Lorenzo Knits A Tomato

The fast and the furious

Random...

Endoscopy revealed a Hiatal Hernia. That accounts for the horrible pain I'd been having. Meds are working and the pain and nausea, as well as reflux seem to be under control.

Brothers cold is going away and his surgery is scheduled for middle of October. Rhinebeck Friday is the first one. He's getting things straightened out at home so the extra time was something he needed. Thanks for all of the kind words - they really mean a lot.

I caddied for Tom on Monday, for the Lehigh Valley Amateur, and had a great time! I ate a hot dog, hamburger, cheese/peanut butter crackers and a power bar. I'd have to say that caddying is great if you like to eat. Well, that's how I do it. :-)

Tom's been making me golf clubs and I've almost got a full set. (Yes, he's been teaching me how to play - it's been a secret.) I've had one professional lesson and we've been having lots of fun buying accessories, as well. And by "we" I mean "me". Shoes, bag, cart, towel. I've even got 2 different putters. I may not be able to play well but I'm well equipped! However...and you can bank on this...you won't be seeing me in a skort unless, by some miracle, 15 lbs. evaporate from my body. Cooler weather is coming so I've got time to work on that one.

Remember that great experience I had with the Apple store at the Short Hills Mall? Well FEH to that! The last time I went the Apple Creative (their fancy-schmancy word for the person that helps you learn the Mac) made a follow-up appointment for me. It took us 90 minutes to get to the store for that appt. only to find that the Creative was not there that day. Can you say PISSED? I know you can. Luckily, we just had an Apple store open at the mall that's 15 minutes from the house. Tried to get there for the t-shirt giveaway but the line was SOOOOOOO long that we went back an hour later. Nice store. Nice people. And I've got a lesson set-up for this week. No more driving over an hour! I'm so happy!

We're finally giving in and replacing our Whirlpool Duet clothes washer. If you've got a front loader make sure you can leave the door open, with good ventilation. We have our washer/dryer in a double-width closet. Hardly any clearance for it to stay open. They grow mold when you do that. Stinky mold that can't be gotten to. I had to make 3 calls to Whirlpool (in 1 day) only to be told that it's, indeed, a problem with the front loaders. The only way to get rid of the mold is to make a service call appointment. They can come out and take the machine apart but they won't clean it for you. You have to do that. And no matter how many bleach or vinegar washes you do, you won't get rid of the smell because it's in an outer drum that never really empties. And you don't want to leave the door open when it starts to smell. Catch-22 Mold! I know, lovely story. Tell it to your kids at bedtime.

There's been a bit of knitting but it's all on the vest. It hasn't stopped me from ordering knitting books and patterns. And, once Wollmeise opens their shop again, I'm OFF to the races! Winter's coming and we can always use more insulation.

Pictures to follow....but not of the mold, 'k?

I lifted this Meme from Shan because it tickled my fancy. :-)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) -
Heidi Mazda
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) -
Forbidden Chocolate Chocolate Chip (A bit heavy on the Chocolate)
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) -
L-Pre (but my maiden name would have been L-Gay. ha ha ha)
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) -
Red Dog
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) -
Ann Bellmore
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) -
PreLa (I think this should have it's own hand gesture as well)
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) -
The Black Colada
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) -
Harry Harry (only know one!)
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) -
Calyx Cocoa Via
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) -
Anonymous - They don't have any and I'm under protection anyway!
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) -
Robbins Rochester
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) -
Spring Sunflower
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) -
Kiwi Jeanie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) -
Chex Weeping Cherry
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) -
The Knitting Thunder Tour

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM

HAPPY NATIONAL ICE CREAM CONE DAY!

Brother Update

Brother Update.

No matter how much you trust your doctor. No matter the distance. When it's your life you get a second opinion.

R went thru the train and taxi rides for the second opinion on his ureter/kidney cancer. They told him to have the surgery done a month sooner than his PCP had scheduled.

On his 3rd visit they re-did the test his PCP had done. The one his PCP told my Mom that his bladder was fine and clear. And they found spots on his bladder. More cancer. He was supposed to be having that cancer removed today but he came down with a bad cold and will have to wait 2 weeks before either surgery can be done. They can't do them at the same time.

Thank goodness he went for a second opinion and didn't let the travel get in the way.

Please think good thoughts and send some positive energy his way. Every little bit helps.

How drunk am I?

This is my current state of Drunken(Argyle)-ness.

Front and back, I'm flashing it all!

I'm still enjoying it and am planning on making one for myself. I'm thinking Socks That Rock or Wollmeise.

