Fleece Artist Sea Wool

Stinky getting into trouble.

Hat and mobius made from my first skein of hand spun

Started a new sock last night with Fleece Artist Sea Wool. Not sure where I purchased it- but it cost 27$ . Pretty pricey but so far it is worth it for a special pair of socks and it is machine washable unlike the Seduction Socks.

I am off to get a pedicure, visit Dad in nursing home and then take Mom to diner. Might stop by at Petco to buy Stinky more toys. He needs to be entertained as he is full of energy. This is one spoiled cat.

Away for Weekend

The Boy and I went away for a long weekend. My sister's kids had a surprise 60th party for her . I got to knit for 4 hours each way in the car so the trip was A BREEZE. The other days our hubbies were golfing so Neenie and I sat around talking and knitting. She is the one who got me hooked on knitting . I made another hat from my hand spun, finished the socks and started a mobius scarf to match the hat. I like these kinds of projects that knit up fast and and do not demand too much of me mentally. Socks are my favorite .
I was feeling great all weekend except one bout of severe vertigo yesterday while we were in the Zippo museum . I have to hold on to the walls when this happens or get to a chair .
The pugs and Stinky - the kitty were happy to see us even though they love our pet sitter who spends all kind of time with them.

Heart Test- good news

I am supposed to stay calm for the next 72 hours and not doing anything to make my groin start bleeding so I knit this hat from the first skein of my home spun. The little blue one was for my friend but somehow the teddy bears came out very distorted.This is a practice one..

Well -I am back from this heart catherization. The worst part was before knowing it is a dangerous test. Of course - you wait forever once you get there.But, the nurses were very kind and thoughtful which helped a lot. Once I was on that operating table I had several people working on my at once. It was surreal. One shaving my groin area, another putting in IV's and another doing blood pressure.They were about 7 different people running around me. Scary thoughts of death were crossing my mind.. Once the nurse told me they were giving me meds that would make me feel like I had a drink all was well.... I felt the doctor putting the gadget he uses to put thru my artery and he was reeling it in and out but I couldn't see because of some xray machine above me. I tried to look at the tv but couldn't see clearly.
Anyways I made it through and it appears my heart is fine. Next week is the MRI- not good with my caustaphobia( spell check not helping) but at least it is not dangerous.

Heart Catherization

I have to have this heart test tomorrow.http://www.montefiore.org/services/coe/heart/cardiology/
This is a bit scary for me as this test is messing with my heart and arteries. It is routine but a health proxy form had to be filled out where I put my health decisions in my husband's hands. If all goes well- I will come home tomorrow night .If they need to put a stent in I will have to stay in the hospital over night.The following day I have to stay flat in bed to prevent bleeding from the artery they cut. I will be happy when this is over.

Tuesday -My first skein and "Stinky"

My daughter was home this weekend and started calling the kitten "Stinky" .

Somehow it stuck. Stinky meets the pug, Peek-A-Boo ( Peeky)


Molly was helping me spin this wool.



This is my first skein where I plied and used a Niddy Noddy and washed it. It is a bit rough .Seems more like wool for a purse - something not next to the skin .
It came from Ebay:
Medium grey Jacob sheep roving with accents of medium brown subtle in the grey. This is easy to spin and makes a nice worsted weight yarn. This roving was made from my own sheep (Thank you, Cherie and Chartre) and was processed in a small mill where the owner is particular about not using harsh chemicals as cleaners. There is some vegetable matter. This auction includes a one pound bag of this beautiful fiber. Let me know if you need more.
Thank you for looking and have a nice day!

Roadie or Kirby?

I have an obsessive personality...sometimes it is scary and my daughter has it even worse than I do. My mind turns on about one thing like this kitten. That might sound ok but then my mind will not turn off and that is all I can think of until it plays itself out. This past week I have worried about which vet, which food, which name , which and many what ifs? I had cats before- really! OMG What will happen when I become a grandmother.This is not a bad obsession really.The kitten brings great joy and even all the shopping .( new carrier, new litter box, new toys ,etc.) When I was working it would be negative things from the classroom which would cause major stress .I could not fall asleep or take a shower without it all racing in my mind.Now- I can take a nap whenever..



