Not Much News

Not too much to write. The baby (Jonathan Marshall) is due four weeks from yesterday. I am feeling done and sleeping occasionally. Jonathan will probably end up being a famous kickboxer. We've had discussions about the rules: no hitting, no kicking, no biting, etc., but he's not the best listener yet. I am glad to have him move around, though. Every time he stops for awhile, I start to get worried.

Anyway, just four or five more weeks. We're into the last month. Woohoo!

Why I've Been Gone

Or at least part of the reason. I had my 12 week ultrasound on Monday, and everything is looking good. My estimated due date is June 14, 2010. The baby's heart beat was 169 bpm. Dave is THRILLED; I am thrilled. I am also sick. I've had morning sickness for what seems like forever now, but I am doing okay besides that.

Why I Live in a Disco

The man in the apartment from me sings. Yep, karaoke--Serbian karaoke--and he's just bought another mike, so his wife can sing with him, too. I've taken to closing windows and doors when the beat begins, but I can't block the monotonous vocalizing. Help me! My ears are buzzing with sympathetic vibrations!

The Quest for a Rideable Bike

There are certain things I haven't done since I became dizzy

• watching a movie in the theatre
• riding a bike
• going on an amusement ride
• enjoying a cruise--oh wait, I've never done that

I hope to be able to overcome at least one of these obstacles. Honestly, Six Flags is out. I have no desire to go there EVER again. I am my own roller coaster. Watching a movie . . . I'll wait for it to come out on video for now. A cruise? Well. But--I may be able to ride a bike.

I have 3 possible plans of action:

1. Stabilizer wheels: You know you always wanted training wheels as an adult. Confess.
2. Tricycle: Cruising the neighborhood, picking up groceries, or something
   
3. Recumbent Tricycle: See above, but cooler and lower--think stealth

So, I have no idea what I'll ultimately choose, but I am confident, that I will draw stares and get attention where ever I go. But, at least I'll be able to ride a bike.

(Pictures courtesy of amazon.com--go there and spend money.)

And now, I bring you--A POLL. Please, let me know which you'd rather have in my position--because I may just drag you down here and force you to try it out. (Poll is to the right.)

The Dizzy Doctor

I love titles that can have two meanings.

After months of being handed off from specialist to specialist at UIHC, I finally got to see the balance disorder specialist at the University of Iowa. This is more than a year after I started getting episodes of dizziness. Going into the appointment, I was full of hope and yet trying not to have high expectations. I figured that on one hand, the doctor would not be able to tell me ANYTHING, and on the other, she could suddenly realize that all along I had some illness or disorder that only she knew about and that she had the pill right there that would cure it. Unfortunately, my experience was more the former than the latter. The doctor says that this happens with about ten to fifteen percent of her cases.

After going over my case history with her, she began testing. Walk toe-to-toe, now with your eyes closed--normal. Touch my finger, touch your nose, repeat, close your eyes, repeat--normal. Stand on one foot, now the other, now with your eyes closed--normal. Sit down on this table while I push your head down quickly and watch your eyes--normal. Reflexes--normal (I want one of those hammer thingies). March in place, now close your eyes and do it again--abnormal. Wow.

This was the first time in all my testing with all my doctors that I had an abnormal result. It was SO weird. The doctor had me close my eyes and march in place for about a minute. I was feeling really foolish and so had this big chagrinned smile on my face, grinning and bearing it. I knew that I was walking in place, and it seemed pointless to keep going. When the doctor finally had me open my eyes, I had rotated at least 45 degrees and was facing my husband instead of the doctor--surreal. At last, something testifies that I may have some kind of problem.

Unfortunately or fortunately, all of my tests have been normal: caloric testing (think squirting water in someone's ear and seeing what happens), rotational chair testing (as horrifying as it sounds), VEMP testing (we're not going there). At this point, there is not much that the doc can do for me. We're redoing the MRI in case something shows up now that didn't a year ago. My vitamin B-12 is a little low, so I've started a supplement for that. She thinks there's a possibility that it may be vestibular migraines, but it is really a possibility, nothing more. So, when Dave and I are finished trying to conceive, we can begin looking at different migraine medications, but at this point, there isn't anything else the doctor can do for me.

In the meantime, I can't return to teaching. The school atmosphere of little bodies moving everywhere and talking all the time is a big trigger for my episodes of vertigo and nausea. The doctor didn't seem to think that this would get better on its own (at the same time, she never stated that explicitly--miracles happen). For now, I'll take my supplements, get the MRI redone, and so on and see the doctor again in six months.

Newest Finished Object

I spun this yarn and knitted the baby sweater for a friend that's due later this year. Hurray!

A River Runs Through It

While getting ready to leave for the family history center (Dave had volunteered to man it today). I heard the most peculiar noise. Water was running and dripping in the kitchen. Now, normally, this is a good thing; it means Dave is doing dishes. This time, however, no one was in the kitchen. Yep. There was water running down the inside of our walls, coming out the electric sockets and dripping down beneath our sink--all coming from the apartment above us.

