This economy sucks!
Well, all this craziness in the stock market and industry now affects me directly. On Tuesday, at the close of biz for the day, my boss tells me that effective 12/15, I'm no longer employed. I've been with this company before he bought it! Nine years! Goes to show that loyalty is a one-way street. Right this minute, I'm going thru the angry stage-it has taken me 2 days to get here and I'm not ready to give it up yet! There are 2 other assistants in this office, one has been here less than 6 months, is only 30 w/a husband with a good govt job. The other is mid-40's but also has a husband with a good job. I am my sole support! I'm almost 63! Finding a job at my age is almost impossible under the best of circumstances and these are about the worst of times.
I know there are options, unemployment or early retirement, but I'm just not quite ready to face those decisions yet. I need to get over this angry place first and I'm not ready to leave.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Calming Effects of Crochet
I belong to several online crochet groups and every once in a while, someone will post about the calming that comes over them when they grab a crochet hook.
Many years ago, I was hospitalized with a mysterious malady and was in horrendous pain and scared to death. I was a 19 year old, single mother of a 5 month old baby. My parents lived 1500 miles away and even tho I had an aunt locally, I was feeling overwhelmed and very afraid.
After the docs did a spinal tap, they finally gave me a shot for the pain and I passed out.
I think the most comforting moment of my life was when I woke up and my mom was sitting next to my bed crocheting! I somehow knew that everything was all right in my world again.
P.S. They never found out what caused the pain or the grand mal seizures, but it all went away and never came back. I wasn't allowed to drive for a year because of the seizures, but after that, it was back to business as usual.
I belong to several online crochet groups and every once in a while, someone will post about the calming that comes over them when they grab a crochet hook.
Many years ago, I was hospitalized with a mysterious malady and was in horrendous pain and scared to death. I was a 19 year old, single mother of a 5 month old baby. My parents lived 1500 miles away and even tho I had an aunt locally, I was feeling overwhelmed and very afraid.
After the docs did a spinal tap, they finally gave me a shot for the pain and I passed out.
I think the most comforting moment of my life was when I woke up and my mom was sitting next to my bed crocheting! I somehow knew that everything was all right in my world again.
P.S. They never found out what caused the pain or the grand mal seizures, but it all went away and never came back. I wasn't allowed to drive for a year because of the seizures, but after that, it was back to business as usual.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Stitch N Pitch
Huge disappointment! And that doesn't even begin to describe my feelings about yesterday's game. Met Peter at the BART station about 11:45 and we walked over to the stadium thru an overpass. Have I ever told you how terrified I am of being somewhere I feel I can fall from? A chain link fence being the only thing between me and solid ground was not very comforting. Averted disaster and made it safely to the stadium. This was my first (and probably my last) trip to the Coliseum. Finally found our way to our seats, after being given a shirt at the gate. OK, that's cool. Tho, being the huge baseball fan I'm not, I had no idea who the player is. Where they were giving away the goody bags was clear on the other side of the stadium and on another level. So, bless his heart, Peter went to get our bags and those of Anita and Ed, who were already in their seats when we arrived. Imagine our disappointment when he came back with small tote bags from the Athletics, with 2 knitted patterns in it. That's it, only 2 photocopied knitted patterns. I guess the Texas Rangers are not a huge draw, so the stadium was only partially full, lots of empty seats. Which meant, in turn, that very few concession stands were open. Since Peter hiked for the bags (such as they were) I took off to find food and drinks. On our level, I had to walk about 1/2 way around the place to find an open concession stand. Got my hot dog & drink & beer for Peter. By the time I got back to our seats, my dog was cold! Yuk! I can get a better dog at Kaspar's for less $, less walking and it's hot when I get it. After a pretzel left over from the last home stand, Peter and I decided to leave at the end of the 5th inning. It was cold in the shade, the game was moving way too slow, and the food was horrible, not to mention the overwhelming goody bag. So we gave it up, went home. Peter said he was going to take a nap, and I crocheted from the comfort of my rocker/recliner. We parted company at the BART station. Maybe next year we will try the event in San Francisco.
How did other events around the country compare to ours? Let me know, I'd love to hear.
