Knitting – because I don’t always train dogs!

Posted on March 5, 2024 by suziecreamcheese

In September, we became Great Grandparents. According to the Bear, he isn’t old enough but I am. Sorry, Dear, so are you! Shortly after the first was born, we learned that yet another grandchild was expecting, so in April we will have two little boys to spoil rotten. (Unless we get sucked into babysitting – it’s no fun to spoil when they’re gonna be with you all day, every day) At any rate, a Valentine’s Day hat was requested – and completed fairly quickly. A St. Patrick’s Day hat was next, also completed quickly, although I remembered why I’m not a fan of Fair Isle knitting – I can never totally hide the floats.

At any rate, expectant granddaughter requested a sweater for soon to arrive #2 and although I have a million patterns, off I went in search of another. I fell in love with this:

2 in 1, knitting patterns set, knit pattern baby jumper, knit pattern baby hat, knit baby sweater, todler, newborn knit pattern image 1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1291808871/2-in-1-knitting-patterns-set-knit?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=shaker+knit+baby+sweater+pattern&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&pro=1&bes=1&dd=1&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1

I learned to knit when I was 4 years old. I watched my mom, who always had a baby sweater on the needles, and legend has it that I just picked up the needles and went to town. I don’t remember any repercussions, so I’m assuming there were no mistakes made. At any rate, I got a little knitting kit for Christmas that year and there have been few times in my life when I wasn’t knitting something or other.

I don’t mind a challenge, although as I’m getting older I kinda prefer mindless, done in a few weeks types of projects. I didn’t expect this sweater to be difficult.

You know what they say about expectations. (Actually I don’t think they say anything about expectations except you shouldn’t live on them, but it sounds good, so I’m keeping it here)
First, I had to order needles, because I didn’t have circular needles of the correct size or length. I don’t mind that, one can never have enough knitting needles. However, I’m not a fan of magic loop and so I had to order shorter circular needles. Still too long. Fine, order the damned dp’s that I didn’t have.

I got it cast on, 8 rows of 1×1 ribbing done, on to the “decorating neckband” instructions. There’s a video link, so I went and watched – only demonstrated using the English method (which I can do so not a problem) BUT, the video doesn’t match the instructions. Okay, I can figure this out. But meanwhile, I went and did what I should have done before purchasing the pattern – read the reviews.

Here’s a hint – read the reviews first.

I’ll manage to complete the sweater before he outgrows it, And I’ll leave a detailed review. Meanwhile, I’m going to knit a bunny hat for Easter for #1.

Sometimes you just need a shot of booze and to wing it!

Posted in knitting, my life | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Roll over

Posted on March 3, 2024 by suziecreamcheese
Another trick
Posted in Uncategorized | 24 Comments

I need a nap

Posted on February 29, 2024 by suziecreamcheese

I got up at 6:30 yesterday morning – the literal crack o’dawn for me. I had my urologist appointment at 8:30 and managed to be awake and alert for the whole thing.

The bad news – I have yet another UTI, this makes 4 since January. So another round of Cepalexin, yippeee. However, the good news is that this is semi-normal in older women. (Yes, I am an older woman, and damned proud of it since I honestly expected to die at the age of 21) So there is a treatment plan that has had great success and I now have tools to fight this. It is not what I feared, she said it’s not ICS, so that made me very happy! A few lifestyle changes are in order – less coffee, more water – I should probably get one of those fancy bottles that tells you how much to drink when but I’m thinking a gallon jug will do the trick just as well. I can make it pretty and paint lines on it and put my own times on there. 🙂 (Yes, I’m that crafty)

In other news, the quilt I’ve been battling for ages is nearly done. I was hoping to finish it but getting up at 6:30 is not conducive to getting anything much done. I do need a nap, but I have office hour and then meeting a student who can’t make office hour, so I’ll have maybe an hour to sew anyway.

