Cast your face to the wind

Someone loves to put his face into the wind. Don't you just wonder what goes through an animals mind???? Iggy loves facing the wind and barely opening his eyes.
I am working on knitting the yarn I spun with these huge sequin flowers. After ripping it three times, I think I finally have it figured out. I am alternating some brown sheep in between so the sequin flowers (up to 2"s) don't get too bunchy. My feeling on this is the hat will look like the old sequin hats, or maybe an Ester Williams swim cap???? It's anyone's guess. Have a great weekend.

The Culprit

This morning for whatever reason I woke up with a renewed interest in my Barbie doll. I remembered she had a knitting outfit with a bowl of yarn and a book as accessories. After our morning walk I brought out my coveted blue Barbie wardrobe, the one that after 50 years the handle snapped off, leaving a sharp piece of plastic to scratch the hell out of you. Inside is a treasure of Barbie outfits, the Skater, the Airline Stewardess, the seductress, the teacher and so much more. For all the bad rap Barbie got she really did let little girls know they could be more than a Mom.....I never remember looking at her and feeling negative about me...oh yes I did, I wanted her Platnum Blonde Bubble hair.....this is not my first Barbie but it was the one that I loved most. I had the first one that came in a black and white striped bathing suit, with a blond pony tail that my sister took out and restyled and it never looked good again. She had hoop earring, which I noticed this Barbie is missing her one pearl earring and one shoe and the knitting bowl, but not the "How to Knit" book. I wonder how many little girls showed an interest in knitting, after they got Knitting Barbie outfit. I also have some handmade outfits from a friend of mines mom, My mom actually knit my Barbie a sweater with teeny needles and I have that too, the moths or silverfish did a little buffet on all my wool outfits, so the sweater you see is actually hole ridden and putting those pointy fingered hands into a holey sweater was a real treat. So today Barbie sis visiting the shop.....!!

Thank you Veterans, for my Freedom

Not just today but everyday, please remember to Thank a Veteran for your freedom. In some Countries, I would not be able to own my own business as a woman. I would not be able to vote, choose my clothing, speak in public. As a woman i would be lower than snake belly. I know how lucky I am, and it has not come without a cost. People have given their lives so I can do these things. I know a Thank you is a small token, but I do remember you, and will always respect you for what you have given me. No matter why, or when, you have left your family's to protect mine. Right or Wrong, you have gone at your Countries request, to do something you will never forget. It will live on in your mind forever. It was not just a two year stint it was a lifetime. You have come back with scars that may or may not be visible. I thank you for your hardship, because of you I can write this without fear, because of you I can walk the streets alone, without a male companion, without a black robe covering my whole body. Thank you every day not just today, everyday!!!! Remember to hug a Veteran and say a prayer for our Soldiers all over the World fighting to keep us safe.
Knit a hat for the Veterans Christmas Party in December. I am collecting them here at the shop!!!!

New Neighbors

A new family has taken residence at the corner. I think there are four kids and a mom and dad. They are relatively quiet especially when dad is home. When I sit outside I can look right into their home and spy on them. Oh oh there is a fight going on over there, and mom just left. Dad is looking around like "what was that all about?" no clue. I get to watch the babies grow....how fun. I think their name is the Sputzy's. That is what I will call them. The weather sure is awesome, no complaints other than the wind, but if it weren't a tad windy it would be down right HOT!!!! I am not knitting tonight I am going to watch the finale of American Idol....what else.

First Sunday closed

Today is my first Sunday closed....I woke up at 6:ish and we went for a walk. I am savoring my first cup of coffee and deciding what course I am going to take today. Now I never plan, but I do list things that I need to do. Cleaning house is one of them and finish unpacking and taking my mom out for a belated Mother's day.
My baby (Iggy) is acting like a real good puppy. I think that leaving him with someone else for a few days has changed him. One, he no longer wants to go potty on his spot on the deck, he wants to take a walk and do his duty. I need the walk too. He now sleeps with me out of his cage...and he stays in bed all night. His pen is gone from the shop and he walks around like he owns it and for the most part leaves the yarn alone, unless of course he gets bored. He sleeps in his bed in the shop and when people come in he goes to meet them. He will run out the door if given the chance but after all he is a puppy and boys will be boys. Why is it when you try to teach a child/dog something they totally ignore you. I do remember someone telling me you can try to teach your dog something and all of a sudden they reach a certain age and it all clicks. I think my baby has reached that age!!! It is getting easier to be his mom and I am not constantly saying NO No ....but it isn't over yet I'm sure....

I'm back!!!

Hello Hello Hello....I had the best time and can't wait to go back. I may have to drag some new bodies along to share the fun. I met a bunch of new women and Spinning enthusiasts. Now to explain the photo above...upon leaving YS..I saw a buffallo ranch and screamed at Martha who was driving...STOP, they may sell fiber from Kansas buffallo....Martha droned with a little Kansas accent, "they won't have fiber, only meat" me....you never know they may have insight into a cash crop...let's check. So out saunters this tall lanky guy, usual tractor hat on and I blurt with excitement..."Do you have any wool from the buffallo, you know fiber, hair????? he puts his long fingers up to his chin and gives it a little rub.."hhhmmm seems the dogs had some the other day, hold on....here" he holds out this 1 foot piece of matted buffallo fur" me...Oh thanks that is good, I can work with this? So he places it in a bag for me, I did notice he was wearing heavy leather gloves...and I sealed the bag. Off we went and while unloading the car I found the buffallo toupee and "What the heck is this in the bag?? it had a cigarette butt with it.....nice!!! So I am going to make something beautiful from my Kansas Buffallo minus the butt!!!!
I'm sure he went in to his family at dinner (if he waited that long) and said (Some city nuts stopped by today.....wanted some wool.....that's when the whole family started rolling on the floor laughing)

