It occurred to me that I haven't mentioned the ongoing encounters with the adventurous cat who resides in the concert venue near my office. Now this place hosts all sorts of events. It has hosted video game contests, parties sponsored by radio stations, pretty much any type of music concert, Ladies nights, female and male strip nights, etc. It shares the block with a multiplex movie theatre and a fairly large U.S. Post Office so you can imagine some of the headaches when a band's setup gear arrives.
My first encounter with this cat was on a day when I was trying to drop a bill payment in the mail at the post office on my way into work. It was an odd day since we were getting some snow flakes. On my way from the post office I was passing some apartments and saw the cat rubbing itself on the concrete area by the apartment entrances. I could see it had a collar and some kind of tag and I thought it might have wandered out of one of the apartments. It was well fed with a glossy coat, black with a little white. It was friendly and not at all concerned about being outside. Actually intent on wandering around the area. Another woman passing by was also interested in the cat and we both thought that it seemed comfortable and probably would be fine. As we left each other and I started down the block I looked at the windows of the apartments and checked the doors of the concert place to see where the cat might have come from. The apartment windows were all sealed but the concert place was getting a delivery and one of their doors was open with no employees in sight. As I was trying to decide what to do, some people exited from the concert place and I was able to ask them about the cat. Bingo! It seemed that the cat was famous for going out adventuring and they were going to notify the security person. I told them where I had last seen the cat descending the stairs by the apartments and felt better that the cat would be fine.
More on the cat encounters to come.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
I did manage to deal with some of my errands yesterday but of course not all of them.
One of the last was doing quite alot of laundry. On my way out of the apartment to start the laundry and pick up the newspapers I discovered that the USPS fairy left me a present. What was the present? Remember that notice I got on Saturday? For the package that would be available at the post office about 20 blocks away at 9am on Tuesday 5/29? Yep! There it was! I rescued the box and placed it in the living room so I could open it when I got back.
Laundry successfully in the washing machines and newspapers in hand, I returned and gave Mom the newspapers and tackled the box. My yarn and Black Sheep felted bag patterns were safely inside. Hooray!
So I logged into Ebay and left feedback for that seller and sent her a message that the package arrived safely with a slight adventure. Of course something else caught my eye and I bid on a couple of other lots of yarn. *sigh*
For penance I thought I should finish the second crochet baby blanket before I got totally wrapped up in felted bag planning. With a few breaks to give Mom a snack and lunch I did finally finish the second blanket. This one is closer to the 2 feet by 3 feet requested size. Still a little over in one direction but better.
The first blanket:
A close up:
As you see, the first one is made using a variegated pastel yarn. The second one I used two colors, a yellow and a white yarn. The sections are almost the same size and I think I did better on the crochet stitches for the most part than on the first blanket.
Here it is completed:
And a closeup:
I am still amazed at how much more yarn crochet uses! It is extremely hard to determine how much yarn will be needed. So I guess I will need to make sure to take extra yarn from the charity supply when I work on something in crochet. At least I have two blankets to turn in at the next group meeting.
Now to get planning on the personal projects!
One of the last was doing quite alot of laundry. On my way out of the apartment to start the laundry and pick up the newspapers I discovered that the USPS fairy left me a present. What was the present? Remember that notice I got on Saturday? For the package that would be available at the post office about 20 blocks away at 9am on Tuesday 5/29? Yep! There it was! I rescued the box and placed it in the living room so I could open it when I got back.
Laundry successfully in the washing machines and newspapers in hand, I returned and gave Mom the newspapers and tackled the box. My yarn and Black Sheep felted bag patterns were safely inside. Hooray!
So I logged into Ebay and left feedback for that seller and sent her a message that the package arrived safely with a slight adventure. Of course something else caught my eye and I bid on a couple of other lots of yarn. *sigh*
For penance I thought I should finish the second crochet baby blanket before I got totally wrapped up in felted bag planning. With a few breaks to give Mom a snack and lunch I did finally finish the second blanket. This one is closer to the 2 feet by 3 feet requested size. Still a little over in one direction but better.
The first blanket:
A close up:
As you see, the first one is made using a variegated pastel yarn. The second one I used two colors, a yellow and a white yarn. The sections are almost the same size and I think I did better on the crochet stitches for the most part than on the first blanket.
Here it is completed:
And a closeup:
I am still amazed at how much more yarn crochet uses! It is extremely hard to determine how much yarn will be needed. So I guess I will need to make sure to take extra yarn from the charity supply when I work on something in crochet. At least I have two blankets to turn in at the next group meeting.
Now to get planning on the personal projects!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
No Packages This Weekend!
Boo Hoo! The lovely postal person left me a notice in my mailbox that claimed they attempted delivery at 9 Am yesterday. I was home except for a quick run to the corner for the newspapers. I don't really think they attempted to buzz, if they knocked then it was not very loud so there is no way I would hear in the living room or my bedroom. Grrrr. That was my Ebay order of Yarn and patterns. Which I will have to go to the post office a subway stop away to get on Tuesday! Messing up another day off! I also got a notice from the internet store that one of the colors I ordered (that showed as in stock when I placed the order) was back ordered and they are holding the rest until they can send the complete order. Estimate is a week or so before it comes in.
Double GRRRRR!!!!
So this weekend is a bust. I took off Friday and Tuesday to use up vacation days and hopeflly enjoy myself. Friday was too hot to go voyaging on public transportation to the zoo or anywhere so I stayed home and worked on a baby blanket for a charity. Then Saturday I had to stay home awaiting the VNS nurse for Mom's monthly visit. She called at 8:30AM estimating she would arrive between 10 and 11am. She did but I still didn't get anything else done outside of the apartment since It was a bit too warm for me again.
Today I have to do errands or DIE!
Monday I hope to enjoy myself even if I stay home again or close to home since Mom's health aide is off.
Now Tuesday is messed up since I have to trek to the post office and back again before I can really go anywhere. At least Mom's health aide will be here so I can go out without any real concerns.
So after my errands I might wind some more yarn and figure out what project I can work on to use that yarn on.
And how many simultaneous projects are you working on?
Double GRRRRR!!!!
