new orleans

More fun in the Big Easy today and the weather was milder to that made it even better. .Lots of walking and went back to the knitting shop in French Quarter. Tonight was the holiday lighting ceremony in Jackson square with music, fireworks and Ellen DeGeneres( ? spelling)


Miss my pugs !

New Orleans

Not as cold here today- thank goodness. I was about to wear the winter hat I just knit last night is was so windy and cold yesterday walking around. Husband went fishing so I did some knitting and shopped in the River Mall which was so dead and deserted. Half the stores are not opened. I spent a few $$ in Chicos.
I was here a week before Katrina and is such a drastic change . People in the stores talk about not being able to keep it up unless things improve. One good thing is that the cruises started to come back which will help businesses.. Our time share is very quiet with hardly any people. The only place really with a lot of people seems to be the Casino.

New Orleans

so after being held up in Chicago( snow storm) we made it here one day late. Obviously,this place has such a different atmosphere since the last visit we had. Most of the same business and places still running but with less people. The airport was so quiet and empty. Homeless people on the streets sleeping right on the street.
We walked Bourbon Street area this afternoon. Stopped a wonderful knitting store called the Quarter Stitch. I will have to go back without the husband!
More later.

Snow coming?

Friday I am leaving for a week in New Orleans. The weather report for this area says possible snow showers for the next few days. I will not miss the snow!This is the first year of no commute to work so it is less stressful when it snows. My fear of driving in ice and snow has rapidly increased with age. I will enjoy the beauty of the snow much more now when not forced to travel in it. The Mini will stay in the garage once the winter weather has officially arrived and the Honda Element will be my winter car.

Fingerless Mitts

Finished 3 mitts and hope to do the 4th tonight. Pattern is from Wendy Knits (free pattern on her blog . http://wendyknits.net/knit/mitts.htm.

It is amazing to me how just putting a bit of pink mohair in the one set makes the colors look so totally different. The thumb and some holes were a challenge -but these are fun and quick. I think will make several pairs for gifts.
Maybe? eventually I will figure out how to avoid the holes? And to be able to make a pair the same size as you may notice on the picture...they are not the same.............

Not so happy holidays for some...

Holidays sometimes are not so happy...Someone "very" close tried to commit "suicide by cop" this past week. Shit- I never heard of this expression before this. This is freaking shocking and unbelievable....this emotionally wrought person is in a mess of trouble -not just mentally or by the gun wound -but now big time with the police.
The big WHY..drugs, alcohol , family and job issues and depression?? I have been way down before but can't imagine the misery and pain one must be in to do this. I don't know how to help, but to say I love him.

Thank goodness for my mental health, my supportive husband , my healthy children and of course, my pugs. The list goes on and on..

The tree is up!

This tree is bigger than it looks.Could not do it without my helpers.. It took me all afternoon to get it decorated..

Made one of the fingerless mitts from Wendy Knits (Wendy Knits)book but the free pattern is on her blog. They are a little small so may have to give them to Jen with the skinny fingers.I will use bigger needles for next pair. The mitts are made with the lovely yarn I bought from Kiparoo Farms at Stiches.

Turkey Day and the pug family

Magoo , the black lug of pug, with his daughter ,Peek- A- Boo

Molly- the the mother of Peek-A-Boo and then Winnie- the senior pug

It was a relaxing day with lots of food, family and no dishes for me! Both my kids were at dinner which is harder to now with my son being married.
My visiting daughter and I were knitting while watching Grey's Anatomy, our favorite show along with 24...Now she is hooked on knitting and made two scarves in the last 2 days..

Day before Thanksgiving..

Yes!!!!I do not have to cook! I am very good at bringing the wine and dessert. I only like to cook if I am in the cooking mode which is not very often. When my daughter lived home it was fun because she loved it and took over. She would have the menus planned months ahead.Even when she was in 2nd grade I remember she used to play restaurant and make up menus for breakfast and then serve it.
Thanksgiving is a time for thanks.I am so thankful for my husband and my two children, my health, my home and all. But, I am sort of sentimental because they have grown up and it is not like what is used to be having them all here.

Knitting another skully hat because first one looks too big ( height wise). So I will give him two for Christmas. This skull does not look as good though. I messed up a bit on the pattern and tried to fudge it.
Not sure what to start next? Still going on the second sock, Log Cabin Blanket but might start fingerless mitts or a vest kit from Stitches.

I am going away next week to New Orleans while husband fishes so I need to think about what to pack for that. Socks for the plane using those small plastic dpn's?

Take this driving test

http://www.gmacinsurance.com/SafeDriving/2006/test.asp
I only got an 80 on this test which is passing . I admit I am not the best city driver and a bit geographically impaired....

Happy Thanksgiving

Skully Hat is done.................

Denise sent me this:

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP. MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP, MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE, MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.


GOBBLE TIL YOU WOBBLE.........

AND IN ALL AND FOR ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS.

skull hat

2am and still knitting with my sleepy pugs by my side..
yeah -I can see the skull now

2nd attempt on this skull hat for my son is much better.I stayed up to 2am to get this far.(The pugs were waiting patiently for me to go to bed) My husband thinks I am an addict. He is right!Carrying that yarn in back is tricky -but it is starting to look like a skull, finally. Using wool makes a great difference. I am getting extremely picky about my yarn now after being exposed the natural stuff( like soft bulky Alpaca). Knitting is challenging enough without using that Caron crappy stuff which sort of just lays there blah...