Yarn School

I am ready to go.....well kind of.... there are those last minute must pack things. I hate packing, I am a light packer, I figure if I don't have it I don't have it??? The weather is the main problem, will it be chilly or hot ....hopefully on the chilly side, and not HOT. I know there is rain in the forecast, but my headaches can tell me if it's going to rain better than the new improved Doppler radar. Iggy will be visiting a friend for the 6 days. The shop will be open, and Kim is having a sale on Mother's Day. I tried to finish my Alice in Wonderland sweater and only had 9 inches left....I choked, I whined, I denied starting it.....the want is there but the do is not....Lois is finishing it for me....so I hope to wear it tomorrow...if it fits...LOL. Oh that's not really funny. So I will see you all in a week....Come see what I learned.
See that bench out in front on that photo....well it is no longer there. I was sitting on it and jiggling and it broke....it was funny because it happened in slow motion. I did look and it was all rotten....I hope.

American Icon

It's Friday night and the phone rings, there is an urgency in the ring. I take the phone in my hand and check the ID, it is a Madison area code. I know my friend is at the Gallery night in Madison and figure he must have seen something he needs to share. As I answer the phone, there is excited breathing, gasping you could say and then he hollars, ROBERT REDFORD IS IN MADISON....whhaaatt? I answer back, sure he is are you eatting too many funnel cakes? No he is google him, so I pull my lap top which is still warm from my exciting game of Mai Jong....and he is in Madison, for the Sundance Theatre, and to possibly donate money to the Arts at Madison. I loved Robert Redford in his old movies...especially Out of Africa, I could watch the scene where he washes Meryl Streeps hair 1000 times. Now back to my game....

Springing up!!!

I got the bug yesterday and finally got rid of all of the dry leaves and garbage in front of the shop. I planted geraniums and impatiens. i will be putting the tables out today and I am working on the chairs, I am going to paint them, (I have all of the stuff anyway) Today I am also putting up the Spring/Summer flowers inside the shop. I will take some photos if the sun or some sort of light ever comes out. Mother's Day we are having an Art show here at the village, it is a juried show this year, not Tupperware and Avon....sorry. Yarn school is coming up fast, only 8 days from now, and my worries of my baby are starting to compound. I want to make sure he is well taken care of, one of the drawbacks of having a fur kid. My brother and SIL would probably take him, but their two dogs, (Shipperkes) hate him, and I mean hate him, he wants to play they want to sleep. So I have another option and I am steering that way, problem is she will probably take him on 5 mile walks 4 times a day and then I can't live up to that expectation...LOL!!! AAAhhhhh I have my wheel packed, but nothing else, like clothes??? We are taking the train so it will be a great trip..hopefully the Swine flu will get contained, sure wish I could get my hands on some Tamaflu!!!!

Charlies Angels????

I think you may have heard me talk about the 60th, 60's party we were invited to. You may also know I am a fan of the 60's and have a few pieces of clothing in case of emergency. So I had to go pick up my mom and SIL for the party and brought some extra props for them. I think my mom had a great time....she is the long haired brunette. We had a blast, well at least I did!!!

Winter/ Summer....Wummer???

Do we get a Spring???? We are getting the rain? But how come we go from Winter to Hot? I could almost turn on the air. This is Wisconsin, we need a break from the bills. But then if we get a break from the bills they raise them so, are we really ahead. Here I sit, in jammies and sweating, but hark, I think I feel a cooler breeze....I best go get my boots out.....Ok, now that I have my rant. I have party to go to today, it is a Hippy Dippy party so I hunted down all of my gear, me dear SIL insists, i don't have to look far...which is true, but I have some real fun stuff. I have put on a few pounds since last wearing it, so it may require the old pregnancy trick of a rubber band around the button on the jeans???? If I can even squeeze my arse in them....they look big??? So then comes the mirror comparison???? hhhhmmmmmm It will be a close call. Or a tight fit.....LOL

Dying Drame

So on my day off, I decided to do some dying....the studio is cold so, I figured, I can do this in my kitchen if I use all of my dyepots, no big deal. So I carry up in one trip the colors I want to use, that have previously been figured out...the kettle, spoon and a huge ball of fiber. I presoak the 50/50 silk merino and start playing. Blotching is more like it....I was not happy one bit with the colors, the techique, nothing actually. Last night in my infinite wisdom realized what I was doing wrong....something so simple I was using dye for a large amount of wool and I am doing more of a wash, so overkill. This morning I have done what I wanted to achieve. I have no photos because it is still in the pot simmering. But I do have some photos of the deer that ran across the road as I was driving. They are through the windshield in the rain.

Road Hog, er I mean dog!!!

So I ran into a shop and came out to dear sweet little Houdini driving the car. When I left he was secure in his harness and seatbelt, sitting sweetly in his booster seat. Now I remember taking some photos of the puppies in his litter and one in particular was trying to get out of the cage, I lovingly nick named the puppy Houdini.....I think I adopted Houdini!!!! He is pretty good at getting out of his carseat. I never leave him too long and for good reason....can't you just hear Iggy saying "Look mom, I'm driving!!!"

Silence of the Lambs

I bit the head off of my chocolate lamb, that was an Easter present....what is it with me, I can't help it....I tried not to bite into it but NNNOooooooooo....off with the head.....Hannabal has nothing on me Claireece.....

