tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81211287125096524982024-03-13T11:11:55.845-05:00Greetings from a Tiny Town in Far Western KentuckyAdelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.comBlogger622125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-14238923719038454462020-10-04T18:58:00.021-05:002020-10-04T19:13:12.555-05:00Changes<p> </p>I think they have changed some things since I posted six weeks ago. I wonder what it will look like when I publish it.
Things have also changed at my house. I now have a 9-month-old living here. My granddaughter Sara and her litle boy moved in about a month ago. Ethan is crawling now and pulling himself up, but hasn't started walking yet. His favorite plaything seems to be the plastic wine goblets that are on the bottom shelf of the cart my toaster-oven sits on, and the plastic soup bowls on the middle shelf. He hasn't started pulling down the melamine plates also on the middle shelf, but that will probably come soon. I started accumulating these plates when his oldest cousin was about 5 and spent a good bit of time here. With them being on a low shelf, Lexi could help set the table. She is now a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, so that was quite a few years ago.
The Walk through Bethlehem that I mentioned in my last post is scheduled for the first weekend in December. It will be a bit different than in past years. Instead of the visitors walking around at will, groups of 15 or 20 will be escorted by a member of the church and will stay on the path between the market stalls. The children will be given 'goody bags' as they leave rather than 'shekels' as they enter to spend at the stalls. The visitors also will not go into the fellowship hall for refreshments after they visit the village.
I have told them that I will supply at least 500 mini-rugs for those 'goody bags'. I have 369 done so far. The warp I have on the loom currently should take me over 400, and three more 8-yard warps should get me to my goal.Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-83147467865787594142020-08-20T10:19:00.001-05:002020-08-20T10:25:57.195-05:00My Week So Far<p> On Sunday, I wound an 8-yard warp of yellow 8/2(?) cotton on my warping board.</p><p>On Monday, I tied that warp onto the end of the last warp - 50 square knots, and wound it onto the warp beam of the loom. Then I tied it onto the cloth beam apron and started weaving mini-rugs. The rugs are approximately 5 inches square, with 1/2 inch of fringe on each end. They are for kids to 'buy' with the 'shekels' they are given when they enter the village at the Walk through Bethlehem in December. I'm assuming the Walk will go ahead. If not, they'll be ready for next year. I have 93 pieces completely finished and 70 on the sewing machine table to be zig-zagged across the ends (so they don't unravel). My goal is 500.</p><p>On Tuesday, I had my 6-month oncology visit. Dr E, whom I've seen for the past two years, has left the practice, so I've been assigned to Dr Concepcion. Everything seems to be OK, but he wants a 'bone survey' since I haven't had one for several years. That is 2 or 3 dozen x-rays showing every bone in my body. One thing Myeloma does is eat bone. That's the reason I have a metal rod in my right femur. The bone survey will show if any more bones have been damaged. They have set that up for me on September 2.</p><p>Yesterday (Wednesday) when I woke up, I realized that the air coming in my bedroom window was so fresh and cool that it would be a good day to do some yard work. So I dressed in shorts and a sleeveless shirt. After I had breakfast, in front of the computer, while I checked e-mail and FaceBook, I put on my gardening shoes and put a battery in the weed-eater. I have three batteries, which last 15 to 20 minutes each. I used all three of them, taking breaks between (and sometimes in the middle). I usually keep my rollator (walker with a seat) nearby in case I need to sit down. However, when I took my last break, I was in front (east side) of the house and the walker was around on the south end, so I sat down on the front steps. When I tried to stand up, I couldn't quite do it. I had to telephone Dominic (he was napping in the house) to come out and help me. (Carmen and Alyssa insist that I have my cellphone on me when I do yard work.) I think the work I did was a lot, especially considering that a year ago I was trying to learn to walk again after my fall and my surgery.</p><p>Today is also cool, so I may go back outside and cut down (with the long-handled pruners) some volunteer trees that are too big for the weed-eater to handle. I'll also do some weaving.</p>Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-76250110029477733202020-06-10T16:41:00.001-05:002020-06-10T16:41:30.012-05:00Lexi made the dean's list!At the University of Kentucky! I couldn't possibly be prouder of her.Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-40859172671519769502020-05-18T11:52:00.001-05:002020-05-18T11:52:55.304-05:0079 ?I turned another year older yesterday. Didn't really do anything, but we did drive to Mayfield and had supper at Burger King - drive through, eat in parking lot. Dominic went into Walmart for a few things, mainly milk. He also bought a pecan pie to celebrate my birthday. I think I'll have a piece of it now.Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-77184064260992019052020-05-04T10:47:00.000-05:002020-05-04T10:47:36.334-05:00ZOOM!We're still spending most of our time at home, but we do get out some, mostly to pharmacy and grocery, and fast-food drive-throughs. Our neighbor, who is an X-ray tech, gave us two masks, and Alyssa has given us two that she made. She has been making them and giving them to friends and neighbors. Masks are mandatory in Illinois now, and will be soon in Kentucky. I don't like wearing them, but of course I will.<br />
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One of my online knitting groups has started having online meetings on Zoom, and our rector is having Zoom coffee hours. I was lamenting the fact that I can't join in, because there is no camera on my computer (and Walmart is out of them), but Alyssa said there is one on my iPad. Carmen bought this iPad for me when I was in the nursing home, but I couldn't figure it out, so it has just been sitting here. Alyssa and the kids visited us a week ago and she set things up for me. Yesterday at 11am, I joined the Grace Church coffee hour. There were only six of us, but it was nice to see everyone. Then at 6pm I joined the KnitTalk group. I think there were 18 of us, and it was very interesting to see these people I've been communicating with online for several years. I knew what Alison looks like, because I have her book of shawl patterns and I followed her blog for several years (I'm not following any blogs now). But I had no idea what any of the others looked like. I had sort of pictured Robin as looking like a woman I go to church with, but she is very different.Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-1971862367766818962020-03-18T15:07:00.000-05:002020-03-18T15:20:22.315-05:00Social DistancingI'm pretty good at this, but I do need some interaction with other people. We haven't gone anywhere for several days. I haven't gotten as much knitting done as I should have though. I guess phone and internet make socialization easier than it was years ago.<br />
