Mittens UP! Michigan

Keeping Score

Chimpmunk looses. Mr.Cat 0, Victor Rat Trap 1!
I am the winner!

Volume

We have one cat. He used to be quite large, but, being old and all, is now kind of svelte. There is only so much surface area on the furry beast.

It is a puzzle how one little animal could generate so much loose fur from that surface area....12 lb. cat, yet the equivalent of 5 cats in the Dyson!!! I am amazed that he is not bald!

The basket is full!

I only acquired one project through purchase at Knit Michigan--a yummy purple and blue wool/mohair combo for mittens, that might become something else.....

Then there was the free stuff!!! I won a door prize--2 balls of cotton sock yarn in a pale pastel--complete with bag, pattern, needles and yarn. E wanted the bag, and since she did not get the door prize, she got the totally cool bag!! (I need more bags like.....)

Commercial: Check out pattern tamers..tame the wandering eye. They are these markers that are magnatized to themselves--so you do not have to tote around a board--great for pattern grids. Cross stitchers would love these! Available from Kelly Black...kellyblack1970@hotmail.com. Check them out at .

So back to the yummy yarn....I got out the swift and ball winder--wound both, then started on the sock yarn I picked up on my last out of town trip---and now the basket is full.. "I need no more yarn"! Have some socks almost done! Want to practice the new techniques I learned in my class, so have two balls of cotton for some dishcloths--just to get the technique down.......

The basket is FULL!

Knitters Paradise!

I am recovering from Knit Michigan- Hands for the Cure! 16 hours of non-stop knitting fun! I showed MR. CP the pictures--he grunted disinterstingly! Apparently, knitting fun is only fun for knitters!! Understandable!

I arrived early, set up camp and did some sock knitting and networking with an intersting fellow knitter (and camp security guard for the neighboring camp), discussing yarn, yarn stores, favorite things to knit, unemployment, the Mayor of Detroit (at length--turns out she actually knew things!) Ohio, knit shops, knit shop owners, and good places to find yarn, etc.

I went to the market--cool stuff. Had to keep chanting--"I need no yarn, I need no yarn"... and picture the piles of ufo's at home. I managed to admire a lot, "experience" some great textiles, gather some new ideas, and resist the urge to acquire--"I need no more yarn, I need no more yarn"!!

I turned in my chemo caps--early in the pile of what was to eventually become 900 or so, with more on the way! Amazing! I took a picture of the booth where you could turn in pre knit or crochet squares for lap blankets for chemo patients. Who knew? Not well publicized....

I returned to our knitting camp, and knit for awhile, admired the item E. had created in her early morning class (we decided that we would schedule more wisely next time), and munched my lunch--grilled veggie sandwich, bulgar salad, etc. from Holiday Market--Yummy, but messy to eat! But they thought of knitters, and included a wet nap!!!

I bid on some things in the silent action (not enough to get anything, but did not care--figured I did my part to drive up the prices!) I took some pictures of my knitting group doing blindfolded knitting and knitting in garden gloves (silly knitting contests.) Not my idea of fun, but they were having a blast. Looked through the vendors again---"I need no more yarn."

My class was knitting a beaded bracelet--fun, but I did not need the class. It was more of a crafting session, but got two bracelets for my $12. that are cute, and would be nice gifts. Looked great with the day's outfit too!

Dinner was a disorganized affair with a speaker who talked for almost an hour when 15 minutes would do...on depression in cancer patients---really, did we need all this? Just tell us what to ask, hug them , and move on. Clinical nurse--nice, but totally did not know the audience. Was also complicated by the arrival of pizza that was late, and running out of food. Knitters were all nice.....but it was probably the worst part of the day---downer!!

Next class was continential knitting--couldn't make my fingers do what my brain had grasped. Will work on it.

Over all it was great fun to be with kindred spirits--those that understand my addiction to knitting socks, people who wrinkle their nose knowingly at the mention of acrylic, people who are more obsessed (possessed?) than me!

So, I "Danced with Wool", did buy a yummy mohair and wool mitten kit from the market, got some good discount coupons for future pruchases, found a yarn shop to visit in Holland, MI, won a doorprize (!)--guess what? Bamboo sock yarn!! and had a good time. Met some wonderful people. Saw some great stuff. Admired other's fiber-craft skills. Introduced my local group to an intersting world they had not known about, helped E find someone knowledgable about looms....and helped a little those who are facing cancer's uncertainties. Hope they are a little more comfortable...and that the contribution to the research fund helps!

