tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64395928201582673632024-02-21T02:25:14.845-08:00I'm Just Not That CleverLorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-35865930034339081752016-05-23T10:54:00.000-07:002016-05-23T10:54:05.495-07:00I will always wonderDisclaimer - there is some foul language ahead, just so you know.<br />
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I woke up this morning feeling shitty. Just an overall, not-feeling-good kinda day. I've been having migraines again recently and a couple days ago, my back decided to flair up and ache. I didn't want to get out of bed, and I still regret that decision. It wasn't until I was driving to my second job in Colusa that I realized why I feel so terrible, physically and mentally.<br />
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Sadness.<br />
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I read a post my best friend wrote on Facebook last night. She's always been more of a writer than I, and she's been processing her grief over losing her son by following different pages on FB. One page gives daily writing prompts. The prompt for today, which she posted last night, was 'I will always wonder'. I didn't remember the prompt exactly while I was driving; the words that haunted me were, 'what if'. That got me thinking about my own what if's. <br />
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For me, the what if's go back further than just my son's death. It isn't usually a 'what if Rodney hadn't died' thought. My what if's go back to my pregnancy and his birth. What if he hadn't had birth trauma. What if he'd been 'normal'? What if the goddamn doctor had done HIS. FUCKING. JOB. and tested me for gestational diabetes????? What if my trust hadn't been misplaced? <br />
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My son's 16th birthday is approaching next week. 16. That magical age when you get your first taste of freedom. When the world suddenly opens up to you because of one small little card in your wallet and keys in your hand. <br />
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You see, I could never really entertain 'what if''s' during Rodney's life. We were too busy trying to keep him alive to have time or energy to think about all the what if's we were missing out on. It was a door that remained closed to me...that path of 'what if all this hadn't happened?' Now, after his death, I'm have the privilege and luxury of reflection. Lucky me. <br />
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So...what will I always wonder? I will wonder what kind of 'normal' life we would have had. Would we have gone for a second round of fertility treatments and had our daughter? Would I have stayed a music teacher? Would we ever have had our own business? Would Rodney have been a pain in the ass kid or a wonderful kid? <br />
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What kind of vehicle would we have got him for his 16th birthday?Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-90484057265201145572015-11-03T23:16:00.001-08:002015-11-03T23:16:15.114-08:00Back to NormalBack to Normal. Just ponder this simple little phrase for a minute. For me, the only time this phrase really applies is after a vacation. During vacation, you truly are out of your norm. Returning home, you get back to the grind, back to 'normal'. In any other situation, 'back to normal' is impossible. <br />
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The specific application of this phrase that sparked this blog post refers to the passing of one of my friend's sons. After the funeral was over, and the weekend following, she was told, now it's time to get back to normal. I'm sorry, but that's just not even in the same universe of possibility. I've struggled with the term 'normal' in general for years. I had a son who was not 'normal' by conventional standards, but 'normal' for him and our family. Occasionally, he would do things out of his 'norm', but then we would have a new 'norm'. 'Normal' is so relative. What's normal for me would have been complete chaos for you. And this is just in every day life, not when there has been a death. Death takes 'normal' to an entirely different level. <br />
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We are expected to bury our parents. They came before us, they are older than us, they will die before us. 'Normal'. Once you lose one, your normal becomes different. Where you may have called Mom every day and talked about nothing, now you can't because she's gone. Or, when you need help around the house and Dad was your go-to guy, once he's gone, you have to find another go-to guy. It all hurts, but we've accepted this as a 'normal' progression in our lives. Losing a child is not 'normal', not really anymore. I'm sure people would argue with me about child mortality rates of old, but in this day and age, with modern medicine etc, we in America, are not expected to lose a child. It does, however, happen. Once it happens to you, your 'normal' is completely obliterated. So trying to get back to it is impossible, because 'normal' doesn't exist anymore. <br />
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Me, being two years out from my son's death, I have a different perspective on 'normal'. My friend's recent loss has brought back a lot of issues for me, and shone light on things I didn't know were in the dark. I can look back and see that life does get 'normal'. Maybe my main problem with the phrase is the 'back to' part. You can't get back what is gone. The 'normal' life you had with your child in it is in the past, never to be lived again. Anything that happens after your child's death is part of a 'new normal', but not 'getting back to' normal. Eventually, you will realize this. 'Normal' falls around you, without you even realizing it. You look up one day and realize, "wow, six months, eight months, 12 months have gone by and I'm still here, without my child, but I'm still here and there's a routine"; your new 'normal'. <br />
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As I said, I've had an issue with the word 'normal' for years. Now, I guess I don't like 'back to' either.Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-73823531424150958432015-10-13T10:47:00.000-07:002015-10-13T10:47:47.759-07:00RedwoodsI haven't blogged or really written anything in forever. Life has changed dramatically for me in the last three years. To start with, Hubby and I started our own business. This caused him to move 30 miles away, to be with the business. I stayed in our hometown, with the kids. A year after we started the business, on June 23, 2013, our son passed away. I stayed in our hometown through our daughter's sixth grade year, ending in 2015, so she could go to a special science camp. This past August, our daughter and I finally moved back in with Hubby, in the town of our business. <div>
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Drastic upheaval in my life. This post isn't really about all of those changes. It's about the most significant change, though. A little over a month ago, my "oldest" friend, the friend I've known longer than anyone besides my family, also lost a son. J has lived out of state since 1989, when she moved away from me and crushed my soul. Just kidding. She moved right before our sophomore year of high school. It did crush me, as she'd been my bestest friend since 5th grade....but I digress. This post is about our losses. </div>
