Me Again. So soon?

Mom and DanTheMan sent me pics of Mom's knitted gifts and apparently it took them ONLY "...three fucking hours to figure out how"...that's what their email said. I swear! Ah well, at least now they know how to do it. ;D I won't even mention to them that they forgot to send pics of Dan's gift(s), but i do know that at least one of them was already put to use...so just picture Mom's dishcloths in ecru and two in a forest/white ombre. MmmK?

A basic dishcloth pattern...i know the colors are 'different', but trust me, they match Mom's dinner ware. Don't ask! ;)




The completed booga, all assembled.




Some happy mittens. Does the yarn look familiar? It should!

I have to say, i had issues with these. I made the first mitt out of the oatmeal color and then got to the thumb on mitt #2 and realized there was no way i was gonna have enough to finish. I was then very, very tempted to make the set as Mom had once made a set for me...with the top of one mitt a totally different color. She told me it was a "conversation piece". LOL! I LOVED those mittens...and if i remember correctly, they were an oatmealish color as well...with some rust or muted red on the decreasing section of the second mitt. Hee!



And one of the "scrap" scarves that i made months ago, those were really fun to make. This scarf is super long, i think Mom had it wrapped around her neck three times and it was still hanging there. I'm 5'3" and it's past my knees for sure!



Ok. Now no more complaining about the lack of knitting content on my 'knitting' blog! So there!!

Knit on!

~Suz~

My Favorite Gifts

I must've been a good girl this year ;) because i received some really nice gifts.

We're having our Christmas with a portion of Deb's family today and so they're might be more fun items later on. The "kids" are opening their knitted items today so i'll have to remember to get pics. Katie's scarf is still on the needles and we don't even know if she's coming down here today or i'd wrap it, with the needles and yarn balls, in a box for her to open. LOL!! Like i did with Deb's socks.

Here's Katie's scarf so far...Many Thanks to the Yarn Harlot for the pattern!! This one is made of Caron - Black Magic in Violet Sky, not a nice handspun like hers.







Deb gave me the most beautiful card, full of wonderful sentiment and my "big" gift from her were these lovely earrings that she found online through the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The interesting thing about these earrings...well, look at them closely and then try to figure out why they are *that* way? Grin. I LOVE them!!







Ok. People are starting to arrive, so i must scoot.

~Suz~

Finally, some knitting pics!

Yeah, so...i'm a dork and realized that i never took pics of the finished items that were gifted in Indiana! I know, i know. DUH!!

I DO have a pic of Mom's Booga Bag, post felting/pre assembly. She's supposed to be taking pics of all of the other stuff and sending them to me just as soon as she and DanTheMan figure out how to get that done. Hmmm. Could be a while. ;)



I also realized that we really did not take all that many pictures during our whole trip... probably because a). We were enjoying visiting with everyone AND b). Ya know, our digital camera is eating batteries and we need a new camera so it's sort of a pain in the hiney. I realized that i took NO pictures at DanTheMan's house nor my Aunt Lori's house. UGH! I'm a pod!

Here's a pic of my Dad fiddling with his camera...



And here's a pic of all of the kids by Grandma's Tree...



My brother Steve's son - London in the Blackhawks attire. My brother Jeff's kids Sydney (in the blue), Conner (with the yellow), & Julia (growing the antlers) And my step-sister Jen's kids - Zack holding Avarie.

Three or four people are taking pictures of them all at once, that's why they seem to be staring off into space. You know how kids are, especially on Christmas, we're lucky we got a shot this nice. Sheesh!

Well, that's all i have for now. Over and Out!

~Suz~

Details Part II

Ok. I left off with Christmas Eve at Dad & Lynn's...

We were disappointed when we learned that Lynn didn't make lasagna for dinner. :(

Since no one was expecting us, Deb and i took our own gifts for one another along on our trip so that we would have items to open when everyone else was opening stuff. I gave Deb Call of Duty 2, two flannel shirts from St. John's Bay (JCPenny) and a partially knit sock (not my fault she was unemployed for a month and hanging out in my knitting space!!) Deb gave me the most incredible snowflake earrings, they are *very* special, the most loving card, some Yarn Harlot, some Elizabeth Zimmerman, and my main man, James Taylor at Christmas. I'll post pics later. Really. I will!

As always, THE BEST part of the evening was the wrapping paper wars. Dad even asked if anyone remembered how this started? Of course we do!! It all started our first Christmas in the 'new' house, 1989. My youngest brother, Steve, was by the fireplace and Dad told us to get the wrapping paper to him so he could put it into the fire. Ok. So maybe our aim was too good a few times and Steve got a bit defensive...that's how it all started. This year, we had a new initiate, we love when we have one of those. I also discovered that this year, someone used some REALLY heavy, candy cane wrapping paper. Who was it? It was the best paper wars paper ever!! That crap hurt like hell!! LOL!! Dad called this tradition, our own version of "Festivus", which i greatly appreciated, but Steve and Jeff groaned at. (They are not fans, the scrooges!)

