Book Trip

Once a year, Mandy's Mom's work has a warehouse sale to benefit the United Way and Food Bank. So on a cold, windry, grey, wet Saturday morning Sister, Bev and I ventured off on a book trip. We always receive generously from Mandy's Mom but there is something about a BIG warehouse full of books that calls.

Shortest, fastest, and the most stressful way to get there is the 401 into Toronto and 404 north. Even at 7 on a Saturday morning, that route does not in the least interest me so we head north well before Toronto and head north east towards our destination. Very good roads, very little traffic and some lovely views even thought they included rain and some snow.

Late enough to our destination that we had no lineup to meet up with the rest of the party. For 3 people who were not going to buy much, a large box, several big purses and baskets were used. I bought mostly box sets of a small book and related items such as ....would outline more clearly but not sure what all I am giving and to whom so think details better wait.

After shopping comes eating. Went to a nearby Swiss Chalet which was nice but could have used a faster server. Afterwards came even more shopping for our car - there are two wool shops in a nearby city but we were good and only visited one of them. And amazingly, only one book was purchased and NOT by me. Saw some lovely yarns though and a sweater on display that Sister was impressed by. Maybe we can get details worked out before she leaves Tuesday.

Headed home across country somewhat but hooked up with the 401 just past Brampton. Went past Maple Leaf Chicken plant and store so had a stop there. Sister did my shopping for me so I got luncheon meat, a cooked chicken, some chicken breasts, cole slaw and some lovely wedge cut fries which served as a snack for us. Made it easier when we got home - unloaded each at their home, brought myself and walker into the house, had a bit of chicken and went to bed.

Of course, today has been bright and very sunny and I am having a pj day but we had a great time and that is the main thing.

Christmas & Birthday Celebration

After helping me on several questions for my blog, my daughter Flit has decided to start her own. Word of warning -- she doesn't knit or do crafts. Presently she teaches at a college and is taking English courses for her University degree. You can check out her writting at the following noted location:
http://flitsflitting.blogspot.com/

Went to Port Huron today with my Sister to buy her Christmas present. She had looked around when she was down several weeks ago for Scrabble games but wasn't sure then what she wanted. Made it easy for myself and offered to buy a set for her. There was some pants she had looked at before and didn't buy so she purchased them today. I was fairly good - no yarn, 3 tops on sale from J.C. Penny but nothing from Bon Worth, and no books. One transgression out of 4 I think is something to be proud of. Had a nice lunch at the Olive Garden which I haven't been to for about 10 years.

Her daughter has a birthday today so to celebrate we took the daughter's second eldest daughter out to party. Had a lovely time at The Mongolian Grill. Only one thing overlooked - no cake or dessert. Hope someone provided one for Margaret Ann and that she has an outstanding day.

Scarf Sent

Took time on the weekend to block the scarf and sent it away today with a few goodies. I am very glad to have it all done. Very curious and somewhat anxious about the response. This is only the second time I have been in an exchange so still unsure of "proper procedures". The scarf is the colors mentioned, almost twice the length of my ironing board (which is what I blocked it on) and 6 1/2" wide. Since it is all lace, I thought the finished width qualified as narrow. Now the waiting for her response and for the scarf coming to me. Meanwhile, here are a few pictures for you.


Folded in half on the ironing board. Ran tape through the holes in the border lace along the edge of the center lace. Made it much easier to block.





The scarf end on the right shows the right side of the knitting and the left end is of the reverse side. I personally like both sides but the edge border has a more definite "right" side.



Also, in further knitting news, my friend Bev and I went to Kitchener Sunday afternoon. Sylvia, owner of Knit Werks, had arrange for Jane Ellison to speak. Jane writes the winter pattern books for Noro and designs for several other English yarn companies all the while working full time. She truly enjoys designing and the Noro yarns. It was very interesting to hear her speak and to see the wide assortment of yarns and pattern books. The room held 50 people and I think everyone went home with patterns and/or yarn for a project.

I only bought 4 balls which I think will become a felted purse. Had thought to start the Leaping Lizard pattern that I have seen on several sites but don't think that a hand washable afghan would be appreciated in my house or by any of my children. Also bought 2 pattern books so maybe after looking at them closely I may change my mind.

Had a lovely meal at Oscars before the event. Hash browns, spinach, peppers, mushrooms, onions and cheese served in a dish with a small serving of baked beans and 2 eggs done any style for $7.95. Also 2 slices of toast. There was almost enough for two people except I was very hungry by the time it arrived so there was no sharing and also no dessert which is a surprise when we go there.

