Lovely Day

Today is a lovely day for me!

I woke for the first time in months with little pain.  That in itself makes for a lovely day in my world.


I know so many of my 'friends' don't understand what I go through on a daily basis.  And that is okay.  It's not for them to understand.  It's for me to live with.


On a lighter note...I am knitting when I am able.

I have a shawl on the needles, almost finished, that is beautiful.  I love the design and the yarn.  It's a special pattern designed by a special friend.

Also on the needles are two pairs of socks.  One is a test knit so I won't discuss that project.

The other socks are coming along just great.  The cuff and leg portion are taken from a pattern in a knitting magazine.  The heels are Cat Bordhi's Sweet Tomato Heel.  I love this heel and will use it again.  If you want more information on this heel you'll have to look her up.  She has a wonderful e-book out.

My energy level is dwindling so I'm off to recharge...

May God Bless You and Yours

Great Way To Start The Week...

...meet with friends and knit!

I am very thankful that even though I had just a couple hours of sleep I was able to get up and meet with friends at the local Barnes & Noble for some wonderful knitting time.

The sweater is really coming along nicely...perhaps I'll have a photo to post later this week.

So Much To Do

FAMILY REUNION

Now I know that I'm crazy

I am now in charge of organizing a family reunion for next summer

This would be great if it was just a small family

But I am the 13th of 16 children with 11 of us living

Take into account our cousins, our children, our grandchildren, our 2nd cousins, etc...plus a few aunts and uncles...

Just a preliminary count (if everyone attends) is over 60 people!

What needs to be planned...

A venue; a date; lodging; activities; food (I'm sure I have missed a few important items)

KNITTING

I'm making progress on my first adult sweater. I'd say that I'm probably at least 80% finished. I am now doing the last few inches on the neck. Then comes the button bands and then the finishing...kitchenering the sleeves to the body; weaving in all the yarn ends; soaking and blocking.

I am satisfied with how it is coming along.

Now I must get back to getting the shredder unclogged...

A moment to reflect...

...we all should take a moment to reflect on what is really going on around them.

Today is not a good day for much of anything...

I'll go sit and knit on my cardigan in a bit...

But right now at this moment...

I feel as though my whole world has fallen apart...

And I do not know what to do about it...

Lately I've been very aware of the way others react to certain things...

The other night I mentioned that I might enter a couple items in the local county fair...

I was met with words of surprise...

There was no support, just surprise...

I haven't felt the camaraderie in the group that was once there...

I'm not sure what will happen tomorrow...

I'll go sit and knit a bit...

Will that make my world come together again?

Proud

...there's nothing else to say

About a year ago our grandson saw a news item on the Devil Pups. Since then he did a bit of researching online and came across their website. He checked everything out. Then he decided he wanted to participate. He had to wait until he turned 14 as that is the minimum age.

As grandparents we had our thoughts about it... 'will he be able to?' ; 'is he strong enough physically'; 'what happens if he got hurt'...the more we thought the more determined he was.

So the ball was put into motion and he applied and was accepted to try out.

First he had to pass a Physical Fitness Test (PFT).

In his group of 77 only the best 45 went through and he went through. (We were beaming!)

He then about a week and a half to get his 'gear' ready.

And then the big thing ~ he had to report at 6 a.m. (this meant getting up at least by 4:30-5:00 which is a feat in itself for the little night owl).

Then the hard part started...

...during the next 10 days he ~

* hiked over 28 miles;

* ran over 18 miles;

* fell into a pool (three times) from a level of 15 feet; 25 feet and 35 feet;

* ran an obstacle course ~ twice;

* slept outside twice;

* hiked up the biggest mountain on the military base (those who made it to the top earned a special coin)

* ate in a chow hall

* toured a military ship and museum

* ran in the sand and ocean

* did a bit of recon training (mud pit they squirmed and crawled in)

* attended motivational meetings (one speaker was Sugar Ray Leonard and another is a famous baseball player for the California Angels; there were also military officers speaking)

There are clips from previous years on www.youtube.com

We were honored, as were the paternal grandparents, to attend the graduation ceremony this past Saturday.

