Knitting Afghans and Watching McCleod's Daughters

Chocolate Latte is growing quickly.  Believe it currently measures about 17 inches.  Need to take another look at how much yarn I have and decide if I need to introduce a 4th color or if I'll enough with the colors you see thus far.  That's always the problem with winging it, not using a pattern and trying to use what's available in your stash.  

Perhaps I should switch gears again and get back to working on Blue Ocean.  It was only at 10 inches when I laid it aside to start Chocolate Latte.

I also have a shawl started that I've not done anything with in months!

This is the last quilt I made.  No real quilt pattern, just fabric I liked.  It's hand quilted, outlining some of the designs and or zig zagging through smaller prints.  Made this years ago for my Mom who loved Poinsettia's.  Dad gave it back to me a few years ago and I always put it out as part of my Christmas Decorations.

Not a good picture, but for my x-stitch friends thought I'd share.  I made this for a friend's wedding present long ago.  I love the saying.  She did too at the time.  Sadly, there must not have been that oneness between them.  It was a short lived marriage.

Another quote I kept from Facebook sometime back that, that might make you smile.  Though I think sometimes the things that have happened under this administration leave little reason to smile, we must keep our since of humor or go nuts!

I've now watched through episode 39 of season 3 of McLeod's Daughters, this show is about  strong women; the relationships between the characters and the scenery of the "bush", and Love stories.  But, 2 of the characters are now gone from the show...actually 3, but 2 that were primary characters and because of that, I've not decided if I'll bother to continue watching.  Very disappointed.  People often come and go in a long series, but NOT the primary character.  

Seriously, this couple has been the focus, and she's gone.  Assumed while finishing up episode 39, that would be the end of the show with the primary character gone.  But, google tells me the show actually continued for 8 seasons....write ups all include unhappiness at the loss of main characters, the writing of the series going down hill and dislike of replacement characters.

It's like watching NCIS without Gibs in the show, what's the point!

PLEASE let me know if you watched, if you liked it, if you would recommend it.  Until episode 39 in season 3, I did recommend it......now........not so much.  As I said, not sure I'll bother to finish watching it.

Been watching and knitting, have been sick for a week, so not up to do much of anything else.

Chocolate Latte and Assisted Living Centers Oh My

Startitis hit me.  No, I'm not done with Blue Ocean, but felt the need to start another afghan.  Partially because I needed something I didn't have to count as I was toting it back and forth to my Dad's skilled nursing facility and then from there to Assisted Living Center.  This is good old garter stitch, no counting necessary.  As you can see I've knitted a brown variegated section and have switched to dark brown for the second section.  I've included a tan for the 3rd color in my project bag.  This one measures 2.5 inches right by 57 inches.  I cast on 200 stitches, which is just 1 stitch more than Blue Ocean, but since this one doesn't have decreases and increased will measure a bit wider.  

And now for a name.....I've thought of Milk Chocolate, Cocoa, Chocolate Latte, or Coffee.  I'm leaning towards Chocolate Latte I think.

Here's a glimpse of Dad's Assisted Living Room.  It's a small studio type.  The cabinet provides some storage space for him.  My cross stitch friends will note the pillow on the blue chair is cross stitched.  My Mother made it.  Haven't hung any pictures yet.

You can see the little kitchenette area beside his bed.  A second cross stitch pillow Mom made.

The brown recliner in the corner is a new chair we got for him that's electric.  Less strenuous to operate, but will take some getting used to by him.  This has been quite a process and we're still working on trying to get him VA benefits to help with the medical costs.  We met with an elder attorney the other day....more paper work and costs involved with that.  Getting old sure isn't easy!!

Horrified to learn this, lol!  My steps have been up and down of late with all the Dad related stuff vs my ability to actually walk and or exercise.  You'll note my Walking 4 Fun Badge in the right sidebar

When Hell Freezes Over

Blue Ocean is coming along, but slowly.  It's about 10 inches wide by 50 inches long so far.  I'm currently in the 4th section which is the blue variegated, though it's a bit hard to see that as it's on the needles.  I'm getting the itch to cast on something else for variety, so may do that in the next day or so and then switch off and on between the afghans.  Like all, or almost all afghans I knit or crochet this will be donated through my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond to benefit the homeless.

I'm currently watch Mcleod's Daughters.  It started a bit slow, but I'm enjoying it.  It's about strong women, heartbreak, and an outdoor life on a working farm in the bush.  I'm watching this through my Amazon Prime Membership.

Spotted this on Facebook the other day and just couldn't resist saving a picture of it.  It seems to be so very appropriate for the weather right now in Central Ohio.  We've had 3 snow storm is the last 2-3 weeks, we've had temps at -3 and -4, so it sure seems to me, When Hell has frozen over has happened!

