Laurie would be ashamed of me

If you haven’t read Crazy Aunt Purl today…read her first. She’s very unhappy about the types of women’s t-shirts available today. Did you read it? OK, here’s why she’d be ashamed of me. Today I’m wearing a baby pink, cap sleeve t-shirt with Tinkerbell on it and it’s got lots of sparkles. It says “Simply Spoiled” on it in big yellow letters. My husband hasn’t seen it yet, but I’m sure he’ll agree with its sentiment. By the way, I think Laurie and I are close to the same size, so I’ve got some of that “armchub” she mentioned. Oh well, sorry Laurie!!

On the headache issue...MY MRI HAS BEEN APPROVED!
Turns out the doctor actually ordered two, one with contrast and one without. I have one scheduled for Saturday morning and the other on Monday morning. I'll let ya'll know how they go.

Crochet-a-long

Our Crochet Group has decided to do a Crochet-a-long and we're making Seraphina shawls! I've made several already which you can see and my blog here. (Check under "Completed Items".) I'm excited, I've been looking for a good excuse to make another one. I really love this pattern! It works up so beautifully in just about any yarn you want to use. Since I have one in Lion Brand Homespun, a nice heavy weight winter shawl, I've decided to make one in Patons Grace for a nice light weight for summer. I chose the Lavander colorway, it's shaded from a medium purple to a very light purple to white to a peacock blue. I can't wait to get started.

I made my husband proud

The prior authorization for the MRI was requested one week ago yesterday and still hasn't been approved. So I talked to my Human Resources lady here at work and she called our company's insurance broker. She put me on the phone with our representative and I explained my situation. The woman on the phone, Lisa, was very helpful, she emailed me a release form to fill out allowing her to speak on my behalf. I completed the form and faxed it back to her. Now she is going to contact our insurance company for me and try to expidite the process. My husband was very impressed.

Stressed out spazmo

The appointment with the neurologist went OK. He felt me up around my neck and back, hit me with a little rubber hammer, touched me with a vibrating tuning fork and poked me with a safety pin. Sounds kinky huh? He was testing my reflexes and sensations. His verdict: the only thing wrong with me is stress. He ordered an MRI "just to be sure". I have to wait until the insurance company approves it. I'll let ya'll know when that happens. He didn't say it, but I think he wanted to tell me I need therapy. Maybe I just need a vacation.

Finally

So, tomorrow is the big day. I'm finally going to the neurologist for my headaches. I just have to swing by the Steinburg on the way there and pick up the films from my neck x-rays. Dudes, cross your fingers they figure this shit out. My head was so bad this weekend, it was radiating down into my left arm again. I sat in my chair on Sunday morning and cried. I tried not to cry this morning too. I've barely crocheted or knit anything in the last couple of days. I slept most of the day on Saturday though. Meanwhile, my hubby and roommate cleaned the entire downstairs, did some grocery shopping and bar-b-cued. Of course, this was all because they had a big poker game, but hey, it was still a nice thing to do.

In other news, Angie came over on Friday night and brought her swift and ball winder. We had lots of fun winding sock yarn in little balls. (Just don't ask Angie about the skein of Tofutsies that became a huge knotty mess on us.)

When did that happen?

I was getting ready to go to the Crochet Meeting last night and I was trying to decide what project to take when I realized the only projects I'm currently into right now are...knitting. I've been a crocheter for years and years and suddenly, I'm a knitter. I have two major crochet projects in the works right now; a couple of afghans and there are a couple more I'd like to make. In knitting, I have two pairs of socks on the needles, several more pairs in mind(including these), a scarf I'm designing, a hat a want to make, a black lace stole I want to design, and a couple of sweaters I'm dreaming about; I'm also thinking about making a bunch of cotton washcloths for winter holiday gifts. There's probably more, but that's all I can think of right now.

Check it out!

It's a sock!

I finished the first one and cast on the second one. Hopefully I'll have the second one done soon.

Spirit Scully

Here is the free hat pattern I promised. Enjoy!



Spirit Scully


Make this hat in your man’s favorite team colors.

Skill level: Easy

Size: Average male head (ego not included)

Worsted Weight yarn (I used Caron Simply Soft)
Main color
Accent color 1
Accent color 2

Size G hook


Rnd 1: With main color, chain 4, 11 dc in fourth chain from hook, join with slip stitch to top of first dc. (12 dc)

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join. (24 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st* repeat around, join. (36 dc)

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st* repeat around, join. (48 dc)

Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st* repeat around, join. (60 dc)

Rnd 6-8: Ch 3, dc in each st, join.