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The little great grandkids are home from school until the end of the month (at least). I think the teachers spent last weekend putting together packets of work to keep them busy during that time. Lexi came home for spring break and thought she was going back to do online classes from the dorm for two weeks and then back to normal. However, UK decided to do online classes for the rest of the spring semester, and to close the dorms. Now they will need to go back to Lexington to get her stuff out of her room. At least now she can help with the little ones. She'll probably have less trouble with the common core math that Stephen's mother. It's a foreign language to those of us over a certain age.<br />
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Alyssa is adamant that I need to stay home. I think she's going to buy a couple of things Dominic and I need and have Lexi drop them off to us when she comes this way to visit her grandparents tomorrow. (They're only 12 miles from me instead of the 38 Alyssa is.)<br />
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I just updated my 'cast of characters' for the kids' current ages. Actually Lexi won't be 19 until June, but I don't feel like going back to change it. She voted in the Illinois primary yesterday - first time. I guess that makes her an adult now. And Devin is now driving!Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-86101437535223676092020-02-10T19:21:00.001-06:002020-02-10T19:21:49.023-06:00Again, brother Jim has reminded me that I've neglected my blog for almost two months.<br />
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I'm doing quite a bit better in getting around, but not walking without a walker yet. Getting into and out of the car is fairly easy now, but I don't feel up to driving. I probably could, but that's one of the reasons Dominic is here. He does a lot of other things for me, as well, including emptying the container that I empty my colostomy bag into, and emptying the pot of my bedside commode - not pleasant tasks.<br />
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I spend a fair amoumt of time knitting. Two weeks ago, we delivered 14 hats to the local school for whoever needs them and several shawls to the church to be blessed and given as prayer/comfort shawls. I also waste a lot of time on the computer, mostly playing solitaire.<br />
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I was discharged from home health in December and from Wound Care about the same time. I've had a couple of other follow-up doctor's appointments and have another one scheduled in May with the kidney doctor.<br />
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I was able to weave at the Walk Through Bethlehem in December. Carmen was there again this year as the vendor, and I told people that Dominic was my slave - that seemed appropriate.<br />
<br />Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-28440116247125385572019-12-19T12:50:00.000-06:002019-12-19T12:50:16.686-06:00Jury DutyWhen I got the summons to jury duty two months ago, I thought I'd be walking independently by now, so I didn't mention my recent medical problems when I filled out the questionnaire. I'm still using a walker and Dominic is still my driver.<br />
Today was the day I had jury duty orientation. The judge explained several reasons why we are lucky to be in a small county - there are very few jury trials each year and they are very short. Afterwards, I told him that, for someone who has served on a jury for a trial that lasted two full weeks, this sounded easy. I did not ask to be excused, but since they plan to divide the jury pool into two groups, each to serve for half the year (oh, yes, this is for the year 2020), I asked to be in the second half. I figure that by July I should be much more stable on my feet.Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-72226093406243539082019-11-03T15:34:00.002-06:002019-11-03T15:39:10.466-06:00How I Spent my Summer (it was no vacation)I thought I had posted in June, but I guess not. I can't tell you what I did until June 24. On that day, I walked out my back door on my way to a fiberarts meeting, something threw me off-balance, and I wound up lying on the concrete carport. As one of my friends said, "the concrete always wins." I called my daughter, who came over and took me to the emergency room. X-rays showed 5 broken ribs and 2 pelvic fractures. I was admitted to the hospital for a few days, then transferred to Mills Manor nursing home for recuperation and physical therapy.<br />
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Then on July 9, I had some problems with my belly. I hadn't been eating much, but my belly was distended and off-color, and I started vomiting some strange looking, orange stuff. So they sent me back to the hospital. The next day I had surgery for a perforated colon. They tell me that I had a mild heart attack in surgery and that they almost gave me up for lost. I completely lost 4 or 5 days; my primary care doctor tells me I don't need to remember those days. After I came around, the doctors were calling me a miracle. My daughter sent out prayer requests to family, churches, and knitting groups. I'm told they even did a laying on of hands.<br />
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I spent the rest of July in Jackson Purchase Medical Center and then was transferred back to Mills Manor. I was in bed so long that I had to learn to walk again. I now look at babies and toddlers a bit differently, because I know how much strength and endurance it takes to hold oneself upright and to walk. After much recuperation and therapy, I came home on October 17.<br />
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During all this time, my daughter, Carmen, has been a fabulous advocate for me. She moved back into my house and rearranged furniture so I can get around the house more easily.<br />
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My son, Dominic, is here also, and has become an attentive nurse, changing dressings, etc. The dressing on the surgical incision will be discontinued soon, I believe, but the one on a bedsore on my butt will take longer. We go back to Wound Care at the hospital in Tuesday to see what the surgeon says about them.<br />
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I have a wheelchair and walkers. Mercy Home Health sends out nurses and therapists several times a week.<br />
