Hey, all!

D'ya remember that song .... It's my party and I'll cry if I want to .... ?  Well, this is MY blog, MY place, MY house (so to speak) -- so MY rules apply.  

So whether it's politically correct or not, I wish each of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy and healthy NEW YEAR.  

Personally, I always think all the hoopla and arguments about wishing others a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Happy Hanuka or whatever is totally ridiculous. It's certainly NOT offensive if I don't happen to be of the religious persuasion that celebrates the particular event.  It's a greeting, a well wishing, a desire to share happiness with others.  So what the hell is everybody so flipped out about and saying this or that is not PC???  To me, these grousers just sound like sour people who need to get an attitude adjustment.  

So, here in MY house, I'll wish you Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year.  If you don't like this and need an attitude adjustment, you know where the door is to go find it somewhere else! :P

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie
- Susan

Hey, all!

Well, dang!  I was starting to think, even me myself, that I was never going to post here again.  I kept thinking that nothing was worth blathering about, so I'd stay quiet.  

But tonight my dear friend linked a blog post onto Facebook that I think everyone in the world should read, think about, identify with, etc. 

Here's the link:  http://www.copyblogger.com/james-chartrand-underpants/

Now, I'll assume you've read it -- and aren't you ticked?  This is just plain wrong, and I am appalled and saddened to have so plainly proven what I and probably many wish to push away and tell ourselves is imagined and over-reaction.  Pathetic.  

The thing is, I don't know what *I* can do to bring about change.  Passing it on is all I can think of right now.  You do the same, K?

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie
- Susan

Happy Thanksgiving, all!!

Hey, all!

Not much new ... well, some things, but not that I wish to blab about ... and we're fine.  

Settling in for a cozy and relaxed Thanksgiving day ('cept for the cooking and cleanup which always takes five to six times the period it takes to enjoy and consume some of it!)  

Hoping all of you are well (glad you're feeling better DD!) and wishing all of you a lovely day filled with happiness and love.

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee
- Gloria
- Susan

So-Lazy Me Copies an Update from FB!!

Hey, all!

Okay. After much deliberation (and frustration), I've decided to disconnect/keep separate Facebook, Flickr and this blog from my Etsy shop. Even though that's a lot of the reason I finally joined Facebook and re-opened this blog, I'm now wanting to use these resources more for personal contacts ... or at least have the freedom to use them to promote all the avenues in which I'm working rather than just one, i.e., Etsy.  I'm considering setting up a separate page on Facebook for promoting The Knitwit and all the outlets I've got her/myself. Etsy doesn't allow connection to or mention of any networking site if it mentions or connects onward with any other online sales arena. I now have two shops on Etsy as well as two on eCrater, and I'm wanting to promote them via my name and as I wish.   I can do this as long as I make no mention within Etsy of the "outside" sites, networking and promotion.

I'm finding that since I have so much stock in my (main Etsy) shop, that any profit I get from a sale (which is minimal) is then eaten with keeping the shop open 'fore another sale comes along. I'm thinking of reducing the stock there and keeping more of it at eCrater 'cause they don't charge for the listings. 

My "first love" for online sales lies with Etsy and will remain so, but I think this change may be a necessary step to perhaps get me beyond the point of not making any profit and, in fact, paying to keep the shop. 

Though the additional shops are set up and open, I've little stock in all but the original one. Here are the addies to all if you care to check 'em out. 

www.knitwithues.etsy.com
www.paringdown.etsy.com
www.MyLittlHouse.eCrater.com
www.KnitwitHues.eCrater.com

For those who are familiar with my shop and efforts, what's your opinion on me opening a separate Facebook page specifically for The Knitwit etal.?

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee 
- Gloria
- Susan 

Just an addition to my prayer/support list

Hey, all!

There's nothing new; but I just wanted to add to my prayer/support list after reading a friend's blog.  Though my memory is terrible, I promise I won't forget, Susan!  

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee
- Gloria
- Susan

When did this happen?

Seems like I'm saying that alot, eh? :P

K, for today's rant I guess I'm in the same basic vein as before ... that I am wondering when something became acceptable. Actually I know the answer to when .... with the growth and increased use of the internet; but I guess I wish someone would think about this and realize that email is just another form of conversation. My rant this time is about the constant barrage of ones concerning religion, politics and sex.  

I think we were all raised with the admonition that polite conversation should never include religion or politics. Sex, of course, was so far from the realm of politeness, that it didn't even need to be included in this admonition.  

