March - Revisited

March 15 - the Ides of March. Et tu, Brute. Aunt Ede's birthday - she would have been 87 this year. The day I slipped on the stump outside the back door and chipped a bone in my hand.

So now I am typing one handed (well, maybe cheating a little and using my left hand a bit).

The morning started out with a trip to the bank to get my retirement papers notarized and sent in. Also got more nickels for playing cards. Then to McFarlands to return Paula's book (Knit Two - it was good). The to the furniture store right in Allegan to buy a new chair and side table. We got the chair home and were moving my old chair out when I stepped, empty handed, on the wet stump, and WOW! My feet went out from under and I put down my hand to catch myself. I didn't really think it was that bad. So I came in and changed my clothes that had gotten messed up in my fall, and then off we went to Kalamazoo to Best Buy where I bought a new computer (which I am using right now!).

By Tuesday morning (March 16), my hand was swollen and painful, so at the advice of my friend Suzie, off we went to the doctor's office, then to have x-rays, and then the cast.

I am now over two weeks in the cast - no knitting, very little spinning, not doing much of anything. I have read a couple books and have been hiking the trail a fair amount. And we did go down to Char's to see her new sheep when she was taking fiber samples from them.

But the past two weeks have not been all smiles and laughter. I had a few minor meltdowns (Jim threatened to call 911 at one point because I was being irrational). Partly due to problems getting the computer set up and running. I don't know what I would have done without Maria - my personal computer wizard. I count my blessings that she was willing to step right in and help me. That is one of those pay it forward things - she helps me, and in turn, I am called upon by others to help with their computers. I have learned so much from Maria.

Anyway, Jim has been a super-sport in helping me. I can't even get dressed without help. And he is in charge of all household chores. The problem is that I don't feel bad - I just can't do anything.

So my shawl sits waiting. I will be glad to get my cast off. It will be good to get back to normal - whatever that is. I am looking forward to playing cards and dominoes with my grandchildren next week during their spring break. And then the countdown to getting this cast off!

March?

Where did February go?

I can hardly believe that the whole month of February and a good portion of March has gone by since my last post. But February has been exceptionally busy for us, so that must be why it has gone by so fast.

I completed my two pairs of socks for the Ravelympics. It was okay, but not really fun. I couldn't go from one project to a different one while the socks were looming over me with a date to finish. I did finish with several days to spare, but it was not really fun. Just something different to do. Elizabeth finished her sweater - she brought it to Steve's shearing - and she did a very nice job on it. I am still saying, "Wow!"

I have completed the February pattern for the Lace KAL that I am doing. Interesting to do a project that bunches of other people are also doing. I have enjoyed it so far and I am looking forward to getting the March pattern when it comes out on March 14. I was going to do the whole thing again in a different yarn, but now I am reconsidering. I think my time would be better spent working on getting more yarn spun.

I went to three sheep shearings in February. I got Diana's fleece from Char, then I bought 3 Polypay fleeces from Shady Side Farm north of Holland, and last but not least, I bought 5 fleeces from Steve. All but the Polypay are washed and ready to card. The Polypay is going to go out to be processed. I am anxious to get started on the cormo from Char and Steve. Those fleeces washed up better than I had done on cormo before.

As for my shawl - it is off the needles and into the finishing part of the project. I have lots of ends to weave in and then it needs to be blocked. I am already missing the knitting part of it and it makes me want to get started on my 2011 shawl project. But I will finish this one first. It turned out good, but not take-your-breath-away. I will have to decide after it is blocked as to whether it is good enough to enter at the Festival this summer.