MDSW part 2

ok folks now more on MDSW

First off I was there really for the sheepies.... (and to meet a few folks and help Kris pick up a sheep pen.

don't all faint, remember I can shop for yarn online, and fiber at any one of my friends, ( between all of them I think the ONLY thing we don't have is icelandic...... we have all sorts of other stuff....... oh and silk, no one is raising silk worms)
AND my friends take trades of soap, lotions and handbalms for fiber.

( all of them use my shepherds lotions and handbalms, they tell me that my stuff is the only thing that keeps them from cracking during the winter, and remember, they are OUT in the real cold weather taking care of stock)

Ok as to shopping, I did break down and do a bit of it
some coned yarns, rayon.
a few lace scarf patterns, I did get the "whisper" scarves from Fiddlesticks

But the biggest thing I got was two signed prints of sheep that I'd seen in Rhinebeck and was moaning that I didn't get them in Rhinebeck............ I could NOT afford them then.
hahahaha
Ok I will take the picture and post it
They are two different sizes because they didn't have them both in the SAME size but that's ok
I will frame them alike and stack them
SHEEPIES!!!
now
Goaties were born yesterday, yup yup twins
I am going tomorrow

Ok now for round 2 of MDSW, lets play
"put the name to the faces"

and you folks better comment.....

ok first up
who's this???

hurry now there will be a TEST after.......

Now this next one is someone we better have indoctrinated..........
we don't know her name yet I don't think.... ( considering that haul in front of her..... she is one of us already)

so if that is YOUR picture, step up to the plate and post ok?



ok, and here we go.......
(btw, I owe you for the 25 year thing)


and some 'local' ambiance


more tomorrow


vi

vi's big adventure to the wilds of MD

First off let me preface this with........
if a chair falls on your head, you may just want recover from that first before trekking off to MD.

ok let us now raise the lights on this expedition.

Friday a chair fell on my head......

I KNOW it surprised the shit out of me too

not to mention Fawn who almost got squished under me and the chair.
Bernie of course got home 20 minutes after I extracted myself from this dilemma (again like a MAN, impecable timing no?)

so here is my little round body, banged up, insulted, abused.....
sniff sniff...... (feel sorry for me yet? no? ok......... )
meanwhile we are rushing around doing saturday things......
get to bed by 11 pm,
I can feel the tendrils of the pumpkin overtaking my head........ I just know I have completely turned orange.

(to thems that don't understand the refrence....... read your fairy tales again, not the disney ones..... the REAL ones from the Grimm brothers)

ok alarm set for 4 am

ready to do some serious sleeping?
well actually......................... hotflashes strick again
ok so at 4am we get up....... load the van.
and take off for MD

3.5 hours
on 4 hours or less sleep.

oye

now I have a weird phobia of public bathrooms.
so between that and the lack of sleep ........ well lets just say NEXT YEAR WE GET A ROOM THERE.

I haf spoken!

ok we did stop at a mickyD for orange juice and a knash.. .....................
blame that on bernie as I had oatmeal cherry cookies for breakfast.....

we got there....... first off we went to go find Louise from Louknits.
We kept missing her, ( we did finally meet up that afternoon, at least I think it was afternoon, maybe it was late morning)

Her daughter is so tiny and petite and adorable...... Louise is wonderful, I could have just taken them home and adopted them on the spot.

The weather was supposed to be highs at 66......... DUDE, it got REALLY WARM.
at least to folks used to mountain temps.
I was striping off stuff fast. Oh and someone remind me next year bring my BIG sunhat from the garden.

we walked around looking at sheepies....... I didn't find many tunis,


(would you LOOK at them faces????)
except in the rare breed area
ok there were two ewes and either 3 or 4 lambs.

and here is a two week old soay lamb, complete with diapers, who is being bottle fed.
I didn't take a picture of the diapers to protect the baby's dignity (bernie fell in love with this little one, and I could have brought her home if only they would have let me......)

now I also met a few folks from the Knitters Review forums

Now if I messed up anyone's name forgive me
( and send my hush money cause you know..........I got some candid shots of you all and I intend to put them up here........hahahah )

ok and last of all ME!!!!!
yup yup the offical violet portrait....
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aren't I cute?
hahahaha
til next time vi

Menu update

Ok I cut up veggies for a salad, lettuce, carrots slivers, blanched green beans.
I am hard boiling eggs.
I also have black olives, and will cut up tomato and Spanish onions.
Garlic cheese croutons, and salad dressing all in separate containers.

Bernie hasn't called yet so I don't know if the ham/cheese with the cream cheese is a go or whether he wants just normal ham and cheese on a deli roll.
the roll ups seem a LOT more fun to me
I don't think I will be needing to take pasta salad with all that do you?
I still need to make oatmeal cranberry cookies.
( we need SOME thing breakfasty)

I am about done although I still need to finish up the handbalms and lotions
and I need AA batteries for back up for the camera.
oh and two plastic large garbage bags for in case of rain.

