Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Spring is on its way, come sit awhile and chat..newcomers always welcome!

Hope when you wake this morning you will be right as rain and be able to be with girls and enjoy.

Sometimes Sharon it’s bedtime and Ziggy doesn’t come then I am out calling half the night at the door only to find out he was in all the time..

Good morning. Dull and gray out there. The snow banks are really going down so now everything looks dirty.

Pat wear a sturdy pair of gloves when you take the dog outside. It will help prevent the burns on your hands. Just until things become more familiar for you both. And yes a fence is the best answer. Ouch on the falls.

Keiran brought his family and some friends down to visit Kai. I have to keep reminding them Chaos needs some love and attention too. Kai is just so "that cute puppy in your face" it is easy to forget about Chaos.

Enjoy the day everyone. Make sure you do something special for yourself.

Good morning everyone.
Pat, I hope you're not too sore today.
It has been windy here, but it is warming up quickly. 59 this morning, will get up to 82 today.
A few weeks ago when we had our snow storm, it was the last day of the storm, and as I stepped out the door to play tennis balls with the dogs, I hit a patch of ice I didn't see and down I went. Landed on my left hip on the driveway. Bruise was about the size of a basketball. Talk about sore. Hubby had to help me get up.

Betty, I love all those projects.

Pat - no more falling, PLEASE!
ooops.......... wouldn't have realized about the time change if Betty hadn't said something - thank you! Now, to run around the house changing those that don't auto-change (Bob's alarm does, mine doesn't).
Knitting a shawl for myself, out of Alpaca fibre. Beautifully soft - got the fibre from a local Alpaca farm. Sort of like a dark mint green. It's large & will take about 150gr on #10/6mm circular needles. Here's a picture. Not sure if I posted this before?

Hi Bettypauze!
I don't know if you remember me, but I certainly remember you! I was very active here at DG about 10 years ago. I'm back to check things out and get back to the garden. Thank you for keeping DG the welcoming place I remember it. Hope you're doing well.

Afternoon, bitter cold out there so decided to do myself a favour and stay in my Jammie’s and play, had the sniffles for a few days, very minor but want to keep it that way..

First I’d like to welcome you back Heathrjoy, I’ve grown older in past 10 years and rarely remember friend by dg name but their name, please give us a hint lol most have been here that long! Lol. So glad you found your way home, doing the happy dance..

I love that shawl Susan, Lordy it will take forever, you sure need patience for a project like that. you will have lots to keep you busy through Covid.. did you do anything exciting on your birthday?

Drats, we must be in fall season Lindakay, hopefully now the bad weather is almost gone we will be more watchful... you could have broken your hip so easily..glad hubby was there to help you up, likely the dogs were licking and living you up. Wow, high of 82, I would just like your low for the day, 50’s would be perfect..I sent you the wind so could you send me the heat.

Keiran is such a caring young man, you are blessed for having him in you life and for visiting...we don’t get much of that any more...Chaos would indeed be jealous, Kai being a puppy always gets the attention..when I go to Sharon’s I always pet Inuk and Paris..with all the attention Inuk has gotten in all the shows, he must be missing it.

Been working downstairs all day, don’t seem to be accomplishing a whole lot, well not as much as I wanted to but when you are designing what someone wants it’s much more difficult.

Sharon dropped in on her way back from town, I was able to give her a large container of soup, she is on a diet and says she shouldn’t but took it home, also gave her 1 of those large containers of sours cream 2 for 1 I got yesterday..she saw I was busy busy so off she went.

Wish I had orange I could use for carrots, I could be embroidering them while working on other projects. Have a few t towels embroidered and rita’s Easter pillow, can’t remember what is in the Easter totes but won’t hurt to make myself one tomorrow.

Best I not sit for long or that will be the end of my work day

Heathrjoy, I hope you come and stay with us, WELCOME!! Yes, Betty is sweet and warm. I think she could make friends anywhere she goes! Yes, good gloves sound like an excellent idea.

LindaK, that shawl is gorgeous. There are so many cute things to crochet but I need another hobby like a hole in the head.

