MORE EDINBURGH

The dress is sideways knitted using Partial Knitting (short rows) for shaping. I thought it was excellent, hence the photograph.

GOING SWIMMINGLY

I went swimming this morning. It was luverly! It hurt a lot but being in water is just so good for me. I enjoy it very much. It only hurt because I haven’t done for a week and I have been stressed and active this week. It still feels so much better than being on land.

The four puppies and Shameless are doing really well now. The puppies have gained weight and Shameless is settled and happy now.

To answer Yarnhog: no it isn’t a regular occurrence to lose puppies. Most litters are without incident. At least for me.

I still have many photographs of Edinburgh to post.

My yarn dyeing has really been quite successful. I am happy about that as I really enjoy doing it.

I have a good break from the shows now until Bank Holiday Monday (May 31st).

WTF? Teresa May has been appointed Equality Minister. She who voted against the repeal of Section 28, the equalising of the age of consent, against gays adopting, against lesbians having fertility treatment, against transgendered people having their official sex changed. Isn’t this a bit like having Nick Griffin in charge of Race Relations?(Nick Griffin is head of the British National Party-they have views one could say were Nazi.)

Oh and David Cameron’s voting record is very similar. I do not trust Tories. Their ‘standing for equality’ isn’t really believed, they just know the electorate will no longer stand for such crap.

 

I FOUND ONE

I have been after this for a long time. We were having coffee in Jenner's in Edinburgh and I need to go to the loo. I was told it was on the 3rd floor. The department store is very hard to get around in a chair, even walking for matter, as it is old and weirdly set out. I decided to walk. As the lift door opened, I was in the lighting department and as I turned my head to look for the loo sign, I saw her! She was 60% off too and the only one they had! I have seen many other Tiffanys but not this one. I thought I had it ages ago but the company let me down.

The light she gives me is just right with a 60w longlife bulb.

Posted by Knitman

EDINBURGH TRIP

PUTTING MY FOOT DOWN (NOT)

I am almost finished on three pairs of socks now. I am especially pleased with the 1 x 1 rib I decided to use on the gusset. It really looks and feels good. Hopefully I shall be able to get a decent enough photograph to show you.

Nechung is weird because of her senility. I brought her home from her blood test yesterday and let her out of the car. Instead of going str8 to the front door, she toddled off down the road. I called to her and she seemed to be startled by that and moved faster away from me. She tried to go into a different house and then she really seemed to freak and went off again. I can’t run and I was getting really worried that she would end up in the road. A teen boy was approaching and I asked him to head her off, explaining she would not hurt him. Nechung walked str8 into him and then ran off and into the field behind us. She was then trying to get into our garden from there. She has never been in that field. How did she know it was our garden behind the 7ft fence? Anyway, I realised what she was going to do when she couldn’t find a way in and I headed her off. Suddenly, she stopped dead still and stayed there until I got to her and out her lead on. She having a ‘vacant’ episode which enabled me to catch her. Taught me that even though it is but 12 feet from car to front door, I ought never let ANY of the dogs do it without a lead.

I am feeling a little low. Not miserable, just lowish. The trip to Edinburgh has shown that my disease has progressed again. It doesn’t seem to progress gradually but in steps. By that I mean I am not steadily declining but in plateaus and dips. I also found that when I am feeling very cold, from the inside, feel trembly and am confused, it is my disease and exhaustion. We took all day, 8 hours, to drive up, with regular stops. I didn’t feel tired at any point but did feel unwell when we got to the hotel. Now the trip home was the same length and we took regular breaks. I was cold, trembly and unsteady on my feet when we got home. That is how I knew it was exhaustion.

Now I have always been able to drive long distances and with no ill effects.No it seems not. I rested the following day, prepared for the dog show on the day after and went to the dog show the after. I was still very tired at the show and in much pain so clearly two days home before the show was not enough. I am used to the day after the show being a day I can’t function and need to sleep and do nothing. This time, I needed two days to recover.

All this makes us realise that our trips have to be organized differently. We had been thinking of cruising but looking is not it, it really is not for us. Quite apart from the fact John hates the sea and doesn’t relish the idea of being at sea at all. Now because he is he and he loves me, he didn’t tell me this until I told him I didn’t think a cruise was going to work.

We still want to visit Barcelona. It is a long drive. We will either have to take 3 days driving there OR decide to spend an extra day there so that the first day I can just sleep and hang about the hotel. I am sure it will all work out somehow.

