Happy 4th!

This is the first weekend in ages I've had two days off....so I did nothing but sit and read two great books since last night!! Pumpkin hogged the hammock!

I'm knitting another sweater like the last one - will have to back finished tonight (Since I'm out of books for the moment). Am home looking after Miss Kennedy - don't want to scare her with the fireworks! Girls are off on their own adventures. We had a great Road Trip last Sunday...the wildflowers are in full bloom in the Ochocos - incredibly beautiful. Kennedy was a good passenger.

Hope everyone's 4th is Grand!!!

Assistant

Kennedy is my new photo assistant - turns out she loves socks!! We seem to missing them from the laundry!! Thanks Roxie for the wonderful yarn - I really like the way they turned out - such a little bit of work and such great results!!!

For the record, summer is NOT here today.
ttfn

Time to update

I know it's been way too long.

First welcome to the newest member of the family – meet Kennedy. We had to put our old lab down and the girls just had to have a dog. They just bugged me 24/7 and 6 days later Kennedy joined us. So far they’ve done a great job taking care of her. She’s lab/hound mix from the pound…hopefully won’t be too big. Sure is cute and happy.

College Girl is home for the summer – working at the caterer and hanging out with REI Girl and I. Having another person in the house has made me wonder – when all the kids were home where did we put everything. Where did all this stuff come from? Every nook and cranny is filled with stuff!!

We did the Heaven Can Wait walk for Breast Cancer a few weekends ago. Over 3600 walkers – it was pretty impressive to see all the supporters and survivors.

I finished College Girls sweater – check it out here. I have a request to do another one. Good thing I enjoyed knitting it. It’s been awhile since I knit an adult sweater and now I’m motivated to knit something for me. Almost finished with the Ocean Socks too.

Work has been extremely stressful. Everyday has been challenging, but it looks like things will work out and I will keep my job. Good thing since unemployment would have meant losing my house. I’ve still got a long road ahead of me to catch up, but I will.

Central Oregon has been plagued by violent late afternoon thunderstorms the last week or so…my gosh has it rained. My garden likes it – but all the veggies need some sunshine or all those seeds will rot. It is predicted that summer will be returning soon. For Mother’s Day the girls arranged for some landscaper friends to clean up my front yard. I have huge Spruce trees and they make a real mess – there was probably 2 feet deep of needles under them – they hauled it all away and trimmed the trees, laid new landscaping rock and generally cleaned up. We now call it the Park. I can’t believe I live here. I even have a new planting bed. Another gardener friend has been sharing her rearranging garden with me…so by next summer I’ll have a new garden spot. Swell – something else to weed!

Haven’t been to Stitch and B*tch recently. Sorry ladies. Monday is one of the nights when the girls are both home – and we’re having too much fun together. So might be taking a summer break I guess.

So here’s to summer, a great garden and having kids and new puppies around!

Road Trip

REI Girl and I took a long one-tank road trip on Sunday. Drove north to Maupin and had yummy cinnamon roles at an old haunt from my younger years - The Oasis Cafe - was the place to go after rafting the Deschutes...the best milkshakes in town - which isn't saying much because Maupin isn't much. A pretty place in a deep canyon, not much more than a wide spot in the road. But really hot in the summer - so milkshakes were very appreciated. The town mostly survives on the fly fishing and rafting trade, so it's pretty quiet most of the year.

Then we headed to the Columbia Gorge and Hood River. The Gorge is one of my favorite spots in Oregon - it's just so majestic with the huge cliffs and the Mighty Columbia! Lunch and a little shopping in Hood River (Knot another Hat) and then we headed over the back side of Mt. Hood. The Mountain looks so big from there! (Which it is!)I was hoping the apple blossoms would still be around, but I think we were too late. Back to the high desert and we were home. A nice relaxing drive, good companionship..what else could I ask for!

First go round with the Physical Therapist was good, but was sore for a few days. She thinks she can really help me, so am going back tomorrow. We're going to try a Cold Laser Knife....whatever that means! I'll let you know.I started this sweater for Marianne - she actually picked out something for me to knit for her! Finally! Ultra Alpaca in a soft grey. I think she might actually wear it!

Spring or more likely summer is actually here again. Hopefully will get the garden planted this weekend. I'm hoping the hard frost we had on Monday is the last one! I'm going to assign REI Girl the Veggie Project - she has time and she's bored. Pulling weeds is good for everyone! Can't wait!

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!

Rambling

Spring came and went - but they say summer will be here this weekend! Last Saturday the girls showered me with flowers for my garden - which we planted - some of which froze last night - so goes the weather in Central Oregon! You just never know what to expect. The Geek was on a big hiking adventure - so not here - but he also sent flowers - what a nice boy. All in all Mother's day was about flowers and enjoying the company of my family! The next day my sister was here on her way home from picking up one of her college girls in California - it snowed over the pass when they left here!

