Fun and Funky

This is FUN, and funky to my way of thinking. Purchased this yarn some time back for a gift; but was delayed in getting it done. Rolling this from the hank to the ball to use was a job and a half. I spent about 4 hours working on it; then took it with me this past weekend where Julie got it done. She likes the puzzle and likes playing with all the fibers. I've counted 8 different fibers mixed here, and they do catch on themselves both when rolling into a ball and while knitting.

The suggestion from my LYS when I purchased this was to use to size 13 and knit straight. They also suggest lengthwise not width wise in order to see the colors and textures develop. I used most of their suggestion in that I am knitting lengthwise and one of my needles is a 13. I chose a 6 for my 2nd needle feeling it would be way to open, prone to pulls --stretching using only 13's. I think the 6 on one side helps to give it a bit more body? As a result is it going to be more narrow, or am I stretching the yarn where it will end up wider? These things always confuse me a bit. Bigger needles make bigger stitches, but also use more yarn. Anyway, I LOVE the fun in seeing how this changes as I continue to work on it.

Rolled and Ready and Beaded!

Two fun new hanks of yarn with beads. This is called Mango Moon Chakra. These hanks are only 75 yards, little pricey to buy lots at $25.00 each..........but looky looky. I love them, and the colors are divine in my opinion. Got these last wk-end in Port Clinton at a fabulous yarn shop I highly recommend called "Just For Ewe". I wasn't going to do anything with them until I finished a few projects............wasn't is the key word here.
The orange here doesn't show up as well as it does in the first photo. Must have been my lighting. Anyway, couldn't stand it; so got the 2 hanks now rolled; which means their ready.........right? lol How many projects should one have going at the same time? Is there a limit? I think NOT!

Now I mentioned the price being a bit pricey at $25.00 for only 75 yards/69m...but, this is hand spun in Indonesia and according to the label provides safe shelter, health care and education to families in Nepal and Indonesia. I need to check into the cause I bit more, but wanted to pass that along to you. Things like that make a big difference to me on how I spend my money. AND Christi at the shop was wearing a green-purple version of this yarn in a skinny necktie of sorts that really only needs 1 hank.............so. Stay tuned for when this stash turns into a WIP (work in progress for my non knitters and crocheters) and a FO (finsihed object).

The label goes onto say: 30% recycled viscose, 66% cotton, 3% spandex, 1% beads/stones. Love that part of it is recycled!

Do You Remember?

Don't be afraid to show your age here. Do you remember this?

As with all pictures, you can click to enlarge. If you're really younger you might not even know what this is a picture of. But...if you're as old as dirt like me; or if you've lived in small town this might bring back a fond memory. This is an active post office, with the old style brass mail boxes in the small town of Urbana Ohio. I recently had business there related to the needs of my 90 year old Aunt and seeing this brought a smile to my face so thought I'd share my smile with you in hopes it did the same for you.
Look at the beautiful ceiling with the molding. Amazing what one can enjoy while waiting in line at the post office. I often have my camera in my purse and was glad this day was one of those occasions. I've always enjoyed older buildings, they have so much more character to me then new buildings. This is art, you really don't see this in new buildings that are thrown up over night. I asked the postal worker how old the building was and if memory serves me right she said it was built in the 20's.

Now this is a ride! Look at this beauty. I've whited out the license plate but really wanted to share this with you. When Daddy and I got out of the car at the nursing home/rehab center there in Urbana we both said WOW...look at that. Now I'm not really a car buff but this was in mint condition or at least it looked like it to me inside and out. In small towns, people apparently leave their car windows open and doors unlocked! I'm guessing this is a 1957; though from reviewing the years...I'm not positive. Regardless of the year I hope you enjoy it. Anyone besides me remember riding in these beauties...or better yet remember snuggling in one of these? Come on now, be honest!

Car Repairs Make Women Shutter

Who can get along without a car? Not many people. But, when something goes wrong they are a royal pain. The car world is no longer a "Mans" world. You take the car in for repair and often because you're a woman, they tell you everything under the sun needs repaired. I know we've all been there and hate it. Do you know what they're talking about when they banter around words like water pump, air filter, or head gasket? I don't!

I'm not one for kicking the tires, or spending extra money or fancy wheels. I just want a car to get in and drive and get where I'm going safely. When I pass a Hondo, Acura, Chevy or Toyota Corolla on the freeway; I don't know one from another; nor do I care.

