Sunday Afternoon

Man, it's hard to believe how fast my three day weekend went by, but alas, it's Sunday afternoon and my days off are almost over.  

I still didn't get anything accomplished.  Well, except I finished knitting the beret I'd been working on.

The tricky part was removing the belly button cast on.  I was so worried I would drop one of the stitches, and I think I actually did.  

The pattern said to block it over a 12" plate, but I didn't have one, so I had to use a 10" inch.   Once I'd gotten it as stretched as I could, the stitches didn't seem as even as I'd like them to be.  We'll just have to see how it turns out.  In the mean time, I cast on another one.  

Same yarn.  Same pattern.  Different method.  When I was organizing my needles last weekend, I found I had a 40" circular needle of the size I needed, so I broke it out for the next hat.  I've never been that fond of the Magic Loop technique, but I thought in this case, it might be better than trying to juggle those DPNs.  I can already tell the center will be more even.  I'll let you know how it goes.  

I think I might give the second one to Cody's girlfriend for Christmas.   I'll have to ask him if she wears hats.  

The only other thing I did this weekend was to go through all my level 1 Christmas books and marked the songs I want to keep on playing. 

I probably ought to try to get you a Christmas concert worked up this year, since I didn't do one last year.  I'd intended to.  I even recorded a couple of songs, but made the mistake of putting my camera onto the end of my keyboard.  Every time I played a note, the whole thing would shake.  I was afraid you'd get seasick watching them, then I never got around to re-recording them.  I'm seriously considering getting one of those stand things with the light to record my songs on my phone.  I'm just not sure I want to invest in one if only one or two people will even be watching.  

Speaking of phones, I'm about ready to upgrade my iPhone 7.  Yesterday, I went to the AT&T website, and let me tell you, they have the most frustrating and convoluted site you ever did see.  I spent an hour just trying to find my way to my wireless account.  I was able to log into my email account, but they kept saying I didn't have a wireless account.   Um, yes I do.  I've had one for nearly 20 years.  Then the site said I could combine all of my accounts under the same log in.  Um, I thought I did that years ago.  But no, that log-in didn't work.  I tried one more log in, and it said my password was incorrect, but I'd just updated it.  

I was getting more and more frustrated, uttering more than a few unwholesome words for which I had to repent, when at long last, I finally got into my wireless account.  Wouldn't you know it.  I get an error message.

We're having trouble loading your cart right now. Please try again later.

Sigh....

You know, that's why I had to put my payment on autopay a few years ago, because I couldn't ever get into the site to pay my bill.  It's almost like they don't want to take my money.  I'm about to cut ties with AT&T, just for this reason.  I've never had any problem with the phone service, but their customer service leaves a lot to be desired. 

Now for a bit of good news, our Delta surge seems to be tapering off rather quickly.  This is a screen shot from the MS Health Department website:  

It peaked rapidly, and is falling off just as rapidly.  Even so, this week, the U.S. surpassed the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic in deaths.  And yes, I know we have three times the population, so it has affected a smaller percentage, but you also have to take into account we also have vastly more medical knowledge and technology available than we did 100 years ago, so it balances out. I mean, Alexander Fleming didn't even discover penicillin until 10 years after the Spanish Flu struck.  Can you imagine if we'd had to deal with COVID with only what they had available back then?  This is why I don't think it's all that helpful to compare COVID with pandemics from the past.  I mean, during the Black Plague, they had no concept of germ theory.  The idea that things like viruses and bacteria even existed was more than they could comprehend.  They thought you got sick from miasma, or bad air.  Even the word "malaria" literally means bad (mal) air (aire).  We know so much more today than even 50 or 60 years ago.  

On the other hand, they didn't have to deal with people getting medical advice from Facebook memes back then, either. So again, it balances out.  

By the way, Alexander Fleming saved my life when I was 11.  Someday, I'll have to tell you about that. 

In the meantime, enjoy this picture of Cutie, who has claimed Cody's bed for her own. 

I just have to remember to leave the door open for her. 

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Love Hate

Just checking in for a quick post to let you all know I'm still here.  Barely kicking, completely exhausted, unable to remember all I was planning on posting about, but still here.  

I have a love/hate relationship with my printer.  I love that it's wireless, and it prints really well.  I love that you can replace each color cartridge separately when it runs out, instead of having one big cartridge with all three colors in it.  What I hate about it is when one of the cartridges is out, it won't print anything until that cartridge is replaced.  Or at least, I haven't figured out how to make it print when one of the cartridges is out.

