I went to a yarn shop for the first time today. I wanted to buy the entire store--at least the part I wasn't allergic to. Walking into the store was like being drenched in a rainbow: intense blues, perfect periwinkles, etc. Fortunately, I have a rule. After scrapbooking for years during high school and college, I've determined that I'm not allowed to buy anything that I don't have specific plans for. I bought too much paper, stickers, and accessories during the past few years that were cute, gorgeous, or that I just "had to have", and yet I NEVER USED THEM. NO MORE!
I was very productive (read I spent a lot of money) while at Loopy Ewe's. I found a pattern for beginner lightweight socks, DPNs (read double point needles), and, my favorite, sock yarn for Dave's first socks. This store carries so many options in yarn, and I was almost overwhelmed. It was great being able to feel things that I could otherwise only see online. It gave me a better idea of what I was and wasn't allergic to.
I started playing with my new yarn and DPNs already. I'm too scared to actually start knitting the socks, so I'm practicing using insanely tiny needles and the thinnest yarn I've ever used.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Knitting
I decided around Valentine's Day that I was going to learn to knit. I can now officially cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. Anything else is quite daunting and beyond me. I have made 2 1/2 dish cloths and 1/56th of a blanket.
I am about to begin knitting D a pair of socks. This was actually the whole reason behind the learning-to-knit idea. D's previous girlfriend knitted him 3 or 4 pairs of socks. He loves them--a little too much--and would wear them for days at a time if I would let him. The only problem is that they are beginning to wear out a bit. Now, rather than buy him socks that are handmade, it would be easier/cheaper for me to do this. Wish me luck, this should be interesting.
I am about to begin knitting D a pair of socks. This was actually the whole reason behind the learning-to-knit idea. D's previous girlfriend knitted him 3 or 4 pairs of socks. He loves them--a little too much--and would wear them for days at a time if I would let him. The only problem is that they are beginning to wear out a bit. Now, rather than buy him socks that are handmade, it would be easier/cheaper for me to do this. Wish me luck, this should be interesting.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Surgery
Hubby is at home (my mom's that is) now after surgery yesterday. He had a herniated disc in his back fixed. In case you ever wonder, my husband is a handful. He had all of the nurses eating out of his hand and laughing.
When he was in pre-op, they had him take off his wedding ring. The surgery RN came up to him, and Dave automatically blurts out, "Just so you know, I'm taken."
The nurse assured him that she was also taken. He then went into a stand up comedy routine. My husband is just cute.
After he was out and just about ready to go, Hubby got in the wheelchair. Rather than waiting for the nurse that was going to take him out, he starts wheeling around and toward the door. While I'm trying to stop him to wait, he starts ramming the door with his wheelchair yelling, "JAIL BREAK!" The nurses ran over, laughing their heads off. D then charmed an ICEE out of the nurses before going.
He's doing okay now, but I'll be happier in a couple of days.
It is funny that neither D nor I can really take care of ourselves at this moment. I still have my vertigo/vestibular migraines, etc. We went on a walk this morning, leaning on each other. We looked like we were 70. I guess we can start practicing now.
When he was in pre-op, they had him take off his wedding ring. The surgery RN came up to him, and Dave automatically blurts out, "Just so you know, I'm taken."
The nurse assured him that she was also taken. He then went into a stand up comedy routine. My husband is just cute.
After he was out and just about ready to go, Hubby got in the wheelchair. Rather than waiting for the nurse that was going to take him out, he starts wheeling around and toward the door. While I'm trying to stop him to wait, he starts ramming the door with his wheelchair yelling, "JAIL BREAK!" The nurses ran over, laughing their heads off. D then charmed an ICEE out of the nurses before going.
He's doing okay now, but I'll be happier in a couple of days.
It is funny that neither D nor I can really take care of ourselves at this moment. I still have my vertigo/vestibular migraines, etc. We went on a walk this morning, leaning on each other. We looked like we were 70. I guess we can start practicing now.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Happy Thursday
Today I return to school during the school day for the first time in six weeks. Before this, I have been slipping in and out like a thief in the night (morning). Hubby would take me at 6 a.m., and I would pick up completed work and leave sub plans, books, supplies, etc. Today is the end-of-year picnic and yearbook signing party for the eighth-graders. I want to go and say goodbye to my kids in an unstructured atmosphere. I'm also going in tomorrow, but I want to be able to talk and chat today. Tomorrow will have to be a bit more structured since it's the last day of school.