Finally, a repair service women can trust. Repairpal gives us the ability to manage repairs on line, to ask questions, to check car reviews, to get FREE estimates of repairs so when we need to take the car in; we can feel confident. You might be traveling for business or on vacation with the family when your car needs attention, no matter you can search for Chicago Auto Repair, Miami, San Francisco or a host of other cities to find a trusted mechanic for your needs. Repairpal has recently teamed up with Aol and AARP. Book mark the site, so when you're in need help is just a click away.

Tornado's and Chain Saw's Oh My

This photo is part II of the tree that fell on our house a week or so ago. Hubby here taking a wee break after cutting down the 2nd half of the tree that fell. (if you missed it it's in the previous post Here).

The following day the electric company started on trees all around us so we've heard lots of chain saw lately. In fact as we speak, I'm hearing about 3 of them. This is the 4th day they've worked on one large tree in the corner of our neighbors lots, which is more in our yard then there's. Doesn't look like they'll get it done even today. sigh

Over the weekend my SIL's and I spent some girl time at Lake Erie. We had a wonderful time consuming Pinot Grigio, laughing, and eating.....Then the Tornado's in Northern Ohio put a damper on our activities. Sadly, there were 7 deaths in the Tornado's around us. Thankfully, we did ok. My condolences for those who's families were torn apart from the loss of property and loved ones. Keep them in your hearts.

I've started a new scarf, in an effort to teach Julie how to knit; and have tried to photograph it for you all.........but, my camera doesn't seem to realize I have good batteries. I'm charging them again with fingers crossed that something isn't wrong with my camera. Most of you know, it's not very old.

TREES, storms, and what's keeping from blogging!

Step 1 of many. Working in the yard, weeding when I heard a crack ....I was standing right beside this tree; well about 3 feet from it. Dropped what I had in hand and ran the opposite direction. Yes...this old broad can still run; though in truth faster then I knew. lol
A 5 minute strong wind and pouf the tree was down on top of the house. Called hubby pronto. He arrived from work and we began pulling, and sawing, our way to the house to check for damage. We truly were lucky. Thank You, only the gutter appeared to be damaged. The next night we began cutting all this up, rented chain saw and trailer and also cut down the 2nd half of the tree which you see on the left at a angle. We didn't want it to fall and possibly hurt the cute little guy next door when he was swinging or something. So 3 days later, 4 trips to the dump later. This mess was cleaned up.

Then, the 2nd storm hit and we lost a major limb in the front yard. A even bigger tree slated by the electric company for removal started the next day of messes. The crew came and began the work. Pulled large limbs from our back yard through to the front ....I didn't even bother to take a picture of the mess I was so disgusted. Where things hit in the back yard we have holes, deep ones. They weren't careful, and left lots of stuff piled on top of our landscaping. Some items are totally flattened. They didn't even clean up after their day of work. We expected them back the next day to finish the job, as the tree still isn't totally down. They didn't show. Meanwhile day 2 and our grass is now all matted. The important thing here is this is NOT our tree they're working on; but our neighbors across the back. This is the same tree we spent 2 days last year working on when a big junk fell in our yard because the electric company wouldn't do anything at our say so...not our tree. The neighbors informed us it was our problem since it was in our yard...even though it's their responsibility to take care of their trees. Two large work trucks have our street blocked, hubby can't even use our drive. The neighbors who's tree this is have no mess, they have a large circle drive where the equipment could have been pulled up pretty close to the tree, saving them time and energy. Go figure.

So, the next night hubby and I moved all the junk we could lift from our yard and put it by the tree in the neighbors yard. Hubby called, and called, and called. FINALLY, got someone to answer so he could register a complaint. We were told they would be here today. Writing this now at 3, and they've just shown up. However, the equipment is still on my street...and not on the neighbors street which means they'll still be tromping through my yard. Why, I really don't know. Thought after we called maybe it would change?

Spent another day in Urbana checking on my aunt with my Dad, and managed to get some cleaning and laundry done today. Between that and my work schedule....I've not been here as much. Knowing my time is becoming more limited I deleted the EntreCard widget from this blog. Sorry folks for the ads that were canceled, hope some of you will continue to visit as I will still visiting you all from my Travel blog dropping etc.

Have worked a bit re-designing my SIL's blog. Please take a look. I'm pretty happy with her Animal Talk Blog but think more work is needed on her Ignite to Write. Though it's coming along.

I hope things calm down soon so I can get back to regular blogging. It's Friday, definitely TGIF for me. Hope you all have a good wk-end lined up.

Maybe hubby and I are becoming to good at this tree business?