Never thought I would say this!!

I want Spring!!! I who loves the cool weather am looking forward to Green, and I don't mean recycled bags. Green grass, flowers popping their little heads out of the cold brown ground. Green trees with leaves and birds singing and I want Spring!!!! Even Iggy wants green, he pulled this flower out of an arrangement on the deck...special, but my boy brought me a flower!!! I don't want to look at my Winter coats anymore, as a matter of fact I am not going to where a Winter coat anymore, I am protesting Winter coats. Not that I need one, someone asked why I never wear what I make....Honey I am too hot to wear a sweater!!! At this stage of the game it's layers...Note to self....I hate the heat of Summer!!!! Happy Easter

Shakin me up

So it's late and I am sitting here just chilling. Iggy starts barking and wants out and when I open the door he is barking like a maniac. I hear this dull thumping and it's coming from below my deck....I think. My heart is pounding because it sounds like someone hitting something a dull thumping. I can hear it and am looking where Iggy is looking, but it is dark and it keeps pounding...and so does my heart, then I get a glimpse of something swinging in the woods.....I am standing in my nightgown, thinking do I run back into the house and call 911 or try to see what it is....I strain my eyes and here is a kid 10 pm hitting a punching / kick bag. It is echoing off of our homes....I came in the house and am really shook up. I am glad it was nothing, and I am glad Iggy was so agressive and defensive...good boy!!!! Now if only my heart will stop pounding.....

Whew!!!!

Ok, so the bank did not approve the $1.00 ebay bill??? Meanwhile I had transfered monies like I was some kind of financial wizard and doing all sorts of money transactions. So for now it is all resolved, but for your own good, get online banking so you can keep an eye on what is going on. I got alot of new yarn in and have been busy cramming it into every nook and cranny of the shop. So my play time has been limited. I am still working on the second fish mitten and have this awesome idea for a vest that Kim wrote the pattern for, I did the gauge and now am waiting for the yarn to come in. Today Iggy and I are doing a dump run, I swear for one person, I have so much garbage!!!! Is it just me or is everyone else in a Spring cleaning mood. I have been digging into my closet that is packed with clothes, that I don't wear??? I saw a Good Will truck behind me and wanted to launch some black bags over the porch and get rid of them. I really do have to unload lots of stuff!!!! Hey have a Happy Easter, it sure came up quick and yes I will be closed!!!! LOL

Money Monday

Money Monday is my day off, and it seems all the shopping has to be done on those days, hence the name. I went on a road trip to "The Fold" in Marengo, Ill. Toni and Nan were wonderful hosts and I bought the most beautiful drop spindle from Gabe Casabillo, I think and some cashmere, silk blend fiber (not my color) but it was the ONLY one so I had to scarf it up!!! We did some yarn shop hunting and the shop gave us the wrong directions, so we ended up coming back to Wisconsin via some side trips. I picked Iggy up from daycare and he got a bath and is all fluffy and nice now, he always smells like bleach when he comes home and I think he wrestles with the pee mop when they clean up messes....I was cleaning the bathtub with some kind of bleach smelling crap and he was all excited like....hey I'm at daycare???? dork!!!

I'm a little nervous???

I was checking on my onine banking statement, something I do regularly...after someone took my account once before quite a few years ago. I have an ebay bill for $1.00....what can you buy for $1.00 and I didn't buy anything not to mention ebay doesn't bill you paypal does. So I had to transfer all my money...the whole...$4.55 to another account so while I am trying to sleep soundly some jerk from Nigeria, is hacking away at my hard earned money. I will contact the bank tomorrow, because we victims have nothing else to do, but make phone calls and sign affidavits and wonder if they ever catch these useless turds!!! So if you ever see those little charges, like .33 to $3.00 be very careful, they send out all these feelers, to unsuspecting victims and if they make a connection, suck your money with all sorts of charges till your account is dry. Isn't that a great way to make a living??? And all while you are sleeping. Last time I did get my money back but you have to do all this fancy dancing, which is only fair to the bank and they gave me back my money. So now I am going to try to go to sleep, and wonder where someone else is spending my money, first it was San Jose, next it will probably be Germany and so on and so forth across the World. Sleep well my child....

Getting Bigger

I haven't noticed but my baby is getting bigger. I have adjusted his food so his "gas" problem isn't as bad as it was, it isn't gone but no where near as bad. LOL..
I am working on the fish mittens the second one, yes I did say the second one....I want to finish it because I have a ton of new Sport weight yarn coming in for Fair Isle knitting and want to do something with that. I think a hat is in the making. The weather is causing everyone to feel sluggish and very dreary, so we need some color to brighten things up. I am getting a good response to the PassPort event. I should be getting the new round table today, well new to me...no more corners spots!!! Have a good day

How annoying can I be?

Do you really want to know??? Someone is driving me crazy, he is getting to the point the playpen isn't quite enough for him and the back door area is too far away from the center of attention. So whining and barking is his new agenda. On the other hand I am getting my new loom today and getting rid of the two big ones I have. So is everyone ready for the snow???? Do you think we will really get any????

