Nothing to talk about?

I want to write something but I can’t think of anything to talk about.

OTN is the Advent Scarf, I’m up through Day 5 and am really enjoying it. I want to knit another shawl but can’t chose a pattern; trying to decide about a summer shell and a cardigan, and there is always the decision of what to have for supper. And so it seems goes life---one decision after another—got to be making some major ones soon.

Richard is about the same. I’m trying to convince myself he should go to Adult Day Care but it’s a very hard thing to do. I feel like I’m locking him away, but at least he wouldn’t be so bored-they have activities all the time. I’ve started some grief-counseling and that’s helping. Depression is a scary thing and it creeps up on one.

Guess I’ll go see Mom this weekend being it’s Mothers Day and all. Haven’t been since Christmas and that’s terrible but I was pretty out of commission for quite some time with the broken leg and still am a bit. It’s healing very slowly, I guess stress probably contributes to that. We won’t mention my age-which the doctor mentions every time…..

Kacie and Carter are moving out and that makes me really sad in some ways and okay in others. I’ll get some closet space back and “my” room with my yarn, patterns, music instruments, bookcase, desk, and chair. I need to change the carpet in there, I’m thinking of purple! Did I hear you say Purple! snort!? What’s wrong with purple?

Carter is being his adorable (although 2-year-old) self. Cute and funny and all boy. He discovered jumping in puddles this week. He just likes jumping of any sort. He got quite cross with me Tuesday night when I wouldn’t take him outside because it was raining and dark. It’s hard to make a 2 year old understand that grandparents are not especially fond of standing/playing in the rain. I never was come to think of it. If it’s raining, I want to curl up with a good book or someone to cuddle with. And that’s the way it is.

Speaking of books, right now I’m reading “Wormwood” by Susan Wittig Albert. #17 in her China Bayles series. She came through here and did some library programs when “Nightshade” was published a couple years ago and she’s really nice and she knits!! Before that I read “Just Take My Heart” by Mary Higgins Clark. She is such a good author, but I don’t know if she knits or not. I’m listening to the Tony Hillerman books on CD in the car and James Patterson Women’s Murder Club also on CD. I doubt that either of them knitted or knit. I also have “Cream Puff Murder” by Joanna Fluke (total fluff but fun and has recipes) and “Look Again” by Lisa Scottoline at home to read. I really need to get busy with my reading. They’re already overdue! Did you know that Kathleen Taylor, a knitting designer and blogger, is also a mystery writer. She wrote the Tori Bauer series several years ago and I loved them, and hope she writes some more one of these days. She said she did too. Her blog is http://kathleen-dakotadreams.blogspot.com/ I suggest you read them. They are in paperback.

Pictures soon I hope. Toodles Anita

10 on Tuesday

Today's 10 on Tuesday is : 10 Signs That You're Getting Older:

1. Why in the heck does it matter if I recognize "signs" of age!!! You are only as old as you think you are (at least until you look in the mirrow!)
2-10. see #1

We Knew This Already!

It seems the Mayo Clinic has just released a new study saying knitting and crocheting are good for us. That they reduce stress, blood pressure, help manage pain and depression and reduce memory loss in older adults. Finally, justification (as if we needed it) for toting around all the bags full of knitting projects! It’s nice to be confirmed though. Here are the web addresses one from CBS and the other (same video) from the Yarn Market Newsletter. I hope its okay to list them here-no copy write issues involved.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4917058n

http://www.yarnmarket.blogspot.com/

10 on Tuesday

You say it’s Wednesday? It’s an un-imaginative person who can’t adjust the day a little bit if necessary.

10 Things on My To-Do List
1. Look into daycare for Richard--he's wandering too far
2. Finish vest of Blue Sky Organic Cotton
3. Bake almond croissants
4. Cook brisket
5. Plan menu for Easter
6. Vacuum the floor
7. Find someone to clean the house occasionally (why not? We pay someone to mow the yard.)
8. Get a picture of Carter in spite of his avoidance
9. Read and score the Aging grant
10. Read the “Red Leather Diary” and/or “The Lace Reader” and prepare a book review for presentation.

Relaxed and calm....

I had a really wonderful relaxing weekend. Some shopping, some knitting, some hotel time (kids were staying at the house and I needed to get away), some time with close friends, and had I known the hotel had a swimming pool and a hot tub I would have stuck in a bathing suit. I figured they probably frowned on skinny dipping. Not that I would have done that but....which brings me to the realization that I'm going to be over 59 in a few months and there's a whole list of things I haven't done yet. Probably most of them aren't good for me but shucky-darn you never know. Oh well perhaps a subject for another post. Back to my week-end--it could not have been better. And Richard had a great time at Bryan's so we were both in a contented stupor Sunday afternoon!

I've got to take some pictures of FO's, I've finished a couple things lately, the scarf and the Heartbeat Sweater.

Just two more weeks in the boot then I hope I'm well. I decided a few days ago I was tired of having a broken leg and it was time for it to heal. So I put down the crutches and started walking on it-in the boot of course. It gets tired and I rest and I've become good at asking total strangers to hold my hand and help me down steps! Actually I've always talked to strangers. One can develop lasting friendships while standing in long lines--post office, UPS, voting, entry competition place at State Fair, etc.