Knitting - I have been sort of in a funk. I made 2 baby bibs form Mason Dixon this week but did do some spinning now the Lendrum is back out by the TV.



big weekend coming up here....

Kitty Needs a name

Help-

I need a name for this little kitty. Nothing seems to fit for a small timid little, black kitty.

kitty trapped

We trapped the kitten and he is now in my bathroom downstairs in a big dog crate. He is very timid but I did manage to hold him twice today and he purred as I rubbed his ears and belly. He will stay in the crate for a few days and then I will let him stay in the bathroom for a few more days. After he is calmer I will let him into the downstairs basement. The Boy wants him to be a garage cat. I am going for a downstairs /basement cat until he proves he is a good kitty/ then whole house kitty. Oh yeah - I plan to keep him only if the vet says he is healthy.So far I see no fleas or mites. I worry the other stuff cats can have so I am wearing gloves and keeping him away from other pets until he sees a vet this week or next.

Weekend news/ trapping critters

Not much knitting done this week.I am almost done with my circular needles sock and have been searching patterns to knit something for a baby boy. I was debating on doing the Baby Kimono in the Mason Dixon book or maybe the one made for the twins last month from Minnie Knits.......big decisions..

I finally unpacked the Lendrum today. I really want to get a wheel that is easier to travel with like this maybe?
Schacht Ladybug Spinning Wheel
The Ladybug spinning wheel is a cute, lightweight wheel that's perfect for new, as well as experienced spinners alike. It's very comfortable to treadle and has integrated handles for easy transportation. Made in the USA.
Available this Fall!
Specifications:• Scotch Tension• 16" Drive Wheel• Weight 12 lbs• Lazy Kate and bobbins• Uses Matchless Flye and bobbins
Ladybug - $525Your Value Pack:Craft Cash Certificate for $4o

I have to have a 5 hour stress test tomorrow and need to bring some knitting as I will be waiting around all day there. I hope they can figure out what is making me feel so crappy and weak lately.

chipmunk caught total count now 14!

My husband is on a mission to capture all the chipmunks in our yard.Although they are fun to watch; they have been tearing up our sidewalks and yard . 14 of the cuties have been relocated !





Next we are going to try to catch this little kitten. It is right on the road next to our driveway. I noticed it yesterday and have been feeding it but scoots in the hole of the pipe when we go near. It looks very young. Someone else has been feeding it as dishes were there. Now I know why people were in front of our house this last week.The Animal Shelter let us borrow a bigger trap to catch it.My husband is going to wait till tomorrow am because I have fed it twice already today..Little kitty loves tuna! If we catch it - I am thinking about keeping it if a vet says it is healthy. What a worry about the cars and rain tonight!

Back from camp- Miters mastered.........

20 fun ladies showing our purses
Another fun camp experiences meeting new friends and learning lots of new knitting techniques. These ladies are master knitters that simply amaze and humble me with all they accomplish. The show and tell segment is better than a fashion show at Stitches!

The main project this year was the Crayon Box Sweater.The colors selections were were so impressive and beautiful. Some were making the baby version . I made a few blocks of the sweater but still up in the air about doing it.

sopranos

After I joined Netflix a few months ago, I decided to start watching the Sopranos. I never watched a single episode of this show before this past few weeks. With teaching and doing all the family stuff- I just never had time to watch TV. Plus we did not have HBO.

So I am on a Soprano watching marathon.This past few weeks I have watched all the 1999 season episodes and there should be a Season 2 DVD waiting for me when I get back from knitting camp. My plan is to get thru the first 5 years by the end of the summer. Of course,I can't watch any of those episodes on A&E because I want it to be in order..No gaps in what is happening. The final episode news I have been avoiding because I don't want to know yet.

No wonder so matter people followed this show.The writers are so clever and the characters are so funny. Little things like when Tony was on too much Prozac and the music was slowed down make it hilarious. It is definitely an adult show with the naked pole dancers and the episodes with Junior and oral sex conversations.

