Well actually, I guess it should be "working still" but next week I will be switching from Manpower to MCC133. 4th time in 5 jobs Manpower have sent me to that I have been hired from them. Really appreciate where they have sent me. Only downside on this new job is that the Chairperson of the Board has decided to move back to Australia. He is nice and also appreciative of the work done. As Chairperson, he sets the tone of the Board. I also like the rest of the persons on the Board so hopefully it won't mean too much upset to me.
Get to start rearranging the Superintendent's office as mine is all done. He has no window in his cubbyhole so for some funny reason, he doesn't spend much time in it. Has plenty around the building to keep him busy and can always come visit in my office.
Have the centre of the afghan done -- almost. Thought it was big enough but only 58 cm when I started to take it off tne needles so I am going to work a band of the dark blue around it. I think it will frame it very well and set apart the other blocks. Also laid out"our family" blocks on a piece of dark blue material so I have a better idea of how they are going to look. Hopefully will get some of the fill-in blocks done and start stitching them together this weekend.
Have a new toy to distract me. Went to Brampton last weekend and tried Mandy's Nintendo DS. Was not impressed with how well I did so went out and bought myself one. Also got the two Brain Training games and Brain Age and Picpuzzle (graphs with numbers across the top and one side which you use to fill in the squares to create a picture.) Have been having great fun doing it and hopefully will see some improvement in my performances. Heather and Sis also enjoyed it the other night when we got together for supper. Left it at work one night and was very upset but not enough to go back for it.
Son home from Ottawa and off to Milton today. Has a wedding and birthday on Sunday and working in Hamilton area next week so doubt I'll see much of him.
Well off to see the ball game and knit some more. Break is over.
Enjoy life.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Knitters' Fair 2007
Need I say much more? Excellent time to see a large number of shops and knitters. Get lots of cards so I can visit some throughout the year.
Thought I would buy one book but ended up with 5 -- Artic Lace being one as I looked at it again and was so interested in the history behind it and the patterns she gives. Even if I never knit with quivit I am enjoying the story behind it.
One shawl pattern -- of a dragon which I had seen on a blog but hadn't gotten around to ordering it yet. Once I saw the shawl I knew that it would be one I knit. Maybe I'll do it in red.
Went to knit the centre block of my Sis's afghan and found the yarn I had been saving for it had a great deal of purple in it. Wasn't sure there was enough of the dark to light blue I thought made up all of it so had to go looking for more. It was really hard! Most had purple or greys in the mix. Since all the other yarns were a solid colour I wanted the one to be a mix of all or most of the colours used. Bought one I though ideal but turned out to be too greyed and dark but it is a sock yarn so certainly can use it. In outside light it is a lot of denim colours. On the 3rd trip to GoodBuys I finally found the ideal blue but it came in a package of 6 balls. Didn't care at this point as it looked good and I had had it. Turns out it still looks good in the daylight too so looking forward to using it. And was the correct weight of yarn.
Did find a new yarn called Cashwool, 100% extra fine merinos, made in Italy by Zegna Baruffa. In lace weight with 100g and 1350m (3.50 oz & 1460 yds) for $20.00. Wasn't sure what yardage I needed for some heirloom shawls to make for the grandchildren so ended up buying 4 skeins. Isn't the rule of thumb that if in doubt about the yardage, buy more?
After all the walking yesterday and rain today, I am somewhat stiff so off to lay down, watch sports and knit. Flit is going to look to fix my pictures soon so hopefully I will have them soon and I can show off the purchases and knitting.
Enjoy life.
**** testing **** (this is flit; just mucking about to see what's up re: pictures)
This is one of the pictures Ross took in Nunavut last month (modified at Flickr)
Thought I would buy one book but ended up with 5 -- Artic Lace being one as I looked at it again and was so interested in the history behind it and the patterns she gives. Even if I never knit with quivit I am enjoying the story behind it.
One shawl pattern -- of a dragon which I had seen on a blog but hadn't gotten around to ordering it yet. Once I saw the shawl I knew that it would be one I knit. Maybe I'll do it in red.
Went to knit the centre block of my Sis's afghan and found the yarn I had been saving for it had a great deal of purple in it. Wasn't sure there was enough of the dark to light blue I thought made up all of it so had to go looking for more. It was really hard! Most had purple or greys in the mix. Since all the other yarns were a solid colour I wanted the one to be a mix of all or most of the colours used. Bought one I though ideal but turned out to be too greyed and dark but it is a sock yarn so certainly can use it. In outside light it is a lot of denim colours. On the 3rd trip to GoodBuys I finally found the ideal blue but it came in a package of 6 balls. Didn't care at this point as it looked good and I had had it. Turns out it still looks good in the daylight too so looking forward to using it. And was the correct weight of yarn.
