He Bought Me a Tiller! Weee!

I am excited, my hubby bought me a tiller for my garden.  It is a small electric one.  We had a gas powered one that literally rotted in a space of a year, and it lived on the back porch covered.  So, I was excited when he said he wanted to buy me another one but, this one would be electric.  I wasn't all that excited at first and then I read the reviews...5 stars across the board.  I thought about it and said okay.  Anything has to be better than doing it all by hand.  It is back breaking labor.  I am a Texan I can take it, maybe when I was in my teens and twenties, 42 is a whole different story.  Back pain at this age can side line me for a while. 

This morning was blood work to see where my A1c is and to check my horrible cholesterol levels.  I have been taking my fish pills 4 times a day.  I have the lemon based ones that don't give that ick burp.  I can't deal with that fishy burp, it is just beyond gross.  Kinda like the mangosteen juice I have right now.  I can deal with the one that tastes like paste, it doesn't bother me.  This new one...I think it would be like licking a pine tree.  It is truly awful.  I want to lick a paper towel afterwards to get rid of the taste. 

I had to double up on my probiotic caps while I was sick with the crud.  I haven't had a flu shot in about a year but, I didn't get the flu.  I had some sort of a cold, or virus.  No fever, just felt really run down.  So, I knew I wasn't one of those poor individuals that had the flu. 

I am not knitting right now.  I am working on crocheting blanket number 5. I call it number 4 since it is the 4th one in a series.  I plan on donating it to my DAR chapter and selling voices to help raise funds for the chapter.  It will have serious yarn in it.  Then I have to crochet another one and it will be the last one for a while unless someone else decides they want one.  I have enough yarn left over to do one more and that is it. 
I still haven't cast on for my sweater.  I haven't had the time.  I am trying to get my home de-cluttered.  I have a huge garage sale pile.  I want to clean out the stuff we haven't used in 2 years or more.  Some of it we haven't used in 10 years.  It has to go. 

This weekend, I have to dig out a damask rose, it is going to leave the place in pieces.  I am sick of it scratching me and scarring me up.  It has long needle sharp thorns and a profusion of them.  We need the space for tomatoes.  :)  The bourbon rose is staying where it is.  I love that rose.  We also have to trim the rosemary bush back some, it died on one side and then we also have to clean out some scrub brush out of the flower bed.  It should be a busy weekend for us. 

Gary also has to trim the oak trees back and the pineapple guave needs to be trimmed before we get a letter from the HOA that says it needs to be reshaped and trimmed.  Then he has to find the time to pressure wash the side of the house since it has the mold coming back.  The mold letter should be coming out soon.  Every year like clock work that letter comes out.  We know about it, we just have to deal with it. 

Once we get the house cleaned up and de-cluttered, my crafting table will have to be put together.  I can't wait for that to happen.  It means I can get back to sewing and with a nice big cutting table, it means no more leaning over on the floor to cut out patterns.

I need to make more lavender sachets for the closets and for the dryer.  Oh, they work wonderfully in the dryer, I wet them down in the sink and then throw them into the dryer with the clothes and sheets.  The sachets come out fluffier and the laundry smells great! 

Dang!

I weighed myself yesterday and wouldn't you damn well know it, I gained 11 pounds over the holidays!  So, I am back to my diet.  Sigh!  It seems I get around sugar and all self control goes out the freaking window.  I have also found out that I am a carb junkie.  I love carb laden snacks and since I have diabetes in my family, we are all doomed to it.  I have to stop myself from lusting after carbs. 

I am knitting another sock, this time with a merino/nylon sock yarn I painted, it is called Punctured tire and since this computer will not allow me to upload any pictures to my blog, I can't show you what it is looking like.  It is on my facebook page though. 

I was washing clothes last night and knitting on the sock.  My goal was to get as far as I could and also to get my hubby's jeans washed.  I have been sick dealing with some crap congestion, ear aches, and sore throat, body aches, and tiredness. I am trying to get myself back to health.  I hate being sick. 

