Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Wow - it's hot!!

Good heavens - it's hot in Nashville. I'm back from my doggy sitting in Providence, and I really do miss Petals. But, it's so unbelievably hot here that I'm glad I don't have a dog.

It's been a busy week. Knitting at the Library on Monday is always fun. Then SnB at Angel Hair Yarns was super too. Yesterday afternoon was knitting at the church and then on to Stillwaters Cafe. Now there was a perfect place to knit. We had a huge crowd and everyone had a good time.

Today is unbearable. I went to Publix and my car's thermostat read 106. That is just way too hot. Thank goodness the humidity is low.

I've been working on a precious sweater for my granddaughter, Alyssa, which involves intarsia. It's not bad - I'm enjoying it. Too many projects going though, but that's me. I was on the heel flap of my socks made out of Maizy when Miss Petals pulled the needle out of my knitting. I was doing magic loop and the pattern involves yarn overs - so that entire sock had to be ripped out. I tried, but could not get the stitches back on.

Tomorrow is our knitting group at The Knaughty Knitter - a nice way to spend a Thursday morning.

Let's hope this heat breaks soon - we need rain.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Back to warmer weather

It's a perfect day here in Providence. Temps in the upper 70's - very low humidity. I can deal with that.

Petals went to Poochies this morning for her bath. I went to pick her up and she had peed on her feet and had to go back in the tub again. She's something else. Mike's mom and I went out to eat last night and I told her to come in when we got back. Unlike me, Dianne is not a dog lover. Petals was awful - she barked, jumped and was just crazy. I managed to give Dianne some tomatoes from the garden and get her out without her getting mauled. Not too much later, I discovered that Petals left me a rather "large gift" in the living room. I've tried so hard with this dog - I think she needs boot camp training.

I'll be anxious to see how she behaves towards me when they are back in the house.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Br-r-r-r

This is the color of my lips!! (he he) It was 56 degrees here today. It's supposed to go up to 83 tomorrow. Now even that sounds better!

It's Cold and Rainy, But a Good Day

I'm not complaining, because I know the heat I will be returning to on Sunday -but damn! it's cold here for a Southerner. It's been raining all morning and a cool rain to boot. Taking Miss Petals out in this is not much fun.

I checked my mail about 10:30 and found an email from Karen -the owner of Fresh Purls - which is a LYS right here in East Providence not to far from my daughter's house. She asked me to make sure I came by before I leave for Nashville because she had something for me. It's a really nice shop, lots of nice people, and there SnB on Wednesday night was great fun. I had planned to go over there and hang out for a while and when I got there, Karen gave me a skein of Sunshine sock yarn. It's color way is Surf -really pretty. That was so nice. I had purchased a bunch of yarn there and took a class in how to make two socks at the same time on two circulars. It was nice to find a knit shop home away from home.

I can't believe that in about 48 hours I will be sitting in the airport waiting to board my flight. It will be so nice to go home.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Windfall at the yarn shops

OMG - two fantastic yarn shops in one day. After I finished the laundry and did my ironing, I took a drive to Wickford - which is down on Narragansett Bay. It's a cute little town with a very nice yarn shop called And the Beadz Go On. It isn't a huge place, but they have a very nice selection. A very nice lady, named Barbara, helped me. I got 3 skeins of Nashua Ivy and a pattern to make a scarf. Also got some Nashua superwash and buttons to make a sweater for Ruthie, along with some Minnow Knits patterns. I told them I was from Nashville and wandering around RI. They suggested I drive to Tiverton to another shop called Sakonnet Purls. I drove over several bridges - through Newport, Jamestown, Portsmouth and Melville. It seemed like a forever ride and I was never too sure I was going the right way. They had done a mapquest for me and printed it so I had some directions to go by. I did find the shop and trust me, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. It was in a large house - and more yarn than I have ever seen in one shop. Louise, the owner, designs many of the patterns - I bought two of them. I also got some Bazic Wool, some King Tut Cotton, and a couple of skeins of Encore Chunky. I got directions from Louise how to get to I195 and found the exit for Seekonk where I had left the doggy. It took me a while to find the place since I went in on the opposite side of town. She was very happy to see her grandma - even though she spent a good part of her day in the pool. Tomorrow she'll be going for a bath.

I do believe I've done enough damage in RI as far as yarn buying goes. I've been to six shops and made purchases at five of them. I will rest from here on in until I go home on Sunday. I can't wait.

Free Day

Petals has gone to daycamp!! I'm free for the day. And what am I doing? Well, first of all I drove her up to the daycare in Seekonk, MA. I had planned to go to Boston, but my enthousiasm gave out. So, I drove home - as I say, via Duluth. Yes, I got lost. Missed the I95 exit -so I took US1. Interesting ride...I finally found my way. I figured it was still early, so I would do laundry and get that out of the way. Had trouble with the washer on the towels load - but I've learned to remedy that. Just call me the "Whirlpool Repair Lady." Ironing is now done and I'm waiting to put the towels in the dryer. Then I'm off to Wickford. It's pretty there and they have a yarn shop. It's on the Narragansett Bay and it's cool today, so the breeze down there should be lovely. I'll take some knitting and find a nice place to sit.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

It's been a long, long time!

My goodness, it has been a long time since I've posted on my blog. And so much has happened.

I turned 60 last month - a new decade has begun. Hooray! I'm a senior citizen for most places. How exciting is that!! It does help when you go to the movies at night. I had a wonderful birthday - lots of celebration with all my dear friends. Wonderful chocolate cake made by Catherine and her daughter, Rachael. Laurie brought delicious cupcakes. We all had sugar highs that day. My children and grandchildren all came to Nashville to celebrate too. We had a fabulous weekend.

I've been in Providence, RI since last Monday doggy sitting my grand-dog, Petals - a soft-coated Wheaton Terrier who was none too happy to meet me. She was a bit of a handful the first few days while Karen and Mike were still here. She wouldn't let me move around the house without charging after me and barking like crazy. I held my ground - and now we are best buds. She had been having accidents - but so far - today was the only one and thank goodness they have wood floors. We go on long walks twice a day and have been to the dog park a couple of times. Only problem is - the park is in Barrington and it's quite a ride and I keep getting lost.

Knitting has kept me sane - I've managed to visit four different yarn shops. One was peculiar - all the yarn was in plastic bags - nothing to fondle. And no sock yarn. Another was in an old mill building - it was okay. I drove to Woonsocket to another this afternoon - and got lost, of course. Finally found it - but it was three flights up. Not exactly handicapped friendly, which is what I told the nice guy who owns the shop. He laughed and said I should be happy to know I'm not handicapped. The nicest shop was one that is closest to my daughter's house. I'm going to their SnB tomorrow night.

Hope everyone is doing well.