Then came the internet and email. Dirty jokes quickly were bantered about, no matter whether the recipient was straight laced or devoutly religious, extremely naive or whatever. My mother actually received jokes from (Christian!) friends that she didn't understand but forwarded anyhow because she figured they HAD to be funny considering who'd sent them.  

Quickly following the jokes came pictures .... a short lead in of innocuous content, followed by the smack in the face of nudes ... sometimes even animated!!! Now I will grant you that there's nothing more beautiful than a young and healthy human, but I don't find it necessary to look at pictures of them. And if I did want to look at pictures of them, I'd surely know where to find them rather than having them tossed into my face when I least expect it. Neither am I a prude. I just feel that there's a time and a place for everything; and email being conversation, one should give a moment's thought whether something might offend or not.... or maybe the receiver just isn't in the mood!!!

Then came the religious stuff. Greetings and God Bless You are one thing, but religious chain letters are REALLY annoying. And when the chain letter is entwined into religious content like a prayer or something, I find this particularly odd. Sometimes they will talk about "prayer" ... and prayer becomes "make a wish"!!!! It's like God's being made out to be some fairy godfather we're asking for toys. PULEEZE. And then comes the audacity to accuse you of being ashamed of God, or told that your "wish" won't be granted, or, worse yet!, that something bad will happen to you if you don't send this onward. I'm sorry, but this is just NOT my version of belief or of "spreading the word" either; and I feel one's spiritual beliefs are extremely personal ... and not for someone else to judge. I don't consider it polite to pass this stuff around unless it's a simple greeting, and especially not if it admonishes the receiver in any way!  

Lastly came the political crap. Yep, that's what it is .... crap. I think I've seen MAYBE 1% that isn't total fabrication, sensationalism and/or downright HATRED. When answering these and providing proof that they're untrue, you're often then accused of being argumentative, or ... LIBERAL, or SOCIALIST, or the latest ....COMMUNIST! The president's been in office for what, nine months? In that time he's made little change, only proposed changes because the whole system is such a wreck. It's obvious we're a sinking ship, and no matter who took the helm, it was inevitable that the people would make them out to be a bum.  And there it is ... Obama's being held responsible for things that have been going on for a long time ... definitely through the entire run of the last administration -- yeah, the one that either caused the mess or did nothing whatsoever to change it, i.e., the economy, the war(s), abortion, health care (and paying for abortions), illegal immigrants, taxes, etc., etc., etc. All these issues the emails are ranting about are not new -- but they're still blaming Obama (or someone in his cabinet/administration) OR saying he will allow them (when they already ARE allowed)!!! I just don't understand how intelligent people cannot remember less than a year ago or realize that these things have been going on for years. When Obama was (agreeably ridiculously) given the Nobel Peace Prize, they DID remember that he's changed nothing to date.

Okay, I won't turn this into yet another rant like the ones I'm ranting about (ironic, eh?); but I just wish people would realize that email is the new method of conversation ... and the rules of politeness should still apply.  

And oh! Have you noticed that most who send these emails will send at least one of each kind in rapid succession?  A dirty joke, a nude pic, then a deeply religious email or presentation, followed up by a right-wing/moral majority one.  What's up with THAT?

K, that's it. I'll shut up for now. :P

The Knitwit

PS - Pass this on to at least TEN friends within FIVE minutes of reading, or an airplane lavatory ice block (ewwww!) will smash through your roof! :P

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee  
- Gloria

Ewwwwwwwwww!

Hey, all!

I've got the shop and my FO's tied into Flickr and periodically add pics of new items.  When I first opened the photostream in there, I was kinda pleased and flattered that someone almost immediately added one of my things to their fave list.  It was one of the first pair of slippers I designed.  

Well, the other day I got a note that another pic had been added to a fave list, and I recognized that it was the same member.  I clicked through and found that it was another pair of slippers. Hm.... Does this person love slippers like some love shoes?  I clicked through further and found that the user doesn't have their pics open to non-friends, but there was a listing of their friends (or something like that); and when I clicked through to see other pics, I quickly realized this is a group of people with a fetish for feet, especially involved in sexual situations.  Ewwwwwwwwwww! 

Well, that skeeved me out, that some freak is somehow turned on my my feet complete with swollen ankles, etc.  Like I said: Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww!

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee
- Gloria

Oh CRAP!

Hey, all!

I just wrote a long post, previewed it, hit the back arrow, AND IT'S GONE!!!!  The title and first sentence are in the Drafts folder, but the whole rest of the post is gone.   

