Dream a little dream.....

It's been a roller coaster ride here and I'll spare details to the public.

I've been trying to focus on my passions, knitting and spinning, and while doing so I thought about why I turn to them when I'm stressed. For me, it's the soothing sound of the needles, click, click click. The feel of the soft wool through my fingers. The whirl of the wheel and how amazing it is (even in this day and age) to produce a lovely skein of yarn no matter how imperfect.

In the meantime when life hands me lemons I will turn to dreamsicle ice cream ;).

What do you focus on when stressed? Why?

He's on the Run

Mr. Bettis has a problem, he sprained his right foot. Don't even ask how 'cos I have no idea.

He has pills that he mistakes for treats (eyeroll here). He's also on bedrest....uh...yeah...try that one. As the saying goes around here, "ain't never gonna happen."

All was fine until the squirrel climbed the tree in the backyard and the neighbor's dog 'jumped bail' (as we call it) and entered Mr. B's domain. Bedrest went out the window and the big oaf was racing and ripping through our yard while I'm yelling like a banshee warrior. I'm sure it's quite entertaining for anyone within earshot. On the other hand, they're probably accustomed to it.
Mr. B will be up to his usual antics in no time flat *sigh*.

Apples to apples

I received a few things on Saturday but the hubby confiscated them until yesterday so I could open them on my birthday.
First up this hilarious card from G. Oh my gosh, I laughed out loud when I pulled the card from the envelope.

Thank you Gaylen for the hearty laugh and birthday wishes :D.











Next up was a thoughtful and delightful gift from Grace. A comical book of knitting that is sure to bring a smile and another good laugh.
And look at the little gnome. I've wanted to knit one of these for awhile but I've never gotten around to getting one finished.
I've dubbed him, Mr. Apple due to his clothing choice and the apples that accompanied him. Thank you Grace. He is perched on the antique cookstove keeping watch.

Let Me Eat Cake

It's my birthday :D.
My eldest daughter gave this gift to me, a trifle dish and the ingredients to make my own birthday dessert.
I've wanted an excuse to make this dessert for a long time so here it is....









Mocha Tiramisu. It's resting in the fridge right now.
Thank you DD, Love ya!

Kaput

It's a beautiful fall day today and I had every intention on enjoying it. However Mr. Murphy (as in Murphy's Law) had another idea.



DH threw a load in the washer, left only to return to the clothes soaking wet. What?? So he tried the spin cycle again. Nothing. Next thing I knew there was smoke. "Houston? We have a problem. Shut down."

So here it is, a wet load of laundry and I'm debating on wringing it by hand as my ancestors did or slamming the lid and saying the heck with it all. I'm opting for the LOUD SLAM! hrmph!

Not to say too much here but due to the last 2 yrs of a dying economy the money pig residing at this house starved to death so there's no crystal ball sighting of a new washer. Add in the ongoing medical saga...*sigh* and Life just continues to spiral downward.

A definite bright spot is a 'kid' who remembers my birthday, snags a card from the card drawer before she leaves for college and sends it well in advance of the actual birthday.

The college DD wrote a beautiful message and included a 'coupon' for a homemade meal and handmade ring markers when she gets home. I can't wait :D. Thank you DD, love ya!

Let the Party Begin

My birthday hasn't arrived yet however that hasn't stopped friends and family from sending packages and cards :D. Unlike me who's still playing catch-up with the Post Office.

I'll begin with Chan's package that arrived today. Mr. Bettis was sniffing the box before I had it opened. How did he know there was something for him?






Sure enough there was something, scrumptous cookies just for the gang. They were begging and if I could've juggled the camera and the treats there would've been pics.















I gave them the treats so I could open the rest of the package in peace (just like kids you know). A beautiful...correction...drop-dead gorgeous skein of Creatively Dyed yarn named for my hometown. Red, purple, blue and of course PANK, how perfect is that? This is begging to be cast on and I'm concerned I won't allow it time to ferment with the rest of the stash...LOL

A bag of Lindnor Truffles Halloween treats was included although Mr. Bettis thought they also belonged to him. See his nose? I had a tough time getting him away from the candy so I could take the picture.
Lindnor Truffles are my favorite candy ever!!


