Learn all you can. This vital question has been made very complex, possibly unnecessarily so, but please try to understand what we are voting for.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A Little Meezer News...
Maui continues to confound the vet.
He was back for a weigh-in, and while he hasn't significantly lost weight, he hasn't gained, and he otherwise seems fine. His coat, where he hasn't groomed it off, is in good shape. He's bright-eyed and alert and shows no signs of discomfort other than his extreme skittishness.
Because there's been no backslide since discontinuing the Leukeran, we've not gone back to chemo. Since it's also getting to be a bigger fight to pill him all the time, I had myself tapered back his prednisone to 3-4 a week as I just didn't want to wrestle with him, and he also did not deteriorate. So Dr. Bonnie decided we'll stop the Pred and switched him to an injection. Essentially same stuff, to control the gut inflammation that made him sick in the first place, but a monthly shot instead of the daily trauma of pill-time. She's also theorizing that pilling him probably isn't helping with his eating issues either. I wonder if his jaw problem was caused by all the pills.
Finally, I've been given a carton of Rebound, which is essentially super-juiced-up Catmilk, but I haven't tried him on it yet as we're finishing an open carton of Catmilk. If he likes it, though, we'll go back for a case.
He was back for a weigh-in, and while he hasn't significantly lost weight, he hasn't gained, and he otherwise seems fine. His coat, where he hasn't groomed it off, is in good shape. He's bright-eyed and alert and shows no signs of discomfort other than his extreme skittishness.
Because there's been no backslide since discontinuing the Leukeran, we've not gone back to chemo. Since it's also getting to be a bigger fight to pill him all the time, I had myself tapered back his prednisone to 3-4 a week as I just didn't want to wrestle with him, and he also did not deteriorate. So Dr. Bonnie decided we'll stop the Pred and switched him to an injection. Essentially same stuff, to control the gut inflammation that made him sick in the first place, but a monthly shot instead of the daily trauma of pill-time. She's also theorizing that pilling him probably isn't helping with his eating issues either. I wonder if his jaw problem was caused by all the pills.
Finally, I've been given a carton of Rebound, which is essentially super-juiced-up Catmilk, but I haven't tried him on it yet as we're finishing an open carton of Catmilk. If he likes it, though, we'll go back for a case.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Headfirst into the black hole of wasted time....
Thursday, September 13, 2007
LOOT!
Sorry it's been a while again, been too busy to download.
So, last Saturday, I took a mini-vacation and had a "me" day. I started off with a Yoga class, that, totally by accident, turned into a private, 1.5 hour class with a superb teacher. I have a drop-in pass at Atlas Yoga which allows me to pay ahead for a bit of a discount, but show up when I can over the course of a year. Just coincidentally, a) no one else showed on Saturday and b) the studio director/master teacher herself was filling in for the class. Yay!
After getting all relaxed and stretchy that way, I then trucked myself off to the annual Knitters' Fair put on by the K-W Knitters Guild. Oh my holy cats, what a dangerous event to be at with a credit card. Now, to be sure - I didn't get in quite as much trouble as the Yarn Harlot (I spotted Stephanie and friend, by the way, but didn't think I was well enough acquainted to charge across the hall and say hi), but there was some yarn-induced damage.
At one point, while goggling the mountains of Fleece Artist at so many booths, there was a bumping incident that happened, and a bundle of Jane sweater kit leaped off a shelf and landed in my arms. "Oh, look, it LIKES me!" I exclaimed, without even thinking, and boy, did that get a laugh. I'm sure a wave of disappointment hit the booth manager right afterward as I reluctantly put the kit back where it had jumped from, explaining that it was a great price but I already had TWO of that same kit waiting for me at home, and couldn't justify another when there was Seasilk and Somoko and Casbah on the loose. The Fleece Artist, ultimately, did get a good chunk of this month's disposable income.
So, here's my haul:
Lets see if I can still identify all that. Across the top, from the left, we have sock yarns from Brooklyn Handspun in "Chillin", All Things Heather in Juniper, Fleece Artist Seawool in one of their often-unnamed colourways (which it turns out I must like, for I arrived home to discover I have the same colourway in Somoko, too), a pair of Shelridge Farms fingering weight, undyed, and Handmaiden Seasilk in a yummy new, also unnamed colourway. It's almost like the one I made the Stormwater Shawl from, but has purple in it along with the copper and pewter colours. The book is Cat Bordhi's Second Treasury of Magical Knitting, which is her second book of Moebius patterns. I got this instead of the first one for the cat beds, as she repeats the basic Moebius tricks in both books, but the first one is mainly variations on the scarves.
The yarn in the bag in the corner is the yarn to go with a Sweaterkits kit, a childrens' Ladybug cardigan and toque set that the vendor actually sold out of, but she sold me the yarn and put the pattern and buttons in the mail for no extra charge.
In the front row, 3 assorted colours of Shelridge Farms DK weight as they had sold out of two of the 3 kits I wanted, the smaller skeins are the yarn from the kit they did have, and at the end are the patterns - funky winter hats for kids. I figure I have two nieces and a nephew, so I'll try for one hat each by Christmas, and if they hate the hats, a bazillion friends now have toddlers too, so I can regift.
The little wooden thingies sitting on the patterns are from a kit vendor who was also selling hand-turned wooden buttons and shawl pins. He sold the pins mix'n'match, so you could buy just the brooch for $23, just the pin for $23, or a set, pick your own pair, for $35. I did the set, in two of my favourite exotic woods - the brooch is Purpleheart and the pin is Tuilipwood. They look beautiful on my Stormwater (and well, anything else I can pin them on, too).