I did get on my exercise bicycle and ride 3 miles.  It was so boring.  I like riding my bicycle outside.  I guess my last foray into the cold is the whole problem.  sigh! 

We have torrential rains here but, I am not complaining since we need the rain after that 2011 drought.  That was completely awful.  The grass was dust, and everything was dead.  Just when we thought it would rain, it didn't.  It was miserable and then the wildfires and the resulting air purifier that the hubby bought me since I couldn't breathe.  I sat in front of that thing and it went where I went in this house. 

My hubby asked why I named the yarn, Punctured tire, this is when my car was desperate for tires.  Now, that I have my new tires, I love them.  With my old tires, the F1's that came with my car, it was awful driving in the rain, I would slide and fish tail everywhere I went, now that I have the F1 Assymetrical's...I am in love with my car once again.  These babies have a 45,000 mile warranty on them.  I love that.  Okay there are some things I have noticed, they don't hug the corners turning fast like the F1's did.  They slide a bit on dry pavement so, I have that to contend with.  They are so much cheaper than the others, too.  Whereas I would have dropped $2000 on tires for the F1's.  I only dropped $1300 for the new ones.  Big difference.  I also get 21,000 extra miles out of them. 

My sister was asking me how much I liked them since I think she is going to get herself a pair for her Volvo, Sven.  Yep, she names her cars, too.  We all do.  If you feed it as much gas and money as most people do, it deserves a name. 

My goal for the new year, spend less money.  So far, I am doing pretty good with that.  Yay!  Then it happened, I got a new yarn catalog in the mail.  People, I am trying to be good.  I don't know if anyone else received one, it is called Willow yarns.  I was perusing the catalog, like I need more damn yarn.  Then I saw the blends they have and the prices, I am going  shopping when I decide what yarn I really need.  I have been looking like crazy. 

Rain and Cold..Perfect Knitting Weather!

It is raining and cold here which is perfect to sit down and do some much needed knitting.  I am working on an itty bitty sock.  I am using one of my hand painted yarns, it is a super wash merino/nylon blend and I already made myself a pair of socks out of it.  So, I am using the rest for this little pair of socks.  I like it. 

This is one of my favorite yarns to knit with since it is so nice on the needles, it knits like a dream and the best part, it wears incredibly well.  I have knit with it several times and I really love it.  I have other colors I have painted and really can't wait to tear into it and make something beautiful for my cold feet. 

I have a blanket on my crochet hook right now and I am waiting for yarn to get here so, I can continue onwards with it.  It should be beautiful when I finish with it.  :)  I found a yarn sale and managed to get free shipping which is great, it saved me serious cash. 

My goal for the new year?  I am trying to be good and not shop online as much as last year.  I want to keep my credit card paid off.  I am sick of paying our hard earned money to the credit card companies.  We are still paying on the roof.  It sucks to have to replace all the shingles on the roof courtesy of a hurricane.  Prepare to spend a huge chunk of change on it.  I can't imagine what it would cost now with our current economy.  Probably twice as much as we had to pay after Ike. 

I am also trying to knit with the yarn out of my stash.  I have a huge yarn stash and well, it is time for me to use the yarn in it.  I have many books to look up patterns as well.  I was digging for a lace book and finally found it in the last place I looked for it. 

I wish I could find one of my other books that has the prettiest baby bonnet pattern in it.  I have a baby shower to go to later in the month and I am trying to fnd items to knit for it.  I love that pattern and it has been really well received every time I have gifted it. 

I just wish I knew where I put it.  sigh! 


 

Riding my Bike in the Rain

This morning I decided to start my work out routine once again.  I admit over the holidays, I stopped working out.  Big mistake!  So, I got all of my compression gear on and put a long sleeve moisture wicking shirt on and then shorts over my compression shorts.  Then I put on my sweat jacket.  Lo and behold...I get out there, and I am doing fine when it starts raining on me halfway through my mile.  My hands are freaking freezing and I my main goal was to get my old beat up out of shape body home without killing myself. 