We drive because there is Big Daniel to take, a suitcase, and other bags, ,camera equipment, drugs etc and whatever we might buy. Imagine trying to do all that on a train or plane. No, driving is much more convenient.

I have discovered something very useful. Ms Jeeves has cruise control. Also my new Garmin Zuma 660 sounds an alarm when a speed camera is coming up and also when I go over the speed limit even if no cameras. On my way TO places, I am usually anxious to get there and I tend to drive too fast. Also, on the way to dog shows, I can  get engrossed in talking with Angie, (the lady I share the dog show trips with). Well, I now set the cruise control to whatever the limit is.

I have found that by doing this my drive is much less stressful, saves pain in my accelerator leg too. I also get to the show in just the SAME amount of time! I also of course save fuel.

Do keep your eye on Knitman’s Kitchen for coned yarns if you want any. I am planning on putting a load up this week. Don’t forget that I do combine postage so if you bought 2 for example, I would refund the postage difference. I can also sell my cones in large amounts because I know how to use a courier and it is cheaper that way. i.e I will have trouble sending a large box of yarn. I have not looked into this for sending outside UK.

EDINBURGH

We have just got in from our trip to Edinburgh. We were there from Saturday till today. Had an excellent time. I will post pictures over the next few days.

The house is freezing and of course devoid of dogs so it feels very odd. We will collect the dogs tomorrow morning.

Probably paranoid but since we were burgled when we went to Budapest, I just decided to not write anything here or on Facebook or Twitter.

JEEVES

OKAY so there was fairly major hiccup. When I got Jeeves home and set up the ramps for Daniel to go up, Daniel didn't fit, the ramps collapsed, and I was left trying to keep an 80 kg wheelchair from falling back on me, damaging Jeeves, and crashing to the pavement. I yelled for help and fortunately my neighbour heard me and came to help me at once.

I tried again, having lowered Daniel's back as far as it would go. There is no way Daniel will fit into the back without being taken apart, which would defeat the object of me being free to go out without help.

After being quite upset about this development and eating a pot of Haagen Dazs to help me think, I order another w/chair, to come express delivery tomorrow. This one is not only half the weight of Daniel but the top folds right down onto the seat so will go into Jeeves no trouble.

There is otherwise loads of room in this car for luggage, dog crates, and the w/chair. In fact I think I can get dog crates, trolley and w/chair in.

I have the iPod set up, the mobile phone set up so the Jeeves answers it at the press of the button. Jeeves also accepts voice commands. Oh and Jeeves is Ms Jeeves.
Needless to say I have hurt myself supporting the weight of Daniel.

I have no regrets with this car. Daniel doesn't fit by less than inch! Yes, that was a boob I could have done without.

I was not prepared to have a people carrier, no room for seats in the house when removed. Plus I don't like them. I needed a car with the back totally flat when rear door opened, unlike Octavia that had had a dip.

It has Cruise Control too which will save my right leg some pain. Good fuel (diesel) economy, very comfortable.

Our planned trip to Edinburgh is still on.

WELL I NEVER

When I put the cones in my online shop, I really had my doubts they would sell. I put up 6. In less than 24 hrs, 5 have sold. So much better than Ebay. None of the hassle. It s going to be a pretty full time job to get shot of all this yarn but it must be done. I can’t stomach the idea of binning it.