About the card; I was on the phone with my mother (a Basset Hound care-taker) and when I opened the card I laughed so hard I was crying.

This is so perfect from Chan, the Knight and the Girls. Thank you so much for the wonderful gifts. Sending pooch hugs and kisses (and my own hugs) to You and the Crew.



More to come tomorrow.

A Birthday Son

Thirty-seven years ago today, my eldest son was placed into my arms and it was love at first sight. We grew up together through his childhood and somehow we survived the teen years ;).
Football, baseball, swim meets and band occupied our years. The years flew by and now he is a husband and father.
To My Son-You are loved because of the little boy you were, the man you've become and the son you will always be.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON! We Love You.









My son and his daughter last year

P.S. I know you appreciated my attempt to sing the Happy Birthday song early this morning. Hope it stays with you all day ;).

A dance, a frog and a flamingo

It's been awhile since I posted anything about 'The Kid" so I'll give a little update.

She attended a Garba dance with some of her dorm friends. One of her friends was kind enough to lend her a beautiful traditional dress. The dorm floor was bustling as they got ready for their "prom" as they called it.
She called later to tell us how much she enjoyed the evening event.










Her GPA qualified for her induction into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars so of course we attended the ceremony on Sunday afternoon. It was a short nice ceremony which gave a little more visiting time.
She insisted on a pose with Jim Henson and Kermit on campus after the ceremony. She hasn't been off campus for 4 weeks and it will be another 5 weeks until we can get her home. We took her for a stroll in a local mall and re-stocked her snack supply.






Our conservative thinker in her funky cozy 60's style room. Ya gotta love those flamingo lights....LOL

I do have a few finished knitting projects but they're for another post.

Friends & Fiber

Sipping my coffee anxiously waiting to leave for a fiber festival. Chan will be there and although I've talked to Anita on the phone this will be my first meet-up with her.
I am so excited and can hardly wait.


I'll leave you with a small sample of finished knitting. An Annis from Knitty only in mini form. It only took a day to make this little baby and I love it. There will be more on the needles.









I'm off here now to have some fun and for the rest of my friends who couldn't make it, I'll be thinking of you. Maybe next year?

p.s. Mr. Bettis's attorney is hereby on notice just in case he can't behave. Since you can't be here to meet up with us Jessi, keep an ear out for a frantic BARK! ;)

Trick or treats

It's a good thing I have friends. I'm a bit of a scatter brain these days and this post has been a long time in coming. Thanks Nic ;).

A while back we entered a contest on Lapdog Creations blog and we WON! Bright Bites dental dog treats were the prize.

Mr. Bettis & Gang were sniffing the box before I even opened it. Notice he's licking his chops and I haven't opened the bags yet. I've never seen the gang so excited over a box.
Bright Bites included a large dog collar (which was put on Mr. B immediately) and a book of 101 dog tricks. I had to laugh because teaching Mr. B tricks is a feat in and of itself but we're going to try. A lovely handwritten note was also enclosed.

Miss Gypsy pretending she's not really interested but she had her snout in there right before I snapped this one.

They LOVED the treats. Thank you Nic and fur-babies and a special thank you to Bright Bites for the fantastic product and extra goodies.

Miss Molly truly loved the treat. She's a bit pouty these days. Her owner is in college and she spends her days with her favorite toy and trying her best to keep Mr. Bettis in line *sigh*. Sometimes it's a lo-o-ong day around here.

A new do

I was in need of a haircut. Correction. I was in desperate need of a haircut. I kept putting it off (like I do with most things) until I couldn't stand it.
I love the 1940's styles but I trust my hairdresser to do what's best with my hair, facial lines and age (of course).
She did an awesome job. We're waiting for a bit more length but after I went home and took a good look at this style, I'm afraid it's a keeper. I even received a nice compliment from the DH.
Usually after a haircut I ask if he notices anything different and after his failed attempts at "...is that a new top? new hair color?" he finally guesses correctly and then mumbles a feeble, "oh that's nice." This time was different.
Thanks Laura, you're the best.