I think I am about done anyway.
I have my car knitting..... ( the neverending line up of THE current sock)
I would take the lace scarf but I am afraid I would screw up as it is a chart......
even though I know the pattern it is a 16 row repeat with 5 of those rows garter.......
I can't seem to remember where the hell I am on it! So I need the chart and the post it
I can knit toe up socks in my sleep.

ok if anyone has ANY menu suggestions please please post them in the comments........
Bernie eats ALOT
and while it seems I have a lot..... believe me, for him it may not be.
oye
vi

me again, I wish I could make peach yogurt frozen smoothies to take with us.... doesn't that sound good?
and I am going to experiment on my victim...... ah I mean bernie.... with a mayoless salad dressing of yogurt and cream cheese... hahahaha

oh and a VERY good tip..
when you are baking it helps to move things along if you actually TURN on THE FREEKEN OVEN.............. when you have the cookie sheets in there...........
meanwhile 12 minutes on the timer.... and an ice cold oven
oye

Packing a picnic

I am taking a brief break, I have cleaned the coolers.
frozen the water bottles and some extra water.
(we are also taking iced tea with us, but I don't have room in the freezer for it....)
I packed a first aide kit.... nothing real elebrate, just two bandaides, aspirin, eye wash, neosporine and wet wipes.
oh and of course...... IMODIUM.
I may throw a benydril in there too
I usually carry sunscreen normally anyway, and my tube should be in the van already.
I have soap to wrap, lotions to make and handbalms too.
I have to run to the PO
lay out our clothes,
make some cookies I think

I am thinking, ham/cheese wrap sandwiches.
I am thinking of mixing cream cheese with shredded cheddar and swiss, and some honey mustard, spread THAT on the ham and roll it up in a tortilla.

does that sound like it would be good?

I also can't decide if I should take plain salad, or do a pasta salad. Either one will be good in ziplocks.
I also have some plastic forks
I got crackers too, just in case.
I wish I could do a fruit salad.
and I also need a travel mug for tea for bernie

oh man...... will someone come and help me?

Actually normally I like doing all this stuff
but my shoulder is still burning.
it 's not hurting too bad as long as I don't put too much pressure on it..
like pocketbooks or tight bra straps, so that is an improvement

anyway I am off to wrap soap now.....
I think eventually I am changing my soap packaging to boxes. I should have done that a long time ago
oye
vi

I gotta set me up a personal RAOK fund

I have a lust today.

what pray tell is my lust?

this

and I want to do it in either brilliant turquoise with purple, yellow, oranges, and shades of magentas and burgandys......
or copper and orange!

of course I am out of my mind

( well you all knew that...... so no surprise there)

I can't afford to do that
and yet here it is...... in AMERICA no less, not CANADA
oye

damn damn damn

ok and I just found out that while I am going to MDSW, I am not able to BUY anything there.....
sniff
so basically I am driving all the ways down there just to meet some wonderful people

oh, and grope some sheep

oye
sniff
I need my very own raok......... and a fund for it

till next time
vi

and the countdown begins

MDSW of course
we are to go Saturday.
We are meeting Amie, and also Louise, ( see side bar for Rose by Any, and also Louknits)
I am to scout Tunis sheep and CVM sheep.
Bringing home some spinable samples and business cards.

Carole told me I don't have to pick up a sheep Saturday.....

yeah right, she will be in INDIANAPOLIS......hahahahaha
she won't KNOW until TUESDAY if I bring home a lambsie.

Should I get the lambsie a pink collar and leash?

ok so we have to meet Kris at 4 to put sheep pens in our van, as she is taking her car.
Amie is noon, and Louise is to be met at a merchants booth.
in between, we are to look at sheep mostly

I want a lendrum dt upright complete

HE wants a saxony

He won't BE spinning

We have a very small house

I am a very short person who could not REACH to spin on the wheel that he likes........

I ask you folks?

who is right?

lets see what else?

oh fiber/yarn

well the tunis fleece, and the cvm fleece.
samples from some other breeds we have been talking about.

and some laceweight yarns.
I want some silk laceweight to dye if possible
or silk blend
( yes i know.. it is a SHEEP festival.......... I still want the silk..... )

ok meanwhile I got a thousand things to do, including makeing a matching tote bag for my current new bag.........
packing some tiny presents for some folks.
and getting ready to oggle my sheepies..........

oye
ok maybe I should start a wheel fund?
vi

AS the CAT turns

ok so where did I go wrong?
or was it right?

Thaddeaus is in cat jail.
he did the crime and is doing the time.

there is of course a catch. ( well there would have to be as I am actually wasting time writing about it huh?)

the catch, he put himself in CALPURRNIA's crate.....

where upon.... tiny little adorable blue eyed princess calpurrnia who is truly beautiful..... ( but not the brightest candle in the box if you get my drift......)

put herself in HIS crate.
she thinks she has to do time as well.......

the thing is.....
he is behind bars, as I closed the door.
She has the door wide open, and is looking at me all soulful and sorrowful.