All in all, it was a feel good day all around!

Snow Day!

Snow days are the best!! There was much dancing at the office yesterday--and with the help of all the little children it worked!!!

It is beautiful, relaxing--a good day to knit! Have assembled by "things" for the knit-a-thon tomorrow---more time to knit! And techniques classes! And vendors!

Can life get any better!! Nervana!

Chick Flick

Today, my friend E and I met for lunch and then took in the chick flick about the bridesmaid dresses--cute--and definitely "Chicky"!!!

The movie outfit however is not into "customer service". Both the web and newspaper said they had an 11:50 showing--and we were not the only people who thought so---turns out that even though that is what the newspaper and web site said, those were the "weekend times"--not the regular Tuesday times---so someone else got our business...and the nearby restaurant benefit ted too!

So cry me a river about our lousy economy...we had money to spend, but obviously this theater did not want it! And the mall is losing stores--which we might have shopped--but ended up a few miles away at a stand alone restaurant, and no stores.....

The manager was at the movie less theater---and a little snotty too! Next time we will just go to the mega plex in the first place!!!

Winter Blast!

Coldest day of the year!! At least it is sunny! That helps (a little!). Finished the first socks of the year(got the yarn from M1 for Christmas). Also have 3 chemo caps done...and counting.

Knitting on a cold winter night!!! Does it get any better?

How I "felt"

It was a very felty Christmas. Now to move on to more socks!!! Of course I had to buy more sock yarn---we were snowed in!!! and it creates "what if I couldn't shop for yarn" panic....three new projects, plus one I got as a Christmas gift (doesn't count, as is almost done already). It will be a good cold snowy January to knit in!!

Secret Santa and Gray's Anatomy

I work with someone who believes that everything happens for a reason...some sort of master plan of Divine intervention.

So, here goes with the "happenings":
Profound statement by Meredith Gray in the opening of last weeks episode--"the experience of practicing medicine bears little resemblance to the dream." Substitute your job for "practicing medicine" and it works for almost everyone!

Our office is particularly "grinchy" right now. Maybe it is the economy, maybe it is the "adjustment" to reorganization, maybe is the lack of basic supplies, inability to participate in opportunities and activities that we had come to take for granted, or the very real possibility of lay-offs after the holiday---Grinchy with a capital G!

In the long standing tradition, someone suggested secret Santa--where you draw a name and give little surprise gifts, not to exceed $1 in value all week. "They" did not get organized enough last week, so before we drew, one day was already over. (The tradition demands that the week prior to the holiday event lead up to the guess-a-thon at the event---to see who figured it out!) A full third of the Grinchy staff opted out--but not in any organized way, so that during the name draw, if you got a grinch not participating, you discarded their name, and tried again. I got a grinch person--and discarded to draw again.

Synergy with Gray's anatomy: Dr. Baily in this two-parter, works on "raising above"--as she saves the life of a white supremacist.

My second pick, out of everyone I work with, is the only person I would not wish to have anything to do with. Unfortunately, the way we passed it around, I could not feign having my own name and put it back....

My mind went first to all of the nasty things I could do as this person's Santa. They have no sense of humor, although they think they are hilariously funny. (soooo not!)This person is "dense", arrogant, intolerant, a bully, and no one would every describe them as "nice"...

I though about trading. I thought about paybacks (as there are things I could pay back for!!)

Then I thought about raising above. Just as my coworker says, things happen for a reason. If I went with nasty, no one would blame me, but I would have stooped to the level of this person.

So, I am taking the high road. Wal-mart, despite its "chinese-ness" has about a thousand things for $1 or less, and some are quite useful and/or nice. By the time I had wandered through just the front 1/2 I had enough for multiple themed Santa weeks--hand care (travel lotion, 2 pk of gloves, sparkly nail enamel, emery board, and sanitizer)...Personal winter care(shower poof, travel body wash, travel body lotion, chap stick, travel sun screen)....Entertainment--sudoku and word search books, candy canes, Holiday pencils, and a light up pen). There were oral hygiene possibilities, and oh, so many other options.....

I settled on a holiday theme, with wrapping paper, bag of bows, a light set, ornament set, and lighted candle decoration--all under $1, and very nice for the price!! Way nicer than what my Santa will leave, or this person deserves.