Huge disappointment! And that doesn't even begin to describe my feelings about yesterday's game. Met Peter at the BART station about 11:45 and we walked over to the stadium thru an overpass. Have I ever told you how terrified I am of being somewhere I feel I can fall from? A chain link fence being the only thing between me and solid ground was not very comforting. Averted disaster and made it safely to the stadium. This was my first (and probably my last) trip to the Coliseum. Finally found our way to our seats, after being given a shirt at the gate. OK, that's cool. Tho, being the huge baseball fan I'm not, I had no idea who the player is. Where they were giving away the goody bags was clear on the other side of the stadium and on another level. So, bless his heart, Peter went to get our bags and those of Anita and Ed, who were already in their seats when we arrived. Imagine our disappointment when he came back with small tote bags from the Athletics, with 2 knitted patterns in it. That's it, only 2 photocopied knitted patterns. I guess the Texas Rangers are not a huge draw, so the stadium was only partially full, lots of empty seats. Which meant, in turn, that very few concession stands were open. Since Peter hiked for the bags (such as they were) I took off to find food and drinks. On our level, I had to walk about 1/2 way around the place to find an open concession stand. Got my hot dog & drink & beer for Peter. By the time I got back to our seats, my dog was cold! Yuk! I can get a better dog at Kaspar's for less $, less walking and it's hot when I get it. After a pretzel left over from the last home stand, Peter and I decided to leave at the end of the 5th inning. It was cold in the shade, the game was moving way too slow, and the food was horrible, not to mention the overwhelming goody bag. So we gave it up, went home. Peter said he was going to take a nap, and I crocheted from the comfort of my rocker/recliner. We parted company at the BART station. Maybe next year we will try the event in San Francisco.
How did other events around the country compare to ours? Let me know, I'd love to hear.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Coffee & Crochet--I knew when I was posting last nite there was more going on than I told you about. Probably more exciting, too. I have made some new crochet friends and we meet for coffee & crochet now & then. First is Laurie (hi). We met the 1st time so she could give me some squares for the comfortghan project and have met 3 more times, I think, since then. In fact, her friend Marion came with us to Starbucks one evening. Are you ready again, Laurie? And the next new friend is Donna. Donna also had some squares for the comfortghan project so I picked her up and we talked crochet while having coffee at the same Starbucks. So fun to find new friends so close to home. Thank you Crochet Partners. Without you I would not have made these friends.
Oldies but Goodies--My sister called last nite to tell me she has been pushing around a box for years that says Cays things on it. She wanted to know what I wanted done with this stuff. She recently moved and doesn't have room to keep other peoples stuff. In my defense, I didn't know she had this box, really! She went thru it while we were on the phone, and it looks like things my mom saved. Cards, letters, pics, artwork (term used verrry loosely). Then she got to the good stuff. Doll clothes, pillow cases, doilies, crocheted dogs. These were all made by either my mom or grandma. I told her to mail me the box! But since she is only working part time, I am going to send her $ next week when I get paid so she can do that. Can't wait to see what's really there. Will try to post pics.
SFSU-my granddaghter, the one and only grandchild, is attending school at San Francisco State just across the bay from where I live. She came up from Orange Co, so for the last several years I've not seen her as much as I would like to. But, now she's here, and we plan to make up for lost time. She spent this past weekend at my house, and we spent time looking at patterns. I found a really cute vest pattern that I showed to her and she said she loved it, but could I do it with sleeves. Sounds like a challenge to me!
Oldies but Goodies--My sister called last nite to tell me she has been pushing around a box for years that says Cays things on it. She wanted to know what I wanted done with this stuff. She recently moved and doesn't have room to keep other peoples stuff. In my defense, I didn't know she had this box, really! She went thru it while we were on the phone, and it looks like things my mom saved. Cards, letters, pics, artwork (term used verrry loosely). Then she got to the good stuff. Doll clothes, pillow cases, doilies, crocheted dogs. These were all made by either my mom or grandma. I told her to mail me the box! But since she is only working part time, I am going to send her $ next week when I get paid so she can do that. Can't wait to see what's really there. Will try to post pics.
SFSU-my granddaghter, the one and only grandchild, is attending school at San Francisco State just across the bay from where I live. She came up from Orange Co, so for the last several years I've not seen her as much as I would like to. But, now she's here, and we plan to make up for lost time. She spent this past weekend at my house, and we spent time looking at patterns. I found a really cute vest pattern that I showed to her and she said she loved it, but could I do it with sleeves. Sounds like a challenge to me!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Well, it has been so long since I've posted that I almost don't know where to start. So, I'll just try to take the things that have been happening one at a time.
