27 July 2009

Newest info on Mom

She's still in Upper Chesapeake. The test results came back inconclusive because there's too much fluid to see anything. Mom's iron levels were low, so they gave her an infusion around lunch. She also had some lasix. She'll be seeing a hematologist tomorrow...maybe. We think the hematologist is the one who ordered the iron infusion. We shall see...

Other than that, she's doing okay. Just a bit frustrated that the doctors cannot find the source of the fluid.

Keep good thoughts and prayers coming her way!

Secret Pal 14- Package #1

In amongst going to visit Mom and packing for Europe, I received a package from my pal. In the package was a set of batting (to test my skills on a spinning wheel-when I get around to ordering one!) and a pin from one of my all time favorite shows-Battlestar Galactica (granted it took me awhile to watch the first season, but after some arm twisting from Jason, I was hooked)!



Thank you very very very much Bees Knees!!!!

26 July 2009

Update on Mom

Still no results from the tests done yesterday. The doctor did say that Mom would begin Lasix therapy tomorrow and hopefully the test results would come back by then. Mom still has a bloated belly, but she is not in any pain and looks well. She is getting bored of being in the hospital. It's not easy for her to read since the "reading" light is way above the bed and the regular light is too strong for the middle of the night (when Mom cannot sleep). If she doesn't come home tomorrow, I will be taking her a reading light so that she can at least read a bit.

Keep good thoughts and prayers coming her way...maybe the doctors will figure out how this happened!

23 July 2009

Busy busy busy

Jason and I have been busy lately. We're still getting a few things finished up in the basement-like the bar and the steps as well as "finding" things that we haven't seen since we moved (the things were still in boxes). We've also completed (FINALLY) the refinancing of our home-we started in April and just signed the papers on Monday, July 20th! Plus there's all the packing we need to do for our upcoming trip to Wonderful Copenhagen and Northern Europe. I'm excited about seeing new places where I do NOT know the languages but we shouldn't have any problems since the Scandinavian countries use English quite a bit too.

As if that weren't enough, we also purchased a new vehicle. We replaced the Rav-4 with a CRV. It's really nice...we got leather seats so come Winter, the butt warmers will come in handy (especially since La Nina is back again-more snow than usual????). For a treat the other night, Jason and I went to Chik-Fil-A for milkshakes. The guy in the drive thru window asked what year the car was because he could SMELL the newness from inside Chik-Fil-A! Oh my...

Lastly, Mom called yesterday afternoon to say that her doctor called and that she needed to go to the emergency room because her potassium levels were extremely high and her kidney functions were low. So off we went to the emergency room (Thank you Aunt Sharon and Uncle Tony for taking her!!!!) to wait for the test results. The doctor came in around 8pm to say that they think the only problem is some of the medication Mom was taking was causing the fluid build up in her abdomen (making her look pregnant-I don't need another sibling at this point in my life!!!). So, they admitted her and gave her a fluid drip (we think so she stays hydrated) and a brownish liquid to drink to help lower the potassium levels, which had gone down since the original blood work was done. There did not seem to be anything else wrong (THANK GOD!) and I will be heading back to the hospital this afternoon to see what else is happening and keep everyone posted.

10 July 2009

Trying New Things

I've officially been out of school for three weeks now. I have slept in, read, knitted, been lazy, caught up on watching stuff from the DVR and now am ready to try new things. Well, cook new things!

Jason and I decided that we would go through the Cook's Illustrated magazines that we have (a great magazine if you want to know the WHY behind what is being done and how long it takes them to perfect it!) and pick a few recipes to try each week. Some had no recipes that we wanted to try and others had a few. One in particular had quite a few pages marked...just about ALL of them! We tried two of the recipes from this magazine-Almost No Knead Bread and The French Onion Soup. This was my first time making bread by myself as well as a fancy soup. Both turned out well, even though the soup takes FOREVER to make.


YUM!

03 July 2009

Secret Pal 14 Questionnaire

Once again, it's time for another round of Secret Pal. Here's my questionnaire...

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Lately, I've been using a lot of sock yarns (mainly BFL, merino, bamboo). I cannot stand novelty yarns!!!!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have three cases to store my needles in (one for straights and two for interchangeables)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for about 5 1/2 years and I taught myself. I would consider myself to be of intermediate skill level

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, on Amazon and Loopy Ewe...links are on the left (<---)

5. What's your favorite scent?
Coconut Lime Verbena (from Bath & Body Works)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, dark chocolate peanut m & m's and I LOVE cashews!!!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I am learning how to spin and hope to purchase my first wheel soon!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
All kinds...but lately I've been listening to the 70s channel on the TV
Yes, I can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love all kinds of blues...there really isn't a color that I do not like!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married to Jason with a cat, Ophelia

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, yes, yes, no

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
SOCKS! And right now baby blankets since everyone I know is having babies (a couple two at a time!)

13. What are you knitting right now?
2 baby blankets, 2 pairs of socks

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circs, bamboo or metal

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes and yes

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
about three years...a sweater that I just have never gotten back to...but will soon!

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
Christmas (for both). I love the colors, the weather, getting together with family and friends

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Elephants and sock yarn

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
The Eclectic Sole
I have Creative Knitting and Interweave Knits subscriptions currently.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'd love to do some entrelac...I'm always behind in trends!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
YES! I wear a 9/12US

23. When is your birthday?
September 6th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes, srapalmateer