After the paper wars, the adults moved upstairs by Grandma's Tree for something new this year. Last year, the adults each drew one adult name and one child's name for which to buy gifts. This year, everyone bought for the kids and the adults decided to do a grab bag. The rules were: the gifts had to be around $20, the gift had to work for a man and/or a woman, NO giftcards. They rolled craps for choosing. A 7, 11 or doubles and you could choose a gift. If you already had a gift, you could steal someone else's gift or trade with the pile. This went on for 20 minutes...it was hilarious! At one point the follwoing phrase was uttered by the newbie: "Give me my fucking basket!"....and she's a preschool or kindergarten teacher!!! Oh my! LOL!! Some of the gifts were: a dead muppet-like blanket and a box of popcorn, a popcorn pot with a crank handle on top, a hot cocoa gift set (nice score Jeff! LOL!!), Talladega Nights, Running Scared and one other movie i think...in the "fucking basket"?....bottles of beer, margarita mix and some barware. I have no idea what the other gifts were??? Seemed like this event was a hit and may become standard for years to come.

The party at Dad & Lynn's lasted until after 10pm, which is rare. It was a late night. We all missed Nana very much and had a shot of Anisette in her honor.

On Christmas Day, we headed over to my Aunt Lori's house for brunch and surprised her and my cousin Colleen. They too, both screamed like little girls and my Aunt called us liars. LOL!! Saying that we said we weren't coming home. Ok. Fine. We lied! HAha!!!

We had a lovely brunch and Aunt Lori had gifts for us, even though we weren't coming home. Hmmm. Deb got a nice coffee/chocolate variety set and i got a pretty holiday dishtowel and two handmade potholders and a dishcloth...made by my other Aunt. Thanks to both my Aunt Lori for the gift and my Aunt Phyllis for her lovely needlework! I love them!!

After some wonderful food and a nice visit at Aunt Lori's, we headed over to DanTheMan's house to spend the rest of the day and evening with Dan, my Mom, Grandpa Frank, Nikki and Danielle. We had a lovely dinner and really wonderful visit with every one. I gave Mom her Booga Bag, mittens, scarf, and two dishcloths. And i gave Dan his three dishcloths. They seemed to like everything, so that was cool! We got a very unexpected gift...seems Dan bid on a Coach iPod case at his Church's Goods & Services auction fundraiser. It was meant to be a gift for Nikki, but she has a mini and it was too large for hers...so they gifted it to us. Thanks Dan & Nikki!!! We love it!

After leaving DanTheMan's house, we headed to do one of our traditional drives to Washington Park in Michigan City to see the lights. Even though it was late and we were so very tired, it was well worth the drive...as we knew it would be. We even have a small souvenir of our trip...we drove one parking lot over to Lake Michigan, it was rolling and blowing with gusty winds, and like a dope, i opened my window. Well, now when we open and close the windows, you can hear the sand grinding in them. Eeewwww. LOL!!

The next morning, we left Mom's around 8am, went to two banks and hit the road back to MD. We got back here around 12:30am and then Deb had to be up for work at 6am. She's such a trooper! Needless to say, she's looking forward to her three day weekend and Call of Duty 2. I'll be knitting!

Today, i finished knitting a hat for nephew Chris. Just a basic hat in Bernat Cammo. And i have between now and tomorrow to knit Niece Katie's scarf. Wish me luck. I need to get offa this thing!

Happy Knitting!

~Suz~

Trip details...

Alright. I'm here. My bench seat is back in from the van so i can comfortably sit and type more this time.

As i said in the previous post, we left MD on Friday night. By the time we actually hit the road and headed out of Westminster, it was probably 10pm. Deb drove us to the turnpike up in Breezewood, PA and then she needed me to drive while she napped. I drove through the rain and fog from Breezewood to Wheeling, WV. It was pretty darn foggy in some spots and then clear as a bell in others...the whole stretch that i drove was in the mountains, so it was great fun. (Insert eye-roll here) Deb drove for another 2 hours and then landed us in the brightest possible McDonald's/gas station, EVER...so that we could take a nap. Huh? Take a nap here?? But there's like a quadrillion-bazillion candle-watts of light shining in this parking lot. I'm sure i slept a bit, but it was NOT easy. Deb, on the other hand, could sleep in the middle of a Mardi Gras Parade so i'm sure she got a good snooze. After our (Deb's) nap, we went in to use the loo and grab some breakfast.

