Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Bad-Bad Blogger!!!!

OMG! I can't believe it has been MONTHS since I last blogged! Life has been hectic & crazy but still, MONTHS?

First off, my oldest daughter Kirstey got her driver's license about 5 weeks ago and I am having a hard time of dealing with it (she isn't of course). My Hubbeast decided to just let her have free reign with the car & coming and going so we have had some major problems with disagreements (Him and I along with her and I). We have already had to take the car twice due to her not following rules.

My friend April had her triplets on April 1st. They were 10 weeks early and weighed in at: Ashton 4lbs. 3 oz, Bryce 3 lbs. 9 1/2 oz, and Little Chase at 3 lbs. 9 oz. They finally made it out of the NICU into the Transitional Care Nursery but it will still be a few more weeks until they can come home. I sent three crocheted round ripple afghans for them along with about a dozen knit blankets and some tiny outfits for April to give to the NICU for other babies. The little burial set I sent actually went to a live baby that weighed around 1.25 lbs. She was the sole-survivor from a set of triplet girls born at 25 weeks. April told me how the Mother's face lit up when she saw her little baby dressed in the bonnet, gown & booties and they actually fit. Made me feel good to know that my charity crafting does help.

Also, I have been having some health issues. I actually had a pregnancy scare a few weeks ago (even though I had a tubal ligation almost 15 years ago). Turned out that I have severe PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). So, now I have to follow a strict diet & take Metformin ( a diabetic medication)even though I am not diabetic. Hopefully it will balance my hormones and aid me in loosing the 70 lbs I have gain in the last 4 years (a symptom of PCOS is drastic weight gain in a short time frame).
I also found out that my white cell count is high. My doctor is worried about leukemia so now I have to go to an Oncologist on Monday for further testing. I'm not worried though, I feel fine & there are scores of other reasons that my white cell count could be high.

I will post later with some pics of the triplets and of my latest knit/crochet projects!

Hugz

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Terrible Start-itus!

Well, it has happened! AGAIN! I have a case of the terrible start-itus! I try to fight it off, really I do, but in the end my defenses are useless! I wonder if there is a cure, a pill or treatment out there?

I have CO & ripped out 3 different sweater patterns just this past week! Let alone the socks, slippers, and wash cloths that are calling me!

I have managed to finish my Hey Teach just in time to wear it to April's baby shower! No one could believe that I made it myself (which I take as a compliment). It did wind up being a little to tight so I wore it over a cami with just the top button closed. The Mr. asked me if I was going to keep it or give it away (I usually give everything I make away)- I am not sure still. I am trying to lose weight and in 15 or 20 lbs it will fit perfectly. But, also it would fit my mother and I haven't given her a sweater in a while. It would also fit my younger sister nad I've never given her anything that I've knit. So, we will see...I can always make another ;o)

I have Mr. Greenjeans ONT right now. I am using size 8 cable needles and some black acrylic that I have too much of. How I long to knit with nicer yarns but, budget won't allow it right now and I still have to knit! I hope it softens up quite a bit when it is washed! I modified the pattern slightly by knitting the neck trim and button bands in garter stitch as I make the sweater. I'm not to fond of picking-up stitches and adding the button band after I spent all the time knitting the sweater. The neckband is curling slightly so I will have to add a row or two of a crocheted edging to tame it. I found the most beautiful button for it already! It looks more like a brooch than a button.

I am already thinking onto Spring knits. I do not have a lot of nice Spring tops in my wardrobe so, time to find some great patterns! Living in the South I would like them to be cotton and Goddess knows I have tons of it! So, any suggestions for nice patterns for BBW?





You Are Lightning



Beautiful yet dangerous

People will stop and watch you when you appear

Even though you're capable of random violence



You are best known for: your power



Your dominant state: performing

Saturday, January 24, 2009

My Computer Hates Me!

I have officially decided that my computer HATES me! It has to! First my hard drive went, why- I'm not sure. Then my monitor went! So, today I had to install a new hard drive, buy a new monitor, re-install Windows XP and the drivers. I lost EVERYTHING that I had on my other hard drive but I do have the computer back up and its faster!

I found out that Angelicrafts was closing so I talked Jeff into taking me to the State Fair Grounds to go to the shop. Now, I am kinda agoraphobic so this was a big deal to him. I had to agree to go somewhere with him first. So, Jeff, Summer and I got up at 8 am to go to a charity pancake breakfast. It wasn't too bad.

We then got to the shop and I finally got to meet the two great guys that I know from Ravelry and from shopping with them on-line. It was so nice to put faces to the names ;o) I bought 11 pounds of yarn . I know, I already have TONS of yarn! BUT, I only bought colors that I knew I would use AND it was$2 a bag! $2 a bag! The bags are around 15 to 18 ounces each so thats a killer deal! Could you pass it up?????

Sunday, January 4, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My first post for 2009! I hope everyone had a great Christmas/Yule and a fun New Year!

Christmas here was hectic. We spent the morning with the girls as they opened their gifts. Then we had to rush over to Jeff's cousin's house for finger foods. The girls didn't want to go- they didn't know most of the people that were there. But, it turned out OK and they had fun. Kirstey had a fit when she found out that her cousin Keith's band had played at the same concert as My Chemical Romance (her FAVORITE group of ALL time). After that she had a good time.

Then we had to rush over to my Mom's to spend a few hours with my family. It is always so fun to see them, we have such a crazy family! It isn't long before my younger sister & Mom are arguing about who has the best "House Bitch" (talking about their husbands). Never fails! My nephew Christian came home with us to spend a few days.