I even blocked this yesterday.

It's been "acclimating" for about 2.5 years. Yes. I said years. I have a blocking/finishing phobia, ok? My hope is to finish it for Rhinebeck. Sleeves are already done so I just have to sew together (ACK!) and do the neck & band.

My Mac session went well, this weekend. I hated the drive to the Short Hills Mall and when we got there I told Tom I'd never make the trip again...

So, of course, I'm going back! The person training me was so good that I have to keep going. Now I'm going to start to learn Dreamweaver 8. I need it for updating our home biz web site and I won't be deterred!

Have a good week! Knit happy!

Holy Kick Myself In The Head, Batman!!!!

I just worked on a post for 20 minutes. Somehow was distracted (cat on counter, Tom calling me, pretty bird flying by window) and closed down the WRONG window in Safari and lost the whole post. Luckily I was still able to look at Rox's post and her cool new neckwear.

Sigh. Something else to talk to Apple about, when I go tomorrow for my "lesson".

Let's try to pick up the pieces and begin again...

I got my Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap package, from Kristan, in Paducah, KY.

You know Paducah, right? It's Halfway Between Possum Trot and Monkey's Eyebrow! Damn, I love that!!

OK. So, first there's the fantastically cool bag that everything came in. It has snaps so you can fold down the sides. Great for taking photos of the contents.

Hot pink outside, bright orange inside. Stuffed with goodness.

aMAIZing yarn in a pretty blue/green/white colorway. I've never used this yarn and will be looking for a project that isn't CORNy. (oh! did you see what I did there? I made a rotten joke!)

Superman stickers and a Superman cookie - from across the river in Metropolis, IL!

Pretty smelling soap in Oats & Honey scent. A packet of travel soap strips. (sniff, sniff, I swear I showered today!)

Chocolate "worlds", a packet of tissues with a 60's picture on them. A Paducah magnet. A LMAO postcard (see? It really does say "Halfway Between Possum Trot and Monkey's Eyebrow"!)

And a fantastic t-shirt from her LYS, With Ewe in Mind.

A great package! Thanks Kristan - even though you wouldn't send me Dippin' Dots thru the mail. LOL.

I also got my "prize" package from Marisol, for donating to the Walkathon that her DH and son are going to be in this weekend.

Yarn Botanika sock yarn in Rum Raisin, a License To Knit plate and the neatest dpn's I've ever seen. They flex, they bend, they match the yarn! They're Comfort Zone dpn's, from Knitting on the Go and are made of "space-age polymer". Marisol is not stingy with the prizes, I'll tell you that!

OK. I just found out that the new Knitty is out and I've got to go and plan some yarn usage.

Happy Weekend to all...and to all a good knit.

Flagrant Filler

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER!!! He's older than me. ha ha ha

Doctors, Dentists and No Internets. The week so far. In an attempt to pull the (proverbial) wool over your eyes, I shamelessly wave around Wes pictures. Knitting blog to continue later this week.

OK. You've watched me play all day. Come back later and you can watch me sleep.

Ready the DVR's!

For all of you Alton Brown fans, get your DVR's warmed up. Today's the Feasting on Asphalt, Season 2 Marathon! 4pm - 10pm.

Be there or be hungry!

AND

When Anthony Bordain says something like this...

"I should point out, by the way, that I'm guest judging again next week. Which means I know what happens. And while I am precluded from discussing future broadcasts by a confidentiality agreement rivalling the NSA's in the severity of its penalties for unauthorized disclosure, I can reveal this: There will be a SlaughterFest of Horror, an Orgy of Bloodletting, Partial Nudity, Flammable Liquids, Unspeakable Misuse of Power Tools and Small Woodland Creatures, and the Plaintive Wailing of the Doomed. It will make Altamont look like Lilith Fair."

How could you NOT want to tune in to next weeks Top Chef?

Yup. This week I'm all about the food.

Just a little flash

To answer a few questions:

Jane - It's a male cardinal, having a blast on my deck.

Diana - No. I don't take the human shower pics. I save those for Shan. I stick to the wildlife...less possibility of Restraining Orders being filed.

And because I don't feel like posting another picture of the vest progress, I'll give you a flash of what showed up this week. I didn't buy it, I swear! I'm not buying yarn until Stitches/Rhinebeck. (fingers, eyes and legs crossed).

Careful quality control inspection.

Finally unveiled. Beautiful Tempted sock yarn in Shock Rocker (the red) and Fishnet (the black), purchased from Loops.

The colors are SO awesome and the yarn is SO soft. I'm so glad it just showed up on my doorstep. :-)