This is the 59th year for Devil Pups.

It is a hard, grueling experience but it is one that those who go through will never forget.

Participants must be between 14 and 17 and it is our understanding that they can participate just once. They must reside in California, Nevada or Arizona and must contact the liaison representative for their area. Please go to the Devil Pups website for information.

Our grandson wants to go next year. In order to do this he must apply and if chosen would go back as an "eagle". An "eagle" helps the instructors with whatever they may need.

The following is from the Devil Pups website.

What is Devil Pups?

Devil Pups is an non-profit organization designed to help boys and girls from all backgrounds gain self-confidence and learn to take responsibility for their actions. Devil Pups is not a Marine Corps sponsored program. The program is not a “mini boot camp” para-military or recruiting organization for the Marine Corps. Encampment Commanders are employees of Devil Pups, Inc. At a camp comprising 10 days of challenge, teamwork, discipline and education, boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 17 learn cooperation and respect for the dignity of others, regardless of race, creed, color or national origin. Activities during the 10 day program include conditioning exercises, first aid instruction, leadership classes, organized recreation, a bivouac (camping out) and swimming. About 85 percent of non-swimmers learn to swim. Also, the Pups attend educational lectures on the importance of self-confidence, teamwork, drug and alcohol abuse and the importance of goals in life. A Devil Pup gains insight into the principles on which the United States was founded, thus enhancing pride in his or her country and its flag. A Devil Pup learns how to be a better citizen and at the same time gains a greater measure of his or her own self-worth. The Devil Pups Program is a demanding physical and academic good citizenship program for young teenagers. It is important to mention that the program is more mental than physical; reflecting the “whole person” concept. The program foundations are intellectual, spiritual, social and physical. An interested boy or girl and/or their parents living in California, Arizona, or Nevada should contact their nearst Devil Pup Liaison Representative to determine eligibility. Each area is given a specific quota of participants to admit.

Our grandson has the proudest parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Hmmmm...

I'm just not sure what to think anymore

There was a time, and I know it is still practiced in some areas, when a person did not associate with those out of their 'Class', 'Station', 'Social Level' ~ whatever you wish to call it.

I'd only been confronted by this 'attitude' once when my ex was in the military. He was enlisted and my best friends husband was an officer. We were not supposed to fraternize but we did anyway.

It seems that I have once again been confronted with this attitude.

When I realized what was happening I was a bit ticked off and ready to throw my hands up and quit.

But then I decided that this is her problem, not mine.

Isn't it amazing what a bit of green in the bank will do to a person.

Just don't throw it in my face because I really don't care how much money, status or anything else a person has. I don't care who can afford or not afford what.

So if you want to continue to ignore those whom you consider 'beneath' you ~ so be it. In the end, I have a feeling, you'll be the one sitting on the sidelines with a small number to call "friend".

And Life Must Go On

It's been very busy around here...

I finished my Vortex Shawl and love it! The yarn is Smooshy by Dream in Color in fingering weight ~ 100% merino. The shawl took two complete skeins plus a bit of a third one for the picot bindoff. I may enter this in our local county fair this fall.

Remember the test knit I was doing? Well I finished the pair and must say that I am very happy with them. This is another project I may enter in our local county fair.
June 11th saw our local knitting group gathered out at the MarketPlace to celebrate World Wide Knit In Public Day. Below is a collage of some of the photos that were taken. We had drawings and everyone went home with something new. At the top you can see a photo we took with everyone wearing hand knit socks...isn't that something!

This morning started on a great note! I've been depressed as two of our very good friends have passed on. A good friend in Ireland has a wonderful blog ~ as I read I feel as though I am right there with her. She just celebrated her 5th Blog-a-versary. She ran a bit of a 'contest' and I am one of three winners. What a way to start the day! Thanks Jo...you know I love you.

The day couldn't have gotten any better. A big tree on the neighboring property has finally seen time with a chainsaw. The limbs would sway so much that when we'd have some big winds I was always afraid one would land in our livingroom. The tree looks so much better and we'll be getting more sunshine in our patio (we have an umbrella to put up). I love to sit on the patio and knit when the weather allows.