Stupid games

I have a Ds Game thingy? Yeah that is about as much as I know about it. I bought it to do Brain Age, to keep my mind active. I use it mostly in the Powder room if you get my drift. But it has been upgraded to a new spot, my hand.....alot. I first bought this detective game with two detectives called Curious something, and then found it has some really icky puzzles, the ones you skipped over in school such as...My sister is blank years old if I add three of my years to her and blah blah and I would be half her age how old are we???? hhhhhhhmmmm I don't care, I hated those problems then and guess what still do!!! But I stumbled on to a new game, Millionaire something, now I am sure these names can be found at Best buy, just ask for uh, do you have Curious "I don't know?" and Millionaire detective game???? I'm sure they will know what you mean. Ok so this second game is a search game, you get a room and you have to find objects, you can use a flashlight, if your batteries aren't dead and this Xray gun to see below the surface, at one point you have to blow and i mean really blow on this game to remove dust...it amazes me that when I am sitting by myself on the couch a 55 year old adult, blowing on my Pink DS game, I don't even question my sanity? Can you imagine riding a bus and playing and all of a sudden you see someone blowing on their hand held game.....cuckoo cuckoo, yet I do it with vigor, it says it so I did it.....So I think I will do just one search and end up with Carpal tunnel from doing 50, I am addicted....Unlike my WII, I don't think I will overextend my knee ski jumping, which by the way I am thinking the Igster is old enough that I might be able to put the base on the floor to start playing again.....hahahahahahahahahha enough I have a game to play with.

A Fishy thing???

I was so enjoying the warmer weather and have been diligently knitting on my fishy mittens. I have finished the body and am working on the thumb gusset right now. While I was knitting, out of the corner of my eye something flittered by, no flitter is a cute word. Zipped, maybe? Thinking maybe I had a floater, you know what floaters are right? It's loose stuff floating in your eye and if you focus on them, they are like a circus trapeze act. So back to the first day of Spring, I wore a flowered scarf and butterfly earrings, wow all I was missing was the Peace sign. I was celebrating Spring, the first day!!!! Guess what I killed a mosquito filled with blood last night!!!! I am now waiting for the memories of last years mosquitos to swell up and start itching, it got me or the dog???? It is March right??? What the heck are mosquitos doing out already, it ruined my whole Season. It is tooooooo early. On the upside I almost have my fishy mitten done!!!!

Ban photos of knitters!!!!

Yes you read that right!!! I say there should be a ban of photographing women knitting!!!! Think about it? Can you say double chin, chin, chin? We look down when we knit, we look into our laps. I was looking through the photos of Sheep in the City and when someone was diligently knitting, even thin woman.....hhhmmm not a flattering photo. (I do try to pick photos of a kinder side) So unless we figure on how to knit up in the air, we will be unphotographic. So I here by suggest that when a knitting photo is to be taken, we Raise our needles!!!!! Hold your needles high in the air and smile....no more double chins!!!!! So when this catches on around the World, we as knitters will understand the reason, knitters are holding thier needles high!!!! It will be the universal knitters picture pose!!!! Now for those flappy arms????

Guess what Iggy can do????

Yep, he has finally mastered the stairs. Only because his cousins were here and he would not be outdone by two little cousins. He is flying down the steps, but it looks like his hinder may go over the top if he doesn't keep moving. I made corned beef and cabbage and had the family over, and the cousins came too. There was a lot of barking, and excited peeing???? So now I have to put the gate up in the shop to keep the Igster out of the shop when I am not paying attention. He has had quite an eventful day!!!!

My Mentor

If I learned anything about spinning ever!!! It has all been because of Judith Mckenzie McCuin. She is a wonderful teacher, and has the kind of teaching technique that keeps you wanting more. For me, we all know my attention span, I will sit and listen to Judith like a sponge,Yeah I know me, but if I love something, I go full blast into it.... I hang on her every word, she leaves me wanting more. If ever you get a chance to learn from her you are learning from the Best!!! I hope Judith is having a wonderful St. Patty's day with all of those Mc's in her last name!!!! Maybe she is Scottish????
On another note, I am starting to sort through piles....I know I know, don't be alarmed I still have a few piles but they are shorter!!! I found stuff I knew was on my desk, I just didn't know where. I think I am avoiding doing my taxes, so I will do anything even icky stuff in order to keep from doing the worst job???? Enjoy the warmer weather.

Book Club drama

Last night was our first book club meeting. We are listening to a book called "Knitting" . I have heard it before and liked it alot and most knitters have not heard this one. It was a busy day and I had a puppy that was restless. Not to mention as we were all sitting around knitting, concentrating on the speaker, precious Iggy filled the air with a gagging odor, that made Kim's eyes water, and stiffeled little giggles to abound. Then he made more noise than anyone has heard out of him, digging in his bed, chewing on a plastic bottle, grunting and whatever noise he could make to distract us. It's my fault I am feeding him whole foods with lots of fiber, which is proving to be too much fiber so the vet suggested, I start adding more adult food. I'm hoping by next month he will have a better digestive tract!!! Sorry Ladies???
On the great side, Patty made home made Cinnamon rolls that were, wonderful, I actually had some for breakfast today!!!! Thank you Patty and thanks for everyone that came and shared the book...see you next month.

Burning Bridges

I wrote this long post about Organ donation or Marrow whichever, I deleted it because it is a family issue and not that you wouldn't be curious about the outcome. Then I deleted it, in a time when no one is accountable for what they do and there is no ramifications they wouldn't understand anyway, but, I just need to write this one statement, in case a so called family member reads this.
"He isn't that stupid that he doesn't know a vulture, if it circles like a vulture, squaks like a vulture, it's pretty much is a vulture." It is sad that you can burn bridges with family members till thier organs/marrow are looking pretty good to better your life. How Ironic?? So on that note, if you burn bridges, it's pretty hard to cross over them again, think about it?

Now I bet I really peaked your interest!!!!!