On Friday Jeff left to go pick up my youngest son Robert before I even got up. They were back around noon.Then we had to run to the grocery store to pick up enough to feed 4 teenagers for the weekend (and may can they eat). I made our Christmas dinner and we all ate.

Saturday we had to go back to Mom's to take Christian home & so Robert could meet his aunt TiTi and cousin Justin. I think he finally realized that our family is crazy and he went inside with Jeff. It was kinda funny. When we got home, he somehow tricked me into making a hat for him. I got the beanie portion finished in an hour.

On Sunday we had to drive to Danville to see my Dad (an hour-and-a-half away), I finished the brim on Robert's hat on the way and he started a second one. We spent a few hours with my Dad and then headed to Mt. Airy (two hours away) to take Robert home. Then we headed home ourselves (a four hour trip). I never got to see my oldest son Michael this holiday at all- he had to work ;o(

Things have finally settled down this past week. The girls go back to school on Monday and I can't wait. I have started a knit sampler blanket that will be an anniversary gift for Jeff this December. I have also crocheted a dozen new ornaments for our tree next year. I am thinking that we need a new tree skirt too since ours is coming apart in places. We will see if I get one done this year or if I just repair the one we have. Not sure yet.

Well, I hope everything went OK for you for your Holidays! Hugz!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Not Much To Report

Just want to stop by. There isn't much going on besides getting ready for Christmas. We got the house decorated, the tree up, shopping done. Now to wrap gifts, exchange gifts, and start the holiday cooking!


I did get a request from my youngest son, Robert for me to crochet an afghan for his girlfriend by Friday! BY FRIDAY! Yeah, like that is even humanly possible! But, of course, I am going to try!
And I still have to make Kirstey's other corset glove (but they only take a couple of hours to get done). Other than that I am NOT working on anything else for THIS Christmas. Now NEXT Christmas is fair game .

I hope everyone has a GREAT Holiday!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Whats Been Going On

Well, life has been crazy around here lately. For the past 4 days I have had a migraine from HELL and have barely been able to function. Kirstey has had performances, auditions & caroling all week which I have missed due to the damn migraines!

I have been trying EVERYTHING & ANYTHING to cure my headaches this week! From different over-the-counter meds, to alcohol, sleeping pills, teas...... nothing worked until today and damn it---- I'm not sure of what DID work! I was diagnosed with cluster migraines YEARS ago but it has been a while since I have suffered from one. I hope this isn't a return to my previous times with them.

I have been working on my crafting when able. I have 4 out of 6 panels finished for my MAM afghan! I am thinking of gifting this one to my BIL and his new GF. I went to his home for the first time this past weekend and the colors would work perfectly for his living-room. Problem is, I am not sure if he would take care of it or let his dog use it. Now that he has a live-in GF I HOPE that she would make sure it isn't used as a pet bed!

Other than that, not much going on, decorating & shopping for Yule. Trying to get to see both of my sons for the holiday (both are working & live out of town). Trying to plan what to cook for Yule dinner (leaning towards either a leg of lamb OR cornish hens as a main course). And what sweets to make (choices are a cheesecake- or variation, apple pie, red velvet cake OR home-made baklava). I will probable choose two of the above. I'm thinking an apple-caramel cheesecake and a red velvet cake. Both from scratch of course! The sides are already set- the usual deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, gravy, dressing, and homemade buttermilk biscuits. I am just having a hard time with the meat & sweets! And voted out there?

Can't Seem To Settle On A Project!

Here I go again.... going through a period of startitis! I have given up on the February Lady Sweater for now. The acrylic yarn just was too thick for my likes.
I found 1 skein of gray yarn for Summer's hat but I am not sure if it would be enough for it. I have to search for more gray in my stash (which is taking over EVERY closet in the house + my bedroom). Even though I am sure that I don't have anymore gray- you never know what I may have forgotten buying.


I have started 2 afghans (both crocheted). A ripple pattern for the livingroom in brown, tan, sage, dk green & white. I am not sure if I am liking the pattern though (Jeff picked out the pattern). I have tried 3 or 4 different patterns with this yarn so far and just cannot seem to find one to suit my fickle tastes.
I have also started Rectangular Granny afghan for my 4 year old niece Cierra. I am using white and the purple and pink yarns I found in my stash. I hope she likes it- it will be her Christmas gift.


I have also ordered MORE yarn. Mill ends from www.Angelicrafts.com 2 pkgs of variegated browns, 6 pkgs of chocolate brown, and 5 pkgs of white. The packages are between 15 and 18 ounces each. AS they get more colors in I will order more to have enough for the afghans I plan to make for everyone for Christmas next year.


This weekend I have to go do my Holiday shopping (I think I procrastinate hoping that the shopping fairies will do it for me). Jeff and I usually go out only 1 day and knock it all out! Then I come home and have a bottle of wine, a mixed drink (or five), or just sit down with the bottle of rum if it was REALLY bad and I wrap the gifts-LOL pretty bad Holiday tradition aint it???
We also have to pick out the tree, get it home, decorate it while watching "A Year Without A Santa Clause" and drinking hot-chocolate (for Jeff, Kirstey & Summer) and Egg Nog for me. Then we also have to decorate the outside of the house and the yard (Jeff does that part).


So, I guess I had better knit & crochet as much as possible before the weekend cause I know that there isn't going to be much crafting this weekend!