I am not hurting too much from the falls other than the wound on the hand. It's improving, healing, is no longer raw. I would never wrap a leash or lead around my hand, but this has a loop to hold onto. A fence would be such a blessing. I have lots of brick trim on the exterior of my house so probably any doggy door would be the sliding glass door type.

I am grateful that when I call Stanley he answers me with a squeak or two. If I continue to call he usually comes. That said, sometimes he is so sound asleep that he can sleep thru my calling him, but rarely. In the sewing room there is so many GREAT places to sneak into, curl up and sleep. I have not discovered all of his favorite places yet, primarily because he always finding new ones! All of the room is such a work in progress that it will be a while before anything is stable in there. I am moving his big cat tower in today. I have completely moved him out of his old room. I expect to move over the other bedroom in 2 weeks. I will be out of town this coming weekend or I would try for THIS week.

The governor is expected to announce the opening of ALL schools with the OPTION of school remote. If that does happen, it would make schooling much easier for my grandkids when they move here. We'll see.

My name is Heather Maloney. I was in PA, but now I'm in TX. I've missed DG and the friends I made here over the years while I was gone. It's good to be back, thank you for the welcome!

Psychw2, I hope you are doing better soon! Is Stanley the meow in your profile pic? What a cutie!

Welcome back, Heather!!
Pat - it's me who's doing the shawl, not LK 😊
I've run into a bit of a pattern snag - it's not coming out the way it should, for the # of stitches. I posted the question about the pattern in FB Knitting Helps, but they seem to think that the pattern looks right. ummmm user error? Dunno, but I'm going to try it again.........
It won't take as long as you might think - large needles. #10 / 6mm.

Nothing special on my birthday, but Bob gave me a lovely & romantic card. He made grilled sockeye salmon in the oven, as well as crab stuffed mushroom caps & yams. It was delicious!

Pat, you are too sweet, thank you!

I do remember Heather, sure hope you make yourself at home here..that is a big move, all the way to Texas, what part? Lindakay lives in Texas, not far from Mexico border..she showed me and the girls I travel with around San Antonio..we did most of the main cities in Texas.

Some of the patterns are incorrect at times Susan, I remember thinking to my self ‘wonder if it’s done purposely so mine doesn’t turn out as nice..know that is not the
truth, just me being frustrated at the time, was looking at a few baby outfits and I’m thinking oh no, not going to tackle that one.

Pat, it’s hard to decide what to do with school issue, same going on here..some tested positive so many parents doing the online tutoring for lessons.
Stanley will miss you or is he going for a ride

Shak8ng my head, I know I have a weak wrist and yet I was doing plastic snaps, can barely move my wrist..after that was done I realized that more than likely for a 4 year old Velcro would have been better so in the morning I will take them out, I’ll sew buttons were they were and underneath Velcro..stupid of me
Am sure the 2nd unit will go better

Did get 3 of 4 t-towels done..the 4th will get done tomorrow
Rita is in the city, if she hasn’t left yet I’ll see if she can pick up another package.

Meant to add photo of last night at the waterfront..
If you are lurking Debbie, it’s right where you take photo’s
I did not take the photo’s a local didnt, Charlotte Bergman

This message was edited Mar 14, 2021 5:27 PM

No Heather, that Sweetie is a cat my husband & I had several years ago. Jalouse (French for jealous) was adopted from the shelter and a very special girl. I had to rehome her when she tripped my husband twice. For her safety and HIS, I had to find her a new home. She was so smart, funny & athletic. She played fetch, could jump higher than the peep hole in the front door. She LOVED butter. When I put it in the kitchen cabinet to keep it away from her, she learned to open the cabinets. I had to resort to heavy ceramic covers over the butter.

Stanley is a stray that my brother & SIL were feeding. When they heard I was going to get a pet, they encouraged me to adopt him. It was a WONDERFUL choice that I have thanked them for over and over.