I took a spinning class from Judith McCuin Mckenzie last weekend, what a class. She is my spinning guru....she can do no wrong in my book. I learn so much from her and absorb and hang on every word. She lived in Turkey for a while and studied rug making and dying so she could restore rugs here in North America. If you ever get a chance to take her class do not hesitate.

Whew!!!! What a ride!!!!

Where to begin??? If you didn't get to Sheep in the City, you missed a great time!!! There was something going on all the time and no fires!!!!! Everything went smooooooth. The only glitch was my first night in a hotel??? Not used to the finer things in life apparantly I was freezing in my room, I woke up at 3am and was cold, me cold....I went looking for another blanket and resorted to pulling up the germ encrusted bedspread, (actually they are duvets and mine was a fresh one, that't my story and I'm sticking to it.) so time to get up and I want to shower so I go turn on the timer heater in the bathroom and run the hot water, and sit on the toilet where it is warmer. Then I walk around the room looking for something warm, go back into the bathroom and decide to shut the door and take a nice warm shower, now mind you, that timer has been running on the heat lamp for about 10 minutes. So into the shower I go and start to shower and off goes the heatlamp which of course was my only source of light too!!! I step out of the shower and got a surprise drop, the floor was lower than I thought but it was dark so who knew. While after all of that I was over by the door looking for heat directions and low and behold it has an energy control, you have to put your room key into the light switch by the door to make most everything work!!! So with icicles hanging off of me, I figured it out!!!

Just a minute to spare

Wow, I forgot how much stuff you have to carry when you do a show. I used to have all of my things in one area, for an easy load and unload. Now it is scattered here and there and bring this don't forget that.. I have lived by a list of things to do for the last 6 months. Even though I live close by, I am not the type to be running back and forth. Mostly because I don't want to miss anything. So we will see you at Sheep in the City for a wild fiber weekend. Slide on it to visit. Monday will be a shut down day...Iggy goes to daycare and I am going to sleep!!!!! That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!!!!

My Fault

Yep, I ordered this snow...I wanted it to snow so bad because guess what it ain't gonna snow next weekend!!!! I ordered great weather for us...not good but great. Some of you stumbling on this blog may go "what is she talking about?" What else but Sheep in the City Getaway...of course. On the other hand, if by chance you have called me and I said I would
a. call you back and didn't
b. said I would check on something and didn't
c. forgot all of the above
Please forgive me, my brain is kind of mushy right now with signs and boxes of to dos and sheep and classes and more more more.. Hope to see you next Friday....it's gonna be fun!!!!!!!

I am taking a deep breath

How beauiful is that photo, Mike and Danijela went for a ski weekend in Colorado!!! This was from their hotel room.. nice!!!
I am getting excited, and I am getting anxious. First there was the worry that, I was holding a party and no one came....now it's I'm holding a party and everyone wants to come????? How exciting is that???? I did alot of little things today like getting the wine glasses, eatting falafel....oh where did that come from??? With Iggy at daycare, I even took a nap. Tomorrow I am going to start making the signs. I dug up my wigs and props for the pajama party....I am putting together the music for all ages and so much more. I am excited....did I say that already???? Seeing as though the Igster is passed out and filthy dirty, his hair is gray and dirty from daycare. I may knit on my spider scarf?????

Maytag helper

We went for dinner by my SIL and brother, Iggy learned a new trick from his cousins...dishwashing!!! He is actually learning ll kinds of new things, like, going down a few stairs and going up a flight of stairs. He so badly wants to play with their dogs but they were not socialized too well and really have no idea what this punk is doing????
Sheep in the City is coming along nicely and the crunch time is getting close. I have lots of loose ends to take care of, but once that is done, I am more concerned with packing. I hate packing stuff....I am a light packer, if I don't have it, I don't have it, I am not one of those that takes way too much. It could be because, I hate packing!!!!
Itchy skin??? I got a great bath routine. Winter I get topical dermatitis, from just about anything. I think everyone knows how much I love my Magic Bullet (blender). I am on my second one, burned out the first making Italian sodas. I went to Aldis and bought a huge box of oatmeal. I put about 1/2 of the blender cup with oatmeal, pulverize it and add it too my bath....I was spending lots of money on Aveeno Oatmeal bath because it helped with the dry skin, spend no more.....all it is, is Oatmeal???? Either one leaves the tub grungy so you do have to rinse it down but, the price is right and no more itchy skin!!!!
Book Club is starting in March the second Thursday 6-8pm, come sit, knit and listen to a book. Enjoy the weather!!!

Book Club

I have been kicking this idea around for a year or so and finally decided to commit. i am starting a Knit along book club. We will listen to an audio book for 15 minutes and then break for 5 or so and then return all the while we will knit/crochet. Of course there will be coffee and cake afterwards to make us feel very adult and grown up!!! I have the first book picked but I can't remember the name for sure. It will start the third Thursday in March. Everyone is welcome, but if you miss....????
Don't forget to register for Sheep int the City!!!!

Knitting Helper

I can't turn my back for one moment. I actually can do what I want on Mondays which is day care. I took a bath by myself, with no puppy grabbing the wash cloth or soap or whatever else. I am working on several ideas and things. I am knitting a beautiful cowl with Dream in Color yarn. I hope to have it done for the newsletter this coming month. I am busy working on Sheep in the City details. I am getting excited with all the little ditties that will be going on. Oh to keep in the mode of all of the cooking godesses out there. I made Pumpkin scones for this mornings Breakfast club. I would take a photo but I am too busy shoving them into my piehole. I sure wish is would warm up some, a nice 40 degree winter would be fine. My heating bill is through the roof, but where do you cut back??? Do you wear a coat inside? I don't think so. I can't live like that if I don't have to. At this rate I may be sleeping under the viaduct sooner than later, so I want heat while I can. I sympathize with all of those street people. We all know there whole goal in life as a young child had to be more aspiring. How bad can things turn? I am pretty sure I am safe to say, most of us are a couple of paychecks away from that situation. That is why it is important to be grounded in the idea of helping the less fortunate. It can happen to us so quickly. I could sleep anywhere, I could pick through garbage, but God forbid, where would I eat?????? I need food. and not from a dumpster.