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When we have to go to doctors are the only times I go out. Getting into the car is easy, but getting out is not. After the appointments, we go to a drive-thru for lunch, which we then sit in the parking lot to eat. Then we do other errands, with me sitting in the car while Dominic goes into the stores. I did go into Walmart the first time, so I could show Dom where things are, and what foods I wanted. Now I can just make a list for him.Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-47200395682733458362019-05-20T12:55:00.001-05:002019-05-20T13:03:02.670-05:00526 miles, and never more than 40 miles from home.It all started last <u>Sunday, Mothers' Day</u>: I met Carmen in Mayfield and she took me out to lunch. The local restaurant she had selected wasn't open, so we went to Cracker Barrel (also in Mayfield, but not 'local.') I introduced her to their kale salad, which my friend Mary had introduced me to a couple of months ago. When I had been home about an hour, Alyssa called and asked if I could help her out with Calla. Head Start is over, but Calla is not yet in day care. Her other great-grandmother (they call her Bma) was going to keep her for the week, but was on her way home from VA or NC that day. So I went to Metropolis and got Calla and kept her for the night. All that was 111 miles.<br />
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<u>Monday</u>: I took Calla to Bma's house, met Carmen in Mayfield, and then drove to Metropolis for Lily's program at school. By the time I returned home, I had driven 107 miles.<br />
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<u>Tuesday</u>: My normal trip to The Ice House in Mayfield to knit. 40 miles.<br />
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<u>Wednesday</u>: My normal trip to Paducah for the noon Eucharist service at Grace Episcopal Church, followed by knitting with friends at Itty Bitty Knitty Shop. However, I went by way of Bardwell to drop off a couple of bags of clothing at West KY Allied Services, and to stop at the county court house to renew my car registration. About 75 miles total, I think.<br />
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<u>Thursday</u>: I think I stayed home all day and didn't even unlock the door.<br />
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<u>Friday</u>: I picked up Calla from Bma's house, met Carmen in Mayfield, and headed to Metropolis. We took Calla to Alyssa's house (She had someone to babysit the little ones), then went to the high school for Lexi's graduation. Lexi was one of the honor students, who sat on the front row and got their diplomas first. They also had gold tassels, while the rest of the class had school-color ones. I couldn't possibly be more proud of Lexi.<br />
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After the graduation, we went back to Alyssa's house for birthday cake for my 78th. After dropping Carmen off in Mayfield, and returning home, it must have been at least 120 miles.<br />
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<u>Saturday</u>: Alyssa asked if I could keep Lily for the night, so I drove to Metropolis to get her. We came back through Mayfield and met Carmen at the A Taste of Mayfield festival. So that was another 100 miles.<br />
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I actually kept Lily two nights. We got up early this morning and left about 7:30 to drive to Metropolis in time for school. Brady's kindergarten graduation was this morning at 9 o'clock. He is now finished with school until August, but Lily has to go until Friday.<br />
<br />Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-72617477240139146282019-04-27T20:01:00.003-05:002019-04-27T20:19:50.135-05:00That Was The Week That Was{Do you remember that show?}<br />
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My week was quite tiring for this old person. On Monday I had an appointment for my annual check-up. My blood pressure was a bit high. I told Dr. Pat what my week was going to be, and she said to come back when it was over and things have settled down a bit, and have the nurse check it again. I didn't tell her that part of it may have been sitting in the waiting room at least 45 minutes after my appointment time before being called back, and thinking that I may not make it to Metropolis in time to hear the high school jazz band play.<br />
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I did make it in time, but just barely. They were playing at the Mexican restaurant. On the way up from Mayfield, I was grateful for red lights as I was driving through Lone Oak - they gave me a chance to text with Susie about the kids. We met at the restaurant, and I took Lily and Calla and sat at the table with Lexi's Gill grandparents. Brady ate with his Ragsdale family. Lexi, of course, was the reason we were there. She plays trumpet in the band. After supper, we went to Alyssa's house, where I spent the week until Friday night. Alyssa works for the American Quilters Society and this was "Quilt Week" in Paducah. AQS has been putting on this event for a long time. People come from all over the world; Alyssa was really surprised a how many there were from Japan. So Alyssa was working looooong hours, and asked me to stay at her house to take care of the kids. Nothing like sleeping on the couch for four nights!<br />
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Susie (Stephen's mother) came over each morning and got the kids ready for school and then took them there. She's been doing this since Alyssa started working at AQS, because she needs to leave earlier than the kids do. Susie usually picks them up from school, as well, and takes them to her house until Alyssa get home, but I relieved her of that duty this week.<br />
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On Tuesday evening, I took the three kids and met Carmen at Mellow Mushroom in Paducah, again to hear the jazz band play. We got medium pepperoni pizza for the kids and a small holy shitaki one for the two of us. Unfortunately, Alyssa was not able to attend either of those performances, but she should be able to go to the mall when they play there on Tuesday evening.<br />
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So that was two nights I didn't need to cook. On Wednesday, I did cook. I fed them the goulash Mother used to make frequently - ground beef, elbow macaroni and Campbell's tomato soup concentrate. I had peas as a side dish.<br />
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On Thursday, the school had a family reading night, with spaghetti and meatballs and breadsticks from Fazoli's, so I didn't need to cook that night either. Lexi asked if I wanted her to go with us, and I said it was up to her. I am SOOO glad she did; I don't think I'd have survived without her help. I think the kids enjoyed it. They had tables set up with activities related to books most of the kids are familiar with.<br />
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Friday afternoon, Brady went home with his grandmother Susie, and I took Lily and Calla to their other great-grandmother near Mayfield. So other people fed them that night. I don't know why the cooking seems so arduous for me - I guess because I've been feeding only myself for so long. I used to be a good cook, but I think I've forgotten how.<br />
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It was good to sleep in my own bed last night.<br />