Now, normally, i would not write about breakfast at McDonald's, but this one just has to be commented on. Deb pulled off into a McDonald's that she said was in "Etna, Ohio", but she must've meant the one at, 103 ETNA CREST BLVD. PATASKALA, OH 43062. From the outside, this looks like your normal every day McDonald’s, however, when you order breakfast to be eaten there...it arrives on REAL plates with a real fork! It was so swanky i thought we must've gone to the wrong place. REAL...if-you-drop-these-on-the-floor-they-will-break... plates! It was so nice. LOL!!

Ok. So back in the van we went and we landed in our 'home' area around 2pm, missed getting to the banks on time to cash the 'gifts' my parents sent us and headed over to where my Mom was so we could case the joint for surprising. We were like Parco PI on DanTheMan's street. My Mom was having her Christmas gathering with both of my brothers and their kids...and sure it would have been great if we just went up to the door and joined in so that she would have had all of her kids there at once, right? Buuuuut, little people have BIG mouths sometimes and we couldn't risk the kids spilling it to my Dad & Lynn that we were in town. We were not surprising them until Christmas Eve, the next day. So, we napped. And watched. And drove around. And napped. And went to find a loo. And drove. And watched. And finally we had to make a move because we needed to get to the UU for Solstice Ritual by 7pm. So, Deb finally had the brainstorm to call Dan's cell and tell him, he could keep the secret and get us a key to Mom's place so we could go change. Which he did. Dan came walking the three houses down on his block and leaned in the window to give Deb a hug and i said, "OK, this looks like a drug deal!" and then he came around to my side to give me a hug and he said, "This is so much better than a drug deal!" and we all had a little laugh as he gave us the key. He told us he would have to tell Mom we were there because she was going back to her place for the night and we wouldn't want her to think people were breaking in.

We ran to Mom's, freshened up, changed clothes and then ran to the UU Church and squeeked in just in time for Ritual to begin. Thank goodness for "Pagan Time". ;) Our friend Kele squeeled like a little girl when she saw us come in...she blogs about it here...and we were so happy to see all of our friends again! There were many hugs and we delayed Ritual even further. Sorry guys! Well, ok, not really! We were just really glad to be there!

After Ritual, we went out with a lot of the group for some pizza and then we flew home to Mom's. Mom kept us awake for another hour or so chit-chatting and commenting on our cleverness and then we all crashed for the night.

Sunday morning we were invited to have breakfast with Kele & Greg at Cracker Barrel (ahem!) and they invited Kris & The Kid to come along so that we would be able to see them, too. We all had a nice visit and some good food. Thanks Greg & Kele!!! :)

After breakfast we sped over to the UU again, this time for Sunday morning service. We were hoping to surprise some of our other UU friends, the ones who don't normally attend Rituals, ya know, because they're not Pagan. LOL! We found out that our friend Brian was doing the service, so we knew his wife and children would be there and we were thrilled to see several other friends who we were glad to be able to visit with, even if for too short of a time!

We ran back to Mom's and freshened up and then on to surprise Dad & Lynn and to see Grandma's Tree in person! Ok. So...we pulled all the way up in the driveway, got out and went to the door. So far, so good. We rang the bell, and then we heard footsteps coming, the door opened and we yelled, "Merry Christmas!" and that was followed by screams of delight from my step-mom, Lynn. Too bad we didn't think of taking her picture when the door opened because it was priceless!! She was squeeling and saying something like, "...ohhhh, i was just saying how i wished the girls were here, especially this year, and now i have all of my kids home!..." Or something pretty close to that. LOL! My Dad? Oh. He was in the shower! Nice timing, eh? So we had to sort of hide and wait for him to come downstairs and then we surprised him and got big hugs! It was lots of fun! We had a great evening visiting with family, i took pictures...i'll put them up later and write more later too. :)

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!! :)

~Suz~

And, We're Back

The jig is up. The Top Secret Mission is over and was a HUGE success.

Deb worked until about 6:30pm on Friday, came home and we packed up the van and drove to NW Indiana to surprise all of my family and our friends for Yule/Christmas.

More details later when my computer bench comes back in out of the van!!

~Suz~

Just in case

Deb and i are on a mission. It's a Top Secret Project (TSP), nooooo, Deb didn't learn how to knit, doggon it! (Yet!) I cannot say what our mission is, ya know, that's why it's a TSP. Right?

We may be off to help Santa rewire his sleigh or to knit him a new jolly cap...but, if we were, i sure couldn't tell you that!