So this weekend is a bust. I took off Friday and Tuesday to use up vacation days and hopeflly enjoy myself. Friday was too hot to go voyaging on public transportation to the zoo or anywhere so I stayed home and worked on a baby blanket for a charity. Then Saturday I had to stay home awaiting the VNS nurse for Mom's monthly visit. She called at 8:30AM estimating she would arrive between 10 and 11am. She did but I still didn't get anything else done outside of the apartment since It was a bit too warm for me again.
Today I have to do errands or DIE!
Monday I hope to enjoy myself even if I stay home again or close to home since Mom's health aide is off.
Now Tuesday is messed up since I have to trek to the post office and back again before I can really go anywhere. At least Mom's health aide will be here so I can go out without any real concerns.
So after my errands I might wind some more yarn and figure out what project I can work on to use that yarn on.
And how many simultaneous projects are you working on?
Friday, May 25, 2007
Memorial Day Weekend Already?
Hard to believe it is the end of May. Time went so fast!
I have been checking out Ebay for more yarn and bought more from the store that is closing. I also checked out a sale on an Internet store and bought some more Cascade 220 from them in other colors. The richness of some of the shades is wonderful!
I am currently expecting two packages, one from the Ebay seller and one from the Internet store. Perhaps by early next week.
On the caregiving front, Mom's VNS nurse called and told me that she has been ill and will be out of the office until June 7th but that since she had not seen Mom this month another nurse has to come to see her for the mandatory visit. When can that nurse come? Saturday! She is supposed to call before but I don't know if she will call today or not. *sigh* I would like to be able to go to the movies or do something else that might be hard to get a cell phone call at.
It is supposed to be 90F today in NYC so I guess wandering around the Bronx Zoo or the gardens is not a good idea.
On the yarn project front I am crocheting a baby blanket for my knitting group at work. I feel so guilty that I haven't turned anything in for awhile. Our organizer wants us to concentrate on baby blankets for now since those will probably be the most needed at the Aids charity.
Gotta go the Cat is demanding attention!
I have been checking out Ebay for more yarn and bought more from the store that is closing. I also checked out a sale on an Internet store and bought some more Cascade 220 from them in other colors. The richness of some of the shades is wonderful!
I am currently expecting two packages, one from the Ebay seller and one from the Internet store. Perhaps by early next week.
On the caregiving front, Mom's VNS nurse called and told me that she has been ill and will be out of the office until June 7th but that since she had not seen Mom this month another nurse has to come to see her for the mandatory visit. When can that nurse come? Saturday! She is supposed to call before but I don't know if she will call today or not. *sigh* I would like to be able to go to the movies or do something else that might be hard to get a cell phone call at.
It is supposed to be 90F today in NYC so I guess wandering around the Bronx Zoo or the gardens is not a good idea.
On the yarn project front I am crocheting a baby blanket for my knitting group at work. I feel so guilty that I haven't turned anything in for awhile. Our organizer wants us to concentrate on baby blankets for now since those will probably be the most needed at the Aids charity.
Gotta go the Cat is demanding attention!
Friday, May 18, 2007
More About Those Recent Purchases
I didn't post a picture of my Cascade 220 purchase so here it is:
Some may be curious as to how the yarn swift looks disassembled for storage, so here is a pic of that minus the little bag of dowels:
I also recently bought a bag to use for projects, etc. Someone had posted on one of the Yahoo groups about the Smith and Hawken tool bag awhile ago. I have a hard time visualizing the dimensions given for anything. I have to actually see one in person to figure out if it meets my needs. Luckily there is a Smith and Hawken store in Soho here in NYC but it is quite a hike from my current office. I did manage to get there after a long appointment at my dentist which was a shorter hike from the store.
The Ultimate tool bag comes in several sizes but of course the Large was my preference. They have it in black currently priced at $29 which is not a bad price.
I liked it enough to buy one and have been pleased with it. Have been using it instead of my usual backpack for going to work.
Dimensions:12 1/2" W x 9" D x 12 1/2" H. The exterior pockets have an elastic across which keeps longer items secure. There are a total of 10 pockets. 6 on the outside with 4 secured with the elastic. Internally there are 4 pockets and a sizable inside area. Each pocket on the inside front and back are across the bag and suitable in width for magazines but can hold alot. The inside end pockets are pretty sizable in diameter and I use one to hold my current knitting scarf project.
I am able to knit on the subway standing with the scarf pulled partway out of the bag so the rest is supported and not heavy.
Here is a photo of the outside:
And here is the inside:
If you want to check it out the Smith and Hawken site is:http://www.smithandhawken.com/
Just do a search for "bag" and you will find it.
Have Fun!
Some may be curious as to how the yarn swift looks disassembled for storage, so here is a pic of that minus the little bag of dowels:
I also recently bought a bag to use for projects, etc. Someone had posted on one of the Yahoo groups about the Smith and Hawken tool bag awhile ago. I have a hard time visualizing the dimensions given for anything. I have to actually see one in person to figure out if it meets my needs. Luckily there is a Smith and Hawken store in Soho here in NYC but it is quite a hike from my current office. I did manage to get there after a long appointment at my dentist which was a shorter hike from the store.
The Ultimate tool bag comes in several sizes but of course the Large was my preference. They have it in black currently priced at $29 which is not a bad price.
I liked it enough to buy one and have been pleased with it. Have been using it instead of my usual backpack for going to work.
Dimensions:12 1/2" W x 9" D x 12 1/2" H. The exterior pockets have an elastic across which keeps longer items secure. There are a total of 10 pockets. 6 on the outside with 4 secured with the elastic. Internally there are 4 pockets and a sizable inside area. Each pocket on the inside front and back are across the bag and suitable in width for magazines but can hold alot. The inside end pockets are pretty sizable in diameter and I use one to hold my current knitting scarf project.
I am able to knit on the subway standing with the scarf pulled partway out of the bag so the rest is supported and not heavy.
Here is a photo of the outside:
And here is the inside:
If you want to check it out the Smith and Hawken site is:http://www.smithandhawken.com/
Just do a search for "bag" and you will find it.
Have Fun!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Hanks to Balls - Hooray!