I AM still frantically knitting, and really, compared to some of the hauls - someone actually took their loot out in TWO WAGON TRIPS, I saw her! - I was restrained. Though I will admit, it is probably a good thing that the timing of my vacation travels was such that I won't make it to the Rhinebeck New York Sheep and Wool Festival, too. I will have to plan that for a future year and plan to NOT go to the KW Knitters Fair if I do.
And now - the RMF is on the way in about 36 hours, and I still have to hem 12 of these blasted mylar "chain maile" costume pieces. Ugh!
So, last Saturday, I took a mini-vacation and had a "me" day. I started off with a Yoga class, that, totally by accident, turned into a private, 1.5 hour class with a superb teacher. I have a drop-in pass at Atlas Yoga which allows me to pay ahead for a bit of a discount, but show up when I can over the course of a year. Just coincidentally, a) no one else showed on Saturday and b) the studio director/master teacher herself was filling in for the class. Yay!
After getting all relaxed and stretchy that way, I then trucked myself off to the annual Knitters' Fair put on by the K-W Knitters Guild. Oh my holy cats, what a dangerous event to be at with a credit card. Now, to be sure - I didn't get in quite as much trouble as the Yarn Harlot (I spotted Stephanie and friend, by the way, but didn't think I was well enough acquainted to charge across the hall and say hi), but there was some yarn-induced damage.
At one point, while goggling the mountains of Fleece Artist at so many booths, there was a bumping incident that happened, and a bundle of Jane sweater kit leaped off a shelf and landed in my arms. "Oh, look, it LIKES me!" I exclaimed, without even thinking, and boy, did that get a laugh. I'm sure a wave of disappointment hit the booth manager right afterward as I reluctantly put the kit back where it had jumped from, explaining that it was a great price but I already had TWO of that same kit waiting for me at home, and couldn't justify another when there was Seasilk and Somoko and Casbah on the loose. The Fleece Artist, ultimately, did get a good chunk of this month's disposable income.
So, here's my haul:
Lets see if I can still identify all that. Across the top, from the left, we have sock yarns from Brooklyn Handspun in "Chillin", All Things Heather in Juniper, Fleece Artist Seawool in one of their often-unnamed colourways (which it turns out I must like, for I arrived home to discover I have the same colourway in Somoko, too), a pair of Shelridge Farms fingering weight, undyed, and Handmaiden Seasilk in a yummy new, also unnamed colourway. It's almost like the one I made the Stormwater Shawl from, but has purple in it along with the copper and pewter colours. The book is Cat Bordhi's Second Treasury of Magical Knitting, which is her second book of Moebius patterns. I got this instead of the first one for the cat beds, as she repeats the basic Moebius tricks in both books, but the first one is mainly variations on the scarves.
The yarn in the bag in the corner is the yarn to go with a Sweaterkits kit, a childrens' Ladybug cardigan and toque set that the vendor actually sold out of, but she sold me the yarn and put the pattern and buttons in the mail for no extra charge.
In the front row, 3 assorted colours of Shelridge Farms DK weight as they had sold out of two of the 3 kits I wanted, the smaller skeins are the yarn from the kit they did have, and at the end are the patterns - funky winter hats for kids. I figure I have two nieces and a nephew, so I'll try for one hat each by Christmas, and if they hate the hats, a bazillion friends now have toddlers too, so I can regift.
The little wooden thingies sitting on the patterns are from a kit vendor who was also selling hand-turned wooden buttons and shawl pins. He sold the pins mix'n'match, so you could buy just the brooch for $23, just the pin for $23, or a set, pick your own pair, for $35. I did the set, in two of my favourite exotic woods - the brooch is Purpleheart and the pin is Tuilipwood. They look beautiful on my Stormwater (and well, anything else I can pin them on, too).
I AM still frantically knitting, and really, compared to some of the hauls - someone actually took their loot out in TWO WAGON TRIPS, I saw her! - I was restrained. Though I will admit, it is probably a good thing that the timing of my vacation travels was such that I won't make it to the Rhinebeck New York Sheep and Wool Festival, too. I will have to plan that for a future year and plan to NOT go to the KW Knitters Fair if I do.
And now - the RMF is on the way in about 36 hours, and I still have to hem 12 of these blasted mylar "chain maile" costume pieces. Ugh!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
I did not knit this sweater...
... but at a $16.99 consignment store price, I couldn't resist! And get this, the tag says "Knit in The Rockies". Made in Canada, in fact, by the Kootenay Knitting Co. Not a bad score and of course you know, you can't buy the yarn for that price. It had the tiniest little snag in one stitch on the front. But I'm a knitter, I have a pointy stick, I can fix that - good as new!
There is some knitting in progress, and recently finished:
I'm still not certain if these are mine or a gift. This is the June Rockin' Sock Club selection, Solstice Slip knit up in STR Lightweight, Firebird Colourway. I love 'em but they're a touch long.
And, some work in progress, one of two, from the It's A Wonder! quilting workshop I took a couple weeks back:
The name for this quilt at the moment just popped into my head as being the "Blue Demon Spin" quilt. The base fabric, made unrecognizable here, is a blue fabric with brown, red, white and gold tribal-type masks printed all over it. Some of the masks have horns, teeth, big boogley eyes, and it's nothing I would have picked except I needed a "doofer" in a hurry for this workshop. And since I knew the one-block wonder format left prints completely unrecognizeable, it seemed like a safe idea. I like it and I don't. Masks kinda freak me out, probably BECAUSE they represent such powerful things, spirits and demons and altered identities. I don't think they are to be taken lightly. But I love the effect of the quilt, and the kaleidoscope result. Hence, Blue Demon Spin.
