What Did I Do?

It's been a busy week. Work was busy. Bought a new knitting mag at the store, got another in the mail, went to the library and checked out a couple knitting books, but very little knitting going on.
I have decided if I can't see my stash then I forget what yarn I have and what I want to make with each, so it must be displayed--on my floor.
We've had some repreive from the heat, and some rain most nights.
Now if I could just figure out what I did to make my shoulder hurt. I don't remember doing anything in particular. But my right arm, shoulder, shoulder blade and neck have just been killing me! My hand goes numb, I have tingling down my arm, sometimes in the front, sometimes in the back and a heavy feeling in my shoulder.
I went to the chiropractor on Wednesday and it felt better for a bit but today was aweful. And when got home from work I just couldn't do anything. I tried to rest and relax, but to no avail. I'll be calling the chiro first thing tomorrow morning for a re-do.
The girls are each going through crises. C, newlywed, is newlywedding. J is blabbing and not helping me. R is trying to talk peeps into driving her around. R and I are planning a school shopping trip in August, she's the youngest and will be a junior.

Third Try's a Charm?

OK, this is the third time I've tried to post today. This is what I have.
1. Green beans are doing well this year.


2. Little grape tomatoes are the only 'maters in the garden as of July 23.3. Socks are coming along well. I've turned the heels and enjoy the little cable pattern.


4. Got a summer sweater done from an idea from some magazine pattern from a few years ago.














I was hoping it would fit me--but it fits my youngest daughter just great. I plan to enter it in the local fairs later this month.

Jane got a 2 mile walk plus swim this morning but no blueberries.

Now I'm wondering what to work on next. Any ideas??

depression rears it's ugly head

I thought I was doing good, exercizing, making lists and crossing things off, getting a little done here and there. Then 2 things happened yesterday which brought me down. 1) Jane got away from me at the lake and chased a momma and 3 baby ducks. 2) I was relating a story to the family about work and no one heard me.
The results from those two events were:
I was angry at the dog--I chased after her in rough water and it was very tiring.
I was angry because no one heard me. I think it would have been better if someone would have said, "Hey we're watching a movie, can ya tell us later?" But it was just the regular -no response- like I don't even exist. :p

So I quit talking to everyone and now everyone thinks I'm mad. Maybe I am. But there's no sense in talking if no one listens.

Tomorrow will be another day.

Still Looking for Motivation

Took Jane to the lake again yesterday, will this heat ever end? There were so many boats and people there yesterday, but it was Saturday. Most the peeps loved her, enjoyed watching her swim and drag me through the water. She's getting better behaved, but I still won't let her off the leash, and I keep the "Gentle Leader" on her until she starts swimming. We swam for about 30 minutes and I must say my shoulders, neck and arms have been getting a workout!

The aquariums have been quiet because of the heat. They'll get a good cleaning today. I took some pretties out of the 20 gallon Friday to let them sun dry and KILL the snail eggs. I know the bettas enjoy the escargot, but this is getting a little out of hand. Next approach will be acquiring some loaches for snail eradication.

Tony went to Rudyard yesterday for a tractor pull. His dad and uncle bummed along and his dad took his tractor too. A little old Ford. Tony placed first (as usual) in the 8500 lb class and 4th with his dad's tractor in a smaller class. I kind of missed seeing all our tractor pulling buddies, but enjoyed the day alone!

Mornings

Since I've taken back control of my life (which has annoyed some people in this house beyond belief!) this is what has occurred:
I wake up at 6 a.m.!
My butt is tight
I'm making lists AND getting things checked off them, again
I'm cleaning the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I balanced my checkbook
I'm eating more healthy
I look forward to getting up in the morning
I sleep better
I'm sure there's more that I'll think of later.

Here's a pic of the socks I've been working on, a two needle pattern done on 1 circular needle on navy wool blend given to me by a friend.

Just the ribbing, 2x2, got a ways to go yet.

Ok, so this morning I got up early enough to make coffee for my hubby and me, ate breakfast, watched the last 45 minutes of The Princess Bride, rototilled the garden, gathered up dirty clothes and sat down to blog--all before 8 a.m.! At this rate I make get some knitting done in the machine room before it gets to hot!
Norma had some pants peeing laughs on July 13 and 14. Be careful if you check it out, really!

I'm still checking out other knitters foreign links such as Uli's. It's amazing how you can figure out what is posted with a picture and some punctuation.