Normally I have been using yarn for projects that came in skeins that were already center pulls. But listening to alot of of the yarn or knitting podcasts does make you want to try out yarns not as easily found, the kind that comes only in hanks. There is one small local yarn shop that is near my office that would carry these but I decided to check out Ebay for some of the brands mentioned as standards, like Cascade 220 wool yarn.
Well I found a wonderful Ebay vendor who is unfortunately closing shop who was selling their remaining supply of Cascade 220 even cheaper than a sale price I found on a regular internet store. It is always hard to tell colors from pictures even when they are from direct scans of the hank. Some I was sure I would like and got a few more hanks and some I wasn't and only ordered one. In the end I ordered 16 skeins this past Saturday. Paid via PayPal and even got direct email from the vendor over the weekend.
Now I had hanks coming but then was the problem of winding them into balls for actual use. No one I know has a ball winder or swift so I couldn't borrow. I knew I would be dying to try out the yarn so I looked again on Ebay for any cheaper alternatives to the prices I had been finding on internet stores/manufacturers.
I lucked out and found a handmade oak swift that disassembles easily into something that I could find a storage spot for and the price was great. At the price if it didn't work out for me I wouldn't be too upset. The Ebay seller was Cindyswifts.
Their swifts sit on the floor or table which was a better arrangement for me, not enough surfaces to clamp onto.
I also found a ball winder at a slightly cheaper price for a model that looked better made and more likely to last. So I "Bought them Now", paid with PayPal and was set.
That was Saturday and oddly all three packages arrived via USPS on Wednesday morning! When I got home last night I opened everything and had to try out the swift and winder. In the pic below you can see the empty boxes on the top left.
Here is closeup of the winder with the completed ball still on it:
I will have to take a pic of all the hanks and post it later. Right now the question of what project I can start to use some of this is still up in the air!
Well I found a wonderful Ebay vendor who is unfortunately closing shop who was selling their remaining supply of Cascade 220 even cheaper than a sale price I found on a regular internet store. It is always hard to tell colors from pictures even when they are from direct scans of the hank. Some I was sure I would like and got a few more hanks and some I wasn't and only ordered one. In the end I ordered 16 skeins this past Saturday. Paid via PayPal and even got direct email from the vendor over the weekend.
Now I had hanks coming but then was the problem of winding them into balls for actual use. No one I know has a ball winder or swift so I couldn't borrow. I knew I would be dying to try out the yarn so I looked again on Ebay for any cheaper alternatives to the prices I had been finding on internet stores/manufacturers.
I lucked out and found a handmade oak swift that disassembles easily into something that I could find a storage spot for and the price was great. At the price if it didn't work out for me I wouldn't be too upset. The Ebay seller was Cindyswifts.
Their swifts sit on the floor or table which was a better arrangement for me, not enough surfaces to clamp onto.
I also found a ball winder at a slightly cheaper price for a model that looked better made and more likely to last. So I "Bought them Now", paid with PayPal and was set.
That was Saturday and oddly all three packages arrived via USPS on Wednesday morning! When I got home last night I opened everything and had to try out the swift and winder. In the pic below you can see the empty boxes on the top left.
Here is closeup of the winder with the completed ball still on it:
I will have to take a pic of all the hanks and post it later. Right now the question of what project I can start to use some of this is still up in the air!
Monday, May 07, 2007
Cold, Allergies or Something Else?
Friday at work my energy level bottomed out in the late afternoon. I was just dragging and unable to concentrate on the project I am extremely late on. It did not help that I finally got a chance to get my lab results from my doctor's office for blood tests done a few weeks ago. My cholesterol is fine but my liver enzymes are elevated and my triglycerides are way high. We shall see if I have to change medications to lower cholesterol again. I had to change from Lipitor when my liver enzymes stayed at a slightly elevated level and then my cholesterol shot up. I am on Vytorin now. But I am not very good at keeping my diet correct. I have to confess that I was addicted to having ice cream at night for a couple of weeks before the blood test which must have contributed to my high triglycerides. I now do not have any ice cream in the freezer.
But something else was going on. I wasn't really sneezing but I was having pressure problems in my ears and Friday evening my throat started aching. Over the weekend my energy was low so I took it easy on Saturday and stayed mostly in bed trying to rest. I was sneezing a bit and blowing my nose alot but my throat was better. It seems like this might be a cold instead of allergies kicking up. I was achy on Friday all over but that went away. I don't think I had a fever either. Of course I may also have a sinus infection but I will see how I am today. If necessary I will go to my doctor's office to try and get antibiotics for the sinus infection if it doesn't get better by then.
So knitting wise I only forced myself to do some work on a pink scarf I have been knitting as part of a charity donation for a knitting group at work. I have been neglecting those projects for personal ones and I feel very guilty.
I have another market squares bag in progress with purple, turquoise and a variegated yarn in that family. My problem is finding different colors that would look nice in a wool yarn. Although I used KnitPicks yarn for the first one the colors available really don't grab me for a second round. So I am actually using yarn from a couple of different companies. Hope they all felt about the same!
I will take an in progress pic when I can.
Here's hoping that whatever bug has gotten into my system leaves soon!
But something else was going on. I wasn't really sneezing but I was having pressure problems in my ears and Friday evening my throat started aching. Over the weekend my energy was low so I took it easy on Saturday and stayed mostly in bed trying to rest. I was sneezing a bit and blowing my nose alot but my throat was better. It seems like this might be a cold instead of allergies kicking up. I was achy on Friday all over but that went away. I don't think I had a fever either. Of course I may also have a sinus infection but I will see how I am today. If necessary I will go to my doctor's office to try and get antibiotics for the sinus infection if it doesn't get better by then.
So knitting wise I only forced myself to do some work on a pink scarf I have been knitting as part of a charity donation for a knitting group at work. I have been neglecting those projects for personal ones and I feel very guilty.
I have another market squares bag in progress with purple, turquoise and a variegated yarn in that family. My problem is finding different colors that would look nice in a wool yarn. Although I used KnitPicks yarn for the first one the colors available really don't grab me for a second round. So I am actually using yarn from a couple of different companies. Hope they all felt about the same!
