No trick or treating tonight


It’s that time of year, when the neighborhood is filled with ghosts, goblins, princesses and dragons. There are super-heroes, vampires, football players, and many others ringing doorbells, and visiting many of the houses.

My house is not lit up, and being on the dead-end of the street, not likely to be visited. We do watch out for pranksters, but don’t pass out candy. We just can’t afford it, and aren’t going to be affording it anytime soon.

Meanwhile, I’m sitting in the recliner. The tv is running, and I’m working on several updates for my laptop. I’m pretty tired, and tomorrow is going to be an early day. I’m looking forward to it though, and in the meantime, I’m hoping that our journey is a safe and reasonably sane one.

I haven’t felt like writing lately, and I haven’t made the time to write. The same goes for podcasting. Last weekend was a High Grade pain weekend. I spent all of it in the recliner, and ended up taking as many Tylenol and Ibuprofen as I safely could. Sometimes a hot bath would help, and there were times when an ice pack worked a little.

I slept on heating pads, and there were times when I should have burned up, but I didn’t. If there is ever a case of “spontaneous human combustion” I wonder if a heating pad is involved.

 

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A rough day


Hello all, it’s been a quiet day here at Anonymousknitter, but quiet for a reason. I am sitting here, listening to an audio-book, and waiting for a headache to pass.

It’s one of those headaches that could be the manifestation of an allergy. I get them when I eat certain foods. Last night, it came on, and today, it came back. Both times, I ate foods that I hadn’t tried in awhile. So, the house is quiet, except for the droning of some paid actor, on an audio-book, while I wait for the pain to ease.

The only light, dimmed, is the screen of my laptop.

Meanwhile, I’m making small progress on the AFGHANTHATMUSTBEDONE we’ll see what happens. I’m taking it everywhere with me now, and I’m looking forward to getting things done as quickly as possible. I have a few projects in queue that I can’t wait to get to. My Control Journal for knitting and crochet is telling me to hurry please, and I really want to get these things done. Sighs.

So, this is a quick check-in, good thing I can crochet with my eyes closed. Hope all is well with you.

Louise

 

episode 8 breast cancer awareness


In this week’s episode, we’ll talk about an Issue that’s very important, What I’ve been reading, the Technique of the week, What I’ve been working on, Seasonal Projects, Free Patterns, a Weekly Deal, and a Product Review…

I have an Issue: With the 40th Birthday this month, I have scheduled my Mammogram. I’ve had 2 of them before, and I’m grateful that there is a test available to catch Breast Cancer. I firmly believe in having Mammograms done, as well as self exams done regularly to find problems before they get to the scary part. So, this month, I’m jumping on the get tested bandwagon, my friends, either get tested, or arrange for your female loved ones to get tested. Another important test is a Prostate check, as well as a Colonoscopy. These tests are relatively simple, and better done than left to the winds of chance. Rant, officially is over.

What I have been reading: I’ve done and gone to the Library again. While there, they had a book sale, to raise money to pick up more books. I picked up only one fiber related book. I’m still reading the Catechism in preparation for getting Confirmed early next year. I’ve picked up a couple of fiction books as well, but haven’t cracked them open yet. The first, The Help I picked up because I have no desire to see the movie. Another, Bloodline of the Holy Grail I’m going to read purely as fiction. There is an update on my audible account that I truly love, btw. I’m listening to the New York Times, every morning, as part of my membership. I’m enjoying keeping up with the National and International News. Another update, that I didn’t expect, is the ability to return books for credits. I realized that I didn’t like the two Heinlein books I’d purchased as much as I thought. I was able to return them for credit, and get 2 books by Scott Hahn instead. Signs of Life and Swear to God I feel like a kid in the Candy Store listening to all of these books about my Religious Beliefs. The Compendium book and the Catholicism book are available over at Amazon as well.

Technique of the week:  This technique involves something near and dear to my heart… It involves a fiber arts control journal. I say it that way, because that is what it is, keeping track of knitting and crochet projects, yarns, patterns, and the like. For more information, go to http://flylady.net Tatting can be learned on youtube! Needle tatting.

What I’m working on: The Wedding Afghan II has been renamed as THEAFGHANTHATMUSTBEDONE!  I’m making headway on the project, but if I don’t spend the next few days working on it, it’s not going to get done. I’ll donate probably another 20-40 hours to it, and then I’m going to weave in my ends. It’s to the point that I know which stitch patterns I’m going to use, and I know which books I’ll be pulling them from. To be honest, I’m cheating and using my stitch a day Calendars… ;o) Update: I had to frog the afghan and start from scratch, I’m using a tunisian crochet technique.

Seasonal Projects: This weeks Seasonal Project is the afghan. It’s the time of the year where staying warm is the most important thing here in the upper Midwest. An afghan can be used as a shawl, over the lap, (great while waiting for windows to defrost) and on the bed. The possibilities are endless, and you can certainly go on the cheap and use worsted weight Acrylic yarns in a wide variety of colors. Either knitted, crocheted, woven or even tied, an afghan just never goes to waste at my house.

The Weekly Pattern: http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/knitting/knit_a_community_afghan.php http://www.crochet-world.com/patterns/pdfs/pcorn.pdf

The Weekly Deal: In line with Breast Cancer Awareness, I’ve decided to promote the Calendar of Hope this Year.

The Product Review: I bought these by accident the other day, and went and picked up five more of them today.

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There is no room for bigotry


This month, while preparing for my husband’s surgery, I used more convenience foods than I usually do. One day, I went to a National chain grocery store to grab a couple of sandwiches and a few other things. At the register, the cashier refused to wait on the person behind me.

The person behind me was carrying a 40 pound bag of dog food and 3 loaves of bread. It was the time of day when folks were getting off of work, and it was a reasonable assumption that he was heading home to his family. I had a cart with 13 items in it, and was in the express lane, this store has several of those lanes, and more than one was open at the time.

The cashier, after refusing to wait on the male behind me, bragged to me that she didn’t like the color of his skin. I was mortified. I said nothing, gathered my purchases, and left.

It’s been heavy on my brain since then. I haven’t returned to the store since, and I talked about it to two of my good friends. Both of those friends work in retail, and agree with me that there is no place in retail for that type of attitude.

Finally, I went to the corporate website and reported them yesterday.

I received a phone call this morning, from the local store. I was apologized to, and they inquired about the receipt. I finally found it, and again stated what had happened. I was given an apology, and they Thanked me for reporting the incident.

Yet, I’m not the person that needed the apology. I was offended by the person, yes, but it is the guy that had to head to another check that needs the apology. He’s the one that deserved the phone call this morning.

In my heart, and mind, I love the scripture, “Whatsoever you do, to the least of my people, that you do unto me.” I try hard to live to those words, and there are times I fall way too short.

People are people, and sometimes respecting others is all we can give. What does it benefit to treat others with disrespect? What does it benefit to treat someone meanly? It doesn’t. Let’s try to be polite to all, and treat each other a little better today.

That’s all for now,

Louise Ann Benjamin

An Apology


Hello all, I’m so sorry. I have to take a hiatus from podcasting for a bit. This is what is going on.

Last week Tim had his Cancer surgery, and the prognosis was good. 

Late last week, Tim took a turn for the worse, and is getting more and more depressed. He needs me now to give him as much as I can.

I’ll be back up in a few weeks, and be bringing more podcast goodness. 

Louise Ann Benjamin