The Doldrums I hate this time of year. Cold, snowy (for the first time in years, there's a foot of snow on the ground) and depressing. Cannot seem to motivate myself to do squat. What has happened since I last posted: 1. Been diagnosed with GI cancer. Had surgery X 3. Claim they got it all. We shall see. 2. Been diagnosed with Macular Degenration. Great - if the cancer doesn't get me, I'll go blind. 3. I lost one of my younger brothers. He passed from a stroke - due to an excess of alcohol and weed. I sometimes wonder if that was his version of suicide. 4. Cannot seem to find my motivation to do ANYTHING creative. I just want to hibernate. Maybe I'm part bear? Hopefully things improve soon.

Foot of snow. Central Indiana.

My brother that passed is the one of the left. John was 2 and half years younger than me.

Can I do this - PLEASE? Sorry about the formatting. Haven't done this in years and I cannot seem to remember HOW...

Taking Care of ME

Seems like most of us who have children (and then grandchildren) spend a great deal of time taking care of others. Even at work, we seem to be the caregivers. While we can be disciplinarians, we also like to have fun:

As my next birthday looms very near on the horizon, I'm committing to spending ONE HOUR each day for me.
Whether I:
Create something
Exercise
Go for a walk
or just veg
I'm going to do this.
Who's with me?

From the Other Side

So much has happened in the last few months. I feel like I've neglected this poor blog. Here's the run down:
1. Applied for a new job - a GREAT job. I thought "no way would they hire someone my age, but what the heck". I GOT THE JOB!
2. Problem was, job was in a new city 2 hours away.
3. City was where son, DIL and grandkids live!
4. Had to find new house.
5. Found house - got a bargain. Ever see the Money Pit? We FOUND IT!
It's been three months now and most of what I have is still in boxes. Boxes, boxes everywhere. At least it makes you realize just how much STUFF you have!
I'm trying to clean as I go (I thought I did that on the other end, but I guess not).
Here is the creative space as it stands today. I'm putting it out there so MAYBE it will force me to do something about it.
Praying that 2016 is a most awesome year. I think everyone needs it!

He Has a NAME!

It's ARTY! Short for Artemis (or Artemis Prime as the geeks in the house like to call him). They are so much fun and just SO healthy! They've been to the vet and had their first shots (I couldn't bear to watch).

Back to playtime!!

Driven to Distraction!

I should have been knitting or working on dolls this weekend. BUT NO! I was a bit distracted. Just a bit.
For two reasons.
Meet Mina:

And her brother (as yet unnamed, but the names Stinker or Ninja keep popping up):

They seem to think this green chair is their new playground. It belonged to my hubby's auntie who always had a kitty in her house. She would be so pleased!

Sorry - got to run. ;)

Plugging Along

This is really a fun knit! I love the way the shawl is knitting up. It's call "Nymphlidea" and it's actually a free pattern. Check out RAVELRY if you haven't already. Best.Site.Ever.
Shawl in progress:

Craft du Jour

I seem to be waffling between knitting, spinning and fabric sculpting. The thing I love most about knitting is that it is portable. I can take it to work, to the doctor's office, on road trips - you get the picture. Plus by buying yarn at the Loopy Ewe and participating in their challenges, I can earn even MORE yarn! (Although the husbeast would not think that is a plus.)
Here are two works in progress:

Socks for moi:

This is yarn in a colorway I inspired! I love it!
Here is the inspiration picture:

And a challenge shawl in progress:

May all your challenges in life be FUN ones!!

FINALLY!!!

Yet another 5K - but I DID IT!
I ran it in under 40 minutes. Actually, I finished second (out of 9) in my age bracket. Not bad for an old bag!

Here's after the race:

And here's how you celebrate:

Got two more to run in June - then taking a break for the summer. I don't mind running in the cold, but I'll be darned if I'm running in the HEAT!

OOPS - I did it AGAIN!

You think I would have learned the first time I ran a 5K. Old bodies and running don't always mix - but this was a fundraiser for the Louisville Zoo. I did it for the critters (at least that's what I was telling myself).
Danielle was kind enough to run with me. Sort of. Actually she ran way ahead of me, bettering her last time. That was quite a feat as the zoo had many hills. We are both sore. Not just sore, IN PAIN! Two days later and I'm still hobbling around like Yoda.
We won't discuss my time. I did not improve. Big bummer.
BUT it was fun!!