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Today I drove in to Mayfield and went to the used book sale at the library. I went mainly for children's books, but of course I looked at the adult ones, a well. I bought 15 children's books, including one on insects and another on chipmunks and beavers (I think Lily especially will like those), and 8 books for me. All that for only $15.25. Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-27344188706912185512019-04-21T12:35:00.000-05:002019-04-21T12:38:40.311-05:00New computer<span style="font-size: large;">I recently bought a new computer. The one I had was at least 12 years old and had Windows XP operating system, which is no longer being supported. This one has Windows 10 and a much larger memory. It is taking some getting used to. Carmen went with me to buy it, and then set it up for me. There are still some things she needs to do on it, but I've found most of the things I want.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will be spending most of next week in Metropolis with Alyssa. She works for the American Quilters' Society and next Wednesday through Saturday is the annual Spring quilt show in Paducah. She will be very busy, leaving the house earlier than usual, and getting home much later than usual. So I'll be there to help with the kids. I'll take my laptop and plenty of knitting to work on during the day while they're in school. I'll need to pick them up from school, help with homework, give them supper, and put them to bed. Stephen's mother will continue to come in the morning to get them ready and take them to school. Since she has her routine on that, I see no reason to upset it for the week. Besides, the less I need to go up and down those stairs, the better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, I picked Calla up from Carmen's, where she had spent two days, and took her back to Metropolis. Then I took her, Lily and Brady to the Easter egg hunt at the church they go to. I've been there enough that that some of the faces are familiar to me, although I don't know any of the names. One of the women said to me, "Yes, I know your number is 102." She is a teacher or aide at the elementary school and takes down the numbers of those of us in the pick-up lines in the afternoons. I've picked up Lily and Brady enough times that she recognizes my car, knows who I'm picking up and what their number is. I guess that, by this time of year, she and the others know many of the numbers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-31332397426144309672019-04-01T16:52:00.003-05:002019-04-02T17:51:02.969-05:00Merit Weekend at UKLexi, Alyssa and I drove to Stanford on Thursday evening and spent the night in my sister Pauline's townhouse there. Of course, before we left, I drove 123 miles, going to Metropolis to pick up the three little ones from school and delivering Brady to his grandparents in Metropolis and Lily and Calla to their Grammy Carmen near Pryorsburg KY, then returning to Metropolis. When Lexi was home from school and Alyssa from work, we set out for central KY. I rode for that 240 miles.<br />
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Friday we drove from Stanford to Lexington, to the UK campus. It was a busy day, especially for Lexi. She had to take a couple of placement tests, while Alyssa and I attended some information sessions to find out more about UK. Alyssa also talked to someone in the finance (or something) office about the money, and Lexi had a meeting about band. At the end of the afternoon, we visited the dorm Lexi will be living in. (I didn't take the tour.) It is a dorm that will have mainly people in the Fine Arts majors - she may be the only one from Arts & Science (She plans to major in Psychology.) She was impressed by the practice rooms and art studios. She will be in the marching band and the pep band that plays at home ball games, so the practice rooms might be useful for her. It was about 10 pm when we got back to Stanford.<br />
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On Saturday, we went back to UK. Lexi had more small-group meetings and met with her adviser to set up her schedule for the fall semester. Alyssa and I were in more information meetings. At the end, we were told that if we hear of more orientations during the summer, ignore them, they are for the 'regular' kids. These three weekends in March were for the 'cream of the crop.' The average high school GPA of this group was 4.1 and their average SAT score was over 1300. Then after our free lunch in the Champions dining room [sort of like a food court in a mall, except you pay one price (usually about $10) and eat as much as you want from the various vendors], there were a bunch of tables set up in the ballroom with information about campus organizations, services, etc. I finally got home about 9:30 pm.<br />
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Tiring couple of days, but I'm so glad I went with them. I had thought I'd be able to show Lexi where I lived at her age, but we left too early and got back too late to see anything. I'll have to visit her some weekend this fall and take her to see Stanford and Berea (where I went to college).<br />
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Sunday afternoon, Carmen brought Lily and Calla to me to spend their Spring Break here. We're doing nothing today, but tomorrow we will go to Mayfield to visit the Ice House (Art Guild) and the library, and to do some grocery shopping. I'm not sure what we'll do after that.Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-50229304400001506532019-03-24T10:55:00.001-05:002019-03-24T11:13:51.032-05:00Two Months?!?!?!Once again, my brother has reminded me that I haven't posted here for a looooong time. That must mean that I've been busy, right? Between weaving, knitting, and driving 'Grandmother's Taxi', I do keep busy. I drive about 300 miles a week, much of it care for and transport my great-grandchildren. They're worth it.<br />
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On the weaving front, I've woven a small scarf for 2-year-old Violet and an adult-size one for 13-year-old Rose, and I am working on a shawl for the prayer shawl ministry at church. Violet's is currently with Lexi, who is braiding the fringe for me. It is pink, and Rose's is red and black (school colors). I just realized that I don't have pictures of either of them.<br />
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The shawl is several shades of gray, a long rectangle, suitable for a man. I don't know how I'm going to finish the ends - short loose fringe? knotted fringe? twisted fringe? I guess I need to talk to some men. I'm doing this, plus one that I'm knitting, because the parish nurse said in the parish newsletter that more shawls are needed, particularly ones suitable for men.<br />
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And of course, I'm always knitting. In addition to the shawl mentioned above, I'm currently working on a baptismal blanket and a hat. One project that I have finished recently was a special request from Lexi. Last fall for one of the "dress like a . . ." days at school, her costume included a shawl I made several years ago. One of her teachers made such a fuss over it that Lexi asked me to duplicate it for the teacher. I gave it to Lexi a few days ago; don't know when she'll give it to the teacher.<br />