We could be off to search for the origin of the Northern Lights, which i've heard have made an appearance in certain locations already this year!! But, once again...IF it's that, i can't tell you.

We could even be off on another yarn crawl, searching for a LYS who actually sells Noro?

At any rate, we're not quite sure when we will return; and so, Just in case...

We'd like to wish everyone we know and love, new friends and old, friends we've yet to meet, heck...the Whole World, even...The Very Merriest of Holidays, no matter which holiday you celebrate.

We will be somewhere, off on our mission or back home, celebrating Solstice/Yule and appreciating one another.

Enjoy your friends and family. We'll be back soon!!

~Suz~

a CRAPPY sweater??!!! WTF???

You Are a Christmas Sweater!

Over the top, colorful, and totally flashy. You're not afraid to be a little tacky.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

Hmmm. Somehow i don't think this quiz will be good for knitter's egos. LOL!! Enjoy?!

~Suz~

One Naughty Elf, Checking In...

Ok. Go grab a nice cuppa while the pics load up, MmmK?? ;)

Here's what i need to finish up today, i'm almost done. I feel that i can post a picture for you because i highly doubt the recipiant reads the blog...


Wavy in Plymouth Encore color #149

As promised, here are some stash enhancement photos too...

I raided KnitPicks:

Essential in Burgundy


Shamrock in Fitzpatrick


Memories in Yukon, Rocky Mountain and Fly Fishing - all destined to be socks!



And Wool of The Andes. This is for a Jayne Cobb hat for a friend.

Also, here's the yarn i ordered from the WEBS "closeouts" section. It's Gedifra - Fashion Trend Sportivo that i couldn't pass up. Two of the balls are all Autumnal colors and the other two balls are reds/pinks. These will eventually be socks for me.


UPS dropped off four packages today, they are so busy, Busy, BUSY!!!. Two are gifts that i ordered and two are gifts that Deb ordered. I wrapped all of my stuff already...i love holiday shopping via the internet, because i really HATE malls and i can only walk so far before i'm in complete pain, so it would really suck to go to one store and find that they didn't have the item i was looking for and then have to try another and another, etc. Shopping online saves me so much pain...in more ways than one. I LOVE it!

Well, in one of the orders, i needed to add something else to it in order to get free shipping, so of course i ordered this! I'm so excited! But now i need the holiday knitting to be done so that i can justify reading it! LOL!!

Happy Knitting!!

~Suz~

What Happened to "Good Will To All..."?

I consider myself to be a good person. I feel that i have a kind heart. I'll admit that i'm short on patience at times. And i'll also admit that a lot of the times, i like things to be done MY way.

I try to see the good in ALL people. Every person has at least something good that can be said about them. One thing. Anything. Right? I try really hard to focus on that, rather than the bad stuff. I figure that being positive about people takes less energy than being all grumpy about them. I'd rather use my energy, such that it is, on some form of knitting or sniffing wool. I mean, c'mon, who wouldn't??

Everyone has some flaws. No one is perfect. Right?

Well, apparently that's not quite true. It must be that THE most perfect person in the whole wolrd, must have driven past the house today. Just a few minutes ago, too...and YOU missed him! Poor you.

I was minding my own business. Doing something nice. Something good. Something thoughtful. Something very loving. I was walking down the driveway to the mailbox with two cards in my hand. Oh sure, maybe a little late, but it's the thought that counts...isn't it?

In my hand, i held a birthday card to my Mom...a wonderful, spunky, opinionated, determined woman, she's sharp as the day is long. My Mom is a Solstice baby. On December 21st; we won't say her exact age, but let's say this...she doesn't look it at all, my Mom will reach the 9th birthday in the decade of birthdays she's been celebrating these past years. My Mom loves me, unconditionally, i know this...and i also know that it's not always been easy.

The other card in my hand is a card to our friends at the UU Church that Deb and i used to attend when we lived in Indiana. We miss them all so much and we wanted to send them a note to let them know. They love us. We know that.

So, again, there i was...off to do this good deed, walking down the driveway, with the help of a cane, as i always do. Walking, wearing a short sleeve T-shirt(it's 70 degrees here today. WTF?!!), in a very loud shade of "raspberry" and trying to break in my new shoes which i was able to buy with some of my SSI money(now i have three pairs of shoes i can wear)...and here he comes.

Mr. Perfect.

As Mr. Perfect drove past he hung out of his wondow and yelled at me, "Holy Shit!

