It's Shake 'n' Bake, and I helped!

Hola, Kindeys! Anyone remember those socks I started the same time I started therapy? It was sometime last fall, and I finished them last week. Don't remember what make of yarn it was, even, but I know I set out to make something a little different. Turns out that the only thing that is different is the rolled bit at the cuff. I used the shaped common heel with a finale of garter stitch.

One those were off the needles, I cast on a neat little shawl that is so easy-peasy, all garter stitch and no-wrap short rows! It is called Wingspan, and is a free download on Ravelry. I only had enough yarn to do 7 triangles wedges, but it is big enough to go 'round my shoulders with just the right amount of overlap to use a pin to keep closed. I like it a great deal and want to make another. (For scale, the tiles are 12" square.)

Next, I may cast on the Ethereal Triangular Shawl, also a free download on Ravelry. 

I have been taking a few drives and a few pictures. 

Except for my allergies, I am doing well. I don't know if is all the sunshine we are getting, but my mood has been up. Looking forward to seeing my Friendship Spinner buddies at their St. Meinreid Arch Abbey retreat in a couple of weeks. Both my therapist and my brain says that it would do me good.

Services Guide

Spring is here, and some days are almost July-like. I have been staying inside much of the time with the air conditioning on. Doctor's orders, along with no mowing at all. I had a bad asthma attack the last time I tried mowing, the worst in years, actually.

My recent blood work delighted me and my primary care giver! Cholesterol and blood pressure both are within normal ranges and my blood glucose is only slightly high. That med has been increased, but my new diet has done much of the work. I am eating better and I am feeling better, physically, and even mentally. A lot of stressful paperwork is behind me, too, and that makes me happier.

I have even been knitting a tiny bit. I have several skeins of lace weight yarn, and I am feeling the urge to just put away those never-ending socks and start on a shawl. Something complex, but not too. Maybe I will go through my files or check in on Ravelry to see what is out there. Again.

Sweetie and I plan to see Dark Shadows Sunday. That will be a pleasure, indeed!

Damn Acid Crazed Spiders!

The depression has taken a holt of me again. I physically feel good, but I have no interest in much of anything. Haven't knit a stitch on the latest pair of socks in weeks. Allergies are kicking my ass, making my asthma act up. It's hard to do anything. Sweetie has had one day off in the last two weeks, and I am lonely and hibernating while it rains. This weekend is supposed to get into the 90s and that is only another form of miserable for me. I miss my store and my friends there.

The house is a mess and the dogs need baths. And all I want to do is sleep.

Squirrel Nuts

I won't even read my last post; just want you all to know where I am now. My health is better and I have lost fifteen pounds since my diabetes diagnosis. My blood pressure is almost normal and I am sure my cholesterol is much improved. Progress, not perfection. 

My depression comes and goes, but never entirely leaves. Good days and bad days, I have 'em. Getting weekly allergy shots.

I still see my therapist every week, and she has really helped me to deal with my childhood issues and she has given me tools to help cope. Her daughter is a massage therapist, and I had a session with her, oh, several weeks ago. Made me feel so much better, as she really worked on a knot in my lower back that was really painful. I hope to see her more often.

I closed my little store. I needed to focus more on taking care of myself, and putting myself closer to the top of "Things I take care of" list. The shop required a 60 hour per week commitment to be done properly, and it wasn't in me to do that. Thank goodness I can still sell things through Gypsy Gatherings.

I have a plan for a liberal arts course of my own making, studying modern philosophers from Camus until today. The current New Orker has an article about Camus and Sartre, and my interest was piqued. 

I have been thinking about the here after a lot lately. 

Especially when I come into a room and wonder what I came here after.

Your little joke of the day. Enjoy.

Aqua hubcaps

So. 

Since I was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, about 6 weeks ago, I have lost 10 pounds. I am not dieting. I am eating three meals a day, and still drinking beer. I am not so much grossed out at breakfast. I am eating good, organic, and fresh food. I totally cannot believe that I have lost so much weight.

My goal is to lose 50 pounds by the end of the year. I think I can do it. 

My sweet friend Kristin came today and helped me clean my sewing room. I hate a messy sewing area, but because of my lower back pain and a sudden tendon-pull in my left ankle, I am so unable to straighten up by myself. We found some treasures amid the rubble and also got rid of a great deal of trash. There is also the give-away pile.

My blood pressure is near normal, and my blood sugar is better, but not where it needs to be. I am sure my cholesterol is better, too. My mood is generally better, thank you Ms. Sunlight. I still have my 'icky' days, the low-energy days where all I want to do is sleep, but generally, I'm OK. And some days? I sleep. A lot. 

I am not eating pizza, or weenies, or french fries. And I don't miss any of it. Still taking pictures, though.

Tilt-a-Squirrel

Been busy trying to take care of myself. That part of my life is harder than anything else. Allergies are kicking up, and I feel like crap-on-a-stick. Sleepy, achy, and living as if my head is in the clouds.

Should have gone to the shop today, but couldn't move off the couch. I really want Purple Squirrel to succeed, but finding the energy is so difficult.

Going to Indiana soon, gonna be a dental floss tycoon. No, really. Renter is moving out, after her partner died suddenly in November. She can't stand staying in the same house, and has found a place a walk from her job. Sweetie has a personal day available, so will be going sometime early March to check out the property and dance with the ghosts at our old house. Glad that he is going with, because I don't think I could handle everything right now by my lone self.

Have felt so overwhelmed with life recently. Have to deal with taxes here shortly, but I at least have my paperwork in order for that. Therapy is helping. My therapist is wonderful, and not the least judgmental. Worth every dime, even though sometimes, I just sit and talk about my week. And am now getting weekly allergy shots, and have found a health food store and a great grocery store, and visit them every week when I am Columbia for my health things. Trying to eat more raw foods, more organic foods and all that hippie stuff. Maybe soon my allergies won't be kicking my ass so hard.

We women find it hard, mostly, to look after our own selves. We are last on every 'To Do' list. I am trying to make myself at least more the middle. Birthday tomorrow, turning 55. I have no idea how I lived and got this old. But a funny thing; a friend on fb complained about her restaurant neighbors, who chatting loudly about their personal friendship problems. I was able to comment that anymore, I don't hesitate to give them advise. And if they say anything such as 'mind your own bidness,' I act all innocent and say that I thought they were having a public, not private, conversation. Getting older has its rewards.

Welcome

You know what I like doing at my shop? (The newly named Purple Squirrel.) I like saying to my customers, "Your total comes to 15.73, please." And when I give them their change and/or merchandise, I tell them "Thank you, and please come back." These are words that I so seldom hear in a retail experience, and that I take particular notice of it. 

In my opinion, the customer is what makes my shop exist. Small pleasantries such as welcome, please, and thank you are part of the retail experience. A person may not buy anything that day, and that's okay. I do and say the same things. But if the ambiance of the store is good, that person will likely go back to that place, or at least tell their friends how nice that shopkeeper was. 

Just my little opinion of the day. Small acts of kindness help to make another person happy.