The shot in my shoulder blade appears to be working, although the steroids kept me awake last night – even though I was tired out from getting up so early. We had a wicked storm roll through, I’m pretty sure I saw Toto go by at least once. I never worried about wind till we built our house – in the woods. When surrounded by trees, one worries about wind. We were doing fine till the lights blinked out – that freaked me out and then of course, Maverick got stressed out. It’s scary enough with the wind, really scary when there’s no light. But we muddled through and calm ensued.

There is nothing on TV lately. I kind of like Will Trent because I read all the books and loved them so even though I’m not fond of the changes that were made (gotta keep the woke crowd happy) I still like the series. Last night I went to Netflix and scrolled till I landed on Enola Holmes – I like the actress who stars in this _ Millie Bobby Brown – she played Eleven in Stranger Things. (Stranger Things is kind of a favorite because my great nephew, who can do absolutely no wrong in my eyes, has the same type of wild hair as Dustin). I didn’t realize it was 2 hours long so that will be finished tonight.

And the quilt that’s tormented me for a few years, that I wadded into a ball and threw into a corner at one point, may be finished today. I pulled it out, told it to go together or go in the trash, it was not my choice, seems to be going together. Is it perfect? Hell no. But it will be done and will grace a bed in one of the spare bedrooms.

Posted in Maverick, my life, quilting, sewing | Tagged | 17 Comments

Get in a box

Posted on February 28, 2024 by suziecreamcheese
His favorite trick
Posted in Uncategorized | 21 Comments

Getting old is not for sissies

Posted on February 27, 2024 by suziecreamcheese

My mom used to say that and I would laugh, little knowing how right she was. After getting a cortisone shot in my shoulder blade area yesterday for bursitis, I have a urology appointment tomorrow for what I’m starting to think isn’t actually ICS, but recurring UTI’s. (Sometimes Google is your friend. Not often, but sometimes)

About a week and a half later, I have an MRI scheduled for my back because the cortisone shots are not working in that area. (None of this will cost much, if anything, so pffffftttt to those who think the American medical system is so awful. Go to another country is we’re so bad)

Yes, I’m a touch cranky. Why, you ask? Because it feels like yet another recurring UTI is starting. Thankfully, I have the urologist tomorrow. Meanwhile, I smack myself upside the head and go, “Seriously???????????” I do not have time for this nonsense.

This is the last week of classes for me, I get two weeks off and then back for 7 weeks, during which I pray for classes to get me through the summer. I love teaching from my lawn swing, by the way. Maverick runs around outside while I teach, it’s a win – win situation

Maverick – he cracks me up as often as he drives me nuts. Last night I was taking some stuff out of the family room and he was way too nosy. So I pulled down the box we used in tricks class and told him to “get in the box!” He did, and jumped out. I told him, “Nope, get in the box and sit!” He did. While he was going in and out of the box, and I was cracking up, I got the stuff I wanted to get out of the family room, out! He’s a character!

In other news, a quilt that’s been in process for over a year may be finished tomorrow. Will be finished tomorrow. It has a big border that wouldn’t lay flat, so I had to take it apart and redo it twice, at which point I wadded it up and stuffed it in a bag and threw it into a spare bedroom. I’m on mission to complete projects, so out it came and I told it, “you go together or you go to the trash, you decide.” Apparently it understood, I have onlyl the binding to do. By the way, this is not actually a “quilt,” because it’s machine “quilted” and my mother would slap me for calling it anything other than a “comforter.” If it wasn’t hand quilted, it was not deserving of the title “quilt” in her eyes. Who am I to argue with her?

Posted in Maverick, my life, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

I don’t think so

Posted on February 22, 2024 by suziecreamcheese

Ever since my ER visit, I’ve been reading a lot about ICS and even though the doctor diagnosed that in 2019, I’m not so sure I have it. I’m seeing a urologist next week and I’ll get a definite diagnosis then. One of the things I’ve read is that you should do an elimination diet to see what your triggers are. I joined a support group – which I may leave soon because my symptoms are nothing compared to these people, I don’t know how they function. At any rate, it seems that pretty much anything can be a trigger and people are willing to give up coffee, spaghetti, chocolate, alchohol, any scented soap or detergent, and a myriad of other things.

