I survived!

Hello my friends. I survived my molar extraction.  Sometimes it feels like I just barely survived.  Today is by far much better than yesterday.  I had general anesthesia, so I don't remember anything, including the drive home, but apparently they didn't tell Dennis some information either.  I had  to go back for a follow-up yesterday and they had thought we had been told everything at the pre-op appointment.  Nope.  Like the fact that they had to removed bone in my jaw and the third root was wrapped around my ear canal.  They had to remove the bone and tooth in pieces, which caused more trauma to my jaw.
Nope.  We weren't told any of that and I couldn't figure out why it hurt so bad. I've had my wisdom teeth pulled years ago and never had this much pain.  BUT....hopefully it's all behind me now and things will be looking up from here on out.
Isn't this a great picture?  I spent a lot of time with ice packs this weekend.

Some knitting was done, but not a lot.  Jeremy, Alicia and the boys were here all weekend and they did all of the cooking.  I still can only eat soft foods like pudding, ice cream, scrambled eggs, etc. for another week at least.

Alicia brought me some beautiful flowers to perk me up! She's a sweetheart.

I finished a pair of socks made with Knit Picks Stroll Fingering in the "Heartfelt Tonal" colorway.

I also worked on my nine-patch mitered square.

The refrigerator arrived 1/2 hour after I got home from the dentist.  It's just a plain old refrigerator, but it keeps things cold for us and that's the important thing.

 Piper was most worried that I would still put the grandkids pictures on the new one.  I thought about leaving the magnets off so it would look nicer, but then decided I like them!  We collect magnets of places we travel to and they go on the refrigerator.  The grandkids love to look at them and move them around.

And last, but not least, Mandy sent me a picture of Piper while they were waiting to go into pre-school today.  She's fixing her hair a new way!  Cute little bun pigtails.  Isn't she cute?  Talking to her  and seeing her pictures sure makes this Grandma feel better.

Take care and I'll try to be back soon.  I grocery shopped for Easter dinner this morning, but I don't think I'll get to eat much of it.  It will be fun to have people here for the holiday.  Church in the morning to celebrate the Risen Christ and then the afternoon visiting with friends.

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

Blessings,
Betsy

Happy Spring?

Oh my!!  I've been looking at some blogs this morning and it sounds like at lot of my friends are getting hammered by this snowstorm on the East coast.  I am so sorry.  We did have a beautiful spring day here yesterday but this weekend has snow/rain predicted so although I'm sure it won't be as bad as what you are all going through, I do sympathize with you.  Spring seems a bit fickle this year. :-)

Murphy has been visiting our house the past few weeks.  Have you all heard of "Murphy's Law?"

You all know the computer saga.  Then, last Thursday at dinner, Dennis broke half a tooth off eating rice. Yep.  Plain old white rice!  Two dentist visits later he has a temporary crown with the permanent one to be placed next week.

I'm having my back molar pulled tomorrow.  Not looking forward to that.  The endodontist who did the original root canal said it should be pulled since it is cracked. So THREE dentist visits later, all to different specialists with the accompanying fees and xrays, it still has to be pulled tomorrow.  Pray for me please.  I don't mind dentists but I DO mind pulling teeth.

Then, remember how proud I was of cleaning my refrigerator a few weeks ago?  Ladies, (and any men out there,)  do not, I repeat DO NOT clean your fridge!  I woke up yesterday to a dead refrigerator.  Look how clean it is.  I really liked this refrigerator

 Look how empty it is!

 The repairman actually came out yesterday, but the news wasn't good.  This five year old refrigerator needed a new compressor among other things.  The compressor alone was $800.00!  It was working fine the day before!  How can this be?  We declined the repair and I went last night, while Dennis was teaching the last class of  Financial Peace University, (how ironic is that), and bought a new fridge.  A cheap, old fashioned, freezer on the top, no bells and whistles refrigerator.

The repairman told me that the life span of new refrigerators seems to be 5-7 years now.  The ironic thing is I took all of my stuff to Nita's house and she put it in her 52 year old fridge that still works like a charm.  No more fancy fridges for me!

To top it off, we got our invoice for the lake place rental where we keep our trailer.  It's gone up almost $300 this year!  Now it has gone up every year $10-20, but $300?!!!  And there are tons of new rules, fees, fines, etc.  When we started staying there, our little section of the resort had only 7 trailers, now there are 42!  It's not nearly as much fun and I guess with lots of people come more problems.  Plus they've cut down the time we can be there.  Only May 1 - Sept. 30 with absolutely NO off season access to your trailer.  We've always been able to come and go as we wanted to check on things, clear snow off of the roof if needed and then start staying as soon as the weather warmed enough.  No more.  Lots more rules.