Yes. Amazing. Apparently this was his first time seeing someone of my size? Apparently his mother taught him no manners at all, nor any social graces? Apparently this man has no flaws of any kind. Only someone so perfect in appearance and being would be so rude and cruel to shout obscenities at someone like me, who clearly cannot help being who and what she is...even though i've tried for all of my entire life. Apparently Mr. Perfect, thinks that someone of this size has absolultely no feelings at all and that i don't mind when other people loudly voice their displeasure at seeing me in public. It's people like you, Mr. Perfect, who make me want to leave the safety and love of the house i live in, with even less frequency.

In this holiday season, when all should be focused on joy, love, laughter and life...my wish for you, Mr. Perfect, is that you have a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones. Apparently there must be something good and nice about you. Even if it's the tiniest of things. Someone must love you, just as someone loves me for who and what i am...without changing.

Merry Holidays to you!

~Suz~

Grandma's Tree

Alright! Dad came through with some nice shots of Grandma's tree. Thanks Dad!! :)

Apparently the tree has gone through another ornamental change. Looks like the spotlights that used to sit on the base are gone, strings of lights were added, and the color scheme has moved onto it's third incarnation - including pine cones, gold bows and maybe some berry-type cluster of things. Looks like Lynnie was maybe trying to make the decorations match better with the nativity set? Just my guess.

So, for those who have been asking, here are some pics and i added one to the Holiday MeMe too.

Ok, can we go back to knitting now?? LOL!! :)

~S~

Knit Happens...

...behind closed camera shutters during the holiday season.

This very fact makes for some very lame, photo exempt blog posts...doesn't it?

Let's just say, i'm knitting over here and i really can't say anything more.

One day, you'll have so many pictures to look at, you'll have to go get a nice cuppa while the page loads, MmmK? ;D

How's everyone else doing??

~Suz~

Holiday MeMe

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
It depends on my mood. I probably have 1 or 2 short glasses of eggnog around the holiday season, but it must have rum in it. I might have half a dozen mugs of hot chocolate in the Winter, depending on my mood. I'm more of a hot-Chai-kind-of-a-gal.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Always wrapped now. Ooooh, pretty bows!!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I tend to prefer white lately. I used to like colored. Since we don't have our own home or our own tree this year, it's a moot point.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
A fake balls worth.

5. When do you put up your decorations?
Well, IF we were in our own home, the decorating would start right after Thanksgiving. Here in crazyville...the outside has been done (none of it by me), and we have yet to see anything start on the inside. If it's anything like last year...a tree will be put up and it will stand naked up until the day before Christmas Eve, when i will finally break down and just decorate it by myself because no one else here can be bothered. Sigh.

6. What is your favorite Christmas meal include?
My step-mom's homemade lasagna, tossed salad and garlic bread. Followed later by several dessert choices, yummy coffee, a shot of Anisette and much Merriment.

7. Favorite Holiday Christmas memory as a child?

Hmmm. I think my favorite holiday memory actually happened when i was 18 not when i was a "child". My parents divorced in 1987 and my Dad had moved into his own apartment, where i would go when i was home from college and my brothers would come on the weekends. By Christmas Eve or maybe a day before, my Dad still had no Christmas tree because he was still down in the dumps. Finally, my brother Jeff and i had enough. We called my Grandma and asked her if we could run over and borrow one of her small artificial trees and some lights. We went and picked those up and then had to figure out how to decorate it. Between the two of us, i know we had no more than $13. We ended up buying a package of about 12 red velvet bows and a package that had about 12 little wooden ornaments in it. We took those home, put the lights and bought decorations on the tree...but it still wasn't enough. We sat and made paper snowflakes and cardboard stars that we covered in tin foil and added those to the tree. And then we sat in the glow of the tree lights, waiting for my Dad to get home from work around 1am. He was so surprised and he thanked us and we ended up having a nice Christmas afterall.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

Is he a Republican or something? Who knew?!!!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Yes. Since we have a divided family, Christmas Eve is spent (when we are in Indiana), with my Dad, his wife - Lynn, and all of her kids/grandkids. We have a lovely dinner and then open gifts. It really is a hoot. We all cram into the family room, which is full with the real Christmas tree and usually overflowing with gifts. All of the kids help deliver packages to everyone as they are handed to them by some adult and when that is done, the opening begins. As the opening begins, our BEST tradition starts...Paper Wars!!! Wads of wrapping paper start flying across the room...you must have one eye on survaillance and one eye on the gift you are trying to open or, hope that no one notices you in the sea of people. This all started shortly after my Dad moved into this house (1989), we were really only innocently trying to get the paper closer to the fireplace so that my brother Steve could put it in the fire...and ok, maybe our aim was a bit too good a time or two, shoot us. ;)

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?

Usually with my hands. Well, how do YOU do it? LOL!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?

Love to look at it, love the first snowfall...It's a must have for Christmas Eve and Day...after that, i'm over it.

