deck. There was a roof covering it, so was very protected from weather. No matter how hot it got, the deck in the trees was cool to sleep at night. My son and daughter thought it was time for me to make a move. I am not sure how they selected that I live near my daughter, but 2 1/2 yrs ago I moved to Roseville. Sometimes things trigger such a loneliness for Nevada City and today was one of those days. I use to walk to the bank, post office and anywhere in town I needed to. I was 2 blocks from work. Life was good. I had alot of friends there. A complete support system for what ever I needed. There were times I had medical issues, and I always had a ride to what ever appointment I needed. I did the same for them. I ran into someone today from Nevada City. They were shocked that I would ever move away from there. I agree. I am still in shock. The picture on the top right was taken 1 block from my apt. Hard to believe you live one block off the main street of town and had the privacy I did in that little apt. The people you knew and would see while walking to the post office. The main street packed with tourist on a sunny weekend. The events that we had one block from where I lived. The Teddy Bear Convention, Fat Tuesday Parade, Fourth of July Parade, Bike Races, Hot Summer Nights every Weds nite during summer, Victorian Christmas, when it was cold and the streets were full of people dressed in costumes. Farmers Markets held all over the area. It was a great home town for almost 30 years. I miss it still. But living about 2 miles from me now, are daughter, the best son in law ever and 2 grandchildren. Life changes.

Knit and Destroy

I should named this Destroy and Knit. I started Jaywalker socks. Love the colors, BUT I was on a 0 needle size and should of been on a 1 and half size needle. I don't know what I was thinking. I did photo it before frogging it. And still love the colorway. This is Trekking sock yarn. I am off in a bit to get a pair of Crystal Palace needles in right size. I also finished a pair of VooDoo fingerless gloves from Knitty. They are made of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. Very soft and I am liking these. I made them long enough they go up under the coat cuff and no cool air on the arms. They also let you drive with some grip on the wheel. My second Picture today is Baby Hats. The white one is for the small one we hope to welcome into the family soon. The blue hat is for a lady at work. All I know is her name and that she is having a baby boy. I can't speak Spanish and she can't speak English. So I can say she has a nice smile. I have been off for 2 days knitting and knitting and doing nothing much else. I am fighting the crudes that have been floating thru the office for last few weeks. I will go back Monday. I even missed my Grandson's birthday dinner last nite. I did call him and we will go birthday shopping next week after school one day. I love doing that. I get more out of it then if I go birthday shopping alone. I get an hour or so selecting books or what ever their interest is now with just them. one on one.

The other news is Mother is leaving the Hospice House where she has been since Dec. 8th. It is amazing seeing her comeback. We honestly feared we were loosing her then. The Angels that work in Hospice House are amazing people who give with such love and care to both the patient, but to their families as well. My fear is she will be depressed at home without them. It will be nice for her to be home but she is out in the mtns away from town and all the friends who came to see her. Her friends were big in helping us with her comeback. I will be traveling back north on next week, but this time I will be driving.

Knitting Sunday

Gift to myself. I have always said if I saw the right stitch markers I would get them. I wasn't just looking for bright shinny beads, I wanted something related to knitting. I found these yesterday. They were made by a local person and sold at the LYS. They make me smile. I am still knitting along on my Clapotis and when done will post a picture. Right now it looks dull and boring. I also finished a small hat and kimono for a new baby. I will also post those soon. Part of my yarn purchases for January was enough Noro Kochoran to make a Lady Eleanor. (pictured above) I love the soft muted colors and will be excited to see them knit up. I may fight with the daughter for final product. I also cast on for a pair of Jay Walker Socks. They are a small change from the large Clapotis and I can take them with me easier. I spent yesterday visiting one LYS and over dosing on yarns. I enjoy doing that, it gives me a shot in the arm to come home and knit faster so I can plan my next project. So much yarn so little time. Its not looking good for stitches west this year. Amtrack has changed the commute trains to the Bay Area. There is no longer a 7 am train. A person can either go at 4:45 AM or 11:23 AM. The first is a terrible hour to get up and dressed and down to the train station and the other would get us there in time to take the train home. I am not brave enough to drive it anymore. There was a time I would of not even thought of taking a train I would of been in the rush hour traffic loving it. I had promised myself some Socks That Rock Yarn and a book from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Last year I had no idea what I would want as I had not been to Stitches. This year I was going with a plan. I can always order them off the internet but somehow that just isn't as much fun as seeing the colors live and touching them. In the long run I would probably really be saving money. I am off to get another cup of coffee and my knitting. I do have plans to not watch the superbowl. Some movies.