Thank you WalMart--I am raising above!!!!

I hope that I passed the "test".

Swift

Quick, rapid, fast, speedy

–adjective
1. moving or capable of moving with great speed or velocity; fleet; rapid: a swift ship.
2. coming, happening, or performed quickly or without delay: a swift decision.
3. quick or prompt to act or respond: swift to jump to conclusions.
4. Slang. quick to perceive or understand; smart; clever: You can't cheat him, he's too swift.
–adverb swiftly.
–noun
any of numerous long-winged, swallowlike birds of the family Apodidae, related to the hummingbirds and noted for their rapid flight.
an adjustable device upon which a hank of yarn is placed in order to wind off skeins or balls.
the main cylinder on a machine for carding flax.

Further information:
The swifts are birds superficially similar to swallows but are actually not closely related to those passerine species at all; swifts are in the separate order Apodiformes, which they formerly shared with the hummingbirds. They move into hollow trees and chimneys--and live and breed there year after year--they are very loyal (and noisy) birds. It is expensive to have them removed!

Fast Patrol Craft (PCF), also known as Swift Boats, were all aluminum, 50 foot long, shallow-draft vessels operated by the United States Navy for counterinsurgency (COIN) operations during the Vietnam War. Events realted to them can undo presidential candidates years later.

Jonathan Swift (November 30, 1667 – October 19, 1745) was an Irish cleric, Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin, satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer (first for Whigs then for Tories), and poet, famous for works like Gulliver's Travels, A Modest Proposal, A Journal to Stella, The Drapier's Letters, The Battle of the Books, and A Tale of a Tub. Swift is probably the foremost prose satirist in the English language, and is less well known for his poetry. Who hasn't had to read Gulliver's Travels--or at least the cliff notes?



Umbrella swift: Hold your hanks on this wooden swift while you wind them into balls. Clamps onto table and counter tops. Easy loading is possible if you start with the umbrella in the down position. Put the open loop of the hank over the swift and pull it lightly so the far side of the hank is against the center of the umbrella section and you are holding the hank out perpendicular to the swift. Then, use your free hand to slide up the umbrella clamp, opening the umbrella to the circumference of the hank. Secure the clamp in place and wind away. Best when used in tandem with the Ball Winder. Measures approx. 26½" in diameter and 26" tall when open.

Had the birds in the chimney, know about the boats, read the book, and now have this nifty accessory to use with my ball winder. Life is good.

Swift, to swift, swifting, swifted, etc.

(Thanks to wikipedia and dictionary on line for the enlightenment!)

I do not need a silverplated mayonnaise bowl...

or much of anything else for that matter. People keep asking me what I want for Christmas. An exercise bike, which they are convinced I would never use, and may be correct about. The power charging cord for my blue tooth earpiece, which I am not sure they make. A yarn meter...maybe??? A fancy schmancy very expensive sewing machine??? Too personal for anyone else to pick out!

What I really, really want has nothing to do with me....I want MR. CP to clean up his office, paint it, make it look presentable---maybe even "nice". New carpet, or some type of flooring. Organization--less random "stuff". I thought the curtains would help--turns out, not enough.

I am looking forward to seeing the kids--being together in that crazy regression that happens when they are all here. I would like to zip in and zip out of Miami. Nora was right--the one you see the least, is the one you would most like to see---probably because you see the rest often.

There is nothing I need, nothing I want---I am very hard to shop for....and a "hard to find china site"--just sent me a message that a mayonniase bowl is now available to match my sterling flatware---which I sooooo do not want!

So, I wll be happy that I already have a new roof!

The difference between men and women

It is that time of year--when the "white panic" sets in and Mr. CP begins to hunker down and winterize!

One of the things to winterize is the interior of my car--slush mats a requirement. As soon as there was a little "sticking" snow, he started talking about them. Not about snow shovels, plowing contracts, warm mittens, etc. Once we got the snow tires on all vehicles--we had to get the slush mats!!!! (apparently, unknown to females, there is a necessary synergy between the tires and the mats!)

Then, as I am walking out the door to work at an ungodly time in the morning, here he comes--in business attire, excitedly waiving the "slush mats" about--headed for my sink....and those of you who live in my type of climate, know what slush mats look like when we put them away last spring--yetch!

Mr. CP thinks that he will "wash them off" before he leaves for work..so they can dry all day!?!?.