Did find a new yarn called Cashwool, 100% extra fine merinos, made in Italy by Zegna Baruffa. In lace weight with 100g and 1350m (3.50 oz & 1460 yds) for $20.00. Wasn't sure what yardage I needed for some heirloom shawls to make for the grandchildren so ended up buying 4 skeins. Isn't the rule of thumb that if in doubt about the yardage, buy more?
After all the walking yesterday and rain today, I am somewhat stiff so off to lay down, watch sports and knit. Flit is going to look to fix my pictures soon so hopefully I will have them soon and I can show off the purchases and knitting.
Enjoy life.
**** testing **** (this is flit; just mucking about to see what's up re: pictures)
This is one of the pictures Ross took in Nunavut last month (modified at Flickr)
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
They Did Arrive
After much concern on my end, received word that the Birthday Sister was pleased with her card and the offer of her gift. As soon as Flit can get Flickr working I will have some pictures in it.
Her card was 65 pages with some pictures of projects and an explanation as to why she wasn't getting 65 pot holders. Thought that was very nice of me.
Sis is getting an afghan in blues which she likes. Want to make 65 blocks and hopefully it will be 65" square. Took the 365 Knitting Stitches Calendar and a listing of the family birthdays to make the blocks in random sizes. There should be about 20 of the darkest blue that I am also using for the border. Really like some of the stitches but others I could do without. I also have an Excel spreadsheet with the listing, size of squares, diary, possible layouts, etc.
Want to take a guess as to her age? First two guesses wouldn't count.
Her eldest daughter-in-law turned 50 but didn't want to send her a Red Hat. Like the idea of the Prayer Shawl Ministry so made her a lovely rectangular shawl in the most gorgeous true red Rayon and Viscoe yarn. in the Diamond Lace Shawl by Sandi Rosner. I know she has the pattern on the web but I had purchased the book "Simply Shetland 3 at Galisteo" because there were more patterns in it that I also liked. Instead of fibre tassels at the 6 points I used some wood and crystal beads which turned out very well. Or at least, I think so. I would love to have it for myself so that is a good indication of how pleased I was with it because usually I can find faults in it.
At the same time I made a circular baby shawl, EZ short sweater from the Summer Vogue, and a hedgehog for Flit's newest grandson. Don't think the sweater will fit him long as he weighed in at 9 lbs 5 ozs. He should be able to soon hold his own against his 15th month old big brother.
Didn't sleep well last night so think I'll head to bed and knit there for awhile. The ball game has started and I'd like to have much more done on the afghan. Now I know that an afghan is fine with her and at least one extra block she would like (for her wedding last year), I feel more inclined to work harder on it.
Take care and enjoy life.
Her card was 65 pages with some pictures of projects and an explanation as to why she wasn't getting 65 pot holders. Thought that was very nice of me.
Sis is getting an afghan in blues which she likes. Want to make 65 blocks and hopefully it will be 65" square. Took the 365 Knitting Stitches Calendar and a listing of the family birthdays to make the blocks in random sizes. There should be about 20 of the darkest blue that I am also using for the border. Really like some of the stitches but others I could do without. I also have an Excel spreadsheet with the listing, size of squares, diary, possible layouts, etc.
Want to take a guess as to her age? First two guesses wouldn't count.
Her eldest daughter-in-law turned 50 but didn't want to send her a Red Hat. Like the idea of the Prayer Shawl Ministry so made her a lovely rectangular shawl in the most gorgeous true red Rayon and Viscoe yarn. in the Diamond Lace Shawl by Sandi Rosner. I know she has the pattern on the web but I had purchased the book "Simply Shetland 3 at Galisteo" because there were more patterns in it that I also liked. Instead of fibre tassels at the 6 points I used some wood and crystal beads which turned out very well. Or at least, I think so. I would love to have it for myself so that is a good indication of how pleased I was with it because usually I can find faults in it.
At the same time I made a circular baby shawl, EZ short sweater from the Summer Vogue, and a hedgehog for Flit's newest grandson. Don't think the sweater will fit him long as he weighed in at 9 lbs 5 ozs. He should be able to soon hold his own against his 15th month old big brother.
Didn't sleep well last night so think I'll head to bed and knit there for awhile. The ball game has started and I'd like to have much more done on the afghan. Now I know that an afghan is fine with her and at least one extra block she would like (for her wedding last year), I feel more inclined to work harder on it.
