Saturday, November 29, 2014

BAH humbug

I am not doing well in the Christmas spirit realm so far.  All the Christmas promotion starting in Oct. have made me feel like I am way behind, instead of just a a little behind. (old joke: the butcher who backed into his meat grinder got a little behind in his work.) Anyway, I have gotten some gifts on line and some have already come, so I am not doing too badly.  If I could only think of what else I can get, shopping for it is then easy.  No one will tell me what they want, so they will get pot luck, which is not a bad thing really.

We have snow here, but not for long as it is well above freezing now and for tomorrow as well.  The snow blower is all primed to go on our new driveway, that will be a huge change.  Last year I had to put on snow boots just to get to the car; and then they were unnecessary once we got into town.  Such a nuisance.  The horses' blankets are ready for wearing, once the temps are consistently cold so they don't overheat.  The horses overheat, that is, not the blankets.  We are feeding Willie double rations because he has a little too much rib showing right now.  He is a cribber, and it is hard to keep one in good flesh, they mess up their digestive system with all that air they swallow.  If you don't have horses, just skip the above, it is too complicated to explain here.  Or I am too lazy, take your pick.

The new med that the doctor gave me for my knee pain seems to be working pretty well, combined with tylenol.  I hope that it continues to be bearable for the foreseeable future and that knee replacement surgery is not needed for a good long while.  I am due for another cortisone shot in a week or so, that will help a lot too.  I am SLLLowly losing weight, I rejoined Weight Watchers online, and that is a help.  Still it will be needed for at least a year, how did I get so heavy?  I know, I know -- eating.  There is so much yummy food out there, you can turn down 95% of what is on offer and still gain weight on the remaining 5%.  Just ask me.

This is turning into a jumble of topics, none of them especially interesting, so I'll give up for now.

Bumper sticker for the day:  "For the price of a one-year gym membership I can replace my entire wardrobe with larger clothes."

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Knitting machines

I have to admit, I am hooked on knitting machines.  I have three so far, all manual ones, and would eventually like to get an electronic one.  If these things are new

to you, here are two of mine.  The top one is very basic, just a bed of needles, each pass of the carriage knits one row in stockinette pattern.  I can select needles by hand to get a totally different result.

The second photo is of the punch card machine, which selects individual needles to knit (no need to hand manipulate needles) and it also allows for tuck stitches, fair isle, and others that I haven't figured out yet.  It also has a ribber, which I haven't unpacked yet.

Anyway, that is what keeps me busy these days (when I am not napping).  It is fun, mostly, when everything goes well.  Although I am not too fond of the fiddly bits that finish the piece off, like weaving the loose ends in...

Today it is cold here, 32 F, and I saw the first snowflakes of the winter.  I hope that it got all of that stuff out of its system and the rest of the winter will be bracingly cool and without any snow whatsoever.  I can dream, can't I?

Bumper sticker of the day:  "I haven't lost my mind.  I have a backup somewhere."



Wednesday, November 05, 2014

wrinkles

I came across this photo on the Knitters Paradise forum, by cathy47, and just had to share it with you.

Does this towel make my chin look big?



Bumper sticker for the day:  "Why is "abbreviation" such a long word?"

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Halloween

The little blighters came calling the other night, panhandling for candy.  "Will go away for food."  We had around 50.  I sit outside the garage to do this rather than jumping up for each kid.  And of course, as I sit there with an entire bowl full of candy in my lap, I will need to sample them to make sure they are OK.  My favorite is Heath bars, and no one else in the family likes them.  Isn't that great?  More for me.  (I've already had a small sample.)

The majority of trick-or-treaters were under 5 years of age, and whispered "twik or tweet" and "tanku".  Some really cute costumes, Minnie Mouse  was the best.  We had candy left over, so the family was pleased.  It was held on the 30th because there was a big high school football game on the 31st.  Just as well, the 31st was raining and windy.

The horses are outside today, they made an absolute mess of their stalls over the last couple of days when they were in.  They are a lot of work, expecially now that # one son has to work Saturdays.  He's been told that things ease off as winter approaches and usually they will need no one on Saturday, I hope that is right.  I just can't do the work anymore, and DH shouldn't do it at his age either.  Something to think about for all you horse owners out there.

Only 7 more weekends until Christmas, can you believe it?  I will try as usual to get everything online, as the craziness of the hordes of shoppers give me a really strong case of bah humbugs.  Better to have the delivery guys do all the heavy lifting.
  Now if only inspiration would strike...

No snow as yet, although it has been forecast a couple of times and nothing happened.  The long range forecast is for a warmer that usual winter, which suits me fine.  We don't go out if the roads are bad, but I hate waiting for the kids to get home at night in the snow.  So many crazy drivers.

Not much to add from here. 
Bumper sticker for the day:  "Let's assume I'm right.  It'll save time."