I'm gonna pass on redoing it again tonight.  What the heck is with the autosave?  It just saved this but not my long rant.........  ARGH!!!

Maybe I'll rewrite it tomorrow.

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Gloria

Should I wait till it's two months since I posted?

Hey, all!  Yeah, I'm still here.  Been busy but also really didn't feel like writing after losing Evie.  The mourning is finally starting to ease, but I still miss the hell out of her.  She was so different than the other two that every single change outside reminds me of how SHE would've responded rather than how the two remaining did and do.  Ah, she was a hoot.

Well, it's now tomorrow .... this is the post that for some reason didn't autosave and got lost in the cosmos after previewing it.  

In the interim since I last posted, I've continued as always to knit and knit .... and I'm also able to crochet now if I keep it to a minimum with knitting projects in between and also by staying away from the little dinky thread and hooks.  As always, I love making things much more than getting them into the shop's stock; so the dining table is perpetually covered with FO's (finished objects) I've yet to photograph or write up or weigh or any combo of those needed to add them to the shop.  I constantly view this as a PITA chore and would like to get myself to change that attitude, but I haven't quite figured out how to "fool" myself into thinking it's fun rather than a drag.  

My venture into offering/selling patterns is interesting and quite nice.  I've had a couple sales and a couple hearts, so that's encouraging.  I am anxious to hear back from those who've bought a pattern to know how their FO's came out and if they are as pleased with them as I am.  Personally, I really love the slipper patterns; and I've looked all over to see if there's something similar and with all the attributes I love and demand ... and I don't find it anywhere.  Most are bulky or bumpy or downright goofy looking, and I'm exceptionally pleased with mine.  (Gee, catch me boasting!  I think I've done that about two times in my life!)  Anyhow, I'm encouraged with the response as well as the pleasure in sharing my ideas with others; so I'm pretty sure I'll be offering additional patterns in the future.  

Okay, well, now on to the rant!!

Last night I was encouraged to come and write the rant 'cause I was watching a sitcom while knitting, hoping to catch a laugh as well as zone out and relax.  That was completely shattered about five minutes into the program when the highest and most-hated word on my unacceptable language list was used.  This morning I was encouraged to come back to rewrite the rant 'cause it was used again on TV, plus Chris Rock is on The View ... and we all know the controversy he's stirred with his opinion that it's alright for Blacks to use the "n" word.  I personally feel that NO ONE should use it, but that's my opinion.  

Remember a while back when I talked about using foul language? I'm completely unoffended by cursing but feel this to an extreme degree about words that are generally considered not offensive and are used in conversation all the time.  

Without using the word I most detest, you will know what it is and realize how freely and often it's used from this list of just a few of its nearly cliche uses:

 - He's getting away with m_____
 - Screaming bloody m_____
 - If you don't quit fussing, I'll m_____ you (to one's child)!!!
 - We (our team) got m_____
 - We (our team) m_____ them
 - Traffic was m_____

It's obvious that the ones using this word are completely detached from its meaning and are using it for emphasis.  But these very same people would never say 

 - Screaming bloody rape
 - We (our team) raped them
 - Traffic was like getting raped

Yes, they will use "torture" in place of "m" sometimes, and that's offensive to me too.  But why is it acceptable to use "m" when these same people realize that it's not acceptable to use "rape"?  I'm astounded at WHO uses this word and how flippantly, and without a second's thought that they might be causing someone pain.  

Every time I hear it, I'm thrown with the force of a punch, and I'm set to reeling and trying to regain balance and composure while not appearing to be completely insane.  It's frustrating, and the ones who deliver this have no thought whatsoever of what they've done.  

I know I'm far from the only one who deals with this problem.  And you might ask why we don't just say something about it.  The truth is that we're too much in shock and frozen to say anything, and also sometimes the other person's reaction is "Shit! You need to lighten up!"  After many years of dealing with this, I finally have been able to ask those VERY close to me to PLEASE not use that word; but to my amazement, I find I repeatedly have to ask them.  

What's the solution to this situation?  There probably isn't one.  People who struggle with it withdraw from others, especially those who don't know them extremely well; but the television, radio, and books still make it unavoidable ... and I don't just mean the news where they are actually speaking of an actual "m".  

To me, this is not a word that becomes acceptable for emphasis no matter your race, religion, or familiarity with it in the way that Chris Rock and some people feel is the case with the "n" word.  

Solution? Probably not. I can wish and hope that my friends will take note of their vocabulary and banish this word from use, but I don't imagine it will ever disappear from speech in general society.  I doubt that a hundred years ago this was a commonly used word, so when did it become acceptable?  When did we become so insensitive and hurtful without meaning to be?