One day last week, I'd had HR print me out a list of all my approved vacation days.  All black, no colors, no fancy stuff.  All I wanted to do was make an extra copy.  Just put it onto the scanner tray and make a black and white copy.

But my printer told me my -- get this -- my photo cartridge was out.  My photo cartridge.  I tried to tell it I wasn't printing a photo, but it wouldn't listen.  It wouldn't let me make my copy until I replaced that photo cartridge. 

I don't know if it's just because I'm really tired right now, or if I was looking in the wrong place, but I couldn't for the life of me find one sold separately.  You can buy all the color cartridges separately, but not the photo black.  The only place I found it was in a complete set.  

At now least I have extras of all the others.  You know, for when they run out.  

Since we are now under a statewide mask mandate, I needed a mask to be compliant.  So I got this one. 

Here we see my creepy styrofoam head modeling my creepy plague doctor mask.  

Her name is Charlotte, by the way.  The head.  Not the mask. 

Clearly, I don't get enough sleep.  Something I'm going to go rectify right now.

As soon as I practice my piano, that is. 

Computer Woes

And the computer woes continue...

I'd taken my computer into town after work to the local repair guy.  Aaand nobody was there.  Out doing service calls, according to the note on the counter.   However, he also had his price list for common services up on the same counter, and I quickly glanced over it.  It only took a moment to find what I was looking for --

Change laptop fan: $125

Dang that sure went up since I was there last!  It was $40 then.  I decided then and there I wasn't going to spend that money on my ancient computer.  I only paid $300 something for it in the first place, and it's 7 years old at that.

New plan: take a moment this weekend and back everything up, then use it until it won't work any more.  Then I'll buy a new one.

Until then, here is a picture of the snow we woke up to the other day.

Words

I spent all day at work yesterday, mentally composing last night's blog post.  Oh, it was a beautiful post.  It was eloquent.  It was flowing.  It would have made you laugh.  It would have made you cry. It would have moved you.  I couldn't wait to get home and post it.

After a long, tiring day that seemed to last forever and had me singing songs about days that never end, they just go on and on my friend*, I rushed home and fired up the old PC.

And got the dreaded message:  We're updating your PC.  Please don't turn off your computer.  Under that in smaller letters:  This may take a while.

Sigh...

I turned on my Fire Stick and watched Piano Guys videos.  Checked the computer.  Nope, not done yet.

I watched Graham Norton clips.  Checked the computer.  Nope, not done yet.

I watched Olympics.  I knit on my latest hat.  I took a shower...Nope.  Not done yet.

Two hours later...yep, two hours later, the computer was finally done updating.  By that time, I was tired, frustrated, and ready for bed. So that's why, instead of eloquence, you got "Wut r werds?"

Today was a much better day.  My work day was not as long nor as frustrating as yesterday.  Then I went to the store, and look what I found!

And look what else I found!

I don't care what the calendar says, when the candy corn hits the stores, it's Fall.

On the way out, I found this 'Merica candy.  Because 'Merica, that's why.

But I didn't buy it.

Because $9 a bag, that's why.


*This is the day that never ends
It just goes on and on my friends
Some people started living it, not knowing what it was
They'll continue living it forever just because
This is the day that never ends
It just goes on and on my friends.

And now you've got that song stuck in your head.

You're welcome.

More Computer Woes

I was having problems with my old desktop last summer.  It finally died completely, but as it was so old (2005), I decided not to try to get it fixed.  I just went and got Cody's desktop that he was no longer using and started using it.  Really, the only thing I was using it for was my banking and printing stuff out.  I spent most of my time on the laptop. 

Anyway, a couple of days ago, it started acting up.  Now, it won't boot up at all.  It's also ancient.  I got it for him the same year I got my old one -- 2005--so I doubt I try to get it fixed.  I think I'll just carry it in to the Computer Doctor and see if he can get my Quicken files off of it and then trash it. 

I won't be buying a new one any time soon, so I'll just have to stick with my laptop.

 And that's my excitement for today.

I Love Surprises!

Well, the new laptop and I are slowly getting used to each other.  I've got the e-mail problem figured out, but I can't fix it on my end.  See, the new e-mail program on Windows 8 doesn't support POP e-mail, which is what mine is.  I'll have to get ahold of AT&T customer service to see if they will switch it for me.

