Who are Jon and Kate? I keep seeing their names and pictures on AOL, on the cover of magazines at the grocery store, and on the tabloids. There was even a headline on Komo News, and on the website for the Seattle Times. I must be really out of it, because I have no clue as to who these two are. Royalty? Entertainers? Comedians? Who are they? Why are they so important, and why does everyone want to know what's going on with them?
I must be getting old.
TTFN
Sue
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Knitters are Natural Recyclers
A while back I was at Weaving Works in Seattle. I was purchasing some needles, and a couple skeins of yarn. The clerk was ready to give me a bag when I told her I could just stick the items in my bag if that was okay with her. She was delighted.
We talked about how many of the knitters that come in usually put their purchased items in their own bags since they have them with them anyway.
Think about it. Knitters are recyclers.
They will use the same little shopping bag over and over again until the handles fall off and the bottom falls out. Knitters will use big shopping bags until the handles fall off and the sides rip open.
Knitters will use plastic freezer bags with the zip enclosures until the zip no longer zips, and the bags themselves start ripping from all of the holes the knitting needles have made.
Canvas bags, we love canvas bags. We will use these canvas bags over and over again. If a charity is offering a canvas bag as a “thank you gift,” the money is theirs and the bag is ours.
And then there are the plastic bags with zippers that bed linens come in. We love it when someone buys a king size comforter and gives us the bag. What a perfect yarn storage container. You can see what‘s in it, and it holds a lot of yarn.
What about yarn? Do you know of any knitters that throw away yarn into the garbage? No, of course not. Knitters will save any little piece of yarn. We end up with little balls of yarn for a stash busting project. We will save the little clippings from finishing to stuff a toy or pillow with. If we have part of a skein of yarn left, we save that too. Never know when we might make a stripped hat or scarf. If we have some really awful acrylic, we knit it up for doggie blankies. We won’t throw it away.
Patterns. We never toss out patterns. Even the patterns that were miserable failures or were poorly written. Nope, might want to pull an idea out of that pattern some day. We are attached to those patterns.
Knitting magazines. Knitting magazines pile up everywhere. In the bookcase, on the bedside table, in the living room, kitchen, on the dining room table, even in the bathroom. They are great reference guides, and we all love to spend lazy afternoons just looking at the designs.
Knitting books. There is no way we would get rid of a knitting book. No, no. We place them proudly on our bookcases. They are next to our bed for reading before we fall asleep. These are pulled out to answer questions, provide ideas, and to keep up focused.
Needles. Hate those bamboo double points? Willing to give them to someone or use them as plant stakes. Didn’t think so. You might need them one day. However, if you did just hate them, you would use them as plant stakes rather than tossing them out. Have you received a bunch of needles from an elderly relative that aren’t like the Addi Turbos you love? We all have, and yet, we love them and will knit with them on some projects. Do you have any bent needles? Did you toss them out? Of course not, you love them and continue to use them.
What happens when we are tired of a knitted garment, or outgrow it? Yarn still looks good, has a lot of life left in it, so we will frog the garment and stash the yarn for another project. Recycling at it’s finest.
What about those little metal boxes that mints come in. We don’t toss them, we use them. We use them to store stitch markers, safety pins, and needles. How about prescription bottles? Those get used for the same thing. Got a wooden ruler the dog chewed on? What does a knitter do with such an item? Cut off the chewed end and use the 8 inches left for measuring small projects. Fits like a gem in the knitting bag (little shopping bags or long, long lasting canvas bags).
We are a mindful bunch, we knitters. We are also the ultimate recycler.
TTFN
Sue
We talked about how many of the knitters that come in usually put their purchased items in their own bags since they have them with them anyway.
Think about it. Knitters are recyclers.
They will use the same little shopping bag over and over again until the handles fall off and the bottom falls out. Knitters will use big shopping bags until the handles fall off and the sides rip open.
Knitters will use plastic freezer bags with the zip enclosures until the zip no longer zips, and the bags themselves start ripping from all of the holes the knitting needles have made.