When we were little, we chanted "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me."  I beg to differ.  This, of course, was to bolster the child who was being called names; but even then I differ.  A child repeated called something negative will carry that into adulthood ... even to old age.  And in the case of offensive words, they can deliver a blow that is really much more hurtful than a physical wound ... and that will always be unacceptable to me.

Okay, that's the end of my rant.  

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Gloria

Months and Years Fly; Moments and Hours Drag

Hello, all.  No, I haven't forgotten any of you nor this missive to you.  

So much has been happening here the last couple months that I've been constantly busy, rushing (if not physically at least mentally), and not keeping up with the normal chores and wishes at all.  I won't even attempt to tell you all that's been going on.  I will, however, tell you the latest; and it's one that's so difficult to accept and ease....

Our darling Evie died of liver failure last Thursday.  She apparently was failing for at least days, but we didn't realize anything was amiss more than would be expected with the sudden hotter temperatures, visitors coming and going frequently and her hiding from them, etc.  By the time I realized she was sick (Thursday morning), it was already too late.  

She was most extraordinary -- rather a mixture of cat and dog, being amazingly verbal and playing and responding to us more as a dog usually does than a cat.  We miss her terribly.

Here's a little story my sister sent me last year when I thought Callie had died. It's a sweet story, and whether it's how things are or not doesn't matter.  It's a comforting thought and I see no reason why not to believe it.

~~~

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Heaven's Hillside.  There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.  There is plenty of food, water and sunshine; and our friends are warm and comfortable.  All the animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content except for one small thing -- they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.  They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.  Her bright eyes are intent.  Her eager body quivers.  Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.  You have been spotted; and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy nuzzles rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the loving eyes of your pet so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.  Then you cross Heaven's gates together.....

~~~

I choose to believe that Evie is waiting for me and Bobby along with so many other loved ones.  

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee 
- Kathie (as ever)
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie

Happy Birthday USA!!

Hey, all!

For the last several years there were java pages on the 'net where you could click anywhere and have fireworks explode with each click. Some of the sites have closed and disappeared, and now there are lots of links and instructions for "building" a page of your own like this (which is much beyond me!!).  I did, however, manage to find this one.  You can click in the sky above the city, just not on the river and all.  There used to be the same pic that would allow the 'works to explode all around the statue, on the water, etc., and it was really cool. This is more limited but still fun.

http://www.fireworkspop.com/   Once again, though it says this is supposed to be a link, it's not appearing as one.  If it isn't one to you, just copy and paste. 

Enjoy, and happy birthday to us all. :D


The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee and Rikki's family
- Gloria and family
- Gypsy Froggie
- Kathie (as always)
- Jacky

Owa Tagu Siam

Hey, all!

Perhaps you've never heard that; but many years ago (gee, I can't venture to guess how many and would shudder if I actually did figure that out!), my sister nearly plagued me for an afternoon, having me repeat the subject sentence over and over, telling me I'd know what it meant with repetition. She was right, of course; and I finally did realize that what I'd been repeating was "oh, what a goose I am."  :P

This was about the same time my brother also plagued me with questions, one of which was "What was the color of Napoleon's white horse?"  I repeatedly told him we hadn't studied Napoleon yet in school, that I hadn't a clue what color his horse was, and WHO CARES anyhow?  He persisted and said that if I repeated the question over and over that I would know the answer.  Oh, duhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

The lesson of both these games I took at the time to be "listen."  For all these years those questions have popped into my head frequently and at odd times, and I converted the first one into "Owa Talum Piam."  From that, I've taken the original message of "listen" to "pay attention to detail."  And that's what I've doing less and less these days, it seems.  I've ALLOWED myself to become a lump and not keep up with all I intend. I've ALLOWED myself to say "it's not going anywhere and will be waiting for me when I want" as well as "It's alright to give in to the thought that I just don't feel like it."  AYE!  This is so contrary to how I used to be.

Years ago I said I  (through no fault of my own) changed from a Type A personality to a Type F ... which for the sake of not offending some will explain as Type S ... as in "Screw it".  I grew up  at a time when  language that's considered foul was not used or taken that way, it was just a way of expressing oneself with emphasis.  So I can think of  just one word that some consider offensive as being offensive to me.  Other words that are considered fine and acceptable in conversation are VERY offensive to me, and perhaps I'll make that the subject of another post.....