There was tea, coffee and some lovely desserts at the gathering so did well there. Very cold, damp, rainy day so broke the trip home in the dark by stopping at a restraunt in a town near home. Had a lovely meal at a reasonable price so will have to stop there another time. They had HOT homemade soup which is an attraction in itself.

Will leave the rest of the news for another post as I am having a hard time being up tonight. Time for my bed, TV and knitting.

With the yarn left after making Lucy's scarf, I have started some fingerless mittens. Having the same problem as with the scarf -- am on about the 6th start. Hopefully they will soon start going much better. Certainly threatens my confidence as a knitter.

One Done

Finished knitting the ISC3 scarf. Have to finish off a few ends and block it so I am very pleased. Nearly 7' at this point so should qualify as a long scarf. Very grey and rainy today so will leave the pictures until I have it blocked. Just have one or two small things I would like to pick up to go with it as small added gifts.

Lucy's scarf has been ripped out about 10 more times as didn't like the look I was getting, next time I cast on the wrong number of stitches, started the pattern too soon, pattern wasn't showing up, edgeing didn't look right -- you name it, I found a reason to rip out. Tried another pattern very early this morning when I couldn't sleep so will have to check it out in the clear light of day to see if it will work. Have one or two ideas if this latest pattern doesn't work.

Enjoy the process.

Thanks, Flit

I consider myself fairly familiar with computers but have not tried anything with Blogs and working with HTML and such until I started this blog. Thought that since my eldest was teaching Computer courses at a college that maybe she would act as my resource person.

Right now she is taking University English courses, teaching computer courses, caretaker to her mother-in-law who has Alzheimer's, repairing computers and is the mother of two. (The girls are at colleges but very quick to phone and/or text their Mother.)

Then I forward her a request to put a ticker tape on my blog and within a day it is all done. She also said that I might have a calendar soon. I really appreciate her efforts and her taking the time to do it. I am truly impressed by all that she is doing so to get something done for me and done so quickly is very, very special.

Thanks every so much, Flit.
Feel free to add a picture of your backyard view at anytime. Especially since I haven't posted any pictures lately.

Snow and Stitching

Well, we had our first snow yesterday and today. It certainly is not staying but it is definitely cold enough. And windy. Saw plenty of winter coats on people today. Felt so sorry for those standing at bus stops as I have done that a lot and know how quickly and how much you can feel the cold. One lady had her fur trimmed hood up today at one bus stop. You could tell I had a car today as I am wearing a very light coat over a bulky sweater. With Crocs on my feet and no socks. That is what I will hopefully be wearing most if not all this winter. It is too difficult to get socks on but maybe I'll have to wear my other backless shoes when the snow starts staying. The holes around my toes on the Crocs let in just a bit too much.

My ISE scarf is coming along very well. The baseball series sure helps me in getting a lot of easy knitting done. All of the large ball I had wound has been knit with. The scarf is quite long but my Scarf Receiver likes them very long so I plan to use all of the small ball that I had started knitting with. At the "old" guage there is 12" of knitting so I hopefuly should get almost double that with the new guage. Really hope to have it done by the end of next week and in the mail to her.

Have been getting in a routine of going to the HSSC three times a week and I am really enjoying it. Have the bus set for Tuesday and Thursdays now and will drive myself on the Mondays when I normally have the car anyway. Mondays will be an aquafit class and some time in the Hot Tub and on the exercise bike and free weights in the Weight Room. Tuesdays is a Joint Fit class in the Wellness Pool at the warmer temperature. Thursday is also a Join Fit class after a knitting group. Will also try to do the exercise bike on those days.
26 days to the Specialist.

Keeping Busy

Will try to get everything in order to get up to today.

Got the book read by Monica Ferris -- Embroidered Truths. The shop caters to all the needlecrafts so each book can have a sort of theme. In this book, the gay manager, Godwin, is thrown out of their apartment by his partner and he comes to Betsy Devonshire, the store owner and friend. The partner is murdered and, of course, our hero is arrested and Betsy gets involved. This book had very well drawn characters who it was easy to get interested in.
Would I buy it - probably
Would I read more by her - definitely.

Monday was a trip to Port Huron with my Sister, her daughter-in-law Margaret and her friend Cheryl. Cheryl drove her van so was nice not too drive and was very comfortable. We visited a number of stores but did not get to Cracker Barrel which Sister had really wanted to show Margaret. Good excuse for another trip. I can remeber when it was a very big deal to make the hour trip across the border. My folks enjoyed going on a Sunday afternoon for shopping (Mom) and the bar (Dad). My Sister and her kids would go for shopping, picnics and boat watching. There is still a difference in the stores, products and styles available and the difference in prices still make it an enjoyable trip. This time I only got one book on sale but I find I find the difference in prices worthwhile. When there is $5 to $9 difference in a book's price and I am buying several books, and I get a day out with a friend, a meal at a different restaurant, and the exchange is fairly favourable, I think it makes sense to buy in the States.