I will take an in progress pic when I can.
Here's hoping that whatever bug has gotten into my system leaves soon!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Market Squares Felt 2
Well, I managed to get a chance to try felting the bag in a top loader washing machine. Put a few pairs of jeans in and a towel (prob not a good idea), and the bag and straps were in a fine mesh bag. I set the machine to hot water and put some gentle soap in. I did not manage to catch it before the spin cycle but it seems to have been fine.
The bag shrank more and the fabric is thicker and stronger. Still a bit floppy but much better. I attached the straps using nylon thread and backed the attachment point with a button on the inside. I don't have a closeup of the felted fabric but here is the bag:
Cool and much closer to the picture of the finished product in the pattern book.
The bag shrank more and the fabric is thicker and stronger. Still a bit floppy but much better. I attached the straps using nylon thread and backed the attachment point with a button on the inside. I don't have a closeup of the felted fabric but here is the bag:
Cool and much closer to the picture of the finished product in the pattern book.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Caregiving Front
Good news, our new nurse had to do an evaluation and status update on Mom and used that to help justify extending the health aide hours. So as of Monday, she will be with Mom for 8 hours instead of 6! Now I just have to get myself in gear and get out of the apartment earlier so I can leave work a bit earlier reducing the time that Mom is home alone.
I also joined a couple of caregiving groups on Yahoo which has been helpful. The issues being raised, various solutions and knowing how everyone is coping with it all.
Mom's anxiety has thankfully decreased so she is not roaming the apartment at night. And has stopped thinking she needs to open the door to check on something or even trying to leave the apartment to meet me downstairs. She has been pretty much sleeping through the night except for a couple of bathroom trips. Whew!
I also joined a couple of caregiving groups on Yahoo which has been helpful. The issues being raised, various solutions and knowing how everyone is coping with it all.
Mom's anxiety has thankfully decreased so she is not roaming the apartment at night. And has stopped thinking she needs to open the door to check on something or even trying to leave the apartment to meet me downstairs. She has been pretty much sleeping through the night except for a couple of bathroom trips. Whew!
It's Been Awhile
Well I did finally file my taxes, Sunday 4/15 the deadline was 4/17 this year.
I used Turbo Tax and efiled my Federal and State returns. Got my Federal accepted status within a day but it took the state a bit longer. Surprise!
Knitting Update
I gave up on finding something solid to use to shape the Market Squares Bag after felting. I figured I could always use a plastic bag filled with something. Then I was planning on using one of the top loading washing machines to felt it but things conspired against me and I wasn't really able to get down to the laundry room when it was unlikely to be packed. Since the top loaders are a little cheaper they are often in use. So I bit the bullet and figured I would try hand felting and I could always continue to felt in a machine if necessary.
So I took an extra large ziploc bag put the Market Squares bag in and filled it with hot water and some gentle soap. I tried zipping it shut with most of the air out and aggitating the knitting. However on occaision the bag would open in mid aggitation spewing soapy water out of the sink onto the bathroom floor. Fun!
I then tried just doing it by hand. The colors ran a bit but I did succeed in felting it. Then I felted the handles.
Here is the result:
And a close up of the felting:
And here is how the bottom turned out:
I am not sure if this felted enough the bag is pretty floppy. I don't know if I want to redo the felting. As for the handles/straps, I am not sure if they are strong enough but I will try them out for awhile and see. I need to get stronger thread and some buttons to use on the inside to reinforce the attachment point of the straps.
Hopefully I will be able to attach the straps sometime this weekend.
I brought it into my office and of course there were requests from some of my coworkers for me to make them bags. I might try to make something smaller for them but still using some entrelac. Time will tell.
I used Turbo Tax and efiled my Federal and State returns. Got my Federal accepted status within a day but it took the state a bit longer. Surprise!
Knitting Update
I gave up on finding something solid to use to shape the Market Squares Bag after felting. I figured I could always use a plastic bag filled with something. Then I was planning on using one of the top loading washing machines to felt it but things conspired against me and I wasn't really able to get down to the laundry room when it was unlikely to be packed. Since the top loaders are a little cheaper they are often in use. So I bit the bullet and figured I would try hand felting and I could always continue to felt in a machine if necessary.
So I took an extra large ziploc bag put the Market Squares bag in and filled it with hot water and some gentle soap. I tried zipping it shut with most of the air out and aggitating the knitting. However on occaision the bag would open in mid aggitation spewing soapy water out of the sink onto the bathroom floor. Fun!
I then tried just doing it by hand. The colors ran a bit but I did succeed in felting it. Then I felted the handles.
Here is the result:
And a close up of the felting:
And here is how the bottom turned out:
I am not sure if this felted enough the bag is pretty floppy. I don't know if I want to redo the felting. As for the handles/straps, I am not sure if they are strong enough but I will try them out for awhile and see. I need to get stronger thread and some buttons to use on the inside to reinforce the attachment point of the straps.
Hopefully I will be able to attach the straps sometime this weekend.
I brought it into my office and of course there were requests from some of my coworkers for me to make them bags. I might try to make something smaller for them but still using some entrelac. Time will tell.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Stress and Tax Time
Here it is Sunday 4/15 and I still have not filed my taxes. Do I owe the IRS any money? Is that why I am so late? Nope, I actually get a refund and just couldn't get my act together to finish and file. I did finally install the tax software and I have managed to get my supporting documents together. I have even managed to do a first cut on my Federal and State tax forms. I just need to reconfirm that all is correct and then I will bite the bullet and pay for e-filing and actually file. Thankfully both Federal and State returns are actually due for Tuesday 4/17 this year. Whew!
Now, what has been the hold up? Could be trying to get the supporting paperwork together as a first issue. Then both work and caregiving stress just had me too tired to actually work on them. I will check everything tonight and file as soon as possible.
On the Caregiving front - both my geriatic cat and my Mom have been having some issues lately. Sometimes at about the same time or almost. Just when you think things have settled something else comes up. Like just when you are ready for bed you find that the cat has managed to cough up hairballs and accompanying food several places on your bedroom carpet. *sigh*
Mom's hearing is a bit better after the two visits to the Ear Doctor for wax vacuuming out of her ears. At least it is easier to communicate with her and calm her down when she has gotten anxious after hearing conversations that we can't hear.