Here's a closeup.
It won't be done for a bit yet, and I'm not certain I'll assemble it this way without any intervening blocks, but it was at the worst, a very interesting experiment and alot of learning. There was a second fabric I cut and started to sew in this same workshop, but as yet I only have a few of the 103 blocks of that one done. It'll get posted someday.
And now - off to a nap. Due to some very valuable work and learning that needed to happen, Tuesday turned into a 40 hour day, as I stayed up all night then had to be at the office all day Wednesday too for some prior commitments. So today is my Tuesday night's sleep and it hasn't happened yet, but is about to.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Hey, it's that day again....
August 22. My "Not Dead" day this year nearly got by unmarked, as I forgot until I was writing a cheque and had to note the date.
I guess that's not entirely a bad thing. Shows how pretty much on-track, normal, and manageable life really is. My health continues to be an ongoing project, the most recent event of which was refusing a prescription for Lipitor and opting to just add niacin to the recommended low-dose aspirin and my daily vitamin. My cholesterol is really fine and the prescription was preventative, so I've decided to start with something that does not involve side effects ranging from grapefruit interaction to skeletal muscle disintegration and renal failure.
Back to my normal, everyday workday.
I guess that's not entirely a bad thing. Shows how pretty much on-track, normal, and manageable life really is. My health continues to be an ongoing project, the most recent event of which was refusing a prescription for Lipitor and opting to just add niacin to the recommended low-dose aspirin and my daily vitamin. My cholesterol is really fine and the prescription was preventative, so I've decided to start with something that does not involve side effects ranging from grapefruit interaction to skeletal muscle disintegration and renal failure.
Back to my normal, everyday workday.
Friday, August 17, 2007
More Laundry rant, and I Won Yarn!
Well, since my Made in China capris are already IN my wardrobe, and I have a sewing machine, and just by coincidence a tiny bit of thread that almost matches the goofy "decorative" random zig-zag stitching that was already on them - I will repair them.
Today's clothing inventory includes a Reitmans top, Made in CANADA for a rare change, but that I bought second hand at a consignment store! I'm guessing it came from an era before Reitmans current sourcing arrangements, because last time I was there I could not find ONE SINGLE LABEL other than "Made in China". Denim skirt from a slightly more upscale store than Reitmans, unfortunately ALSO made in China though that particular store is one that often has first-world manufacturing tags. And my Crocs Mary Janes, which, very disappointingly, I found to have a Made in China stamp even though all of LAST year's Crocs were Made in Canada or the US. Go figure.
Not gonna check right now what country my underwear originated in, as that would involve removing more clothing than is appropriate in the cube farm.
One step I can make in more conscious consumer progress is with sweaters, I guess. Since re-discovering knitting, I will no longer need to buy sweaters. Helping me boost that little intent, my fave Online shop, Pick Up Sticks, just awarded me a yarn prize! I get to check out a skein of Dream In Colour Classy. Connie had a guess-how-much-I-ordered contest on her blog and I guessed right! She's let us pick our own colour so I'm trying out Black Parade, which looks to be a midnight-sky blue-black-purple-black sort of tone. It's Merino, but much heavier than the sock yarns which are most of my stash, so I'll have to ponder what to do with it. I'd have to buy 4 or 5 more at least for a sweater, but one might make a hat or mitts.
But, alas, the Dragons still loom. I did start another sock after saying I wouldn't, but it might be a frogging experiment, as I'm not sure I have enough yarn to complete the 4-stitch Reticulated pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks that I've picked. The yarn and the effect are amazing, but I'm trying it out of one of Connie's Mix-and-Match combos which is 1 sk Louet Gems and one Claudia Handpained, and the Claudia was only 45 grams. Normally my socks take ~70 grams, so the two should do even if short of the usualy 100gm per pair allowance, but the reticulated pattern has you carrying the non working yarn around all the time, so you have a stitched layer and a string layer eating up yarn on every round.
We shall see. It is currently the bedtime-with-audiobook knitting project. A scarf is in my purse for the carry-around project, because I can take neither dragon sewing nor Java homework out to stand in line with me. The Dragons, however, are the at-home project between now and when they're done. I am still procrastinating badly.
*sigh*
Today's clothing inventory includes a Reitmans top, Made in CANADA for a rare change, but that I bought second hand at a consignment store! I'm guessing it came from an era before Reitmans current sourcing arrangements, because last time I was there I could not find ONE SINGLE LABEL other than "Made in China". Denim skirt from a slightly more upscale store than Reitmans, unfortunately ALSO made in China though that particular store is one that often has first-world manufacturing tags. And my Crocs Mary Janes, which, very disappointingly, I found to have a Made in China stamp even though all of LAST year's Crocs were Made in Canada or the US. Go figure.
Not gonna check right now what country my underwear originated in, as that would involve removing more clothing than is appropriate in the cube farm.
One step I can make in more conscious consumer progress is with sweaters, I guess. Since re-discovering knitting, I will no longer need to buy sweaters. Helping me boost that little intent, my fave Online shop, Pick Up Sticks, just awarded me a yarn prize! I get to check out a skein of Dream In Colour Classy. Connie had a guess-how-much-I-ordered contest on her blog and I guessed right! She's let us pick our own colour so I'm trying out Black Parade, which looks to be a midnight-sky blue-black-purple-black sort of tone. It's Merino, but much heavier than the sock yarns which are most of my stash, so I'll have to ponder what to do with it. I'd have to buy 4 or 5 more at least for a sweater, but one might make a hat or mitts.