I am not a baker, it's been years since I've made cupcakes, but I thought this was cute.  I'm not into horses either, but know many people are.  

My last post was a full blown rant about medicare, and the hospital.  We never did resolved the fact that despite Dad was physically a patient in the hospital for 5 days, in a hospital bed, being cared for by only hospital staff, he was never actually considered an in patient.  What a horrible situation that is and I know many people have suffered because of it.  We did manage to get Dad admitted to a rehab hospital, where he was an inpatient for 2 weeks or there abouts and got very intensive physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.  That did qualify him for coverage with his medicare for a skilled nursing facility for on going care and therapy, though less intense than the rehab hospital.  In a few days he will be discharged from the skilled nursing center into an assisted living care center.  This process has been extremely frustrating and very time consuming.  He will be 93 in a few weeks, and is past time to live alone in his house.  

Our next big hurdle is either selling the house or getting him signed up for VA benefits.  We've been told we probably can't sell the house if we get VA benefits.  More territory to explore.  I've read so much about the process on the internet that I've feel like I've OD'd.  We have an appointment next week with an elder attorney and hopefully we'll be able to get more information to better understand the situation then.  He will file the paper work for the VA benefits, which we understand takes time, and everyone suggests you not try to do that yourself.

Hope you're all staying warm and safe wherever you are.  Come on Spring!  

Anyone doing the Saduko puzzle in my right sidebar??

So many of my blog mates are using google account as the ONLY choice for making a comment, I'd like to ask why?  For the person leaving a comment it's several extra steps to leave the url of the blog you're visiting from.  I leave hyper links with my comments which take you to not only the blog I'm visiting you from, but also the actual blog post that is the current one or the one I'm visiting you from.  Typically when I write a new blog post, I visit everyone on my blog log to read their blog post and leave a comment.  When google only is the choice vs name and url...I have to make a hyper link right in the comment section <a href=" after the " you do a cut and paste of your blog post url"  and end that cut and paste with more "Sandy's Space</a>  ends the hyperlink.  The Sandy's Space is the name of my blog obviously.  I can't put the exact cut and paste here or it would be a hyper link and only show up as Sandy's Space...that's what those of you who use google as the only option to leave a comment see.  If you click on my name you go to my profile page where you see all 3 of my blogs.......but if you click on the hyper link  I leave, you will come directly to the correct blog and in fact, blog post.  So, I'm curious why so many only list google as the option to leave a comment....vs name and url so folks are directly linked?

I'd Like to Knit Medicare into a Corner

Blue Ocean is coming along.  A bit slowly though.  Since taking this picture I've added a 3rd color and believe it's about 6 inches wide and about 55 inches long...forgot to write it down after I measured it.  I've been knitting a little here and there, but not making as much progress as I would like.    

Dad has fallen for the 3rd time in the last couple of years, so we've spent more time at the hospital, talking to doctors, making phone calls, trying to follow up on a medicare nightmare.

Did you know, you can be an inpatient at the hospital for several days, but medicare deems you not an inpatient, but an outpatient.  EVEN if you were admitted through the ER, and got to the ER via an ambulance at 3 in the morning!!!  Are you familiar with being admitted as an outpatient for observation?  If not, you really need to read the tiny print on your medicare book.  My Dad is to be 93 in a few weeks, fell, the squad took him to the hospital.  They ruled out breaks with xrays and scans, and were concerned about his heart, and did some things to his pacemaker....3 days later while in a hospital bed........being seen by only hospital doctors........they tell us he is not really admitted.  Now his actually hospital bills, may still get paid (too soon to tell yet if there's an issue with that), but..........since he wasn't really admitted, no follow up care in a skilled nursing facility for physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy etc will be covered.  Apparently this relatively new "thing" has created lots of problems and huge numbers of law suits nationally.  Seems a crime to me you pay for medicare for YEARS, and then when you get old and need it........poof!

After talking to everyone under the sun to try and get this reversed, we were contacted by a Rehab Hospital...not a skilled facility, but a hospital where he was admitted and received intense therapy that is covered and this stay will qualify for him for the follow up care he needs at a skilled nursing facility for awhile before he goes onto Assited Care.  He's been living alone, and just really can't any longer.

While I don't think the mess about the wall on the boarder is at all funny...this made me smile.  And I believe would be just as effective as donnie john's big beautiful wall that Mexico was going to pay for..........perhaps more effective, though you could die from laughter watching.