Remembering

It's taken me a few days to bring myself to write this blog post. I promised myself I wouldn't cry as I write it.
Somewhere along the line I've earned the reputation as the crazy cat lady. Maybe it's because at any one given time, we've had as few as 3 and as many as 6 resident felines. To say WE have cats is not quite true - they have US!

Every once in awhile, a very, very special kitty comes along. That was April. She was a rescue who came into our lives shortly after we lost Christy (our 3 year old grey tabby) to cancer. We found a foster Mom who had a litter of kittens. Danielle (daughter) and I went to visit. April would NOT leave Danielle alone - she was climbing up her back, sitting on her shoulder and nibbling her ear. Headbonks seemed to be on the menu - not only that day, but every day!

Her sister on the other hand, came over to me and barfed at my feet. The foster Mom's daughter immediately yelled "Mom, the black cat threw up again". Great - she's going to make a lovely pet.

Needless to say when it came time to place the kittens for adoption - April came home with us to join big sister Tessa. When Mary (the foster Mom) called me to see how April was doing, she told me the black cat couldn't be placed. The lady that said she wanted her backed out. Seems like black cats are hard to place. Yep - we got Sootz (aka Puke-a-hontas). She still pukes regularly.

April and Sootz have been part of the family for 15 years now!

April was Danielle's study buddy - through junior high, high school and into university. When Danielle moved to Japan in 2010, April moped for weeks. When Danielle came home to visit, April ignored her for several days. She would sit in front of her and turn her back to Danielle (we called it getting the butt). However April soon made up with Danielle and would spend the rest of the time kneading biscuits on her arm and mashing her head into Danielle's.

When Danielle returned from Japan and moved back into the house to work on her Master's degree, April was in heaven! Her human was HOME again! Danielle could NOT study unless April was perched on the couch behind her looking over her shoulder. Every student needs a tutor!

Starting in January, April began losing weight. Took her to the vet for a check up. She was about 10 pounds, down from her normal 12 pounds. Blood was drawn. "Oh, it's just her thyroid. Many older cats suffer from hyperthyroid disease". Since we lost Tessa in 2012 when she had a bad reaction to the thyroid meds, I was reluctant to put April on them. "No worries", the vet said, "we now have food for hyperthyroid disease". In March, blood tests showed the food was working. April's bloodwork was completely normal. Her weight was now 8.3 pounds. So why was she still losing weight? She began to cry when using the litter box and after eating.

This time we took an x-ray. The vet said her bowels were enlarged, but not to worry - it was just constipation. Many older cats suffer from that as well as Inflammatory Bowel Disease. We were sent home with Laxanip (catnip flavored laxative) and prednisone for inflammation.

The crying continued.

Back to the vet the following week. This time April was given an enema. She passed quite a bit of stool. She got a shot for pain and inflammation.

The crying continued.

Back to the vet the following week. Her weight was now 7.3 pounds.

Alarmed, the vet called in a diagnostic specialist. He showed up one sunny morning, ultrasound in tow. April was quite docile, almost calm. They shaved her belly and the test began.

I work in healthcare, but I'm not clinical. I know just enough to be dangerous. I knew what I saw on the screen. The diagnostic vet used words like neoplasia and lymphoma, but they both mean the same thing.

CANCER. It was everywhere.

April did not last much longer. She couldn't swallow! That's why she was crying at the food dish. She became weaker and weaker. Couldn't walk or lift her head. I called the vet, who came to our house. We decided to let April go rather than see her continue to suffer.

To say our lives a bit emptier now is an understatement. Sootz, who we swore couldn't stand her sister, has been walking April's favorite places calling to her. I am unable to comfort my daughter (or myself) so I am lost as to how to comfort Sootz.

Please if you have a fur baby who begins to lose weight and cry, and the vet suggests it is thyroid disease, PLEASE make sure you check EVERYTHING out. If you cannot afford the ultrasound - see if there is a vet school or an organization that will get one for you at low or no cost. I hope that maybe someone will be spared our pain by reading this.