But, alas, the Dragons still loom. I did start another sock after saying I wouldn't, but it might be a frogging experiment, as I'm not sure I have enough yarn to complete the 4-stitch Reticulated pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks that I've picked. The yarn and the effect are amazing, but I'm trying it out of one of Connie's Mix-and-Match combos which is 1 sk Louet Gems and one Claudia Handpained, and the Claudia was only 45 grams. Normally my socks take ~70 grams, so the two should do even if short of the usualy 100gm per pair allowance, but the reticulated pattern has you carrying the non working yarn around all the time, so you have a stitched layer and a string layer eating up yarn on every round.
We shall see. It is currently the bedtime-with-audiobook knitting project. A scarf is in my purse for the carry-around project, because I can take neither dragon sewing nor Java homework out to stand in line with me. The Dragons, however, are the at-home project between now and when they're done. I am still procrastinating badly.
*sigh*
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
My Pants Have Just Come Apart....
Okay, that was TOTALLY not going to be the title of my post but as I was logging in, I realized I have another weird rip in these stupid made-in-China Reitmans capri pants.
I am, since updating much of my wardrobe LAST year at Reitmans, making more of an effort to not buy cheap imported crap. Unfortunately, it is damn near impossibly to FIND things not made in China. My clothes are literally disintegrating on me. I'm not talking about the wore-out-the-knees or that rub-through at the inner thighs us round girls get. Like, these pants just ripped down the front of the tummy below the waistband. While I was sitting.
Argh.
So what I was going to update today was just that the knitting progress has, of necessity, slowed a bit. You see, it's RMF volunteerism season, and despite my assertion a few years ago that I would show up on-site on Faire day and work at whatever, I've been landed into craft sewing for the merch booth the last 3 years. And oh, I'm so not motivated. Dragon hand puppets (cute when completed, but a fiddly project) and these "chain maile" hoods from a horrid mylar that fills my machine with metallic flakes. I've had the stuff for weeks and have just been watching it warily crouched in the corner of my room, I'm sure it is planning to destroy my sewing machine outright when I'm not looking.
But it must get done. So, this week I am doing a quilt workshop. Last night and tomorrow night, classroom time in Guelph, and tonight, finishing last night's cutting-up part at home so I can be ready to stitch. At which point, 2 more unfinished projects will join the quilting heap, and no more quilting OR knitting is to start until the dragons are done.
Hopefully the promise of more socks will motivate me through the drag.
There are actually two more pair of finished socks. Adam got his new Widdershins in Blue Moon's Fire On The Mountain colourway. Photo soon. The other pair - well, I'm pondering whether they will be a gift or not, so I'm not giving anything away just yet.
Wish me luck, the textile drudgery to come is already giving me a backache.
I am, since updating much of my wardrobe LAST year at Reitmans, making more of an effort to not buy cheap imported crap. Unfortunately, it is damn near impossibly to FIND things not made in China. My clothes are literally disintegrating on me. I'm not talking about the wore-out-the-knees or that rub-through at the inner thighs us round girls get. Like, these pants just ripped down the front of the tummy below the waistband. While I was sitting.
Argh.
So what I was going to update today was just that the knitting progress has, of necessity, slowed a bit. You see, it's RMF volunteerism season, and despite my assertion a few years ago that I would show up on-site on Faire day and work at whatever, I've been landed into craft sewing for the merch booth the last 3 years. And oh, I'm so not motivated. Dragon hand puppets (cute when completed, but a fiddly project) and these "chain maile" hoods from a horrid mylar that fills my machine with metallic flakes. I've had the stuff for weeks and have just been watching it warily crouched in the corner of my room, I'm sure it is planning to destroy my sewing machine outright when I'm not looking.
But it must get done. So, this week I am doing a quilt workshop. Last night and tomorrow night, classroom time in Guelph, and tonight, finishing last night's cutting-up part at home so I can be ready to stitch. At which point, 2 more unfinished projects will join the quilting heap, and no more quilting OR knitting is to start until the dragons are done.
Hopefully the promise of more socks will motivate me through the drag.
There are actually two more pair of finished socks. Adam got his new Widdershins in Blue Moon's Fire On The Mountain colourway. Photo soon. The other pair - well, I'm pondering whether they will be a gift or not, so I'm not giving anything away just yet.
Wish me luck, the textile drudgery to come is already giving me a backache.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Finish-up-itis
Knitters are commonly afflicted with a condition known as start-itis, and I am no exception, and it applies to other things in my life (like computer science courses). However, this holiday weekend, though it was truncated a little by funeral attendance requirements, seems to have allowed enough time to actually wrap a few things up.
Java project #4 was mailed off to my tutor. Despite going over it with a fine tooth comb, I'm sure I've neglected some nuance or detail and will lose a mark, but I had to get it DONE and it is, and it compiles and runs and that's all you need for a pass, and it actually outputs the specified output, so that's a decent pass.
So, accomplishment #2, is actually from a week or so back:
The neverending Grasshopper knee socks. Check the Gallery for detailed pics.
And:
Stormwater. Crumply and bumpy, I bound off yesterday, and tried the magic incantation that is blocking for the first time. Well, actually the first two times as I pinned one zig-zaggy edge backwards, it was zag-ziggy instead, and didn't notice until it dried.
So, now for no good reason I can think of, I have a beautiful Seasilk lace shawl. I shall wear it with jeans and my neon-sherbet-coloured Solstice Slip socks when I meet the Queen, of course.