Dennis and I are going to do some talking about this.  We desperately wish we had somewhere else to take our trailer, but every place is full, which is why they can do this to everyone.  As much as we love it, we may end up selling the trailer.  Lots of decisions to be made and soon.

I know that lots of people have much worse issues to deal with and we have been blessed to have this place for 6 years and it may not seem very important in the grand scheme of things.  But Dennis has a very stressful job and he enjoys the relaxation he finds when camping. And, of course, you all know how I feel about my cozy little home away from home.

We have discussed buying a few acres in the mountains ourselves, but by the time we have a well dug, power accessed to the property and a septic dug, it gets way, way too expensive.

So Murphy has been busy, busy around here.  Please pray that my oral surgery goes well.  They are knocking me completely out because of my pacemaker so at least I won't know what is happening. :-)

On a much, much brighter note, Alicia and the boys came to stay last weekend to visit Jeremy and both boys literally begged me to teach them to knit.  Here we are Saturday morning.  They were sitting on the loveseat, yarn and needles in hand when I got out of bed.  We started lessons before I even had my shower and got dressed!  They were SO excited.  By Sunday afternoon Kale had a dishcloth over halfway done and Hayden was trying with all his might to master the knit stitch.  So much fun.

 Here are my little knitted Easter eggs I made a few years ago.  I need to get a few more done this year.

 I thought I would show you the top of my sewing machine when it's closed up.  I keep all of my vintage knitting needles in a mug along with pincushions given to me by blogging friends.  I have butchers string for tying packages in the purple canning jar with a lid that has a hole for a straw. It works great.  My food/yarn scale, button jar and a basket of washi tape finish it off.  I had to close the blinds because the sun was so bright this morning.

 To the left of my sewing machine is the dresser that Dennis used as a baby.  I used it for each of our children too when they were babies.  The drawers are small and graduated in size so it was perfect for baby things.  Now it's my craft dresser where I keep fabric, patterns, ribbon, elastic, etc

The camper banner was given to me by Nita and was going to go into the trailer this summer but I don't know what I'll do with it if we decide to sell. Sad Betsy.

 I spent a little time organizing my yarn closet again. I'm using up lots of stash and haven't bought anything so I'm pretty happy with that.  I bought a few baskets at the dollar store and that has helped with the organization process.  I have several blankets on the bottom shelves for the Crisis Nursery.  I better be making a trip there soon to deliver them.

 Since I last posted I made a few dishcloths.  I found out about this pattern from Judy at "Stitch Along With Me" over on my sidebar.  It's the Diagonal Knit Dishcloth and it's free on Ravelry,  A fun variation of the Grandma's Old fashioned dishcloth, even though mine look at bit wonky.

 Two more circular dishcloths.  All four were made with "I Love This Cotton" from Hobby Lobby.

 I have well and truly fell down the mitered square rabbit hole.  I finished a nine-patch square and started another one.  Gosh, these are addictive.

 My red socks are only being worked on at doctor appointments right now.  Not much progress is being made.  I had an appointment yesterday with my primary care doctor.  He and his wife just finished a pair of socks.  He knitted one and she knitted the other.  Apparently they do that all of the time.  He told me a few years ago, that she taught him to knit to relieve some of his job stress.  He really enjoys it although other guys give him a hard time for it.  He and his wife even yarn shop together, although he said she always gets what she whats and he's okay with that!

That's about it.  Lots of stuff happening and not much time at home right now.  I hope all is well with you and that you aren't snowed in too bad.  If you are, I hope you have lots of tea or coffee and yarn or a good book.  And chocolate.  Lots and lots of chocolate!

Have a wonderful  rest of the week and I'll be back soon, (I hope), with one less tooth in my mouth!

Even with all of the "stuff" happening, it could always be worse and I know and realize just how blessed I am with a loving husband, wonderful friends and family.  Life is good!

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9

Blessings,
Betsy

Spring?!?!

Happy Friday afternoon everyone!  The sun is shining here and although it is very chilly out, in the sunshine it feels almost like sweater weather.  I was outside a little while ago and guess what I spied in my raised garden bed?

Rhubarb!  My rhubarb is already trying to make an appearance.  This is very promising indeed my friends!  Spring must be on it's way.

I've been doing some organizing of our office/craft room since we can get rid of all of the old computer stuff, keyboard, monitor, etc.  I've spent a few hours each of the past couple of days reorganizing my yarn closet too and trying to get the chaos under control.  Well, at least as much as possible.

I had fun sorting through my Mom's old button box.  There are some gems here.