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Yesterday, I had the extreme pleasure and satisfaction of meandering through The Founder's Grove; a beautiful trail through some ancient redwood trees in N. California. I had a very moving experience. First of all, I realized my soul breathes in the mountains. I have loved camping since I was a child and always enjoyed getting up into higher elevations and cooler temperatures. It just occurred to me yesterday, though, that I find peace there as well. Peace has been a difficult commodity for me these last three years. It was a welcome epiphany. </div>
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Something else struck me, as I strolled the path through those beautiful redwoods. I found two trees, both damaged by fire, but with different wounds. One is J's tree, the other is mine. These trees reflect the story of our loss.</div>
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J's tree </div>
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J's tree is kind of hollowed out on the inside. The outside bark of the tree goes all the way around and there is a massive, charred cave inside. The rest of the tree grows up and out of it, reaching for the sun. For J, it was a sudden loss, hollowing out her core. The rest of her children and family cause her to stay strong and continue to function, while inside, her heart is blackened with despair. I spent a week with her between her son's accident and the funeral. I have spoken with her often since. She just came to visit me last week. She struggles every day. </div>
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My tree</div>
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My tree is also charred on the inside, and actually has a pass all the way through. It is more like a tripod, with more of its core missing. My loss was anticipated but completely devastating. We watched our special needs son decline over three months. With his loss, my entire life was ripped to shreds. I'd been his primary caregiver for 13 years. He was my life. My husband and daughter are my other two legs, keeping me standing, but my life's purpose is gone. When I saw this tree, I cried. I touched it's core and saw myself, my life. My life and my heart have been hollowed out. I continue to function because we have a daughter and business to run, but that is all I do, function. </div>
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J and are are both forced into the light by and for our families. We are strong women. We've had to be over the years, dealing with the challenges of our sons. We both have faced circumstances most people our age haven't. We've had to "grow-up" quickly. We are strong and mighty like the redwoods, and equally as damaged as these two specific trees. </div>
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In the quietness of the forest, surrounded by light and mist and trees, I saw a physical representation of my grief and loss. This tree resonated deep in my soul. The question now is, where do I go from here?</div>
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Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-55341065859778213132011-07-06T13:13:00.000-07:002011-07-06T13:44:34.569-07:00My first lace project<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I started my first real lace project in April. It was the Knit Picks Spring/Summer Seasons shawl from 2009 (?) It was a kit order, and I believe sold out fast. You can look at it on Ravelry <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seasons-shawl---spring-summer">here</a>. I ordered both the spring/summer and fall/winter. I just couldn't decide which I liked better.<br />I finished this near the end of June and just now got around to cleaning off my dining room table enough so I could block it. I'm hoping it dries by tomorrow night, so I can take it to my knitting guild meeting and show it off a bit. I'm just glad it's done. <div><br /></div><div>Here are a couple before shots:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglT5ycYPr68r4Sx4xVMCK43_oyBgloN9t60SL8-Q6xC3EdhSL6lbua1WT59E6hZa4N6TNQ_69zrEptnifN66iSQ6Qs98ovgyhm95tx3j075fo_HjOtLd3XJTAXUoD-AoDUht1p_Wvu4QY/s320/100_1593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342241436667010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvb_hTpwvU040BU-RwUp_8dVrSSzqfhmDBsrNmz1mNP-0TtxauO9gEvTg8UMVqVWPboYzx5STrrFm3hVGsC5Fu1Ix7CgQ_8Lf33R6nPMa7D5Z7pmynoTxNJCcVgZ-5eF8K5GgwZhLJAk/s320/100_1595.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342245659450514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And during blocking. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkP6h1aYIXmlWXNz7lOW0sCtWwzrQctpbAoFNzlLXJBAQqwR7m_1MCGqAAGbjrH2pC_baqybbaMyBcWTbkaME66MEpqa58_Vy0Q8zGpWSEX6_nXG3JRFP5ohitCzhjX3GXGj_zpN9AnE/s320/100_1598.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342268598983090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QHFLuj9cLKV8hDLcjalhfkcNonRc-BW412U96Jh8lwbCYqGaT56s6EN3QlXfyO_dpgyxAwlELKZNkdmamFWwsI9EXr0G6ICkZSIDZEKFjMnunSBVr8AolkdR5wZ6BK3XhgTkMh0Mwr8/s1600/100_1597.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QHFLuj9cLKV8hDLcjalhfkcNonRc-BW412U96Jh8lwbCYqGaT56s6EN3QlXfyO_dpgyxAwlELKZNkdmamFWwsI9EXr0G6ICkZSIDZEKFjMnunSBVr8AolkdR5wZ6BK3XhgTkMh0Mwr8/s320/100_1597.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342264862578306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyghnLM9Y7MPXB_yBZAwmaEc6xvyuiIf4hOqzx9z9EyGN80rE71Z79X7diIdBkixk1BJ56glHHa2l2inMGRxfhAimcvRcnlfyQrYQ1HsTuFBhD13Tz3znMuL4lAFEPMRmCWc5qqsOF9I/s1600/100_1596.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyghnLM9Y7MPXB_yBZAwmaEc6xvyuiIf4hOqzx9z9EyGN80rE71Z79X7diIdBkixk1BJ56glHHa2l2inMGRxfhAimcvRcnlfyQrYQ1HsTuFBhD13Tz3znMuL4lAFEPMRmCWc5qqsOF9I/s320/100_1596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626342258343858162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>It's always so remarkable how a lace project changes during blocking.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br />I also just got my very own swift.<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N2fcPH7bbvkdVUxxWigvyMYnOmdwt9OExhrAA2dTC1H-bC5p7X46mU7JQp3uWhBRn7j9PJklGPiRL6ayX2QPTR7J-_jrZ9hS2ebueCsLNYV2EmXqU_oFPNSALKiEl-ZIj15NRxm13zg/s320/100_1590.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626340333080582978" /><br />As a thank you for helping with my church choir, they were nice enough to give me a $50 Visa gift card. I've had my eye on a swift for a while, just never had the funds. Well, I used that special gift card, from some very special ladies, to get me something I've been wanting, but couldn't justify. With my new found love of lace, I need to be able to turn my hanks of yarn into usable cakes.<br /><br />This is some very lovely Alpaca Cloud, again from Knit Picks.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxR9_QNPVNzkQmbcdhZOIIq4HpBpu_mwvGbKbnGejXyd6GX85RcUE8NVbs3wZ9jkpAWPH8wr5JqB17jjq2WERNHCJAhlwTCzkFvU8IOmHlY_yr6nsAQHWZSePdnnwq0DosAMC7h3A8CEU/s320/100_1589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626340341369158434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0i7uJlrAm0tiCHIkcb5mCS_PRguEmqnzm2ON7W4Xywdimwo8ikNFQpy13F61TUbWxFuMduh79m3zS5uLEoB5pyDtSes6ih5RA8_ANOYnV7WCa9pSkyvpVWHCmaAjQQD1VZ6dxW-XxTI/s320/100_1592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626340337979793666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div> It will turn into a lovely birthday or Christmas gift for someone, depending on when it gets finished. Just in case she reads this, I'm keeping it a semi-secret.