A Little of This and a Little of That

A week since I last posted. I spent 2 wonderful days home over the weekend. Knitting, reading, and a little house work tossed in to keep me on top of things. I worked on a small baby cap and kimono that I will send to son and wife. It was knitted in white and as soon as I add the Icord ties I will put a photo on blog. This has become my record of knitting along with other things going on in my life. Both grandkids living near me have been sick with flu and now daughter is. I don't think I will go near them till winter is over and after I spray everyone with some Lysol. One person at work came into day with cold he has been fighting for a week or more. I need to take some clorex wipes to work tomorrow and clean phone and computer keyboard. I have started back to work on my Clapotis and am picking right up with pattern and seem to be able to remember most sections, so I don't have to follow stitch by stitch. That annoys me. I will soon go back north to see Mother. My brother and I will be moving her soon as she can't stay where she is any longer. She is doing so well and getting so much stronger its a shame to move her from that setting. I don't think she will be happy living with my brother and his wife but she does not want to go back to assisted care living again either.

A Friendly Little Critter.....

A great nite of knitting with a big slice of cheesecake for everyone last nite!! Just what I needed when I am making slight attempts at eating healthy. A request of both kids. I skipped all classes ever offered on will power. I have none, zip, nada........ I did almost finish one small white baby hat and picked up the other 2 sks of yarn for a small sweater for a new born. I will get those done soon and shipped off east. I do need to lay down my needles and do a little mid winter yard clean up, while weather is good, and need to run a duster and vaccum the through out the house and wipe down a counter or 2. Buttttttt its just nice to sit and knit. Enjoy this pet. It is house broken, requires no feeding or sheds all over. Its just a cute view of yarn on the hoof.

The Trip was Great

A wonderful weekend was had by all. Four days with just my 2 kids, staying in a wonderful B&B, that was my Grandmothers house when I was growing up. We had great weather and the best thing ever happened. My Mother is up and walking. She is doing it with help now, but on her way to walking on her own soon, I am sure. Seeing Mother after 3 weeks we could all see such a huge improvement in her. I do need to get her to the beauty shop for a hair cut, but on the whole she looooooked wonderful. I got my 10 hours of knitting in by wearing my brand new ear light that I bought at the Discovery Store. I recommend them to others who read, knit or what ever. It works better than a book light as its actually on your right ear, therefore not weighing the book down. I worked on the Clapotis and its coming right along I am on set 4 on section 3. Amazing the routine of the pattern is in play and I can get several rows a setting done. Tonight 'Felted' and I are going to Chicks with Sticks. I wonder am I to old to be considered a chick? Should I be looking for an 'Old Hen's with Sticks' group? That would break my heart!!!

On the really exciting NEW news side of life. I guess I will be doing lots of small knitting for a while. Small as in size. Newborn even. I will know soon when it will be born. I will be a Grammie for the 7th time. Since I have 3 grandsons and 3 granddaughters, I don't care which it is. I just need to know the color plan soon.

Today's photo is me sitting on my grandmothers lap at the house we stayed at this last weekend.

10 Hrs of Knitting Ahead and More

I am off for 4 days on a road trip with son and daughter. It is to visit my mother in the far northern part of California. But this is one of the few trips I don't have to drive. You know what that means.......... 5 hours of knitting each way !!!!! Whoopieeeee. I am taking my Clapotis and a small scarf with me. I should finish the scarf easy and put rows on the Clapotis. We are staying at a new B&B in my home town. This B&B was owned by my grandmother during my growing up time. The current owners have named one of the rooms after my Grandmother Mollie. I havn't stayed in this house for about 44 yrs. They have fixed it up so nice. My Ipod is loaded with new podcasts (knitting of course) and a few news talk shows for me to catch up on. The weather looks cold but no storms (whew). I am leaving you with photo's of 2 Christmas gifts from last year. I am posting this with hopes I get movtivated earlier this year to make a few gifts. To the left is a ribbon shawl pattern. One that is a combo of 2 different patterns. To the right are the first pair of Fetching Gloves, from Knitty.com, I made.

Yarn and more Yarn

Todays Photo is of the 'Head Frog' at the Frog Pond Yarn Shop!