 I also found a metal tatting shuttle.  I would love to learn to tat, but haven't seen classes anywhere close by and the utube videos I've seen haven't done the trick for me.  And just look at the glass buttons!  I remember watching my Mom take buttons off of worn out clothing.  It wouldn't have crossed her mind to throw them away.  She was a child of the great depression.  The material was used as rags and buttons, zippers, snaps, etc. were ALL re-used.

 I got a kick out of the prices on the buttons that were still on cards.

 Wooden buttons too.

 I couldn't get this picture to turn for some reason, but look at those big ones!  I love to go through old buttons.  I still have another whole tin I haven't looked through.

When I finished, I kept the buttons on cards in a box, but I put the loose ones in a pretty glass jar on my sewing machine cabinet so I can see the sun sparkling off of them.

I also put out a few Easter/spring decorations.  I crocheted this flower garland several years ago.  It stays out for most of the spring and summer but the bunny will go back into storage after Easter. 

 A cute little egg tree.  I have it "planted" in an old Starbucks frappacino glass bottle filled with birdseed. It works great.

 The storage cabinet under the TV with grand child photos and knitted Easter eggs.  I'll have to get a better picture for you next time.

 This was my splurge this year.  Isn't this little family of bunnies the cutest thing you've seen in a long time?  I've been eyeing it at Hobby Lobby for a couple of months but just couldn't justify the $19.99 price.  Then when I stopped in on Tuesday, (just to "LOOK" at the yarn, you know), the bunnies were on sale for 40% off all spring decor.  On top of that there was an in store manager percentage off.  Then I had $6.11 left on a gift card Miss Piper gave me for Christmas.  I ended up giving them $1.03 for this cute little bunny family.  That seemed like a good bargain to me.

I have made a couple of  dishcloths since I wrote a few days ago and that's about it.  I've been doing several hours of cleaning every day.  I think spring fever has hit and I want to get the house in order before we go camping for the summer.

Update on my tooth.  The endodontist said he is the one who did the original root canal 9 years ago but the tooth is now cracked which is allowing infection around the roots of the tooth.  It has three roots instead of the normal two which he said makes the root canal even more challenging.  His advice was to pull the tooth because chances are that this second root canal would go bad in a few years too, because of the crack.

So next week I see an oral surgeon on Tuesday and it's scheduled to be pulled on Thursday.  Three different dentists and three consultation fees in addition to their actual charges of xrays, exams, etc.  This is getting very expensive for a tooth that will be pulled next week.  Oh well.  What will be, will be, right?

I would like to ask you for prayers for my brother-in-law Mike and my sister Melanie.  Mike is battling cancer and is back in the hospital with yet another infection.  Because of the chemo he has no white blood cells to fight the infections he keeps getting.  I miss being with Melanie to help and encourage her through all of this.  Melanie, I know you're reading this.  Huge hugs and lots of love to you both.  Just think of me coloring with you, side by side. -:)

We'll have a house full again this weekend.  Alicia and the boys are coming this afternoon to spend the weekend with Jeremy here at our house.  It's always fun to hear kids voices around the house and the boys love Chloe.  She's exhausted when they go home and sleeps for days! :-)

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed weekend.  I know snow and ice are hitting much of the midsection of the country today.  Melanie said she's been watching rain/sleet out of the hospital windows in Omaha so to those of you in the path of the storm I pray for safety.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galations 5:22-23

Blessings,
Betsy

Back so soon

Wow!  You guys are such a great support system.  Between you and Mandy, you encouraged me to stand up for ourselves with Best Buy's Geek Squad.  So yesterday I went in, receipt in hand to ask for a refund for the $219.59 that they charged us for tech support.  Would you believe that I didn't say a word to  the young man?  He just took one look at me, must have remembered the fiasco of last week, took my receipt and refunded us the entire amount!  Not a word was said by either of us.  It was really weird.  Afterwards, I very nicely told him that friends had downloaded everything for us Sunday afternoon.  I really did say it very nicely.  He just answered VERY sarcastically, "Well good for you!"  and walked away.  It was said in the rudest tone I've heard in a long, long time.  This was the strangest and worst customer service event I've ever experienced!

Last night Alex face-timed from Japan and had me face the iPad to the laptop so he could see the screen and walked me through downloading both of our printer drivers!  They had also told us we needed to buy two new printers to replace our laser printer and ink jet scanner/printer/copier.  I am SO glad that we didn't give away the laser printer!  The Geek Squad said the the drivers weren't available for our old printers that aren't even that old.   Now I can print from both my iPad AND the new laptop.  I'm so grateful for Alex helping us with that last night.  Who would have thought he would be able to do it from his little town in northern Japan, when the Geek squad couldn't do it with the actual laptop in their hands?