And since accomplishments never mean there's nothing left to do - off to Assignment #5, the Solstice Slip socks, a pair of Widdershins basics for Adam, and a scarf I am now inventing as I go out of the remaining Wild Tide yarn (same stuff as in the Grasshoppers).
Java project #4 was mailed off to my tutor. Despite going over it with a fine tooth comb, I'm sure I've neglected some nuance or detail and will lose a mark, but I had to get it DONE and it is, and it compiles and runs and that's all you need for a pass, and it actually outputs the specified output, so that's a decent pass.
So, accomplishment #2, is actually from a week or so back:
The neverending Grasshopper knee socks. Check the Gallery for detailed pics.
And:
Stormwater. Crumply and bumpy, I bound off yesterday, and tried the magic incantation that is blocking for the first time. Well, actually the first two times as I pinned one zig-zaggy edge backwards, it was zag-ziggy instead, and didn't notice until it dried.
So, now for no good reason I can think of, I have a beautiful Seasilk lace shawl. I shall wear it with jeans and my neon-sherbet-coloured Solstice Slip socks when I meet the Queen, of course.
And since accomplishments never mean there's nothing left to do - off to Assignment #5, the Solstice Slip socks, a pair of Widdershins basics for Adam, and a scarf I am now inventing as I go out of the remaining Wild Tide yarn (same stuff as in the Grasshoppers).
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
The Further Adventures of Chemo Cat, oh dear.
Well, Maui had another little visit to Dr. Bonnie's Reform School for Obnoxious Siamese again.
The poor tyke was losing weight again, after being up a bit a month ago at his checkup. He seemed to have nearly stopped eating again - all we got into him over the weekend was a few grams of banana, his favourite treat.
So back we went to see the Cat Whisperer (that would be Dr. Bonnie). He's lost half a pound. He's kinda pinkish, but it's hard to tell if that's inflammation or just the fact that he's got naked spots still. Dr. Bonnie says it could be he's developing a reaction to the Leukeran.
She recommended doing bloodwork, for which he would be mildly sedated, with a valium-type drug also known to stimulate appetite. So I said OK and off they went to the back room.
For the next 20 minutes I could hear Siamese shrieking like his legs were being pulled off. Despite the care taken since he had a bug-out reaction to dental anaesthesia a year or so back, he hyper-reacted to the sedation, as well, and got completely wound up, to the point where the Dr. and tech were worried that he'd hurt himself. He flipped out screaming every time they touched him. So, we had to go with "knock him out" and some heavier drugs. I had to leave him there, again, poor guy. Dr. Bonnie offered to deliver him home later last night, after-hours, but called later to say she didn't want to send him back to us if he might still go flippy, so she was keeping him.
So I get him back today, hopefully with the drugs worn off and bloodwork results telling us what to do next.
Defective cat. *sigh*
The poor tyke was losing weight again, after being up a bit a month ago at his checkup. He seemed to have nearly stopped eating again - all we got into him over the weekend was a few grams of banana, his favourite treat.
So back we went to see the Cat Whisperer (that would be Dr. Bonnie). He's lost half a pound. He's kinda pinkish, but it's hard to tell if that's inflammation or just the fact that he's got naked spots still. Dr. Bonnie says it could be he's developing a reaction to the Leukeran.
She recommended doing bloodwork, for which he would be mildly sedated, with a valium-type drug also known to stimulate appetite. So I said OK and off they went to the back room.
For the next 20 minutes I could hear Siamese shrieking like his legs were being pulled off. Despite the care taken since he had a bug-out reaction to dental anaesthesia a year or so back, he hyper-reacted to the sedation, as well, and got completely wound up, to the point where the Dr. and tech were worried that he'd hurt himself. He flipped out screaming every time they touched him. So, we had to go with "knock him out" and some heavier drugs. I had to leave him there, again, poor guy. Dr. Bonnie offered to deliver him home later last night, after-hours, but called later to say she didn't want to send him back to us if he might still go flippy, so she was keeping him.
So I get him back today, hopefully with the drugs worn off and bloodwork results telling us what to do next.
Defective cat. *sigh*
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Neverending Socks done!
Picture soon. Finished the April Rockin' Socks socks, finally! My own fault for wanting knee-highs. I've already got the first foot of the June kit done now.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Order of the Socks.. er,.. Phoenix
Fawkes Socks done!
"Hey, what's these?"
"Wow, nice socks!"
"MMMMmmmmm, sooooocks..."
These actually got completed in the car. While I was driving. Or, rather, while I was sitting for 45 minutes halfway down the Niagara Escarpment at Clappison's Corners , occasionally lifting my foot off the brake for a few seconds to roll 10 feet forward with the car in neutral. I heard later the holdup was that a cement truck tried to flatten a car - succeeded really, as far as the car was concerned - and the occupants had to be cut free. They were, miraculously, only slightly scratched up and I'm sure very shaken. So, I cannot really complain about being stuck in traffic for a bit. And it just shows how knitting cultivates both patience and resourcefulness!
I'm hoping to have the neverending knee socks from the April Rockin' Sock Club done this weekend, my long stretch of fold-over ribbing is almost done. And I've already cast on the Firebird colour yarn from the June RSC, so those'll be on the go next. And then there's the July Pick Up Sticks club - I get to try Sheldridge Farm! In Green!
Better pictures of the socks are over in the Gallery, sans cat.
"Hey, what's these?"
"Wow, nice socks!"
"MMMMmmmmm, sooooocks..."