Project Linus-at our guild meeting in Aug, we gave 51 afghans and approximately 50 preemie caps to Project Linus. These have all been made since the first of the year by the members of our guild chapter. We hope to have several more for them by the end of the year. I personally gave them another 6 of the little fleece blankies with crocheted trim that were not included in the above numbers.
San Mateo County Fair-Well, we all did very well at the fair. Penny won a blue ribbon (1st) for her cross stitch of a cat laying on books. The cat looks just like our Hazle. Peter has another blue ribbon for the ruana, and a white (3rd) for the cabled scarf. I got my second blue for the Russian Spiral Doily, and took red (2nd) for my sweater and Catty Corners Afghan.
Dawn's Scarf Project-I have 5 scarves completed, all done with using stitch guides and making my own patterns. A couple I have written down and the rest are on little bits of paper with notes. Probably should get them written out before I forget something important. My goal is 12 this year.
Other stuff-I finished the valance for my bathroom, which is from an old Magic Crochet pattern. It is actually a pattern for a panel, but I just wanted a valance, so I doubled the width and shortened it to 15". I love it. It makes me feel so good every time I take a shower. Yes, it's in the shower. That's where the window is.
I did just finish a new purse for me using a free pattern from Caron-of course I couldn't find the specified yarn, but it came out beautiful, IMHO.
My friend, Kitty, bought me the book Beautiful Crocheted Sweaters by Patricia Bevans at the friends of the library sale a while back. Well, I just won the lotto on an ebay deal on some gorgeous gray cotton blend yarn, so I have started the Starry Pullover from this book. It is made with a star stitch and a surface slip stitch. Of course, in 1992, no wrote patterns in XL so I'm having to make some size adjustments. Oh yea, it's worked side to side.
Just finished the book Hooked on Murder by Betty Hechtman. What a kick! A murder mystery with the main characters members of a crochet group. Quick read, just loved it. Looks like it will be a series, so come on Betty, get writing. I'm ready for the next book.
Going to the Stitch N Pitch in Oakland this Sunday-The A's are playing the Tx Rangers, but I'm going for the goody bag and hot dogs. Baseball is secondary in this outing.
I'm also teaching basic crochet and pattern reading to 4 of the ladies in our guild. They all know crochet, mostly what others have shown them how to do. We are using Jean Leinhausers book Learn to Crochet the Easy Way as our base. We are meeting every 2 weeks at my house becuz a month is just too long when you are trying to learn a new skill. And since we aren't having a meeting this month becuz of the ball game, we won't meet for the whole guild until in Oct. Way tooo long!
And speaking of Oct's guild meeting, we are changing the date from 10/18 to 10/11 so several of us can attend Karen Ratto-Whooley's class in top down sweaters. She will be teaching at a yarn store in Campbell, and Peter, Tom, Mike, Anita and myself want to go.
Well, I guess that's it for tonite. I'm sure there are other things that I could post about, but they can wait until the next time.
Project Linus-at our guild meeting in Aug, we gave 51 afghans and approximately 50 preemie caps to Project Linus. These have all been made since the first of the year by the members of our guild chapter. We hope to have several more for them by the end of the year. I personally gave them another 6 of the little fleece blankies with crocheted trim that were not included in the above numbers.
San Mateo County Fair-Well, we all did very well at the fair. Penny won a blue ribbon (1st) for her cross stitch of a cat laying on books. The cat looks just like our Hazle. Peter has another blue ribbon for the ruana, and a white (3rd) for the cabled scarf. I got my second blue for the Russian Spiral Doily, and took red (2nd) for my sweater and Catty Corners Afghan.
Dawn's Scarf Project-I have 5 scarves completed, all done with using stitch guides and making my own patterns. A couple I have written down and the rest are on little bits of paper with notes. Probably should get them written out before I forget something important. My goal is 12 this year.
Other stuff-I finished the valance for my bathroom, which is from an old Magic Crochet pattern. It is actually a pattern for a panel, but I just wanted a valance, so I doubled the width and shortened it to 15". I love it. It makes me feel so good every time I take a shower. Yes, it's in the shower. That's where the window is.
I did just finish a new purse for me using a free pattern from Caron-of course I couldn't find the specified yarn, but it came out beautiful, IMHO.
My friend, Kitty, bought me the book Beautiful Crocheted Sweaters by Patricia Bevans at the friends of the library sale a while back. Well, I just won the lotto on an ebay deal on some gorgeous gray cotton blend yarn, so I have started the Starry Pullover from this book. It is made with a star stitch and a surface slip stitch. Of course, in 1992, no wrote patterns in XL so I'm having to make some size adjustments. Oh yea, it's worked side to side.
