A Sunny Day

Well, didn't mean to be away from the blog for so long, life happened over and over again.I left off in the end of August with waiting for the Sheep and Wool festival in Jefferson Wi..  Mary and I went and enjoyed our selves and came back with some yarn and lots of ideas.
   Than toward the end of September I had a nasty cough, so I went in to see my family doctor only to be spirited away from my beloved Nurse Practitioner to a different person because she was full. Let's say it's been a merry ground for me since then. Because I am diabetic and have a heart valve she did some additional blood work.My blood work came back with a lot of issues. AS of today I have stage 3 chronic kidney disease, diabetes, colitis,migraines , a polyp was removed and we are waiting on the results, homiletic anemia,fibro maylasia, low iron, potassium , sodium  I am a mess. but I am alive, the cough was a virus going around.We found out that Mary's jaw problem is due tohaving no jaw joints they have melted as the oral surgeon said, it's not un common, we are waiting for word from the insurance company , she is going to need braces to align her teeth and then surgery to lengthn her jaw.It explains why she has breathing problems.
   Enough with the pains now for the things we love,  I have a afghan going in knitting that is a shifting of different colours . it's called "Tropical". Mary is doing some embroidery work on one her current progects, she wants to make chocolate covered cherries next, to give as gifts for Christmas/ I have a few surprises up my sleeve. Guess we will stop here, I got to go peel potatoes for lunch. have a blessed day.

August Heat

Looking back, I see the time lapse from February to now and so much has happen. I guess we should start with Rob, as he was under going tests when I stopped. What we found out is some time in the past he had a very small stroke, but his brain has adapted and moved on.He graduated in March and is now working for Apix a temp service, he is working for TDS on there US cellular site. He is doing quite well, he had gallbladder surgery in July , and is doing well physically, his love life is another story indeed.
  Mary graduated in January and as of the 26 Of August is a full time student in MATC, Madison Area Technical College. She is doing the liberal arts degree now, when she finishes this all her credits will transfer to a University of Wisconsin school in the field she chooses. It's cheaper this way and the classes are smaller. Not to mention the campus isn't sprawled out  like UW Madison is.
   Chuck and I celebrated our 20th anniversary August 16,we had a lovely dinner at the Log Cabin Restaurant in Baraboo , went to the Habitat for Humanity store and found a nice 32 inch flat screen TV that came from one of the nicer hotels in Wisconsin Dells.I am very happy with it, of course it's high def. and I can plug my laptop into it and watch all sorts of knitting and spinning video's.
  Chuck gave to me, a part of his bonus from work, a spinning wheel, I am now the proud owner of a Kromski Fantasia spinning wheel, It runs with out any drag , just that the operator needs more practice.I have taken to call her Fancy for now.Next weekend which is September 6-7-8 is a busy time around here. it's Lodi  community wide garage sales, also in Madison it's the Quilting Exposition at the Alliance Center, and my  favorite the Sheep and Wool Festival in Jefferson, Well I am calling  a break for now , I'll try to be a better blogger. See you soon       Kris.
   

first day of spring

Cold and chilly

 Well good  morning, looks like a cold one today, starting out in the single digits. Not getting very warm at all today maybe sunshine we will wait an see.
 I was suppose to knit yesterday but got a bit of the cleaning bug  and was working on my mess in the living room. Looks a lot better , when your hubby notices it when he comes in the door, you know it was a problem. Few things to do this morning. Might bake some cookies and make soup.Of course there will be knitting.
  Mary  said she was kept a wake my some scurrying  sounds in her room she couldn't see the offender but brought the Archie in for a look see, he sniffed and smelled and was interested so I think we nay have another mouse fatality by the end of the weekend, at least we are hoping.
  Rob has more tests coming up next week, the local clinic managed to loose the factor 5 blood tests he had done awhile ago and also his fasting lipid panel. I am pretty upset with this, they seem more incompetent than usual. Wish I could get him in to see the Docs at the clinic I go to. It's the matter of insurance.
 Packages came in the mail yesterday Rob got the tablet he was waiting for, and Chuck got the "James Bond" movie Sky Fall. We watched the movie , it was good , but in my book nobody was a better "James" than Sean Connery.Sigh, Got to fix breakfast talk to you later.