Stanley is here to stay, whether he ever learns to get along with my sons dogs or not. I have him in my sewing/sitting room (about 25 x 22) , and my "new bedroom" is next door, thru the sewing room. It's not a done deal yet, but it looks like they will move into my house in April. They will get the my old master bedroom and bathroom, I will move across the house into the spare bedroom. I will miss my walk in shower! I will still have a nice bathroom but it's off the sewing room, not my bedroom.

OOps sorry Susan, should have paid better attention to names & remembered when posting!! LOL.

Betty, your Easter gifts are coming out so cute.

A picture of Stanley. I need to get a better picture of him, he has a gorgeous long haired tail. He is a naughty little boy that has kept me company since my husbands death 13 months ago.

Stanley is a keeper, he is just too adorable..must have been traumatic for both Jalouse and you..Was he named well, wanting attention and jealous when not getting it?
I’m in bed, iPad too heavy to hold so I’m thinking I’ll not play games on it tonight.
Have my left hand rested on a pillow and Ziggy not happy, it’s right where he lays next to me.

Ziggy will have to find a new favorite place temporarily while your hand heals.

It was traumatic, but I could not afford to be selfish and risk her or Ben's safety. That is why I waited until after Ben's passing to get another pet. The pet would NOT have been safe in the house with Ben.. Once Ben was in a wheelchair, he NEVER looked behind him before backing up. Then, after his brain bleed, he had such a cognitive decline, I just had my hands full. Stanley has been a life safer for me.

Pat your Ben reminds me of Vern. While in his wheelchair, he would run into a wall. Then back-up and hit it again.

Weather is warming up but rain is still in tomorrow afternoon's forecast, so no patio sealing. Betty, the patio is stained concrete and then it is sealed to protect from sun and wear and tear.

I really didn't do much today. Got up late and with the time change, got up really late. I washed the dogs and visited with Vern's son that stopped by to pick up some groceries I had purchased for him. Actually my daughter got them when she was at Costco. Cheaper for him, especially cheaper because I pay for them.

I made myself a cheeseburger for dinner with caramelized onions and mushrooms. It was delicious but not something you could eat except by yourself. Very messy.

We are suppose to get in the low 70s later in the week.

Dianne, you are blessed with such a nice young neighbor. Did you get some wood moved into the house?

Betty, love your Easter towels and pillow.

Susan, pleased your and Bob are still working things out. Sounds like a lovely dinner.

Heather, welcome back. My deceased husband was from Texas. A lot of nice people down there.

Good Morning to all of you. Have a great Monday. Hugs, Sharon

"Cheaper for him, especially cheaper because I pay for them" YEP, I do the same things frequently for my kids. No matter how old they are, they are still our "kids". .

Morning, sun shinning through but it sure is a chilly day with the wind so it’s an inside day for sure...

Wrist is better, thank goodness so I will baby it.

Heather, meant to ask, what do your gardens consist of??

Glad you enjoyed your special day Susan, how does the battle go with the knitting?

Pat I’m with you, my boys at in their 50’s and I still want to know where they are, what they are doing etc..mom will be 90 in September and I still think she thinks I’m 10

Caramelized onions hmmm asked Melanie what her favourite was, pork chops, onions and rice so on tomorrow’s menu, dianne’s German pizza will have to wait until the weekend.

Deb, how are things going in your neck of the woods

Liz are things getting better in California re Covid?

Sharon, patio will look lovely, do they inset a design?

Well, I did the last bunny t-towel, might take a ride this week and pick up more, really good quality, did a panel set in for a pillow, lunch time then back at that cookie sheet pillow piece, I will tell you I would make these for $$$, once I make these that likely will be it..

Just getting caught up, was missing for a bit, my subscription ran out last week. I just resubscribed this afternoon.

I love that shawl, Susan. I'll be anxious to see photos as you progress with it.

We had a few days in the 60's last week, today, up to 4" of snow. It's been snowing all day, and there is maybe an inch or so on the ground. At least since the ground warmed up it was melting when it hit the ground for most of the day. It's sticking now, though.