I told her, Cowpie, ( yes we are reduced to that nickname......oye the shame), cowpie, dear heart.......
YOU aren't in trouble.
she blinked at me.

glad we got that cleared up.

she is still in the crate

Ok meanwhile Fawn the Great gramma....... is running around with tiny kitten calling meows chirping at her grandcats.

She is commiserating with her grandson.

Now you want to hear the really really sick part of all this???
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are you sitting down?
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Thaddeaus is so used to jail time when he does something bad, that all I told him was
"GO TO YOUR CRATE"
he ran in but got in calpurrnia's crate.....
my boy knows when he is bad.
he takes his punishment like a man..........
errrrrr..................
like a cat?
oye
til next time
vi
mother to convicts

the day after.....

man I should have had a hell of a good time to be feeling THIS bad today.

ok yesterday was a bust, I ended up crashing all afternoon.
I was in so much pain just from that shot that I fell asleep during the DAY.

I KNOW, amazing huh?

today it is not too bad, as long as I don't really use it too much
so far, I have only done dishes.

I do however have to finish up cutting the beef cubes and baking some muffins.....

I am thinking of doing cherry walnut muffins
and banana nut sour cream muffins, how does that sound?

well we'll see if my shoulders can take it all.
(just the picture I promised you all below)

I have discovered something, you CAN knit lace while incapacitated......
however don't expect it to come out anywheres near the pattern.
but that's ok

you can also knit socks.....
but then again I can knit socks in my sleep now.

I have also discovered that sleeping on the opposite side of the bed so you can actually get up without using the really bad shoulder ( as opposed to just using the bad shoulder) isn't such a bad thing but it does tend to confuse the cat.

(hahaha BERNIE was up most of the night with said cat sniffing his mouth and then meowing...hahahahah)
ok I will be back in a bit to post some pictures of fawn with her great grandchildren
vi

ok it's me, I'm back for a few.
I baked banana walnut muffins, cut up two roasts for a total of 4 meals, and made a HUGE tray of baked ziti.
then my shoulder gave out.

they want me to take naprosyn.
I didn't remember until I looked it up, I can't TAKE naprosyn.
it kills my stomach

ok so now, I am going to sit on my fat behind........ knit some lace
and see if there is anything on tv......
( the thud you all just heard is everyone who knows me, and knows I don't WATCH tv)
hahahah
vi

AH........are you SURE doc?

ok so I just got back
I got a shot
ouch big time
it still hurts
and I am informed it is 'tendionist of the rotator cuff'
me:'what is that spear head shapped thingy'?
him: shadow on the xray
me: are you sure?

ok so now I got 4 weeks of pt, and some anti inflamitories
plus this shot which is supposed to stop it hurting
I forget to ask WHEN it would stop.

he put that needle in and let me tell you........ new heights of pain
I turned magenta
no kidding
even the doc commented 'you look like you can fry an egg on your cheeks you are so red'

ah duh...........
I am in excruiciating pain
him:' oh good, then we got the spot then'

now if the 4 weeks of pt doesn't clear it up...... then we go for the mri
surgery and more pt
(duh............)
I am not a happy camper, and I am also in pain
yes yes I probably should have brought the old xrays to show him but I figured that they were like 10 years old, and new ones would be a better idea
oye
now do I have to cook today?
or can I beg off for good behavior in not neutering the doctor?
vi

It IS all worth it right?

Ok today I am cooking......
first Sauce ( tomato as I am Italian)
then I am doing baked ziti, stuffed cabbage, stuffed peppers and some muffins
all for the freezer

now as to Fawn, well lets just say.........
she is so settled in that it looks like SHE is the cat here the longest...
she is a little doll too but can be pretty feisty, She keeps throwing her great grandson off the cat tree.
hahahaha
he goes anywheres near her and she hisses at him.
I of course laugh my ass off.

Meanwhile she has taken to sleeping as close to my face as she can, and purring LOUDLY all night.
She also has to occasionally nose touch me for reassurance...... ( no fawn, I did not turn into some other mommy during the night) Now all this is killing my shoulder. ( dragging in 25 bags of groceries yesterday of course did NOTHING to my shoulder............... yeah right-I am still paying for that one)
Fawn enjoys sleeping on my shoulders....... and wonders why she suddenly is dumped off on her head.
oye
ok now......
I am finishing the last gulp of my coffee, and will get my fat ass up and start to cook.
if you all don't hear from me in a day or so.
someone check the bottom bin in the freezer........... see if there is a round little blue faced violet in there?
vi

My little boy..........

this is my boy at 4 months old...... LOOK at them curls!

here is my boy at I think 2-3 months

and here is my guy right before he came home
what a difference huh?

Ok today is clean the fridge day, ewwwwwwwwww
today is that special day set aside to try and figure out WHAT THE HELL is actually growing in the dim recess of the magic box.

