Saturday, January 10, 2009

Catching up is so very hard to do!

I don't think I have ever felt this far behind. I have little or no spare time ( Dad's needing more care, Christmas and the whole family being hit hard by the stomach flu didn't help), so it's been very hard to try to update my blog or even read blogs. I miss it all and I am in the process of trying to make it work. Hopefully you'll see more of me soon :)

Now let me see where did I leave off? Oh, yes...my Dad's saga...the one who didn't want to bother me by deciding it was better not to press his lifeline and lay on the floor all night. That one decision really upset my apple cart, but it's ok. I'm moving on and have taken steps so hopefully it won't happen again. He now has a lock box on the outside of his apartment door. This way if he needs help, lifeline will give the code to the fire department so they can get in. Dad can get help right away even if I am unavailable. Before they would call me and I would have to go and check on him. Thank you all so much for your prayers and get well wishes for my Dad. I really appreciate all the support. You are all very good friends :)

Dad is home now. He spent four days in the hospital and two weeks in rehab. They took very good care of him and he was spoiled. I think his fear of going to a nursing home was dispelled a bit. The nursing home was excellent. I think one of the best in our area. If ever he has to go back we know where he'll be going. Dad came home the day before Christmas Eve. Need I say more it really put me in a tailspin. We had to take down and move two twin beds and replace it with a hospital bed. I also got him a lift recliner and some other equipment to make him safe and happy. The chair ended up being returned. He didn't like it and preferred his old rocker. I felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach. That's ok, as long as he's happy...that's the important thing. One thing I did do right. I bought him a blanket support. He was complaining about the blankets making his feet hurt. Such a simple solution, thanks to my dear sister-in-law who knew exactly what he needed. The internet is a wonderful thing as you can find just about anything from slipper socks to skis for his walker (highly recommend these :) )
Yes, even though you haven't been hearing from me I have been doing a little bit of knitting. I knit a scarf for a Christmas gift. It was very well received. The pattern I used was the My So Called Scarf pattern by Sheep in the City. I really love how it turned out. The yarn Moda Dea Cartwheel has a nice texture to it and makes a very nice fabric. One would think it was woven, not knitted. I've been wanting to try this pattern it seems like forever....and now I'm very glad I did :)I also knit a pair of mohair mittens for my son's girl friend. She loved them. They certainly will be warm. They will be good for shoveling snow. I used a vintage classic mitten pattern recommended by Marie. It's a wonderful pattern and I highly recommend knitting mittens with this pattern. You can make just about any size you want! Thanks Marie for pointing me in the right direction :) Then my next project was a disaster. My oldest son asked for a pair of fingerless gloves, the ones that convert into mittens. Being the good Mom that I am I said sure, but I had to make them as an I.O.U., because there was no way I'd have them done in time for Christmas. I finished only one glove and gave up. I used Mag Knit's Urban Necessity pattern.I was not at all happy with the outcome and it did not make me happy to knit this glove. Very cumbersome glove to wear as well. In Walmart I bought an inexpensive pair of fleece convertible gloves for $8.00. My son was much happier with these. It just wasn’t worth the trouble :) Would I knit another pair of gloves? Think not. But I would knit mittens again.

Lastly I finished the prayer shawl I had started back in October. This was my take along project. I used a different yarn (a bargain - at fifty cents a skein) that I had found in AC Moore - Bernat Marsala. I was very happy with the results. I 'm in love with adding a ruffle in place of fringe. I really love this shawl.I think my felting days maybe over as I previously have known. My 12 year old wringer washing machine decided to die right in the middle of our stomach flu epidemic. I can not be without a washing machine. We went right out and bought a new one...a front loader this time. Whirlpool Duet Sport. So far so good...I love it!! My 25 year old dryer is finished before the washer finishes, so I think we'll be saving money on gas as well as water. It's a fun to use and is a more efficient machine, but I have my doubts as to how it will felt. I guess if all else fails I can always try the plunger in a bucket method.

Guess with that - I've pretty much brought you up to date for now. Please be patient with me as I try to catch up with everyone....really looking forward to that!! Hope this find everyone well and happy.

Happy Knitting :)

23 comments:

  1. Glad to hear that your dad is out of rehab. We'll continue to send good vibes his way (and your's).

    Hopefully, 2009 will be a better year for you.

    Congratulations on the new washer. We bought a new set. The first month our water bill was $13.00 less. Can't tell on the dryer because at the same time the utility company raised our rates 25%!

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  2. Bless you, you've had a lot on your plate. I hope things will go well with your dad. All the knitting looks great- I've been wanting to try that scarf for a long time, too. I got a front loader this summer, haven't tried to felt with it yet but I have hope.......

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  3. Deb, it's good to hear the news about your dad, I know that had you stressed. And as for the chair... I know my mom would be the same, not intentionally trying to hurt me for buying something for her, but just wanting her comfortable, usual chair. Walker skis? Hmmm never saw those, or blanket lifters.

    That prayer shawl is gorgeous too. I like the ruffle, nice touch.

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  4. Glad to hear your Dad is doing better! Happy New Year!

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  5. I'm glad your father is doing alright. Wow! Blanket support and skis for walkers, what will they think of next? Those are really cool! I'll have to remember those. Ooh, My So Called Scarf, I've been wanting to make that for years....I like the yarn you used. Very nice, and the mittens look great too. It's nice to hear from you.

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  6. Glad to hear your dad is doing well. I hope you are recovering from the whole ordeal yourself.

    The knitting all looks wonderful. I, too have been wanting to try that scarf forever.