Progress

NONE--no progress whatsoever!!!!! I finally said, OK, just start something, anything, just get started on something. If it doesn't work out, make it again or make something else.
So, Saturday, I cast on the Brother 970, 114 stitches for a little summer sweater, off the shoulder, raglan, knit 2 rows and tried to work some lace. Not doing, no way, no how. I pulled that off the machine, tried again and skipped the lace, got to row 142 and realized I had decreased where I should have increased. GGGRRRRRRRRrrrr!
Sunday, again with the blue summer sweater, tried to combine the size of one pattern with the looks of another--no luck.
Monday morning, cast on again with the blue--good, looks nice, except







it was only 114 stitches and I needed 140 this time.

I think I'll decorate the room with pics of all the things I'd like to try. Knitting can wait; today.

Stashes

I was checking out another blog, Bron's Blog II, and realized my stash is similar to other stashes. Bron's is nice and neat, all in one place. Mine is in at least four different hiding spots, a shelf, a dresser drawer, Denise's Yarn Barn and on the floor in bags. Some day, when I'm avoiding a project, I should organize it. Should it be according to fiber content? Color? Amount? or size? These are difficult questions to answer.

Jane and I picked more blueberries yesterday, about 3 cups, but she doesn't contribute to the bucket, she just eats them! I honored my hubby by making blueberry muffins for breakfast today. YUM YUM!

Back to knitting--I ripped out the V-Shawl, too many mistakes and not enough yarn to do what I wanted. So it is balled up waiting for inspiration.
I keep going in the knitting room, looking for inspiration, but it just escapes me. I get inspired on my way to work, laying in bed, or whenever I CAN'T get to knitting. Evil, Evil inspiration. I think I will post all my ideas on the walls of my room--that way I can't avoid them!!!!

Berries!

Friday morning, usual program: get up, dressed in grubby clothes, walk the trail for at least a half hour. ***EXCEPT*** I found a few blueberries, more than last week. So I set a goal of filling the bottom of my bucket. I tried to stop, really, I tried. Thank goodness Jane picks her own berries.
This is what I came back with,

and this was breakfast,
and this is a dime!








I sent a few home to dad, who has started a blog too!
I finished up a scarf, skirt and camisole on the knitting machine, now to block them carefully (I'm not real good at that). And since today was my day off, I lounged and putzed.

Not Me, I Don't Have a Problem

You might have a problem:
. . . When you check out other bloggers links and click on their links and find 'such things' and oddly I was able to understand--even though I don't speak Deutch! I guess knitting and internet in German and America are universal! Also check out Uli's blog where I got the link.

Another day

Ok, so I got the pics loaded this time, these are the sisters.

I finally forced myself to get that nasty volunteer paperwork out of the way--and had to next day it to it's destination :( I could plan ahead a little better.

I haven't walked lately, but did knit last night and today. You other knitters and bloggers--How do you decide on a project? So much yarn, so many patterns, so many combinations, so many options--HOW DO YOU DECIDE???
So I've started with a silk/rayon blend in natural colors, acquired from a friend, making an easy camisole, little shaping, and quick! Got the front and back knit up on the standard machine in less than an hour. Now just to do the straps.

Different sisters

So I'm feeling neglectful of the other young princesses of mine. With the wedding over, I can now concentrate on the younger two below.

They are just a intelligent and beautiful in their own right. Just different.

Accomplishments

Got started on the paperwork, walked and picked a few blueberries which were yummy on cereal yesterday morning. Arranging more stuff in the knitting/sewing room.
Attended the great Hand Reunion held by my in-laws this year. My hubby served as auctioneer and I spent too much but got some goodies.
Hi to new blogging friend Mitchypoo.
Happy belated Canada Day to all the north friends. Happy Independence Day to Americans!

Motivation

How do you get motivated? How do you motivate yourself? Other than bribery, I'm not doing very well. I have this huge 'to do' list; things that NEED to be done, things I want to do, things I should do and things that I would do if I would just get one of the other things done. How to get moving I'm not sure. I NEED to get some paperwork done TODAY! I should do some laundry, clean the fridge, clean the garage, move sewing/knitting stuff to the spare room, freeze the extra carrots and work in the garden. I want to knit and sew.
So, I started this way today--went for a half hour walk with Jane and washed a load of towels. When I got back from the walk, I took a shower and washed the few dishes and made THE LIST and since I was so good about getting those things done I treated myself to a short blog entry:)
This being a big holiday weekend, I want to vacation a little too--AH, that's my motivation!!! That's it! Now I have to go so I can play--just as soon as my work is done!