Rnd 9: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk next dc, *dc in next 3 sts, ch 1, sk next dc, join. (15 ch 1 spaces)

Rnd 10: Join Accent Color 1, ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), sk next st, dc in next st, dc in skipped stitch on previous row, *dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st, dc in skipped st on previous row.* repeat around, join.

Rnd 11: Join Accent Color 2, ch 3, dc in skipped stitch on previous row, dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st, *dc in next st, dc in skipped st on previous row, dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st* around, join.

Rnd 12: Join Accent Color 1, ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), sk next st, dc in next st, dc in skipped stitch on previous row, *dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st, dc in skipped st on previous row.* repeat around, join.

Rnd 12: Join Main Color, ch 3, dc in skipped st on previous row, *dc in next 3 sts, dc in skipped st on previous row* around, dc in last two dc, join.

Rnd 13: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join.

Rnd 14: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join, fasten off.

Weave in ends.


Please let me know if you find any errors.

Referral received

So I went to my follow-up appointment with the nutritionist. She ran the tests again and the results were better this time. The supplements definitely seem to be helping. I also called my regular doctor and found out what was taking so long with my referral to the neurologist. They had the wrong home phone number for me. They mixed up one number. So, the nurse gave me the name and number of the doctor they are referring me to and I called and scheduled and appointment. Finally! All I have to do now is get a copy of my neck x-rays to take to the appointment with me.

So here's the story...

Those stairs lead into the little trailer where I work. It houses a handful of us out behind the main building, we are the company stepchildren. Anywho, I was running a few minutes late the other day and had my hands were full. I'd stopped at the market and bought some apples and rice cakes. (They were for that whole "trying to eat healthier" thing.) I hit those stairs and went dowwwwwn. I have a lovely little bruise on the top side of my foot/ankle where I hit the step and my left arm is bit sore. Other than that I'm good. I'm an expert at falling on my face, literally. Check out this story from a couple of years ago, and the pictures here and here. And yes, I know that blog hasn't been updated in ages.

Sock progress and headache update

I went back into my stash in search of possible sock yarn and this is what I came up with:


Lion Brand Baby Soft Twinkle Print, it’s a sport weight, 60% acrylic, 40% nylon yarn. I thought it would make a great “practice yarn” and the stretchyness is good. (Just don’t tell the “yarn snobs” I’m making socks with acrylic yarn, they might faint.) I think these will be nice house socks for me and if the yarn is good enough for the babies its good enough for me! I’m working “top down” and have completed the first sock through the gusset decreases so I’m on the home stretch. I’ll be looking for some assistance when I get down to grafting the toes. Haven’t quite figured out that Kitchener stitch yet. I’m working on size 3 DPN’s and I’m getting some laddering between the needles; I’ll have to work on that.

I’ve still got some of the pink left over from the Fetching wrist warmers, I was wondering if I have enough to make a small pair of socks for my friend’s daughter…

I ordered the Yarn Harlot’s new book and a sock book from Amazon; they should be here tomorrow. I’m trying the resist the urge to order some sock yarn from The Loopy Ewe. I still haven’t placed my order for the hemp yarn. I have some in my stash I want to try out first. I did swatch it up a couple of weeks ago, just haven’t cast on for the socks yet.

The headaches are improving. I went to a nutritionist last week, she ran some tests to see what parts of my body are weak and gave me supplements to take. I feel like I'm taking an entire bottle of pills every day. They're doing something for me, I haven't had any hot flashes in the last week!

There's a story here...

I'll tell you later.

Out and about

I made it out to a Crochet meeting last night. We tried out a new venue and it worked out quite well for us. I had a good time even though the only thing I accomplished was frogging a couple of things. After discussing the lack of bounce in the socks I was working on I decided that yarn would better suited to something else. So...I ripped. I also found a mistake in a granny square I was working on so that got ripped too. I tried working on a couple of other projects but I just wasn't "feelin' it". I am doing a little bit better today though, it was so nice seeing everyone last night!

I'm still alive

I haven’t blogged in a while; I’m still fighting that monster of a headache. It’s been going on for almost two months now. It’s gotten so bad it’s radiating down through my neck and into my left arm. My doctor is convinced it’s somehow related to an arthritis flare up in my neck. ??? He is however; referring me to a neurologist, assuming the referral ever comes through. He also took a neck x-ray. There’s talk of sending me to a chiropractor, depending on what the x-rays have to say. I did go get a massage on Saturday. WOW! She found lots of knots and pinched nerves and tight places I didn’t even know I had! I was so sore yesterday I could barely move. I’m still a bit sore today, but I am feeling better. My neck still hurts but the headache is improved.
My knitting and crocheting have been almost at a standstill because of the arm pain. I did manage to finish the dishcloth a couple of weeks ago. I’ll get a picture and the pattern for it posted soon. I still owe you guys the hat pattern too. Gotta get the hubby to pose for a picture in it. I also started a pair of socks. I’m trying a yarn in cashmere and cotton; I have the Sea Foam color. It’s from my stash; I’d picked it up in Amsterdam a couple of years ago. (Yes, even vacationing in Europe I found a yarn store.) I love the feel of it, but there’s not a lot of elasticity (decent amount stretch but it doesn’t bounce back). I may have to make them a little smaller to compensate, which shouldn’t be to hard since I haven’t gotten very far on them anyway.