The Ear doctor has recommended two visits a year to try and keep her ears clear. They performed a hearing test and it seems about the same as last year. The audiologist in their office has recently joined the Managed Medicaid plan that we are in. Once I get a new id for the plan I can drop by the office so they can photocopy it and then the audiologist will be able to confirm whether she can provide a hearing aid for Mom. Of course it won't be one of the newer nicer models. They would only pay for the basic model but at least I can perhaps get her one so she has it and can use it when she wants to. Two visits will be necessary but at least I am comfortable with the office and the providers there. Nothing worse than travelling to a provider for a service and not being comfortable with them and what they are providing.
At least she doesn't seem to be wandering about at night or if she is I must have been deeply asleep. I still put a sign on the door lock and one on the curtain I have at my bedroom doorway just in case she does panic and wander. It just tells her that everyone is okay and I am sleeping in my room and that she should go back to bed. Hopefully that reassures her enough to make a difference.
I found a couple of groups on Yahoo that are for caregivers or deal with dementia. Everyone seems to be very nice and it is helpful to be able to vent to people who have experienced something similar or unfortunately even worse.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/caregiving_support/
Now, besides dealing with alot of backlog of work at the office I have to find the time to take the cat to the vet for yearly exam and booster shots. I prefer to take her to senior vet in the practice so that means taking off from work for a weekday appointment.
Thankfully the pet food scare did not apply to her since she always hated any of the can food with gravy and does not eat any of the other types on the recall list. I can imagine how hard it has been for those whose pets had been sickened or even died from the tainted food. The sadest thing is that the brands we have always considered premium instead of the brands usually available at supermarkets were mostly the ones on the list. So trying to take good care of your pet could have done them in. Well my little spoiled geriatic diva cat is fine except for the hairballs. Too bad she doesn't cough up diamonds like the cat in the NY Lottery commercial!
Now, what has been the hold up? Could be trying to get the supporting paperwork together as a first issue. Then both work and caregiving stress just had me too tired to actually work on them. I will check everything tonight and file as soon as possible.
On the Caregiving front - both my geriatic cat and my Mom have been having some issues lately. Sometimes at about the same time or almost. Just when you think things have settled something else comes up. Like just when you are ready for bed you find that the cat has managed to cough up hairballs and accompanying food several places on your bedroom carpet. *sigh*
Mom's hearing is a bit better after the two visits to the Ear Doctor for wax vacuuming out of her ears. At least it is easier to communicate with her and calm her down when she has gotten anxious after hearing conversations that we can't hear.
The Ear doctor has recommended two visits a year to try and keep her ears clear. They performed a hearing test and it seems about the same as last year. The audiologist in their office has recently joined the Managed Medicaid plan that we are in. Once I get a new id for the plan I can drop by the office so they can photocopy it and then the audiologist will be able to confirm whether she can provide a hearing aid for Mom. Of course it won't be one of the newer nicer models. They would only pay for the basic model but at least I can perhaps get her one so she has it and can use it when she wants to. Two visits will be necessary but at least I am comfortable with the office and the providers there. Nothing worse than travelling to a provider for a service and not being comfortable with them and what they are providing.
At least she doesn't seem to be wandering about at night or if she is I must have been deeply asleep. I still put a sign on the door lock and one on the curtain I have at my bedroom doorway just in case she does panic and wander. It just tells her that everyone is okay and I am sleeping in my room and that she should go back to bed. Hopefully that reassures her enough to make a difference.
I found a couple of groups on Yahoo that are for caregivers or deal with dementia. Everyone seems to be very nice and it is helpful to be able to vent to people who have experienced something similar or unfortunately even worse.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/caregiving_support/
Now, besides dealing with alot of backlog of work at the office I have to find the time to take the cat to the vet for yearly exam and booster shots. I prefer to take her to senior vet in the practice so that means taking off from work for a weekday appointment.
Thankfully the pet food scare did not apply to her since she always hated any of the can food with gravy and does not eat any of the other types on the recall list. I can imagine how hard it has been for those whose pets had been sickened or even died from the tainted food. The sadest thing is that the brands we have always considered premium instead of the brands usually available at supermarkets were mostly the ones on the list. So trying to take good care of your pet could have done them in. Well my little spoiled geriatic diva cat is fine except for the hairballs. Too bad she doesn't cough up diamonds like the cat in the NY Lottery commercial!
Almost Time For Felting!
Well, I finally finished the body of the Market Squares bag and I am working on the straps.
When the second strap is finished I have to find something that I can use to shape the bag once it has been felted. Not to mention having the time to actually felt the bag. *sigh*
Here is photo of the finished knit bag:
You can see what I meant about my stitch tension varying especially on one edge of each rectangle on a tier. You can't see in that picture how the decreases look on the bottom of the bag. So here is another photo of the bottom with the bag kind of gathered.
Hopefully I will find something to use to shape it while drying after the felting. With luck all will turn out well. Here are Smaller shots in case the larger ones don't display properly.
When the second strap is finished I have to find something that I can use to shape the bag once it has been felted. Not to mention having the time to actually felt the bag. *sigh*
Here is photo of the finished knit bag:
You can see what I meant about my stitch tension varying especially on one edge of each rectangle on a tier. You can't see in that picture how the decreases look on the bottom of the bag. So here is another photo of the bottom with the bag kind of gathered.
Hopefully I will find something to use to shape it while drying after the felting. With luck all will turn out well. Here are Smaller shots in case the larger ones don't display properly.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Market Squares Update
Well I made it to the third tier in the Market Squares entrelac bag!
My tension varies quite a bit and the stitches on one end are always looser and therefore bigger than I would like. I am hoping that all will look okay once it is felted but time will tell.
The colors in the pic above are a little off the actual ones but they are close.
I believe I have two more rectangles to complete the third tier. Then I believe I switch to the color used for the first base band for the fourth tier. Then back to the first tier color which is the triangle row.
Of course, I also think I did the base band section incorrectly. I think I folded the inch of knitting the wrong side facing but perhaps not. But in either case it may look perfectly fine in the end.
Color scheme seems to be okay so far. Something else that you can't tell how it will look until you actually get far enough. My gauge is off from what it should be. So this bag will be a little smaller I believe. I just hope that the felting process doesn't make it TOO small.
Definitely an interesting project and I can see why so many have made several of them.
If you get a chance to look at the pictures in the pattern book they show how different it can look with variations in color and after felting. The pattern is in "Bags a Knitter's dozen" published by XRX books. www.knittinguniverse.com
My tension varies quite a bit and the stitches on one end are always looser and therefore bigger than I would like. I am hoping that all will look okay once it is felted but time will tell.
The colors in the pic above are a little off the actual ones but they are close.
I believe I have two more rectangles to complete the third tier. Then I believe I switch to the color used for the first base band for the fourth tier. Then back to the first tier color which is the triangle row.
Of course, I also think I did the base band section incorrectly. I think I folded the inch of knitting the wrong side facing but perhaps not. But in either case it may look perfectly fine in the end.
Color scheme seems to be okay so far. Something else that you can't tell how it will look until you actually get far enough. My gauge is off from what it should be. So this bag will be a little smaller I believe. I just hope that the felting process doesn't make it TOO small.
Definitely an interesting project and I can see why so many have made several of them.
If you get a chance to look at the pictures in the pattern book they show how different it can look with variations in color and after felting. The pattern is in "Bags a Knitter's dozen" published by XRX books. www.knittinguniverse.com
Stressed Out
Many of my friends are in similiar situations as I am. Our parents are getting older, having more health problems and also having memory loss, confusion and other issues. Sometimes these issues are harder to deal with and more stressful when they are not living closeby.
My 78 year old Mom lives with me and her elderly problems are I am sure worsened by being on medication for over 50 years. She has always had some memory problems and she has always had a tendency to exagerate. Something is "ALWAYS" happening. She has a tendency to worry about things before you would really need to and gets herself all worked up. That of course makes all of her other health and physical problems worse. She will hyperventilate and get all panic-ridden.
Her neurologist does not feel she has Alzheimers but she does have dementia which varies in it's intensity. She hears things. Someone talking on the phone that she hears while she is at a distance from a phone. The church across the street having choir practice (all night) when all is quiet.
Her ears also produce alot of wax which makes things worse since she is also hard of hearing. Her hearing test showed that she hears at over 60Db while the human voice is usually 50-60Db.
Of course she hears me calling her perfectly well when I am not calling her but can't hear me when I am in front of her asking about something. Since things are so real to her, it never occurs to her that it might not make sense.
The worse part is her hearing people that I am no longer close to. Which of course just reminds me of that. I also worry that she might hear something that could cause her to do something unsafe.
I have an elderly cat at home as well who has elderly issues (loudly meowing for something) with arthritis and bone spurs in her spine. The cat needs supplements added to her food nightly and on alternate days in her morning food.
So I am the exception to my geriatic household. With the typical high stress work environment, changable priorities, emergencies, politics, etc, on top of the stress at home it can get extremely difficult to cope. I try to take some time to relax and knit. That helps a bit. Easier to do that than to try to have enough time to watch a complete movie on DVD in one sitting.
Things could certainly be worse.
My 78 year old Mom lives with me and her elderly problems are I am sure worsened by being on medication for over 50 years. She has always had some memory problems and she has always had a tendency to exagerate. Something is "ALWAYS" happening. She has a tendency to worry about things before you would really need to and gets herself all worked up. That of course makes all of her other health and physical problems worse. She will hyperventilate and get all panic-ridden.
Her neurologist does not feel she has Alzheimers but she does have dementia which varies in it's intensity. She hears things. Someone talking on the phone that she hears while she is at a distance from a phone. The church across the street having choir practice (all night) when all is quiet.
Her ears also produce alot of wax which makes things worse since she is also hard of hearing. Her hearing test showed that she hears at over 60Db while the human voice is usually 50-60Db.
Of course she hears me calling her perfectly well when I am not calling her but can't hear me when I am in front of her asking about something. Since things are so real to her, it never occurs to her that it might not make sense.
The worse part is her hearing people that I am no longer close to. Which of course just reminds me of that. I also worry that she might hear something that could cause her to do something unsafe.
I have an elderly cat at home as well who has elderly issues (loudly meowing for something) with arthritis and bone spurs in her spine. The cat needs supplements added to her food nightly and on alternate days in her morning food.
So I am the exception to my geriatic household. With the typical high stress work environment, changable priorities, emergencies, politics, etc, on top of the stress at home it can get extremely difficult to cope. I try to take some time to relax and knit. That helps a bit. Easier to do that than to try to have enough time to watch a complete movie on DVD in one sitting.
Things could certainly be worse.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
My First Entrelac and First Felted Project
So I got Wool of the Andes yarn for the Market Squares felted Entrelac bag.
I am not sure how the colors I chose will work out but I will see. There is a function on the KnitPicks site that allows you to figure out how much wool you need for the project. That is they have a "form" with project size for that pattern with the recommended number of skeins of their yarn for the project for each color: A,B,C,D, and E. Unfortunately, it would be easier to choose if they had a graphic of the basic bag that would fill in the color choice entered for each so you can see the effect. Or at least something that puts the color choices in the order the pattern will use.
All colors except for the main take 2 skeins, the main needs 3 skeins. Here is a pic of the colors I chose but I forgot to put them in the order they will be used (without the repeats of course). So the color order of the skeins is arbitrary. Although the first skein on the left is the main color.
As you can see from comparing the in-progress project on the needles to the photo in the book, it is knit from the opening of the bag downwards. I am currently working on the second tier which is the first one using the main color and the first tier of rectangles.
Weird picking up stitches from the part already done to add on the next part.
Will update the progress when I can
I am not sure how the colors I chose will work out but I will see. There is a function on the KnitPicks site that allows you to figure out how much wool you need for the project. That is they have a "form" with project size for that pattern with the recommended number of skeins of their yarn for the project for each color: A,B,C,D, and E. Unfortunately, it would be easier to choose if they had a graphic of the basic bag that would fill in the color choice entered for each so you can see the effect. Or at least something that puts the color choices in the order the pattern will use.