People who know me know how I feel about making phone calls.  I don't even like doing the instant chat thing.  It's preferable to the telephone, but only marginally.  So, I've been putting this off for two days.  I've got to get it done soon, though, because all my bills go to that e-mail.

I did spend some time this morning downloading all the bazillion updates new computers seem to need.  Kind of makes you wonder, though.  If they are brand new, why so many updates?  I guess software becomes obsolete just that fast.

But, on to better news...

A few years ago, a friend of mine wanted to open a fine yarn and pottery shop.  She asked for volunteers to knit up some samples for the shop.  You know, so people can see what the patterns look like in real life, and how the yarns knit up and such like.  Of course, I volunteered.  She sent me the pattern book and the yarn, and I knit up the hat for her.

Those of you with especially good memories, may recall Mr. Frosty volunteering his butt to block it over. 

Well, recently, she has decided to stop selling yarn, and focus solely on the pottery aspect of her shop, so she sent me the hat back. 

Totally not necessary, but appreciated nonetheless.  She also sent me a few other gifts, just because she is such a terrific person, despite being a Steelers fan.  One thing we are both fans of, though is the old show Firefly , she knew I'd love this ornament. 

She made that in her shop.  She also has a passion for journals, so she sent me these two.  I will never ever write in them!

The paper is so smooth, so creamy, that I just want to sit all day petting the pages.  They will be reserved for something very special indeed. May e I'll write about how blessed I am to have such good friends.

We were back on 4 days this week, so I was off work today.  The plan was to get up and go grocery shopping, bathe Jake, and do some other stuff.  I didn't do any of it. Ragweed has been in full bloom this last week.

That is evil stuff, I tell you.  Evil.  I'll bet America could return to her prominence as the world's only superpower if we just tell Russia and China that we have ragweed and we're not afraid to use it.

Basically, I've had terrible headaches all week.  My head was hurting so badly one day that it felt like my face would explode.  If you see someone walking around Grenada with no face, it's probably just me during ragweed season.

Whatever, I decided to be lazy today.  I stayed home and rewatched all the episodes of Sleepy Hollow on FOX.com, and finished up these socks. 

Finally, I found me some new fall jewelry.  Cute, huh? 

Stupid scanner.

I was going to post about how my ex and I met. I even found an old picture of him that I was going to scan and upload. Only my scanner has an error message. Problem with the print cartridge, it says. I don't want to print. I only want to scan. But it won't let me scan until I get a new print cartridge.

Stupid scanner.

We Have Pictures!

I got my digital camera software installed, and we have pictures!

A storm moving in this afternoon.

And the start of the May dishcloth KAL.

More tomorrow...

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I'm Back...

Well, mostly back. I have sound and video now. It was really quite funny--and typical for me--I'd gotten so used to a silent computer that when I downloaded the audio driver, the first sounds my computer made actually scared me! It didn't help that I had my speakers turned all the way up. I do still have to install a few more of my personal programs, but everything seems to be working correctly. There are still about a bazillion driver updates on the Dell website that I need to download, but I'll get to that eventually. Tomorrow, I'll try to get my photo uploading software and my scanner software installed. The blog will have pictures again!

Since I seem to be knitting nothing but socks here lately, it was only appropriate that I join Summer of Socks '07. There doesn't seem to be a lot of rules. Just knit socks this summer. It's open to crocheters, too, Sus, if you're interested. More details can be found here. There will be lots of contests, but the one I don't think I will enter is the Most Socks contest. I just can't compete with those stay at home speed knitters...

Speaking of KALs, I am way behind on my Monthly Dishcloth KALs. I haven't even done the April mid month cloth, though I wanted to. But it started about the time all the computer troubles did, and I just didn't do it. Now I'm already two days behind on the May 1st cloth, but I hope to get caught up soon.

Off to download a few more updates before bed.

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I'm Sort of Back

After many hours installing and fiddling, I am sort of back online. The computer still has problems, but I hope to get them worked out over the next few days. I still have several programs to re-install, and I need to figure out which drivers to install. I don't have sound, yet, either. I can't get my DSL software to configure, but I can download stuff, like my anti-virus updates and various program updates. All the correct lights on my modem are lit, and the troubleshooting CD says my Internet is working. I don't know why the software won't configure.

Off to fiddle some more...