Tuesday night fun

Last night's crochet meeting was great. We had the privilage of meeting two new people. Hi Angela and Tina! Angela was working on the cutest socks using the magic loop, toe-up and two-at-a-time. I gotta try that!! Tina brought her very first completed afghan, it's so beautiful. Verna showed off a stack of gorgeous knitted dishcloths. Mary is working on another nylon purse, she just makes them up, she's so talented! Our other Angela is making the cutest Koala bear, she's going to enter it in the Clark County Fair. Good luck, I'll bet you get a ribbon! Margie is making an adorable star blanket in pretty bright colors and Jamie is working on an afghan in fall colored granny squares, I can't wait to see them finished. If you weren't there...we missed you!!

I wish I could say I felt better today, but my head is pounding. Thank you all for your "Get Well" wishes. I'll let you know what the doctor says on Friday.

I finished the first beanie, I'll try to get a picture of it tonight and post the pattern.

Here is the progess on the the dishcloth:

I'm very happy with the way this pattern is turning out. I should have this one ready to post soon too.

Is Spring here?

It's a beautiful day today. Sunny and warm, it's about 70F right now and it's supposed to get to 76F later. I just wish I felt better, I woke up this morning with a pain in my left neck and shoulder, and my head still hurts. It's been hurting for a few weeks now, my doctor even tried giving me a shot in the a** a couple of weeks ago. All that did was make my butt sore. I've tried 3 different prescriptions and the latest contains caffeine, which my system reacts badly to. I guess have a month long headache is making me cranky today. Anyway, I'm headed back to the doctor on Friday. Friday was the soonest they could get me in, just another reason to be cranky. That's OK, tonight is the Las Vegas Hookers Crochet Meeting. Something to look forward to, to get me through my day.

Unfinished socks

It is with great sadness that I tell you my first knitted sock remains unfinished. Unfortunately, it may never be finished for I am apparently allergic to wool. I tried on my half-finished sock to see how it was going to fit (it’s a little bit big). After a few moments of stretching it and contemplating the adjustments I would need to make, my foot began to tingle and itch. It still felt uncomfortable a couple hours after I had removed the sock. Strangely enough, the wool does not seem to bother my hands, aside from drying out my skin. I’ve also realized that working with the wool gives me a headache. I do have an ongoing problem with headaches, but the wool seems to make them much, much worse. So for the moment the sock is on hold. I’m searching for some cotton yarn to try. My local yarn store tells me they are getting some in soon and will call me. I’m also considering trying a hemp yarn. Lanaknits Designs has some that I have used for other projects in the past.

In the meantime, I am making sample hats for two beanie/skull caps I have designed in crochet. I will put the patterns up here as soon as I have my samples done for pictures. I am also working on a design for a knitted dishcloth. I will probably make this a free pattern as well. I plan to have several small items available as free patterns to “get my name out there”. I’m contemplating some other designs to submit to publishers. I also have a “set” that I am considering self-publishing. I’ll tell you more about that later.


Here's a preview of the dishcloth.

The cat is out of the bag

My husband and his friend are opening their own plumbing company. They obtained a business license and tax id number a few months ago, when the company they worked for was sold. The Reno division of that company was soon closed and the possibility of closing the office here became a real concern. It’s still up in the air as to what will happen to it. A few weeks ago my husband’s partner passed the test for his Contractors License, less than two weeks later the corporation that had purchased the company the guys were working for found out and fired them both. Needless to say, the last week or so has been an exciting scramble to pull together the final pieces of their company and get it up and running. I have every confidence in my husband and know he and his partner will build a successful and prosperous business. Congratulations and Good Luck, gentlemen!

Finally a decent picture!

I whined a little about the quality of my pictures, so my roomate Dave took a few more for me. This close up came out pretty good. I'm happy now.

HMB Contest Prize

I made a necklace today for the Heartmade Blessings squares contest. The contest is currently under way. This necklace will be one of the prizes that will be awarded.

This is a lousy picture, I had to use my cell phone, my digital camera was dead. I'm charging it and will try to take some better pictures later. The stones are Unakite chips (a green and reddish-pink colored stone) and the pendant is a yarn cutter. I love the gold leaves, I might have to make some earrings out of the leftovers. :)