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>Once my shawl is dry, I'll try to post a better pic of it in it's natural habitat. </div></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-69962638330803901422011-03-23T08:55:00.000-07:002011-03-23T09:09:24.589-07:00A little yarn, but mostly waterI can't seem to find my camera. I have things that need to be photographed!! Ugh. I've been working on a mascot for myself as part of a Guild challenge for March. I would like to take pictures of it before I begin the felting process. <div><br /></div><div>I also bought some beautiful yarn yesterday at <a href="http://www.babettasyarnandgifts.com/">Babetta's Yarn and Gifts</a> and would like to upload pictures onto my Ravelry account. It's really yummy and I can't wait to find projects to make with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>What I'm working on now is a little snuggly suit for one of my dogs. It's going along pretty well. I hope to be finished with it today. I got stuck with the directions, but worked my way through. Which is a good thing, since I don't have anyone I can really ask for advice. </div><div><br /></div><div>The weather here is rainy. This is good, and bad. I live right against the Sacramento River, so whenever it gets high, there is some flooding, somewhere. Ideally, it happens where it's supposed to; in the weirs. I love this time of year for the new past time that is created: river watch. It starts with watching the river for debris. If you see debris coming down the river, that means it's on the rise. The rising waters have reached trees and such that were previously above the water line. Now they are getting carried away. Then there's Watching the River Level. There is a little building right next to the bridge that displays the current river level. People drive by all during the day, just to check the level. My dad started me on this when I was young. Once it reaches 63 feet or so, you don't just check the bridge, you also drive out over the Colusa Weir. There you can see more debris and admire how swift the river is. The third stage is when the Moulton Weir flows. Once the river hits around 66 or 67 feet at the Colusa Bridge, there is this additional weir that flows, blocking the road to Gridley. </div><div><br /></div><div>All this is fascinating right? Well, anyway, it is to me; a native Colusan. So, if you'll excuse me, it rained all night last night, so I've got a river level to check. </div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-71339169862365727902011-02-17T14:41:00.001-08:002011-02-17T14:59:05.851-08:00Not a leader<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>At the beginning of February, I discovered the closest group of the Knitting Guild. It meets in Rancho Cordova, which is Southeast of me, out of Sacramento. It takes at least an hour and a half if not longer, depending on traffic. I made the journey, during rush hour, on the first Thursday of this month. It was great! I joined up with the Camellia City Stockinettes that very night. <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Since then, I've been trying to figure out, and pin point, just why it was so fun. Besides being in a room full of knitting and yarn, what else drew me in? I came across the reason about a week ago. When I was there, I wasn't the teacher; I was the student. That doesn't happen very often for me. I have leadership-tendencies. This means, when I'm in any kind of setting, if no leader is apparent, I tend to step into that role. Partly because I was a teacher, in my former life. Also because of this wonderful organization I'm involved with called the International Order of the Rainbow for girls. Being in this group since I was 12, I learned how to lead. Also, in my church, I am the lead of our crochet group as well as co-leader of the worship committee. Not to mention that I am a stay-at-home mom of two children, one of whom is disabled. Now, I'm not an aggressive leader. I don't go out <i>looking</i> to lead. It just happens. So when I walked in to that school in Rancho Cordova, it was a relief <i>not</i> to lead; to just sit back and listen to <i>others</i> being in charge of things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>And also to learn. A knit-a-long started that night of the <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTclapotis.html">Clapotis</a> scarf from <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEw11/index.php">Knitty.com</a>. This is my first and I was anxious to begin. The next day I ordered some yarn:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXqgWvrNR6XpI2ykui32WnCHfQehrCyRlJElpg0ZPfRImIrjdn8TWT9rioafTvz9ywTnF3Imq6opZMIVlFRCLU-d9ak6Dz52PXw_3ogio59wrao4dvqU9QvSmt2aD-FCE0Cyt7ha78Dg/s320/100_1464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574795545808150258" /><div>Malabrigo Worsted in the colorway Velvet Grapes. Super pretty. I haven't worked with many high-end yarns yet and this stuff is great. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm looking forward to taking my progress on the Clapotis to the next Guild meeting. The first Thursday in March cannot get here too soon. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-26706829057068402642011-01-09T19:47:00.000-08:002011-01-09T19:56:32.609-08:00YikesWow, I didn't realize it had been so long between posts. I've been sick the last week or so and just super tired. I also have failed on several occasions to take photos of my fabulous quilt. I can say that with confidence, as the recipient has told me repeatedly how much she loves it. She goes to sleep under it, wakes up and wraps up in it and takes it with her most every where. <div><br /></div><div>The next project on my list is a stocking that has been five years in the making. I need to make my nephew a Christmas stocking. His sister has one and he doesn't. Top it off that he's my godson and it's just so much worse. His birthday is in two weeks. I have set that as my deadline. We'll see. It requires four items that are cross-stitched, then pieced together, with decorative, embroidered top-stitching. D'oh! I just packed up my daughters, that I could have posted some pics of. I also have a request from friends of ours to make THEM stockings. I started off making stockings for all the kiddo's in my life that were being born. Well, then, life caught up with me. Some have fallen by the wayside. The parents of one of my stocking recipients is placing a request on me to make some for them as well. I think this will be the year of the stocking. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are also going to be starting on making hats and scarves for some local homeless as part of my knit/crochet group. One of the outreach programs our church is part of is providing lunches to some local homeless. Our church takes a rotating responsibility, I'm not sure how often, maybe every three or four months. Our little knit/crochet group likes to do charity projects. This winter has been pretty cold here in the Sacramento Valley, almost unusually cold. Tomorrow I'm going to work on a hat and scarf proto-type for my group. </div><div><br /></div><div>Alright, enough blogging. Now, I've got to get down to some serious cross-stitching.</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-60023920449530850312010-12-17T18:44:00.000-08:002010-12-17T18:54:45.721-08:00EUREKAIT'S FINISHED!!!