The Thaddeaus pictures are because he is 'helping' me.
oh yes I definitely need the help cause you see, from his point of view I am brain dead.
( possibly from my point of view as well)

I am trying to get enough meals cooked and frozen so that while I am getting my medical crap fixed up, I can continue to hold body and soul together.
Also Bernie had actually gotten used to eating on a regular basis so I need to consider that as well.
He gets home way to late now to cook, so this way, it is all ready and just needs to be reheated.

gees I am so efficient huh?
I spent the past two weeks figureing out all the stuff I needed to do this with.... menus etc.
When I was an art director I used to do the OAMC ( once a month cooking) however it was more like 4X a year and we ate good.
I haven't really bothered to do the whole formal thing in the past few years but I am going to be doing it now
meanwhile
there are wierd multi colored stuff growing on unidentifiable objects in the fridge.......
ewwwwwwwwwww
I wish I drank

til next time
vi

Some of the last of this years Kids

this is Puff and her baby

sniff sniff

I am going to miss seeing the newborn babies.
oh and one more thing.

FAWN is running around the main house and studio today, just like the rest of these furry feline felons

And no one, so far, has killed anyone.!!!

It is very funny to think you are talking to Calpurrnia and find out it is Fawn looking at you like you are insane

oye

I need this catatude?

guess I do huh?

til next time

vi

Ok one down

I got the shoulder xrays done today.
I will pick them up Monday morning and go to the Orthopedic.
Meanwhile, I am in a lot of pain from my back/ovaries.
NOW my damn body decides to fall apart?
I was gone over three hours, as it is about 30 miles to the doctor and back, plus office wait time.
I was in trouble the minute I sat in one of the office chairs there.
I tell you..... This guy is making sure of his future business with them office chairs.

Anyway, I am all excited to finally be getting this stuff done, and I promise to go for my mamogram and oil/lube ( pap and pelvis)
By summer I expect I will be either dead or a new woman........ ( do they give warrentees on spare parts?)

Which btw, are any of you folks organ donors?
I ask because I am, but DH isn't.
I figure if I am brain dead, why bother taking some stuff to be worm food when someone else could possibly use it.
I have three cousins who have had transplanted kidneys and I had a friend ( deceased now) who was transplanted heart/lung/kidney.
If you are a donor, what decided you?
If you are not a donor, what decided you?
( no judgements actually I am cause of my family, Dh is afraid they will kill him off early to get his organs.......... I told him, 'no, but I may kill you off early')
til next time
vi
with goatie pictures and maybe some kittens

Fly by posting?

Ok well I got a ton of cooking and such done.
I also got some medical stuff started, with luck by this time next month my shoulders will be working again!!!
I also cast on the Knitpicks Shimmer into a scarf from Lavish Lace, the Ocean moods......
only I am doing it in the red/pink/yellow "happy dance" colorway.
*** warning opinion ahead****
the Shimmer is very nice, I had to rip back multiple times and it took the abuse without a problem.
I can't believe I am saying this but the colors are a bit strident. ( think 1940's red/yellow/pink)
however once it is finished I will see then, if I still don't think it will work I will dip it in an over dye to tone it a bit.

There are also some stray long fibers that are driving me nuts. I keep pulling them out.
Some are not dyed. Some are.
I don't know what they are but they bother me
over all I really like this yarn, and I wish they would come out with a white/cream.........
for dying or just cause.
( white lace............. what a concept huh?)

Now as to the pattern in Lavish Lace.
I am doing Ocean Moods.
I discovered it was way too wide, so I cut out two of the five center repeats, it is now just the right size or will be after I block it out.
It is an incredibly easy pattern, with a couple rows of garter in between.
It is also self scalloping on the ends..........
so I am very happy with it, I think I would also like it done in 100% silk if I could find that for under 20.00..... The Cherry Tree Hill 100% silk is 66.00 so nope that is not going to happen.

now as to the other stuff, or at least some of the other stuff.
I have been cooking like a demented momma........
I am trying to put enough cooked food to be reheated away so that in case my shoulders need surgery, I have meals for us.
I still have a LOT of cooking to do
I just did meatballs, burritos, and salisbury steak, ( I dropped the salis bury steak patties on the floor so I have to wash them..... thank goodness they were frozen when I did it......oye)

I have to do chickens, the pork and a turkey or two as well as side dishes. I figure at least another two weeks of cooking.
No?
I even cooked and froze RICE
If I can get enough done I won't worry too much then
oh and I need to freeze at least 90-100 muffins for bernie to take to work..
which btw, the peach muffins are to die for
til next time
vi

taking some time off

I have a few things to do folks so I am thinking I probably will be taking some time off
if I have a chance I will post, if not......well just think of me being really busy
til next time
vi

just had to see the babies again

how about you all?

babies anyone?

 

I can't believe I ordered the whole thing....

Those of you folks that are knitters and do some online posting around abouts may be familiar with Knitpicks ( NAYY)
Well if you are, I have to tell you, I have been cruising their site daily.

I am not proud to admit that I am stalking yarn, but there you have it.

Most particularly their Alpaca cloud as well as their Shimmer.
( notice the trend here? lace weights both of them)

I am feeling the lace pull again.
I thought that the mohair mobius would have gotten me over the lace obsession as really I think I am way too short, too fat and too spartan in my dress to do the whole lace shawl/stoll thing.
And really I am, so I have to restrict myself to scarves.
Which is ok as tablecloths and doilies are out as well, cause, well you know.......... THADDEAUS and all.
I don't want lace socks or lace hats ( to me the lace hat thing sort of defeats the purpose but that is only my opinion and if you are a lace hat person, more power to you and full knit ahead)
And lace gloves....... well I won't go there.... ( I swear I have the coldest hands in the universe..... cold hands and hot flashes? what the F***????????????????????)

Anyway, I have been lusting in my heart for way too long........
the sirens song of shimmer has cause me to do dispicable things..........
the thought of silken lace against my skin................. blended with wool..
how could I resist?
those of you who are scratching your head in bewilderment....... please leave now and save us all the grief.

ok so I will be getting it in a couple days......
and what pray tell did I get?
that my dears....... is for me to know........ and you all to see the pictures when it gets here.....
hahaha
til next time....
vi
here look at all the pretty pictures...............

we got FISHIES

bad picture of them but we got pictures!

this one is actually peach colored Ok This little guy is named 'ivan'



this one is really magenta and purple.
this one has a name....... 'egor'

Some pictures of work and the cats

Here is a new bag set I am working on, as you can see it isn't done yet, but these show how I work. One is open a bit to show the lining.
I am going to be doing a tote to match for knitting as well as a matching tool bag.
I have some other tapestry that coordinates to make accessories such as a date book, needle roll, checkbook cover, possibly a wallet as well. I don't know yet.

now here are some Thaddeaus and Calpurrnia pictures
This is our little Calpurrnia just a few minutes ago.
I gave her and Thaddeaus each a bath yesterday. Here is her highness.
She met her great gramma Fawn this morning face to face.
she tried to smack her!
poor Fawn


Here is Thaddeaus..... doesn't he look like Ludwig van Beethoven?
hahahaha
if you look close, he is actually sitting ON Calpurrnia!

Ok, I have to get more pictures of Fawn and then Amber
as well as some fiber or knitting or something else I am working on
I also intend to post some pictures of some of the other stuff I do here and there
til next time
vi

Ok FAWN pictures







a pensive Fawn

a new look ...........

or, I had nothing better to do so..........

well folks how do you like the new look of the blog?
I went a bit nutso huh?
I also washed the 'evil twins' Thaddeaus and Calpurrnia...
call the redo on the blog spring fever....
or a temporary deviation induced by dunking two screaming curly cats into the bath.

actually they were pretty good about it
and they look wonderful
Fawn was spared this round, as was Amber, but they are next...... ( said like ARNOLD.......... in the terminator)

now I would appreciate some comments if you all don't mind, first on the look here abouts.

then I have a dilemma
I am currently making a new knitting bag set. ( smaller bag/sock tote, larger knitting/tote, matching tool bag to go in either)
but I am not sure what to knit next, I am about to rip the neon hat back as I thought onion dome crown but I realized that it won't look as good as a flat crown since the sides are all textured.

I would love to knit some lace, I haven't in a forever of a time.
I dont' think I would look good in a shawl being of the short and round varity of person.
I would like a lace scarf but I am not sure about that looking good on me either.

No I won't knit tablecloths or doilies....... have you all been following the 'Adventures of Thaddeaus Peabody'?
he is a very bad boy and I would finish and he would EAT it.

so it will have to be a scarf, not a sweater... again look at the 'short & round' refrence.

mmmmmmmmmm
I think I am in a slump
maybe spring fever?
anyway suggestions are more then welcome if you all wouldn't mind, I would appreciate it ever so much
til next time
vi


one of the bottle fed baby lambs

4 more days to arriving fish

I promised a friend of mine down in Boca, that I would name the fish Egor, so one of the betta's will be named Egor.
I need to name the other and also Fawn needs a new name
( we all have been lax you know)
so I have to set up a poll,
should I maybe set up a contest of some sort too?
maybe our fresh handmade soap as a prize?
I don't know
vi

frogs for real

ok those little froggies are african aquatic frogs......they live in the water all their life.
so they won't be coming out and hopping around the house any time soon.
but with luck I am not going to get them........ we've already had them 25 years ago...
we loved them however and I do recommend them but if I put up the tank, I want fancy goldfish
hahaha
vi
who can't wait to tuesday

there by hangs a (fish) tale

ok PICTURES will be delayed however
I am please to report that two ( count em folks 1, & 2)
new fish will be joining the herron household on tuesday.
one is peach colored and one is pink/purple/and well you just have to see him.
I went to a fish only store in town, run by ( I descovered) the guy who used to have the HUGE saltwater aquarium store on north 5th street...... he moved down to 191
then now he is on Crystal street in town.
so I have picked out two very healthy and happy betta's.
and I have them in quarentee hold til tuesday.
btw, they also had goldfish there........mmmmmmmm
fancy ones......
in orange and red/white
mmmmmmmmmmmmm
I have another tank.........
vi

Today's assignment

Is to procure a fish.
And to file my taxes which last night at the last minute, I discovered had a HUGE error.