I make it home and had to pry my fingers from around the handle bars...must wear wool mitts tomorrow.  No ifs ands or buts.  I have to do it.  I had to warm my fingers up.  I did get my mile in which was very important.  Tomorrow I plan to walk.  I have to alternate my riding to every other day. 
 
I was going to a yarn sale but, ended up coming home.  Dang!  I wanted to hit this particular yarn sale since I am making another blanket for a friend.  I guess the yarn I have will work out.  I just have to realize this and not buy more.  I have so much yarn it is never going to get used if I don't start using it now. 

I also have plans to knit myself a sweater this year.  It will snow heavily the day I cast on for that sucker.  My hubby tells me to start with the sleeves first since I hate knitting sleeves.  Okay, I will try that out.  Then I will have the sleeves finished and I can go about working on the body of the sweater.  :) 

I am going to have some coffee and then work on my current project.  If you are interested in that project, it is out of the Jane Austen Knits Fall 2012 magazine page 86.  I have no idea if the recipient reads my blog or not so, I am not talking about what it is.  :)  Pictures will follow later when I am done with the thing. 

Another Year Gone...and Quickly!

Am I the only one who thinks 2012 has sped by?  I can't believe we are back to another year gone.  Hopefully, 2013 will be better than 2012.  This year has sucked financially for me.  I can't believe how awful shop sales are.  It has never been this bad and it had me seriously thinking of walking away from doing what I love.  I love my job but, here lately, not so much. 

I am working on crocheting a blanket for my darling hubby.  He has been pretty understanding when I haven't wanted to share my blanket that I made for us.  I grab it and go outside to sit on the bench and soak up the heat from my fire pit.  He finally got me one for Christmas after about 8 years of begging.  I think he finally enjoys it with me.  He is the one who has supplied me with lots of wood to burn and he even cut some of it up for me to start the fire with.  Nice guy.  He also bought me a fabric cutting table.  I have wanted one forever but, I knew with the price tag of the thing, it wasn't going to happen.  Then I was asked that question I positively hate..."what do you want for Christmas?"  and after hemming and hawing about what I wanted, I didn't know, it hit me, a fabric cutting table.  I love using my sister's.  She was given hers by her neighbor but, that doesn't matter, she has one.  So, I am ready for it to be put together and I can use it. So happy! 

We were given a huge recycling can by the trash people and let me tell you, I never knew how much stuff we were pitching into the trash until we started to use the recycling can.  I am not throwing away as much now, I am recycling like crazy and every week that huge sucker is full of recycling.  Pretty good if I do say so myself. 

I have been good, I haven't bought yarn on line in a month.  I had to buy homespun for his blanket but, nothing pricey.  My goal for the new year besides work on my diet some more, to not buy yarn and to use up the yarn stash.  Let's see how well that goes.  Should be fun to watch me try and do this. 

If anyone else wants to use their yarn stash up, you are welcome to knit along with me.  I had wanted to see if I could knit with all the yarn in one bin each month.  That didn't work out so well because I was sucked into crochet.  One of my on line friends is a crocheter and she does the most amazing work.  She made me yearn for my crochet hook.  Here I am now, sleeping in a wrist brace to keep my hands alive at night and I am on my 3rd blanket and yes, there are plans for a 4th blanket.  They seem to be very popular with relatives and friends.  :)  They are warm and snuggly. 

I have sock yarn galore around here and I want to knit more socks for myself.  Notice, I said myself and not others.  Those days are over since people can't seem to say thank you.  Two little words that mean the world to a knitter.  Another two little words we love is:  How much?  Yep, we like to be paid for our work.  Who doesn't? 

