Milking-it-for-all-its-worth Dog on Thurs

Last week I took Puddin for her yearly shots and tests. Happy, healthy and back down to her healthy weight. I mentioned to the vet that she was drinking more than normal. Blood work all looks good. We couldn't get urine since she had donated all her samples to the lawn in front of the clinic. Early the next morning I'm following Pud around the yard with an empty pie tin. You know. Later I get a call to pick up meds and talk to the vet. Her urine pH is "off the charts" and full of crystals. We get antibiotics and an acidifier. He thinks she's too young to have "the malady which must not be named" so we should assume its a uti and just watch her.



Any ideas what he's worried about but won't say?






Puddin thinks it is unfair for non-sick dogs to get the lap.

She retaliates by ripping out the head of Trixie's bear toy and stealing Gus' bed.

Seems fair.

Good Dogs Gone Bad on Thursday?

Puppy incarceration. So sad. If Trixie had a tin cup she would be raking it back and forth against the bars.

Wait....that's not jail! It's a day at the spa. Trixie has a new do thanks to Gus' constant ear-sucking. A sassy short look for summer.

Puddin is more the home-spa type. I think a stick in a wading pool counts as a retreat. It also counts as a bath.

spinning mohair loops and faux pearls

Long ago I spun a mohair single and plied with a thin black silk. It was awful. I found it recently and made this. First I un-ply plied it with an ugly batt thick n' thin single, really loosely. The mohair unspun and looped. Then I re-plied the other direction with another silk single threaded with beads. I'm calling it "low tide".

More ugly batt spinning

From the mostly blue batt. A slightly felted single at ~14wpi...I'm not done with it yet, just documenting its journey.

Knitt'n & Spin'n

A child's hat for Warm Woolies. Lately I only knit at work or in bed, so my projects are limited to thoses w/out patterns to learn. The top isn't really pointed, the jar underneath is.
My second attempt at coils. Kool-Aid pink lincoln wool over handful-of-marigolds lincoln wool. I keep finding little balls of singles that I wound in balls and forgot. Usually because there was never a plan for it, and I needed to clear the spindle or wheel for something else. This is how it looked right off the niddy-noddy.

Here it is after I set it with a bit of steam.

Now I think I should stop trying to coil over my own singles and use thread instead. It may be the only way I'll get continuous coils.

Ugly Batt Spinning Adventure Begins

This is the first single that I spun from my batts. Both batts are multi-colored, but one is mostly blue/purple and one is mostly green/brown. I alternated large chunks from both.
My first yarn from the single was plied with a thin mohair yarn. Even though they were the same thickness, the fuzziness of the mohair and the consistancy of the brown overwhelmed the single. I don't really like it.

Next, I try my hand at coil spinning. I read directions from various sources online. The strand that it is plied with is a cotton single that has been sitting in a ball for over a year. I made a coil, then plied normally for 6-8 inches before the single had time to unspin itself. At this point, I am so in love with what I see on the bobbin that I stop to take a picture.

The finished skein on a niddy-noddy. Tha picture is darker, but I don't know how to adjust such things.

Dogs on Thursday Attitude Conflict

Trixie says "Spring is here. The grass is green. Why aren't we frollicking?"

Gus says "I think we should consult the groundhog again. I'm just not ready."

"Will YOU come play with me?"

Rainy Day = Spinning Joy

I joined a group on Ravelry called Ugly Batts.

NO...bats are lovely and eat mosquitoes.

Except for this guy, who will bite you and lick your blood.

Here are my Ugly Batts from Abi at High Prairie Fibers ( http://prairiefiber.homestead.com/fiber.html )

I've sampled a little today. Tomorrow is calling for rain and rain and more rain. Tomorrow it begins in earnest.

Spiffy New Do's and Fluffy Flowers for Dogs on Thursday

Puddin was very annoyed that I made her stand still and get her picture taken with her new flower.

Gus is such a ham!

Trixie is feeling bashful.