Just finished the book Hooked on Murder by Betty Hechtman. What a kick! A murder mystery with the main characters members of a crochet group. Quick read, just loved it. Looks like it will be a series, so come on Betty, get writing. I'm ready for the next book.
Going to the Stitch N Pitch in Oakland this Sunday-The A's are playing the Tx Rangers, but I'm going for the goody bag and hot dogs. Baseball is secondary in this outing.
I'm also teaching basic crochet and pattern reading to 4 of the ladies in our guild. They all know crochet, mostly what others have shown them how to do. We are using Jean Leinhausers book Learn to Crochet the Easy Way as our base. We are meeting every 2 weeks at my house becuz a month is just too long when you are trying to learn a new skill. And since we aren't having a meeting this month becuz of the ball game, we won't meet for the whole guild until in Oct. Way tooo long!
And speaking of Oct's guild meeting, we are changing the date from 10/18 to 10/11 so several of us can attend Karen Ratto-Whooley's class in top down sweaters. She will be teaching at a yarn store in Campbell, and Peter, Tom, Mike, Anita and myself want to go.
Well, I guess that's it for tonite. I'm sure there are other things that I could post about, but they can wait until the next time.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Fair Time!
Well, it's that time of year again. Peter and Cathy met me at the BART station near my office and we took off Friday evening for the opening day of the fair. It's probably about 20 miles to the fairgrounds, and when we were almost there, some guys in the car next to us rolled down their window and told us that we were losing water. Damn! I have a hose from the water reservoir to the radiator that has popped off twice before. About that time the dash lights for the radiator came on. S0--we pulled over, lifted the hood, and sure enough that same b----y hose is off again! But to make matters even worse, the clamp is now missing, somewhere on the freeway behind us. Fortunately I had antifreeze and water in my car, so Peter pushed the hose back on, I put the fluids in the car and off we go again. Got about another mile and it happened again. Not really surprised since there was no clamp to hold the hose on. But we are very near where a friend of mine lives so I called Kelly. She and her husband Greg showed up with clamp and toolbox in hand and more water. Ten more minutes and we're back on the road. Thank God for friends, not my neighborhood so had no idea where to find an auto parts store.
Mind you, the temp is over 100 on this day.
Finally arrived at the fair grounds, hot and sweaty, but ready to see how we did. After a bit of hike from the parking, we arrived at the Home Arts building! Yea! We split up looking for our entries, I have 5 and Peter has 2. Don't realize how big one of those display barns are until you start looking for a few small items. After a couple of rounds, we discovered Peter's ruana hanging with afghans, sporting a nice blue ribbon for first place. Then we found my afghan, another blue ribbon. Pickles found, no ribbon. Ah, ha! There's Peter scarf proudly displaying a red ribbon for second. Ok! only 3 more entries to find. Right near the main entrance we finally locate my sweater boasting a blue ribbon. Well, the only missing now are my 2 doilies. We looked and looked and looked and they are not to be found. Peter takes off to see if he can find a volunteer who can point us in the right direction while I keep looking. By now Cathy has just stopped, she is so exhausted. Hurrah! I find the doilies about the same time Peter finds someone to ask. They are tucked in the back corner in a glass display case. A blue ribbon for the spiral and nothing for the pineapple.
Not too bad, I have 3 blues and 2 duds, but Peter has a blue and red. These are not the best pics, these old barns aren't designed with the best lighting and I'm not the best photographer particularly when I'm bent over, but you get the idea.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
When it Rains, it Pours!
This has never been more apparent to me than this past weekend. Friday on my way home from work, all of a sudden, the oil light in my car came on. Well, I was about 2 blocks from the drugstore where I was picking up a prescription, so I made my way there. Picked up 3 qts of oil and put them in the car in the parking lot as soon as the car cooled down enough I could do that. Headed on home, about 3 miles, and 2 blocks before being safely in my own driveway, the oil light came back on, the temp gauge went thru the roof, the car started smoking and making this death rattle kinda noise. OMG!
Well, managed to get it in the drive at home. Just turned it off and sat there. I take care of my vehicles, I can't believe this.
But, it doesn't stop here. Saturday we had to take our entries to Anitioch for the Contra Costa County Fair, and then on to Oakland for our monthly guild meeting. So, since the Volvo is out of commission, we are going to take the T-bird (also has good air conditioning and it was hot!) Before we left, went out and checked all the fluid levels, this car is over 20 years old, needs a little extra TLC.