I called the tax person and informed them they did NOT credit us with the taxes we already PAID for last year!

BIG error I would say huh?

it went from we owe through the nose to.............. They owe US 22.00.

I can more then afford that 3.00 fish now..........

Now I have no choice BUT to get a new fish here or my Friends down in Boca have threatened me with this
or more specifically this one right HERE
which actually I am trying to get them to NOT spend their money on me.

First they were going to ship me two fish, and a second little aquarium, with shipping costs of over 25.00! for two 3.00 fish!

These folks always think with their hearts and they thought it was a good idea in light of my day yesterday, and my period to send me a fish or two to perk me up.

so today we get the fish.......
meanwhile I am thinking that the frog thing is pretty cool too however and I may just get that for us down the road.

ok now
I am planning on putting in a small order to Knitpicks I really want a few skeins of their alpaca cloud and their shimmer.
I have been wanting to knit some lace scarves and their lace weights are intriguing.
I hope they come out with a 100% silk in a lace weight as well.

Bernie is picking up at work, which is a very good thing.
meanwhile in a period induced coma, I am languishing.

Last night was spin group, I always get my period on spin day. Anyway I did not go.
I felt terrible that folks have to come get me, and then drop me off like a child. Even if I give them gas money I still feel terrible about it.
I am hoping by the May or at least June Spin that Bernie can figure how to get me there and back without interfering with his sleep too much.
I really don't like being night blind.
well coffee is ready
and the soon I get in gear the sooner I get the taxes mailed and the fish home.......

by the way,
today is the 9th anniversary of the Death of my best friend Thea to Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
She was only 38
I was closer to her then to my own sister. ( yea as my sister is under a federal court order NOT to contact me ever again)
I miss her so much and I talk to her every single day, I know she can hear me.

Please folks, if you find yourself in a position to spare a few cents, please help with the fight against breast cancer.
Inflammatory Breast cancer is the worst out of all of them, there is no cure and a diagnosis is immediate stage 4.

And Thea if you are watching over my shoulder, I miss you so much.

til next time
vi

Fred is dead.

Fred the invisible betta fish is dead.
he bit the big one about a week ago.
I miss him so much.
Fred was a deep dark purplish blue fish in a deep dark purplish blue betta tank, with deep dark purplish blue stones on the bottom and two plants, one plastic and one alive.
( hence the invisible fish thing)
He lived on my kitchen counter in the winter and on one of my workbenches during the summer.
I was used to him every morning especially during winter, I would talk to him and he would come to the side of the tank I was on and flare at me, in that betta sort of way.
I am pretty sure he was saying 'good morning oh thou fairest of food bringers, and how is thou this fine morning........'

OR
he could just as well have been saying ' oy BITCH, bring on the food there I am dying of hunger'

However I find that in the week + that he has been gone, I miss his little face, the plants miss their twice weekly watering with Fred water, when I did partial water changes.

Ok so today I sought to remedy that.

I went over the mountain and through the woods to the great pet store in town.
I should have known I was in trouble when I couldn't get into the parking lot cause there was a cop truck there.
( yes a truck it was an SUV, and that'll teach you to mess with momma vi and her menopausal pms induced coma)

Ok so I finally get a parking space and get into the store.... I head directly over to the bettas......... to discover.......
.
.
.
.
.
THEY JUST GOT a NEW SHIPMENT!!!!!

and they are very pretty ones, orange, magenta, purple, cream, white iridescence....
all just waiting for me!

I got down to looking while the girl was putting them in their little cups

I was torn between about 6 and was indeed thinking.... well I do have 6 smallish 1/2 gallon glass bowls for them.....

When some BITCH PERSON, ( and I am being kind here, my menstrual cramps and peri-menopausal hot flashes have nothing to do with my perception of the bitch)told me she wouldn't guarantee them.....

I look up .......There is the guarantee sign.

She repeats, that she won't guarantee them for at least a day or so.....( remember the 5.00 part for the gas to go OVER the freeken mountain???)

Ok so would you hold them for me, I can pay for them..... and get them tomorrow or saturday.

NO OF COURSE she won't......................
cause she is the assistant manager and you know.......she has a BRAIN, and WANTS to make sales and give GOOD customer Service.

I asked her.... "how will I get the ones I want if you A)won't sell me them with their guarantee &
B) won't let me buy them and you hold them?

I left

I am despairing of ever getting a betta that I like.