All colors except for the main take 2 skeins, the main needs 3 skeins. Here is a pic of the colors I chose but I forgot to put them in the order they will be used (without the repeats of course). So the color order of the skeins is arbitrary. Although the first skein on the left is the main color.
As you can see from comparing the in-progress project on the needles to the photo in the book, it is knit from the opening of the bag downwards. I am currently working on the second tier which is the first one using the main color and the first tier of rectangles.
Weird picking up stitches from the part already done to add on the next part.
Will update the progress when I can
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
Happy Saint Patrick's Day! No corn beef and cabbage for us tho. :-)
I had forgotten to pick up the ingredients during the week and I don't have the time to deal with getting them in time. Ah well.
The happy circumstance of the USPS package incident is that I have my order of knitting items from Knitpicks. I had wanted to try some of their yarns and their new circular knitting needles. I would have ordered their KnitPicks Options circular needle set but I didn't NEED them right now so opted to wait until next time. Instead I ordered the yarn needed for a felted Entrelac bag pattern and the book the pattern is in. Plus a couple of other yarns I have been meaning to try and two smaller circular needles which are not in the interchangable set.
So I hope I picked good colors that will work with that pattern. It is the Market Squares by Staff of XRX. I have seen posts by several people who have made it. Looks like a pretty good size for me to use and a nice look to it. And a big plus is that I would be doing two new techniques. Felting and knitting Entrelac - the interlocking squares/triangles. Will post the results when finished.
Don't drink too much green beer!
I had forgotten to pick up the ingredients during the week and I don't have the time to deal with getting them in time. Ah well.
The happy circumstance of the USPS package incident is that I have my order of knitting items from Knitpicks. I had wanted to try some of their yarns and their new circular knitting needles. I would have ordered their KnitPicks Options circular needle set but I didn't NEED them right now so opted to wait until next time. Instead I ordered the yarn needed for a felted Entrelac bag pattern and the book the pattern is in. Plus a couple of other yarns I have been meaning to try and two smaller circular needles which are not in the interchangable set.
So I hope I picked good colors that will work with that pattern. It is the Market Squares by Staff of XRX. I have seen posts by several people who have made it. Looks like a pretty good size for me to use and a nice look to it. And a big plus is that I would be doing two new techniques. Felting and knitting Entrelac - the interlocking squares/triangles. Will post the results when finished.
Don't drink too much green beer!
And The Difference Is?????
Thursday evening when I checked my mailbox (after my Mom and her health aide did so just before 3pm), there was a notice for a package from the U.S.P.S. . Although my Mom is always home, unless someone attempts a delivery before her Health Aide leaves for the day, she will usually not hear the buzzer. And since we do not have a doorbell she probably would not hear someone knocking at the door either.
As usual, the notice does not list the sender. I could guess that it might be an order I had placed recently, but then it might not be. According to the notice, I could request re-delivery or go to the Post Office to pick it up myself.
My post office is not the one located about 3 blocks from my complex. It is the one nearer (but not close to) our last apartment. To get there I could take a bus or take the subway 2 stops from is one.
Not too bad if I could carry the package. In the past, I have gone there on my way to work for a package and then taken it all the way into Manhattan. But Friday's forecast was for the storm, so I opted for re-delivery. Of course by the time I had gotten home and called the re-delivery section was unavailable so I had to call back in the morning.
When I called for re-delivery I had to listen to and respond to alot of automated questions and read off parts of the notice. One problem, the handwriting was almost as unreadable as my doctor's prescriptions. So when I was unable to respond correctly, I got re-directed to an actual person. He coped with my interpretation of the scribble pretty well. He said that no one can usually read the handwriting so at least I was not alone. One question was whether someone would be home for the day requested and I told him I would wait for it. The phone number I gave was the one to reach me at home. So I was set, or so I thought.
I was surprisingly exhausted after sloughing through the snow/slush and fighting against the stinging of the sleet. So I overslept in the morning and was running late with the morning tasks. Feed the cat, wake Mom and give her osteoporosis medication, make breakfast a little later, etc. But I knew I would have woken earlier or heard if anyone had buzzed me from the lobby.
Last time I had re-delivery they came at noon so I was not really concerned until then. Watched the normal Saturday morning cartoons and ate breakfast, logged online and downloaded my work and personal emails. I was hesitant about going out for the newspapers since that would be when they would try to deliver the package. But I finally decided that I had to. Dressed, coat and scarf, boots on, money ready, keys in hand, I unlocked the door, opened it and....
There was the package - re-delivery sheet attached, sitting just against my apartment door!
So, if no signature was required, what exactly was the difference between the original delivery attempt and the re-delivery that allowed the package to be left unattended in front of the door?
I don't get it... *sigh*
As usual, the notice does not list the sender. I could guess that it might be an order I had placed recently, but then it might not be. According to the notice, I could request re-delivery or go to the Post Office to pick it up myself.
My post office is not the one located about 3 blocks from my complex. It is the one nearer (but not close to) our last apartment. To get there I could take a bus or take the subway 2 stops from is one.
Not too bad if I could carry the package. In the past, I have gone there on my way to work for a package and then taken it all the way into Manhattan. But Friday's forecast was for the storm, so I opted for re-delivery. Of course by the time I had gotten home and called the re-delivery section was unavailable so I had to call back in the morning.
When I called for re-delivery I had to listen to and respond to alot of automated questions and read off parts of the notice. One problem, the handwriting was almost as unreadable as my doctor's prescriptions. So when I was unable to respond correctly, I got re-directed to an actual person. He coped with my interpretation of the scribble pretty well. He said that no one can usually read the handwriting so at least I was not alone. One question was whether someone would be home for the day requested and I told him I would wait for it. The phone number I gave was the one to reach me at home. So I was set, or so I thought.
I was surprisingly exhausted after sloughing through the snow/slush and fighting against the stinging of the sleet. So I overslept in the morning and was running late with the morning tasks. Feed the cat, wake Mom and give her osteoporosis medication, make breakfast a little later, etc. But I knew I would have woken earlier or heard if anyone had buzzed me from the lobby.