I have been knitting (it's not warm enough to really get into my usual summer reading program yet - but I am stocked up in anticipation). This great yarn was gifted me by Roxie - and I made up the pattern as I went along....like them!
Weekend before last was Mom's Weekend at Linfield - I went over to see College Girl. (Once again the weather did not cooperate - imagine rain, wind, cold - watching a powder puff football game between the Sororities) We still had a lot of fun - went to the LYS and picked out a sweater for me to knit for her. Next year is her big year - starts Nursing School - she is super excited. The campus is at Good Samaritan Hospital - located in the hipest neighborhood in Portland - The Pearl. She will have a blast - but will be working very hard - it's a tough program.

REI Girl and I are going on a road trip this Sunday - haven't figured out where yet - Weatherman says it will be in the 80's....we might need a water site! Am looking forward to getting away for the day. The past weeks at work have been like a bumper car - I don't know what's going to happen from one minute to the next. So far I'm employeed until the end of May - after that - who knows! I'm optimistic as usual.

Recovery is of course progressing but not as I'd like. Reached for something without thinking today - ouch! So decided to get with a Physical Therapist next week to see if I can progress faster. Weight Watchers isn't progressing fast enough either - slow but steady will get me there I guess. Need to walk more (it's a weather thing).

Here's to the possibility of Spring coming, soon?

Too Long

Sorry friends - just haven't had much to comment on! It's pretty normal around here in Central Oregon. Spring came - it was glorious for a few days - but now it's gone again. I did have few wardrobe concerns - knit T-shirts just don't work for me anymore! Of course everything else requires ironing...just one more thing to worry about. But the short spring was great - got outside and worked in the yard a bit. I'd gone to Portland the weekend before to do yard work at my Dad's - had a nice visit with my brother and sister. My brother had just caught a big salmon, so dinner was extra yummy. He was leaving the next day for a real adventure. Lucky duck! He bought the trip at a Ducks Unlimited Auction - paid next to nothing for it!

College girl came up to visit while I was there - oh she is a busy girl. She got her acceptance to the Linfield Nursing School - we knew she would - but now she's really excited. I'm going over to see her this weekend for Mom's weekend - looking forward to a nice drive and some one on one time. Plus there are two good yarn shops in McMinnville - so a little browsing might be in order!
The economy has put a real dent in my buying abilities - but stash is still healthy thank you!

The economy has wrecked havoc on everyone around here. REI Girl is only working half time, plus she has had a lot of health issues - particularly bad headaches - so she has missed alot of work. She is particularly frustrated and bored! The Geek too is facing challenges, lost one of his roommates, so his expenses have gone up. Me too - it seems that even though I've been working 6 days a week - I can't keep up. When College Girl comes home it will be more difficult. But like many - we've been here before. My job is tenuous but I'm just thankful we all have some work! We just have to all rise to the challenge.
I did finally finish these socks. It seemed they took a long time, I just haven't been knitting as much. Maybe I'm a seasonal knitter? I seem to read more in the warmer weather. I haven't got any new project picked out - will probably try to find a sweater or vest to work on. The vest I just finished is getting a lot of use - vests work for me!

Recovery is still progressing - I never imagined that I would still be experiencing pain three months out - it is better on some parts - and changes everyday on others. REI Girl has been going to a Physical Therapist that she really likes - I might try that route. I just want to sleep comfortably!! Had my last appointment with the Oncologist - don't have to see him for 6 months! Ya Hoo!! So life may be challenging - but it's good and there is nothing wrong with good!

TWO, Two, 2 - Finished!

I know - I've done nothing buy complain about winter this year - but above is the proof that this too shall pass. Spring is here today - it's 65 out and I'm loving it!

loving it so much - the photo shoot could take place outside!
The vest - should have made it a size smaller - but I'm going to still wear it and like it. Four Seasons "Man's" Vest - I'd do this again!
The Eyelet Yoke Baby Cardigan - will be another do it again. Had the Cashmerino in stash - so it will be a great gift for a new member of the Ranch family. It was super easy and super quick. The color is more red than pink - so cute!

Life continues to throw us all curves - today (Sunday mind you) I discovered that my water heater has been leaking - ruining the dry wall, growing that awful mold, needs to be replaced! I don't have the time or cash to deal with it - so my newly paid of credit card will be put back into action - not that I can pay it...but it's a start.

With regard to what the girls are now calling "The Booby Memoirs" - the healing continues. Still hurts, still can't sleep well, now getting cramped muscles - boring and frustrating. It will get better. Thinking about a "scar revision" - Doc says it would help alot....and how am I going to pay for that? This is ridiculous, I'm tired of being hit by things beyond my control!

REI Girl and I are embarking on a self improvement project - otherwise known as a diet...I have all my old Weight Watchers materials - so today we made a list,checked it for points and did a weeks worth of shopping. We are walking this afternoon. This will be more challenging for her as she is home most of the time - REI has cut everyone to 2-3 days a week - so she is getting bored! Once again it's not as though there are jobs available to fill in. She's thinking about going back to school (yea!) next fall, but also wants to go back to Africa. To have such choices!

Busy week ahead....new knitting projects to discover....warm weather to enjoy, what could be better!