I have been dyeing and I have learned a lot recently. First, I have learned that unlike Kemtex dye powder, Landscape and Gay Wool (behave!) dyes must be put into boiling water to dissolve. I have also found that dye is best used cold and painted onto cold yarn. I wash my hanks first, I don’t soak them. I also found I do not need to use anywhere near the amount of dye I have been. Today I dyed 4 hanks from the same mixtures. After the first, I diluted and dyed another hank, then diluted and dyed another and then diluted and dyed another. I didn’t reach pastel! Yes the colours grew less strong but did not pale as much as I thought they would so clearly I am using too much to start off with, even for the strongest colours I need less dye to make it strong. This means that all he dyes I have will last me long long time.
I feel so content recently. I only wish my body would allow me to do more though I am grateful for what I can do.
I have really learned how not to hassle myself and let pride get in the way. I swim Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I don’t force myself to and I don’t force a particular amount of laps. I stop when I know I must.
Of the seven dogs, only two are coated. That really was a hard decision to make but it is the right one fro them and for me.
Today, I am just about done in. I am sore and tired so instead of forcing myself to carry on, I am resting. That demon whispering in my ear all the time about me being lazy and good for nothing is dead.
I am flattered that my hand dyed yarns are selling so well.
We should have the car next week. We were going to Edinburgh for 5 days on Easter Sunday but have cancelled. The weather is crap. They reckon up there is getting 8 inches this next couple of days. Here is blowing fiercely with rain and black clouds with worse to  come. The wind blew the dogs over when they wanted to go out. They changed their minds and came back in. Did I mention that I have taught Luque, six years old, to give his paw? I find that amazing. I don’t use treats, just praise.
We have re booked Edinburgh later. I am determined I WILL see that city! John has loads of times and all I know who have been say it is gorgeous.
The heat sensations are to do with C7 vertebrae compressing nerves. I was offered Gabapentin, and epilepsy drug which also deadens nerve pain but I didn’t take the offer. I take 20+ pills a day as it is. Besides, it isn’t so bad and the pk’s take care of it mostly.I just Googled Gabapentin. You should see the side effects! F*ck off! No way!)
I am watching Series 3 of The Secret Diary of A Call Girl starring Billie Piper. It is very good. Funny. Moving. Billie Piper is beautiful and an excellent actress. She is beautiful whilst still being real, her face has character.

Great News - Not So Great news

GOOD NEWS FIRST

Whitney is now CHAMPION POLIELIN'S WHITNEY WITH TANTRA J.W. She gained her crown at Leeds on Friday. She also took Best of Breed and went on to Utility Group 3. 101 Lhasa Apso entered. Whitney gained her title with the required 3 cc's, each with Best Of Breed. She is just 20 months old. Whitney has done remarkably well for a black Apso and for one so young. The 1 G3 and 2 G4 placings are even more impressive for her.

I am so grateful that my friend Linda allowed me to have my choice of puppy. I was apprehensive in choosing a black. I am glad I went with my gut.

EDIT: I don't care what colour the Apso comes in. I just care if they are healthy and fit the standard. Unfortunately, many people think golden is the only colour that looks glamorous and the only colour they like. I don't call these people serious breeders of Lhasa Apso but exhibitors of show dogs. There is a big difference between the two. The latter are the reason why a breed changes from what it ought to be into an exaggerated show machine. Of course there are judges who look for 'show dog' too, rather than a good Lhasa Apso. So yes, doing so well with a black Apso is remarkable. She is not the only one though. A few years back another black bitch, Ch Deelayne Indulgence, did very very well, gaining many top wins.

NOT SO GOOD NEWS

We are not going away. The weather is atrocious. It is blowing a storm as I write and more and worse is forecast. Edinburgh wet and cold would not be fun so we cancelled.
This summer, I am surprised to writing, is as bad as last year's.

Today, instead of delivering dogs to their holiday home, we went to a shopping mall instead. I found what I wanted and will post pics later.

BUSY BUSY BUSY

This is another picture of me and Whitney taken at the show. Gordon leaver took the picture using his camera. He also took the previous picture but with my camera.

It has been an odd week. I have been very short tempered and feeling a little low. Maybe the crap weather? Hot, humid, windy, cold and wet and dull. Yes, it is that each day!

I discovered today that dressing up cheers me up. I was trying on various combinations for Friday's show and soon realised how much better I felt, especially once I had settled on the combination.

Yesterday I watched Amazing Grace. I was incredibly moved by it and once again was wet faced without warning. Life was truly awful back then, 200 years ago. For Mr Wilberforce and the others to do what they did took tremendous courage. I have always liked this hymn and had no idea of it's origin until seeing this film.

Today, I watched Michael Clayton. I almost gave up on it but then it seemed to click in my head what it was about and I stayed with it. Great performances but I think it could have been better served if the story had been told in a more straightforward instead of the poncy artsy way it was.

We are supposed do be visitng edinburgh next week but not if the weather does not improve. Antyhing but wet will do. Wet and we won't be going. No point. I hope it does work out as we are both wanting to go.

For the back to back shows during the last weekend in august, I am staying with Whitney at a farm bed and breakfast. The Scottish Kennel Club show is on the Saturday and the Scottish Lhasa Apso Club on the Sunday. John will stay here to dog sit.

August is a ridiculously busy month for shows, with six championship shows within the month, 3 in one week with just two days between each of them, Sun, Wed, and Saturday. If it kills me, I'll let you know somehow.