We have a vet appointment for an ultrasound on Saturday, to see if the breeding took. I'm so anxious for puppies, but, I'm afraid to get my hopes up. The other breeding, with the gal that I sent the dog to in Calgary last summer, isn't happening. During some testing, it was discovered that she has a congenital heart defect. No puppies for her. I think she'll be staying with the woman in Calgary, she really loves her.

So sorry to hear you lost a potential good breeding dog but happy to hear, that regardless of her heart defect, she has found a loving new owner.

Sitting in the bedroom because housekeeper is here and cleaning in the kitchen area right now. We had our walk in the windy weather. Cloudy, off and on, and rain predicted for later this afternoon. I need to go water the plumerias in the garage. Getting that time of year that they need to come outside. Probably another two weeks.

Betty the concrete was stamped when it was installed 20 years ago. Sealing is just a refresh. They will probably start tomorrow.

I have to make a few phone calls for appliance repairs on the small fridge up in Vern's office. also need to schedule my Handyman to finish some minor repairs now that I have the parts from the manufacturer.

Housekeeper just moved me out the bedroom. I just watered my lettuce and turnip seeds. I have the irrigation off because it is suppose to rain.

This what I found on our morning walk. Blew off a palm tree. I am going to seal it, then put it in a pot with a elephant bush.

Betty, the battle of the pattern is not going well. At row 69 I start out with the required 112 stitches, and the pattern is to take me down to 106 stitches, but I end up with 94. The yarn overs give me a pattern look of holes that match up, but NOT the # of stitches. I posted it on the FB Knitting Help page, and they tell me to "just follow the pattern"........... ummm - which pattern would that be, I wonder, cuz the one on the page cuts my # of stitches too much.
I've sent it to a friend hoping that she can figure it out. Maybe one of you can?!?! Here's the part I SHOULDN'T have problems with - it's straight-forward enough......... It's row 69 - the last row I'm posting here.

"Row 9 (RS): K5, *K1, (K2tog) 3 times, (yfwd, K1) 5 times, yfwd, (sl1, K1, psso) 3 times, K1, rep from * to last 5 sts, K5.
Row 10: K n i t .
Rows 5 to 10 form border patt.
Work a further 46 rows in patt.
Now shape corners as follows:
Place markers 24 sts in from both ends of last row.
Row 57 (RS): K3, (K2tog) 5 times, (yfwd, K1) 4 times, yfwd, (sl 1, K1, psso) 3 times, K1, slip marker onto right needle, patt to next marker, slip marker onto right needle, K1, (K2tog) 3 times, (yfwd, K1) 4 times, yfwd, (sl 1, K1, psso) 5 times, K3. 118 sts.
Row 58: Knit.
Rows 59 to 62: Knit.
Row 63: K3, (K2tog) 4 times, (yfwd, K1) 3 times, yfwd, (sl 1, K1, psso) 3 times, K1, slip marker onto right needle, patt to next marker, slip marker onto right needle, K1, (K2tog) 3 times, (yfwd, K1) 3 times, yfwd, (sl 1, K1, psso) 4 times, K3. 112 sts.
Row 64: Knit.
Rows 65 to 68: Knit.
Row 69: K3, (K2tog) 3 times, (yfwd, K1) twice, yfwd, (sl 1, K1, psso) 3 times, K1, slip marker onto right needle, patt to next marker, slip marker onto right needle, K1, (K2tog) 3 times, (yfwd, K1) twice, yfwd, (sl 1, K1, psso) 3 times, K3. 106 sts."

Greek to me. Is that a formula for plant food?

Good morning everyone. Hugs, Sharon

Early morning as well, guess the sandman missed Sharon and I, I’ve been in and out of bed so many times that Ziggy has given up with and few new sleeping accommodations.

Deb, that is terribly disappointing, I hope you end up with a healthy size litter, very expensive when you get but one and need to do c-section. What woulda be the due date? calling for same amount of snow here, like you hope it just falls and melts, hopefully by morning you will see no sign of snow. Am sure we are in for one mega storm before we call it the end, spring or not.

Susan, all simple directions, so how many stitches are on the needle when we start with the pattern you posted, and how many should you end up with?