I try, as calmly as my now shrieking voice will allow, to point out--
My KITCHEN, with the sparkly pretty counters and new sink is probably not the best choice for scrubbing last years ice melter and "grit" off the mats!
He is dressed for work--remember the power washer, I say
There is no emergency to get the slush mats in my car-- I will be careful with my slush!! (which there is none of at the moment)
Just where did he plan to "dry" these??? (dripping on my wood floors!)

Grumble, grumble--but he knows I am right. I offered up the laundry tubs--he, I think saw the wisdom in not wearing a dress shirt, tie, and jacket to do this.

This weekend we must wash off the slush mats (so they can get dirty again with the slush--but don't go there) Maybe at the quarter car wash (that is now a dollar).

What price sanity!!! I won't even point out that I find very little slush to step in between the interior of the house and the attached garage---that I park in a parking structure--no slush there!....and it is a long walk between where slush might be, through the structure to where my space is!!!

White panic and slush panic.....give me strength!!!

Over the river and through the woods...

So, o.k., there is no river, and I am not really any one's grandmother--but there are some woods, at least right here! And it was snowy--just like the pictures in the elementary school song book! We don't have a sleigh, but people got here anyway!

Despite the protestations and asides, the T'giving meal was just fine. We had just enough turkey--and no bones!! A few sandwiches the next day, and it is but a fond memory!! There is a little gravy left, and some stuffing, but I think that will be a hard sale, as the stuffing lover has left town! And in spite of what anyone predicted, sweet potatoes from a box are not bad!!

Now, the tablecloths are washed, and awaiting the Xmas feast. The last of the silverware is back where it belongs. The dishes are put away, and since we are all grown ups, there are no crumbs to sweep up. Maybe not the "Martha Stewart" Thanksgiving, but good enough--and we have much to be thankful for!

Being all together (even though we start to get on each others nerves in a few hours), and being "far from want"-- all of us.

And then there is/was pie!! We ate the fabulous "Angies' pecan pie that M1 brought, along with most of the pumpkin. Mr. CP--bought two more enormous pies--just in case 30 extra people showed up---and since neither of us need the calories, these will go to our respective work places in the morning, where our co-workers can share in the calorie load!!

Oh, so very far from want.....over the river and through the woods......

A trend I've noted

or survival in a down economy?

Yesterday it happened twice. I went to lunch with a group...separate checks. The first two people paid by credit card--the girl rang their payments up. Mine was cash--and I got change from the open drawer--no buttons were pushed, no reciept.

I would say this was efficiency. It was a 'buffet", so the price is the same for everyone....

Then I went to a little botique on the way home. Had a coupon! Looked at things, did not find what I went there for, but did find something else. $18.00--less $5 coupon + tax=14.02. I handed her my card--she says--I don't take plastic for less than a $25.00 purchase--the fees are too high. I dig and dig and find the correct amount in cash in the purse by combining all the loose change, etc.

I get only the had written reciept--and she put my purchase in a "used" bag--all crumpled! Again, no ringing, no reciepts from the register!

So I guess that is what it has come to--off the grid cash purchases, and recycyled bags---nice people, running small businesses--and just trying to make it. A sad commentary on "my" economy....in a state that just raised taxes. Bet these two businesses are thrilled!

Simple pleasure!

Today I got pants for $1.97!!! It was the thrill of the unexpected! Bagging a bargain! Getting something for practically nothing.

I will not wear them to work--more like Saturday, gardening, retirement(?) pants--but for $1.97, I do not even need to wash them if I don't want to---can just afford to throw them away--really!

Somedays the stars just align!

History and Hysterical

So I went on the "Historic" home tour last weekend. I was older than one of the "Historic" homes--bummer! I also knew much about the "historic" homes--from experience!! I have come to the conclusion that I have the wisdom that comes from life experience.

Today I met a friend for lunch, and we went to an antiques mall--and again, much of what was there seemed not all that old to me! Then they told me that to qualify, something had to be at least 30 years old!!! That is not antique (at least to me)!

So there was a lot of the same "junk" that I have gotten rid off, that my mother and her sisters got rid of, etc. It was no better now than it was when they discarded it. There were also duplicates or near duplicates of lots the the "stuff" I have--except that mine at least has a story, a former owner, and a reason I have it.

I did not find anything to acquire. Probably a good thing.