Knitting Camp

My clothes and knitting supplies are getting gathered up so I will be ready to take off to Bradford , Pa this Friday. It is my second time attending this Knitting Camp with my sister from Lancaster, Pa. The theme this year is miters and includes a Crayon Box sweater -which I may pass on because it is not me. But I did gather yarn from stash in pinks and greens just in case I change my mind. Bradford is where I was born and I still have relatives there so this is a special place to visit .

This is how I pack.My method includes piling things in my computer room a week. Then it will be sorted out and half left behind . space is limited because I am taking the Mini Cooper not the Honda Element.

So far:

wine

birthday present for sister (big 60!!)

bags of fiber to spin and share with my sister

spinning wheel and accessories.

needles of all sizes

The Knitter's Handbook ( for added help )

show and tell stuff ( mobius, oven mitt - not much else I am brave enough to share

Idenity theft

I am scared.. I feel so violated.My credit card bill came with 3 unknown charges today. I hope that is the only place that I find this. I called CapitolOne 3 times today and finally got through. One charge is to a pet store called Pandyshop in NY for $546. Like I need another dog with 3 already? The 2 others are for some music down loads of sort at 58$ and another for 99$.I am basically deaf so I don't do that.
The only place I have charged recently with it was at the Woolery to buy my Lendrum bag and extra bobbins. Usually I use my checking account for most things like EBay and Pay pal.It makes you paranoid thinking that somehow some evil person would do that.
The credit card had to be cancelled and now it will be another 2 weeks before I get a new one.The nice man with an accent said not to worry - right!

Fireworks

Daughter Liz is coming home tonight to spend the weekend.We are having a big picnic here before the fireworks on Sat.It is the perfect view of the fireworks as they put them off directly across the river from our deck.

Tonight will be spent at Sam's club and then she will basically take over.She has always been such a great help even when she was in elementary school. I am so proud of her.

Knitting has been using Cat Bordhi's book to knit socks with 2 circulars. Today I am off to NYC on a bus trip with a friend so the socks will be perfect for the trip. One was completed on the trip to Lancaster last week.

I am not sure if I like using circulars or dpns best. I felt very clever using the dpns but sometimes stitches would fall off when packing them away .Circulars are easier with that and I don't notice those ladders I used to get with dpns.

News-

Winnie was our first pug. I had read an article about pugs in Dog Fancy which said pugs have the big dog personality in little bodies. I bought Winnie from a lady in Sullivan County .We loved Winnie so much that we continued to add more pugs to our family.This last year she has had a very hard time walking.My poor husband found her dead this am.

Have not had time to post lately as the last 2 weeks have been busy. I spent the last few days at Lancaster , Pa with my sister.We took a spinning class together yesterday. It was fun but unfortunately I have been suffering with vertigo and and pressure in my ears so I spent early this am in the Urgent Care.Tomorrow I go to an ENt doctor. I am trying to find the energy to clean up and get ready for the the knitting group from the spinning guild that is coming here in a few hours .

But the hardest part is that my oldest pug Winnie died this morning. These dogs become one of the family and it is so very sad.

Alpaca Farm in Bethel, Ny

This adorable alpaca baby arrived while we were there.These are his very first first steps.

This was another youngster who came to visit .

The Double EE farm is located right down from the new Bethel Woods Concert Center located at the original Woodstock site.

Today was shearing day.

This was before everyone came and started to set up. It became very crowded with spinners , weavers and spectators coming to shearing day..

Today was a such a fabulous day! The Spinners and Weavers Guild I just joined went to this Alpaca Farm.It was shearing day for the alpacas.They gave us free fiber to spin .This was my first learning to card and spin alpaca. I learned so much today as I had no clue as how easy it is to card fiber.

I was so excited to see this beautiful farm and the owners were so gracious and generous. Then while we there a baby alpaca was born. You can see in the photos how the cord is still attached and how it is getting up and wobbling around for the first time.