I also got my full period while standing there arguing with this bitch.

please, someone either shoot me, or send me a betta or a gift certificate to Knitpicks or something.......
carmel popcorn or cheesecake is just not going to do it today.......
sniff
til next time

violet of the walking dead.

one of THOSE days....

you know the kind, pre period.
ok so if you are male, you only know the pre period days by how neurotic the females you have to deal with are getting.
I have something to say to you....... SUCK IT UP and be thankful

now back to the females that may wander by here.
it is one of THOSE days, not quite bad enough to just lay there in the bed like a lump, moaning pitiously occationally.
And yet it ain't a day that say, oh, ......... driving would be a good idea either.
operating heavy machinery would probably get me an orange jumpsuit and a girlfriend named bubba...... ( with all due respect to the GLBT out there-which I probably got the letters wrong to anyway... I am sorry)When I accidentally ran over the moron neighbor, his wife, kids and nuisance animals, oh say...... 50 or 84 times.....

Ok so I got a blaaaaaaaaa day.
I want to finish my neon hat but I have to chart the top first.

I want to finish my latest knitting bag, but that would also involve thinking, much less standing...... I am not up to that.

Please I am not up to even standing and walking the 15 feet into the kitchen for a last cup of coffee.

I am not even sure I am up to talking!
( I can hear that collective GASP from you all, it sounds like someone broke the sound barrier....... oye)

I have a couple cloth dolls to finish, and I would dearly LOVE to scan the illustrations for their book again so I could actually print the damn thing and bind it.... everything IS waiting on that silly book.

I could always make a new porcelain doll......

I have seeds to plant,

I could pick up the living room......( WHAT! and RUIN my perfect hands off record????)

I could make soap, I have to do a couple batches of my famous peach goats milk, as well as some patchouli, and a few others.

so what is violet doing?
well besides typing this I mean.........

nothing
yup
you got that right
a whole lot of nothing

gees I am boring

til next time
vi

cat printed mouse shaped cat toys?

HUH?
oye

ok new laperm pictures as well
tons of fawn,





now little calpurrnia


and finally the big guy.....


Amber could not be reached for comment
oye
sorry guys
hopefully knitting content will follow
as well as pictures of some of the other stuff I do
vi

Fiber content! (and a few goats)

Ok this is the little needle felted rhino I made with Carole today, she did the basic body and I did the adjustments and the features then finished it.
pretty cool huh~!
it is about 5 inches long.
hahaha we had a blast today.


Ok finally goaties

this is skittles, she almost died last week with what is sort of like milk fever, here she is reunited with her two kids. She is fine now, and they are all very happy and healthy but it was pretty scary.

Laperm cat photos either later or tomorrow
I need to get a few more of Fawn
vi
ps: if anyone knows how to do a poll thingy...... please let me know, as I want to do a poll on changing fawn's name

Our little alarm clock

Well tremendous strides are being made by this tiny new cat here.
She slept nose to nose with first Bernie then me all night
then at 4:30 am.......She woke Bernie up
hahaha
too bad it is Sunday.....
she is now our official alarm clock
I am going to be putting up more pictures on the laperms either later today or tomorrow but probably later today.
til next
vi



my little vampire.....I am so proud

a few more

ok this is little calpurrnia the great granddaughter
cute huh?



this is fawn who is the great gramma..... she looks good for her age no?
doesn't she look like a kitten here?
hahahah



there is the famous laperm curls..... very nice

now the bad boy, is sleeping in a darkish place so I can't get some pictures of him, but we are over do for some of my boy huh?
vi

Introducing Fawn

ok guys...... here she is
what do you all think?
please leave her some comments
vi

yesterday, today & tomorrow

ok I wasn't around much yesterday as it was Bernie's 50 birthday.
He decided instead of a big bash of a party, he would prefer spending a quiet day just us chickens, we went to Allentown.
We went to the hobby shop, the book store, Red Lobster, another hobby shop and stopped at the Goat farm to see the babies on the way home.
he said he can't tell what 50 feels like as he feels the same as before......
I can tell you, him at 50 feels pretty damn good to me.

I have been married to Bernie for over 28 years, through thick and thin....... we've had our problems here and there as all folks do.
I have to say, I am truly blessed to have him. I don't know why extra specialness I earned to have married this man.
Even with me at this age, along with the aftermaths of illness, he thinks I am beautiful.
He is not interested in a trophy wife like so many other men his age. He doesn't care that I sag measurably here and there.
He is the most wonderful person around the cats, and other animals. Kids adore him.
He is still got that sense of wonderment that young boys have. Yet he is strong, protective and deffinately all 100% male.
He is also completely human.
I think I like that in a husband....( well damn yeah, or there would be tenticles all over the place....no?)
oh and he has a tremendous sense of humor!
I never knew I was funny until he told me so.
I at times still don't believe him but they you folks all laugh too so I guess he knows what he is talking about...