Iggy Beaver

As I sit here, relaxing with my cup of coffee, my most favorite thing in the morning....i can hear a beaver chewing on wood, it could be my couch or my ottoman, or whatever else is wood. Only it is not a beaver, it is Iggy. Last night he was on a chewing mission. Now you may say..."give him something to chew on" oh I have...my living area is full of chew toys, but that does not compare to the taste of an antique rocker, or my sons woodworking project from high school. Knitting needles with the essence of "mom" on them. So I am on a mission to spray my whole house with bitter apple, but guess what it makes it hard for me to breath...!!! I wonder how long this will go on?? But he is so cute, even while he is chewing the legs off of my furniture. Is it Ok to crate a puppy till they are say....3l???

Let me ask you this???

Why would you have a photo of underwear with a pair of sunglasses on them?? Unless of course they seen how white I am??? What is it with women going into the bathroom for that 5 minutes of private toilet time??? No one dare enter when a man goes into the powder room....why when a mom/ woman goes into the bathroom you need an entourage of walk bys. I remember as a mom, the minute my pants came down, my son decided he had to wash his hands??? He never had that urgency before, but then I had cats and there is NO way you can close a bathroom door with out that extension arm coming under the door and pumping in a way to make their arms long enough to unlock the door. Now I have a puppy, bad enough we take a bath together, because it's easier, but when my pants come down my undies make an instant Hammock, or slingshot or parachute! So I have given up trying to relax in the bathroom anymore. It seems my dear puppy has the bad dog incentive when I sit in the bathroom. Ha look ma I can do all of these bad things, and your pants are around your knees!!!! Today he pulled the spring shower curtain rod down....almost beaning me on the head. I am getting oblivious to bad behavior, like a parent of a screaming brat child. How long are they puppies?? We also have a new potty training method, he taught me....He poops and rings the bell for me to come and clean it up!!! I can just see him mouthing " Good job, mommy".......bababbbabababbaaaabbbababbbabababbababbababa

Puppy Day Care

Is Killer!!!!! This is what day care does for a puppy!!! He is dead to the world, he has not moved. I love how he comes home all scruffy and played out!!!! Now I can knit!!! I am working on the Spider scarf, I am half way done.....hey that's pretty good for me!! We went to the Hotel today to check it out again and I am so excited about it....If you can stay for the weekend it will be a blast!!! I can't wait!!!!

Cutting up

There is a new toy here, Cricut, my intention was to make my own quick signs for Sheep in the City and now I have a monster on my hands. This little machine is awesome. There is no paper safe with in reach. It cuts, it prints, it embosses it vacuums the living room, dusts and more....It is really fun to use. I am in the process of making two journals for the Prayer Shawls that will be at Sheep in the City, you can sit and knit and write a Good will message, on a shawl that will be donated to a Breast Cancer fighter. So it gives me a reason to play.
Tomorrow is Day care for Iggy, he is all fluffly from his bath and he will come back dirty and scruggy looking...playing all day!! I have errands to run. And then another week begins.
I actually started up the car for the first time since Thursday, we went to my brothers/SIL. Their dogs want nothing to do with Iggy, they don't want to play and they snarl and gnash their teeth.....Iggy just doesn't understand. Neither do they!!!!

Unplugged

So we have our first cable casualty!!!! No not cable needles that would be a cheap one, more like an Apple cable $80.00. So tonight I have to venture out to Best Buy, who are holding it for me, to get a new, power cord for my laptop. Iggy was quite proud of his destruction, he showed it to me....
He is losing teeth, and no I didn't knock them out, so now the teething......this is a stage I can do without. Potty training is at a standstill, it is tooo cold for him to go out. He does sometimes, but not always!!!!
I knit on my spider scarf a little last night.
I opened the shop but stayed upstairs it was too cold to stay down there when I have a warm home upstairs, needless to say it was dead all day. I am hoping for a warm up today!!! LOL ROTHFL!!!!!! Warm up???? I have not started my car for three days, which is better than just starting it and not running it for a long time.
Welcome to the Deep freeze!!!!

Baby it's cold outside

BBBrrrrrrrr need I say more???
I feel sorry for Iggy having to go outside potty, but then again I go out with him. Used to be I had to work in this cold and my sympathy to those that still do. Keep knitting it keeps your hands warm.
Iggy lost two teeth, could this be the end to the mouthing???? I would have taken photos but he won't keep his mouth open unless my hand is in it.
I want to spin, right now, unfortunately if I brought my spinning wheel into the living room, I would create a new monster.....I will do it in the shop later today, without all of the hassle. I have a hat idea I want to make. This can be scary???
I am curious how many Wisconsinites will venture out today, to come and shop????? I think I will be making some Chili and putting the "Ring the bell" sign on the door!!!