Have a safe and Happy New Year! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

I fell behind and only managed to send out 4 cards this year.  Yeah, I know, time just got away from me.  So, for those people who did receive a card...you are so lucky! 

Today has been lazy day here, which is nice.  We went out for lunch and then Gary had to get me the last of my Christmas presents.  He gave me a fire pit and had to get me some wood for it.  We used the fire pit tonight and finished off a bottle of red wine.  It was a nice romantic evening. 

I am crocheting a blanket for the hubby for his Christmas present.  He knows it will be his when I finish it.  I am on the 4th skein of yarn.  It is turning out really nice.  I am doing several shades of blue Homespun by Lion brand yarn.  I love the stuff, it is so easy to crochet with on a big hook.  This is my 3rd blanket to do.  I might even be doing more than this.  People seem to love having a hand made blanket from me.  They are so comfy and snuggly. 

Our family Christmas was a blast.  We had a great time and I came home with tequila and a tool set.  Yep, my own tool set.  I love it.  Gary came home with a set of towels.  He was happy with it.  I was shocked.  They are nice towels.  He said he had plans to use them since they are nice and soft.  Okay! 

I have drank more in the past few days than I have in 2 years.  I had several shots of my tequila with my brother and niece, then I had the wine tonight.  I have beer in the fridge and some on my kitchen table.  I was going to take the 6 pack of long necks with me to the family Christmas party but, forgot them.  Oh well, I guess, I can save them for another time. 

Stay safe and I hope everyone gets what they want this year. 

God Bless our men and women who are serving in our military. 

Hot Lemon Water on a Cold Day

I have my hot lemon water for this morning.  I am doing a two week liver detox.  It works well.  I have done this before and it does help me feel so much better.  At first, the bitterness was overwhelming.  Not so much anymore.  I am getting used to it.  Another great thing from this, it helps me lose weight.  Love that part, even better than the first. 

Today I will be working on the blanket.  I will be taking pictures and posting later.  Maybe tomorrow if I feel like it.  The blanket is very intense in colors.  Hubby says it is opulent.  Okay hubby.  I worked on it some last night in front of the tv.  I did manage to get two Christmas cards written out.  I know, I am slow going with them this year. 

I have to check to see what the high temp is supposed to be today and then decide if I am going for my walk or not.  Right now, no.  Not feeling all that up to it.  I was digging in my pantry for fig preserves.  We have so many jars since the tree went crazy with fruit this year.  I am sick of seeing the things.  So, I am now giving away fig preserves to all of my friends and family. 

I have to pick some lemons today as well.  I think one of my friends might be headed this way.  She doesn't know it but, she will be leaving with lemons and fig preserves.  She said her hubby loves the fig preserves.  I hope they like lemons since they will have those, too. 

I put the fleece sheets on the bed last night and realized quite quickly hot freaking hot they are.  I had to pull the top sheet off and put on a cotton sheet and then put the fleece top sheet on top of the cotton sheet to use as a blanket.  It worked out nicely.  We were cool and warm at the same time, not sweating buckets.  I am not a fan of sweating and then freezing from it.  Doesn't work for me.  I hate being really hot and I hate being really cold.  I like it temperate.  Yeah, I know what am I doing in Texas?  I wouldn't be any other place in the world.  I love Texas!  We are a friendly bunch of people but, don't cross us because we can get mean, fast! 

I had to battle Scavenger Kitty last night in bed.  She seems to think that the bed with the fleece sheets is her domain and she proceeded to make my life a living hell.  She crawled on me, tried to sleep on me, and kept head butting me most of the night.  That black and white bowtie nearly did me in.  She is a 15 pound cat who is very determined.  Crazy as can be.  If she doesn't want to move, kicking her off of the bed is not an option, she bares down and makes sure that no one is moving her with their feet.  Nope, not going to happen.  She has been known to bite toes.  Last night, she tried to bite my nose, which was it.  I booted her fat ass off of the bed.  She wasn't happy but, who cares.