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The weather has not been bad this winter - no snow. BUT there has been a lot of flooding. Paducah has had the gates in the flood wall for a few weeks, and many roads in the area have been flooded. In mid-February we had a little ice storm - not nearly as bad as ten years ago, when I lost electricity for three weeks. Fortunately, the electric company had been here the day before trimming trees away from the lines. They took out one limb from one of my pine trees, that I had been concerned about for a year or two. Then the storm broke off another large limb from that tree. That one didn't endanger the power lines. I need to get someone with a chain saw to cut it up so we can burn it.<br />
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Then on March 14 there were a couple of tornadoes in the area. I had a luncheon at church that day, and also some errands in Paducah. I was checking emails when the power went out about 9:20. There had been a few flash-flood and tornado warnings, but I decided to head out anyway about 10. About ten miles from home, just after I turned onto US62, there was a "Water over roadway' sign. There wasn't actually water on the road, but it was lapping at the shoulder. (If you are familiar with KY roads, you know that the shoulders on 2-lane roads are about 6 inches wide.) About 7 miles later, I saw a house with about 1/3 of it's roof missing and a lot of trees down, and people starting to clean up. Another 1/4 mile and each lane was blocked by a vehicle. The drivers were trying to move a good-sized tree from the road. I was able to back up and get onto KY726. In about two miles, I turned right on KY286 and shortly got back on US62. But, in about 3 miles, traffic was stopped. The vehicle in front of me finally pulled up enough to back into a driveway and turn around. I did the same and turned onto Gholson Road, following its curving route up to US60. Smooth sailing on 60 until the edge of Paducah. Then a fire truck was blocking both east-bound lanes of the road, and I could see utility poles leaning at about a 60-degree angle. I made a couple more turns and got back on US60, but the traffic lights were out until I was east of I-24. Finally made it to the church for the luncheon, and one of the women told me I had followed the tornado. It did a huge amount of damage to a large church, as well as to a vault company. There is a preschool/day care in that church, but they have drilled on their tornado plan, and followed it that day, so the kids and teachers were all safe. Just before it hit the church, it lifted a large, metal grain bin, rolling it across the road, along with a tractor-trailer. The truck driver had some minor injuries.<br />
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The daffodils have been blooming for about a month, and now the forsythia and Bradford pears are in full bloom. I've even seen a few dandelions, and my flowering crabapple is showing a lot of green. Soon it will be dogwoods and redbuds.<br />
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Lexi gave me the dates in April and May that the high school jazz band will be playing at a couple of restaurants and the mall, so that's a few more trips to Metropolis and Paducah. Then on May 17 she will be graduating from Massac County High School. Unbelievable! She will enroll in the University of Kentucky this fall. In fact, on Thursday, she, her mom and I will drive out there after Alyssa gets off work and spend Friday and Saturday morning at an orientation-tyoe event. That should be interesting. <br />
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<br />Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-56797958358254832272019-01-26T14:46:00.001-06:002019-01-26T14:46:13.421-06:00I'm Weaving Scarves!!!<span style="font-size: large;">Every year I say I'm going to weave scarves and other things when I get my loom back from the Walk through Bethlehem and get the rugs off. This year I'm actually doing it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On December 29, I put a 7-foot warp on the loom, using Lion Brand Ice Cream yarn in the colorway Strawberry. The Ice Cream is a variegated yarn with quite long runs of each color. Using it as both warp and weft resulted in a plaidish appearance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When the girls saw it, Lily said, "Can I have it; I like pink." I told her it is much too long (62") for her, but I have more of the yarn, so I can make one her size. Then Calla popped us, "I want blue." I have that yarn in the colorway Moon Mist, so I was able to do that, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With fewer threads, it doesn't look plaid. This picture shows the color better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the girls got their scarves, of course, Brady couldn't be left out. He wanted dark blue. I found some navy and some medium/royal blue unknown acrylic, worsted weight yarn for a striped warp, and used Bernat Hot Sox in navy for the weft. I put on a 3-yard warp and got two 35-inch scarves. I used a different treadling sequence for each scarf and let Brady choose which one he liked better. One of them reminded him of the Minecraft video game he likes to play, so he chose that one. They are not really as messy as they appear in this picture, although my selvedges should be a lot better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I now have a 6-yard warp on in red and white. For the weft on the first scarf, I alternated 3 inches of navy with 6 inches of white, for a total of 66 inches in plain weave. After I take it off the loom and wash it, I expect it to be about 60 inches. I don't have a picture of it. The second one is all white weft. I'm using a different treadling sequence and getting a more interesting cloth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in another craft, I took a class at the Itty Bitty Knitty Shop on Corner-to-corner crochet. I had printed out a baby blanket pattern and couldn't figure it out. Since the class was coming up, I decided to take it. Here is the little scarf I crocheted.</span><br />
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Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-37421568362524723522018-12-27T11:45:00.003-06:002018-12-27T11:51:17.679-06:00Christmas, day three<span style="font-size: large;">Last week was one of those weeks - I drove 471 miles and was never more than 40 miles from home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday (12/16) I went to Metropolis to see Lily, Brady, and Calla sing a few Christmas songs with the other Sunday School kids at Immanuel Baptist Church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Monday (12/17), I was back in Metropolis for Brady's Christmas program at school at 2 pm. Then I hung out at Alyssa's house for a few hours and went to the High School band and chorus concert at 6:30. Lexi and Devin both play trumpet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Tuesday (12/18) I was back at Metropolis Elementary School for Lily's Christmas program at 2 pm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday (12/19) I went to Paducah for a bit of shopping and to knit at the yarn shop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Thursday (12/20), it was back to Metropolis at 10:30 am for Calla's Christmas program at Head Start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to Metropolis on Friday (12/21), this time by way of Wickliffe, which added 20 miles to the trip. A church in Wickliffe had some gifts for Lily and Calla, and Alyssa asked me to pick them up for her. Then I stayed with the kids while Alyssa and Stephen went to do some shopping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I stayed home on Saturday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then started all the Christmas meals.