Test Knitting

Back in April I agreed to test knit a pattern. The pattern is Red Mosaic Sock and as you can tell mine is not RED. I'm using a hand dyed yarn from Anzula with a bare sock yarn from Knit Picks. The pattern will be available in the August/September issue of Cast On magazine.

Normally I would start my toe about two inches from the end of my toe. But in this case I wasn't sure I liked the white toe. So I decided to continue the mosaic pattern all the way to the end. This took a bit of figuring out where the stitches went but I am quite happy with the results.

Now if I could just get the second sock finished.

Beautiful Spring Day and Sock Madness

Went for a walk this evening...

Baby ducks following along by their mommy




Sock Madness started and is now in the 3rd round

First Round ~ over 200 knitters participated from around the world

Pattern Supporters
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20428757@N03/5506802459/

Second Round ~ we're now divided up into four teams, I'm in Team Minnow

Pattern ~ Nornir
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20428757@N03/5556397547/

Third Round ~ 37 from each team participated in this round

Pattern ~ Dangerous Turns

Hmmm

Yesterday I received a knitting magazine...now I need yarn!

So today we doing some research on some items that hubby and I have collected over the years...he has an impressive collection of pen knives that he is willing to part with.

Looks like today will be fun

Hopefully I'll get some knitting squeezed in between the laundry and research

In the knitting magazine there is an Aran hat inspired by the 'pill box' type. It has bobbles, traveling stitches and cables...I've knitted cables before but never bobbles and traveling stitches so I'm anxious to start on this.

There is a Mosaic Yoke Cardigan...I watched as this pattern emerged from an idea to a finished product...this would be my first sweater so I'm excited.

Back to research...

A beautiful day1

Yesterday hubby and I took a walk around the park, it measures a mile and I always feel so much better when we get home.

As we were on the way I snapped this photo...I love taking scenery photos...the sky was so beautiful

Another Super Bowl

The Steelers made it to the Super Bowl but just couldn't get it together. That's okay...at least they made it.

I knitted a few rows on the Vortex Shawl...it coming out beautifully and I love the color (will post photo when completed which should be soon)

Yesterday we spent a few hours pruning the Scarlet Oak tree in our back yard. During the night the wind was blowing something fierce that I could hear it blowing the limbs around the yard. We'll be spending the rest of this week cutting them up in small pieces to dispose of.

But while we were busy so was little Shivers. He was just beside himself. One neighbor has a new chihuahua and the kids were out with him. On the other side are new neighbors and they have two dogs. Shivers ran the length of three fences ~ back and forth ~ countless times....he just wanted to play. He was so tuckered out that when we came in he promptly fell asleep.

Today is a 'day off'...oh, I'll do up the breakfast dishes and finish the linens in the laundry but other than that NO WORK!

Just a few...

This is a neckwarmer...Pittsburgh STEELERS neckwarmer...I knitted this for hubby to wear on our Thanksgiving trip to Washington.




Shivers wasn't too happy...we were spending Thanksgiving with our daughter in Mill Creek, Washington...it snowed and the temperature was 17 degrees...as soon as this photo was taken hubby picked him up and took him in the house...he was happy as long as he was curled up under a blanket in the house




Here's a Niddy Noddy my husband made be from PVC pipe. It makes a one yard hank of yarn. The beautiful grey yarn wrapped right now is Lambswool/Nylon ~ recycled from a sweater purchased at a church thrift shop while in Mill Creek, Washington over Thanksgiving.




Paraphernalia ~ my "Personal Project of the Month"

Some members of our local Ravelry group decided to do a Personal Project of the Month. I enjoy knitting socks so I picked 12 sock patterns and the yarns that I wished to use (all but one skein/hank came from my stash). The patterns and yarns were matched up and then put in 12 separate zip lock type baggies. On the first day of each month I'll pull one baggie and knit that pattern.



Can you see Shivers in the following photo? His nose is poking out under the blanket...he's so funny.