These actually got completed in the car. While I was driving. Or, rather, while I was sitting for 45 minutes halfway down the Niagara Escarpment at Clappison's Corners , occasionally lifting my foot off the brake for a few seconds to roll 10 feet forward with the car in neutral. I heard later the holdup was that a cement truck tried to flatten a car - succeeded really, as far as the car was concerned - and the occupants had to be cut free. They were, miraculously, only slightly scratched up and I'm sure very shaken. So, I cannot really complain about being stuck in traffic for a bit. And it just shows how knitting cultivates both patience and resourcefulness!
I'm hoping to have the neverending knee socks from the April Rockin' Sock Club done this weekend, my long stretch of fold-over ribbing is almost done. And I've already cast on the Firebird colour yarn from the June RSC, so those'll be on the go next. And then there's the July Pick Up Sticks club - I get to try Sheldridge Farm! In Green!
Better pictures of the socks are over in the Gallery, sans cat.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Last one on the Bandwagon's a loser...
I should never have looked....
There are 6300 people ahead of me on the Ravelry wait list.
Oh well. I have enough to do lately, anyway. Assignment 4 part 1 of my Java course is done... need to get part 2, and preferably (but not likely) assignment 5 out the door this month.
Fawkes did NOT get done yesterday because I worked from home, hence, no 45 minute hike while knitting and it seemed more prudent to spend breaks on the at-home-only project. So the Silkie Wild Tide Grasshoppers got a bit more ribbing.
And, the reason I stayed home, I FINALLY got a new screen on the patio door. A very pricey but bloody-well-better-be-good Phantom retractable screen, because our old patio retractable screen self-destructed in April. The 4-week installation turnaround took 10, due to clerical screw ups. The installers, however, once I got to the guys who do the work, were great, and even vacuumed the patio when they were done.
So we have airflow in the condo again.
There are 6300 people ahead of me on the Ravelry wait list.
Oh well. I have enough to do lately, anyway. Assignment 4 part 1 of my Java course is done... need to get part 2, and preferably (but not likely) assignment 5 out the door this month.
Fawkes did NOT get done yesterday because I worked from home, hence, no 45 minute hike while knitting and it seemed more prudent to spend breaks on the at-home-only project. So the Silkie Wild Tide Grasshoppers got a bit more ribbing.
And, the reason I stayed home, I FINALLY got a new screen on the patio door. A very pricey but bloody-well-better-be-good Phantom retractable screen, because our old patio retractable screen self-destructed in April. The 4-week installation turnaround took 10, due to clerical screw ups. The installers, however, once I got to the guys who do the work, were great, and even vacuumed the patio when they were done.
So we have airflow in the condo again.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Not quitting my day job.
So, in another fit of procrastination on Saturday, I decided to try out the drop spindle I got in a Louet kit from Pick Up Sticks. $40 for the spindle, half a pound of fibre, and a sample of Soak wash - not too bad a price for what I'm sure will be numerous hours of entertainment.
So, for you, my few and mostly familial readers: My Very First Spinning Attempt
Yeah, that's what I thought too. Looks like smurf poop.
But, for my first 20 minutes with a drop spindle, the fact that I got something vaguely string like can't be all bad, right?
Back to some hobbies that don't make me want to burn the stash closet.
The neverending Silkie socks are up to the ribbing!!!!
And the Fawkes socks in Bird of Paradise are the boot commute project.
I can knit one full repeat of the 12-round pattern on the way to work, and another on the way home. This sock should be done tomorrow if I can keep that up.
Back to staring senselessly at the Java editor.
So, for you, my few and mostly familial readers: My Very First Spinning Attempt
Yeah, that's what I thought too. Looks like smurf poop.
But, for my first 20 minutes with a drop spindle, the fact that I got something vaguely string like can't be all bad, right?
Back to some hobbies that don't make me want to burn the stash closet.
The neverending Silkie socks are up to the ribbing!!!!
And the Fawkes socks in Bird of Paradise are the boot commute project.
I can knit one full repeat of the 12-round pattern on the way to work, and another on the way home. This sock should be done tomorrow if I can keep that up.
Back to staring senselessly at the Java editor.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Two weeks on a Beach (I wish!)
So, in record time (the second one took a full week), I have my next socks:
Beach part b) was grafted up last night, and they were worn today. Next?
Well, Grasshoppers are ongoing, but have slowed even more because:
a) being knee socks they're getting long, and heavy, and I can no longer really walk'n'knit them
b) doing two at once on a long circ, they're heavier, I can no longer walk'n'knit them
c) even switching from a p2tog to k2tog, the stitches are a bit tight and fiddly to do, and they're hurting my hands.
Oh well. I'm halfway through the 6th of 7 increase chart repetitions, then we'll see if I need more length. But they now need to be at-home socks so I can work with the weight of them on my lap or table.
So, what's the new portable project?
This is the Bird of Paradise yarn from the Pick Up Sticks club June package. The pattern will be Fawkes from Sockotpia, however. I discovered Socktopia today after a Rockin' Sock Clubber pointed out the Fawkes pattern suggesting the RSC Firebird yarn would go nicely (and it would!) but all in the theme of flaming birds, I thought Bird of Paradise would too, and my conscience is clearer in doing so.
You see, when I joined TWO sock clubs to feed my obsession, I promised myself I would make up the kits to the club specifications - club yarn, club pattern (alterations for fit and fidget notwithstanding). So, using Firebird for Fawkes - not quite right. But I got an inadvertent out with Bird of Paradise. Due to completely reasonable personal circumstances, the Pick Up Sticks exclusive "club" pattern didn't get produced for June. Connie was super and to make up for it sent us TWO alternate patterns along with the June yarn. But since neither was a special "club" pattern anyway, I'm OK doing this one in Fawkes. Flaming Birds of Summer it is! (Firebird will be done next in the Solstice Slip).