We got about 20 minutes from home and the darn car is overheating! Pulled off the freeway, found an industrial park and pulled into the parking lot. Opened the hood, which weighs about a thousand pounds and has the craziest latch ever invented, and what do I find but the radiator cap off the radiator. Now, I know I put it back on after putting coolant in the car, but maybe I didn't put it on properly. Who knows! It was off. So, let the car cool down, put about a gallon & a half more of coolant and a gallon of water in poor old Betsy. She was really thirsty. Penny & I both checked and rechecked the radiator cap to make sure it was on tight. Okay, on the road again!
About another 20 minutes and the temp is climbing to the bright red spot on the right end of the gauge. Off the freeway again, into another parking lot under a tree. We are very near where one of Penny's brothers live, so we call his house. Mostly what we want is someone to come take one of us to the fairgrounds to get our entries in before 3 p.m. and it is already after 12! Just got voice mail. Don't know new cell phone #-while trying to figure out what to do, he calls us. Would be happy to help but he is in Sacramento, about 1 1/2 hours away with his wife. Drat!
Well, to make a long story short, our entries did not make it into the fair, we did not make our guild meeting, poor Linda had to figure out how to get home from Oakland, and several hours later and many $ we finally got home with the car (thermostat, serpentine belt, etc) after 6 p.m..
But this day is not over yet! No more than got our clothes changed, when the phone rang. A good friend of ours is in the hospital, has been there for a week, but no one thought to call us til Sat evening. Back into our clothes and off to the hospital. He had emergency surgery after a complication from a colonoscopy. But they still don't know why he was sick in the first place. I got a call last nite, and he is home and able to eat real food, so I guess that's progress.
So, as you can see, Saturday was not my day.
This has never been more apparent to me than this past weekend. Friday on my way home from work, all of a sudden, the oil light in my car came on. Well, I was about 2 blocks from the drugstore where I was picking up a prescription, so I made my way there. Picked up 3 qts of oil and put them in the car in the parking lot as soon as the car cooled down enough I could do that. Headed on home, about 3 miles, and 2 blocks before being safely in my own driveway, the oil light came back on, the temp gauge went thru the roof, the car started smoking and making this death rattle kinda noise. OMG!
Well, managed to get it in the drive at home. Just turned it off and sat there. I take care of my vehicles, I can't believe this.
But, it doesn't stop here. Saturday we had to take our entries to Anitioch for the Contra Costa County Fair, and then on to Oakland for our monthly guild meeting. So, since the Volvo is out of commission, we are going to take the T-bird (also has good air conditioning and it was hot!) Before we left, went out and checked all the fluid levels, this car is over 20 years old, needs a little extra TLC.
We got about 20 minutes from home and the darn car is overheating! Pulled off the freeway, found an industrial park and pulled into the parking lot. Opened the hood, which weighs about a thousand pounds and has the craziest latch ever invented, and what do I find but the radiator cap off the radiator. Now, I know I put it back on after putting coolant in the car, but maybe I didn't put it on properly. Who knows! It was off. So, let the car cool down, put about a gallon & a half more of coolant and a gallon of water in poor old Betsy. She was really thirsty. Penny & I both checked and rechecked the radiator cap to make sure it was on tight. Okay, on the road again!
About another 20 minutes and the temp is climbing to the bright red spot on the right end of the gauge. Off the freeway again, into another parking lot under a tree. We are very near where one of Penny's brothers live, so we call his house. Mostly what we want is someone to come take one of us to the fairgrounds to get our entries in before 3 p.m. and it is already after 12! Just got voice mail. Don't know new cell phone #-while trying to figure out what to do, he calls us. Would be happy to help but he is in Sacramento, about 1 1/2 hours away with his wife. Drat!
Well, to make a long story short, our entries did not make it into the fair, we did not make our guild meeting, poor Linda had to figure out how to get home from Oakland, and several hours later and many $ we finally got home with the car (thermostat, serpentine belt, etc) after 6 p.m..
But this day is not over yet! No more than got our clothes changed, when the phone rang. A good friend of ours is in the hospital, has been there for a week, but no one thought to call us til Sat evening. Back into our clothes and off to the hospital. He had emergency surgery after a complication from a colonoscopy. But they still don't know why he was sick in the first place. I got a call last nite, and he is home and able to eat real food, so I guess that's progress.
So, as you can see, Saturday was not my day.
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