Canvas bags, we love canvas bags. We will use these canvas bags over and over again. If a charity is offering a canvas bag as a “thank you gift,” the money is theirs and the bag is ours.
And then there are the plastic bags with zippers that bed linens come in. We love it when someone buys a king size comforter and gives us the bag. What a perfect yarn storage container. You can see what‘s in it, and it holds a lot of yarn.
What about yarn? Do you know of any knitters that throw away yarn into the garbage? No, of course not. Knitters will save any little piece of yarn. We end up with little balls of yarn for a stash busting project. We will save the little clippings from finishing to stuff a toy or pillow with. If we have part of a skein of yarn left, we save that too. Never know when we might make a stripped hat or scarf. If we have some really awful acrylic, we knit it up for doggie blankies. We won’t throw it away.
Patterns. We never toss out patterns. Even the patterns that were miserable failures or were poorly written. Nope, might want to pull an idea out of that pattern some day. We are attached to those patterns.
Knitting magazines. Knitting magazines pile up everywhere. In the bookcase, on the bedside table, in the living room, kitchen, on the dining room table, even in the bathroom. They are great reference guides, and we all love to spend lazy afternoons just looking at the designs.
Knitting books. There is no way we would get rid of a knitting book. No, no. We place them proudly on our bookcases. They are next to our bed for reading before we fall asleep. These are pulled out to answer questions, provide ideas, and to keep up focused.
Needles. Hate those bamboo double points? Willing to give them to someone or use them as plant stakes. Didn’t think so. You might need them one day. However, if you did just hate them, you would use them as plant stakes rather than tossing them out. Have you received a bunch of needles from an elderly relative that aren’t like the Addi Turbos you love? We all have, and yet, we love them and will knit with them on some projects. Do you have any bent needles? Did you toss them out? Of course not, you love them and continue to use them.
What happens when we are tired of a knitted garment, or outgrow it? Yarn still looks good, has a lot of life left in it, so we will frog the garment and stash the yarn for another project. Recycling at it’s finest.
What about those little metal boxes that mints come in. We don’t toss them, we use them. We use them to store stitch markers, safety pins, and needles. How about prescription bottles? Those get used for the same thing. Got a wooden ruler the dog chewed on? What does a knitter do with such an item? Cut off the chewed end and use the 8 inches left for measuring small projects. Fits like a gem in the knitting bag (little shopping bags or long, long lasting canvas bags).
We are a mindful bunch, we knitters. We are also the ultimate recycler.
TTFN
Sue
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A.J.
A.J. crossed over the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. He chose his time to leave us, and his trip was peaceful, without pain. We miss him terribly, and the other dogs are still looking for him even though they know he has died.A.J. was a quiet little dog, but a very funny and unusual dog. He came into our lives a little over four years ago as a foster. He had spent many years as a stud in a puppy mill in Marysville before being rescued and then adopted out to another family. When they had to move, they surrendered him to Small Paws Rescue, and hence entered into our lives.
He joined us at a time when Edgar and Louie had lost both Andy and Blackjack, and they immediately bonded with A.J. We knew they had adopted him so he was adopted by David and I and took the name of Rambin. 
He settled right in, looking for the best places to take naps, like toy boxes.
As he got older he learned to love the sweaters Susan knit for him.
We would find him in the most unusual places, like a suitcase being packed for Madrona ...
or spending hours just staring at Abby, like a little frozen statue.
He brought so much joy to all of us, young and old alike. He had the patience and time for anyone, and LOVED sitting in laps. 
A.J., we all loved you and will miss you. I am sure that by now you have met up with Grandma whom I am sure greeted you with "hello there A.J." You are free of pain, you can run, you can see, and you once again have all of your teeth. You left us knowing you were loved and cherished, and gently cared for. Be in peace, and we love you,
Sue, David, Louie, Edgar, Johnny, and Abby.