Four Little Socks

all in a row. They are, from left to right, plain vanilla sock made from Sockotta cotton blend yarn, color # 617. The second one is Yukon Leaves, made from Austermann Step color #11--Dune. The third one is Jaywalker, knitted with Fortissima Socka bamboo/wool blend, color #0006. The one on the far right is another plain vanilla sock, knitted with Meilenweit--but I lost the ball band, so I don't know what color it is. Note that this is the sock I started on 2 circular needles back in January. It hasn't progressed much since then. I'm probably going to transfer it to DPNs of the same size, so the poor thing will finally get finished. In fact, I may rip it and start over in a different pattern.

I really like the Fortissima. The bamboo gives it a sheen that your regular wool/nylon blends just don't have. I also like the Jaywalker pattern. It is only two rows, and so easy to memorize.

My backup OS cds arrived from Dell today. I didn't have time today, but tomorrow I will try to install them on my computer. Hopefully, they will work, even though I think my modem may be shot. We shall see.

In black belt class, we went over kusanku sai nearly the whole class. I just can't seem to get the hang of it. James picked it up pretty quickly, but I'm still struggling it. Must go practice...
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I Didn't Make It

Or rather the computer didn't make it to its doctor appointment. I got home from work, and this was knocking at my door. I am just to the East of the red cell at the top of the warning box.

I decided I didn't want to take a chance on getting stuck in town with my computer in a severe thunderstorm with pouring rain. I did, however, contact Dell and ask for backup discs for the OS reinstall. Hopefully, that will fix my problem.

Appointments

I have an appointment with the computer doctor tomorrow, and with the dentist next Tuesday. It is very feasible that I may have my own computer back tomorrow evening!

In the meantime, here are a couple of sock pictures to hold you over:

The firecracker socks, which would have been done by now if I hadn't had to start over.

And the Yukon Leaves sock, which is barely started.

More tomorrow...

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The Inaugural Sketch

This is the inaugural sketch in Cody's new hardback sketchbook. It is a Nazgul from The Lord Of The Rings. The little bugger even copied the Elven script.

Sorry about the poor quality. I took this with my camera. I can scan it onto my computer, I just can't get online to upload it.

I still haven't called the computer guy. I must confess my shortcoming. I hate calling people on the phone, even for business. I'd much rather send and e-mail or meet in person, or heck, even text. I've been this way for as long as I can remember. I just hate telephones. I'll have to do it soon, though. Cody is getting tired of sharing his computer.

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I've Been Displayed!

Well, my pictures have, at least. Here are the photos the museum sent me showing my pictures on display.

I've given up on trying to post them in high res. Instead I uploaded them on my Webshots.

For the record, there will be no more sketches posted until I can get my computer fixed. Cody doesn't have a scanner on his, and I don't think I can network without being able to get online. I suppose I could take digital photos of them and post them that way. We'll try that and see how it works out. I didn't do a sketch today, though. Sensei was sick last week, and I think I caught his cold.

The first black belt class is tonight, and I'm going to drag myself to it, sickness and all.

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Magic Loop

My magic loop socks are finally finished, after what seems like forever! But still, another WIP to mark off of my list, which now looks like this:

1. Prayer Shawl
2. Irish Hiking Scarf
3. Grey Scarf From Unknown Wool Blend
4. Red Heart Strata Scarf
5. Branching Out Lace Scarf
6. Texas Longhorn Scarf
7. First Time Socks
8. Socks using Magic Loop
9. Socks on DPNs using Knit Picks yarn
10. Socks from Red Heart Strata

The computer is still sick, but I have a lead on someone who can repair it. He is called The Computer Doctor. I've heard that he is really good, but also that he stays pretty backed up. I'll be posting on Cody's computer for a little while longer. It's an adequate computer for a kid, but is a lot slower than mine. The good news is that I got my digital camera software installed on it, so I can post pictures again.

Well, back to something soothing--knitting and watching DVDs.
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Augggh!

The storm and subsequent power failure last night put the whammy on my computer. I lost everything. Dudes, I don't even have sound any more! I managed to reinstall Windows from my backup disc, but while trying to reinstall everything, I discovered that when I bought my computer a couple of years ago, Dell lovingly didn't send my backups for everything I'd had them install on it. They didn't even send me the antivirus program backup! Needless to say, I'm not too happy with them right now.

I can't even get online. When I tried to reinstall my DSL software, it said I didn't have an Ethernet card. I know there was one on there before.

I'm posting from Cody's computer right now. But until I get things fixed, posting will be scarce.

Now, where did I put my digital camera software....