More garden time for you Sharon now that the house is clean,..guess you look forward to the rain, saves you watering time, would it be wonderful if mother gave you a sprinkling every morning for 10 minutes or so

Let’s try this sleep thing

Great weather forecasted for next two weeks

We ended up with the grass covered with snow. The pavement is just wet, though a bit icy in places. Foggy this morning, but, it's supposed to get up in the 40's today, so the snow will melt.

My litter should be due Apr 21st.

Almost in line with your temps Deb, not hat our southern friends have but we will take it

Praying your dog is pregnant Deb.
Welcome Heather. I am in Del Rio, Texas. Right on the border of Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Not an easy time at the borders right now, with all the migrants coming over.

Once Heather replies lindakay, wonder how far she will be from you.

Deb, so glad you renewed your membership.

Waiting for pie crust to cook so I can go downstairs and sew, Greg and Mel come for their weekly Tuesday night supper..later this morning I’ll do the chocolate pie filling..they are on diets but always ready to have a small slice of pie

Yes, wondering where Heather is located.
So nice that you guys get together every Tuesday.

Melanie just messaged me wanting to know what was on tonight menu lol
Got the chocolate pie made

Had a project to do for Rita but she didn’t give me the project for her grandsons cookie sheet/pillow piece..

Guess I could look to see what I have.

Thought about taking a ride to Niagara Falls Saturday, eat at a take out drive through, walk the Falls but guess I have to live within my district sooo no go..

Year today our borders have been closed! Big big sigh😢

I would not manage the dessert every week, I would be in full blown binge by Wednesday with the dessert Tuesday and who knows when it would stop! I wish that were NOT the case, but based on history, sugar is NOT my friend.

I am even avoiding the Monkfruit sweetener desserts that are "Keto friendly". Monkfruit is supposed to be zero calories and NOT create insulin response like artificial sweeteners. Slim fast even puts out several Keto friendly "Fat bombs", one that resembles a Reeses Peanut Butter cup. I think I am best to just pass them all up. All sweets just seem to trigger a whole new round of craving etc and I don't need the temptations.

No, I am not diabetic (YET) but I am morbidly obese. I have had bariatric surgery, I have lost and regained so many times in my life, many times before surgery and after, only to regain it. I have seriously lost weight (well over 100 pounds) more than once.

I am just going back to what has worked for me, eliminating starches & carbs. I am not measuring or counting calories but having healthy choices, now, as defined by Keto. WHAT is different is that I am eating "good fats" but also restricting my fruit choices.

That's probably all you will hear me say about Keto, or weight loss. It's not the focus of my life. For the people who say "The first 10 pounds are the easiest." I say "Really? How long has you been meaning to lose those first 10 pounds???"

THINGS to do, Marie is stopping by this morning while her husband has an MRI again. I am hoping the surgery is VERY soon, he is in so much pain. He's already had 1 back surgery since Christmas. He is NOT well, I am afraid we will not have him much longer.

Betty - I start with 112 stitches, and I've done the math. Need to end up with 106 which is a decrease of only 6, but somehow I end up with only 94 stitches.
Simple? maybe (should be). Working out? no............

Don't you just LOVE the advice "follow the pattern". Heck, if you were asking for help, SURELY the "helpers" could have given you the time it took to walk thru what you were doing wrong!! POOR support barely covers the subject.

Pat, I've probably lost two or three people so far in my yoyo life. Now I'm steadily losing even though I'm really not trying. I just don't seem to have an appetite lately. I am taking Trulicity shot for my diabetes. I've been taking it for a long time so I don't think that's it. I've hovered around 190-200 for several years and am now at 172. I pretty much have what ever I want, thing is I just don't want. I've also had chronic diarrhea for well over 10 years. Nothing has helped and was tested for over a year with no cause found. It does seem to be worse lately too. I don't know if any of this has to do with having COVID. I still don't think I'm 100% over it from Jan.
Sorry I'm rambling. Just seem to be in a funk lately.

a knitting friend of mine is going to meet with me today & we'll try to hash it out together. As the Tuesday Social Group is meeting again, we'll just go 1/2 hour earlier & she'll help me. FINALLY someone will look at the piece with me, and we should be able to figure it out.
As it's such a large piece & I'm only 69 rows in, I'm loath to go any further without doing it right.