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> After a marathon effort, which included an additional trip to Yuba City and the local quilt store, lots of late night and so many puncture wounds I've lost count, the quilt is finished. It's in the dryer now, trying to get rid of all the loose threads. I finished it a new way, for me. The seam allowances are all exposed and snipped so they fray a bit when washed. It's cool, but a little messy with random threads. I may have to send it through the wash and dryer again. <div><br /></div><div>It doesn't matter at this point, though because it's finished. I'm quite impressed with myself. I got it done ahead of schedule! I need it by Sunday. It is done Friday night. This is a true Christmas miracle. </div><div><br /></div><div>(Never mind that I still have a dress to make for myself....that's completely beside the point). </div><div><br /></div><div>I am a perpetual procrastinator. I tell the story on myself that, when going through some old school papers of mine, I ran across one of my kindergarten report cards. It said something to the effect that "Lori is a hard worker, if she just didn't leave everything to the last minute." I have been fighting my natural procrastination tendencies for 30 years. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back to the dress I mentioned before. At this reception on Sunday, all the girls in our assembly are all wearing the same fabric. I have held off on sewing mine and have used all my sewing time on the quilt. Now, I can use my sewing time for my dress. I've got tonight and tomorrow night. Hubby just left to go to Pittsburg for the weekend, so I won't feel guilty about staying up until all hours of the morning sewing. Piece of cake. (Yeah, right). </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope to get some good pictures of the quilt tomorrow as well. If not, I will get some at the reception on Sunday, after it has been given to our special girl. I'm quite proud of myself. And quite relieved. Whew. </div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-22297006270357222102010-12-09T09:57:00.000-08:002010-12-09T10:10:24.790-08:00Silent, but busyI just realized how long it has been since I've posted anything new. I've been working my fingers to the bone, with several puncture wounds to prove it, on my mystery quilt. It is down to the wire now. I have a little over a week to get it finished. The good news is that I've farmed out several quilt squares, so I didn't have to do them all. I have done my fair share, don't get me wrong. I will count up the total tomorrow when I wash and iron them all in preparation for final assembly. I have purchased (what I think it) all the fabric and am now ready to begin putting this darn thing together. I'm a little anxious as I'm trying a technique that is new to me. It should go together much more quickly than a traditional quilt. I am not doing a separate front and back, then quilting them together. I am sewing everything together all at the same time, with the seams exposed (and fringed) on one side. As I have said before, I will post some pictures once the intended recipient has received it, and it is no longer a surprise. <div><br /></div><div>I have to say I'm quite impressed with the improvement in my embroidery skills over the course of this project. Upon its completion, this quilt will be the first one I've done in several years. I learned to sew in 4-H as a child, from my mother. She is a fabulous seamstress, from HER childhood. I didn't like it so much. I think this is due, in part, to my perfectionism. If I can't do something right away well, I get very frustrated. (Gee, and I wonder where The Girl gets that from). Sewing is something that takes time. I have come back to the joy of sewing through quilting, when The Little Man was little. ;) Once The Girl was born, time just kind of evaporated. I also got more into crochet and now knitting. My sewing/cross stitch days have become non-existent with the new love of all things yarn. I'm not a good one for balance in my crafting, apparently. Maybe that can be a resolution for next year. I still owe my soon-to-be five year old nephew a Christmas stocking. maybe this year, after the quilt. No promises though. </div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, now enough stalling, back to cleaning. 'Tis the season for hosting parties at Chez Rodrigues. Tonight is the first of just two this year. (It's a slow year for us). Hopefully, the next post will be pics of The Quilt, whose appearance date is Dec. 19. Wish me luck!</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-9865094412246927952010-11-09T21:37:00.000-08:002010-11-09T21:41:13.608-08:00SUCCESS!!!!!Finally! It's DONE! I stayed up until 11:30 last night, sewing up seams and sewing on pockets. I have a new kink in my neck labeled "The Girl's CPH". The pockets are a bit wonky, but The Girl loves it and wore it to school today! THAT, my friends, is true success. I will try to get her to stand still long enough to post some pics tomorrow. Woo! Now, onto my quilt squares......<div><br /></div><div>What? What's that you say? You hear that beautiful teal knit jersey fabric calling you as well?? I suppose I could fit sew that up into a quick formal before our Masonic event this Saturday. But shhhh.....don't tell the quilt squares!</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-61540807410827953522010-11-03T00:10:00.001-07:002010-11-03T00:13:24.242-07:00Grrrrr.....I was so close....really, just a couple more rows to go, when I did a count and realized I had too many stitches on my needle. Grr. I missed a decrease along the way. So......I had to rip back a good 20 rows or more. Luckily, it's getting smaller as I go. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a day of rest for my back and my knitting. This darn thing. It is the perfect weather around here for The Girl to be wearing it too. <div><br /></div><div>I really need to finish this up so I can start on my quilt squares. Those won't embroider themselves, you know! </div><div><br /></div><div>Goal for tomorrow: FINISH THIS DANG SWEATER!!!!!</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-23414607319177720012010-10-29T09:07:00.001-07:002010-10-29T09:19:42.588-07:00Alllllllmost there<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I am so close, I can taste it. The Girl's sweater is almost done. I'm to the sleeve cap on the second sleeve. Then it's just a matter of sewing it together....again, and adding on the pockets. Just in time for the rain. I didn't work on it quite as much as I had planned during The Little Man's hospital stay. He decided to give me a little scare the first day. He's fine, but his heart rate dropped to about 60 and his respirations were around 5-7 a minute. Just a little too relaxed for my taste. Also, the first day, I was no good to anyone, due to the lack of sleep. The night before surgery, it was a case of.....go to sleep for a bit, *wake up in a panic thinking I've over slept, hitting Hubby to ask the time (the clock was on his side), go back to sleep*, repeat from * until clock reads 4:30 a.m. I spent the rest of the day in a haze. I did work on it down there though. Last night, thanks to my lovely friend, Insomnia, I got to the bottom of the sleeve cap. Now to finish the rest off, which will take longer than I expect, of course.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>As for what's coming up next, I have NO idea. Actually, come to think of it, I do. I've got some quilt squares to work on. I won't say m</div><div>ore on that due to the surprise factor. (I highly doubt the intended recipient of this quilt even knows about this blog, let alone reads it, but I don't want to tempt the Craft Gods). Only a couple of months and I'll post some pictures. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>In the meantime, here is a pic of my last sleeve. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdvIBUlPpGLJKj0uFr1ao5axtCoAaQFSWCGOdSNy96fglUb7wsffhTQy7L9sJv4uJB5vc9K0vOTpKLpt7ggyyW59a4fCddUbrUcEXFG8Dgnvv-JhS50DPLzDai1z9c7vdG341WqTRejg/s320/Photo+on+2010-10-29+at+09.14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533502489093302978" /></div><div><br /></div><div> Not a very good one, but progress none-the-less. Don't mind the hair, I still haven't quite got my act together this morning. I'm trying to get excited about helping in The Girl's class this afternoon for the Halloween celebration. I'll get there. I'm also needing to get some more quilt squares cut for tomorrow. I have an all-day Rainbow Girl event that some of my helpers will be at. I'm hoping to off-load some of my quilt-square burden onto them. That it, IF I have quilt squares to give out. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, enough delaying. Time to get this day started, even though all I really want to do is build a fire, put in a movie and knit. Did I mention it's raining? Perfect day for crafting. Alas, it was not meant to be. Maybe next week. :)</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-74621896890431921922010-10-20T13:38:00.000-07:002010-10-20T13:59:16.555-07:00My weekendCrafting is still hit and miss with me. I'm trying to get back in the swing of things, getting something done every day. It's been hard. My back is still (figuratively) broken. I go for an x-ray tomorrow, with an MRI in my near future. Hopefully some successful treatment will come of all this. <div><br /></div><div>I'm still working on The Girl's sweater sleeves. The first is almost done, and I think it will fit. My goal is to finish it in the next couple of days so I can try it on Her before the weekend. I will have plenty of time to finish the other this weekend as my Little Man is going in for surgery on Friday and will be in the hospital at least until Sunday. This means, plenty of crafting time for me by his bedside. This surgery, his 8th by my count, is a planned one. He has a pump implanted in his belly, with a catheter running under his skin into his spinal column. It delivers a constant flow of Baclofen, (a muscle relaxer) to help ease his Cerebral Palsy symptoms. My Boy tends to be stiff as a board. The pump has made a HUGE difference in his life. It's hard to believe we've had it now for six years. The window for replacement of the battery on these pumps is anywhere from five to seven years. At his flow rate, we felt six years was a great time to replace it. Barring any unforeseen complications, we should be home Sunday or Monday. </div><div><br /></div><div>It has been four years since The Little Man has been admitted to the hospital. Quite an accomplishment. In the early years, we were there every few months. It was hard to imagine any other life. Now, it's amazing the life we have <i>without </i>hospitalizations. We actually HAVE a life. We have outside activities that all the members of the house are involved in. This surgery also marks the first time The Girl will experience him being hospitalized in her recollection. She was 3 the last time he was in and doesn't remember it. She's understandably worried, being such a caring soul. We are, by nature and experience, rather non-challant about it and trying to be as casual and non-worried as we can, to help ease her mind. There is always that little "what-if" monster that lives in a shack in the back corner of my mind. He peeks his head out every now and again, throws a few barbs, then retreats. I tend not to listen, except every so often, and usually only very late at night. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, back to crafting.....I'm sure I'll pack something else in my craft bag, besides The Sweater! Maybe my own! I should block it before I take it though, to make sewing the seams easier. I might leave that for a home project though. Maybe some more hanger covers or dish clothes for the craft faire. We'll see. I'll think about it tomorrow.</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-84066381114674244852010-10-05T14:22:00.001-07:002010-10-05T14:30:16.624-07:00Back issuesThe reason for the recent blog silence is physical injury. A couple weeks ago, I headed out to Eureka with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fam</span> to attend a workshop by Franklin Habit. On the way home from said vacation, I threw my back out. Since then, I have spent 90% of my time in bed, since sitting and standing really make me hurt. Today, I'm sitting long enough to check my email and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Facebook</span> before heading back to bed. The doc told me to double up my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">meds</span> and see if that helps. If not, it's looking like x-ray/MRI time again. (I had a similar problem back in '07). Nothing much besides exercise (gasp) will help, unfortunately. <div><br /></div><div>As far as crafting goes, last week, I didn't do anything! Ugh. So much for crafting everyday. I think the extenuating circumstances allow for that slip. I have felt up to crafting this week. I am working on a second sock for my Little Man, who is healing quite well from his buckle fracture of two weeks ago. I've got to rip out the sleeves of The Girl's sweater and re-knit them bigger. Ugh. Hopefully, they should work back up pretty quickly, since they are girl sized and not my sized. The unfortunate thing is that I got the sweater all sewn together before I realized the sleeves were too small. :( I won't make that mistake on MY sweater. I plan on pinning the sleeves up and trying them on before I get that far. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, that's that. My weekend in Eureka was really great! I loved the shop and Franklin. He was very nice and I learned a lot. Enough to want to tackle a lace project, as soon as I get some better needles for that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, enough sitting for now. Time to take it easy and rip out the second sleeve. The weather's turning and The Girl needs her new duds. Until I can sit again..........</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-47610746609372650182010-09-22T23:14:00.001-07:002010-09-22T23:26:16.520-07:00DramaI have a special needs son. He is ten. He has had a LOT of hospitalizations over the course of his ten years. These last four, he hasn't been in the hospital. I can't even think of a time he went to the ER. He's been on antibiotics and been to the doctor but not to a hospital. That changed last night. Yesterday evening, my hubby and I discovered that his leg was tender. We've been through this before with him, 8 years ago, and thought it was the same thing. It was. He suffered a buckle fracture of his right femur. Ouch! We had him transported by ambulance to our local hospital and then transported again down to Sacramento to a bigger hospital. We left our home town at about 2 in the morning. We got home right around 7. All in all, a nice short trip. As I was preparing to go to Sac, I gathered the usual items: purse, clothes for The Boy, medical cards, yarn.