What.

The

Actual

Flock?

I enjoy coffee. I like my beer. i NEED spaghetti on a regular basis. Chocolate is something I need in moderation, but I went two weeks without any and I was thinking, yep, worth the possible migraine, gimme an M&M or twelve.

After doing a lot of reading and a lot of research, I came to the conclusion last night that I can’t live like that. Is it living if you can’t do or have the things you enjoy? Asking me to give up coffee, sauce, an adult beverage, would be like telling me I could never read another book, never knit another stitch, never sew another doll dress. There would seriously be little point in living.

So I’m not gonna do it. I’m looking into alternatives – accupuncture was mentioned – and crystals – I firmly believe in the power of crystals. Tomorrow or Monday, I will find a store, since the place I used to use seems to have closed, and take my list and buy myself some crystals. I will discuss accupuncture with my urologist. And I will eat and drink what I like, even if I have to gobble Prelief tablets with every bite. I will not let this defeat me.

Bladder spasms are awful. They’re terribly painful. But they stop Eventually they stop I’m not going to tiptoe through my life in fear of them. I just don’t think so

Posted in home, my life, pain | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

I think it’s Monday

Posted on February 18, 2024 by suziecreamcheese

Today has been one of those *CFSS days. Maverick does not do weekends well. Therefore, I do not do weekends well. I’m sure it’s my fault, basically everything to do with Maverick is my fault. He goes to daycare 5 days a week and doesn’t understand why he has to be home 2 days. His routine is get up in the morning and get in the car, play all day, come home and snuggle a bit, play some games with Mommah and then repeat the same thing the next day. Saturdays and Sundays, Mommah wants to sleep past 8 am, and drink her coffee in peace.

What is this peace of which you speak? Maverick hasn’t a clue and doesn’t wish to catch one.

I was told that by the age of 2, dogs became more aware of their people and less focuses on themselves. 5 1/2 years later, I’m still waiting for that to happen. I was also told that he would calm down when he hit 2. Still waiting on that one, too.

So today was Sunday, aka “drag Mommah around the park’ day. Our walk wasn’t as bad as yesterday but it wasn’t good. My body hurts, from the cold, partly, and partly from 5 years of being beaten up by Maverick. When we got home, I had lunch, and watered my plants – and if you want plant advice, go visit my friend Kristi’s new blog Plants and Projects and she’ll tell you how to fix any problem you have, although “put it out of its misery” is probably not the best advice I’ve ever gotten. (Okay, I did tell her I hate the poinsettia and it hates me back) Anyway, she made me laugh today.

And i think I managed to figure out, after multiple attempts to fix the bloody thing, how to get my printer to print normally from my laptop. What a CFSS that’s been!

*cluster fuckin shit show

Posted in dogs, home, my life, pain, snow, training | 15 Comments

Oh yippee, it snowed

Posted on February 14, 2024 by suziecreamcheese

Yesterday was a cluster effin shit show. The storm apparently got drunk and couldn’t figure out where to land, so we were supposed to get nothing, then an inch, then 4 – 6. I think we ended up at 5. I got up at 4:30 to use the bathroom and it was pouring snow. Lovely. By 8, everything was covered.  I wasn’t about to attempt the driveway, so Maverick and I had breakfast together – I had coffee and Prelief, he cleaned up his snuffle mat. 

By 9:30 or so it had stopped and commenced melting. Seriously? Not that I mind, but geesh, why even bother coming down if you’re leaving so soon. I think the storm woke up, was hungover, and slunk away in shame.  Bear plowed the driveway and I loaded Maverick into the car and took him to daycare. Only one other dog showed up but it happened to be his best friend, so they got to romp in the snow a bit and blow off some steam. 