RETIREMENT TRAVELS

Retirement is feeling better and better. Several travel plans made this week and oh, I feel LUCKY! Husband and I are going to New Orleans next month. Then, my sister and I just booked a knitting retreat in March.My other friend and I booked a 11 day cruise for Jan 6 where we plan to lots of knitting in the sun. My husband hates cruises so he can watch the pugs.
These will definitely help me get through the winter and keep me busy.

2007 Knitting Retreat in the Mountains
Sponsored by Carol’s Yarn Shop
With special guests
CAT BORDHI – WOOL IN THE WOODS –
SHADYSIDE STUDIO WOOLS
Held at Will O’ the Wisp Resort on Deep Creek Lake
March 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2007<>FONT>

what is this mess?

Yesterday I tried making the winter hat with the skull using two colors and what a mess..Then I looked in some of my knitting books to research this changing colors fiasco.OMG too embarrassed to take a picture. Trying again tonight.

hearing loss/ BAHA aids

I LOVE My Pugs.

Peek- A- Boo and her mom, Molly are always finding places to cuddle together.


Got my Mini 's 30,000 mile service today in NJ ..O.M.G 350$ for what? But at least they are very pleasant there and I could knit while I waited in their cool waiting room..




"Have you asked your ear consultant if you would be a suitable Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) candidate? You're more than welcome to e-mail me about this either via the Baby Surprise Jacket group or via my BellaOnline site, I wear two BAHA's and find them absolutely marvellous. Of course there is the occasional problem but life is far better with two BAHA's than no hearing aid at all! "




Thank you for your suggestion. I visited a top -notch hearing center at NYU in New York City about 5 years ago. He mentioned that there were implantable hearing aids that were being tested in Europe. So I predict you are from there!.The problem is that when I researched them on-line they seemed to be used mainly for conductive hearing loss, which I do not have. http://www.cochlearamericas.com/Products/878.asp I have s- nerve loss. I will continue to look at this option as the technology improves.

A Parent's wish

Maltese hat is done!

I did the i-cord and Pom- pom thing .Not as weird now- but I know my son will not wear it!

A friend sent this in an email http://parentswish.com/site01/big.html..It is so appropriate- yet so very sad.

I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said "Damn- How Did I Get So Old? My parents and I have switched roles and it is depressing for all involved.

.

maltese hat

here is the scarf I made my Mom to match her new coat.( Lovely Latin Collection alpaca bought at Stiches.)

EZ Maltese hat is turning out strange ( sorts clown -like) ..made me laugh like crazy when my husband tried it on.I doubt very much my son will wear it . It is was huge so I felted it a bit . It was a good thing I was watching closely because it got small very fast..maybe too small. Anyways I made a pom - pom and some twisted cords. Maybe a kid will wear it or my friend Brandi who likes crazy hats . My son wanted one of those hats from Stitch N Bitch with the skull on front so maybe I will get the yarn to do that.

Well, Dad is home and it is going to be difficult. I am trying to get my mother to hire nurses for the home but she is so very stubborn- Irish! I will spending most of my days driving to Middletown. Being retired is convenient.

Must go to a wake today for a teacher I worked with for a long time. John never came to work last week because he had a massive heart attack at age 55. Everyone at school is still in shock. Sadly, this reminds me to concentrate on the important things in my life and let the other stupid stressful stuff go.

Knitting is a very good thing for me.-even when I make mistakes. I am learning..... I had to tear the top of the Maltese hat out due to a major hole which I did not notice till next day. The hat is sorta weird looking.I doubt my son will wear it. I have to finish top with DPN's and think about making a tassel and i-cord thing. I never made tassels before. In fact before I started knitting I really never did any crafty things like sewing , quilting ,cooking or other domestic stuff. I just never had time with running around with my kids(which I loved)) , family and teaching. Reading was my thing which I hardly do now except the book for the monthly book clubs ( only if I like it) That is why I am so surprised I love learning to knit!

EZ Maltese Hat knit-a- long

Started my Maltese hat (late) tonight at knitting group (knitbabysurprise@yahoogroups.com). Could not put it down and it is now 1am. Starting the decreases and will be done soon. I am not sure my son will wear it but have other people in mind if not. Have to decide about making an I cord . I plan on felting it if it is too big. I used size 13 needles. Pictures will be posted when it is finished.
My father is leaving the nursing home tomorrow. I am nervous about that with my mother having to care for him.

Hearing Loss

Comment-What make are your hearing aids and how long have you worn them?

I have 2 Phonac behind -the- ear hearing aids and a Phonac FM system. My first hearing aid was was a small one that I started wearing when I was in my 30's. That was over 20 years ago and my hearing has continued to decline. My loss is rated severe now. I have investigated all the new technology and gone to specialists and conventions. Closed captions for TV and my Cap Tel phone are a great help. My cell phone is a Nextel one that is extremely loud (but also distorted)when I put it on speaker mode .Thank goodness for my husband who helps me in so many ways.

The hearing loss made teaching almost impossible the last few years especially with all the background noise. As a result ,I retired last year. Not hearing makes social and all kinds of situations difficult. I may end up being a candidate for a cochlear implant but will put it off till am desperate.