Oh ok the CATS

Fawn came up on the bed last night and slept on my hand.
Not as long as I would have liked.
Only about 20 minutes.
However that again is huge progress.
She then kept us up all night calling us to play with her.
So I have to figure something out for her......
maybe put bird seed out on the lawn and put something by the window so she could watch the birds for a while?
She still isn't ready to meet the grandkids yet.
I am going to try for pictures today, she seems relaxed a bit more.


Ok the Lamb
Kris had the first of her two ewes lamb, on tuesday. Both Rams.
One is very typy BFL, so I know I am not getting him.
the other is cute but a ram........
I wanted a ewe.
Her other ewe, Summer, still hasn't lambed. Hopefully she will triplet and all ewes?
or I am really going to HAVE to buy a tunis or something at MDSW.
meanwhile I have some pictures of the sheep before and after shearing to show you all, which I will do later.
So if you are here in the morning please check back in the afternoon or so, I should have them up by then

til next time
vi

ps: the tomorrow part, ah..................... I will let you know!

Fast Fawn Update
I was playing with Thaddeaus and Calpurrnia on the upstairs landing, Fawn could hear us and Meowed for me!I answered her and talked to her while I was talking to the other laperms.I did go into the bedroom to play with her for a bit, she is really amazing now.isn't it wonderful what a bit of catnip will do?


Names for Fawn
we were thinking of Agathea
I liked pelageia
( it has to blend with Thaddeaus and Calpurrnia you know)
Elefteria means freedom in greek
Flavia is nice
I do like peneolope but bernie veto'd that one.
her paper name has to stay fawn however
yes she does have papers

I was also thinking of obelia but bernie thought it was too much like ophelia
there is Octavia
well you all help me out here?
I would put up a poll if I know how to do it
vi

more Fawn progress

First off I am so sorry we don't have a picture of her yet for you all, but she is coming along.
since I gave her the catnip yesterday, she is making tremendous strides.
She now is coming out for me, not just Bernie.
She also is purring like crazy and is actively seeking us out.

We made a decision about her.
we won't pick her up, (at least for now) she can jump on us or the bed or the furniture, but we won't pick her up.
As all her life people picked her up to show her, or groom her, or put her in with a tom to breed.
now she owns her body and it is on HER terms if she wants to come up or do something. it is HER terms how much petting she wants, and if she doesn't want any she is free to walk away.
it does seem to be working.

Now I still have to do things like clip her nails and clean her ears and teeth, but we are working towards that now.

Ok Fraggle commented on it being cruel to keep an animal in the cage it's whole life.
And I do agree, however my local no kill shelter once said to me, ' we keep them all in cages here, a year or more sometimes, but always remember, if they are well fed, clean, vetted, and in a heated/cooled shelter that is not too bad'
So while I don't agree with these guys having been kept in cages and I won't do it, I realized that the cage is better then either being on the streets as a stray, or worse..... in a cage and neglected, and being unable to help themselves.

Meanwhile, back at the farm, a set of ram lambs has been born. One of these may be my lamb, one is black and one is white. I am however waiting for the second ewe to lamb as I would like a white ewe.
Also in other farm news, Skittles the goat is very sick. She kidded monday and now has some weird disease that Carole told me the name of but I can't remember. She is on anti-botics and her kids are being bottle fed. She is also being tube fed, and they are drying her up. She isn't eatting which is really not good for a goat.

ok I am again going to try for pictures of Fawn for you all but I won't scare her ( everything scares her)
so how about a picture of something else?


oh and little Appledumpling got her CAST off!!!! yeah for Appledumpling!

more Fawn news

I gave everyone catnip today,
and so of course gave some to Fawn.
I left it on the rug upstairs in the bedroom
when I came back to check the catnip was gone.

later I brought up a feather wand toy and more cat nip.........ARMED, and READY I was......
well the catnip and wand toy got her out and she played.
not with me but with the feathers and the 'nip'
hahaha
take THAT bernie.....
( she likes bernie bestest.....sniff)
actually I am thrilled she has her very own person now..
like all the other laperms here, she gravitated to bernie first
( I never had that happen to me before, normally all the animals adore me!)
so I imagine that down the road, she will eventually forgive me for taking up space in bernie's life and allow me to pet her
oye
cats
vi

FAWN let us pet her!

we were so shocked that we just all sat on the bed and petted her.
I didn't take pictures but you can all be sure I will try for pictures tomorrow.
she is very very skittery
however she loved being the center of attention.
she smelled my breath and bernie's breath
she kneaded our faces.
she PURRED
she rolled around like a 100,000. an hour supermodel in silk undies
she was thrilled to peices
but then she got scared when I tried to give her cat treats and jumped off the bed.
we tried to coax her out but she wasn't having any of it
so we left her be.
I am going to try and get her to sleep with us tonight.
she was running around the bedroom crying all last night
bernie looks terrible
and I have to go look at a 10 acre farm this week
btw
just thought you all would like to know
now to figure finances
anyone want to lend us down money while I am trying to find out about a mortgage on this house to bridge getting the farm?
vi