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday (12/23) I had Carmen and her friend, Alyssa and Stephen, Lexi, Lily, Brady, and Calla over for supper and to open the gifts I got for them (Hallmark ornaments). Last year I decided I wanted family over for chili on Christmas Eve, and wanted to make that a new tradition. This year Christmas Eve Eve worked out better for the working people. I had chili, broccoli/cheese soup and carrot/raisin salad, and Carmen and Alyssa both brought some sweet stuff. When I told the kids a few days before what my menu would be, Lily said she definitely didn't want the broccoli/cheese soup.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Monday (12/24) Lexi called from her grandparents' house where she had spent the night. She said her Nana had cooked a whole lot of food, and then her father called and said he and his wife and step-daughters couldn't come. So Lexi wanted me to come over and help eat it. Her grandparents are some of my favorite people, so I was glad to spend some time with them. Alyssa and Stephen and the three little ones were there, too. Beverly (Nana) had a children's table set up in her back room, like I had here. (But her children's table is not 74 years old like mine is.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then on Christmas morning I went and had brunch with Carmen and Lanny and visited with them for a bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I think I'm all Christmased out, and will enjoy a few days alone. The kids don't go back to school until January 7, so I'll probably be called upon to babysit some next week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Probably Lexi's best gift was notification that she has been accepted by the University of Kentucky. She got an acceptance letter from University of Tennessee - Martin a few weeks ago, but UK is her first choice.</span>Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-24706036517105666132018-12-08T16:41:00.001-06:002018-12-08T16:50:16.620-06:00The Rugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVchy_MpRus/XAxF6qXrVGI/AAAAAAAADNo/qm3rb07ADBwSCQf7aptoBwEouE5FkOl-wCLcBGAs/s1600/HPIM3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVchy_MpRus/XAxF6qXrVGI/AAAAAAAADNo/qm3rb07ADBwSCQf7aptoBwEouE5FkOl-wCLcBGAs/s320/HPIM3444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The five on top are the ones I wove at the Walk through Bethlehem. Actually, I only started the fifth one there and finished it at home after my loom was returned. Those five were woven with cut up t-shirts. The bottom five were woven with some stuff that a friend got from a pajama factory years ago. This is the first year I have used a striped warp - I like it! They vary in length depending on how much there was of a particular color or shade. Counting from the top, numbers 1, 3, and 5 are all white, but not exactly the same shade. Number 2 is black and number 4 is dark blue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Tuesday, I plan to take them to The Lighthouse women's shelter in Mayfield to see if anyone there wants them. If not, I will take them to the Paducah Cooperative Ministries on Wednesday for women in the Fresh Start Village. I think I have some knit things I can take, too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I put on a 12-yard warp with no thought to whether that many rugs would fit on the cloth beam. They did, with about half an inch to spare. Last year, when we were able to do all five nights, I almost ran out of the 8-yard warp I had put on; that's why I put on 12 yards this time, </span><br />
<br />Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-73901492531058775052018-12-03T14:17:00.001-06:002018-12-03T14:20:18.169-06:00Over for this year<span style="font-size: large;">The Walk through Bethlehem was cancelled both Friday and Saturday. Although the weather in the 6 to 8 pm time slot on Saturday was not bad, it had poured rain through much of the night Friday night/Saturday morning. The men of the church worked throughout the day Saturday diverting rain water from the village. They even build a bridge at the entrance. By Sunday evening, things were good enough for us to go ahead. I guess they were afraid their bridge wouldn't hold the garden tractor and trailer they move my loom with, so two men carried it between the entrance and my stall. Good thing I'm the first stall inside the gate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pastor Steve brought my loom and other stuff home this morning. Now I need to weave a couple more rugs to finish off the 12-yard warp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since we only did three nights instead of five, there is a lot of stuff left over. I had made 387 miniature rugs - 220 are left. I also had 366 two-inch squares - 310 remain. That means I won't need to make as many next year. I keep saying each year that I am going to weave some scarves; maybe this will be the time I actually do. I might learn more about weaving that way. </span>Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-90456314528697473432018-11-30T11:50:00.001-06:002018-11-30T11:50:22.761-06:00Two down, three to goNights of the Walk through Bethlehem at the Nazarene Church in Mayfield KY, that is. Wednesday night was cold (35 F), but last night was comfortable (52 F). It looks like we may be rained out tonight, but I think Saturday and Sunday will be OK.<br />
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Someone took my picture Wednesday night and posted it on FaceBook. I swiped it to post here. I'm the one weaving and my daughter, Carmen, is the merchant in the rug stall.<br />
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At least for weaving I can wear fingerless gloves with hand warmers inside, so only my fingers got cold. I felt sorry for the potter; not only could she not wear gloves, she was working with wet clay. Her hands were completely red when we finished.<br />