Friday Quiet

Early morning, sun not quite up yet I can see it poking through the clouds when I look out my kitchen window. It's a cold one Charlie Shortino this morning ,says the high will be 17 today with periods of sun. Only one day above normal in the coming week and that will be Monday.
  Our Valentines excursion went well, we did a lot of window shopping, found the" golden treasure" a bottom freezer refrigerator- reasonable priced. We will see if it is still there payday. Had lunch out , and a an enjoyable day.
 Along with the good came some "not so good news" Rob has been undergoing testing to find out why he is having memory issues and muscle fatigue, He had a MRI done last week and got the results Wednesday, some time in the past he suffered a stroke,not a mini stroke a full nasty one. According to the Neurologist it was located in the Cerebellum , which I believe is near the brain stem, it is a old one , how much damage was done we will be finding out . Such is life.At least he is here and functioning reasonable well.
 Mary and I have been starting back in getting things ready for the Farmer's Market. I can't wait for spring at least it feels closer now.Well going to fix break fast and hi the knitting and stuff. Oh yes, Mid west alapaca fest is in April, something else to look forward too!. Ducking on out , talk to you later.

Pre Valentine's Day

Beautiful day , to celebrate Valentines on, I realize that tomorrow is Valentines , but the weather is going to be kinda nasty so Chuck and I celebrating today. Going to go look for some things for the house and just enjoy the day together. He even got his hair cut for me!! lol life
  Also on the lookout for a new refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom, Chuck says he is getting to old to have to been way down to see what's in the fridge , I can see his point as he is at least 9 inches taller than I am and the fridge is a short one.
  Nothing much happening here today, still early  and most people are sleeping, so I will duck out and let you know later how this day went.

Sunday Morning, silence

It's February already, we have had some unique weather here in Wisconsin , the typical snow and sleet and a January thaw, with a high of over 50 and then back in the deep freeze again. Today brings freezing rain , rain and snow. We will see what happens the rest of the week ,the weather man promises a mild week, but what is his definition of mild is a somewhat of a curiosity.
  Of course Valentine's day is this week on Thursday, other than hubby saying we are going out to eat. I have no idea what he has planned, he likes to surprise me, which I appreciate.We sat down together last night and played Scrabble,as usual hubby won , I came in second and Mary came in third. We must play more to get our vocabulary back up and of course it's fun.
  Knitting is down for at least a week as I sliced open my thumb on a piece of broken pottery. No stitches just in an awkward place ,on the inside of my thumb, Among everything I am getting a bad case of cabin fever and mix that with spring fever and wanting to start doing some serious cleaning, I am in a tizzy.I am pretty sure that is why some of my family is avoiding me, as I may want to put them to work on my projects list. Sigh!
  See you soon, ducking on out here in Lodi.

Tuesday blahs

Sorry it has been so long, a lot has happen and among the holidays and things I couldn't get blogspot to let me into my blog.Grr.
   So we will start with things going down in October, Mary recovered from being sick and has now finished her work for her High School Diploma, makes  her happy and us too. (her dad and I), Halloween was uneventful and than November , we lost part of out cleaning job, and I am not to sad about that. It takes a load of stress off our shoulders .
  Breakfast with Santa,  came and went. For the first time we had enough help, thanks to Mrs. Claus and the Lodi React club and the local 4-H. We brought in 2000.00 for the Food Pantry and the Veterans Hospital in Madison. Bonnie came and helped , it was a long trip for her and we appreciate her much. Chuck is making up for lost time being the obnoxious 'little brother". Good natured teasing.
   Thanksgiving gave us a chance to give thanks for new family and friends and projects started and finished. Turkey and ham , were the stars , t I must remember to place my order earlier, this time I ended getting a 17 lb turkey. A little too big. For Christmas we had Prime Rib and Ham.Gifts given and received, a quiet day, also a major snow storm brought 19 inches of the white stuff. We are having a typical Wisconsin winter, windy and cold.Stopping for now, ducking out see you soon.

THursday Blahs

I really would like to go back to bed, but doesn't look like it will happen.
It seems that I have a sick daughter , she has a very nasty migraine and can't keep anything down.I put her to bed , and keep things kinda quiet.
 I have 2 pieces of the sweater done and am working on the right front,after this just the sleeves.Just an update.
 