At any rate, the question now is, can I fix this lackadaisical attitude that's become mine? Can I be more attentive and productive? I don't really know, but it's worth trying whether I do manage change it or not, eh?

I'm currently working a project (knitting, of course) that's one of the first in EONS that I am NOT enjoying.  The stitch is pretty and actually quite easy, but it's still slow going and rather bores me.  I'm also working it with two lace weights together, feeding off large spools, so that's cumbersome and adds to my dislike of the project.  Hm.... my therapy of knitting is not there with this project.  !!  Hopefully the finished project will please me enough to make up for my boredom and feeling of ever SO SLOWLY plodding on with it.

I'll close this for now and actually get moving with chores and productive things! (gasp!) It's a beautiful day for now with rain expected later, so hopefully I can get some of the winter things washed and outside to dry (can't take the dryer) and get them packed away for the season.

As always, I send y'all smiles!

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee and Rikki's family
- Gloria
- Kathie (to keep on keepin' on as you do to my complete and utter amazement)
- Gypsy Froggie (how're ya doin' girl?)
- Jacky (still lookin' for ya, girl!)

Whack a Kitty

Hey, all!

Maybe you saw this already, but maybe you didn't. It was on CNN the other night, and Bobby and I were practically rolling on the floor laughing.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that some people responded negatively saying that this looked like abuse and should be reported to PETA, but the people were being very gentle and trying to get the kitties adopted. What a better way to show their darling little faces!! PETA actually was made aware; and they responded saying that they, too, think it's cute and funny. :D

I've stayed away from YouTube for quite a while, afraid that I'd catch a virus; but this one had me going back, and I think it's alright. (If not, CNN will be crashing any time now!) Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_udqEp_YR4 (Hm ... can't get that to be a link, so you'll hafta cut and paste. Sorry!) 

Smiles and giggles to ya!

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie
- Jacky

Ho Hum ... I'm so Boring! :P

Hey, all! I just can't believe it's Friday already and that two weeks have passed since I posted last. I guess I'm not much better at keeping up here as I am elsewhere. :P In my defense, I will say that last week was a bad anniversary week; and I'm always quiet then. The frustrations I talked about in "The Best Laid Plans" continue, so I started working at some things I COULD affect.  

This past Wednesday was what I call "Three Ring Circus" day ... the yearly checkup appointment for our three kitties. I take them together 'cause it's cheaper, but it really is insane managing them at once. This year I was totally amazed, though, because they were much calmer than ever before. They still "sang" me there and back and were scared, frustrated, mad, etc.; but it's almost like they finally realized that we ARE going there whether they put up a fuss or not. Though exhausted, I actually arrived home without medicine, urine or poo all over my clothes, and their travel boxes were clean!  

I got a lousy feeling last week that I had better take extra and more consistent care with backing up my 'puter 'cause I push it so hard and have it crammed with so much that it would be a complete disaster if it were to crash or need servicing. So I spent quite a while setting up two exterior hard drives, either one of which can now be plugged into Bobby's 'puter if mine bites the dust. I'll still be able to function even if a bit awkward, keep an eye on the shop and lessen the lost-time damage of mine being down. It would be terrible if someone I don't know wrote me at the shop or bought something, and I was outta commission due to a bum 'puter. So I took care of that this week.  

I also thought it was high time I scanned the pics that belong to my cousin so that I can give them back to him. It's not right for me to let them sit here and not be working at them. I wanted to use my old scanner for this as it's easier than the neato 3-in-1 machine my Da got me, but it was hooked to the laptop that just refused to boot. Every time I cleared one error, another would occur. Then it reported missing several files, and heaven only knows where they went or why they'd suddenly be gone when everything seemed fine the last time it was running. Makes no sense. So I figured I'd hook the scanner to the 'puter. I fussed around with the wires which I've always got secured and bound together in bunches, and freeing those was a job in itself. After I hooked it up, I fussed for more hours trying to get a driver that would run it. Nope, it will not work with anything after Windows ME. Argh! So, I switched all the wires back and fussed with the laptop again only to have it get worse and worse rather than better. I finally figured it was better to just reconfigure and start fresh with it.  

Today's main chore was to do that -- reload Windows onto the laptop and get the scanner re-installed and running. Who'd have thought it would take all day (and I DO mean all day), and that it still isn't right. Toshiba thought they were so smart that they "tailored" Windows to their wishes, rendering some of the normal functions unusable and forcing those things to be done via Toshiba's programming. I learned to live with it, but now it's messing up the reconfigure to the point that I may not be able to ever get it loaded properly enough to use the machine at all. What a bite. I will fuss with it more tomorrow......  