Yarn Smackdown Round One

My hat is done. Huggybear's hat is done. Tomorrow morning it will be in the hands of the USPS. I chose the spiral column option and I love it. After I'm killed, I'll definitely start another for myself. The spirals would look great on matching fingerless mittens, too.

My hat is suicidal.

Yarn Smackdown Update:
Meet the ribbing. Sure I'm slow. But at least I didn't screw it up. Then comes the spiral columns. I HATE TO TINK. And apparently I can't do two things at once. Like watch t.v. while I knit. My opponent Huggybear http://nettieville.blogspot.com/ finished today, but didn't mail yet. Theoretically I should have time to finish, mail on Monday and have a postal race (advantage: me ...because I get delivery around 4p.m.). But I'm tired, tomorrow is Easter, and I never finish anything anyway. Who knows...maybe I'll get a wild hair in the morning and just go nuts.

Grouchy Puddin on Thursday.

I know it is hard to see, but if you look very closely you will be amazed by how wide Puddin's mouth is open. I started to take this picture because it looked like Gus was whispering in her ear. At the last moment she whirled around and tried to eat his face.

The cocoa has come!

Yeah!! I'm so excited. Bianca from http://lansingerland.blogspot.com/ sent me all this. Two types of sock yarn, peppermint and coffee candies, a mouse pad, stitch markers, cinnamon (I think), Dutch cocoa, cooking chocolate discs, and "American Marsh Mallows".

Just look at the incredible black sheep she knit. As soon as I saw him I thought of Dodge, my only ram. He was named Dodge because he was "built Ram tough". This guy will be Dodge, too. Actually, make that Dodge II.

Here is Dodge II meeting and greeting some of the resident sheep. Behind them is a picture of Dodge. He was very handsome. I bottle raised him and loved him. He grew to almost 300 pounds. Then he decided that his life's mission was to kill me. After an elderly neighbor was trampled to death by his ram... I sold Dodge.

My first cup of Dutch cocoa. Wowee. It's chocolatier than any hot cocoa I've ever had. Thanks, Bianca.

I'm back, and busy,busy,busy.

To recap:
1. The bronchitis/pnuemonia practically gone. I'm well enough to work.
2. I missed work yesterday in a futile attempt to bail the water out of the basement. After 7 hours I decided to give up and move as much furniture as I could. After I sat down to rest it occurred to me to go buy a pump. Maybe I'm not as well as I think.
3. Rain finally stopped. Six hours later the water stopped squirting through the cracks in the concrete wall.
4. I'm going to attempt to convert to a 50% raw/live diet. Hopefully it will help to stave off my new sickly nature. Mom suggested this when we were both sick, but we were too exhausted and miserable to do anything about it.
5. The yarn smackdown has begun. I imagined that I would sit up tonight and finish the hat, then mail it first thing in the morning. After 6 rows...I sense impending death. At this point my goal is to get far enough along to give Huggybear a good start when she gets my WIP. After all, if the person who beats me does really well, that makes me look pretty good too.
6. Tomorrow I have to take the dogs to the groomer and the car to the garage. Something about an O2 sensor and the "service engine soon" light. damn. Plus Gus is so matted on his backside that I'll have to stop and buy a bribe (maybe chocolates?) for the groomer.
7. It's cold in here. When the water was rising I shut off the gas to the heater. Mid-March is just too close to spring to re-light.

no posts

Nothing for a few days. I'm sick and tired. Well...not "sick and tired". I am both sick and tired.


So that your visit isn't entirely wasted, here is a picture of me and Grandma on her porch from a couple of summers ago.

I'm a rotten cheater.

Confession time. I lie about finishing projects. I tuck the unwoven ends inside and underneath to take pictures to facilitate my deceptions. Then the item gets tossed back into a bag or yarn box for me to "finish later". For me, "finish later" means: avert my eyes and pretend not to notice.



As part of my personal 482 step process to face my problem, I decided to grab up the first handful of items I found and pile them around me. Armed only with a tapestry needle, I will confront the enemy (me) and vanquish my tormentors. And then give this crap away.