My sock knitting mojo has returned. Feeling the need of knitting satisfaction, I grabbed the container of scrap sock yarn and cast on. These babies were so fascinating and fun I couldn't put them down. They were finished in 4 days! I think that's a record for me. I have no idea why it is so fulfilling for me to make something from scraps. Probably my frugal upbringing.
The DD quickly put her mark on them for Christmas. Speaking of the C word, I need to get those elves down here pronto! There are gifts to be finished.

Let's Roll........

May we never forget the heroes and those who died in a terrorist act 9 years ago. This will remain a wordless post while you reflect where you were and what you were doing when you first heard or saw these attacks on our land. I know I'll never forget.
May God Bless America!

Into the Nook II

I'm hooked on the DD's Nook. We bonded then had to go our seperate ways when the Nook headed off to college. Hope it's not too stressful, it may have to come here for an extended visit.

While the Nook was here, it's owner decided it needed a home so I whipped up a sleeping bag. It has a soft flannel lining and fleece between the lining and outer fabric. I put plastic canvas between the outer fabric and the fleece for stability and to protect the screen.

A button loop closure and contrast binding complete the Nook Look.

The Nook's owner was thrilled with the new sleeping bag and is now requesting a wardrobe of sleeping bags.

sshhhh......the Nook is sleeping.......

Into the Nook

Hubby left after work for the 2 1/2 drive to pick up the college DD for the holiday. On the way home they stopped at a Barnes and Noble so she could check out the Nook. She saved her hard earned money this summer to pay for her textbooks etc and she had a little set aside in case she could purchase something for herself.
She researched so much I wondered if ereaders would be obsolete before she made the purchase.
I could hardly wait for her to get home to play with the new toy. Oh yeah, I wanted to see her too ;).
After a list of rules i.e. no sticky fingers, fingerprints, no drinks etc, I was permitted to play with it. mmm....Role reversal, maybe?
I told her she could leave it here when she goes back to school on Monday. After all, she has SO much studying to do and certainly won't have time for a relaxed read.

This little baby is awesome. I want one. I think I need to get some chickens so I have egg money to set aside.

The Move

Yesterday was spent on the road to move the college DD into her dorm to begin another year.
Thank goodness the heat and humidity held off for another day (unlike last year when we moved her into the unairconditioned 8th floor).










My parents offered to drive their van and it's a good thing, she took everything but my kitchen sink.
Last year she shared a triple room which was very cramped. Although she and her roommates did the best they could it was tight quarters.
This year she shares a double and has one of the largest rooms on her floor. It's perfect because she spends a lot of time studying in her room and by the time she was finished decorating it had a homey atmosphere.

She's a hop skip and a jump to the diner which is another plus. The stadium is behind her back door which seemed to be a bigger plus to her than the diner ;). She's a huge sports fan.
Unpacking was smooth and efficient. We took her to a local diner for a late lunch and then said our goodbyes *sniff*. (Don't tell her, but I'm gonna miss this kid)

She called last evening and was spending her time watching a movie and knitting. That's my kid.....LOL

Why?

Guess who I found taking an afternoon nap in the clothes basket?

I have taken notice our dear felines never sleep on dirty clothes. They always choose the baskets of clean clothing and I want to know why?

ggrrr......

Grounded!

It's been a rough week. So what is a disabled knitter to do when she finds a beautiful pattern on ravelry and the yarn is downstairs in the stash room?
Answer: Find a way to get down there to get what I obviously needed.
Hubby was on the computer in the living room totally oblivious and the youngest daughter was at work. Those two are like prison guards, trust me, so if they're busy I'm F-R-E-E!

Charlie and Chuckie crutch and I went for a nonchalant stroll down the hall and quietly opened the basement door. Took me a moment to figure out how I was going to get down there but my little mind quickly had a solution, sit and scoot on the steps. Woo-Hoo! I had a plan.

I made it to the stash room, grabbing an empty yarn tote I quickly filled it. Suddenly I heard the youngest daughter upstairs talking. WHAT? She wasn't to be home for another hour!
I hobbled over to the stairs in a bit of a panic. Seriously? Why was I in a panic? I'm an adult and can do what I want. hrmph!