Here is our beautiful April when she was healthy:

And here is Sootz, after spending over an hour looking for her sister last night:

Fly free, April! At least you won't be in pain anymore!! WE LOVE YOU!

And a Good Time was had by ALL!

Artistic Figures in Cloth and Clay (AFICC) has come and gone for 2015. Oh, how I look forward to this retreat. Retreat? More like classes, fun, shopping and a bit of madness. Once every 2 years just isn't enough (except for my bank account).
I had a doll in the Doll Street display at the conference. The theme was "Traveler" and the timing on my latest workshop (with Cindee Moyer no less) was perfect.
You see, my Mom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 42. She was still good into her early 50's, but then the disease started to take its toll. She gradually lost her mobility until she could only get around with a sit-down walker or wheelchair. Since she was unable to travel any longer, she began to read. That became her way to "travel" - through books.
I present "The Armchair Traveler":

I also made a Candle Fae - he's ADORABLE and was so much fun to make:

Here's his backside (note the Plumber's Cleavage!)

I'm already saving my pennies for 2017. It can't get here quick enough!

42.17

I ran my first 5K today. At the tender age of 60.
Somehow in the back of my tiny little pea brain, I thought I could run this in under 40 minutes. I looked at the clock as I crossed the start line and looked at the clock as I crossed the finished line. By my calculations, I ran it in 39 minutes.
SIGH - unfortunately, the official time was 42.17. It showed I crossed the starting line at 8:06 instead of 8:09.
I still think I did it. At least I finished!!
Maybe next time.
OH - and the cowl kicks butt. Totally worth the time and yarn I put into it.

Still Overwhelmed

Been knitting in between work and family commitments. For some reason, I hate this part of the year. The days are getting longer, so spring is "teasing" us with being just around the corner (never mind that damn ground hog - what I don't get is it's snowing like crazy in Pennsylvania that day, how did that rodent see his shadow?), there are robins everywhere in my neck of the woods - yet the temperatures are bloody freezing.
Still it is pretty in the woods.

I have two make that three sweaters on the needles. REALLY need to finish one before starting something else....oh, look - a squirrel!

Irish Red

In Stillness

And Trego

Sorry for the sideways pic, Blogger wasn't cooperating even tho the picture is right side up in my files.
Stay warm, all!

Just the Kick in the Pants I Needed...

Good Morning - Queen of Procrastination here!
I thought I wasn't going to the doll conference next year - until a friend reminded me that it's not so much about the classes but about the friendships! (THANK YOU, JULES!)
Printed off my forms and will have them in the mail today. You have never lived until you have been at a conference with a bunch of folks that are just as NUTS as you are!

THEN I looked at the pile of yarn staring at me. The Loopy Ewe (a yarn shop in Ft. Collins, Colorado that does amazing mail order) decided to have a challenge. Not just any challenge but back to school! We have 3 projects to finish by the end of the "semester" (meaning December 31st). That was 3 days ago. This morning, I have a new chapeau!

This was a FUN knit and it took me 2 days and 1 evening. I would guess there's about 14 hours in that hat (but I'm a pokey knitter).

Next project: A beaded cowl! I'm a sucker for bling. Just like a little friend of mine that used to carry off all things shiny! Tessa was a tortie kitty that we had rescued many years ago. We lost her to kidney failure in January of 2012. When we went to remove a pocket door between our kitchen and dining room, we found one of her hiding places. See what she saved for us to find:

It was a wonderful reminder of a loving pet that touched our hearts for almost 15 years. WE MISS YOU, TESSA!

That Was the Week That Was...

As a birthday gift to myself, I decided to take a week off work and do NOTHING. Not a darn thing. Mostly because Im feeling quite overwhelmed by work right now and unable to create anything.
With that thought also in mind, I decided that this "pit" known as my sewing room/studio (I'm not really an artist, so I feel funny calling it a studio) needed an overhaul. I did not take before pictures as I was too embarrassed. Let's just say I needed a dumpster and shovel to even clear a path to the sewing machine!
I've recently started playing with clay thanks to classes from two amazing artists. Dee Schiller and Kathryn Walmsley both gave me the desire/impetus to start sculpting. However working in any type of clay near fibers and fabrics is a recipe for disaster. I ended up with specs, lumps and lines in the clay from the fiber.
A trip to IKEA this summer yielded the corner desk and the shelving unit. I've now got everything (sort of) organized except for the pile of fabric still to be folded on the cutting table. I haven't been able to get to that since I have a squatter taking up residence in the fabric.