    As for the new machine I do have a friend that still felts in that style machine, but I say don't under estimate the power of putting wet wool in the dyer.

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  7. The "My so called scarf" is really nice. This too has been on my list forever.

    I'm glad your dad is doing a bit better. Makes for some hectic times trying to care for sick parents.

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  8. I noticed you hadn't been around as usual lately and it is nice to see you posting again. What a busy and stressful time you've had! Glad to hear your dad is doing better. That lockbox idea is great! I hope 2009 will be a better.

    Love your scarf, I've been meaning to make one of those too. And those mittens look so soft!

    I got one of those front loading washers last year, and think I'm saving on water and being more efficient. Love it! Don't know about the felting, as I have never attempted to do that (even with the old style washer). One of the first things I noticed was how much dryer -- or less wet -- the clothes were when I pulled them out of the washer. That's why it takes less energy to dry them in the dryer. Yay for high RPM spin cycles.

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  9. welcome back..glad 2 hear your dad is OK..

    love the scarf, it's a great pattern....mitts too!

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  10. Glad to hear your Dad is doing better. You really have been through the ringer. Hang in there. Your finished projects are all great. I love the ruffle idea on the prayer shawl. I also love your My So Called Scarf. I made that pattern last year and loved it as well.

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  11. Glad to hear that all is going well. Hope that you are a feeling much better. I really love the colors to that prayer shawl. Beautiful! Your scarf and mittens both turned out great too. I knit a pair of gloves like that once too and ended up taking them apart. Sometimes it is easier to go out and by them.

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  12. Good solutions to Dad's problems. I'm glad everything is ok there. It's always scary when things like that happen.

    Your work is good. thanks for the mitten pattern. I'm going to make some for my kids (and myself!) now.

    And the shawl is lovely. What a gorgeous color!

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  13. It's awfully good to see that you posted! You were missed..just ain't the same around blogland when you're not here. I was surprised to see you had visited my blog (and quite thoroughly at that. :)

    I was hoping all was well with your dad, and it looks like you have everything worked out pretty well.
    I'm glad you were able to knit while you were working things out for your dad. The scarf is gorgeous! I love those mittens and will go snag a copy of the pattern, thanks for the link! I'm going to have to try the ruffle on a shawl soon; it does look very nice. I love the color shading on it, too.
    Again, it's good to have you back!

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  14. wow, i'm glad to hear that your dad is doing better, but it sure must be hard for you. sounds like you are a very good daughter. : )

    all that knitting! i really like the my-so-called-scarf pattern, too.

    i hope things calm down for you now that the holidays are over!!

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  15. Pretty scarf-such nice colors, love the prayer shawl too. Your work is always beautiful. I'm jealous you're knitting mittens and they come out. I've recently tried a pattern someone suggested for a basic, easy mitten on 2 needles that didn't need DP's and have now frogged it a 2nd time. Not sure if I'll try it again or not. Very frustrating. Have switched to crocheting mittens for the time being and having much better luck, though there too...the first pattern wasn't to my liking. I'll have to check out the pattern you listed.

    Hugs for your situation with Dad. As you know, not too differnet than what we experienced with Mom, though we're finally seeing the light of day there. We had the walker, she wouldn't use it. Took a fall to show her the light of day. Then the surgery with complications, wouldn't go to rehab and went home instead and did very poorly. Refused all of our suggestions as well as those of several physical therapist. She's a terrible patient. Fell at home, finally we convenced her she needed to go into a rehab. Poor care at the rehab after being there only a few hours, another fall...Emergency room for a gash in her head, followed by a week long hospital stay, another surgical procedure, 2 wks in rehab, leaving before she should in my opinion to go home. She is making headway, but much slower than she should be had she stayed the length of time she should have and gotten all the therapy she was suppose to get. She's just now restarting therapy, didn't want to do things until after the holidays. Aging parents ....not easy.

    Thinking of you, good luck with catching up.

    hugs
    Sandy

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  16. I'm so glad to see you back! Your projects are all really lovely, and those mohair mittens looks so cozy. And I'm glad to hear your Dad is doing better, and that rehab worked out well for him. Hugs to you! :)

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  17. so am I ... i did a happy dance!

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  18. I am so glad your Dad was spoiled and is now back home. That lockbox must be a relief to you. Let's hope nothing nasty happens again. I love all your projects minus the odd mittens, I know where you are coming from. I did the same thing with my Maisie, she turns her nose up at handknits at the moment so I just bought her some REALLY cheap and nasty glves and she loves them hahah!

    my word verification is 'proon' just tickled me parp!

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  19. Deb, I'm so glad things are settling down with your dad. Thanks for all the links to the home health supplies--I work in health care and never knew about the blanket supports! Ya learn something new every day!!!

    p.s. I LOVE your prayer shawl with ruffle. That is beautiful!

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  20. it's good to hear you're dad is doing better! your needles have certainly been busy!

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  21. Stopping in to say hi, hope you had a good wkend.

    Sandy

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  22. So good to read your post. Your knitting projects are really beautiful, especially the shawl. How nice!

    I'm hoping your Dad gets back to normal soon, and I'm really impressed with your love and desire to see him comfortable, despite the worries it might cause you!

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  23. it's so hard to get caught up again, isn't it! glad to hear your dad is back at home now and i hope that he's doing better. you've been a busy knitter! i made some convertible mittens myself and didn't like their outcome either! you were smart to just go out and buy him a pair! ;)

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Thank you all for your comments! I really appreciate them. I usually don't follow up with an email, but if you do have a question please make sure you include a way to reach you within your comment so I may answer your question. Thanks and happy knitting :)

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