Pain

Back on March 10th, I decided to take a little fall down some stairs. Not the type you see on the movies where someone is flipping over and over, no, I wasn't the elegant. Mine was the type where suddenly your foot comes out from underneath you, land arse-first, and proceed to bump down about 3 steps. I came away with some bruising on my lower back and no broken bones. At this point, I think a broken bone would have been better.

About 4 weeks ago, I started noticing stiffness and pain in my left arm with some muscle pain in upper left back. I'm not the type to go to the doctor if I think the problem will work itself out. After getting up in pain and several sleepless nights, I bit the bullet. At first the doctor put me on prednisone for muscle inflammation. She didn't order any x-rays which didn't thrill me but, hey, if the prednisone worked, I'm OK. Well, it's not!!! I called and got back in the same day. This time she ordered x-rays which show slight compression of the lower cervical vertebrae and slight curvature of the upper thoracic vertebrae. Since I've never had any x-rays, we aren't sure if these problems have always been there or not. I've also been having tingling in my arm so now I have an MRI scheduled. And thank goodness, she prescribed some Darvoset!!! Finally, I have been able to get a little uninterrupted sleep.

To make a long story even longer, this has really cut into my knitting and garden plans. I have shrubs that need to get into the ground. I have a veggie bed that needs prepped. I have mulch that needs to get spread. The mind is willing but the body is not.

And my poor knitting! I'm trying to make DH some socks. Of course, I have to be dealing with this pain while trying to knit socks for size 12 feet! It seems that I can only get about an 1" done before my arm is protesting. At this rate, I will be knitting on these for the next few months. For pity's sake, I have a deadline to meet. These socks are supposed to be done by April 30th. It's possible. I'm keeping my toes crossed.

Yarn stash

The other day I decided to get my mini-stash in some kind of order. My poor step-DD has to share her closet space with the yarn. The yarn was starting to weave itself into her clothes and shoes. I don't have any pictures of my stash. Trust me, compared to other, it's very underwhelming. I did come to 2 conclusions. 1) I don't need more sock yarn, and 2) I desperately need a swift and ball winder. In fact, I vow to not buy any more yarn till I have those 2 accessories in hand. Well, I do have one exception. I'm taking part in the Loopy Ewe Seasonal Sock club where you buy as you go. Since this commitment was made pre-vow, it doesn't count.

I'm the sort of person who doesn't mind untangling gnarly balls of yarn. In fact, the art of untangling comes in handy when you are sitting in a boat trying to use a fishing pole full of looped and knotted line. DH would rather cut the line and start over. Not me, I would rather take a few minutes of solving the puzzle than tie on a new fishing rig. So yes, when I have a hank of yarn that refuses to stay in its nice, concise circle, I will take the time to lovingly unwind the knotted mess and wind it into a nice ball of yarn. However, the practical side of me realizes how many precious minutes of knitting would not be lost if I had a swift and ball winder.

Big sock and Eye Candy Friday

Here's Bailey soaking up a few rays. It was the first day of 2007 (3rd week of March?) that all the windows were wide-open and the sun was heating up the rooms.

I'm still going strong with my sock calendar and I'm a little late for April but I think I will finish in time. DH requested new hunting socks done in black with only the toes knitted in brown. OK!?! First attempt, I tried Cascade Fixation. I like the yarn even though it took a few tries to find exactly how much tension is needed produce a nice, cohesive fabric. Just wasn't workin for me.

2nd time: Switched yarn to RYC Cashsoft 4-ply. Now this is a yarn I could love!! I decided these socks needed to be cuff-down knitted in Garter Rib from "Sensational Knitted Socks". At the same time, I thought I would try my hand at just-over-calf-socks. Long story made short - I didn't fool like messing with trying to determine the schematics of decreasing within ribbing.

3rd time: Went back to my usual toe-up started with the Easy Toe. OK, everything looking good until DH tries on toe. Wwwaaayy tttoooo bbbiigg! Yes, I swatched, got 8 stitches/inch, DH has 10" circumference, cast-on 80 stitches.

4th time and a charm: I frogged back the knitting to the stage where the toe was 72 stitches per inch and carried on. I hope to be done with sock 1 by Wednesday of next week and casting on for sock 2 on same day. I want these socks done by April 30th!

Pic is a little fuzzy but the color is true. There's a little over 7" done.