Dave ran upstairs to ask the neighbors what happened and to tell them to stop running any water. I hurried and turned off our power. The neighbors upstairs had ran some drain-o through their sink, which appears to have finished off an already corroded pipe. Dave called the emergency number of our condo association, and someone has come out to look at it. They're not sure when they can get a hold of the condo board so that someone can get it fixed. In the meantime, the neighbors are not supposed to run any water. I'm not taking any bets that this will happen, but we've offered to let them use our bathroom/shower/etc.

Enchanted April

In gearing up for the new month, Dave and I rented Enchanted April last night. It was my college roommate's favorite movie (Clair), and I remembered loving it. Turns out, memory can be a funny thing. What I really wanted to watch was Cold Comfort Farm, Stephanie's favorite movie.

Now, Enchanted April is a perfectly charming movie about four women becoming alive again by renting an Italian castle for a month. All problems seem to be solved, and all lives are changed for the better. However, this was not quite what I was in the mood for. I wanted humor. There was some, but mostly, it came from Dave making fun of the acting.

Tonight I'm out to rent the other movie. I need a laugh right now, and I know where to find one.

Dyeing a Little More Every Day

So, here's my latest wool top.



This time I used kool aid for the orange and red/pink and wilton's for the yellow.

Finished!

I just finished my second yarn.

So this


Became this


Spun into this


Plied into this


Was knit into this (with some assistance from extra Cascade 220 black).

What's for Dinner

Dave and I have not gone shopping in at least 2 weeks. It's not my favorite thing to do since it tends to exacerbate dizzy spells. So, when I got home from a LONG day at work, I went into the bedroom to hide from dinner. I had absolutely nothing planned, so I improvised.

The "All You Can Eat" Recipe--cause when it's gone, you've gotta go shopping

• 1 onion, chopped
  
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or use this recipe like I do, I would double this recipe)
• 1 jalapeno from jar
  
• 1 pkg. frozen corn (cooked for half the time called for in microwave)
• 1 can black beans, rinsed
• 1 pkg. taco seasoning cheese (or cheddar, or Mexican cheese, etc.)
• 2 c. cooked rice
• 1 jar salsa (optional)
  

1. Brown ground beef and onion and rinse.
2. Add taco seasoning mix and jalapeno and let simmer for about 4-5 minutes while par cooking corn.
3. Add rinsed black beans and corn, and stir.
4. Serve over cooked rice topped with cheese. Optional salsa on the side.

One quick and easy dinner. Now, we're off to go shopping.

Spinning

So, Dave put the wheel together when we got home Sunday night. After work on Monday, I figured out how the double drive worked and started spinning. Here's a picture of some of my first attempts. It's not too bad.

It's Here!

My spinning wheel is here!!! I'm so happy. I was a patient, good girl, and it paid off. The only problem is that I'm out of town this weekend. So, while I'm at my parents' house, it's all alone at home, waiting forlornly to be put together.

But, on the bright side, IT'S HERE!

In the Meantime

I have tried to be patient while waiting for my spinning wheel. It's not working. So, I've tried to distract myself. Also not working. But here's what I've been working on:

Dyeing a Small Sample of Roving


Spinning Sample of Roving


Finishing Yarn


Dye New Roving




Knitting







So, I wait, and I try to be patient.

The Best Valentine's Day Ever

Yesterday was Valentine's Day; however, if you were one of the few people who didn't know this, you're probably in trouble right now anyway, so I don't have to tell you. Anyway, this is the third Valentine's Day Dave and I have celebrated together, and I think it was the best one yet.

Year 1, Dave and I are dating and about to get engaged. Pretty unmemorable Valentine's Day. This is okay with me. I have told Dave that I don't want flowers or chocolates on V-Day. That day, they're a rip-off. Now, any other day is fine. Please, get me flowers; buy me chocolate; but not that day. I do remember ALMOST getting an engagement ring, but the one I saw on Craigslist (we were poor, people) wasn't what I thought it was, so we decided not to get it, putting of our engagement a couple of weeks.

Year 2, another unmemorable Valentine's Day.

Year 3, this year, I like having Valentine's Day on Saturday. It is wonderful to get to sleep in. Dave made me biscuits and gravy with heart-shaped biscuits--from scratch. We lolled around the house until I discovered we were on our very last roll of toilet paper, off to Hy-vee. Dodging around the Valentine's Day husbands, we decided to have lunch. It was 2 by then, so it was past time, and I was starving (and crabby). So, Dave has the chinese food he LOVES, and I get the salad bar. This is one thing I actually like about Hy-vee. They have an all-you-can eat salad bar with pineapple--one of my favorite things in the world. After two plates of pineapple and a couple more of other things, we were off, got the tp, and started home. The best part of the trip was walking there and back. We live within walking distance, but we rarely do--who wants to carry milk and tp home. Dave convinced me, and I'm glad we did. It's nice being able to just walk with Dave.