Why I am not knitting.

Tuesday Suspense

Good morning on this beautiful cool day. Sun is shining, and there is a light breeze, will or won't we get a frost tonight, we will see.
   Hubby's car has decided it wants to be a "just in town car" it over heats like nobodies business, if you venture more than 2 miles. So Friday we will be picking up a 2001 Buick Park Avenue, for his car, it's a beautiful car looks like it was taken pretty good care of and rides nice, he compares it to what a Lazy Boy would be like if it was a car.I still call his current car a death trap.
 Getting ready to start the real knitting now, that the weather is cooler, Mary is working hard at school and at her crafting. It's been hard lately because of"Migraines, the humidity induced kind. ducking out for a bit.

August Blues

Here it is the 25th of August  , 10 days till school starts, Mary's senior year. I feel ancient .Finished up the bi-monthly grocery shopping, and waiting patiently for hubby to get home.
  The little people who inhabit  my home did not cough up my long distance spectacles, therefore sending me to get 2 new pair at Eyemart. I have been buying one prescription long distance pair and one prescription reading pair.. This time I bough two pair of no-line bifocals, one regular, one sunglasses. I figure as long as the stay on my head most of the time I shouldn't lose them. The kids have taken bets on how long this will actual work.Doesn't sound like they have much faith in 'dear ole mom'.
   Still knitting on the baby blanket , I feel as though I have hit that black hole or some type of space, time continuum and have yet to come through to the other side. Doesn't seem to be getting any larger, Could be that I just want to set it aside and knit that sweater hubby got the yarn and needles for.My birthday present. Shades of Tolkien.
  On the music front at least two more parades  , the Cow Chip festival in Sauk City and Fall festival in Wisconsin Dells, it has a Native American name , but I can't remember it. with the Wisconsin sheep and wool festival in the middle , so for the first three weekends in September we will be busy.
  Planning on a side trip down to southwestern Wisconsin just to visit some of my old stomping grounds and show Mary , The university of Wisconsin at Platteville. They have a great genealogical department. the archives go pretty far back.I have used it many times looking for ancestors and new stories. well I am stopping for now ducking on out , dishes are calling to me, as well as the laundry. Take care and keep your powder dry.

Mouse in the house

Having just got back from playing in the "Susie's the duck day parade" I was greeted by my darling daughter stating that she had two serious problems that she needed my help with, one was a snarl in her waist length hair, where she couldn't reach it and the fact she woke to a mouse in her waste paper basket.It was still alive.
   The hair problem was quickly taken care of, the mouse on the other was dealt with swiftly, efficiently involving a white garbage bag and the outdoors, I didn't want Archie or Simba a chance at the poor thing, I figured it was scared enough. The bag went over the trash can and Mary brought the trash can down stairs , I took it outside and released in the grass, It made a mad dash for the tree line. Hopefully not to make a second visit inside our home. A quick lecture on this is what happens when you forget to take food out of your room and the need to keep things picked up was given, will it work, we will just have to wait and see.
  The craft room is complete, Mary has been sewing in there and I have been doing some knitting,.I am going to duck out for awhile and I'll get back to you soon.

How time flies

August first, the summer has gone by fast.I am savoring the fruits from my garden, a first in a long time.Tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers and onions have survived the blast of heat we had. also a few small green peppers.I am making some zucchini bread and enjoying fresh tomato sandwiches. will be trying my hand at fried tomatoes too.
 Car problems abound, hubby took his car in last week to get brakes fixed and the radiator flushed, well the brakes was in pretty sad shape, and last night our mechanic had to come pick up the car because the radiator was losing anti-freeze, hubby put a whole galleon in only to watch it go straight through on to the driveway. So it means early mornings for me once again as I run hubby to work, he could take my car , but than he wouldn't get any lunch. I bring him a hot lunch everyday. Kinda got him spoiled and he enjoys having something hot to eat instead of a cold lunch or a trip to the store next door to get deli stuff.
   Our 19th Anniversary is coming up on August 16th. doesn't seem that long, (although hubby says different), we have been through a lot together. We have  a lot to be thankful for many good times ahead.
    The craft room is complete, all the necessary furniture is there. and Mary has been sewing up a storm.I have some yarn to wind into balls and a few books to put on shelves, other than that we are enjoying the space.We got shelves from the Habitat for Humanity store, only to find out it was too tall for the space we had, (sloped roof) so we exchanged it for the book shelf I have in the kitchen for my cookbooks works better and I was forced to go through the books and donate some I don't use or want.Didn't hurt at all, was a gentle reminder that I don't need to buy anymore cookbooks. I am thinking Of going back to bed for a little while, got up at 4:30am to take hubby to work and I have a bad case of the Yarns, here at 6:00am. just an hour should do it. ducking on out talk to you later.