Okay, done with the computer drama. (I hope.)  Like I promised, I have more knitting to show you  that took place when I was computerless.

I made two more dishcloths.  I really like this Hobby Lobby, I Love This Cotton.  It's so soft to knit with.

 I also finished Dennis' socks yesterday while I was at the tire place getting my snow tires removed.  It's 63F here today!  It is supposed to cool off a little bit but I don't think we'll have enough snow to need my tires anymore.  Anyway, these socks are made with Knit Picks Stroll Fingering in the Tiger Eye Hand Painted colorway.  75% Superwash Merino/25% Nylon.  I really love Knit Picks sock yarns they are so soft and have worn well.   I did a simple k1p1 ribbed cuff and then k2p2 leg.  Dennis really likes that simple pattern as they stay up very well and don't slide down his leg in his cowboy boots.

 I finished two more nine patch squares for my cozy memory quilt. 

 Another square has begun.  These are so fun and soothing to knit on.  It will take a long, long time to finish and that's okay with me.

 I started another pair of socks, this time using the magic loop two at a time method.  However, I found it very fiddly and much prefer my dpn's.  This morning I took them off of the magic loop and put them on dpn's.  I'm using Knit Picks Stroll in Heartfelt Tonal colorway.  I was hoping to avoid the dreaded "second sock syndrome" by using the magic loop but I wasn't enjoying it at all and isn't that what we're supposed to do?  I've never not knitted the second sock of a pair anyway, so I think I'll keep to what I love.

 I also crocheted two baby blankets last week from Loops and Threads Impeccable yarn.  I made all of the squares in two days and spent a day putting them together and crocheting the border.  These will go to the Crisis Nursery.

 Dennis' Aunt Ev and Uncle Al were on their way home from California where they spend the winter with their daughter's family.  They live outside Minneapolis, MN and always stop for a week or so in Omaha and stay with Dennis' mom in the spring and fall for a visit.

Mandy and Piper spent some time with them yesterday and Piper taught them a matching game.  Aunt Ev used to work in the school system and has always been good with children.

Piper called me as they drove home after the visit and told me all about it.  She seemed to have lots of fun with them.  One of my earliest memories of dating Dennis was camping with Uncle Al, Aunt Ev and their families over Memorial Day weekend at Ponca State Park in the NE corner of Nebraska.  I'm glad Piper is getting to know them too.   Family is important.

I went to my knitting group this morning and had a nice visit with everyone.  Tomorrow morning I have to go to the endodontist to see what they are going to do about my tooth.  I hope it's not another root canal but I am tired of chewing on one side!  :-)

The rain is supposed to begin tomorrow for several days but that's okay.  If it's not snow, I'm happy and it will help the plants grow.  I hope you're all seeing signs of spring and renewal wherever you may be.

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."  Colossians 3:16

Many blessings and love to you all,

Betsy

Pictures!!!

I think I'm up and running with this new laptop.  I think.  All I can say is that we never, ever, ever, ever will buy anything from Best Buy ever again.  Gosh!  Did I emphasize that enough?  We think that we will really like the computer we bought, once the learning curve is complete, but...the Geek Squad failed us big time and completely wiped the hard drive on our last computer and then told us that the data was gone when we brought it in.  Um...not true.  We were still using it when we brought it in to transfer the data to the new laptop!  So we took our "My Cloud" device in for them to use to transfer to the new computer.  Yesterday, they said our back up "My Cloud" was empty.  What?!  They basically told us that they lost all of our information, documents, photos, etc., on both the original desktop computer and our external hard drive storage.   This was after we paid them $200+ to transfer our data.  To say we were upset was an understatement.  I took the new laptop and iPad to church this morning and a friend was able to transfer photos and then Jeremy looked at the "My Cloud"  device this afternoon and transferred documents from it.  In other words, nothing was lost, but the Geek Squad didn't have a clue.  They did nothing except take our money.  They had the new computer all week and didn't do a thing.  Friends fixed the issue in less than a half an hour!  Do you think they'll refund our money?