Went to Hooks for supper with all of Cheryl's family and my son. They have a nice buffet and on Monday's the price is 2 for 1. Nice to visit with everyone but by 8:30 it was much nicer to be able to go home to my own bed.

Tuesday was the first day for Joint Fit. It was a very easy, slow moving class designed to stretch and use joints that are affected by arthritis. Only about 16 people including 1 man, it was a fun class and I do like the instructor. The water didn't seem too warm until you put your hand in the other side of the pool which is heated to 84 and it felt like ice water. Patio tables and chairs and some palm trees around the edge so it is also a very pleasant spot. Looking forward to my next class.

Wednesday was another meal out - this time the Mandarin which again is Chinese and Canadian buffet but I think it is more extensive and better food. The Red Hat group went out with 2 guests of Margaret and Lorna's daughter Heather. I really enjoyed our time together. Afterwards, Sister and Margaret went to visit a nursing home, Heather and Lorna went shopping, and Bev and I went to get her sewing machine from repairs and to a yarn shop. Very proud of myself as I didn't buy anything.

Thursday Sister, Bev, and I drove to Toronto to take Margaret to the airport. Stopped in Brampton for a lovely breakfast and visit with my youngest. This was the only opportunity for her to meet with Margaret. Afterwards we went to Ikea to meet DDA again before she headed into Toronto and we went to Red Lobster for a late lunch. Let Bev and Sister shop a bed & bath store that has been out West but just opening down here. For some reason, I enjoyed a few minutes of just sitting. My left leg was just too sore and I hated the thought of getting into the truck.

Coming home my throat was getting sore and Friday the sniffles started in earnest. My eyes are burning and I certainly don't want to focus on knitting, reading or TV. Probably plenty of typing errors but I often type with my eyes closed and doing it now. Have started the dosages of Cold FX so don't expect to be suffering for too many days.

I had been invited to Brampton for Thanksgiving and thought about going but certainly didn't feel I could drive it myself after all the activities I've had this week. Packed my bag and thought I would just stay on Thursday but Son forgot to pick up my perscriptions so couldn't go three or four days without them. Turned out I had to pay the yearly deductable of $100 so just as well I didn't stay.

Hope any and all Canadian readers have a very Happy Thanksgiving and get to celebrate with family and/or friends.

Lucy's Scarf

A number of years ago I worked for a rehabilitation company. On behalf of the insurance companies, we ensured that people who had been moderately to severely injured in an automobile accident were receiving timely and effective care. This was before the more recent changes in car insurance here in Ontario.

We invoiced daily and did payroll biweekly so we had need of a backup person for me. The first person hired was Irene who became a very close friend and who died last year of breast cancer. I'll tell her story another time. The second person hired was Lucy who also became a close friend to both Irene and I. We had many good visits and meals as a threesome.

Lucy came to Canada from Korea and lived a number of years in this area so we have many things in common. Her daughter is now married, living in Calgary and has 2 beautiful daughters. Her son married last year and will have a new baby this fall and lives in Chicago. After many years of travelling back and forth between the 3 places, she and Young, her husband, have decided to move to Calgary.

As a farewell gift, I wanted to make her a pair of socks but she said no. Now some may find this very surprising, but that was her response. Instead she suggested a scarf before trying to talk me out of making her anything. Now how can she expect to remember me if she does not have at least some small token gift from me? So a scarf it is and into the yarn shop we headed. She suggested black to go with her new coat but any knitter will understand why I did not jump for joy with that suggestion. Ended up with a nice black and grey mix in alpaca. Lucy suggested very narrow which is always nice, and not too long which I could also agree with. Found several patterns I did like as there is no way it could be plain - it would be easier just to buy a scarf and I wanted something special.

We bought the yarn several months ago but haven't wanted to start as that would mean that she is actually going. The house now has a conditional offer, she is back from a visit to arrange things in Calgary where they have purchased a house, and has started packing so I decided I better face reality and get started. It is the first project in ages that I have started about 6 times before I have found the right pattern and rhythm. Did get 4 repeats of the 4 row pattern on 29 stitches done this morning after all the starting overs so it is a start. This now means that I have 2 scarfs and 2 pairs of socks that I can choose for "easy" knitting. I wonder where my eldest and her youngest get their ADD from?

Will post a picture of the scarf when it gets longer. I am accepting the fact that Lucy is moving away.