Well I have done it now!!!!!!! I bought more yarn this month then I have in months. Was I making up for no yarn shopping? What was I thinking???? But its not bought at random, its all assigned a pattern and to a person. One may turn into daughter's Christmas present for 2007. I am currently finishing up a pair of VooDoo gloves, from Knitty.com. They are the pink ones for granddaughter. Monday was a holiday so my knitting friend and I went to lunch in a new place, dragging in our large knitting bags. Our plan was for a salad and a couple hours knitting. We had no idea if we would be asked to move on as we tied up a small part of a table, but alas all we got was questions and knitting discussions with others also enjoying a lunch hour. We think this might become a 'habit'.... since we were not kicked out. We do want to 'test knit' extended knitting times at a couple of other places so we have a choice when the mood so moves us. Tuesday was regular knitting day at the LYS. The usual crowd was there and lots of laughs. I do believe we are often referred to as the Tuesday Naughty Knitters. We do have to be careful we don't shift into the Xrated mode. I got there early and of course, left late. I am packing up my knitting to travel this weekend. I am taking a shrug that is classified as 'mindless' knitting and also the yarn to start a clapotis for myself. Well actually both items are for me. And you wonder why I don't have more knitting to give family members..........

Tinking

Most of yesterday's handling of knitting needles involved TINKING. I have never been brave enough to just slide the needles out and RIPIT. I am just sure I will never regain all those precious little stitches back in order. I should never do cables when I am at a knitting meet up. Friday Nites Time Needlers is to full of chatter to concentrate. I must remember to maintain a bag of 'mindless' knitting to take. I undid everything I had knitted in 2 hours and re knitted it last nite. There for I lost 24 hours of being productive........shame on me.

This is a wonderful 3 day weekend. It is freezing outside but nice in the house. I have done some major cleaning and would love the organizing fairy to appear and put it all back in order in plastic containers and labeled. I just seem to never get that final touch done. I envy people who can let go of things. I need to do more of that, and then organizing would come easier. I am off to fold 3rd load of laundry. I will leave you with a picture of my LYS and a group picture of the owner attempting to teach us all she knows !!!!

Mt. Shasta

This is Mt. Shasta, California. People forget that California is not all about freeways, beaches and crowded cities. This mountain is to the far north in the state. I was born in a small railroad town, Dunsmuir, on the south side of this beautiful mtn. I grew up in a little larger town on the NW side, called Yreka. When you live near a place like this you tend to take it for granted. When you move away, then drive back for a visit, you start watching for the Mtn to tell you that you are almost 'home'. This picture was taken on a patio outside the nursing home where my mother is currently living. I have been traveling back and forth every couple of weeks and Mt. Shasta is always there for me to enjoy.

Knitting...finally

Finally a week of knitting. Catching up on lots of small projects and, sad to say, I have one Christmas gift to complete. I tried to cancel Christmas this year, nobody listened to me. I will start with WP's. I have 2 sets of fingerless gloves, one will also have a scarf. I have 3 single socks done. (I tell ya I have second sock syndrome) One pair of socks is daughters and she is starting to nag, somewhat, for them to be completed. The pair for her were standard cuff down. During the time of making them, I learned toe up and love the fit of them so much better that I am having hard time switching back to finish this one sock. I also have a shrug half done and yarn in bags staring at me for 2 sweaters and a clapoti. I also have yarn for 2 more pairs of socks. Summer will be here before they are knitted. The January sale at the LYS got to me!!! I have got to stay away from there till the sale is over. I say that knowing the chance of it happening. I go the yarn shop for a shot of adrenlin.

I am happy to say I have learned HOW to download pictures to my computer but now realize I have no program to manage sizing and fixing of photo's. They are a HUGE amount of K which would fill 2 standard 17 inch monitors. I am now shopping for cheap but good software for such photo's. I am glad I didn't toss computer and printer out window last week.

A week from today I will be going back up to Mothers. Son is flying out and will drive me north. That is 10 hours of free knitting time I can look forward to, along with time enjoying son. I do think daughter will be there same weekend. I don't often get my 2 kids alone. When I talked to Mother last night she sounded like her old self. Hard to believe in the middle of Dec we did not know if she would be with us for Christmas. She is the strongest little lady I have ever known. I only hope I can live like she has. So many friends have turned out daily to support us by not leaving her alone to many days in a row. They all go visit daily and arrange their visits to cover each day of the week. She has a terrific group of friends around her, she is blessed.

Next time I hope to put a pic or 2 on this blog.

All Dressed up and Knitting at the Frog Pond

This was a test and only a test to see if I retained what Violet taught me yesterday. Don't we all dress like this to go out knitting?