Sorry for the rant.  I try not to do that on here, but for goodness sake!  Whatever happened to customer service?  We had heard other people say this about the Geek Squad here but we didn't know where else to turn.  From now on, Jeremy will be our first stop! :-)

Dennis took this photo of me at the lake this afternoon.  The lake is still frozen over with snow on it.  We had high hopes that the snow would mostly be gone like it is in town.  We should have known since the elevation is much higher there that it would still be there after all of the snow the past few weeks.   Last year we were camping by April 1st, so we had hoped that we could take the cover off of the trailer and put the slides out today.  Then, Chloe and I could go up during the week and take a few things up at a time.  I'm SO ready to be at the lake.  But it's been a long hard winter and it doesn't look as though it's going to give up it's grip anytime soon.  It was 56 today though and it supposed to be in the 50's all week here in Spokane so maybe by next weekend we can hike in and open the trailer.  I want to be cozy in it again.  I love our trailer.

Lots of ice!

Looking up towards the cabins by the store.  Brrrrr

I'll show you some of the knitting I've done since I last posted photos.  I do have more that I'll photograph tomorrow for my next post.

I made two more squares for my Cozy Memories Quilt.  I really enjoy making each of these nine patch squares using bits and pieces of sock yarn.

I crocheted another baby blanket with Caron Simply Soft yarn.  This makes two of these in the last few weeks.  I really like this pattern and colors for a boy.

Last week Dennis told me he would like a couple more bookmarks for his Bible so I got some materials out and came up with these.  One is a verse from Song of Solomon.  The other has our names and anniversary date.  40 years on September 1!  The man deserves a medal of sainthood for putting up with me. :-)

Because it's getting late, I'll end with this picture of Miss Piper.  This was her Kindergarten Round up photo last week.  She was so excited to spend time at the "Big Kid" school.  I think she is just the cutest little girl ever.

I do have more knitting to show you, so I'll be back soon.  Sorry for the rant earlier.  I know many of you understand computer frustrations.  Dennis and I are not techies at all.  We can use the machines if they do what they're supposed to and that's about it.  Please forgive me if I was too irritated in your opinion.

I hope you have a lovely Monday with sunshine and yarn involved. :-)

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

Blessings,
Betsy

New Computer

Happy Tuesday my friends.

Here I am, typing happily away on my new computer, but there is one HUGE problem.  The hard drive on our old one was corrupted and we lost EVERYTHING!  All of our documents, pictures, etc.  I'm worried, but not overcome with worry yet, because bless Jamie's, (our oldest son's), heart.  He installed an external cloud device in our office last year that backs up from my phone, iPad and computer every. single. night.  At least it's supposed to.  I just don't know how to get this new computer hooked up to it.  Hopefully it will transfer everything once we are able to sync it all.  I just picked it up an hour ago and I have to say I love it already.  I've texted Jamie and asked if he can help me via phone after he gets off of work.

So, I'm sorry.  No photos again today.  Just boring me, typing.  I've knitted some mittens and a couple of cozy memory 9 patch squares along with a BUNCH of crocheted squares for baby blankets.  I do have something to show you if I'm ever able to.  And the best part is that the new computer is a laptop so I should be able to take it to the lake this summer and blog from there too.  Yeah!

Nita is recovering well from her hip replacement surgery last week.  We took care of little Sophie all week for them. I have to say that I miss having her on my lap.  Larry has been put on antibiotics because his flu turned into bronchitis as a secondary infection.  Dennis seems to be doing well right now, although he has several co-workers out this week with influenza.  I sure hope this stuff stops soon.  :-)

My doctor called last week because he wanted to do a follow-up on my back.  While I was there I told him about some pain I had been having all week in my side.  He diagnosed divericulitis and wanted to put me in the hospital for IV antibiotics.  I convinced him to let me try oral meds first because we had a funeral on Saturday.  I also was on the calendar to prepare meals for three different people who were either sick or had surgery.  He agreed to try it and I think I'm better.   After all of that, I don't think he was too concerned with my back anymore. :-)

But...I got a toothache over the weekend.  I went to the dentist this morning and guess what?  I need a root canal in a tooth that has already had a root canal because there is an abcess at the base of the tooth.  How does that happen?  Only to me.  It's crazy.   He was going to put me on antibiotics before the root canal, but I'm already on them so he doesn't have to.  It's insane my friends.

Sometimes I truly feel it's one step forward, two steps back.

But...it's getting a touch warmer here and that means spring is really going to arrive at some point and then I'm going to go to my happy place at the lake and just stay there permanently. :-)

I hope this is finding you all well and warm.  I truly am doing fine and I know these are temporary glitches yet again.   Hopefully next time I write, I'll be able to show you some pictures too.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessings,
Betsy

Problems

Our computer has died and has been in the shop all week.  We just found out that it’s not repairable.  A new one was purchased today but is with Best Buy’s Geek Squad getting everything transferred.  I’ll be back as soon as possible with a post, meanwhile I wanted to let you know I’m still here and trying to visit your blogs via my iPhone.
Blessings,
Betsy