Pat, I've lost and gained a lot of weight over my life. I had bariatric surgery almost 15 years ago. It was the best thing I ever did. I'm still cosidered morbidly obese, but, my fat little legs can run me around a dog show ring! That's my priority right now.

Almost evening gals, Melanie usually gets here around 4:30-5:00 and Greg 5:30, depends on his work schedule..

I’ve a few friends on Keto and have lost large amounts of weight..like you Karen I don’t have much of an appetite, Greg and Mel can’t believe how little I eat when they are here Tuesday nights, I had a cranberry muffin this morning and a coffee, opened a pop but didn’t touch it sooo hope I can enjoy a meal with them..

I also am a frequent visitor to the washroom but it seems it’s when I have turkey..I get nauseous when I have Kentucky fried chicken, I so love it and crave it but know I will be deathly ill.



I am 5’ and 135lbs..although overweight it is not b3cause of the past year as I weight myself most months and stay the same..love soup so have the fixings for cabbage soup diet..will start Monday... truly, will start Monday and I think once I get mobile,outside working in the gardens it might help.

I feel for all of you, it is not easy losing weight, you would think seeing as they can come up with every med thinkable that they should have come up with a weight loss pill..

I think of aunt Muriel who is 92 and weighs 86 lbs and survives, a skeleton and my mom 105 lbs, do I have to get that old to get thin...you know I often think of Roger, he was famous when someone would say how big he was, he was 6’-240 lbs with 54” shoulders and 36 pants, he had a v like figure, he would say, if I ever got cancer it would take forever to do me in..nope only took 3 weeks.

I wish you all the very best with your efforts in trying to lose, want you all around for a long time.

Karen, I think you will be quite awhile before you are free of Covid

Deb, the ring and exercising is bound to help

Pat,sorry to hear about Marie’s husband..let’s hope he gets help soon

Susan so glad you will have help, if not pat and June are always up to a challenge, again could be the pattern

It is that kind of a day..hope having company cheers me up

Somebody’s horn is going off, Edith at Root Caffe or Mel is here

Usually she walks though, bring Ned with her..he is quite the size and loves lick8ng grandma..Ziggy hides, knows when they leave and comes out as though to say ‘are they gone..

Hospital called me today, asked me to provide my full name
As it happens, when I went to get my heart checked when I had such pain, I must have in the room I was in taken my credit card to get more time on internet, left the card..it still had ‘call to activate’ sticker on it

Just a few weeks ago I called the bank and said I hadn’t received the card, she said I must have but issued me a new one, just picked it up a few weeks ago, anyway the hospital attendant said it was sitting there a few months and couldn’t understand why nobody had called me..told her to cut it up..

Filling in time, wasn’t Mel or Greg..

I used a bunch I’d scraps today and ended up with a lively Easter pillow, cut a few strips from Rita’s fabric..where I quilted lines in the top I used narrow batting strips covered with a green cotton, you can’t see it anyway once pillow is in it, had the insert..used some pink/ yellow which I couldn’t do much with on the back after I folded the 2 pieces it’s 2 different yellows but nobody sees that either lol

Best I go make sure I’m not burning supper

Well, Nancy couldn't help - there are NO stars showing which is the "pattern" and which is the other parts of the row. Some rows DO have the "between the stars" but this one doesn't.. HOWEVER, I noticed something - this is the row 69, then 70 to 77 are knit with a few decreases. I think I can "fudge" through this. I have 2 more pieces to make, almost identical to this, so hopefully they will be easier.

Mark things down Susan so you remember which changes you’ve made

Greg & Mel just left..because Helene’s ( who sewed here) husband works where Mel does she has been getting updates..the are turning her from side to side on ventilator, she is unconscious so isn’t aware what is happening, her father-in-law (90) was released from hospital, apparently one of the girls did have Covid and had brought her boyfriend up with her..truly tragic