Rocky 4

Today was Iggy's Birthday he is four months and also his first day of doggy day care!!! I dropped him off in good condition at 7am and they told me he would be tired when he got home from playing all day. They told me they would call me at noon to let me know how he was doing. It was about 1pm when I got the call and they said he is doing well, he is play bowing alot and having fun with all the other dogs. I said I will pick him up at 4:30pm. I have to say I missed him, he is a huge part of my routing right now....meanwhile my sump is twirling water in the crock?? What now???? I ask Kim if her crock has swirling water....uuhh no??? So I call the plumber that installed the pump and they said it may be a frozen exhaust pipe. So of course it is frozen!!! So Kim's husband comes over and adds a hose and low and behold it pumped for about 20 minutes...that is one heck of a lot of water.
So I go to pick up my furry cargo and when I walk in there is a dry erase board saying" Welcome Iggy puppy of the day" and on the TV is a video of precious playing with what else.....Dobermans, Rottweillers, Labs, not puppies he's with the big dogs. I said he played with the big dogs.....she said all day!!!! Then she said I have to apologize, Iggy got a puncture wound on his head?? Really how bad is it....well I cleaned it but he was really mad at me and you should put some neosporine on it when you get home. They weren't sure how he got it but, he got it and she didn't see it happen. So out comes Rocky with his play wound. I guess it wouldn't be so bad but he is white!!! He was happy to see me, but I think he is so tired he can't move. He is moaning whenever he moves and he is totally oblivious to my existance. He looks all scruffy and played out....at this rate he may sleep for a couple of days!!!! There was another woman there and she said he dogs come home with doggy injuries every so often, especially when they were new. It's called pushing the limits!!!! He will be OK....

Early morning

This is not Iggy but it could be his ears are huge!!!!
Yes it is Monday!!! Dr visit Monday....most every Monday, I am renaming it Momday!!!! I am sure this is another phantom test we need to have done for Mom.....let's make sure we spend all of the Medicare money we can. Oh well, I have two knitting projects to work on, the leaf scarf which holds my attention and a cowel neck scarf from Dream in Color. A broken rib pattern that is easy and quick and a mindless knitting project. They are both small enough not to load me down while I drag my mom's walker a wheel chair and all my stuff. Today she is having a Stress test....they say it will be 3 hours, we'll see, but poor Iggy will be locked up for the duration. I am fighting off the cold that everyone is sharing, this morning it seems I am doing better than last night, thank you Vitamin C!!! It is day four of my New Years Resolution and I have almost accomplished one, which is I sent out all of my friends birthday cards, so I won't miss anyone this year and the second is to faithfully take my vitamins. I always start out strong, what is the big deal, swallow a bunch of pills.....done. So I am doing Ok with that so far. We had our first Puppy emergency last night. I have pillows on the couch with of course buttons on them, (they used to have buttons on them) so Iggy pup was playing with one of the pillows and then started drinking a ton of water and flipping his head kind of weird and acting like he was gagging???? So I figured it was a string or something. I had to fight with him to open his mouth for me to see the button stuck tight to the roof of his mouth....now this button has two options, down the throat and blocking his airway/stomach some devastating organ.....or out into my hand. He was not sitting real quiet for this operation, me shoving my fingers into his mouth and prying this button which is about an inch across off of his mouth. I got it out and cut all the buttons off of the pillows. It was really stuck up there, but he is fine.
Puppy time is beginning to wear on me, we run to the door every five minutes to pee and it never fails when I pee he wants to go out too....hhhhhhmmmm this poses the penquin walk as I try to pull up my pants to run to the door....Life is good!!!! I am enjoying our bonding but let me remind anyone of you thinking of a puppy....remember the worst!!!! and hope for the best!!!! LOL!!!!! He is sleeping soundly as I speak.....I love when he sleeps!!!! LOL!!!!

Happy New Year "2009"

Wow, another year has zipped by us, it seems the older we get the faster they go. I remember as a kid a year seemed like ages, Summer seemed like a year in itself. We played and played for what seemed like forever, and then back to school which seemed like forever and ever. Why is when we really want things to take a long time they don't. When we want things to go by fast, like a bad month, it drags and drags? I only have one month this year that I would not want to revisit. In a matter of 30 days in June, I lost my beloved Joey and my basement flooded. One month isn't too bad, out of 12? Then if I add up all the really good things that would counteract that bad month, there has been so much more good. Knitted projects? Well, I have found that if I keep it small it is doable for me. I can be concentrating on something and see some shiny thing and off I go...it's that short attention span. i did finish a bunch of projects and no the Alice in Wonderland coat is not one of them....it is my winter project.....
Potty training Iggy.....we have abandoned the Peepee pads because they became a game to drag around the house and chew up. So with the aid of the bathroom carpet which is where I had the pad, and precious Iggy thought he was on the pad, but missed. I put the carpet on the deck, hung jingle bells on the door and he is going potty outside. I am potty trained but he is doing pretty darn good. He eats I take him out, he looks sideways I take him out..I am doing really well. Yesterday I had him out on the deck and a huge hawk perches in the tree.. so now I have to keep an eye on him pretty close, no hawk is dragging my puppy off. I think he will do fine he is catching on to this much faster than the paper!!!!
Well I am going to the Studio to do some dying....silk scarf dying nothing personal. I am looking forward to it. Stay warm and don't eat too much junk tonight and have a Wonderful New Year Eve.