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This is the tenth year I've done this event. I enjoy it - the weaving, the talking about weaving to the visitors to 'Bethlehem'. Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-53571081295750992492018-11-24T16:50:00.001-06:002018-11-24T16:50:35.726-06:00I'm here, I think<span style="font-size: large;">Once again it has been about six weeks since I posted. Things have been a bit hectic, and I've done a lot of driving back and forth to Metropolis. Sara and her girls moved in with Alyssa, but Sara was not doing what she was supposed to, so now only Lily and Calla are there, and Rose is back in New Jersey with her father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Fall Festival was interesting. The club decided that they wanted to put my 'critters' in the Country Store, rather than use them in the fishing booth, so I had to price them. Only a couple of them sold - people don't want to pay $5 or $10 when most of the items on the tables are one tenth of that. The dishcloths and hotpads sold at $2 or $3. I took the 'critters' that were left, along with some scarves to the craft sale at church. I don't know if they sold there or not. I told them to donate any that didn't sell to Paducah Cooperative Ministries for them to use however they saw fit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next thing coming up soon is the Walk through Bethlehem that I've been doing since 2008. I have 386 miniature rugs (mugrugs/coasters) and 366 2-inch squares for the kids to 'buy' with the 'shekels' they are given when they enter the village. Pray for good weather - no wind or rain, and temperatures around 50. I have the loom warped and ready for someone to pick up on Wednesday morning. The Walk is Wednesday through Sunday next week, 6 to 8 pm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-11773461343951773482018-10-15T15:45:00.003-05:002018-10-15T15:52:11.919-05:00572 miles<span style="font-size: large;">That's how far I drove last week. I know my grandson-in-law probably drives at least twice that much every week as part of his job, but I'm retired. And the only time I was more than 40 miles from my house, I was riding with someone else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It started on Sunday when I picked Rose up to spend the night with me. Monday morning I took her to the dentist in Lone Oak for a filling, then to Mayfield for basketball practice, and on to lunch in Paducah and over to Metropolis for Brady's birthday party, and of course home again after the party.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We combined his party with a 50th anniversary celebration for my brother and sister-in-law. For their anniversary on June 22, they did something novel. Instead or having a party at or near their home in Florida, they sent $50 bills to our sisters and me and I have no idea who else, asking us to celebrate with people who are special to us, and to send them pictures. I held onto that bill until my western KY/southern IL family were able to get together. Then I gave it to Alyssa and Stephen to help pay for the pizza, sodas, etc. for Brady's bityhday party. Here is the picture:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The adults and teen-agers, left to right: Stephen, Devin, Lexi, Alyssa, Rose, Lanny (Carmen's friend), and Carmen holding Calla. In front are: Brady, me holding a sign Alyssa made, Lily, and Brady's girlfriend Charlotte.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were several other people there, as well, and I told them they were welcome to get in the picture, but they opted not to. Stephen's father took the picture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sara was missing, and Reggie, and of course the New Jersey gang.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to the week's driving: I've forgotten exactly how things went, but since it was fall break all week for Rose and Lily, I was helping with them and was back and forth to Metropolis and Mayfield several times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then on Saturday I went to a high school marching band competition in Sikeston MO. That's the time I rode with friends - Lexi's grandparents. Since we could not go the way people from this area usually go to Sikeston, because the bridge over the Ohio River between Wickliffe KY and Cairo IL is closed for repair, we went to Metropolis and followed the buses and equipment trailers. Then we sat in the football stadium for about four hours watching bands of various sizes do their thing. The temperature was in the low 50's. After about three hours, when I went to the ladies room, I had trouble unbuttoning my jeans because my fingers were so cold. I had started knitting a scarf on the trip over, but certainly couldn't work on it while we were there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Massac County band places third in their class, and their drum major placed first!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are my two trumpeters, Devin and Lexi:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Afterwards, we joined the band for supper at Lambert's (home of throwed rolls). Even though we had a reservation, we had to wait over an hour to get in, because a couple of the other bands were there, too. Lambert's stayed open past their usual closing time to serve us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we followed the buses back to Metropolis. It was 1:45 before I got home. It was a very interesting day. </span><br />
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Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-90359666675756526412018-09-29T19:06:00.004-05:002018-09-29T19:26:47.883-05:00Monthly (?) Update<span style="font-size: large;">I continue to work on things for the Fall Festival, although when I finish a snake (the 3rd) I'm working on, I think that will be all for the Fishing Booth. I may make more dishcloths and hotpads for the Country Store. Here are most of the critters I've knit and crocheted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This octopus pattern is from a group who make them for premature babies. The babies seem to like to hold onto the curly legs. It is surmised that they feel like the umbilical cord to them. Carmen has requested that I make a pink one for a co-worker's baby (not premie)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of my knitting friends made the orange fish. Although it doesn't look like it in the picture, she did a better job with this pattern than I did. The fish on the back row are all from other people's patterns, but the two in front I made up as I went along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These cats all have the same amount of stitches - just the size of yarn and needles changed. When Alyssa showed Brady the pictures that I posted on FaceBook, he asked her to call me so he could tell me he wants a cat like the largest one, but in blue and black. I don't have any yarn with blue and black in the same ball, so this is what I cane up with:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know if it matches what he's thinking of or not. I suggested to Alyssa that she have him draw and color what he has in mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On to the rest of the critters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Four knit and four crocheted. the biggest and smallest are both knit with the same amount of stitches, just different size yarn and needles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I took the picture, only the gray striped snake (knit) was complete. Since then, I have finished the solid gray (crocheted), and have done a bit more on the green one (knit).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The squid is my own pattern. I looked at a lot of pictures of the actual creature online, and read descriptions, and this is what I came up with. I have made a second one, as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've also been weaving more mugrugs. 190 completely woven, so far, although 40 of them need to be zigzagged across both ends to keep them from unraveling. I'm almost finished with another 8-yard warp - 35 to 40 pieces. I'm using up a bunch of 'stuff' - mostly old t-shirts friends and relatives have given me and yarns I don't like to knit with.</span><br />