Thursday already?

Yes, it's been awhile since my last post and I am sorry about that. No excuse really. So shall we try try to get caught up with the goings on at the Phipps house.Lets' see In June Dani decided to move to Louisana, she left officially July11. and Meg and Rob have moved upstairs to the apartment. (Things are going well, the apartment looks gorgeous under Meg's hand.) Lilly is staying with grandparents for a month while Dani gets settle in Louisana.
   That means two things our house is quieter and Mary and I have a craft room.We have started putting things in the room, today was spent getting chairs, lamps and a cutting mat for sewing and quilting.We have table and sewing machine, one chair, a single bed , dresser and some cubes for storage.New curtains need to be put up and we are gathering all the craft supplies from around the house, I have more yarn than I thought, although the Sheep and Wool festival is coming up in September , I won't be getting much more until some of this is made into things .We still need a bookcase for our craft books , both Mary and I have quite a few. We have been able to get most of the furnishing from St. Vincents de Paul, and lots of coupons for places, like Joanne Fabrics and Wisconsin Craft Market, so things like the cutting mat was half priced. The lamps were $7.00and the glider rocker, I want to use for my knitting chair was $15.00, I got a good buy on thermal curtains lined. for $9.00 a panel.from Shopko.The other chairs and table and the sewing machine where things we had already.
  Other news , I am a greatgrand aunt again to a little girl named Kameron Jillany Crase, Jacob and Mckenzie second child. Born on July 5, 2012.My sister, Kathleen, (Kitty) is a happy great grand ma.
I have been working on a light pink baby blanket which I need to finish up.
  WE have had more than our share of hot weather , drought conditions, pretty bad, The weather broke last night with a huge thunderstorm, and it rained all night, which we needed. Our front yard has patches of green grass among the dead patches. Hopefully we will have more rain and things will green up again, I pitty the farmers in the area, Overheard at the local library "the corn isn't even good enough for silage', that's pretty bad.Well pictures will follow soon so I'll duck on out for tonight talk to you soon. Kris

Things I forgot!!

Mother's day was nice Mary took me to Lucy's for a Prime Rib dinner and we went to some craft and bookstores. For my 55 birthday my hubby gave me a set of 14 inch rosewood knitting needles and 13 skeins of amazing Yarn in the colorway Mauna Loa , this yarn is made by Lion Brand.I have a nice sweater pattern picked out to use it with, just as soon as soon as I finish the Baby blanket, since Mary's birthday is the 3rd and mine is the 7th , we went to the Cladaugh Pub for lunch and dessert .

June 19 th It's a very hot Tuesday.

Yes, I have been away for awhile, I got caught up doing other things and am a recovering Facebook junkie, for shame, better now, I hope. The last two months have had their share of excitement. Mary had testing done and we have discovered she has a problem, nothing that will cause physical pain or sickness but problems with communicating with others. It's a work in progress , Chuck and I had problems with a friend's brother and sister-in-law, the friend is in assisted living,  her sister-in-law doesn't want her to have contact with us , says we cause problems.The brother finally put his foot down and things are getting better.(HenPecked).
   Mary's birthday present is arriving today and Mary and her brother Rob, are waiting impatiently for the UPS driver to pull into the driveway, Rob and Mary will be building Mary's computer. The reasoning behind building one or buying a complete system is the ability to expand and not having to use brand specific parts.Rob was up early setting up the assembly area in the workshop and turning on the air conditioning in the shop. It's quite warm today 90 degrees Fahrenheit , humid as all get out.
 Mary is now 18 , has her driving permit and has had her first lesson, according to dad it went well, Mary on the other hand ....., she will be ready to vote come September. She is working on a friends birthday presents, hand made of course,doing a bit of depression lace on a piece she is doing. I'll be able to tell you more after July.
  I am working on a baby blanket, have 23 inches to go 13 done, got till the end of the month to finish it, crossing fingers and toes I'll get it done, pattern is a broken rib stitch, with 3 strands of Bernat's Baby sport in a light pink, gauge is 4stitches to one inches across and 6 rows to an inch , 138 rows left, approx. 17,560 stitches. groan, shouldn't have done the math.