Traveling scarf

It is with great regret that I need to post, Melissa a Fiber Artist and great mother of three small children, has lost her battle with cancer. Her story is long but her life was short. I met Melissa through another friend, and she would buy fiber to felt from me. She included her children in all of her color decisions she was patient and kind. She had invented Leprechauns for each of her little ones and left them tiny little books or notes from their own Irish friend. She had a creative mind and spirit. I didn't know her really well, but I feel like I did. She was just that kind of person. She painted old windows with Seasonal art, she worked at the Journal Sentinal, she felted, she was a mom and wife. She loved life...she was going to Ireland and needle felted a small leprechaun to take along and photograph all over Ireland. She was going to write a book for children. She was feeling tired and had a checkup only to find out she had stage 4 cancer. Her Dr. told her to go home and get her affairs in order, she refused to roll over and die. She found a cancer treatment center in Kansas and went, and they gave her hope! She lived longer than she was expected to, but not without suffering from blood clots and side effects of treatment. She died at home where she wanted to, with her family. She actually was feeling quite well this last week and started to walk without assistance, maybe it was the calm before the storm, that makes no sense now that I write it, it should be the peace before the end. The sunshine before the dark. When we were knitting the traveling scarf, we hit a little snag and the teams stepped up and covered for another knitter. We then decided to donate the extra Traveling scarf to Melissa, a fiber friend, who was making a journey of a lifetime, a token of our friendship. So when you wear your scarf, know that Melissa shared her love of the scarf as it was hanging on her bed, close to her a gift from knitters that had never met Melissa. Travel well Melissa

Christmas Day

Remember when you were a little kid and you woke up and it was a special day, full of fun and events. You opened your presents and then it was off to the relatives, which totally sucked because you had to leave all of your toys at home, get all dressed up to go see what everyone else got. But the excitement, yesterday watching Iggy and this whole new world reminded me of when I was a kid. It started with him destroying his Peepee pad which is his new toy, (not sure how to stop this) I got a tray to keep the paper down and this is the result of that. So that was Iggy's present, he got to destroy his peepee pad while I took pictures.

Then I did my cooking and loaded the car and off we went to the family, where upon getting there Iggy's cousins were there to meet him. Now he likes to play and they are not real social, but he shares his mom's persistance and keeps trying to play....all day!!! They have a big house and a toy room and Iggy ran from room to room, people were holding him and he played and played and Dan shoveled the back patio so it had a natural snow fence, so Iggy was outside and inside and of course peeing anywhere he darn well pleased ( I warned them he wasn't potty trained) once he made the paper!!!! Yaaahhhh!!!! So I see Iggy running with a white thing and figured it was a toy....uh, no it was a toilet paper roll. That made his day!!! Ode, laughed and thought it was funny!!! This went on and on and on, just running and running and playing and exploring the new surroundings and I was tired of this chasing. Can you imagine what he will tell his friends at Kindergarden???
To him it was the best day of his life so far.



Finally, finally at 6 ish and we were there since 1:00pm, he crashed....and I might add it was only for a few minutes, and it all began again because his human brother came over to add to the excitement.
It was a good day!!!!

I am knitting this hat for me, out of cashmere doubled.....so far this hat would cost $32. I am only this far so it is going to cost much more. I bought the pattern off of Sweater Babe and it is fun to knit. The spider scarf is on hold, till I finish this hat. So I am getting a little knitting done. Hope you had a good Christmas see you Saturday!!!

Merry Christmas Eve

We are holed up in our jammies, drinking coffee and eatting lots of cookies!!! Tonight we will eat Indian Tacos and watch movies when Mike and Danijela come over. I love Christmas eve more than Christmas itself and it is snowing big huge flakes. Life is good!!!! The only thing missing is a fire in the fireplace. For that I open the window a little and get the Potters fireplace smell with no work associated with the mess!!! My puppy is sleeping next to me while I am writing....my cup is full!!!! Thank you so much for a Wonderful Christmas filled with the joy of friendship!!!! Now I have another old movie to watch.
Merry Christmas

Dear Auntie Lois

Remember those nice bones you bought for me today? Remember my mom looking at them and questioning them??? See what time this is posted?? She now remembers why she questioned those bones. I had them before you see and my mom won't forget why I can't have them....it is 12:30am and I woke my mom up crying!!! Yep....I think I wanted to pass gas and pooped,...... again, my new sheepy mattress is going to be all washed out if I keep this up. My mom caught me though before it was all over. So now mom and I are up and she is wondering if I have to do this again???? Tonight, She is also wondering what she is going to put in my cage so it is soft and warm....and poop resistant. There must be something in those darn bones that make my tummy sick....I bet my mom won't forget this time. Wish I could have done this earlier, I don't know why I had to get sick this late at night? But I feel better now?? I think my mom is a little sick though she is looking rather green???? Note to mom, no denta bones!!!!! Mom and I are going to play now because I am very happy we are both up and she says she can't sleep anyways and can only smell poop!!!! She also mubbled something about not needing to sleep anyway and she likes to wash out poopy stuff and how Iggy poop was just a joke....or not. I don't care, I am trying to figure out how to get my new Christmas bed into my little cage!!!! I don't think she will let me, in case I have a nudder accident!!!! Good night, mom is making that face at me!!!

Snow day

What to do on a snow day...Play in the snow!!!!
Clean house-well for me today I am considering this a day off...so I plug in Roomba and watch Iggy watch Roomba, exercise for Iggy...two things in one.


2. Knit- work on the October is for Spinner scarf, I am on row 102, thank you very much!!!! So with good light I will knit on four strands of black alpaca....can you say go blind??

3. Drink hot chocolate from Germany swap....with marshmallows and or whipped cream....ooohhhhh chocolate whipped cream. Is there an expiration date on whipped cream?? who cares, it's not like I'm going shopping.
4. Nap.....oh wonderful naps.....so this is the plan
Eat, drink knit and nap......awwwww friends it doesn't get much better than this......I love the snow!!!!!! I think I will do it again....mmmmmm tomorrow?????