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Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-91955395942488034072018-08-23T18:22:00.000-05:002018-08-23T19:06:32.646-05:00I'm still hereMy brother reminded me a couple of weeks ago that I haven't posted for a looooong time. And now it's been even longer. Things have been a bit topsy-turvy here this summer. My granddaughter Sara and her three girls spent a few weeks with me. My house is not really big enough for that many people. A lot of their stuff is still here, but they are in a women's shelter in Mayfield now. Rose (almost 13) was pushing for that, because she realizes that her mom can get some help there that I couldn't give her - with things like employment and housing.<br />
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Rose is also glad to be at Mayfield Middle School where she knows a few people rather than Carlisle County Middle School where she knows noone. I don't think Lily (age 6) was concerned about where she goes to school. And Calla (age 3) is too young for school yet, although she went to Vacation Bible School with her cousin during the summer, and was very impressed that she went to school. I don't understand 3-year-old speech very well, but that word came out loud and clear. During the program at the end of the week, she turned a couple of somersaults while they were singing their songs.<br />
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Here is what Lily and Calla looked like on Lily's first day of first grade. Don't know why Rose was not included on her first day of seventh grade.<br />
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The following week, school started in Metropolis. Lexi is a senior this year, and Brady is in kindergarten. He's only 3 months younger that Lily, but the cut-off date is September 30 and his birthday is October 8.<br />
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For a retiree, I keep fairly busy. I have two fiber-arts groups that meet every week and two more that meet monthly. I really enjoy spending time with other people who knit, crochet, weave, spin, etc. I mostly knit, but I did weave a dozen placemats for my granddaughter-in-law recently. Now I'm working on 300+ (I hope) mugrugs for this year's Walk through Bethlehem. This event is something I've enjoyed participating in annually since 2008. I have 75 mugrugs completed so far, with a third 8-yard warp ready to wind onto the loom. I also have 350 2-inch squares for the Walk, and Rose has one of my Weave-it looms and some yarn to make more.<br />
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I recently joined the local Homemakers group and discovered that they put on a Fall Festival in late October each year. I've been here in Milburn 15 years (I think) and have never gone to it. I'm knitting and crocheting dishcloths and hotpads/pot holders for the Country Store booth, and little animals for the fishing booth. For the dishcloths and hotpads, I'm using up the rest of the second cone of Peaches and Cream cotton from the placemats I wove for Jaimee. Here are the little critters I've done so far:<br />
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Actually, I'm still working on the snake. I also have another fish on the needles, as well. Rose has the Owl Puff pattern and may get some of those done for me. They take me very little time, but then I've been knitting since 1963/64; she's only been knitting a couple of years.<br />
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I entered a shawl in the county fair this year; it had been several years since I entered anything. I got a blue ribbon on it, which is probably not a big deal, since it is such a small county.<br />
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I came up with this design a few years ago, and have made several like it.<br /><br />Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-71863708841318638662018-06-03T12:14:00.000-05:002018-06-03T12:14:13.658-05:00Busy Saturday<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I left the house a little before 9 am. I went around the corner and paid my water bill, stopped at the Lovelaceville PO and put three bill payments in the mail, then headed to the Fort Massac visitor center in Metropolis IL for the Southern Illinois Spinners and Weavers guild meeting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sue was giving a lesson on knitting sweaters from the top down. I've knit many raglan-style top-down sweaters, but never one like she was teaching. In this style, the sleeves look like set-in ones. I like that look. We had to do some measuring of our bodies and knit swatches using different size needles to decide which one gave us the 'drape' we wanted. We worked on our sweaters, and talked, and had our pot-luck lunch until about 3:30. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After that, I came back across the river to Kentucky, but only as far as Paducah. I went to Kroger for a couple of things, then to Bluegrass Downs race track to hear the Massac County High School jazz band play from 4:30 to 5:30. I always enjoy listening to them. There are 3 or 4 of the kids who graduated this year, so yesterday was the last time to hear them. I noticed two new kids, as well - rising sophomores who have been in the regular band this year and were selected for the jazz band for next year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had planned to stay at the track and watch a couple of races (harness), but decided I was tired and just wanted to come home. By the time I got here, it was 7 pm. </span>Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121128712509652498.post-83764605945725211012018-05-27T17:59:00.001-05:002018-05-27T17:59:24.580-05:00I'm beating you to it, Jim.<span style="font-size: large;">My brother reminds me when I haven't posted for a while. I'm beating him to it this time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There've been several band events for me to attend, and now two of the great-grandkids are playing t-ball. Some days they both have games. Then I have to decide whether I want to drive 20 miles of 38 miles. I really don't enjoy watching t-ball, but I want to support the kids. The band events I do always enjoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rose came home with me Thursday evening after her sister Lily's game. I'll take her home tomorrow. While we were having supper Thursday, I realized that she really didn't know much about me. So I've been telling her about my life, and also about my extended family. The book that my cousin's daughter put together before our last family reunion helped a lot with Mother's side and some information a cousin put together after a reunion 20+ years ago helped on Daddy's side. I don't know how much she'll remember. She has spent a lot of time reading, and also sleeping. She has selected a few books from my shelves to take with her on her trip to visit her grandparents in Florida and her dad in New Jersey. She leaves for that on June 4 and will be gone about a month. </span>Adelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05098294579659456345noreply@blogger.com0