And, Today's Gratuitous Cat:
This is the view from my bathtub. Maui is the Bath Monitor. While the tub is filling, he runs back and forth from bathroom to the nearest person with progress reports. While someone (me, nearly always) is bathing, he regularly checks to make sure no one has drowned, and reports to other people (Adam, pretty much) that the Stupid Human is Still In The Big Water Bowl.
Perhaps he was a lifeguard, or a Newfoundland dog, in a past life. Or perhaps he is aspiring to be one in his next life.
Or perhaps he really is the evil little beast we sometimes think he is, and is yelling: "Is it done yet? Is my soup done? Turn up the heat and throw in some pepper, dammit, that big lobster-like thing is still moving around in there!"
Beach part b) was grafted up last night, and they were worn today. Next?
Well, Grasshoppers are ongoing, but have slowed even more because:
a) being knee socks they're getting long, and heavy, and I can no longer really walk'n'knit them
b) doing two at once on a long circ, they're heavier, I can no longer walk'n'knit them
c) even switching from a p2tog to k2tog, the stitches are a bit tight and fiddly to do, and they're hurting my hands.
Oh well. I'm halfway through the 6th of 7 increase chart repetitions, then we'll see if I need more length. But they now need to be at-home socks so I can work with the weight of them on my lap or table.
So, what's the new portable project?
This is the Bird of Paradise yarn from the Pick Up Sticks club June package. The pattern will be Fawkes from Sockotpia, however. I discovered Socktopia today after a Rockin' Sock Clubber pointed out the Fawkes pattern suggesting the RSC Firebird yarn would go nicely (and it would!) but all in the theme of flaming birds, I thought Bird of Paradise would too, and my conscience is clearer in doing so.
You see, when I joined TWO sock clubs to feed my obsession, I promised myself I would make up the kits to the club specifications - club yarn, club pattern (alterations for fit and fidget notwithstanding). So, using Firebird for Fawkes - not quite right. But I got an inadvertent out with Bird of Paradise. Due to completely reasonable personal circumstances, the Pick Up Sticks exclusive "club" pattern didn't get produced for June. Connie was super and to make up for it sent us TWO alternate patterns along with the June yarn. But since neither was a special "club" pattern anyway, I'm OK doing this one in Fawkes. Flaming Birds of Summer it is! (Firebird will be done next in the Solstice Slip).
And, Today's Gratuitous Cat:
This is the view from my bathtub. Maui is the Bath Monitor. While the tub is filling, he runs back and forth from bathroom to the nearest person with progress reports. While someone (me, nearly always) is bathing, he regularly checks to make sure no one has drowned, and reports to other people (Adam, pretty much) that the Stupid Human is Still In The Big Water Bowl.
Perhaps he was a lifeguard, or a Newfoundland dog, in a past life. Or perhaps he is aspiring to be one in his next life.
Or perhaps he really is the evil little beast we sometimes think he is, and is yelling: "Is it done yet? Is my soup done? Turn up the heat and throw in some pepper, dammit, that big lobster-like thing is still moving around in there!"
Monday, July 09, 2007
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Ridiculous consumerism...
Though I'm far from perfect, and as susceptible as the next educated skeptic to a good ad campaign, I saw something today that really tipped off the stupid-o-meter. I sincerely hope none of the few, but smart and lovely people who check out this blog, would ever make a purchase based on this.
Secret Deodorant "40th Anniversary Special Limited Edition".
Ummm... .huh? Procter and Gamble thinks they're bleepin' Disney now? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANTIPERSPIRANT PEOPLE!!!! How dumb do they think consumers are? Actually, what frightens me more is how dumb could consumers be that something like that is a viable product hook? It's a noxious chemical you smear on your stinky pits to avoid offending co-workers. But do we explain product info? List contents? Even give inflated but possibly viable information on why this product is the better one? NO. We release "40th Anniversary Special Limited Edition" stinky armpit treatment. Are we supposed to save this one to sell on EBay when the value increases exponentially? Is it a series? Do we collect the whole set?
For the record, I don't use antiperspirant, I use deodorant and since the very few of them still on the market are becoming fewer all the time, well, P&G isn't in danger of getting my business anyway. But - gah. I hate the consumer market sometimes.
Secret Deodorant "40th Anniversary Special Limited Edition".
Ummm... .huh? Procter and Gamble thinks they're bleepin' Disney now? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANTIPERSPIRANT PEOPLE!!!! How dumb do they think consumers are? Actually, what frightens me more is how dumb could consumers be that something like that is a viable product hook? It's a noxious chemical you smear on your stinky pits to avoid offending co-workers. But do we explain product info? List contents? Even give inflated but possibly viable information on why this product is the better one? NO. We release "40th Anniversary Special Limited Edition" stinky armpit treatment. Are we supposed to save this one to sell on EBay when the value increases exponentially? Is it a series? Do we collect the whole set?
For the record, I don't use antiperspirant, I use deodorant and since the very few of them still on the market are becoming fewer all the time, well, P&G isn't in danger of getting my business anyway. But - gah. I hate the consumer market sometimes.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Fastest sock to date!
Wow. 1 Beach is done in less than a week.
Pattern: Beach by Meghan Jackson
Yarn: Seacoast Panda (merino/bamboo/nylon) in "Seaside" colour custom dyed for Pick Up Sticks' Sock Club.
Check out the seashell cuff.
