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11/28/2006: "Post-Thanksgiving Rambling"

Hi y'all! Long time no chat!

It's been kind of crazy here (I know, I know, what else is new, right?!)
After getting home from Vegas, my hubby and I promptly came down with this lingering cold-flu sort of thing that has been plaguing us for the better part of a week now. No fun, I can tell you. We'll both rally a bit one day and then be worse the next. I guess a lot of people around here have this creeping crud, because the cold and flu medicine aisle at the store is decimated! I'm trying to stay well-medicated, well-hydrated, and vitamin fortified! (now with extra crankiness!)

To add to the chaos around here, my 10 year old nephew is in the hospital today for some major surgery. He was born with Spina Bifida and over the last several years he has had several surgeries. This one is for his bladder and kidneys. He'll be having an 8 hour surgery today. We are keeping him in our thoughts.

While my nephew is in the hospital, I am watching his 6 year old sister, who is no trouble at all. She's really quiet and kind of meek and perfectly happy to go along with the program. Unfortunately, while my nephew is in hospital, my sis and her husband are staying in with him in Oakland, 60 miles away.This means that I also have to take care of my sister's dog who is VERY BAD. did I mention BAD? VERRRRRY Bad?

This creature is one of the most mannerless beasts I've met in a long time. He's big and rowdy, just a year old, and totally undisciplined. He's sweet enough, temper-wise but doesn't mind any commands worth a damn. It's going to be a LONG week or two. He's having a bad time settling in here and it's been really rough for us. I can't leave him alone without him having a conniption fit, even if he's in his dog crate. He's chasing my cats and pissing them off and generally, the house is in a complete uproar because of him. I'm just about at the end of my rope with this doggie. He's taking up SO much of my energy right now.
I feel a little bit guilty for being so resentful of the stupid dog, when there are much bigger family issues going on, but there you have it. I need the Dog Whisperer, stat!

Since I'm basically stuck at home for a while, I've got a few projects going on. I picked up my hooks this week for a little bit of "Hillbilly Knitting" a.k.a. crochet. Seriously, go read that post at Monster Crochet and while you're at it read this one too, I'll wait! Love it!

Lately, the weather has turned chilly here and I've been cold cold cold! I grabbed some yarn from the stash and made this no nonsense moebius scarf in just a few hours. The best part about crochet is that it's way faster than knitting. (for me anyhow, your mileage may vary)

Of course I've lost the ball bands, so I don't remember the name of the yarn, but it's is from Joann, their store brand, and it is the softest poofy blend of wool and cotton that I've felt in a long time. I've barely taken this thing off since I finished crocheting and wove in the ends.

With my crochet hook still smoking, I cast on for THIS crocheted cowl pattern (not a moebius this time)

Here is a close up of my piece.

It's a great pattern, fancy enough to be interesting, but still using simple stitches. The yarn I'm using is some mystery wool sock yarn that I got at the thrift store. I've been crocheting on this when I have the time and sense to pay attention to the pattern which hasn't been often. (See above re: BAD dog)

Desperately needing something to work on (hoping to keep my head while all about me are losing theirs) I began the easiest of all crochet projects, a ginormous granny stitch afghan. Of course, I had to do it in my current favorite color scheme, Neapolitan! Honestly, this matches with nothing else in my house, but I don't care a bit. the colors make me happy and it's great to work on while I'm watching tv. (I got heaps done while I was watching the season finale of "Prison Break" last night!)
The best thing... it's keeping me warm as I work on it! Good incentive to work faster so it gets larger!.

Time for me to go make lunch for the lil girlie and deal some more with the BAD DOG, wish me luck! *mwah*