I spent most of the day knitting. I have several projects that needed to be done weeks ago. Dave worked on various things, including housework. I love my husband. Dinner was the best part. Dave was napping and I was cooking. I nipped into the bathroom and dressed up. I called to Dave, and he finished most of dinner. I set the table, lit the candles, and we were ready for our romantic dinner: sloppy joes, beans, and french fries. Yep. This is why I love Dave. It was the best day ever. Probably unmemorable, and I'll forget this all by next year, but I LOVED this Valentine's Day. I win.

Look Who's Coming to Dinner . . .

Yep. After a LOT of thought and a little saving, look what should be on its way--A SPINNING WHEEL! It didn't take a year for me to jump in with both feet, it took 2 months. (At least I didn't fall for the $2000 supercarder, or that's what I tell my husband.)

It's a Kromski Minstrel with mahogany finish, and I can't wait until it gets here! I'm buying it used from someone on Ravelry, and she said it would be mailed by/on today. I've already ordered a couple of pounds of some different fiber to learn what I'm doing. In the meantime, I'm spinning like mad on my spindles so I can finish some ounces of fiber I've been working on.

I enjoy spinning on my spindles, but I'd like to go further, so I'm happy to know it's on its way. I went to the library and checked out 3 books on how to spin. I've already read one, and it was helpful, and now I'm reading The Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning. I have haven't enjoyed nonfiction so much since I stopped teaching. Amos has an amazing voice that comes through his writing, not to mention that he has information about everything in that book. I learned more in 30 minutes of reading than days of searching and watching youtube videos.

I almost bought an entire fleece today. There's an amazing farm in Marion that sells Romeldale and Romney fleeces. (see Peeper Hollow Farms) I was all set to go and select a smallish (3-4 pound) fleece when I realized that I had gone completely insane. There's jumping in with both feet, and then there's bellyflopping. I'm going to wait until the next shearing, and then buy a fleece. In the meantime, I'll focus on spinning, and what I like in a fiber. I can focus on prepping fibers after a little, at least 6 months. Patience. Sigh.

Why I Haven't Posted: My New Hobby

So, it's not actually the reason that I haven't posted, but I've been busy with a new hobby.

I blame it on a knit night at Crazy Girl. I was sitting there knitting away, and in walks a man and his wife. She starts knitting; he starts spinning. Yep, he was making yarn. Oh, that was cool. He would just sit there and spin his spindle and make fiber into something to knit with. I was interested but too scared to really talk to him about it. Plus, let's face it, I didn't know if I was going to keep knitting as a passion. Three months later, I'm opening a spindle and fiber package for Christmas.

I am now making my own yarn. Don't get me wrong, I'm not spinning all my yarn, most of it will make some interesting projects, and I'm spinning 3 different spindles now, so I've only finished one mini skein.

My Christmas present

(from a wonderful shop: zebisis designs)

I spun the mini batt first. No pics of that one, but here's what I've managed I've managed to work on with this spindle.

Spinning on my Christmas spindle


Here's a close-up of the yarn.


Spinning on my Opalite flower spindle--fiber is BFL superwash from knit fit knitting



I also joined zebisisdesigns spindle and fiber of the month club with some money I received for Christmas. I got my first package this month. I LOVE IT!!!



Spinning on my Goldstone spindle--Crazy Isis Art batt fiber

Where I try to show some FOs (Finished Objects)

I've been knitting for about 9 months now, and Mom--proud momma that she is--wants me to post some of my finished products. I'll try.

I just finished sewing the buttons on this today. It is a neckwarmer and I love it. I used the Holding Hands Feeding Ducks pattern. I did change it from a scarf to a neckwarmer by adding a button band of k1p1 ribbing.



Here is toy grass. I made this from a mochimochi land pattern



Here are some booties that I made for a baby shower. This is the flakey baby pattern from Ravelry.



Here is Boo the Bat--also mochimochi land:



Dave's Christmas Stocking


A bib I knitted for Dave's home teachees



A flower bib from One Skein Wonders:


and some sparkly booties.



Finally, here is a UFO--unfinished object. It is my first lace project. I'm loving the way it is turning out.





So, I've actually knit more than this, but I'm not putting it all up right now.

***Warning***Spoiler Below

Today, I became a spoiler. Yep, me. You got it. How? I voted. Except, instead of taking my time when coloring in the dots, I got a little hasty and colored in too many. This meant that I needed an entire new ballot--I had created a spoiled ballot.

I went to the election folks, and they went over their pamphlet checking to make sure they did everything correctly. I tore the corner off my ballot, wrote spoiled across it, tri-folded it, placed it in its own envelope, wrote spoiled across the envelope, and then placed that envelope into yet another one.

And then, I began again, more carefully this time. I won't tell you who I voted for. Like Dr. Lyman Hall of Georgia, I believe that my private political views are, well, private. Ultimately, I'm just glad I got to vote, even if I did attempt to mess it up.

Behold, the Internet!

So, it's finally happened! Dave and I have joined the information age again and have Internet access in our home. Woohoo!!! That means I can now get e-mail anytime after work and look up completely useless information. SO HAPPY!