Take care and enjoy life.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Celebration
This weekend is a big celebration at my eldest nephew's cottage with a lot of family and friends. His wife had a milestone birthday last week and his mother (my Sis) now officially gets paid by the government. Since I have been working I didn't head out but have been working on projects for them. Would gladly show them off but Blogger still won't let me attach a picture.
Didn't want to mail a hat and think it is a very personal thing and also like the Shawl Prayer Ministry of knitting something with prayers and best wishes included in each stitch so knit a lovely red shawl. Just love the beads on each of the 6 points.
Sis is getting 65 squares in shades of blue sewn into an afghan or coat -- she gets to decide. Hope she decides soon so I can get working on the remaining few birthday squares and the filler squares. Got the rest of the yarn today.
The baby shawl recipient has arrived -- Coltan. He arrived Thursday night weighing in at 9lb 5. Received a lovely picture of him tonight where he is sound asleep - guess he is resting up before facing a 14month old big brother. His mother is step-daughter for my eldest. I think I’ve only met her once but I knit for them so I consider them family. He will be getting a shawl and sweater and brother Hunter gets a hedgehog in Toronto Maple Leaf colours.
Sept 22 - just realized this was still sitting in my Draft folder so going to post it now anyway. Guess I should work at this more often!
Enjoy life. Hope you have plenty to celebrate.
Didn't want to mail a hat and think it is a very personal thing and also like the Shawl Prayer Ministry of knitting something with prayers and best wishes included in each stitch so knit a lovely red shawl. Just love the beads on each of the 6 points.
Sis is getting 65 squares in shades of blue sewn into an afghan or coat -- she gets to decide. Hope she decides soon so I can get working on the remaining few birthday squares and the filler squares. Got the rest of the yarn today.
The baby shawl recipient has arrived -- Coltan. He arrived Thursday night weighing in at 9lb 5. Received a lovely picture of him tonight where he is sound asleep - guess he is resting up before facing a 14month old big brother. His mother is step-daughter for my eldest. I think I’ve only met her once but I knit for them so I consider them family. He will be getting a shawl and sweater and brother Hunter gets a hedgehog in Toronto Maple Leaf colours.
Sept 22 - just realized this was still sitting in my Draft folder so going to post it now anyway. Guess I should work at this more often!
Enjoy life. Hope you have plenty to celebrate.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Was taking a break
It has been almost a month since I posted. Hard to find things to write about when you get a routine of going to work, swimming twice a week and knitting on projects that you can't write about or show pictures. Time coming when the projects will be revealed so than I can post about them.
Feeling a bit of let down just now as two of the projects are completed and the third needs a major decision by the recipient before I can get back knitting. Can do some finishing now so I have started that and going back to a pair of socks for me. It is the green swampy pair I started months ago, ripped out because I didn't like the pattern, restarted on the Bridge but never completed the toes. Did the final 4 rows of the toes, started a 2 x 2 ribbing on the top and going to work some twisted ribbing on the back of the foot that I am going to work out myself into something interesting.
Saturday went to Brampton. Son was going to Milton to join a friend and his two boys for a Blue Jays game. Grandson was in a tournament so went to see him play. They won the morning game but lost in the afternoon by 1 run. They had been leading until the 5th inning when they got tied. I had to leave then to pickup Mandy from a birthday party. Turning cool out so I was glad to go but would have been nice to see the full game. It was nice to have the one on one with Mandy.
Got a phone call from her this afternoon. She has been scouted for soccer. The only first year player from her team selected as one of four to go on a rep team. Pretty impressive for a 7 year old. I am only sorry to say that I didn't recognize her talent. I thought she played as well as any on the team and no worse but I guess most of them have been playing longer so she is actually doing very well. Only problem is that her "new" practise is the same time as her brother's hockey practise.
Her folks have the kitchen all taken apart and the new one sitting in boxes in the dining room. Real big change and challenge for them but it should look very good when finished. Would love to do the one here but seriously doubt that anything will be done.
Tried to add a picture but it won't. Guess I'll have to see if I can add Flickr because I have put a lot of them over there.
Hope the next time won't be so long between posts.
Enjoy life.
Feeling a bit of let down just now as two of the projects are completed and the third needs a major decision by the recipient before I can get back knitting. Can do some finishing now so I have started that and going back to a pair of socks for me. It is the green swampy pair I started months ago, ripped out because I didn't like the pattern, restarted on the Bridge but never completed the toes. Did the final 4 rows of the toes, started a 2 x 2 ribbing on the top and going to work some twisted ribbing on the back of the foot that I am going to work out myself into something interesting.