12. Can you ice skate?

I used to be able to.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

Yes. It was a Barbie Townhouse.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays Christmas for you?

Being with family and friends.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Christmas Dessert?

By far, my favorite holiday dessert(s) are the green, Chritmas Tree, spritz cookies that my Mom makes.

16. What is your favorite Holiday Christmas tradition?

My favorite holiday tradition is putting up the 7 1/2 foot tall, green and silver aluminum tree at my Dad's house. This is the tree that you can see in the big picture window on the front of his house on Burr Street (if you live in the area). The tree was made by my Grandma, Dad's Mom. Grandma used to work for a company in Blue Island, IL(Chicago) - "Revlis' made Christmas trees. They did make regular green trees but, back in the day, they made some really amazing aluminum trees. My parents and now my Dad, have kept our tree in wonderful condition...to the point of even cleaning each branch with Windex and having the glass for the base replaced at least once.

Our tree sits on a musical, revolving stand. It has a large, presswood - donut that fits down over the stand and rests on it and then that is covered in glass. The base then has a snow blanket tucked in to cover the stand, three white spotlights glow up from the bottom with one hanging above from the curtain rod...ya know, in case the whole thing wasn't bright enough! There is a nativity set that then gets placed all around the rotating base. The tree itself, back in the 70's and probably early 80's, was still decorated with pink silk balls and bows. But now the tree is decorated with red apples of various sizes, red clip on birds, candy canes and plaid ribbons.

I know. It sounds really gaudy. But as i've aged, i've learned to appreciate the tree...especially as i have memories of having visited my Grandma at work and seeing how she would always have her fingers bandaged up or covered over in rubber tips so they wouldn't get all cut up.

17. What tops your tree?

When Deb and i have our own tree up...i think we had a cheapo lit up star that Deb bought one year, i'm not sure if it bit the dust or if it still works?

18. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
White Christmas by Bing Crosby.

But then there's ..."Baby It's Cold Outside" the James Taylor version. Or the Twelve Days of Christmas by John Denver & The Muppets...LOL!!

Exciting News!

I know this is going to sound strange coming from a lesbian, but i was so tickled to wake-up to an email box full of comment replies from men. LOL!! It's a rare thing to have three of my favorite, newer, bloggers-that-i-stalk (in a nice way)...respond back with their personal thoughts. Isn't it neat how blogs and commenting on each other's posts brings the world a little bit closer? Ok. Fine. They're all from North America, but you get my meaning!

Ok. On with even better news. I know. Who knew it could get any better than a box full of men? Wait. That didn't sound right! LOL!!

Deb woke me up around 8:10am (i had finally gone to bed at about 3:30am)...she said, "You've been approved."

Groggy thought bubble: Huh? What? I didn't apply for any credit card.

Then she said, "Social Security called. You've been approved!"

Groggy thought bubble: Ok. Yeah. Get outta here. Quit joking.

She was serious!! I'd been called from the SS Office here in town! My application for Disability was approved. I called the man back when the office opened at 8:30 and he was getting ready to hit his daily appointments, but asked me to hang tight to the phone because he's going to call me back later in the day. He said he needed some more info before he can pay me. Whoa! Nice.

I was so ready to be declined and have to get a lawyer that i'm still in shock. In fact, just two nights ago, Deb was trying to get me to contact a lawyer already. I told her that i wanted to at least wait until i was declined first, sheesh! This is such exciting news for me, i cannot even begin to express it.

For those late to the game: I'm morbidly obese. Yeah. I know. Hate the term too, but it's the truth. I try to be honest about who and what i am. Several years ago, i developed lymphedema in my legs, they are huge and heavy. After seeing a few things on TV and then doing lots of internet research, i self-diagnosed this...and then actually had it confirmed when a rude eye doctor asked me how long i'd had lymphedema. Weird, right? Earlier this year, i was able to take advantage of some medical insurance through Deb's job and even though i loath most doctors, i bit the bullet and we both started seeing the same Dr. as Deb's folks. I love him. He's a kind, gentle, country boy kind-of-a-guy. I asked him to look at my legs and he agreed with my assesment. I told him my mobility due to the increased swelling in my legs over the past several years, has gotten to be less and less...and sometimes painful due to small splits in my skin where the skin gets overly stretched. My legs are just ginormous. Trust me, you've seen nothing like it. An elephant has prettier legs. I'm serious. At any rate, that's the majority of why the disability. And now, at least i can keep seeing the Dr. and have him continue to monitor my blood pressure and we can resume the monthly blood testing trying to get my thyroid regulated...that thing is all kinds of funky. I'm already on 88mcg's of synthroid, but i can tell i need a higher dose...or at least i think so. Time and bloodwork will tell.