<div><br /></div><div>I was thoroughly prepared to sit for 12 hours like we did last time. I grabbed my homework for my knitting workshop, a couple balls of cotton to work on more padded hanger covers and my needles and hook. I barely had time to do my homework and the ER docs were shipping us out. Not that I'm complaining. It's a little hard to concentrate at 5 in the morning on much of anything, let alone crochet, but I was game. So instead, we got to come home. The Boy got a brace and a prescription and I barely got my homework done. (Technically, I still have to bind off, but who's counting?) </div><div><br /></div><div>After coming home, both The Hubby and I took a nap and then around noon, got on with the rest of our day. Mine was taking care of The Boy and fielding phone calls and visits and a little bit of vegging out. I did get some knitting done tonight. I picked up an knit about three rows of the edging on The Girl's sweater. I finished the hood last night, after a couple tries, and I think it looks good. I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, it's off to bed for some much needed sleep. </div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-37770796485197958812010-09-20T10:56:00.000-07:002010-09-20T11:05:20.597-07:00So far, so goodThis weekend, I took The Girl to cheer at her Mighty Might football game. Pre-game and during the first half, I crocheted another padded hanger cover. I just need to sew it together on the hanger. I was also able to get in some knitting on the hood for her sweater Sat and Sun. <div><br /></div><div>This morning, after helping to get her out the door for school, my back needed a little more time to wake up, so I got in another couple rows on the hood. </div><div><br /></div><div>This upcoming weekend, I am attending a workshop by <a href="http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/">Franklin Habit</a> on lace knitting in Eureka. It's about a 5 hour drive from here. I don't think I've been to Eureka as an adult. I know I went through as a kid, but it's been a good 20+ years. I'm sooooo looking forward to it. There are three workshops by Franklin; knitting lace, knitting lace edging, and photography of your fiber. I also get a chance to check out NorthCoast Knittery, the LYS that is hosting this weekend of loveliness! I just can't even express how excited I am about this weekend. I've never taken any kind of knitting (or crochet) class. I'm also looking forward to the scenery, and the trees too! I've got a little homework to do for the edging workshop, but I'm putting it off for a bit. I've got to get something finished for the photography section, so I have something to photograph! I don't know if The Girl's sweater will be near done enough or if I should focus on a teddy bear I've had languishing in No Man's Land for a while. We'll see what the week brings. </div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-81500279021893908182010-09-17T17:48:00.000-07:002010-09-17T17:53:08.684-07:00SuccessI finished a padded hanger cover and put it on the hanger. Plus, I finally bit the bullet and tackled the shoulder seams of The Girl's sweater. Turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. I then proceeded to start on the hood, picked up the required number of stitches and am moving forward. That wasn't as scary as I thought, either. <div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow The Girl is cheering at a football game, so I will either take The Little Man's sock, that has been wasting away in space, or start another hanger cover. I'm making some hangers for the local craft fair. The Girl goes to a private Catholic school and they are having a booth at the craft fair this year. I'm planning on either knitting or crocheting some dish clothes as well. All in all, a successful crafting day. Yay me!</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-45499973458706259992010-09-17T08:38:00.000-07:002010-09-17T11:00:23.988-07:00(almost) failureThe first day of my challenge and I almost didn't make it. Life happened yesterday and the time I thought I would get to craft, I didn't. I thought I'd have some extra time last night, before my board meeting, to do a little crochet. Instead, I had just enough time to eat my dinner. Then, after my board meeting, I attended a reception and didn't get home until late. Migraine struck on the drive home, but I managed to crochet a couple of rounds on a padded hanger cover I keep in my purse for those fifteen minute waits we all have. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aWPPgZZIQ8gOrHenj6K8qpAkGtCFyqLeVzk1ERHxMRost0dPKk0pYQCMZWNAUuKMdSiYoGlr3a8EA3DaWdVWXCJe8RXyytcKF942NkK1L6AqMnzfEn8jeVgi5NzgIhfsvYxuRd6Tz5Y/s1600/100_1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aWPPgZZIQ8gOrHenj6K8qpAkGtCFyqLeVzk1ERHxMRost0dPKk0pYQCMZWNAUuKMdSiYoGlr3a8EA3DaWdVWXCJe8RXyytcKF942NkK1L6AqMnzfEn8jeVgi5NzgIhfsvYxuRd6Tz5Y/s320/100_1384.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Today, I'm waiting for my muscle relaxer to kick in before I sit and start to work on my daughter's sweater. I <i>need</i> to start working on it, because I have to pick up an ton of stitches around the neck for the hood. And Lord knows that hood isn't going to knit itself! <br />
<br />
I would at least like to get the shoulders seamed and possibly the first row or two of the hood started. My house, unfortunately, also needs some attention. I've got to do a little here and there, though I doubt my back will allow for much more today. <br />
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Staring at my computer screen isn't getting anything done any faster. Time to get a move on....or at least a shuffle.Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-85677761378037509612010-09-16T11:05:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:29:16.916-07:00a challengeRecently (just today in fact) I was motivated by a sort-of cousin of mine. (I think she's a cousin. First, second, once or twice removed....I have no idea. She's actually from my hubby's side of the family, but I digress....) She has a lovely website, <a href="http://www.tresbebe.com/">Très Bébé Photography</a>, and has asked if my family would be part of her next project, <a href="http://www.tresbebe.com/blog/categories/12:12-project/">12:12</a>. That wasn't the inspiration. The inspiration came from her previous project, <a href="http://www.tresbebe.com/blog/categories/365-days-in-the-life-of-a-photographer-mom/">365 days in the Life of a Photographer Mom</a>. This got me thinking. Maybe <b><i>I</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> could do something similar. </span></b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The OCD part of my brain wanted to wait and start on October 1st. Heck, it would be happy to just start on a Monday, not a random Thursday, but another part of my brain (which part, I'm not sure) said, "NO! We're starting NOW!". So here goes.</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">MY challenge is to post something crafty every day. That means, I need to actually <i>do</i> something crafty. I am a fairly crafty person. I knit, crochet, sew, cross stitch.... Theoretically it shouldn't be difficult to do <i>something</i> every day. Posting it might be more of a challenge, but I'll cut myself some slack and allow for post-posting (is that even a word?) Posting after the fact.... I already know there will be days I'm without a computer. As long as I physically craft everyday, the posting can come as it will. My challenge, my rules. :)</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><div>Right now, I'm staring at the pieces of my daughter's sweater. I finished up the pockets yesterday, washed the pieces and blocked them. Now, they are dry and I'm procrastinating the next step. This is my first sewn-together sweater. The OCD part of my brain (curse it) is afraid of doing it wrong. So I've been researching technique online. But let's be honest and call it what it really is.....stalling. Now, I've done this blog.....another stalling technique. That OCD part, let's call it Susan, as in Lazy Susan, is a real pro. She's got her technique down pat. I've got a few other things to do before starting on the sweater. Then, I'm kicking Susan to the curb. </div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-39026697265583393312010-05-03T15:55:00.000-07:002010-05-03T16:06:51.515-07:00Rant*Disclaimer* This is my blog. I have opinions. They might differ from yours. If so, and you don't like what I have to say, don't read. No one is forcing you to read my opinion. So there. <div><br /></div><div>That being said, I have a rant. My son is in a wheelchair. We drive a van with a wheelchair lift that loads from the passenger side. When I park this van, I need to park in a handicapped space that had a loading zone on the right. These are hard to come by. Especially when going to places like medical facilities or shopping centers. There never seem to be enough handicapped parking spaces. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today, I took The Boy to a doctor's appointment in Sacramento. I parked in a handicapped space with a smallish loading zone. I made it work. When I came out after his appointment, a new car was parked next to me. This car had decided to park IN the loading zone, most likely to unload someone out of the passenger side. I was totally peeved, to say the least. I had to move The Boy several spaces down, park him, alone, and reverse to move into a new spot where I could load him. Luckily for me, a car had moved and I was able to find a nearby spot to load. </div><div><br /></div><div>Several things about this irk me. One: I can only park on the lowest level. My van is too tall to park on the upper levels. I have limited spaces available to me. Two: I HAVE to have a loading zone on the right. Three: a car can park on ANY level, it just may not be as convenient. Four: Since I was traveling alone, I had to leave my son unattended, in the open, while I moved the van. VERY SCARY! I was so peeved, I left a note on the offending car's windshield. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you know me, I get mad, and curse and moan, but I usually don't do much about it. I am a pretty patient and accommodating person. For me to leave a note is pretty extreme. I even signed my name to it. It makes me shake just thinking about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>People are so inconsiderate and self-centered most of the time. Most of the time, I roll with it. When it affects my child, especially my HANDICAPPED child, it really bugs me. Life is hard enough without having to deal with stupid stuff like that. I wish people would just stop to think about someone else once in a while. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Annoying. grrrrr...... Okay, shake it off. Let it go. Move on. But, the next time you're thinking about pulling into that handicapped spot for just a second, or if you DO need a handicapped parking spot, consider the van that needs to park there, before you take the ONE spot that has a side entry. Just think. </div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-60586916774637673672010-05-02T21:51:00.001-07:002010-05-02T22:06:10.381-07:00I'm backSo I believe it's been about a year, or just over, right? I'm going to start doing this again. Why? I have no idea. Will anyone read this? I doubt it. But, I need to keep these creative writing juices going. <div><br /></div><div>First off, I have made two pairs of socks successfully for The Boy. The first two socks were not the same size, but luckily, his feet aren't either. The second pair is much closer. I have just cast on a third pair this afternoon. I'm anticipating a long wait in a waiting room on Wednesday and figured a sock would be easy to pack along. Though, come to think on it, I also have a second mitten that needs finishing...... After the second pair of socks, I had an entire skein of yarn left. It was so soft and warm as socks, I reckoned I'd make a pair of mittens. I've had to design my own, based off a pattern I found on Ravelry. I lost the pattern at one point, so, naturally, I began <i>another</i> project, and the mittens got put down. I have since found the pattern, but become obsessed with something else. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, you may be thinking, "It's spring, almost summer. You live in Northern California. It gets over 100° there in July/August. Why mittens?" Well, since you asked ;)..... My son has....issues. One of his issues is cold hands and feet, all the time. Even when it's over 100°. This is what spurred me to knit. I needed to make socks that fit his feet and kept him warm without being tight and making his toes purple. This necessity for knitting has become an all-consuming passion. I really enjoy it. It also bears telling that I enjoy a challenge. When I had tried knitting in the past and failed....well, that just didn't set well with my brain. I had to give it a try again. (Just like my homemade macaroni and cheese obsession...but that's another ball of yarn all together).</div><div><br /></div><div>I will save my new knitting project (besides the socks and mittens :) ) for another post. That way I have something to write about. Plus, it isn't put together yet. I have a hard time with that. The Final Stage. Actually <i>finishing</i> things. I love to plan, and imagine and begin....but finishing..... I have a lovely cross-stitched calendar that I made for myself, gosh, 15 years ago. I still haven't managed to sew the damn thing together yet. I keep saying, "Maybe this year." </div><div><br /></div><div>Alright. Time to go take care of The Boy and take The Dogs out. Then, try for some sleep. The next few days are busy, but I hope to be back before another year goes by. </div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-66055215382035489632009-04-27T14:40:00.000-07:002009-04-27T14:42:34.211-07:00If you write it, they will comeNot to totally rip off a famous movie quote, but I needed an intro.<div><br /></div><div>No one has read this yet. I just keep writing, figuring someday, someone WILL read this.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am frustrated at my lack of ability to find a FIVE PACK of double pointed needles. I have FOUR packs, which just aren't good for socks. Yes, I'm still trying to find a way to knit socks. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's all I have to say about that.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-31756235846992513982009-04-22T14:47:00.000-07:002009-04-22T15:01:00.295-07:00New ProjectsI am sort of between projects right now. I think I've finished most of my hanger covers. I've given up on the socks for now. I don't have any baby blankets to be working on. The only thing I have in the hopper, so to speak, is an afghan for my aunt. She's asked me to make a replacement afghan. apparently, one of my great aunts made one for my grandmother. My aunt has been using this one for years and it is finally wearing out. I have been selected to make it's replacement. She's picked a really easy pattern, but not so easy that it's boring. Also, I say easy, knowing full well I had stitched and ripped out one row four times before I got it right. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><div><br /></div><div>I have been a little preoccupied with the rest of my life. Recently, I've signed on to do a 3 Day, 60 mile walk for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. My sister-in-law and I are doing it in honor of our mothers. Both of them have been diagnosed with and treated (successfully) for breast cancer. I've been trying to schedule extended walking into my schedule. I am not in shape, by any stretch of the imagination, so I've been just walking 3 miles a day. Now, I'm up to 4. Even though it's not a whole lot, I've still got to carve out an hour and a half for walking. Considering I've only got a couple hours a morning without children, and without waking up at the crack of dawn, my time is precious. i am NOT a morning person, but I'm afraid I'm going to become one. The only upside is that I'm slimming down, which is fab. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The moral of this tale is that my craftiness has taken a slight backseat. I've got three stockings I've got to make, so that will be the next project. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span></div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, I work on my aunt's afghan. Oh! and i've got to make flowers for my hanger covers. Just as soon as I find a decent pattern........<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-41520218010537392682009-03-24T21:10:00.000-07:002009-03-24T21:59:19.289-07:00Those *&#!@ socks<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Socks, socks, socks</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I've been trying to work on knitting some socks for my son. I got this great book for knitting both socks at the same time on two circular needles. The directions are clear and it's been pretty easy. Until tonight. Somehow, I've managed to get tangled, every time around. So now, the socks look like this:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpXoHSYNtpcO6_rBpeHsd5UlA_1Ey2qiVSy4oNCLPr07EmDXrjOHnwqBu8a6QlMmW_CXHeW_p5aWBc7AFoNfX-0-Iu3nAmD3NJv_t2Do3VJbjQo7llXbaUO7B5qYzX6I0qb5n-vRQkq0/s320/100_0616.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316977240493051538" /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, as you can see, the scissors are standing by just in case there is an emergency. I'm highly tempted to rip the whole thing out and start over on double pointed needles. I don't have an outrageous amount of time invested..... Maybe tomorrow.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:large;">Baby blanket</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As I was uploading pictures of those darn socks, I found a picture of my favorite baby blanket. This was just the beginning, but you might be able to see the pattern emerging. Maybe next time I'll manage to get a picture of the completed blanket. They say hope springs eternal.....</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJo89gkCe4h3c7sDORY9TZl1Ijmjr8p-38Mul2X1H-Oo-Oey9I2T671Sh-ZBVUNNqNiRC4jEFynUrDDHpWxNoikWzXAMX3n9z6EoI1QYWOHXrDiFlIUvqcm8tEbyLlP8AWpW05b9WvU1U/s1600-h/100_0560.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJo89gkCe4h3c7sDORY9TZl1Ijmjr8p-38Mul2X1H-Oo-Oey9I2T671Sh-ZBVUNNqNiRC4jEFynUrDDHpWxNoikWzXAMX3n9z6EoI1QYWOHXrDiFlIUvqcm8tEbyLlP8AWpW05b9WvU1U/s320/100_0560.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316980797647209186" /></a><br /></div><div>So that's the blanket. It took some time to get that darn picture posted, so I hope it was worth it. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Crochet Guild</span></span></div><div>I was too chicken tonight to mention to my crochet group my idea for starting a chapter of the Crochet Guild of America. I thought of it, but just couldn't bridge the fear. Maybe next week. I'm still thinking about it. How far do I really want to take this group? What is my goal and purpose? I guess I'm questioning that. How much can I take on? As it is, I've started this group. I signed up to do the 3 Day walk (and having to raise $2,300 to do so), which may turn into being a team leader. I've decided to join Easter Star, which is a women's group. I take my niece to her Rainbow meetings and am on the Advisory Board there. I sing in the church choir, which meets once a week. My daughter goes to a private Catholic school where I volunteer once a week and have to fundraise for. She's also a Daisy Girl Scout. Oh, and yeah, I am married to a man whom I hardly ever see and have two kids, one of which has special needs. Can I really add 'start a chapter of Crochet Guild of America' to my to do list and do a good job? Then the other side of my brain kicks in and says, "but would it be any different than what you're doing now??" You can see how I'm torn. I'll research it and see what is involved. I'm spreading myself too thin, trying to find what I'm good at and what I'm passionate about. I need to narrow my focus. Seeing it all written out is a little frightening. And I'm sure there's more that I could add to the list. I keep thinking of more. Too much. too much. I've got to scale back. somehow. If you have any ideas, let me know.<br /></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439592820158267363.post-4195003195665446332009-03-23T15:26:00.000-07:002009-03-23T15:41:08.837-07:00Finished blanket, started socks etc.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Crafty things</span></div><div><br /></div>In usual style, I finished my baby blanket, and didn't take a picture. I was crocheting on that thing up until the very last minute. Then it was a mad dash to get it stuffed in a pretty baby gift bag and high tail it over to the baby shower. Of course, that left no time for pictures. Oh well. Maybe next time. I'm sure there is someone else I know that is going to have a baby.<div><br /></div><div>As for my socks, they are going.....slowly. I just can't seem to get interested. i'm going to finish them, however, because I have started them. Maybe they're going slow because I know they're for me. This first pair, at least, are in the pattern for a grown up woman. I figured I'd start there, then adapt them for my son, once I knew what the heck I was doing. We'll see.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have some hanger covers that need to get finished. I've been working on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">those things</span> for two years now. I've given myself the deadline of this year. They must be done by the time the choir starts back up in September. (They are covers for padded hangers. They will eventually find their way down to the church for our choir robes. This way, everyone can have their own individual, padded, covered hanger. Ooo la la!)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Other things.....</span></div><div>I am beginning to train for a 3 day, 60 mile walk for breast cancer. As my daughter would say "Wow-ee Kazow-ee". It's in October in San Francisco. I'm trying to figure out when I have time to do all my house work, knit/crochet, and walk in one day. I guess this means I'm going to have to wake up before the butt-crack of dawn to get my mileage in. I should be walking 3 miles on one walk at this stage in my training. I can do it, but it takes an hour. In a few weeks I have to increase my mileage to 4, then 5 etc. Time will run short very quickly. I hate getting up early, but I'm scared of the dark and most of my evenings are booked with meetings. <sigh> Oh well. It will work out some how.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I've got to figure out how I'm going to get to my daughter's Daisy meeting in Arbuckle (20 min away), by 6. Plus, get the laundry done and dinner accomplished. Shoot, the kid should have been in the bathtub 30 minutes ago! Jeesh. Can't we just add a couple hours to the day already??</div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295664512266658035noreply@blogger.com0