Saturday went to Brampton. Son was going to Milton to join a friend and his two boys for a Blue Jays game. Grandson was in a tournament so went to see him play. They won the morning game but lost in the afternoon by 1 run. They had been leading until the 5th inning when they got tied. I had to leave then to pickup Mandy from a birthday party. Turning cool out so I was glad to go but would have been nice to see the full game. It was nice to have the one on one with Mandy.
Got a phone call from her this afternoon. She has been scouted for soccer. The only first year player from her team selected as one of four to go on a rep team. Pretty impressive for a 7 year old. I am only sorry to say that I didn't recognize her talent. I thought she played as well as any on the team and no worse but I guess most of them have been playing longer so she is actually doing very well. Only problem is that her "new" practise is the same time as her brother's hockey practise.
Her folks have the kitchen all taken apart and the new one sitting in boxes in the dining room. Real big change and challenge for them but it should look very good when finished. Would love to do the one here but seriously doubt that anything will be done.
Tried to add a picture but it won't. Guess I'll have to see if I can add Flickr because I have put a lot of them over there.
Hope the next time won't be so long between posts.
Enjoy life.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Milestone Reached
Took the bus to work on Friday. Was a day in which I did a lot of clearing out of a file drawer and filing a lot of Board things that have been sitting in a thick folder. Naturally it was the third drawer of a 4 drawer file cabinet so lots of bending and getting up and down.
Took the bus home past my usual transfer point so I ended up at Angelos. Those readers who know my house definitely know where Angelos is. Bought some goodies for supper and walked the 6 or 8 blocks home.
All this WITHOUT my cane.
I have used a cane for what seems forever. It must be about 8 or 9 years as I started when I lived in K-W. I had a slight fall and twisted my ankle - on the opposite side of the hip that needed replacement at the time - so it was a difficult few weeks for me. Was working, of course, and had a long bus ride and walk up a slight incline to the office. Found that the support of my cane, especially when tired, minimized the stress on my back. Know there are places and times when I will definitely require the cane in future but certainly can hope that they will even get to be less frequent. Times I will need it will be if there is rough terrain, extremely long walking and/or when I am very tired.
But I prefer not to consider such matters just now but take pride in Friday's accomplishment.
And yes, I am getting some knitting done. Not as much as I would like but I keep working on things. It will be nice when I can show them off but for now I just keep on knitting. The Tour de France being on has helped. I enjoy watching it every evening and have knit all but one night it has been on. Only one more day of it then it will be back to the baseball games.
Enjoy life.
Took the bus home past my usual transfer point so I ended up at Angelos. Those readers who know my house definitely know where Angelos is. Bought some goodies for supper and walked the 6 or 8 blocks home.
All this WITHOUT my cane.
I have used a cane for what seems forever. It must be about 8 or 9 years as I started when I lived in K-W. I had a slight fall and twisted my ankle - on the opposite side of the hip that needed replacement at the time - so it was a difficult few weeks for me. Was working, of course, and had a long bus ride and walk up a slight incline to the office. Found that the support of my cane, especially when tired, minimized the stress on my back. Know there are places and times when I will definitely require the cane in future but certainly can hope that they will even get to be less frequent. Times I will need it will be if there is rough terrain, extremely long walking and/or when I am very tired.
But I prefer not to consider such matters just now but take pride in Friday's accomplishment.
And yes, I am getting some knitting done. Not as much as I would like but I keep working on things. It will be nice when I can show them off but for now I just keep on knitting. The Tour de France being on has helped. I enjoy watching it every evening and have knit all but one night it has been on. Only one more day of it then it will be back to the baseball games.
Enjoy life.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Still Here
but not blogging a lot. Hard to believe it has been almost a month. Must get more diligent.
Still working. Should be for at least another month which is very nice to know. Gives me a timeline to plan things and to tell people..
Still enjoying the work and feel much more confident about it, of course. Get a routine going when you are able to do it more than one or two weeks.
Still swimming. Started back for the twice a week and it works out well with the bus. Get 30 to 45 minutes to swim before the classes start which helps. Do really need a Chiro appointment as getting very tight through the back. Son suppose to be in London next week working so hopefully will be able to arrange something.
Still knitting. Have a finished item but no pictures and need to get a related item also done but at least have that started. Also started the Mystery Lace 3 KAL but haven't finished Clue 1 as yet. Friday was the release of Clue 3. Just as long as I get all the clues saved to my computer before it ends, I will be happy. There are over 5000 people doing it and some lovely shawls so I know what the finished item will be patterned as. Using Jaeger Zephyr, light purple, that I bought in Lake Orion Michigan last year. Also using very, very small crystal beads which occasionally catch the light and add just a bit of weight. Should have used larger beads but I like the subtleties of the small ones.