I have to admit: I'm scared. I have a bad habit of getting sick when I go out in public. If I walk too much, turn too quickly, stand too long, talk too much, I make the most horrendous noise that sounds like I'm barfing--probably because I'm about to. Ick. My mom is coming with me so that I can leave whenever I want. I kinda feel like I'm IN middle school again. I feel sheepish that my mom's coming--like when your mom or dad chaperoned a field trip: you're happy they're there, but you don't want to admit it, nor do you want to admit the fact that you need them.
Dave has his preoperation appointment today. As happy as I am that he's able to get surgery so quickly (he went to his neurologist the first time last Friday), I wish that he didn't have to have it at all. Luckily, it's outpatient surgery, and he has a skilled doctor that he likes. However, the surgery is to fix a herniated disc. They're playing with his spine. ACK! He has to sign this waver stating that he understands that he could be paralyzed, lose functions of different body parts, etc. It scared both him and me to death.
Anyway, wish us both luck!
I have to admit: I'm scared. I have a bad habit of getting sick when I go out in public. If I walk too much, turn too quickly, stand too long, talk too much, I make the most horrendous noise that sounds like I'm barfing--probably because I'm about to. Ick. My mom is coming with me so that I can leave whenever I want. I kinda feel like I'm IN middle school again. I feel sheepish that my mom's coming--like when your mom or dad chaperoned a field trip: you're happy they're there, but you don't want to admit it, nor do you want to admit the fact that you need them.
Dave has his preoperation appointment today. As happy as I am that he's able to get surgery so quickly (he went to his neurologist the first time last Friday), I wish that he didn't have to have it at all. Luckily, it's outpatient surgery, and he has a skilled doctor that he likes. However, the surgery is to fix a herniated disc. They're playing with his spine. ACK! He has to sign this waver stating that he understands that he could be paralyzed, lose functions of different body parts, etc. It scared both him and me to death.
Anyway, wish us both luck!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sigh.
It's 3:50, and I still can't sleep. Hubby and I are supposed to get up at 4:30 so that I can drop by school to pick up/drop off/etc. I'm tired, but thoughts keep racing through my mind. I feel too dizzy/nauseated to sleep. Sigh.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Come Friday
So, Dave started his new job today, and thankfully, they are willing to let him take Friday off for back surgery. Dave has a herniated disc and is now in constant pain without medication. It's outpatient surgery, and his doctor has a good record. Now, I'm just trying to figure out why I'm TERRIFIED!
This Friday is also the last day of school. Grades are due, students leave, things end.
Let's just say I'm not looking forward to Friday.
This Friday is also the last day of school. Grades are due, students leave, things end.
Let's just say I'm not looking forward to Friday.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
A Diagnosis
Woohoo! I am so happy! I went to the doctor (otonyrologist, or something) yesterday and now have a diagnosis (or at least a tenative one). Apparently, I may have vestibular migraines. Basically, instead of having a constant headache I have restricted bloodflow that causes me to lose my balance/feel like the room is spinning.
The good part of all of this is that I have finally found a doctor with whom I can communicate. He's ordering more testing (he wants to do a more thorough test of my ear to rule that out). In the meantime, he'd like me to reduce the processed foods, chocolate, and cheese in my diet. Sigh. No more lean pockets--although they taste like cardboard, it's good, cheesy cardboard. He's also having me try vestibular therapy.
The sad part, besides the diet and therapy, there's not much I can do to control this. There is no magic pill. There are medications I could try, but since Dave and I are going to try to begin increasing the size of our family shortly, there's nothing that is safe during pregnancy. Also, I may take 6-12 months to get better.
Last piece of good news: I should be ready to teach by this August!
The good part of all of this is that I have finally found a doctor with whom I can communicate. He's ordering more testing (he wants to do a more thorough test of my ear to rule that out). In the meantime, he'd like me to reduce the processed foods, chocolate, and cheese in my diet. Sigh. No more lean pockets--although they taste like cardboard, it's good, cheesy cardboard. He's also having me try vestibular therapy.
The sad part, besides the diet and therapy, there's not much I can do to control this. There is no magic pill. There are medications I could try, but since Dave and I are going to try to begin increasing the size of our family shortly, there's nothing that is safe during pregnancy. Also, I may take 6-12 months to get better.
Last piece of good news: I should be ready to teach by this August!
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