Well to apologize would be futile. I've ignored the blog. That's a sin and a crime. I know. I've been playing around with my eyes...changed the contact lens prescription, had to have the pupils dilated, etc. etc. etc. Mostly I've been busy with the Craft Cafe.
It is coming together, though probably not as fast as I'd like it. We still have some spots left and I would feel so much better if I had 15 of my 20 spots filled. I need a couple more for that to happen.
I, of course, had no idea of how much it would take. It's a lot of fun and really gets into the creativity and practical sides of my brain!
You should see the talent out there. I always knew it, but now I see it more up close than ever and I am so impressed. Without being the least bit envious, I do admire those with that kind of talent. God gives blessings to everyone.
There was also the weather to contend with. My new sobrina that's Spanish for niece, Lily, is in Maryland where they have been socked by snow and she writes on her Facebook page that it is all so pretty and beautiful, even as it has inconvenienced her and her hubby (my nephew) because he couldn't get home. I railed a little against her love of the snow and then I went outside in my own snowstorm to clean off my car, and I had to admit it was very pretty. It was the fluffy kind, not the icy, slushy kind. It was powdery and willowy - so yeah, it was rather beautiful and considering this is mid-February and we've had only three snowfalls - certainly not much more - I can allow myself to be gracious enough to admit there is a beauty there. Because again, God gives blessings to everyone. To Lily, he's given the blessing of being able to see beauty and express it. To my nephew, he's given the blessing of Lily.
The blessings of work to do, people to love and to love you back, and the ability to see good everywhere you look.
Gotta love that God, don't you?
I went to the eye doctor the other day because I have not had new eyeglasses since - probably ten years. So I knew it was time and since we have eye care coverage, and they pay for a new pair of glasses, I thought I should go.
and spend $250
OK, I can explain. At least I think I can explain.
You see, Sears was running this two complete pairs of glasses for $100. (They say it's $99.99 but come on.) I thought I would take advantage of that. I know I could go to other places and get 20 pairs of glasses for that, but Sears Optical is on my insurance plan. Yes, I know the insurance pays for one complete pair but I was also interested in contacts so I was going to have the insurance pay for contacts (if I could wear them) and I would pay for the two pairs of glasses (one regular, one tinted for sunglasses) as backup to the contacts.
In the event I couldn't wear contacts (I have a serious astigmatism from being hit in the eye with a rock in grade school) then the insurance could pay for one pair of glasses and I would pay for the other.
Now, you know that makes sense.
So, I met with the wonderful Dr. Stevens (He's in the north ave store if anyone wants to see an eye doctor that takes the time to explain everything and is very patient.) As it turns out, I can wear contacts. But I wanted to have the contact/glasses combo.
Theoretically, I should have let the insurance pick up the more expensive of the two (the contacts) and I should have paid for just one pair of glasses - but believe me, it wasn't the glasses that cost the most. I kinda got caught up in the moment and I think I may have purchased a pair of glasses I might not need - a regular pair of sunglasses. I have no idea how much I paid for them but I'm thinking they weren't that much. What did my $250+ get me? Two pairs of subscription glasses, one pair of smoking sunglasses, and a 3 month supply of contact lenses: here's how
2 pairs of glasses $100
co-pay $ 40
protection plan $ 40 (two years replacement)
tinting 1 pair $ 15
contact fitting $ 40
sunglasses $ no clue the sunglasses are for me to wear when i have in the contacts. I looked good in them, what can I say?
She went over everything with me, but it's all blurry (forgive the pun) On the one hand I think I got a lot for the money - on the other, don't know. Mr. Honey spent that much a few years back for his two pair of glasses.
You can weigh in if you like...but let me say I'm loving the contacts!! and these are samples! the real ones will be in next Tuesday. but they are soft and comfortable and other than the glitches in getting them in and taking them out, they are smoking nice to have. 
So I can see quite clearly as I show you the 'shawl that never ends!'
It has ended and can I tell you what I thought when I realized it was all bound off and done? I was holding it in my hand, this shawl that I was bitching and moaning about; this shawl I could not wait to get off my needles and be done with. I said to myself, 'I wonder if I could put some kind of lace edging around it?'
Naturally, I slapped myself silly until that thought went away. Lace trimming? Who 
am I and where did that saner person go? What's up with me and lacy edge trimming? I stuck the tassels at the corners and called it a very long day. It took me a while to figure out how to do the tassels. I don't think I've ever done them and it's a little different than doing fringe - just a little enough to make me want to run and find a fifth grader to explain it to me. But I did persevere.
Can you all tell how sparkly it is? It's quite sparkly and it even has a little warmth to it. Now my knitting group can stop making fun of me. I started this on the 18th of January and was still working on it at our last Wednesday meeting. "You've been working on that for more than ten days? You usually have about 20 things done in that time...hahahahahahaha."
Last laugh, baby, last laugh. And now I can see who's laughing at me!
Just to let you know, the 'shawl that never ends' has ended. That puppy is all done and complete with tassels on the points. Yes, I stayed up until 5:30 to complete it and I had an 11 o'clock appointment but we were not going one more day.
That's now why Idiot is the title of this post.
I was
explaining to someone what an i-cord is. See the handle on the bag? It's an I-Cord. "I" stands for idiot. I'm not kidding. It stands for idiot because it's so easy even an idiot can do it. (You may insert your guffaws here, but I warn you, if you know how to make an i-cord you may not be laughing at me.)
As it turns out, this is a brilliant piece of stitchery. The I-Cord is not only good for making handles (like on the bag); it's also great for edging, belts, even for the body of the bag. It's a versatile little thing. Just in case you don't know how to do it:
1. It can only be done on double pointed needles or circular. Truth to tell, I don't know why one would do in on circulars if you're just making an i-cord. In fact, though I'm sure there may be a reason to use circulars when making an i-cord, I can't think of it.
2. Cast on 3 or 4 stitches. Don't go any higher than that or you'll create a mess instead of a funky tube that you want.
3. Knit across.
4. DON'T TURN the work. Instead, slide the stitches back to the working end of the needle. The working yarn is going to be at the opposite end - which is just where you want it.
5. Knit across. Keep the yarn in the back and yes you will be pulling it across the back. That's what makes the tube.
6. Repeat until the cord is as long as you need. To bind off, k1 sl1 psso, turn, k2 tog.
Of course, there are nuances and different ways to bind off and all that stuff, but if you've never made one, it's a pretty cool thing to master.
Yes, I will show you the 'shawl that never ends' but in the daylight!
Well to apologize would be futile. I've ignored the blog. That's a sin and a crime. I know. I've been playing around with my eyes...changed the contact lens prescription, had to have the pupils dilated, etc. etc. etc. Mostly I've been busy with the Craft Cafe.