I've been using a cane to help me get around and to help with balance for a few years now. I started using it when a knee or a hip would hurt and now i use it most of the time out of the house. It helps me to be able to walk farther than i would without it. I take frequent rests if out and about. When here at home, i spend most of my time...when not on the PC...sitting up in bed with my legs elevated over a rolled up, comfy, worn in, sleeping bag. I can get one of my legs situated, but Deb has to help lift the other leg up, i can't do it myself....it's the left one, it's largest. Perhaps all of this info explains why a lot of my digi pics are taken on our bed, eh? Or in our bedroom? I don't get out much.

Needless to say, knitting is fabulous for me in so many ways. Knitting keeps my mind and my hands busy. Knitting helps me to feel like less of a failure, it's something i can conquer and complete on my own, without help from anyone else...most of the time, anyway. And knitting connects me to other people here in the blogosphere, which is something that i do not have in real life. Knitting makes me feel not so alone. I really am grateful for all of the wonderful and creative people who's blogs i read and who inspire me to try new knitting things. I've made some fun blog buddies, it really is a neat medium.

So, about knitting...

I've moved on from the body and I-cord of EWP (elf work project) #3, and on to a pair of WW II pattern mittens in some of the yarn left from EWP #3. I'm almost to the top of the mitten #1 decreases and then have the thumb to do. I'm interested to see how the thumb turns out as it's created in a different manner than the mittens i already made this season. I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow so you can see what i mean. MmmK?

Alright. I better get outta here, go put my legs up and knit.

Happy Knitting out there!

~Suz~

Small Knitting Update

Ok. Over here, the holiday elf work knitting is in high gear. The body of EWP #3 is done and i'm about a foot into the I-cord. I'm going to go back to working on the I-cord when i get off of here and see how much i can get done before Deb wants to come in and go to bed.

Deb got a job! WooHoo!! She went on Monday to check out this fork-lift driving job and she ended up getting hired on right after her interview today, went to do her drug screen today, found out she passed it (we were not worried!), and signed a contract today. She starts at 7am on Firday. Tomorrow she is planning to still go to the orientation at Panera and ask Chuck (our neighbor, who's the Mgr.) if he could use her on weekends until the holiday season is over. So, for the next few weeks she could actually be working two jobs, which means that i will have plenty of time to finish the item i've been working on for her...and she may even end up with another set if all goes well.

After i get the I-Cord done, i've got to cast on some of that kitchen cotton and get that collection of items done. Then i can move on to other items.

Yes. I'm being a bit vague, i know. But there will be photos taken and posted after items are gifted. MmmK? So, hang in there. LOL!!

Happy knitting all!!

~Suz~

Oh. Yeah. I put the button on my post because i'm supposed to be a part of that knit-a-long group but still can't figure out how to get logged in so i can post about my Elf Work progress over on that blog. :) Bummer, eh?

Stash Adjustment

On Saturday i received the money i was waiting on, for a small database update that i did. You all know what that means, right??

STASH Enhancment for Elf Work projects. Yup. That's right!

Here's a "group" photo...



Deb and i headed out yesterday and we were planning on stopping at the Joann's here in Westminster but all of a sudden the van headed toward Frederick and we were off on our yarn crawl.

At the Joann's i admired a lovely Emerald Green, Hooded Cloak worn by a nice gentleman. The gentlelady who was with him had made the cloak, it was simply gorgeous!

After drooling, i headed toward the yarn aisles on a mission for dishcloth cotton and some Bernat Camouflage yarn, which i knew for sure that this Joann's location did carry. It's a crap-shoot with the Joann's in Westminster...it's a piddly, little, disorganized, overstuffed, dimly lit store. I was pleased to be at the newer, larger store in Frederick. I grabbed up the "hunter orange" yarn that i thought was the color Chris wanted for a hat, but then Deb came along and said she thought he'd rather have a regular camo colored one. Hmmm. So, i bought both skeins and after coming home and talking with Deb's Mom, she agreed with Deb and now i've got this big blob of orange. LOL!

While at Joann's, i also picked up gobs of kitchen cotton for making dishcloths. Fun stuff! ;D



After Joann's we headed over to my favorite not so LYS...and it was closed on Sunday. Boo! :(

Then Deb and i had this conversation:

Me: "I know there's a yarn shop in Ellicott City, i have NO idea where it's located but, where's that from here?"

Deb: "Far."

Me: "How far?" Well, i know there's a yarn shop in Columbia, i have NO idea where's it's located but, where's that from here?"

Deb: "Far."

Deb: "Oh, hell, let's just go."