Goofy stuff on the internet-what is the point of this?

Monday, August 27, 2007
from someone who got it from someone--and I bit...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, two people with my name (well, it wasn't mine yet, that my parents (one each) both knew and liked.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Over Auntie L of the slippery pants.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? yes, unless I am in a hurry, which is always.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? YETCH! Awful stuff! IF forced, ham.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes. Great ones.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? All the time.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No--I am not crazy.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? granola with yogurt--Vanilla and absoluetly no raisins! Raisins are gross.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? absolutely, or couldn't get them off!

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? For an old lady!

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Hagendaz--vanilla swiss almond

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Teeth

15. RED OR PINK? Pink

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I don't get to all the weeds in my garden.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? A whole bunch of people, but recently ALOTSP, despite the "new freedom".

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I'm not sending it to anyone as don't do the chain mail thing

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Red and beige.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? French dip.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Silence--it is nice.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Vanilla

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? One of my children.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? No one sent it--I nabbed it from another blogger!

26. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? By default-racing--it is good to nap to--the droning sound....

27. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR? Ravishingly Blonde (in my mind)

28. EYE COLOR? Brown with a little bloodshot this time of night.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes, occassionally. What a stupid question.

30. FAVORITE Foods? Mexican.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy, Happy, Happy.

32. LAST BIG MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Casino Royale--Bond!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Red, but who would care.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Depends on with who.

36. FAVORITE DESSERTS? Ice cream.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Noone

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Still noone

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? A book about the history of socks--yeah, I am boring!

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? My mouse!

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T. V. LAST NIGHT? Nothing, cable was out!

42. FAVORITE SOUND? Quiet

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles--yeah, yeah, yeah....

44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Monte Carlo.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Yes, many.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? In a hospital

47. What frustrates you most? People

48. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Don't expect answers from anyone. Who answers a blog?

So what is the point--other than the mental exercise? Maybe the fun is in the comparison.

If I had it to do over again...

I would become a "demolitions expert". Not as in demolition derby, but the kind that tear down buildings. They are demolishing a building next to my office, and I have been fasinated the entire time.

I am expecially fond of watching the excavator manuver between the buildings, sorting the twisted chunks, loading the truck--makes it look easy. Know that it is not.

Now, we did not get the excitement of the implosion like the Hudson's building in downtown Detroit. I did get to watch chubby, dirty construction guys go at this building with sledge hammers. The best part were when little puffs of dust would be emitted from the wall, followed by small chunks, and finally a hand would shoot out!

Most of the excitement is done now. The rubble is toted away, and a clean space awaits the new building (?) or parking structure. Can only guess at how "toxic" all the stuff was...I loved watching their progress. It was amazing how they managed to be so exact with such large equipment! The demolition dance!! Loved it!

Expired!

My cell phone rang at work today--something that rarely happens anymore now that I am not a caregiver any longer. The compassionate voice on the other end identified herself as the hospice worker who had done the initial intake on Auntie L of the Slippery Pants. She said she was calling because she noticed that Auntie L had EXPIRED! (She seemed surprised by this--something I though odd for a hospice worker!?!)

Now, my ALOTSP was a lot of things, but she was NOT expired. She had hardly gone past her "best if used by" date!

I was speechless--Auntie L had died! She was elderly, things didn't work like they used to, she was in endstage COPD and hospiced, she was ready---we did not need euphemisms! Auntie L is dead, and it is o.k. with both she and I--we discussed it at length prior to the event.

As I was busy "processing" the expired concept, the hospice lady prattled on about how amazing she thought Auntie L was--I already knew that far better than she! Perhaps I have backed up to Keebler-Ross anger stage--but I don't think so. Maybe I am just too sensitive--perhaps she was trying to be comforting. It wasn't working.

I was brought back to the conversation with a slightly louder "are you o.k.?" I must have missed a response, although I think I was uttering appropriately placed "aa-uha"s. Was I o.k.? Of course I am o.k., I just wasn't ready to get a condolence call about my expired ALOTSP.

In the hospice lady's defense, I think she was trying to help--I thanked her for her assistance and perhaps a little to quickly, ended our conversation.

ALOTSP was not like a gallon of milk or yogurt after all. She was not sour or curdled, even in the final moments. She was a sweetie!! I want to remember her that way.

I think people should stick to "I am sorry for your loss".