Well, I guess that's the news here. Pretty boring, I know. But better to tell ya boring than for ya to wonder where I am, right?

I send y'all smiles!

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie (cripes, girl! I DO intend to write ya!)
- Jacky (still hoping you pop up!)

The Best-Laid Plans

Hey, all! Um, what's that they say about the best-laid plans? Well, today was surely a demonstration of that cliche. No, I didn't get to any laundry; and no, I didn't get to update even one listing in the shop; and no, I didn't do a lick of the maintenance that is way overdue on here; and no, I didn't even do a single stitch of knitting (MAJOR withdrawal on that one!!) ...So much for plans and cliches....

I've another cliche that's apropo even if it is of my own creation ... "getting old stinks!" That applies to people, animals, buildings, equipment ... just about everything on earth (and including it)!!!! 

My day consisted of non-stop phone calls all of which had to do with aging something or other and what to do about it. Machines, systems and buildings are annoying when aging, but annoying can be rolled off the back. When it's animals or people, though ... especially close and dear ones ... it's a complete different story and cannot be shuffed off. It's extremely upsetting and more than a little frustrating.

Bottom line for today and the ravages of age -- what age has stolen from my parents is becoming more of a fright than a frustration. It's not like something bad might happen to them (aside from their illnesses), it's more a question of when and how soon. Very disconcerting and upsetting, especially given the fact that they argue with all suggestions, nudges, beggings and pleadings to get into another accommodation that would be safer, happier and better.  We "don't want to be a burden" about makes me choke and, ironically, IS now the burden as it means worry, tension, upset, etc.

My siblings and I need to soon have a conference with them and tell them there's no choice but to change their situation ... and the whole thing is extremely stressful. I'd love to just jump ahead the next several months and find that everything is resolved and them safe here near me and Bobby.  

Though you can tell I'm upset and frustrated, I gotta tell you what a joy and uplift y'all are to me. Your notes here via comments as well as personal emails are absolute highlights and joys, especially the last couple days. I apologize for not writing each of you individually, and I'm now really glad that I went ahead and opened this again so that I can at least reach out to you this way. 

Donna ... I'm dancing and giggling with delight that Marley is alright! Thank God, and I'm still gonna keep y'all on the prayer & support list just to be sure ... and, of course, including Vinni too! :P

Nora ... has Tom's leg trouble recurred? How come you're going to the wound care center? I will "up" y'all on the list for the extra prayers too! 

Puggy ... I was so touched that you stopped to visit Ma and Da, and they were tickled pink and phoned me. You know how Ma loves all her non-blood kids calling her Mama, Da is always too choked up to talk and just sorta gasp-giggles; and it's a blessing to know how much they're loved and not forgotten. Please keep them and us all on your own extra prayer/support list, eh?  Thanks, dear!

I'm gonna close this for tonight as I fear I might be ranting or rambling or something odd. I send you all smiles, hugs and love!

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Nora and Tom
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie
- Jacky (still lookin' for ya girl!)

I think I'm jinxed!!

Hey, all!  Another day of thinking I was getting somewhere with the 'puter, fixing what I messed up yesterday and hoping to get to amending the shop listings. I actually WAS moving along fairly well and had reinstalled the program that malfunctioned after I messed it up yesterday when the 'puter started talking and telling me "switching to backup power" rather than the little alarm that used to sound.  Argh! We had a POWER OUTAGE.  I still can't believe it because it was still and quiet, and I didn't hear any alarms like there was an accident either. 

I first thought it would just be a few minutes as often happens, but it dragged on for the rest of the afternoon.  We could've BBQ'd the meat for our dinner, but I was dying for a cuppa ... and the thought of just meat and maybe some lettuce quickly grabbed from the fridge (don't keep that door open more than hafta, ya know!) wasn't appealing at all.  I guess it would've been had it included a cuppa....  

So we headed for town and Burger King. Ah, not so bad -- it was a change from our usual fare, and we stopped at the druggist for a refill I needed anyhow.  

By the time we got back home (wasting time and wandering around to do so), the power had returned.  Something happened to the phone with the outtage, though, so tomorrow the repair guy will come about that (not here, at the other place). I just hope there isn't a line down through the woods as that always means an extra day, unpleasant work for the repair guys, and more need to be away from here and accomplishing what I *should* be doing.  