I got home from work about 5:00pm and Rich wasn't here. By 6:30 I was worried and had called a couple people looking for him and I decided to get in the car and go look for him. He likes to walk and he's not getting lost (yet) but he's going farther and farther away. Last week he walked the 5 miles from our house to my office downtown. I'd just put the key in the ignition when a van honking loudly pulled up in front of the house and the driver yelled "I've got something that belongs to you" and he got out. I'm looking at some adult day care places to put him. They are expensive and it's scary and I also feel like I'm taking away his freedom and reducing his quality of life, but who knows? he might love it there?! It's going to reduce the quality of my life too now that I think about it. Have you ever wondered why you were born? In the Bible it says that we were "knit" in our mother's womb for a specific purpose and you just gotta think "hmmmm?". toodles

You're free Chees-y Bread!!

Remember the Domino Pizza ad for cheese-y bread with the little girl trying to set it free out in the yard? No? Oh...well, never mind then.

The lovely and stylish purple cast came off my leg a couple weeks ago to be replaced with a really ugly and heavy boot (at least that's what they call it). The first couple days I kicked myself several times on the side of my right foot until I learned to walk with my feet apart. Probably looks pretty strange from the back but it is what it is. And then I somehow plopped my crutch on my right "little piggy that had none" and I smashed it darn good. As I"m groaning in pain my daughter says, "Well Mom!! Why did you do that?" like I did it on purpose! Anyhow two more weeks of this and back to the doctor for a verdict of whether or not I'm totally healed.

I finally finished the brown Silk Garden scarf and it's pretty but that was a weird experience. I had to go buy a 3rd. ball of yarn because the two I had were so very different that they looked like different colorways. It turned out pretty but I've decided that one needs to be careful with Silk Garden. When making a Lady Eleanor it doesn't really matter if they are different or not cause Ms Ellie is such a riot of color and I love that.

Also I'm almost done with the Heartbeat Sweater by Just One More Row. It's a really cute pattern but I just haven't enjoyed knitting it. Too much guessing for me, I like definite instructions. But I know I'm going to like it when finished just prolly won't ever make another. I've got a long list of projects and just keep buying yarn. Oh well keeps me off the train tracks (that's a story for another time) and I just want to start and finish a bunch of things NOW!! So many projects, so little time.

I'm kind of giddy today. I'm getting a break from care-giving this weekend and I am so looking forward to my time. He's getting worse and I'm getting worried about safety. It is so difficult to basically lock a person up when they want to be free even if for their own well-being. Guess I'll be crossing that bridge in the next few weeks.

Okay so that's really about all I have to talk about. Toodles...Anita

TOP TEN TIPS FOR BREAKING A LEG

It occurs to me that I could offer a valuable community service to anyone who is planning on breaking their leg by offering some plan-ahead tips. So here goes:

10. Go grocery shopping ahead of time. It’s really difficult to get to the store, use the little motorized carts, (no chance of whiplash though they go way too slow), get purchased groceries into your car, and even harder, into your house and put away. Oh yeah, buy lots of stuff—you’re going to need it.

9. Learn to walk on crutches in advance. These jobbies are challenging (see previous post about falling off of them and smashing nose). Today I am celebrating (but cautiously-no dancing around) eight full days of not falling off the crutches! Yippee!

8. Also, some wheelchair training is a good idea.

7. Eliminate all unnecessary items (like rugs, tables, toddler toys, etc.) from the floor of your house in order to navigate more safely through it. Course it looks pretty plain but hey! you’ll thank me later.

6. If someone says “I want to bring you dinner”. You thank them nicely and say you’d love that. Send them a thank you card (I’m a bit behind on those)

5. If someone says “I’ll come clean your house” see answer for #6

4. Stock up on books to read, yarn for knitting, DVD’s of favorite movies, and other sedentary activity items.

3. Have the plumber install one of those shower heads that has a hose as part of it so you can sit on a bench in the tub to shower. One never realizes how wonderful showers are until one can’t take any.

2. If possible be prepared (I wasn’t a cub scout/girl scout leader for nothing—as a matter of fact I was “cookie chairman” one year but I digress). Purchase a bench for sitting in the shower, a “grabber” for reaching things from your chair with the elevated broken leg, (these can also be used for pinching should the need arise), stock up on masking tape and plastic bags for wrapping cast in while showering so it won’t get wet. One almost needs to have a nap after one is finally prepared to get into the shower. It’s exhausting just getting ready.

1. And last but not least: Shave your legs before you break your leg. It doesn’t matter if it’s February and you stopped shaving around Halloween or Thanksgiving for the winter, it’s quite embarrassing to have nurses, doctors, x-ray techs, (daughter-in-law who probably went home and told my son do you know that your mother doesn’t shave her legs in the winter –eeewww—she’s a nurse too), and other assorted people looking at your unshaven leg and thinking who-knows-what about you! Cause once it’s in that cast—well I rest my case….

SO! Here you go…my suggestions for if you are planning to break your leg! Toodles……Anita