She's such a trooper, isn't she?? So off we went. We got into Ellicott City and started searching all of the shopping areas as we passed them. Anything that looked remotely like a business, we were trying to read their sign. We decided to stop at a gas station to see if they had a phone book. No such luck. Hmm. We even thought of stopping at a hotel or a cell phone location. Finally we settled on pulling onto a parking lot and calling 411. LOL!! We got the address and phone number to the yarn shop in Ellicot City and in Columbia. I called the Ellicott City shop, The Celtic Knot Yarn Shop...and spoke with the lovely owner. I was hunting Noro, specifically. I have an elf work project that requires it. (For savvy knitters in the know, it's for an item that is popularly made out of a certain Noro yarn in colorway #95 ;) Anywho, i found out that this yarn shop and perhaps several other shops in the area, do not carry Noro...for a reason i'll leave alone in the interest of keeping on the good side of a new yarn source. Carole convinced me that i could use any felting yarn amd so we got directions from her and off we went. What a saleswoman! We were only three lights away! Who knew?!!!

I have to say that this is a warm and wonderful little shop. I was quite pleased with the ample parking and the ease of getting in and out of the shop. The helpfulness and customer service that i received from Carole and Sarah, was top notch. I certainly did not feel like this was my first time to visit them. Deb even enjoyed the visit and she suggested that she take me for a SnB gathering when she has the time off to do so. Wow. Wasn't that nice of here? I'm going to have to take her up on her offer...it's really lame knitting by myself all of the time...but i digress...

I settled on some Lamb's Pride instead of the Noro and also selected some Plymouth Encore for a scarf i need to make.

Ok, so there's my update. No. We didn't even go to Columbia to hunt down the other YS, we'll leave that one for another adventure. I have to go knit now!!

~Suz~

Here's to Nana...

November 30th, 2006

I received a phone call today from my little brother, Steve. He rarely ever calls. That should have been my first clue. Steve called to tell me that our Nana passed away today. Nana is our step-mom's mother, so she was not a biological grandparent to us, but we'd adopted her along the way, anyway.

Apparently Nana walked out of her condo on her way to bingo and collapsed in the parking lot. A neighbor found her and dialed 911. When she got to the hospital she was already in arrest. Nana has had heart trouble over the past several years, so the news of her passing, although very sad...does not really come as a surprise to us.

The timing of Nana's passing could really not have been any worse. My Dad and Lynn (Nana's daughter) left yesterday morning and drove down to their condo in Florida, it's about an 18 hour drive. The trip had been made so that the condo could be put back together after windows and/or sliding doors had all been replaced to help eliminate the water from being taken on during high winds and/or hurricanes. I'm sure Dad & Lynn had scarcely enough time to put much back together...which may mean that they miss out on some "snowbirds" renting their unit for 1-4 months straight. I've not talked to them, nor did i try to call the condo as i'm sure Lynn must've been in contact with her four kids and her three siblings as well as any other family members...so, i'll just wait to hear from them. Unfortunately, we are in no financial situation (as always) to make our way home to Indiana to be there for the services, so this will by my little goodbye to our Nana.

In the years since my Dad and Lynn have been married, i've learned a bit about Nana...Evelyn Pluskota. Nana was a wife and a mother of two boys and two girls. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Frank (and one grandson), she had 12 granchildren and six great-grandchildren(that i'm aware of). Ever since her dear huband's passing, Nana has been very sad...she missed him greatly. I lived away from home during the time when my Dad and Lynn got together and when Lynn's Dad passed away, so i only met him maybe once or twice, i didn't know him well at all. I have a feeling i missed out on someone very special.

Frank & Evelyn were a party couple. They liked to have a good time. In their earlier married life, they could often be found dancing the night away with friends at the local Moose Club.

There was this one time, after Deb and i moved back to Indiana...some time after 2000, there was a family cookout for Memorial Day. It's tradition to celebrate all of the birthdays for May and early June at that cookout. So there's Me, Deb, My step-sister's bf Matt, my brother Jeff, my niece - Sydney, my nephew - London ...i forget if there's anyone else. LOL! And Nana had gifts for everyone, except me. She remembered Deb, whom she had known for a shorter time...and she forgot me. From then on we always joked about how my family loved Deb more than they loved me. ;)

Nana was always the life of the party at any family gathering...telling stories and enjoying everyone's company. Nana used to sing this drinking song, i really can't remember all of the words...but i'll write some of it here in her honor.

Here's to Nana ,
She's a damn fine gal,
Here's to Nana ,
She's a damn fine gal,
So drink, chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug,
chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug,
Here's to Nana!

We love you Nana. And we will miss you dearly. Rest well and be with your Frank.