I also created another blog to document my UFO's.
http://area51aknittingconspiracy.blogspot.com/
There is a UFO-knit-a-long here: http://ufo-knit-a-long.blogspot.com/ that I just requested to join.

UPDATE: The 3 hats are ready to ship to Warm Woolies, the mobius scarf is ready to block, calorimetry needs a button, and poncho completo.

What if I skid off the road?

We had an ice storm. At home we are well provisioned for disaster. My car is not. Searching online for everything needed in a car emergency gave me this list. I have begun gathering the items, but it may be spring before my list is complete.

CAR EMERGENCY KIT

• JUMPER CABLES
• FLARES
• TOOL KIT
• FLASHLIGHT
• RADIO
• JACK & TIRE
• TOW ROPE
• GAS CAN
• POCKET KNIFE
• FIX-A-FLAT
• FIRE EXTINGUISHER
• SHOVEL
• ANTI-FREEZE
• OIL
• DUCT TAPE
• WASHER FLUID
• RAGS
• PAPER TOWELS
• ICE SCRAPER
• CAT LITTER OR GRAVEL
• FIRST AID KIT
• HELP SIGN
• RED CLOTH
• MAPS
• WET WIPES
• PEN & PAPER
• FOOD
• WATER
• PHONE #S TO CALL
• SKI HATS
• CLOTHES
• BLANKET
• METAL CUP
• MATCHES
• CANDLES AND A TIN CAN (COFFEE SIZE)
• HAND WARMERS
• DE-ICER
• MONEY/CHANGE
• PHONE CARD
• WHISTLE

It was also suggested that most of these be kept in a canvas bag within the car (rear floorboard). If you are in an accident you might not be able to open the trunk.

Again? Seriously...Again!?!

Another ice storm last night, and now thundersnow... again. I never even heard of thundersnow until this year. It's a thunderstorm with lightning and thunder and heavy snow (instead of rain). My camera doesn't show it very well but it is coming down with a vengence. I didn't go to work today. Since I work 10 hours days, that means 1/4 of this weeks pay just blew away. BTW, there was a break in the weather between the sleet and the snow this morning. It cleared up just long enough for us to notice...so that we would notice that it was HAILing.

I'm taking my yarn and going back to bed.

Yarn smackdown preparation begins.

I got the recommended needle sizes last night. size7 circ, size5 circ, and size7 dpn. Turns out I don't have any odd sizes above a 3. So I ordered Harmony circulars from Knitpicks. I had to get bamboo for the dpns because the Harmony weren't available until March 14. That's cutting it way too close.

Recommended yarn is Lamb's Pride Worsted or Noro Kureyon. I have a lovely red worsted wool that I may use instead. The gauge is measured in pattern, but without the pattern I am not at all confident about substitution.

On March 13 I will be driving past Columbia, MO and the Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe. The next day I'll be in Independence, MO for my new neice's adoption ceremony. Convieniently located near Knitcraft. Can I be trusted in a yarn shop? Do I have any self-restraint? Doubtful.

Can I have a minute to myself, please?

Puddin is experiencing the shock-and-awe of being trapped in the family room while I spend time alone. (Don't worry...the sucker in me couldn't hold out for long.)

Gus & Trixie don't mind. They spend their time scattering toy bits around the room and jumping from couch to couch. Trixie also likes to watch Big, Big, World on tv. I think she has a crush on Snook.

blah, blah blah...not even a little sock

Is it the cold, wet, gray weather? Maybe the fact that I never received my cocoa swap package...now 10 days late. Or the fact that I've been picking up overtime lately. Whatever the reason, nothing has been very interesting to me lately. I started some child-sized boot toppers to see how two sock yarns would look together.

Not great, not terrible. I don't like it well enough to make the mate, so I picked up underneath and turned it into a sock. It still won't get a mate. It will live out its life in the Christmas Stocking collection (a.k.a. the Single Sock Stash).

I'm also getting overwhelmed by unfinished projects. Something drastic has got to be done. I don't know WHAT has to be done, just something...