Last time I had re-delivery they came at noon so I was not really concerned until then. Watched the normal Saturday morning cartoons and ate breakfast, logged online and downloaded my work and personal emails. I was hesitant about going out for the newspapers since that would be when they would try to deliver the package. But I finally decided that I had to. Dressed, coat and scarf, boots on, money ready, keys in hand, I unlocked the door, opened it and....
There was the package - re-delivery sheet attached, sitting just against my apartment door!
So, if no signature was required, what exactly was the difference between the original delivery attempt and the re-delivery that allowed the package to be left unattended in front of the door?
I don't get it... *sigh*
Friday, March 16, 2007
Sleet, Sleet, Sleet
Yesterday it was 68F with some rain. Then the temps started dropping until by night it was 38F. Warnings of an approaching storm were all over the news.
This morning the streets were wet and it was sleeting. Nothing seemed to be sticking on the ground, just on the cars and some bushes. On my way to work the wind had kicked up a little. That was driving the sleet hard against your skin. Ouch!
In the later afternoon I had to walk over a few blocks to a meeting in another building. It wasn't too bad to walk, winds were fairly calm and the streets were not too bad to walk on. A bit of slush. Of course there were those areas where the drains in the street were clogged and the slush was building into lakes but still passable. By the time we headed back to our office the winds had kicked up again and drove the sleet sharply against your skin.
Leaving tonight, there was a fairly good accumulation and the winds were still bad. Still sleeting with some snow as well. Some poor woman literally slid into the subway car I was in. Not hurt just startled.
This is my neighborhood tonight. Doesn't look that bad but the winds are really gusting and the sleet is non stop.
So do you think they will have cleared streets for the Saint Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue tomorrow? Hmmmmm.... I wonder.
This morning the streets were wet and it was sleeting. Nothing seemed to be sticking on the ground, just on the cars and some bushes. On my way to work the wind had kicked up a little. That was driving the sleet hard against your skin. Ouch!
In the later afternoon I had to walk over a few blocks to a meeting in another building. It wasn't too bad to walk, winds were fairly calm and the streets were not too bad to walk on. A bit of slush. Of course there were those areas where the drains in the street were clogged and the slush was building into lakes but still passable. By the time we headed back to our office the winds had kicked up again and drove the sleet sharply against your skin.
Leaving tonight, there was a fairly good accumulation and the winds were still bad. Still sleeting with some snow as well. Some poor woman literally slid into the subway car I was in. Not hurt just startled.
This is my neighborhood tonight. Doesn't look that bad but the winds are really gusting and the sleet is non stop.
So do you think they will have cleared streets for the Saint Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue tomorrow? Hmmmmm.... I wonder.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Spring Forward?
Sunday morning was the new date for the Daylight Savings Time change.
What a pain. My work PC and home PC had updates to change the effective date but not all the other electronics in the house!
But even my home PC seemed to not have known. Until I looked at the date/time pop up change panel and realized that somehow the automatic DST had gotten Unchecked. Once I checked it everything was corrected.
I went around changing all of the times on the electronics and clocks. Since I don't have any updates to correct the effective date for DST on the electronics I just set them all on manual time change. Of course I had forgotten that I needed to change my Mom's watch and mine. I never remember how to change the time on these. All those buttons. Which ones to push at the same time to invoke the SET function? Luckily, this time I found it pretty fast.
I love the Green market at Union Square here in New York City! You never know what you will find. I also try to save items and drop them off there for the compost project. I can usually do that on the way to my office. Good idea since they are often heavy and could be a bit fragrant and not suitable for the office.
Here are some dwarf plants I picked up for my Mom yesterday:
A little sign of life and that Spring is coming, eventually.
Spring is supposed to start next week. The weather has been fairly warm for the last few days but the temperature is supposed to drop again.
Will Spring arrive soon and stay? Time will Tell!
What a pain. My work PC and home PC had updates to change the effective date but not all the other electronics in the house!
But even my home PC seemed to not have known. Until I looked at the date/time pop up change panel and realized that somehow the automatic DST had gotten Unchecked. Once I checked it everything was corrected.
I went around changing all of the times on the electronics and clocks. Since I don't have any updates to correct the effective date for DST on the electronics I just set them all on manual time change. Of course I had forgotten that I needed to change my Mom's watch and mine. I never remember how to change the time on these. All those buttons. Which ones to push at the same time to invoke the SET function? Luckily, this time I found it pretty fast.
I love the Green market at Union Square here in New York City! You never know what you will find. I also try to save items and drop them off there for the compost project. I can usually do that on the way to my office. Good idea since they are often heavy and could be a bit fragrant and not suitable for the office.
Here are some dwarf plants I picked up for my Mom yesterday:
A little sign of life and that Spring is coming, eventually.
Spring is supposed to start next week. The weather has been fairly warm for the last few days but the temperature is supposed to drop again.
Will Spring arrive soon and stay? Time will Tell!
Magic Loop Rocks!
Finally ordered a long and smooth enough circular needle to actually use the Magic Loop method. Some of the members of one of the knitting groups had mentioned having good dealings with a store on Ebay from the UK for Addi needles. At that time I had saved that store name but until recently never got a chance to order anything. I had wanted to get two circulars at a shorter length and one at a longer length. That would allow me to try to two circular method as well as the Magic Loop method. Unfortunately she did not have what I wanted in stock. I ordered one longer needle and one medium length and they arrived fairly quickly. It cost for two Addi needles with shipping less than the normal retail price for one of them here in New York.
The photo above is a hat I am working on using the Magic Loop method. The needles are not really at the positions I use when working on them but they are positioned for the photo.
Here is a site with a good video on the Magic Loop Method.
Have not gotten to the decreases yet but I am sure I will love it.
Magic Loop Rocks!
The photo above is a hat I am working on using the Magic Loop method. The needles are not really at the positions I use when working on them but they are positioned for the photo.
Here is a site with a good video on the Magic Loop Method.
Have not gotten to the decreases yet but I am sure I will love it.
Magic Loop Rocks!
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