And I wonder why there's always cat hair on my things!
Anyway, here is the clay sculpting area:

I can now see the top of my sewing machine AND I added a small pad for ironing. Came in handy yesterday!

And last (but certainly not least) the wonderful cubby cabinet from IKEA:

Let's hope this is the kick in the pants I need to get creative again!

Happy Bloody Birthday

I suppose I should be grateful that I have survived as long as I have. But as someone who has been told that my recent health issues are "to be expected at your age" by not one, not two but THREE physicians, I am NOT looking forward to advancing any more in age. Since I now pass into the "Senior" years starting tomorrow morning at 9:25am, I am really, really struggling with this birthday. Usually when I feel blue, I resort to watching one of my favorite "feel good" movies. I was trying to come up with a list of the top 10 and thought I would start by sharing five of mine (in alphabetical order because I'm anal like that):

Blues Brothers

C'mon - it's Chicago, it's got penguins, Danny Akroyd, John Candy AND the late, great John Belushi. What's not to love?

Down Periscope

Any movie whose title song is sung by the Village People is OK in my book!

Real Genius

When Val Kilmer was HOT!

Running Scared

Again - it's CHICAGO (my hometown that I am VERY proud of), has some of the BEST one liners "why do they call you Snake - you gotta long wee wee or somethin?" and "Hablo Smith and Wesson?"! AND in my opinion, Jimmy Smits is a MUCH better baddie than he is a hero. Besides it's got BILLY CRYSTAL and the late, great Gregory Hines. Best team EVER!

Waking Ned Devine

Talk about life dealing you a crap hand! The friendship between Michael and Jackie is priceless. I love the scenes of Michael O'Sullivan driving down the Irish country roads on a motor bike NAKED!! And the MUSIC!! I LOVE Celtic music.

I'm going to have to chew on the next movies. There are many more than I thought!

REALLY??!!!??

I couldn't manage even ONE stinking post in the last year?? Shame on me!
Hope to be back in the game soon.

Failed Miserably...

I thought MAYBE a fresh start would allow me to keep up with a blog. WRONG! Still being a "fart in a windstorm" as my Grandma would say.
The craft du jour seems to be spinning. Allow me to share the fruits of my labor.

I participated in a challenge where you had to take an inspiration picture:



Then dye fiber:



Turn said fiber into batts or rolags:



Spin your singles:



Then ply your singles (I used n-ply):



Then finally admire your hard work:



The color is a bit washed out on the final yarn shot. The singles/ply is the true color.
I got worsted weight and about 265 yards out of 5 oz. of fiber.
Not sure what I'm going to do with it, but scarf seems to come to mind.

In the meantime, I got some roving from Fat Cat Knits called "The Sky's the Limit". I had 2 braids that were just a little bit different.



I spun each separately, then I'm going to spin a solid roving (one terra cotta - one dark Prussian blue) to have two distinct yarns. Can you say two-color shawl?!!?
Need to get better at keeping up. If work (and life) would just mellow out for a bit...

Busy (but non-productive) weekend.

This is the reason for the busy (but non-productive) weekend. It seems that while I managed to raise three children to adulthood without killing a single one of them, I have forgotten how much work and how much energy is needed to care for a one-year-old. This is one pooped Grandma. I had to go back to work today just to get a rest! Been in a knitting mood. My poor spinning wheel is lying silent and still and my sewing machine has a half inch of dust on it. Will have to kick myself into gear soon.

Virgin Posting

Like so many others, I have started blogs with good intentions. I knit, I spin, I dye, I sew, I quilt, I make cloth dolls - with absolutely NO focus on any one craft. I'm starting THIS blog in the hopes that if I have only ONE place to post - I may finally get around to sharing some things with you. Let's see how it goes!