Now here's where I didn't think my plan through from beginning to end. How do I get up the stairs? If I exit the back door and come into the kitchen I'm doomed. The family will know I've been downstairs. I hung the bag of yarn on Charlie (or was it Chuckie?) and leaned on the two of them to climb the 14 steps. Took a bit of maneuvering but we made it to the top. Just as I opened the door who was standing there?
The college daughter. Hands on her hips and asking the inevitable question, "just what do you think you're doing? Da-a-ad? Mom was downstairs."
Tattletale!


So I'm grounded. I think there's been a bit of a role reversal around here and that will be corrected immediately :).
At least I have the yarn I wanted, various colors of wool to knit this scarf. I'm making great progress but you should see my knitting corner in the living room.
In the meantime, I'm content with this project....well...at least for awhile ;).




Tonite I'm indulging in a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Mint chocolate chip and just plain ole chocolate chip ice cream are my favorite flavors.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

He forgot?

I got out of the house! woo-hoo! We went to walley world to get the prescription filled.
The DH parked me, chuck and charlie crutches on a bench by the pharmacy while he waited in a very long line. As he neared the register he turned to me and mouthed the words, 'when is your birthday?' Keep in mind that I was 'parked' approximately 10+ feet from where he stood. I quietly told him the date. The DH has a hearing problem which he adamently denies but trust me, he has one.

He then leaned forward and said, "huh?" I told him once again thinking he could also read lips. Obviously not.
He asked one more time and this time I said the date loud and clear omitting the year which I wasn't about to say.
He asked, "what year?" and I promptly told him, "two years from your's" and he loudly confirmed it by stating the year.
He then turned and said, "are you sure? I thought your birthday was on the __th."

Dear husband, I do believe I know my own birthday.
I'm a bit suprised he didn't go to the front service desk and have it broadcast on the pa system.
My DH had no idea the snickers coming from the line after all he was on a mission. Sometimes I just have to laugh.

I couldn't allow this post without a little color. This was dyed before the fall.

It's getting hot and humid here again and I've cast on more projects.

Wonder how Chuck and Charlie Crutch would feel about knitted coverings? :D

Anyone remember?

It's been a long 36 hours but who's timing? LOL
I have exhausted the knitting/spindle spinning/reading and nap time. So what does one do? Well, dig around for another craft.
I forgot I had these little looms. Remember when these were a kid's craft? They're a bit similar to the pot holder loom. Remember making those? I made quite a few for my mother and grandmothers while growing up.
This is my 4 x 4 loom.





This is a 2 x 4 loom and I'm making all of these black to go between the squares.












A few finished squares. I'm on a roll.













The lighting certainly doesn't do justice with the picture but I did a lay-out to see if this is how I want the finished project.

It's going to be a blanket. Yes I know. This makes how many afghan/blankets on the go? I will get them finished sometime in my lifespan ;). At least I have something different to work on for awhile.

Come to think of it....wonder where that potholder loom is hiding....LOL

Oh Fer Cryin' Outloud

Didn't I say back in March that I was done with 2010? I believe I did. There has been a bit more 'excitement' if that's what one chooses to call it.
I fell up the stairs last evening. Yes, I said UP. When one has drop foot and forgets to watch that the entire foot is lifted to be plunked on the step one falls up or down. In this case it was up. I slammed the right side of my body (mainly the bum leg) on the remaining stairs. Not a good thing.
When I lifted my head I was met with Mr. B's warm pant and a nice s-l-u-r-p of the tongue -_-

The hubby arrived home shortly thereafter. Since the fall involved the bum leg and it was swelling and turning black and blue we headed for x-rays. Thankfully nothing is broken however I'm in an immobile knee splint and crutches for the next 2 weeks. I will be heading to the orthopedic and an MRI. They found 'other stuff' that I won't even try to explain on here.
Could've been much worse so we'll just grin and bear it. What else can we do? LOL



Mr. B found my sunglasses while we were gone over the weekend. Guess he needed a pair of shades.
Anyway he's off the hook for now because he stood by me on the stairs after I fell until I crawled to the top.
So his attorney can file his good behavior for now. She may need it later for his ongoing case.

I know what would make me feel better....chocolate :D.

Now to get chuck and charlie crutch to cooperate and help me get to the kitchen. We have never been really good friends and it seems as though we spend a lot of time discussing how we're going to maneuver.

Have I mentioned I'm not a good patient? Oh yeah. Think I have ;).