That couple/few days of warm to hot weather we had a week or so ago really spoiled us ... as well as the plant life.  Everything popped out and is glorious, but we've had frost the last two nights now.  I think another is expected tonight.  The lilacs are incredible this year and nearly drooping from the huge amount of blossoms, and even the frosts haven't seemed to hurt them like usually happens.  

I was so intent that I'd work at the 'puter and get things done as needed that I "forbade" myself to knit yesterday and again today.  Gee, it was like withdrawal!!!  When the power went out, though, I plugged myself into the MP3 and knitted away happily ... trying very hard to push away that wouldn't-quit craving for a cuppa.  :P

Guess tomorrow I'll go back to a no knit day 'cause I've gotta get things straightened on here as well as do the maintenance that's ridiculously behind ... plus if I don't soon do laundry we will be unable to leave the house as nothing will be remotely presentable! I'm glad I wasn't doing that when the power went, though, as that's a real bite and aggravation. Hopefully the phone repair doesn't keep me away too very much.  

That's the blab for now! Smiles to y'all!

The Knitwit

Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:

- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Donna, Marley and family
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie
- Jacky ... where are you, girl?

Oh, DANG!

Hey, all! Guess this will be a quick rant and then onward with fixing what I messed up today....

I was working along at redoing the shipping quotes for all the stock in my shop, hoping to finish and get to actually amending the listings tonight and tomorrow.  I was cutting and pasting a LOT, and while hurrying (of course), I accidentally deleted the New Clip section of my neato Clipboard Cache that I use for absolutely everything.  I managed to find and save the actual information, but when I recreated that section, the whole program is malfunctioning.  Bottom line ... I hafta uninstall and reinstall.  That's not a big deal, but what IS a big deal is saving all the other info that I've stored in there which is ridiculously voluminous.  I've been at saving and moving for hours now, and I don't know if I'll finish tonight.  

Just when I thought I was getting somewhere......  ARGH! 


So that's me there!  You can see that I've now learned to place a pic in a post somewhere other than at the top ... but I'll hafta do some more reading/learning to see if I can use a .gif animation. That little guy is supposed to be animated -- jumping up and down on the 'puter. 

Smiles to y'all!

The Knitwit


Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie
- Jacky

PS - Welcome home, CB! Glad you made it there and back safely ... and without melting! :P

A Shout Out....

 ... one good and one not so good (complaining!)

The first is, of course, to wish y'all a Happy Mother's Day!  Three cheers for mothers!!

The second, the complaining one, is my frustration with the (stupid) USPS for not updating their site to compute mailing/shipping rates that are raised tomorrow.  I thought I'd (for once) be on top of things and get the shipping costs in the shop updated today so that all would be correct tomorrow ... but the ridiculous PO has only issued a hard-to-follow PDF document listing the new prices.  SO stupid, when they closed business last evening every single thing that would be mailed or picked up the next they were working would be subject to the NEW prices; but did they have the foresite to let us, their customers, know what those charges would be?!?  ARGH!   If they weren't a monopoly, they'd have already put themselves outta business.
 