I am waiting for the repairman to get here as my gas oven is on the fritz, the stove top works fine.When you want something it takes forever.Soon very soon. the pictures are from top to bottom, A jack-in the -pulpit, a rose from the bush I have and some carnations that Meghan planted. I need to share the Clemantis and the others soon. Ducking on out for now.

A lot late, but what the hey

It has been a very busy time , since my last post. I've been in and out of the hospital and had a tooth pulled and we have been doing testing with Mary and than my hubby found out he had a "new" sister.
   Illinois's law makers released their adoption records and Bonnie found out that Ned was her father, How it started was a  strange phone message, left by Ed, Bonnie's hubby , he started out saying that this was not a telemarketer and that they didn't want anything, hmm, than he stated that Bonnie was adopted and they found out that Ned was her father, and that they had talked to John , hubby's older bother. That scared Bonnie from wanting anything to do with the family, but he was calling my hubby, Chuck, to find out how he felt about things, I called them back and said that Chuck and Janet weren't anything like John, and Chuck called Bonnie when he got home from work.

  We met Bonnie and Ed in Lake Geneva, about halfway, between there home and ours. She definitely is a member of the family from her Strawberry blond hair and blue eyes to the same type of humor and love of puns.We have been busy chatting with her and learning more about her. Janet is pleased and we aren't telling John.The pictures are of Chuck and Bonnie and Chuck , Mary and Bonnie, and Mary' finished Minnesota Blizzard Quilt. Hopefully more pictures will follow. I ma being paged by the dog, he needs to go out. So ducking out for now. Talk to you later.
                                  Kris

Is Spring really here?

Or is it some type of cruel joke nature is playing on us. March in Wisconsin is like that, sunny and warm one day and snowy and bitterly cold the next. Yesterday we had rain , most of the snow we had is now gone, we had lots of thunder, not so much lightening. I have the kitchen window open and Archie is sitting on his perch gazing longingly at the birds which are chirping loudly. Pretty soon it will "lay in the sun" in the living room window time. Oh ,to be a cat!
   Still knitting,  have a few projects going, also thinking of spring cleaning , rearranging the stash, almost city wide garage sale time and farmer's market opening. Hubby's car is still in the shop, the mechanic says he needs a new rack and pinion system, and possible a new fuel pump, groan (Darn, that cuts into my stash budget for the year), better to have him safe and sound.Mary also hinted that for her 18th birthday present she would like a new computer. Hers tends to over heat and since it's a laptop her battery life is just about nil, down to 20 minutes.It's about three years old and has been used everyday.
 Well going to stop for now , must do laundry and other housework type things. Ducking on out, TTFN.

Saturday Sunshine

We were fortunate to do most of our running yesterday before the winter storm hit. Had to take Mary to Sauk Prairie to the doctors for some fasting blood work, she was not a happy camper about having nothing to eat after 8:00pm the night before. We were able to be back home by 9:30, and than a big breakfast. This morning it's like pulling teeth I can't get her up!!Hopefully I won't have to go the bright lights and air horn method, I hate using water it makes a soggy mess.Be right back, final yell before drastic measures.Well will see if I have to go back.
   Rob has started back for another term at college, says the classes are easy ones, this time around, another will see by the end of the term. Mary has final year course selection March 14 in Madison. Busy busy. We will done to one vehicle for awhile, hubby is taking his car into get fixed ,might take a bit. Means getting up at 4:30am to get him to work and picking him up at 4:00pm.Could be worse.
  The sun and I are not friends today, just too bright against the snow, and I have a migraine left over from last night. well I am going to go my recliner and rest a bit , I'll be talking to you later.Have a good one.