A Day of Learning and Actual Knitting News

A day of learning how to add photos. So far the only one used is in my profile. Thanks to my LYS owner who is also a whizzzz at computers. I gave up with the instructions that came with Blogspot and reached out for a human to 'splain it to me. I also spent about 3 hours at my LYS and only bought one item. Amazing!! Not that I am on a yarn diet, in fact I may be the only human in the world not on ANY kind of a diet during the month of January. I did get some knitting done and visited with other knitters. I do have a picture on my camera of the Frog Pond. My next attempt will be to put it in the blog.

I have been working on fingerless gloves. I did several sets of the Fetching Gloves from Knitty. I know several who have made them and they do knit up fast. Daughter loved hers I made for Christmas. I then revised the pattern and made myself some gray ones and my Granddaughter wants 'pink' ones. Everything she wants will be pink. "Pink is the new black" is her statement. I also bought some old wooden purse handles at an antique shop. I am sitting here with graph paper and stitch books in front of me planning a bag. I am going thru a stage I have to change every pattern I attempt, so will stick with easy ones.

There was lots of talk about Stitches West today which made me realize I am not sure if I am going to get to travel by train to the Bay Area or will be up north with family. Shall wait and see what happens.

Next step is to become more comfortable adding photo's and other thingys to Blog.

Very Little Knitting News

Very little knitting going on at my house. I seem to have trouble staying focused. It may have something to do with my Mother being so ill and the fact I would like to toss my fairly new Dell computer/printer out the nearest window. First Mother, she is 87 and failing. I feel so frustrated I can't do something to make life better and like it use to be for her. The last year has been so hard on her. Her personal privacy has been taken from her and for a very tiny, very private lady it is tough to watch. Two yrs ago she lived alone in the house my father built for her. Fifteen months ago I had to move her to an assisted living facility. The food was never to her liking, but she was safer than alone out in the woods, living in a house on the side of a hill. It is not easy making decisions for a parent. That was their job all our lives, making choices for us kids. As to the computer, why do I let a machine get to me so. I got a new camera with a photo program and when I download pictures I seem to not be able to find them later. Its like they go poof. I also scanned in a photo of my Grandmother Mollie to send someone and now it is missing. Good thing I still have the hard copy of the photo.

The next thing is GOALS. Small ones. Learn more about my camera, learn to save pictures where I can find them. Learn to download pictures into this blog and how to add side bars (or what ever techno term they are really called).

Son will be returning to the west coast the 18th of January and will take me back north to see Mother. I do like not having to drive the 5 hours alone. I am lucky to have such good kids.

Lost and not the TV show title

I think I got lost in the blog world!! I am found and attempting to try this blogging life again. Life has changed. I now work part time in order to support my addiction of yarn. I have also been with family alot in last several months and spent alot of my time on my house. Painting and yard work tend to eat up alot of knitting time. I had all sort of plans to start this on January 1st, but as you can read I am late already by a day. I will make every attempt to post a couple times a week and focus on my favorite 2 topics, family and knitting. More to follow.

March 15, 2005

Blog?, BLOG? A word I had never heard of a year and half ago and here I am with one. Most blogs I have read are people who manage to keep a running journal of everyday life and a track record of their knitting projects. Yarn, book purchases. I see it as an inventory of life along with an inventory of knitting supplies and knitted items.

I will start off with I have lived in my new house for 5 months the 21st of this month. Life on your own is hard enough to deal with but life in a house where the landlord is not a phone call away, is something else. I have given in and hired a handyman once and will more than likely will be doing it again.

Five months of no power for first 3 days in new house, no heat for weeks, skunks that moved in underneath and took up residence, making my wonderful new home smell like hell. Painting is another thing I have done. I won't be applying for any painters positions. What a terrible task. I have 2 bathrooms that need redoing. Painted the guest room....... Well a friend did, so Mother has a place to stay when she visits. My bedroom seems to be the last mess to deal with but most of that can't be done till the bathrooms are done.

I also have to have new siding done on the outside, some drainage to deal with and then have the outside of the house painted. I want new kitchen cabinets and counter tops. White of course. I have taken what was a dark paneled house and covered the inside with white paint to help bring lite in. I love the small deck off the back of the dinning room. It has access off the bedroom and in summer time will still beable to sleep outside.

The house has been my main concern for this last several months but I have also been able to do some knitting. I finished 2 poncho's for Christmas gifts and am almost done with a "Best Friends" sweater from the Sally Melville Knit Book. I have also finished 6 small easter chicks which I will add a picture for later. I have joined the knitters forum and met one lady that lives in the community that knits like I do.

That brings you somewhat up todate on my life since my move to Roseville. I miss living in Nevada City, but life is about changes. I am closer to 2 of my grand children and try to see them more often.