Puddin's Mini-Me on Thursday

I love shopping for clearance the day after a holiday. Here is Puddin examining her new post valentine buddy.

It reminded me of this picture...the day Pud got a brother.

Fortunately, Gus' guts didn't end up all over the living room floor. Mr. Valentine was not so lucky.

A few more scrumbles

After I realized that the VERY BLUE yarn matched the muted blue in the scarf, I went on a stash safari. I found a pom pon yarn with the same color. Then I found exact matches for two other pom pon colors. By the time I'm done I think this scarf wil be....not quiet.

Hat complete.

That was quick. I finished it the same night.

Yarn Smackdown Calisthenics

On Ravelry today I signed up for the Yarn Smackdown. Knit a hat in a race against another knitter. It's set up as a single elimination bracket with both knitters and crocheters. Apparently you do send off your unfinished hat if you are eliminated, because the rule is that if you only knit (or only crochet) and you get a hat that you can't finish, you frog it and start over your way.

I picked up this red wool yarn super cheap this week. Somebody thinks that red won't sell after Valentines Day. My gain. Since I don't know any specifics about the hat to knit, I'm making a basic EZ cap to send to Warm Woolies for practice. Hats are so easy to make but I don't like to wear them. Better to wrap a scarf/shawl over my head, I think. If the hat I receive is mostly wool I'll send it, too.
BTW...Warm Woolies (think shivering orphans) http://www.warmwoolies.org/ is having a contest to boost knit donations. If you send 25 sweaters, vest, or socks for the children in 2008 they will send you a gift box of yarn & notions worth at least $50. And the patterns they use are simple and easy to knit. Did you know that after the first piece you send, they will supply the wool for the rest of your donations? If you only knit in acrylics...they need tons of baby blankets.

Reluctant Dog on Thursday

Puddin says "I can hold it a little while longer...I don't want to go outside. You try walking barefoot on packed ice when it's 20 degrees!"

I hate big trucks.

And you 4-wheel drivers, mocking me with your uphill driving.

Isn't the snow pretty? No. It is not. It is not snow, nor is it pretty. It is 2" of alternating layers of sleet and freezing rain. It's been 2 days and we are no closer to melting or clearing the road. This is the veiw downhill.

And this is my driveway, covered with rock salt and cat litter. I still cant make it uphill. To leave my home, I had to drive downhill IN REVERSE and slide into a (thankfully) empty crossroad. And NO... the sliding and the reverse were not part of my plan.

Scrumble bits

Last night I practiced freeform. Some is knit, some crochet, depending on whether I had a straight edge to attach to. This was worked in the log cabin tradition...nothing sewn on. I just picked up and kept going. It's a fabulous way to use up the tiny bits of handspun that I have left over. Each of these was knit with the entire (teeny) ball of yarn I saved. Some were only a yard, but it is impossible to throw away handspun. I even save a few inches. It is shredded and carded into tweedy yarn with fresh wool.
I started with a bit of my favorite scrap. It is the pink & brown bulky in the center. I am not able to spin bulky anymore.

Scrumble Scarf: The crazy quilt for yarn

The point of freeform knit/crochet is that you don't have to follow a pattern. Just follow your fancy. My fancy is a very lazy beastie. I've just finished a simple brown & teal garterstitch scarf. The last foot has increasingly large holes as a framework to attach the scrumbles. While I like the randomness of adding various scrumble shapes haphazardously, sewing them only to each other seemed like it would strain the more delicate shapes. Also, my inclination is to choose floral and organic shapes. The scarf is the trellis on which they will creep.
When I made a crazy quilt doll blanket, I sewed the bits onto a base of muslin for stability. This is the source of my notion. Not everyone does...but it makes me feel safer.
Color-wise I'm not yet sure which way I'll go. I read somewhere that if you use less than 10 colors, take care that they go well together. But if you use more than 20 colors, it will be an agreeable riot.

More stitch markers

This could get addicting. I still have beads, but I'm out of toggles and head pins. Somewhere I have old thrift store jewelry for bead harvesting. Must acquire more.