No... I Haven't Kicked The Bucket

Geez. I had no idea that it's been so long since I've bored you all with my ramblings. Quite frankly, there has been nothing going on to report, so rather than moan and groan about how shitty I feel every day, I just sort of drifted away from writing. I finally have some things to say, though, so here we go.

First of all, I've missed you. It's funny how the people I've met through this blog have become so dear to me. Having married someone I met online, it shouldn't surprise me. I hope you're all well and looking forward to the holiday season.

Next, I'm selling off my stash - finally. We've sold and/or pawned everything of value we own, and it's still not enough. We've come to the conclusion that we just can't afford to live here. Between the propane bill and the electric bill alone, that comes to about $600 a month - in the summer. Now that winter is almost here, I'm not looking forward to bathing with cold water when we run out of propane (they demand payment on delivery, and it's a minimum of 100 gallons each time). When you don't have the money, you don't have the money. So we're giving notice next month and moving back up to the Bay Area into that same shitty residence hotel we were forced into before. I don't care if we wind up in an apartment that's only large enough for a couch and a chair - anything has to be better than constantly borrowing money from my mother. Hubster has closed down the shop, so I can't sell the yarn through there, leaving me with only the blog to use as my way of getting the word out. I could use Etsy or eBay, but to photograph all that yarn would be impossible. So ...

All my indie yarn (all of it top-quality - you know I don't buy shit), is $10 per skein. For a grab bag of five (5) skeins, it's $45. If you have a color preference (or actually, a combination or main color preference, since they're all hand-painted or -dyed and have several colors per skein), I'll try to accommodate you. Since the stash is so large, I should be able to provide you with what you want. There's still plenty of time to get it to you before Christmas if you wish to give it as a gift. I also have blends (some with silk, cashmere, etc.), which I'm offering at the same price. I'll send it Priority by whatever method is least expensive (either bags, the pre-paid boxes, etc.).

For Lorna's Laces, it's $12 for a pair (or however many there are of that particular color). Since you need two of them to make a pair of socks, it doesn't seem right to sell them individually.

I also have about four skeins of Wollmeise, and several skeins of Koigu. The Wollmeise is $20, and the Koigu is $8.

I'm also selling my knitting bags. Every single one of them are Green Mountain Knitting Bags - you can go look at their website to see what kinds of bags are for sale there. I'm selling these bags for $75 - quite the bargain, considering they sell for around $150 or so. Many of them have never been used, and they're absolutely beautiful. Those will have to go in a box, but the postage is inexpensive. I have about 40 of those in all shapes and sizes, as well as a variety of fabrics. I'm only keeping a couple of them, so have at it.

I'm also selling my spinning wheel. It's a Majacraft Rose, never used (but assembled and ready to roll). Along with the wheel comes a Woolee Winder, extra bobbins, and several bumps of roving in all kinds of fibers and colors. I'm asking $500 for it and will have it professionally packaged to ensure it's safe arrival.

The knitting bags and wheel are negotiable, since I know many of you are in the same position we are. I'm just trying to raise money we desperately need at prices which are fair, but I know even those may not be affordable. Don't hesitate to ask if the need is there.

I have a shitload of Addi Turbo needles in a variety of sizes, although most of mine are for sock knitting (sizes 1, 2, 3, etc.). I have a limited number of larger sizes. All of them are circulars in the 24" length. I also have some of the Addi Lace needles. I'm selling all of them. I'm asking $5 each. I also have some straights with cute little polymer clay doodads on the tops. There aren't a lot of them, but I do have them in the larger sizes. I'm asking $5 for those as well.

I'm also selling my Debra's Garden needle sizers. They normally sell for about $15 each, but I'm asking $7. I don't have a lot of them, but I do have a pretty good selection of colors.

Also for sale are packages of Scout's Swag magnetic chart markers. I have a lot of these, most of them three sizes to a pack, but also some mediums packaged singly. The packages of three are $8 each; the singles are $3. Scout was kind enough to give them to me when I closed the shop, but I have so many that I can never use them all.

If there is anything else you need or want, I may very well have it. There are a lot of things left over from the shop - hand cream, sachets, roving, needle cases, etc. Drop me a note at pamtheknitter@gmail.com, and we'll discuss what I have and how much I'm asking for them. As I'm beginning to pack for the move, I'm finding more things which belong to former vendors. I'll send them as I can.

Now that the business portion of this missive is completed, on to the news.

Hubster got a call/text from his sister (the first one in about 10 years). She told him that their mother has Stage 4 cancer which started in her lungs (so much for giving up smoking). She's taking some pill which is designed specifically for the type of cancer she has, and it seems to be working very well. I even talked to her. What amazes me is that she's a trauma nurse and works in the ICU (she's been a nurse for something like 40 years), and she wanted to ask me if taking a narcotic would make her crazy. It seems to me that she should know what different pills do. Oh well. I told her that she wouldn't run screaming down the street naked, but that she would probably sleep a lot. That's probably going to be the last time I talk to her. She hates me, I'm not fond of her, and none of this really affects me other than what it does to Hubster. I'll stand by his side and support him no matter what, but I'm having a hard time garnering up any emotion for her and the rest of the family. I know that sounds horrible, and it probably is, but given our history ... oh well. I just thought I'd let you all know.

My mother has been cleared of her cancer and no longer has to see her oncologist. That was a bit of badly needed good news. My grandmother is doing well, too.

As for me, nothing has changed. I was put on an anti-depressant, but after one day of taking it, I had to stop. I've never been able to take them, and this one was no exception. It would have been nice to feel happy for a change.

We're going up to Mom's for Christmas, although it will be a short trip. We're planning on bringing the kids home with us so they can see the snow. If the weather continues to be warm, though, we may not bring them. We haven't even had any rain, and it's raining fairly steadily in the Bay Area. They always get the good weather. Ah well - in a month ...

Hubster's job is going well, and we're hoping for a raise after the first of the year. He's a project/team leader now; I've never heard the word "fuck" yelled into the phone this much in my life. My sleeping schedule has adjusted so I sleep for the mornings and usually wake up for the afternoons. That way, I don't bother him as much as I would were I up all day.

The kids are doing pretty well, considering their mother hasn't even bothered to call them in well over a month. It'll be interesting to see what happens over Christmas. The last time she called, they refused to get on the phone with her. We haven't heard from her since the court hearing. I don't know where she lives, what she does regarding work, or anything to do with her personal life. As far as she's concerned, we're apparently dead to her. When I do do pass, Hubster doesn't even have any way to let her know (not that she gives a rat's ass). It's not like she's getting anything of mine - what little I have left goes to the kids.

Emma now weighs 55 pounds and is happy as the proverbial clam. She sleeps with Hubster every night under the quilt with her head on the pillow next to him. The other morning, I looked over and caught her bathing his face and head. Try and stop a bulldog from doing what she wants, especially one as strong as her. Here's a couple of pictures of the fat fart for your enjoyment:








Well, my hands are cramping, so I'm going to close here. Please get in touch with me about the yarn, etc., that I have for sale. Should you wonder, it's all been kept away from the evil cancer sticks, so nothing smells like smoke. I promise that I'll get it to you in time for Christmas should that be your intention.

In case I don't write before the holiday, a very Merry Christmas to all of you, and may all the love I have in my heart wash over you and yours.

:)