I'm impressed with myself on this one. Cast on Thursday night, kitchenered up the toe Tuesday night. Probably one of the more complicated sock patterns I've made, and I didn't mess up - no frogging, not more than a stitch or two of going backwards, no major messes. I think the fastest single sock before this took a whole week, and that was a plain sock. Beach is a tiny bit snug, but that just means the pattern is stretched out when it's on, it still fits. Though if I make 'em again I might use a slightly larger needle, or a yarn with a touch more give in it. It's a nice yarn, but the bamboo gives it a hint more stiffness than pure wool. But I like 'em! I give credit to Meghan's excellent pattern for them being much easier than they looked. Well written.
In other news, today's gratuitous cat photo is again, da Sprout!
Andrea and Angela commented after last week's similar pose on her sleeping position. I should clarify, she doesn't sleep like this - this is a pose she learned from her late, great mentor, Panda-ov-Toes, in order to solicit tummy rubbings with all the cuteness she can muster. She lies on the bed and frantically flips herself back and forth, side to side, then pauses, tummy-up. Rubbing gets you purrs and snuggly licks, until she's had enough - we have ALMOST got her trained out of the "I've-had-enough-now-you-will-die-rubbing-hand-*CHOMP*-grrrrr" response. She mostly licks frantically then rolls away.
She's a bit dumb but really takes a good picture. Check out my gallery link on the right, or the Cats section under Adam's for more.
Pattern: Beach by Meghan Jackson
Yarn: Seacoast Panda (merino/bamboo/nylon) in "Seaside" colour custom dyed for Pick Up Sticks' Sock Club.
Check out the seashell cuff.
I'm impressed with myself on this one. Cast on Thursday night, kitchenered up the toe Tuesday night. Probably one of the more complicated sock patterns I've made, and I didn't mess up - no frogging, not more than a stitch or two of going backwards, no major messes. I think the fastest single sock before this took a whole week, and that was a plain sock. Beach is a tiny bit snug, but that just means the pattern is stretched out when it's on, it still fits. Though if I make 'em again I might use a slightly larger needle, or a yarn with a touch more give in it. It's a nice yarn, but the bamboo gives it a hint more stiffness than pure wool. But I like 'em! I give credit to Meghan's excellent pattern for them being much easier than they looked. Well written.
In other news, today's gratuitous cat photo is again, da Sprout!
Andrea and Angela commented after last week's similar pose on her sleeping position. I should clarify, she doesn't sleep like this - this is a pose she learned from her late, great mentor, Panda-ov-Toes, in order to solicit tummy rubbings with all the cuteness she can muster. She lies on the bed and frantically flips herself back and forth, side to side, then pauses, tummy-up. Rubbing gets you purrs and snuggly licks, until she's had enough - we have ALMOST got her trained out of the "I've-had-enough-now-you-will-die-rubbing-hand-*CHOMP*-grrrrr" response. She mostly licks frantically then rolls away.
She's a bit dumb but really takes a good picture. Check out my gallery link on the right, or the Cats section under Adam's for more.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
and again, Happy Canada Day.
Something occurred to me this evening, standing on the roof of my building watching displays of fireworks 360 degrees around. This is a day for contemplating all that is wonderful about Canada and being Canadian. Not the least of which is that we live in a country where huge explosive devices going off barely above the rooftops of our homes means only that we are celebrating. Be proud of your country, and spare a moment too to think of those for whom the situation may be different. Happy 140th, Canada.
Laws of Sock Physics...
So anyone who has read Yarn Harlot knows about the knitting "Black hole", where you knit and knit and knit and your knitting does not get bigger. I have wondered if this is a phenomenon related to the socks disappearing in the laundry and somehow via a wormhole in the space-time continuum turning into wire hangers in the closet, or pens in the junk drawer. I think I have accumulated some more evidence of this.
Observe, after 48 short hours:
Beach has made astounding progress, for being a very complicated, lacey pattern involving two large charts. Here it is with my arm (not leg) in it, to illustrate the pattern:
And check out the seashell motif - it repeats 3 times around the cuff, but Megan also worked it into the heel!
Now, I have spent about the same amount of time on the Grasshopper socks as on Beach. And if you want to see how far they've come, well - look at the post a couple days back. The appear to be no closer to my knees despite more hours of knitting.
SO - I am coming to the conclusion that the phenomenon of missing socks in the dryer recurring as tangled hangers and pens has a corollary in that those yarnovers and K2togs on the Grasshoppers are in fact transitting the same wormhole and adding to the YOs and K2togs on the Beach. It's the only way I could have produced that much sock that fast, ALL my knitting time went to only one sock. That's gotta be it.
Happy Canada Day, anyway, everyone. I'm going to head up to my roof tonight to see if I can see the fireworks from 3 km north at Columbia Lake.
Observe, after 48 short hours:
Beach has made astounding progress, for being a very complicated, lacey pattern involving two large charts. Here it is with my arm (not leg) in it, to illustrate the pattern:
And check out the seashell motif - it repeats 3 times around the cuff, but Megan also worked it into the heel!
Now, I have spent about the same amount of time on the Grasshopper socks as on Beach. And if you want to see how far they've come, well - look at the post a couple days back. The appear to be no closer to my knees despite more hours of knitting.
SO - I am coming to the conclusion that the phenomenon of missing socks in the dryer recurring as tangled hangers and pens has a corollary in that those yarnovers and K2togs on the Grasshoppers are in fact transitting the same wormhole and adding to the YOs and K2togs on the Beach. It's the only way I could have produced that much sock that fast, ALL my knitting time went to only one sock. That's gotta be it.
Happy Canada Day, anyway, everyone. I'm going to head up to my roof tonight to see if I can see the fireworks from 3 km north at Columbia Lake.
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