ALPACA info
Weight on the Average is 100-180 lbs. about 1/3 to 1/2 the size of a llama
Weight of the average newborn is 15 - 19 pounds
The fiber, for clothing has been the traditional use of these
Do not require a lot of acerage, 5 to 8 animals per acre
Alpacas have single births, twins are very unusual
They can start breeding as early as 12 months of age

Fort Delaware

Spinning at Fort Delaware

This weekend my new Spinning Guild spent time at Fort Delaware in Narrowsburg, NY demonstrating spinning. Here is my wheel and empty chair.



Linda ,the director of the fort is helping Dorothy learn to spin. Linda helped me get started on my wheel and demonstrates that this wonderful guild is a teaching one.

Roger is knitting socks from yarn he made on a hand spindle.

Misson Accomplished-Stash reorganized

THE CIRCULARS- NOT COUNTING DENISE AND OPTIONS

JUST A FEW OF THE KNITTING BOOKS

YARN.... AND SOME IN BIG BAGGIES IN CORNER TOO

No knitting or spinning accomplished last night. After I signed up for knitting camp I saw where they are making the Crayon Box miter sweater which requires different colors of yarn. I started looking in my stash and jeezzz what a disaster it was..things were showing up that were forgotten about . Really- I have only been knitting less than 2 years and it is slowly taking over my house. Add now the spinning stuff and whew! I can't imagine what will happen after Rhinebeck !.

Weight Loss -1 to go for goal/ kntting camp

Not going ot Africa so now I am going to knitting camp instead! Last year my sisiter and I loved it

****see here for info on it- Erin teaches and this is here yarn shop.http://www.embraceableewe.com/

Weight loss news

I have been going to Weight Watchers on and off but really have struggled to get those few stubborn pounds off to reach my goal. I have been very careful and strict about what to eat . Still -the extra weight has not been coming off.

The scale was stuck at 135 ..

until this past few weeks it started to fluctuate one day and then go back to 133 or 134.

The difference has been I have started daily walking thru Narrowsburg and the area they call the Flats. The walking combined with my weekly yoga makes me feel so much better even if the scale does not budge. Now ,if I can just keep this up and lose one measly pound I won't have to pay the 12$ at WW on Monday. Oh- I even joined a gym yesterday and went to a yoga class there. I did go for a Pilate's class yesterday but it was cancelled(: Instead -I walked 2 miles on the treadmill and did a few of those scary machines . I feel good!!!

knitting

On my last day of the Dish Cloth Kal.I did yesterdays while visiting my father in the nursing home today. I peeked ahead and see it is supposed to be a unicorn. Mine looks a bit deformed When it is done a photo will be posted....

I am starting this finally!!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knitbabysurprise/
I have been waiting to try this with the KAL. I am using cheap yarn to test it out..there may be a gauge problem again. we will see............I have no idea how big it will be. Yes- this will be a learning experience -right?

Monday 6/4

It is June already! When you are having fun the time flies by! It was a busy weekend with my son and his wife visiting to celebrate the Boy's big birthday.

Then I went to another birthday party. My 54 year old friend has one year old twin girls. It was a great party with the babies being so beautiful and happy .These twins are so loved in a beautiful house with two devoted (but old - he is in his 60's)parents. But, it was a different as most of the guests were grandparents themselves- not any 20,30 or even 40 year olds....

I got half of my money back from my cancelled Trip to Africa. Still not sure about the balance. Meanwhile I treated myself to this in order to balance out my disappointment.. http://www.thewooleewinder.com/Lendrumpic.html
The lendrum spinning wheel is perfect for me but I am having trouble with the bobbin and the the slider that you have to move. The bobbin is loading up more on on the front side and when I try to slide it to the middle it makes this noise where the clip hits the wood underneath it?I wish a manual came with it to help me figure out these things. I am learning by trial and error. The yarn is getting more consistent and now to knit something special from my first hand spun. Any ideas? I was thinking scarf or hat as the quantities are limited so far.

Here is my Queen of Diamond sock that turned out with the huge heel. Not sure if I will make the other one although they might be perfect for my mother whose ankles get really swollen. These socks won't be made again.The classic sock is just as nice with less stress.