Monday, May 4, 2009
'twas a Lovely, Lovely Weekend and Other Stuff
This past weekend David and I were home in Bellevue. We didn't have to travel anywhere other than the grocery store on Saturday morning. This weekend I was able to pull my clean underwear out of my dresser drawer instead of a suitcase, the first time in six weeks. We and the doggies were very happy and it was very relaxing.We had such beautiful weather for the most part. It was perfect weather to get out and admire spring and to work in the yard.
I replanted the snap peas (the squirrels "unplanted" the first sowing), planted one zuccini plant, parsley, and one cucumber plant, 
and cleaned up flower beds. 
I also trimmed off the dead wood from the trees and the Rosemary bush, which was a result of the TWO WEEKS OF SNOW in December.
We got the lawn mowed, and decks cleaned.We sat on the deck, visited with friends over food and beverage, and slept in.
I managed to do all this with wearing broken glasses (wearig broken broken - see what I mean), or an old pair of glasses, or sunglasses. I had a splitting headache, couldn't read or knit much, but a little Merlot and sunny days took care of it. Fortunately all of the trimming I did was with my LONG handled clippers.
Then it was Monday, back to reality, and trying to work in old glasses where I can't read mush. 3's look like 8's and c's look like e's. Not too efficient. I broke a temple off of my glasses last Friday and they won't be fixed until Wednesday afternoon. I'm too old to be walking around and working in glasses without bifocols.
But ... my hands, wrists and arms are very happy. I've been having my massage therapist work on my hands and wrists because I was told I would need to have carpal tunnel surgery. You know, the surgery where you can't do anything with your hands for 12-24 months. Not for this spring chicken. I was suffering from numb, tingling hands with shooting pains going up my wrists and arms. What a different massage makes. Listen up knitters, if the talk of carpal tunnel comes up, look into massage therapy before going under the surgeon's knife. I'm not advocating massage is the cure all, but I am willing to give it a good try. Next session is going to be for my poor, old and tired feet. (Getting old is for the birds.)
I managed to do all this with wearing broken glasses (wearig broken broken - see what I mean), or an old pair of glasses, or sunglasses. I had a splitting headache, couldn't read or knit much, but a little Merlot and sunny days took care of it. Fortunately all of the trimming I did was with my LONG handled clippers.
Then it was Monday, back to reality, and trying to work in old glasses where I can't read mush. 3's look like 8's and c's look like e's. Not too efficient. I broke a temple off of my glasses last Friday and they won't be fixed until Wednesday afternoon. I'm too old to be walking around and working in glasses without bifocols.
But ... my hands, wrists and arms are very happy. I've been having my massage therapist work on my hands and wrists because I was told I would need to have carpal tunnel surgery. You know, the surgery where you can't do anything with your hands for 12-24 months. Not for this spring chicken. I was suffering from numb, tingling hands with shooting pains going up my wrists and arms. What a different massage makes. Listen up knitters, if the talk of carpal tunnel comes up, look into massage therapy before going under the surgeon's knife. I'm not advocating massage is the cure all, but I am willing to give it a good try. Next session is going to be for my poor, old and tired feet. (Getting old is for the birds.)
A.J. is doing fine. He's eating and participating in our family activities. He does like his sleep, and in the mornings he wears a sweater outside. He is losing weight but has a good bit of energy. For all of you you have sent me emails, thank you for your wonderful support, prayers, and kisses to A.J. He loves them all. Right now he is taking a little nap after eating a good dinner. Since he is such a special boy. he is getting special food on the Spode dinner plates. Only the best for A.J.
Well, I've at least have my current glasses balanced on my nose (a new fad maybe) so off to see if I can get dinner going, pour a glass of wine, and then sit down to watch some television and knit.
Well, I've at least have my current glasses balanced on my nose (a new fad maybe) so off to see if I can get dinner going, pour a glass of wine, and then sit down to watch some television and knit.
It's raining tonight so it will be a good night to snuggle down on the couch with all of the dogs and watch Dancing with the Stars.
TTFN
TTFN
Sue
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)