Anyone using a dry brush?  A friend of mine got me doing this.  It feels good and is suppose to be helpful with improving dry skin...and has some other benefits.  I've not been able to be consistent yet with using it, as I've been rushing in and out of the shower to get to the various care facilities for Dad, but...hope to eventually.

There's actually a chart to show you  how to dry brush your body.

Fire's Provide Warmth, even on TV

Cleaning out photo's on the phone and sending them to my computer and came across a few I thought I'd share.  Not sure if I have before?

This was a gift we bought ourselves some time back and we've really enjoyed it.  And oh, how I wish we could sit outside now and enjoy our cocktails.  But, not until Spring, way too cold here in Central Ohio for that now.  Still though, looking at the fire, the nice warm fire makes me smile.  That's hubby's hand showing you his perfect Martini....I only make perfect ones you know!

This is our Christmas present to us.  The large tv and cabinet.  We had to clean out the entertainment center that I loved, just simply couldn't get a bigger tv, which we needed, as neither of us can read the print without getting up from the chair.  AND the new smart tv's...so much easier to use.  Who knew you could have a fire place with lovely music on the tv...I didn't until my youngest nephew's wife, Heather showed me.  We enjoyed this throughout the Christmas visit when our darling daughter was home visiting!

Christmas morning traditional brunch includes cinnamon rolls, Mandarin oranges, egg casserole and of course Champagne.  I make egg casseroles for everyone in the family so they can take it home on Christmas Eve and have for their breakfast in the morning.  Long standing tradition, and when Mom was alive she made homemade rolls to go with it.  In recent years, I've found out Mama Mimi's (take and bake pizza) makes homemade cinnamon rolls twice a year so we order a pan for everyone to go with their eggs.  Hubby and Darling Daughter always go out to the deck when opening the champagne to see how far they can get the cork to fly, lol

Absolutely terrible picture hubby took last night, but I thought I'd share anyway.  No sure why my hair looks so bad..........eh.  The purpose though of the picture is to show you my new light...see the thing around my neck?  It's a very light weight and flexible light to help with knitting and crocheting.  I ordered this Minger light from Amazon at the suggestion of Sandie P (check out her blog).  I made a comment a few days ago the difficulty with some yarn and some colors working at night and Sandie told me she used one of these lights and it really helped.  I followed the link she sent to Amazon and order pronto!  They have both one you put batteries in and one that you can re-charge.  I opted for the re-chargeable one, which I believe is what she also has.  Not that you can see much, but the item in my hand is a new afghan.  It's a knitted ripple and I'm currently using a blue variegated.  I'm fighting a bit when trying to K2tog, even though I don't knit tightly, the yarn is quite course, but hopefully it will solften with working with it and when it's laundered and blocked.  Looked last night in my stash for a brown variegated I thought I had to strip with it, but couldn't find it; so will have to look again.........if no luck....will pull out some other colors.  Stay tuned.

On and Off the Needles as we Move into The New Year!

 Trying to get a picture with bad light isn't easy.  Neither of these is quite right in terms of color.  But, the first photo I lightened on the computer and think it's probably closest.  I'm using two color strands that are quite similar in color, just different intensity.  I started this shawl back in July for myself, and it got put away.........which is what always happens when I try to make something for myself.

Additionally, it's not something I can work on easily while watching tv at night.  Two fold, the fingering yarn is so fine, I find it hard to see at night using light vs day light.  AND the yarn is sooooooooo wonderfully soft it easily slids off the needle if I'm looking up to watch tv.  Which is why I only work on it once in a blue moon.  

This is the real color of the fiber/yarn of the lighter section before I did anything with it.  Perhaps the next picture will be better.  Anyway.  Thought I'd work on it for a few days during the day since I had just finished

Earth and Sky a few days ago.  (posted in previous post).  This is prior to being laundered and blocked.  Am pleased as it now is laying out to dry as it's being blocked.  It measures 60 x 65 ish.  

 After finishing above Earth and Sky, I dug out Cardiac Collage.  No doubt most of you will remember it.  I edged each square with the darker blue, crochet them together and ended up with a square measuring about 54 inches, from memory.  It was drying and being blocked yesterday.  After measuring it, I should have written it down, but think I'm not too far off in my memory.

The turquoise in the bottom picture is a bit closer, though the other colors in the first picture look pretty close.  So many gray drab days here in Ohio, it's often difficult to get colors to show up correctly in pictures.  Both afghans will be donated to Bridge and Beyond, my charity focused on helping the Homeless.

I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas with friends and families, I posted some Christmas memories in my previous post.  This picture just seems so appropriate to me.  I hope and pray, 2019 will rid of us of some of these horrible politicians.  So very tired of their ruining this country of ours.

If you're traveling for holiday, please be safe!