Still reading. Mandy's Mom gave me "A Thousand Summer Suns" and I loved it!!!!!! Very sad but so very well written! Bought his earl er book "Kite Runner" yesterday and looking forward to reading it now. Had also bought Sidney Poitier's book on sale last week. I so admired him as an actor and person so I think I'll enjoy the book.
Still doing puzzles. Got a book of Hanjie puzzles for Christmas and so very much like doing them. Must be honest and say I look at the solutions to get started but try to do the rest myself. Was in Barnes and Noble yesterday and they had a big book called "Picture Puzzles" which are the each same thing. I am now the proud owner of one copy.
If you are not familiar with these puzzles, you are given a square of graph paper from 25 to 35 squares each direction. Across the top and down one side are numbers - a number in each grayed square that are the directions. The sequence 1 1 1 1 would mean that there will be four single squares filled in for that line and that none the the squares touch each other. A sequence of 13 4 1 would mean there are 13 squares, than a further 4 squares and a single square that do not touch each other grouping. By working the squares across and the squares across you can develop a picture. Some of them are very diabolical where it works out to be a single line outline of a smiling sun face, for example. That kind I skip or look at the solution for. Other times it might be quite easy, line a line of 33 across and nothing in the two edge squares. I can figure that out all by myself. Don't want the really challenging ones after a day of work and figuring out some knitting. I'll just leave them for now -- or cheat doing them.
Just realized I haven't really looked at the book since I saw the title. Bev and I had gone to pick up some mail for me in Port Huron and have a nice lunch out. Ended up at Chili's and really enjoyed it as we had a nice salad and assortment of appetizers. Off to look it over - and maybe do just one puzzle before doing some housework.
Well maybe two puzzles.
Enjoy life.
Still working. Should be for at least another month which is very nice to know. Gives me a timeline to plan things and to tell people..
Still enjoying the work and feel much more confident about it, of course. Get a routine going when you are able to do it more than one or two weeks.
Still swimming. Started back for the twice a week and it works out well with the bus. Get 30 to 45 minutes to swim before the classes start which helps. Do really need a Chiro appointment as getting very tight through the back. Son suppose to be in London next week working so hopefully will be able to arrange something.
Still knitting. Have a finished item but no pictures and need to get a related item also done but at least have that started. Also started the Mystery Lace 3 KAL but haven't finished Clue 1 as yet. Friday was the release of Clue 3. Just as long as I get all the clues saved to my computer before it ends, I will be happy. There are over 5000 people doing it and some lovely shawls so I know what the finished item will be patterned as. Using Jaeger Zephyr, light purple, that I bought in Lake Orion Michigan last year. Also using very, very small crystal beads which occasionally catch the light and add just a bit of weight. Should have used larger beads but I like the subtleties of the small ones.
Still reading. Mandy's Mom gave me "A Thousand Summer Suns" and I loved it!!!!!! Very sad but so very well written! Bought his earl er book "Kite Runner" yesterday and looking forward to reading it now. Had also bought Sidney Poitier's book on sale last week. I so admired him as an actor and person so I think I'll enjoy the book.
Still doing puzzles. Got a book of Hanjie puzzles for Christmas and so very much like doing them. Must be honest and say I look at the solutions to get started but try to do the rest myself. Was in Barnes and Noble yesterday and they had a big book called "Picture Puzzles" which are the each same thing. I am now the proud owner of one copy.
If you are not familiar with these puzzles, you are given a square of graph paper from 25 to 35 squares each direction. Across the top and down one side are numbers - a number in each grayed square that are the directions. The sequence 1 1 1 1 would mean that there will be four single squares filled in for that line and that none the the squares touch each other. A sequence of 13 4 1 would mean there are 13 squares, than a further 4 squares and a single square that do not touch each other grouping. By working the squares across and the squares across you can develop a picture. Some of them are very diabolical where it works out to be a single line outline of a smiling sun face, for example. That kind I skip or look at the solution for. Other times it might be quite easy, line a line of 33 across and nothing in the two edge squares. I can figure that out all by myself. Don't want the really challenging ones after a day of work and figuring out some knitting. I'll just leave them for now -- or cheat doing them.
Just realized I haven't really looked at the book since I saw the title. Bev and I had gone to pick up some mail for me in Port Huron and have a nice lunch out. Ended up at Chili's and really enjoyed it as we had a nice salad and assortment of appetizers. Off to look it over - and maybe do just one puzzle before doing some housework.
Well maybe two puzzles.
Enjoy life.
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