K, enough of the spouting. :P

Thought you'd like to see the progess my so-loved Thomas Jefferson has made in about a week. Here's a pic:

 ~~~~
Well, as you can see, the pic I tried (and tried and tried!) to put here just refuses to land anywhere but at the top of this post.  I even attempted copy and paste to put it where I wanted, but that just turned it into a little un-clickable thumbnail or something completely unviewable via most browsers.  I checked all through Help and, of course, found nothing about this at all.  I'll hafta go to the Forum later and see if someone there can help.  Hopefully I don't find what was there before -- more ads for international hookers and such than you'd ever get in a year's worth of spam. Ridiculous, and these creeps are absolutely everywhere! :P

Guess I'll close this.  Wishing you all a wonderful day and lots of love for Mother's Day!

The Knitwit


Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie
- Jacky

Still a bit nervous about this.....

Hey, y'all!

I finally got the notes to y'all to tell you I'm here, and I had such a great day receiving emails from some of you and, most exciting of all, even a phone call to hear a sweet voice I hadn't heard in I can't remember how long. :D

Since I mentioned the amazing springing of Spring the other day, I thought I'd show you a couple pics that were taken just one day apart (4/25 and 4/26). This is my so-lovely Thomas Jefferson that's one of the first bloomers of the season, leaving amazing butterfly shaped leaves for the rest of the summer.  In the first pic, you can see that the other things in the bed are just showing wrinkly trying to push outta the dirt. In the second, they've not only emerged, but they're lush and filling in -- and the Trillium is blooming.

Since then the lilacs are blooming, our trees are (finally!) pushing their leaf buds out, the Day Lilies are up mid-shin high, the Narcissus are blooming, and it's so nice to see as much green as brown when looking out.

Better shove off for the day. Smiles and hugs to each of you!

The Knitwit


Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Gloria
- Gypsy Froggie
- Jacky

By George, I think she's got it!

Well, I think I've finished with the fussing and adjusting to compile this blog. It's not exactly how I wanted, but it's functional this way. Trying to add a slideshow, badge or other active content made the blog inaccessible through Internet Explorer. (Thanks to Donna for checking and re-checking for me!) I didn't want to write y'all till I could be at least fairly certain that you could get here without aggravation. Now that it's done, I'll be writing to ya so you know where you can find me. :D

On "fronts" other than the blog, shop, and 'puter, I'm (of course!) still knitting away but accomplishing only the minimal otherwise. I was already spoiled 'fore Bobby retired, and now I'm getting even MORE spoiled. :P I've readily fallen into the "it'll wait for me to get around to it" excuse, and I allow more things into that category constantly. Worst of all is that I've continued to let the correspondence and contact with friends slip ... and I'm hoping this blog fills at least some of that gap.

Spring is finally springing here with dramatic changes this past week, and it's lovely to watch the changes right before your eyes ... like time-lapse photography. We're fighting nasty colds, though; and just when we thought we were on the slide to it being gone, it 360'd on us and reared up again with a vengeance.

Today's Derby Day, and I don't know if I'll watch the race or not. I would never miss it in the past; but it seems that the last three times I watched an important race, one of the horses was seriously hurt or died. I just can't see another go down and flail in pain. Maybe I'll wait till it's over, insure that none of the horses was hurt, and then watch it recorded. If one was hurt, I'll pass.

I'm off to write y'all with news that I'm here! Smiles to each of you!
The Knitwit


Note: My current extra prayer/support list is:
- Lovlee, Rikki, and her family
- Gloria

Still setting this up ...

I'm still working at setting this blog up how I want ... and I'm searching everywhere to find how to do this and that.  I've had some success and some failure.  

I updated my Flickr Account and uploaded all the pics I'd like to show on here, preferably in the form of a Flickr Badge like SimplyLovlee's got on her blog. I can only find the Slideshow option, though; so for the time being, I'm going with that. I've tried several times to get that to show all my pics, but it seems to be stuck showing just the last 15 or so that were uploaded. I allowed it to save for a LONG time, but it's still stuck on those same pics. I can't find any info if there's a limit to the number of pics that'll be streamed through to the blog.  

I've done a lot of hunting for how to get a Flickr Badge added rather than the slideshow.  I find great instructions on making one (easy) and have the code to post it to the blog, but I can't figure out how to put it into the blog except perhaps as a post, which I don't want.  I want it to be a widget along the side like the slideshow.  If I can't figure this out for myself, I'll ask Lovlee to help me (in her completely non-existant free time!  LOLOLOL)  

Other than that, I've been knitting still and worked at trying to better the pics in my Etsy shop as well as redoing lots of the descriptions there 'cause I just can't keep myself from being overly blabby.  But there's still (as always) an overflowing bag of FO's sitting here for me to write up and weigh and all to get 'em into the shop. I'm so slow at this that the things I make as season-specific end up hitting the shop in the NEXT season! :P

I've tons of stuff to get at 'round here that's home related rather than 'puter or Etsy related ... and I know I'm gonna hafta force myself to set this aside and work at least some of them before too much longer.

I haven't yet written to y'all to let you know I'm here, so with the exception of Susan (gee, you're amazing to have noticed me pop back here after a 2-year absence!!), I don't think anybody else realizes yet that I'm attempting to roll with this. I think tonight I will get notes out to everyone .....

Guess I'll sign off for now. Smiles to y'all ... even if it's only you, Susan, who sees them just yet! LOL

The Knitwit

I really AM still here!

Yeow! Nearly two years since I last posted to this, my blog! I shouldn't be surprised ... nor should you if you know me much at all!

I'm becoming more and more aware ... and more and more guilty ... at my lack of keeping up with all the wonderful people I'm proud to call my friends. I think of you all every day but just end up completely overwhelmed when I sit down and realize just how many individual letters it takes to keep up any semblance of contact. So here I am trying once again to get my nerve to ask y'all to check here when you have the chance or are in the mood just to see that I really AM still kicking ... and knitting! :D

I'll be dropping a line to lots of you to let you know I'm attempting to give this a go again.

That's it for tonight. I send you smiles and waves!

The Knitwit