I had to teach at 2, Bear left for work early because that’s what happens when school is closed – and he made it quite clear he was NOT shoveling snow. (He works at the school, after two years of retirement it was find a job before your wife shoots the TV.) (And I wasn’t kidding) 

Getting a late start threw everything off kilter. I picked Maverick up at 6, we came straight home and managed to do some training – I decided to work on tricks for the next level title because we need a goal and most of the tricks look like things we can master.  Bear got home early because he went in early, again throwing the normal routine off kilter. 

I’m pretty sure today is wednesday.  At least I think so.  Class is done, office hour is done, I’m going to sew!

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

It’s most definitely Monday

Posted on February 13, 2024 by suziecreamcheese

Well, it’s better than last Monday, at any rate. LAST Monday night I ended up in the ER, so pretty much anything is better than that.

I got up at my normal time, took Maverick to daycare, did my morning journaling and then went to tell the Bear I was heading up to get a shower and get ready for class at 12:30, but first, what would he like for lunch?  He rejected tuna salad as “too squishy” so off I went to the little grocery store for cold cuts. Also known as “lunch meat” or “cold meat” depending on where you’re from. (The first time I said “cold cuts,” the Bear looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language) (That happened a lot) (Which leads me to the next thing)

(I may digress but there’s usually a reason)

Tormorrow is Fasnacht day.  And what, you may ask, is that? The first year I was here for Lent, Bear asked if I was going for Fasnachts and I asked if I needed a vaccination and if there was a cure. Yes, I’m a smartass. 

Fasnachts are amazing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasnacht_(doughnut)

While I was at the little grocery store getting cold cuts, I noticed the pile of freshly baked fasnachts and yep, 6 of those little cuties came home with me. I should not be trusted around things like that. 

I also got a carob, peanut butter bone for Maverick. Don’t tell him, he’s being a shit and not getting it till later. (Not eating real food, as usual0

And then the fun began. I had class, then the chiropractor, then a meeting. Faculty meetings are always fun but this one actually ended on time. Off to the vet to pick up a scrip for Maverick, then to Walmart to fill it, Petco for a meat roll so I can hide his meds inside the chunks, Hobby Lobby for fabric – caved and bought yarn for a sweater for the soon to arrive newest great grandson. Stopped at CVS, the library, and the beer store. (Snow is predicted, beer is necessary)

And then I went to get Maverick.

I think I’ve done enough for today but nope, I will be working on a training plan after supper and trying to practice “back up” and “circle left and right” with him if he ever manages to eat his darned supper. 

Someday maybe I’ll slow down. It won’t be today. Also, pray for the nasty shit to go North, I’m not really interested in snow tomorrow!

Posted in Uncategorized | 20 Comments

Interstitial Cystitis Syndrome

Posted on February 9, 2024 by suziecreamcheese

Oh lucky me, I get the condition that has no cure and a really weird name. 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/interstitial-cystitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354357https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/interstitial-cystitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354357

Five years ago, I ended up in the ER in intense pain.  The diagnosis was ICS, which I was actually grateful for, one of my cousins died of bladder cancer that was diagnosed too late, so I was relieved it wasn’t that. Mostly I need to avoid acidic foods or drinks and all is well.  Till coffee

I love coffee. I drink a pot of coffee every day. I get cranky without my coffee, and then I get downright mean

Coffee is high in acid content.  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

It’s been quite awhile since I had a flare, and this weekend made up for lost time. Monday night I eneded up in the Emergency Room because a kid can only take just so much pain before the tears get to the Bear and he hauls your ass to the car and drives to the hospital. At 1 am. We got home at 10;30 Tuesday morning. 

I’m still sore, and tired, and I still want my damned coffee. I’m taking something called Prelief, and it’s sort of working but seriously, I need my coffee.  A CT scan revealed nothing major wrong, but I’m seeing a urologist anyway and taking massive doses of antibiotics, and Azo for pain (which makes you pee bright orange – it’s one of the only amusing parts of this nonsense)

I DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THIS NONSENSE!

I am a terrible patient, I do not do well on the disabled list.  Pray for Bear. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments