Tiggerknits's Xanga

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 10:37:31 GMT

I have to say...when you find a better deal...grab it. I decided to with BlogSpot. I have cancelled my Xanga premium to go over to Blog Spot and Yankee Knitter and Spinner . I really don't like paying for something like picture hosting when I can find it somewhere else for free. I will post from time to time here...for my thoughts, what is going on with my life, etc., but will be at Blog Spot for my knitting, spinning, and weaving.

A lot has happened since I posted last. I was removed by the people who's house I was house sitting. I had paid off the Uhaul the first of March and then they decided that their daughter and son in law were going to move in and pay utilities...so Ginny had to go. Instead of sitting down and talking to me, Laurie chose to get really stupid with me and throw my stuff outside the trailer on a Saturday. That was after calling me every name in the book on Friday night and getting really ugly with me on Saturday. I finally had to call the local sheriff, who were not really impressed with her or her family...or the flunky truck driver who mooches off from them in the name of friendship, Allan. I guess Allan went down to the sheriff's department on Monday morning and proceeded to bug them and eventually tick them off because he couldn't understand their basic instructions. They told him he had to file an eviction notice in the proper way and he couldn't get it through his head that they won't change the system for him!!

So, they cut my phone line off on Sunday afternoon and reconnected it on Sunday evening. I couldn't called the police if I had needed to. Late Sunday night Allan came to my room, with alcohol on his breath to inform me that I had to be out by noon on Monday or the sheriff was going to remove me. SORRY!! that isn't how OK law works.

On Monday I called the sheriff's department with a ton of questions and they were a great help. I didn't see any one come at noon....so they decided to disconnect my phone line again. In the meantime, they put POSTED signs all over in the house and outside!!! NO kidding!! I almost died laughing if it wasn't sooo stupid. I knew they had it planned if I left, I couldn't get back in. I left a little later with a guy from church and found the gate padlocked when I got back. I went to the sheriff's department to have someone let me in. Dear sweet Allan was there when we got back to the house. He supposedly had a power of attorney for Chris and Laurie and refused to show it to me.....Yeh..right....I was only allowed to get out my meds and "they would take care of my animals for me". I told the police that I would probably come back and they would be missing or dead. I took them with me and my church was able to put me up for a couple of nights at a local motel, my Mom paid for a couple of nights and I paid for one.

Laurie was ultimately trying to break me financially 'cus she said I was a I*Y*(*^%%*&()*&^%$$###(&*^^ liar and didn't have a house, etc. They got around the law by saying I "voluntarily" gave up the house key when I gave them the key to their van. They also had rented from the assistant DA in Guthrie when they first moved here. So..I didn't stand a legal or any other chance.

I don't understand some people. But this was quite a learning experience. I truly believe that she is certifiable nuts...and I really mean that. She moved me 1800 miles to dump me here in OK without so much as a kiss my a@@. I know that God will deal with her if He isn't all ready. But it is really hard to believe what happened was from good Christian friends....

TTFN.....

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 06:43:28 GMT

I can't believe it has been 6 months since I have writen anything!! WOW...I will have to share pics of the State Fair stuff.

Things have been nuts here...the whole housesitting thing turned into a real fiasco!! They basically didn't tell me much and 5 months later blew up at me cus the things they wanted done or not done they didn't bother to tell me when I first moved in. It has taken such a toll on my health. They are wanting me out yesterday as I paid off the Uhaul truck the 3rd of March. So, since I had no money..they decided not to throw me out in the street! GEEE..thanks!1

I did a lot of praying and God found me the perfect house!! I asked for a fenced in yard, 2 bedrooms, laundry room, front porch, place for satellite dish and Harley. I only made 2 phone calls after meeting up with a gal in Walmart one night I was buying tape at 3 AM. She said her SIL basically runs the local paper and she would keep an eye out for a house for me. True to her word, she called me the next day with 2 phone numbers.

The first one was an apartment...15 stairs...forget that one!! The second one was the one I looked at and am getting. It is $450 a month, a little more than what I want to pay, but God knows my needs. I told the woman I didn't want to move in and have her raise the rent in a year. She said that she has 10 other houses rented by people on disability and she has only raised her rent $50 in 10 years!! WoW!! She is a college professor who is buying property for retirement income when the time comes for her to retire.

I can have my collie and two cats with me. AND my friend Linda, from Oregon, is trying to get out here about the beginning of April.

I think I will rent a 24' Uhaul for a day for $40 and just load up the stuff here and also in my storage unit. It may take 6 months to straighten it all out..but at least it will be MINE!!

Here are some pics of the projects from the Oklahoma State Fair...

Crocheted Layette from Vanna White/Lion Brand

Elliptical Cable Socks

Carewear Welcome Jacket (hat and booties not in this pic)

For some reason I am having problems uploading any more pics...so I will close this entry for now and try again next time...

TTFN..........

Sunday, September 26, 2004

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 01:49:44 GMT

WEEELLLLLLL....the big moment you have all been waiting for.....I went to the Oklahoma State Fair tonight to see how I placed with my enteries....and here they are>

! Eclipse Shawl that was spun from a fleec, and knit up won FIRST!!!!!!!!!!

2 Tatted Earrings, I just started tatting last year....won 8th.

3 Knitted Baby outfit in peach varigated with sweater, hat and booties won 2nd.

4 Shadeaux's Christmas stocking intarsia knitted won 4th.

5 Crocheted Baby outfit in green varigated with sweater, hat and booties won 5th.

6 Elliptical Cable Socks that I test knit for Mary McCall took 4th.

No spinning category for the State Fair...weird....

I will be going to the Fairgrounds on Monday to pick up my entries and also my RIBBONS!! When I get pictures...I will post them!!!!!!

TTFN.......

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Wed, 22 Sep 2004 19:55:51 GMT

k…first off…I need to apologize for such a long silence. I started packing for the move a few months in advance and really went through stuff. The couple, Chris and Laurie, who moved me really had a tight timetable to work with and did a lot of work. It was still the toughest move I have ever made. It was a bit tense and communication wasn’t the best at times…but the main thing is, I moved!!

Klahoma is a bit different than Oregon and California, but I lived in the South before. I had spent time in Virginia, and North Carolina, and found the people to be very friendly to this Yankee. I have to say that Guthrie is a really nice town. If you like the type of slow, life style of 40 years ago before technology just started to boom and make the world really go so much faster, this is the place to live in. I love it. When I explain to people I have just moved here from Oregon, they are very helpful as to directions and welcoming me to the area. It is such a nice change from the very fast lane of where I was in Los Angeles. WOW!! What a contrast, when I really think about it!!!

was able to put my things in a storage unit not too far from here and have easy access to my things. A lot of my wool is there, along with all of my kitchen things and a lot of my books, both fiction and Christian. I have only 2 rooms in the house I am basically caretaking. So, sometimes, I bring a box home, and to through it to send it back to storage with a few things taken out. I am making the most of my space here.

have my table loom set up and have spun some California Red that I got from the Velvet Rabbit from Canada off Ebay. I found the nights to be cooler to spin outdoors and I have access to a front covered porch and the back porch that is mine is not covered. When I first moved here in July, the nights were still very humid and a bit sticky to spin outside. It was 100o+ in the day and in the high 70’s and 80’s at night. But now, it is only around 90o with a wonderful breeze in the daytime. Thank GOD…I have AIR CONDITIONING!!!

was able to find a local knit shop called S.W.A.K. They are advertised in a lot of the spinning and knitting magazines. They have a LOT of yarn and notions packed into a longgg shop in downtown Guthrie. Of course I had to check it out when I moved in!!! And talk about EYE CANDY!! This is the place to go for that!!

was able to finish Peggy’s Sheep Shawl before I left Oregon so she could wear it to the high school graduation of her granddaughter in North Carolina. I was the knitter, but I have to admit, I didn’t block it. That is one thing I didn’t have the time or the space to do as the house was filling up fast with boxes. My animals I am sure contributed to some of the yarn and I also didn’t want to add any more to it than I all ready had in knitting it.

t is a Fiber Trends pattern that was definitely a challenge to this knitter. I did rip a lot as the pattern is really intense. I started one out of a lace weight merino for me and ripped it twice and it just shredded. The one I knit for Peggy was a wonderful Shetland lace weight that took the abuse of a few trips to the Frog Pond. So, I got a lesson on knitting lace…

also have a picture of the Elliptical Cable socks I test knit for Mary McCall. Her pattern is available at http://www.wool-fiber-originals.com/ . I knit the sample out of Nature Spun that was wonderful to work with.

do have to say that I just missed putting my entries in the Logan County Fair as it wasn’t well advertised. I DID get to enter a few things in the Oklahoma State Fair. I had my first fleece I processed from washing to yarn and finally, to a Candle Flame Shawl. I had saved the pattern off the Brown Sheep site and it knit up nicely. It was a Lincoln/Romney X in a medium grey. The woman, who raised this particular sheep, lives in Maine. The sheep’s name was Eclipse, as she has since passed away. So, I am hoping I will get a ribbon for it, as I want to send the shawl to Mae in Maine for her to see my very first knit project from fleece to shawl!!

also entered the Elliptical Cable Socks, a set of tatted earrings from an old pattern I found last winter, a Christmas Stocking I knit in intarsia for Shadeaux, my collie, and a knit peach layette set, and a crocheted variegated green layette set. I plan on donating the baby sets to Carewear, a preemie/newborn charity group online.

will try and give you an update off all the things that are going on. I have some pictures to add and also a lot to write about since I moved here….

TTFN…

Tuesday, May 04, 2004

Tue, 04 May 2004 06:59:01 GMT

OK....I kept all of you in suspense long enough. I AM GOING!!! I have decided, with much thought and prayer...to ship the plane ride to Oklahoma and just GO!! I am currently working on packing and sorting through stuff. I have a wonderful Christian sister who is giving it her all and helping. She is dusting and book packing, while I sort, and tape and label.

I am trying not to get too excited yet...but it is creeping in!! I have watched God work soo many miracles in my life lately...that it would be insane for me not to go. I have no real friends here...unfortunately the ones I just made are not enough to keep me here.

I figured that everyone else in our divorce got on with their lives....so why can't I?????

On the knitting side, I am past the middle of the Sheep Shawl I am knitting for Peggy in Maine. It is really looking nice and it is coming into shape quite well. I am at the edging, so I am knitting off the stitches on the main shawl...kinda sideways. Hard to explain, you just have to see it. I am also working on some mindless knitting on the cuffs I started. Also called Pulse warmers in Victorian times. I need to get some yarn to go with a beautiful set of colors so I can do a slip stitch pattern for some socks.

So, Peggy and I threw around ideas for the solid color...light grey, light lavender, black, or white. I am thinking of the first two. She sent me a beautiful photo of some socks her friend did using a slip stitch pattern.

What do you think?? Endless possibilities??? I think so!!

I also had another idea of buying some colors of the Scottish yarn that is Alice Starmore's line. I can't remember what it is called, but I know it isn't cheap. SO, as small a size it comes in, I thought that this idea would work. Peggy showed me that she all ready had the same idea and did these gorgeous beauties up!

I really do get carried away with socks! I can see them as a giant swatch!! SOOOO many possibilities...so little time!!!

God Bless all of you.....

TTFN..........

Monday, April 12, 2004

Mon, 12 Apr 2004 11:23:24 GMT

I gotta say that sometimes..I am not really paying attention! I went to the bank on Friday to deal with an issue of the bank manager not being available for about a week, and having to chase her because no one could help me with my issue. Not a teller, no one. SOOOOO.....I kept calling and on Friday afternoon, I finally got her face to face.

At first she got really defensive and I told her the trouble I had gone through to have her help me. I had an overdraft for $5.94 and it was now up to $77!!! All those wonderful charges that kept accruing while I chased her.

The situation did get resolved...and I thanked her. By the time I got out to the vehicle I had borrowed to do this, I was an emotional mess. I started crying and couldn't stop. SOOOOO frustrated because someone who makes a boatload more money than I do now, simply wasn't there doing their job. Sometimes I wonder why I even try...but I know that I just can't give up...then I know that the rat race has won!!!

I did get blessed by her helping me and also a friend came through with some help for my rent. I am so sick of living on a shoestring or less.....I could scream. BUT, I keep remembering that to be faithful to God and obedient to His Word and not cut corners to lie, cheat, and steal. Sometimes the rewards seem slow in coming...but that is just my human impatience. He sometimes holds back to see just how faithful I am going to be.

I went through a rather simple divorce 5 years ago with the new ex's squeeze being a real b***h to me...never spoke to me, but tried to get my lights and phone shut off, my bank account closed, and ultimately turned me into SSD for doing some simple gardening. Funny...she got my husband!! Well....SSD said that they ignored it as it was not coming from my doctor that I am able to work again. So, I just had to write a letter stating I knew who and why the complaint. I had to password protect everything else and I even had a chip put in my purebred collie!!

After all the hassle with her, ex decided the support that he originally agreed to pay was not to HER liking, so he stopped paying. Court and some papers later...and he is wayyyy behind and still has to pay.

In the meantime, cost of living has gone up and so have my expenses. That means rent, food, and meds. He does skip payments. I am almost not catching up now, and I am falling further behind.

Stress causes more pain causes more stress and the vicious circle starts. Then I wind up having to get a shot of delaudid.....After Friday's incident, I couldn't get out of bed for the pain to go to Easter service. THAT really frosted me. BUT, I still got blessed!

I got a call on Saturday from a dear couple I know who are Christians and they run team, truck driving. They offered this to me before, to move to their home state, into their new house, and basically stay for good! They are gone and need someone to permanently house sit! The offer came up a couple of months ago and I said I would think about it, pray ,and roll it around.

I have nothing to keep me here in Oregon...my family is all in NY and I have no money to move with. I see that plans are getting more set in concrete. I noticed when I told God a while ago if He wanted me somewhere else, that He would have to open every door for me... and I mean EVERY door.

I can live there rent, etc. free, and just pay for my food, Internet, and such. It would give me a chance to save some money to pay of some very patient people and attempt to put some money ahead!! AND it is out in the country!!

I am going for a week in May and see what it will all look like and get a better picture of the situation. I will only see this couple every 6-8 weeks for 6-8 days. I am trying to find a down side in this whole thing!!

I know that a new doctor is going to be a top priority as my chronic pain has to be aggressively managed. God knows that I have been an adventurous type.

In the meantime, I have trashed a shawl I started with some lace weight merino that didn't really like being frogged one too many times. It is the Sheep Shawl from http://www.fibertrends.com . I am also working on this one in a beautiful, creamy Shetland for my friend, Peggy, up in Maine. I am down to the knit edging on hers.

I did start a new one for me and it is the Butterfly Garden from the same place in a burgundy lace weight I found in my stash. Sorry that the butterflies are not really visible. I will try for a better shot today. I do love those markers....sheep and an orange cat from http://www.silvergoosestore.biz .

TTFN.....

Saturday, April 03, 2004

Sat, 03 Apr 2004 09:58:55 GMT

I have to share a site with you.....especially if you have any type of chronic pain or illness. The http://www.painexhibit.com . Words fail me at this time...so please take a look and leave me some feedback...

ttfn......

Friday, April 02, 2004

Fri, 02 Apr 2004 10:56:48 GMT

I can't believe it has been soo long since I have written any thing in my blog. This winter has been the pits for weather and it really disturbing me...I wonder how weather on the moon would suit me??

I have lost a lot of files..I had a hijacker a couple of months ago, malware and whatever else could find its way in. I had to reinstall windows...no go..and then onto completely repartitioning the hard drive. YEY...not my idea of a good time. THEN I had the power supply blow, received on a week later to have that one blow in 3 or 4 hours after installation!! I LOVE technology!!

I did sent the computer back to Gateway and they checked it out, reinstalled a power supply and sent it back with no explanation. I guess they don't know either!!

I did have to go for a pain shot last night.....not the usual one..I prefer Nubain, but the clinic that I go to doesn't have it as floor stock, so I got Doladid....I am NOT complaining. The muscles finally stopped screaming at me and spasming so I could sleep. AND sleep I did...5 HOURS worth! AND took a 5 mg. Valium for the muscles. I feel much better...just sore now.

I promise to be a bit more diligent about keeping up daily...

GOD Bless...ttfn...I missed you, too!!

Ginny

Monday, November 03, 2003

Mon, 03 Nov 2003 03:13:37 GMT

Welll...I think that winter is finally upon us.It is snowing out right now!!After the 80o weather a few days ago...it’s a bit hard to take!I know that we had some fall in there, and I was able to pick a lot of walnuts before today.After the wind and rain the other night, there is a lot more to pick now.I just have to wait for the rain to stop!!

I finally finished the slouch socks and am quite happy with them.I washed them and will be taking a couple of pictures before I give them away.The gal at the bank has been so nice and helpful to me, so I am going to surprise her on Monday with them.They are really colorful and a great lightweight sock.

I am test knitting a pair of elliptical cables using Naturespun yarn.I like this yarn as it has a great hand for socks and cables.It is a periwinkle bleu, so the cables will stand out better with a solid color.

I bought some fun yarn at the LYS in Medford a couple of weeks ago.It was on the sale table and it was a combination on eyelash, fuzzy, and railroad ribbon.It only has 20 yards in it, so I wasn’t sure other than tops for socks, what to use it for.I found a cute handbag pattern at the front of the shop and decided to buy it.All together, I got 40% off all the items!!

I had my articles from the county and state fairs displayed there and thought I would check it out and all the others that were on display…but by the time I had gotten there…the display had been taken down and another in it’s place.Oh, well.I am sorry I missed seeing the others that had won ribbons.

I am practicing tatting a lot lately…other things are not getting done as fast.I have made a small heart using rings and chains and am now working on a more complicated one.It is a great hobby as it takes up little space and the work is so delicate. I have also made 2 holders that hold a ball of thread and hand off the wrist.Clever idea!!

I got side tracked along the way and made a couple of tee bags…crocheted rectangles with little pockets that I got off a crochet site http://www.priscillascrochet.com/patterns.html by Priscilla Hewitt.I made one in a peach color for a female friend and one in red, white, and bleu for a male friend.I know that tees for golfing can either get lost or rip out pants pockets and I wanted to see how these made up.I know that the recipients are really happy with them.

I decided since is 29o the other night, and my bedroom has a sun porch off it that isn’t insulated, that I better do something about it.SO, I got out my trusty step stool, duct tape, and bubble wrap.I taped the wrap on the inside of these huge windows, and WOW, what a difference!!I am 2 windows short...the one in my bedroom and the last one on the sun porch.I am so glad now that I took the time to do it.I hate the job, and if I have to do something like that, I would just as soon hurry up and do it when I am thinking of it, instead of procrastinating about it.I would have frozen!!I do have all my totes of fleece and roving out there, so the walls are pretty insulated with them.

Things are a little better on the money front.I have just trusted God for what I need and He hasn’t disappointed me yet!!I really am enjoying and getting a lot out of the book by Rick Warren…A Purpose Driven Life.The web site is http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/.I see God as a benevolent parent…someone who just delights in my coming and going and in just my existence!!I highly recommend the book for any one who is struggling with having a relationship with God.It is being backed up with a 6 week Bible study to coincide with Sunday sermons and the book.I miss the sermons, as it isn’t at my church.BUT, I am reading and re-reading the short chapters in the book.

Not much else going on…the increase in meds helped a lot until the barometer dropped, jumped, dropped, jumped…and now it is snowing.Once it all stabilizes, I will feel much better.

Need to finish laundry…

TTFN…

Sunday, October 19, 2003

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 09:06:55 GMT

don’t usually advocate signing petitions or even ones online…but this one really struck my eye… http://www.petitiononline.com/winpain/petition.html .This is sooo relevant right now for any woman suffering any type of pain or chronic illness.I just wonder when the medical community, particularly the MALE side, is going to start taking us seriously????There are currently 2944 signatures and the last one was just mine.I sincerely hope that this person does something with this petition and not just leave it to be displayed on line, but to have it reach the people that need to read it and act on it in a positive way!!

finally finished some more tatting. I am currently working on a bookmark.I used a shuttle and the ball for the first time.It is chains and rings, and I found it is not as difficult as I first thought.I can really appreciate tatted tablecloths and such now that I have been doing some.I was able to find some DMC cotton #8 and 12.I also found some #5 Pearl cotton in skeins and plan to use it for some small things.I got 2 different colors and 2 color groups.I have also been copying my old Workbaskets, as they are getting fragile, and am putting together a notebook of patterns.Such fun!!I am surprised as to how many things can be done with it.I found a book from DMC at Jo-An’s Fabrics tonight and bought the book for 40% off!!It was a $10.00 book!!Another great find!I have also found some plastic shuttles from Clover at Michael’s and was able to buy 2 packages.There are 2 bright colored ones in a pack for $3.99!!What a deal!I also like the pointed tips and the smaller shuttle, as I have small hands.

went to the doctor yesterday.I am now getting Vicodin in between for breakthrough pain and she has upped my morphine to 90 mg from 60.I am hoping that this will help as I have been chasing the pain all summer and the quality of life has, frankly, sucked!!I can all ready feel some difference as I am taking it every 8 hours as Dr. Goodwin, Pain Specialist, has recommended.My doctor was in full agreement.She asked how I was doing..and I had to tell her the truth.I told her about the stress in my life…purely financial.I also told her I am going to a Bible study on Tuesday nights with another Christian that I met through Linda.

h...speaking of the Bible Study…this book is fantastic!!!It is A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.It is finding your purpose through God.That you were made by Him and for His pleasure and purpose!!I highly recommend the study for anyone who is struggling with who they are in relationship to God and His Plan for their life!!

was able to pick a half a bucket of walnuts a couple of days ago!!!OH, WOW!!They are really nice.I spent the evening watching hockey and cracking them.I got about a ½ gallon bag full!!They will be great for baking with this coming winter.I love a good cookie!!The nutmeats are big and really tasty!!

inda and I got a chance to meet with Marilyn, a woman from ACCESS, a local agency that is partially state funded to help with food, and some bills, such as power, etc.We wanted to see what they could offer us for assistance.I have all ready been to their food pantry and she offered us both some other services, including medical appliances.I all ready have a wheel chair, and a cane.I also picked a cane up for Linda last week as she is having a problem getting up and getting her feet to do their thing!!Marilyn was able to offer us some help and when she left, I was blessed.This woman has experienced a lot of what Linda and I have and are facing, so she could relate to us, and also offer some ideas.She took a look at my knitting and spinning and said something about looking into maybe helping me market it!!Oh. Wow!!THAT would be good!!I had to ask her just before she left if she was a Christian!!SHE WAS!!I knew it!!You can’t work the kind of job that she has with the compassion and care she had exhibited and not be!!I told her to call me anytime and that I would be praying for her, as she is extremely busy, there is a great need here in the valley.

will be finishing up one more crocheted Guideposts sweater.I need to sew it up and send it off with the knitted one I just finished.I also need to send off the CIC socks I have done.I keep forgetting and it sure won’t keep someone warm in my house!!

omorrow, I plan on putting my feet up and knitting up the rest of that Slouch sock, as I have one to knit up.I am a test knitter, from time to time.Hockey and knitting…after running around for 4 hours tonight…I am beat.

tfn…..