A little of this and a little of that...

Good Morning everyone!  I "think" spring has finally sprung in our neck of the woods.  I woke up  to this yesterday morning, although it was downright chilly, in the 40's.

 The flowering pear didn't seem to know that it was still cold.  Today is supposed to be 70F and I'm really looking forward to that.  I just snapped all of these pictures of the outside and it's beautiful out.  Spring is definitely my favorite season.

 Sorry the garage door is open.  I just got home from some errands and forgot to close it before taking this photo.   Chloe loves to be outside with me and never leaves the yard without us.  Even if Dennis is mowing in the backyard, she'll lay in the grass in front like an antelope and just watch people, (and dogs), walk by.  She's SO good.

 The first batch of rhubarb is almost ready to pull.

 The leaves are getting huge!

 Another view of the backyard.  Everything is so green at this time of year.

 The patio and back deck.  I love the yellow paint we chose for the house.  To me, it's a happy color.  I get so tired of earthtones all of the time.  A bright house is a happy house!  Ha! Ha!

 And there in the distance is Mt. Spokane, still with it's cap of snow.  I took this from the deck. 

I have done some knitting this week but not much progress seems to be happening because it's all on little needles.  First of all I finished this pair of socks made with Patton's Kroy socks in the Blue Rag colorway.  (I think it's Blue Rag, I threw the label away.)  I used the Hermione's Everyday pattern for these.  I really like this pattern.  It's easily memorized and stay up well.  And they're for me!  I got to use my new sock blockers that Sherri gave me.

 I also finished another nine patch cozy memory square.  These take a really long time, although they may not look like it.  Especially the border.  I think that cream border takes longer to knit than the nine little squares.  I have another block started on my new Knit Pro Zings.

 And, of course, another pair of socks begun.  This time I'm using the "Petty Harbour" pattern that is free on Ravelry.  I am really liking these Zings and wish I had gotten them years ago.

I also have an order of sock yarn from Knit Picks on the way that is supposed to be arriving today.  I need to get started on Christmas sock knitting.  Yes, I know that's a dreaded word, but when you make things you have to start really early. 

We spent Friday night at the lake.  Friday was 82F  and gorgeous.  Saturday was 44F and pouring rain.  What a big change overnight. We stayed until about 4:00 p.m. and then decided to come home and get a few things done.

It was a gorgeous day.  You can see Larry there in the corner.  He got quite sunburned.  We kept telling him to move but he didn't think it was that bright out.  He's having laproscopic surgery on his knee tomorrow from a fall he took on their last cruise. 

Last picture is one of my precious Piper.  Mandy sent it too me yesterday.  She's a yard fairy.  So sweet and she does resemble one doesn't she?  Love the wings. :-)

My friends, I'm tired of doctors, etc.  I've been going to the chiropractor on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  The acupuncturist on Tuesday and Thursday and also having massages on my back twice a week.  There is absolutely no change.  I still can't stand for more than a very few minutes or sit in a straight chair for any length of time without the spasms starting again.  I don't know how long I'm supposed to do all of this before admitting it's not working.  I'm going to give it a couple of more weeks I guess and then make a decision.  Aside from the obvious cost of all of these visits, it's really inconvenient too.  I have to drive clear across town to the chiropractor.

And tomorrow I get to have a follow-up ultrasound and mammogram because they found some lumps during my annual check up six months ago.  I'm sure it's nothing, but they are painful, because of course, it's on the side with my pacemaker! 

It's always something isn't it?  But spring is here and I'm really excited about that.  I need to find some new projects to work on.  Make some mittens, blankets and hats for charity, but I'm kind of in a knitting slump.  Choosing projects  that are comfortable and portable, like the squares and socks.  Do any of you get in a knit/crochet slump where you're just not excited about anything in particular?

The cable guy is supposed to be here in a little while because our internet has been acting up lately.  It's always when I'm in a hurry to look something up and then it doesn't work.  Isn't that the way it always is?  Compared to many, I have no reason to complain and yet I do.  My back hurts.  The internet doesn't work.  It's hot.  It's cold.  I'm hungry!  It's cloudy.  It's sunny.  Gosh, I'm spoiled aren't I?  I think many of us are.  We want things when we want them and don't want to be inconvenienced.  I'm really trying to be better about not complaining.  I give you, my friends, updates once a week on my "stuff" but otherwise try not to say much about it because really, who wants to be around someone who whines all of the time?

I hope you're all enjoying some sunshine and flowers.  It seems to have been a long, long winter for most of us.  I'll be back soon and I'm trying to keep up with all of  your blogs too.

"Come to me, all you who are burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

"Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105

Blessings Always,
Betsy